Can one measure that would violate Yom Kippur be combined from food and drink? The claim is no, and that is not disputed, apparently. R. Yehoshua says that if two different items are identical in volume and also in the type of impurity, they can combine for the sake of impurity - but only if both factors of sameness are in place. Also, the new mishnah. If one forgot it was Yom Kippur, and both ate and drank in that period of forgetting, then only one Korban need be brought. Which leads to a disc...
Jul 01, 2021•25 min•Season 6Ep. 81
More on the measurements. First, the classic olive: k'zayit. Note that the measurements are presented as Halakhah le-Moshe mi-Sinai. They are not the subject of dispute. What does come to the fore is a question of how we know that these undisputed measurements are the measurements. Plus, determining the liquid measure of one's cheekful. Also, the essential question of whether (or when) the measurements are objective and when subjective. The disputes here are both about authority (mishnah vs. ber...
Jun 30, 2021•28 min•Season 6Ep. 80
On the "large date," which is thr amount of food it would take to violate eating on Yom Kippur. R. Pappa asks whether the large date measure includes the pit or not. R. Ashi compares it to a discussion about a barley grain, with or without it's husk, but that comparison is dismissed. Plus why additional measure, why not just the measure of en egg? How does the egg pertain to eating in a sukkah, and the date to Yom Kippur?
Jun 29, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 79
An interesting side discussion leads into a focus on what kinds of shoes are not considered halakhic shoes for the purpose of keeping the affliction of Yom Kippur. Plus, the case of the amputee, and whether a wooden prosthesis (leg) would count as a shoe on Yom Kippur or not. Also, remedies to help stay cool on Yom Kippur. And what can kids do or not do to keep some semblance of Yom Kippur?
Jun 28, 2021•23 min•Season 6Ep. 78
Aggadot on Daniel and his dealings with some angels, including Gabriel. God's anger cools down enough to assure the continuation of Bnei Yisrael. More, Gavriel seems to have acted of his own accord - an oddity, apparently, for an angel - and is then subject to 60 curses, pulsei de-nura, with fire. Also, back to halakhah - some exceptions to the afflictions of washing and anointing.
Jun 27, 2021•20 min•Season 6Ep. 77
More on the manna. Why did the manna come every day, instead of getting the full dole once a year, for example? 3 possible answers are given. Plus, a rejected interpretation by R. Elazar HaModai that is defended in full detail. Also: A shift back to Yom Kippur, and the 5 afflictions of the day. Which leads into an investigation of how we know 5 afflictions, and that these are they, with some other sidebars on how we know what is what. A real interplay between the biblical verses and the oral int...
Jun 26, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 76
A two-pronged talmudic plan to ease anxiety. In the context of the Israelites waiting for the manna in the wilderness. Also, when Bnei Yisrael complained about the wildness, and yearn for the "fish" that they had "for free" in Egypt, is that a literal or metaphorical complaint? If metaphorical, the analog is sexual promiscuity, which raises questions about the presumed behavior of Bnei Yisrael in Egypt... (were they actually promiscuous? did they actually have free fish, as slaves?) More importa...
Jun 25, 2021•27 min•Season 6Ep. 75
Dedicated to Robin Katcoff by Jason Katcoff in honor of their 20th wedding anniversary. || Rounding out the end of Yoma, the Gemara turns to how Yom Kippur is to be observed "for the generations" - in the absence of the Beit HaMikdash. The mishnah on Daf 73 lists what we call the "inu'im" - eating, drinking, washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, and conjugal relations. And then provides the measurements for how much eating or drinking would yield a full (karet) violation of Yom Kippur. Whic...
Jun 24, 2021•26 min•Season 6Ep. 74
On the kohen gadol, and his colleague, the kohen who is anointed for war (mashuach milchamah). The kohen gadol is excepted from certain practices, specifically with regard to mourning, because of the importance of his office and how he represents it. Also, who is the mashuach milchamah, and how does his role fit into our understanding of the kohanim? Also, the Urim ve-Tumim -- how does it work? How does one ask it for counsel? And how does it answer?
Jun 23, 2021•20 min•Season 6Ep. 73
Preparing the holy fabrics for their use, given that they've all just been in use (the parokhet, the ephod, etc ). The fabrics are very lush and fine, with many-stranded threads. Sky blue and purple and red and gold... Also, how important Torah and scholars thereof are in the world, beginning with crowns in the Beit HaMikdash. Why this shift to focus on Torah now, though? We have some ideas.
Jun 22, 2021•22 min•Season 6Ep. 72
The next day, after Yom Kippur, the man who accompanied the goat to Azazel meets with the kohen gadol, whether in the marketplace or at home, and confirms that the goat had been dealt with. His phrasing is different in the public vs. private places, however. Plus a discussion of how God brings life and supports it. Also, a new mishnah, this time on the bigdei kehunah without the Yom Kippur factor. With a historical twist, with a hint in the Book of Ezekiel to the halakhah that was in place long ...
Jun 21, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 71
On how the kohen gadol read from the Torah, especially given that part of what he reads is in Leviticus and part is in Numbers. He is careful to recite the latter by heart, so as not to burden the people there for the occasion, or a misleading appearance of something wrong in the text. Including how the Torah reading when Rosh Chodesh falls out on Shabbat Chanukah (3 Torah scrolls) is considered less problematic. Plus, a new mishnah that takes us to the end of the day, after the kohen gadol has ...
Jun 20, 2021•16 min•Season 6Ep. 70
The story of Shimon HaTzadik, kohen gadol, and Alexander the Great! Can bigdei kehunah be worn outside the Beit HaMikdash? Also, how do we handle the historicity of this narrative? And what messages does it have for the Jews themselves. Also, the position that God is great should be obvious enough, but a verse in Nechemiah suggests that the concept needs a little more unpacking... How is it that God is great, and that we acknowledge Him as great?
Jun 19, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 69
Ending the 6th chapter. With mention of the focus on "outside of the camp." And the last mishnah if the chapter, and the attention paid to this part of the schedule of the day. How did they know when the goat reached the wilderness? 3 different takes on how and what was done. Also, the new chapter, which opens with the kohen gadol's choice of which clothing he wears... And the Torah reading if the day, which are still our Torah readings of the day. Is this Torah reading part of the Yom Kippur av...
Jun 18, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 68
Continuing the schedule of the day... Following the man who leads the goat out to the wilderness. He is accompanied along his way, with stops (10) along the way. And they offer food and water along the way, never mind that it's Yom Kippur. At the last booth, however, he stands alone, without the crowd. He then pushes the goat off the cliff, described in truly gory detail. He is observed, as a check on this procedure, both otherwise this is a solitary affair. The man who accompanies the goat and ...
Jun 17, 2021•25 min•Season 6Ep. 67
More on the fact that any unused goats need to be left to die, rather than risk it being used the following year. Even under conditions that would be acceptable for reuse. Also, a new mishnah: the process of the day continues, with semihat yadaim (laying of hands) and confession, which will lead to atonement. And whether a kohen must lead the goat to the wilderness. Plus, details questions to R. Eliezer lead to evasive responses, and eventual a conclusion on the importance of rabbinic authority....
Jun 16, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 66
Focusing on the details of many possible cases in a way that seems harried, and perhaps is a diversion from larger worries. Also, why do we pasture the goat that isn't used (when a second pair is needed), and let it die,rather than let it live? The rationale is a bit difficult... And the Gemara seems to struggle with the "waste" of the animal's life here too.
Jun 15, 2021•14 min•Season 6Ep. 65
What happens if the se'ir ha-mishtaleach (the scapegoat) is disqualified? Whether because it's too young, or has a physical blemish, or because of the circumstances surrounding the day (for example, if the mother goat of the scapegoat were killed on Yom Kippur as well). How this works - or even was discovered - seems a logistical challenge, or few. Also, what happens if you need a new lottery for the goats - which of the 3 remaining goats needs to go to pasture to acquire a blemish to be redeeme...
Jun 14, 2021•18 min•Season 6Ep. 64
What happens when the kohen gadol goes to slaughter the goats? What if he does so outside of the Temple, which might be fine for the Azazel, but certainly not for the sin-offering. Designation of an animal for sacrifice is what makes the difference. In this case, through the lottery. [Who's Who: Hanan the Egyptian] Lining up the long beraita with his views. Plus, the unusual status of the Azazel goat - it doesn't really have a parallel.
Jun 13, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 63
A focus on the goats of the Yom Kippur avodah. They have to be alike exactly - but how identical can they be? Which leads to the lottery to select each for its respective role. But what if one of these two goats dies? Before the lottery? After the lottery? Did a goat ever actually die under these circumstances (on Yom Kippur), or is the Gemara simply exploring the possibilities? Plus, the identity of this goat as the classic and first "scapegoat," and the Christian application of the concept to ...
Jun 12, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 62
The focus on the practical details, as opposed to philosophizing. Even though the focus is literally on atonement. That is, the phenomenon of atonement is functional here, a piece of the avodah. Rather than the need for it being a constant thought and topic of faith. Also, where does the kohen gadol restart the procedure if there is a need? Does he go back to the beginning, or can he pick it up where the avodah had been left off, mid-cycle. Plus, what happens when the procedure of particular Tem...
Jun 11, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 60
A new mishnah! On the order of the day, and what happens if the kohen gadol does things out of order.
Jun 10, 2021•23 min•Season 6Ep. 60
Sprinkling on the "pure" of the altar - the Gemara puzzles out what this pure is. Possibly, the midpoint of the altar wall. Possibly, an indication of revelation, as the prooftext of a verse in Exodus suggests. Also, what happens when a Tanna changes his mind to agree with a different Tanna...?! Plus, what happens to the blood that runs off, into the Kidron River, no less? And if one uses that blood - as gardeners were said to do - how much so they have to worry about me'ilah (misusing that whic...
Jun 09, 2021•20 min•Season 6Ep. 59
Pouring the blood of the bull into the blood of the goat.... Into the smaller bowl. And then the smaller bowl or its contents are put into the empty one. To mix well. Rami bar Chama asks some questions that seem to be exploring, rather than trying to recall. Also: Blood on the altar, in very specific ordered directions. Where does he start, though? Even the path of the kohen gadol is subject to a tannaitic machloket. More, how does the Yom Kippur service line up with the daily, in terms of how f...
Jun 08, 2021•25 min•Season 6Ep. 58
Another daf considering "hekesh," comparing verses and inferring halakhic detail. In this case, on what happens in the Sanctuary, but it's a hekesh on a hekesh, and that seems too much. Plus examining the way the learning itself came to pass. Until a reality check knocks down the "Gemara logic." Namely, an eyewitness account vs. the information derived from exegetical principles. Which is reasonable, but also surprising, given how much detail is discernible that isn't clear in other circumstance...
Jun 07, 2021•18 min•Season 6Ep. 57
Who's Who: The Baalei HaTosafot. What they do, and why they're here, on the daf. Plus, what one of these long comments by the Baalei HaTosafot has to say on our daf, specifically, on "yesh bereira" or not. Specifically, in the context of terumot and maaserot with Samaritans. With a pile of passages from the Gemara to support the claims of who holds what...
Jun 06, 2021•14 min•Season 6Ep. 56
The sprinkling of the blood of the bull and of the goat, in great detail - as it also appears in the Yom Kippur liturgy. How does the kohen gadol count? Of course, it's a machloket. What IS the point of counting out loud? Plus, the bowls of blood from the bull and the goat, to be placed on the pedestal. Or the two pedestals. But there is no clear information whether there was one or two! Also, a parallel to horns for collecting funds - but just one, to ensure there won't be confusion, where labe...
Jun 05, 2021•17 min•Season 6Ep. 55
What really happened with the ark? Was it exiled to Babylonia? Was it buried? How the biblical verses are used to support both views. And how Jerusalem and the Temple were mourned in the ark's absence. [What's What: Gematria] Also, the keruvim in the Temple, and the intimacy in that representation of the relationship between God and Israel. Plus other signifiers of differences between the Temples, reflective of that dynamic (for example, the curtains).
Jun 04, 2021•26 min•Season 6Ep. 54
The deaths of Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aharon, who die in a conflagration on the altar. The sages work hard to figure out what sin deserved this death, and one of them is presented on our daf. This particular reason seems extreme: namely, answering halakhah in the presence of Moshe, instead of deferring to him. Also, a prayer for a rainy and hot year, which seems incongruous. Which merits investigation. And then: a dramatic presentation of the aron (ark) that is utterly different from the bu...
Jun 03, 2021•16 min•Season 6Ep. 53
How the kohen gadol needs to take a circuitous route to get to the Kodesh Kodashim... Or not. An the implications thereof. Also, that "amah" that at one time was a divider between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies, and what kind of kedushah, and how we measure the space. Plus, verses of unresolved ambiguity, and Yossi ish Hotzal's take on this (his own identity ambiguous, given the number of names that are his). Also, the route of the kohen gadol from the Sanctuary to the Kodesh Kodashim, and...
Jun 02, 2021•25 min•Season 6Ep. 52
