If one did not fulfill one’s mitzva of taking a lulav in the morning, for how long can it be done? If one started eating, should one stop eating and take the lulav? Is it possible to fulfill one’s obligation of Hallel if one doesn’t know the words by having someone else read it for him? What difference does it make if the person reciting it for him is a man, or a woman, a Canaanite slave or a minor? Raba brings all kinds of customs of Hillel from which it is possible to learn different laws of the recitation of Hillel. One who hears one recite a blessing, it is as if one answered amen/recited it by oneself. From where is this learned?
This week’s learning is sponsored for the merit and safety of Haymanut (Emuna) Kasau, who was 9 years old when she disappeared from her home in Tzfat two years ago, on the 16th of Adar, 5784 (February 25, 2024), and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
This week’s learning is dedicated of the safety of our nation, the soldiers and citizens of Israel, and for the liberation of the Iranian people. May we soon see the realization of “ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר”.
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This week’s learning is sponsored for the merit and safety of Haymanut (Emuna) Kasau, who was 9 years old when she disappeared from her home in Tzfat two years ago, on the 16th of Adar, 5784 (February 25, 2024), and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
This week’s learning is dedicated of the safety of our nation, the soldiers and citizens of Israel, and for the liberation of the Iranian people. May we soon see the realization of “ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר”.
Sukkah 38
שְׁיָרֵי מִצְוָה מְעַכְּבִין אֶת הַפּוּרְעָנוּת. שֶׁהֲרֵי תְּנוּפָה שְׁיָרֵי מִצְוָה הִיא — וְעוֹצֶרֶת רוּחוֹת וּטְלָלִים רָעִים. וְאָמַר רָבָא: וְכֵן בְּלוּלָב. רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב מַמְטֵי לֵיהּ וּמַיְיתֵי לֵיהּ, אֲמַר: דֵּין גִּירָא בְּעֵינֵיהּ דְּסִטְנָא. וְלָאו מִלְּתָא הִיא, מִשּׁוּם דְּאָתֵי לְאִיגָּרוֹיֵי בֵּיהּ.
non-essential aspects of a mitzva avert calamity, as waving is a non-essential aspect of the mitzva, since even if one failed to wave the loaves he fulfilled his obligation, and nevertheless it halts harmful winds and dews. And Rava said: And likewise one should conduct himself the same way with a lulav, i.e., one should wave it to and fro and raise and lower it for the same reasons. When Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov would move the lulav to and fro, he would say: This is an arrow in the eye of Satan, as despite his best efforts, the Jewish people continue to joyously fulfill mitzvot. The Gemara notes: That is not a proper manner of conduct, as it will induce Satan to come to incite him to sin. Gloating due to his victory over the evil inclination will lead Satan to redouble his efforts to corrupt him.
מַתְנִי׳ מִי שֶׁבָּא בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְלֹא הָיָה בְּיָדוֹ לוּלָב לִיטּוֹל — לִכְשֶׁיִּכָּנֵס לְבֵיתוֹ, יִטּוֹל עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ. לֹא נָטַל שַׁחֲרִית — יִטּוֹל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, שֶׁכׇּל הַיּוֹם כָּשֵׁר לְלוּלָב.
MISHNA: With regard to one who was coming along the way and did not have a lulav in his hand to take and fulfill the mitzva while traveling, when he enters his house to eat, he should take the lulav at his table. He interrupts his meal to fulfill the mitzva of lulav. If he did not take the lulav in the morning, he should take it in the afternoon, as the entire day is suited for fulfilling the mitzva of lulav.
גְּמָ׳ אָמְרַתְּ, נוֹטְלוֹ עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ; לְמֵימְרָא דְּמַפְסֵיק? וּרְמִינְהִי: אִם הִתְחִילוּ — אֵין מַפְסִיקִין! אָמַר רַב סָפְרָא: לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא — דְּאִיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם, הָא — דְּלֵיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם.
GEMARA: The Gemara analyzes the mishna. On one hand, you said that if he did not take the lulav before the meal then he takes it at his table. That is to say that if remembers that he did not yet take the lulav, he interrupts his meal, takes the lulav, and then continues his meal. And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a mishna (Shabbat 9b): One may not begin to eat before he recites the afternoon prayer; however, if they started a meal, they need not interrupt the meal in order to pray. Rav Safra said: This is not difficult, as that mishna, where one need not interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is opportunity to pray later in the day; this mishna, where one must interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is no opportunity to take the lulav later in the day. In that case, one must fulfill the mitzva immediately.
אָמַר רָבָא: מַאי קוּשְׁיָא? דִּילְמָא הָא דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא, הָא דְּרַבָּנַן. אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: אִי קַשְׁיָא — הָא קַשְׁיָא: לִכְשֶׁיִּכָּנֵס לְבֵיתוֹ — נוֹטְלוֹ עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ, אַלְמָא דְּמַפְסֵיק, וַהֲדַר תָּנֵי: לֹא נָטַל שַׁחֲרִית — יִטּוֹל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם. אַלְמָא לָא מַפְסֵיק!
Rava said: What is the difficulty? The two cases are different, and there is no contradiction at all. Perhaps this mitzva of lulav is a mitzva by Torah law, and therefore one must interrupt his meal to take the lulav, while that mitzva to recite the afternoon prayer is a mitzva by rabbinic law, and therefore one need not interrupt his meal to pray. Rather, Rava said: If there is a difficulty, i.e., a contradiction, this is the difficulty: In the first clause in the mishna it says that when he enters his house to eat, he should take the lulav at his table. Apparently, one must interrupt his meal. And then in the latter clause of the mishna it is taught: If he did not take the lulav in the morning, he should take it in the afternoon. Apparently, he need not interrupt his meal.
אָמַר רַב סָפְרָא: לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא — דְּאִיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם, הָא — דְּלֵיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם.
Resolving the contradiction, Rav Safra said: This is not difficult. This clause, where one need not interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is opportunity to take the lulav later in the day; that clause, where one must interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is no opportunity to take the lulav later in the day.
אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: מַאי קוּשְׁיָא? דִּלְמָא: מִצְוָה לְאַפְסוֹקֵי, וְאִי לָא פְּסַיק — יִטּוֹל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, שֶׁכׇּל הַיּוֹם כָּשֵׁר לְלוּלָב. אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: לְעוֹלָם כִּדְאָמְרִינַן מֵעִיקָּרָא, וּדְקַשְׁיָא לָךְ הָא דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הָא דְּרַבָּנַן — הָכָא בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֵׁנִי דְּרַבָּנַן עָסְקִינַן.
Rabbi Zeira said: What is the difficulty? There is no contradiction, as perhaps the mishna is teaching that there is a mitzva to interrupt one’s meal and take the lulav; but if he did not interrupt his meal he should take it in the afternoon, as the entire day is suited for fulfilling the mitzva of lulav. Rather, Rabbi Zeira said: Actually, the contradiction is as we said initially, between the ruling with regard to lulav and the ruling with regard to the afternoon prayer. And as to that which you found difficult, i.e., there is no contradiction at all, as this mitzva of lulav is a mitzva by Torah law and that mitzva to recite the afternoon prayer is a mitzva by rabbinic law, that is not difficult; as here, in the case of lulav, we are dealing with the second day of the Festival and beyond, during the intermediate days, when the mitzva of lulav is by rabbinic law. The contradiction is therefore between the rulings pertaining to two mitzvot by rabbinic law.
דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, מִדְּקָתָנֵי: מִי שֶׁבָּא בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְאֵין בְּיָדוֹ לוּלָב. דְּאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ בְּיוֹם טוֹב רִאשׁוֹן — מִי שְׁרֵי?!
The language of the mishna is also precise and indicates that it is dealing with the intermediate days of the Festival from the fact that it teaches: One who was coming along the way and does not have a lulav in his hand. As, if it enters your mind to say that the mishna is referring to the first day of the Festival, is it permitted to travel a long distance on that day? Rather, it is referring to the intermediate days.
מַתְנִי׳ מִי שֶׁהָיָה עֶבֶד אוֹ אִשָּׁה אוֹ קָטָן מַקְרִין אוֹתוֹ — עוֹנֶה אַחֲרֵיהֶן מַה שֶּׁהֵן אוֹמְרִין, וְתָבֹא לוֹ מְאֵירָה. אִם הָיָה גָּדוֹל מַקְרֶא אוֹתוֹ, עוֹנֶה אַחֲרָיו ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״. מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ לִכְפּוֹל — יִכְפּוֹל, לִפְשׁוֹט — יִפְשׁוֹט, לְבָרֵךְ — יְבָרֵךְ, הַכֹּל כְּמִנְהַג הַמְּדִינָה.
MISHNA: With regard to one for whom a Canaanite slave, a woman, or a minor was reciting hallel, he repeats after them what they are saying word for word. The mishna notes: And may a curse come to him for being so ignorant that he needs them to recite it for him. If an adult male was reciting hallel on his behalf, he need not repeat each word, as the adult male can fulfill the obligation to recite hallel on his behalf. Rather, he simply answers: Halleluya, to each phrase that is recited. In a place where they were accustomed to repeat certain verses, he, too, should repeat them. If the custom is to recite them plainly, without repetition, he should recite them plainly. In a place where the custom is to recite a blessing when reciting hallel, he should recite a blessing. Everything is in accordance with the local custom in these matters.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: בֶּאֱמֶת אָמְרוּ בֵּן מְבָרֵךְ לְאָבִיו. וְעֶבֶד מְבָרֵךְ לְרַבּוֹ, וְאִשָּׁה מְבָרֶכֶת לְבַעְלָהּ, אֲבָל אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים: תָּבֹא מְאֵירָה לְאָדָם שֶׁאִשְׁתּוֹ וּבָנָיו מְבָרְכִין לוֹ.
GEMARA: The Sages taught: Actually, they said that a son may recite a blessing on behalf of his father, and a slave may recite a blessing on behalf of his master, and a woman may recite a blessing on behalf of her husband, but the Sages said: May a curse come to a man who, due to his ignorance, requires his wife and children to recite a blessing on his behalf.
אָמַר רָבָא:
Rava said:
הִלְכְתָא גִּיבָּרָתָא אִיכָּא לְמִשְׁמַע מִמִּנְהֲגָא דְהַלֵּילָא. הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״ — מִכָּאן שֶׁמִּצְוָה לַעֲנוֹת ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״.
Many significant halakhot can be learned from the custom of hallel based on the manner in which it was recited. In reciting hallel there are allusions to several halakhic matters and customs that the Sages instituted due to circumstances extant at the time. Although due to increased literacy and familiarity with the hallel liturgy the reasons no longer apply, these customs remain in practice. The prayer leader recites: “Halleluya” (Psalms 113:1), and the congregation recites: Halleluya, in response. From here is the source that there is a mitzva to respond: Halleluya.
הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״הַלָּלוּ עַבְדֵי ה׳״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִין: ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״ — מִכָּאן שֶׁאִם הָיָה גָּדוֹל מַקְרֶא אוֹתוֹ, עוֹנֶה אַחֲרָיו ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״. הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״הוֹדוּ לַה׳״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״הוֹדוּ לַה׳״ — מִכָּאן שֶׁמִּצְוָה לַעֲנוֹת רָאשֵׁי פְרָקִים. אִתְּמַר נָמֵי, אָמַר רַב חָנָן בַּר רָבָא: מִצְוָה לַעֲנוֹת רָאשֵׁי פְרָקִים.
Likewise, the prayer leader recites: “Give praise, servants of the Lord” (Psalms 113:1), and the congregation recites: Halleluya, in response. From here is the source of the halakha cited in the mishna that if an adult male was reciting hallel on his behalf, he answers: Halleluya. He recites: “Thank the Lord, for He is good” (Psalms 118:1), and they respond: “Thank the Lord, for He is good.” From here is the source that there is a mitzva to respond by reciting the beginnings of chapters. It was also stated that Rav Ḥanan bar Rava said: There is a mitzva to respond by reciting the beginnings of chapters.
הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״אָנָא ה׳ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״אָנָּא ה׳ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא״, — מִכָּאן שֶׁאִם הָיָה קָטָן מַקְרֶא אוֹתוֹ, עוֹנִין אַחֲרָיו מַה שֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר.
Rava continued to cite the significant halakhot learned from hallel. The prayer leader recites: “Lord, please save us” (Psalms 118:25), and the congregation recites: “Lord, please save us,” in response. From here is the source of the halakha cited in the mishna that if a minor was reciting a portion that is not from the beginning of a chapter on one’s behalf, he recites after him precisely what he says.
הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״אָנָא ה׳ הַצְלִיחָה נָּא״ וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״אָנָּא ה׳ הַצְלִיחָה נָּא״, מִכָּאן שֶׁאִם בָּא לִכְפּוֹל — כּוֹפֵל. הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״בְּשֵׁם ה׳״ — מִכָּאן לְשׁוֹמֵעַ כְּעוֹנֶה.
The prayer leader recites: “Lord, please grant us success,” and the congregation recites in response: “Lord, please grant us success” (Psalms 118:25). From here is the source of the halakha that if one comes to repeat a particular verse in hallel twice, he may repeat it. The prayer leader recites: “Blessed is one who comes” (Psalms 118:26), and the congregation recites the rest of the verse: “In the name of the Lord” (Psalms 118:26), in response. From here is the source of the halakha that the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it, as the congregation fulfills its obligation even though it does not repeat the entire verse.
בְּעוֹ מִינֵּיהּ מֵרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: שָׁמַע וְלֹא עָנָה, מַהוּ? אֲמַר לְהוּ: חַכִּימַיָּא וְסָפְרַיָּא וְרֵישֵׁי עַמָּא וְדָרָשַׁיָּא אָמְרוּ: שָׁמַע וְלֹא עָנָה — יָצָא.
Apropos this halakha, the Gemara relates that the Sages raised a dilemma before Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba: If one heard a passage recited and did not recite it himself, what is the halakha? Did he fulfill his obligation or not? He said to them that the Sages, and the schoolteachers, and the heads of the nation, and the homiletic interpreters said: One who heard a passage recited and did not recite it himself fulfilled his obligation.
אִתְּמַר נָמֵי, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן פַּזִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי מִשּׁוּם בַּר קַפָּרָא: מִנַּיִן לְשׁוֹמֵעַ כְּעוֹנֶה — דִּכְתִיב: ״אֶת (הַדְּבָרִים) אֲשֶׁר קָרָא (יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ)״. וְכִי יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ קְרָאָן? וַהֲלֹא שָׁפָן קְרָאָן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּקְרָאֵהוּ שָׁפָן (אֵת כׇּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה) לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ״. אֶלָּא, מִכָּאן לְשׁוֹמֵעַ כְּעוֹנֶה.
It was also stated that Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi said that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said in the name of Bar Kappara: From where is it derived that the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it? It is as it is written: “All the words of the book which the king of Judea has read” (II Kings 22:16). And did King Josiah read them? Didn’t Shaphan read them, as it is written: “And Shaphan read it before the king” (II Kings 22:10)? Rather, from here it is derived that the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it, and it is as though Josiah read the words himself.
וְדִילְמָא בָּתַר דִּקְרָאנְהוּ שָׁפָן קְרָא יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ? אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: לָא סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ, דִּכְתִיב: ״יַעַן רַךְ לְבָבְךָ וַתִּכָּנַע לִפְנֵי ה׳ בְּשׇׁמְעֲךָ (אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה)״ — ״בְּשׇׁמְעֲךָ״ וְלָא ״בְּקׇרְאֲךָ״.
The Gemara asks: And perhaps after Shaphan read them Josiah read them again? Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said: It should not enter your mind to say so, as it is written: “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke in this place” (II Kings 22:19). The Gemara infers: “When you heard” is written in the verse, and not: When you read. In other words, immediately upon hearing Shaphan read the text, King Josiah sent for Huldah the prophetess, which shows that he humbled his heart. Clearly, the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it.
אָמַר רָבָא: לָא לֵימָא אִינִישׁ ״בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא״ וַהֲדַר ״בְּשֵׁם ה׳״, אֶלָּא ״בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם ה׳״, בַּהֲדָדֵי. (אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב סָפְרָא:
Apropos hallel, the Gemara cites additional halakhot. Rava said: Let a person not recite: “Blessed is one who comes,” and then, after pausing, recite: “In the name of the Lord.” Rather, let him recite without pause: “Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Rav Safra said to Rava:
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“I got my job through the NY Times” was an ad campaign when I was growing up. I can headline “I got my daily Daf shiur and Hadran through the NY Times”. I read the January 4, 2020 feature on Reb. Michelle Farber and Hadran and I have been participating ever since. Thanks NY Times & Hadran!
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New York, United States
After experiences over the years of asking to join gemara shiurim for men and either being refused by the maggid shiur or being the only women there, sometimes behind a mechitza, I found out about Hadran sometime during the tail end of Masechet Shabbat, I think. Life has been much better since then.
Madeline Cohen
London, United Kingdom
I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.
Miriam Pollack
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Hearing and reading about the siyumim at the completion of the 13 th cycle Daf Yomi asked our shul rabbi about starting the Daf – he directed me to another shiur in town he thought would allow a woman to join, and so I did! Love seeing the sources for the Divrei Torah I’ve been hearing for the past decades of living an observant life and raising 5 children .
Jill Felder
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 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!
Stacey Goodstein Ashtamker
Modi’in, Israel
I went to day school in Toronto but really began to learn when I attended Brovenders back in the early 1980’s. Last year after talking to my sister who was learning Daf Yomi, inspired, I looked on the computer and the Hadran site came up. I have been listening to each days shiur in the morning as I work. I emphasis listening since I am not sitting with a Gamara. I listen while I work in my studio.
Rachel Rotenberg
Tekoa, Israel
Having never learned Talmud before, I started Daf Yomi in hopes of connecting to the Rabbinic tradition, sharing a daily idea on Instagram (@dafyomiadventures). With Hadran and Sefaria, I slowly gained confidence in my skills and understanding. Now, part of the Pardes Jewish Educators Program, I can’t wait to bring this love of learning with me as I continue to pass it on to my future students.
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Pennsylvania, 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!
Batsheva Pava
Hashmonaim, Israel
It’s hard to believe it has been over two years. Daf yomi has changed my life in so many ways and has been sustaining during this global sea change. Each day means learning something new, digging a little deeper, adding another lens, seeing worlds with new eyes. Daf has also fostered new friendships and deepened childhood connections, as long time friends have unexpectedly become havruta.
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Northwest Washington, 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.
Reena Slovin
Worcester, 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!
Stacey Goodstein Ashtamker
Modi’in, Israel
I was exposed to Talmud in high school, but I was truly inspired after my daughter and I decided to attend the Women’s Siyum Shas in 2020. We knew that this was a historic moment. We were blown away, overcome with emotion at the euphoria of the revolution. Right then, I knew I would continue. My commitment deepened with the every-morning Virtual Beit Midrash on Zoom with R. Michelle.
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Berlin, Germany
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)
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Silver Spring, MD, United States
תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.
Vitti Kones
מיתר, ישראל
In January 2020, my teaching partner at IDC suggested we do daf yomi. Thanks to her challenge, I started learning daily from Rabbanit Michelle. It’s a joy to be part of the Hadran community. (It’s also a tikkun: in 7th grade, my best friend and I tied for first place in a citywide gemara exam, but we weren’t invited to the celebration because girls weren’t supposed to be learning gemara).
Sara Averick
Jerusalem, Israel
I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.
Miriam Pollack
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Sukkah 38
שְׁיָרֵי מִצְוָה מְעַכְּבִין אֶת הַפּוּרְעָנוּת. שֶׁהֲרֵי תְּנוּפָה שְׁיָרֵי מִצְוָה הִיא — וְעוֹצֶרֶת רוּחוֹת וּטְלָלִים רָעִים. וְאָמַר רָבָא: וְכֵן בְּלוּלָב. רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב מַמְטֵי לֵיהּ וּמַיְיתֵי לֵיהּ, אֲמַר: דֵּין גִּירָא בְּעֵינֵיהּ דְּסִטְנָא. וְלָאו מִלְּתָא הִיא, מִשּׁוּם דְּאָתֵי לְאִיגָּרוֹיֵי בֵּיהּ.
non-essential aspects of a mitzva avert calamity, as waving is a non-essential aspect of the mitzva, since even if one failed to wave the loaves he fulfilled his obligation, and nevertheless it halts harmful winds and dews. And Rava said: And likewise one should conduct himself the same way with a lulav, i.e., one should wave it to and fro and raise and lower it for the same reasons. When Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov would move the lulav to and fro, he would say: This is an arrow in the eye of Satan, as despite his best efforts, the Jewish people continue to joyously fulfill mitzvot. The Gemara notes: That is not a proper manner of conduct, as it will induce Satan to come to incite him to sin. Gloating due to his victory over the evil inclination will lead Satan to redouble his efforts to corrupt him.
מַתְנִי׳ מִי שֶׁבָּא בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְלֹא הָיָה בְּיָדוֹ לוּלָב לִיטּוֹל — לִכְשֶׁיִּכָּנֵס לְבֵיתוֹ, יִטּוֹל עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ. לֹא נָטַל שַׁחֲרִית — יִטּוֹל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, שֶׁכׇּל הַיּוֹם כָּשֵׁר לְלוּלָב.
MISHNA: With regard to one who was coming along the way and did not have a lulav in his hand to take and fulfill the mitzva while traveling, when he enters his house to eat, he should take the lulav at his table. He interrupts his meal to fulfill the mitzva of lulav. If he did not take the lulav in the morning, he should take it in the afternoon, as the entire day is suited for fulfilling the mitzva of lulav.
גְּמָ׳ אָמְרַתְּ, נוֹטְלוֹ עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ; לְמֵימְרָא דְּמַפְסֵיק? וּרְמִינְהִי: אִם הִתְחִילוּ — אֵין מַפְסִיקִין! אָמַר רַב סָפְרָא: לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא — דְּאִיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם, הָא — דְּלֵיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם.
GEMARA: The Gemara analyzes the mishna. On one hand, you said that if he did not take the lulav before the meal then he takes it at his table. That is to say that if remembers that he did not yet take the lulav, he interrupts his meal, takes the lulav, and then continues his meal. And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a mishna (Shabbat 9b): One may not begin to eat before he recites the afternoon prayer; however, if they started a meal, they need not interrupt the meal in order to pray. Rav Safra said: This is not difficult, as that mishna, where one need not interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is opportunity to pray later in the day; this mishna, where one must interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is no opportunity to take the lulav later in the day. In that case, one must fulfill the mitzva immediately.
אָמַר רָבָא: מַאי קוּשְׁיָא? דִּילְמָא הָא דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא, הָא דְּרַבָּנַן. אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: אִי קַשְׁיָא — הָא קַשְׁיָא: לִכְשֶׁיִּכָּנֵס לְבֵיתוֹ — נוֹטְלוֹ עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ, אַלְמָא דְּמַפְסֵיק, וַהֲדַר תָּנֵי: לֹא נָטַל שַׁחֲרִית — יִטּוֹל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם. אַלְמָא לָא מַפְסֵיק!
Rava said: What is the difficulty? The two cases are different, and there is no contradiction at all. Perhaps this mitzva of lulav is a mitzva by Torah law, and therefore one must interrupt his meal to take the lulav, while that mitzva to recite the afternoon prayer is a mitzva by rabbinic law, and therefore one need not interrupt his meal to pray. Rather, Rava said: If there is a difficulty, i.e., a contradiction, this is the difficulty: In the first clause in the mishna it says that when he enters his house to eat, he should take the lulav at his table. Apparently, one must interrupt his meal. And then in the latter clause of the mishna it is taught: If he did not take the lulav in the morning, he should take it in the afternoon. Apparently, he need not interrupt his meal.
אָמַר רַב סָפְרָא: לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא — דְּאִיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם, הָא — דְּלֵיכָּא שְׁהוּת בַּיּוֹם.
Resolving the contradiction, Rav Safra said: This is not difficult. This clause, where one need not interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is opportunity to take the lulav later in the day; that clause, where one must interrupt his meal, is referring to a case where there is no opportunity to take the lulav later in the day.
אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: מַאי קוּשְׁיָא? דִּלְמָא: מִצְוָה לְאַפְסוֹקֵי, וְאִי לָא פְּסַיק — יִטּוֹל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, שֶׁכׇּל הַיּוֹם כָּשֵׁר לְלוּלָב. אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: לְעוֹלָם כִּדְאָמְרִינַן מֵעִיקָּרָא, וּדְקַשְׁיָא לָךְ הָא דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הָא דְּרַבָּנַן — הָכָא בְּיוֹם טוֹב שֵׁנִי דְּרַבָּנַן עָסְקִינַן.
Rabbi Zeira said: What is the difficulty? There is no contradiction, as perhaps the mishna is teaching that there is a mitzva to interrupt one’s meal and take the lulav; but if he did not interrupt his meal he should take it in the afternoon, as the entire day is suited for fulfilling the mitzva of lulav. Rather, Rabbi Zeira said: Actually, the contradiction is as we said initially, between the ruling with regard to lulav and the ruling with regard to the afternoon prayer. And as to that which you found difficult, i.e., there is no contradiction at all, as this mitzva of lulav is a mitzva by Torah law and that mitzva to recite the afternoon prayer is a mitzva by rabbinic law, that is not difficult; as here, in the case of lulav, we are dealing with the second day of the Festival and beyond, during the intermediate days, when the mitzva of lulav is by rabbinic law. The contradiction is therefore between the rulings pertaining to two mitzvot by rabbinic law.
דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, מִדְּקָתָנֵי: מִי שֶׁבָּא בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְאֵין בְּיָדוֹ לוּלָב. דְּאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ בְּיוֹם טוֹב רִאשׁוֹן — מִי שְׁרֵי?!
The language of the mishna is also precise and indicates that it is dealing with the intermediate days of the Festival from the fact that it teaches: One who was coming along the way and does not have a lulav in his hand. As, if it enters your mind to say that the mishna is referring to the first day of the Festival, is it permitted to travel a long distance on that day? Rather, it is referring to the intermediate days.
מַתְנִי׳ מִי שֶׁהָיָה עֶבֶד אוֹ אִשָּׁה אוֹ קָטָן מַקְרִין אוֹתוֹ — עוֹנֶה אַחֲרֵיהֶן מַה שֶּׁהֵן אוֹמְרִין, וְתָבֹא לוֹ מְאֵירָה. אִם הָיָה גָּדוֹל מַקְרֶא אוֹתוֹ, עוֹנֶה אַחֲרָיו ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״. מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ לִכְפּוֹל — יִכְפּוֹל, לִפְשׁוֹט — יִפְשׁוֹט, לְבָרֵךְ — יְבָרֵךְ, הַכֹּל כְּמִנְהַג הַמְּדִינָה.
MISHNA: With regard to one for whom a Canaanite slave, a woman, or a minor was reciting hallel, he repeats after them what they are saying word for word. The mishna notes: And may a curse come to him for being so ignorant that he needs them to recite it for him. If an adult male was reciting hallel on his behalf, he need not repeat each word, as the adult male can fulfill the obligation to recite hallel on his behalf. Rather, he simply answers: Halleluya, to each phrase that is recited. In a place where they were accustomed to repeat certain verses, he, too, should repeat them. If the custom is to recite them plainly, without repetition, he should recite them plainly. In a place where the custom is to recite a blessing when reciting hallel, he should recite a blessing. Everything is in accordance with the local custom in these matters.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: בֶּאֱמֶת אָמְרוּ בֵּן מְבָרֵךְ לְאָבִיו. וְעֶבֶד מְבָרֵךְ לְרַבּוֹ, וְאִשָּׁה מְבָרֶכֶת לְבַעְלָהּ, אֲבָל אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים: תָּבֹא מְאֵירָה לְאָדָם שֶׁאִשְׁתּוֹ וּבָנָיו מְבָרְכִין לוֹ.
GEMARA: The Sages taught: Actually, they said that a son may recite a blessing on behalf of his father, and a slave may recite a blessing on behalf of his master, and a woman may recite a blessing on behalf of her husband, but the Sages said: May a curse come to a man who, due to his ignorance, requires his wife and children to recite a blessing on his behalf.
אָמַר רָבָא:
Rava said:
הִלְכְתָא גִּיבָּרָתָא אִיכָּא לְמִשְׁמַע מִמִּנְהֲגָא דְהַלֵּילָא. הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״ — מִכָּאן שֶׁמִּצְוָה לַעֲנוֹת ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״.
Many significant halakhot can be learned from the custom of hallel based on the manner in which it was recited. In reciting hallel there are allusions to several halakhic matters and customs that the Sages instituted due to circumstances extant at the time. Although due to increased literacy and familiarity with the hallel liturgy the reasons no longer apply, these customs remain in practice. The prayer leader recites: “Halleluya” (Psalms 113:1), and the congregation recites: Halleluya, in response. From here is the source that there is a mitzva to respond: Halleluya.
הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״הַלָּלוּ עַבְדֵי ה׳״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִין: ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״ — מִכָּאן שֶׁאִם הָיָה גָּדוֹל מַקְרֶא אוֹתוֹ, עוֹנֶה אַחֲרָיו ״הַלְלוּיָהּ״. הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״הוֹדוּ לַה׳״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״הוֹדוּ לַה׳״ — מִכָּאן שֶׁמִּצְוָה לַעֲנוֹת רָאשֵׁי פְרָקִים. אִתְּמַר נָמֵי, אָמַר רַב חָנָן בַּר רָבָא: מִצְוָה לַעֲנוֹת רָאשֵׁי פְרָקִים.
Likewise, the prayer leader recites: “Give praise, servants of the Lord” (Psalms 113:1), and the congregation recites: Halleluya, in response. From here is the source of the halakha cited in the mishna that if an adult male was reciting hallel on his behalf, he answers: Halleluya. He recites: “Thank the Lord, for He is good” (Psalms 118:1), and they respond: “Thank the Lord, for He is good.” From here is the source that there is a mitzva to respond by reciting the beginnings of chapters. It was also stated that Rav Ḥanan bar Rava said: There is a mitzva to respond by reciting the beginnings of chapters.
הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״אָנָא ה׳ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״אָנָּא ה׳ הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא״, — מִכָּאן שֶׁאִם הָיָה קָטָן מַקְרֶא אוֹתוֹ, עוֹנִין אַחֲרָיו מַה שֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר.
Rava continued to cite the significant halakhot learned from hallel. The prayer leader recites: “Lord, please save us” (Psalms 118:25), and the congregation recites: “Lord, please save us,” in response. From here is the source of the halakha cited in the mishna that if a minor was reciting a portion that is not from the beginning of a chapter on one’s behalf, he recites after him precisely what he says.
הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״אָנָא ה׳ הַצְלִיחָה נָּא״ וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״אָנָּא ה׳ הַצְלִיחָה נָּא״, מִכָּאן שֶׁאִם בָּא לִכְפּוֹל — כּוֹפֵל. הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא״, וְהֵן אוֹמְרִים: ״בְּשֵׁם ה׳״ — מִכָּאן לְשׁוֹמֵעַ כְּעוֹנֶה.
The prayer leader recites: “Lord, please grant us success,” and the congregation recites in response: “Lord, please grant us success” (Psalms 118:25). From here is the source of the halakha that if one comes to repeat a particular verse in hallel twice, he may repeat it. The prayer leader recites: “Blessed is one who comes” (Psalms 118:26), and the congregation recites the rest of the verse: “In the name of the Lord” (Psalms 118:26), in response. From here is the source of the halakha that the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it, as the congregation fulfills its obligation even though it does not repeat the entire verse.
בְּעוֹ מִינֵּיהּ מֵרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: שָׁמַע וְלֹא עָנָה, מַהוּ? אֲמַר לְהוּ: חַכִּימַיָּא וְסָפְרַיָּא וְרֵישֵׁי עַמָּא וְדָרָשַׁיָּא אָמְרוּ: שָׁמַע וְלֹא עָנָה — יָצָא.
Apropos this halakha, the Gemara relates that the Sages raised a dilemma before Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba: If one heard a passage recited and did not recite it himself, what is the halakha? Did he fulfill his obligation or not? He said to them that the Sages, and the schoolteachers, and the heads of the nation, and the homiletic interpreters said: One who heard a passage recited and did not recite it himself fulfilled his obligation.
אִתְּמַר נָמֵי, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן פַּזִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי מִשּׁוּם בַּר קַפָּרָא: מִנַּיִן לְשׁוֹמֵעַ כְּעוֹנֶה — דִּכְתִיב: ״אֶת (הַדְּבָרִים) אֲשֶׁר קָרָא (יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ)״. וְכִי יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ קְרָאָן? וַהֲלֹא שָׁפָן קְרָאָן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּקְרָאֵהוּ שָׁפָן (אֵת כׇּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה) לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ״. אֶלָּא, מִכָּאן לְשׁוֹמֵעַ כְּעוֹנֶה.
It was also stated that Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi said that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said in the name of Bar Kappara: From where is it derived that the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it? It is as it is written: “All the words of the book which the king of Judea has read” (II Kings 22:16). And did King Josiah read them? Didn’t Shaphan read them, as it is written: “And Shaphan read it before the king” (II Kings 22:10)? Rather, from here it is derived that the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it, and it is as though Josiah read the words himself.
וְדִילְמָא בָּתַר דִּקְרָאנְהוּ שָׁפָן קְרָא יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ? אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: לָא סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ, דִּכְתִיב: ״יַעַן רַךְ לְבָבְךָ וַתִּכָּנַע לִפְנֵי ה׳ בְּשׇׁמְעֲךָ (אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה)״ — ״בְּשׇׁמְעֲךָ״ וְלָא ״בְּקׇרְאֲךָ״.
The Gemara asks: And perhaps after Shaphan read them Josiah read them again? Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said: It should not enter your mind to say so, as it is written: “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke in this place” (II Kings 22:19). The Gemara infers: “When you heard” is written in the verse, and not: When you read. In other words, immediately upon hearing Shaphan read the text, King Josiah sent for Huldah the prophetess, which shows that he humbled his heart. Clearly, the halakhic status of one who hears a passage recited is equivalent to that of one who recites it.
אָמַר רָבָא: לָא לֵימָא אִינִישׁ ״בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא״ וַהֲדַר ״בְּשֵׁם ה׳״, אֶלָּא ״בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם ה׳״, בַּהֲדָדֵי. (אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב סָפְרָא:
Apropos hallel, the Gemara cites additional halakhot. Rava said: Let a person not recite: “Blessed is one who comes,” and then, after pausing, recite: “In the name of the Lord.” Rather, let him recite without pause: “Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Rav Safra said to Rava:
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