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Halachic and Hashkafic Issues in Contemporary Society 91 - Hand Shaking and Seat Switching Ou Israel Center - Summer 2018
5778 - dbhbn ovrct [email protected] 1 sxc HALACHIC AND HASHKAFIC ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 91 - HAND SHAKING AND SEAT SWITCHING OU ISRAEL CENTER - SUMMER 2018 A] SHOMER NEGIAH - THE ISSUES • What is the status of the halacha of shemirat negiah - Deoraita or Derabbanan? • What kind of touching does it relate to? What about ‘professional’ touching - medical care, therapies, handshaking? • Which people does it relate to - family, children, same gender? • How does it inpact on sitting close to someone of the opposite gender. Is one required to switch seats? 1. THE WAY WE LIVE NOW: THE ETHICIST. Between the Sexes By RANDY COHEN. OCT. 27, 2002 The courteous and competent real-estate agent I'd just hired to rent my house shocked and offended me when, after we signed our contract, he refused to shake my hand, saying that as an Orthodox Jew he did not touch women. As a feminist, I oppose sex discrimination of all sorts. However, I also support freedom of religious expression. How do I balance these conflicting values? Should I tear up our contract? J.L., New York This culture clash may not allow you to reconcile the values you esteem. Though the agent dealt you only a petty slight, without ill intent, you're entitled to work with someone who will treat you with the dignity and respect he shows his male clients. If this involved only his own person -- adherence to laws concerning diet or dress, for example -- you should of course be tolerant. But his actions directly affect you. And sexism is sexism, even when motivated by religious convictions. -
1 Jews, Gentiles, and the Modern Egalitarian Ethos
Jews, Gentiles, and the Modern Egalitarian Ethos: Some Tentative Thoughts David Berger The deep and systemic tension between contemporary egalitarianism and many authoritative Jewish texts about gentiles takes varying forms. Most Orthodox Jews remain untroubled by some aspects of this tension, understanding that Judaism’s affirmation of chosenness and hierarchy can inspire and ennoble without denigrating others. In other instances, affirmations of metaphysical differences between Jews and gentiles can take a form that makes many of us uncomfortable, but we have the legitimate option of regarding them as non-authoritative. Finally and most disturbing, there are positions affirmed by standard halakhic sources from the Talmud to the Shulhan Arukh that apparently stand in stark contrast to values taken for granted in the modern West and taught in other sections of the Torah itself. Let me begin with a few brief observations about the first two categories and proceed to somewhat more extended ruminations about the third. Critics ranging from medieval Christians to Mordecai Kaplan have directed withering fire at the doctrine of the chosenness of Israel. Nonetheless, if we examine an overarching pattern in the earliest chapters of the Torah, we discover, I believe, that this choice emerges in a universalist context. The famous statement in the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 4:5) that Adam was created singly so that no one would be able to say, “My father is greater than yours” underscores the universality of the original divine intent. While we can never know the purpose of creation, one plausible objective in light of the narrative in Genesis is the opportunity to actualize the values of justice and lovingkindness through the behavior of creatures who subordinate themselves to the will 1 of God. -
Rambam Hilchot Talmud Torah
Rambam Hilchot Talmud Torah Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom Part 7 7: If the *minhag hamedina* (local custom) was to pay the teacher, he brings him his payment. [the father] is obligated to pay for his education until he learns the entire Written Torah. In a place where the custom is to teach the Written Torah for money, it is permissible to teach for a salary. However, it is forbidden to teach the Oral Law for a salary, as it says: *R'eh limadti etchem hukkim umishpatim ka'asher tzivani hashem* (See, I have taught you laws and judgements just as Hashem commanded me) (Devarim [Deuteronomy]4:5) just as I [Moshe] studied for free, so you learned from me for free. Similarly, when you teach in the future, teach for free, just as you learned from me. If he doesn't find anyone to teach him for free, he should find someone to teach him for pay, as it says: *Emet k'ne* (acquire - or buy - truth) (Mishlei [Proverbs] 23:23) I might think that [in that case] he should teach others for money, therefore Scripture says: *v'al timkor* (and do not sell it) ) )ibid.); so you see that it is forbidden to teach for pay, even if his teacher taught him for pay. Q1: Why the distinction between the written law and the oral law? KB: We've always been allowed to pay scribes, eh? YE: Another response: someone who is teaching the pure text is merely a facilitator - teaching grammar, lexicon, history etc. Therefore, he is not in the model of Moshe Rabbenu, from whom the entire halakha of free teaching is derived. -
A Fresh Perspective on the History of Hasidic Judaism
eSharp Issue 20: New Horizons A Fresh Perspective on the History of Hasidic Judaism Eva van Loenen (University of Southampton) Introduction In this article, I shall examine the history of Hasidic Judaism, a mystical,1 ultra-orthodox2 branch of Judaism, which values joyfully worshipping God’s presence in nature as highly as the strict observance of the laws of Torah3 and Talmud.4 In spite of being understudied, the history of Hasidic Judaism has divided historians until today. Indeed, Hasidic Jewish history is not one monolithic, clear-cut, straightforward chronicle. Rather, each scholar has created his own narrative and each one is as different as its author. While a brief introduction such as this cannot enter into all the myriad divergences and similarities between these stories, what I will attempt to do here is to incorporate and compare an array of different views in order to summarise the history of Hasidism and provide a more objective analysis, which has not yet been undertaken. Furthermore, my historical introduction in Hasidic Judaism will exemplify how mystical branches of mainstream religions might develop and shed light on an under-researched division of Judaism. The main focus of 1 Mystical movements strive for a personal experience of God or of his presence and values intuitive, spiritual insight or revelationary knowledge. The knowledge gained is generally ‘esoteric’ (‘within’ or hidden), leading to the term ‘esotericism’ as opposed to exoteric, based on the external reality which can be attested by anyone. 2 Ultra-orthodox Jews adhere most strictly to Jewish law as the holy word of God, delivered perfectly and completely to Moses on Mount Sinai. -
For Shabbat Morning Prayers. As I Explain On
Here is an abridged Matbeah – service – for Shabbat morning prayers. As I explain on our homepage, while most of this abridged service is designed as if one is davening – praying – alone, I have included the recitation of Mourner’s Kaddish for those who are in mourning or observing Yahrzeit. Ideally, all of us will begin praying at 9:30am on Shabbat morning with a kavannah – intentionality – towards one another. In this way, we will form a community even if we are not standing together in the sanctuary. All of the pages on this outline refer to our Sim Shalom prayer book; however, all of these prayers appear in most traditional prayer books. There is a link to a scanned document with all of the following pages on our homepage. p.10 - Birkot HaShachar p.16-18 - Rabbinic Texts p. 20 - Kaddish D’Rabbanan (for those in mourning or observing Yahrzeit) p.32 - Psalm for Shabbat p. 52 - Mourner’s Kaddish (for those in mourning or observing Yahrzeit) p.54 - Barush She’amar p.72 - Hodu p. 80-82 - Ashrei p. 88 – Halleluyah (Psalm 150) p. 92-94 - Shirat Hayam p. 336-338 - Ha’El B’Tatzumot through Yishtabach (Stop before Hatzi Kaddish) p. 340-352 - Shema and its surrounding prayers before and after p. 354-364 - Silent Amidah (without Kedushah, insert Atah Kadosh paragraph instead) ** Skip the Torah Service ** p. 415 - Prayer for Our Country p. 416 - Prayer for the State of Israel p. 430-440 - Silent Musaf Amidah (without Kedushah, insert Atah Kadosh paragraph instead) p. 510 - Aleinu After this service, I then encourage you to open up a Chumash or some printed version of the Torah reading for the week and read it in Hebrew or English. -
Application for Admission Yeshivas Ohr Yechezkel 2020-2021 Mesivta Ateres Tzvi the Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study 3288 N
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION YESHIVAS OHR YECHEZKEL 2020-2021 MESIVTA ATERES TZVI THE WISCONSIN INSTITUTE FOR TORAH STUDY 3288 N. Lake Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53211 (414) 963-9317 PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY APPLICANT APPLICANT'S NAME (LAST) FIRST M.I. HEBREW NAME APPLICANT'S ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE HOME PHONE PRIMARY FAMILY E-MAIL ADDRESS PRESENT SCHOOL PRESENT GRADE PLACE OF BIRTH DATE OF BIRTH NAME PREFERRED TO BE CALLED PARENTS FATHER’S NAME (LAST) FIRST TITLE HEBREW NAME FATHER'S ADDRESS - (if different from above) CITY STATE ZIP CODE FATHER'S OCCUPATION HOME PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS CELL PHONE OFFICE PHONE SYNAGOGUE AFFILIATION SYNAGOGUE RABBI MOTHER'S NAME (LAST) FIRST TITLE MAIDEN NAME HEBREW NAME MOTHER'S ADDRESS - (if different from above) CITY STATE ZIP CODE MOTHER'S OCCUPATION HOME PHONE (if different from above) CELL PHONE OFFI CE PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS SYNAGOGUE AFFILIATION – (if different from above) SYNAGOGUE RABBI – (if different from above) PARENTS' AFFILIATION WITH JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS, (RELIGIOUS, COMMUNAL, EDUCATIONAL, ETC.) SIBLINGS NAME SCHOOL AGE GRADE EDUCATIONAL DATA LIST CHRONOLOGICALLY ALL THE SCHOOLS THAT APPLICANT HAS ATTENDED NAME OF SCHOOL CITY DATES OF ATTENDANCE GRADUATED (Y OR N) DESCRIBE THE COURSES APPLICANT HAS TAKEN THIS YEAR GEMORAH: Include the mesechta currently being learned, the amount of blatt expected to be learned this year, the length of the Gemorah shiur each day and the meforshim regularly learned MATH: Provide course name and describe the material studied EXTRA CURRICULAR LEARNING: Describe any learning outside of school (Limud, Days, Time) LIST CHRONOLOGICALLY THE SUMMER CAMPS THAT APPLICANT HAS ATTENDED NAME CITY DATES IN WHICH ORGANIZATIONS AND/OR EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES HAS APPLICANT PARTICIPATED IN SCHOOL AND IN THE COMMUNITY? NAME DATES INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS Section 1 Has your son ever been evaluated or diagnosed for any developmental or learning issues? Yes No If yes, please state the reason or nature of the tests. -
Preparing a Dvar Torah
PREPARING A DVAR TORAH GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES Preparing a dvar Torah 1 Preparing a dvar Torah 2 Preparing a dvar Torah 1 MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE ASKED TO GIVE a dvar Torah don't know where to begin. Below are some simple guidelines and instructions. It is difficult to provide a universal recipe because there are many different divrei Torah models depending on the individual, the context, the intended audience and the weekly portion that they are dealing with! However, regardless of content, and notwithstanding differences in format and length, all divrei Torah share some common features and require similar preparations. The process is really quite simple- although the actual implementation is not always so easy. The steps are as follows: Step One: Understand what a dvar Torah is Step Two: Choose an issue or topic (and how to find one) Step Three: Research commentators to explore possible solutions Step Four: Organize your thoughts into a coherent presentation 1Dvar Torah: literallly, 'a word of Torah.' Because dvar means 'a word of...' (in the construct form), please don't use the word dvar without its necessary connected direct object: Torah. Instead, you can use the word drash, which means a short, interpretive exposition. Preparing a dvar Torah 3 INTRO First clarify what kind of dvar Torah are you preparing. Here are three common types: 1. Some shuls / minyanim have a member present a dvar Torah in lieu of a sermon. This is usually frontal (ie. no congregational response is expected) and may be fifteen to twenty minutes long. 2. Other shuls / minyanim have a member present a dvar Torah as a jumping off point for a discussion. -
Shavuot Nation 5774
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL Shavuot Nation 5774 JEWISH EDITION Compiled by Gabi Weinberg Teen Program Director ! Table of Contents Sources: Got Milk? Or, Perhaps we should be eating meat on Shavuot? page 4 Shiur Guide: Got Milk? Or, Perhaps we should be eating meat on Shavuot? page 7 Sources: Just Dress? Or is Tzniut something more? page 10 Shiur Guide: Just Dress? Or is Tzniut something more? page 12 Sources: Do Jews have horns? If!Moshe!didn't!have!horns,!what!did!he!have?!page!20 Sources: Do Jews have horns? If!Moshe!didn't!have!horns,!what!did!he!have?!page!24 Shiur Guide: Pronouncing the “Z” in Pizza – which bracha is right? page 28 Shiur Guide: Pronouncing the “Z” in Pizza, which bracha is right? page 32 12:00AM - 1:00AM Welcome and Opening Shiur: Got Milk? Or Perhaps we should be eating meat on Shavuot? • 1:00 - 1:10 Snack Break 1:15AM - 2:00AM Just Dress? Or is Tzniut something more? • 2:00 - 2:45 - Big Food, BBQ, Sushi or Alternative fun food 2:50AM - 3:35AM Sources:!Do!Jews!have!horns?!If!Moshe!didn't!have!horns,! what!did!he!have? • 3:35!B!3:45!Final!Snack!Break! 3:40AM!B!4:25AM!Pronouncing!the!“Z”!in!Pizza,!which!bracha!is!right?! • Wash!hands!and!Say!Brachot!Before!TePillah! 4:30!B!Shacharit!! Dear Young Israel Community, Shavuot is a special time of year where we put an extra emphasis on limmud Torah, study of Torah. The concept of a tikkun leil Shavuot, staying up all night immersed in Torah study, started as a kabbalistic custom that became popular across all sections of Judaism in the late 16th-century. -
The Contemporary Jewish Legal Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Conflict with Halakha
t HaRofei LeShvurei Leiv: The Contemporary Jewish Legal Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Conflict with Halakha Senior Honors Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Undergraduate Program in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Prof. Reuven Kimelman, Advisor Prof. Zvi Zohar, Advisor In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts by Ezra Cohen December 2018 Accepted with Highest Honors Copyright by Ezra Cohen Committee Members Name: Prof. Reuven Kimelman Signature: ______________________ Name: Prof. Lynn Kaye Signature: ______________________ Name: Prof. Zvi Zohar Signature: ______________________ Table of Contents A Brief Word & Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………... iii Chapter I: Setting the Stage………………………………………………………………………. 1 a. Why This Thesis is Important Right Now………………………………………... 1 b. Defining Key Terms……………………………………………………………… 4 i. Defining Depression……………………………………………………… 5 ii. Defining Halakha…………………………………………………………. 9 c. A Short History of Depression in Halakhic Literature …………………………. 12 Chapter II: The Contemporary Legal Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Conflict with Halakha…………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 d. Depression & Music Therapy…………………………………………………… 19 e. Depression & Shabbat/Holidays………………………………………………… 28 f. Depression & Abortion…………………………………………………………. 38 g. Depression & Contraception……………………………………………………. 47 h. Depression & Romantic Relationships…………………………………………. 56 i. Depression & Prayer……………………………………………………………. 70 j. Depression & -
THE HALAKHIC PROCESS* J. David Bleich I. the Methodology Of
THE HALAKHIC PROCESS* J. David Bleich I. The Methodology of Halakhah Judaism is unique in its teaching that study is not merely a means but an end, and not merely an end among ends, but the highest and noblest of human aspirations. Study of Torah for its own sake is a sacramental act, the greatest of all miẓvot. Throughout the generations Torah scholars were willing to live in poverty and deprivation in order to devote themselves to study. Every Jew, regardless of the degree of erudition he had attained, devoted a portion of his time to Torah learning. Those capable of doing so plumbed the depths of the Talmud. Others perused the Mishnah or stud- ied the weekly Torah portion together with the commentary of Rashi. Even the unlettered recited psalms on a regular daily basis. To the Jew, Torah study has always been more than a ritual act; it has always been a religious experience. The Jew has always perceived God speaking to him through the leaves of the Gemara, from the paragraphs of the Shulḥan Arukh and the words of the verses of the Bible. The Sages long ago taught, “Kudsha Berikh Hu ve-Oraita ḥad,” God and the Torah are one; the Torah is the manifestation of divine wisdom. God reveals Himself to anyone who immerses himself in the depths of the Torah; the intensity of the revelation is directly propor- tionate to the depth of penetration and perceptive understanding. To the scholar, a novel, illuminating insight affords a more convincing demonstra- tion of the Divine Presence than a multitude of philosophic arguments. -
7 Easy Steps to Leading a Torah Study Session
7 Easy Steps to Leading a Torah Study Session 1. Gather information a. Find out what the Torah portion is for the week you’ll be studying i. Ask the Rabbi ii. Look at a Jewish calendar – most have the Torah portion noted on each Saturday. Each Shabbat is known by the name of the Torah portion which is read b. Decide whether you’re going to focus on the entire Torah portion, or just the reading we’ll cover in this year’s triennial portion. See pages 710‐724 in the Kol Haneshamah prayer book for the triennial readings. c. Find out how much time you will have; where you will be doing the study; and how the space will be arranged. 2. Read the Torah portion aloud. See “Resources” at the end for information about finding the translation a. Reading aloud provides the opportunity to hear the words that were written. b. It also allows us to slow down the reading instead of skimming over it. c. Listen to yourself as you read. d. Some things to look for (Source: Being Torah Teacher’s Guide; Torah Aura Publications): i. Missing Information. What information is missing? What doesn’t the Torah tell you? What information would help clarify the story or the instructions, etc? ii. Number‐words. The numbers 7, 10 and 40 are important; individual words repeated 5, 7, 10 or 12 times in a single portion are usually very important – those key words are a clue to what the portion’s about. iii. Text repetitions. The language in the Torah is specific, with no “extra” or “unnecessary” words. -
Women-Join-Talmud-Ce
OBSERVANCE Women Join Talmud Celebration As the daf yomi cycle of Talmud learning concludes this week, a Jerusalem study group breaks a barrier By Beth Kissileff | July 30, 2012 7:00 AM | Comments: 0 (Margarita Korol) This week, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather in various venues around the world for what’s being billed as “the largest celebration of Jewish learning in over 2,000 years.” The biggest American event, in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Aug. 1, is expected to fill most of the arena’s 90,000 seats. The occasion is the siyum hashas, the conclusion of a cycle of Talmud study first proposed by Meir Shapiro, rabbi of Lublin, at the First World Congress of World Agudath Israel—an umbrella organization A Different Voice representing ultra-Orthodox Jewry—in Vienna in 1923. When a woman learns the art of Torah Shapiro’s idea was that Jews around the world could chanting, she realizes she is part of a build unity by studying the same page of Talmud at the new religious tradition—as well as a very same time. If a Jew learns one page per day, known as old, sacred one daf yomi, it will take almost seven and a half years to By Sian Gibby complete all 2,711 pages of the Babylonian Talmud. This week’s siyum hashas marks the conclusion of the 12th cycle of daf yomi study since 1923. Historically, one group of Jews has often been limited in access to this text: women. The ultra-Orthodox world does not, for the most part, approve of women studying Talmud; as one rabbi representative of this view, or hashkafa, explains, such scholarship is “not congruent with the woman’s role” in Judaism.