tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280639682011-07-28T18:52:36.950-04:00My journal of Torah learning to share memorable points, thoughts, sources or chidushim on my favorite subjects: Parsha, Daf Yomi, Rambam, halakha, Talmud, Midrash and Jewish philosophy.Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.comBlogger801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-62704366679415522852011-03-08T15:03:00.009-05:002011-03-08T15:16:05.481-05:00

Joey was feeling very sick from the flu and was coughing uncontrollably. So much so that he could barely catch his breath and had a severe case of laryngitis.When he stopped coughing someone asked: “Joey, how are you feeling?”Joey said, in Yiddish: “Vee a mushumad ven er kumt af yenner velt.” Translation: Like a meshumad i.e. a Jewish convert to Christianity when he comes into the next world and

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-86763089402052151632009-10-26T17:09:00.002-04:002009-10-26T17:14:35.330-04:00

The Case of Circumstantial Evidence, Risk , Possibility and ProbabilityWe are prohibited from executing punishment on the basis of strong circumstantial evidence, even if it be close to absolute certainty.For example, if one were pursuing another man to kill him, and he ran into a house with the pursuer at his heels, and we came in after them and found the pursued man in the throes of death,

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-22216220576413451882007-10-09T01:45:00.000-04:002007-10-13T20:18:34.130-04:00

The Targum translates Bereishis ba’ra as Be’chokhma be’ra God created with wisdom… (Targum Yerushalmi on Bereishis 1:1)Why the switch from: In the Beginning… to …with Wisdom?What does it mean that the world was created with Wisdom?The Rekanati, in his commentary on the Torah, also identifies reishis with chokhma, based on the pesukim:Be’chokhma yo’sad a’retz Hashem, by wisdom has founded the

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My father, z”l, used to call a siddur that only had Shabbos and Yom Tov tefillos, a rummel. I always wondered about the etymology of this word and its primary meaning.The word is actually an abbreviation with the letters, resh, vav, mem, lamed. In Yiddish the letters stand for: Rabbinish Un Masorishe Literatur viz. Rabbinic And Masoretic (traditional) Literature.A recent book about Jewish book

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-74782755245412216872007-09-04T04:07:00.000-04:002007-09-04T04:21:49.418-04:00

The New York Times reports:SPORTS / OTHER SPORTS September 3, 2007Colt Serves as a Reminder of a Philosopher's ReachBy JOE DRAPEAhmed Zayat and Earle Mack hope that naming a racehorse after the famous Jewish philosopher Maimonides will spread a message of peace.See link:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/03/sports/othersports/03maimonides.html?ex=1189569600&en=e74cb38296019a3e&ei=5070

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-46319592831013284272007-09-04T03:40:00.000-04:002007-09-04T03:45:40.872-04:00

My son was driving with my 3 and a half year old grandson in the car. They passed some tall buildings as they were riding along.The conversation went something like this:Grandson: Abba, did Hashem make the buildings?Son: No, Hashem made Man and Man made the buildings.A few days later, they were building with blocks, and my grandson says: Abba, I’ll be Hashem and you can be Man.

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-36653924940345716342007-08-29T21:55:00.000-04:002007-08-29T22:40:57.743-04:00

Rabbi Yehuda Brandes spoke on Teaching the Kuzari: Some Introductory Perspectives at the Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Yemei Iyun in June, 2007. He points out that the Kuzari was written for a person who believes in God. The introduction to the Kuzari describes how an angel appeared to the king in a dream. Only a religious man who already believes in God would have such a dream.R. Yehuda Halevi did not

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-66824804968115187422007-04-22T22:35:00.000-04:002007-04-22T22:47:30.052-04:00

Someone asked on my previous post on ‘Aleinu:1 - What is the meaning of U’moshav Ye’Karo, the seat of His homage is in the heavens?2 - Why do some not say it?This is the nusach in the Siddurim of R. Amram Gaon and R. Sa’adia Gaon. The Tur (Orach Chaim , Siman 133) mentions that some say, v’kisei khe’vo’do (Mahzor Roma), but that U’mosahv Ye’Karo should be said because the Sefer Hekhalos has the

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-47645202093003988442007-04-19T00:22:00.000-04:002007-04-21T22:31:13.750-04:00

The recently published Sefer Kush’yos, by a student of the Maharam mi’Rutenberg, asks the question:Why do we say ‘aleinu after the milah (i.e. not immediately after ashrei and u’va l’tziyon)?Because in ‘aleinu we say: she'lo 'a'sa'nu k'go'yei ha'a'ra'tzos, “He has not made us like the nations of the earth.” In deference to the baby who is not yet circumcised, like a goy, we do not say ‘aleinu

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-53153201985973467202007-04-16T02:57:00.000-04:002007-04-16T07:22:49.555-04:00

Nusach Ashkenaz siddurim customarily have shalom rov as the selection for birkas shalom at Mincha on Shabbos, following the same custom as on a weekday.The recently published Sefer Kush’yos, by a student of the Maharam mi’Rutenberg, asks the question: Why do we say sim shalom at Mincha on Shabbos and on fast days? Because the Torah is read on those occasions and one needs to mention, toras chaim,

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-14598787927262651592007-04-01T13:34:00.000-04:002007-04-01T13:40:02.175-04:00

R. Avrohom Schorr offers the following reminder in a Pesach letter:Remember the mitzvah of v’hi’gad’ta l’vin’kha. Do not forget the little children when discussing commentaries on the Haggadah. Do not ignore the mitzvah of l’ma’an te’sa’per, narrating the plain story to attract the hearts of the children to belief in Hashem. According to the Sefer Ohev Yisrael, there is no time more auspicious

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-39905302799281618942007-04-01T11:56:00.000-04:002007-04-01T12:05:40.619-04:00

Everyone is familiar with the last song in the Ashkenazic Haggadah, Chad Gadya, One Little Goat:One Little Goat, One Little Goat, that father bought for two zuzim, One Little Goat, One Little Goat.And then came a cat, and ate the goat that father bought for two zuzim, One Little Goat, One Little Goat….And then came the Holy One, blessed is He, and killed the angel of death,

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-71121691354532638272007-03-20T00:17:00.000-04:002007-03-20T00:25:15.665-04:00

Mashkof and Mezuzos2. This month shall be to you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.3. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a house;4. And if the household is too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-71761783027476251322007-02-10T20:37:00.000-05:002007-02-10T20:50:15.723-05:00

Aseh lekha rav u’kneh lekha chaverAPPOINT FOR THYSELF A TEACHER AND ACQUIRE FOR THYSELF A COMPANION (Avos 1:6)Why the change in verb from aseh, make or appoint a rav for yourself, to the verb kneh when it comes to acquire a chaver, a friend for yourself?The Rambam in his Commentary on the Mishnah explains the difference in meaning based on the type of relationship.A teacher is someone you can

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-63826606183009872342007-01-24T00:24:00.000-05:002007-01-24T00:32:17.512-05:00

Who is Superior? The Chasid who does not desire to sin or the Man who controls himself from sinning?The Rambam asks this question in the sixth chapter of Shemonah Perakim, his introduction to Avos.The philosophers say that the person who does not desire to sin is on a higher level. It is better not to desire murder or stealing or sexual immorality than to desire these sins and refrain from

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-82593205264768161142007-01-11T22:49:00.000-05:002007-01-11T23:00:42.072-05:00

Ve’shibatzta ha’ke’sones shesh, And you shall embroider the coat of fine linen, and you shall make the mitre of fine linen, and you shall make the girdle of needlework. (Shemos 28:39)The Rambam says the following about the Kohen’s garments:The garments [of the Kohen] were also entirely woven, me’shu’ba’tzos, and not cut, in order not to spoil the work of the weaving. (Moreh 3, 45)The taleisim we

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Be as careful with a minor commandment as with a major one, since you do not know the reward for the commandments. Assess the loss incurred in a good deed against its reward and the gain in sin against its loss. (Mishnah Avos 2, 1)R. Sa’adia Gaon writes:We know that the transgression is not severe by the fact that the punishment is not severe...We know that the transgression is severe because the

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From a memoir of Rabbi Reuven Agushewitz (1897-1950) on life in the Lithuanian shtetl:The night before a wedding there was a custom to make a dinner for the poor – a dinner which was certainly no worse, and sometimes even better, than the dinner for the families and their guests. Don’t forget that with this dinner the idea was not to make an impression on anybody, but to succeed with the Master

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On Chanukah and Purim we insert prayers of thanksgiving specifically for the miracles of those holidays in the berakhos of hoda’ah, thanksgiving, in the Shemoneh Esreh and the birkas ha’mazon, grace after meals.The story of Chanukah in ‘al hanissim is a condensed account of the struggle of the Chashmonaim against the Greek-Syrians. The ‘al ha’nissim texts for both Chanukah and Purim are found in

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1166593992111263322006-12-20T00:47:00.000-05:002007-02-10T21:29:00.377-05:00

The Alshich once delivered a derashah on parshas va’yetzei, and the Ari zal was among the listeners. The Alshich explained Yaakov's comment to his wives, "And your father cheated me and changed my salary aseres monim, which the Midrash understands as actually one hundred times (Bereishis Rabbah 74). The Alshich proceeded to list one by one all the tricks and the lies and sly maneuvering through

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1166413283088191792006-12-17T22:28:00.000-05:002006-12-17T22:53:20.773-05:00

In Yesodei haTorah Rambam tells us the halakhos regarding our beliefs on:GodCreation andProphecyOn the subject of creation he tells us about the angels. (Yesodei haTorah, 2:3-7)Question:Why does the Rambam discuss mal’a’khim, angels, in Yesodei haTorah in between the subjects of God (Yesodei haTorah 1) and Prophecy (Yesodei haTorah, 7-10)?I believe the connection between angels and prophecy lies

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1163964665615371882006-11-19T14:25:00.000-05:002006-11-19T14:31:05.630-05:00

In Lekh Lekha we read: After these things the word of the Lord came to Avram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Avram; I am your shield, and your reward will be great.And Avram said, Lord God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?And Avram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed; and, lo, one born in my house is my heir (i.e.Yishma’

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1163478964871463032006-11-13T23:29:00.000-05:002006-11-13T23:36:04.883-05:00

R. Huna b. Judah says in the name of R. Ammi: A man should always complete his Parashiyos together with the congregation, [reading] twice the Hebrew text and once the [Aramaic] Targum, (Berakhos 8a)Why do we read the Hebrew text twice and the Targum once?Prof. Steven Fraade notes that the formulation, parashiyyot, his weekly readings, makes it clear that a person’s private reading, reviewing and

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1163407399975003442006-11-13T03:31:00.000-05:002006-11-13T03:43:19.990-05:00

The Mishnah says: Me’od me’od he’vei she’fal ruach.BE EXCEEDING LOWLY OF SPIRIT, FOR THE EXPECTATION OF MORTAL MAN IS [THAT HE WILL TURN TO] WORMS. (Avos, 4:4)Why this accentuated deviation from the advocacy of a middle course?According to Rambam: Because, for Man, being naturally over-inclined to pride, it is necessary to over-emphasize the quality of self-depreciation.In his Commentary on the

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1162084620987560652006-10-28T20:39:00.000-04:002006-10-28T21:17:01.006-04:00

The following two samples lead me to ask: Is it necessary to communicate like this in Yeshivish? Are these people getting their point across?Sample 1: A Torah Discussion from Shema Yisrael Discussion Forums1) If a drop of milk falls onto a kli, it is a sofek how far it will spread. 2) A sofek Rabim is a sofek to the whole generation, a sofek yachid is where there are some people who are

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One should also not add to the enumeration of Hashem’s attributes in the Shemoneh Esreh and say: ha’el ha’gadol ha’gibor v’ha’nora he’chazak v’ha’amitz v’ha’izuz, the great, mighty and awesome God, strong, brave and powerful. It is beyond human ability to fully praise God, except to say what Moshe said. (Tefillah 9:7)This Rambam follows the Gemara:A certain [reader] went down in the presence of

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1161141347952745432006-10-17T23:04:00.000-04:002006-10-17T23:15:47.966-04:00

When the Jewish people were exiled in the days of wicked Nevuchadnezzar, they mixed with Persians, Greeks and other nationalities. Children were born to them in foreign lands. The language of these children was confused, a mixture of many languages. They were unable to express themselves adequately and accurately in any one language, as it is written: “Their children spoke half in the tongue

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1160369193734193202006-10-09T00:35:00.000-04:002006-10-09T00:46:33.746-04:00

The Rambam’s Mishneh Torah is divided into fourteen books according to subjects or classes of laws. For example, the laws of Shabbos and the annual holidays that fall in different seasons and times of the year are in Sefer Zemanim, the Book of Seasons. Each book is further divided into sections of halakhos. In the case of Sefer Zemanim, those sections are Hilkhos Shabbos, Hilkhos Eruvin, Hilkhos

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1159844126576669342006-10-02T22:48:00.000-04:002006-10-02T22:55:26.600-04:00

Yom Kippur is sometimes called Gottes Namen, God’s Name, Day. Some of the reasons offered for this name are:1 -The Kohen Gadol pronounced the shem ha-meforash as part of the avodah2 - We conclude with yichud Hashem reciting Hashem hu ha’Elokim, seven times.Rav Dovid Cohen offered another explanation. The Ramban says the Bnei Yisrael lost knowledge of the Names, shemos, of Hashem at the chet ha-

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1159566500406452532006-09-29T17:44:00.000-04:002006-09-29T17:48:20.423-04:00

Rav Dovid Cohen pointed out that the incident of the butcher in Monsey is proof that no one is immune to the yetzer hara’. Rav Dovid noted that the first comment of the Rema in Shulchan ‘Arukh:Shi’vi’si Hashem l’neg’di samid…I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Tehillim 16:8), is the first step to fend off the yetzer hara’.The Rema follows

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1159347299870817162006-09-27T04:51:00.000-04:002006-09-27T04:54:59.900-04:00

Recite before Me on Rosh Hashanah [texts making mention of] kingship, remembrance, and the shofar-- kingship, so that you may proclaim Me king over you; remembrance, so that your remembrance may rise favourably before Me; and through what? Through the shofar. (Rosh Hashanah 16a)Is it only on Rosh Hashanah that we have kabalas ‘ol malkhus shamayim?The Imrei Emes of Ger says, true, that is an

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1158891962909733692006-09-21T22:22:00.000-04:002006-09-21T22:26:02.923-04:00

R. Avraham Heschel of Apt was opposed to voluntary fasts and self-affliction. He used to say:--If I could, I would abolish all the fasts except for the yom ha’mar, the bitter day, Tish’a b’Av and the Yom ha’Kadosh, the Holy Day, Yom Kippur. On the bitter day -- who can eat?On the Holy Day – who needs to eat?

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1158807547997737652006-09-20T22:56:00.000-04:002006-09-20T22:59:07.996-04:00

Once, when Rosh Hashanah occurred on Shabbos, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev made the following argument to God:-- Master of the universe, this year You are forced to inscribe Your people Israel for a good and peaceful year. Since it is, shabbos ha’yom l’Hashem, Shabbos today for Hashem, and writing is forbidden, how can you fulfill: b’rosh Hashanah yi’ka’seivun? On Rosh Hashanah will be

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R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev was looking for a Ba’al Toke’ah for his Beis Medrash. Candidates came from all over for the honorable position.R. Levi Yitzchak interviewed them and asked:--What kavanos do you have when you blow shofar?Each one tried to impress R. Levi Yitzchak with special kavanos from the Ari and other great mekubalim. R. Levi Yitzchak was not impressed to engage any of them.

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1158726426302471562006-09-20T00:16:00.000-04:002006-09-20T00:27:06.326-04:00

Va’ya’avor Hashem ‘al panav vayikra, And ‘the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed [etc.] (Shemos 34:6). R. Yochanan said: Were it not written in the text, it would be impossible for us to say such a thing; this verse teaches us that the Holy One, blessed be He, drew his talis round Him like the sheliach tzibur and showed Moshe the order of prayer. He said to him: Whenever Israel sin, let

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1158290844021919102006-09-14T23:23:00.000-04:002006-09-14T23:27:24.033-04:00

The Indispensable Idea in the TorahRepentance is one of those principles which are an indispensable element in the creed of the followers of the Torah. For it is impossible for man to be entirely free from error and sin; he either does not know the opinion which he has to choose, or he adopts a principle, not for its own merits, but in order to gratify his desire or passion. If we were convinced

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Twenty-five children may be taught by one teacher. If there are more than twenty-five pupils, but fewer than forty, an assistant should be engaged to help with instruction. If there are more than forty, two elementary teachers are appointed.(Talmud Torah 2:5)

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The arrival of Elul raises questions in man’s mind:Where do I begin?How do I enter the realm of teshuvah?Elul is known as an acronym for ani l’dodi v’dodi li.A Jew must believe: ani l’dodi v’dodi li, I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me.We are the children of God and He has chosen us as His people.Visualize an open door. This is the gate through which we enter the realm of teshuvah. This

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Anyone who sits around idle and does not exercise will be subject to physical discomforts and failing strength, even though he eats wholesome food and takes care of himself in accordance with medical advice. Overeating is like deadly poison to the human body. Most illnesses which befall man arise either from bad food or excessive eating of good food. Shlomo, in his wisdom said: shomer piv u’l

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Hashem ‘Ori – God is my light. The custom to say this mizmor during the period of teshuvah is based on the Midrash Shochar Tov (Minhagei Yeshurun, 139):God is my light, on Rosh Hashanah; my salvation, on Yom Kippur; ki yitz’pe’neni b’sukoh, He will hide me in His shelter, an allusion to Sukkos. The implication is that on Rosh Hashanah God helps us to see the light and repent, on Yom Kippur He

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1156234680234947452006-08-22T04:13:00.000-04:002006-08-22T04:18:00.250-04:00

The word means predestined or predetermined as in the sentences: He or she is not married yet because they have not met their bashert.If it is bashert to have wealth, one has wealth.Rav Dovid Cohen in his book, Ha-Safah Ha-Kedoshah: Yiddish, writes that the etymology of the word is from the Yiddish word sher, meaning a scissor. Just as a scissor can cut the shape of an object, bashert means the

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1156216842609580662006-08-21T23:16:00.000-04:002006-08-21T23:20:42.623-04:00

Rabbi Yissachar Frand related the following story about Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik:When the Rav was getting older he needed a student to serve as his personal aide in his apartment. One evening, after taking care of the Rav, the student said: -- I have to leave now. I am going out on a date.The Rav saw that his aide was wearing sneakers, and said: -- Don’t wear sneakers on a date. I think

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1155776965038265592006-08-16T21:01:00.000-04:002006-08-20T13:31:55.800-04:00

What does holiness mean?The root of kiddushin is kuf, daled and shin which means to separate. Something is holy because it is separated, distinguished, dedicated, sanctified and apart from something else.The world is divided into three realms: Space, Time and Intellect; olam, shanah and nefesh. Hashem has given us mitzvos that sanctify each realm.Some examples include:Space – Eretz Yisrael as

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1155625346230573432006-08-15T02:53:00.000-04:002006-08-15T23:34:47.773-04:00

Last Shabbos I spoke at a Sheva Berakhos about the mystery of the letter sav in the Sefer Yetzirah. The Sefer Yetzirah, Book of Creation, attributed to Avraham Avinu, tells about how God created the world with the alefbeis.According to the Sefer Yetzirah, when God created the world, him’likh, He elevated, the letter sav b’chen, over chen.What does this mean? The Sefas Emes (Parshas Vayishlach,

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1155613898959839262006-08-14T23:43:00.000-04:002006-08-15T23:41:02.726-04:00

I have recently heard people saying that the Arabs are as successful as they are against the Jews because they are descendants of Yishma’el , another son of Avraham, and they have a powerful faculty for prayer. God listened to Yishma’el and now He is listening to their fervent, sincere prayers five times a day.I find this idea odious and contradictory to the belief in Hashem and that we are His

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1154890473435781972006-08-06T14:48:00.000-04:002006-08-06T14:54:33.446-04:00

Is there a fourteenth principle that the Rambam does not enumerate?The number 14 has special significance for the Rambam. Rambam consistently classifies the mitzvos into groups of fourteen: fourteen books, classes, or categories. This scheme is first mentioned by Rambam in the Sefer ha-Mitzvos and is also used in the Mishneh Torah and the Moreh Nevuchim.The Mishneh Torah is also referred to as

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1154663211011117342006-08-03T23:41:00.000-04:002006-08-03T23:46:51.026-04:00

Titus told four commanders to destroy the Beis ha-Mikdash in order to squelch any idea of rebellion and political independence by the Jews. Titus understood that the only way to subdue the Jews was to destroy their spiritual center.In the Tish’ah be-Av Kinah, Zekhor asher asah, R. Elazar ha-Kalir, tells us how the Kotel survived when the Beis ha-Mikdash was destroyed: “He left the one on the

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Va’teirognu ve’oholeichem va’to’mru be’sinas Hashem o’sonu hotzianu me’eretz mitzrayim la’ses o’sonu be’yad ho’emori le’hashmideinuAnd you murmured in your tents, and said, Because the Lord hated us, he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.--Devarim 1:27How could Bnai Yisrael think that Hashem hated them? They were slaves, worked to

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1153951439131861422006-07-26T17:58:00.000-04:002006-07-27T01:54:20.910-04:00

I attended a lecture last night by R. Shlomo Pearl, Rosh Kollel at the Bostoner in Flatbush. He raised a number of interesting questions on Kibud Av v’Em that deserve further study. One case follows:You learn in a kollel and your parents are so against it that they threaten they will take your younger siblings out of yeshiva and place them in public school unless you quit kollel and get a job or

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In Parshas Matos we are given the mitzvah of nedarim, vows. The Midrash says:If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth (Bamidbar 30:3). This pasuk means to say: v'adam biy'kar bal yalin nimshal ka'behemos nidmu. Nevertheless [if a] man does not abide in honor [i.e. does

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1153206583564491242006-07-18T03:05:00.000-04:002006-07-18T22:47:51.010-04:00

I spent last Shabbos at a Satmar summer resort where one of the speakers spoke about Sinas Chinam and the Matzav in Eretz Yisroel. In the course of his talk he quoted Yeshayahu 27 and Yirmiyahu 1, which follow below. The main point was that the time for sinas chinam is over. Finding fault with each other is not the way. It is time for rapprochement amongst Klal Yisrael. In the end, despite our

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1153191304976461592006-07-17T22:46:00.000-04:002006-07-17T22:55:04.993-04:00

Whom did you hear saying that the place between Hall and altar was [considered] north? R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon, for it was taught: What is [considered] north? From the northern wall of the altar up to the [northern] wall of the Temple court and opposite the whole altar on the north, this is the opinion of R. Jose son of R. Judah. R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon adds also the space between the

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How Can Eliyahu Attend Every Bris simultaneously everywhere?On Mount Carmel, Eliyahu proved himself by bringing fire from heaven, and the multitudes responded, Hashem hu ha’Elokim, Hashem is the God, Hashem hu ha’Elokim, Hashem is the God. R. Elimelekh of Lizhensk says, because he brought the entire nation to repent, he merited to have a neshama, a soul, that encompasses all of Klal Yisrael. When

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1152595279658647522006-07-11T01:06:00.000-04:002006-07-11T01:21:19.666-04:00

Last night I heard R. Pliskin speak about his new book, Building Your Self-Image. He told a story about someone who thought he was stupid because, in comparison with his brother who was a creative genius, he felt stupid. Everything is relative. However, upon further discussion this fellow revealed that he was a math major and graduated with an award that only 1 in 800 received. Yet, he

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Parshas Re’eh:At the end of three years you shall bring forth all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall lay it up inside your gates; And the Levite, because he has no part nor inheritance with you, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who are inside your gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1152414554493686472006-07-08T22:55:00.000-04:002006-07-08T23:09:14.943-04:00

A Kollel student who had enviable motivation and enthusiasm for learning year after year, day after day confided that his motivator was reading the opening lines of Mesilas Yesharim every day before leaving home:Man needs to realize clearly his duty in this world and what goal is worthy of his endeavors all the days of his life. --Chapter 1These few lines inspired him and by his

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Some segments of the Ashkenazic Jewry in the Middle Ages observed a fast day on Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas. This fast commemorated the public burning of twenty-four carriage-loads of the Talmud in Paris in 1242.The Magen Avraham and Sefer Eliyahu Rabbah (Orach Chaim 580) mention this custom. The fast is observed on Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas, not on a specific day of the month of Tamuz (like

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1152069742398923362006-07-04T23:17:00.000-04:002006-07-04T23:35:12.170-04:00

R. Akiva Eiger once traveled in a rain storm with his aide in a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage in which he was riding got stuck in a puddle of rain and mud. His aide got out to push the wagon out of the mud. When he got back onto the carriage his feet were wet. RAE said, “Your feet must be wet, here is a pair of dry socks. The aide was very appreciative and put on the dry socks.He wondered:

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1152068696444127502006-07-04T23:02:00.000-04:002006-07-04T23:04:56.456-04:00

The Gemara says:Now to-day is the Day of Atonement --Yoma 19b, Soncino translationThe word spelled: heh alef yud nun alef is customarily pronounced Ha’idna and is translated as now. However, on closer examination the word is really a contraction of two words: Hai and dena, meaning today.Proof for this is in the traditional way the Yemenites count sefira in Aramaic. Instead of saying Hayom yom…

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1151901450911162372006-07-03T00:31:00.000-04:002006-07-03T01:38:40.383-04:00

On Shabbos I was learning the Sefer Alenu leShabeach, by Rav Yitzchak Zilbershtain, on Parshas Korach, where he relates the following case. He was once asked by an MD: May a Doctor Get Up Early to Learn Torah? Or, perhaps, since it may interfere with his duties, he should not get up so early?Rav Yitzchak Zilbershtain cited the Rambam which says:A worker is not allowed to do his own work at night

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1151381938899965342006-06-27T00:15:00.000-04:002006-06-30T00:26:27.106-04:00

The Hagahos Maimoniyos at the end of Rambam’s Sefer Zeraim collected an interesting set of sources with some of his own comments on the mitzvah of challah. He writes:The mitzvah of challah is a great and beloved mitzvah. The Rabbis say: The world was created for the sake of three things: challah, tithes, and first-fruits, as it is said, IN THE BEGINNING (BE - RESHITH) GOD CREATED. Now reshith

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The Gemara in Yoma 15a says:…But let him sprinkle one so as to constitute two below, as is prescribed for a burnt-offering and two separate sprinklings above as is prescribed for sin-offerings? — We do not find that any blood is sprinkled, half above, and half below. Not indeed? Have we not learnt: He sprinkled thereof once upwards, and seven times downwards? That was done ke'mazlif’ [like the

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1150944048401153642006-06-21T21:36:00.000-04:002006-06-21T23:21:10.136-04:00

The Gemara in Berakhos 8a says:What is the meaning of the verse: But as for me, let my prayer be made unto Thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time (Tehillim 69:14)? When is the time acceptable? When the congregation prays… R. Aha son of R. Hanina says: [You learn it] from here: Behold, God despiseth not the mighty (Iyov 36:5). And it is further written: He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1150778183843747962006-06-20T00:32:00.000-04:002006-06-20T10:11:42.270-04:00

On Shabbos, Parshas Beha’alosekha, Rav Dovid Cohen spoke about the pasuk:And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days; and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.--Bamidbar 12:15Rashi says: This honor was given to her by Hashem because of the time she waited for Moshe after she cast him into the Nile, as it says, And his sister stood far away, to see what would be done to

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1150773959066618722006-06-19T23:11:00.000-04:002006-06-19T23:26:01.010-04:00

The Legacy of MaimonidesReligion, Reason and Community800th Anniversary Commemorative Collectionhttp://www.yasharbooks.com/Legacy.html320 pages, $26.95 Edited by Yamin Levy and Shalom CarmyRabbi Moses Maimonides (1135-1204), known as Rambam, is widely known as a profound philosopher and authoritative legal scholar. However, Rambam’s contributions are not merely remnants of medieval scholarship

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And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let your enemies be scattered; and let them who hate you flee before you. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel.--Bamidbar 10:35-36The Sefer Yachin u’Boaz, the teshuvos of R. Zemach b. Shlomo Duran, was asked about the meaning of these two pesukim being surrounded by the

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On Shabbos, for Parshas Naso, Rav Dovid Cohen spoke about the Ribono Shel Olam that we say in between the pesukim of Birkas Kohanim.We say a prayer about dreams that says:…If they are good, strengthen them, fortify them, make them endure in me and in them like the dreams of the righteous Joseph. But if they require healing, heal them like Hezekiah, king of Judah, from his sickness; like Miriam

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1149821484482130722006-06-08T22:24:00.000-04:002006-06-18T22:17:01.276-04:00

This evening I learned the following chapter in the Guide for the Perplexed with my chavrusa, Rabbi Avraham Garfinkel:The laws concerning the relation between lender and borrower" (Hilkhos Malveh veLoveh) will be found, on being carefully examined, to be nothing but commands to be lenient, merciful and kind to the needy, not to deprive them of the use of anything indispensable in the preparation

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I just finished learning this gemara in Eruvin 65b with my phone chavrusa. This is the famous gemara about the three kafs: koso, kiso and ka'aso. You can judge a man by three things: 1) How he acts when he drinks, 2) How he reacts when he has to spend or make money and 3) What he does when he loses his temper. The true nature of person is revealed when tested in these three ways.I think there is

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1149650962200152062006-06-06T23:25:00.000-04:002006-06-06T23:29:38.163-04:00

Chris Storms reports on his blog, http://www.chrisstorms.com/blog/?p=65 , that the terrorists requested copies of the Torah and the Da Vinci Code.

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1149419422613551612006-06-04T06:43:00.000-04:002006-06-04T12:29:22.463-04:00

There are a variety of minhagim regarding the study of Mishna at the Tikun Leil Shavuos. The parsha sheet published by the Belzer chasidim listed 10 sources on the subject last week. The following are some of them: ...after that begin with the 6 sedarim of the Mishna, from each mesechta learn the first and last mishna.... (Shelah haKadosh, Sahvuos, Ner Mitzvah 4)...I have seen medakdekim stand

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1149135109665889222006-06-01T00:05:00.000-04:002006-06-01T00:12:11.143-04:00

The Torah is like the Kesubah, marriage contract, between Hashem and the Bnei Yisrael. Just as a contract has to be very specific on the conditions of the agreement so that there can be no misunderstanding, so also, the Torah has to be specific about the obligations of Bnei Yisrael. Therefore, we are told that there are 613 commandments for which we are responsible.

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1149132094254388462006-05-31T23:16:00.000-04:002006-06-01T00:02:12.183-04:00

Teshuva 263 (Blau pp. 495-499)The Rambam was asked about a community where the custom was to sit during the reading of the Aseres HaDibros. A new Rav that came there stood and everyone followed him. The one who raised the question felt that this contradicted the gemara in Berakhos 12a that eliminated the daily reading of the Aseres HaDibros because it gave credence to the minim (i.e. Christians?)

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I came across a very interesting piece in the Midrash Aseres Hadibros that explains why the Torah starts with Beis and no other letter in the alefbeis including the Alef. The full, deeper meaning of this midrash still eludes me but, I believe, is memorable enough to note here. Perhaps, someone who reads this here can help enlighten us on the deeper meaning.When God was about to create the world

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1148926444011257012006-05-29T14:01:00.000-04:002006-05-29T14:14:04.023-04:00

I heard Rabbi Reisman retell a story about Rabbi Avigdor Miller when he was a young student in Slabodka.In Slabodka they used to have a mussar vaad once per month to discuss the midah, character trait, they would work on trying to improve. Rabbi Miller kept quiet in his humility in the presence of the older students. One month someone suggested to choose emes, truth ,as the midah of the month.

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1148784776202478572006-05-27T22:40:00.000-04:002006-06-01T00:27:37.270-04:00

Parshas Bamidbar, 3:1These are the generations of Aharon and Moshe Rashi: Only the children of Aharon are mentioned. They are called the children of Moshe because he taught them Torah. This teaches that anyone who teaches the children of his fellowman is considered as if he fathered them.The Ramban says that the Kohanim became kodesh kodashim, holy of holies or most holy at Sinai. The Leviyim

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1148610494733531932006-05-25T22:03:00.000-04:002006-05-27T22:32:41.430-04:00

Honor (kabed) your father and your mother; that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.--Shmos 20:12You shall revere (tiro'u) every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths; I am the Lord your God.--Vayikra 19:3My friend, Reb Yaakov Freedman, asked me: We are commanded to honor and revere our parents. Why are we not commanded to love them?The Rambam (

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1148324831838460972006-05-22T15:04:00.000-04:002006-06-04T06:21:20.593-04:00

After counting the day of the sefirah we say:Ha-ra-cha-man, hu ya-cha-zir la-nu a-vo-das beis hamikdash li-me-komah bim-he-rah ve-yo-meinu, amen selah.The Compassionate One! May He return for us the service of the Temple to its place, speedily in our days. Amen, selah!Why Do We Say Li-me-komah, to its place? Why doesn't it just say: Return the avodah to the beis hamikdash? Why does it add

Ben Rambamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10667030043132762119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28063968.post-1147748106957394592006-05-15T22:40:00.000-04:002006-05-16T00:18:32.726-04:00

Rambam, Sefer HaMitzvos, Aseh 92The nazir is to separate himself, and refrain from otherwise permitted pleasures, because of his vow for thirty days. Holiness means separation from something. The root letters, Kuf Daled Shin, for example in the word kiddushin, marriage, means that the wife is now separated from all other women, holy, sanctified, dedicated and permitted only to her husband.There

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Statement of PurposeMy purpose in this blog is to keep a journal of the Torah I learn everyday and share it with whoever may be interested in reading or responding. I hope that this will be of interest to many and stimulate discussion.My first offering is something I learned today on Parshas Emor.Parshas Emor contains mitzvos about kohanim and the Shalosh Regalim. The mitzvos related to kohanim

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