Lomdus On The Amud: Following The Oraysa Schedule

Chagigah 4b: Geder of the Petur of Eved from Reieah- the famous shtickel from the Brisker Rav P2

Chagigah 4a: Geder of the Petur of Eved for Mitzvas Reieah- the famous shtickel from the Brisker Rav

In 1766, a young groom in Germany gave his wife a get just days after their wedding. Was he mentally competent — or a shoteh as defined in Chagigah 3b–4a? The answer split rabbinic Europe, with the Frankfurt beis din on one side and the Noda BiYehudah on the other. In this episode, we trace the dramatic story of the Get of Cleves, unpack the Gemara’s definition of a shoteh, and explore how a centu...

Chagigah 3a: Do you have to be Oleh LRegel by Foot?

Chazal gave a cheresh — someone deaf and mute — the status of a shoteh, exempt from mitzvos and unable to marry, divorce, or transact normally. But what if, through modern education, he learns to communicate or even speak? Some poskim, like the Divrei Chaim and Maharsham, say this could change his status. Others, like the Maharam Shik, say the chazakah remains. We’ll explore the sources, the debat...

The Mishnah teaches that *hakol chayavin b’ri’iyah… chutz mei’cheresh shoteh v’katan.* But what does that mean for mitzvos *lo sa’aseh*? Are they completely exempt, or do we treat their actions differently? In this episode we’ll look at how the Gemara frames the issue — *chiyuv cheresh shoteh v’katan b’mitzvos lo ta’aseh* — and how the Rishonim understand whether there’s an *onesh* or not. Do thei...

Moed Katan 29a: קטן שהגדיל ודין תשלומין בהבדלה

Moed Katan 28b: גדר מצות שמחת יום טוב

Moed Katan 28a: מזל לישראל

Moed Katan 27b: גדר חיוב סעודת הבראה

Podcast Description: If a burial begins right before sunset but isn’t finished until after, what’s the mourner’s status? Aninus means they’re exempt from davening, while shiva only starts after the burial is complete. But once the casket is covered with earth, many poskim say the mourner may already daven — even before shiva has begun. This episode explores that critical difference.

Do we still tear keriah when seeing Yerushalayim today? What about when standing at the Kosel or looking toward Har HaBayis? In this episode, we break down the halacha step by step. We’ll explain the debate among the poskim about Yerushalayim itself, the obligation everyone agrees to when seeing the Makom HaMikdash, and the question of whether tearing at the Kosel fulfills the mitzvah. A clear and...

Episode Description: Eliyahu HaNavi’s fiery ascent into heaven left behind more than a legacy—it sparked a halachic mystery. When a man transforms into a malach, what becomes of his marriage? Could his wife have remarried, or was she bound forever? In this episode, we explore a fascinating debate among the poskim, who wrestle with the question of Eliyahu’s unique status: was he considered alive, w...

Is Lag BaOmer a day of joy or sadness? We explore the Chasam Sofer’s perspective on the yahrzeits of tzadikim and what it teaches us about how to view this unique day.

Moed Katan 25a: מהחייב של איסורי אבילות

Moed Katan 24b: דברים שבצנעא ביום טוב

Moed Katan 23b: גדר דברכת הנהנין

In this episode, we explore whether an avel (mourner) may leave his house during shiva. Can he go elsewhere to sleep? What about traveling in a car versus walking in a public place? We trace the halachic foundation of this prohibition—rooted in the idea that it is not appropriate for a mourner to mingle with many people—and explain the distinctions between different types of leaving. Clear sources...

A deep dive into the halachic concept of Shiur Ge’arah — the “measure of reprimand” in aveilus. We explore whether a mourner truly needs to be rebuked by friends before taking a haircut, or if time itself sets the limit. Featuring the Igros Moshe’s foundational yesod on the sugya, we unpack the classic dispute among poskim and the practical minhag of waiting three months.

If a relative passes away and the burial is postponed because the body is being flown to Israel, when does shivah actually begin? In this episode, we analyze the halachic debate, focusing on the Igros Moshe’s psak and the underlying principles of whether aveilus follows the time of when they leave the body or the moment of kevurah.

Moed Katan 21b: גדר מצות איילות ואיסורי אבילות

Moed Katan 21a: אבל אסור בתלמוד תורה גדר הדין

Moed Katan 20b: שמועה קרובה גדר המחייב

Moed Katan 20a: When does Shiva end on the 7th day?

Moed Katan 19b: Tefilin on Chol Hamoed Part 2