Daily Daf Differently

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 27.

This episode deals with the question of what to do if an animal dies on יום טוב. Can it be cut up? Can the carcass be moved? And to what degree are the answers to the questions contingent upon whether or not the animal was sick before the Festival began? This page asks some interesting questions which provide insight into how the rabbis thought about the significance of one’s psychological state on a Festival.

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 26.

This daf deals with the question of what to do if a first-born animal, a בכור, falls into a בור on a Festival. Is it permitted to descend to save it? Can one examine it for blemishes? And how does the principle of צער בעלי חיים, which deals with preventing the suffering of animals, come into play here?

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 25.

What’s the most polite way to drink a cup of wine? The rabbis cared about social manners, and these manners become the basis for Jewish law.

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 24.

Which is more important: the details of Talmudic debate or the mystical quest for holiness? An interaction on our daf suggests that one may lead to the other.

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 23.

Creating a day that is a taste of eternity takes attention to detail and careful planning. Perhaps this is the reason the Gemara brings so many debates about what constitutes Melacha (prohibited work) on Shabbat and Yom Tov.

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 22.

The principle of Marit Ayin (for the sake of appearance) has its origins in Talmudic thinking. What we are seen doing can influence the actions of others, and the rabbis remind us that we need to be careful about how we are seen.

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 21.

Look! A raven! Even the greatest rabbis are not above using any tactic to avoid an unwanted discussion.

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 20.

In trying to understand the debate between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel from yesterday’s mishnah, the Talmud presents a sampler of different types of argument. Each one offers us the opportunity to access the excitement –and the holiness– of Talmudic study.

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 19.

Which is more central to the Chag, the celebration with family and friends or the connection that we make with God? According to Beit Hillel, both are essential. Moadim l’Simcha!

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

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ethan Linden looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 18.

“I been out riding fences, for so long now.” Unbeknownst to many, that classic Eagles’ lyric from the song Desperado is not a metaphor for loneliness or heartbreak, but instead a subtle allusion to the rabbinic practice of making gezerot, rabbinic measures which prohibit a certain activity lest it lead us to transgress a Biblical prohibition. As luck would have it, that is also the topic of today’s poscast!

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