Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 40. Enjoying the sacred time of the festival is influenced by the spaces we inhabit. How far can we stretch the boundaries of space and still share a common experience? By applying the criterion of space to measure […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 39. We examine the use of materials on festivals that may be available to many people, each going their own way. Do we apply any notions of ownership to such things as a flame or a natural source […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 38. The concept of “breirah” – do we accept a notion of predestination? Defending the rights of persons – in theory and in practice – the difference between a talmudic dictum and an episode in the study hall. […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 37. How much leeway do we grant with regard to restrictions on activities during a festival? What counts as an extenuating circumstance? And another case of competing claims: One person wants to study and one person wants to […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 36. We examine the relative values of human dignity, property values and the sacred atmosphere of Shabbat and Yom Tov. When such values come into conflict, which must make way before the other? The Talmud relates a story […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 35. We explore some legal implications that may follow from the power of sacred time of Shabbat. Hillel’s unique position in this regard. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 34. In order to create a special holiday experience we take into consideration appearances, thoughts and intentions, as well as actions. How much should we worry about things going wrong? How seriously should we take the thoughts of […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 33. How many ways can wood be put to use? Are they all appropriate for the holiday? What are the broad considerations that the Sages took seriously when limiting activities on Yom Tov? How definitive are the legal […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 32. This daf recounts some interesting aggadic teachings of Rav Natan bar Abba, including what the nature of one’s character should be in order to be considered a true descendent of Abraham, and what types of behavior will lead […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 31. Can one make a hole in a house on יום טוב? Is the ruling here different than the ruling for how one should behave on שבת? This daf deals with the question of making a hole as a […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 30. Can one carry a vessel on יום טוב? If so, how should one go about it? This daf makes clear that the rabbis understood that commerce needs to proceed on a Festival, but it also emphasizes that it […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 29. Can one obtain food from a butcher, grocer or shepherd on a Festival? This daf acknowledges that people’s basic needs still need to be met on יום טוב; here, the rabbis devise a system through which people can […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 28. Can one sharpen a knife on a Festival? If so, what are the stipulations which dictate how the sharpening can be performed? This daf uses these questions as a means to explore the idea that it is significant […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 27. This episode deals with the question of what to do if an animal dies on יום טוב. Can it be cut up? Can the carcass be moved? And to what degree are the answers to the questions contingent […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Simeon Cohen looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 26. This daf deals with the question of what to do if a first-born animal, a בכור, falls into a בור on a Festival. Is it permitted to descend to save it? Can one examine it for blemishes? And […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 25. What’s the most polite way to drink a cup of wine? The rabbis cared about social manners, and these manners become the basis for Jewish law. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 24. Which is more important: the details of Talmudic debate or the mystical quest for holiness? An interaction on our daf suggests that one may lead to the other. The opening and closing music for this podcast is […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 23. Creating a day that is a taste of eternity takes attention to detail and careful planning. Perhaps this is the reason the Gemara brings so many debates about what constitutes Melacha (prohibited work) on Shabbat and Yom […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 22. The principle of Marit Ayin (for the sake of appearance) has its origins in Talmudic thinking. What we are seen doing can influence the actions of others, and the rabbis remind us that we need to be […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 21. Look! A raven! Even the greatest rabbis are not above using any tactic to avoid an unwanted discussion. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ben Kramer looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 11. Yet even more dovecotes – and two more principals of rabbinic jurisprudence: majority and proximity. Both principals have their place, but how to decide which one to apply when they lead to different rulings? The opening and […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ben Kramer looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 10. More dovecotes — and another principal of rabbinic jurisprudence: bereirah, the ability to retroactively clarify one’s choice. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ben Kramer looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 9. Dovecotes, ladders and the importance of avoiding the appearance of wrongdoing. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead.

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ben Kramer looks at Masechet Beitza Daf 8. What happens when a positive commandment and a negative commandment devolve upon the same person in the same moment? The answer is one of the foundational principals of rabbinic jurisprudence. The opening and closing music for this […]