Talking Talmud

Hillel and Shammai. Harvesting grapes in purity, sure, but what about olives? Preserving Hillel's honor in the face of Shammai's decree. Also: the passions riding high when it comes to figuring out the last of the 18 decrees, including using and avoiding non-Jews.

The oddity of the decree to make vessels made of metal impure. Breaking vessels to renew their pure status. What makes rain Waters become standing water, and the significance of intent. Plus: A very strange decree rendering the Kutim/Samaritans impure. Also: the impulse to protect the halakhah with stringent decrees.

Impure land - who said, and when? Six decrees out of Usha (Who's Who and What's What). What's the purpose of a rabbinic decree? Specifically: When terumah comes in contact with possibly impure ground, garments, vessels, spit, or urine.

The impurity of the Sefer Torah - what? Why?! Busy hands. With a note that pure/impure are not value judgements. Now, who decided what? What was ascribed to Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai was really Hillel and Shammai themselves - and those great men really got along.

R. Hananya ben Hizkiyah ben Garon, who saved the Book of Yezhekel (Ezekiel). Plus, Megillat Taanit. We're a product of our times, whenever that may be.

Tefillin on erev Shabbat, and the message of awareness of God at all time. Bikur Holim, and God's presence in the visit. Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha - and the prohibition against adjusting a candle on Shabbat (was he an "adam chashuv" or not?).

A powerful statement that encompasses the Talmud's action, in full. Then, small actions to avoid on erev Shabbat, lest you forget, into shabbat (the Mishnah picks up where the last one left off). Who's Who (what): Matos Mechasya. What's What: Seyag - a fence for the Torah.

Rav Kahana's exceptional approach to prayer - and the fact that we can turn to God in different frames of mind. Plus: The potential conflict between prayer and learning Torah - coming down heavily on the side of the eternal life earned in talmud Torah (with an aside for the proper mentality for prayer).

Examining the essence of the threshold - inside, outside, fluctuating? Establishing space before time... And now on to time: What activities to avoid before Mincha, until after you have davened. What's What: Sha'ot Zmaniot, Minchah Gedolah, Minchah Ketanah.

The definitions and oddities of these four domains, from a large barrel to a basket -- objects vs. domains. Also some reflections on our definitions of space in this challenging time of redefining space, inside and outside of quarantine, closing of public spaces, and ongoing community.

The Karmalit - defining what it is and what it is not, in relation to reshut ha-rabim and reshut ha-yachid. Plus: Exploring the outer parameters of the karmalit, including why the Gemara cares about throwing that juicy cake of figs. And why we care about the karmalit.

Defining the 4 domains (well, two of them). Paying attention to the differences in our space. Carrying in and carrying out, including from an "exempt place" (mekom patur).

Answering Rabbi Akiva (from Shabbat 4). The importance of one's hands in completing the act of Hotza'ah. Probing what counts as a resting place to constitute completed "hanachah." What's What: Teiku

The Gemara tries to figure out why the poor person in the first mishnah of the masekhet would be in violation of Hotza'ah on Shabbat. Rabbi Akiva has an interesting take.

Each tractate is a unit unto itself. Levels of violation of Shabbat. Who's Who: Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, Rav, Rav Hiya. What's What (Shabbat edition): Mezid, Shogeg, Patur aval asur. Melakhah definition: Hotza'ah

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Recognizing the terms and definitions we need for this tractate: "av" melakhah, "toladah," and the two main domains from and to which one is not permitted to carry. Note: An unedited version made its way to Apple (at least) - we have no idea how, and this extra text is an attempt to see how and when it updates. Apologies to the 76 of you who listened to the original (hopefully correct!) version -...

In this episode, and in a departure from our usual mandate, we learn through the entirety of the very short daf. Basically, tune in for some wise statements from a few rabbis, including the peace that Torah learning brings to the world. Plus the Hadran itself - please God, we will return to Masekhet Berakhot.

Some wise moral one-liners (no, they're not funny, but they're good). The surge to maintain religious authority from Israel over Babylon. And... the primacy of learning Torah, what else? Also: apologies for audio issues today (we're not sure why it's spotty today)

When one rabbi spies on another -- learning bathroom practices and sexual practices by observation. The true meaning of tzniut (modesty). Also: The theological challenge of King David's punishment.

The yetzer hara and male/female norms of social interaction. And: Rabbi Akiva, his refusal to stop teaching Torah, his capture by the Romans, and his "deathbed" recitation of Shema - and what all that means to us, philosophically and religiously.

The prayers to say when you traverse a city of criminals. The prayers to say when you enter a Roman bathhouse. Plus: Taking a positive stand re any news - framing our experiences, framing our days - anchoring ourselves with prayer.

The cycle of time and how it gives rise to the requirement for new blessings over our experience of the natural world. And "Ha-tov ve-ha-Metiv," redux

A large gathering of Jewish people gets a bracha too. Also: Rav Sheshet and the power of a steely blind gaze. Celebrating the power of the individual in the congregation as a whole.

Sightings in your dreams that indicate miracles coming your way. And the spin that renders dreams positive taken to the extreme. Also: Sixtieths.