It is doubtful the Jewish life would exist as we know it if not for the leadership of Rav Yochanan…
Beitza 4b: The Second Day of Yom Tov
I have a confession to make. I really like Yom Tov and look forward to having an extra…
Beitza 4: Take Your Time
The very first teaching in all of rabbinic literature[1] is the saying of the Men of the Great…
Beitza 2: Protecting the Neglected
The Rambam, in discussing the prohibition of ba’al toseef (Devarim 4:2), the prohibition of…
Some Opening Thoughts on Masechet Beitza
“An egg that was laid on Yom Tov: Beit Shammai says it may be eaten, and Beit Hillel says it…
Rabbi David Stav to Speak on Thursday, May 15
Rabbi David Stav will speak on Thursday, May 15, on the topic "The Struggle for Jewish…
Some Concluding Thoughts on Masechet Sukkah
As we have studied Masechet Sukkah together, we have stressed two themes: that of simcha, joy; and…
Sukkah 52: The Greatest Joy
“Whoever did not see the celebration of the drawing of the water (simchat beit hashoeva) has…
Rabbi Alex Israel to be Scholar in Residence on March 29
Rabbi Alex Israel will serve as scholar in residence on the Shabbat of March 29 at Zichron Yisroel…
Sukkah 48: Pass the Water
In a recent post, we discussed the opposition to the mitzvah of placing the arava on the altar. An…
Sukkah 46: A Daily Dose of Blessings
“Rav Yehuda said in the name of Shmuel: lulav, seven; and sukkah, one” (Sukkah 45b). So…
Sukkah 45: Seeing Double
The arava, the willow branch, has a dual function on Sukkot. It is the last of four species that…
Sukkah 43: My Lulav Is Better Than Yours
Despite the explicit command to take the lulav on the first day of Sukkot--…
Shemini: Holy Cow!
In Jewish law, it is the middle that is most important. We surround the sefer Torah with …
Sukkah 38: Shake the Lulav
"A child who knows how to shake [the lulav] is obligated to take the lulav" (Sukkah 42a).
Sukkah 36: Lulav in the Sukkah
We tend to view the mitzvoth of sitting in the sukkah and the arba minim (henceforth…
Sukkah 35: Long Live the Etrog
The Rambam in his introduction to the Mishna divides the Oral Law into various categories. He…
Sukkah 34: Don't Cut Yourself
"And you shall take for yourself on the first day pri etz hadar, a beautiful fruit tree,…