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We Don’t Bless God for the Suez Canal

 

It’s the final stretch of Berakhot — now’s the time to catch up if you are behind and still want to!

Every 28 years, according to the daf, the universe returns to its original placement, as per creation. It’s overwhelming to think about — given the small space humanity takes up in the vastness that is space, and given how much Hazal knew about the universe even without the powerful tools of discovery (Hubble telescope, anyone?) of the modern era (yes, the Gemara means that vastness of space — it mentions Saturn). And there’s a blessing to make on that occasion, of course.

And: The blessing Ha-tov ve-ha-Metiv makes another appearance. We’re characterizing it as the catch-all blessing for the extra of human experience — going beyond the finer wine brought to the table that made the concept (and its blessing) familiar to many of us.

 

Click here for the Talking Talmud podcast on Daf 59.

 

To listen: Click the link above. Or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Or join the Talking Talmud WhatsApp group, and receive the link as soon as it goes up.

 

Also, you can now find Talking Talmud on Facebook – you are most welcome to “like” the page and join the conversation there.

Anne and Yardaena

Anne Gordon is the deputy editor of Ops & Blogs at The Times of Israel. She is a veteran educator, having taught in high school and post-high school institutions in Israel and America for several decades. Yardaena Osband is a pediatrician and teaches in her community and online. They both hail from Boston, proud alumna of Maimonides School, where they first learned Gemara. Talking Talmud is their conversation (via podcast) on the daf yomi. They say: "Learning the daf? We have something for you to think about. Not learning the daf? We have something for you to think about! (Along with a taste of the daf...) Join the conversation with us!"
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