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Beit Midrash
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The gemara (ibid.) discusses what is broad enough to qualify as a makkat medina? Rav Yehuda says that rubba d’ba’agi (the majority of the valley region) has to be blighted. Ulla says that it suffices for the fields around the one in question to be affected. Rav Yehuda’s opinion was accepted as halacha (Shulchan Aruch, CM 322:2). The Rishonim argued how to define rubba d’ba’agi. Rashi holds that it is within a certain valley region. The Rambam (Sechirut 8:5) says that it refers to most of the fields of the city. In any case, in regard to snow, it rarely makes a difference, as entire regions are generally covered similarly by snow, making it a makkat medina.
The mishna (Bava Metzia 103b) says that if a person rented out a field for produce and its wellspring dried up, the renter cannot reduce the amount he owes even though the field is now more difficult to cultivate. The gemara says that it is talking about a case that only a small artery in the area’s water dried up, and it is not a makkat medina because the renter can still bring water to the field by pail. Based on this, the Rama (CM 321:1) says that if one can fix the problem that arose even with difficulty, he does not reduce his obligations.
The Rama (ibid.) brings two opinions as to how to apportion the loss in the case of a makkat medina. The first is the Maharam, in regard to a teacher, when the government forbade teaching Torah, who says that the employer absorbs the loss. He cites a second opinion that at that time, the employer can back out of his commitment when the matter becomes known, and the employee gets paid only for what was done until then. The S’ma (ad loc.: 6) says that the Rama brought the Maharam incorrectly, as he meant that the two share the loss equally. The Taz agrees with the Rama, as we say that the employer’s "fortune" is that which caused the loss. The Netivot Hamishpat (321:1) accepts the Rama’s second opinion. The Avnei Shayish points out that even according to the Maharam, the worker is paid as a po’el batel (we subtract for the benefit of having vacation).
P'ninat Mishpat (832)
Various Rabbis
42 - The Obligation of Temporary Employment Agency
43 - Workers Who Could Not Work Due to Snow
44 - Workers Who Could Not Work Due to Snow
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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: A Seller with Questionable Rights to the Property – part II
based on ruling 84062 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Problematic Lights?
based on appeal of ruling 84085 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
