Shallow Dive Daf Yomi

Appropriate forms of address depend upon the context of the meeting • How do sages take leave of one another? • The predilection of Torah scholars is for the finest wines • The honor due Torah scholars exceeds the honor due the High Priest on Yom Kippur • Who may seek Divine guidance through the High Priest enquiry of the Urim V'Tumim? • Priestly garments must be fashioned in precise ways

Actions engender moral knowledge that cannot be induced by intuitions of thought experimentation alone • The wise anticipate results and eschew gifts that would ultimately be burdensome • There are times when anger is necessary • Patience is an aspect of kindness • Acceptance of Divine Judgment brings atonement

Is the he-goat that is pushed off the precipice considered slaughtered? • Once living creatures are temporarily unfit for sacrificial service, can they ever be reinstated? • How can the offering of sacrificial limbs from a blemished animal ever be pleasing before God? • Can tzitzis that weren't made lishmah (with the requisite intentionality) be nullified and rendered kosher if lost in a larger gr...

The crackling of burning twigs under a pot, like a cackling fool make much ado about nothing • The deplorable misuse of wisdom to swindle will ultimately rob the mastermind of his wise heart • Caution: the fool's rant can infect even the wise • Ingratitude is like denial of God • Generosity in kindness brings a person towards God, and ensures receptivity to Divine Kindness

How should the High Priest proceed if he forgets which vessel holds the bull's blood and which vessel holds the he-goat's blood? • Which factors determine whether or not remaining blood should be poured onto the base of the Alter, or drained? • What constitutes a barrier that invalidates the service?

Thinking about our own mortality liberates us to prioritize our true goals • The growling rebuke of the wise might sting, but it's illumination is better than the soothing crooning of fools laced with frivolousness • The mosaic that is our soul is most refined when under the general guidance of the thriving neshama, in a balanced manner

Is the Yom Kippur Bull Offering of the High Priest subject to unlawful substitution/Temurah? • Which sacrificial features are unique to a Zevach and which are unique to Temurah?

Confronting mortality can be a catalyst for self correction • In giving the final kindnesses to the dead, we recognize our own dependence on the kindnesses of others • If one feels targeted by Divine Judgment, instead of feeling discouragement, perceive it as a manifestation of Divine Beneficence to stir improvement

Who may slaughter the red heifer? • Who may perform at each step of the process? • In what manner was the first red heifer different than subsequent ones? • How must the red heifer go alone?

Good oil can be a source of valuable illumination, but even better is a good name that provides an illuminating example for the world • The day of death for the righteous is better than the day of birth for the wicked

Priestly vestments: the finest - to a point • Accountability for Torah toil: even the poorest, richest, and most handsome are included • Leaning one's weight and slaughtering the holiest offerings must be done on the northern side of the Altar • What sins can an Elevation Offering atone for? • Is there a biblical obligation to give tereifa meat to a dog?

Second order thinking: investing our energies in alignment with our desired outcomes • Perception of the fleeting shadow of life helps us focus on what is truly important

The Temple Service at dawn • Mincha of the Patriarchs • Learning Torah in yeshiva brings the illuminating Divine Presence to a person • Can a Mussaf offering precede the Tamid Shel Shachar?

Miracles of the first and second temples • Six types of fire • Different winds and their economic impacts • Temple service treachery and trickery: racing competitions and lotteries for the privilege of serving

Strive for the intrinsically valuable albeit ethereal over the tangible yet utilitarian • Our most deeply intuitive knowledge of humanity may elicit surprise at God's design, yet with rational humility we submit that He knows best

What services does the Kohen Gadol fulfill? • What is the order of the daily service? • The incense lottery to become wealthy • Kvatter and Sandak parallels to the incense service • Make the Rosh Yeshiva wealthy

Consider the power and limits of exertion • When are the wise better off than the fools? What should the pauper do to enrich himself?

How do we consider communal sacrifices that coincide with ritual impurity? • When does the Tzitz elevate an impure sacrifice to be considered acceptable? • When and how are we commanded to avoid distractions from Divine names? • Seven day Sequestrations of the Priests prior to Yom Kippur and burning of the Red Heifer • The tragic decay of the high priesthood, and its deadly consequences • Rabbinic...

Although pitiful, the stillborn's ignorance is blissful, whereas the gifted who toil without gain are tragic • A fulfilled life requires pursuit of enlightenment, justice, and charity • The soul is like a refined princess for whom coarse pleasures bring no satisfaction

Temple curtains: The mind altering impact of beauty • Blessings over striking aesthetics require the element of novelty • How the artistic curtains facilitated experiencing heightened awe for God in the Temple Mount • Guzma: Does the perfect Torah ever express anything imprecisely? • Where should impure sacrificial meat be burned? • Sanctification in a post-temple world

Experiencing appreciation for one's gifts is critical to maximizing them • A glamorous life brimming with pleasure falls short; each individual must strive towards the fulfillment of their purpose

God gives us all the wealth we need to thrive from here and now to eternity • Be good humored about your toil • Value each day as the precious gift that it is • A Divine Whisper: allow your heart's satisfaction from doing good to resonate and bear witness to its eternal worth

How are Jews are meant to relate towards idolaters? • The requirement to engage in peaceful overtures towards idolaters • Divine abhorrence for duplicity • Is God concerned with the human dignity of idolaters?

To eat or not to eat: drifting in and out of sleep as the Seder winds down • When may the Pascal Offering be eaten? • The blessings over the Pascal and Chagigah Offerings • Blessings over the Redemption of the Firstborn • Afikomen in commemoration of the Pascal Offering: what happens if it was forgotten? ~ Who is the real leader of the Seder?

A life focused on blindly amassing wealth is a tragic existence • A person's mazal incorporates the secrets of his purpose - embrace it! • Each day is a counted gift from God, every choice should consider the economy of time • As food and drink sustain our bodies, Torah and good deeds sustain our souls • What strategies work to help us achieve our long-term goals? • How to console a mourner • Even...