It’s a complicated topic, and the stakes are high: What bracha is pizza? Hamotzi or mezonos? Do I need to wash and bentch? It depends on how much I eat? Ok, how much is that? And most of all, why?
So many questions! Rabbi Moshe Spiro shows us the way, with a lucid and comprehensive overview of the laws of Pas Haba B’Kisnin, those baked products that fall between Hamotzi and Mezonos. Hear the shiur below, and follow along with the sources here.
In our latest Business Breakfast, we tackled a topic that can raise the blood pressure of those involved: Accidents, fender-benders, even double parking. Rabbi Gershon Schaffel of the Chicago Choshen Mishpat Institute presented, in his clear and precise way, a clear outline of the responsibilities on both parties, providing a measure of peace of mind. Hopefully it won’t be needed! Listen below to get the entire shiur.
At this Thursday’s Yarchei Kallah, we focused on two cornerstones of Judaism:
The laws of Shabbos, especially how to go about heating food for Shabbos. We love Shabbos, and we show it with delicious Shabbos food, but it has to be done the right way to preserve the sanctity of Shabbos.
The importance of holding up any new technology to the light of the Torah and Halacha. The sous vide can turn out entrees cooked to perfection, with set-it-and-forget-it ease. Great for Shabbos, right? Listen to the shiur below as Rabbi Yehuda Wolin guides us through the intersection between the sous vide and Shabbos.
Follow along with these source sheets.
Repairing our relationships is important and rewarding. It's getting to that point that can be challenging. At our most recent Lunch & Learn at LeoDaniels, we explored the practical halachic details of trying to make amends.
Questions discussed include:
If you know the person forgave you in their heart, do you still need to ask?
If you said something negative about someone but they are unaware, do you have to tell them about it to ask forgiveness?
If you feel someone is upset at you for no reason, do you have to appease them?
If someone says they forgive you but you know they don’t mean it, does that count?
If someone rejects your appeasement, what should you do?
How should you respond when someone asks you for forgiveness?
Are there times where you are not required to forgive someone?
The Torah provides insight on every aspect of life; the topic of addictions and behavioral risk factors is no exception. Over 65 people came to the Kollel Library to gain a Torah perspective from Rabbi Zev Cohen, renowned Rav and Rosh Kollel in Chicago. You, too, can listen to the powerful shiur from R’ Cohen and fortify yourself for the challenges that the Jewish community grapples with in this day and age.
We had all of the fireworks right here at the Yarchei Kallah: An intense, age-old controversy involving the some of the greatest figures in our history. A topic that involves the very foundations of Jewish belief and practice. And the stakes are high for anyone who is looking for the right place to turn for salvation for their troubles.
Rabbi Yakov Skolnick guided a packed Bais Medrash through the sources and halachic opinions around which the debate stirs: When we pray, what is the permissibility of invoking either the angels, or great people who have left this world, to intercede on our behalf before the King of Kings? Is it an idolatrous practice of ascribing the power of salvation to those entities, or are we simply asking them to assist us as we approach Hashem in our time of need? This question becomes especially pertinent to the widespread practice of praying at the gravesites of righteous people. How best do we go about effectively accessing the great merit of the tzaddik?
For all this and more, listen to the shiur by Rabbi Skolnick, along with the sources.
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Fishing season is in full swing here in Minnesota. A perfect time for a Yarchei Kallah about the halachic topics that relate to fishing, and specifically in the realm of monetary law. Rabbi Crystal explored:
The parameters of healthy competition
the restrictions on interfering with a pending deal
both as they relate to fishing, and in overall business practice.
Additionally, when do the fish you are trying to lure become yours?
You’ll want to hear the shiur below, it’s relevant even if you’re no angler.
Follow along here for the sources.
After months of careful searching, we are excited to announce two new incredible families will be joining the Kollel.
Rabbi Moshe Spiro
Rabbi Spiro, originally from Toronto, is currently a highly regarded Rosh Chabura in Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. He will be replacing Rabbi Lowinger as the Kollel’s Rosh Chabura, Associate Dean. While we will miss Rabbi Lowinger and the outstanding job that he's done, we are confident that Rabbi Spiro will continue to ensure that the Kollel maintains and grows the high level of scholarship and dedication the Kollel has become known for. Rabbi Spiro, and his wife Esti (also of Toronto) are excited to move to Minneapolis together with their children.
Rabbi Moshe Dovid Zeffren
Rabbi Moshe Dovid and Mrs. Shoshana Zeffren, both originally from St. Louis, MO, will be joining the Kollel as the director and the women’s coordinator of the JWAY, respectively. The Zeffrens will use their passion for Judaism, ability to connect with people, and many talents to connect with Jewish students at the University of Minnesota and beyond.
These important new hires will be critical in helping the Kollel further its mission of elevating the entire Twin Cities Jewish community through the study of Torah.
Both the Spiros and the Zeffrens will be moving here in the summer.
P.S. Rabbi Spiro and Rabbi Zeffren will be joining us for the Kollel banquet this year. Please come to meet them and give them a warm welcome!
The use of credit cards can ignite a wide range of halachic questions in diverse areas of the Torah. Rabbi Shmuel Cohen of the Chicago Choshen Mishpat Institute shared insights on real-life questions that were asked to the Institute.
Questions included:
Returning a lost credit card
If one used his friend’s credit card and the friend incurs a late fee, can one give him money for that fee?
Ordering Chometz during Pesach to be delivered after Pesach
If my auto-scheduled payment for my bill falls out on Shabbos, should I change the date of the payment?
If one pays a pledge to tzedaka with a credit card, is it considered fully paid, even though the organization will receive the pledge amount minus the processing fees?
If one is heading towards bankruptcy, can he max out his credit cards first?
And more…
Listen to the audio below for the fascinating discussion!
