Some Manly Halachot

Tsitsit 1: Our first topic is tsitsit. It is commonly believed that the Torah obligates men to wear tsitsit. We will investigate the nature of that obligation on the basis of primary rabbinic sources. In the end, we shall learn that Torah obligations are not as absolute as many believe. Since the nature of Torah obligation is of interest to women, they are also invited to attend. The underlying principles governing Torah obligations pertain to women as well. Click on the link to download the sources, all of which are in Hebrew. These sources will be translated and explained during class.

Tsitsit 2 Middat Hasidut — Fulfilling the mitsva of tsitsit is an act of piety above and beyond the demands of halacha.

Tsitsit 3 and Kippa 1: Today we will complete our analysis of the sources dealing with the obligation to wear tsitsit. Then we will turn to the question of head covering. Is there a real, halachic obligation to cover the head? Or is this also an issue of piety (מידת חסידות) beyond the requirements of halacha? The accompanying link will provide rabbinic source materials in Hebrew. In class we will translate and explain these sources.

Kippa 2: The sources and ideas underlying the strict view on head covering.

Kippa 3: Continuation of our survey of the sources. In this shiur we deal with uncovering the head in business or professional situations.

Kippa 4 and Minyan 1: Today we will complete our discussion of head covering during prayer and in cases where one find’s oneself in a non-Torah enviornment. Then we will turn to our next topic, the obligation for men to pray in a minyan. A link with primary sources is provided. In class we will translate the sources into English and analyse them.