Rephael Cattan

 We are beginning siman 9, which discusses the concept of mitzvos tzrichos kavana. Before we see the language of the Chayei Adam, we will clarify a few points. The Gemara in Nedarim states from Rav Elazar B’Rav Tzadok that asei devarim l’sheim pa’olan, a person should do mitzvos for the sake of the One who […]

 We are continuing in siman 8, which discusses the concept of hamaschil b’mitzvah omrim lo g’mor, that a person should not stop in the middle of a mitzvah but should complete it. We left off pointing out that there is no explicit halachic discussion in the Gemara about this concept, only an aggadic discussion. However,

  We are beginning siman 8, which discusses the concept of hamaschil b’mitzvah omrim lo g’mor, that a person should not stop in the middle of a mitzvah, but should complete it. The Chayei Adam brings a source to this concept from the beginning of Parshas Eikev, where the Torah says kol hamitzvah . .

 We are continuing in siman 7, which discusses the concept of mitzvah bo yoser m’shlucho. We left off discussing the case of the Tevuas Shor, regarding whether one can be mechabed someone else to perform a mitzvah which is incumbent upon themselves. In Yoreh Deah, siman 28, he discusses the question as it regards kisui

 We are continuing in siman 7, which discusses the concept of mitzvah bo yoser m’shlucho. Today, we will discuss an important application of this concept.  The sefer Olas Shabbos discusses whether multiple people eating a shabbos seudah together should each preferably make kiddush on their own, or whether one person should make kiddush for everyone.

 We are continuing in siman 7, which discusses the concept of mitzvah bo yoser m’shlucho. We will discuss some points raised by the sefer Nasiach Bechukecha.  We have a rule in the Torah that shlucho shel adam kemoso, a shliach has the same halachic status as the person performing a mitzvah themselves. If a shliach

We are beginning siman 7, which discusses the concept of mitzvah bo yoser m’shlucho, that if a person has the option to perform a mitzvah through their own effort, or to have a shliach (proxy) perform it, it is preferable that the mitzvah be performed by the person himself. Even though the mitzvah is kosher

 We are continuing in siman 6, regarding the concept of zrizin makdimin. Today, we will discuss scenarios where zrizin makdimin is not only an expression of hiddur mitzvah, but an intrinsic component of the mitzvah itself.   The first example is sefiras haomer. The Torah describes sefiras haomer as temimos, whole. One explanation is that one

 We are continuing in siman 6, regarding the concept of zrizin makdimin. We will continue the discussion (shiur 1403) regarding how to balance between zrizin makdimin and other elements of hiddur mitzvah. We learned that the Chayei Adam brought a proof from the Gemara in Rosh Hashanah to prove that zrizin makdimin takes precedence over

We are continuing in siman 6, discussing the concept of zrizin makdimin. Today we will clarify the different leshonos found in Chazal regarding doing mitzvos with alacrity. There are a few concepts found in Chazal regarding doing mitzvos with alacrity, and they seem to overlap.  The first is zirizin makdimin.  Next is the concept of

 We are beginning siman 6, where the Chayei Adam discusses the concept of zrizin makdimin lemitzvos (those who have alacrity rush to perform mitzvos). It is interesting to note that the concept is not about zrizin u’makdimin, those who have alacrity and those who rush to perform mitzvos (which would indicate two actions), but rather

 We are continuing in siman 5, regarding the concept of hiddur mitzvah. We left off discussing whether hiddur mitzvah applies after a mitzvah has been completed. The Brisker Rov brought the Gemara of bris milah on Shabbos to learn that once a mitzvah has been completed, it is impossible to have hiddur mitzvah. This is

 We have finished siman 5, and have a few points to clarify. In siman 656, which discusses the halachos of hiddur mitzvah, the Mishnah Berurah brings up a discussion regarding whether the addition of one third applies to everyone, regardless of financial status, or maybe a wealthy person would be required to add more, and

 We are continuing in siman 5, discussing the concept of hiddur mitzvah. We learned that there is a machlokes about how to understand the Gemara which teaches us that one must spend up to one third on hiddur mitzvah. Rashi understands that it refers to one third more expensive, while Tosfos understands that it refers

 We are continuing in siman 5, discussing hiddur mitzvah.  In Bava Kamma 9b, Rav Zeira says that hiddur mitzvah requires up to one third. There is a machlokes rishonim how to understand the Gemara. Tosfos says that Rav Zeira refers to a case such as where one bought an esrog and then finds another esrog

  We are beginning siman 5, where the Chayei Adam discusses the concept of hiddur mitzvah,.  The Chayei Adam writes that one of the concepts a person must be aware of when they do a mitzvah is the concept of hiddur mitzvah, doing the mitzvah in a manner which is more beautiful. This concept is

 We are continuing in siman 4, discussing the concept of oseik bmitzvah patur min hamitzvah. We have mentioned that in siman 38, the Shulchan Aruch writes that people writing STA”M are patur from shema, tefillah and other mitzvos. The Shulchan Aruch mentions that people who sell tefillin are also patur from other mitzvos. The Mishnah