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Ha-Makom
2008-01-01 01:53:00 Rabbi Meir used to say: How is Techeles [blue color used in Tzitzis] different from all other colors? The Techeles looks like the sea, and the sea looks like the sky and the sky looks like a sapphire stone and the sapphire stone looks like the Throne of Honor (of the Almighty).Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Chullin 89a. One of the leading orthodox lecturers on Jewish thought, Rabbi Yissocher Frand, explains why we are given this relatively long chain of association: Because we all must take one step at a time. Brilliant color and light can stimulate us, inspire us, and like all things that compel the soul make us want to absorb them and transcend. We are swept up by beauty and want to meld with it. This is after all a kind of love. (Read more.)This was syndicated from the Reb Chaim HaQoton syndication feed.
Zos Chanuka
2007-12-12 16:42:00 I have a new post up at Beyond BT. Its audience is beyond BT's, you know.This was syndicated from the Reb Chaim HaQoton syndication feed.
Stand up for what you believe
2007-11-14 17:34:00 That means putting your money, i.e., your name, behind your mouth.Internet anonymity, an old theme of mine, is becoming more and more of an acute issue. Its victims call me and come to my office day in and day out. Like libertarianism, the absolute privilege of online anonymity is very popular, as long as you don't care what happens to anyone but yourself. This issue of particular concern to the orthodox Jewish community, which is why I am cross-posting this item (which I also posted at Dean's World) here.Today I'm having it out with a First Amendment absolutist, my Internet friend Marc Randazza, a lawyer, former journalist and law professor, on Likelihood of Success.This was syndicated from the Reb Chaim HaQoton syndication feed. More About: Stand Up , Stand
Zol es zayn a shandeh
2007-11-02 16:03:00 I find the idea of electioneering in the these things distasteful.But coming in last would leave an unpleasant taste in my, mouth, too.So help me prove I have friends and cast your vote for LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION® as Best Law Blog in the 2007 Weblog AwardsDo it for the children.This was syndicated from the Reb Chaim HaQoton syndication feed.
The neocon con
2007-11-02 03:09:00 Eric Schie picks up on a John Edwards detail, but doesn't grasp its significance: For his part, Edwards repeatedly referred to Republicans as ?NEOCONS!? When he scolded Hillary for her favorable vote on the Iran resolution, he said it was ?drafted in the language of the NEOCONS!? (As to what language that would be, I don?t know.)Oh, I do, bubbele.This was syndicated from the Reb Chaim HaQoton syndication feed. More About: Neocon
Likelihood of Hatzlocha
2007-09-10 20:19:00 What with R' Chaim in EY holding up the whole world, I would hate for this blog to be written into the wrong book, chas v'shalom, in the coming year.I'm R' Chaim's frum grown-up lawyer friend from Passaic, and he has asked me to help out here from time to time. Now that he is focusing entirely on reality instead of this world of falsehood we inhabit, you are left, in part, with me.Well, it happens that my own blog, Likelihood of Success, has taken a decidedly Jewish turn in the last week or so -- could it be Elul? You may want to stop over and take a look. I have recently commented on or linked to:The Neo-Nazi "Israelis" that are emblematic of the failure of Zionism as a political philosophyThe strange -- or maybe not so strange -- IDF air incursion into SyriaAish HaTorah's astonishing video that is an inspiration and challenge for anyoneThe "brave" Reform rabbi who ran, hat in hand, to speak to an American Muslim group and show them what a good dhimmi a well-heeled Ghetto ...
Let's Get Some Answeres.
2007-08-16 04:07:00 As our dear friend Reb Chaim is doing us all proud in the Mir, I thought I?d take up the questions he was recently asked regarding blood transfusions and the like. Let?s go over some of the points now. Come along, won?t you??Live by the law not die by it," correct? But Shagra Simmons said the opposite. What Rabbi Simmons said is more to what the truth is, because it?s the written Torah, Gods spoken word, and that supersedes oral Torah, any day.?There are two very important points here that I think must need to be addressed. Both Rabbi Simmons and Reb Chaim are correct. To save his life, a Jew may disregard any of the 613 commandments, including eating blood. There are however, three exceptions to the rule. 1) Murder 2) Idolatry 3) Certain types of sexual relationships (i.e. incest homosexuality, bestiality adultery, ect) For example, If a gentile were to hold a gun to my head and command me to eat pork, I would be required by Jewish law to eat it. However, if he told me to shot my f... More About: Some , Eres
Reb Chaim Haqoton has moved.
2007-08-02 22:13:00 I have recently re-located from the United States of America to Jerusalem, Israel. Interestingly, I sat next to Avshalom Katz on my plane trip from New York City to Tel Aviv. I want my readers to post in the comments section of this post some ideas for future articles on Reb Chai m HaQoton.This was syndicated from the Reb Chaim HaQoton syndication feed.
Blood Transfusions in Halacha (an email discussion)
2007-08-02 22:05:00 On 7/29/07, dt catherine taylor manna timetobelievefoundation@yahoo.ca> wrote: So nice to have found your post. I had made a comment on the birthdays from your blog. I am a student of the Torah, and observer and would very much like to covert formally, although i have done so in my heart. also, i am learning so much and it is a blessing. I would like to ask you if there is a blog on blood transfusions. this is something i am opposed to, I beleive it is an offense to God, to do this from my understanding of the tanak and the torah, are there any rabbi who are against this invented proceedure to try to temporarily save a humans life? and is there any debates on this subject like the birthdays. are there any jews that believe like i do? or rabbis:? If saving one life is performing a mitzvot, would it really be saving if you had to break a mitzvot that God has felt so strongly about? for example God says, in lev chapter 17 you must not eat "or take into our body" blood of an... More About: Email , Blood , Discussion , Disc , Tran
Tu B'Av: A Qoton Qlassic
2007-07-31 19:52:00 Happy New Years!Here is a short selection from my Qoton Qlassic essay about Tu B'Av regarding the relationship between Tu B'Av and Rosh HaShannah:Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Shapiro of Dinov (1783-1841) explains the Kabbalisticsignificance of the holiday of Tu B'Av. The Talmud writes that forty days before one's embryo is formed, Heaven declares who his future spouse will be. In Tractate Rosh HaShana, a dispute is discussed at great length between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua. Rabbi Eliezer maintains that Adam was created on the first of Tishrei. Adam was created on the sixth day of creation; therefore, the world was created on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul. Forty days before the creation of the world, the day on which all spouses must have been divinely declared was thefifteenth of Av. This is the cause of the celebration of Tu b'Av and its linksto marriage and matchmaking. It is from the day of Tu B'Av, that it is customaryto begin using the New Years greetings to fe...
The Scroll of Lamentations
2007-07-25 00:54:00 In listing the twenty-four books of the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud refers[1] a book called Kinos "Lame ntations" or Megillas Kinos "The Scroll of Lamentations "[2], written by the prophet Jeremiah. Scripture tells that when Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple therein, he was scorned by the people around him. HaShem commanded the prophet Jeremiah to record all of his visions about a desolate Jerusalem in a scroll. After transcribing the prophecies concerning the future of Jerusalem through his student Baruch, Jeremiah's scroll was delivered to the King of Judah, Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim's reaction was to burn the scroll, which foretold the annihilation of Jerusalem[3]. The opening verse of this book rhetorically asks about the destroyed city of Jerusalem, "How does she sit alone?[4]"The popular name for the Scroll of Lamentations is Eicha, "How", named for the first word of the scroll. Why, in the popular vernacular, is the book referred to as E... More About: Amen
Sitting in the Courtyard
2007-07-23 10:03:00 The Talmud maintains a rule in many locations[1] that one is not allowed to sit in the courtyard of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In most points of reference to this law, the Talmud then proceeds to explain that a king of the House of David is allowed to sit in the Temple courtyard. Rabbi Yissachar Ber Eilenberg (1570-1623) writes[2] that in the Jerusalemic Talmud[3] there is an opinion who understood that even a Davidic king is not allowed to sit in the Temple Court yard. This opinion is stated by Rav Ami the Jerusalemic Talmud in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish. However, the Amudei Yerushalayim asks how Rav Ami can say such a thing in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, if he also said in his name[4] that the law is that one cannot sit in the courtyard except in the place of the kings of David. This second law refers to the fact that there was a throne near the courtyard designated for the Davidic kings, upon which anyone was allowed to sit[5]. The Amudei Yerushalayim answers... More About: Courtyard
Completing a Mitzvah
2007-07-22 07:19:00 The Midrash maintains[1] that the fulfillment of a commandment is only attributed to the one who completed the fulfillment of the commandment. This means that if one starts to perform a commandment, but does not finish it and someone else actually finishes the performance of a commandment started by someone else, the latter is accredited with the accomplishment of the commandment. Rabbi Leib Lipschutz, the first father-in-law of the Shinover Rebbe, Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam, (1813?1899) asks[2] whether or not this rule applies even if the first person was unable to complete the fulfillment of the commandment. He asks whether the rule that a commandment is only ascribed to the one who completes it is even if the one who started it caused those circumstances that caused him not to be able to finish carrying out the mitzvah, or does it apply only if he was unable to finish it because of circumstances beyond his control. The Talmud says[3] that one who intends to perform a mitzv...
??? ????? #??"?
2007-07-22 07:18:00 ??? ????? #??"?*Since this is ?"? issue #126, I posted 126 links in 3 categories: Torah, Israel and Reid. (Don't count them; it's not worth your time).TorahThe MUST Gum addict decides that it MUST be that the Torah is his charm. It is the element which helps him achieve the unachievable even in the professional world.The other Reb Chaim (not me) calculated the price of the First Holy Temple, while I discussed the building of the Third Holy Temple. This blogger discusses some of the miracles from theTemple.Reb Gavriel has an interesting post about adding to Shabbos and Shmittah. Speaking of Shmittah, Micha brings an interesting Chazon Ish who said that the bracha given to those who keep Shmittah applies even to Shemittah MiDrabbonon.JoeSettler writes a very special piece entitled "Feeling Jewish" about how Jewish holidays just don't give off the aura that they are supposed to--that is, until the tragic events of September 11th. From then on, one can always remind oneself of a grea...
The Kingdom of Moses and Joshua
2007-07-20 03:20:00 Maimonides rules[1] that the Jews are commanded to appoint a king over themselves once they enter the land of Israel, as the Torah says, "Thou shalt put over yourselves a king.[2]" However, Maimonides[3] and Rashi[4] rule in accordance with the Talmudic passage, which said that Moses was the King of Israel[5]. Indeed, the Midrash says[6] that when the Torah refers to the "King in Jeshurun"[7] the reference is to Moses[8]. The reign of Moses occurred before the Jews entered the land of Israel, yet Maimonides ruled that the commandment of appointing a king is only in the land of Israel. Furthermore, in many instances Moses did not act regally, rather he acted in a fashion unbefitting of a king, so it is difficult to explain that Moses was the King of the Israelites. Furthermore, assuming that Moses was a king, what then was the status of Josh ua ; was he a king as well? The Midrash says[9] that King Saul was the first Israelite king. This clearly implies that Moses and Joshua were not a... More About: Kingdom , The Kingdom
Building the Third Holy Temple
2007-07-18 00:41:00 On the surface, there is a halachik argument between two great Torah sages over one of the most important tenets of Judaism: The Third Holy Temp le . Rashi[1] understands[2] that the Third Holy Temple is already completed in its construction and is waiting in Heaven for HaShem to allow it to descend to the Earth. However, Maimonides ruled that the Third Holy Temple will be built by the Jewish people because he describes[3] the exact measurements and dimensions to be used in building the Third Holy Temple. Although seemingly these two great sages are indeed disputing an issue which is very essential to the doctrine of the Jewish theology, others go to great lengths to prove that Rashi and Maimonides are not at all arguing with each other.In attempting to understand the view of Rashi, Rabbi Yerucham Fishel Perlow tries[4] to find Rashi's source for his assertion that HaShem Himself already built the Third Holy Temple in the Heavens. Within the Talmud's list[5] of things which HaShem c... More About: Building
Moses' Black Wife
2007-07-16 02:40:00 In a cryptic episode in the Torah, Miriam talked to Aaron about Moses "concerning the 'Cushite[1] wife' whom he married, for he married a 'Cushite wife'.[2]" Many Rabbinic commentaries follow the understanding of the Midrash that Moses' "Cushite wife" was Zipporah. However, this assumption is not easily justifiable because Zipporah was the daughter of Jethro, a Midianite[3], not a Cushite. In addition to understanding whom exactly Moses' "Cushite wife" was, one must also understand why this passage in the Torah is written immediately after the telling of the prophecies of Eldad and Meidad. Furthermore, the exact complaint, which Miriam presented to Moses concerning this "Cushite wife", also requires explanation. Moreover, the repetition of the phrase "Cushite wife" in Miriam's complaint necessitates explication, as well.Rashbam asks[4], according to the explanations that hold that the Cushite was Zipporah, why Zipporah was called a Cushite if she was actually a Midianite. He ... More About: Wife , Black , Lack
Illegitimate Origins of King David's Dynasty
2007-07-13 00:03:00 Maimonides writes[1] that once King Davi d was anointed as King, his family acquired the right to remain the kings of Israel forever. Only descendants of the Davidic dynasty have a legal claim to the kingship in Israel. However, there was a king who preceded David, namely, Saul. The Talmud asks[2] why Saul was king for only two years (and his son for an additional two years), while David and his family maintained the rights to the kingship, Malchus, forever. In answering this question, the Talmud says that there is a difference between the backgrounds of the two kings. King Saul came from impeccable lineage and because his genealogy was so pure, G-d did not want him and his family to become the kings, while David, who was of questionable lineage many times over, was appointed as the eternal king of Israel. The Talmud explains that had King Saul remained king for too long, he and/or one of his descendants would have become too arrogant and conceited and would rebel against G-d. Howeve... More About: Nasty , King David , Legit
Lesbianism and Orthodoxy
2007-07-08 07:53:00 Today's Daf Yomi is Yevamos 66Rabbi Yaakov Culi (1685-1732) writes[1] that it is debatable whether women are included in the prohibition of destroying seeds or not. He writes that according to Rabbeinu Tam, since women are not included in the comment of procreation, they are not forbidden to destroy human seeds, while according to Nachmanides, despite the fact that women are not commanded to procreate, they are still proscribed against destroying human seed. Amongst the medieval sages, there are two explanation of what exactly is the proscribed act of lesbianism[2]. According to the Rivan[3], the forbidden act of lesbianism is when a woman emits the seed injected into her by husband in the context of intimate relations with another woman. According to another explanation cited in Tosafos[4], the act of lesbianism mentioned in the Talmud is the act of Tribadism. Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (1835-1909) writes[5] that even according to the first opinion, the prohibition of lesbianism... More About: Lesbianism , Orthodoxy
Metatron: A Qoton Qlassic
2007-07-07 00:41:00 In this Qlassic post about the archangel Metatron, I discussed the heresey of Acher, Elisha ben Avuyah. That discussion was recently quoted by this blogger who wrote:R' Chaim HaQuoton has an excellentpiece on the different views regarding Rabbi Elisha's apostasy:The Talmudtells[35] that one time Elisha Ben Avuyah entered the Garden of Eden (Paradise).There he saw G-d sitting with Metatron, who as the ?Scribe of HaShem? waswriting down the merits of the Jewish nation. Elisha Ben Avuyah reasoned thatjust as one is supposed to stand in the presence of a King, one should alsostand in the presence of the Lord, and the fact that Metatron sat with G-d mustshow that Metatron was His equal. Although G-d struck Metatron with sticks offire (pulsa denura) to show His sovereignty over the angel[36], Elisha BenAvuyah already made up his mind that they are equal. Because of this falsepremise, Elisha Ben Avuyah turned into an apostate and began preaching heresy.The Jewish Encyclopedia (1901-1906)... More About: Etat
A drasha about genealogy, yichus, and lineage (HE)
2007-07-01 08:08:00 WARNING: SOME OF THE PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS IN THIS POST MIGHT BE MISPLACED OR OFFSET BECAUSE MIGRATING FROM ENGLISH TO HEBREW AND VICE VERSA IS NOT DONE EASILY WITH BLOGGER.Although I actually finished the tractate Bava Basra a few months ago, I just made a siyum recently, along with an exegetical dissertation, on the subjects of Parshas Balak and Parshas Pinchas. Below are my notes from the drasha (let's see if it fits the rules of drash):???? ??' ???-????????? ??"? ?"??"? ???? ???"? (?"? ?????? ??????)??"? ?' ????? ???? ?? ?' ????? ????? ?"????? ?????' ???? ???? ??"? (???.) ??? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??? ???? ??? (?????? ?' ????? ?? ????) ?? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?' ????? ??? ?? ??"? ???"? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??????. ??? ??' ????? ???? ?"? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ?????? (???"???????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???'). ??? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? ???'.[???, ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ... More About: Genealogy , Linea
Studying Kodshim
2007-06-30 03:23:00 See Wisdom in Money firstEven though the Mishnah explains[1] that one who wishes to become wise should engage in the study of monetary laws, the Talmud only says that Seder Kodshim is considered "wisdom"[2], not any other Seder of the Oral Torah. Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan (1838-1933) laments[3] the fact that Seder Kodshim is an often-neglected component in the study of Torah. Rabbi Kagan explains[4] that while learning monetary laws grants one wisdom, that wisdom is only of human behavior and intellect. On the other hand, the study of Kodshim contains a wisdom unlike any other human wisdom, for it is the wisdom of HaShem Himself. Kodshim is built purely on the foundations of the Torah, and the insights therein reveal super-human knowledge contained in the Torah, which is only apparent through the study of Kodshim. The Midrash tells[5] that Seder Kodshim enlightens one's eyes[6]. Indeed, elsewhere, the Midrash says[7] that during the Six Day of Creation HaShem created light and saw t... More About: Studying
The Urim and Thummim
2007-06-25 00:36:00 Maimonides rules[1] that the Urim and Thummim existed in the Second Holy Temple, however, the Holy Spirit of G-d did exist within them, and so they did not have the power to answer questions prophetically. He proves that they existed in the time of the Second Holy Temple because had they not existed, then the Kohen Gadol would have never been considered fully clothed because the Urim and Thumim are halachikly considered part of the eight holy vestments, which the High Priest must wear while performing the services in the Holy Temple[2]. Maimonides writes that the Urim and Thumim, although present in the Second Holy Temple, did not perform they intended function because in order for one to receive a message through the Urim and Tumim, one must posses the "holy spirit", Ruach HaKodesh[3], which no one possessed during that time period. The Ra'avad, Rabbi Avraham ben David (1125-1198), argued[4] with Maimonides on this point and felt that the Urim and Tummim were not essential compone... More About: The U
Ruste Taurus: A Qoton Qlassic
2007-06-22 23:20:00 Since this week the Torah portion of Chukat is read, I thought it would be appropriate to modify my classic essay on the topic of the Red Heifer, entitled Rust e Taurus , which is latin for "Red Cow." Here is a sample of the new additions to the essay:The Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Fatiyah (1859-1942) offers a simple answer to thefamous question as to why he upon whom the waters of the Red Heifer aresprinkled becomes pure, while the one who sprinkles the water becomes impure.The degree of impurity of the sprinkler is such that he is merely required toimmerse into the Mikveh and wait for nightfall to become cleansed of his ritualimpurity. According to the Talmud, one who was ritually impure by coming incontact with a dead corpse, must be sprinkled twice over the span of a week withthe water and ashes of the ruste Taurus, in order to become pure. After thatweek of sprinklings, he need only immerse in the Mikvah in order to achievepurity. Thus, the sprinkler and the sprinkled upon have the s...
Almonds and Priests
2007-06-22 17:34:00 In order to quell the complaints about Aaron the High Priest being undeserving for the High Priesthood, HaShem commanded Moses[1] to tell each of the princes of the twelve tribes to inscribe their name on a staff and leave it in the Tent of Meeting, along with Aaron's stick. The next morning, Aaron's stick sprouted flowers and almonds. It was thus clear that HaShem had selected Aaron to be His emissary to the Nation of Israel in the capacity of Kohen Gadol[2]. However, the reason as to why Aaron required a new appointment to his already-previously held position of Kohen Gadol requires explication. Rabbi Meir Don Plotzky of Ostrova explains[3] that when Korah gathered supporters to dispute Aaron's claim to the Kehuna Gedolah, Rashi says that he gathered two-hundred and fifty judges from the Sanhedrin court[4]. Accordingly, Rabbi Plotsky says, since the Kohen Gadol is verbally appointed and removed from his position by the Sanhedrin, when Korah's "court" ruled that Aaron was unfit... More About: Almonds
Adding a Yud
2007-06-22 00:40:00 The Torah says that when Moses sent the spies into the Land of Canaan, "he called Hosea the son on Nun, 'Joshua'.[1]" Essentially, Moses added the letter yud to the pre-existing name of "Hosea" to become "Joshua." Many commentaries explain[2] that he did so in order for Joshua's name to essential convert Joshua's ordinary name in a theophoric name so that he will be Divinely assisted in carrying out his mission. However, the Targum of Rabbi Jonathan ben Uziel explains, "Moses saw that Joshua was humble and do he changed his name from Hosea to Joshua.[3]" The correlation between humility and the addition of the letter yud to one's name requires further explanation.When Moses descended from Mount Sinai, the Torah says[4] that his face was shining with rays of light[5]. These "rays of splendor" radiated from Moses' face in such a glowingfashion that Moses was forced to wear mask so that his people could look at him. The Midrash explains[6] that Moses merited such an honor from Ab...
Women, Torah, Life, and Mezuzah
2007-05-25 23:11:00 The Talmud understands[1] that when the Torah says[2] "You shall teach your sons?", the Torah means to exclude women from the commandment of studying Torah, for it says "sons" not "daughters". On this the Talmud asks that if women are obligated in the commandment of Mezuzah, and the commandment of Mezuzah is juxtaposed to the commandment of learning Torah, then one could reason that women are also obligated in the commandment of learning Torah. The Talmud answers that women are obligated in the commandment of Mezuzah because the Torah says on should perform the commandment of Mezuzah "so that you shall prolong your days and the days of your children?[3]." The Talmud reasons that if the raison d'ętre for the commandment of Mezuzah is to lengthen one's life; there is no reason why men would be obligated in the commandment to have their life lengthened, while women would not be able to have their life lengthened. Therefore, it must be that women are obligated in the commandment of Me... More About: Women , Life
Shavuos - Pre-Sinaitic Commandments
2007-05-22 23:05:00 I hope to have some interesting posts up after Yuntiff, until then please enjoy yourselves with this post about Pre-Sinai tic Judaism.This was syndicated from the Reb Chaim HaQoton syndication feed. More About: Commandments
Sweet Transformation: A Qoton Classic
2007-05-12 00:07:00 Here's as selection from a Qoton Qlassic post from last year:The sheer sweetness of honey not only has physical holistic healing properties, but it represents a hidden message of transformation. Many medical tell their patients to place a drop of honey under their tongues to alleviate headaches; this act is alluded to by King Solomon in the Scriptures. The Ba'al HaTanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Baruchovitch of Liadi (1745-1812) wrote that the mere concentration of honey is so powerful that it can incorporate anything into itself and make that element become like . Scientifically, honey is so concentrated that it is used as a means of preserving foodstuffs (and dead people) because bacteria and mold cannot live within its confines. Honey functions as a means of wholly transferring bitterness into sweetness. When dough is mixed with honey to make Maztah (unleavened, wafer-like bread), its product is given the name ?rich Matzoh?. The sweetness of honey is commonly used as a metaphor or ... More About: Classic , Sweet , Transformation , Tran
Herod and the eternal sancitiy of the Holy Temple
More articles from this author:2007-05-11 23:32:00 Don't forget to vote for Reb Chaim HaQoton for Best Torah Post for Holiday of Trees.In recent news, the grave of King Herod the Great has been found (see here for news items) this week.The Talmud (Bava Basra 3b) records two reasons for the prohibition concerning destorying a synagouge even with the intent to rebuild it fancier: the first reason it is forbidden is because an issue might come up which might prevent the rebuilding and the second reason is that the congregants will have no place to congregate in prayer while the synagogue is destoryed before it is rebuilt. In light of this prohibition, the Talmud asks how Bava Ben Buti was allowed to advise King Herod the Great to destory the Holy Temp le and rebuild it in a grand fashion. The Talmud answers that either Bava Ben Buti saw a crack in the Temple which was going to cause its eventual destruction on its own anyways or Bava ben Buti knew that King Herod would be able to re-build the Temple after he destoryed it because even t... More About: Eternal 1, 2 |



