Monthly Archives: August 2012

This week in Parshat Re’eh, the Torah in chapter 15, re-states the law of the Hebrew slave, “eved ivry”. In this chapter the Torah states that when the slave goes free, he does not go empty handed. In pasuk 14 … Continue reading →

The Shikker Dovid has started learning the first perek of Talmud Shabbat. The Mishna starts with a poor man standing outside of someone’s home. The poor man stretches out his hand and takes something from the homeowner; the homeowner puts … Continue reading →

In Brachat 10A, the Talmud states: “Rabbi Yochanan says, anyone who depends on his own merit in prayer, they make fulfillment dependent on others prayer. Anyone who makes his prayers dependent on others, they make fulfillment dependent on his own … Continue reading →

In Devarim, Chapter 11, pasuk 13, the famous second paragraph of the Shema states: Love your Gd and serve your Gd with all you heart and al your soul. Rashi says: Do not say, I shall learn to become a … Continue reading →

Today’s daf yomi (7a) is exceptional because it says that even Gd prays.  What does Gd pray for?  if I recall, it is to subdue his anger against Israel.  What a great lesson that even Gd has to subdue to … Continue reading →

On page 6a of Brachot, the Talmud tells us that our eyes cannot perceive all that is in the world. The Talmud talks about demons or “shadem” that are beyond our sight. There is a whole universe of things, beyond … Continue reading →

This week’s parsha is “Eikev”. The commentators do not agree how to interpret this word. It is often translated as “trample with your heel” or “heel” as in Rashi’s translation, or “because” as we see in the chapter dealing with … Continue reading →

Today is an incredibly holy day. It is the 15th of Av which the Talmud in Taanis tells us is one of the two happiest days of the year. Today also starts the new Daf Yomi cycle at Brachos 2A. … Continue reading →