David Sedley
48 answers
I live in Jerusalem with my wife and children. I was formerly the Rabbi of BHH Shul in Leeds (England), and before that of EHC in Edinburgh (Scotland). I currently teach Halacha and Gemara at both Midreshet Rachel and Darche Noam Yeshiva. You can look at some of my other shiurim on my website www.rabbisedley.blogspot.com or my parsha blog www.parshatshavua.blogspot.com
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Number of Judges
In the weekly portion of Yitro, Moses appoints judges over 10’s, 50’s, 100’s, and 1000’s (see Exodus 18:25). With the exception of the judge over 50, each judge was in charge of a group of 10. Why was there a…
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When the Torah Reading Cycle Begins
Why don’t we begin reading the Torah again from Bereshit (Genesis) on Rosh Hashana? That’s a great question. Rosh Hashana is the anniversary of creation. Even though we know that the Torah was created before the world, it was not…
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Prove that Saturday is the Sabbath
Can you bring unshakable proof, that Saturday was really the 7th day of the week, that this is the day that G-d said is His Sabbath. And how can we prove that through time, we haven’t lost track and that…
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Faith Under the Nazis
How did the Jewish people retain their religious beliefs under Nazi rule? Your question is a very powerful one. I think that religious beliefs and faith are often stronger than physical bodies and minds. In fact Victor Frankl wrote a…
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No Slaughter for Fish
Why is a chicken slaughtered, but not a fish? After much thought and research I think that the requirements for slaughter are based on the sacrificial rites. The Tractate of Talmud which deals with the laws of Shechita (ritual slaughter)…
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Autopsy
Is it ever permissible for an autopsy to be performed on someone of the Jewish faith who has died? For example, if the findings of an autopsy could help save another life, is an autopsy permitted on a deceased person?…
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Kaddish for an Uncle
My uncle passed away this week and I am almost certain that there will not be anyone saying Kaddish for him. Can a nephew say Kaddish for him? My parents are already in the next world. It would be a…