Shallow Dive Daf Yomi

God created man to serve Him as perfectly as the ministering angels. In collaboration, man influenced man to pursue error • What underlies King Solomon's observations on the rarity of Righteousness, and what differentiates men and women in this regard?

King Solomon's search: finding a man, a social creature, who stands up against broadly supported societal evils is exceedingly rare; finding a woman, a supportive being, who stands up against her husband's evil is even more rare • Seek guidance from one who can reliably oppose you • Never underestimate the evil inclination; it is a force that can overwhelm the natural order

From where do we derive the imperative to add from the mundane to the sanctified? • What features of the Jubilee year are most critical?

The Mishnaic imperative of dating bills of divorce according to the years of the local reigning government is no longer necessary - why not? • How can the 3 years of Orlah be as short as 2 years and 44 days? • What is the crown worn by an Eved Ivri, Jewish slave, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur of the Jubilee year?

Baking with unkilned tiles on Yom Tov: are we concerned about unnecessary exertion or completion of a vessel? • May one shecht animals likely to be mortally wounded on Yom Tov? • May one use a bellow or blow on a fire to fan flames on Yom Tov? • May one use matches on Yom Tov? • What is required to redesignate drying fruits for consumption on Shabbos or Yom Tov?

One must utilize the unconsecrated to discharge specific sacrificial obligations • Which offerings require Semicha, leaning one's full weight upon the sacrificial animal prior to slaughter? • Dicey halachic tactics in the struggle between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel • The Etiquette of Deprecation: avoid unnecessary escalation • Vow offerings on Yom Tov

Burial on the first and second days of Yom Tov • Is an egg laid on the first day of Yom Tov Muktzah or not on the second day? • Are featherless chickens kosher?

The constellation of our unique circumstances offer the wise clues about our ultimate choices • The human super-organism is judged; each deed of the righteous and the wicked within a society as one • Divine enlightenment is perfectly straight; to fully integrate its truth requires straightening the crooked, which can be painful

How many Chatzotzros (bugle-like) blasts were performed in the Temple, and when? • May we adjust the Jewish calendar due to pragmatic considerations?

Toxic femininity: the pathological anti-helpmate buries her man alive, embittering him more than death • Death is temporary, yet the snare of dangerously false convictions can scar a soul forever

Do we sit in the Sukkah on Shmini Atzeres in the diaspora? • Do we make a Shehechiyanu on Shmini Atzeres? • If one only mentioned Sukkos in the prayers of Shmini Atzeres must he repeat the Amidah?

Acquisition of all wisdom is beyond even the most gifted individual's capacity • Cosmogony is elusive; Divine wisdom of creation qualitatively transcends human wisdom • Understanding the present requires tremendous depth • Government tends to be lumbering and frivolous - yet essential

In Mishnaic parlance, who can be called a friend? • When do we calculate Sabbatical year restrictions applicable to palm fronds and citrons? • What may one do with Sabbatical year produce? • How may the sanctity of Sabbatical produce be transferred?

Man is not unfailingly good; through Teshuva perfection is achievable • Be judicious in what you take to heart • Don't indulge your slave, the evil inclination, as it is never appeased only emboldened to subjugate you • Don't feel crestfallen by criticism, it can often be a reflection of our own negative judgments of others

Myrtle branches with snipped tops may not be taken as part of the four species • Regeneration through a budding berry from the snipped top can restore the myrtle's eligibility • Binding the four species: by strand according to Rabbi Yehuda, and even by hand according to the Rabbis • Too many ripe berries ruin the branch • Willow branches don't need to grow on the bank of a brook to be eligible

The fear of God will temper the tendency to be overwhelmed by terror, and ensure that one is sensitive to the experience in as much as Divine providence orchestrated it • The fear of God enables one to balance the pursuit of spiritual and physical attainments • Wisdom is more powerful for the wise than the influence of custom or habit

Who is exempt from dwelling in a Sukkah and why? • While engaged in fulfilling a mitzvah, may one switch to another? • Other than Tefillin, a mourner on the first day is obligated to fulfill most mitzvos - why isn't this obvious? • A mourner is not obligated to suffer • Why are a groom and his revelers exempt from Sukkah? • Why is an orchard watchman exempt from Sukkah?

Even typically righteous acts taken in excess can become destructive • Don't allow terror to dominate, yet allow yourself to feel healthy fear; longevity depends on the balance • Invest your limited energies judiciously; prioritize understanding what you must, and hold back from the allure of knowledge that is beyond your capacity to understand

Can a wigwam be a Sukkah? • What types of mats may be used for Schach? • What types of mats are subject to ritual impurities?

Enjoy fully and graciously all of God's gifts to you • Pain is rooted in error, sift through your past choices and abandon error - and true healing will begin • Divine justice is fundamentally comprehensible to man

Where do heaven and earth meet? • What minimum height must the sukkah walls have? • What are the dimensions of the Holy Ark? • How was the Tzitz (golden plate) made? • What size amah (cubit) was used in construction of the Temple's vessels? • The fruits of Israel are uniquely treasured as they illuminate various Torah measurements

How do we know that one should violate Shabbos to save a life? • Was Tziporah required to circumcise her son? • How we achieve atonement depends on the sin • What causes a desecration of God's name? • Why do we address God as our Father twice in the Amidah?

Wisdom and wealth can accomplish goodness synergistically • Man's stewardship entails cultivation and protection of our world • God is uniquely capable and committed to repairing our world marred by human destructiveness • Safeguards against sin include experiencing love and gratitude towards God

Wearing wooden shoes on Yom Kippur • Prosthetic limbs on Shabbos • Children wearing leather shoes and other restrictions on Yom Kippur • What helps children grow? • How much food must be eaten to be liable on Yom Kippur?

What makes for a wise question? • Divine justice is inviolable; appearances to the contrary tend to reflect changes in the judged • Wisdom and financial independence enjoy a symbiotic relationship