It is fair to say that, if not for the leadership of Rav Yochanan ben Zakkai, you would not be…
Beshalach: Dying in the Desert
“And Pharaoh approached...they saw the Egyptians marching at their rear, and the people…
Brachot 28: The Education of Rabban Gamliel
The years following the destruction of the Temple were fraught with great danger and uncertainty.…
Brachot 26: Prayer is Mercy
As we transition from the third to the fourth chapter of masechet Brachot, our focus shifts from…
Bo: Timing is Everything
Judaism places great emphasis on the proper use of time. For serious students there is practically…
Brachot 21: Before and After
Shehechiyanu vekemanu vhegeyanu lazman hazeh. It was when daf yomi last reached Brachot 27…
Brachot 21: What Did I Say
One of the things I love about the Gemara is how realistic and human it is—how it portrays…
Vaera: It Took A While
Moshe was frustrated. Having been coerced by G-d to redeem the Jewish people, things were not going…
Brachot 17: Do You Know What I Know
“A jewel in the mouth of Rava. The purpose of chochmah, wisdom, is teshuva and…
Brachot 12: The Heretics and The Ten Commandments
“The appointed one [assistant kohen gadol] said to them [the priests in the Temple]: …
Shemot: Irrational Thinking
Amongst the unsung heroes of the Jewish people are Shifra and Puah. Despite the genocidal decrees…
Brachot 8: Go to Work
“Rabbi Chelbo said in the name of Rav Huna: All who have yira’at shamayim,…
Brachot 7: What Does G-d Pray For?
What should one pray for? If we were to take a survey of the typical shul-goer, or even one who is…
Vayechi: Time for a Kiss
People often mistakenly think that truly righteous people are somehow different, perhaps not…
Brachot 3: Where to Pray?
In our post discussing the last lines of the Talmud Bavli, we wondered why the Gemara ends with a…
Brachot 2: Who's on First
“From when may one recite the kriat shema in the evening? From the time the kohanim…
Brachot: A New Cycle Begins
Rashi begins his commentary to Chumash asking why the Torah begins with the story of creation…
Nidah 73: The Last Word
“Tanna devei Eliyahu, the school of Eliyahu, taught: Kol hashoneh, all who study (and…