No community start suggestion yet.
What is the nature of gerus - conversion to religion or nationality? The shiur develops a fundamental chakira that there are two stages: gerus creates Jewish nationality without kabbalas mitzvos, while ger tzedek requires accepting full religious obligations. This resolves major difficulties in Rashi (רש"י) and the Rambam (רמב"ם) regarding yefas toar and the story of Amnon and Tamar.
This shiur presents a revolutionary understanding of gerus through analyzing a fundamental disagreement between Rashi (רש"י) and Tosafos (תוספות) regarding conversion of minors and adults. The core question emerges: what is the essential nature of gerus - is it conversion to the Jewish religion or to Jewish nationality? The shiur begins by examining Kesubos 11a and the principle of higdilu cholimchos, where the Gemara (גמרא) discusses giving money to converts that they could potentially reject later. Rashi's position that gerus can be derabbanan creates serious difficulties, particularly regarding the permissibility of stam yaynam and living with such converts.
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!
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.
Why does halacha forbid entering dangerous places if everything happens by Divine decree? The shiur examines the debate between Rashi and Tosfos on traveling at night, developing a fundamental distinction: Rashi holds one must avoid even deserved punishments that Hashem delays through mercy, while Tosfos holds the prohibition addresses self-inflicted harm through free will. This framework reveals how people rationalize self-destructive behavior as "hashgacha."
Why does the Gemara praise hospitality to scholars as a unique mitzvah rather than ordinary hachnasas orchim? The shiur distinguishes two mitzvahs: hachnasas orchim (providing for those in need) and connecting to talmidei chachamim (cleaving to God through scholars). Yisro's meal for the Jewish leaders wasn't charity—it was his way of bonding with those transformed by Torah, teaching that learning must fundamentally change who we are.
Kesubos 11a
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!
