Take One Daf Yomi

On today’s page, Bekhorot 41, the rabbis examine which blemishes disqualify a firstborn animal from sacrifice, focusing on three particular conditions: old age, illness, and foul odor. A single verse from Leviticus, with three repetitions of the word “from,” becomes the foundation for an elaborate exercise in Talmudic logic. How much wisdom can the rabbis extract from three tiny words? Listen and find out.

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On today’s page, Bekhorot 40, we discover that one of the Temple Mount's gates bore the name and image of Shushan, the Persian capital. The rabbis offer several explanations for this unusual tribute, each revealing a different way of understanding the past and our obligations to remember it. Should monuments celebrate our triumphs, remind us of our vulnerabilities, or warn us against repeating old mistakes? Listen and find out.

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On today’s page, Bekhorot 39, the rabbis distinguish between visible blemishes that disqualify an animal from sacrifice and hidden imperfections that may not. Liel considers what this distinction might teach us about the wounds and scars we all carry, even when we appear perfectly fine to the outside world. Can something—or someone—be imperfect and still be worthy of holiness? Listen and find out.

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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 37 and 38, Rav Nachman declares himself an expert qualified to make important halachic rulings, with none of the modesty we might expect from a great scholar. But stories about his generosity, respect for others, and even a cleverly deployed wild goose reveal a more complicated picture. Could knowing exactly how great you are actually make you a better person? Listen and find out.

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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 35 and 36, the rabbis distinguish between damage done intentionally and damage done by accident, with the help of some unfortunate lambs. Presidential historian Tevi Troy joins us to connect this ancient discussion to Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, whose very different responses to Jewish Americans during the Civil War reveal a remarkable story of wrongdoing and redemption. Is a person's worst action necessarily the final word on who they are? Listen and find out.

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On today’s page, Bekhorot 34, the rabbis find themselves caught between two readings of the same Hebrew word, one singular and one plural, with significant consequences for the laws of terumah. It's time to Slow Jam the Talmud as Liel follows their argument through spelling, pronunciation, and the intricacies of biblical interpretation. What can an ancient debate about vowels teach us about becoming more careful readers today? Listen and find out.

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On today’s page, Bekhorot 33, the rabbis consider the value of meat from animals that can no longer be sacrificed. Liel welcomes producer Josh Kross for a conversation about the difference between how food looks and how it tastes, with detours through molecular gastronomy, Montreal poutine, and good old-fashioned cholent. What can a messy plate of delicious food teach us about recognizing the true value of things? Listen and find out.

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On today’s page, Bekhorot 32, Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel disagree about who may eat the meat of a firstborn animal that develops a blemish and cannot be sacrificed. Their debate raises a much bigger question about the privileges we grant those who serve the public—and the limits we place on those privileges. What can the laws governing priestly gifts teach us about keeping public servants from treating public resources as their own? Listen and find out.

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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 30 and 31, the rabbis consider what happens when someone once trusted to observe Jewish law begins cutting corners. From a dishonest butcher to a woman whose second marriage threatens to undermine her religious commitments, Liel explores how easily our standards can shift when our circumstances change. How do we make sure that life's compromises don't become compromises of character? Listen and find out.

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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 28 and 29, the rabbis ask whether judges should be paid for their rulings, leading to a much bigger question: Should anyone be allowed to make money teaching Torah? Liel turns to Maimonides, whose uncompromising answer challenges the very idea of making a living from religious scholarship. What can one of Judaism's greatest thinkers teach us about the relationship between work, wisdom, and spiritual integrity? Listen and find out.

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