Female LessonParashat HashavuaSeries'LibraryPiskei Din (Hebrew)Test YourselfShlomo HaMelech writes in Mishlei (Proverbs): "The name of the wicked should rot (& not be remembered)." The Gemara (Yoma 38) says this means that one should not name their child after a rasha, an evil person (e.g. Esav, Nimrod), because this may negatively affect the child’s character. So why, then, do we find a famous rabbi named Yishmael (whose teaching we read each day in the morning Shacharit Tefila), as well as the pious Kohen Gadol in the 2nd Bet HaMikdash who was one of the 10 martyrs killed by the Romans? After all, Yishmael was expelled by Sara & Avraham for his sinful behavior! Some say that since Yishmael eventually repented (see Bava Batra 16b) his name is allowed. Others (e.g. the Ritva) point to the fact that this name (like that of Yitzchak) was chosen by Hashem himself prior to the birth & has the beautiful meaning, "Hashem should hear," & so is permissible for a parent to use. Nevertheless, it is rare indeed to find a child today named Yishmael.
Many have attempted to solve the question, what is THE difference which can find the common denominator between all 31 differences between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandment? This innovative article suggests that our sages already answered this with one sentence in a well-known Midrash, just most never noticed that seemingly innocent sentence. It deals with the basic difference between the masculine side of the Torah and the feminine.
Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.
"FREEDOM CAME WITH A FLAG”- The First Flag of Israel
The Ramban explains that the exodus from Egypt was led by the first flag of Israel. This short article brings many unknown historic and halachic proofs of the importance of the Israeli flag.
Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.