Lomdus on the Amud

151

Chagigah 2a: Cheresh, Shoteh, Katan – Chiyuv in Lo Sa’aseh?

Sep 16, 2025

2:50

The Mishnah teaches that *hakol chayavin b’ri’iyah… chutz mei’cheresh shoteh v’katan.* But what does that mean for mitzvos *lo sa’aseh*? Are they completely exempt, or do we treat their actions differently? In this episode we’ll look at how the Gemara frames the issue — *chiyuv cheresh shoteh v’katan b’mitzvos lo ta’aseh* — and how the Rishonim understand whether there’s an *onesh* or not. Do their actions count as a ma’aseh? Is there any punishment or consequence? We’ll explore the sugya step by step, keeping the questions open: are they totally *patur*, or is there a nuance between *aseh* and *lo sa’aseh*? Join us as we unpack this classic halachic discussion.

152

Moed Katan 29a: קטן שהגדיל ודין תשלומין בהבדלה

Sep 15, 2025

2:54

Moed Katan 29a: קטן שהגדיל ודין תשלומין בהבדלה

153

Moed Katan 28b: גדר מצות שמחת יום טוב

Sep 14, 2025

2:06

Moed Katan 28b: גדר מצות שמחת יום טוב

154

Moed Katan 28a: מזל לישראל

Sep 14, 2025

2:33

Moed Katan 28a: מזל לישראל

155

Moed Katan 27b: גדר חיוב סעודת הבראה

Sep 11, 2025

2:02

Moed Katan 27b: גדר חיוב סעודת הבראה

156

Moed Katan 27a: Can a Avel Daven Before Burial Is Complete?

Sep 10, 2025

1:52

Podcast Description: If a burial begins right before sunset but isn’t finished until after, what’s the mourner’s status? Aninus means they’re exempt from davening, while shiva only starts after the burial is complete. But once the casket is covered with earth, many poskim say the mourner may already daven — even before shiva has begun. This episode explores that critical difference.

157

Moed Katan 26b: Yerushalayim, the Kosel, and the Makom HaMikdash

Sep 9, 2025

2:31

Do we still tear keriah when seeing Yerushalayim today? What about when standing at the Kosel or looking toward Har HaBayis? In this episode, we break down the halacha step by step. We’ll explain the debate among the poskim about Yerushalayim itself, the obligation everyone agrees to when seeing the Makom HaMikdash, and the question of whether tearing at the Kosel fulfills the mitzvah. A clear and practical guide to an emotional mitzvah many people wonder about.

158

Moed Katan 26a: Was Eliyahu HaNavi’s Wife Allowed to Remarry?

Sep 8, 2025

2:55

Episode Description:Eliyahu HaNavi’s fiery ascent into heaven left behind more than a legacy—it sparked a halachic mystery. When a man transforms into a malach, what becomes of his marriage? Could his wife have remarried, or was she bound forever? In this episode, we explore a fascinating debate among the poskim, who wrestle with the question of Eliyahu’s unique status: was he considered alive, was he considered dead, or had he entered an entirely new category beyond human definition? The discussion opens a window into the intersection of halacha, aggadah, and the eternal mysteries of Eliyahu HaNavi’s mission.

159

Moed Katan 25b: Lag BaOmer: Celebrate or Mourn?

Sep 8, 2025

1:47

Is Lag BaOmer a day of joy or sadness? We explore the Chasam Sofer’s perspective on the yahrzeits of tzadikim and what it teaches us about how to view this unique day.

160

Moed Katan 25a: מהחייב של איסורי אבילות

Sep 3, 2025

2:15

Moed Katan 25a: מהחייב של איסורי אבילות

161

Moed Katan 24b: דברים שבצנעא ביום טוב

Sep 3, 2025

2:23

Moed Katan 24b: דברים שבצנעא ביום טוב

162

Moed Katan 23b: גדר דברכת הנהנין

Sep 2, 2025

2:19

Moed Katan 23b: גדר דברכת הנהנין

163

Moed Katan 23a: When can a Avel Leave His Home? Walking, Driving, and the Limits of Avelus

Aug 27, 2025

1:48

In this episode, we explore whether an avel (mourner) may leave his house during shiva. Can he go elsewhere to sleep? What about traveling in a car versus walking in a public place? We trace the halachic foundation of this prohibition—rooted in the idea that it is not appropriate for a mourner to mingle with many people—and explain the distinctions between different types of leaving. Clear sources and reasoning help us understand the balance between private mourning and public presence.

164

Moed Katan 22b: Do Your Friends Really Need to Reprimand You? — Shiur Ge’arah and the Igros Moshe’s

Aug 26, 2025

2:31

A deep dive into the halachic concept of Shiur Ge’arah — the “measure of reprimand” in aveilus. We explore whether a mourner truly needs to be rebuked by friends before taking a haircut, or if time itself sets the limit. Featuring the Igros Moshe’s foundational yesod on the sugya, we unpack the classic dispute among poskim and the practical minhag of waiting three months.

165

Moed Katan 22a: When Does Shivah Begin if a Relative Is Flown to Israel for Burial? — Igros Moshe

Aug 26, 2025

2:21

If a relative passes away and the burial is postponed because the body is being flown to Israel, when does shivah actually begin? In this episode, we analyze the halachic debate, focusing on the Igros Moshe’s psak and the underlying principles of whether aveilus follows the time of when they leave the body or the moment of kevurah.

166

Moed Katan 21b: גדר מצות איילות ואיסורי אבילות

Aug 25, 2025

1:50

Moed Katan 21b: גדר מצות איילות ואיסורי אבילות

167

Moed Katan 21a: אבל אסור בתלמוד תורה גדר הדין

Aug 25, 2025

2:04

Moed Katan 21a: אבל אסור בתלמוד תורה גדר הדין

168

Moed Katan 20b: שמועה קרובה גדר המחייב

Aug 25, 2025

1:28

Moed Katan 20b: שמועה קרובה גדר המחייב

169

Moed Katan 20a: When does Shiva end on the 7th day?

Aug 21, 2025

1:34

Moed Katan 20a: When does Shiva end on the 7th day?

170

Moed Katan 19b: Tefilin on Chol Hamoed Part 2

Aug 21, 2025

3:20

Moed Katan 19b: Tefilin on Chol Hamoed Part 2

171

Moed Katan 19a: Tefillin on Chol HaMoed Part 1

Aug 21, 2025

4:35

Moed Katan 19a: Tefillin on Chol HaMoed Part 1

172

Moed Katan 18b: הלכה כדברי המיקל באבל – ואם מדרבנן, למה צריך כלל מיוחד?

Aug 19, 2025

2:11

שמואל אומר במועד קטן: "הלכה כדברי המיקל באבל." אבל אם אבלות היא רק מדרבנן – מדוע צריך כלל מיוחד? הרי כל ספק דרבנן לקולא! מה שונה אבלות שחז״ל הדגישו בה כלל של הקלה? בפרק הזה נעלה את השאלה ונראה את ביאורם של המפרשים.

173

Moed Katan 18a: Halacha K’divrei HaMeikil B’Aveilus” – Why Is Mourning Lenient? Part 1

Aug 18, 2025

3:23

Description:The Gemara in Moed Katan (20a) teaches: “Amar Shmuel: Halacha k’divrei ha’meikil b’aveilus” — the halacha follows the lenient opinion in mourning. But if aveilus is truly a mitzvah d’Oraisa, why would Chazal establish a rule of leniency? In this episode, we’ll ask that question and turn to the Minchas Chinuch and other mefarshim to uncover the reasoning.

174

Moed Katan 17b: Manicures on Chol Hamoed

Aug 17, 2025

3:11

Moed Katan 17b: Manicures on Chol Hamoed

175

Moed Katan 17a: גדר איסור לפני עור

Aug 17, 2025

1:19

Moed Katan 17a: גדר איסור לפני עור

176

Moed Katan 16b : Power of The Secular Judicial System

Aug 17, 2025

3:09

Moed Katan 16b : Power of The Secular Judicial System

177

Moed Katan 16a: מקור הפקר בית דין הפקר

Aug 10, 2025

3:26

Moed Katan 16a: מקור הפקר בית דין הפקר

178

Moed Katan 15b: גדר דין אבל אינו משלח קרבנותיו

Aug 10, 2025

1:49

Moed Katan 15b: גדר דין אבל אינו משלח קרבנותיו

179

Moed Katan 16a:אבלות יחזקאל: גילוי היסודות שבאיסורי אבילות

Aug 8, 2025

2:46

יחזקאל מצטווה להתאבל – אבל לא כדרך שאר אבלים. חלק מהדינים הוא נצטווה לשמר, וחלק לבטל. מתוך הבחירה מה נשמר ומה לא, מגלה הגמרא יסוד עמוק באופי איסורי אבילות: ישנם דינים שנועדו לבטל תנאי נוחות, וישנם דינים שמבטאים שלמות פנימית ושמחה – ושורש האיסור בהם שונה לגמרי. שיעור זה בוחן את הפסוקים, את הדרשות, ואת החלוקה היסודית שבבסיס כל הלכות אבילות.

180

Moed Katan 14b: Kriyah at the Kosel on Erev Shabbos: Because You’re Sad — or to Make You Sad?

Aug 7, 2025

2:17

If someone visits the Kosel on Erev Shabbos, does he tear kriyah? What if he’s not crying—should he tear anyway? In this episode, we tackle the core question: Is kriyah a reaction to existing emotion, or a halachic tool meant to create that emotion? We explore the geder of kriyah in aveilus and for seeing the Makom HaMikdash, based on the sugya in Moed Katan and Rav Moshe Feinstein’s teshuvah in Igros Moshe. A clear breakdown of the lomdus and how it plays out in halacha lemaaseh.

181

Moed Katan 14a:Missed Davening Because of Work – Can You Make It Up?

Aug 7, 2025

2:39

Sometimes work gets in the way and you miss a tefillah. What now? In this episode, we talk about whether you can say tashlumin (a makeup tefillah) if the reason you missed was because of work. We’ll explain what the halacha says, when tashlumin is allowed, and what counts as a valid reason. Simple, clear, and practical.

182

Moed Katan 13b: Can I Cook on Chol HaMoed for Someone Keeping Two Days?

Aug 4, 2025

2:23

It’s a common and surprisingly tricky scenario—you live in Israel and keep one day of Yom Tov, but your guest is visiting from the Diaspora and keeps two days. It’s your Chol HaMoed, their second Yom Tov—can you cook for them?This isn’t just a yes-or-no halachic question. There are two sides, and the topic raises a fascinating halachic and hashkafic discussion about respecting others’ observance and the boundaries of Yom Tov laws in Israel vs. the Diaspora.In this episode, we break it down clearly:• What are the opinions?• What are the options?• And what’s the best way to approach it in real life?Tune in for a quick but deep dive into a relatable Chol HaMoed scenario.

183

Moed Katan 13a: Geder of the Knas

Aug 4, 2025

2:40

Moed Katan 13a: Geder of the Knas

184

Moed Katan 12b: ולמה אין לוקין? – עיון ביסוד איסור מלאכה בחול המועד

Jul 31, 2025

4:03

היעדר מלקות על מלאכה בחול המועד אינו רק שאלה טכנית, אלא מגלה פתח לעיון בעצם מהות האיסור:מה טיבו של איסור מלאכה בימי חולו של מועד?האם הוא מדאורייתא גמור, או שמא מדרבנן בלבד?ואם מן התורה הוא – מדוע אין בו עונש מלקות?נעמוד על דברי הגמרא, ונעמיק בדברי הרמב"ן, התוספות, הריטב"א ועוד ראשונים, שביארו כי עצם השאלה אם לוקין תלויה בגדרו של האיסור – האם הוא לאו ממש, או שמא מכלל מצוות עשה של שמירת החג?נעסוק גם בלשון הפסוקים – "ושמרת את חג המצות" – האם היא נאמרה כלאו, כרמז, או כלשון של אזהרה כללית?פרק זה נוגע בשורש הסוגיא: האם איסור מלאכה בחול המועד דומה לשבת ויום טוב, או שמא יש לו אופי אחר לחלוטין – איסור שיסודו בקדושת הזמן, אך דינו קל יותר?עיון למדני שדורש הבנה עמוקה בדברי הראשונים – ולומד מתוך השמטה של מלקות את עצם מהותו של האיסור.

185

Moed Katan 12a: Why Getting Paid on Chol Hamoed Is Its Own Issur — Beyond Melacha

Jul 30, 2025

2:24

We often think of Chol Hamoed restrictions as revolving around melacha—but there's a separate prohibition against earning money, even when no technical melacha is involved. In this episode, we explore why that is. The answer lies in the Torah's description of the moed as a mikra kodesh — a time meant to be elevated, protected from weekday distractions. We'll examine how Chazal used this principle to build a framework that preserves the unique atmosphere of the days, and why even a perfectly permissible task becomes problematic when it becomes a paid job.

186

Moed Katan 11b: שיטת הרמב"ם בעניין איסור מלאכה בחול המועד

Jul 30, 2025

2:41

Moed Katan 11b: שיטת הרמב"ם בעניין איסור מלאכה בחול המועד

187

Moed Katan 11a: Do Porches and Balconies Need a Ma’akeh?

Jul 27, 2025

1:40

Is a porch or outdoor balcony obligated in the mitzvah of ma’akeh—the Torah command to build a safety railing? In this episode, we explore the classic sources, including the Sifri, Ritva, and Chazon Ish, and examine the major halachic debate between lenient and stringent views. We’ll also clarify the difference between halachic obligation and safety requirement, whether a bracha is recited, and what practical steps homeowners should take today.

188

Moed Katan 10b: What Qualifies as a Davar Ha’avud in Business on Chol Hamoed?

Jul 25, 2025

2:49

Moed Katan 10b:What Qualifies as a Davar Ha’avud on Chol Hamoed?📖 Description:Chol Hamoed presents a unique halachic challenge for business owners. While most melacha is forbidden, the Gemara in Moed Katan 10b makes an exception for cases of davar ha’avud—preventing financial loss. But what exactly is considered a loss? In this episode, we clarify the distinction between actual loss of capital and merely missing out on potential profit (meni’as revach), based on Shulchan Aruch O.C. 539 and the Chazon Ish’s perspective. Through practical examples—like seasonal merchandise or declining market value—we explain when the halacha permits opening a store and when it remains prohibited. A must-listen for anyone involved in commerce over Yom Tov.

189

Moed Katan 10a: Can You Go Horseback Riding or Take a Car Trip on Chol Hamoed?

Jul 24, 2025

2:02

Are activities like horseback riding or going on a road trip allowed on Chol Hamoed? Does it matter if you're doing it for fun or just killing time? This episode breaks down the halachos of travel and leisure during Chol Hamoed—what's permitted, what's not, and what depends on your intent.

190

Moed Katan 9b: גדר חיוב תלמוד תורה ובמקום מצות שאין אפשר לעשות על ידי אחרים

Jul 24, 2025

3:22

Torah vs. Mitzvah: When Learning Must Wait📝 Episode Description:This episode dives into the Talmudic passage in Moed Katan 9b, where the Gemara grapples with a striking contradiction: Is Torah study greater than all other pursuits—including mitzvot—or must it sometimes step aside?We explore the distinction the Gemara makes between a mitzvah that others can fulfill and one that only you can do. Why should even the most sacred act of learning be interrupted? Isn’t Torah study an all-encompassing obligation?Drawing on the insights of R’ Elchanan Wasserman and the Aruch HaShulchan, we examine two profound approaches: one that defines Torah study as a personal obligation limited to moments of availability, and another that sees Torah’s value as inherently tied to action.This thought-provoking discussion challenges us to rethink the role of Torah—not just as study, but as a force that shapes our priorities and brings purpose to our lives.

191

Moed Katan 9a: Can you get married on Purim?

Jul 23, 2025

2:35

Moed Katan 9a: Can you get married on Purim + the geder of Simchas Purim

192

Moed Katan 8b: The Brisker Rav's 2 Dinim in Sheva Brachos

Jul 23, 2025

2:53

Moed Katan 8b: The Brisker Rav's 2 Dinim in Sheva Brachos

193

Moed Katan 8a: Chosson’s Clean Slate?

Jul 18, 2025

1:58

📘 Description:Chazal teache that a chosson is forgiven for all his sins — but does that mean he’s immune to punishment like tzaraas? This sugya explores if negaim can still apply, and whether his atonement has limits.

194

Moed Katan 7b: בעניין חתן שראה נגעים

Jul 18, 2025

2:24

Moed Katan 7b: בעניין חתן שראה נגעים

195

Moed Katan 7a: Breaking the News on Yomtov: When a Relative Passes Away

Jul 16, 2025

2:04

Breaking the News on Yomtov: When a Relative Passes AwayIf a close relative passes away during Yomtov, should you tell the mourner right away—or wait until after Yomtov so it doesn't ruin their simcha? In this episode, we explore the halachic and emotional balance between kavod hameis and kavod hachai. We go through the sources that discuss whether to inform the person, when to delay, and what’s considered the right approach in different situations. Sensitive, practical, and clear—this is a must-know topic for anyone navigating the intersection of aveilus and Yomtov.

196

Moed Katan 6b: Automatic Watering on Shemitah: Allowed or Not?

Jul 16, 2025

2:42

Automatic Watering on Shemitah: Allowed or Not?Can you leave your sprinkler system running during Shemitah? What if it’s automatic and set up before the year began? In this episode, we look at whether using an irrigation system is allowed, and under what conditions. We break down the difference between watering to keep plants alive vs. helping them grow—and how that affects the halacha. Straightforward, clear, and practical—everything you need to know about keeping your lawn or field watered during Shemitah.

197

Moed Katan 6a: Getting Paid for Mitzvah Work on Chol Hamoed

Jul 16, 2025

3:04

Getting Paid for Mitzvah Work on Chol HamoedIf someone does a job on Chol Hamoed and it happens to be a mitzvah—can they get paid? Does it make a difference if the work requires professional skill, like writing or fixing something, or if it’s simple, everyday help? In this episode, we go through the halachos of getting paid for mitzvah-related work during Chol Hamoed. Clear, practical, and straight to the point—understand what’s allowed, what’s not, and why.

198

Moed Katan 5b: ספק טומאה ברשות הרבים לעניין איסור כהנים

Jul 13, 2025

1:37

Moed Katan 5b: ספק טומאה ברשות הרבים לעניין איסור כהנים

199

Moed Katan 5a: ציון קברים יסוד הדין

Jul 13, 2025

1:48

Moed Katan 5a: ציון קברים יסוד הדין

200

Moed Katan 4b: Safek Issur Shemita, Safek Derrabanan by a Teiku

Jul 7, 2025

1:45

Moed Katan 4b: Safek Issur Shemita, Safek Derrabanan by a Teiku