Rabbi Mintz on Jewish History - The Development of Halakhah in the Post-Shulhan Arukh Period

Rabbi Mintz - The Development of Jewish Law During the Medieval Period

smond@yahoo.com (Rabbi Adam Mintz, Saul Mond) — Tue, 1 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

This lecture will explore the transmission of Jewish learning and halakhah in Franco-Germany in the eleventh through thirteenth centuries. Rashi's commentary on the entire Talmud served to make the Talmud the authoritative text in Ashkenaz and to make the gemara "user-friendly." Tosafot introduced the study and reconciliation of the entire Talmud. This method, known as dialectic, became the norm in the study of Talmud and halakhah. Yet, it was not without its opponents. We will explore the reasons for Tosafot's innovation and the basis of the opposition in developing the halakhic tradition in Franco-Germany. roach of the Christian world a significant moment in the development of Jewish law in the medieval period?

Rabbi Mintz - The Traditions of Ramban and Christian Spain

smond@yahoo.com (Rabbi Adam Mintz, Saul Mond) — Tue, 8 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

This lecture will explore the transition from the Gaonic tradition of the Moslem period to the rabbinic tradition of the Ramban in Christian Spain. In what ways did the Ramban integrate the traditions of the Gaonim and his predecessors in Moslem Spain with the approach of Tosafot and the Franco/German school of rabbinic teaching? Why is the position of the Ramban as a transitional figure from the traditions of the Moslem world to the approach of the Christian world a significant moment in the development of Jewish law in the medieval period?

Rabbi Mintz - Rambam

smond@yahoo.com (Rabbi Adam Mintz, Saul Mond) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Rambam writes in the Introduction to his Mishneh Torah that his work will replace all rabbinic literature so that each Jewish library needs only a Tanach and a Mishneh Torah. When confronted regarding the arrogance of this statement by his colleagues, he retreats and explains that this was not really his intention. Yet, the Rambam took a bold and creative approach to Jewish law and rabbinic literature in his Mishneh Torah. This lecture will explore the history of the Mishneh Torah and the rabbinic reaction to it. Finally, we will study a section of the work and attempt to identify its unique characteristics

Rabbi Mintz - The Tur and thew Merging of the Franco-German and Spanish Traditions

smond@yahoo.com (Rabbi Adam Mintz, Saul Mond) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

When Rabbenu Asher, the leading rabbinic authority left Germany for Toledo in 1302, it brought an end to the creative rabbinic tradition in Germany. Rabbenu Asher was accepted in Spain. Yet, his outlook and much of his rabbinic work reflects his German heriatge. His son, Rabbi Jacob, integrated the Franco-German and Spanish traditions in his Code entitled Arba Turim. Although he chose a codification approach of compilation of various opinions rather than the rejection and ignoring of other opinions practiced by Rambam, Rabbi Jacob introduced a practical aspect to his Code. This was reflected in the exclusion of certain non-practical material and the organization philosophy of the work. The Tur was widely accepted within the Jewish community and was the second Jewish book printed. to halakhah? Why was the Shulhan Arukh with the notes of the Rama accepted as the authoritative code of Jewish law? Why didn't Jewish history and the Jewish people choose the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam or the Tur of Rabbi Jacob ben Asher?

Rabbi Mintz - The Shulhan Arukh and the End of an Era in Jewish Law

smond@yahoo.com (Rabbi Adam Mintz, Saul Mond) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Rabbi Joseph Caro and Rabbi Moshe Isserles brought an end to the ear of codification in Jewish history. This lecture will explore the journey of each of these great rabbinic scholars through their lengthy commentaries on the Tur to their concise codes in the Shulhan Arukh. Why did both Rabbis Caro and Isserles choose to later their styles from the lengthy code to the more simplified one? What is the major difference between their approaches to halakhah? Why was the Shulhan Arukh with the notes of the Rama accepted as the authoritative code of Jewish law?

Rabbi Mintz - The Acceptance of the Shulhan Arukh and the Invention of Printing

smond@yahoo.com (Rabbi Adam Mintz, Saul Mond) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Shulhan Arukh was first printed in Venice in 1564. The lecture will explore whether the code of Rabbi Joseph Caro was immediately accepted as authoritative among the Jews of the Spanish diaspora and the role that this code played in the unification of these Jews in the century following the expulsion from Spain. The code of Rabbi Moses Isserles was printed alongside the Shulhan Arukh for the first time in Cracow in 1569-71. We will explore the role of printing in the opposition in Ashkenaz to this code and the innovation of the Rema to the history of codification.

Rabbi Mintz - The Battles of the Polish Rabbis Regarding the Methods of Codification

smond@yahoo.com (Rabbi Adam Mintz, Saul Mond) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

This lecture will explore the process by which the Rema's commentary on the Shulhan Arukh was accepted throughout Poland. We will examine the alternative codes of Rabbi Solomon Luria and Rabbi Mordechai Jaffe and explain why these codes were not considered authoritative. Then, we will analyze the battle between the authors of the Shach and the Taz and evaluate how their battle for supremacy served to solidify the position of the Rema in Poland.