DOCSLIB.ORG

Halachic and Hashkafic Issues in Contemporary Society 125 - Ta’Anit Bechorot 1 Ou Israel Center - Spring 2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Halachic and Hashkafic Issues in Contemporary Society 125 - Ta’Anit Bechorot 1 Ou Israel Center - Spring 2019 5779 - dbhbn ovrct [email protected] 1 sxc HALACHIC AND HASHKAFIC ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 125 - TA’ANIT BECHOROT 1 OU ISRAEL CENTER - SPRING 2019 Two key questions need to be asked on Ta’anit Bechorot: (i) Why do we even have such a fast? (ii) Once it is clear that we do, why does almost nobody fast!!? A] THE FIRST BORN AND YETZIAT MITZRAYIM ,t drv h fbt vBv uj KJ k i tn Tu hbs cgh u hb C t jKJ Whkt r n tu (df) :k trGh h rfc hbC wv r nt v F v g rP k t T rnt u (cf) 1. :WrfC WbC df-cf:s ,una One of the first messages that Moshe is required to deliver to Paro is that the Jewish people are the ‘bechor’ - first born of God. They must be allowed to serve Him, failing which the punishment will be the death of the Egyptian firstborn. 2 ut xF kg c J H v v g rP r uf Cn oh r mn . rt C r uf C kF n) (v) :ohr mn * u C tm uh hb+t vk hKv m+jF wv r nt v F v J n r nt Hu (s) 2. :v nv C r uf C k f u ohjrv r jt r J+t v j p- v r uf C sg v-s:th ,una The prelude3 to the actual death of the firstborn predicts that the plague will attack all firstborn in Egyptian homes - from the highest to the lowest class, and will include the firstborn Egyptian animals too. wv hb+t oh .p J v /0gt oh r mn h v k0t kf c) v nv C sg u o stn oh r mn . rt C r uf C kf h hFv u v1v vk hKC oh r mn . rt c h T rcg u 3. ch:ch ,una The death of the Egyptian firstborn will come at the same time as the destruction of their gods. 4 r uf C k f u r uC v hc C r J+t h c -v r uf C sg ut xF kg c J H v v g rP r f Cn oh r mn . rt C r uf C kf vFv wvu vk hKv h m+jC h v hu (yf) 4. :, n o J h t r J!t ,h"C h t h F ohr mn C vk s d v eg m h v Tu oh r mn kf u uh sc+g kf u t)v vk hk v g rP o eHu (k) :vn v C k$yf:ch ,una The actual slaying of the first-born was, as predicted, across the spectrum 5 of Egyptian society, including the animals. In fact, it appears from the text that every Egyptian home lost someone in the plague. r«ufC hbt ;"t (jf:yp ohkhv,) rntba wrufcw hure ,hcca kusd 'rufc oa iht /,n 'rufc oa ah - ,n oa ht rat ,hc ht hf 5. ',jt vatk vanj ov ohngp /vcrv ,urufc ovk uhvu ohhubp oheuurn ,uskuhu ivhkgc ,j, ,ubzn ,uhrmn - rjt rcs /Uv$bT&t /uhctk rufc sjt kf k:ch ,una h"ar Rashi explains that the leaders of each home also died as ‘firstborns’. Any firstborn born illegitimately from an adulterous relationships also died. 1. Is the correct plural ‘BechorIM’ or ‘BechorOT’? As is well-known, although adjectives in Hebrew are always consistent to their masculine or feminine. However plural nouns are notoriously fickle (consider ,uct and ohab to start with!) In fact, some masculine nouns take a regular masculine plural in Biblical Hebrew ( ohrufc) but switch to an irregular plural ( ,urufc) in the language of Chazal. Consider also: ,ukjr(ohkjr and ohxsrp\,uxsrp. Since ta’anit is a word found first in Chazal (as opposed to ‘tzom’ in Tanach), the proper use seems to be Ta’anit Bechorot. For more on irregular plurals, see https://hebrew-academy.org.il. 2. The concept of the Jewish People as the firstborn of the world is very powerful. It implies that all the nations of the world are God’s children. But just as there is an inevitable generation gap between regular children and their parents, so too there will be an almost unbridgeable gap between the finite child and the infinite Parent. The role of the first born is to be one of the siblings, avoiding the generation gap, but also a representative of the parents. So too, the Jews are intended to interact with the non-Jews as ‘siblings’, to relate to them at the same time as communicating the message of God. 3. Makat bechorot is mentioned more times than any of the other plagues. 4. There were part of the idolatrous abuse of the ‘firstborn’ process. Whilst the bechor is intended as a way for the nations to relate to the message of God, avoda zara is used as a means to connect indirectly with God and eventually to bypass God entirely. 5. Although the description in the verse subtly shifts to include even the imprisoned slaves. To download more source sheets and audio shiurim visit www.rabbimanning.com 5779 - dbhbn ovrct [email protected] 2 sxc :o j hk3vt C ohb ut h Jt r ohr mn C r uf C kF *Hu 6. tb:jg ohkv, On the other hand, the verse in Tehillim stresses that the ‘reishit onim 6’ of the Egyptians died. This would be the male firstborn only. v S p t k o t u v / c v S pT r n+j r .P kf u (dh) 5555 t)v hk v nv Cc) o stC k tr /h hb cC o jr kF r .P r uf C kf hk J Se (c) 7. oh r mNn wv )bth m uv sh e7 j C uhkt T rnt u t 1 v n r ntk r jn W bc W kt Jh h F vhv u (sh) :v S pT Whbc C o st r uf C k f u uT pr+gu jc 7 hb+t iF kg v nv C r uf C sg u o st r f Cn oh r mn . rt C r uf C kF wv d r+vHu )b j KJ k v g rp v J ev h F h v hu (u.) :oh sc+g hCn :ohr mNn wv )bth m uv sh e7 j C h F Whbhg ihC p. u. k) vf sh kg ut k vhv u (z.) :v S pt hbC r uf C kf u oh rf 1v o jr r .P kF wvk dh ,una As a consequence, all first born males from the womb - both human and animal - belong to God and must be redeemed. In the case of baby boys this is pidyon haben - redemption for money at 30 days. In the case of kosher male animals, the bechor is brought to the Mikdash and given to the Cohen, either as a korban (if perfect) or a gift (if flawed). In the case of first born male donkeys, the redemption is by way of a sheep given as a gift to the kohen. r uf C kF hk h F (dh) :oHu kv hk )h v u k tr /h hb Cn o jr r .P r uf C kF jT k tr /h hb C * uT n oHu kv t h T jek v8v hb+tu (ch) 8. x :wv hb+t )h vh hk v nv C sg o stn k tr /h C r uf C kf hk h T JS ev oh r mn . rt C r uf C kf h F v o uh C d rcsnc Later, after the Sin of the Calf, the first-born lost the ultimate status, which was transferred to the tribe of Levi. Nevertheless, the first born - human and animal - still retain their special status and require redemption. v nv Cv r uf C t u o stv r uf C t v S p v sP * t *K vh vh v nv Cc) o stC wvk )ch r eh r J+t r /C kf k o jr r .P kF (u.) 9. ut r uJ r uf C * t (zh) :t)v v rD oh r /g J s E v k eJ C ohke J Jn+j ; xF W F rg C v S pT J s j iCn uh)s p) (z.) :v S pT vtn Yv o r/ c) (jh) :wvk j jhb jh r k v -t rh . eT oC kj t u jC 7Nv kg e r 7T o nS t o v J s e v S p t k 7g r uf c ut c /F r uf c :vh vh W k ih nHv e uJ f) vp)b Tv v7+jF *K vh vh jh rcsnc The redemption money for a first-born child is 5 silver coins. A kosher bechor animal may not be redeemed, but belongs to the Cohanim and must be brought as a korban where possible. wv hb pk (f) :Wbt m r uf C 7 d t k u W r uJ r f cC s c+g t k Wh v k0t wvk Jh S eT rf1v W bt m c) W re cC sk)h r J+t r uf Cv kF (yh) 10. wvk )8 jC 7 t k g r o)n k F r)g ut jXP o)n uc vh vh h f u (tf) :W hc) vTt wv r j ch r J+t o ue NC vbJ c vbJ )8k+ft Wh v k0t p :ohNF )8f P JT .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Vnka Vtupr ,Ufzk Vuj Ic Rzghkt
    Parshas Korach 5775 Volume 14, Issue 34 P ARSHA I N SI G H T S P O N S O R Korach… separated himself… they stood before Mo she with two hundred vnka vtupr ,ufzk and fifty men… they gathered against Moshe and Aaron… (16:1 - 3) OUR UNCLE Korach gathered the entire assembly against them… (16:19) vuj ic rzghkt How did Korach succeed in arousing the people against Moshe. Moshe was their savior. SPONSORED BY Bnai Yisroel had been ensla ved in a hopless situation in Mitzrayim, and Moshe came and DR. YITZCHOK KLETTER turned the situation around, until the great king Pharoah went running thropugh the4 AND streets of Goshen in middle of the night looking for Moshe, to send Bani Yisroel out. FRIEDA LEAH KLETTER Moshe was the one who as cended Har Sinai and brought the Torah to Bnai Yisroel. he was the one who spoke directly to Hashem, and helped Bnai Yisroel with their food in the desert. All issues were brought to Moshe. DILEMMA How could Bnai Yisroel forget this all, and turn against Moshe? Al l the miraculous things And Korach took… (16:1) Moshe did should have caused them to recognize the G-dliness that Moshe had? Did they Hashem told Bnai Yisroel to take from not see the shining countenance of Moshe, on account of Hashem’s Presence resting on him? the Egyptians their expensive utensils upon departing from t heir land. Furthermore, unfortunately people sin on a daily basis. Why was Korach’s sin so severe, However, Hashem’s instructions were that all involved were destroyed, with no remembrance? They were swallowed into the only for those who had been their slaves.
    [Show full text]
  • Federation to Hold “Conversation with Michael Oren” on Nov. 30
    November 6-19, 2020 Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton Volume XLIX, Number 36 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Federation to hold “Conversation with Michael Oren” on Nov. 30 By Reporter staff said Shelley Hubal, executive “delightful.” Liel Leibovitz, an Oren served as Israel’s ambassador to The Jewish Federation of Greater Bing- director of the Federation. “I Israeli-American journalist and the United States for almost five years hamton will hold a virtual “Conversation look forward to learning how author, wrote that “Oren delivers before becoming a member of Knesset and with Michael Oren” about his new book of he came to write the many sto- a heartfelt and heartbreaking deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s short stories, “The Night Archer and Other ries that appear in his book. I account of who we are as a spe- Office. Oren is a graduate of Princeton Stories,” on Monday, November 30, at would also like to thank Rabbi cies – flawed, fearful, and lonely and Columbia universities. He has been noon. Dora Polachek, associate professor of Barbara Goldman-Wartell for but always open-hearted, always a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale and romance languages and literatures at Bing- alerting us to this opportunity.” trusting that transcendence is Georgetown universities. In addition to hamton University, will moderate. There is Best-selling author Daniel possible, if not imminent.” (For holding four honorary doctorates, he was no cost for the event, but pre-registration Silva called “The Night Archer The Reporter’s review of the awarded the Statesman of the Year Medal is required and can be made at the Feder- and Other Stories” “an extraor- book, see page 4.) by the Washington Institute for Near East ation website, www.jfgb.org.
    [Show full text]
  • I. Maot Chitim II. Ta'anit Bechorim, Fast of the Firstborns III. Chametz
    To The Brandeis Community, Many of us have fond memories of preparing for the holiday of Pesach (Passover), and our family's celebration of the holiday. Below is a basic outline of the major halakhic issues for Pesach this year. If anyone has questions they should be in touch with me at h​[email protected].​ In addition to these guidelines, a number of resources are available online from the major kashrut agencies: ● Orthodox Union: h​ttp://oukosher.org/passover/ ○ a pdf of the glossy magazine that’s been seen around campus can be found h​ere ● Chicago Rabbinical Council: l​ink ● Star-K: l​ink Best wishes for a Chag Kasher ve-Sameach, Rabbi David, Ariel, Havivi, and Tiffy Pardo Please note: Since we are all spending Pesach all over the world (literally...I’m selling your chametz for you, I know) please use the internet to get appropriate halakhic times. I recommend m​ yzmanim.com ​or the really nifty sidebar on h​ttps://oukosher.org/passover/ I. Maot Chitim The Rema (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 429) records the ancient custom of ma'ot chitim – p​roviding money for poor people to buy matzah and other supplies for Pesach. A number of tzedka organizations have special Maot Chitim drives. II. Ta’anit Bechorim, Fast of the Firstborns Erev Pesach is the fast of the firstborns, to commemorate the fact that the Jewish firstborns were spared during m​ akat bechorot ​(the slaying of the firstborns). T​his year the fast is observed on Friday April 3 (14 Nissan) beginning at alot hashachar (i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Kiruv Rechokim
    l j J I ' Kiruv Rechokim ~ • The non-professional at work 1 • Absorbing uNew Immigrants" to Judaism • Reaching the Russians in America After the Elections in Israel • Torah Classics in English • Reviews in this issue ... "Kiruv Rechokim": For the Professional Only, Or Can Everyone Be Involved? ................... J The Four-Sided Question, Rabbi Yitzchok Chinn ...... 4 The Amateur's Burden, Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb ......... 7 Diary of a New Student, Marty Hoffman ........... 10 THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN A Plea From a "New Immigrant" to Judaism (a letter) 12 0021-6615) is published monthly, except July and August, by the Reaching the Russians: An Historic Obligation, Agudath Israel of America, 5 Nissan Wolpin............................... 13 Beekman Street, New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N. Y. Subscription After the Elections, Ezriel Toshavi ..................... 19 Sl2.00 per year; two years, S2LOO; three years, S28.00; out­ Repairing the Effects of Churban, A. Scheinman ........ 23 side of the United States, $13.00 per year. Single copy, $1.50 Torah Classic in English (Reviews) Printed in the U.S.A. Encyclopedia of Torah Thoughts RABBI NissoN Wotr1N ("Kad Hakemach") . 29 Editor Kuzari .......................................... JO Editorial Board Pathways to Eternal Life ("Orchoth Chaim") ....... 31 DR. ERNST BooENHEIMER Chairman The Book of Divine Power ("Gevuroth Hashem") ... 31 RABBI NATHAN BULMAN RABBI JosEPH ELIAS JOSEPH fRIEDENSON Second Looks on the Jewish Scene I RABB! MOSHE SttERER Of Unity and Arrogance ......................... 33 If· MICHAEL RorasCHlLD I Business Manager Postscript TttE JEWISH OBSERVER does not I assume responsibility for the I Kashrus of any product or ser­ Return of the Maggidim, Chaim Shapiro ...........
    [Show full text]
  • Forceps Delivery and Pidyon Haben
    פרשת כי תשא תשע"ט הרב יוסי שפרונג - ראש בית המדרש Forceps Delivery and Pidyon Haben “Every first issue from the womb is Mine; and all your livestock that produce a male, that which emerges from an ox or a sheep. That which first emerges from a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it you shall break its neck; all firstborn among your sons you shall redeem. They shall not be seen before Me empty-handed” (Shemos 34:19-20) These Pesukim describe the Mitzvah of giving one’s firstborn animals to the Kohen and the Mitzvah of Pidyon Haben – the redemption of the firstborn male child of a Yisrael. The Gemara1 (Bechoros 47b2) explains that the Mitzva of Pidyon Haben only applies to the firstborn child who emerges naturally from the uterus (“Patar Es Harechem”). If he was delivered by means of a Caesarean section, there is no obligation of Pidyon Haben as he was not a Peter Rechem. What is the Halacha regarding a firstborn child that was delivered by means of forceps? A child delivered in this manner is born the same way as an ordinary vaginal delivery except that the forceps are interposed between the baby and the vaginal walls. The forceps used in a delivery are comprised of two crossover branches, each with a blade, shank, lock and handle. The blades each have two curves; one outward cephalic curve and another upward pelvic curve. During delivery, the blades are introduced into the vagina one after another and positioned so that they straddle the fetus’s head.
    [Show full text]
  • Kesuvos 094.Pub
    "י ח אייר תשע”ה Thursday, May 7 2015 כתובות צ ד” OVERVIEW of the Daf Distinctive INSIGHT 1) Clarifying the Mishnah (cont.) The document dated “Nisan” הנהו תרי שטרי דאתו לקמיה דר ’ יוס וכו’ Shmuel offers an explanation of the case and point of dispute between Tanna Kamma and Ben Nannas. learns that the discussion in our Gemara ( ”ד ה הנהו ) R’ Nachman in the name of Rabbah bar Avuha offers an R ashi alternative explanation of the dispute. is dealing with a case of sales documents. For example, a seller Abaye suggests a third explanation of the dispute. sold a piece of land to two people. To one of the buyers he recorded the date on the document as “the fifth of Nisan”. On 2) A din Torah with partners the other document, the seller wrote “Nisan,” without indicat- R’ Huna rules that if one partner goes to a din Torah the ing on which day of Nisan the sale took place. Here, the obvi- other partner cannot assert that he deserves a second hearing ous question is whether the sale on the unspecified date was because his partner is considered his agent. before the fifth of Nisan, and it is the sale which is valid, or R’ Nachman cited our Mishnah as proof to this ruling. whether it took place after the 5th of Nisan, whereby the sale The proof is rejected. on the fifth was first, leaving the other sale invalid. A qualification to R’ Huna’s ruling is presented. Rif and Ramban understand that the Gemara is dealing with loan documents.
    [Show full text]
  • 9, 2015 Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom Abstracts
    Volume 23 Supplement 1 June 2015 www.nature.com/ejhg European Human Genetics Conference 2015 June 6 - 9, 2015 Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom Abstracts EJHG_OFC.indd 1 4/1/2006 10:58:05 AM ABSTRACTS European Human Genetics Conference joint with the British Society of Genetics Medicine June 6 - 9, 2015 Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom Abstracts ESHG 2015 | GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, UK | WWW.ESHG.ORG 1 ABSTRACTS Committees – Board - Organisation European Society of Human Genetics ESHG Office Executive Board 2014-2015 Scientific Programme Committee European Society President Chair of Human Genetics Helena Kääriäinen, FI Brunhilde Wirth, DE Andrea Robinson Vice-President Members Karin Knob Han Brunner, NL Tara Clancy, UK c/o Vienna Medical Academy Martina Cornel, NL Alser Strasse 4 President-Elect Yanick Crow, FR 1090 Vienna Feliciano Ramos, ES Paul de Bakker, NL Austria Secretary-General Helene Dollfus, FR T: 0043 1 405 13 83 20 or 35 Gunnar Houge, NO David FitzPatrick, UK F: 0043 1 407 82 74 Maurizio Genuardi, IT E: [email protected] Deputy-Secretary-General Daniel Grinberg, ES www.eshg.org Karin Writzl, SI Gunnar Houge, NO Treasurer Erik Iwarsson, SE Andrew Read, UK Xavier Jeunemaitre, FR Mark Longmuir, UK Executive Officer Jose C. Machado, PT Jerome del Picchia, AT Dominic McMullan, UK Giovanni Neri, IT William Newman, UK Minna Nyström, FI Pia Ostergaard, UK Francesc Palau, ES Anita Rauch, CH Samuli Ripatti, FI Peter N. Robinson, DE Kristel van Steen, BE Joris Veltman, NL Joris Vermeesch, BE Emma Woodward, UK Karin Writzl, SI Board Members Liaison Members Yasemin Alanay, TR Stan Lyonnet, FR Martina Cornel, NL Martijn Breuning, NL Julie McGaughran, AU Ulf Kristoffersson, SE Pascal Borry, BE Bela Melegh, HU Thomas Liehr, DE Nina Canki-Klain, HR Will Newman, UK Milan Macek Jr., CZ Ana Carrió, ES Markus Nöthen, DE Tayfun Ozcelik, TR Isabella Ceccherini, IT Markus Perola, FI Milena Paneque, PT Angus John Clarke, UK Dijana Plaseska-Karanfilska, MK Hans Scheffer, NL Koen Devriendt, BE Trine E.
    [Show full text]
  • RRC Annual Report 2008 Layout
    Ex panding Our Dialogue Colleagues of Other Faiths “House of Israel” in Ghana Spiritual Searchers in Northern California Also: RRC Launches Mission, Vision, Values Statement 2008 Annual Report A Message From the President By Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz uring the time I served as the rabbi for Bnai Keshet in Montclair, NJ, a local Baptist church closed its doors. Our synagogue had just put up a new building, and the church decided to donate some of their cash assets to us. I remember thinking at the time how astounded my ancestors would have D been. I had grown up with family stories of pogroms, with Christian symbols used to incite violence. And now, not so many years later, my synagogue was receiving a large cash gift from, of all places, a church. Yet now, for Reconstructionist Jews, that turn of events may seem fairly natural. In the movement’s foundational years, Mordecai M. Kaplan shaped the ideological basis for a changed relationship with other peoples and other religions: Judaism is not God’s chosen religion, and Jews are not the chosen people. Because we don’t have a monopoly on truth, we should seek to learn from diverse religious traditions and communities. Our special obligations toward the Jewish community should inspire us to work for the betterment of others. And so we actively seek to bring our message—a message of religious tolerance combined with religious passion—to others. We seek to be emissaries for peaceful, creative and engaged coexistence among peoples and religions. And we seek to bring cultural change to the Jewish community by sharing our unique approach to Jewish life.
    [Show full text]
  • EREV PESACH WHICH OCCURS on SHABBOS: a Practical Guide
    Rabbi Aaron Kraft Dayan EREV PESACH WHICH OCCURS ON SHABBOS: A Practical Guide When Erev Pesach coincides with Shabbos, we benefit from Friday (13th of Nisan; this year, March 26, 2021) or Shabbos having a restful and spiritually uplifting day leading into the (Erev Pesach; this year, March 27, 2021)? The Shulchan Aruch Seder night. However, this infrequent calendrical occurrence (ibid.) says to burn most of the chametz on Friday, leaving some also raises practical questions relating to the halachos of Erev for the Shabbos meals (see next section). Whatever chametz Pesach1 as well as to the proper fulfilment of the mitzvos of remains after the meals should be broken into small crumbs Shabbos. This article will address these concerns. and disposed of in a manner that destroys it completely but does not violate the laws of Shabbos. Preferred methods include flushing the crumbs down the toilet, feeding them to TAANIS BECHOROS a pet, or throwing them into a garbage outside of the house. While on a regular Erev Pesach, firstborn males customarily Larger quantities may also be given to a non-Jew (but you fast, fasting is prohibited on Shabbos either because it detracts should not directly ask the non-Jew to remove more than from the mitzvah of oneg Shabbos or because an obligation to a meal’s worth of chametz from your house – see Shulchan eat three meals exists (OC 288:1 and Beur Halacha). Therefore, Aruch 444:4 and Mishna Berura 444:18-20). the Beis Yosef (OC 470) cites opposing positions whether to According to the Shulchan Aruch (OC 444:2), the burning observe the taanis on Thursday or not at all this year.
    [Show full text]
  • The Laws and Customs of Mourning
    COMFORTING THE MOURNERS The Laws and Customs of Mourning Compiled by Rabbi Zalman Manela Table Of Contents A Letter of Consolation ................................................................................................................................. 2 Before the Burial ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Burial Preparations ....................................................................................................................................... 5 The Funeral ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Honoring the Deceased................................................................................................................................. 6 Burial ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 After the Burial .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Tearing the Garments ................................................................................................................................... 7 The First Meal ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Praying and Saying Kaddish
    [Show full text]
  • Hundreds of Thousands Celebrate 13Th Siyum Hashas
    Hundreds of Thousands Celebrate 13th Siyum HaShas January 2, 2020 The 13th Global Siyum HaShas of Daf Yomi was held on Wednesday, January 1, with the participation of hundreds of thousands of people. The Siyum HaShas – literally “the completion of the Six Orders [of the Talmud]” – is the celebration of the completion of the Daf Yomi program, a seven-and-a-half-year cycle of learning one folio page of the Talmud daily, with 2,711 pages of the Babylonian Talmud being covered in sequence. The idea of Jews all across the world studying the same page of Talmud each day, with the goal of completing the entire Talmud, was presented at the First World Congress of Agudath Israel in Vienna on August 16, 1923 by Rabbi Meir Shapiro. His idea was greeted enthusiastically, including by many Jewish leaders in Europe and America, and the first cycle of Daf Yomi began on the first day of the holiday of Rosh Hashanah that year, September 11, 1923. Ever since then, Jews participating in the program cover one page a day, studying the text by themselves, with a group, or by listening to a lecture. A typical daily Daf Yomi lecture takes one hour. Daf Yomi unifies the Jewish people, allowing Jews across the world and from any background to study the very same text each day, providing a commonality of purpose and injecting Jewish pride in its adherents. The Talmud is written largely in Aramaic, and thus a translation of the Talmud, specifically the popular ArtScroll Schottenstein Edition of the Babylonian Talmud, an English-language and Hebrew-language translation and elucidation, has been credited with significantly increasing the number of participants in the Daf Yomi program.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Rabbi
    WINTER NOVEMBER 2017-FEBRUARY 2018 Chai Lights CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL • BERKELEY From the Rabbi Questions & Answers: Halakha This year during our very joyous celebrations of Simchat Torah, we had the unique P.9-10 opportunity to honor some of our shul’s most devoted life-long learners: Bella Barany, Yaakov Harari, Jory Gessow, and Preston Grant. Each has exemplified an unrelenting Preston Grant has been an independ- Laws of Chanukah attachment to Torah learning and ex- ent learner of Tanach for many years. P.11-12 hibited their resolute commitment to If you visit his home office, you will mastering areas of Torah study. quickly be struck by various charts, hanging around the room, which out- In my eleven years at CBI, I can line the literary structure of several hardly identify a single class that was chapters and books of Tanach. This not attended by Bella Barany as well is in keeping with Preston’s deep in- as by Yaakov Harari. Bella, as some volvement in CBI’s class on Psalms Gan Shalom P.04 know, learns at CBI’s Beit Midrash on that took place in our community long a daily basis, sometimes with a study ago, as well as Preston’s critical in- New Members P.06-07 partner and sometimes on her own. volvement in helping to create and launch M. Victoria Sutton’s classes on CBI Classes P.14-15 Besides attending classes at CBI, it the books of Tanach. seems like Yaakov attends any Jew- Calendar P.16-18 ish-related lecture at UC Berkeley as On the Shabbat right after Simchat well as other local Jewish institutions.
    [Show full text]