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All articles about the Mishna
The Message of the Mitzva of Bikurim [Mishna 1]
Question
Why, according to Rav Yosi HaGlili, the fruits must come from the “Land flowing with chalav and honey”?
Answer
The mitzva of bikurim applies specifically in the place most conducive to expressing appreciation for God’s goodness. “Land flowing milk and honey” is the designation of God’s giving of the Land for Am Yisrael.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
Holiness of Shiloh vs Jerusalem [Mishna 2]
Question
The holiness in Shiloh spreads where the Mishkan can be seen; in Jerusalem, only within the city walls. Why?
Answer
Like Yosef, the sanctity of Shiloh expands even to mundane places. Like Yehuda, the sanctity of Jerusalem remains within its defined area, and reaches higher levels.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
Eretz Yisrael is holiest from all the lands [Mishna 3]
Question
Why is the holiness of the Land of Israel expressed by the fact that the Omer, Bikurim, and Two Loaves are brought only from it?
Answer
Holiness is expressed in mitzvot and Halacha in practical and mandatory behaviors. The fact that these mitzvot are unique to the Land, indicates that the Land possesses a unique reality where there is no other place comparable to it.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
Eretz Yisrael in Merit of the Forefathers [Mishna 4]
Question
Why was it necessary for the Mishna to teach that trees planted prior to Am Yisrael’s entry into the Land are exempt from orlah?
Answer
Since the Land of Israel belonged to Am Yisrael from the time G-d gave it to our forefather Avraham, it was necessary to teach that the prohibition of orlah started only upon Israel’s entry into the Land.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
The Quality of the Fruits of Eretz Yisrael [Mishna-5]
Question
What is special about the fruits of the Land of Israel that require Ma’aser Demai even outside the Land?
Answer
The quality of the Land’s fruit reflects the spiritual status of the Nation of Israel. If Am Yisrael does mitzvot, then the Land of Israel, which is the source of blessing to the world, can give the Divine abundance.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
Sanctity of the Land Boundaries Promised to Forefathers [Mishna-6]
Question
How does the sanctity of the Land Boundaries promised to the Forefathers affect the laws of Tithes?
Answer
The boundaries of the Land which G-d promised to the forefathers have an inherent sanctity, and for this reason Am Yisrael is commanded to conquer them first.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael Basis for Existence of Torah [Mishna-7]
Question
Why was the punishment for the sin of the Spies more severe than the sin of the Golden Calf?
Answer
Rabbi Ya’akov Emden explains: “For Israel is God’s portion and the Land is His portion; Torah depends upon both, God’s nation and God’s Land. One who abandons either abandons both”.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
Ma’asrot Sanctify Material Things [Mishna-8]
Question
Why should the “Declaration of Ma’aser” include a prayer that the fruit of the Land of Israel be tasty?
Answer
The good taste of the fruit of the Land refines a person, making one happier, and this connects him to Torah study. For Am Yisrael, sanctifying the material is a national goal by showing the world that material things can be used as a means of serving God.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder
Mitzvat Shemitta: A Taste of the Days of Mashiach [Mishna-9]
Question
How did Chazal know that if there was no produce left in a region, the wild animals would not have food, and not migrate to a another region?
Answer
During the Shemita year, a year of ascent from materialism, we strive to link up with the high moral level of concern for all of God’s creatures.
Presenter: Avrum Leeder