תקציר המאמרים באנגלית

Summaries of Articles

The journal opens with a response from HaGaon Rav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg זצ"ל to Rav Yehoshua Hutner שליט"א , director of the Encyclopedia Talmudit project, in which he responds to an article published at the time by Rav Hutner in "HaTzofeh" (the article is attached). Rav Hutner argued that the chiddushim of the acharonim are indeed a continuation of the Talmud, and they should be included in the Encyclopedia Talmudit. Rav Weingberg explains his opinion regarding the relationship between the acharonim and the Talmud and its earlier commentaries. He argues that although some of the acharonim continue the reasoning of the Talmud, they should not be classified as a continuation of the Talmud.

The headlines have highlighted the recent communal failure to deal with crime including discussions regarding the rights of the individual to protect his property. Rav Nakash, a Ram in Shaalvim High School, analyzes the principles and laws of a burglar who enters with force, a "Ba Bamachteret". Included is an Halachic response from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg שליט"א .

Rav Moshe Ganz, a Ram in Yeshivat Sha`alvim, offers a novel understanding to a challenging law of usury which has puzzled many throughout the generations. Prof. Aviezri Frankel, of the Weizmann Institute of Rehovot, clarifies why we don't read the Shabbat Mussaf Parasha every week for Maftir as we do for the other festivals. He offers several answers.

Rav Dr. Pick, from the Bar Ilan University Kollel, discusses the four capital punishments and, specifically, the punishment of burning. He proves that even after the destruction of the Temple there were communities that continued practicing capital punishment. Rav Dani Schwartz, from the Torah Institute of Yeshivat Or Etzion presents the position of Nachmanides regarding reliance on Hashem and personal endeavors, a topic that is universally relevant. Rav Yitzchak Amitai, principal of the Talmud Torah for Gush Katif exiles in Shomria, addresses the obligations of a grandfather to his grandchildren, and their relationship in general, based on Halachic and Chassidic sources.

In the "Responses" section, Prof. Domb repays an old debt, with corrections to an article published many years ago concerning Rav Shlomo Ganzfried's opinion regarding tithing one's money. Rav Goldmintz and Rav Avraham continue to discuss the classification of disagreements in Halacha. Rav Cohen connects the debate of Hillel and Shamai regarding preparations for Shabbat to broader guidelines for relying on miracles. Additional responses are included as well.

Regarding books and publications, Rav Eliyahu Soloveitchik discusses the need to prepare a new edition of "Chidushei Rabeinu Chaim HaLevi on the Rambam". Prof. Shpiegel, director of the "Responsa Project" of Bar Ilan University, which was recently awarded the "Pras Yisrael", tells about an amazing discovery regarding the initial publication of Responsa Chut HaShani. Dr. Meir describes a book of Drashot built around the Mishna. Rav Dr. Rabinovich highlights some interesting facts about the life of the Chatam Sofer and his family. The journal concludes, as usual, with a survey of recent publications received by the editorial board.

This Issue of HAMA`YAN is dedicated to the memory
of our dear friends and patrons
HERMAN and ULLA MERKIN
of blessed memory
יהי זכרם ברוך

מוסד יצחק ברויאר                                              ישיבת שעלבים
Mossad Yitzhak Breuer                                  Yeshivat Sha`alvim