Insight 5773-26: Derech Eretz

For Vayikra
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Questions

1) One may wish to consider how derech eretz compares to the concept of  mitzvot suchliyot [technically: rational commandments] or, in more general terms, natural morality.

2) In a similar vein, one may want to look at the relationship of derech eretz to the Noachide Code.

Insight 5773-25: Forging Unity

For Vayakhel
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Questions

1) Within the Insight, the argument for unity is based upon the agreement of the collective in regard to specific, disparate action. The idea being that while one may not personally agree to such behaviour, as part of the collective this individual will agree to it as part of the collective. This touches upon the concept of Eilu v'Eilu which defines a behaviour as part of Torah even as one disagrees with it. The question is: how do we set such a standard?

Insight 5773-24: Aharon's Involvement

For Ki Tisa
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Questions

1) With Rashi's reference to torture, this matter is now introduced into any discussion regarding the propriety of a person's response if forced to act because of torture. This question can be both personal and halachic. How culpable is someone for a transgression undertaken to avoid torture? An interesting starting point for such an investigation may be T.B. Ketubot 33b.

Insight 5773-23: The Excellent Mystery Writer

For Tetzaveh
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Questions

1) The kal v'chomer presented by the gemara to derive a need to be conscious of tefillin from the Tzitz truly is worthy of further contemplation. If the gemara was discussing the normal case of inner consciousness of the wearer -- which would be the simple way of approaching the subject -- why would the fact that the name of God on the Tzitz is publicly displayed matter

Insight 5733-22: The Three Crowns

For Terumah
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Questions

1) In the Insight, I presented a way of possibly showing how the Mizbe'ach could be seen as both connected to Malchut and the Kehuna based upon a distinction in focus between effect and basis of honour. One may wish to consider how this approach could be applied to the Shulchan.

2) Rabbi Hochman continues in his discussion with a focus on the final statement in the mishna regarding how the crown of a good name is superior to the other three. His question is: why is this fourth crown not then included in the count, namely the mishna should have began with a statement that there are four crowns? 
See comment from Rabbi Hecht

Insight 5773-21: The Significance of Civil Law

For Mishpatim
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Question

1) There was a technical question regarding one of the ideas presented in the Insight which I wanted to include in a footnote but did not have the space. The Rav speaks of the intellectual strength of Nezikin to which he brings a proof text from the gemara in Baba Batra. I further built upon this idea with the statement of the Torah Temima. In fact, the Torah Temima uses the word da'at, somewhat applying it to our issue, but I put his words together with the words of the Rav to further substantiate the intellectual value of Nezikin. The problem is that T.B.  Shabbat 31a states that if one wants to develop da'at, one should learn Taharot. According to the gemara, the motivation for studying Nezikin is yeshu'ot which literally means salvation which Rashi understands to mean in this case pragmatically how one can stay away from paying for damages, etc. I do not believe this completely challenges the idea of the elite Torah intellectual nature of Nezikin but it is something to ponder in regard to this question.

Insight 5773-20: Yitro's Conversion

For Yitro
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Question

1) The major question of the Insight actually still remains: What did motivate Yitro to convert? According to the three opinions cited: What did Yitro see in each event that led him to wish to become a member of Klal Yisrael? 

The one hint that I offered that might assist in this search is that, it is my belief, within the three events Yitro saw something unique in how the Universal God related to this specific nation. This was not like all the other nations each having their own specific deities nor was it like all other universal theologies who project one form of Divine connection for all humanity (albeit making distinctions on actual theological yardsticks such as between believer and non-believer). In each event he saw the absolute benefit of being a Jew -- and this is what he now desired. And most significantly this desire was actually very unique. The challenge is to define this pursuant to the three variant opinions -- if they, in fact, are different or only simply different reflections of the same idea (which is one approach in the commentators).