Talking Talmud

Introducing the closing, shortest tractate in Moed. On the holiday pilgrimages to Jerusalem with the specific sacrifices that were required for those days. What it means to celebrate underlies these factors of the mitzvot of the day, in term so rejoicing. Also, the mishnah that introduces the tractate, the mitzvah of "re'eiah" - going up to the Beit HaMikdash on the holidays. Everyone is obligated...

Departing the body upon burial becomes the purview of the mourners and the deceased, both. We say: Go in peace, in contrast to the good wishes for the living: Go to peace - there's more to go and do, for the living. Plus, the importance of the language we use at this time, as based on biblical verses. Also, a closing note on occupying yourself with prayer and Torah study, and an ever increasing mo...

Lifespans, by the sages' estimation, and the biographical detail that we are lucky enough to happen upon, now and again, in the Talmud. Plus, the encounters of various sages with the Angel of Death. Also, the process of honoring the deceased. Plus, the future of death (or absence of a future for death, in the time of redemption). Also, the comforting by the sages of R. Yishmael, when his son's die...

The daf continues to discuss mourning rituals and can and cannot be done in the house of an Avel. What do these descriptions teach us about daily life in the times of the Taanaim? The daf explores whether a person can grieve excessively and how is that determined

Tearing keriya - rending one's clothes. For whom do we tear? Starting with father, mother, and teacher - as learned from the prophet Elisha and his relationship with Eliyahu. Plus, tearing keriya as mourning for the Beit HaMikdash. Also, the specifics of tearing keriya for more than one person at once - which may have been as horrific as it sounds, or perhaps the Gemara is exploring the parameters...

The mourning practices are not put into play during Chol HaMoed, though if the person who died is a sage or a righteous person, the Chol HaMoed exemption shifts to acknowledge the more communal mourning. Note also the attempt to explain the WHY of one's children's deaths - which the Gemara explores in ways that fly in the face of our understanding (or lack thereof) of why such things happen. Also,...

NOTE: This episode discusses infant mortality. But first, additional discussion of the rites of mourning, and how some become optional on Shabbat. This rites are less clear than some of the previous ones, because of various customs. Tearing garments is supposed to be a sign of greatest sorrow - including how some sages (like Shmuel) tore for their colleague/teachers (like Rav). Also, how we keep o...

Do we actually mourn on Shabbat? Some things are cancelled because of Shabbat, while some things are upheld. And some measures depend on the practices of the given community. Plus, the question of remarrying after the death of a wife, including the possible needs of young children who have lost their mother.

What is the significance of the thirty day mourning period? How do we mourn our community leaders?

Outlining the practices (and prohibitions) of the mourner - including some that are very familiar - and a notable exception to accommodate the needs of the community. [Who's Who: R. Yosi bar Halafta] Plus, stories of rabbis who were in mourning and taught Torah publicly anyway. This moves us into a different realm of avelut. Also, the prohibition on a mourner wearing tefillin - and how that plays...

How does the mitzvah of rejoicing on the holidays align with the sorrow during a period of mourning? And how does these conflicting emotions play out over the various holidays? Plus, when news of a death in the family came late. And the verses that teach shiva. Also, how much mourning is undertaken by one who hears about the loss more than 30 days after the death takes place? The answer is a sole...

Collecting on a debt, or to pay a poor scribe - either is permitted writing on Chol HaMoed. Other scribal issues are left until after the holiday. [What's What: The scroll of Ezra/Azarah] Plus, tefillin, mezuzahs, and tzitzit on Chol HaMoed. Also, the way holidays truncate shiva and sheloshim.

Cutting nails on Chol HaMoed - and the implications of seeing long nails on another person. Plus, the connection to covenant, even going back to Abraham and Isaac. Also, the documents allowed to be written on Chol HaMoed. [Who's Who: Rabbi Reuven ben Itzterobili] From the documents that include betrothal and divorce arises a discussion of destiny, and from there to how much can be held against a p...

[Who's Who: R. Yehuda bar Yehezkel.] How should the sages handles an excommunicated Torah scholar who was out of line in what must have been a serious way, where the sage who headed up the excommunication is no longer available to walk it back? Take it to the next greatest sage, even if you have to travel to do so. Though he delegated the investigation, and the sub's conclusion was rejected in the...

Narratives of cases that align with the halakhic details of daf 15. What happens when one is ostracized, and what kinds of ethics do we expect from the sages?

A systematic approach to the various statuses of people and the range of activities that those same categories of people may or may not do, or must do. Plus, a "deeper dive" into the way each of those categories of people is permitted or required or forbidden to engage in learning Torah. (With apologies for some audio glitch that doesn't really hit the content that badly, but we aren't pleased, an...

Chapter 3. Who can shave and take a haircut on Chol HaMoed? Who can do laundry? And what items can be laundered? Plus, oddly, a newborn who can have a haircut on Chol HaMoed. Also, the positive commandment of celebrating the holiday as a community, and how it can override an individual's obligation in mourning, for example. Which begins to open up the conversation about mourning in the context of...

A Canaanite slave and the value for such a person to be a member of a Jewish household. Plus, 3 mishnayot. So, no large purchasing land or large animals, etc., unless it's for the needs of the holiday, for yourself, or to provide the most basic of income to the seller. And other activities that are prohibited, but context will determine whether there's room to permit them. Also, emmer wheat.

The atmosphere of Chol HaMoed, and what can be done by whom... Sometimes, even that which is technically permissable isn't advisable, especially depending on who you are. Also, one who is in the process of making wine, when interrupted... either one should continue over Chol HaMoed, or one should pause the process, both approaches being concerned about "davar ha-aved." Plus, one can harvest to pro...

Constructing a layman's railing, or plaster the oven, and other such labors at the amateur level, even if a professional might also do them, where the professional work is not acceptable on Chol HaMoed, but the homegrown version is permitted. Plus, the noisy construction that took place in Jerusalem until Yochanan the High Priest curtailed it. Note also the connection to "davar ha-aved" - to preve...

Can one build or refurbish a millstone on Chol Hamoed? How does intention play a role on Chol Hamoed?

The daf discusses how Bnei Yisroel were allowed do eat and celebrate during the dedication of the Beit HaMikdash. Why does a Bat Kol come to reassure the people that they were correct to eat on Yom Kippur. What does this daf tell us about sin, repentance, and the purpose of the Beit HaMikdash

3 mishnayot: Burial over Chol HaMoed, with a real difference of approach as to what it means to bury over the holiday. Also, digging a crypt or building a grave over Chol HaMoed in advance of a death is not allowed, but adjusting one that already has been prepared is acceptable. Plus, a laundry pond. Also, the issues pertaining to getting married over Chol HaMoed - a series of explanations why it'...

We finally leave agricultural law and now discuss tzaraat. Can a Kohen examine tzaraat on Chol Hamoed and why is this an issue when examining a mezorah is not a melachah

In an agricultural society, the farm makes sense as the focus of Chol HaMoed activity... Including uprooting kilayim - but did they really do that? Isn't that already done in Adar? Of course, the Gemara resolves it, but raises the question why the kilayim were specifically relevant to Chol HaMoed... On the side of cheap labor. But then how much do you have to uproot to rid yourself of kilayim? Plu...