The Maimonides Minute

What are the details of the prohibition of harvesting on Shabbat? Does it include only plants that grow from the ground, or plants that grow on rocks or in a flower pot, as well?

Plowing and planting are two of the 39 forbidden categories of labor on Shabbat. What does each entail, and what is the minimum requirement for a person to be liable?

If someone does an av and its own toladah, one only brings one korban. What if someone does two avot that are both fundamentally part of the same av, such as planting a tree and grafting?

The Rambam explained the difference between an av and a toladah. Is this difference entirely theoretical and semantic, or does defining something as an av or a toladah have legal ramifications?

Yesterday the Rambam listed the 39 avot melachot - that is, the 39 prime categories of forbidden labor. In addition to the prime categories, there are numerous subcategories for which one is equally liable. What's the difference between an "av" - prime category - and a "toladah" - subcategory?

The Torah forbids 39 fundamental categories of labor on Shabbat. On today's podcast, we list these categories, and begin to explain what "fundamental categories" means.

In preparation for Yom Kippur, we’re rereleasing our series on Hilchot Teshuva – the Laws of Repentance – that was first produced last year. We’re consolidating them into five episodes; this is the fifth. (Make sure to look for our Maimonides Minute Special episode, released today, entitled, "The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy Explained.")

In preparation for Yom Kippur, we’re rereleasing our series on Hilchot Teshuva – the Laws of Repentance – that was first produced last year. We’re consolidating them into five episodes; this is the fourth. (Make sure to look for our Maimonides Minute Special episode, released today, entitled, "The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy Explained.")

A SPECIAL PRE-YOM KIPPUR EDITION OF THE MAIMONIDES MINUTE PODCAST!

Chazal tell us that G-d established a covenant with Israel such that their recital of the thirteen attributes of mercy will always result in divine favor. The great Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (d. 1570) explains that it's not enough to recite these attributes; rather, we must learn what they are, and embody them in our own relationships. Join Rabbi Scott Kahn for a ten minute explanation of the thirteen attributes, as well as Rav Cordovero's practical suggestions of how to implement them in our lives.

In preparation for Yom Kippur, we’re rereleasing our series on Hilchot Teshuva – the Laws of Repentance – that was first produced last year. We’re consolidating them into five episodes; this is the third. (The Maimonides Minute will also be releasing new episodes this week, as well.)