Marshall McLuhan, the insightful Canadian philosopher, noted that with the rapid advances in…
Sanhedrin 15: The Ox and I
Perhaps the fundamental difference between the Written Law and the Oral Law is that the former is…
Sanhedrin 14: I Want a Real Rabbi
One of the fiercest debates in medieval Jewish history was engendered by the attempt to reinstate…
Sanhedrin 11: Humble Pie
It is in times of crisis that strong leadership is most needed. And up to that point in Jewish…
Sanhedrin 11: Please Don't Embarrass Me
When things go well all are ready to take credit, even if they had little or no role to play in the…
VaEtchanan: The People and Moshe
“At that time I pleaded with G-d, saying, ‘O G-d, Lord…please let me cross the…
Sanhedrin 11: An Extra Long Summer
Up until this point in Masechet Sanhedrin, we have been discussing the role of the court in…
Sanhedrin 8: We Want Justice
Moshe Rabbeinu was about to die. Like many before him, he wanted to bless his “children…
Devarim: Heading Home
The narrative portion of the Torah has come to an end. The last book of the Chumash, that…
Sanhedrin 7: The Wisdom of the Simple Man
“Rabbi Chaninah says: I learned much from my teachers, and from my colleagues more than my…
Sanhedrin 6: Truth or Peace?
“Thus said the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth [month] (17 Tammuz ), and the fast…
Sanhedrin 5: Professional Courtesy
How much would you be willing to sacrifice for the honour of another? Some money, a little bit of…
Sanhedrin 4: Please Read it Out Loud
“Rav Yochanan said: The Holy One, blessed be He, established the covenant with the Jewish…
Massei: Don't Forget the Details
“And the Egyptians were burying all their first born, who had been killed by G-d” (…
Sanhedrin 3: Please Lend Me Some Money
“Dinei mammonot, monetary law [is adjudicated] with three [judges]; gezeilot vechavalot…
An Introduction to Sanhedrin
The opening Mishna of Masechet Sanhedrin explains the workings of a three-tiered court system. One…
Bava Batra 165: "I Don't Hold by the Eiruv"
In his 17th century collection of responsa (#93), the Chacham Tzvi, Rav Tzvi Ashkenazi, discusses…
Pinchas: Idolatry for Adultery
"And they called the people to their religious sacrifices, and the people ate and worshipped…