Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 10: Self Evident Truths: Getting a Read on the Founders

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 10:

Self Evident Truths:

Getting a Read on the Founders

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/119163

After Washing and Saying the Brocho Al Netilas Yadayim Must You Make Hamotzi and Eat Bread?

A recording for the BHP daily Halachic Whatsapp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gz8rrxqRcfy9rMOXRLG6GS

 

Torah Im Derech Eretz: Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer part 1, Human Society

Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer - June 21

Meeting Purpose

To introduce Rabbi Dr. Isaac Breuer's philosophy on society from his book, Moriah.

Key Takeaways

• Society is Essential for Human Existence: Humans are social animals; isolation ("lo tov") is not viable. Society fulfills material needs, freeing individuals for spiritual development, and is the necessary context for developing core character traits (e.g., love, generosity).
• Human Society is a Conscious Act of Will: Unlike instinct-driven animal societies, human society is a dynamic, abstract entity built on a conscious "arrangement" (seder) of relationships. It is a continuous act of "let it be" (yehi), constantly shaped by free will.
• Visions Transcend Their Origins: A vision born from a natural cause (e.g., freedom from oppression) gains independent value, becoming a goal far greater than its initial trigger. This principle explains how human societies develop complex ideals.

Topics

The Necessity of Society

• Core Premise: Humans are social animals; isolation is "not good" (lo tov).
• Material Needs: Society fulfills basic needs, freeing individuals for spiritual development.
  • Example (Rambam): Intellectuals need others to handle practical tasks (cooking, cleaning) to focus on study.
• Spiritual Needs: Society is the necessary context for developing character traits (e.g., love, generosity) and even for manifesting love of God through loving His creatures.

The Family as Society's Foundation

• First Unit: The family is society's foundational "cell."
• Origin: The first mitzvah, pru u'rvu (procreation), establishes the family.
  • Pru: Marriage.
  • U'rvu: Family connections.
  • Milu et ha'aretz: Society and civilization.
• Paradigm: Family relations serve as the model for all societal relationships and personality development.

Human vs. Animal Society

• Animal Society:
  • Basis: Natural instinct; a biological fact.
  • Structure: An "organism" where parts (e.g., soldier/worker ants) are defined by their function.
  • Nature: A static, analytical unity (like the concept "apple") that adds no value beyond its components.
• Human Society:
  • Basis: Self-consciousness and free will.
  • Nature: A dynamic, abstract entity built on a conscious "arrangement" (seder) of relationships.
  • Formation: A continuous act of "let it be" (yehi), constantly shaped by the collective will of its members.

The Power of Vision

• Principle: A vision born from a natural cause gains independent value, becoming a goal far greater than its initial trigger.
• Example: Slaves' desire to end oppression (the cause) evolves into a vision of freedom (the effect) with its own independent value.
  • This explains how societies develop complex ideals (e.g., the American Revolution's vision of self-governance).

Next Steps

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Continue the discussion on Moriah in the next session, starting from page 21.

Join our WhatsApp group:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/FNbFs4JEXZkIzVNLJx3HuM

or our Discourse group: https://discourse.torahimderecheretz.com/invites/pLpM2Fm4mQ

New Weekly Torah Im Derech Eretz Shiur in Moriah! Sundays 9:30 am ET

 New weeklyTorah im Derech Eretz Shiur!

Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73111682042?pwd=oOL1PoozH4dvpvvSvaExnpcpzm9Qgm.1

Topic: Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer
Time: Jun 21, 2026 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada). Every week on Sunday.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/upcsduiupjkqHtaA2FrS4D8aa0UhKBBctF_K/ics?icsToken=DJSbhaiiUStmw3Go7QAALAAAAFx7N5gYVka3CBXSZoXXkBerpaSijXOdgj6tDVqK9RTBQ1L3rTJlfzM9s9373jcfJR-lUoxr4fuu7qpLXTAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=tZd9dJq0S5a_JbAqshwK2Q


Meeting ID: 731 1168 2042 Passcode: 431304

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 9: Basking in the Presence: National Anthems, Torch Songs, Athletic Achievement, and the Drafting of Post-Seminary Girls

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 9:

Basking in the Presence:

National Anthems, Torch Songs, Athletic Achievement, and the Drafting of Post-Seminary Girls

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/118862