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The mutual responsibility aspect of shemitah

The responsibility of consumers vis-a-vis the farmers during the shemitah year. Which fruits and vegetables are preferable to consume: yivul nochri (grown by a...

Filmed lessons –Kilei Ilan (Grafting)

Links to lectures about Kilei Ilan given by the English department, via ZOOM or live.

Filmed lectures – Terumot & Ma'aserot

Links to lectures about terumot and ma'aserot given by the English department, via Zoom or live.

Shoftim: of Men and Trees

On our special relationship with fruit trees on the one hand and the prohibition of the Ashera tree on the other.

Parashat Shelach: The Unique Mitzvah of Challah

The parasha praising the Land of Israel includes only one of its special mitzvot, and an exceptional one at that. Rabbi Soloveitchik explains that this teaches...

Parashat Korach: Self-actualization, Ideology, and Ma'aser Rishon

On the drive for self-actualization vs. rectifying the world and harnessing these drives in the individual's service of G-d. How does this connect to ma'aser...

The Prohibition of Chadash in Israel Today: A Review

To understand which food products may be problematic vis-à-vis chadash in Israel today, we need to familiarize ourselves with the halachot, cultivation methods,...

Parashat Nitzavim: Rosh Hashana for an uplifted nature

The first day of Nissan and the first day of Tishrei represent two directions in Judaism: one of Divine rectification and one of natural rectification. On Rosh...

Parashat Pinchas: A True Lottery

Yehoshua’s answer to Achan teaches us something about the essence of the lottery system and quite a lot about proper conduct in our lives. The lottery...

Communal halachic rulings from the teachings of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel

Why did Rabbi Yaakov Ariel support heter mechirah? This and other communal halachic rulings based on Rabbi Ariel’s holistic halachic approach are discussed in...