Daf Yomi for Women - Hadran

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Sotah 11 - Fourth day Pesach - Sunday April 9, 18 Nissan Apr 09, 2023

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The drashot on Avshalom continue. The Gemara then moves to the other examples in the Mishna of measure for measure in a positive way, starting with Miriam and bringing many drashot about the enslavement, midwives, the righteous women who saved the Jews in Egypt by encouraging their husbands to continue to bring children into the world, and Miriam's role in this narrative.

Sotah 10 - Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach - April 8, 17 Nissan Apr 02, 2023

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The story of Shimson is discussed at length. Then the story of Yehuda and Tamar is analyzed. Avshalom was also listed as one who was punished measure for measure and therefore his story and downfall are discussed as well.

Sotah 9 - 2nd Day of Pesach - April 7, 16 Nissan Apr 02, 2023

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Today's daf is sponsored by Aliza Avshalom in loving memory of her mother Sara Feiga bat Ester and Arieh Bellehsen. "She taught me to love and live Torah."

A braita is brought to elaborate on the theme of the Mishna that one can learn from the Sotah that punishment is meted out measure for measure. As a number of different verses were quoted at the beginning of the braita explaining this concept, the Gemara questions why all those verses were necessary. One is then used for a different drasha to teach how God metes out punishments to gentiles in a different manner than to Jews. Is this really the case or is it just for gentile kings? Another issue learned from the Sotah and others throughout Biblical history is that one who tries to get something that is not theirs to have will not only not attain it but will also lose what one has. The Mishna stated that the punishment is like the crime as she sinned first through her thighs and then her stomach and was punished in that order as well. However, the Gemara raises some contradictions in the verses there as some mention she will be punished in her thighs first, but others mention her stomach first. How are these verses explained? Shimshon and Avshalom were also punished according to their crime. That concept applies also to reward, as those who do positive actions, such as Miriam, Joseph and Moshe, were rewarded measure for measure. The Gemara starts on a long list of drashot on verses in the Shimshon narrative.

Sotah 8 - 1st Day of Pesach - Thursday April 6, 15 Nissan Apr 02, 2023

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During the process of the Sotah, there are a number of things that are done in order to encourage her to confess that she is guilty, such as walking back and forth to tire her out. She is then brought to the Nikanor Gate, at the entrance to the azara, to drink the bitter water, which is also similar to a leper and a woman who gave birth, and others like her who are bringing sacrifices and stand there while their sacrifices are being brought. We do not have two Sotahs drinking at the same time so that one won't influence the other to not confess. It is also derived from a verse. If there is no concern one will influence the other, can they both be done at the same time and if so, isn't there an issue of not performing mitzvot in bundles? There is a debate between Rabbi Yehuda and the rabbis about whether her clothes are mostly removed or not. However, their opinions appear to be reversed in a woman who is taken out to get stoned. This is resolved as the issues are different in each of these cases. As part of the process, she wears ugly clothing and removes her jewelry. An Egyptian rope is used to keep what is left of her clothes covering her private parts. Does it specifically need to be an Egyptian rope or can it be any type of belt? Men are allowed to watch the proceedings and women are encouraged so that they learn not to behave in this manner. The Sotah situation teaches us that punishment is meted out measure for measure. When the Temple is no longer standing, the Sages explain that God ensures that people get punished in the way the courts would have punished them.

Sotah 7 - Erev Pesach - April 5, 14 Nissan Apr 02, 2023

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The Mishna describes the process of bringing the woman first to the court, then to the Temple. The husband must come with her to the Temple and two Torah scholars join them on the journey. Can we infer from here laws regarding seclusion between women and men? What is the role of the Torah scholars? Rabbi Yehuda thinks there is no need for Torah scholars as the husband can be trusted. On what basis does he hold this way? Is his opinion learned from logic or a verse in the Torah? When she arrives at the Temple, the court tries to encourage her to confess in order not to get to the part of the process where they need to erase the name of God. They remind her of others, Yehuda and Reuven who confessed their sins. What sins and from where do we know they confessed? They give her other, less nice clothing to wear, and remove her jewelry – all this to humiliate her. Then they bring her to the Nicanor Gate outside the azara and the kohen tears off her clothing and unties her hair. Rabbi Yehuda disagrees in a case where she is beautiful. They tie her ripped clothing over her heart with an Egyptian rope. Anyone who wants can come watch and especially women so that they learn not to behave in this manner. Only the woman's slaves are forbidden to come as it will make her less likely to confess in their presence.

Sotah 6 - Tuesday April 4, 13 Nissan Apr 02, 2023

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Today's daf is sponsored by Mona & David Schwartz and family in loving memory of their mother and grandmother Mary Horowitz - Miriam Etel bat Aharon Halevi & Mirel on her 29th yahrzeit. "A woman whose home personified hachnasat orchim. May her neshama have an Aliyah."

After bringing the third version of Rav Yosef's explanation of the law regarding the brother of a man who accused his wife of being a sotah who died childless before she drank the water, who is obligated to do chalitza but cannot do yibum, Rava brings a different explanation. Abaye questions that as well, but Rava resolves the difficulty. The Mishna lists other cases where a woman will be disqualified from eating truma but will not be able to drink the Sotah water, such as a woman who admits to having had relations with the man in question, if witnesses came who witnessed the couple having relations, or if she refuses to drink or the husband refuses her to drink or he has relations with her on the way to the Temple. Rav Sheshet says a law that Rav Amram tries to prove from the Mishna. The sotah water doesn't work to prove the guilt or innocence of a sotah if there are witnesses abroad who saw she had relations. Rav Yosef rejects Rav Amram's proof from the Mishna. What is the root of the debate between Rav Sheshet and Rav Yosef? Several questions are raised against Rav Sheshet's position. The difficulties are resolved and a braita is brought to strengthen Rav Sheshet's position.

Sotah 5 - Monday April 3, 12 Nissan Apr 02, 2023

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Where can one find a warning not to be arrogant? What will happen to those who are arrogant? How does God reward those who are humble? The Mishna on Sotah 2a had said that the husband warns her not to speak with that man but if she does, she is still permitted to her husband. Since that doesn't make any sense, Abaye adds words into the Mishna to explain that only if he warned her not to go into a closed room and then she did, will she become a Sotah. The Mishna says that if the husband dies at this point and they have no children, the brother does not do yibum but he needs to do chalitza. What is the reason for this? There are three different versions of the answer given by Rav Yosef and the question that Abaye raises against his opinion.

Sotah 4 - April 2, 11 Nissan Apr 02, 2023

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Study Guide Sotah 4

This week's learning is sponsored by Naomi Clapman in honor of her birthday, which was on the 8th of Nissan. "With thanks to the Hadran team and Rabbanit Farber who prepare and teach the daf. Wishing all who listen to Hadran's daily daf yomi shiur a year of abundant and revealed brachot in all areas of life - physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally."

Today's daf is sponsored by Jill and Jeff Shames in loving memory of Seena Baker, שפרה בת זאלה וברכה, on her 8th yahrzeit. "The days fly by, the years pass and you remain the wind beneath my wings."

Today's daf is sponsored by Jordana Hyman in honor of their wonderful son Zvi Amichai Hyman Borowski, on his giyus today. "We are so proud of you, our first sabra, as we observe your sense of shlichut and commitment to serve our country and our people. May Hashem protect and bless you always, with your fellow soldiers. Mum and Dad."

Today's daf is sponsored by Susan Kurzmann l'iluy nishmat HaRav Yosef ben HaRav Shmuel Yitzchok Liebb, her father, A"H, on his 5th yahrzeit. "A brilliant yet humble man, a consummate teacher, and a wonderful father who showed me the importance of always learning and studying."

How long must the woman and man be alone in a room for the husband to be able to bring her to the court as a sotah? A braita is quoted in which several rabbis answer this question, each with their own answer. A similar but contradictory braita is brought and the Gemara goes through one by one resolving all the seeming contradictions. Why are there so many different opinions on this topic? A verse that was quoted in this context, connecting a prostitute and a loaf of bread is extrapolated in other ways - one having to do with one who does not wash hands before eating bread and another to say that poverty will befall one who sleeps with a married woman. Once on the topic of washing hands, a few other statements are made about one who does not wash one's hands and how it should be done. Another verse relating to one who commits adultery is extrapolated in two ways. One speaks of arrogance and the Gemara then diverges to talk about that and then circles back to the long-term effects of committing adultery.

Sotah 3 - Shabbat April 1, 10 Nissan Mar 31, 2023

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A number of statements regarding sins in general are derived from the sotah. Rabbi Yishmael brings an explanation why one witness is believed to testify that the sotah had relations with the man she was warned against. What causes one to sin? What causes a husband to be jealous of his wife? Rabbi Yishmale and Rabbi Akiva debate whether it is permitted or an obligation for the husband to want his wife in a case where he suspects her of infidelity. They have similar arguments in a few other topics about whether it is permitted or an obligation. Rav Shmule bar Nachmani talks about the importance of a single mitzva vs. one transgression. Another braita is brought discussing why one witness is believed about testifying to her having committed adultery but not for the kinui and stira.

Sotah 2 - March 31, 9 Nissan Mar 31, 2023

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Ketubot bookmark and checklist

Masechet Sotah is sponsored by Ahava Leibtag in honor of Dr. Bryna Levy. "She helped me fall deep in love with learning."

Today's daf is sponsored by Rikki and Alan Zibitt in loving memory of Rikki's mother, Frieda Carlin, Freydl bat Meir v'Rivka on her 8th yahrzeit. "May her neshama have an Aliyah. Mom, we love and miss you every day."

Today's daf is sponsored by Dodi Lamm and Tina Lamm in loving memory of their wonderful aunt, Miriam Auslander, Miriam bat Meir Shmuel v'Perel, who passed away this week. "She was intelligent, creative, full of warmth and beloved by young and old. We will miss her!"

The first two parts of the process of a woman becoming a sotah are called kinui and stira. Kinui is a warning by the husband that his wife shouldn't be alone in a room with a particular man. Stira is if she is then seen going into a room alone with that man. In the presence of how many witnesses does the husband need to do the kinui and how many witnesses are required to testify that she was in the room alone with that man after the warning was issued? Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua disagree about the numbers and the Gemara later brings a third tannaitic opinion (Rabbi Yosi B'Rabbi Yehuda) as well. Why is Masechet Sotah in this placement among the masechtot? What does it teach us about the connection between a nazir and a sotah? Rav Shmuel bar Rav Yitzchak minimizes the blame placed on the sotah as he holds that it takes two to tango, meaning a woman who is not loyal is a reflection of the husband as well, as spouses are matched up to each other by their actions. Furthermore, Raba bar Rav Hanna says that when God makes matches it is as difficult as the splitting of the Red Sea. A difficulty is raised on Rav Shmuel from a statement of Rav that says that couples are matched up already from birth, before they have an opportunity to sin. How is that resolved? The Gemara points out that the debate about witnesses was only for kinui and setira, but if witnesses saw the couple engage in sexual relations, all agree that even with one witness, we can act on that testimony and forbid the wife to her husband and she will not be able to drink the sotah waters to try to prove her innocence. From where is this derived? After this is proven from verses, the Gemara questions this proof as it seems unnecessary, but eventually shows why it was necessary. What is the basis for the debate between Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Yosi b'Rabbi Yehuda? The rabbis raised an important critique against Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yosi that if we allow only the husband's testimony in part of the process, there will be no end to the cases in which husbands will forbid their wives to them. Nowadays (after the destruction of the Temple) that there is no way for a woman to prove her innocence, Rav Chanina warned that men should make sure not to warn their wives not be with a particular man as according to Rabbi Yosi son of Rabbi Yehuda, even without witnesses this could forbid her to him if she ends up going into a closed room with that man. Why is it called kinui when he warns her? Two different suggestions are given.

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