Daf Yomi for Women - Hadran

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Taanit 31 - Siyum Masechet Taanit - December 13, 9 Tevet Dec 12, 2021

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Siyum Masechet Taanit is sponsored by Rella Feldman and family "In honor of all the Daf Yomi learners internationally and the dedicated teachers who make it possible. Thank you Rabbanit Michelle Farber for your daily inspiration and to Ilana Kurshan for your shiur today."

Siyum Masechet Taanit is sponsored by Sara Averick and Jose Rosenfeld in loving memory of Leah & Nathan Averick and Rochel & Walter Mark.

Two more reasons are given as to the significance of the day of Tu b'Av. One is that the people who were killed in Beitar in the Bar Kochva rebellion were allowed to be buried on that day. The other is that it is the last day they were able to cut wood for the Temple before the days began to get shorter and the sun would not be strong enough to dry the wood. If the wood was not dry enough, it could attract worms, thereby disqualifying it for use on the altar. When the days got shorter one who studies into the night will add years to one's life and one who does not, shortens one's life. On Yom Kippur and Tu b'Av when the young women would go out dancing, they would borrow clothing one from the other. A braita specifies who would borrow from who. They would purify the clothing first in a mikveh, even if they were folded in the cabinet, just in case they were impure. What would they say to the men in order to encourage them to marry the women? It depended on what the woman's strengths were – beauty or good family lineage. What would they say if she had neither? In the future, there will be a circle of tzadikim who will sit around with God in the Garden of Eden, pointing at God saying, "This is our God, our salvation."

Taanit 30 - December 12, 8 Tevet Dec 12, 2021

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This week's learning is sponsored as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Chava Naami bat Daba Chana, Evie Haar, b'toch she'ar cholei Yisrael, by the Hadran Women of Long Island. May our learning be a source of strength and merit for the entire family.

Today's daf is sponsored by Moshe & Aviva Schwartz in honor of their cousins, Amalia Gerber "Mazal tov for completing your first siyum of Mishnayot Nezikin in honor of your Bat Mitzvah" and Ilana Kurshan "for teaching us as part of siyum Masechet Ta'anit!"

One cannot eat two cooked items on erev Tisha B'av – is this only in the afternoon or only for the final meal before the fast? Or both? One cannot eat wine or meat at that meal and according to Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, one should change from the way one normally eats. What does this mean? Laws of mourning apply to Tisha B'av. One cannot eat, drink, wash, put on oils, wear shoes, engage in sexual relations, read passages from the Tanach, learn Mishna, Talmud, Midrash, halakha, and aggada as they are pleasurable activities. There is a debate whether or not one can learn a section that one has never learned before as perhaps it is less enjoyable. Children in school should not study. One is allowed to study passages that discuss the destruction of the Temple and passages from Job. Salted meat is no longer considered meat, although it depends on how long it was salted. At what point after pressing the grapes is wine considered a problem? What did Rav Yehuda do every erev Tisha B'av? Can one work on Tisha b'Av? It is dependent on one's custom. Torah scholars do not work so as to fully experience the fast. However, the rabbis strongly encouraged everyone to refrain from working. Does one need to turn one's bed over as mourners do? What about pregnant and nursing women? The Mishna stated that the happiest days of the year were the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur was a happy day because it is a day where our sins are forgiven. But what happened on the 15th of Av? Several answers are brought.

Taanit 29 - Shabbat December 11, 7 Tevet Dec 10, 2021

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Study Guide Taanit 29

How do we know that the five events mentioned in the Mishna as having occurred on the 9th of Av, were actually on that date? The Romans decreed to kill Rabban Gamliel but a Roman officer saved him in exchange for a promise by Rabban Gamliel that he would be promised a place in the World to Come. A story is told of young children of kohanim that committed suicide during the destruction of the Temple. When Av enters, we limit happy things, but when Adar enters, we increase happy things. The mazal is with the Jews in Adar and is not with the Jews in Av, and therefore one should try to push off court cases with gentiles in Av and try to have them in Adar. One cannot do laundry or get a haircut on the week of Tisha B'av. Is it only laundry one wants to wear or even if it is left for later? Is it only the days of the week before Tisha B'av or is it the entire week including the days after Tisha B'av? What other opinions are there regarding the dates for these prohibitions?

Taanit 28 - December 10, 6 Tevet Dec 10, 2021

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Study Guide Taanit 28

Today's daf is sponsored by Sharon Raanan in loving memory of Menachem Yitzchak Ben Shaul and Susan Bat Rachel.

Today's daf is also sponsored by Karen Kosowsky in loving memory of her mother, Elaine Ackerman, Esther Masha bat Aharon "She always loved learning and would have loved to be a part of the Hadran community."

In which prayers of the maamadot would they read the Torah from a Torah scroll and in which would they read it by heart in the way they recited Shema. This depends on how to punctuate a line in the Mishna. Why are there differences regarding days where they skipped a prayer or more than one prayer of the maamadot between a day when there is Musaf and a day where there is a wood sacrifice? Why would they bring wood sacrifices? Who are the people mentioned in the Mishna by the name of those who deceived with a pestle and those who packed dried figs? These were people who were able to trick the authorities who didn't allow the Jews to bring wood and their first fruits to the Temple. Also, the Bnei Salmai did something similar to sneak in wood. Who were Pechat Moav ben Yehuda and Adin ben Yehuda - some say they were descendants of David and some say from Yoav ben Tzruya, David's nephew. According to which opinion does our Mishna hold? Mar Kashisha asks Rav Ashi why does Musaf not override only its maamad, as with Hallel which only overrides the morning service? Rav Ashi answers that Rabbi Yosi holds that way. The Mishna mentions the first of Tevet as a day that has all three - Hallel, musaf and wood sacrifice. What about the first of Nissan as well? It is inferred from here that Hallel on Rosh Chodesh is only a custom and that is why certain sections are omitted. On what days is Hallel recited by law? What was the order of events/dates from the receiving the Torah that would have the 17th of Tamuz be the day the tablets were broken? The Tamid sacrifice was canceled on 17 of Tamuz - that is learned by tradition. The city walls were breached on 17 Tamuz - wasn't it on the 9th according to the book of Yimriyahu (Jeremiah)? It must be referring to the Second Temple. From where do we derive that the Torah was burned on that day as well and an idol was placed in the Temple?

Taanit 27 - December 9, 5 Tevet Dec 09, 2021

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Study Guide Taanit 27

Today's daf is sponsored by Judi Felber on the third yartzeit of Yovel MorYosef and Yossi Cohen, who were killed in a terror attack at Givat Assaf and for the continued refuah sheleima of her son, Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzpora, who was critically injured in the attack.

Today's daf is sponsored by Patti Evans in loving memory of her mother, Gloria Weisman's, first yahrzeit. "My mother loved that I was learning Daf Yomi, and always wished she had been able to learn more in her almost 99 years. She loved being Jewish and celebrated life each and every day. Her indomitable spirit is sorely missed by us all."

Today's daf is also sponsored by Sylvia Simmons in loving memory of Pessy Simmons, Pessy bat Eliyahu Yitschak v'Rachel Leah. "Pessy - who inspired many with her enquiring mind and lifelong love of Jewish learning – would admire the growing community of female Talmud learners."

Is the prohibition for kohanim to bless the people while drunk derived from laws of nazir or from a juxtaposition in the verse Devraim 10:8 between serving in the Temple and blessing the people? Why were the maamadot instituted? A braita states that 24 mishmarot of kohanim were in Israel and 12 were in Jericho. Does that mean there were 36!? And what exactly is meant in Israel/in Jericho? Kohanim and levites are essential for sacrifices. Are the maamadot also? What about the musical instruments? Is the important part of the music the voices or the instruments? Moshe set up eight rotations of kohanim but a different source says sixteen. Also, there are contradictory statements about how and when it became twenty-four. Which families of kohanim that were in the first Temple came back to Israel when the second Temple was built and served there as well. Why do we read the Torah portion of the creation of the world during the maamadot? The people in the maamadot would fast from Monday-Thursday of that week. Regarding the Torah portion, in a case where there are five verses in one part (one day of creation) and three in the other, the three are all read on one Aliya. But there is a debate between Rav and Shmuel regarding the five - is one verse is repeated in both aliyot or split in half, as one must read a minimum of three verses for each aliya. Difficulties are raised against the different opinions.

Taanit 26 - December 8, 4 Tevet Dec 08, 2021

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Study Guide Taanit 26

Today's daf is sponsored by Geri Goldstein Guedalia in loving memory of her mother, Helen Saipe, Tzippa Hinda bat Avraham v'Devora Draza on her shloshim.

Today's daf is also sponsored by David and Jael Eichin on behalf of their daughter's first birthday. "Mazal Tov to our wonderful daughter Maayan Rachel. One year ago today you joined us in this world on the eve of the ninth day of Chanuka, as we now call it. This past year has been a journey of so much joy, awe to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, amazement, fun, and exhaustion. Even while you were still in my tummy, you got to hear the wonderful Michelle Farber. And in the first few months after you were born, we learned the daf together. May Torah be a guide to you and Derech Eretz your way of life. We love you and are immensely happy to be your parents. Thank you Michelle Farber for your amazing work!"

If it rains on the day of a fast, is Hallel to be recited before or after the people eat? On what does it depend? On public fasts, Yom Kippur and the prayers recited by the maamadTheot, rotations of people who prayed that the sacrificed would be accepted, the kohanim bless the people four times – shacharit, musaf, mincha and neila. Why were there maamadot? What was the Torah reading that the people who were in the maamadot would read on each day of the week when they were on duty? What days of the year were there no prayers are Torah reading of the maamadot or they were limited to certain prayers? There were nine days a year that were celebratory days for certain families as they would donate wood to the Temple on those days. The Mishna lists which family brought on which day. On those days the maamadot were also limited somewhat and were not said in either mincha or musaf (subject of debate between Rabbi Akiva and Ben Azai). Five tragic events happened on the 17th of Tamuz and five on Tisha B'av. What were they? What are things that should be limited from Rosh Chodesh Av, the week of Tisha B'av and erev Tisha B'av in the afternoon? The happiest days of the year were the fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur. Why? The Mishna had stated that there are three days where the kohanim bless the people in four tefillot. However, this is not so accurate as on some of those days there is no musaf. How is this resolved? In addition, there is a debate about whether the kohanim bless the people in both mincha and neila. What is at the root of the debate? Who do we hold like? From where do we derive that a kohen who is drunk cannot bless the people? From the nazir.

Taanit 25 - December 7, 3 Tevet Dec 07, 2021

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Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa was so poor that his wife would pretend that they had food. A story is brought to highlight this. One day she pushes Rabbi Chanina to pray to end their poverty but when their prayers are answered, they realize there is a price to pay and they request from God to take it back. A few stories tell of other miracles that Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa was known for, some of them involving neighbors of his. Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat was also very poor and has nothing to eat after bloodletting so he ate a clove of garlic. He gets weak and falls asleep and some strange things happen while he is asleep and when he wakes, the rabbis ask him to explain what transpired in his sleep. He recounts a conversation he had with God in his dream. A number of other stories are told of times of drought and different ways that the rabbis were eventually able to get the rain to come. Why are righteous people compares to a cedar and to a date (in Psalms 92:13). Why was Rabbi Akiva's prayer for rain accepted when Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanus' prayers were not? How much rainfall is enough to cancel the fast? If it rains by what time of day do they cancel the fast for that day? There are three different opinions – sunrise, midday or nine hours into the day. Shmuel HaKatan thought that if it rains just before the fast starts or at the end of the day, that is a bad sign – that either God doesn't want to hear our prayers or God wants to torment us. But if the rains comes as the chazzan says "bring down the rain," that is a good sign. When the rains came during a fast in Lod, they broke their fast and then said Hallel. Why did they not recite Hallel before eating?

Taanit 24 - December 6, 2 Tevet Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Today's daf is sponsored by Earl Norman in honor of his wife Tamara Norman. "To my wife who is the embodiment of eishet chayyil."

Today's daf is also sponsored by Gabrielle and Daniel Altman in honor of the 85th birthday of their father and grandfather, Hon. Herbert Altman.

Stories are told of Rabbi Yosi from Yokrat. Rabbi Yosi son of Rabbi Avin was his student but leaves him to learn with Rav Ashi as he was scared of him after he showed no sympathy for his children. One day when Rabbi Yosi didn't return in time to feed his workers, his son prayed to God to have the fruits ripen early in order to have food for them. When Rabbi Yosi heard what his son did, he got angry at him for bothering God to ripen the fruits early and said that as a result, he will die before his time. His daughter was beautiful and there was a man who was looking at her through the fence saying, "If I can't marry her, at least I can look at her." Rabbi Yosi got upset that she was causing men to be tormented and told her to return to the ground. His donkey was rented out to others and was sent back to him daily with money from the rental but if any amount was missing or added, the donkey would refuse to move. Elazar Ish Birta would give all his money to charity so the charity collectors would avoid him so as not to leave him with no money. One day he was in the market shopping for his daughter's dowry and saw the charity collectors and gave them all the money but one zuz that he used to buy wheat for the wedding. A miracle happened from the small amount of wheat that he bought, but he wouldn't let his family benefit from it as he declared that it was sanctified since it came from a miracle. A number of stories are told where the rabbis pray for rain and yet it doesn't help at first. Only after giving up does the rain come. Rabbi Oshaya blames the house of the Nasi and the people for the fact that the rain doesn't come and gets the Nasi's servants very upset and they try to torture him. However, the people stand up for him. Other stories are told of rabbis who pray for rain and their prayers are not answered but then a chazan comes and due to his merits, the rains come. What deeds did they do that enabled this? Raba's prayers for rain go unanswered and he wonders why Rav Yehuda was able to bring rain so easily and he was not. Rava also was unsuccessful at bringing rain even after the people fasted so he has them fast through the night and from a dream someone has, he realizes the time is ripe for prayer and he prays and the rains come. Rava gave lashes to someone who slept with a non-Jewish woman and the person died from the lashes. This upset Shavor Malka, the Persian ruler and he wanted to punish Rava, but his mother, Ifrah Hermiz, warns him not to start up with the Jews as God answers their prayers. Upon his mother's suggestion, he gives them a test to see if this is in fact the case. Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa asks God to stop the rain so he can get home safely, even though the rest of the world needs the rain. When he arrives at home, he asks God to bring the rain for those who need it and the rains come. Rav Yosef points out how strong his prayers were as they overrode the prayer of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur when he asks that God not heed the prayers of the travelers. Even though Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa brought rain for others, he himself lived in extreme poverty.

Taanit 23 - Rosh Chodesh Tevet, December 5, 1 Tevet Dec 05, 2021

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This month's daf is sponsored by Minneapolis Hadran group in memory of the father of their organizer Shira Krebs. "Shira's father Jerry Katz, Gershon Pinya ben Yitzchak Lev haCohen z"l, loved learning and family beyond all else. He raised three daughters and a son to be dedicated to Torah learning, And his legacy lives on not only through his family, but through our Hadran Minneapolis group as well. He passed away two weeks ago, and he will be greatly missed".

Today's daf is sponsored by Ellen Golub in loving memory of Ruth Calish Weiss on her first yahrzeit. "Ruth was a pillar of strength to Israel and the Jewish people. She was an inspiration to daughter Debra (& Robert) Finkel, and grandchildren, Max, Hannah & Aliya.

Today's daf is also sponsored by Mindy and Eric Hecht and family in loving memory of Mindy's father, Dr. Charles Feldman, Yitzchak Tzvi Ben Yaakov v'Leah, on the 10th yahrzeit, which was on the second night of Chanukah. "We miss him dearly and know that he would have loved to be part of this great learning endeavor."

Today's daf is also dedicated from myself and the Hadran Zoomers to Sharon Russ on the sudden loss of her mother on Shabbat. Our thoughts are with you.

Rain on Tuesday nights and Friday nights is considered a good thing as people are generally not on the streets on those nights – why? A different version of the story of Honi the Circle Maker is brought. Another Honi story is told regarding Honi's surprise when he saw a man planting a carob tree when the fruits will only grow after 70 years and he will not even see the fruits of his labor. Honi ends up sleeping for 70 years and awakening to seeing the grandson of the person who planted the trees enjoying the fruits. When he goes to see what happened to his family, no one recognizes him. In the Beit Midrash as well, he is unrecognizable, even though his magical powers still seem to be prevalent. He dies out of sadness. Stories are also told of Honi's grandchildren and their role in also bringing rain. What is the difference between the strong ones of Israel and the pious ones of Babylonia? Other stories of told of Rabbi Yona and his son Rabbi Mani and the strength of their prayers.

Taanit 22 - Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Tevet, December 4, 30 Kislev Dec 03, 2021

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Abaye is jealous of Abba the bloodletter and sends messengers to test him and see if he is really as good a person as he seems. Rava was jealous of Abaye as he heard from the yeshiva in the heavens once a week and Rava only once a year. Rabbi Broka meets Eliyahu in the market and asks him to point out people who are going to merit life in the World to Come. Eliyahu points out people who don't exactly look the part and Rabbi Broka talks to them to find out what deeds they have done on account of which they are worthy. If a wild animal acts in an unusual manner, that is cause for instituting fasts, but if it is the usual manner, then they do not. What is considered un/usual? If one comes to the city with a sword, one declares fasts, even if it is a sword of peace as in the story of Pharoah Necho and Yoshiyahu as described in Chronicles 2 Chapter 35. The Gemara delves in more detail into the cases of the Mishna regarding blight, a case where wolves ate 2 children, on what issues one calls out in prayer on Shabbat, and the debate regarding pestilence on Shabbat. Why are we not allowed to pray if there is too much rain? Is there an exception to this rule?

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