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The Rambam is famous for suggesting that the unique status of the tribe of Levi can be shared by all those who devote their lives to Torah study while relying on others for their livelihood.
Many have sought to reconcile this lifestyle with various rulings of the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, as well positions of Rambam elsewhere. What are the arguments for and against?
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Paper Type | Sources |
| Pages | 303 |
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Joy is one of Judaism’s highest placed values. See why from a range of perspectives including halacha, mussar, and Chassidus. The Baal Shem Tov’s unique emphasis on simcha rounds out this broad discussion.
הדרת פנים זקן. סקירה כוללת ומקיפה על יסוד איסור השחתת הזקן, השיטות והטעמים בזה.
Eretz Yisroel is distinguished as “The Land G-d, your G-d, watches over; The eyes of G-d, your G-d, are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year” (Devarim 11:12).
Settling the land of Israel is regarded by some authorities as a personal imperative, while others point to its intense holiness as a reason for caution.
An assortment of articles and letters.
What is the purpose of dreams? Are their messages real? Is a dream about a Tzaddik to be considered fact or fantasy?
(Includes 88 pages of supplementary material)
Does smoking violate our responsibility to protect our bodies? What about drinking alcohol? Do drugs fall into the same category? This paper examines the parameters of shmiras haguf and extracts the principles that inform halacha’s approach to the various ways of harming oneself.
Jewish ritual is rife with physical actions—such as standing, bowing, rising— which hint to the spiritual drama unfolding in the background. This paper takes a close look at several of these to gain an understanding of the complex interplay between man’s physical state and his spiritual state.
Why is eating so important to Jewish people? Is there something holy about it? A comprehensive survey of the role that food and eating plays in Jewish life.
Many natural substances have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties that can significantly impact one’s mental state and affect one’s mood.
May an observant Jew avail himself of such stimulants? Is such recreation acceptable from a halachic standpoint, or does it contravene one’s Torah obligations? How would we judge actions taken while under the influence of drugs and alcohol?
See also: “The Drugs Debate” on the appropriate legislative attitude towards controlling the proliferation of potentially harmful substances.
Table of Contents
People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people – and throughout history, our people has seen both the ills and the virtues of wine and alcohol consumption. What do the traditional Torah sources say about this?
Why do the Jewish people need leaders? Where is the line between guidance
and dictatorship? What qualifies one to be a leader? An analysis of one of
Judaism’s most central institutions.
Each individual is blessed with a unique vantage point through which to observe reality. But are there circumstances in which voicing those opinions is inappropriate accoriding to Torah law? What is the halachah about disagreeing with pre-eminent Torah sages?
How would you rate your concern for the environment?
Are there Torah perspectives about respect for nature, plant life, wastefullness and the like that you should be aware of?
The following collections feature sources exploring each of the following Mitzvos, as well as insights into how these laws inform our personal lives:
A. Ba’al Tashchis – (17 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
B. Shmittah – (50 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
C. Cutting Fruit Trees – (44 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
D. Orlah – (16 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
E. Tza’ar Balei Chaim – (47 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
F. Kilayim – (25 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper