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It was a crazy week and Brad and Steven were there for all of it. In the latest episode of their podcast, the guys talk about the sad ending to the Yankees’ season, the ongoing Ye antisemitism fiasco, Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, and the assassination attempt at Speaker Pelosi’s house. Amidst all of the craziness, […]

What becomes forbidden and what remains permitted in a vow? What effect has a vow that is in some sort “shortened” in the way it was articulated -- a "yad b'nedarim". Is such a "yad" valid or not?

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 4. By letting us know how certain vows can be understood, specifically or generally, distinct or related to something else, the Talmud reminds us that we should have intent behind our words. Not only do the words we […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 3. On this page we address the differences between “equivalent terms” and “partial declarations.” Both hold weight within the concept of vows, but have different methods of enactment. To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 3 on Sefaria, […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 2. Nedarim kicks off a discussion about different types of vows and their consequences. Here we introduce four different types of vows with overarching similarities. Words have a great deal of weight our tradition. They can obligate us, […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 112. We follow a sage who feels impelled to come to live inIsrael. But is he doing the right thing? What does it mean to love Israel? Does it mean extolling its uniqueness only? Or can it mean […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 111. We are supposed to yearn for life in the land of Israel. Yet some would argue that the possibility of a more vibrant Jewish life in the Diaspora would justify staying away from Israel. Are those who […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 110. How shrewd does one have to be in order to protect one’s rights, in order to get justice done? Can we take shortcuts if we can get a fair outcome without going through all the steps of […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 109. We explore a number of situations in which people find themselves in difficulty. How much do we assume that it is their own fault and how much is just bad luck or the fault of others. Even […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 108. When is a favor not a favor? How do we measure a benefit that one derives from the unbidden generosity of others? Can we put a monetary value on the prevention of embarrassment? To view the text […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 107. What assumptions can we make about a person who does not tell us what in on their mind? How does our concept of the “standard” marital relationship color our assumptions about what each partner cares about? How […]

The new FX/Hulu series The Patient is a psychological thriller about a therapist, played by Steve Carell, who is kidnapped by and forced to treat his patient, a serial killer, played by Domnhall Gleeson. The show touches on many powerful Jewish themes appropriate for the High Holy Day season, as well as the complicated dynamics of families […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 106. We continue to examine the issue of bribery. We learn of the many problems caused by a seemingly innocuous gift of a basket of fish. Then we return to considering the proper use of public funds, originally […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 105. We learn of early arrangements of judiciary authorities from Temple times, arrangements that may reflect the changing of the guard from priestly leadership to leadership by lay scholars. Within the overall topic of judicial integrity we explore […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 104. We examine a heart-wrenching story about the death of Rabbi Judah the Patriarch. This one also involves a roof. And it raises hard problems: How shall we cope with difficult issues raised at the end of life? […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 103. What was the real sin of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah? What are the benefits of living together under one roof? Can these benefits be compelled? And speaking of roves, we ponder an emotionally challenging story […]

On this week’s episode, Steven is in a dark place and Brad tries not to get dragged down with him. The guys discuss the recent January 6th Committee hearing, the Warnock-Walker debates and realize that all fascists are actually bad people. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 102. The new chapter raises questions about undertaking and meeting one’s obligations. When can a verbal commitment be taken as binding and when is it to be dismissed? Another question raised regards custody arrangements for children after parents […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 101. The discussion examines various scenarios of terminated marriages. In what ways do the rabbis intervene to preserve the rights of the parties and when is one or the other party penalized for entering or ending the marriage? […]

This week, Brad and Steven talk about President Biden’s recent comment about how the world is now closer to nuclear armageddon than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis. The guys consider the prospects of the world coming to an end and discuss what would be on the menu for their last meal. They also […]

The new Marvel TV series ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ is currently streaming on Disney+, “hulking out” on subjects ranging from toxic masculinity to celebrity culture to embracing one’s power and taking responsibility for others. As always, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky have thoughts. What does this series say about the state of the MCU, and what […]

This week, Brad and Steven talk about Steven’s visit to NYC and the treasure that was unearthed in his childhood home. they also talk about Aaron Judge’s pursuit of the American League single-season home run record, what to eat at Yankee Stadium, Long Island Trumpists, and the Ken Burns Holocaust documentary. Happy New Year to all who celebrate […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Danny Nevins looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 79. Real estate is often considered to be the best investment, and it certainly functions that way in a usufruct arrangement where a husband manages his wife’s property and benefits from the income. Thus it makes sense that […]

So much great TV, so little time! Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky recap everything Jewish about the 2022 Emmy awards. Who won, who was robbed, who wore what best, and who got that coveted PopTorah bump? Plus we discuss what the night’s biggest winners and losers tell us about the state of pop culture today, and what it […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Danny Nevins looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 78. Today we begin Chapter 8 of Ketubot, HaIsha Shenafla, which addresses cases in which a woman inherits property around the time of her engagement or marriage. Rabbinic law gives husbands ownership of their wife’s property acquired during […]