The Weekly Daf - Premier Issue!
Kiddushin 68-75
Week of 24 Shevat -1 Adar 5754/5-11 February 1994
By Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions

======================================================================== 

In August 1923, the First International Congress of Agudath Israel World 
Movement met in Vienna, at which Rav Meir Shapiro proposed uniting people 
worldwide through the daily study of a page of Talmud.  The project is 
currently in its 10th cycle, and is engaged in the study of Tractate 
Kiddushin.

Each week, Rav Weinbach will be providing us with his insights on the seven 
pages of the Daf Yomi study.  Rav Weinbach's background as a Rosh Yeshiva, 
author and lecturer, is sure to guarantee interesting reading.
Presented here are sample "nuggets" based on this week's Daf Yomi study.

======================================================================== 

Patrilineal Jewishness - A Modern Myth 

In a case where one of the parties is not marriagable according to Jewish 
Law the child born of their union has the status of the mother; i.e., a 
Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother_the child is considered a non-Jew.
Mishnah 66b

What is the source for this rule? Rabbi Yochanan, in the name of Rabbi 
Shimon Bar Yochai, based it on the following passages in the Torah: 

"You shall not intermarry with them [the non-Jews]; you shall not give your 
daughter to his son in marriage nor shall you take his daughter as a wife 
for your son. For _he [the non-Jewish father]_ shall turn away your 
[grand]son from Me and they will serve other gods, and Hashem's anger shall 
be kindled against you and you will be quickly destroyed."    
Deuteronomy 7:3-4

Intermarriage is prohibited both in the case of a Jewish boy or girl. The 
consequence of a grandchild being turned away from his Jewish faith is, 
however, mentioned only in regard to the non-Jewish father but not the non-
Jewish mother. The conclusion is that the child of a Jewish mother and a 
non-Jewish father is considered Jewish and the danger of his being diverted 
from his faith is relevant, while the child of a Jewish father and a non-
Jewish mother is considered as non-Jewish and the consequence of being 
diverted from his faith is irrelevant. 
Kiddushin 68b

======================================================================== 

Centrality of Jerusalem and Justice

"You will arise and ascend  to the place which Hashem, your G-d, has 
chosen" (Deuteronomy 17:8).

This passage, instructing Jewish judges faced by a problem in Torah Law to 
bring it up to the Sanhedrin (High Court) in the Beis Hamikdash (Holy 
Temple) in Jerusalem, teaches us that the Beis Hamikdash is the highest 
place in the Land of Israel and that the Land of Israel is higher than all 
other lands.                                 
Kiddushin 69a

The universe is a globe and the site of the Beis Hamikdash is the center of 
this universe (centrality, rather than altitude, is the meaning of height), 
as too is the Land of Israel. Our Sages therefore said of the Land of 
Israel that because of its central position its atmosphere is balanced and 
generates wisdom. This is even more so in regard to the site of the Beis 
Hamikdash and for this reason it was the seat of the Sanhedrin.
Maharsha

======================================================================== 

Subscriptions to The Weekly Daf are available free of charge via InterNet.  
To subscribe, send the message "sub dafyomi {firstname} {lastname}" 
to listserv@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il

Comments should be addressed to:  newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il
======================================================================== 
   Jewish   L         EEEEEEEE  Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions
     J      L         E         22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103
     J      L         Exchange  Jerusalem 91180, Israel
J    J      L         E         Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 
 JJJJ       Learning  EEEEEEEE  Internet:newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il
========================================================================