Articles

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Full Name

I agree to the terms of use and privacy policy of the site.

Filmed lessons –Kilei Ilan (Grafting)

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

Overview on the laws of sprouting seeds in your house for consumption

Many people sprout different types of seeds in the house and eat them after sprouting. What are the laws involved with sprouting in your house? What do we need...

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...

Parashat Baha'alotecha: sanctity of holy scriptures vs. sanctity of teruma

The difference between the innately sacred and sanctified physicality. Also: the varying definitions of a "distant journey" to Jerusalem for the Pesach...

Parashat Tazria: Birkat Ha'ilanot, the Blessing for the Trees

Can we say birkat ha'ilanot over trees grafted in a prohibited fashion? What about orlah trees? An article all about this special mitzvah that we do once a year...

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...