העורך Editor

The Chazon Ish School on Tax Evasion

When Rabbi Chaim Greinemann zatzal was asked about Israeli tax evasion, he would respond with the expression the Chazon Ish would employ on this question: “Mitzvah lehatzil meyadam” (based on Avoda Zara 6b), but add this dispensation was on condition the questioner was unlikely to be found out, for reasons of Chillul Hashem (cf. Rashi Baba Kama 113a).

Needless to say, I provide the above information for historical/entertainment purposes only.

Who Wants to Rewrite This for Brisk?

When I heard the learned astronomer,

When the proofs, the figures were ranged in columns before me,

When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them,

When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture room,

How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,

Till rising and gliding out I wandered off by myself,

In the mystical moist night air, and from time to time,

Looked up in perfect silence at the stars.

Walt Whitman, “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” (1865) from Leaves of Grass

The Side Effects of Learning Eruvin

Here’s a great story from Rabbi Yitzchak Brand. It was related to him by Rabbi Aaron Treger of Antwerp, son-in-law of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach:

An Avreich once came to Rabbi Auerbach and happily proclaimed he had learned all maseches Eruvin in depth. Rabbi Auerbach asked: do you carry on Shabbos (relying on the Eruv)?

[Before I continue the story, let me note Rabbi S.Z. Auerbach was not known for opposing modern Eruvin.]

The Avreich answered in the affirmative, to which Rabbi Auerbach retorted: if so, you haven’t learned Eruvin…

Source: right here.