העורך Editor

להשיב קרבנות, אבל לא כמצות אנשים מלומדה

שולחן ערוך או”ח ק”ז ד’:

הרוצה להתפלל תפלת נדבה צריך שיהא מכיר את עצמו זריז וזהיר ואמיד בדעתו שיוכל לכוין בתפלתו מראש ועד סוף אבל אם אינו יכול לכוין יפה קרינן ביה למה לי רוב זבחיכם והלואי שיוכל לכוין בג’ תפלות הקבועות ליום.

Brisker Kodshim and Real Kodshim

Beis Brisk needs a fake, non-practiced version of Kodshim to keep Brisker learning looking legitimate, and to have what to “learn”.

So, Briskers need Seder Kodshim to stay outside of Seder Reality.

Jews-without-labels, on the other hand, must restore Beis Chayenu to Real Life.

So, get “Two for the Price of One” here! Restore Kodshim to life, and take away the life-force of Brisk, all at the same time.

Acta, Non Verba!

What has been popular on Hyehudi recently:

 

How to Critically Read Torah Bios

Please understand:

  • When a Jew’s “Torah bio” lists very many Yeshivos and Kollels that doesn’t always mean what you think.

The question to ask is whether he studied alone, or with the important figures that give the place its good name. (And what do they think of him?)

Also, how long the stay in each yeshiva? One can visit other places for a short period (“Chizuk”). Was this just for the sake of the resumè or some other peripheral reason?

  • When a Jew’s “Torah bio” lists important Yeshivos and Kollels that also doesn’t always mean what you think.

Some allow people to just sit there, especially in the past.

  • When a Jew’s “Torah bio” says he obtained ‘Semicha’ that doesn’t always mean what you think.

Who gave the Semicha? Some hand them out more easily than others.

And what exactly does the thing say? What does the person know? And does he still know it?

  • When a Jew’s “Torah bio” lists a book or books authored that doesn’t always mean what you think.

Read the book itself. (Assuming it wasn’t ghostwritten.)

And so on.