Sotah 7:1-2
Jan 1, 2008 By Daniel Nevins | Text Study
Is Hebrew necessary in Jewish ritual life? When and why?
Read More
Nedarim 9:1
Jan 1, 2008 By Daniel Nevins | Text Study
If a person takes a rash vow, what factors can be summoned to release him?
Read More
Ketubah 12:3
Jan 1, 2008 By Daniel Nevins | Text Study
What advice does the Talmud offer for estate skirmishes?
Read More
Yevamot 15:1
Jan 1, 2008 By Daniel Nevins | Text Study
This tractate deals primarily with complicated cases that test the Torah’s dictate that if a man dies childless, his younger brother is obligated to marry the widow (Deut. 25:5-6). Mingled with these discussions are the consideration of many other situations involving widowhood, divorce, and remarriage.
Read More
Hagigah 1:5
Jan 1, 2008 By Daniel Nevins | Text Study
On the three pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot, Jews were required to make pilgrimage to Jerusalem and bring two sacrifices. The re’iyah (appearance offering) was an olah (burned sacrifice). The hagigah (festive offering) was a sh’lamim (edible sacrifice). The latter was shared by the family as a simhah, or “happy meal.” The Torah does not specify the size of these sacrifices.
Read More
Moed Katan 1:5
Jan 1, 2008 By Daniel Nevins | Text Study
In talmudic times, the dead were initially placed in burial caves to decompose. After a year, their relatives would gather the bones for “second burial” in an ossuary. Could this be done during the festival?
Read More
Megillah 4:1
Jan 1, 2008 By Daniel Nevins | Text Study
This Mishnah is a window into early rabbinic customs of chanting scripture.
Read More
