Daf Yomi for Women - Hadran

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Sanhedrin 102 - Shabbat March 29, 29 Adar Mar 28, 2025

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Why did Yeravam, Achav, and Menashe lose their portion in the World-to-come?

Despite the fact that they did terrible things, the rabbis also highlight that they did good things in their lives, particularly as it related to talmud Torah and respect for Torah scholars.

Sanhedrin 101 - March 28, 28 Adar Mar 28, 2025

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Can one sing verses from Shir HaShirim in a tune other than the taamei hamikra? In what manner/context is it problematic to read verses from the Torah?

What is "someone who uses incantations" that will not get a part in the World-to-come? Are there ways to do this that are permitted? Is calling to demons allowed?

Some stories are told about the rabbis visiting Rabbi Eliezer ben Hurkanus while he was sick and their conversations about suffering.

Yeravam is listed in the Mishna as one who did not receive a portion in the World-to-come. What is the meaning of his name? Why did he lose his share in the World-to-come? What caused him to sin?

Sanhedrin 100 - March 27, 27 Adar Mar 27, 2025

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What is the definition of an apikoris? Several suggestions are brought, mainly related to one who does not treat the rabbis with the proper respect as it undermines belief in rabbinic Judaism.

What is the definition of sefarim chitzoniyim, external literature, that if one reads them, one does not get a portion in the World-to-come, according to Rabbi Akiva? A braita says it is book of the Saducees. Rav Yosef says it is the book of Ben Sira. Abaye tries to understand what is wrong with learning it since many of the ideas there appear in the Tanach or in rabbinic thought.

Sanhedrin 99 - March 26, 26 Adar Mar 26, 2025

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Today's daf is dedicated in honor of the engagement of my daughter Chani to Saar Har-Chen. "May their love for each other continue to grow and may they always enjoy learning Torah together."

How long will be the duration of time of the mashiach? Eight different answers are suggested.

Many verses from the prophets explain the great blessings that will be in the future. However, another verse says that the blessings will be of the kind that no one has seen until this day, meaning they are indescribable. Rabbi Yochanan reconciles this contradiction in three different ways.

One who doesn't believe that the Torah is from God has no share in the World-to-come. This is derived from a verse in the Torah. A braita is brought that derives other offenses from that braita as well. Since learning Torah was mentioned, the Gemara digresses to discuss the importance of learning Torah and ways to ensure that one's Torah is not forgotten.

What is an apikores? What is the difference between an apikores and a "megale panim b'Torah"

Sanhedrin 98 - March 25, 25 Adar Mar 25, 2025

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Today's daf is sponsored by Hillel Gray in loving memory of Raizel Shoshana bat Rachel Perel on her shloshim. "She loved reading, teaching others to read, and Jewish education."

Today's daf is sponsored by Abby Flamholz in honor of her daughter in law Sigal's hebrew birthday. "She continues to be a constant inspiration to me and especially to her daughters and husband. Happy birthday Sigal!"

The sages extensively discuss various signs, both auspicious and ominous, that are believed to herald the coming of the Messiah.

Rabbi Yochanan explained the Messiah will arrive during an era that is either entirely virtuous or completely corrupt. This binary perspective highlights the spiritual extremes that might precipitate messianic redemption.

The prophetic texts contain seemingly contradictory verses, such as "It will come in its time, I will hurry it." Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi resolves this apparent contradiction by explaining that the timing of the Messiah's arrival depends on the generation's spiritual merit. If the generation proves worthy, God will accelerate the redemption; if not, it will unfold according to the predetermined time.

Why is the Messiah depicted as arriving on a donkey rather than a more noble animal like a horse?

In an aggadic story, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi encounters Eliyahu at the entrance to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's cave. He seeks answers about whether he will enter the world-to-come and the timing of the Messiah's arrival. Eliyahu directs him to the entrance of Rome, instructing him to seek out and directly ask the Messiah. In a parallel account, Rabbi Yosi ben Kisma's students similarly inquire about the anticipated redemption.

Some rabbis acknowledge the inevitability of the Messiah's arrival but express trepidation about witnessing this momentous event. They fear that their personal sins might cause them to be consumed in the "chevlei mashiach" - the birth pangs of the messianic era. While they recognize that good deeds and Torah study offer spiritual protection, they remain acutely aware that sin can precipitate divine judgment.

Intriguingly, the Messiah's name itself becomes a matter of interpretive tradition. In each beit midrash they named the future redeemer with a name that resonated with their own teacher's name.

Sanhedrin 97 - March 24, 24 Adar Mar 24, 2025

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When is the Messiah going to come? What kind of destruction/change of world order will precede the coming of the Messiah? There are several different descriptions of the signs to be expected.

Some sages offered suggestions for what year to expect the Messiah. However, some hold that one cannot try to estimate when the Messiah will come. However, we are commanded to wait in hope for the Messiah's arrival, as is derived from Yeshayahu 30:18.

From that same verse, it is derived that there are thirty-six righteous people in every generation who greet the Divine Presence. Other sources indicate other amounts of righteous people and these differences are reconciled.

Rav holds that all the times the Messiah was supposed to come have now passed, and it is all dependent on the people repenting and doing good deeds. Shmuel holds that even without good deeds and repentance, eventually, the mourning will be so great that God will redeem the people. Their debate is similar to a tannaitic debate between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua. They each bring verses in the Torah to prove their side of the argument - will the repentance come from the people or will God force it upon them when God decides it is time?

Sanhedrin 96 - March 23, 23 Adar Mar 23, 2025

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Today's daf is sponsored by Dina Kaufman and Rob Ginsburg to celebrate the wedding of their son Aaron to Dana Houri. "So good to have a simcha in these difficult times. Mazal tov!"

Today's daf is sponsored by Mark and Rena Septee Goldstein in loving memory of Moe Septee, on his 28th yahrzeit. "A truly wonderful man."

Sancheriv's humiliation by God after he fails in the battle of Jerusalem and his death by the hands of his sons is explained in detail.

How did Avraham beat the four kings? He was also helped by an angel, according to one interpretation, just as Chikiyahu was.

Yirmiyahu asked God: why do evil people live good lives? God answers, using Nevuchadnetzer as an example.

Nevuzaradin, the army officer of the Babylonians, was intimidated while trying to conquer Jerusalem as he was concerned he would meet the same end as Sancheriv. However, he was encouraged by a heavenly voice.

When he entered the Temple, he saw the blood of Zecharia boiling. As a result, he killed many Jews, but eventually called on Zecharia to stop causing so many people to die. When that happens, he is so amazed that he converts to Judaism. There were others as well whose descendants converted to Judaism, including Sanheriv. God wanted Nevuchadnetzer's descendants to convert, but the angels stopped him.

How did Nevuchadnetzer decide to go conquer Jerusalem? He was encouraged by Israel's neighbors Amon and Moab who gave him inside information that the time was right. Even so, he was very hesitant, after what happened to Sancheriv, but was encouraged that he would be successful.

Sanhedrin 95 - Shabbat March 22, 22 Adar Mar 21, 2025

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Today's daf is sponsored by Rabbi Art Gould in memory of his beloved bride of 50 years, Carol Joy Robinson, Karina Gola bat Huddah v'Yehuda Tzvi on her 2nd yahrtzeit. "Carol was the tent-pole, the driving force, the glue that held our family together. No matter what happened, Carol knew what to do. Michalle, Miriam and I miss her terribly, even though she is in our thoughts every single day."

Today's daf is sponsored by Risa Tzohar in loving memory of Fruma bat Risel and David.

Sancheriv had the opportunity to destroy Jerusalem but he delayed and missed his chance. The day he got to Jerusalem was the last day before the opportunity to punish for what happened in the city of Nov expired, but he waited until the next morning, on account of his arrongance, and therefore didn't succeed.

King David was punished for what happened in Nov, holding him indirectly responsible for the death of all the inhabitants of the city. A whole encounter between him and Yishbi, the brother of Goliath is described as being connected to this.

How many people did Sancheriv bring to fight against Jerusalem? With What did the angel strike the people? Who was left of Sanheriv's camp after the battle?

Sanhedrin 94 - March 21, 21 Adar Mar 21, 2025

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Today's daf is sponsored by Nancy Kolodny in honor of her daughter-in-law Lisa Kolodny's birthday. "She brings light, love and learning into the lives of her family and friends."

Today's daf is sponsored by Caroline Ben-Ari in loving memory of her mother, Daphne Rhodes, Daphne Devora bat Avraham v'Chana on her 8th yahrzeit.

The story of the battle between Hizkiyahu and Sancheriv is discussed in detail, beginning with the tradition that Hizkiyahu was destined to be the messiah but was ultimately deemed unworthy because he failed to express gratitude to God after being saved from Sancheriv's attack.

In recounting this story, the Gemara uses it as a platform to emphasize the critical importance of Torah study. It specifically highlights that Hizkiyahu's merit in encouraging the people to learn Torah is what ultimately saved them from destruction.

Sanhedrin 93 - March 20, 20 Adar Mar 20, 2025

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When Chanania, Mishael and Azaria were saved from the fiery furnace, it shed a bad light on the rest of the Jews, as the gentiles said, if their God is so great, how can the rest of the people be worshipping idols! God wanted to destroy the rest of the Jews because they were worshipping idols, but when God saw the actions of Chanania, Mishael and Azaria, his anger subsided.

The sages try to fill in some missing details from the story. What happened to Chanania, Mishael and Azaria after they were saved, as they are not directly heard from again? Several options are brought by amoraim and their opinions match those of tannaim. Where was Daniel when Chanania, Mishael and Azaria were thrown into the fire? Several possibilities are offered. According to a braita, God, Daniel and Nevuchadnetzer each did not want Daniel to be there - each for their own reason.

Two false prophets named Achav and Tzidkia were also thrown into a fire by Nevuchadnetzer, but were killed. What is the background story? According to the midrash, Yehoshua the High Priest was sent in with them, but was only singed and came out alive. Why was Yehoshua punished?

In the book of Ruth, Ruth tells Naomi that Boaz gave her six grains of barley. Bar Kapara extrapolated this verse to mean that by giving her six grains, he was alluding to her that six sons would be born to her who were each blessed with six blessings - David, the Messiah, Daniel, Chanania, Mishael and Azaria. Verses are brought to show how each was blessed in six ways. There is a debate, however, about Chanania, Mishael and Azaria's lineage and whether or not they were from the tribe of Judah.

Yishayahu prophesizes to Chizkiyahu that his descendants will be taken to Babylonia and will become sarisim. The Gemara understands this to be referring to Daniel, Chanania, Mishael and Azaria. What is the meaning of the word sarisim in this context? Rav and Rabbi Chanina disagree. Does it mean they were eunuchs? Or does it mean they were cut off from worshipping idols?

The Gemara raises two difficulties against Rav, that they were eunuchs, and one difficulty against Rabbi Chanina, that they were cut off from worshipping idols. The difficulties are brought from verses in Daniel and Yeshayahu but are resolved.

Why was the book of Ezra, which much of it was said and written by Nechemia, not called Nechemia? Two suggestions are brought.

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