Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 14.

Four entered the Pardes, the orchard of enlightenment, and only one emerged whole. How did Rabbi Akiva do it? What’s the real danger of mystical exploration?

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 13.

The sages forbad study of Ma’aseh Merkavah- Ezekiel’s vision of the divine chariot. Why did he picture God surrounded by strange, 4-faced beasts? We’ll find answers from ancient archeology and later mysticism. But be careful, one person who tried explaining these ideas burst into flames, so kids, don’t try this at home.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 12.

Don’t listen to today’s podcast. It’s forbidden by Jewish law. If you must, make sure you do it alone, and not with another person, and you’ll learn about some of the basics of Jewish mysticism, what would become known as kabbalah, as this daf runs through some of the main genres and ideas of Jewish mystical literature.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 11.

You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth! There are areas of knowledge that are too dangerous to be taught in public? I can understand why esoteric mystical knowledge might fall into that category, but why the laws of forbidden relationships?

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 10.

Some laws are floating in the breeze, some are hanging by a thread! Are all Jewish observances based in Biblical law, or are some the product of rabbinic creativity? How do we feel about the answer to that question?

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Danny Nevins looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 9.

Qohelet says that “the crooked cannot become straight,” which the Sages understand to mean that some mistakes cannot be repaired. For example, missing out on an entire holiday. And worse, an act of incest or adultery, or rape. We read about these dark crimes, and consider the endless sorrow that they engender. But the Sages are equally troubled by the example of Torah scholars who “leave the path.” Torah study may be confusing and even frustrating, but remaining engaged with it leads to a life of blessing.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Danny Nevins looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 8.

Vegetarians be warned! The Sages say you can “be happy on your holiday” only when eating red meat, since that was the type of festive offering. Rav Ashi says this is obvious–only red meat satisfies. This leads him to teach that one may not get married on the holiday, since the joy needs to be communal, not personal. A new Mishnah considers the situation of different families–rich but small, poor but large, poor and small, and large and wealthy. A contrast is apparent, since in our day “successful” families are often rich and small. Our ancestors valued many children, even when there was not enough money to indulge them.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Danny Nevins looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 7.

In tractate Peah we learn that some mitzvot have no fixed measure–any amount is good, and no amount is ever too much. One of those is the appearance offering, yet our Mishnah sets an amount. Rabbi Yohanan explains the development of the law to add instructions, making us wonder when religion gives us too much, or too little guidance. On Side B a new Mishnah addresses the sources of festival offerings–can they come from tithes, or must they come from unrestricted funds? This raises the respective value of donations versus dues in our own religious culture. We value generosity, but perhaps obligation is a superior value.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Danny Nevins looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 6.

Back in the Mishnah we heard of a debate between the schools of Shammai and Hillel on which class of festival sacrifice deserved priority–the burnt offering or the whole offering. In the Gemara we learn arguments to support either side, and the editor then challenges each side to respond to the other’s arguments. Along the way we learn of a later debate between Rabbis Ishmael and Akiva about the content of revelation. What exactly was revealed at Sinai–just the general principles, or the details as well? Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel examined this debate, which continues to resonate for us. Is the Torah a static artifact, or a constantly renewing message from God?

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Danny Nevins looks at Masechet Chagigah Daf 5.

Continuing the theme of weeping sages, we learn of Rabbi Yohanan’s sorrow that God holds Israel responsible even for minor mistakes, and not only for intentional crimes. For example, gross behavior like smashing a bug or spitting in front of a friend. Even good deeds can be problematic, such as giving charity in a way that disgraces the recipient. Our sages want us to do the right thing in the right way, and not to allow good intentions to suffice.

The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.