Reciprocal kindness

Hi,

"One who eulogizes others – others will eulogize him. One who buries others – others will bury him. One who carries others – others will carry him. One who elevates his voice [in eulogy] – others will elevate their voices for him."

(Talmud, Moed Katan 28b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The consequences of inappropriate disciplinary methods

Hi,

"Rebbe's maid saw a man striking his mature son. She said, 'Let him be banned, for violating 'Do not put a stumbling block before the blind.''"

(Talmud, Moed Katan 17a)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Tefillin: A Celebration

Hi,

The interesting opposition between Tefillin and Mourning:

"A mourner, on the first day of Shivah, is not permitted to don tefillin for the entire day - even after the burial.

"The verse [Amos 8:10] states, 'And its aftermath will be a bitter day.' Tefillin are termed 'glory' and should not be donned on a bitter day."

(Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 38:8, from Talmud, Moed Katan 21a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Mourning a Death, Mourning a Torah

Hi,

"One who is present when a Jew dies is obligated to tear his clothing. It is like seeing a Torah scroll burned; the soul of each Jew is like a Torah; their sanctities are identical."

(Talmud, Moed Katan 25a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Controlled by Mazal

Hi,

There is much to say here - so much so that I will choose to leave it as an open canvas...

"Rava taught: Lifespan, children and livelihood depend not on merit, but on mazal."

(Talmud, Moed Katan 28a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The intensity of our feelings for Torah

Hi,

"When Rav Safra died, the sages did not tear their clothing for the loss, because he was not their mentor.

"Abbaye rebuked them: Is the law taught, 'When one's mentor passes [one tears his clothing]?' It is taught, 'When any sage passes [one tears his clothing]!' Further, his lessons are in the mouths of people in the study hall every day!"

(Talmud, Moed Katan 25a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Praying for a specific spouse

Hi,

"Rava heard a man praying, 'May so-and-so become my wife.'

"Rava said to him: You should not pray thus; if she is right for you, she will not go to another, but if not, then you will end up denying Gd (for she will not marry you, and you will say that prayer is ineffective)!"

(Talmud, Moed Katan 18b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai