Talking Talmud

In the case of damage by chaff - when winnowing the wheat. Is that the wind's fault or an individual's fault? Plus, another new mishnah: how close to the neighbor's property must one plan one's tree? What about one who wants to do something that might encroach on another's property? Perhaps we can infer from the Talmud's cases of consecrated property near private property.

A new mishnah: How far one must distance smelly industries from a town? For example, a tannery. In part, it may depend on which way the wind blows. Which leads into a discussion of where the Shechinah is, and what direction should we pray (hint: it's a machloket). Plus, where to pray if you want wisdom, or, alternatively, wealth. Also, another new mishnah on keeping this distance between a tre...

Abaye and Rava continue to discuss majority vs. proximity. Two mishnahs discuss distances needed with trees and granaries.

Two mishnahs discussing issues around dvoecotes. The Gemara on the second mishnah wonders if majority or proximity are most important when determining where a found object may belong.

A strange story about Rav Adda bar Abba and which sage was responsible for his death. Two new mishnahs describing the requires distances between certain objects.

The daf explains how the Jewish education system started. Can similar businesses be opened next to each other?

A barita describes different types of tumah blockers. Plus two new mishnahs

The daf closely reads the mishnah and wonders if the clause about lime is an alternative to distancing or an additional requirement for preventing a pit from causing damage. Because nothing in the Gemara is too taboo, the daf discusses how much separation is required when urinating against a wall and brings a verse to support its understanding of the case.

The daf continues to explore the disagreement between Abaye and Rava this time focusing on refuting Rava’s position. The end if the daf discusses if there is a caee where Rebbi Yose and the Rabbis agree about who is responsible for preventing damage with bordering properties.

The Gemara lists those who were not subject to the evil inclination and those who were not subject to the Angel of Death. Also, chapter 2, with a new mishnah. Specifically, keep your property from encroaching onto your neighbor's property, even when you're doing renovations (or digging a new well)..

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 qu...

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, Nevii...

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 ag...

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).

Rav Huna and Rav Yosef disagree over different types of chazakah of usage. Abaye teaches how to built houses next to a public domain and still maintain privacy.

The case of an inner all and an outer wall - can one party induce the other the participate in payment for fencing just by virtue of putting them up - a court case between Ravina and Ronya. Also, a new mishnah! On the obligation when a courtyard wall collapses and neighbors all need to pay in to construct a new wall, of at least 4 amot high. Always, the one who claims he has contributed needs to p...

How Herod became king, how Bava ben Buta advised him, and how even Herod's evil had an after-the-fact silver lining of Herod's beautiful Temple. Plus, what it means to not give in to evil. In the context of the sanctity of the physical place of a synagogue. Also, a new mishnah! When one neighbor puts up a partition without the neighbor's agreement - is the second party obligated to participate in...

The daf explains the terms gvil and gazit and what they mean halakhically. What’s an amah traksin and did it exist in the second Temple. Rav Chisda explains when one can tear down an old beit knesset to build a new one.

A new Masechet! What happens if two people jointly own a courtyard and one if them wants a wall built? A lengthy discussion on the daf if sight can cause damage.