On demons, angels, human beings, and animals. Also, on how people should not attempt to look in the prohibited 4 directions, or aspects of the functioning of the heavens, the future, etc. Rather, we focus on this world. Plus, not looking at a rainbow, whether for reasons that disparage the phenomenon or for those that elevate it. Also, the question of one who is overcome by a desire to sin - what should he do? When should he dress in black and go find a place where he can sin? Also, the mishnah ...
Feb 25, 2022•25 min•Season 13Ep. 16
Such a rich daf! First, the story of "Pardes," the four who entered the Pardes and came out with very different reactions (Ben Azzai, Ben Zoma, Elisha ben Avuyah, and R. Akiva). What happened to them is helpful, and perhaps essential, to understanding how people function in the world, when they confront that which is difficult, or metaphysically challenging, and the like. Also, Elisha ben Avuyah's conduct as Acher (Other), the apostate whom R. Meir still regarded as his teacher. And what that me...
Feb 24, 2022•30 min•Season 13Ep. 15
How angels were created, daily, for the purpose of singing the praises of God... Or via the utterances of God. Plus, R. Akiva's foray into aggadic interpretation and the double rebuke he receives for his efforts. Also, how R. Yochanan ben Zakkai taught, or didn't, the Ma'aseh Merkavah to R. Elazar ben Arakh. And what happens to R. Elazar ben Arakh when he delves in on his own, including the creation of angel(s), and the connection of his enterprise to Avraham Avinu. Plus, the rainbow in the clou...
Feb 23, 2022•24 min•Season 13Ep. 14
Delving into Ma'aseh Merkavah, when we're not supposed to learn it at all... Who should not be studying Ma'aseh Merkavah? Perhaps everyone, but broad strokes may be acceptable, or acceptable for a select few. Plus, the words of the Torah are not to be taught to a non-Jew. And how R. Elazar defers his opportunities to learn Ma'aseh Merkavah. Also, the purported hiding of the Book of Ezekiel, and the way it was accepted for study - but with some possibly innate danger, nonetheless. Plus the term "...
Feb 22, 2022•24 min•Season 13Ep. 13
Delving into "Ma'aseh Bereishit" - including the order of creation, heavens or earth first? It's debatable, by Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel: top down or bottom up? The later sages arrive at a resolution. And yet, the discussion of the Rakiya (firmament) is still rather beyond what we can make sense of. Also, a dispute between R. Yishmael [Who's Who] and R. Akiva, who have significantly different approaches in interpretation of the Torah. In this case, R. Akiva is presented as the student of Nach...
Feb 21, 2022•22 min•Season 13Ep. 12
On the illicit sexual relationships bring explicitly listed in the Torah - even that list leaves out some prohibited relationships. Plus, a statement by the mishnah on the essence of the Torah that the Gemara understands to be both explicit and derived details of halakhah. Also, chapter 2: Limiting the public study or discourse on certain topics, from the sexually illicit relationships to Ma'aseh Merkavah, and the metaphysics of the Divine. With some caveats, of course. Plus, other topics to avo...
Feb 20, 2022•15 min•Season 13Ep. 11
A range of mitzvot, beginning with hatarat nedarim, that the mishnah claims are not well sourced in the text of the Torah. The Gemara than contradicts this premise of the mishnah, for each of the mitzvot or categories of halakhah discussed - by means of examples of biblical verses to back up the defense. The question then is why does the mishnah make this claim?
Feb 19, 2022•15 min•Season 13Ep. 10
Tashlumin - making things up, from sacrifices and beyond. What happens if you can't make it up? Plus, how tashlumin play out after Sukkot, at the point when you can no longer make it up. Also, the difference between theft, for example, and the child who is a mamzer - which status cannot be undone. And how can you make up the korban, when you actually can? Also, delving further into the essence of what it means to be able to make something up - and when you cannot. For example, an individual's re...
Feb 18, 2022•26 min•Season 13Ep. 9
What monies can be used to pay for the korbanot of a festival, in particular, the Chagigah shelamim? And when you you need to lay out money, can you combine money from your own pocket with your ma'aser sheni money? Especially when you need more than one animal to feed the family. And why ma'aser behamah animals could not be brought on yom tov. Also, a mishnah! What happens when you have many mouths to feed and not much money? Or vice versa? Or little of either, or a great deal of both? Plus, can...
Feb 17, 2022•18 min•Season 13Ep. 8
A dispute between R. Yochanan and Resh Lakish on the mitzvah here of seeing and being seen. Note the parallel passage to Masekhet Peah, on those mitzvot which have no limit - including "ra'ayon," which needs defining in the context of Re'eiah. What is the extent to which we need to bring what we bring to God? Anthropomorphism par excellence. Also, a new mishnah - on what monies can be used to pay for what (when sacred property (ma'aser sheni) and when "hullin," non-sacred property).
Feb 16, 2022•18 min•Season 13Ep. 7
Who is a minor? The Gemara follows the mishnah's discussion of the abilities of the child - to ride on his father's shoulders to the Temple, or to walk holding his hand. But how did the child get to Jerusalem to begin with? Clearly, his mother brought him, as she comes to Jerusalem to fulfill her own obligation of simcha, rejoicing. With support for this presumption in the biblical story of Chana and Shmuel. And the Gemara then extrapolates to connect children's obligation and exemption to that ...
Feb 15, 2022•29 min•Season 13Ep. 6
The story of R. Yochanan who encounters a man who is picking less ripe figs and leaving the ripe figs. And the rationale and value of picking the figs that weren't quite ready becomes a springboard for some heavy hitting philosophical discussion of how God takes some people before their time, the question of hidden wrong-doing, and the possibility of trusting people that nothing inadvertently wrong has taken place. The object lesson is found in the trust Rava gives his wife, who (as it happens) ...
Feb 14, 2022•20 min•Season 13Ep. 5
A halakhic discussion and an aggadic discussion. First, a study of why those who are excluded from the mitzvah of Re'eiah, even when the exclusions are rather self-evident (women, tumtum, androgynous, plus a slave who has not been freed). Second, one who is blind and can't see, even in one eye, is exempt from appearing, or from the obligation to be seen - which introduces a large measure of anthropomorphism... And highlights the distance between God and the Jewish people, in the era of the sages...
Feb 13, 2022•25 min•Season 13Ep. 4
On the list of people who are not obligated in the mitzvah of Re'eiah is the "deaf" person, a category which is expanded to include those who cannot hear but can speak, and those who can hear but are mute. How does their obligation differ from the obligation of others, including as that obligation is present in the mitzvah of Hakhel. Which spawns the question of whether those who cannot speak cannot learn. Also, a philosophy of learning, as found on this daf, that entails a different kind of hea...
Feb 12, 2022•31 min•Season 13Ep. 3
Introducing the closing, shortest tractate in Moed. On the holiday pilgrimages to Jerusalem with the specific sacrifices that were required for those days. What it means to celebrate underlies these factors of the mitzvot of the day, in term so rejoicing. Also, the mishnah that introduces the tractate, the mitzvah of "re'eiah" - going up to the Beit HaMikdash on the holidays. Everyone is obligated in this mitzvah - except for the long list of those who are not. Plus, disputes by Beit Hillel and ...
Feb 11, 2022•20 min•Season 13Ep. 2
Departing the body upon burial becomes the purview of the mourners and the deceased, both. We say: Go in peace, in contrast to the good wishes for the living: Go to peace - there's more to go and do, for the living. Plus, the importance of the language we use at this time, as based on biblical verses. Also, a closing note on occupying yourself with prayer and Torah study, and an ever increasing movement forward and upward. Plus, the notion that death isn't the end of our doing good, then in the ...
Feb 10, 2022•15 min•Season 12Ep. 29
Lifespans, by the sages' estimation, and the biographical detail that we are lucky enough to happen upon, now and again, in the Talmud. Plus, the encounters of various sages with the Angel of Death. Also, the process of honoring the deceased. Plus, the future of death (or absence of a future for death, in the time of redemption). Also, the comforting by the sages of R. Yishmael, when his son's died. And at this "shiva visit," Rabbi Akiva spoke last, and from personal experience. Plus, the need f...
Feb 09, 2022•29 min•Season 12Ep. 28
The daf continues to discuss mourning rituals and can and cannot be done in the house of an Avel. What do these descriptions teach us about daily life in the times of the Taanaim? The daf explores whether a person can grieve excessively and how is that determined
Feb 08, 2022•21 min
Tearing keriya - rending one's clothes. For whom do we tear? Starting with father, mother, and teacher - as learned from the prophet Elisha and his relationship with Eliyahu. Plus, tearing keriya as mourning for the Beit HaMikdash. Also, the specifics of tearing keriya for more than one person at once - which may have been as horrific as it sounds, or perhaps the Gemara is exploring the parameters of tearing keriya, though it sounds morbid. Plus, when the tear can be mended afterwards (but not w...
Feb 07, 2022•21 min•Season 12Ep. 26
The mourning practices are not put into play during Chol HaMoed, though if the person who died is a sage or a righteous person, the Chol HaMoed exemption shifts to acknowledge the more communal mourning. Note also the attempt to explain the WHY of one's children's deaths - which the Gemara explores in ways that fly in the face of our understanding (or lack thereof) of why such things happen. Also, the eulogies of the sages - in their poignancy and strength, and perhaps surprising detail, and eve...
Feb 06, 2022•23 min•Season 12Ep. 25
NOTE: This episode discusses infant mortality. But first, additional discussion of the rites of mourning, and how some become optional on Shabbat. This rites are less clear than some of the previous ones, because of various customs. Tearing garments is supposed to be a sign of greatest sorrow - including how some sages (like Shmuel) tore for their colleague/teachers (like Rav). Also, how we keep our loved and respected ones, even through our grief. Now, to the most difficult part: The details of...
Feb 05, 2022•21 min•Season 12Ep. 24
Do we actually mourn on Shabbat? Some things are cancelled because of Shabbat, while some things are upheld. And some measures depend on the practices of the given community. Plus, the question of remarrying after the death of a wife, including the possible needs of young children who have lost their mother.
Feb 04, 2022•18 min•Season 12Ep. 23
What is the significance of the thirty day mourning period? How do we mourn our community leaders?
Feb 03, 2022•18 min
Outlining the practices (and prohibitions) of the mourner - including some that are very familiar - and a notable exception to accommodate the needs of the community. [Who's Who: R. Yosi bar Halafta] Plus, stories of rabbis who were in mourning and taught Torah publicly anyway. This moves us into a different realm of avelut. Also, the prohibition on a mourner wearing tefillin - and how that plays out over the week, given location, company, and so on. Plus, the mourning of Moshe Rabbenu. With som...
Feb 02, 2022•22 min•Season 12Ep. 21
How does the mitzvah of rejoicing on the holidays align with the sorrow during a period of mourning? And how does these conflicting emotions play out over the various holidays? Plus, when news of a death in the family came late. And the verses that teach shiva. Also, how much mourning is undertaken by one who hears about the loss more than 30 days after the death takes place? The answer is a sole voice dissenting against the many - but in this case, the one dissenting position is upheld. Why? Pl...
Feb 01, 2022•17 min•Season 12Ep. 20
Collecting on a debt, or to pay a poor scribe - either is permitted writing on Chol HaMoed. Other scribal issues are left until after the holiday. [What's What: The scroll of Ezra/Azarah] Plus, tefillin, mezuzahs, and tzitzit on Chol HaMoed. Also, the way holidays truncate shiva and sheloshim.
Jan 31, 2022•13 min•Season 12Ep. 19
Cutting nails on Chol HaMoed - and the implications of seeing long nails on another person. Plus, the connection to covenant, even going back to Abraham and Isaac. Also, the documents allowed to be written on Chol HaMoed. [Who's Who: Rabbi Reuven ben Itzterobili] From the documents that include betrothal and divorce arises a discussion of destiny, and from there to how much can be held against a person who hasn't even done wrong (yet). Plus, maligning Moshe Rabbenu.
Jan 30, 2022•25 min•Season 12Ep. 18
[Who's Who: R. Yehuda bar Yehezkel.] How should the sages handles an excommunicated Torah scholar who was out of line in what must have been a serious way, where the sage who headed up the excommunication is no longer available to walk it back? Take it to the next greatest sage, even if you have to travel to do so. Though he delegated the investigation, and the sub's conclusion was rejected in the end. Also, haircuts on Chol HaMoed - for example, keeping the count of the mourner, and how the day...
Jan 29, 2022•22 min•Season 12Ep. 17
Narratives of cases that align with the halakhic details of daf 15. What happens when one is ostracized, and what kinds of ethics do we expect from the sages?
Jan 28, 2022•23 min•Season 12Ep. 16
A systematic approach to the various statuses of people and the range of activities that those same categories of people may or may not do, or must do. Plus, a "deeper dive" into the way each of those categories of people is permitted or required or forbidden to engage in learning Torah. (With apologies for some audio glitch that doesn't really hit the content that badly, but we aren't pleased, and would have made sure it didn't happen if we could figure out why it does!)
Jan 27, 2022•21 min•Season 12Ep. 15
