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Avodah Zarah 45
08.02.2025 | ח׳ באב תשפ״ה
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Masechet Avodah Zarah
Masechet Avodah Zarah is sponsored by the Talmud class of Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City, CA, in honor of the Hadran staff who make learning possible.
Avodah Zarah 45
מַתְנִי׳ הַגּוֹיִם הָעוֹבְדִים אֶת הֶהָרִים וְאֶת הַגְּבָעוֹת — הֵן מוּתָּרִין, וּמָה שֶׁעֲלֵיהֶן אֲסוּרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תַחְמֹד כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עֲלֵיהֶם״.
MISHNA: With regard to the halakha in the case of the gentiles who worship the mountains and the hills, the mountains and hills are permitted, but what is upon them is forbidden. It is not prohibited to derive benefit from the mountains and hills themselves, and they can be used for planting, harvesting, and the like. But if gentiles coated them with gold or silver, it is prohibited to derive benefit from the coating, as it is stated: “The graven images of their gods shall you burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 7:25).
רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הֶהָרִים״ — וְלֹא הֶהָרִים אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הַגְּבָעוֹת״ — וְלֹא הַגְּבָעוֹת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם.
Rabbi Yosei HaGelili says with regard to the verse: “You shall destroy all the places where the nations that you are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree” (Deuteronomy 12:2): The mitzva to destroy objects of idol worship applies to “their gods, upon the high mountains,” but not to the mountains themselves that are their gods. Similarly it applies to “their gods…upon the hills,” but not to the hills themselves that are their gods.
וּמִפְּנֵי מָה אֲשֵׁירָה אֲסוּרָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם, וְכֹל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם — אָסוּר.
The mishna asks: And for what reason, then, is an ashera forbidden? Doesn’t the verse also state: “And under every leafy tree,” which indicates that the mitzva to destroy objects of idol worship does not apply to the trees themselves? The mishna answers: It is because it is the product of human involvement and did not grow by itself, and the halakha is that anything that is the product of human involvement is forbidden.
אָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: אֲנִי אוֹבִין וְאָדוּן לְפָנֶיךָ, כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁאַתָּה מוֹצֵא הַר גָּבוֹהַּ וְגִבְעָה נִשָּׂאָה וְעֵץ רַעֲנָן, דַּע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
Rabbi Akiva says: I will explain and decide the matter before you. The verse does not indicate limitations to the halakhic definition of idols; rather, it is simply giving indicators of prevalent idolatrous practice: Everywhere that you find a high mountain, or an elevated hill, or a leafy tree, know that there is idol worship there.
גְּמָ׳ וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי הַיְינוּ תַּנָּא קַמָּא! אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: צִפּוּי הַר כְּהַר אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ, תַּנָּא קַמָּא סָבַר: צִפּוּי הַר אֵינוֹ כְּהַר וּמִיתְּסַר, וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי סָבַר: צִפּוּי הַר הֲרֵי הוּא כְּהַר.
GEMARA: The Gemara asks: But isn’t the opinion of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili the same as that of the first tanna? Both of them indicate that what is on the mountain is forbidden, while the mountain itself is permitted. Rami bar Ḥama says that Reish Lakish says: The difference between them is the issue of whether the status of the coating of a mountain is like the status of the mountain itself. The first tanna holds that the status of the coating of a mountain is not like the mountain itself, and is therefore forbidden, and Rabbi Yosei HaGelili holds that the status of the coating of a mountain is like the mountain itself.
רַב שֵׁשֶׁת אָמַר: דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא צִפּוּי הַר אֵינוֹ כְּהַר.
Rejecting this explanation, Rav Sheshet says: Everyone agrees that the status of the coating of a mountain is not like the mountain itself and is forbidden.
וְהָכָא בָּאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ קָמִיפַּלְגִי, תַּנָּא קַמָּא סָבַר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ — מוּתָּר, וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי סָבַר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ — אָסוּר.
And here, they disagree with regard to the status of a tree that one planted and only subsequently worshipped. The first tanna holds that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is permitted, and Rabbi Yosei HaGelili holds that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is forbidden.
מִמַּאי? מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אֲשֵׁירָה אֲסוּרָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם, וְכֹל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם אָסוּר. ״וְכֹל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ תְּפִיסַת אָדָם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לָאו לְאֵתוֹיֵי אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ?
The Gemara asks: From where does Rav Sheshet infer that Rabbi Yosei HaGelili holds that such a tree is forbidden? It is from the fact that the mishna teaches in the last clause: For what reason is an ashera forbidden? It is because it is the product of human involvement and did not grow by itself, and the halakha is that anything that is the product of human involvement is forbidden. What is added by the generalization: And anything that is the product of human involvement is forbidden? Is it not added to include the case of a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped?
וְאַף רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ — אָסוּר, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הֶהָרִים״ — וְלֹא הֶהָרִים אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הַגְּבָעוֹת״ — וְלֹא גְּבָעוֹת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי ״תַּחַת כׇּל עֵץ רַעֲנָן אֱלֹהֵיהֶם״ — וְלֹא רַעֲנָן אֱלֹהֵיהֶם?
The Gemara notes: And Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, also holds that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is forbidden. As it is taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “You shall destroy all the places where the nations that you are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree” (Deuteronomy 12:2): Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, says: From that which is stated in the verse: “You shall destroy…their gods, upon the high mountains,” from which the Sages derived: But not the mountains themselves that are their gods, and: “You shall destroy…their gods…upon the hills,” but not the hills themselves if they are their gods, I would derive from the next clause in the verse: “Their gods…under every leafy tree,” that the mitzva to destroy an object of idol worship does not apply to the leafy trees themselves that are their gods.
תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״.
Therefore, the next verse states: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire” (Deuteronomy 12:3). Even a tree that was worshipped only after it was planted is forbidden.
אֶלָּא ״תַּחַת כׇּל עֵץ רַעֲנָן״ לְמָה לִי? הָהוּא לְכִדְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הוּא דַּאֲתָא, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: אֲנִי אוֹבִין וְאָדוּן לְפָנֶיךָ, כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁאַתָּה מוֹצֵא הַר גָּבוֹהַּ וְגִבְעָה נִשָּׂאָה וְעֵץ רַעֲנָן, דַּע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
Rather, if the trees themselves are forbidden, why do I need the phrase “under every leafy tree”? That phrase comes to teach a halakha in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva; as Rabbi Akiva says: I will explain and decide the matter before you. Everywhere that you find a high mountain, or an elevated hill, or a leafy tree, know that there is idol worship there. From the fact that Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, does not derive from the phrase “under every leafy tree” that a tree that was planted and only subsequently worshipped is still permitted, it is apparent that he holds that such a tree is forbidden. This is consistent with the opinion that Rav Sheshet ascribes to Rabbi Yosei HaGelili.
וְרַבָּנַן, הַאי ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״ מַאי עָבְדִי לֵיהּ? מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ מִתְּחִילָּה לְכָךְ.
The Gemara asks: And as for the Rabbis, who maintain that a tree that was planted and subsequently worshipped is permitted, what do they do with this verse: “And burn their asherim with fire”? The Gemara answers: This verse is necessary with regard to the halakha of a tree that was initially planted for that idolatrous practice, which must be destroyed and from which deriving benefit is prohibited.
וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה נָמֵי מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְהָכִי? הָכִי נָמֵי. אֶלָּא אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ מְנָא לֵיהּ? נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִ״וַּאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״, אֵיזֶהוּ עֵץ שֶׁגִּידּוּעוֹ אָסוּר וְעִיקָּרוֹ מוּתָּר? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ.
The Gemara asks: But doesn’t Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, also require this phrase to teach this? The Gemara answers. Indeed, he does. Rather, from where does he derive that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is forbidden? He derives it from the following verse: “But so shall you deal with them: You shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their asherim, and burn their graven images with fire” (Deuteronomy 7:5). Now, which is the tree whose trunk is forbidden but its root is permitted, as the verse instructs one to hew it down? You must say that it is referring to a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped.
וְהָא ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״ קָא נָסֵיב לַהּ תַּלְמוּדָא!
The Gemara asks how that verse can be the source of the ruling of Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, for deeming forbidden a tree that was planted and only subsequently worshipped. But doesn’t the baraita state that he adduces the derivation prohibiting worshipped ashera trees from the verse: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire”?
אִילּוּ לֹא נֶאֱמַר קָאָמַר: אִילּוּ לֹא נֶאֱמַר ״תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״, הָיִיתִי אוֹמֵר ״אֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״ בְּאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ מִתְּחִילָּה לְכָךְ, הַשְׁתָּא דִּכְתִיב ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״, אִיַּיתַּר לֵיהּ ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״ לְאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ.
The Gemara answers: By deriving this halakha from the verse: “And burn their asherim with fire,” Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, is speaking utilizing the style of: If it were not stated. The Gemara explains: If the verse: “Burn their asherim with fire,” were not stated, I would have said that the verse: “And hew down their asherim,” is referring to a tree that was initially planted for idol worship. Now that it is written: “And burn their asherim with fire,” the verse: “And hew down their asherim,” is rendered superfluous and is consequently interpreted as referring to a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped. Therefore, it is ultimately this latter verse that serves as the source for the implied ruling of Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, that it is prohibited to derive benefit from such a tree.
וְרַבָּנַן, הַאי ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״ מַאי עָבְדִי לֵיהּ? לְכִדְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: גִּידּוּעֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה קוֹדְמִין לְכִיבּוּשׁ אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּיבּוּשׁ אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קוֹדֵם לְבִיעוּר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
The Gemara asks: And as for the Rabbis, what do they do with this verse: “And hew down their asherim”? The Gemara answers: This verse is written in order to teach a halakha in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi; as Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: The felling of trees dedicated to idol worship precedes the conquering of all of Eretz Yisrael, and conquering Eretz Yisrael precedes the eradication of all the objects of idol worship.
דְּתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: ״וְנִתַּצְתֶּם אֶת מִזְבְּחֹתָם״ וְהַנַּח, ״וְשִׁבַּרְתֶּם אֶת מַצֵּבֹתָם״ וְהַנַּח.
As Rav Yosef teaches a baraita: The verse states: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire.” Rav Yosef explains: “And you shall break down their altars,” and leave them, as the Torah does not prescribe that they be burned; “and dash in pieces their pillars” and leave them.
וְהַנַּח, סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? שְׂרֵיפָה בָּעֵי! אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: רְדוֹף, וְאַחַר כָּךְ שְׂרוֹף.
The Gemara asks: But does it enter your mind that the Torah is instructing one to leave them alone? Doesn’t an object of idol worship require burning, as it says at the end of the verse: “And burn their asherim with fire”? Rav Huna says: Pursue the enemy and then return to burn them. Meaning, first smash their objects of idol worship, then conquer the land, and then return to burn the smashed items.
וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, הַאי סְבָרָא מְנָא לֵיהּ? נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מְ״אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן״ — ״אַבֵּד״, וְאַחַר כָּךְ ״תְּאַבֵּדוּן״.
The Gemara asks: And from where does Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, derive this opinion about the order of priorities in the process of conquering Eretz Yisrael? The Gemara answers: He derives it from the verse: “You shall destroy all the places where the nations that you are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree.” From the double-verb form of the directive “you shall destroy [abbed te’abedun]” he derives that there are two stages to the destruction of their gods: First destroy them [abbed], i.e., smash them; then go and conquer the land, and only afterward you shall destroy [te’abedun] them completely, i.e., burn or eradicate them.
וְרַבָּנַן? הָא מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְעוֹקֵר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְשָׁרֵשׁ אַחֲרֶיהָ.
The Gemara asks: And what do the Rabbis derive from the double verb? The Gemara answers: This double verb is necessary to teach that when one deracinates an object of idol worship, he needs to root out all traces of it.
וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, לְשָׁרֵשׁ אַחֲרֶיהָ מְנָא לֵיהּ? נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִ״וְּאִבַּדְתֶּם אֶת שְׁמָם מִן הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא״.
The Gemara asks: And from where does Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, derive the obligation to root out all traces of idol worship? The Gemara answers: He derives it from the verse: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire; and you shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and you shall destroy their name out of that place” (Deuteronomy 12:3).
וְרַבָּנַן? הַהוּא לְכַנּוֹת לָהּ שֵׁם, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן לְעוֹקֵר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְשָׁרֵשׁ אַחֲרֶיהָ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וְאִבַּדְתֶּם אֶת שְׁמָם״.
The Gemara asks: And what do the Rabbis derive from this verse? The Gemara answers: That verse teaches that it is a mitzva to give a derogatory nickname to an idol. As it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: From where is it derived that when one deracinates an object of idol worship, he needs to root out all traces of it? The verse states: “And you shall destroy their name out of that place.”
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Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
Shortly after the death of my father, David Malik z”l, I made the commitment to Daf Yomi. While riding to Ben Gurion airport in January, Siyum HaShas was playing on the radio; that was the nudge I needed to get started. The “everyday-ness” of the Daf has been a meaningful spiritual practice, especial after COVID began & I was temporarily unable to say Kaddish at daily in-person minyanim.
Lisa S. Malik
Wynnewood, United States
After reading the book, “ If All The Seas Were Ink “ by Ileana Kurshan I started studying Talmud. I searched and studied with several teachers until I found Michelle Farber. I have been studying with her for two years. I look forward every day to learn from her.
Janine Rubens
Virginia, United States
I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!
Khaya Eisenberg
Jerusalem, Israel
I am grateful for the structure of the Daf Yomi. When I am freer to learn to my heart’s content, I learn other passages in addition. But even in times of difficulty, I always know that I can rely on the structure and social support of Daf Yomi learners all over the world.
I am also grateful for this forum. It is very helpful to learn with a group of enthusiastic and committed women.
Janice Block
Beit Shemesh, Israel
Margo
I started my Talmud journey in 7th grade at Akiba Jewish Day School in Chicago. I started my Daf Yomi journey after hearing Erica Brown speak at the Hadran Siyum about marking the passage of time through Daf Yomi.
Carolyn
I started my Talmud journey post-college in NY with a few classes. I started my Daf Yomi journey after the Hadran Siyum, which inspired both my son and myself.
Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal
Merion Station, USA
Beit Shemesh, Israel
After enthusing to my friend Ruth Kahan about how much I had enjoyed remote Jewish learning during the earlier part of the pandemic, she challenged me to join her in learning the daf yomi cycle. I had always wanted to do daf yomi but now had no excuse. The beginning was particularly hard as I had never studied Talmud but has become easier, as I have gained some familiarity with it.
Susan Vishner
Brookline, United States
I had dreamed of doing daf yomi since I had my first serious Talmud class 18 years ago at Pardes with Rahel Berkovitz, and then a couple of summers with Leah Rosenthal. There is no way I would be able to do it without another wonderful teacher, Michelle, and the Hadran organization. I wake up and am excited to start each day with the next daf.
Beth Elster
Irvine, United States
I’ve been studying Talmud since the ’90s, and decided to take on Daf Yomi two years ago. I wanted to attempt the challenge of a day-to-day, very Jewish activity. Some days are so interesting and some days are so boring. But I’m still here.
Wendy Rozov
Phoenix, AZ, United States
My husband learns Daf, my son learns Daf, my son-in-law learns Daf.
When I read about Hadran’s Siyyum HaShas 2 years ago, I thought- I can learn Daf too!
I had learned Gemara in Hillel HS in NJ, & I remembered loving it.
Rabbanit Michelle & Hadran have opened my eyes & expanding my learning so much in the past few years. We can now discuss Gemara as a family.
This was a life saver during Covid
Renee Braha
Brooklyn, NY, United States
My family recently made Aliyah, because we believe the next chapter in the story of the Jewish people is being written here, and we want to be a part of it. Daf Yomi, on the other hand, connects me BACK, to those who wrote earlier chapters thousands of years ago. So, I feel like I’m living in the middle of this epic story. I’m learning how it all began, and looking ahead to see where it goes!
Tina Lamm
Jerusalem, Israel
I saw an elderly man at the shul kiddush in early March 2020, celebrating the siyyum of masechet brachot which he had been learning with a young yeshiva student. I thought, if he can do it, I can do it! I began to learn masechet Shabbat the next day, Making up masechet brachot myself, which I had missed. I haven’t missed a day since, thanks to the ease of listening to Hadran’s podcast!
Judith Shapiro
Minnesota, United States
I started to listen to Michelle’s podcasts four years ago. The minute I started I was hooked. I’m so excited to learn the entire Talmud, and think I will continue always. I chose the quote “while a woman is engaged in conversation she also holds the spindle”. (Megillah 14b). It reminds me of all of the amazing women I learn with every day who multi-task, think ahead and accomplish so much.
Julie Mendelsohn
Zichron Yakov, Israel
I went to day school in Toronto but really began to learn when I attended Brovenders back in the early 1980’s. Last year after talking to my sister who was learning Daf Yomi, inspired, I looked on the computer and the Hadran site came up. I have been listening to each days shiur in the morning as I work. I emphasis listening since I am not sitting with a Gamara. I listen while I work in my studio.
Rachel Rotenberg
Tekoa, Israel
In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.
Rhondda May
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
I’ve been learning since January 2020, and in June I started drawing a phrase from each daf. Sometimes it’s easy (e.g. plants), sometimes it’s very hard (e.g. korbanot), and sometimes it’s loads of fun (e.g. bird racing) to find something to draw. I upload my pictures from each masechet to #DafYomiArt. I am enjoying every step of the journey.
Gila Loike
Ashdod, Israel
After enthusing to my friend Ruth Kahan about how much I had enjoyed remote Jewish learning during the earlier part of the pandemic, she challenged me to join her in learning the daf yomi cycle. I had always wanted to do daf yomi but now had no excuse. The beginning was particularly hard as I had never studied Talmud but has become easier, as I have gained some familiarity with it.
Susan Vishner
Brookline, United States
The first month I learned Daf Yomi by myself in secret, because I wasn’t sure how my husband would react, but after the siyyum on Masechet Brachot I discovered Hadran and now sometimes my husband listens to the daf with me. He and I also learn mishnayot together and are constantly finding connections between the different masechtot.
Laura Warshawsky
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Shira Eliaser
Skokie, IL, United States
At almost 70 I am just beginning my journey with Talmud and Hadran. I began not late, but right when I was called to learn. It is never too late to begin! The understanding patience of staff and participants with more experience and knowledge has been fabulous. The joy of learning never stops and for me. It is a new life, a new light, a new depth of love of The Holy One, Blessed be He.
Deborah Hoffman-Wade
Richmond, CA, United States
Hearing and reading about the siyumim at the completion of the 13 th cycle Daf Yomi asked our shul rabbi about starting the Daf – he directed me to another shiur in town he thought would allow a woman to join, and so I did! Love seeing the sources for the Divrei Torah I’ve been hearing for the past decades of living an observant life and raising 5 children .
Jill Felder
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Avodah Zarah 45
מַתְנִי׳ הַגּוֹיִם הָעוֹבְדִים אֶת הֶהָרִים וְאֶת הַגְּבָעוֹת — הֵן מוּתָּרִין, וּמָה שֶׁעֲלֵיהֶן אֲסוּרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תַחְמֹד כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עֲלֵיהֶם״.
MISHNA: With regard to the halakha in the case of the gentiles who worship the mountains and the hills, the mountains and hills are permitted, but what is upon them is forbidden. It is not prohibited to derive benefit from the mountains and hills themselves, and they can be used for planting, harvesting, and the like. But if gentiles coated them with gold or silver, it is prohibited to derive benefit from the coating, as it is stated: “The graven images of their gods shall you burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 7:25).
רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הֶהָרִים״ — וְלֹא הֶהָרִים אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הַגְּבָעוֹת״ — וְלֹא הַגְּבָעוֹת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם.
Rabbi Yosei HaGelili says with regard to the verse: “You shall destroy all the places where the nations that you are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree” (Deuteronomy 12:2): The mitzva to destroy objects of idol worship applies to “their gods, upon the high mountains,” but not to the mountains themselves that are their gods. Similarly it applies to “their gods…upon the hills,” but not to the hills themselves that are their gods.
וּמִפְּנֵי מָה אֲשֵׁירָה אֲסוּרָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם, וְכֹל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם — אָסוּר.
The mishna asks: And for what reason, then, is an ashera forbidden? Doesn’t the verse also state: “And under every leafy tree,” which indicates that the mitzva to destroy objects of idol worship does not apply to the trees themselves? The mishna answers: It is because it is the product of human involvement and did not grow by itself, and the halakha is that anything that is the product of human involvement is forbidden.
אָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: אֲנִי אוֹבִין וְאָדוּן לְפָנֶיךָ, כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁאַתָּה מוֹצֵא הַר גָּבוֹהַּ וְגִבְעָה נִשָּׂאָה וְעֵץ רַעֲנָן, דַּע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
Rabbi Akiva says: I will explain and decide the matter before you. The verse does not indicate limitations to the halakhic definition of idols; rather, it is simply giving indicators of prevalent idolatrous practice: Everywhere that you find a high mountain, or an elevated hill, or a leafy tree, know that there is idol worship there.
גְּמָ׳ וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי הַיְינוּ תַּנָּא קַמָּא! אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: צִפּוּי הַר כְּהַר אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ, תַּנָּא קַמָּא סָבַר: צִפּוּי הַר אֵינוֹ כְּהַר וּמִיתְּסַר, וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי סָבַר: צִפּוּי הַר הֲרֵי הוּא כְּהַר.
GEMARA: The Gemara asks: But isn’t the opinion of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili the same as that of the first tanna? Both of them indicate that what is on the mountain is forbidden, while the mountain itself is permitted. Rami bar Ḥama says that Reish Lakish says: The difference between them is the issue of whether the status of the coating of a mountain is like the status of the mountain itself. The first tanna holds that the status of the coating of a mountain is not like the mountain itself, and is therefore forbidden, and Rabbi Yosei HaGelili holds that the status of the coating of a mountain is like the mountain itself.
רַב שֵׁשֶׁת אָמַר: דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא צִפּוּי הַר אֵינוֹ כְּהַר.
Rejecting this explanation, Rav Sheshet says: Everyone agrees that the status of the coating of a mountain is not like the mountain itself and is forbidden.
וְהָכָא בָּאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ קָמִיפַּלְגִי, תַּנָּא קַמָּא סָבַר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ — מוּתָּר, וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי סָבַר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ — אָסוּר.
And here, they disagree with regard to the status of a tree that one planted and only subsequently worshipped. The first tanna holds that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is permitted, and Rabbi Yosei HaGelili holds that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is forbidden.
מִמַּאי? מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אֲשֵׁירָה אֲסוּרָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם, וְכֹל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ תְּפִיסַת יְדֵי אָדָם אָסוּר. ״וְכֹל שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ תְּפִיסַת אָדָם״ לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לָאו לְאֵתוֹיֵי אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ?
The Gemara asks: From where does Rav Sheshet infer that Rabbi Yosei HaGelili holds that such a tree is forbidden? It is from the fact that the mishna teaches in the last clause: For what reason is an ashera forbidden? It is because it is the product of human involvement and did not grow by itself, and the halakha is that anything that is the product of human involvement is forbidden. What is added by the generalization: And anything that is the product of human involvement is forbidden? Is it not added to include the case of a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped?
וְאַף רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ — אָסוּר, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הֶהָרִים״ — וְלֹא הֶהָרִים אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, ״אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הַגְּבָעוֹת״ — וְלֹא גְּבָעוֹת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי ״תַּחַת כׇּל עֵץ רַעֲנָן אֱלֹהֵיהֶם״ — וְלֹא רַעֲנָן אֱלֹהֵיהֶם?
The Gemara notes: And Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, also holds that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is forbidden. As it is taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “You shall destroy all the places where the nations that you are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree” (Deuteronomy 12:2): Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, says: From that which is stated in the verse: “You shall destroy…their gods, upon the high mountains,” from which the Sages derived: But not the mountains themselves that are their gods, and: “You shall destroy…their gods…upon the hills,” but not the hills themselves if they are their gods, I would derive from the next clause in the verse: “Their gods…under every leafy tree,” that the mitzva to destroy an object of idol worship does not apply to the leafy trees themselves that are their gods.
תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״.
Therefore, the next verse states: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire” (Deuteronomy 12:3). Even a tree that was worshipped only after it was planted is forbidden.
אֶלָּא ״תַּחַת כׇּל עֵץ רַעֲנָן״ לְמָה לִי? הָהוּא לְכִדְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הוּא דַּאֲתָא, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: אֲנִי אוֹבִין וְאָדוּן לְפָנֶיךָ, כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁאַתָּה מוֹצֵא הַר גָּבוֹהַּ וְגִבְעָה נִשָּׂאָה וְעֵץ רַעֲנָן, דַּע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
Rather, if the trees themselves are forbidden, why do I need the phrase “under every leafy tree”? That phrase comes to teach a halakha in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva; as Rabbi Akiva says: I will explain and decide the matter before you. Everywhere that you find a high mountain, or an elevated hill, or a leafy tree, know that there is idol worship there. From the fact that Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, does not derive from the phrase “under every leafy tree” that a tree that was planted and only subsequently worshipped is still permitted, it is apparent that he holds that such a tree is forbidden. This is consistent with the opinion that Rav Sheshet ascribes to Rabbi Yosei HaGelili.
וְרַבָּנַן, הַאי ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״ מַאי עָבְדִי לֵיהּ? מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ מִתְּחִילָּה לְכָךְ.
The Gemara asks: And as for the Rabbis, who maintain that a tree that was planted and subsequently worshipped is permitted, what do they do with this verse: “And burn their asherim with fire”? The Gemara answers: This verse is necessary with regard to the halakha of a tree that was initially planted for that idolatrous practice, which must be destroyed and from which deriving benefit is prohibited.
וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה נָמֵי מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְהָכִי? הָכִי נָמֵי. אֶלָּא אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ מְנָא לֵיהּ? נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִ״וַּאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״, אֵיזֶהוּ עֵץ שֶׁגִּידּוּעוֹ אָסוּר וְעִיקָּרוֹ מוּתָּר? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ.
The Gemara asks: But doesn’t Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, also require this phrase to teach this? The Gemara answers. Indeed, he does. Rather, from where does he derive that a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped is forbidden? He derives it from the following verse: “But so shall you deal with them: You shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their asherim, and burn their graven images with fire” (Deuteronomy 7:5). Now, which is the tree whose trunk is forbidden but its root is permitted, as the verse instructs one to hew it down? You must say that it is referring to a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped.
וְהָא ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״ קָא נָסֵיב לַהּ תַּלְמוּדָא!
The Gemara asks how that verse can be the source of the ruling of Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, for deeming forbidden a tree that was planted and only subsequently worshipped. But doesn’t the baraita state that he adduces the derivation prohibiting worshipped ashera trees from the verse: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire”?
אִילּוּ לֹא נֶאֱמַר קָאָמַר: אִילּוּ לֹא נֶאֱמַר ״תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״, הָיִיתִי אוֹמֵר ״אֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״ בְּאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ מִתְּחִילָּה לְכָךְ, הַשְׁתָּא דִּכְתִיב ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״, אִיַּיתַּר לֵיהּ ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״ לְאִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ וּלְבַסּוֹף עֲבָדוֹ.
The Gemara answers: By deriving this halakha from the verse: “And burn their asherim with fire,” Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, is speaking utilizing the style of: If it were not stated. The Gemara explains: If the verse: “Burn their asherim with fire,” were not stated, I would have said that the verse: “And hew down their asherim,” is referring to a tree that was initially planted for idol worship. Now that it is written: “And burn their asherim with fire,” the verse: “And hew down their asherim,” is rendered superfluous and is consequently interpreted as referring to a tree that one planted and subsequently worshipped. Therefore, it is ultimately this latter verse that serves as the source for the implied ruling of Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, that it is prohibited to derive benefit from such a tree.
וְרַבָּנַן, הַאי ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן״ מַאי עָבְדִי לֵיהּ? לְכִדְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: גִּידּוּעֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה קוֹדְמִין לְכִיבּוּשׁ אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּיבּוּשׁ אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קוֹדֵם לְבִיעוּר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
The Gemara asks: And as for the Rabbis, what do they do with this verse: “And hew down their asherim”? The Gemara answers: This verse is written in order to teach a halakha in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi; as Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: The felling of trees dedicated to idol worship precedes the conquering of all of Eretz Yisrael, and conquering Eretz Yisrael precedes the eradication of all the objects of idol worship.
דְּתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: ״וְנִתַּצְתֶּם אֶת מִזְבְּחֹתָם״ וְהַנַּח, ״וְשִׁבַּרְתֶּם אֶת מַצֵּבֹתָם״ וְהַנַּח.
As Rav Yosef teaches a baraita: The verse states: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire.” Rav Yosef explains: “And you shall break down their altars,” and leave them, as the Torah does not prescribe that they be burned; “and dash in pieces their pillars” and leave them.
וְהַנַּח, סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? שְׂרֵיפָה בָּעֵי! אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: רְדוֹף, וְאַחַר כָּךְ שְׂרוֹף.
The Gemara asks: But does it enter your mind that the Torah is instructing one to leave them alone? Doesn’t an object of idol worship require burning, as it says at the end of the verse: “And burn their asherim with fire”? Rav Huna says: Pursue the enemy and then return to burn them. Meaning, first smash their objects of idol worship, then conquer the land, and then return to burn the smashed items.
וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, הַאי סְבָרָא מְנָא לֵיהּ? נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מְ״אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן״ — ״אַבֵּד״, וְאַחַר כָּךְ ״תְּאַבֵּדוּן״.
The Gemara asks: And from where does Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, derive this opinion about the order of priorities in the process of conquering Eretz Yisrael? The Gemara answers: He derives it from the verse: “You shall destroy all the places where the nations that you are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree.” From the double-verb form of the directive “you shall destroy [abbed te’abedun]” he derives that there are two stages to the destruction of their gods: First destroy them [abbed], i.e., smash them; then go and conquer the land, and only afterward you shall destroy [te’abedun] them completely, i.e., burn or eradicate them.
וְרַבָּנַן? הָא מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְעוֹקֵר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְשָׁרֵשׁ אַחֲרֶיהָ.
The Gemara asks: And what do the Rabbis derive from the double verb? The Gemara answers: This double verb is necessary to teach that when one deracinates an object of idol worship, he needs to root out all traces of it.
וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, לְשָׁרֵשׁ אַחֲרֶיהָ מְנָא לֵיהּ? נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִ״וְּאִבַּדְתֶּם אֶת שְׁמָם מִן הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא״.
The Gemara asks: And from where does Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, derive the obligation to root out all traces of idol worship? The Gemara answers: He derives it from the verse: “And you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire; and you shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and you shall destroy their name out of that place” (Deuteronomy 12:3).
וְרַבָּנַן? הַהוּא לְכַנּוֹת לָהּ שֵׁם, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן לְעוֹקֵר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְשָׁרֵשׁ אַחֲרֶיהָ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וְאִבַּדְתֶּם אֶת שְׁמָם״.
The Gemara asks: And what do the Rabbis derive from this verse? The Gemara answers: That verse teaches that it is a mitzva to give a derogatory nickname to an idol. As it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: From where is it derived that when one deracinates an object of idol worship, he needs to root out all traces of it? The verse states: “And you shall destroy their name out of that place.”
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