This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
Summary
The verse in Vayikra 2:12 regarding the unique case where one can bring leaven and honey to the Temple on Shavuot uses the phrase “As an offering of the first produce you can offer them.” Rabbi Elazar derived that the word “them” is exclusionary. It means that only regarding the two loaves and the bikkurim the ramp of the altar is considered like the altar (as derived from the words following that phrase). Items that came from an item that was burned on the altar are forbidden to be burned on the altar, but can be brought onto the ramp. Rabbi Yochanan disagrees with him and forbids even those items to be brought on the ramp. He must have a different drasha on the word “them.” To explain his reading of the verse, the Gemara quotes a braita which derives from “them” that even the community cannot bring two loaves as a voluntary sacrifice. The Gemara brings a contradictory braita that seems to say that the two loaves can be brought as a voluntary offering, but this understanding is ultimately rejected.
Rami bar Hama asked Rav Chisda whether the words “you shall not burn any of it as an offering made by fire” (Vayikra 2:11) only excludes items from which part of it was burned on the altar, or does it exclude any item that is considered a korban (offering) but was not meant to be burned on the altar, such as a bird sin offering or the oil of the leper. Rav Chisda responded that this is a tannaitic debate between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Akiva.
A drasha on the words “because all leaven and all honey” teaches that one is liable for offering even a small amount and even in a mixture. Rava and Abaye disagree about what is meant by a “small amount.” Abaye says it is half an olive-bulk, while Rava holds it is half a handful. Their difference of opinion derives from whether they hold a handful needs to be at least the size of two olives and is it only considered a halakhically significant burning on the altar if the item burned is the size of an olive (Rava), or if the handful can be less than two olives and burning less than one olive is considered halakhically significant (Abaye).
If one offered leavened dough and honey together on the altar, how many sets of lashes (if any) would one receive? Rava holds that one would receive four sets – one for leaven, one for honey, one for a mixture with leaven, and one for a mixture with honey. Abaye explains that this is a “lav shebikhlalot” – a negative prohibition including many prohibitions – and one does not receive lashes for this type of negative prohibition. Some explain Abaye to be saying that there would be no sets of lashes for this action, while others explain that one would receive lashes for the leaven and the honey but not for the mixture.
Today’s daily daf tools:
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
Today’s daf is sponsored by Julie and Martin Mendelsohn in honor of their first granddaughter. “She is the first grandchild and first great grandchild in our family and she changed everyone’s status in an instant. We thank God for her safe delivery and pray He grants her and her parents abundant health, blessings, success, and peace along with all of Am Yisrael!”
Menachot 58
וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, הַאי ״אֹתָם״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ?
The Gemara asks: And what does Rabbi Yoḥanan, who maintains that the prohibition against bringing leftover portions up to the ramp applies to all of the items listed in the baraita, do with this term: “Them,” in the verse: “As an offering of first produce you may bring them” (Leviticus 2:12), from which Rabbi Elazar learns that only first fruits and the two loaves are included in the prohibition?
מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְכִדְתַנְיָא: יָכוֹל יְהֵא יָחִיד מִתְנַדֵּב וּמֵבִיא כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ נְדָבָה, וְקוֹרֵא אֲנִי בָּהּ ״מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיךָ תִּשְׁמֹר וְעָשִׂיתָ״?
The Gemara answers: He requires it for that which is taught in a baraita: One might have thought that an individual may donate and bring to the Temple a gift offering similar to those two loaves brought by the community, and in support I will read with regard to this offering the verse that deals with other gift offerings: “That which has gone out of your lips you shall observe and do; according to what you have vowed freely to the Lord your God, even that which you have promised with your mouth” (Deuteronomy 23:24), which would mean that the offering is consecrated and he must bring it as he declared.
תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״קׇרְבַּן רֵאשִׁית תַּקְרִיבוּ״, צִיבּוּר אָמַרְתִּי לְךָ, וְלֹא יָחִיד.
Therefore, the verse states: “As an offering of first produce you may bring.” The phrase: “You may bring,” is written in the plural, meaning that it is addressed to the community. Therefore, it is interpreted to mean: I said to you that a community may consecrate and bring the two loaves, which are an offering of first produce, but an individual may not consecrate and bring two loaves of this nature.
יָכוֹל לֹא יְהֵא יָחִיד מֵבִיא, שֶׁאֵינוֹ מֵבִיא חוֹבָתוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ, אֲבָל יְהֵא צִיבּוּר מֵבִיא שֶׁמֵּבִיא חוֹבָתוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״אֹתָם״, וּמָה יֵשׁ לְךָ לְהָבִיא? שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם מִן הַשְּׂאוֹר, וּבִכּוּרִים מִן הַדְּבַשׁ.
The baraita continues: One might have thought that only an individual may not bring two loaves as a gift offering, as an individual does not bring his obligatory offering in a manner similar to those two loaves, i.e., perhaps specifically an individual, who never has an obligatory offering of two loaves, may not bring two loaves as a gift offering. But the community shall bring two loaves as a gift offering, as the community does bring its obligatory offering in a manner similar to those two loaves. Therefore, the verse states: “You may bring them,” to exclude the possibility of a communal gift offering of two loaves. The baraita concludes: And what is there left for you to bring as offerings that come from leaven and honey? The two loaves that come from leaven, and the first fruits that come from honey, i.e., sweet fruits.
וּשְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם לֹא יִקְרְבוּ נְדָבָה? וְהָתַנְיָא: אִם נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל שְׂאֹר״, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל דְּבַשׁ״? וְאִם נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל דְּבַשׁ״, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל שְׂאֹר״? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בַּשְּׂאוֹר מַה שֶּׁאֵין בַּדְּבַשׁ, וְיֵשׁ בַּדְּבַשׁ מַה שֶּׁאֵין בִּשְׂאוֹר.
The Gemara asks: And may the two loaves not be sacrificed as communal gift offerings? But isn’t it taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “As any leaven, and any honey, you shall not burn any of it” (Leviticus 2:11): If it is stated: “Any leaven,” why is it stated: “Any honey”? And if it is stated: “Any honey,” why is it stated: “Any leaven”? In other words, why is it necessary for the verse to repeat the inclusive term “any,” from which it is derived that offering an insufficient quantity of honey or leaven is included in the prohibition? The baraita answers: Both of these terms had to be stated, because there is a halakha that applies to leaven that is not applicable to honey, and there is another halakha that applies to honey that is not applicable to leaven.
שְׂאוֹר הוּתַּר מִכְּלָלוֹ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, דְּבַשׁ לֹא הוּתַּר מִכְּלָלוֹ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ.
The baraita explains: In the case of leaven, although it may not be sacrificed on the altar, its general prohibition was permitted in certain circumstances in the Temple, as the two loaves and the bread of the thanks offering, i.e., the four loaves of the thanks offering that were eaten by the priests, are leavened bread. By contrast, with regard to honey, there are no circumstances in which its general prohibition was permitted in the Temple.
דְּבַשׁ הוּתַּר בִּשְׁיָרֵי מְנָחוֹת, שְׂאוֹר לֹא הוּתַּר בִּשְׁיָרֵי מְנָחוֹת. הָא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בַּשְּׂאוֹר מַה שֶּׁאֵין בַּדְּבַשׁ, וְיֵשׁ בַּדְּבַשׁ מַה שֶּׁאֵין בִּשְׂאוֹר, הוּצְרַךְ לוֹמַר ״כׇּל שְׂאֹר״, וְהוּצְרַךְ לוֹמַר ״כׇּל דְּבַשׁ״.
There is a halakha that applies to honey but not to leaven, as the prohibition concerning honey is permitted in the case of the remainder of meal offerings, meaning that the priests may eat their portion of meal offerings with honey, whereas the prohibition concerning leaven is not permitted in the case of the remainder of meal offerings, since one may not leaven this remainder. The baraita summarizes: Due to the fact that there is a halakha that applies to leaven that is not applicable to honey, and there is a halakha that applies to honey that is not applicable to leaven, it was necessary for the verse to state: “Any leaven,” and it was also necessary for it to state: “Any honey.”
שְׂאוֹר דְּהוּתַּר מִכְּלָלוֹ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, מַאי נִיהוּ? לָאו שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם דְּקָרְבָה נְדָבָה? אָמַר רַב עַמְרָם: לָא, לִיקְרַב עִמָּהֶם.
The Gemara analyzes the baraita. When the baraita states concerning leaven that its general prohibition was permitted in certain circumstances in the Temple, what is this? Isn’t this referring to the halakha that the meal offering of the two loaves may be sacrificed by the community as a gift offering on the altar, as the two loaves of the communal offering themselves were not sacrificed on the altar? This would mean that two loaves may be brought as a gift offering by the community, which contradicts this claim of the previous baraita. Rav Amram said: No, the baraita is referring to the fact that the two loaves, which were leaven, are brought as an offering with the two lambs, which are brought up onto the altar as communal peace offerings. Since they are brought together, the two loaves and the two lambs are considered a single offering, and the lambs are sacrificed on the altar.
אִי הָכִי, בִּכּוּרִים נָמֵי, דִּתְנַן: הַגּוֹזָלוֹת שֶׁעַל גַּבֵּי הַסַּלִּין הָיוּ עוֹלוֹת, וְהַסַּלִּים שֶׁבְּיָדָם נִיתָּנִין לַכֹּהֲנִים. הָנְהוּ לְעַטֵּר בִּכּוּרִים הוּא דְּאָתוּ.
The Gemara asks: If so, in the case of first fruits also, the fruits should be considered part of the offering that was brought with them. As we learned in a mishna (Bikkurim 3:5): As for the fledglings that were placed on top of the baskets that contained the first fruits brought to the Temple, they would sacrifice these as burnt offerings, and the baskets themselves that were in the possession of those bringing the first fruits would be given to the priests. Accordingly, with regard to honey as well, its general prohibition was permitted in certain circumstances, as these first fruits containing honey are included with the sacrifice of burnt offerings. The Gemara answers: These fledglings came only to decorate the first fruits, despite the fact that they were later sacrificed as burnt offerings. Bringing the fledglings is not obligatory, and therefore cannot be considered part of the same offering as first fruits.
בָּעֵי רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא מֵרַב חִסְדָּא: הַמַּעֲלֶה מִבְּשַׂר חַטַּאת הָעוֹף עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, מַהוּ?
§ The Gemara continues to discuss the prohibition against bringing leftover parts of offerings up to the altar after the sacrificial parts have been burned. Rami bar Ḥama asked Rav Ḥisda: With regard to one who offers up on the altar some of the meat of a bird sacrificed as a sin offering, which is meant to be eaten by the priests, what is the halakha? Is he liable to receive lashes for this action?
כֹּל שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ לָאִישִּׁים, אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא, וְהַאי אֵין מִמֶּנּוּ לָאִישִּׁים? אוֹ דִלְמָא כֹּל שֶׁשְּׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן, וְהַאי נָמֵי שְׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כֹּל שֶׁשְּׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן, וְהַאי נָמֵי שְׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן.
The Gemara clarifies the possibilities: The Merciful One states with regard to any item that has already had some portion of it burned in the fire on the altar that one who sacrifices any leftover part of it violates the prohibition. And as no part of this bird sacrificed as a sin offering is burned in the fire on the altar, is he therefore exempt? Or perhaps, any item that is called an offering is included in the prohibition, and since this bird is also called an offering, one is liable. Rav Ḥisda said to Rami bar Ḥama: Any item that is called an offering is included in the prohibition, and this bird sacrificed as a sin offering is also called an offering.
כְּתַנָּאֵי: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ לָאִישִּׁים, רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁשְּׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן.
The Gemara notes: Rami bar Ḥama’s dilemma is subject to a dispute between tanna’im, as is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer says: Only any item that has already had some portion of it burned in the fire on the altar is included in the prohibition: Do not burn. Rabbi Akiva says: Any item that is called an offering is included in this prohibition.
מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: בְּשַׂר חַטַּאת הָעוֹף אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ.
The Gemara asks: What is the difference between the opinions of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer? Rav Ḥisda said: The difference between them concerns the case discussed earlier, of one who brings some of the meat of a bird sin offering up to the altar. Rabbi Akiva maintains that he is liable, as it is called an offering, whereas Rabbi Eliezer holds that he is exempt, as no portion of it is burned on the altar.
רַב אָמַר: לוֹג שֶׁמֶן שֶׁל מְצוֹרָע אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ, דְּתָנֵי לֵוִי: ״כׇּל קׇרְבָּנָם״ – לְרַבּוֹת לוֹג שֶׁמֶן שֶׁל מְצוֹרָע.
Rav said: The difference between them concerns the log of oil that accompanies the guilt offering of a recovered leper, as Levi teaches: Concerning the consecrated items given to priests as gifts, the verse states: “Every offering of theirs…shall be most holy for you and for your sons” (Numbers 18:9). The phrase “every offering” serves to include the log of oil of a leper. This oil is not burned on the altar. Nevertheless, Rabbi Akiva would deem one who brings some of this log up to the altar liable, as it is called an offering, whereas Rabbi Eliezer would deem him exempt, since no part of it is burned in the fire.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״שְׂאֹר … בַּל תַּקְטִירוּ״ – אֵין לִי אֶלָּא כּוּלּוֹ, מִקְצָתוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כׇל״. עֵירוּבוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כִּי כׇל״.
§ The Gemara returns to the discussion about the prohibition against sacrificing leaven. The Sages taught in a baraita: When the Torah states with regard to leaven: Do not burn it (see Leviticus 2:11), I have derived only that one who burns all of it is liable, as will be explained. From where is it derived that one who burns only part of it is also included in the prohibition? The verse states: “Any [kol] leaven,” which serves to include such a case. The baraita adds: This halakha has been derived only with regard to leaven in a pure state; from where is it derived that the same applies to one who sacrifices it in its mixed state, i.e., mixed with another substance? The verse states the additional expression: “As [ki] any leaven.”
מַאי קָאָמַר? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, הָכִי קָאָמַר: ״שְׂאֹר בַּל תַּקְטִירוּ״ – אֵין לִי אֶלָּא כְּזַיִת, חֲצִי זַיִת מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״כׇּל״, עֵירוּבוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״כִּי כׇל״.
The Gemara analyzes this baraita: What is it saying? What is the meaning of the term: All of it, and the term: Part of it? Abaye said: This is what the baraita is saying: When the verse states about leaven: Do not burn it, I have derived only that this prohibition applies to an olive-bulk of leaven. From where is it derived that this prohibition applies if it is only half an olive-bulk? The verse states: “Any leaven.” Furthermore, from where is it derived that one is liable not only for leaven by itself, but also for leaven in its mixed state? The verse states: “As any leaven.”
רָבָא אָמַר: הָכִי קָאָמַר – ״שְׂאֹר בַּל תַּקְטִירוּ״ אֵין לִי אֶלָּא קוֹמֶץ, חֲצִי קוֹמֶץ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כׇל״. עֵירוּבוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כִּי כׇל״.
Rava said that there is a different interpretation of the baraita: This is what the baraita is saying: When the verse states about leaven: Do not burn it, I have derived only that this prohibition applies to the entire handful that is removed from the meal offering. From where is it derived that this prohibition applies to half of the handful? The verse states: “Any leaven.” Furthermore, from where is it derived that one is liable not only for leaven by itself, but also for its mixed state? The verse states: “As any leaven.”
בְּמַאי קָא מִיפַּלְגִי? אַבָּיֵי סָבַר: יֵשׁ קוֹמֶץ פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁנֵי זֵיתִים,
The Gemara asks: With regard to what principle do Abaye and Rava disagree? The Gemara answers: Abaye holds: There is such an entity as a handful that is less than the volume of two olives.
וְיֵשׁ הַקְטָרָה פְּחוּתָה מִכְּזַיִת.
And Abaye consequently maintains that there is such a matter as a halakhically significant burning of a handful even if it is less than the volume of an olive-bulk. It follows that the phrase “any leaven” teaches that if one sacrificed less than an olive-bulk of a handful that was leaven, he is liable.
וְרָבָא אָמַר: אֵין קוֹמֶץ פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁנֵי זֵיתִים, וְאֵין הַקְטָרָה פְּחוּתָה מִכְּזַיִת.
And Rava says: There is no such entity as a handful that is less than the size of two olives, and consequently the mitzva not to burn leaven is referring initially to a full handful of two olive-bulks. And Rava holds that there is no such matter as a halakhically significant burning of a handful if it is less than the volume of an olive-bulk. Therefore, one cannot derive from the phrase “as any leaven” that one can be liable for sacrificing leaven of less than one olive-bulk. Instead, the phrase must be referring to a case where half the handful is leaven.
אִיתְּמַר: הַמַּעֲלֶה מִשְּׂאוֹר וּמִדְּבַשׁ עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, אָמַר רָבָא: לוֹקֶה מִשּׁוּם שְׂאוֹר, וְלוֹקֶה מִשּׁוּם דְּבַשׁ, לוֹקֶה מִשּׁוּם עֵירוּבֵי שְׂאוֹר, וּמִשּׁוּם עֵירוּבֵי דְּבַשׁ.
§ The Gemara discusses another dispute between Abaye and Rava on this topic: It was stated: With regard to one who offers up a mixture made of leaven and of honey on the altar, Rava says: He is flogged with four sets of lashes for this act, as the verse: “As any leaven and any honey, you shall not burn any of it as an offering made by fire to the Lord” (Leviticus 2:11), includes four separate prohibitions. He is flogged one set due to the prohibition against sacrificing leaven, and he is flogged a second set due to the prohibition against sacrificing honey, and he is flogged a third set due to the prohibition against sacrificing mixtures of leaven, and he is flogged a fourth set due to the prohibition against sacrificing mixtures of honey.
אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: אֵין לוֹקִין עַל לָאו שֶׁבִּכְלָלוֹת.
Abaye says: One is not flogged for a general prohibition, i.e., a single mitzva in the Torah that includes many different prohibited acts. Since all these actions are covered by the prohibition: “You shall not burn,” it is considered a general prohibition, for which one is not flogged.
אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: חֲדָא מִיהָא לָקֵי.
The Gemara cites a dispute between the Sages with regard to the opinion of Abaye. There are those who say that Abaye concedes that in any event the offender is flogged with one set of lashes for sacrificing leaven, and he is also flogged a second set of lashes for sacrificing honey, as these are not considered general prohibitions. Since the phrase: “You shall not burn,” is referring to both leaven and honey, it is as though it were written: You shall not burn leaven; you shall not burn honey.
וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, חֲדָא נָמֵי לָא לָקֵי, דְּהָא לָא מְיַחַד לָאוֵיהּ כְּלָאו דַּחֲסִימָה.
And there are those who say that Abaye maintains that the offender is not even flogged with one set of lashes, as the prohibition he transgressed is not specific to one matter, like the prohibition against muzzling. The principle that one is liable to be flogged for violating a prohibition is derived from the juxtaposition of the mitzva: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4), with the verses that mention lashes. It is inferred from this juxtaposition that one is not liable to be flogged for violating prohibitions whose circumstances are not similar to that of muzzling, e.g., a general prohibition that is not referring to one specific action.
Today’s daily daf tools:
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
New to Talmud?
Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you.
The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!
Pittsburgh, United States
After all the hype on the 2020 siyum I became inspired by a friend to begin learning as the new cycle began.with no background in studying Talmud it was a bit daunting in the beginning. my husband began at the same time so we decided to study on shabbat together. The reaction from my 3 daughters has been fantastic. They are very proud. It’s been a great challenge for my brain which is so healthy!
Modi’in, Israel
I started learning Dec 2019 after reading “If all the Seas Were Ink”. I found
Daily daf sessions of Rabbanit Michelle in her house teaching, I then heard about the siyum and a new cycle starting wow I am in! Afternoon here in Sydney, my family and friends know this is my sacred time to hide away to live zoom and learn. Often it’s hard to absorb and relate then a gem shines touching my heart.
Dover Heights, Australia
I heard about the syium in January 2020 & I was excited to start learning then the pandemic started. Learning Daf became something to focus on but also something stressful. As the world changed around me & my family I had to adjust my expectations for myself & the world. Daf Yomi & the Hadran podcast has been something I look forward to every day. It gives me a moment of centering & Judaism daily.
Denver, United States
Ive been learning Gmara since 5th grade and always loved it. Have always wanted to do Daf Yomi and now with Michelle Farber’s online classes it made it much easier to do! Really enjoying the experience thank you!!
Neve Daniel, Israel
When the new cycle began, I thought, If not now, when? I’d just turned 72. I feel like a tourist on a tour bus passing astonishing scenery each day. Rabbanit Michelle is my beloved tour guide. When the cycle ends, I’ll be 80. I pray that I’ll have strength and mind to continue the journey to glimpse a little more. My grandchildren think having a daf-learning savta is cool!
Jerusalem, Israel
I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!
Borehamwood, United Kingdom
Los Angeles, United States
Palo Alto, CA, United States
See video
Raanana, Israel
I started the daf at the beginning of this cycle in January 2020. My husband, my children, grandchildren and siblings have been very supportive. As someone who learned and taught Tanach and mefarshim for many years, it has been an amazing adventure to complete the six sedarim of Mishnah, and now to study Talmud on a daily basis along with Rabbanit Michelle and the wonderful women of Hadran.
Jerusalem, Israel
I started learning Daf Yomi in January 2020 after watching my grandfather, Mayer Penstein z”l, finish shas with the previous cycle. My grandfather made learning so much fun was so proud that his grandchildren wanted to join him. I was also inspired by Ilana Kurshan’s book, If All the Seas Were Ink. Two years in, I can say that it has enriched my life in so many ways.
New York, United States
After reading the book, “ If All The Seas Were Ink “ by Ileana Kurshan I started studying Talmud. I searched and studied with several teachers until I found Michelle Farber. I have been studying with her for two years. I look forward every day to learn from her.
Virginia, United States
In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.
Worcester, United States
I started learning Talmud with R’ Haramati in Yeshivah of Flatbush. But after a respite of 60 years, Rabbanit Michelle lit my fire – after attending the last three world siyumim in Miami Beach, Meadowlands and Boca Raton, and now that I’m retired, I decided – “I can do this!” It has been an incredible journey so far, and I look forward to learning Daf everyday – Mazal Tov to everyone!
Florida, United States
I am a Reform rabbi and took Talmud courses in rabbinical school, but I knew there was so much more to learn. It felt inauthentic to serve as a rabbi without having read the entire Talmud, so when the opportunity arose to start Daf Yomi in 2020, I dove in! Thanks to Hadran, Daf Yomi has enriched my understanding of rabbinic Judaism and deepened my love of Jewish text & tradition. Todah rabbah!
California, United States
I LOVE learning the Daf. I started with Shabbat. I join the morning Zoom with Reb Michelle and it totally grounds my day. When Corona hit us in Israel, I decided that I would use the Daf to keep myself sane, especially during the days when we could not venture out more than 300 m from our home. Now my husband and I have so much new material to talk about! It really is the best part of my day!
Hashmonaim, Israel
I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!
Bakersfield, United States
I began my journey two years ago at the beginning of this cycle of the daf yomi. It has been an incredible, challenging experience and has given me a new perspective of Torah Sh’baal Peh and the role it plays in our lives
Efrat, Israel
Years ago, I attended the local Siyum HaShas with my high school class. It was inspiring! Through that cycle and the next one, I studied masekhtot on my own and then did “daf yomi practice.” The amazing Hadran Siyum HaShas event firmed my resolve to “really do” Daf Yomi this time. It has become a family goal. We’ve supported each other through challenges, and now we’re at the Siyum of Seder Moed!
Jerusalem, Israel
Menachot 58
וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, הַאי ״אֹתָם״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ?
The Gemara asks: And what does Rabbi Yoḥanan, who maintains that the prohibition against bringing leftover portions up to the ramp applies to all of the items listed in the baraita, do with this term: “Them,” in the verse: “As an offering of first produce you may bring them” (Leviticus 2:12), from which Rabbi Elazar learns that only first fruits and the two loaves are included in the prohibition?
מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְכִדְתַנְיָא: יָכוֹל יְהֵא יָחִיד מִתְנַדֵּב וּמֵבִיא כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ נְדָבָה, וְקוֹרֵא אֲנִי בָּהּ ״מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיךָ תִּשְׁמֹר וְעָשִׂיתָ״?
The Gemara answers: He requires it for that which is taught in a baraita: One might have thought that an individual may donate and bring to the Temple a gift offering similar to those two loaves brought by the community, and in support I will read with regard to this offering the verse that deals with other gift offerings: “That which has gone out of your lips you shall observe and do; according to what you have vowed freely to the Lord your God, even that which you have promised with your mouth” (Deuteronomy 23:24), which would mean that the offering is consecrated and he must bring it as he declared.
תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״קׇרְבַּן רֵאשִׁית תַּקְרִיבוּ״, צִיבּוּר אָמַרְתִּי לְךָ, וְלֹא יָחִיד.
Therefore, the verse states: “As an offering of first produce you may bring.” The phrase: “You may bring,” is written in the plural, meaning that it is addressed to the community. Therefore, it is interpreted to mean: I said to you that a community may consecrate and bring the two loaves, which are an offering of first produce, but an individual may not consecrate and bring two loaves of this nature.
יָכוֹל לֹא יְהֵא יָחִיד מֵבִיא, שֶׁאֵינוֹ מֵבִיא חוֹבָתוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ, אֲבָל יְהֵא צִיבּוּר מֵבִיא שֶׁמֵּבִיא חוֹבָתוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״אֹתָם״, וּמָה יֵשׁ לְךָ לְהָבִיא? שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם מִן הַשְּׂאוֹר, וּבִכּוּרִים מִן הַדְּבַשׁ.
The baraita continues: One might have thought that only an individual may not bring two loaves as a gift offering, as an individual does not bring his obligatory offering in a manner similar to those two loaves, i.e., perhaps specifically an individual, who never has an obligatory offering of two loaves, may not bring two loaves as a gift offering. But the community shall bring two loaves as a gift offering, as the community does bring its obligatory offering in a manner similar to those two loaves. Therefore, the verse states: “You may bring them,” to exclude the possibility of a communal gift offering of two loaves. The baraita concludes: And what is there left for you to bring as offerings that come from leaven and honey? The two loaves that come from leaven, and the first fruits that come from honey, i.e., sweet fruits.
וּשְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם לֹא יִקְרְבוּ נְדָבָה? וְהָתַנְיָא: אִם נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל שְׂאֹר״, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל דְּבַשׁ״? וְאִם נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל דְּבַשׁ״, לָמָּה נֶאֱמַר ״כׇּל שְׂאֹר״? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בַּשְּׂאוֹר מַה שֶּׁאֵין בַּדְּבַשׁ, וְיֵשׁ בַּדְּבַשׁ מַה שֶּׁאֵין בִּשְׂאוֹר.
The Gemara asks: And may the two loaves not be sacrificed as communal gift offerings? But isn’t it taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “As any leaven, and any honey, you shall not burn any of it” (Leviticus 2:11): If it is stated: “Any leaven,” why is it stated: “Any honey”? And if it is stated: “Any honey,” why is it stated: “Any leaven”? In other words, why is it necessary for the verse to repeat the inclusive term “any,” from which it is derived that offering an insufficient quantity of honey or leaven is included in the prohibition? The baraita answers: Both of these terms had to be stated, because there is a halakha that applies to leaven that is not applicable to honey, and there is another halakha that applies to honey that is not applicable to leaven.
שְׂאוֹר הוּתַּר מִכְּלָלוֹ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, דְּבַשׁ לֹא הוּתַּר מִכְּלָלוֹ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ.
The baraita explains: In the case of leaven, although it may not be sacrificed on the altar, its general prohibition was permitted in certain circumstances in the Temple, as the two loaves and the bread of the thanks offering, i.e., the four loaves of the thanks offering that were eaten by the priests, are leavened bread. By contrast, with regard to honey, there are no circumstances in which its general prohibition was permitted in the Temple.
דְּבַשׁ הוּתַּר בִּשְׁיָרֵי מְנָחוֹת, שְׂאוֹר לֹא הוּתַּר בִּשְׁיָרֵי מְנָחוֹת. הָא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בַּשְּׂאוֹר מַה שֶּׁאֵין בַּדְּבַשׁ, וְיֵשׁ בַּדְּבַשׁ מַה שֶּׁאֵין בִּשְׂאוֹר, הוּצְרַךְ לוֹמַר ״כׇּל שְׂאֹר״, וְהוּצְרַךְ לוֹמַר ״כׇּל דְּבַשׁ״.
There is a halakha that applies to honey but not to leaven, as the prohibition concerning honey is permitted in the case of the remainder of meal offerings, meaning that the priests may eat their portion of meal offerings with honey, whereas the prohibition concerning leaven is not permitted in the case of the remainder of meal offerings, since one may not leaven this remainder. The baraita summarizes: Due to the fact that there is a halakha that applies to leaven that is not applicable to honey, and there is a halakha that applies to honey that is not applicable to leaven, it was necessary for the verse to state: “Any leaven,” and it was also necessary for it to state: “Any honey.”
שְׂאוֹר דְּהוּתַּר מִכְּלָלוֹ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, מַאי נִיהוּ? לָאו שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם דְּקָרְבָה נְדָבָה? אָמַר רַב עַמְרָם: לָא, לִיקְרַב עִמָּהֶם.
The Gemara analyzes the baraita. When the baraita states concerning leaven that its general prohibition was permitted in certain circumstances in the Temple, what is this? Isn’t this referring to the halakha that the meal offering of the two loaves may be sacrificed by the community as a gift offering on the altar, as the two loaves of the communal offering themselves were not sacrificed on the altar? This would mean that two loaves may be brought as a gift offering by the community, which contradicts this claim of the previous baraita. Rav Amram said: No, the baraita is referring to the fact that the two loaves, which were leaven, are brought as an offering with the two lambs, which are brought up onto the altar as communal peace offerings. Since they are brought together, the two loaves and the two lambs are considered a single offering, and the lambs are sacrificed on the altar.
אִי הָכִי, בִּכּוּרִים נָמֵי, דִּתְנַן: הַגּוֹזָלוֹת שֶׁעַל גַּבֵּי הַסַּלִּין הָיוּ עוֹלוֹת, וְהַסַּלִּים שֶׁבְּיָדָם נִיתָּנִין לַכֹּהֲנִים. הָנְהוּ לְעַטֵּר בִּכּוּרִים הוּא דְּאָתוּ.
The Gemara asks: If so, in the case of first fruits also, the fruits should be considered part of the offering that was brought with them. As we learned in a mishna (Bikkurim 3:5): As for the fledglings that were placed on top of the baskets that contained the first fruits brought to the Temple, they would sacrifice these as burnt offerings, and the baskets themselves that were in the possession of those bringing the first fruits would be given to the priests. Accordingly, with regard to honey as well, its general prohibition was permitted in certain circumstances, as these first fruits containing honey are included with the sacrifice of burnt offerings. The Gemara answers: These fledglings came only to decorate the first fruits, despite the fact that they were later sacrificed as burnt offerings. Bringing the fledglings is not obligatory, and therefore cannot be considered part of the same offering as first fruits.
בָּעֵי רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא מֵרַב חִסְדָּא: הַמַּעֲלֶה מִבְּשַׂר חַטַּאת הָעוֹף עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, מַהוּ?
§ The Gemara continues to discuss the prohibition against bringing leftover parts of offerings up to the altar after the sacrificial parts have been burned. Rami bar Ḥama asked Rav Ḥisda: With regard to one who offers up on the altar some of the meat of a bird sacrificed as a sin offering, which is meant to be eaten by the priests, what is the halakha? Is he liable to receive lashes for this action?
כֹּל שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ לָאִישִּׁים, אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא, וְהַאי אֵין מִמֶּנּוּ לָאִישִּׁים? אוֹ דִלְמָא כֹּל שֶׁשְּׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן, וְהַאי נָמֵי שְׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כֹּל שֶׁשְּׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן, וְהַאי נָמֵי שְׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן.
The Gemara clarifies the possibilities: The Merciful One states with regard to any item that has already had some portion of it burned in the fire on the altar that one who sacrifices any leftover part of it violates the prohibition. And as no part of this bird sacrificed as a sin offering is burned in the fire on the altar, is he therefore exempt? Or perhaps, any item that is called an offering is included in the prohibition, and since this bird is also called an offering, one is liable. Rav Ḥisda said to Rami bar Ḥama: Any item that is called an offering is included in the prohibition, and this bird sacrificed as a sin offering is also called an offering.
כְּתַנָּאֵי: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ לָאִישִּׁים, רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: כֹּל שֶׁשְּׁמוֹ קׇרְבָּן.
The Gemara notes: Rami bar Ḥama’s dilemma is subject to a dispute between tanna’im, as is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer says: Only any item that has already had some portion of it burned in the fire on the altar is included in the prohibition: Do not burn. Rabbi Akiva says: Any item that is called an offering is included in this prohibition.
מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: בְּשַׂר חַטַּאת הָעוֹף אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ.
The Gemara asks: What is the difference between the opinions of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer? Rav Ḥisda said: The difference between them concerns the case discussed earlier, of one who brings some of the meat of a bird sin offering up to the altar. Rabbi Akiva maintains that he is liable, as it is called an offering, whereas Rabbi Eliezer holds that he is exempt, as no portion of it is burned on the altar.
רַב אָמַר: לוֹג שֶׁמֶן שֶׁל מְצוֹרָע אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ, דְּתָנֵי לֵוִי: ״כׇּל קׇרְבָּנָם״ – לְרַבּוֹת לוֹג שֶׁמֶן שֶׁל מְצוֹרָע.
Rav said: The difference between them concerns the log of oil that accompanies the guilt offering of a recovered leper, as Levi teaches: Concerning the consecrated items given to priests as gifts, the verse states: “Every offering of theirs…shall be most holy for you and for your sons” (Numbers 18:9). The phrase “every offering” serves to include the log of oil of a leper. This oil is not burned on the altar. Nevertheless, Rabbi Akiva would deem one who brings some of this log up to the altar liable, as it is called an offering, whereas Rabbi Eliezer would deem him exempt, since no part of it is burned in the fire.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״שְׂאֹר … בַּל תַּקְטִירוּ״ – אֵין לִי אֶלָּא כּוּלּוֹ, מִקְצָתוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כׇל״. עֵירוּבוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כִּי כׇל״.
§ The Gemara returns to the discussion about the prohibition against sacrificing leaven. The Sages taught in a baraita: When the Torah states with regard to leaven: Do not burn it (see Leviticus 2:11), I have derived only that one who burns all of it is liable, as will be explained. From where is it derived that one who burns only part of it is also included in the prohibition? The verse states: “Any [kol] leaven,” which serves to include such a case. The baraita adds: This halakha has been derived only with regard to leaven in a pure state; from where is it derived that the same applies to one who sacrifices it in its mixed state, i.e., mixed with another substance? The verse states the additional expression: “As [ki] any leaven.”
מַאי קָאָמַר? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, הָכִי קָאָמַר: ״שְׂאֹר בַּל תַּקְטִירוּ״ – אֵין לִי אֶלָּא כְּזַיִת, חֲצִי זַיִת מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״כׇּל״, עֵירוּבוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״כִּי כׇל״.
The Gemara analyzes this baraita: What is it saying? What is the meaning of the term: All of it, and the term: Part of it? Abaye said: This is what the baraita is saying: When the verse states about leaven: Do not burn it, I have derived only that this prohibition applies to an olive-bulk of leaven. From where is it derived that this prohibition applies if it is only half an olive-bulk? The verse states: “Any leaven.” Furthermore, from where is it derived that one is liable not only for leaven by itself, but also for leaven in its mixed state? The verse states: “As any leaven.”
רָבָא אָמַר: הָכִי קָאָמַר – ״שְׂאֹר בַּל תַּקְטִירוּ״ אֵין לִי אֶלָּא קוֹמֶץ, חֲצִי קוֹמֶץ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כׇל״. עֵירוּבוֹ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כִּי כׇל״.
Rava said that there is a different interpretation of the baraita: This is what the baraita is saying: When the verse states about leaven: Do not burn it, I have derived only that this prohibition applies to the entire handful that is removed from the meal offering. From where is it derived that this prohibition applies to half of the handful? The verse states: “Any leaven.” Furthermore, from where is it derived that one is liable not only for leaven by itself, but also for its mixed state? The verse states: “As any leaven.”
בְּמַאי קָא מִיפַּלְגִי? אַבָּיֵי סָבַר: יֵשׁ קוֹמֶץ פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁנֵי זֵיתִים,
The Gemara asks: With regard to what principle do Abaye and Rava disagree? The Gemara answers: Abaye holds: There is such an entity as a handful that is less than the volume of two olives.
וְיֵשׁ הַקְטָרָה פְּחוּתָה מִכְּזַיִת.
And Abaye consequently maintains that there is such a matter as a halakhically significant burning of a handful even if it is less than the volume of an olive-bulk. It follows that the phrase “any leaven” teaches that if one sacrificed less than an olive-bulk of a handful that was leaven, he is liable.
וְרָבָא אָמַר: אֵין קוֹמֶץ פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁנֵי זֵיתִים, וְאֵין הַקְטָרָה פְּחוּתָה מִכְּזַיִת.
And Rava says: There is no such entity as a handful that is less than the size of two olives, and consequently the mitzva not to burn leaven is referring initially to a full handful of two olive-bulks. And Rava holds that there is no such matter as a halakhically significant burning of a handful if it is less than the volume of an olive-bulk. Therefore, one cannot derive from the phrase “as any leaven” that one can be liable for sacrificing leaven of less than one olive-bulk. Instead, the phrase must be referring to a case where half the handful is leaven.
אִיתְּמַר: הַמַּעֲלֶה מִשְּׂאוֹר וּמִדְּבַשׁ עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, אָמַר רָבָא: לוֹקֶה מִשּׁוּם שְׂאוֹר, וְלוֹקֶה מִשּׁוּם דְּבַשׁ, לוֹקֶה מִשּׁוּם עֵירוּבֵי שְׂאוֹר, וּמִשּׁוּם עֵירוּבֵי דְּבַשׁ.
§ The Gemara discusses another dispute between Abaye and Rava on this topic: It was stated: With regard to one who offers up a mixture made of leaven and of honey on the altar, Rava says: He is flogged with four sets of lashes for this act, as the verse: “As any leaven and any honey, you shall not burn any of it as an offering made by fire to the Lord” (Leviticus 2:11), includes four separate prohibitions. He is flogged one set due to the prohibition against sacrificing leaven, and he is flogged a second set due to the prohibition against sacrificing honey, and he is flogged a third set due to the prohibition against sacrificing mixtures of leaven, and he is flogged a fourth set due to the prohibition against sacrificing mixtures of honey.
אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: אֵין לוֹקִין עַל לָאו שֶׁבִּכְלָלוֹת.
Abaye says: One is not flogged for a general prohibition, i.e., a single mitzva in the Torah that includes many different prohibited acts. Since all these actions are covered by the prohibition: “You shall not burn,” it is considered a general prohibition, for which one is not flogged.
אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: חֲדָא מִיהָא לָקֵי.
The Gemara cites a dispute between the Sages with regard to the opinion of Abaye. There are those who say that Abaye concedes that in any event the offender is flogged with one set of lashes for sacrificing leaven, and he is also flogged a second set of lashes for sacrificing honey, as these are not considered general prohibitions. Since the phrase: “You shall not burn,” is referring to both leaven and honey, it is as though it were written: You shall not burn leaven; you shall not burn honey.
וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, חֲדָא נָמֵי לָא לָקֵי, דְּהָא לָא מְיַחַד לָאוֵיהּ כְּלָאו דַּחֲסִימָה.
And there are those who say that Abaye maintains that the offender is not even flogged with one set of lashes, as the prohibition he transgressed is not specific to one matter, like the prohibition against muzzling. The principle that one is liable to be flogged for violating a prohibition is derived from the juxtaposition of the mitzva: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4), with the verses that mention lashes. It is inferred from this juxtaposition that one is not liable to be flogged for violating prohibitions whose circumstances are not similar to that of muzzling, e.g., a general prohibition that is not referring to one specific action.
