The korban pesach entailed many steps, both before and after its slaughter; and the Mishnah lists those activities that may, or may not, be carried…
Pesachim 66: People Power
One of the underlying pillars of democratic thought is confidence in the people to make the right choices, and in leaders to respect those choices.…
Pesachim 66a: A Humble Lesson for Hillel
While Korbanot tzibbur, public offerings, were sacrificed on Shabbat and Yom Tov--and serve as the basis for our davening mussaf on…
Pesachim 64b: You're Out of Here!
Akavya ben Mehalelel is best known for the teaching, “Focus on three things, and you will not come to the hands of sin: know from where you…
Pesachim 62: To Teach or Not to Teach
"Rav Simlai came in front of Rav Yochanan and asked him to teach him Sefer Yuchsin, the Book of Lineage. He [Rav Yochanan] asked him where he…
Pesachim 60: The Forest and the Tree
Some of the most fundamental mitzvoth of the Torah are stated in the vaguest of terms, with few clear guidelines as to how they are to be fulfilled.…
Pesachim 56: Medical School
The greatest blessing one can have is that of good health. And aside from the three cardinal sins of adultery, idolatry, and murder, no law is as…
Pesachim 54: The Heart of Darkness
Man, unique amongst all creations, was blessed by G-d with a soul. We are not just physical creations, doomed to death in due course, but spiritual…
Pesachim 50b: The Wrong Reason
Our tradition has long taught that it is a great mitzvah to do the right thing, even if for the wrong reason. “A person should, leolam, always…
Pesachim 50: Custom-Made
This Daf Yomi Thought is dedicated in honour of the upcoming wedding of Yonah Dorfman to Laurel Dayan. May they have many years of good health…
Pesachim 49b: Shul Weapons
To produce excellence, a certain degree of elitism is required. We are influenced by those around us; and if those who surround us are average, then…
Pesachim 49a: A Pesach Wedding
Getting married is a very big deal, and a mitzvah that supersedes almost all else. And like all mitzvoth, this is something we should do at the…
Pesachim 47: Eating on Yom Kippur?
The Yomim Tovim celebrate monumental events in Jewish history. The focus of these days is on bringing Jews together as a people and as friends.…
Pesachim 37: Designer Matzah
Matzah is the most basic of foods. Mix some grain with water and bake ASAP, and presto! We have the most important course for the most important meal…
Pesachim 35: Sleeping Through Class
I imagine I am not the only one who has dozed off during a lecture. While I might manage to pick up a point or two, surely such dozing limits my…
Pesachim 34: Land of Darkness
Soon after the editing of the Mishna in the land of Israel, Jewish life and learning started slowly shifting towards Bavel. This was set into motion…
Pesachim 30a: Economic Intervention
On the first page of the laws of Shabbat, the Mishnah Berurah discusses the problem of price gouging by fishmongers. Knowing the desire of observant…
Pesachim 22: Time Well Spent
“Shimon Ha'amsoni—and some say, Nechemia Ha'amsoni—used to derive [laws] from all the etim (plural of et) in the Torah.…