Doing teshuva is hard work. Sinning can be fun, easy to do, financially beneficial and habit…
The Wisdom of the Common Man: Bava Kamma 92
One of the revolutions of Judaism was its democratization. No person is inherently superior to…
Please Forgive Me: Bava Kamma 92
“Even though he repays him he is not forgiven until he asks him.” (Bava Kamma 92a) In…
Shoftim: Church and State
Judaism has long understood that politics and religion are a dangerous mix. Political office was…
The First Day of School - on Nehama's Birthday
For thousands of children, not to mention parents, the day after Labour Day marks the unofficial…
Let's Have a Party!: Bava Kamma 87
In our last post we discussed Rabbi Yehuda’s (rejected) view that the blind are exempt from…
The Death Penalty?: Bava Kamma 86
Rav Yaakov Ettlinger in his collection of responsa (Binyan Tzion #172) discusses the powerful and…
Take Five:Bava Kamma 85
Masechet Bava Kamma begins by describing one’s responsibility to pay for damages caused by…
A Perfect Ten: Bava Kamma 82
“Rav Yossi said: It would have been proper for the Torah to be given by Ezra had Moshe not…
Eikev: Lots of Love
The Talmud declares that wisdom depends on the ability to make distinctions. It is for this reason…
Only One Chance: Bava Kamma 80
When opportunity knocks, answer – you may not get a second chance. Or to quote the language…
Man and G-d: Bava Kamma 79
“The disciples of Rav Yochanan ben Zakkai asked him ‘why was the Torah…
VaEtchanan: World Leaders
Attempts to understand the rationale behind the mitzvoth of the Torah have generated much debate…
Talking too Much: Bava Kamma 72
“Al pi [1], according to the testimony of two or three shall something be…
Tisha B'Av: Doing Nothing
"Because of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza Jerusalem was destroyed.” (Gitin 55b) So begins the most famous…
Devarim: Nation Building
“Eicha esa, how can I alone carry your contentiousness, your burdens and your quarrels?” (Devarim…
It's Almost Chanukah: Bava Kamma 62b
While there are 613 categories of mitzvoth they are not all created equal. Saving a life is more…