פסחים
61 shiurim · 15 dafim covered
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1 shiur
1 shiur
6 shiurim
May a Jew buy chametz for a non-Jew using the non-Jew's money during Pesach without violating bal yeira'eh? The Rivash permits it because the Jew's primary obligation is returning money, not guarding chametz - creating only indirect monetary liability (davar gorem l'mamon) rather than prohibited possession.
7 shiurim
Why does the Rambam present two separate discussions of bitul chametz in consecutive halachos? The shiur reveals that halacha 7 addresses bitul for tashbisu (removal obligations) while halacha 8 addresses bitul for bal yeiraeh ubal yimatzei (possession prohibitions). This distinction explains the Gemara's debate about timing bitul with bedikah versus biur.
2 shiurim
Why do we say "al bi'ur chametz" rather than "l'vaer chametz" when searching for chametz before Pesach? The shiur develops the machlokes between Rav Papi and Rav Papa as reflecting whether blessings focus on the ma'aseh mitzvah or on accomplishing the goal. This Talmudic principle explains the Rambam's consistent rulings across chametz, milah, and shechitah.
1 shiur
1 shiur
15 shiurim
What are Rabbi Yossi and Rabbi Yehuda actually arguing about regarding eating before Shabbos? The shiur develops a chiddush from the Rambam's dual formulation: Rabbi Yossi holds Shabbos requires desiring a formal seudah, while Rabbi Yehuda holds it requires actual food appetite. This explains their dispute and why Erev Pesach has additional stringencies.
1 shiur
5 shiurim
When must one borrow money for mitzvos, given that the Gemara says both that one shouldn't impoverish oneself and that even poor people must spend for certain mitzvos? The Rama Magid distinguishes between personal mitzvos (where charity doesn't provide money) and pirsumei nisa like Chanukah (where one may borrow because the goal is bringing God's presence into the world, not personal fulfillment).
1 shiur
1 shiur
9 shiurim
Does mitzvos ain tzrichas kavana mean no kavana is needed at all for mitzvah performance? The shiur develops a Rambam-based distinction: while specific kavana to fulfill the obligation isn't required, one must have awareness of performing a mitzvah act. This framework explains why eating matzah while thinking it's regular bread doesn't work, yet kaful parshiyot cases do.
4 shiurim
Why does the Rambam rule that matzah and maror must be eaten both separately and together, omitting the Pesach sacrifice from the combined eating? The shiur uses variant textual readings to show the Rambam follows the Chachamim, not Hillel — only matzah and maror together, based on the principle that mitzvos can nullify each other in majority situations.
1 shiur
5 shiurim — daf not yet assigned
Does finding chametz on Pesach automatically violate bal yera'eh? The Rambam holds that proper bedika and bitul render any discovered chametz 'not yours' - the Torah only restores possession when one failed their obligations. This chiddush explains why bitul works for unknown chametz but not for known chametz one neglected to destroy.
When does depositing chametz with a gentile create liability for the Jewish owner? The shiur analyzes the concept of yichad lo bayis (designating space) and develops a chiddush that when money changes hands, yichad transforms a guardianship fee into rental payment, changing the halachic status and eliminating liability.
Why does the Gemara prohibit bittul after Pesach begins if finding chametz later creates bal yeira'eh violations anyway? The shiur develops Rashi's two-tier system: immediate mental bittul removes the prohibition, while verbal bittul fulfills the positive commandment of tashbisu. This explains why psychological reluctance to destroy valuable chametz remains problematic even after nullification.
When found matzos might have been bought with ma'aser sheini money, can we use statistical probability to determine their status? The Rivash's principle distinguishes between real mathematical probabilities (like birth ratios) versus mere speculation about human behavior. This creates a fundamental yesod about when halacha recognizes statistical reasoning.
Why does the Yerushalmi compare eating matzah on Erev Pesach to forbidden relations with one's betrothed? The shiur develops that Klal Yisroel 'marries' Chag HaMatzos through our power of Kiddush HaZman. Eating matzah prematurely is like consummating this marriage before the proper time arrives.
Does the community have to provide arba kosos for the poor, and must individuals sacrifice everything to obtain them? The Rashbam establishes dual obligations - both communal provision and individual responsibility to sell clothing or borrow if necessary. The Rambam's parallel ruling on Chanukah oil reveals that certain mitzvos involving pirsumei nisa override normal poverty exemptions.
Why does the Gemara in Pesachim 114b use a complex case to derive that mitzvos tzrichos kavanah when simpler examples exist? The shiur resolves an apparent contradiction in the Rambam by distinguishing between kavanah for fulfillment versus kavanah for proper ma'aseh hamitzvah. When one action could serve multiple mitzvos, intention directs which mitzvah the act accomplishes.
Why did Hillel avoid eating matzah and maror together, citing the principle that mitzvos nullify each other? The shiur analyzes competing views in Pesachim 115a: Rashbam focuses on taste requirements, while Tosafos emphasizes the physical act of simultaneous chewing. This chakira illuminates why today's korech doesn't create the same problem - both components are now zecher l'mikdash rather than Torah obligations.
Why did Ben Azai call other sages 'garlic peels' and Rabbi Akiva 'this baldy' in what seems like arrogant boasting? The shiur connects this to the Rambam's ruling that Ben Azai's intense Torah learning fulfilled the mitzvah of procreation itself. His comments weren't arrogance but teaching about the profound creative and emotional dimensions possible in Torah study.
