Din & Daf: Performing Mitzvot of One’s Own Volition - סמיכה בקרבנות as test case

Din & Daf: Conceptual Analysis of Halakha Through Case Study with Dr. Elana Stein HainIn this week’s daf (Menachot 93a-b), the mishnah declares that women do not lay their hands (semicha) on their korbanot. This seems to be the position within mishnah, as corroborated in Kiddushin (36a, Mishnah 1:8). However, in another tannaitic source - the Sifra (Midrash Halakha on Vayikra) - R. Yose and R. Shimon are cited as saying that women may choose to lay their hands (semicha) on their korbanotץ Their approach introduces an important rabbinic concept - רשות - volitional acts. It also serves as precedent in the Bavli for women’s volitional performance of mitzvot that are understood as not required of them. In this shiur, we will examine both of these dimensions.Menachot 93Dr. Elana Stein Hain – dinanddaf@hadran.org.ilFor more Din and Daf: https://hadran.org.il/channel/din-daf/