This Shabbos we had a siyum in honor of finishing tractate Bava Basra, in the merit of David’s mother, Shulamith. We discussed parsha Matot and Masei, including commentary from Rav Yeager. We heard a dvar torah from Rav Males. I would like to thank Norm and Eileen for sponsoring our Kiddush. David Schlesinger led discussion.
We finished tractate Bava Basra and held a siyum. We did this in the merit of, and honor of David’s mother, Shulamit bat Zahava. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
The last Daf of Bava Basra is on the subject of loans and guarantees which are made by a third party guarantor. David discussed the different cases in which a guarantor comes about, such as being appointed by the court, being included in writing in the loan agreement, and being a guarantor simply by making an oral promise to guarantee a loan.
We discussed how in some of these cases an acquisition is necessary by the guarantor, in order for there to be a binding liability. We discussed that if the guarantor is appointed by the court, it is not necessary for the guarantor to make an acquisition. We discussed that this acquisition is similar to what we do when selling our chumatz. I remember lifting up a pen when selling my chumatz before Pesach.
We discussed the interesting case in which a creditor is applying physical force, such as choking, to a debtor and a third party promises to guarantee the loan in order to stop the physical force. In this case the courts will rule the guarantor must pay back the loan, if the debtor is unable to do so and meet the terms of the contract. If the guarantor would not have to pay back the loan, this would make it more difficult for someone to guarantee a loan in order to stop someone from being hurt.
The tractate which follows Baava Basra is Sanhedrin. Rob pointed out a connection between the two tractates. The last part of Baava Basra is about monetary matters, as is the first part of Sanhedrin.
Rav Males spoke about how Jews are the chosen people, and the Levites are the chosen people amongst the Jews. Those who murder someone accidently are sent to a city of refuge, or an area which is amongst the Levites. The Levites are at a very high level spiritually, and are best for encouraging mental and spiritual healing to take place.
We discussed some other cases in which something undesirable occurs through us, however we are not liable. For example, we may eat non-kosher food which had a valid hechsher on it. Or we may carry in an area in which the Eruv was up when properly checked, but later something happened to bring it down that no one was aware of. In these cases in which we made the proper presumptions, we are not liable. However, we should try to see what the reasons are that something undesirable happens through us, rather than through someone else, and see if there are areas in which we can improve, or grow spiritually.
We discussed how the koshering of utensils comes from the week’s parsha. We discussed the difference between how a stove and microwave works. With a microwave, the heat comes from within the food, however this gives off steam which can result in particles being released from the internal walls. This is why a microwave has to be designated either for meat or for dairy. We discussed the differences between using fire and boiling water in order to kosher utensils.
We discussed the upcoming period of mourning. We discussed that ultimately Hashem would like us to have a relationship and connection with him. We are given tools, such as the ancient Temple, synagogues, the Torah, Rabbis, in order to enable us to live spiritual lives and connect with Hashem. However, through-out history we have sometimes used these tools as shields, so Hashem has had to destroy them. The Temple is one example of this.
Finally, we discussed how sometimes we have certain beliefs in our gut that are based on our experiences and how we have been programmed. We discussed that it is possible to use our free will and reprogram ourselves but it may necessitate putting ourselves through certain experiences, making certain decisions, and it can be a long process.
This is a summary of what we discussed. No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.
No comments:
Post a Comment