Din & Daf: Conceptual Analysis of Halakha Through Case Study with Dr. Elana Stein Hain

The World of Court-Mandated Shevuot (Oaths)

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The opening mishnah in Bava Metzia requires an oath to be taken in order to split the (value of the) garment being held by both parties. This brings us into the world of oaths between litigants. In this shiur, we will give an overview of that area of rabbinic law.

Dr. Elana Stein Hain – [email protected]

Sources (available in Hebrew only)

From Hadran's Siyum Masechet Bava Kamma

Watch the full siyum here

Din & Daf: Conceptual Analysis of Halakha Through Case Study with Dr. Elana Stein Hain

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The opening mishnah in Bava Metzia is about two people holding the same found garment and is an important springboard for discussions about the different ways that ownership disputes are resolved throughout Shas. In this shiur, we will offer a general overview of the different methodologies used by Chazal to resolve such disputes, and what variables determine those methods.

Dr. Elana Stein Hain – [email protected]

On Second Thought: Delving Into the Sugya with Rabbanit Yafit Clymer

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Masechet Bava Kama

משמעות יאוש בגזילה  Bava Kamma 111b

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Ownership is both physical and mental/emotional according to halakhah. This can be seen through examples in which an owner’s mental relationship to an object has changed. In this shiur, we will examine the case of יאוש as just such an example. The despair (יאוש) experienced by those who have had something stolen from them impacts the halakhic status of that item. In this shiur, we examine why this is the case and what that impact is.

Dr. Elana Stein Hain – [email protected]

Din & Daf: Conceptual Analysis of Halakha Through Case Study with Dr. Elana Stein Hain

קטן וקטנה - The Evolution of a Category

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Is the age of adulthood 12 (for girls) and 13 (for boys) in every realm of halakhah? The answer might surprise you. In rabbinic literature, the age of adulthood originally ranged depending on the issue and the person, but at some stage it was established as a uniform 12 for girls and 13 for boys. This shiur describes this evolution. This shiur is the third in a series on the halakhic classification of חרש.ת שוטה וקטנ.ה.

This shiur is based on an article by Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Gilat, found here.

Dr. Elana Stein Hain – [email protected]

On Second Thought: Delving Into the Sugya with Rabbanit Yafit Clymer

Does a deaf person have the halakhic status of חרש.ת today?

Din & Daf: Conceptual Analysis of Halakha Through Case Study with Dr. Elana Stein Hain

This is the second in our 3-part series on חרש שוטה וקטן. This week, we discuss the theory behind a חרש.ת being treated as a שוטה and whether that still applies today. Note: the focus of this shiur is not ruling halakhah l’maaseh, but understanding the ideas behind this halakhic discussion.

On Second Thought: Delving Into the Sugya with Rabbanit Yafit Clymer

Din & Daf: Conceptual Analysis of Halakha Through Case Study

Who is a Shotah/Shoteh? Bava Kamma 88a

We frequently read of the categories of the חרש, שוטה וקטן, one who is both deaf and mute, one who is non compos mentis and one who is still a minor, none of whom are halakhically considered בני דעת. As such, their participation as halakhic actors is limited. In this session, we will examine specifically the category of שוטה.

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Dr. Elana Stein Hain – [email protected]