How to research a Talmudic Topic using the Internet

We learned in the Mishna on Daf Yud Gimmel (13A) that one who is reading the Torah and gets up to Shema requires fulfills his obligation if he has Kavanah (intent) of the heart. This mishnah leads us to ask many questions.

1.     Must one have Kavanah while saying Shema in order to fulfill one’s obligation?

2.     If one needs Kavanah during Shema, what type of Kavanah is required?

3.     Is Kavanah only a requirement for Shema or does one require Kavanah by other mitzvoth as well.

1. First lets read the pertinent Mishna and Gemara.

Click here to read the Mishna. Remember we are focusing on the first line. Then click on the same page to read the Gemara on this.

·        Summarize the Mishna and Gemara in your own words.

2. When does one need intent for Shema?

To answer this question click here for the text of the Rambam our most famous Halachic authority from the eleventh century.

·        Summarize the first halacha in the Rambam.

To help you with the Hebrew click here for an English translation of this Rambam.

3. Read the explanation of this Rambam by Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom from the above link and answer the following questions.

·        What is the easiest and straightest reading of the Mishna?

·        Why does the Gemara pounce on this reading?

·        What does the Gemara’s answer KOREH L'HAGIAH mean according to Rashi, R. Hai Ga’on and Tosfot?

·        Explain the 3 different types of intent listed by Rabbi Etshalom.

·        What unique type of KAVANAT HALEV is required by Shema and not by other mitzvot?

4.     Based on all of this what should we do?

Click here to see what the Shulchan Arukh, our most basic halachic code, says we should do.

·        Summarize the first Halakha in your own words.

5.     Click here to read the Mishna Berura a modern Halachic code written by the Chofetz Chaim.

Read 60:4.

·        According to the Mishna Berura (MB), what are the 2 types of KAVANAHs?

·        What Kavanah does everyone agree is not required?

·        What type of Kavanah is required?

·        Give 2 practical examples from the Mishna Berura where one would not fulfill the mitzvah because he/she has no KAVANAH.

·        According to 60:5, what additional KAVANAH is required only when saying Shema? Why?

6.     Click here to read the Kitzur Shulchan Arukh, a popular abbreviated modern Halachic code.

·        According to the Kitzur, what type of intent must one have while reading the Shema?

Click here to get to the home page of WebShas an index to much of the Talmud.

·        Where would you find information about Shema? Copy down the exact URL where information on Shema appears.

·        List 4 different sources from the Talmud about mental focus during Shema.

7.     Now that we have clarified the requirement of KAVANAH by Shema, we will try to apply it to other mitzvoth as well.

·        Which Gemara in Rosh Hashana did many of the above sources quote? (Write the daf)

Click on this link and search for the insights on the pertinent page from Rosh Hashana.

·        Copy the exact URL for the insights on Rosh Hashana about Kavanah in mitzvot. (It appears one page after the daf copied above.)

·        What is the case of Rav Zeira quoted in this Gemara?

·        How do the ROSH and BEHAG hold based on this Gemara?

·        How does the MAHARITZ GE'AS (cited by the TUR OC 569), RABEINU CHANANEL here and the BA'AL HA'ME'OR rule?

·        How does RAV SHERIRA GA'ON and the RAN here (cited by the DARCHEI MOSHE 475:6) rule?

·        According to the SHULCHAN ARUKH if one did a mitzvah without KAVANAH what should one do?

·        Explain the case of Mis’asek. What does the BI'UR HALACHAH say about him?

 

To Review:

Answer the following 3 questions:

1.     Must one have Kavanah while saying Shema in order to fulfill one’s obligation?

2.     If one needs Kavanah during Shema, what type of Kavanah is required?

3.     Is Kavanah only a requirement for Shema or does one require Kavanah by other mitzvoth as well.

 

 

If you would like to see the answers to this web quest written by 2 students click here.