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Kiddushin 38

09.20.2023 | ה׳ בתשרי תשפ״ד

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09.19.2023 | ד׳ בתשרי תשפ״ד

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Kiddushin

Masechet Kiddushin is sponsored by Julie and Martin Mendelsohn in honor of their two children who were recently married

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09.19.2023 | ד׳ בתשרי תשפ״ד

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Today’s daf is sponsored by Prof. Jonathan Ben-Ezra in honor of Dr. Robin Zeiger, for completing half of Shas together today!! “To my better half, I am looking forward to completing the other half of our journey together. Also thank you to Rabbanit Michelle.”

When the Jews entered the land of Israel after being in the desert, they stopped eating the manna on the 16th of Nisan and began eating from the new grains. Can this offer proof that when the Torah states “in your dwelling places” as it is mentioned regarding the prohibition to eat from the new grains, it is not referring to after having conquered and settled in the land? A number of braitot are brought regarding the manna and the date of Moshe’s birth and death. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai offers his own explanation chadash, orla and kelaim are applicable also outside of Israel – chadash, based on the word “in your dwelling places,” and the others by logical inference (kal vachomer) from chadash. His son, Rabbi Elazar, disagrees with the three exceptions and offers two different exceptions instead – cancellations of loans in the shmita year and release of slaves in the Jubilee year. Why are each of those cases considered part of the category of land-related commandments? A Mishna in Orla 3:9 explains that each of the three laws that are exceptions and apply outside of Israel are derived in different manners – one from the Torah, one halakha and one by the rabbis. What is meant by ‘halakha‘? Rav Yehuda in the name of Shmuel says it means the people took it upon themselves, while Ulla in the name of Rabbi Yochanan says it is ‘halakha l’Moshe miSinai.’ Ulla raises a difficulty on Rav Yehuda from the previous part of the Mishna in Orla 3:9.

Kiddushin

Masechet Kiddushin is sponsored by Julie and Martin Mendelsohn in honor of their two children who were recently married

Kiddushin 38

אַקְרוּב עוֹמֶר וַהֲדַר אֲכוּל.

they sacrificed the omer and only afterward did they eat.

אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר לְאַחַר יְרוּשָּׁה וִישִׁיבָה, נֵיכוֹל לְאַלְתַּר! לָא הֲווֹ צְרִיכִי,

But according to the one who says that the term dwelling indicates that the prohibition of the new crop applies only after inheritance and settlement of Eretz Yisrael, let the Jews eat the produce of the land immediately. The Gemara answers: They did not need to eat the new produce, as they still had manna. Although they did not eat the new crop of Eretz Yisrael, the reason was not that it was prohibited.

דִּכְתִיב ״וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָכְלוּ אֶת הַמָּן אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה עַד בֹּאָם אֶל אֶרֶץ נוֹשָׁבֶת, אֶת הַמָּן אָכְלוּ עַד בֹּאָם אֶל קְצֵה אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן״. אִי אֶפְשָׁר לוֹמַר ״עַד בֹּאָם אֶל אֶרֶץ נוֹשָׁבֶת״, שֶׁכְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״אֶל קְצֵה אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן״. וְאִי אֶפְשָׁר לוֹמַר ״אֶל קְצֵה אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן״, שֶׁהֲרֵי כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר: ״עַד בֹּאָם אֶל אֶרֶץ נוֹשָׁבֶת״. הָא כֵּיצַד? בְּשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר מֵת מֹשֶׁה וּפָסַק מָן מִלֵּירֵד, וְהָיוּ מִסְתַּפְּקִין מִמָּן שֶׁבִּכְלֵיהֶם עַד שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּנִיסָן.

This is as it is written: “And the children of Israel ate the manna forty years until they came to a settled land; they ate the manna until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan” (Exodus 16:35). The Gemara analyzes this verse: One cannot say they ate “until they came to a settled land,” i.e., that they were still eating the manna when they entered Eretz Yisrael, as it is already stated: “To the borders of the land of Canaan,” which indicates that they stopped eating manna before entering Eretz Yisrael, on the plains of Moab. And one cannot say that they ate manna only until they reached “to the borders of the land of Canaan,” as it is already stated: “Until they came to a settled land.” How can these clauses be reconciled? Moses died on the seventh of Adar and the manna ceased falling, and they ate the manna that was left in their vessels until the sixteenth of Nisan, even after they entered Eretz Yisrael.

תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: ״וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָכְלוּ אֶת הַמָּן אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה״. וְכִי אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה אָכְלוּ? וַהֲלֹא אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה חָסֵר שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם אָכְלוּ! אֶלָּא לוֹמַר לְךָ: עוּגוֹת שֶׁהוֹצִיאוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם, טָעֲמוּ בָּהֶם טַעַם מָן.

It is taught in another baraita with regard to the verse: “And the children of Israel ate the manna forty years” (Exodus 16:35). But did they really eat it for forty years? But didn’t they eat it for forty years less thirty days? The manna began to fall on the sixteenth of Iyyar in the first year in the wilderness, and they stopped eating it on the sixteenth of Nisan in the fortieth year. Rather, this verse comes to tell you that they tasted the taste of manna in the unleavened cakes that they took out from Egypt on the fifteenth of Nisan in their first year, and this sustained them until the manna fell.

תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: בְּשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר מֵת מֹשֶׁה, וּבְשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר נוֹלַד. מִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר מֵת – שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּמׇת שָׁם מֹשֶׁה עֶבֶד ה׳״, וּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּבְכּוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת מֹשֶׁה בְּעַרְבֹת מוֹאָב שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם״, וּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי מוֹת מֹשֶׁה עֶבֶד ה׳״, וּכְתִיב: ״מֹשֶׁה עַבְדִּי מֵת וְעַתָּה קוּם עֲבֹר״

It is taught in another baraita: Moses died on the seventh of Adar, and he was likewise born on the seventh of Adar. From where is it derived that Moses died on the seventh of Adar? As it is stated: “So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there” (Deuteronomy 34:5), and it is written: “And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days” (Deuteronomy 34:8). And it is written: “Now it came to pass after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord” (Joshua 1:1), and it is written: “Moses, My servant, is dead; now arise, cross this Jordan” (Joshua 1:2).

וּכְתִיב: ״עִבְרוּ בְּקֶרֶב הַמַּחֲנֶה וְצַוּוּ אֶת הָעָם לֵאמֹר הָכִינוּ לָכֶם צֵדָה כִּי בְּעוֹד שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים תַּעַבְרוּ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן״ וּכְתִיב: ״וְהָעָם עָלוּ מִן הַיַּרְדֵּן בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן״, צֵא מֵהֶן שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים לְמַפְרֵעַ, הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁבְּשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר מֵת מֹשֶׁה.

The baraita continues: And it is written: “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying: Prepare your victuals, for within three days you are to cross the Jordan” (Joshua 1:11). And it is written: “And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month” (Joshua 4:19). Subtract retroactively from that date, the tenth of Nisan, the last thirty-three days, i.e., the thirty days of mourning for Moses and the three days of preparation before crossing the Jordan, and you learn from here that Moses died on the seventh of Adar.

וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּשִׁבְעָה בַּאֲדָר נוֹלַד מֹשֶׁה – שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם בֶּן מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה אָנֹכִי הַיּוֹם לֹא אוּכַל עוֹד לָצֵאת וְלָבוֹא״, שֶׁאֵין תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״הַיּוֹם״, מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״הַיּוֹם״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹשֵׁב וּמְמַלֵּא שְׁנוֹתֵיהֶם שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם וּמֵחֹדֶשׁ לְחֹדֶשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֶת מִסְפַּר יָמֶיךָ אֲמַלֵּא״.

The baraita continues: And from where is it derived that Moses was born on the seventh of Adar? It is as it is stated: “And he said to them, I am one hundred and twenty years old today; I can no more go out and come in” (Deuteronomy 31:2). As there is no need for the verse to state “today,” since Moses could have said simply: I am one hundred and twenty years old. What is the meaning when the verse states “today”? One can learn from it that Moses was born on that date, i.e., he was exactly one hundred and twenty years old. This teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, sits and completes the years of the righteous from day to day and from month to month, as it is stated: “The number of your days I will fulfill” (Exodus 23:26).

תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי אוֹמֵר: שָׁלֹשׁ מִצְוֹת נִצְטַוּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּכְנִיסָתָן לָאָרֶץ, וְנוֹהֲגוֹת בֵּין בָּאָרֶץ בֵּין בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ.

It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: The Jewish people were commanded to perform three mitzvot immediately upon entering Eretz Yisrael: The new crop, diverse kinds, and orla, and these apply both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Eretz Yisrael.

וְהוּא הַדִּין שֶׁיִּנְהֲגוּ, וּמָה חָדָשׁ, שֶׁאֵין אִיסּוּרוֹ אִיסּוּר עוֹלָם, וְאֵין אִיסּוּרוֹ אִיסּוּר הֲנָאָה, וְיֵשׁ הֶיתֵּר לְאִיסּוּרוֹ, נוֹהֵג בֵּין בָּאָרֶץ בֵּין בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ –

And it is logical, i.e., one can derive through an a fortiori argument that each of these mitzvot should apply everywhere. If the prohibition of the new crop, whose prohibition is not a permanent prohibition, as it does not apply to grain that grows after the omer has been sacrificed on the sixteenth of Nisan, and whose prohibition is not a prohibition against deriving benefit, since usages other than eating are permitted, and there is dissolution for its prohibition, i.e., grain that grew before the sixteenth of Nisan becomes permitted after the omer offering has been brought, applies both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Eretz Yisrael, the same halakha should certainly apply to diverse kinds.

כִּלְאַיִם, שֶׁאִיסּוּרָן אִיסּוּר עוֹלָם, וְאִיסּוּרָן אִיסּוּר הֲנָאָה, וְאֵין הֶיתֵּר לְאִיסּוּרָן – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיִּנְהֲגוּ בֵּין בָּאָרֶץ בֵּין בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ? וְהוּא הַדִּין לְעׇרְלָה בִּשְׁתַּיִם.

Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai elaborates: With regard to diverse kinds, whose prohibition is a permanent prohibition, as it never expires, and whose prohibition is a prohibition against deriving benefit, since one may not benefit in any manner from diverse kinds of the vine, and there is no dissolution for its prohibition, is it not logical that it should apply both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Eretz Yisrael? And the same is true of orla with regard to two of those points. Orla is not a permanent prohibition, as it applies only for the first three years that a tree produces fruit, but one may not derive benefit from it, and produce from the first three years never becomes permitted.

רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר:

Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, says:

כׇּל מִצְוָה שֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל קוֹדֶם כְּנִיסָתָן לָאָרֶץ – נוֹהֶגֶת בֵּין בָּאָרֶץ בֵּין בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ. לְאַחַר כְּנִיסָתָן לָאָרֶץ – אֵינָהּ נוֹהֶגֶת אֶלָּא בָּאָרֶץ, חוּץ מִן הַשְׁמָטַת כְּסָפִים וְשִׁילּוּחַ עֲבָדִים, שֶׁאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּ עֲלֵיהֶם לְאַחַר כְּנִיסָתָן לָאָרֶץ – נוֹהֶגֶת בֵּין בָּאָרֶץ בֵּין בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ.

Any mitzva that the Jewish people were commanded to perform before entering Eretz Yisrael, i.e., it was not linked to entry into the land, applies both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Eretz Yisrael. Conversely, any mitzva that they were commanded to perform after they entered Eretz Yisrael applies only in Eretz Yisrael, except for the abrogation of monetary debts in the Sabbatical Year (see Deuteronomy 15:1–2), and the emancipation of slaves in the Jubilee Year (see Leviticus 25:39–41). Even though the Jews were commanded with regard to these mitzvot that they were to perform them only after their entry into Eretz Yisrael, these mitzvot apply both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Eretz Yisrael.

הַשְׁמָטַת כְּסָפִים חוֹבַת הַגּוּף הִיא!

The Gemara questions the need for this ruling: The abrogation of monetary debts is an obligation of the body. Since this mitzva is not referring to the land, what is the novelty of the ruling that it applies even outside of Eretz Yisrael?

לֹא נִצְרְכָא אֶלָּא לְכִדְתַנְיָא. דְּתַנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: ״וְזֶה דְּבַר הַשְּׁמִטָּה שָׁמוֹט״ – בִּשְׁתֵּי שְׁמִיטוֹת הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר: אַחַת שְׁמִיטַּת קַרְקַע, וְאַחַת שְׁמִיטַּת כְּסָפִים. בִּזְמַן שֶׁאַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט קַרְקַע – אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט כְּסָפִים, בִּזְמַן שֶׁאִי אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט קַרְקַע – אִי אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט כְּסָפִים.

The Gemara answers: It is necessary to mention the cancellation of debts only for that which is taught in a baraita. As it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: The verse states in the context of the cancellation of debts: “And this is the manner of the abrogation: He shall abrogate” (Deuteronomy 15:2). The verse speaks of two types of abrogation: One is the release of land and one is the abrogation of monetary debts. Since the two are juxtaposed, one can learn the following: At a time when you release land, when the Jubilee Year is practiced, you abrogate monetary debts; at a time when you do not release land, such as the present time, when the Jubilee Year is no longer practiced, you also do not abrogate monetary debts.

וְאֵימָא: בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁאַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט קַרְקַע – אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט כְּסָפִים, וּבִמְקוֹם שֶׁאֵין אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט קַרְקַע – אֵין אַתָּה מְשַׁמֵּט כְּסָפִים! תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כִּי קָרָא שְׁמִטָּה לַה׳״ מִכׇּל מָקוֹם.

The Gemara asks: But why not say that one can learn the following from this juxtaposition: In a place where you release land, i.e., in Eretz Yisrael, you abrogate monetary debts, and in a place where you do not release land, you do not abrogate monetary debts. If so, the abrogation of debts would apply only in Eretz Yisrael, despite the fact that this obligation is not related to the land. Therefore, the verse states: “Because the Lord’s abrogation has been proclaimed” (Deuteronomy 15:2), to indicate that this obligation applies in any case, even outside of Eretz Yisrael. This is the novelty of the statement of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon.

שִׁילּוּחַ עֲבָדִים חוֹבַת הַגּוּף הִיא! סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: הוֹאִיל וּכְתִיב ״וּקְרָאתֶם דְּרוֹר בָּאָרֶץ״, בָּאָרֶץ – אִין, בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ – לָא, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״יוֹבֵל הִיא״ – מִכׇּל מָקוֹם.

The Gemara questions the need for the second ruling of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon: The emancipation of slaves is also an obligation of the body, not one that applies to the land. What is novel about this ruling? The Gemara answers that it might enter your mind to say: Since it is written: “And proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10), one could say: “Throughout the land,” yes, this mitzva applies, but outside of Eretz Yisrael, no, the emancipation does not take effect. Therefore the same verse also states the seemingly superfluous phrase: “It shall be a Jubilee” (Leviticus 25:10), to indicate that it applies in any case, in all places.

אִם כֵּן מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״בָּאָרֶץ״? בִּזְמַן שֶׁהַדְּרוֹר נוֹהֵג בָּאָרֶץ – נוֹהֵג בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ, אֵין דְּרוֹר נוֹהֵג בָּאָרֶץ – אֵינוֹ נוֹהֵג בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ.

The Gemara asks: If so, what is the meaning when the verse states: “Throughout the land”? The Gemara answers that this phrase teaches: When the liberty of slaves applies in Eretz Yisrael, it also applies outside of Eretz Yisrael, and when the liberty of slaves does not apply in Eretz Yisrael, it does not apply outside of Eretz Yisrael. The mitzva depends on whether the Jubilee Year is in effect, not on the place in question.

תְּנַן הָתָם: הֶחָדָשׁ אָסוּר מִן הַתּוֹרָה בְּכׇל מָקוֹם, עׇרְלָה הֲלָכָה, וְהַכִּלְאַיִם מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים. מַאי הֲלָכָה? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הִלְכְתָא מְדִינָה. עוּלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הֲלָכָה לְמֹשֶׁה מִסִּינַי.

We learned in a mishna there (Orla 3:9): The new crop is forbidden by Torah law everywhere; orla is forbidden outside of Eretz Yisrael according to a halakha, as the Gemara will immediately explain; and diverse kinds are forbidden outside the land by rabbinic law. The Gemara asks: What is this halakha, mentioned with regard to orla? Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: It is the local halakha, i.e., this was the practice of Jews in places where they settled. Ulla says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ עוּלָּא לְרַב יְהוּדָה: בִּשְׁלָמָא לְדִידִי, דְּאָמֵינָא הֲלָכָה לְמֹשֶׁה מִסִּינַי – הַיְינוּ דְּשָׁנֵי לַן בֵּין סְפֵק עׇרְלָה לִסְפֵק כִּלְאַיִם.

Ulla said to Rav Yehuda: Granted, according to my opinion, as I say in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan that the mishna means that this is a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai, this is the reason why we distinguish between fruit whose status as orla is uncertain, which is forbidden outside of Eretz Yisrael according to the halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai, and produce whose status as diverse kinds is uncertain, which is permitted outside of Eretz Yisrael, as the prohibition of diverse kinds applies outside of Eretz Yisrael only by rabbinic law.

דִּתְנַן: סְפֵק עׇרְלָה, בָּאָרֶץ – אָסוּר, בְּסוּרְיָא – מוּתָּר. בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ יוֹרֵד וְלוֹקֵחַ, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִרְאֶנּוּ לוֹקֵט.

This is as we learned in a mishna (Orla 3:9): Fruit whose status as orla is uncertain is forbidden in Eretz Yisrael, and it is permitted in Syria with no concern about its uncertain status. Outside of Eretz Yisrael, a Jew may go down into the gentile’s field and purchase fruit that is orla from the gentile, provided that the Jew does not see him gather it.

וְאִילּוּ גַּבֵּי כִלְאַיִם תְּנַן: כֶּרֶם הַנָּטוּעַ יָרָק, וְיָרָק נִמְכָּר חוּצָה לוֹ, בָּאָרֶץ – אָסוּר, בְּסוּרְיָא – מוּתָּר,

Nevertheless, we learned in a mishna with regard to the halakhot of diverse kinds (Orla 3:9): If a vineyard has vegetables planted in it, and there are vegetables being sold outside the vineyard, but there is no proof that these vegetables came from the vineyard, in Eretz Yisrael they are forbidden. The reason is that as it is possible that the vegetables came from the vineyard, the halakha is stringent in a case involving a prohibition by Torah law. In Syria these vegetables are permitted.

בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ – יוֹרֵד וְלוֹקֵט. וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִלְקוֹט בַּיָּד.

Outside of Eretz Yisrael, if the gentile owner of a field containing diverse kinds goes down into his field and gathers produce, then, provided that the Jew does not gather it by hand, he may purchase the produce from the gentile. This indicates that outside of Eretz Yisrael there is a difference between orla of uncertain status and diverse kinds of uncertain status. This is understandable if orla is forbidden by a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai, while diverse kinds are forbidden by rabbinic law.

אֶלָּא לְדִידָךְ

But according to your opinion, that neither orla nor diverse kinds is forbidden by Torah law,

09.19.2023 | ד׳ בתשרי תשפ״ד

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In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!

Beth Kissileff

Pittsburgh, United States

I started learning Dec 2019 after reading “If all the Seas Were Ink”. I found
Daily daf sessions of Rabbanit Michelle in her house teaching, I then heard about the siyum and a new cycle starting wow I am in! Afternoon here in Sydney, my family and friends know this is my sacred time to hide away to live zoom and learn. Often it’s hard to absorb and relate then a gem shines touching my heart.

Dianne Kuchar

Dover Heights, Australia

A beautiful world of Talmudic sages now fill my daily life with discussion and debate.
bringing alive our traditions and texts that has brought new meaning to my life.
I am a מגילת אסתר reader for women . the words in the Mishna of מסכת megillah 17a
הקורא את המגילה למפרע לא יצא were powerful to me.
I hope to have the zchut to complete the cycle for my 70th birthday.

Sheila Hauser

Jerusalem, Israel

About a year into learning more about Judaism on a path to potential conversion, I saw an article about the upcoming Siyum HaShas in January of 2020. My curiosity was piqued and I immediately started investigating what learning the Daf actually meant. Daily learning? Just what I wanted. Seven and a half years? I love a challenge! So I dove in head first and I’ve enjoyed every moment!!

Nickie Matthews

Blacksburg, United States

The start of my journey is not so exceptional. I was between jobs and wanted to be sure to get out every day (this was before corona). Well, I was hooked after about a month and from then on only looked for work-from-home jobs so I could continue learning the Daf. Daf has been a constant in my life, though hurricanes, death, illness/injury, weddings. My new friends are Rav, Shmuel, Ruth, Joanna.

Judi Felber

Raanana, Israel

Geri Goldstein got me started learning daf yomi when I was in Israel 2 years ago. It’s been a challenge and I’ve learned a lot though I’m sure I miss a lot. I quilt as I listen and I want to share what I’ve been working on.

Rebecca Stulberg

Ottawa, Canada

I heard the new Daf Yomi cycle was starting and I was curious, so I searched online for a women’s class and was pleasently surprised to find Rabanit Michelle’s great class reviews in many online articles. It has been a splendid journey. It is a way to fill my days with Torah, learning so many amazing things I have never heard before during my Tanach learning at High School. Thanks so much .

Martha Tarazi

Panama, Panama

I started learning Talmud with R’ Haramati in Yeshivah of Flatbush. But after a respite of 60 years, Rabbanit Michelle lit my fire – after attending the last three world siyumim in Miami Beach, Meadowlands and Boca Raton, and now that I’m retired, I decided – “I can do this!” It has been an incredible journey so far, and I look forward to learning Daf everyday – Mazal Tov to everyone!

Roslyn Jaffe

Florida, United States

I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.

Miriam Pollack

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Retirement and Covid converged to provide me with the opportunity to commit to daily Talmud study in October 2020. I dove into the middle of Eruvin and continued to navigate Seder Moed, with Rabannit Michelle as my guide. I have developed more confidence in my learning as I completed each masechet and look forward to completing the Daf Yomi cycle so that I can begin again!

Rhona Fink

San Diego, United States

A Gemara shiur previous to the Hadran Siyum, was the impetus to attend it.It was highly inspirational and I was smitten. The message for me was התלמוד בידינו. I had decided along with my Chahsmonaim group to to do the daf and take it one daf at time- without any expectations at all. There has been a wealth of information, insights and halachik ideas. It is truly exercise of the mind, heart & Soul

Phyllis Hecht

Hashmonaim, Israel

I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!

Pamela Elisheva

Bakersfield, United States

I heard about the syium in January 2020 & I was excited to start learning then the pandemic started. Learning Daf became something to focus on but also something stressful. As the world changed around me & my family I had to adjust my expectations for myself & the world. Daf Yomi & the Hadran podcast has been something I look forward to every day. It gives me a moment of centering & Judaism daily.

Talia Haykin

Denver, United States

I started with Ze Kollel in Berlin, directed by Jeremy Borowitz for Hillel Deutschland. We read Masechet Megillah chapter 4 and each participant wrote his commentary on a Sugia that particularly impressed him. I wrote six poems about different Sugiot! Fascinated by the discussions on Talmud I continued to learn with Rabanit Michelle Farber and am currently taking part in the Tikun Olam course.

Yael Merlini

Berlin, Germany

When I started studying Hebrew at Brown University’s Hillel, I had no idea that almost 38 years later, I’m doing Daf Yomi. My Shabbat haburah is led by Rabbanit Leah Sarna. The women are a hoot. I’m tracking the completion of each tractate by reading Ilana Kurshan’s memoir, If All the Seas Were Ink.

Hannah Lee

Pennsylvania, United States

Having never learned Talmud before, I started Daf Yomi in hopes of connecting to the Rabbinic tradition, sharing a daily idea on Instagram (@dafyomiadventures). With Hadran and Sefaria, I slowly gained confidence in my skills and understanding. Now, part of the Pardes Jewish Educators Program, I can’t wait to bring this love of learning with me as I continue to pass it on to my future students.

Hannah Greenberg

Pennsylvania, United States

Robin Zeiger

Tel Aviv, Israel

My first Talmud class experience was a weekly group in 1971 studying Taanit. In 2007 I resumed Talmud study with a weekly group I continue learning with. January 2020, I was inspired to try learning Daf Yomi. A friend introduced me to Daf Yomi for Women and Rabbanit Michelle Farber, I have kept with this program and look forward, G- willing, to complete the entire Shas with Hadran.

Lorri Lewis

Palo Alto, CA, United States

I learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!

Shoshana Ruerup

Berlin, Germany

I graduated college in December 2019 and received a set of shas as a present from my husband. With my long time dream of learning daf yomi, I had no idea that a new cycle was beginning just one month later, in January 2020. I have been learning the daf ever since with Michelle Farber… Through grad school, my first job, my first baby, and all the other incredible journeys over the past few years!

Sigal Spitzer Flamholz

Bronx, United States