Talking Talmud

The fourth and final chapter - including the historical fasts. Another very long mishnah, beginning with Birkat Kohanim, the mishmarot, ma'amadot, and more. With a Gemara dive into the Birkat Kohanim (which is at the beginning at the mishnah, but also shifts focus to Yom Kippur, which is also at the end of the mishnah).

R. Hanina Ben Dosa, pious miracle worker, appears here again. Plus, back to rain... When a rabbinic leader decrees a fast, and the outcomes are different. What accounts for that, and what kind of pleading with - or rebuke to - God brings the rain? Also, depictions of the heavens and the clouds as choosing what to do, where to go. Plus, the comparison of righteous people to a date palm and a cedar...

The charity collectors would hide from Elazar of Birta, because he would divest himself of everything, and they didn't want to let him go that far. Even when he was looking to buy a dowry for his daughter, and he only brings home some wheat - which multiplies exponentially. But he won't accept the goodness of that miracle either. Also, more miracles... which seems lesser, as compared to the natura...

More of Choni (or Honi) the Circle-Maker's story, including the rest of his life, and the inheritance (or presumed inheritance) as told with regard to his grandchildren. Which includes discussion of his righteousness, his scholarship, and his miracles, of course. A much more poignant sad story than we usually think of this figure. Which complicates matters for his grandchildren, as presumed heirs...

More narrative. Rabbi Beroka and Elijah the prophet - when they met, first in the marketplace... Plus, the significance of black shoes as non-Jewish attire. And the accomplishment of those who cheer people up, with comedy. Also, what events call for crying out? Including for Shabbat? Of course, it's a machloket how quickly the situation is considered dangerous.

The potential positive impact of the righteous. Beginning with Nachum Ish Gamzu, who was blind, and a 4-limb amputee, with boils, in a bed with its feet in water to keep away the ants, in a dilapidated building, no less. He knows the building won't fall on him. But when they take him out, it indeed falls on everything inside. But why did he suffer like this? The Gemara says he said - he brought it...

A daf of stories... Nakdimon, and trading in water, when no rain had fallen. In comparison and contrast to Choni ha-Me'agael. Also, a presentation of curses, which are then turned into blessing - Achiyah HaShiloni, in contrast to Balaam. His words - those of the Jewish prophet - are more welcome than those coming from the non-Jew. Plus, another "ugly rabbi" story - and the value of flexibility. Al...

A new chapter, with a new marathon mishnah: The long process of increased severity of fasting and going public with it, etc., only applies to troubles from a lack of rain. But when it comes to plague, for example, God forbid, the most extreme crying out is put into play right away. Plus, the environs around a city that is going through this process join in. Also, the story of Choni the Circle-Make...

A potential conflict between the days when one can read Megilat Esther and days that are dedicated to Nikanor and to Trajan. What are these days (Yom Nikanor and Yom Turianos), and whatever happened to them?

More working off the long mishnah - beginning with discussion of the watches of the kohanim, and when they would need to cut their hair and launder their clothes - to make sure they're presentable while on the watch. Among other populations, and how frequently they cut their hair to make sure they don't get scruffy in appearance. Based on nazir. Also, days when eulogizing is not permitted, as conn...

Following the mishnah's order if the day, with a mnemonic to help one remember in order. For example, why do they go out to the square? Why do they wear sackcloth? Why ashes? The rationale for each step is somewhat disputed, and the practical difference in each dispute is articulated. Note how foreign this process is as compared to our contemporary practice. Plus, 2 important figures who are invol...

Chapter 2! With all the mishnah of the chapter. The mishnah goes through the order of the activities in a day of fasting for rain. Plus, a comparison to the people of Nineveh, and their repentance. Plus, the qualifications for leading the congregation on this day. And the order of the prayer itself. Also, the role of the mishmar in this fast. Plus, limitations on these designated fast days.

The hot topic of whether women who are pregnant or nursing should be fasting when it comes to fasting for rain. Also, a reflection when. There was (non-rain) trouble for the community, and 13 fasts didn't improve the situation. But more fasts would have been truly onerous on the community. Or.... That's a machloket. Plus, the people of Nineveh serve as a model for those who need live in a place wh...

How did the mishah in of mourning develop and why are their differences? The practice of saying Aneinu is an integral part of praying on a fast day but where to place it is a question.

One cannot take on a fast of a few hours and call it a fast - it doesn't count in that regard. And separating from a community fast is not acceptable either - so joining in a small part of that fast in solidarity is, however, acceptable. With supports and arguments against this position regarding partial fasts. Including a rule of thumb making sure that one takes a fast upon oneself from the day b...

Suffering through famine should save the person who chooses to do so from a strange death. Plus, other outcomes of famine, like avoiding sexual relations to avoid having children during years of famine. Also, separating from the community, and the negative consequences thereof. Also, the Gemara says - anyone who fasts is called a sinner (which seems to contradict the premise of the tractate!). Whe...

A dispute between R. Eliezer and R. Yehoshua over the source of rain - from the heavens or the oceans. Plus, a new mishnah: when we really start asking for rain, including in the Diaspora. Also, what happens if rain doesn't fall, though it is the rainy season, and the asking for rain has begun? First, individuals will fast. If it still doesn't rain, then a communal fast will be called. With the te...

More on Resh Lakish, including a discussion of reward and punishment, and the relationship between the books of the Torah and those of Ketuvim. Also, the leaders of Israel (Moshe, Sharon, Miriam), and the gifts they received. Also, back to rainfall - and the proof of how it can fall at the behest or in the merit of one individual. Including the particulars of the clouds (and drizzle) that herald (...

One must understand Mishnah before going on. And the way to make sure you know enough is to study more. Which brings us to Resh Lakish's practice of reviewing Mishnah 40 times. R. Ada bar Ahava would review 24 times. [Who's Who (in part): Resh Lakish] Also, the dilemma of what to pray for when confronted with both famine and plague (may we never know this situation). But why can't you pray for two...

How does rain compare to the resurrection of the dead? How does rain compare to Torah? How does rain compare to creation? Also, Torah is compared to wine, water, and milk - why? Plus, the famous trade of insults between the daughter of the Roman emperor and R. Yehoshua (in which wine figures prominently). || Note: Apologies from the delay in releasing the podcast today - it seemed there was a prob...

Different types of rain: depending on volume and timing. First, the Yoreh. And Malkosh. And why both have to be for a blessing, from Heshvan to Nisan. With several explanations, based on the biblical text. Also, Reviya, fruitful, fertile rain that makes mud, enough to seal a barrel. Also, what if rain comes down in some part of the country, but not elsewhere - is that considered rain being withhel...

When does the season of asking for rain end? Of course, it's a debate, but a mild one, and contingent on biblical interpretation. Which leads into a structured conversation about the meaning of various, diverse verses between R. Nachman and R. Yitzchak. With a focus on idolatry, and then the sharp questions on Shmuel's apparently divinely engineered death, the unfairness of it, and how he wasn't a...

An angry Torah scholar is presumed to be angry because of the Torah itself - that one's sensitivities have been refined. Is this a positive commentary on anger? Also, 3 who made requests of God that were inappropriate - Eliezer, Avraham's servant; Shaul; Yiftach - all of which have unintended or lasting consequences for women. Plus, asking for rain vs. mentioning rain - appropriately!

Revisiting a topic from Sukkah: pouring out libations - of strong drink, of wine, of water. And how the Gemara derives the 2 libations from the text. Plus, whose opinion is represented in this discussion of 7 libations over 7 days. Also, the conclusion of a tradition - Halakhah le-Moshe mi-Sinai - with 3 details, including the libation material here. Also, mentioning the rain and God as Provider o...

A new tractate! Speaking of fast as prayer, specifically when the Land of Israel needs rain. The mishnah opens with the question if defining the rainy season - namely, when do we start praying for rain? Too early, and it's a sign of a curse over Sukkot. So the distinction becomes between asking for rain and mentioning the fact that God is the One who provides rain. Also, where we mention God's rol...