The Twelve Minute Shiur

We begin our close reading of Rambam's הקדמה (Hakdamah), the Introduction to the Mishneh Torah, his great compilation of Jewish law and arguably *the* most impressive work of halakhah ever written. In this installment: Rambam on the origin and the history of the תורה שבעל פה (Torah sheb`al peh), the "Oral Torah."Get the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast.

The second and concluding installment of our look at Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's introduction to his collected responsa, where he sets forth his theory of why the contemporary posek (halakhic authority) is entitled - and even obligated - to undertake the daunting task of speaking in the name of Torah and halakhah. Does his view of the matter have anything to teach us? Does it have anything in common with our own progressive outlook? Get the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, one of the leading Orthodox poskim(halakhic authorities) of the 20th century, was certainly no liberal or progressive. But his theory of halakhic decision has much to teach us. At least… we think so, and in the next several episodes we’re going to explore that theory, which he sets forth in the הקדמה (introduction, preface) to his collected responsa. Part 1: why maybe I shouldn’t have been a posek! Download the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast.

Most Orthodox poskim will tell you that, to be a valid ("kosher") witness, a person must be an Orthodox Jew, that is, observant of ritual halakhah according to Orthodox standards. So: a Jewish wedding ceremony is valid kiddushin only if it is witnessed by two Orthodox Jews. We have two questions: 1) how do they know this? and 2) is it true?Download the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast

It's a typical halakhic discussion among the rishonim (medieval Talmudic scholars): an analysis of texts concerning the laws of aninut, the period of time that extends from the death of a loved one to the moment of burial. Typical? Could there be more to it? Does this back-and-forth over seemingly dry and technical details conceal an emotional dispute among members of a grieving family?​An exercise in reading between the lines of our halakhic texts.Download the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast.