Torah from Rabbanim w Yirat Shamaym

LIMMUD - GPS of the Shas in its Entirety

אם ירצה ה׳

Status: In Progress Date: 26 Mar-Cheshvan 5785

Rav Kessin chlita "Derech Hashem - The Way of G'd #55 - A Bird's Eye View of Shas in its Entirety" shiur transcript

Shiur video m4a

Rav Kessin learns the Shas (Talmud) by

Categorizing the 613 commandments, or taryag mitzvos into a four overarching themes that provide a framework for understanding the entire Shas.
Identifying central organizing principles for each of the six orders (sedarim) of the Mishnah.

Unifying Ideas / Themes

Ownership: This concept underscores the principle that G'd is the ultimate owner of everything. The Shas explores the nuances of ownership through various lenses:
- Object Usage Permissibility: Zeraim, the order dealing with agricultural laws, emphasizes that even if one owns something, they cannot use it without performing specific actions, like separating tithes, as a recognition of G'd's ownership.
- Ownership Creation and Dissolution: Nashim focuses on how the legal state of ownership is established and dissolved, primarily in the context of marriage. This illustrates how ownership is not limited to physical objects but extends to relationships, creating responsibilities and obligations between individuals.
- Negation of Ownership and Resolution: Nezikin, the order addressing damages and monetary disputes, explores violations of ownership rights and provides mechanisms for resolving conflicts. It emphasizes the importance of respecting what belongs to others.
Activity: This idea highlights G'd's control over all actions and outcomes:
- Activity Regulation: Moed focuses on the regulation of activities based on specific time periods. This underscores the principle that G'd dictates when and how we can perform certain actions, reminding us that He is the ultimate cause behind everything, even as we exercise our free will.
Relationship with Spiritual Entities: This concept moves beyond the physical realm of ownership and activity, exploring our connection with the spiritual forces governing the universe.
- Serving G'd in His House: Kodashim centers on the service we render to G'd directly within His house, the Beis HaMikdash. This service, performed through sacrifices and rituals, involves expressions of forgiveness, gratitude, and acknowledgment of G'd's existence.
- Interacting with Tumah: Taharos focuses on the laws governing the flow of a spiritual entity called tumah (impurity) and its relationship to objects. This order emphasizes the need to maintain ritual purity by understanding how tumah is acquired, transferred, and removed.

Rabbi Kessin identifies a fourth concept,

Behavior, specifically within the context of Masechta Avos. This tractate, dealing with interpersonal conduct and proper character development, emphasizes treating others with respect and acting with kindness and consideration. While Avos is not one of the six orders of the Mishnah, it is placed within Nezikin to highlight the practical application of ownership and activity in social interactions.

These four concepts, woven throughout the Shas, serve as a framework for understanding the intricate system of Jewish law. They reveal the interconnectedness of the 613 commandments and their underlying purpose, guiding us towards spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of G'd's creation.

The Six Organizing Principles

Rav Kessin identifies the following central ideas for each seder:

Zeraim: Ownership and Object Usage Permissibility: This seder focuses on the concept of ownership, specifically regarding agricultural products. The laws of separating tithes are seen as an acknowledgment that G'd ultimately owns everything and grants us permission to use it. The act of separating a portion for the kohen (priest) is the "device" that permits the usage of the remaining produce. This idea extends to the tractate Brachos (blessings), as saying a blessing is also a way of acknowledging G'd's ownership and receiving permission to use the food.
Moed: Activity Regulation: This seder centers on the concept of activity and how it is regulated by designated time periods. By observing the restrictions and obligations associated with holidays, we are reminded that G'd controls all activities and is the ultimate cause of all results. This helps us break free from the illusion that we are the sole agents of our actions and cultivates humility.
Nashim: Ownership Creation and Dissolution in Relationships: This seder deals with the concept of ownership, specifically concerning the formation and dissolution of relationships, primarily marriage. It explores how ownership is established, maintained, and dissolved within the framework of Jewish law. This includes the laws of marriage (Kiddushin), divorce (Gittin), and vows (Nedarim), all of which involve the creation and regulation of ownership states.
Nezikin: Negation of Ownership and Resolving Conflicts: This seder addresses situations where ownership is negated or interfered with, leading to conflicts. It includes the laws of damages (Bava Kamma) and monetary disputes (Bava Metzia and Bava Batra), outlining how to resolve these conflicts and determine ownership rights. The tractate Avos, which focuses on proper interpersonal conduct, is also included in Nezikin as it deals with respecting the ownership and boundaries of others.
Kodashim: Serving G'd in His House: This seder explores the concept of relating directly to G'd through the Temple service. While the Temple no longer exists, the laws of offerings provide profound insights into our relationship with G'd. The act of offering sacrifices represents various ways we can connect with G'd: asking for forgiveness, expressing gratitude, and acknowledging His existence. This seder also highlights the connection between the Temple service and prayer, suggesting that prayer allows us to enter G'd's metaphorical "house" and continue serving Him.
Taharos: Relationship Between Spiritual Impurity (Tumah) and Objects: This seder focuses on the laws of ritual purity and impurity. The central question is whether or not a spiritual entity called tumah resides in an object. All the tractates within Taharos revolve around this concept, exploring how tumah is transmitted, the categories of objects that can become impure, and the methods of purification.

Rav Kessin's approach revolves around identifying the central idea of each seder, which acts as a "hub" from which all the individual tractates (masechtos) within that order emanate as "spokes". This framework provides a "map," a "GPS," to navigate the Shas.

Rav Kessin acknowledges that while these central ideas provide a framework for understanding each seder, there are additional layers of organization within each tractate, including subcategories and details.

Importance of Hashkafah (Jewish Philosophy)

Rav Kessin emphasizes the importance of studying hashkafah alongside halacha (Jewish law). He argues that hashkafah provides the "blueprint" of creation, allowing us to understand the deeper meaning and interconnectedness of the mitzvos (commandments).

While halacha focuses on the "triggers" or "switches" that activate spiritual processes, hashkafah reveals the intricate system that these triggers operate within.

Toras Avigdor - The 'Code' to Gemarah

codetogemarah

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