Talking Talmud

More on Job. Including the discussion between God and the Satan that led to Job's trouble. Plus the Satan's suffering in keeping Job alive. And who is the Satan after all? Also, why is R. Shimon upset with the birth of his child? And what does it mean that Abraham was blessed "in all"? Several sages weigh in, interpreting verses.

More on the authors of various books, including how Joshua wrote his own book and also the last 8 verses of Deuteronomy. Unless Moses himself wrote them. But they record events after and including his death - as do other authors record their own deaths (or other people wrote those verses and onward). Plus, the authorship of the Book of Job, and discussion on who Job was, historically. Note that questions of authorship and how the books of the Bible were organized and were open, welcoming those with sufficient background. Job is represented as a prophet for all of the nations of the world (and maybe he wasn't Jewish). Job's suffering is presented here with some rationality - including several theories as to whom he was hoping for, at the very last. Note also the Gemara's tolerance for the multiple views.

A famous daf about the orders of the book of the Torah and who authored them.

Cases of dividing property in inequitable ways - for example, when a father leaves a bath house or an olive press to his sons, one of whom is wealthy and one of whom is poor. How can they divide it, and what can't they ask of each other? Plus, the question of whether one can be forced to an agreement one doesn't want. Also, scrolls - can they be divided? How are they to be joined? Can Torah, Neviim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) be written together? Separate? What about the 5 Books of the Torah? How should the lines of the books be spaced?

The daf discusses the end of prophecy and that prophecy was replaced by the Rabbis but also suggests that maybe the Rabbis are prophets too. Rabbi Yochanon says the shoteh and tinoket are also prophets abd the daf shares examples.

A beraita on Munbaz the king, who depleted his treasures that had been filled and protected by previous generations. Plus, Who's Who on this personality. Also, a new mishnah! On jointly owned property, and those who would divide it. Excepting some properties that are not divided against one partner's will if each section has sufficient to be used by that partner in full, as it were. Unless they agreed to divide it in a less balanced way.

The daf continues to teach about the importance of tzedakah and its special relationship to the Jewish people. A barita mentions the tzedakah that was administered by Rabbi Chanina ben Tryadon’s that is mentioned in Avodah Zara 17b in the sorry if his martyrdom.

The daf continues to explain about the right way to perform the mitzvah of tzedakah but its discussion is interrupted by an interesting story about Rav Sheshet.

The daf discusses why rabbis do not need to contribute to public works and to illustrate their point a story is about Rebbi and his distribution if food during a famine. How is this story suppose to help understood and what is chazal trying to tell us about rabbis and society? A barita details how tzedakah funds and managed and distributed.

4 cases of property disputes, where one party wants to build and the other wants to prevent the building. Also, a new mishnah - and the way people can compel others on their courtyard or in their city to participate in financing communal needs (like a gatehouse or a wall).