A free account is required to play audio and download files.
No community start suggestion yet.
Why does the Rambam (רמב"ם) say "chayav" for some mitzvos a child does (lulav, sukkah, tzitzis, bircas hamazon) but only "mechanech" for others (tefillin, kriyas shema, matzah)? The shiur develops a yesod: "chayav" means the child performs full kiyum hamitzvah; "mechanech" means training only in the maaseh mitzvah (מצוה), not the complete kiyum. This distinction creates practical nafka minos in what criteria must be met for the child's mitzvah performance.
The shiur opens by cataloging approximately fifteen instances in the Rambam (רמב"ם) where he discusses the obligation to train children in mitzvos. In some places (Shevisas Asor, Megillah, Kriyas Shema, Tefillin), the Rambam uses the language of "mechanech" (training) the child "kedei lechancho bemitzvahs" (in order to train him in mitzvos). In other places (Lulav, Sukkah, Tzitzis, Bircas Hamazon), the Rambam uses strikingly different language: "chayav belulav," "chayav besukkah," "chayav betzitzis," "chayav bebirchas hamazon" - the child is "obligated" rather than merely being "trained." Rabbi Zweig notes this perplexing inconsistency demands explanation, especially since the Rambam could have used uniform language throughout. Building on last week's distinction between two types of chinuch - chinuch leshos (gradual training) and chinuch vehashlamah (completing the mitzvah (מצוה)) - Rabbi Zweig proposes a fundamental yesod. When the Rambam says "mechanech," he means the child is only being trained in the maaseh mitzvah (the physical act of the mitzvah) but is not achieving full kiyum hamitzvah (halachic fulfillment of the mitzvah). When the Rambam says "chayav," he means the child is actually performing the mitzvah exactly as an adult would, achieving genuine kiyum hamitzvah, not merely practicing the mechanics.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Yoma 82a
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Gemara
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
When an animal damages crops, the Torah prescribes a unique payment formula based on multiplying the damaged area by sixty. Does this formula redefine the actual loss, or does it merely create a payment mechanism that still acknowledges the full damage sustained? The Gemara explores whether someone who ate in doubt should pay the higher-quality amount, examining how the principle of motzi me-chaveiro alav haraya applies when payments fall within the range of actual loss.
What makes testimony valid when different witnesses testify to different parts of the same event? The Gemara debates whether the principle of "davar v'lo chatzi davar" (complete testimony, not partial) disqualifies witnesses who testify separately to theft and slaughter. Rashi's approach reveals that the issue is not merely combining elements, but whether each witness's statement is independently meaningful.
Why is a ganav who sells a stolen animal on Shabbos exempt from the fourfold/fivefold payment? The shiur analyzes whether this exemption stems from kam lei b'derabbah or from the absence of a valid mechira. The Rashba's principle that matana resembles mechira when it is "nishtarish b'chet" is explored, along with the Rambam's position on hekdesh and the distinction between giving to bedek habayis versus mizbe'ach.
When a ganav shechts a stolen animal l'avodah zarah, why isn't he patur from payment since it's already isur hana'ah? The shiur explores the fundamental machloket Rashi-Tosafot on whether the isur derives from the act of shechita or from the din shechita itself. The Gemara's application of davar garem be'mamon ke'mamon domi extends the analysis to when borrowed animals become niskal.
