Talking Talmud

The fourth and final chapter - including the historical fasts. Another very long mishnah, beginning with Birkat Kohanim, the mishmarot, ma'amadot, and more. With a Gemara dive into the Birkat Kohanim (which is at the beginning at the mishnah, but also shifts focus to Yom Kippur, which is also at the end of the mishnah).

R. Hanina Ben Dosa, pious miracle worker, appears here again. Plus, back to rain... When a rabbinic leader decrees a fast, and the outcomes are different. What accounts for that, and what kind of pleading with - or rebuke to - God brings the rain? Also, depictions of the heavens and the clouds as choosing what to do, where to go. Plus, the comparison of righteous people to a date palm and a cedar tree, and why both metaphors are necessary. [Who's Who: Shmuel HaKatan] Also, regarding his decrees, including calling a fast. How close of a connection between prayer and response - what's cause and effect, what's laudable and what leads to ambivalence?

The charity collectors would hide from Elazar of Birta, because he would divest himself of everything, and they didn't want to let him go that far. Even when he was looking to buy a dowry for his daughter, and he only brings home some wheat - which multiplies exponentially. But he won't accept the goodness of that miracle either. Also, more miracles... which seems lesser, as compared to the natural progression of things. Which means we pray for nature to go our way, without supernatural intervention, which seems a little contradictory.

More of Choni (or Honi) the Circle-Maker's story, including the rest of his life, and the inheritance (or presumed inheritance) as told with regard to his grandchildren. Which includes discussion of his righteousness, his scholarship, and his miracles, of course. A much more poignant sad story than we usually think of this figure. Which complicates matters for his grandchildren, as presumed heirs to the affinity for rain.

More narrative. Rabbi Beroka and Elijah the prophet - when they met, first in the marketplace... Plus, the significance of black shoes as non-Jewish attire. And the accomplishment of those who cheer people up, with comedy. Also, what events call for crying out? Including for Shabbat? Of course, it's a machloket how quickly the situation is considered dangerous.

The potential positive impact of the righteous. Beginning with Nachum Ish Gamzu, who was blind, and a 4-limb amputee, with boils, in a bed with its feet in water to keep away the ants, in a dilapidated building, no less. He knows the building won't fall on him. But when they take him out, it indeed falls on everything inside. But why did he suffer like this? The Gemara says he said - he brought it on himself with an act lacking in compassion that he couldn't fix. Note also that Nachum Ish Gamzu taught R. Akiva. Also, when the righteous receive a message in a dream. And for whom do miracles happen? The ordinary people who tick with extraordinary kindness, which have tremendous impact.

A daf of stories... Nakdimon, and trading in water, when no rain had fallen. In comparison and contrast to Choni ha-Me'agael. Also, a presentation of curses, which are then turned into blessing - Achiyah HaShiloni, in contrast to Balaam. His words - those of the Jewish prophet - are more welcome than those coming from the non-Jew. Plus, another "ugly rabbi" story - and the value of flexibility. Also, what it means when R. Huna appeared to rely on a miracle...

A new chapter, with a new marathon mishnah: The long process of increased severity of fasting and going public with it, etc., only applies to troubles from a lack of rain. But when it comes to plague, for example, God forbid, the most extreme crying out is put into play right away. Plus, the environs around a city that is going through this process join in. Also, the story of Choni the Circle-Maker. With some if the Gemara's discussion on this long mishnah, including some of the theology, what we're praying for, and so on.

A potential conflict between the days when one can read Megilat Esther and days that are dedicated to Nikanor and to Trajan. What are these days (Yom Nikanor and Yom Turianos), and whatever happened to them?

More working off the long mishnah - beginning with discussion of the watches of the kohanim, and when they would need to cut their hair and launder their clothes - to make sure they're presentable while on the watch. Among other populations, and how frequently they cut their hair to make sure they don't get scruffy in appearance. Based on nazir. Also, days when eulogizing is not permitted, as connected to the daily offering (even in its absence), and the dynamic with the Sadducees. The month of Nisan follows suit, because of the dynamic with the Baitusim. There's joy in the success of the rabbis over these sects.