Rabbi Johanan bar Nafcha

In 67 CE, the veteran Roman general Vespasian invaded Eretz Israel with four outstanding legions, including the X Legion, the most distinguished of all Roman legions.

The destruction of the Second Temple was far more disastrous for the Jewish people than the destruction of the First Temple. Quickly, it became apparent to the Jewish people that a dark, seemingly endless exile lay ahead.

This class explores the principles of ‘chatzi-shiur’ (half measure)—namely, the halachic status of prohibitions performed with less than the quantity proscribed by Torah law. A fascinating debate originating from the Talmudic discussion on Yom Kippur. We’...

Although most sages lived in Babylonia, there still was a sizable Torah community in Eretz Israel.