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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Peninei Halakha
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Three Weeks
- The Ninth of Av
There are three halakhic differences between Tisha Be-Av and the minor fasts: 1) Tisha Be-Av lasts an entire day, from shki’at ha-ĥama (sunset) of one day until tzeit ha-kokhavim (the emergence of three mid-sized stars) of the next day, whereas the minor fasts last only during daylight hours – from alot ha-shaĥar (dawn) until tzeit. 2) On Tisha Be-Av, there are five prohibitions: a) eating and drinking; b) washing; c) anointing oneself; d) wearing high-quality shoes; and e) engaging in sexual relations. On the minor fasts, however, only eating and drinking are prohibited. 3) Only sick people are exempt from fasting on Tisha Be-Av, whereas on the minor fast days, pregnant and nursing women are exempt as well.
In general, the fast of Tisha Be-Av is equivalent to the fast of Yom Kippur: all enactments the Sages made regarding Tisha Be-Av were modeled after the Torah’s commandments regarding Yom Kippur. This includes the five prohibitions listed above. Nonetheless, since the fast of Tisha Be-Av is a rabbinic enactment, its laws are more lenient in two significant ways: 1) The Sages did not require sick people to fast on Tisha Be-Av. In contrast, sick people must fast on Yom Kippur, unless doing so would put his life in danger. 2) In situations of uncertainty, one should be stringent on Yom Kippur, but on Tisha Be-Av one may be lenient. This follows the rule that we are stringent in cases of uncertainty about Torah law, but lenient in cases of uncertainty about rabbinic law.
However, Tisha Be-Av is more stringent than Yom Kippur in a certain way. On Tisha Be-Av, we are obligated to mourn. Therefore, we sit on the floor, refrain from greeting one another, darken the room at night, and are forbidden to enjoy Torah study. On Yom Kippur, however, we are obligated only to deprive ourselves, but besides the five afflictions, the day is considered a holiday: We wear nice clothing, sit on regular seats, sing songs, exchange greetings with one another, and of course, engage in Torah study without limits. (Regardless of the afflictions, melakha is forbidden on Yom Kippur just as it is forbidden on Shabbat.)
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
Peninei Halakha 18. Torah Verses in the Prayers and in the Berakha of She-asa Li Kol Tzorki
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
The Laws of Purim 16. Costumes and the Prohibition of Lo Yilbash
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
The Laws of Purim 4. Traveling between Walled and Unwalled Cities
Chapter 17: Walled and Unwalled Cities
Rabbis in Midrash
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
