The Concept of Muktsa in Tannaitic and Other Sources of the Second Commonwealth (1956)

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Five Halakhic Luminaries (1975)

This is a series of five lectures on five of the most distinguished and influential halakhic scholars of modern times. Each lecture presents the biography of the man in question, describes his major works, and his influence in his lifetime and over succeeding generations. A good part of each lecture is devoted to presenting some of the halakhic concepts and intellectual achievements of the subject of the lecture. Since this is often quite technical, the material is simplified, and is supplemented by some brief commentaries and insights by the subject under discussion. Source material may be found in Rabbi Zevin's Ishim ve'Shitot, and in the two series by the late Rabbi Y.L. Maimon, Sarei ha־Meiah, and Midei Hodesh beHadsho, and related literature.The Gaon of Vilna. The family background of Rabbi Elijah, and the incredible genius revealed at the very earliest age. His ascetic bent, and total devotion to study. Leader of the opposition to the Hasidim. The Gaon as Kabbalist. His relation to Eretz Israel. Pioneering work in external and internal criticism of the Talmud. His attitude to philosophy and secular studies. His anti-rationalism.Rabbi Hayyim of Volozhin. Family background. His relationship to the Gaon of Vilna. His sterling character. Founder of the Yeshiva of Volozhin and his educational philosophy. The leading theoretician of the Mitnaggedim. His view of classical Rabbinism and opposition to Hasidism. Unprecedented emphasis on the study of Torah. His Nefesh ha-Hayyim ("The Living Soul").Rabbi Hayyim Soleveitchik of Brisk. The Beit ha-Rav — the intellectual Torah aristocracy beginning with the Gaon. H1s father and the "Netziv." As Rosh Yeshiva in Volozhin. His Rabbinate 1n Brisk. Founder of a new talmudic methodology: the halakhic dichotomy. Examples, especially concerning laws of prayer. Attitude to Hasidim-Mitnaggedim controversy. View on suspension of the Law where there is danger to life. A man of truth and a man of compassion.Rabbi Joseph Rosen, the Gao…

Chasidim & Mitnagdim General Jewish History

Rav Kook (1963)

(1) Begin End: Fall ’35 – cancer – before שמע; two on deck: great Jews, first chapter remembered; beloved – scholar (30 volumes), mystic – Scholem. (2) Grieve (Kurland) 1865: piety, lore, learning; great‑great‑grandfather R. Isaac (חסיד) – died in joy. But: mitmaadnt; age nine – Kasoker עילוי, griever/עלני, own in בית המדרש; age fifteen – Lutzin, story: keep world alive, J – a Cohen; age nineteen – Volozhin, 900 students.

General Jewish History

The Philosophy of Capital Punishment in Halacha (1949)

An analytic inquiry with the reasons and broad bases of the Jewish philosophical system with regard to capital punishment will reveal that three factors determine the moral sight, a preferably – the legal imperative, to take the life of a human being who has been found guilty of certain major crimes. Each of these factors plays a significant, major and independent role in the rationalization and justification of the punishment. Ethical, social and metaphysical – all independent as anti-reasons to arguments on capt. puni.

General Jewish Thought Practical Halacha