Daily Daf Differently: Masechet Shabbat

Welcome to the Thirty Sixth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ben Kramer looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 37. In this episode, we explore issues surrounding the prohibition of bishul b’shabbat (cooking on Shabbat) and try to understand why the Talmud doesn’t always find it necessary to decide the law. Rabbi Ben […]

Welcome to the Thirty Fifth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 36. This episode addresses the confusions created by the destruction of the Second Temple, and the Sages reassurance that in fact, both clarity and K’dushah can both be retained in a post-Temple world. Rabbi […]

Welcome to the Thirty Fourth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 35. Explored today, is the tension between the need for specific and fixed boundaries in time, and the value of blurring those boundaries, as ways of making Shabbat more meaningful. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield serves […]

Welcome to the Thirty Third episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 34. In today’s podcast, we explore the importance of not simply observing Shabbat, but of preparing for Shabbat, and what that suggests about at least one understanding of what Shabbat is all about. Rabbi […]

Welcome to the Thirty Second episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 33. Today we explore the temptation, and ultimate failure, of explaining human suffering by means of simple calculations of reward and punishment. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield serves as President of Clal – The National Jewish […]

Welcome to the Thirty First episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 32. On today’s daf, we explore why people die unexpected deaths, and how different Sages cope with the challenge of finding meaning in what they often experience as a dangerous and threatening world. Rabbi […]

Welcome to the Thirtieth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 31. Today’s episode filnds us in the midst of classic stories about Hillel, Shammai, and their respective attitudes to prospective converts, when we discover a theory of education based on the primacy of relationships. Rabbi […]

Welcome to the Twenty Nineth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 30. In this episode we focus on what defines purposeful activity, at least with respect to Shabbat, and what is the reason we light Shabbat candles? Rabbi Brad Hirschfield serves as President of Clal […]

Welcome to the Twenty Eighth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 29. The rabbis of the Talmud weren’t concerned about walking on eggshells, but eggshells were very important to them. I bet that you can’t wait to learn why they spent so much time talking […]

<!– Shabbat, Daf 28 > Welcome to the Twenty Seventh episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 28. From tents to tefillin, today’s daf takes us on a journey from being enveloped by impurity to being wrapped up in God’s word. Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky is the […]

Welcome to the Twenty Sixth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 27. The Talmud includes some fairly harsh comments that were stated by some rabbis about their colleagues. Were they really BFF’s or did they really mean it? Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky is the Rabbinics Curriculum […]

Welcome to the Twenty Fifth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 26. The Talmud includes some fairly harsh comments that were stated by some rabbis about their colleagues. Were they really BFF’s or did they really mean it? Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky is the Rabbinics Curriculum […]

Welcome to the Twenty Fourth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 25. What does burning tar and the blessing over Shabbat candles have in common? Actually, a lot. Come and learn the connection between burning tar and Shabbat candles. Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky is the Rabbinics […]

Welcome to the Twenty Third episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 24. When was the last time that you read the Haftorah at mincha on Shabbat afternoon? Well, somebody in the Talmud thought that you should and find out what happened to their opinion. Rabbi […]

Welcome to the Twenty Second episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 23. Do the rabbi of the Talmud really speak for God? Learn how the seemingly simple blessing recited over the Hanukkah candles is actually not so simple. Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky is the Rabbinics Curriculum […]

Welcome to the Twenty First episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 22. Is the mitzvah of Chanukkah to light the candles or simply to place the Chanukkiah in our window? A lesson from the Chassidic text Kedushat Levi suggests that these two possibilities reflect different […]

Welcome to the Twentieth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 21. In the middle of the Talmud’s discussion on wicks and waxes, Chanukkah appears! The debate between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai about the number of candles to light reflects a centuries-long debate on the […]

Welcome to the Nineteenth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 20. “Bameh Madlikin?” With what may we kindle Shabbat lights? This famous Mishnah, read in traditional shuls on Friday nights, bespeaks a key element of Shabbat, and it reminds us that throughout Jewish life, the […]

Welcome to the Eighteenth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 19. The Amoraim (the rabbis of the Gemara) explain an earlier text (a Braita) about a non-Jewish messenger delivering a letter on Shabbat. In the process, they show us how sacred the older texts are […]

Welcome to the Seventeenth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 18. What are the issues regarding passive work on Shabbat? The Torah says “so that your ox and your donkey can rest (Shabbat 23:13).” Does this apply to my crockpot, as well? Rabbi Abby Sosland […]