https://oraysa.org/ The Oraysa Amud V’chazara program fills the growing demand for a daily Gemara learning framework that balances the accountability of maintaining a steady pace while taking account the level of learning sophistication of today’s ben Torah. Developed in collaboration with leading Roshei Yeshiva and Gedolei Yisroel, the Amud V’chazra initiative incorporates features to enhance long-term retention of the Masechtos learned through multiple, built-in reviews, tests and stipends for achievement.
How can kavannah after tevila still count? Isn't intention supposed to come before the act? In this episode, we explore the halachic mechanics of kavannah in tevila—whether it's a condition in the act itself or a din of hesech hadaas. We'll unpack how kavannah can sometimes take effect even after immersion, and what this teaches us about the deeper structure of mitzvos and the role of conscious intent in creating spiritual transformation.
If you washed your hands before Mincha and then sat down for Shalosh Seudos, do you need to wash again—and can you make a bracha? In this episode, we explore whether netilas yadayim requires specific kavannah for eating bread, or if any washing counts. We'll look at the classic case of washing for one reason but then deciding to eat, and uncover when a new washing and bracha are required—and when your first one still works.
Before eating bread, we wash our hands—but why? In this episode, we explore the reason behind netilas yadayim l'seudah: is it about cleanliness, holiness, or both? We'll discuss the decree of Chazal rooted in the purity laws of terumah, how it connects us back to the Beis HaMikdash, and why this simple act turns an ordinary meal into something sacred.
Is the prohibition of melacha on Chol HaMoed from the Torah or rabbinic? We'll explore both sides of the debate—and why it matters. The nafka mina is huge: if it's d'Oraisa, any doubt must be treated strictly (safek d'Oraisa l'chumra). If it's d'Rabbanan, we're lenient in cases of doubt. It also affects whether one may benefit from melacha done improperly and how seriously we treat violations. This episode breaks down the core question and its real-world halachic impact.
Why does Rabbeinu Yerucham hold that after the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash , midoraisa, we're only obligated to count the days of the Omer—but not the weeks? This unusual view has puzzled commentators for centuries. In this episode, we trace his reasoning back to an unexpected source—our very sugya—and uncover how a subtle shift in the Gemara's focus reshapes the entire mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer in post-Mikdash times.
Chagigah 17a: Geder din Tashlumin by Shavuos, Tachanun for the Week after Shavuos
:מדוע סמיכה איננה מצוות עשה שהזמן גרמאמצוות סמיכה – סמיכת הידיים על הקרבן – נעשית דווקא ביום. אם כן, מדוע אין היא נחשבת מצוות עשה שהזמן גרמא? בפרק זה נעמיק בסוגיא, נברר כיצד חכמים הבינו את מהות הסמיכה, האם הגבלת הזמן מגדירה את עצם המצוה או רק את קיומה בפועל, ולמה נשים אינן חייבות אף על פי כן.
Chagigah 16a: Looking at the Hands of Kohanim during Birkas Kohanim and the Geder of The Mitzvah
The sugya of Ambatya becomes the halachic fault line for one of the most heated debates of the 20th century. In this episode, we trace how Rav Moshe Feinstein used this Gemara to rule that children born through donor insemination are not mamzeirim—and why the Satmar Rebbe fiercely disagreed. We'll explore the halachic logic, the hashkafic divide, and how a single sugya shaped the modern fertility discussion in the frum world.
Chagigah 15a:Milah on Shabbos: Does Artificial Insemination Delay the Bris? — Rabbeinu Chananel's GirsaWhen a baby is conceived through artificial insemination, and the birth falls on Shabbos, a halachic question arises: Is the bris milah held on the following Shabbos or postponed to Sunday? In this episode, we explore the critical girsa of Rabbeinu Chananel that frames the entire discussion. This is a deep dive into classic text, nuanced lomdus, and real-world halacha.
The Gemara teaches that night was created for Torah — and those who learn then are blessed with long life and a special chein. Rambam says most Torah wisdom is acquired at night, because it's the time you choose what matters most. When others rest, your learning stands out. In this episode, we'll explain why learning at night carries such extraordinary reward and spiritual power.
What's the halacha of learning Torah at night? Can you learn Tanach after tzeis? What if it's a public shiur? And what about learning after Veyitein Lecha? This episode breaks down the practical halachos and common scenarios — clearly and simply.
Chagigah 13b: Teaching Non Jews Torah - Geder HaIssur
Chagigah 13a: Teaching a Non Jew Torah + Lifnei Iver
This episode dives into the famous machlokes between Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel about what was created first — Heaven or Earth. Drawing on the Malbim (Bamidbar 19:2), we uncover the deeper worldview behind their disagreement: Is this world only a means to reach the next, or is it holy in its own right? We'll connect this to their different approaches to everyday life — like how they prepared for Shabbos — and see how one debate reflects an entire philosophy of how to live in this world.
This episode explores whether darkness is a real creation or just the absence of light, featuring the views of the Gra, Ramban, Rambam, and Ran.
It's fascinating how Maaseh Merkava — one of the deepest, most esoteric sections of Torah — is read on Shavuos morning, precisely when the entire shul is exhausted from staying up all night. By contrast, Maaseh Bereishis — the foundation of creation — is read in Bereishis, a time when many people are rushing through Shnayim Mikra and barely have time to reflect. It's almost as if Hashem intentionally places the most profound ideas at moments when they can't be fully grasped… hinting that some mysteries are meant to remain beyond our reach.
What if a mikveh has 40 se'ah of water but it's too shallow for a person to immerse in? Can you simply add mayim she'uvim (drawn water) to make it kosher?This sugya in Chagigah 11a gets into the lomdus of shiur mikveh — whether 40 se'ah is a definition of mikveh volume or a requirement for practical tevillah.The Ra'ah holds you can't fix it with added water; the Rashba says you can. This core machlokes shapes how we understand the very essence of what makes a mikveh kosher.
Exploring whether the obligation of Simchas Yom Tov belongs to the wife herself or is placed on the husband to provide — and what happens if she waives it.
The Chasam Sofer shared a famous piece of advice about remembering to say Mashiv HaRuach uMorid HaGashem. Why does repeating something 101 times make all the difference — and what does that teach us about true consistency in avodas Hashem?
Chagigah 9a: ממזר – האם יש היתר להפלה במהלך ההיריון?
Chagigah 8b: יסוד של הנציב בעניין שיעורים במצוות
Chagigah 7b: אכילת בשר שמחת יום טוב השיעור
Chagigah 7b: גדר מצות ראייה עם קרבן ועדה דוחה לא תעשה
Chagigah 6a: יסוד דין חינוך ויסוד מצות עליה לרגל
Chagigah 5b: כל השח שיחת חולין עובר בעשה
Chagigah 5a: The Fire of Bein Adam L'Chavero Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz zt"l teaches that even when we hurt someone l'shem Shamayim, the pain still burns like fire. Through the story of Chana and Penina, we learn that good intentions cannot erase the consequences of causing another person hurt.
Chagigah 4b: Geder of the Petur of Eved from Reieah- the famous shtickel from the Brisker Rav P2
Chagigah 4a: Geder of the Petur of Eved for Mitzvas Reieah- the famous shtickel from the Brisker Rav
In 1766, a young groom in Germany gave his wife a get just days after their wedding. Was he mentally competent — or a shoteh as defined in Chagigah 3b–4a? The answer split rabbinic Europe, with the Frankfurt beis din on one side and the Noda BiYehudah on the other. In this episode, we trace the dramatic story of the Get of Cleves, unpack the Gemara's definition of a shoteh, and explore how a centuries-old sugya became the deciding factor in one of the most famous halachic controversies of all time.
Chagigah 3a: Do you have to be Oleh LRegel by Foot?
Chazal gave a cheresh — someone deaf and mute — the status of a shoteh, exempt from mitzvos and unable to marry, divorce, or transact normally. But what if, through modern education, he learns to communicate or even speak? Some poskim, like the Divrei Chaim and Maharsham, say this could change his status. Others, like the Maharam Shik, say the chazakah remains. We'll explore the sources, the debate, and why real estate remains a unique exception.
The Mishnah teaches that *hakol chayavin b'ri'iyah… chutz mei'cheresh shoteh v'katan.* But what does that mean for mitzvos *lo sa'aseh*? Are they completely exempt, or do we treat their actions differently? In this episode we'll look at how the Gemara frames the issue — *chiyuv cheresh shoteh v'katan b'mitzvos lo ta'aseh* — and how the Rishonim understand whether there's an *onesh* or not. Do their actions count as a ma'aseh? Is there any punishment or consequence? We'll explore the sugya step by step, keeping the questions open: are they totally *patur*, or is there a nuance between *aseh* and *lo sa'aseh*? Join us as we unpack this classic halachic discussion.
Moed Katan 29a: קטן שהגדיל ודין תשלומין בהבדלה
Moed Katan 28b: גדר מצות שמחת יום טוב
Podcast Description: If a burial begins right before sunset but isn't finished until after, what's the mourner's status? Aninus means they're exempt from davening, while shiva only starts after the burial is complete. But once the casket is covered with earth, many poskim say the mourner may already daven — even before shiva has begun. This episode explores that critical difference.
Do we still tear keriah when seeing Yerushalayim today? What about when standing at the Kosel or looking toward Har HaBayis? In this episode, we break down the halacha step by step. We'll explain the debate among the poskim about Yerushalayim itself, the obligation everyone agrees to when seeing the Makom HaMikdash, and the question of whether tearing at the Kosel fulfills the mitzvah. A clear and practical guide to an emotional mitzvah many people wonder about.
Episode Description:Eliyahu HaNavi's fiery ascent into heaven left behind more than a legacy—it sparked a halachic mystery. When a man transforms into a malach, what becomes of his marriage? Could his wife have remarried, or was she bound forever? In this episode, we explore a fascinating debate among the poskim, who wrestle with the question of Eliyahu's unique status: was he considered alive, was he considered dead, or had he entered an entirely new category beyond human definition? The discussion opens a window into the intersection of halacha, aggadah, and the eternal mysteries of Eliyahu HaNavi's mission.
Is Lag BaOmer a day of joy or sadness? We explore the Chasam Sofer's perspective on the yahrzeits of tzadikim and what it teaches us about how to view this unique day.
Moed Katan 25a: מהחייב של איסורי אבילות
Moed Katan 24b: דברים שבצנעא ביום טוב
In this episode, we explore whether an avel (mourner) may leave his house during shiva. Can he go elsewhere to sleep? What about traveling in a car versus walking in a public place? We trace the halachic foundation of this prohibition—rooted in the idea that it is not appropriate for a mourner to mingle with many people—and explain the distinctions between different types of leaving. Clear sources and reasoning help us understand the balance between private mourning and public presence.
A deep dive into the halachic concept of Shiur Ge'arah — the “measure of reprimand” in aveilus. We explore whether a mourner truly needs to be rebuked by friends before taking a haircut, or if time itself sets the limit. Featuring the Igros Moshe's foundational yesod on the sugya, we unpack the classic dispute among poskim and the practical minhag of waiting three months.
If a relative passes away and the burial is postponed because the body is being flown to Israel, when does shivah actually begin? In this episode, we analyze the halachic debate, focusing on the Igros Moshe's psak and the underlying principles of whether aveilus follows the time of when they leave the body or the moment of kevurah.
Moed Katan 21b: גדר מצות איילות ואיסורי אבילות
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