Shallow Dive Daf Yomi

Various midrashic interpretations of "the small city"

When should marriages take place? • When are various seemingly mundane discussions permitted on Shabbos? • Why doesn't the Rambam codify directly the obligation to teach one's son how to earn a livelihood? • The great debate about Psik Raisha between the Aruch and the Ri: must the concurrent consequence be beneficial to be prohibited?

Welcome to the bizarre world that we all experience • Wisdom can prevail against all odds • Succumbing to the evil inclination will never bring peace

When a man and one of his wives travels abroad and dies, what is the widow to do? • Evaluating unknowns: When are we concerned about new developments that would alter the status quo? • When are we concerned for the minority? • Are we ever concerned about spiteful testimony?

Knowledge is power • The ability to do something can be seductive • Orienting oneself towards righteousness is critical to avoid stumbling

Biblical, rabbinic, and invalid marriages • Guardianship for the incapacitated • Can a minor ever set aside tithes? • Can a non-Jew ever set aside tithes?

What makes the angler's hook an evil snare? • By which plague did the spies die? • The perverse depravity of channeling one's humanity to speak with an evil tongue • Atheism underlies speaking ill of God, the righteous, and nature

Can a minor Yevamah do Chaltizah? • How should a person direct his eyes and heart during prayer? • The dangers of humiliating a Torah sage • When can Chaltizah performed under false pretenses be effective and even encouraged? • When can one reneg on an offer? • When and why can coercion of a divorce be effective?

Converts familial relationships within halacha; restrictions in marriage and testimony • What defines halachic maternity? • If a pregnant woman converts, is she related to her son biblically?

Men, like fish and birds, are vulnerable to the shockingly unexpected • This realization should weaken our confidence in schedules, and embolden us to be more opportunistic about actualizing our priorities