Things One May Do in the Morning Before Tefillah

A recording for the BHP daily Halachic Whatsapp group

https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gz8rrxqRcfy9rMOXRLG6GS

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 6: Black Hats and Baseball Caps: Possible Futures and Instructive Histories

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 6:

Black Hats and Baseball Caps:

Possible Futures 

and 

Instructive Histories

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/102188

Shiur on Inyana D'Yoma, Shavuos Night 11:45pm-12:30 am

You are invited to a shiur

on the topic of Shavuos

on Shavuos (Sunday) night,

11:45pm-12:30am,

at our home, 3 Zabriskie Terrace in Monsey.

I am also giving a shiur on

"The Great International Dateline Controversy"

at Cong. Ohaiv Yisroel of Blueberry, 3:15-4:30 am.

I will also be "debating" the Rav of the Blueberry Shul,

Rabbi Eliyahu Wincelberg shlita,

on the topic of Techeles, 2:00-3:00 am.

Please share with anyone who may be interested. Thanks!

Good Shabbos and Good Yom Tov!

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 5: Why so many Gemara Talmidim remain ill-served by their Rabbeim

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 5:

The Brightest Aren't the Best:

Why so many Gemara Talmidim remain

ill-served by their Rabbeim

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/101699

Building communities. A history of the eruv in America: Journal of Modern Jewish Studies: Vol 0, No 0 - Get Access

I don't know when the print version will be coming out, but this is the link to my latest article, a review of Rabbi Dr. Adam Mintz's Building Communities: A History of the Eruv in America, that will be published in the Journal of Modern Jewish Studies. This is the "official" pre-publication link. The article follows.

Building communities. A history of the eruv in America: Journal of Modern Jewish Studies: Vol 0, No 0 - Get Access

Building Communities. A History of the Eruv in America, by Adam Mintz, Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2023, 187pp., $26.95, ISBN 9798887190853

Books and articles written on the fascinating topic of eruvin, the enclosures that allow observant Jews to carry items in public areas on the Sabbath, must often grapple with multiple disciplines.

Foremost in significance and complexity are the issues of Jewish law. In contradistinction to most religions, Jewish law recognizes and authorizes the use of legal loopholes. Examples abound, such as the mechanism by which one sells one’s chametz (leavened bread and other grain products) a non-Jew prior to the advent of the holiday of Pesach (Passover), rather than eradicating and destroying it as prescribed by the Torah (the Bible).

An eruv is another such legal loophole. It is a legal fiction that allows an area enclosed by quite porous barriers such as strings attached to the tops of poles to be considered a walled and private domain, thus circumventing the prohibition on carrying items in an unenclosed area on the Sabbath.

The open embrace of legal fictions and loopholes often strikes a person confronting their utilization in religious life as strange. Perhaps the best analogy one can give in explanation of the phenomenon is the well-known statement by Judge Learned Hand: “Any one may so arrange his affairs that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which will best pay the Treasury; there is not even a patriotic duty to increase one's taxes” (Helvering v. Gregory, 69 F.2d 809 (2d Cir. 1934), https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/69/809/1562063/). Jewish religious law is a legal system like any other legal system: It demands compliance, but it does not require stringency. Religious fervor can find expression in other manners and activities, such as fervent prayer, intense study or heightened charity.

Another issue involved in eruvin is sociological. Within observant Judaism, societies have defined themselves by the extent to which they were willing to allocate resources and devote efforts to the construction and maintenance of eruvin. After all, carrying objects in a public space on the Sabbath is not essential for the observance of the Sabbath. It does make the Sabbath more pleasurable to be able to do so. This is especially true, for example, for mothers with young children, who, without the benefit of an eruv, find it very difficult to leave home on the Sabbath. Yet Jewish law does not obligate women to attend a synagogue or leave home for any other purpose on the Sabbath. To what extent does a society concern itself with the enhancement of the Sabbath of parts of its constituency?

An additional impetus to maintain an eruv is to benefit people who are not meticulously observant and will carry objects in public areas whether there is an eruv in place or not. To what extent does a community concern itself with saving its laxer members from sin?

Yet another issue involved in eruvin is political. Notwithstanding the fact that the poles and strings (and, of course, the pre-existing structures such as fences and embankments) that comprise eruvin are essentially invisible to the eye not familiar with them and not deliberately seeking them, the construction of eruvin has become a political issue. This is especially true because an essential component of an eruv is a symbolic rental of the public space it encompasses from relevant civil authorities. This has led to well publicized cases surrounding issues of church and state, and not infrequent charges of antisemitic or anti-orthodox attitudes on the parts of the general population or the authorities, or both.

The great accomplishment of Adam Mintz’s thin but comprehensive survey of the history of eruvin in North America is his success in encompassing all these issues in his treatise. The convergence of all these issues in a framework that analyzes them historically adds the additional discipline of the history of American and Canadian Jewry to the rich array of issues in which this volume makes a significant contribution. It is highly engaging and intriguing reading. The one (minor) critique that the author of this review found significant is the paucity of illustrations, with those that appear being limited to various maps. Perhaps in our digital age that is less an onerous omission than it once may have been, as one can search images on one’s own. Be that as it may, readers will enjoy the book and come away enriched and edified across a broad array of disciplines and spheres of interest.

 

Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer, PhD

Talmudic Monitoring Council,

AARTS, Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools

ygbechhofer@gmail.com

Reb Tzadok on Anger Management: Tzidkas HaTzaddik 80-81

Subsequent episodes in the series will appear in the comments to this post.

Iggeres D'Rav Sherira Gaon, part 27: Rav Ashi vs The Reish Galusa (Exilarch); The Legend of Bustenai

How Rav Ashi made the yeshiva at Masa Mechasya (Sura) permanent; his surpassing the Reishei Galusa in significance and dominance; 

and the history and legends of Bustenai.

Subsequent episodes in the series will be linked in comments here.

Worth Sharing: Slavery in Judaism, from Rabbi Elias' Parasha Sheet

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 4: Kabbalah's Lasting Impact

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 4:

Kabbalah's Lasting Impact

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/101528

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 3: Kavod Zeh Ba'Zeh: The Tandem Template of Jewish Leadership

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 3:

Kavod Zeh Ba'Zeh:

The Tandem Template of Jewish Leadership

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/101267

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 2: Neturei Karta: Looking Past the Shouts and Slogans

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 2: 

Neturei Karta:

Looking Past the Shouts and Slogans

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/100805

 

Is All A Capella Music Permitted During the Omer?

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

Eitan | Growing from Their Strength, Building in Their Memory - Givechak

Eitan | Growing from Their Strength, Building in Their Memory - Givechak

This drive is for Rabbi Eli Kaplan shlita's Mechina.

Reb Eli is the grandson of Rabbi Avrohom Eliyahu Kaplan zt"l zy"a

Eitan Pre-Military Academy, established with a vision of love for the land, a sense of mission, and a deep connection to the people of Israel, has become a second home for hundreds of students and alumni over the years. The academy is not just a place for study and training – it is a family, a community, and a source of inspiration that accompanies its members throughout their lives.

When our three beloved fallen heroes, each of whom was a world unto themselves, lost their lives in acts of giving and sacrifice for the nation and the land, we felt a deep obligation to continue their legacy in a way that would embody their values and their profound connection to the academy and the large family created here.

With this sense of mission, the academy's leadership and its students decided to establish a comprehensive memorial project, divided into three parts, each telling a story of life, giving, and continuity:

1.

Learning and Memorial Room – A quiet and special space in memory of the four fallen heroes, inviting students and alumni to reflect, learn, and draw inspiration from their legacy and the values they imparted.

2.

Therapeutic Space for Alumni – A warm and supportive place for alumni of the academy, providing them with continued support and tools to cope with life's challenges even after their time at the academy.

3.

Three New Residential Complexes – Named after the fallen, Yakir Levi, Netanel Pesach , Uri Epstein, and Avi Buzaglo (may their memories be a blessing), these spaces will serve as places of growth and new beginnings for future generations of academy students.

This project is not merely a commemoration – it is a step forward, a living and breathing expression of values and love. It is our way of ensuring that the legacy of our loved ones will not be forgotten but will continue to illuminate our path and connect us to the grand dream they left behind.

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 1: Succession: Popes,Rebbes, and Roshei Yeshivah

No, the line of succession in Britain is not discussed in the podcast.
The image for illustrative purpose only! 😏

Rischa D'Araisa Season 11 Episode 1:https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/riscahadaraaisa/100426

Succession: 

Popes,Rebbes, 

and Roshei Yeshivah

 

Scholar in Residence Information. Please be in Touch to Set Up a Program!

Rabbi Yosef Gavriel and Dr. Shani M. Bechhofer

Scholar in Residence Programs, Lectures, Shiurim 

We both have a large and varied repertoire of topics and programs. We can also custom design programs. We are available both individually and jointly. Below are samples of scholar in residence programs we have presented, and links to video and audio presentations.

Baruch Hashem, have been very well received in many venues, including shuls, communal organizations, educational institutions, as well as hotel scholar-in-residence events and programs.

Please contact us to discuss, plan and schedule programming. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might be interested! Thank you very much.

 Our contact information:

Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer 

ygb@aishdas.org 

ygbechhofer@gmail.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rygblinkedin/ 

845.216.1617 

http://aishdas.org/rygb 

http://rygb.blogspot.com 

Shani M. Bechhofer 

shanibechhofer@gmail.com 

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shani-bechhofer/13/79a/6a0 

773.415.1508

Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer has served for many years as a Rav, Rebbe and Rosh Kollel in the Chicago and New York areas. Rabbi Bechhofer is one of the few individuals to have served as Maggid Shiur for both Daf Yomi Bavli and Daf Yomi Yerushalmi. He is a senior lecturer for the Aishdas Society, an association devoted to more profound understanding and experience of all aspects of Talmud Torah and Avodas Hashem. He has served as a guest Maggid Shiur, scholar in residence, and lecturer in numerous venues, including Alberta, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Ontario, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, Israel and England. He is a prolific author. He has published many essays in major Orthodox Jewish periodicals. His published seforim are: The Contemporary Eruv: Eruvin in Modern Metropolitan Areas, Bigdei Shesh on Bava Basra, and Bigdei Shesh on Sefer Shoftim. Well over one thousand audio recordings of his lectures and shiurim (including the entire Yerushalmi) are available on tape and online. Thousands of his shiurim are available as online videos. 

Video and audio are at: 

http://youtube.com/yosefgavrielbechhofer 

https://shiurim.sumseq.com/RYGB/ 

Dr. Shani M. Bechhofer is one of the foremost authorities on all aspects of Chinuch and Educational Leadership. She is a much sought-after consultant, who recently formed her own consulting agency. In her over twenty-five years as an educator, Dr. Bechhofer has held the positions of teacher, principal, menaheles, researcher, evaluator and professor. Notably, she was featured in U.S. News & World Report for her leadership as Principal of the Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov High School of Illinois. Her doctorate is from Northwestern University, where she wrote her doctoral dissertation on the Bais Yaakov movement. Her previous graduate studies were at the National College of Education (National-Louis University) and her undergraduate degree is from the Stern College of Yeshiva University. 

Rabbi and Dr. Bechhofer have six children and a growing number of grandchildren kein yirbu, and live in Monsey, NY.

An Assortment of Topics that have been addressed in shiurim by Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer

Emunah & Hashkafah:	Contemporary & Practical Halachic Issues:
The Age of the Universe	Eruvin in Metropolitan Areas
Evidence and Emunah	The Definition of Death in Halacha
Does Reason Serve Faith or Faith Serve Reason	Organ Transplants
Tradition, History & Belief	Curtailing Treatment of the Terminally Ill
The Authenticity of the Torah	Cholov Yisroel
Bechira Chofshis: How Free are We?	Agunah Problems & Related Issues
Divine Providence	Buying Meat in Non-Jewish Owned Stores
The Unity of G-d	Banking in a Jewish Owned Bank
G-d's Incorporeality	When & What Mechitza is Required by Halacha
Creation Ex Nihilo	May Jews Return to Spain
Worshiping G-d — Nothing Else	Changing Neighborhoods
Prophecy	Halachic Attitudes Towards Secular Studies
The Prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu	The Use of Microphones in Halacha
The Divine Origin of Torah	Women in Jewish Communal Life
The Torah will not be Abrogated	Gelatin
G-d's Omniscience	Organized Labor & Strikes
Reward & Punishment	Tzedaka & Ma'aser Kesafim
Moshiach: Are These Messianic Times?	Glatt Kosher
Resurrection of the Dead	Sheimos: What are They & How to Dispose of Them
These & Those are the Words of the Living G-d	Headcovering for Women
Our Relationship with Previous Generations	The Great International Dateline Controversy
The Impact of Kabbala on Machashava	Bishul Akum
Sophisticated Chesed	Teaching Torah to Non-Jews
Denominational Attitudes	Yeshivot Hesder in Halacha
Sinners Within & Ahavas Yisroel	AIDS
The Greater They Are, The Greater Their Fall	Cheating on Your Taxes
Chronologies of the 2nd Beis HaMikdosh Period	Kol Isha
Brazenness & Bashfulness	Ashkenazic vs. Sepharadic Pronunciation
Exploring Chutzpa	Suing Your Rabbi for Malpractice
What is True Yiras Shomayim	Copyrights in Halacha
Tefilla & Avodas Hashem Workshops	Autopsies & Biopsies
Truth & Falsehood	Plastic Surgery & Diets
Malachim (Angels): What are They/What do they Do?	Communal Unity
Bein Yisroel L'Amim: Judaism & Christianity	Shabbos Cosmetics
What is Kedusha & How is it Achieved	Cigarette Smoking in Halacha
Torah she'be'al Peh as the Focus	May Women Wear Pants?
Analyzing Agadata	Music in Halacha
Time & Times in Judaism	Conversion
The Leviathan	Laws of Waiting on Line & Priorities in a Waiting Room
Bitachon: Trust in G-d	Teshuva & Kiruv
Para Aduma	Magic & Magicians in Halacha
Kilayim & Sha’atnez	Practical Hilchos Mezuza
Basar Ve'Chalav	Abortion
Kisui HaDam	Halachos of Shabbos Goyim
Pride & Humility	Electric Lights in Halacha
Friendship	Vegetarianism in Halacha
Simchas Chosson V'Kalla	Shabbos Elevators
Ta’amei ha’Mitzvos	Heter Iska
Zav & Zava	Entering Churches & Mosques
Mikveh	Rebuking Wrongdoers
Orlah	Cooking for & on Shabbos & Yom Tov
Aleynu	Entering the Temple Mount
Atah Kadosh	Restoring Avodas HaKorbonos
Atah Bechartanu	Techeles
Eating Jewishly	Extradition
Frankfurt vs. Volozhin	In Vitro Fertilization
G-d Diminished the Moon?	Surrogate Motherhood
Acher: Elisha ben Avuya	Dayanim & Batei Din in Modern Times
The Jewish Concept of Thanksgiving	Semicha & Psak Halacha
Shiluach HaKen	Corporal & Capitol Punishment in Our Times
Hallel	Opening Other People’s Mail
The Prophecy of Bilam	Havdala
Chopping Down Fruit Trees	The Use of Lie Detectors in Halacha
Of Donkeys & Cold	Disturbing the Peace: Exhuming & Relocating Graves
Prophecy: Dreams	From Soup to Nuts: Eating a Meal al pi Halacha
Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim	Behind Bars with Halacha: Imprisonment
Yomim Tovim	Sale of Weapons by Israel to Foreign Countries
Yomim Noro’im	Reversing Bal Tashchis: Recycling
Chana & Shmuel HaNavi	Close Shaves with Halacha: Electric Razors
Shaul HaMelech	Business Partnerships with a Goy
The Plishtim	Partnerships with Mechalelei Shabbos
Existence	May a Jew Own Stock in a Company that Trades in Treifos?
The Ba'alei Machashava on War	Medicines/Medical Procedures on Shabbos/Yom Tov
Kochi v'Otzem Yadi	Is a Promise Halachically Binding?
Courage & Cowardice	What & Why Rabbinic Ordinances are Binding
Sanctity & Profanity	Brokerage: Shadchanim & Real Estate Agents
Shimshon	What's a Bracha & How Does it Work?
Dovid HaMelech	Rise & Shine: Getting Up in with Halacha
Bar Kochba	Wars & Armies
Gid HaNasheh	May a Jew Become a Professional Football Player & Related Issues
Netzach & Hod	Oh No! You Have a She'eila & no Rabbi to Ask: What do you do?
Talmid Chochom	Is Pasteurized Wine Mevushal?
Din: Judgement	Fetal Reduction & Related Issues
Judaism & Freedom	Stitches on Shabbos
The Name of G-d & the Night of the Seder	Squeezing & Grinding on Shabbos
The Fifth Cup	Redistributing the Wealth: Yissaschar-Zevulun Relationships
Kabbolas Shabbos	Were the Chashmonaim Allowed to Assume the Kingship of Israel?
Rabbi Chanina & Rabbi Yannai	Chopping Pesukim
Shabbos: Six Tehillim & the Days of the Week	Sunrise, Sunset: Halachic Times of Day
Mizmor L'Dovid	Rising Before the Wise & Senior Citizens
Longevity & Immortality	Lifnei Iver
Astrology	Rib'is: Subscribing to Jewish Periodicals?
Male & Female	The First Year of Marriage
Challa	Halachos of Taking Challa from Dough
Tanya for Misnagdim	The Mitzvah of Ma'akeh
Ma'avir Rishon Rishon	Muktzeh
Beyond Seder	Shabbos Clocks
Chumros: Is the Way to Heaven Paved with Them?	Shabbos & Electricity
Judaism & Monarchy	Halacha at 35,000 Feet: Airplane Travel Issues
Netzach Yisroel	Child Abuse
Magen Dovid	Happy Endings: Halachos of Haftaros
Half Hallel	Constructive Justice? Bribing Public Officials
Yerushalayim	Microwave Ovens: Shabbos & Kashrus
Malchus & Shechina	Wills & Testaments: Issues & Resolutions
Havaya”h, Elokim, Tzevako"s, Adnu"s	Office Parties: Yoreh De'ah Issues
Tzimtzum	Social Gatherings: Moshav Leitzim
Beis HaMikdosh: A Neck	A Change of Place: Shinui Makom in Berachos
288 Nitzotzos	The Effects of Inflation on Halacha
The Eyes of G-d	Kedushas Bais HaKenesses
Too Great a Test?	Finders Keepers? Abandoned Objects in Public Places
Sorcery & Sin	Kavod & Kerias Sefer Torah
Amalek & Tomorrow	So What's New? Chodosh!
The Throne of Dovid and Shlomo	Is there a Halachic Basis for Yom HaSho'ah?
Intellect	Dishwashers: Kashrus, Shabbos & Yom Tov
Rosh and Crown	Forcing a Husband to Give a Get
Tzedaka vs. Chesed	Financial Assistance from non-Jews
Tanach vs. Chazal	Da'as Torah in Halachic & Non-Halachic Areas
Transitions & Chana's Song	Shabbos Babycare: Baby Wipes & Disposable Diapers
Kaf HaKela: The Catapult	Reuven or Robert? English Names for Jewish People
Gehinnom & Reward	Good Intentions: Kavana for the Beginning of Shma
Beards	Animal Experimentation & Tza'ar Ba'alei Chaim
Keruvim	Pop-Top Halacha: Opening Various Food Containers