Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

Hostage Deals In Halacha & Jewish History V: Rav Goren & Iskat jibril (1985)

L'ilui nishmat Oded Lifshitz who is laid to rest on the afternoon on which the shiur was given.
In 1985 the Israel government under Shimon Peres released 1,150 security prisoners in return for three captive soldiers Yosef Grof, Nissim Salem, and Hezi Shai in the deal known as Isskat Jibril.In this shiur we learn the contribution of Rav Shlomo Goren, former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Of Israel and the first chief rabbi of Tzahal  to the debate surrounding the deal.
Rav Goren's approach differed markedly from the approach of Rav Ovadia Yosef discussed in the previous class. In Rav Goren's reading there is no halachic justification for such a hostage deal and yet...Source sheet available here

THINK: Terumah & Adar: The Hope Hardwired Into Our Tradition

Given on February 24th 2025, in loving memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas and Oded Lifschitz.
The shiur focuses on Parshat Teruma and the month of Adar as prompts to one of Judaism's deepest themes, the consistent push to help us overcome the darkness and approach the future with hope - no matter how hard that is
Source sheet available at this link

THINK Yitro: When Moshe Went Up On High

 
The revelation at Sinai contains so many different and contrary themes. We explore one of these themes and in particular we do a deep dive on a celebrated gemara in Menachot 29b which describes a conversation between Moshe and God on Sinai - a piece which raises questions of how the Torah can evolve over the generations while maintaining its authenticity and why do the righteous suffer.
 
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Hostage Deals In Halacha & Jewish History Part IV: Rav Ovadia & Entebbe

 
Today we know the story of Entebbe as one of the great crowning moments of Israeli history. But before the daring Sayeret Matkal operation, Prime Minister Yitchak Rabin asked then sefardi chief rabbi, Rav Ovadia Yosef to share his opinion about the permissibility of acceding to the hostage takers demands of releasing 40 terrorists in exchange for returning the hostages. Rav Ovadia's response eventually became a 19,000 word monograph and likely the most significant halachic work ever written on hostage deals. Today we look at highlights from this piece and the relevance of his arguments for today 
 
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Given at the Vine Ventures Sarona Unity Center, Feb 11th 2025

THINK Beshalach: Hamushim - Four Fifths Didn't Want To Leave...

 
THINK Beshalach: Hamushim - Four Fifths Didn't Want To Leave...
 
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Hostage Deals In Halacha & Jewish History Part III

 
Hostage Deals In Halacha & Jewish History Part III: What bracha should be said upon the release of hostages? 
 
 
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Given at the Vine Ventures Sarona Unity Center, Feb 4th 2025

Hostage Deal In Halacha and Jewish History Part II - Letter Of The Law & Spirit Of The People

 
Last week we looked at the obligation to redeem captives but also the limitations that the mishnah puts on the prices that can be paid.
 
Today we look at the rise of piracy in the Black Sea and Mediterranean in the 16th century which saw Turkish Jewish communities frequently ransoming Jews from other communities, and two great rabbis of the period - the Maharshal and the Ridbaz - who both sought to explain and justify the practice of Jewish communities to pay exhorbitant costs to redeem Jewish captives, seemingly beyond the price which the mishnah had permitted.
 
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Given at the Vine Ventures Sarona Unity Center, January 28th 2025

THINK Va'era : On Speech Impediments & Being Like God, Jan 2025

 
In this week's THINK we explore the meaning and significance of Moshe's claim that he cannot lead Israel free from slavery due to his challenges with speech
 
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Hostage Deals In Halacha & Jewish History, Part I

The first instalment in a series on Hostage Deals In Halacha & Jewish History at the Vine Ventures Sarona Unity Center (on the third day of the deal to release hostages from Hamas Captivity). 
 
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And Aharon rejoiced in his heart

 
A short lunch and learn given at Vine Venture's Unity Bet Midrash considering Moshe and Aharon's relationship as a model and Tikkun for sibling relationships in Tanakh
 
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