Monthly Archives: May 2010

History and Philosophy of Kaballah 05

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Breaking the Vessels

Another concept which was introduced for the first time by the Arizal is that of Sheviras HaKeilim (breaking the vessels), which also describes the process of declension of worlds.

Rabbi Triebitz observes that the concept, to which the Arizal (Rav Chaim Vital) devotes two chapters in the Etz Chaim, is redefined by the commentators on Etz Chaim to be either another term for tzimtzum, or a minor part of the process of creation. The Gra, Tanya and Ramchal all seem to water down the idea so that it is no longer the same as the way it was presented by Rav Chaim Vital.

This may be another example of taking their cue from Mahari Sarug (see Emek HaMelech, who also changes the meaning of shevirah).

Rabbi Triebitz has a novel (and conceptually difficult) explanation of why this transformation occurred.

You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com

[flv:/kaballah/kaballah_05.flv 240 180]
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Sources of Halacha 14 – Are Chumros heretical?

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In this shiur Rabbi Triebitz discusses the basis for chumros, and when it is permitted to follow a chumrah. He begins with the Gemara’s discussion of Rabbi Tarfon (who was nearly killed because he wanted to be stringent like Beis Shammai – and the other Rabbis told him that he deserved to die because his chumrah was not legitimate) on Berachos 10b-11a.

The main source here is the Beer Sheva (Responsa 21) who is cited by the Magen Avraham in Shulchan Aruch.

The other key source is the Yerushalmi Shabbos 1:2 which states that anyone who follows a chumrah is a ‘hedyot’ (which basically means what it sounds like).

This is a very important shiur for those who want to understand the nature and role of chumros, and when it is permitted to be stringent, and when not.

You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com

[flv:/sources/soh_14.flv 240 180]
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History and Philosophy of Kaballah 04

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Partners in Creation

One of the major differences between the kaballah of Rav Moshe Cordovero and the Ari is the concept of tzimtzum. Remak speaks about ‘hishtalshalus’ – spreading out, but has no concept of contraction.

As in last week’s shiur, the basis of everything is with the following quote from the page 42b in the Zohar Shemos

Rabbi Triebitz quotes a lot from Pardes Rimonim (from Rav Cordovero) available here:
Pardes Rimonim (Grimoar – text) or here
Pardes Rimonim (Hebrew Books – pdf)
Shaar 4 perek 8
Shaar 6 perek 8
and Shaar 8 perek 3

The Arizal’s concept of creation involves both ‘histalkus’ (tzimtzum) and ‘hispashtus’.

Rav Chaim Vital, quoting the Arizal, in Mevo She’arim, speaks of many different repititions of tzimtzum

The Leshem in the title page of Sefer HaKlalim explains that these two concepts are the basis of the entire structure of the Arizal.

Rav Triebitz explains what this difference means in ‘practical’ terms, likening it to the difference between classical mechanics and quantum mechanics.

The Remak speaks only in terms of man’s viewpoint, whereas the Ari makes man a partner in creation with G-d.

Rav Triebitz also speaks about how the Ari combined the two concepts of ‘being‘ and ‘becoming‘ which was an argument between Parmenides and Heraclitus.

Enjoy this wonderful shiur

You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com

[flv:/kaballah/kaballah_04.flv 240 180]
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Sources of Halacha 13 – Arguing on Shulchan Aruch

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If a person did not read the morning Shema in time, they may read it later. The question is whether they should recite the berachot or not. The Rosh, based on Rav Hai Gaon, says to read with berachot only up until the 4th hour. Rambam says even the whole day.

The Shulchan Aruch (58:6) paskens like the Rosh and Rav Hai Gaon.

However, the Pri Chadash (Orech Chaim 58:6) says that the halacha is like the Rambam (which is also a possible reading of the biur halacha)

The Chazon Ish (Yoreh Deah 150) discusses when and why it is permitted to argue against the Shulchan Aruch.

You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com

[flv:/sources/soh_13.flv 240 180]
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Sources of Halacha 13
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Source of Halacha 13

Sources of Halacha 13 – Arguing on Shulchan Aruch

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If a person did not read the morning Shema in time, they may read it later. The question is whether they should recite the berachot or not. The Rosh, based on Rav Hai Gaon, says to read with berachot only up until the 4th hour. Rambam says even the whole day.

The Shulchan Aruch (58:6) paskens like the Rosh and Rav Hai Gaon.

However, the Pri Chadash (Orech Chaim 58:6) says that the halacha is like the Rambam (which is also a possible reading of the biur halacha)

The Chazon Ish (Yoreh Deah 150) discusses when and why it is permitted to argue against the Shulchan Aruch.

You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com

[flv:/sources/soh_13.flv 240 180]
Video of shiur 13

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Sources of Halacha 13
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Source of Halacha 13

History and Philosophy of Kaballah 03

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In this shiur Rabbi Triebitz explains the difference in approach to kaballah between the Arizal and his teacher (if he had a teacher), Rav Moshe Cordovero.

It all begins with the following quote from the page 42b in the Zohar Shemos

Rabbi Triebitz quotes a lot from Pardes Rimonim (from Rav Cordovero) available here:
or here

He also quotes again from the Leshem Hakdamos u-Shearim, which is not online.

Here is the source from the Etz Chaim.

The first chakira of Rav Chaim in Etz Chaim

(If you prefer, here is a text version of Etz Chaim, rather than the pdf)

He also quotes from the end of the Etz Chaim (p. 119) but I can’t seem to find it in any of the online versions that I looked it. Please send me the link if you can find it.

Enjoy this wonderful shiur

You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com

[flv:/kaballah/kaballah_03.flv 240 180]
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Sources of Halacha 12 – best two out of three?

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In his introduction to the Beis Yosef Orech Chaim, Rav Yosef Karo states that he will follow the best two out of three of the Rif, Rambam and Rosh. Why does the Shulchan Aruch not follow his rule of following the majority ruling of Rif, Rambam and Rosh? In times of Shema he seems to go with the Rosh and Rabbeinu Yonah, against Rambam and Rif. Why does the Gra say that it only seems as though the position of the Rif is not like that of the Shulchan Aruch? Is it not explicit?

And when is the earliest time for saying Shema after all is said and done?

You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com

[flv:/sources/soh_12.flv 240 180]
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Sources of Halacha 12
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Source of Halacha 12