Rabbi Werther's Weblog

Hilchot Shabbat – for Talmud students

rossso — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:02:22 +0000

1) Most of the activities prohibited on Shabbat are related to the 39 Melachot (creative works) done to build and/or maintain the Mishkan.

1a) An Av Melachah is a prohibited activity done the same way it was done in the Mishkan and for the same purpose.

1b) A Toladah is a prohibited activity done the same way it was done in the Mishkan butfor a different purpose.

What we have learned from Kayin and Hevel

rossso — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:14:18 +0000

Zach – Jealousy is dangerous – AVOID IT!

Akiva – our actions have reverberations beyond what we might consider

Uri – improve yourself when you find others are doing better; don’t tear them down.

Josh – do whatever you do the best possible way you can

Danny – Be passionate about what you do

Nissim – If you don’t succeed right away, keep trying

Yaakov – Jealousy is destructive

Leibel – G’neivat Da’at (cheating) is a serious aveirah

Hillel – rejoice in the success of others

Yosi – Be aware of consequences

Halakhot of Tefillah

rossso — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:09:24 +0000

1) The reason we avoid conversation during tefillah is to make sure our conversations with HaShem are “quality time”.

a) between Baruch Sh’amar and Yishtabach one may answer “amein” and speak about things related to tefillah.

b) between Bor’chu and Sh’moneh Esreh, one may answer “amein” between the b’racha of “yotzer ha’m'orot” and “ahava rabba” and after that point. All conversation is avoided.

c) during Sh’moneh Esreh, all conversation is to be avoid.

2) Answering AMEIN is important and virtuous.

a) always answer AMEIN to a b’racha unless there is a halachic reason to not do so (e.g. you are in the middle of Shmoneh Esreh.

b) answer AMEIN in the same loudness as the person who is reciting the blessing.

c) answer AMEIN immediately AFTER the blessing is finished. Answering to soon is considered AMEIN CHATUFA and answering too late is considered AMEIN Y’TOMA.

3) During the repetition of the Sh’moneh Esrei, at least nine men must respond “amein.” Otherwise, the repetition is close to being a b’racha l’vatala

4) It is as important to answer “Amein y’hei Sh’mei Rabbah” as it is to answer “Amein.

5) The section of tefillah beginning with Baruch She’amar and ending with Yishtabach is called Pesukei D’zimra. It is meant to be a preparation for the Shmoneh Esrei, helping us focus on the greatness of G-d.

6) In order to fulfill the obligations of reading Sh’ma and praying the Shmoneh Esreh, one must have kavanah during the recitation of the first pasuk of Sh’ma (Sh’ma Yisroel) and during the first blessing of Shmoneh Esreh. There are two types of Kavahah:

a) the intent to do the Mitzvah

b) the understanding of what is being said.

7) If one cannot pray with a minyan, one should try to pray at the time that a minyan is praying.

8) Shmoneh Esreh of Shacharit should be recited before one third of the daytime has passed. This deadline is calculated by determining the amount of time between sunrise and sunset on a particular day, dividing that period by three, and then adding that time period to the time of sunrise for that day.

9) One must add Mashiv haruach uMorid hageshem to the second blessing of the Shmoneh Esreh. If one has neglected to make the addition and has ALREADY FINISHED THE BLESSING by reciting “Mechayeih ha’meitim” one must begin the Shmoneh Esreh all over again.

10) Between Dec. 4 / Dec. 5 and the first day of Pesach, we say “v’tein tal umatar” instead of saying “v’tein b’racha” in the blessing, “Bareich aleinu.” If one forgot to do so but has not yet ended the b’racha of “Bareich aleinu,” one should begin from the beginning of the b’racha. If one has already completed “Bareich aleinu.” then the addition of “v’tein tal u’matar” should be made in Sh’ma koleinu. If one has still not added “v’tein tal u’matar” but has not yet completed Shmoneh Esreh, one should go back to “Bareich aleinu.” If one has already completed Shmoneh Esreh, one needs to begin Shmoneh Esreh all over again.

11) Yaaleh v’yavoh is added on any day for which there was a korban mussaf in the Beit haMikdash. The only exception to this rule is Shabbat. If one neglected to recite Yaaleh v’Yavoh and just finished the b’racha, “hamachazir Shechinato l’Tziyon” but has not yet started Modim, immediately say Yaaleh v’Yavoh. and then continue with Sh’moneh Esreh. If one doesn’t realize that Yaaleh v’yavoh was left out and has already started Modim, go back to R’tzeih. If one has already finished Shmoneh Esreh and then realized that Yaaleh v’yavo wasn’t said, s/he must begin Shmoneh Esreh all over again.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS AT MA’ARIV ON ROSH CHODESH.

Mesechet Megillah Quiz

rossso — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:25:54 +0000

Feel free to click on this link http://www.dafyomi.co.il/megilah/quiz/mg-qz-002.htm and take the quiz!

Ideas from the Tenth Grade Tanach Boys (Honors)

rossso — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:55:02 +0000

What did we learn from our class discussion of Adam, Chava, and the Nachash:

1) Judge others favorably.

2) Trust your own judgment

3) Stay away from jealousy

4) Make CORRECT choices

5) The yetzer horah has many tricks – don’t trust him

6) Don’t stress

7) Greater knowledge opens the way to BOTH good and evil

8) Don’t give in to a desire that can hurt you.

9) Choose your spouse carefully

Tenth Grade Talmud (Megillah) Vocabulary

rossso — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:50:36 +0000

Here is the vocabulary list for the Talmud class. It will be updated each week, G-d willing

נקראת

פחות

יותר

כרכין המוקפין חומה

כפרים

עיירות גדולות

מקדימין

ליום הכניסה

כיצד

חל

מנלן מנלן

לקמן

הקילו

אנן

הכי קאמרינן

כנה”ג והתנן

אלא

פשיטא

כנה”ג

Eleventh and Twelfth Talmud

rossso — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:37:23 +0000

Assignment for Thursday, September 18: Review the Tosafot on top of 2a and the part of the Tosafot “Ha’Y'vamah” that we learned today. If you have taken a copy of the quiz home today (Wednesday), bring it back tomorrow (Thursday).

Chumash Homework – Ninth Grade boys

rossso — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:40:26 +0000

For Friday, 12 Elul (September 12) write a one paragraph summary of the argument between Rashi and the Ramban about the meaning of “mithalech.”

Parshiyot haShavua

rossso — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:11:17 +0000

I hope to continually update this list of Parshiyot haShavua and the topics that are in each one.

Parshiyot haShavua – B’REISHIT

Creation of the World, Odom and Chava in Gan Eden, Tree of Knowledge, Kayin and Hevel, ten generations from Odom to Noach.

Noach

The Flood, the covenant after the flood, the Tower of Bavel, ten generations from Noach to Avram

Lech L’cha

Avram is commanded to go to Canaan, Avram and Sarai in Egypt, Avram and Lot part ways, battle of the four kings and the five kings, B’rit Bein haB’tarim, Hagar and Yishmael, Brit Milah.

Vayeira

Mala’achim visit Avraham and Sarah and foretell the birth of Yitzchak, destruction of S’dom and Amora, Avraham and Sarah and Avimelech, the birth of Yitzchak, the Akeidah.

Chaye Sarah

Avraham purchases m’eorat hamachpelah in order to bury Sarah, Eliezer travels to Aram to find a wife for Yitzchak, Yitzchak marries Rivkah; Avraham marries Keturah; Avraham dies at the age of 175, Yishmael dies at the age of 137.

Toledot

Rivkah bears twin boys – Yaakov and Eisav after twenty years of childlessness. Eisav sells the birthright to Yaakov. Yitzchak and Rivkah travel to the land of the Plishtim because of the famine in Canaan. Yaakov receives the blessings from Yitzchak.

Vayetzei

Yaakov flees to Charan and has the dream of the ladder. Yaakov works for Lavan for twenty years. Yaakov marries Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. The family includes 11 sons and a daughter. Yaakov acquires great wealth despite Lavan’s attempt to trick him. Yaakov begins his journey back to Canaan.

Vayishlach

Yaakov Avinu returns from Lavan‘s house and meets up with his brother, Eisav. Dinah is assaulted by Chamor and the city of Shechem is destroyed by Shimon and Levi. Rachel Imeinu dies after giving birth to Binyomin. Yitzchak Avinu’s death is mentioned. The family of Eisav is spelled out in detail.

Vayeishev

Yoseph haTzaddik is sold into slavery. Yehudah marries and eventually has twin sons from Tamar. In the house of Potiphar, Yoseph haTzaddik is successful but is jailed. He successfully interprets the dreams of the butler and baker.

Miketz

Yoseph haTzaddik interprets the dreams of the Pharoah. During the seven years of plenty, the Egyptians gather a great deal of food. Yoseph haTzaddik has a family. When the famine begins, most of his brothers come to Egypt to buy food. They are trapped into bringing Binyomin to Egypt. When they do so, Binyomin is “framed” as a thief.

Vayigash

Yoseph haTzaddik reveals his identity to his brothers. The entire family moves to Egypt. All seventy members of the family are listed.

Vayechi

Yaakov Avinu makes Yoseph haTzaddik promise to bury his remains in Canaan. Yaakov Avinu blesses Ephraim and Menashe and then blesses his own sons. After the death of Yaakov Avinu his sons bury him in Caanan. The book of B’reishit ends with Yoseph haTzaddik telling the family that they will one day be saved from Egypt and that they should take his remains back to Canaan.

Parshiyot haShavua – SHEMOT

Shemot

The slavery in Egypt begins

Moshe Rabbeinu is born and is rescued by the daughter of Pharaoh

haShem tells Moshe Rabbeinu to take Bnei Yisroel out of Egypt

Moshe Rabbeinu asks Pharoah to release Bnei Yisroel but instead the slavery worsens

Va’era

Moshe Rabbeinu encourages Bnei Yisroel but they do not listen to him

The first seven of the ten plagues are described.

The last three plagues are described

The mitzvah of Korban Pesach

Bnei Yisroel leave Egypt

B’Shalach

Splitting of the Sea

Bnei Yisroel complain for food and water

The mon is given to Bnei Yisroel

Amalek attacks Bnei Yisroel

Yitro

Yisro advises Moshe Rabbeinu to set up a system of judges

Bnei Yisroel receive the Torah at Har Sinai

Mishpotim

Civil law system is described

Description of the ceremony that takes place before the Torah is given

Terumah

Description of most of the vessels of the Mishkan

Tetzaveh

Description of the clothing of the kohanim and instructions on the korbanot to be brought when the Mishkan is dedicated.

Ki Tisah

Collection of the shekalim

Spices used in the Mishkan

The sin of the Golden Calf

The Torah is given the second time

Vayakhel

The mitzvah of Shabbat overrides the building of the Mishkan

The actual construction of the parts of the Mishkan

Pikudei

An accounting of the property that was used to construct the Mishkan

Parshiyot haShavua – VAYIKRAH

Vayikrah

Laws of the korbanot – Olah (burnt offering), Minchah (offerings made from grain), sh’lomim (“Peace offering), Chattas (offering brought when a person accidentally does a transgression that is punished by karet when done purposefully), Asham (guilt offering brought for specific sins)

Tzav

Laws about the services done daily in the Mishkan (or Beit haMikdash)

Additional laws about the sacrifices

Aharon and his sons preparing to be invested with the duties of the kohanim

Shmini

The dedication ceremony of the Mishkan

The death of the two older sons of Aharon haKohen

The laws of animals, birds, fish and insects that are pure or impure

Impurity of fruits and vegetables

Acharei Mot

The service in the Mishkan on Yom haKippurim

Laws relating to birds that are unfit to eat because of the way they have died

Laws of forbidden relationships

K’doshim

Various laws pertaining to respect for parents, the Sabbath, proper business conduct, agriculture and other

Punishments for immoral behavior

Emor

Laws pertaining to the kohanim

Laws pertaining to animals that are fit or unfit for sacrifices

Dates of the Torah holidays

Laws relating to physical damages

B’har

Laws relating to sh’mittah and Yovel

Laws relating to owning property in the Land of Israel

Laws of interest and usury

B’chukosai

Blessings and curses (toch’cha) upon the Jewish people depending on their

observance of the laws

Laws of donations of holy property

Halakhot of Yomim Noraim

rossso — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:06:06 +0000

We have learned the following halakhot to date:

1) The days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur are y’mei ratzon – days of closeness to G-d. It is a time for Teshuva more so than the rest of the year, as this is the time when Moshe Rabbeinu was on har Sinai to accept the second set of luchot which were given on Yom Kippur.

2) We blow the shofar each day during Elul, except for the 29th of the month. We do not blow the shofar on Shabbat.

3) The 27th chapter of Tehillim – L’Dovid haShem ori v’yish’i is recited twice a day. One time is after Shacharit. Nusach Ashkenaz recites it after Ma’ariv. Nusach S’fard recites it after Minchah. This custom continues until Shmini Atzeret – 22 Tishrei.

4) The 29th of Elul (Erev Rosh haShanah) is observed by some as a fast day. It is a day devoted to Teshuva and the doing of mitzvot.

5) Selichot are special penitential prayers recited before Shacharit, starting from the Saturday night before Rosh haShana and continuing until Yom Kippur. If, as this year, Rosh haShana falls on Monday or Tuesday, we start reciting Selichot on the Saturday night that is eight or nine days before Rosh haShana. The longest selichot are recited on Erev Rosh haShana.

6) The first day of Rosh haShana can never be on a Sunday, Wednesday or Friday.

7) The Shmoneh Esreh of MUSSAF of Rosh haShana is the only Shmoneh Esreh that has nine blessings They consist of:

First three beginning blessings

Magen Avraham

M’chayeh Meitim

haMelech haKadosh

Middle Blessings

Malchuyot – royalty: G-d’s rule over the world, our people and individuals

Zichronot - remembrances of our deeds as individuals and as a people

Shofarot – the shofar in Jewish life

Closing blessings:

R’tzeh

Modim

Sim Shalom

8) The Avinu Malkeinu prayer is recited each day beginning with Rosh haShana and ending on Yom Kippur. It is recited at Shacharit and at Minchah. It is not recited on Shabbat. It is also not recited on the day before Yom Kippur. If Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat, it IS recited on Friday morning. Even if Yom Kippur is on Shabbat (when we don’t say Avinu Malkeinu) we DO say Avinu Malkeinu at the END of N’eilah (the last Shmoneh Esreh of Yom Kippur).

9a) The Torah commandment (D’Orayta) to hear the shofar on Rosh haShana is to hear tekiah, teruah, tekiah three times. Since we are not sure of what a “teruah” is, we blow it in all three possible forms: teruah (nine staccato notes) shevarim (three short blasts) and teruah-tekiah (combination of nine staccato notes and three short blasts. Each of these sounds is made three times. Each time the sound is made it is preceeded by a tekiah and followed by a tekiah.

9b) After the Torah is read, the blessing “Lishmo’ah Kol Shofar” is recited along with the “Shehechayanu.” The first set of thirty sounds are blown. Other sets of thirty sounds are blown during the repetition of the Mussaf service. In Nusach S’fard synagogues, thirty sounds are also blown during the silent Mussaf. A final ten sounds are blown before Aleinu.

9c) Before the blowing of the Shofar, two b’rachot are recited:

- Lishmo’a kol shofar

- Shehecheyanu

From the time of the B’rachot until the last shofar blast after Mussaf, there is no talking except for prayer.

10) Tashlich is recited at a body of natural water (river, spring fed lake, etc.) on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh haShana. The prayer may also be recited any day from Rosh haShana until Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh day of Succot. It is not recited on Shabbat.

11a) Aseret Y’mei Teshuva

The Aseret Y’mei Teshuva (ten days of Repentance) begin with Rosh haShana and end with Yom Kippur. This is a time for thinking about our deeds and how we can improve them. It is particularly important to repair misdeeds between ourselves and others, as G-d does not forgive such deeds, unless we take care of the “person to person” part first.

11b) The parts of Teshuva

Teshuva consists of three steps.

a) Viduy – confession – acknowledging that a wrongdoing has been done.

b) Charatah – regret – regretting the damage to ourselves and to others caused by the wrongdoing

c) Azivat haCheit – abandoning the wrong doing and resolving to not repeat it.

These three steps apply to any negative behavior we wish to change. Effective change involves either erasing negative behavior and / or adopting a good behavior consistently over a forty day period.

11c) The day after Rosh haShana is Tzom G’dalya, commemorating the death of G’dalya and the break up of the small Jewish community that existed in Eretz Yisroel after the destruction of the first Temple.

boo

12) Erev Yom Kippur (Yom Kippur Eve)

a) Kaporot – Atonement ceremony, performed with either a live chicken or with money

Many specifically give the sum of three half dollars (which resembles three half shekalim)

b) Two meals, one in the late morning and the second immediately before the fast

c) Blessing one’s children

d) immersion in the Mikveh (some hold this requires a blessing)

e) recitation of Viduy at Minchah

13) Yom Kippur

Five fasts

a) eating

b) drinking

c) washing for pleasure

d) wearing leather shoes

e) relations

Five “sh’moneh esreh” prayers

a) Ma’ariv

b) Shacharit

c) Mussaf

d) Minchah

e) Ne’ilah

The first four s’moneh esreh prayers include a viduy (confession) service during the silent prayer AND during the repetition by the chazan. During the repetition of Mussaf, we hear the Avodah (description of the service by the Kohein Gadol in the Temple). We bow on the floor during this service. We also read the Asarah harugei malchut (story of the Ten Martyrs).

Torah Readings

After Shacharit, part of the Torah portion of Acharei Mot that describes the Yom Kippur service in the Mishkan is read. In the afternoon, the part of the Torah portion of Acharei Mot describing forbidden relationships is read. The HAFTARA in the afternoon is the story of Yonah.

After the fast we begin the year with a mitzvah such as reciting Kiddush L’vanah or building the succah.