Almost everyone who lives long enough experiences the death(s) of close relatives. The Gemara relates to this natural course of events with lessons for the modern era.

A collection of prayers and proverbs by Chazal makes us think about the meaning of each as well as the fact that they are collected, from across time and place, onto the page.

"Real world" halakhah for when you can't do more, and Rabban Gamliel, who always did more anyway.

Who says what in the mishnah on this daf, and why it matters to the Gemara. Also, deafness, then and now.

When you lie down and when you get up, Shema is to be your first and last event of the day. Can we manage that? Also, crafting the text of Shema. And, yes, women and tefilin.

Avram, Avraham! Also: Hello, chapter 2! Do mitzvot need performative intent (kavanah), and if so, which kind?

You misspoke your berakhah - now what? Also introducing our "Who's Who and What's What" segment.

Saying Shema lying down or sitting up, and when what you're learning counts as learning Torah.

It's about humility (always), whether you're avoiding judging people or reaching out to God. Plus Barkhi Nafshi.

Not everyone agreed with R. Shimon Ben Gamliel. The very fact that Halakhah is not a dictatorship is clear in multiple voices of psak. Plus some historical background. NOTE: Correction: Yerushalmi is attributed to R. Yochanan. The Tosefta is attributed to R. Hiyya (you'll hear when you get there)