Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel is addressing what elements are necessary to sustain a civil society. Rabbi Ovadiah Bartenura ZT’L ZY’A explains the Mishna is teaching Justice is when the Courts punish the guilty and acquit the innocent. Truth is personified by people acting truthfully by not lying to each other. Peace exist between individuals and countries.

However, why would Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel organize the Mishna this way? The Prooftext cited from Zechariah(8:16) “These are the…

FOR THE SHABBAT HACHODESH

WHEN THE MONTH OF NISSAN IS BLESSED

Sefer Zechut Avot relates that on the Shabbat when the month of Nissan is blessed Rabbi Yisrael Kozientz ZT’L ZY’A would relate these three stories as they are capable of eliciting D-vine favor upon Jewry to afford and receive all their Passover needs amid abundance.

Rav Areleh Roth ZT’L ZY’A author of Shomer Emunim, commanded that these stories be told on 21 Adar the Yharzeit of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of…

The Talmud (Megila 31b) The Rebuke in Devarim (28:15-69) is read just before the New Year so that “ . . . the year and its curses shall be consumed . . . .” Rabbi Shlomo HaCohen of Ramdonsk quoted in M’Bair HaTorah (pg. 422) “ . . . that if G-D forbid a bad thing has been decreed against someone reading the rebuke will fulfill the requirement to experience what had been decreed against them” Rather by reading the text the decree is changed from a curse to a blessing. How could this…

The Torah like its D-vine author is eternal, speaking throughout time to each Jew as well as the rest of humanity. The Torah teaches “If a bird’s nest chances to be before you in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they are young ones, or eggs, and the mother sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; But you shall let the mother go, and take the young to you; that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.” Devarim…

The Three Weeks, the period between 17 Tamuz when the walls of Jerusalem were breached and 9 Menachem Av when both Temples were destroyed. These twenty one days are observed as a time of national mourning.

The level of mourning intensifies from merely not engaging in joyous activities like celebrating a wedding or holding a concert. Once the Month of Menachem Av enters one diminishes one’s sense of joy which is expressed by not eating meat or drinking wine or not wearing freshly…

Rabbi Ya’akov’s lesson seems fairly simplistic and obvious. The present plane of existence is merely preparatory for the world to come. Certainly, anyone subscribing to a G-D-centric world view would place the emphasis on the plane of eternal life, the world to come and not on the transitory existence bounded at either end by birth and death.

Is Rabbi Ya’akov signature teaching something so axiomatic or is there something deeper.

Arguably Rabbi Ya’akov’s observation is based on a…

The Mishna at first glance seems to be jumble of ideas tossed together. Truly some edition separate Hillel’s lesson however in the Vilna Shas edition the two Rabbis’ lessons are joined. Since the Mishna was originally oral it would be necessary in order to preserve the text’s integrity the Mishnayoth would be arranged to facilitate memorization and not haphazardly. Consequently there should be a common thread connecting the various teachings.

Rabbam Gamliel‘s teaching on the surface…

Rabbi Yizchak Ibn Abuchav ZT’L ZY’A entered the Rabbinate latter in life and drawing from Maimonidies’ example compiled an anthology of Rabbinic teachings organized by topic. The rabbi had intended to compose a handbook of sermonic source material. Rabbi Abuchav’s work, Menorath HaMeor enjoyed such popularity that the standard Vilna 5635 edition has an extensive Yiddish translation accompanying the text.

Rabbi Ibn Abuchav begins his discussion about Passover by reciting the practice…

The laws of Passover begin [We commence] inquiring about [and investigating] the laws of Passover thirty days before the holiday (see Tur and Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 429, Mishna Berurah note 1). The Thirty days’ preparatory study begins on Purim itself (Mishna Berurah 429:2)

There is some discussion whether this particular law is common to all the festivals. However, as both Passover and Succot due to their unique observances require extensive prior study. The need for necessity…

When several events take place within a short period of time one should wonder about a common theme. The sale of Yossef by his brothers and Yehudah's subsequent separation are two major events in the Sidra. Earlier in the week the release of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Ladi, the Baal HaTanya ZT'L ZY'A from Czarist captivity and the first publication of Tanya is celebrated on 19 Kislev and latter next week, Chanukah begins. The separation in time between these events does not take away from an…

Rachel Our Mother A’H died during the birth of Binyamin calling him Ben Oni, the child of my travail (Bereshith 35:18). Ya’akov buried his wife on the roadside approaching Beit Lechem with a grave marker that remains to this day (35:19-21).

Ya’akov’s other wives Billa and Zilpa are buried in Teveria along with Yocheved and her daughters in law Zipora and Elisheva bat Aminadav and Leah is buried with her husband within Chevron’s Cave of Machpelah. Why was Rachel denied repose with…

Every parcel of real estate is viewed as unique, one of a kind. The special characteristics of real estate may explain why conveying title from person to another is highly formalized that even in a secular society it approaches religious ritual. The rule is that land cannot ever be really stolen as it always remains in place. Therefore, to give up one’s claim to land out of despair is a subject to debate. Consequently, the transfer of real estate requires atmosphere of the parties’ agreement…