“One who hates gifts shall live.” (Mishlei 15:27) Not receiving any gifts whatsoever sounds like a tall order. Why are the stakes so high? Is this a prohibition, or a midas chasidus, a lofty level only some attain? Should I not be giving birthday presents? So much to clarify about this enigmatic statement- and Rabbi Yoseph Rosansky has the insight. Listen to the shiur below, and follow along with the sources here.
“We don’t rely on miracles.“
Taken at face value, that statement can sound like the epitome of self-reliance and non-trust in Hashem. However, when these words are our instructions from our Sages, they mean anything but. “We don’t rely on miracles“ is the expression of our trust that Hashem wills and controls all “natural” phenomena and events, not just the realm of the miraculous.
Yet, there are many instances recorded in the Torah of our Sages calling upon miraculous outcomes. From each story we glean the guidelines of when we don’t rely on miracles- and when we do.
Rabbi Adam Crystal delivered a comprehensive shiur on this wide-ranging and fundamental topic, including practical points about various levels of risk, and the benefit of prayer in dire situations.
Audio of the shiur below, click here to follow along with the sources.
Who knew that one fairy tale could spark so much discussion?
Rabbi Gershon Schaffel of the Chicago Choshen Mishpat Institute showed us the real way to read a story. Every part of the classic tale was used to springboard into halachic discussion. Those magic beans gave us a window into several aspects of the laws of exploitative pricing, among other topics. Listen below to hear it all.
Credit Unions consistently offer lower interest rates on loans and higher rates on deposits than conventional banks. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, when we hear the word ‘interest’ we always need to figure out if it is compatible with halacha. What makes credit unions different, and are any potential pitfalls with borrowing or depositing with them?
To find out more about this complex topic, you’ll need Rabbi Yisrael Neuberger’s shiur given this past July 4th. Hear the shiur below, and follow along with the source material.
This year, instead of our annual banquet, we're going to be hosting an epic and uplifting Lag B'Omer evening event on Wednesday night May 18th. The following week we will be hosting our annual campaign as a matching campaign online. Stay tuned for all of the exciting details. It is sure to be an experience that rallies the community together in support of Torah.
Higher & Higher!
When to light the Chanukah Menorah
Today’s Legal Holiday Learning focused on the upcoming holiday of Chanukah. When do you light the Chanukah menorah? At night of course. However, as you know, the Torah is all about precision, and nailing down the best time to light gets a little complex. Sundown, nightfall, or somewhere in between? To our great fortune, Rabbi Moshe Dovid Zeffren of JWAY fame is here to enlighten us and guide us through the topic. Listen to the audio below and follow along with the sources here.
After a long hiatus, the Kollel welcomed back one of our most popular programs- The Business Breakfast. In partnership with the Chicago Choshen Mishpat Institute, the Business Breakfast brings awareness of the Torah's monetary laws to the forefront, enabling us to live with honesty and integrity.
Rav Zev Cohen, Rav of Adas Yeshurun and Rosh Kollel of the Choshen Mishpat Institute, was our featured speaker. In his inimitable style, R’ Cohen addressed the intersection of marriage and monetary law. The kesuba and its accompanying Rabbinic enactments establish clear baselines on the financial obligation of a husband to his wife, and on a wife to her husband. The most important part, however, is that upon marriage the husband accepts the responsibility - the achrayus (it loses something in translation) - to to be there for his wife in all areas.
Catch up by listening to the recording below.
Bacon? Ancient warriors? Before-and-after pictures? What is going on here?
The intriguing flyers caught plenty of interest, but it came down to what we do best with our Legal Holiday Yarchei Kallah program: Spirited group study of a Torah topic, with a masterful shiur to tie it all together.
Back to the bacon. Under certain circumstances, the Torah permits the consumption of non-kosher food. This, however, is no free for all. What those circumstances are is the subject of a great debate between two towering giants of Torah, the Rambam (RAM-bam) and the Ramban (Ram-BAN). The Rosh Kollel, Rabbi Gibber, led the assembled through the underlying principles of this debate, and resolved several powerful questions along the way with his own novel insight.
Now we really have your interest. Catch up on the shiur with the audio below, while you follow along with the sources, to be found here.
Back in the Bais Medrash!!
After 16 months away, our Legal Holiday Yarchei Kallah has returned home to our Bais Medrash, featuring the lively chavrusa learning and insightful shiur that everyone loves.
Yesterday’s Yarchei Kallah focused on the upcoming Shemitta year and the ways in which food distribution can be accomplished in a halachically acceptable way, although each is subject to considerable debate:
Otzar Bais Din
Yevul Nochri- produce from non-Jewish-owned land
Heter Mechira
Listen to the audio below, and follow along with the sources here.
We have to start with the important stuff first. The Kollel has been inspiring the community for 21 years now, and we all feel good when we realize what the power of Torah and community can achieve. You know you’ll walk away uplifted and full of pride in our incredible community.
You know you’re itching for the first full-blown community event in a year and a half. Imagine 300 of your closest friends, great weather (hopefully- start praying now), incredible ambience and…
Join the Weinreb brothers for soulful and uplifting music that will move you during the event, and they stay afterwards for a full-blown kumzitz.
Catered by Prime Deli and designed by Mrs. Chashi Spar, we’ve got a culinary treat for you!
Torah, chizuk, community, warmth, pride, We’ll ask you after the event what words you’d use to describe the atmosphere. Needless to say, it’ll be otherwordly!
