Tikkun Olam
Under the rubric of “Tikkun Olam” (which translated into English means “repair of the world”) many Jewish organizations engage in projects ranging from environmental protection to working with disadvantaged communities. Many of these projects are indeed worthy and deserve to be supported but none fit at all into the category of what the phrase originally meant.
Join Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman as he explores several Mishnayot in tractate Gittin where the words “Tikkun Olam” originates. Our goal will be to better understand what the phrase actually means and based on that, how it could more precisely be applied today.
Tikkun Olam: Tikkun Olam
Hello Everyone,
The phrase “Tikkun Olam” has become a sort of cliche for progressive Jewish organizations. Today we will study what the phrase means in its context in masechet Gittin.
Tikkun Olam: Tikkun Olam
Hello Everyone
Last week we spoke about the phrase “תיקון עולם” and what it means in its context in masechet Gittin as opposed to how it has been used by certain contemporary organizations.
I am afraid that in my eagerness to accentuate how the these organizations have mistakenly used the phrase “תיקון עולם” I may have given the impression that the goals of these groups are unworthy of our attention.
The contrary is true.
So today we will study an essay by Rav Yakov Ariel on the Halacha and the environment.
I am also posting some essays by Rav Yonatan Neril posted in the website <Jewcology.org> Rabbi Neril is very active in raising awareness of environmental issues among Jewish communities.
Tikkun Olam: Tikkun Olam
Hello Everyone,
Today we will discuss the prozbul which is the most well-known of the takanot of Chazal.
The prozbul has become the symbol of the authority of the Rabbis to make changes in how the Halacha is practiced. Since the beginning of the Reform movement in Judaism its leaders have cited the prozbul as a precedent for their changes in Jewish practice.
Today we will see how the Gemarah explains the mechanism which enabled Hillel to enact the prozbul. And if time permits we will see some essays written on this subject.
Tikkun Olam: Tikkun Olam
Hello Everyone,
Today is our last session on the subject of “Tikkun Olam” which are set of enactments of the Sages. These enactments were made to repair shortcomings in the Halacha’s legal system. Today we will discuss one of these enactments, the enactment that a bill of divorce must mention all of the names by which the husband and wife are known.
This requirement is actually one of the most technically complicated requirements in the Halacha and we will discuss it this evening.
Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman graduated from Yeshiva University in 1980 and the dental school of Columbia University in 1985. In 1989 he began studying and teaching at Yeshivat Hamivtar and now studies and teaches at Yeshivat Machanaim in Efrat. He has rabbinic ordination from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg.