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Travelers' Yom Tov Observance: One or Two Days
Classical and modern Jewish sources address how residents of the Diaspora should observe festivals when traveling to or from the Land of Israel, with particular attention to whether one's intended place of residence and duration of travel affect the number of Yom Tov days observed. The sources discuss the principle that travelers generally follow the practice of their permanent place of residence or destination community.
בני ארץ ישראל שבאו לחוצה לארץ אסורים לעשות מלאכה ביום טוב שני
The Dispute Over Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam
Sources examine the halakhic disagreement between Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam regarding the order of the Torah portions in tefillin, and discuss the custom of wearing two pairs of tefillin to satisfy both opinions. The sources also explore the theological significance and inner meaning of the tefillin commandment.
שְׁמַע וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמֹעַ מִשְּׂמֹאל
The Order of Tefillin Passages in Rabbeinu Tam
Sources explain the halakhic and spiritual significance of the alternate arrangement of the Torah passages in tefillin according to Rabbeinu Tam's interpretation, and record the custom of pious individuals to wear both Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam tefillin. The sources address the textual basis for the dispute, its practical implementation, and its kabbalistic and hasidic dimensions.
אֵלּוּ תְּפִלִּין שֶׁבַּזְּרוֹעַ
The Earth's Disobedience in Creation
The Torah describes God commanding the earth to produce trees whose fruit tastes like the tree itself, yet the earth created only trees bearing fruit. Classical rabbinic sources interpret this textual discrepancy as an act of primordial disobedience, while later commentaries explore whether the earth's failure was willful transgression or inherent limitation of the physical realm.
עָבְרָה עַל הַצִּוּוּי
Kiddush Levana: Blessing the New Moon
The laws, blessings, and spiritual significance of Kiddush Levana, the practice of sanctifying the new moon. Sources address the proper time for recitation, the form of the blessing, practical requirements, and the theological meaning of lunar renewal in Jewish tradition.
הָרוֹאֶה לְבָנָה בְּחִדּוּשָׁהּ מְבָרֵךְ
One Occupied With a Mitzvah
The halakhic principle that a person engaged in performing one mitzvah is exempted from the obligation to perform other mitzvot. Sources examine the scope and boundaries of this exemption across various commandments, including prayer, tefillin, sukkah, and shofar.
עוסק במצוה פטור מן המצוה
Tefillin on Chol HaMoed: The Halakhic Dispute
Sources examine the central halakhic question of whether tefillin are worn during the intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot. The dispute turns on whether Chol HaMoed constitutes a time requiring tefillin, with medieval and later authorities offering differing positions and practical rulings based on the concept of multiple signs and festival sanctity.
שבת ויו״ט לאו זמן תפילין הן
Tzitzit as God's Servant Seal
The comparison of tzitzit to a clay seal placed on servants reveals how this mitzvah publicly marks Israel's identity as servants of Hashem. Sources explore how the visible fringes function as a perpetual reminder of Israel's covenantal obligation to fulfill God's commands and maintain exclusive allegiance to Him rather than to any other master.
חותם של טיט לציצית שכן עושין לעבדים
The Second Festival Day in the Diaspora
Sources from the Talmud through later codes examine the institution of observing two festival days outside the Land of Israel, its historical basis in uncertainty over the calendar and messengers, and its status as binding rabbinic practice even after the calendar was fixed.
שְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל גָּלִיּוֹת
Partnership and Firstborn Animal Sanctity
These sources explore whether partnership with a Levi exempts a firstborn animal from bechor sanctity in the same way partnership with a non-Jew does, and whether the exemption depends on the proportion of Jewish versus non-Jewish ownership. The discussion spans Talmudic law, medieval codes, and modern responsa.
שׁוּתָּפוּת הַנָּכְרִי פוֹטֶרֶת מִן הַבְּכוֹרָה
The Dispute Over New Year: Nisan and Tishrei
Jewish sources preserve a classical dispute between Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Yehoshua regarding whether the year begins in Nisan (associated with redemption and the Exodus) or Tishrei (associated with creation). Tannaitic, Talmudic, and later authorities explore this tension across legal, calendrical, and spiritual dimensions.
בְּאֶחָד בֶּאֱלוּל — רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה לְמַעְשַׂר בְּהֵמָה
When Plague Strikes Righteous and Wicked
Sources discuss the principle that when a destructive force is granted permission to act, it does not distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, striking both indiscriminately. The sources explore this concept through the plague of the firstborn in Egypt and advise protective measures even for those of virtue.
אֵינוֹ מַבְחִין בֵּין צַדִּיק לָרָשָׁע