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I apologize if this tiny biography will sound like an advertisement, but Rabbi Akiva Eiger was one of the featured gedolim in my book, A Glimpse at Greatness, published by Eretz Hemdah. As I explained there, while Rabbi Akiva Eiger wrote many responsa to rabbis throughout the region, he did not publish prolifically. Perhaps his major work was the compilation of approximately 1,000 responsa, known simply as Sheolot U’teshuvot Rabbi Akiva Eiger, which covers subject matter in all four sections of Shulchan Aruch. Within the smallest group of the four, that corresponding to Choshen Mishpat (monetary law), much of the discussion is on theoretical or text-based matters, rather than judicial case studies, which is what we usually focus on in this column.
Discussions of actual cases were also, for the most part, sent from the rabbis of other cities. Posen, as a prominent and devout Jewish community, had a respected beit din. (The most famous picture of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, which is on the cover of A Glimpse at Greatness, is from a painting of him walking with two dayanim from that beit din). It is not clear to me to what extent Rabbi Akiva Eiger sat regularly as the head of the court. There were cities with enough scholars to make it possible for there to be separate functions of the city’s rabbinate and its rabbinical court. It is also possible that even when being a dayan or otherwise being involved behind the scene, the posek would be careful to not include stories that are too close to home in his works. Additionally, on technical grounds, letters were needed to give information needed for the rabbi sending the question out-of-town, whereas local issues may have been dealt with orally.
In any case, we hope that the 4-5 weeks that we will spend on dinei Torah regarding which Rabbi Akiva Eiger expressed an opinion will be enlightening and informative.
P'ninat Mishpat (831)
Various Rabbis
343 - Putting Pressure on Male Inheritors
344 - Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Introduction)
345 - Agreeing to Not Receive Inheritance from One’s Children
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Agricultural Water Rights – part II
based on ruling 84122 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Undoing a Problematic Partnership – part III
based on ruling 84061 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
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Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
