If terrorists demand the release of other terrorists in order to free hostages, is this a case of pidyon shvuyim? Perhaps this scenario should be considered under a different legal rubric?

Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper – Pardes Faculty… Read the rest

The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 7: Releasing Terrorists to Free Hostages first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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In this episode, we recap remarkable the story of the 1970 Dawson’s Field hijackings and explore the reactions of American rabbis.

Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper – Pardes Faculty

 … Read the rest

The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 6: Prepared to Pay first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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Israel requested that the International Committee of the Red Cross visits our brothers and sisters who are held hostage in Gaza. Do we have precedents in the annals of Jewish history for visiting captives?

Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper – Pardes … Read the rest

The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 5: Contact with the Outside first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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Was there ever a time that our people left a hostage in captivity? For this episode, we travel to 13th century Germany.

Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper – Pardes Faculty… Read the rest

The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 4: Choosing to Stay first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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How did the 16th century Cairo Jewish community react to kidnap situations? And how did rabbinic leaders explain the community’s conduct?

Credits: Rabbi Levi Cooper – Pardes Faculty… Read the rest

The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 3: The People Act first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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Should we be willing to pay any price to secure the release of captives? Surely, paying overpriced ransoms incentivises terrorists?

Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper – Pardes Faculty

 … Read the rest

The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 2: Exorbitant Ransoms & Life-Threatening Incarceration first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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The Maggid of Melbourne opens this series with a look at the centrality of securing the release of hostages. Why is this considered such an important mitzvah?

Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper – Pardes Faculty

 … Read the rest

The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 1: Lauded Objective first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during … Read the rest

The post Torah for Tough Times: Images of Atrocities – A Torah Perspective first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

Continue reading Torah for Tough Times: Images of Atrocities – A Torah Perspective at Elmad Online Learning.

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during … Read the rest

The post Torah for Tough Times: Prayer for the Communities Attacked first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

Continue reading Torah for Tough Times: Prayer for the Communities Attacked at Elmad Online Learning.

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during … Read the rest

The post Torah for Tough Times: Hallel During Wartime first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

Continue reading Torah for Tough Times: Hallel During Wartime at Elmad Online Learning.