Talking Talmud

By Yardaena Osband & Anne GordonReligion & Spirituality Judaism

Talking Talmud episodes

July 17, 2023 Gittin 62: Shalom, Shalom!
More on the interactions between Jews and non-Jews -- specifically in the context of shemitah. How much encouragement can a Jew give a non-Jew? Plus, how a Jew must avoid a double greeting Plus, a story with Geneivah, the sage who causes some consternation, including now, using a double-greeting. Also, a new chapter (6), with a new mishnah, and a return to divorce and messengers bringing bills of divorcement as designated, and receiving them on behalf of the wife. With very specific instructions to the messengers.
20 min
July 16, 2023 Gittin 61: Trusting Your Fellow Jew
On the interactions between Jews and non-Jews. Also, a new mishnah, on lending utensils to this who are not careful about Shevi'it. Also, the case of a mother-in-law, a son-in-law, and demai (food that may not have been tithed). Note the lack of "cancel culture."
20 min
July 15, 2023 Gittin 60: Writing Down the Torah (Or Not)
The people who lived in the Galil wanted to know if they could read from the Torah for public reading from a chumash (a scroll of only one of the 5 books of the Torah). Turns out, it wasn't an easy question. Plus, can a scroll of one parsha be written for the sake of teaching children? The answer depends on whether you think the Torah was given as a while or piecemeal. Plus, Queen Helene's sheet of gold with the parsha of Sotah on it, for the kohen. But what about writing down the Oral Torah? Also, a dispute between Rav and Shmuel - how to irrigate which field when? Plus, a story of Abaye's need for irrigation, and issues of the priority of water, and battles over water distribution.
20 min
July 14, 2023 Gittin 59: Moshe Rabbenu, Rebbi, and Rav Ashi
The daf describes the continuity of leadership from Moshe Rabbenu to Rebbi to Rav Ashi. Two mishnahs and the Gemara introduces the idea of Darchei Shalom.
27 min
July 13, 2023 Gittin 58: The Depths of Jewish Identity and the Depths to Which We Sink
Wrapping up the dapim about the destruction of the Temple. First, on a beautiful (Jewish) child in prison in Rome, as visited by R. Yehoshua ben Hananya. [Who's Who: R. Yishmael Ben Elisha] Plus, another story of destruction, as siblings who were separated and enslaved were nearly forced to marry each other for the sake of their beauty. Also, a story to illustrate a verse from the prophet Mikhah, on how insidious corruption had become and can be.
PS: We've overcome the app problem, thank God, at least until the next time 🙄
22 min
July 12, 2023 Gittin 57: Titus, Balaam, Jesus, and Rome
On Onkelos -- the famous translator, who converted to Judaism. The Gemara here presents his investigations prior to conversion, wherein he consults some dead and ostensibly wicked non-Jews: Titus, Balaam, Jesus. Titus advises him to fight the Jews, not join them. Also, concern about the small size of the Land of Israel, and the way it's going to expand as needed. Plus, other famous converts - Na'aman, Nevuzadran, Haman's descendants, Sisera's descendants, Sennacharib's descendants... Shmaya and Avtalyon, from the "Zugot." Also, reading Rome into the Genesis narrative, with Jacob and Esau standing in for Israel and Rome, and the evil wrought by the empire.
[NOTE: The audio cuts out here and there - as noted several times, the app is giving us (Anne especially) problems - but we've double- and triple-checked, and the content is there, despite the occasional blip]
26 min
July 11, 2023 Gittin 56: R. Yochanan ben Zakkai vs. Rome
Another very long daf with the stories about the destruction of the Second Temple. Encountering some of the personalities of that era... During the time described, there was a serious famine, which is important backdrop. Also, Rabbi Tzadok fasted for a very long time in his prayer for the salvation of Jerusalem. Which brings us to the story of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, and how he fundamentally saved Judaism being destroyed along with the Temple. Note the conflict among the Jews - Zealots and the main faction - including, in opposition to Rome. And what happens to the Roman leadership at this time, especially after Titus' disgusting behavior in the Holy of Holies.
31 min
July 10, 2023 Gittin 55: Bar Kamtza and Rabbinic Apathy
NOTE: Apologies for the late release. This time, massive machine error, in a complicated way. Hopefully now resolved...
A new mishnah - a deaf-mute woman who was married off by her father when she was a minor... Can she get divorced? What happens with regard to terumah? Plus, a beam is stolen and used in the construction of a building... Which leads us to Takanat HaShavim - people can pay money rather than destroy the construction. Also, Takanat HaMizbeah. Plus, a sin-offering obtained by theft doesn't work... Also, the Sikrikon... a non-Jew who obtained Jewish lands... when does that kind of sale work? The order of operations may well make a difference. Plus, and perhaps most importantly, the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, whose story is emblematic of baseless hatred. Plus, some extra discussion.
33 min
July 09, 2023 Gittin 54: Intent
A long discussion comparing R. Meir and R. Yehudah, on damages, when committed inadvertently. Plus, what if a man paid another back with terumah? Where is the penalty for one who acts be-shogeg? How does the dispute play out? The penalty? Also, what happens when there's pigul at the hands of the kohen?
27 min
July 08, 2023 Gittin 53: Unrecognizable Damages
A new mishnah! One who renders another's produce impure or mixed in ways that it can't be used... Plus, unrecognizable damage - is it tested as damage for payment or not? Also, a talmudic treatment of the dispute between Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehudah, over when one is penalized for a violation, for example, of unrecognizable damage, or even Shabbat. And the Gemara's resolution of that apparent contradiction.
18 min

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