Menachot 94
Share this shiur:
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Judith Rosenfeld Hochstadter, Gittel bat Kreindel v’Binyamin BenZion on her second yahrzeit. “Her curiosity, humor, intellect and devout nature continues to inspire and hold us accountable. We miss her and think of her in all our pursuits, especially in our Hadran learning, where she would be glad to know that she didn’t have to boil more than 1 egg at a time!!”
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
Summary
The Mishna compares the details regarding the laws of semicha (leaning) and tenufa (waving). Semicha has a stringency in that all owners of the sacrifice are obligated to perform it, while the same does not hold true for tenufa. However, waving applies to both individual and communal sacrifices, to animals that are both alive and slaughtered, and to both animals and non-living items, such as breads. These do not apply to semicha, which is only performed on live animals and primarily for individual sacrifices.
The Gemara brings a scriptural source for the ruling that semicha is obligatory for all owners of the sacrifice, while only one person performs tenufa on behalf of the others. A difficulty is raised against the fact that semicha is limited only to live animals based on a Mishna in Tamid 33b, which describes a process of semicha performed by a Kohen Gadol on a slaughtered animal. However, Abaye explains that this specific semicha is performed merely out of respect for the Kohen Gadol and is not a formal requirement of the sacrificial service.
The loaves of the lechem hapanim (showbread) and the loaves of the shtei halechem (two loaves) were kneaded separately. The shtei halechem were baked separately, while the lechem hapanim – twelve in total – were baked two at a time. The Gemara brings the scriptural source for these details.
What shape were the lechem hapanim? Rabbi Chanina and Rabbi Yochanan each describe a different shape: either like an “open box” or like a “rocking boat.” The Gemara analyzes these different opinions based on other known details regarding the various components of the table (shulchan) upon which the bread sat.
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Judith Rosenfeld Hochstadter, Gittel bat Kreindel v’Binyamin BenZion on her second yahrzeit. “Her curiosity, humor, intellect and devout nature continues to inspire and hold us accountable. We miss her and think of her in all our pursuits, especially in our Hadran learning, where she would be glad to know that she didn’t have to boil more than 1 egg at a time!!”
Today’s daf is sponsored by Rikki and Alan Zibitt in honor of the marriage of their grandson, Kfir Blumenreich to Kamil Shenderovitz, taking place in Israel today. “We are so grateful to Hashem to be able to celebrate with you and the family in person! Kfir, you are our first grandchild, first grandson and first to be married! Wishing you and Kamil much love and happiness as you build your home in Israel!”
Menachot 94
בְּחַיִּים וּבִשְׁחוּטִין, וּבְדָבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ רוּחַ חַיִּים וּבְדָבָר שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ רוּחַ חַיִּים, מַה שֶּׁאֵין כֵּן בַּסְּמִיכָה.
and it is practiced both in the cases of offerings when they are alive, e.g., the guilt offering of a leper and the lambs of Shavuot, and in the cases of offerings after they are slaughtered, e.g., the breast and thigh. By contrast, placing hands is practiced with a live animal. A further stringency is that waving is practiced both in the case of an item in which there is a living spirit, i.e., an animal offering, and in the case of an item in which there is not a living spirit, e.g., the omer offering, the sota meal offering, and the loaves accompanying a thanks offering and the ram of the nazirite, whereas placing hands is only ever performed upon living beings.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: קׇרְבָּנוֹ – לְרַבּוֹת כׇּל בַּעֲלֵי קׇרְבָּן לִסְמִיכָה.
GEMARA: The Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states with regard to placing hands: “And he shall place his hand on the head of his offering” (Leviticus 3:2). The term “his offering” serves to include all of the owners of an offering in the requirement of placing hands, i.e., each one must perform it.
שֶׁיָּכוֹל, וַהֲלֹא דִּין הוּא: וּמָה תְּנוּפָה שֶׁנִּתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין נִתְמַעֲטָה בְּחוֹבְרִין, סְמִיכָה שֶׁלֹּא נִתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁתִּתְמַעֵט בְּחוֹבְרִין? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״קׇרְבָּנוֹ״, לְרַבּוֹת כׇּל בַּעֲלֵי קׇרְבָּן לִסְמִיכָה.
It is necessary for the verse to teach this, as one might have thought: Could it not be derived through an a fortiori inference that only one partner needs to place his hands on the offering? The inference is as follows: If the requirement of waving, which was amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, nevertheless was limited with regard to an offering jointly owned by a number of partners, as only one of them waves on behalf of all of them, then with regard to the requirement of placing hands, which was not amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, is it not logical that it was also limited with regard to an offering jointly owned by partners, and it is sufficient for one partner to place his hands on behalf of the others? To counter this inference, the verse states: “His offering,” to include each of the owners of an offering in the requirement of placing hands.
וְתִתְרַבֶּה תְּנוּפָה בְּחוֹבְרִין מִקַּל וָחוֹמֶר: וּמָה סְמִיכָה שֶׁלֹּא נִתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין, נִתְרַבְּתָה בְּחוֹבְרִין, תְּנוּפָה שֶׁנִּתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁנִּתְרַבְּתָה בְּחוֹבְרִין!
The Gemara asks: But one could suggest the opposite inference and conclude that the requirement of waving should be amplified with regard to partners, through the following a fortiori inference: If the requirement of placing hands, which was not amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, was amplified with regard to an offering jointly owned by partners, requiring each partner to perform it himself, then with regard to the requirement of waving, which was amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, is it not logical that it was also amplified with regard to an offering jointly owned by partners, requiring each partner to perform it himself?
מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא אֶפְשָׁר, הֵיכִי לֶיעְבֵּיד? לַינְפּוּ כּוּלְּהוּ בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי – קָא הָוְיָא חֲצִיצָה, לָינֵיף וְלֶיהְדַּר וְלָינֵיף – ״תְּנוּפָה״ אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא, וְלֹא תְּנוּפוֹת.
The Gemara rejects this: This inference cannot be correct, because it is obvious that only one of the partners needs to perform the waving. It is not possible to have all of them perform it, as how would it be done? If one says: Let all of the partners wave together, with each one placing his hands under those of another, that is difficult: There would be an invalidating interposition between the offering and hands of the partners who are not directly holding onto the offering. And if one says: Let one partner wave, and then the next one will wave, and so on, that would also be invalid, as the Merciful One states in the Torah that one must perform a waving, using a singular noun, which indicates that one waving, but not multiple wavings, should be performed.
וּסְמִיכָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין לֵיתַהּ? וְהָתְנַן: בִּזְמַן שֶׁכֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל רוֹצֶה לְהַקְטִיר, הָיָה עוֹלֶה בַּכֶּבֶשׁ, וְהַסְּגָן בִּימִינוֹ. הִגִּיעַ לְמַחֲצִית הַכֶּבֶשׁ – אָחַז סְגָן בִּימִינוֹ וְהֶעֱלָהוּ, וְהוֹשִׁיט לוֹ הָרִאשׁוֹן הָרֹאשׁ וְהָרֶגֶל, סוֹמֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם וְזוֹרְקָן.
§ The mishna states that placing hands is not performed upon a slaughtered offering. The Gemara questions this: And is there no instance of placing hands performed on slaughtered animals? But didn’t we learn in a mishna (Tamid 33b): When the High Priest would want to sacrifice the daily offering, as it is his right to be the one to sacrifice it whenever he wishes to, he would ascend the ramp to the top of the altar, and the deputy [segan] High Priest would also ascend to the right of the High Priest. If it occurred that the High Priest reached halfway up the ramp and grew tired, the deputy would hold him by his right hand to assist him and would bring him up to the top of the altar. And the first of the group of priests who had been selected to bring the limbs of the daily offering to the altar would hold out the head and the right hind leg of the offering to the High Priest, who would place his hands upon them, and then he would throw the limbs onto the fire of the altar.
הוֹשִׁיט הַשֵּׁנִי לָרִאשׁוֹן שְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם, נוֹתְנוֹ לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל, סוֹמֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם וְזוֹרְקָן. נִשְׁמַט הַשֵּׁנִי וְהָלַךְ לוֹ, וְכָךְ הָיוּ מוֹשִׁיטִין לוֹ שְׁאָר כׇּל הָאֵבָרִים, סוֹמֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם וְזוֹרְקָן.
Then the second priest would hold out the two forelegs to the first priest, and the first priest would give them to the High Priest, who would place his hands upon them and then throw them onto the fire. At this stage the second priest would slip away and leave, as he was no longer needed. The first priest remained where he was, as he was still needed to present the other limbs of the offering to the High Priest. And in this manner the other priests who had been selected would hold out the rest of all the limbs to the first priest, who would present them to the High Priest, who would then place his hands upon them and throw them onto the fire.
וּבִזְמַן שֶׁהוּא רוֹצֶה – הוּא סוֹמֵךְ, וַאֲחֵרִים זוֹרְקִין.
The mishna concludes: And when the High Priest wants, he may merely place his hands upon the limbs, and then the other priests throw the limbs onto the fire of the altar.
אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: הָתָם מִשּׁוּם כְּבוֹדוֹ דְּכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל.
This mishna apparently demonstrates an instance of placing hands performed upon a slaughtered animal. In resolution of this difficulty, Abaye said: In the mishna there, the placing of hands is not in fulfillment of the requirement to do so to an offering; rather, it is done merely due to the eminence of the High Priest, so that his sacrifice of the limbs of an offering is more distinguished than when performed by ordinary priests.
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ שְׁתֵּי מִדּוֹת.
מַתְנִי׳ שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם נִילּוֹשׁוֹת אַחַת אַחַת, וְנֶאֱפוֹת אַחַת אַחַת. לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים נִילּוֹשׁוֹת אַחַת אַחַת, וְנֶאֱפוֹת שְׁתַּיִם שְׁתַּיִם. וּבִדְפוּס הָיָה עוֹשֶׂה אוֹתָן; כְּשֶׁהוּא רוֹדָן, נוֹתְנָן לִדְפוּס כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִתְקַלְקְלוּ.
MISHNA: The two loaves that are brought on the festival of Shavuot from the new wheat are each made from a tenth of an ephah of fine flour. They are kneaded one by one and they are baked one by one, i.e., each loaf is placed separately in the oven. The loaves of the shewbread are kneaded one by one and baked two by two, i.e., two loaves are placed in the oven at the same time. And the baker would prepare the shewbread in a mold [defus] when he made the dough. When he removes the shewbread from the oven he again places the loaves in a mold so that their shape will not be ruined.
גְּמָ׳ מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים יִהְיֶה הַחַלָּה הָאֶחָת״ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁנִּילּוֹשׁוֹת אַחַת אַחַת.
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that the two loaves are kneaded one by one and baked one by one. The loaves of the shewbread are also kneaded one by one but are baked two at a time. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? They are derived from a verse, as the Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states: “And you shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes from it; two-tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake. And you shall set them in two arrangements, six in an arrangement, upon the pure Table before the Lord” (Leviticus 24:5–6). The phrase “Two-tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake” teaches that the loaves of the shewbread are kneaded one by one.
מִנַּיִן שֶׁאַף שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם כָּךְ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״יִהְיֶה״. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁאֲפִיָּיתָן שְׁתַּיִם שְׁתַּיִם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״וְשַׂמְתָּ אוֹתָם״. יָכוֹל אַף שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם כֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״אוֹתָם״.
The baraita continues: From where is it derived that this is also the halakha with regard to the two loaves, i.e., that they are kneaded one at a time? The verse states: “Shall be,” to include the two loaves. And from where is it derived that the baking of the loaves of the shewbread is performed two by two? The verse states: “And you shall set them [vesamta otam],” the plural form indicating that two loaves should be baked together. One might have thought that the two loaves brought on Shavuot should also be baked in this manner. The verse states: “Them [otam],” which is a term of exclusion, indicating that only the loaves of the shewbread are baked two at a time, but not the two loaves brought on Shavuot.
הַאי ״אוֹתָם״, הָא אַפֵּיקְתֵּיהּ? אִם כֵּן, לֵימָא קְרָא ״וְשַׂמְתָּם״! מַאי ״וְשַׂמְתָּ אוֹתָם״? שָׁמְעַתְּ מִינַּהּ תַּרְתֵּי.
The Gemara asks: Didn’t you already derive from this term: “Them,” that the shewbread must be baked two loaves at a time? The Gemara answers: If so, i.e., if the term “them” teaches only that the shewbread is baked two loaves at a time, let the verse say: And you shall set them [vesamtam], using the shortened form. What is the verse teaching by using the longer form “vesamta otam”? You may learn from the verse two matters, both that the loaves of the shewbread should be baked two at a time and that this requirement does not apply to the two loaves brought on Shavuot.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וְשַׂמְתָּ אוֹתָם״ – בִּדְפוּס. שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּפוּסִין הֵם: נוֹתְנָהּ לִדְפוּס וַעֲדַיִין הִיא בָּצֵק, וּכְמִין דְּפוּס הָיָה לָהּ בַּתַּנּוּר, וּכְשֶׁהוּא רוֹדָהּ נוֹתְנָהּ בַּדְּפוּס כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּתְקַלְקֵל. וְלַהְדְּרַהּ לִדְפוּס קַמָּא? כֵּיוָן דְּאָפֵי לַהּ, נָפְחָה.
§ The mishna teaches that the shewbread was placed in a mold, and with regard to this the Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states: “And you shall set them” (Leviticus 24:6), which means to set them in a mold. There are three molds that are used in the Temple in the preparation of the loaves. First, the baker places the shewbread in a mold while it is still dough. And second, there was a type of mold for the shewbread in the oven, in which the loaves were baked. And when he removes [rodah] the shewbread from the oven, he places it in a third mold so that its shape will not be ruined. The Gemara asks: But why is a third mold necessary? Let him return the shewbread to the first mold, in which the dough was kneaded. The Gemara answers: Once the dough is baked, it rises, and no longer fits into the first mold.
אִיתְּמַר: לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, כֵּיצַד עוֹשִׂין אוֹתוֹ?
§ It was stated: How is the shewbread prepared, i.e., in what shape?
רַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר: כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת.
Rabbi Ḥanina says: It was rectangular, with a wide base and two parallel walls with an open space between them, like a box that is open on two sides. Rabbi Yoḥanan says that the shewbread was like a rocking boat, i.e., a triangular-shaped boat with a narrow base from which two walls rise at angles. Since the boat does not have a wide base it rocks from side to side.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – הַיְינוּ דַּהֲווֹ יָתְבִי בָּזִיכִין, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – הֵיכִי הֲווֹ יָתְבִי בָּזִיכִין? מָקוֹם עָבֵיד לְהוּ.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, this is the reason that the bowls of frankincense could rest upon it. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, how would the bowls rest upon it? The Gemara answers: The baker prepared a flat place for the bowls to rest, on the side of the shewbread.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – הַיְינוּ דַּהֲווֹ יָתְבִי קָנִים, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – קָנִים הֵיכִי הֲווֹ יָתְבִי? מוּרְשָׁא עָבֵיד לְהוּ.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, this is the reason that the rods could rest upon the it. The shewbread was placed on the Table in two arrangements. In each arrangement the lowest loaf was placed on the Table and the remaining loaves were set one above the other, with rods separating the loaves. There were fourteen rods for each arrangement, each loaf being placed upon three rods, except for the uppermost loaf, which was placed on only two rods. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, how were the rods resting upon the shewbread? Since the loaves had a narrow base, they would rest on only one rod. The Gemara answers: The baker would make a protrusion in the base of the loaves, which would slightly widen their pointed base, enabling them to rest with stability upon the rods.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – הַיְינוּ דְּסָמְכִי לֵיהּ סְנִיפִין לְלֶחֶם, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – הֵיכִי סְמַכִי לֵיהּ סְנִיפִין לְלֶחֶם? דְּעָגִיל לְהוּ מִיעְגָּל.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, this is the reason that the panels would support the loaves. There were four gold panels that stood at the two sides of the Table and rose up above the height of the Table, and the rods rested on these panels. The loaves were placed lengthwise along the entire width of the Table, and the panels supported the two sides of the loaves, preventing them from falling to the ground. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, how would the panels support the loaves? Since the sides of the shewbread rose at an angle, the panels would touch only the upper edges of the shewbread. The Gemara answers that the panels would be made to curve inward at an angle corresponding to the angle of the shewbread, so that the panels supported the loaves along their entire length.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – הַיְינוּ דְּבָעֵינַן סְנִיפִין, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – סְנִיפִין לְמָה לִי? אַגַּב יוּקְרָא דְּלֶחֶם תָּלַח.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, this is the reason that we require panels. Since the loaves do not have a wide base they cannot stand on their own without the support of the rods and panels. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, why do I need panels? The loaves could stand without the assistance of rods and panels. The Gemara answers: If there were no panels supporting the loaves from the sides and the loaves were placed on top of each other, due to the weight of the upper loaves the lower loaves would break [telaḥ].
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – סְנִיפִין עַל גַּבֵּי שֻׁלְחָן מוּנָּחִין. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – סְנִיפִין הֵיכָא מַנַּח לְהוּ? אַאַרְעָא מַנַּח לְהוּ? אִין, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר מֶמֶל: לְדִבְרֵי הָאוֹמֵר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – סְנִיפִין עַל גַּבֵּי שֻׁלְחָן מוּנָּחִין, לְדִבְרֵי הָאוֹמֵר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – סְנִיפִין עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע מוּנָּחִין.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, it is evident that the panels are placed on the Table, in order to prevent the slanted loaves from falling to the ground. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, where would the priest place the panels? Since the wide base of the loaves reached the edge of the Table, there was no room for the panels there. Would the priest place them on the ground? The Gemara answers: Yes, the panels were placed on the ground, as Rabbi Abba bar Memel said: According to the statement of the one who says the shewbread was like a rocking boat, the panels are placed on the Table, whereas according to the statement of the one who says the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, the panels are placed on the ground.
כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: הַלֶּחֶם מַעֲמִיד אֶת הַסְּנִיפִין, וְהַסְּנִיפִין מַעֲמִידִין אֶת הַלֶּחֶם? כְּמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת.
The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion is that which Rabbi Yehuda said: The loaves support the panels and the panels support the loaves, i.e., they lean against one another? It is in accordance with the opinion of the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, i.e., Rabbi Yoḥanan. According to the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina, the panels stood on the ground and did not require the support of the loaves.
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
Menachot Daf 94-101- Daf Yomi: One Week at a Time
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.
I began Daf Yomi with the last cycle. I was inspired by the Hadran Siyum in Yerushalayim to continue with this cycle. I have learned Daf Yomi with Rabanit Michelle in over 25 countries on 6 continents ( missing Australia)
Silver Spring, MD, United States
I decided to give daf yomi a try when I heard about the siyum hashas in 2020. Once the pandemic hit, the daily commitment gave my days some much-needed structure. There have been times when I’ve felt like quitting- especially when encountering very technical details in the text. But then I tell myself, “Look how much you’ve done. You can’t stop now!” So I keep going & my Koren bookshelf grows…
Huntington, United States
I started my Daf Yomi journey at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.
Los Angeles, United States
I began learning the daf in January 2022. I initially “flew under the radar,” sharing my journey with my husband and a few close friends. I was apprehensive – who, me? Gemara? Now, 2 years in, I feel changed. The rigor of a daily commitment frames my days. The intellectual engagement enhances my knowledge. And the virtual community of learners has become a new family, weaving a glorious tapestry.
Far Rockaway, United States
I decided to learn one masechet, Brachot, but quickly fell in love and never stopped! It has been great, everyone is always asking how it’s going and chering me on, and my students are always making sure I did the day’s daf.
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
After being so inspired by the siyum shas two years ago, I began tentatively learning daf yomi, like Rabbanut Michelle kept saying – taking one daf at a time. I’m still taking it one daf at a time, one masechet at a time, but I’m loving it and am still so inspired by Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran community, and yes – I am proud to be finishing Seder Mo’ed.
Bet Shemesh, Israel
A beautiful world of Talmudic sages now fill my daily life with discussion and debate.
bringing alive our traditions and texts that has brought new meaning to my life.
I am a מגילת אסתר reader for women . the words in the Mishna of מסכת megillah 17a
הקורא את המגילה למפרע לא יצא were powerful to me.
I hope to have the zchut to complete the cycle for my 70th birthday.
Jerusalem, Israel
I started to listen to Michelle’s podcasts four years ago. The minute I started I was hooked. I’m so excited to learn the entire Talmud, and think I will continue always. I chose the quote “while a woman is engaged in conversation she also holds the spindle”. (Megillah 14b). It reminds me of all of the amazing women I learn with every day who multi-task, think ahead and accomplish so much.
Zichron Yakov, Israel
I heard the new Daf Yomi cycle was starting and I was curious, so I searched online for a women’s class and was pleasently surprised to find Rabanit Michelle’s great class reviews in many online articles. It has been a splendid journey. It is a way to fill my days with Torah, learning so many amazing things I have never heard before during my Tanach learning at High School. Thanks so much .
Panama, Panama
Oceanside NY, United States
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Skokie, IL, United States
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 my Daf Yomi journey at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.
Los Angeles, United States
In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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 had tried to start after being inspired by the hadran siyum, but did not manage to stick to it. However, just before masechet taanit, our rav wrote a message to the shul WhatsApp encouraging people to start with masechet taanit, so I did! And this time, I’m hooked! I listen to the shiur every day , and am also trying to improve my skills.
Yad Binyamin, Israel
It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.
Beit Shemesh, Israel
I started learning at the beginning of the cycle after a friend persuaded me that it would be right up my alley. I was lucky enough to learn at Rabbanit Michelle’s house before it started on zoom and it was quickly part of my daily routine. I find it so important to see for myself where halachot were derived, where stories were told and to get more insight into how the Rabbis interacted.
Ra’anana, Israel
Michelle has been an inspiration for years, but I only really started this cycle after the moving and uplifting siyum in Jerusalem. It’s been an wonderful to learn and relearn the tenets of our religion and to understand how the extraordinary efforts of a band of people to preserve Judaism after the fall of the beit hamikdash is still bearing fruits today. I’m proud to be part of the chain!
Raanana, Israel
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
Menachot 94
בְּחַיִּים וּבִשְׁחוּטִין, וּבְדָבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ רוּחַ חַיִּים וּבְדָבָר שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ רוּחַ חַיִּים, מַה שֶּׁאֵין כֵּן בַּסְּמִיכָה.
and it is practiced both in the cases of offerings when they are alive, e.g., the guilt offering of a leper and the lambs of Shavuot, and in the cases of offerings after they are slaughtered, e.g., the breast and thigh. By contrast, placing hands is practiced with a live animal. A further stringency is that waving is practiced both in the case of an item in which there is a living spirit, i.e., an animal offering, and in the case of an item in which there is not a living spirit, e.g., the omer offering, the sota meal offering, and the loaves accompanying a thanks offering and the ram of the nazirite, whereas placing hands is only ever performed upon living beings.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: קׇרְבָּנוֹ – לְרַבּוֹת כׇּל בַּעֲלֵי קׇרְבָּן לִסְמִיכָה.
GEMARA: The Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states with regard to placing hands: “And he shall place his hand on the head of his offering” (Leviticus 3:2). The term “his offering” serves to include all of the owners of an offering in the requirement of placing hands, i.e., each one must perform it.
שֶׁיָּכוֹל, וַהֲלֹא דִּין הוּא: וּמָה תְּנוּפָה שֶׁנִּתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין נִתְמַעֲטָה בְּחוֹבְרִין, סְמִיכָה שֶׁלֹּא נִתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁתִּתְמַעֵט בְּחוֹבְרִין? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״קׇרְבָּנוֹ״, לְרַבּוֹת כׇּל בַּעֲלֵי קׇרְבָּן לִסְמִיכָה.
It is necessary for the verse to teach this, as one might have thought: Could it not be derived through an a fortiori inference that only one partner needs to place his hands on the offering? The inference is as follows: If the requirement of waving, which was amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, nevertheless was limited with regard to an offering jointly owned by a number of partners, as only one of them waves on behalf of all of them, then with regard to the requirement of placing hands, which was not amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, is it not logical that it was also limited with regard to an offering jointly owned by partners, and it is sufficient for one partner to place his hands on behalf of the others? To counter this inference, the verse states: “His offering,” to include each of the owners of an offering in the requirement of placing hands.
וְתִתְרַבֶּה תְּנוּפָה בְּחוֹבְרִין מִקַּל וָחוֹמֶר: וּמָה סְמִיכָה שֶׁלֹּא נִתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין, נִתְרַבְּתָה בְּחוֹבְרִין, תְּנוּפָה שֶׁנִּתְרַבְּתָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁנִּתְרַבְּתָה בְּחוֹבְרִין!
The Gemara asks: But one could suggest the opposite inference and conclude that the requirement of waving should be amplified with regard to partners, through the following a fortiori inference: If the requirement of placing hands, which was not amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, was amplified with regard to an offering jointly owned by partners, requiring each partner to perform it himself, then with regard to the requirement of waving, which was amplified to apply also to slaughtered animals, is it not logical that it was also amplified with regard to an offering jointly owned by partners, requiring each partner to perform it himself?
מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא אֶפְשָׁר, הֵיכִי לֶיעְבֵּיד? לַינְפּוּ כּוּלְּהוּ בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי – קָא הָוְיָא חֲצִיצָה, לָינֵיף וְלֶיהְדַּר וְלָינֵיף – ״תְּנוּפָה״ אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא, וְלֹא תְּנוּפוֹת.
The Gemara rejects this: This inference cannot be correct, because it is obvious that only one of the partners needs to perform the waving. It is not possible to have all of them perform it, as how would it be done? If one says: Let all of the partners wave together, with each one placing his hands under those of another, that is difficult: There would be an invalidating interposition between the offering and hands of the partners who are not directly holding onto the offering. And if one says: Let one partner wave, and then the next one will wave, and so on, that would also be invalid, as the Merciful One states in the Torah that one must perform a waving, using a singular noun, which indicates that one waving, but not multiple wavings, should be performed.
וּסְמִיכָה בִּשְׁחוּטִין לֵיתַהּ? וְהָתְנַן: בִּזְמַן שֶׁכֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל רוֹצֶה לְהַקְטִיר, הָיָה עוֹלֶה בַּכֶּבֶשׁ, וְהַסְּגָן בִּימִינוֹ. הִגִּיעַ לְמַחֲצִית הַכֶּבֶשׁ – אָחַז סְגָן בִּימִינוֹ וְהֶעֱלָהוּ, וְהוֹשִׁיט לוֹ הָרִאשׁוֹן הָרֹאשׁ וְהָרֶגֶל, סוֹמֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם וְזוֹרְקָן.
§ The mishna states that placing hands is not performed upon a slaughtered offering. The Gemara questions this: And is there no instance of placing hands performed on slaughtered animals? But didn’t we learn in a mishna (Tamid 33b): When the High Priest would want to sacrifice the daily offering, as it is his right to be the one to sacrifice it whenever he wishes to, he would ascend the ramp to the top of the altar, and the deputy [segan] High Priest would also ascend to the right of the High Priest. If it occurred that the High Priest reached halfway up the ramp and grew tired, the deputy would hold him by his right hand to assist him and would bring him up to the top of the altar. And the first of the group of priests who had been selected to bring the limbs of the daily offering to the altar would hold out the head and the right hind leg of the offering to the High Priest, who would place his hands upon them, and then he would throw the limbs onto the fire of the altar.
הוֹשִׁיט הַשֵּׁנִי לָרִאשׁוֹן שְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם, נוֹתְנוֹ לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל, סוֹמֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם וְזוֹרְקָן. נִשְׁמַט הַשֵּׁנִי וְהָלַךְ לוֹ, וְכָךְ הָיוּ מוֹשִׁיטִין לוֹ שְׁאָר כׇּל הָאֵבָרִים, סוֹמֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם וְזוֹרְקָן.
Then the second priest would hold out the two forelegs to the first priest, and the first priest would give them to the High Priest, who would place his hands upon them and then throw them onto the fire. At this stage the second priest would slip away and leave, as he was no longer needed. The first priest remained where he was, as he was still needed to present the other limbs of the offering to the High Priest. And in this manner the other priests who had been selected would hold out the rest of all the limbs to the first priest, who would present them to the High Priest, who would then place his hands upon them and throw them onto the fire.
וּבִזְמַן שֶׁהוּא רוֹצֶה – הוּא סוֹמֵךְ, וַאֲחֵרִים זוֹרְקִין.
The mishna concludes: And when the High Priest wants, he may merely place his hands upon the limbs, and then the other priests throw the limbs onto the fire of the altar.
אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: הָתָם מִשּׁוּם כְּבוֹדוֹ דְּכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל.
This mishna apparently demonstrates an instance of placing hands performed upon a slaughtered animal. In resolution of this difficulty, Abaye said: In the mishna there, the placing of hands is not in fulfillment of the requirement to do so to an offering; rather, it is done merely due to the eminence of the High Priest, so that his sacrifice of the limbs of an offering is more distinguished than when performed by ordinary priests.
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ שְׁתֵּי מִדּוֹת.
מַתְנִי׳ שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם נִילּוֹשׁוֹת אַחַת אַחַת, וְנֶאֱפוֹת אַחַת אַחַת. לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים נִילּוֹשׁוֹת אַחַת אַחַת, וְנֶאֱפוֹת שְׁתַּיִם שְׁתַּיִם. וּבִדְפוּס הָיָה עוֹשֶׂה אוֹתָן; כְּשֶׁהוּא רוֹדָן, נוֹתְנָן לִדְפוּס כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִתְקַלְקְלוּ.
MISHNA: The two loaves that are brought on the festival of Shavuot from the new wheat are each made from a tenth of an ephah of fine flour. They are kneaded one by one and they are baked one by one, i.e., each loaf is placed separately in the oven. The loaves of the shewbread are kneaded one by one and baked two by two, i.e., two loaves are placed in the oven at the same time. And the baker would prepare the shewbread in a mold [defus] when he made the dough. When he removes the shewbread from the oven he again places the loaves in a mold so that their shape will not be ruined.
גְּמָ׳ מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים יִהְיֶה הַחַלָּה הָאֶחָת״ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁנִּילּוֹשׁוֹת אַחַת אַחַת.
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that the two loaves are kneaded one by one and baked one by one. The loaves of the shewbread are also kneaded one by one but are baked two at a time. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? They are derived from a verse, as the Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states: “And you shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes from it; two-tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake. And you shall set them in two arrangements, six in an arrangement, upon the pure Table before the Lord” (Leviticus 24:5–6). The phrase “Two-tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake” teaches that the loaves of the shewbread are kneaded one by one.
מִנַּיִן שֶׁאַף שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם כָּךְ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״יִהְיֶה״. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁאֲפִיָּיתָן שְׁתַּיִם שְׁתַּיִם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״וְשַׂמְתָּ אוֹתָם״. יָכוֹל אַף שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם כֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״אוֹתָם״.
The baraita continues: From where is it derived that this is also the halakha with regard to the two loaves, i.e., that they are kneaded one at a time? The verse states: “Shall be,” to include the two loaves. And from where is it derived that the baking of the loaves of the shewbread is performed two by two? The verse states: “And you shall set them [vesamta otam],” the plural form indicating that two loaves should be baked together. One might have thought that the two loaves brought on Shavuot should also be baked in this manner. The verse states: “Them [otam],” which is a term of exclusion, indicating that only the loaves of the shewbread are baked two at a time, but not the two loaves brought on Shavuot.
הַאי ״אוֹתָם״, הָא אַפֵּיקְתֵּיהּ? אִם כֵּן, לֵימָא קְרָא ״וְשַׂמְתָּם״! מַאי ״וְשַׂמְתָּ אוֹתָם״? שָׁמְעַתְּ מִינַּהּ תַּרְתֵּי.
The Gemara asks: Didn’t you already derive from this term: “Them,” that the shewbread must be baked two loaves at a time? The Gemara answers: If so, i.e., if the term “them” teaches only that the shewbread is baked two loaves at a time, let the verse say: And you shall set them [vesamtam], using the shortened form. What is the verse teaching by using the longer form “vesamta otam”? You may learn from the verse two matters, both that the loaves of the shewbread should be baked two at a time and that this requirement does not apply to the two loaves brought on Shavuot.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וְשַׂמְתָּ אוֹתָם״ – בִּדְפוּס. שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּפוּסִין הֵם: נוֹתְנָהּ לִדְפוּס וַעֲדַיִין הִיא בָּצֵק, וּכְמִין דְּפוּס הָיָה לָהּ בַּתַּנּוּר, וּכְשֶׁהוּא רוֹדָהּ נוֹתְנָהּ בַּדְּפוּס כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּתְקַלְקֵל. וְלַהְדְּרַהּ לִדְפוּס קַמָּא? כֵּיוָן דְּאָפֵי לַהּ, נָפְחָה.
§ The mishna teaches that the shewbread was placed in a mold, and with regard to this the Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states: “And you shall set them” (Leviticus 24:6), which means to set them in a mold. There are three molds that are used in the Temple in the preparation of the loaves. First, the baker places the shewbread in a mold while it is still dough. And second, there was a type of mold for the shewbread in the oven, in which the loaves were baked. And when he removes [rodah] the shewbread from the oven, he places it in a third mold so that its shape will not be ruined. The Gemara asks: But why is a third mold necessary? Let him return the shewbread to the first mold, in which the dough was kneaded. The Gemara answers: Once the dough is baked, it rises, and no longer fits into the first mold.
אִיתְּמַר: לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, כֵּיצַד עוֹשִׂין אוֹתוֹ?
§ It was stated: How is the shewbread prepared, i.e., in what shape?
רַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר: כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת.
Rabbi Ḥanina says: It was rectangular, with a wide base and two parallel walls with an open space between them, like a box that is open on two sides. Rabbi Yoḥanan says that the shewbread was like a rocking boat, i.e., a triangular-shaped boat with a narrow base from which two walls rise at angles. Since the boat does not have a wide base it rocks from side to side.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – הַיְינוּ דַּהֲווֹ יָתְבִי בָּזִיכִין, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – הֵיכִי הֲווֹ יָתְבִי בָּזִיכִין? מָקוֹם עָבֵיד לְהוּ.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, this is the reason that the bowls of frankincense could rest upon it. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, how would the bowls rest upon it? The Gemara answers: The baker prepared a flat place for the bowls to rest, on the side of the shewbread.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – הַיְינוּ דַּהֲווֹ יָתְבִי קָנִים, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – קָנִים הֵיכִי הֲווֹ יָתְבִי? מוּרְשָׁא עָבֵיד לְהוּ.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, this is the reason that the rods could rest upon the it. The shewbread was placed on the Table in two arrangements. In each arrangement the lowest loaf was placed on the Table and the remaining loaves were set one above the other, with rods separating the loaves. There were fourteen rods for each arrangement, each loaf being placed upon three rods, except for the uppermost loaf, which was placed on only two rods. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, how were the rods resting upon the shewbread? Since the loaves had a narrow base, they would rest on only one rod. The Gemara answers: The baker would make a protrusion in the base of the loaves, which would slightly widen their pointed base, enabling them to rest with stability upon the rods.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – הַיְינוּ דְּסָמְכִי לֵיהּ סְנִיפִין לְלֶחֶם, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – הֵיכִי סְמַכִי לֵיהּ סְנִיפִין לְלֶחֶם? דְּעָגִיל לְהוּ מִיעְגָּל.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, this is the reason that the panels would support the loaves. There were four gold panels that stood at the two sides of the Table and rose up above the height of the Table, and the rods rested on these panels. The loaves were placed lengthwise along the entire width of the Table, and the panels supported the two sides of the loaves, preventing them from falling to the ground. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, how would the panels support the loaves? Since the sides of the shewbread rose at an angle, the panels would touch only the upper edges of the shewbread. The Gemara answers that the panels would be made to curve inward at an angle corresponding to the angle of the shewbread, so that the panels supported the loaves along their entire length.
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – הַיְינוּ דְּבָעֵינַן סְנִיפִין, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – סְנִיפִין לְמָה לִי? אַגַּב יוּקְרָא דְּלֶחֶם תָּלַח.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, this is the reason that we require panels. Since the loaves do not have a wide base they cannot stand on their own without the support of the rods and panels. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, why do I need panels? The loaves could stand without the assistance of rods and panels. The Gemara answers: If there were no panels supporting the loaves from the sides and the loaves were placed on top of each other, due to the weight of the upper loaves the lower loaves would break [telaḥ].
בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – סְנִיפִין עַל גַּבֵּי שֻׁלְחָן מוּנָּחִין. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – סְנִיפִין הֵיכָא מַנַּח לְהוּ? אַאַרְעָא מַנַּח לְהוּ? אִין, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר מֶמֶל: לְדִבְרֵי הָאוֹמֵר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת – סְנִיפִין עַל גַּבֵּי שֻׁלְחָן מוּנָּחִין, לְדִבְרֵי הָאוֹמֵר כְּמִין תֵּיבָה פְּרוּצָה – סְנִיפִין עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע מוּנָּחִין.
The Gemara comments: Granted, according to the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, it is evident that the panels are placed on the Table, in order to prevent the slanted loaves from falling to the ground. The Gemara asks: But according to the one who said the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, where would the priest place the panels? Since the wide base of the loaves reached the edge of the Table, there was no room for the panels there. Would the priest place them on the ground? The Gemara answers: Yes, the panels were placed on the ground, as Rabbi Abba bar Memel said: According to the statement of the one who says the shewbread was like a rocking boat, the panels are placed on the Table, whereas according to the statement of the one who says the shewbread was like a box that is open on two sides, the panels are placed on the ground.
כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: הַלֶּחֶם מַעֲמִיד אֶת הַסְּנִיפִין, וְהַסְּנִיפִין מַעֲמִידִין אֶת הַלֶּחֶם? כְּמַאן דְּאָמַר כְּמִין סְפִינָה רוֹקֶדֶת.
The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion is that which Rabbi Yehuda said: The loaves support the panels and the panels support the loaves, i.e., they lean against one another? It is in accordance with the opinion of the one who said the shewbread was like a rocking boat, i.e., Rabbi Yoḥanan. According to the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina, the panels stood on the ground and did not require the support of the loaves.
