The Book of Yeshayahu

Prayer Rites (Nusah) and Customs of Different Communities

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

When Truth Is Sacrificed to Power

What was wrong with the actions of Korach and his fellow rebels? They had a point. Why was there a hierarchy, with Moses as leader and Aaron as High Priest?

On Not Being Afraid of Greatness

The two commands are respectively the prohibition against desecrating God’s name, Chillul Hashem, and the positive corollary, Kiddush Hashem, that we are commanded to sanctify God’s name. But in what sense can we sanctify or desecrate God’s name?

Fear of Freedom

Shelach Lecha 5779

Shelach Lecha 5779

Payment for a Teacher’s Increased and Decreased Work

The plaintiff (=pl) teaches and does some administrational work at the X Yeshiva (=def), which was undergoing hard times. The new rosh yeshiva (=RY) asked pl to increase his administrational and recruiting work over the summer. There is no written record of a promise of increased pay, but RY confirms it and def denies they agreed. Def paid 7,000 + shekels as “a compromise”; pl demands 4000 shekels * 4 months, as promised. The next year, def cut back 3 hours from pl’s regular administrative duties. Pl claims that this was without due process and demands a return of that pay. Def says that there is no tenure on hours beyond a full-time job, which pl still enjoys. Def counterclaims that in reviewing pl’s records, they discovered that he was significantly overpaid compared to the Education Department’s pay scale. Def wants to subtract this amount from any award beit din may rule in pl’s favor. Pl claims late fees for the withheld parts of the salary due to him, as prescribed by the Law to Protect Wages.

How Many People Together to Start Shemoneh Esrei? – part I

I daven at a small minyan at which some people daven slower than the rest and others come late. We do not always have ten to start Shemoneh Esrei with the chazan. Should we wait for ten, or is six enough?

The History of the Heter Mechira

The heter mechira came about in the first shmitta year, 5649 (1888), after thousands of years in exile. Some opposing poskim changed their positions when they saw how urgent the situation was. Anti-Zionism caused more opposition.

Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Introduction)

Daf Yomi - Eruvin 70

Daf Yomi - Avoda Zora 73

Special Days of Teves

Why do we fast on the 10th of Tevet? What is forbidden on the fast day? What can we still do?

A Woman's Obligation to Pray

According to most authorities, women are no less obligated to pray than men. Therefore, they must pray “Amida” in the morning and the afternoon (“Shacharit” and “Mincha”). The evening Amida prayer (“Maariv”), on the other hand, is voluntary.