Daily Daf Differently

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joel Roth looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 23. What does Honi HaMe’agel mean?  And are there limits to the acceptable behavior of a proven miracle worker? The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead. This podcast is […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Avi Strausberg looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 22. In today’s episode, we’ll continue to explore what it means to be holy and more specifically address the question, what does one have to do to secure a place in olam ha’ba, the world to come. We’ll eavesdrop […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Avi Strausberg looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 21. In today’s episode, we’ll meet the righteous man Nachum Ish Gam Zo, a great rabbi seemingly condemned to a difficult life of suffering. What has he done to deserve this fate? By unpacking his story and understanding how […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Avi Strausberg looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 20. In today’s episode, we’ll learn the classic aggadic story of Rabbi Elazar’s encounter with a strange fellow on his way home from a great day of Torah learning. Through that story, we’ll explore what it means to be […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Avi Strausberg looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 19. In today’s episode, we learn the famous aggada of Honi the Circle-Maker who stands before God and boldly demands rain for a community in drought. We’ll think about what we can and cannot ask God for, focusing on […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Avi Strausberg looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 18. In today’s episode, we’ll learn about Megillat Taanit, the scroll that details 35 celebratory, historical events that the rabbis declared should be observed as holidays for all generations. We’ll unpack what it means to observe these days as […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Avi Strausberg looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 17. In today’s episode, we explore why Cohanim were forbidden to drink in the days of the Temple and whether this prohibition would apply to Cohanim in our times. We’ll think about how our lives are different today in […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Avi Strausberg looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 16. In today’s episode, we’ll delve into the ritual fasts that a community takes upon themselves when suffering from lack of rain and fearing for the harvest to come. We’ll explore the theology of reward and punishment and reflect […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 15. The fast day Amidah used to include 6 additional blessings (24 instead of the usual 18) We don’t add all of those blessings today, but phrases from each have been merged together to create a new piyyut […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 14. Is any kind of prayer or supplication beneath our dignity? Does it matter whether we pray with words or actions, sackcloth or bowing? What do Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb, the wicked king Jehoram have to tell […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 13. In some cultures, people would bathe once a week, whether or not they needed it! Bathing is prohibited on some fast days, but not others. Mourners aren’t supposed to bathe during shiva either, but there are some […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 12. How fast can you fast? 25 hours? Is 12 hours enough? How about 6.5? Fasting a “half day” for minor fasts is a common Conservative practice. Where did it originate? The opening and closing music for this […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 11. Is fasting a good thing or a bad thing? Is it rude to eat or enjoy one’s self while others are suffering, or is it wrong to waste blessings that God may have sent our way? The […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 10. Most prayer books have a cryptic reference to beginning new prayers for rain around December 5th. Why choose a date from the secular calendar and not the Jewish calendar. And why that date? The answer will take […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Heller looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 9. On this daf, we ask the question of whether blessings can come to a whole community on the basis of one person’s actions, or whether, perhaps, sometimes rain may fall on one person, and not his neighbors. […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Aaron Alexander looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 8. Wholeness in Prayer – The rabbis explore the difference between communal and individual prayer, and whether sincerity matters at all… The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead. This […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Aaron Alexander looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 7. The Singularity of Rain and the double-edged sword of Torah. See how the rabbis have always known what we know today – be careful how you teach and preach. The opening and closing music for this podcast […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Aaron Alexander looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 6. Is there an appropriate and powerful way to offer a personal blessing after a meaningful encounter? Here’s one rabbi’s suggestion… The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead. This […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Aaron Alexander looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 5. Is it possible for God to be both here and not here, there and not there? Let’s explore ‘between heaven and earth’! 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 Aaron Alexander looks at Masechet Taanit Daf 4. Students, Fire and Swords – What are the pitfalls of Torah Study? Opportunities? The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from The Epichorus album One Bead. This podcast is a collaboration with The Conservative […]