Kedusha Of A Shul

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Resource Type: Shiur in: English
Age: 16-18
Group Size: 5-30
Estimated Time: 90 minutes

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Resource Goal

Kedusha of a Shul (a)
To learn that a shul has kedusha but this is a concept that has to be explained. Kedusha has to do with a Sefer Torah.

Kedusha of a Shul (b)
Learn the different comentators point of view of kedusha in a shul (Ramban, Ran, Rambam)

Kedusha of a Shul (c)
Learn the differences between a shul and a Beit Hamikdash


Required Props & Materials

Kedusha (a)

Source sheet with following sources:

  • Gemara in Megilah 29a
  • Gemara in Megilah 26b

Kedusha (b)

Source sheet with following sources:

  • Safer Mitzvot (Rambam)
  • Sefer HaMitzvot (Rambam)

Kedusha (c)

Source sheet with following sources:

  • Gemara in Brachot 62b
  • Rav Soloveitchik's article (advanced)

Resource Contents

 Kedusha of a Shul (a)

 

Summary of "Functions of a shul" Shiur

·                    A shul is kadosh

·                    A shul has many functions besides davening

 

Chevruta

 

Have chanichim prepare:

·               The Gemara in Megilah 29a which compares a shul to the Beit HaMikdash. The main idea there, is that the shechina dwells in  both places, therefore a Shul in Chutz La’aretz is a “Mikdash Me’at”

·               The Gemara in Megilah 26b which differentiates between tashmishai kedusha and tashmashai mitzva.

 

Questions and Issues to Think About

 

·                      What creates kedusha?

·                      What are the ramifications of this kedusha?

·                      Is a shul kadosh? Why?

 

Learn

 

·                      Learn the Gemara in Megilah 26b with chanichim.

·                      Explain that kedusha is a halachic concept which creates halachic ramifications (Nafka Mina’s). According to Rav Soloveitchik Tashmishai Kedusha are objects that have a connection to a Sefer Torah and therefore are required to be buried in the ground. That explains why Jews have to be buried in the ground, because every Jew has a connection to a Sefer Torah thus making Jews into tashmashai kedusha .Ask chanichim why does a Sefer Torah create kedusha? (Maybe because it is the only object that comes directly from Hashem)

·                       What is the status of a shul? Ask chanichim if it is possible to make a linkage from our Gemara to our question. It is possible that the kedusha of a shul comes from the sefer Torah, which is a requirement for a shul? What about the Beit Mikdash? Where did its kedusha come from? According to our explanation it comes from the Luchot which reside in the ark.

 

Conclusion

 

·                      A shul may have kedusha but kedusha is a concept, which has to be explained.

 

·                      Kedusha in this world has to do with a Sefer Torah.

 

 

 

 

8

 

Kedusha of a Shul (b)

Summary of last lesson

 

A shul might have kedusha. What does kedusha mean? We explained that kedusha has to with a Sefer Torah. This means that the kedusha of a shul has to do with the Ark and its contents.

 

Chevruta

 

Have chanichim prepare:

 

·               The Ramban and Ran

·               The Rambam in the context of Safer Mitzvot and the Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvot. Have the chanichim notice the difference between both Rambams.

 

Questions and Issues to Think About

 

·                      What is the status of a Shul compared with Tzizit, Luluv and T’filin?

·                      What can we learn from the Rambam’s words?

 

Learn

 

·                      Learn the Ramban’s and Ran’s opinions about the level of this Kedusha.

·                       According to the Rambam in the context of Sefer Mitzvot there is a strong connection between a shul and the Beit HaMikdash.

   

Conclusion

 

1.                     Ramban: A shul is like  a succoh and luluv, meaning it is tashmishai mitzva

2.                     Ran: A shul is like tashmishai mitzva but on a Rabbinical level.

3.                     Rambam: A shul is like tashmishai mitzva on a Torah level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kedusha of a Shul (c)

 

Summary of Last Lesson

·                      There is an argument among the Rishonim as regards the status of kedusha of a shul.

·                      The Rambam’s opinion is that the level of Kedusha is bibical. This derives from the Rambam’s comparison between a shul and the Beit Hamikdash.

 

 Chevruta

 

Have chanichim prepare:

·                      The gemara in Brachot 62b.

                    · For the advanced: Rav Soloveitchik's article.

 

Questions and Issues to Think About

 

·                      What are the differences between a Shul and the Beit HaMikdash?

·                      What is the gemara's explanation for this difference?

 

Learn

 

                    · The Gemara in Brachot 62b. The Gemara explains the difference between a shul and the Beit HaMikdash: In a shul one is allowed to spit on the floor and wear shoes. The halacha, which applies in both places, is that it is forbidden to use them as a shortcut.

·                      Rav Soloveitchik's article.

 

Conclusion

 

A Shul is our house in which Hashem is invited into. The Beit HaMikdash is Hashem’s house, which we are invited to. This idea is explained in Rav Soloveitchik's article by comparing Shabbat to Yom Tov.



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