On Monday night, the eve of the 23rd of Shevat, Parshas Mishpatim, a shiur was held in the holy residence of Morinu HaRav (The Rav) Eliezer Berland shlit"a for the avreichim of the Shuvu Banim Halachic Rulings Kollel.

Below is a summary of the topics that Morinu HaRav shlit"a delivered during the shiur, which lasted about 45 minutes:

1. The law of walled cities on Purim: The main distinction between the 14th (unwalled towns) and the 15th (walled cities) is learned from the sugyos (Talmudic discussions) in Maseches Megillah, even though the term “walled” itself is not written explicitly in the Megillah, but is derived through a derashah (exegetical teaching).

2. Gemara Megillah 2b: The discussion of the “hava amina” (initial assumption) that walled cities would be exempt—an essential question of why such a possibility would even arise, and what halachic logic could stand behind it.

3. The derashah of “unwalled” as a defining term: From the words, “and the unwalled Jews who dwell in the unwalled towns,” we learn that there is a second category (walled cities) that celebrates at a different time.

4. Understanding the Ran in the name of the Ramban: The hava amina that walled cities are exempt is connected to the assumption that walled cities were in less danger (as opposed to villages/unwalled places), and therefore perhaps no day was established for them.