random sefaria.org torah – Study Torah Online: Live and Interactive Torah Learning with Rabbi Eliyahu Shear

Better For Man to Not Have Been Created

In today’s “Random Torah”, we look at a powerful teaching from the Talmud concerned with a debate between the schools of Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai. The discussion? Would it have been better for Man to have been created or not?

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Rebuking Another in Private and Rebuking in Public

In today’s “Random Torah” we take a look at the Mitzvah concerning rebuking another. We live in a world where there’s no need to even have to tell another there is a Mitzvah to rebuke another. For some, it comes spontaneously! With that, however, there are in fact some severe Halachot to master before going ahead and rebuking another for any reason at all. We take a look at a law brought by the Rambam.

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Obligatory Mitzvot For Father to Son, Child to Parent and to All

In today’s “Random Torah” post, we’ll be looking at a fascinating Mishnah in the Talmud dealing with the obligations a father has towards his son – at least, obligations according to the Torah; the child’s obligations towards their parent, and the obligations for all in terms of general Mitzvot observance. Which Mitzvot are applicable to whom?

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Be a Part of This World Too

In today’s “Random Torah” we take a look at a famous Gemara in Masechet Shabbat. Here, the Gemara speaks about a period in the life of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai – the accepted author of the Zohar. Rashbi was forced into exile by the Roman government at the time, and in his effort to hide from them, hid away together with his son Elazar in a cave for 12 years. When he emerged, he was an even greater man than he was before – save for one area which he did not excel in. He had lost touch with reality. The reality of this world.

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Walking With The Assistance of a Walking-Stick on Shabbat

In today’s “Random Torah” post we take a look at a fascinating Halachah on Shabbat. What is the law with regards to walking with a walking stick when outdoors on Shabbat? Clearly, the law is that one may not carry in a Reshut HaRabim – a public thoroughfare – a place where 600 000 people pass through and is 16 Amot wide (approximately 8 metres). This is the Melachah – the forbidden Shabbat activity known as Hotza’ah or “taking out”. Some say that if 600 000 people do not pass through, it is not treated as a Reshut HaRabim, but this is not the discussion for today’s post. Follow along, because not only is the law an interesting one, but it also gives us an insight into a popular misconception in today’s times!

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Gamblers Cannot be Trusted Witnesses!

In our “Random Torah” post for today, we take a look at a Mishnah in Masechet Sanhedrin. In our Mishnah we take a look at some of the people who cannot be considered to be legal witnesses. Let’s see – an event takes place, and we need valid witnesses to testify about it. Who do we ask? Some will say we can ask anyone who was there. But how can we know if the witnesses themselves are reliable?! Perhaps they are liars conspiring a plan – as we know with the case of Eidim Zommemim (conspiring witnesses) from Masechet Makot? After all, anyone can say anything about anything for any purpose. That doesn’t mean they can be believed! Our Mishnah gives us an insight into seeing the value of another person as being reliable for the sake of testimony.

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