Following the mishnah's order if the day, with a mnemonic to help one remember in order. For example, why do they go out to the square? Why do they wear sackcloth? Why ashes? The rationale for each step is somewhat disputed, and the practical difference in each dispute is articulated. Note how foreign this process is as compared to our contemporary practice. Plus, 2 important figures who are involved in this ritual - the elder and the shaliach tzibur, with side notes for the sage, and the variou...
Nov 28, 2021•25 min•Season 10Ep. 16
Chapter 2! With all the mishnah of the chapter. The mishnah goes through the order of the activities in a day of fasting for rain. Plus, a comparison to the people of Nineveh, and their repentance. Plus, the qualifications for leading the congregation on this day. And the order of the prayer itself. Also, the role of the mishmar in this fast. Plus, limitations on these designated fast days.
Nov 27, 2021•26 min•Season 10Ep. 15
The hot topic of whether women who are pregnant or nursing should be fasting when it comes to fasting for rain. Also, a reflection when. There was (non-rain) trouble for the community, and 13 fasts didn't improve the situation. But more fasts would have been truly onerous on the community. Or.... That's a machloket. Plus, the people of Nineveh serve as a model for those who need live in a place where rain is needed when it's not the rainy season in Israel and whether that warrants "asking for ra...
Nov 26, 2021•19 min•Season 10Ep. 14
How did the mishah in of mourning develop and why are their differences? The practice of saying Aneinu is an integral part of praying on a fast day but where to place it is a question.
Nov 25, 2021•23 min
One cannot take on a fast of a few hours and call it a fast - it doesn't count in that regard. And separating from a community fast is not acceptable either - so joining in a small part of that fast in solidarity is, however, acceptable. With supports and arguments against this position regarding partial fasts. Including a rule of thumb making sure that one takes a fast upon oneself from the day before. When exactly? It's a machloket, though pegged to the afternoon. Plus, an important turning to...
Nov 24, 2021•19 min•Season 10Ep. 12
Suffering through famine should save the person who chooses to do so from a strange death. Plus, other outcomes of famine, like avoiding sexual relations to avoid having children during years of famine. Also, separating from the community, and the negative consequences thereof. Also, the Gemara says - anyone who fasts is called a sinner (which seems to contradict the premise of the tractate!). Where does the Nazir, as one who abstains, fit into this equation? Asceticism isn't the goal of the fas...
Nov 23, 2021•21 min•Season 10Ep. 11
A dispute between R. Eliezer and R. Yehoshua over the source of rain - from the heavens or the oceans. Plus, a new mishnah: when we really start asking for rain, including in the Diaspora. Also, what happens if rain doesn't fall, though it is the rainy season, and the asking for rain has begun? First, individuals will fast. If it still doesn't rain, then a communal fast will be called. With the terms of these fast days. Plus, don't misjudge your own worth, as one who is eligible to be an individ...
Nov 22, 2021•25 min•Season 10Ep. 10
More on Resh Lakish, including a discussion of reward and punishment, and the relationship between the books of the Torah and those of Ketuvim. Also, the leaders of Israel (Moshe, Sharon, Miriam), and the gifts they received. Also, back to rainfall - and the proof of how it can fall at the behest or in the merit of one individual. Including the particulars of the clouds (and drizzle) that herald (and follow) rain.
Nov 21, 2021•19 min•Season 10Ep. 9
One must understand Mishnah before going on. And the way to make sure you know enough is to study more. Which brings us to Resh Lakish's practice of reviewing Mishnah 40 times. R. Ada bar Ahava would review 24 times. [Who's Who (in part): Resh Lakish] Also, the dilemma of what to pray for when confronted with both famine and plague (may we never know this situation). But why can't you pray for two things at the same time?! We have biblical verses to teach that. Plus, in a time of religious perse...
Nov 20, 2021•17 min•Season 10Ep. 8
How does rain compare to the resurrection of the dead? How does rain compare to Torah? How does rain compare to creation? Also, Torah is compared to wine, water, and milk - why? Plus, the famous trade of insults between the daughter of the Roman emperor and R. Yehoshua (in which wine figures prominently). || Note: Apologies from the delay in releasing the podcast today - it seemed there was a problem with the audio file, but then it resolved. In the meantime, it has rained in Jerusalem, at least...
Nov 19, 2021•21 min•Season 10Ep. 7
Different types of rain: depending on volume and timing. First, the Yoreh. And Malkosh. And why both have to be for a blessing, from Heshvan to Nisan. With several explanations, based on the biblical text. Also, Reviya, fruitful, fertile rain that makes mud, enough to seal a barrel. Also, what if rain comes down in some part of the country, but not elsewhere - is that considered rain being withheld, or really not? It's a machloket, but it also gets resolved. Plus, when do we make a blessing over...
Nov 18, 2021•20 min•Season 10Ep. 6
When does the season of asking for rain end? Of course, it's a debate, but a mild one, and contingent on biblical interpretation. Which leads into a structured conversation about the meaning of various, diverse verses between R. Nachman and R. Yitzchak. With a focus on idolatry, and then the sharp questions on Shmuel's apparently divinely engineered death, the unfairness of it, and how he wasn't as young as we think. Also, the best blessing in the world.
Nov 17, 2021•23 min•Season 10Ep. 5
An angry Torah scholar is presumed to be angry because of the Torah itself - that one's sensitivities have been refined. Is this a positive commentary on anger? Also, 3 who made requests of God that were inappropriate - Eliezer, Avraham's servant; Shaul; Yiftach - all of which have unintended or lasting consequences for women. Plus, asking for rain vs. mentioning rain - appropriately!
Nov 16, 2021•24 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Revisiting a topic from Sukkah: pouring out libations - of strong drink, of wine, of water. And how the Gemara derives the 2 libations from the text. Plus, whose opinion is represented in this discussion of 7 libations over 7 days. Also, the conclusion of a tradition - Halakhah le-Moshe mi-Sinai - with 3 details, including the libation material here. Also, mentioning the rain and God as Provider of rain, in contrast to clouds and wind, which are never withheld, and which are secondary to rain. W...
Nov 15, 2021•19 min•Season 10Ep. 3
A new tractate! Speaking of fast as prayer, specifically when the Land of Israel needs rain. The mishnah opens with the question if defining the rainy season - namely, when do we start praying for rain? Too early, and it's a sign of a curse over Sukkot. So the distinction becomes between asking for rain and mentioning the fact that God is the One who provides rain. Also, where we mention God's role in bringing rain in the Amidah. Note the connection to Berakhot. Plus, God's role in rain, in life...
Nov 14, 2021•17 min•Season 10Ep. 2
Reading the last daf.... More on Musaf of Rosh Hashanah. And how to pray: fix your prayer in your mind before you begin. [Who's Who: R. Yehudah bar Yehezkel] R. Yehudah davened intermittently... And a shaliach tzibur could fulfill the prayer obligation of those working in the fields.
Nov 13, 2021•20 min•Season 9Ep. 35
Figuring out the order of the various shofar blasts. Which depends on biblical verses and the sounds of each blast - what makes a teruah a teruah? Also, the requirements of who blows how many shofar blasts over the course of how long. And where multiple shofar blasts may be completely fine for filling one's obligation - indeed, it is the obligation - or may contradict it and require another round. Plus, shofar vs. shofar blessings, which takes priority and why? Also, when a shaliach tzibur (chaz...
Nov 12, 2021•21 min•Season 9Ep. 34
Going back to the mishnah that says water and wine can be used on Rosh Hashanah, to clarify the sound of the shofar. But urine is prohibited for the same case. Also, are women included with the kids who are allowed to blow a shofar for fun on Rosh Hashanah, or are they prohibited from doing so? Also, how the shofar is blown - how many blasts, what did they sound like, how long were they, android in what order? Plus, the emotion of the shofar blasts - whimpers or wailing - and the model for this ...
Nov 11, 2021•17 min•Season 9Ep. 33
A 5-mishnah daf. Opening with the structure of the Amidah for Musaf on Rosh Hashanah, including the shofar-blowing that takes place interspersed during this prayer. Also, the configuration of each section for Rosh Hashanah (malkhiyot, zikhronot, shofarot) - and the obligation for each. Also, the verses of these sections do not mention punishment, by design. Also, moving on from the content of Musaf to the way it unfolds in shul - with the shaliach tzibur and the person blowing shofar. Plus, how ...
Nov 10, 2021•27 min•Season 9Ep. 32
The daf opens with the Levites' Shir shel Yom, which are in our siddur today too. Also, the Shechinah, as exiled with the people - with real changes to the Second Temple because of those shifts. The Sanhedrin was exiled too, if course, with the list of locales here. Also, a new mishnah, on another if Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai's decrees. Specifically, the court stays in its seat even if its head has gone traveling. The Gemara presents a case that counters this decree, or so it would seem. Plus, t...
Nov 09, 2021•22 min•Season 9Ep. 31
More of R. Yochanan ben Zakkai's decrees. Lulav, Yom Henef (Omer). The changes are made to remember the Mikdash, but how is that allowed to begin with? There's a verse for that. Also, the witnesses on Rosh Hashanah have far more complications than the usual Rosh Chodesh. Including the special psalms as sung by the Levites. And, of course, the daily sacrifices. When they accepted the witnesses all day long, there was too much risk of error. Which happened.
Nov 08, 2021•18 min•Season 9Ep. 30
The shofar-blower must also have intent to dispatch the community's mitzvah obligation. Plus, a mishnah that describes the Israelites' successful war against Amalek, and what causes what. Plus, the serpent on the banner. Plus, praying for the sick. And then back to halakhah, and who can blow shofar for others? Also, opening the 4th chapter: the difference between how the shofar was blown in the Temple and elsewhere, the difference between how the shofar was blown on Shabbat (or not). Specificall...
Nov 07, 2021•25 min•Season 9Ep. 29
Blowing shofar in a pit or elsewhere with an echo - distinguishing between who fulfills the obligation and who does not. Plus, a Gemara revision. Also, what happens if one hears part of the shofar blast in the pit and part out of the pit...or if it's just at the break of day... And can a tekiyah be divided to count for two? Bringing us back to the question of intent, which is most discussed in the context of shofar. Also, whether you need intent to break halakhah, to transgress a mitzvah, to sin...
Nov 06, 2021•19 min•Season 9Ep. 28
First, a comment on the maidservant from yesterday's daf. Then, more on the trumpets and shofarot, and why we blow a longer blast on the shofar when it is accompanied. How do we relate to sound, and our experience of listening. Also, a new mishnah on both the physical shofar and its sound. A cracked or broken shofar is invalid for the mitzvah of shofar. Also, one who blows from the bottom of a pit or a cistern - can one fulfill the mitzvah? What if you happen to walk by shul during shofar-blowin...
Nov 05, 2021•22 min•Season 9Ep. 27
The key mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah: shofar! And we start with the "instrument" itself. And why the horn cannot come from a cow. Plus, a lot of word play and puzzlement regarding unusual terms that are then defined by R. Yehudah HaNasi's maidservant. Also, the different types of shofar used at different times of year - from different animals. And chatzotzrot vs. shofarot.
Nov 04, 2021•25 min•Season 9Ep. 26
Parallel to a story in Berakhot, the mishnah here has an episode starring R. Gamliel and R. Yehoshua, about new moon testimony. Where one day's testimony seems contradicted by the next day's experience. How do we handle the human capacity for error? Also, how we can't compare courts, especially across generations, with biblical examples (it's not an insult to today; it is about authority). Plus, a new mishnah in a new perek - the court and everyone sees the moon, without sanctifying the day - ho...
Nov 03, 2021•32 min•Season 9Ep. 25
The court asks witnesses about what they saw, regarding their testimony about the moon - and the celestial bodies change position over the course of a year, so the answers really would be different. How the sky actually looks makes a difference for the sake of accurate testimony. Plus, the formal sanctification of the new moon: Mekudash! But how critical is that part. Also, using a pre-fab poster, as it were, to quiz the witnesses regarding what they saw in the sky. Which raises questions about ...
Nov 02, 2021•19 min•Season 9Ep. 24
Burning wood for the Rosh Chodesh torches, including from coral wood, which leads to a tangent, including a story about diving, and sinking a ship to get down there and pull up the coral. Plus, individuals contributed to the torch notifications. And a discussion about blocked roads making the way longer to travel in Babylonia. [And some brief audio wonkiness, with our apologies - nothing was off when we recorded, as far as we could determine]. Also, a new mishnah, on the witnesses would come to ...
Nov 01, 2021•21 min•Season 9Ep. 23
Father and son who saw the new moon should both go to testify, even though it's not clear that they can be paired together as witnesses. Which leads into a discussion about who can't be witnesses. Including the discussion about women. And what can be done on Shabbat to facilitate the witnesses' travel to the Beit Din. Also, the second chapter of the masekhet: How important is it that the court trust the witnesses? There's a historical shift in the answer to that question. Including the descripti...
Oct 31, 2021•23 min•Season 9Ep. 22
What happens if a community misses the notification about Rosh Chodesh? One can keep track to some extent to which months would be "full," and which incomplete. Plus, Levi's trip to Babylonia. Also, the connection to the second day of yom tov, and how this sanctification of the new moon affects Tishrei and Nisan. Also, desecrating Shabbat to get to the court to testify about the new moon. And getting to the court in time for Tishrei and Nisan. And the difference between post-Temple and Temple pe...
Oct 30, 2021•20 min•Season 9Ep. 21
