Legal loopholes are a mainstay of the legal profession. People are often frustrated when…
What a Story: Kiddushin 66
One of the fascinating, exciting even suspenseful aspects of learning Gemara is how a…
I Don't Know You: Kiddushin 65
In our last post we discussed the unusual situation, to say the least, of a father or…
Who Did I Marry?: Kiddushin 63
You have to wonder sometimes about the strange relationships between parents and children…
Come Work for Me: Kiddushin 59
A poor person who is examining a piece a cake and another comes and takes it from him is called…
Let Him Have It: Kiddushin 59
If you are going to have someone do work for you it's probably best to ensure they have your…
Becoming a Tzadik: Kiddushin 49
"The signature of G-d is truth." (Shabbat 55b) As beings created in the image of G-d we…
Yom Ha'atzmaut 68
“In every generation one must see himself as if he had left Egypt.” Pesach may seem like a…
Loans and Grants
I write these words from Israel on the eve of Yom Hazikaron, the saddest day of the year as we…
Delegate It Yourself: Kiddushin 41
"If you want something done right do it yourself" is a nice idea in theory but one with…
Good Habits: Kiddushin 40
We are creatures of habit. We tend to do what we have done in the past, which is why it is so…
This or the Other: Kiddushin 39
There is no more tragic figure in Talmudic literature than that of Acher, the Other. Destined for…
Pesach: Old Questions, New Answers
“Chanoch lena’ar al pi darcho, train each child according to their way” (Mishlei).
Pesach: The Wise and Wicked
The Seder night brings together Jews from all orientations and perspectives. The future redemption…
A Strange Song: Kiddushin 31
In our last post we discussed the extraordinary efforts to which Dama ben Netinah went to…
Let Your Parents Sleep: Kiddushin 31
There are few mitzvoth more important than that of kivud av veim, honouring parents…
Shabbat Hagadol: Redemption is Near?
Historians and sociologists have long debated whether it is historical trends that determine the…
Pass the Pepper: Kiddushin 30
Our evil inclination is most powerful and capable of causing so much harm.