Why So Many Laws of Berakhos?
When learning about berakhos, whether the halakhos or the latter third of the mesechta, I like to emphasize the following point… The vast majority of berakhos are derabbanan. So, why so many different berakhos,...
by Micha Berger · Published February 7, 2022 – ו׳ באדר א׳ תשפ״ב · Last modified March 6, 2022
When learning about berakhos, whether the halakhos or the latter third of the mesechta, I like to emphasize the following point… The vast majority of berakhos are derabbanan. So, why so many different berakhos,...
by Micha Berger · Published May 30, 2021 – י״ט בסיון תשפ״א · Last modified May 30, 2021
My previous post engendered a couple of responses and a follow-up thought of my own that I would like to share. A quick reminder: In that post, I suggested that maybe “וְהָאִ֥ישׁ מֹשֶׁ֖ה עָנָ֣ו...
by Micha Berger · Published May 28, 2021 – י״ז בסיון תשפ״א · Last modified May 28, 2021
A quick thought on something from the parashah (Behaalosekha), based on how one translates the words in the title. Bamidbar 12:3. The context is that Miriam and Aharon just complained about Moshe’s neglected wife,...
by Micha Berger · Published February 24, 2021 – י״ב באדר תשפ״א · Last modified February 24, 2021
Let’s just look at Ben Zoma (Avos 4:1): אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר? הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ. Who is wealthy? Someone who is sameiach, happy, with their lot. Ben Zoma isn’t arguing for complacency. Look at his prooftext: שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:...
Chessed / Other-Focused O / Other-Focused Orthodoxy / Uncategorized
by Micha Berger · Published October 23, 2020 – ה׳ במרחשון תשפ״א · Last modified October 23, 2020
On the topic of people insisting on maintaining risky behaviors during the corona pandemic… Too many of us are placing minyan, attending weddings or funerals, and other such mitzvos ahead of safety. Despite the...
by Micha Berger · Published July 29, 2020 – ח׳ באב תש״פ · Last modified July 29, 2020
Sin’as Chinam does not mean “baseless hatred”.It means “pointless hatred”. To explain: My point is about holding grudges, even if the hatred initially had cause, perhaps even started out with a halachically appropriate one....
by Micha Berger · Published May 14, 2020 – כ׳ באייר תש״פ · Last modified May 14, 2020
You may have seen the Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet, but have you thought about the Selflessness of Eeyore? Eeyore is most famous for being depressed. If there is something wrong...
by Micha Berger · Published November 1, 2019 – ג׳ במרחשון תש״פ · Last modified November 1, 2019
Moshe Steinberg asked on Mi Yodeya on April 2nd, 2018: Does the phrase b’ezras Hashem make sense philosophically and if so, what does it mean? B’ezras Hashem implies to me that a person can do...
Other-Focused Orthodoxy / Rachmanus / Uncategorized
by Micha Berger · Published September 25, 2019 – כ״ה באלול תשע״ט · Last modified September 25, 2019
We close Birkhas Hoda’ah (“Modim”) “‘HaTov’ shimkha, ulkha na’eh lehodos — your Name is “The Good”, and it is pleasant to praise You.” And yes, it does mean that Hashem’s name, the way we...
by Micha Berger · Published September 5, 2019 – ה׳ באלול תשע״ט · Last modified September 5, 2019
After the Eigel haZahav, Moshe asked to see Hashem’s Glory, and Hashem said a human couldn’t, but to hide in a cleft in the rock of Har Sinai and Hashem would reveal something about...
Here are some important links if you don't want to miss any of our shiurim:
Recent Comments