The measurement for which one is liable for karet for eating on Yom Kippur is mentioned in the mishna as a date with its pit. Rav Pappa asks if it is referring to a date + its pit or not? Rav Ashi asks a similar question regarding the amount for which a bone passed on impurity – the size of barley – with its husk or not? Dry or moist? Why didn’t each of them ask the other question? There is controversy among amoraim about the size of the date compared to an egg bulk. Accrording to Rav Yehuda, is more than an egg. To Rav Zevid it is less than an egg. The gemara brings a difficulty on Rav Yehuda’s opinion from a case that took place in the Sukkah where it is implied that the size of a date is less than an egg. Two resolutions are brought – of Rabbi Yirmiah and of Rava. The gemara reinforces Rav Yirmiah’s answer from a common expression A question is raised on Rava from a braita in Sukkah which deals with the things that must be eaten in the Sukkah. After resolving the difficulty, another source is brought to reinforce Rava’s answer but it is rejected. The gemara reinforces Rav Zevid’s opinion from a mishna regarding chametz and leaven but it is rejected. Another proof is brought from the blessing after meals.
Yoma 79
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This month’s learning is sponsored by Beth Balkany in honor of their granddaughter, Devorah Chana Serach Eichel. “May she grow up to be a lifelong learner.”
This month’s learning is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari z”l, on the occasion of his first yahrzeit. Over the course of his distinguished career as an educator, as principal of the Yeshiva of Flatbush, and as community rabbi, he inspired thousands of students with his wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment to Torah.
This week’s learning is sponsored by Mark and Rena Goldstein for refuah shleima of Ben Ezra Septee ben Rena and Aliza Margalit bat Shaina Raya.
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
This month’s learning is sponsored by Beth Balkany in honor of their granddaughter, Devorah Chana Serach Eichel. “May she grow up to be a lifelong learner.”
This month’s learning is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari z”l, on the occasion of his first yahrzeit. Over the course of his distinguished career as an educator, as principal of the Yeshiva of Flatbush, and as community rabbi, he inspired thousands of students with his wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment to Torah.
This week’s learning is sponsored by Mark and Rena Goldstein for refuah shleima of Ben Ezra Septee ben Rena and Aliza Margalit bat Shaina Raya.
Yoma 79
כְּכוֹתֶבֶת שֶׁאָמְרוּ, בְּגַרְעִינָתָהּ: אוֹ בְּלֹא גַּרְעִינָתָהּ? בָּעֵי רַב אָשֵׁי: עֶצֶם כִּשְׂעוֹרָה, בִּקְלִיפָּתָהּ אוֹ בְּלֹא קְלִיפָּתָהּ, בְּלַחָה אוֹ בִּיבֵשָׁה? רַב אָשֵׁי לָא מִבַּעְיָא לֵיהּ הָא דְּרַב פָּפָּא, ״גַּסָּה״ אִיתְּמַר — כֹּל כַּמָּה דְּגַסָּה. רַב פָּפָּא לָא מִבַּעְיָא לֵיהּ הָא דְּרַב אָשֵׁי: לַחָה — שִׁבּוֹלֶת מִיקְּרֵי, שֶׁלֹּא בִּקְלִיפָּתָהּ — אוּשְׁלָא מִיקְּרֵי.
The large date-bulk that they said is the measure that determines liability for eating on Yom Kippur, does this refer to the volume of a large date with its pit or without its pit? Rav Ashi asked a similar question: The mishna that states that a bone that is a barley-grain-bulk imparts ritual impurity, does this refer to the volume of a barley grain with its husk or without its husk? And is that referring to a wet kernel or a dry one? The Gemara clarifies: Rav Ashi did not ask the question that Rav Pappa asked, regarding the size of the date-bulk on Yom Kippur because the answer was clear to him. Since it is stated in the mishna: Large, it means as large as possible, which must include the pit. Conversely, Rav Pappa did not ask the question that Rav Ashi asked regarding the size of the barley-grain-bulk because the answer was clear to him. Wet barley is called shibbolet and not barley; without its shell it is no longer called barley but is called ushla. Therefore, the mishna must be referring to dry barley within its shell.
אָמַר (רָבָא) אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ, יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה. וְקִים לְהוּ לְרַבָּנַן דִּבְהָכִי מִיַּתְּבָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ, בְּצִיר מֵהֲכִי — לָא מִיַּתְּבָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ. מֵיתִיבִי: מַעֲשֶׂה וְהֵבִיאוּ לְרַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי לִטְעוֹם אֶת הַתַּבְשִׁיל, וּלְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל שְׁתֵּי כוֹתָבוֹת וּדְלִי שֶׁל מַיִם. וְאָמְרוּ: הַעֲלוּם לַסּוּכָּה. וְתָנֵי עֲלַהּ: לָא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֲלָכָה כָּךְ, אֶלָּא שֶׁרָצוּ לְהַחֲמִיר עַל עַצְמָן.
Rava said that Rav Yehuda said: The volume of a large date that they said is larger than an egg-bulk. The Sages have an accepted tradition that with this amount of food, the mind of the one who eats is settled, and he is not afflicted. Less than this amount, the mind is not settled. The Gemara raises an objection from what we have learned: An incident happened on the festival of Sukkot. They brought a cooked dish to Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai to taste, and they brought to Rabban Gamliel two dates and a tankard of water. Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai and Rabban Gamliel said to them: Bring them up to the sukka, and we will eat there. And a baraita was taught in that regard: They did not act this way because that is the halakha, that such food must be eaten in the sukka. Rather, they wished to be stringent upon themselves and not eat anything outside of the sukka.
וּכְשֶׁנָּתְנוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי צָדוֹק אוֹכֶל פָּחוֹת מִכְּבֵיצָה — נְטָלוֹ בְּמַפָּה וַאֲכָלוֹ חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה, וְלֹא בֵּירַךְ אַחֲרָיו.
On the other hand, the Gemara reports: And when they gave Rabbi Tzadok food that was less than an egg-bulk to eat, he held it in a cloth and did not wash his hands. And he ate it outside of the sukka and did not recite Grace after Meals afterward.
הָא כְּבֵיצָה — בָּעֵי סוּכָּה. וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, הַשְׁתָּא שְׁתֵּי כוֹתָבוֹת בְּלֹא גַּרְעִינָן לָא הָווּ כְּבֵיצָה, כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה וְגַרְעִינָתָהּ מִי הָוֵי יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה?! אֲמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: אִין, שְׁתֵּי כוֹתָבוֹת בְּלֹא גַּרְעִינָתָן לָא הָווּ כְּבֵיצָה, כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה וְגַרְעִינָתָהּ הָוֵי יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה. אֲמַר רַב פָּפָּא, הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: תְּרֵי קַבֵּי דְּתַמְרֵי חַד קַבָּא דְּקַשְׁיָיתָא וּסְרִיחַ.
The Gemara clarifies: Food that has the volume of an egg-bulk is required to be eaten in a sukka. If it should enter your mind to say that the volume of the large date that they spoke of is larger than the volume of an egg-bulk, there is a contradiction. Now, comparing the two episodes, it seems that two dates without their pits are not the volume of an egg. If so, can the volume of a large date and its pit be greater than that of an egg-bulk? Rav Yirmeya said: Yes, although two dates without their pits are not equal to an egg-bulk, the volume of a large date and its pit are larger than an egg-bulk, since date pits are very large. Rav Pappa said: This explains the folk saying that people say: In two kav of dates there is one kav and more of pits, meaning that the volume of the pit is larger than that of the fruit itself.
רָבָא אָמַר: הָתָם הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא מִשּׁוּם דְּהָווּ לְהוּ פֵּירֵי, וּפֵירֵי לָא בָּעוּ סוּכָּה. מֵיתִיבִי, אָמַר רַבִּי: כְּשֶׁהָיִינוּ לוֹמְדִים תּוֹרָה אֵצֶל רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שַׁמּוּעַ הֵבִיאוּ לְפָנֵינוּ תְּאֵנִים וַעֲנָבִים וַאֲכַלְנוּם אֲכִילַת עֲרַאי חוּץ לְסוּכָּה. אֲכִילַת עֲרַאי — אִין, אֲכִילַת קֶבַע — לָא! אֵימָא: אֲכַלְנוּם כַּאֲכִילַת עֲרַאי חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה.
Rava said: This entire line of questioning has no basis: There, in the incident of the sukka, this is the reasoning that the halakha permits eating the dates outside of the sukka, due to the fact that dates are fruit, and fruit need not be eaten in a sukka but may be eaten outside of a sukka. The Gemara raises an objection. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: When we would learn Torah with Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua, they brought before us figs and grapes, and we ate them as a casual meal outside of the sukka. The Gemara analyzes this: This implies that in the case of a casual meal, yes, it may be eaten outside of a sukka; but a fixed meal may not be eaten outside of a sukka. Therefore, a meal consisting of fruit must be eaten in a sukka. The Gemara rejects this: That is the wrong inference. Instead, say we ate them as if they were a casual meal, which may be eaten outside of the sukka, meaning that eating fruit is always considered a snack.
אִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא: אֲכַלְנוּם אֲכִילַת קֶבַע, וְאָכַלְנוּ פַּת אֲכִילַת עֲרַאי בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה.
If you wish, say instead that it can be understood in this way: We ate that fruit as a fixed meal, and we ate bread as a casual meal with the fruit, to temper their sweetness, outside of the sukka.
לֵימָא מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ: לְפִיכָךְ, אִם הִשְׁלִים בְּמִינֵי תַרְגִּימָא — יָצָא. וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ פֵּירֵי בָּעוּ סוּכָּה, לִיתְנֵי פֵּירוֹת! מַאי מִינֵי תַרְגִּימָא — פֵּירוֹת. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: בְּאַתְרָא דְּלָא שְׁכִיחִי פֵּירֵי.
The Gemara suggests: Let us say that this baraita supports Rava. It teaches: Therefore, if one completed consuming the amount that one is required to eat in the sukka with types of sweets, he has fulfilled his obligation of sitting in the sukka. If it should enter your mind to say that fruit is required to be eaten in a sukka, then it should not say sweets; let it teach fruit. The Gemara rejects this proof: What do the words types of sweets mean? It means fruit. Therefore, this baraita is not a support for Rava’s opinion. And if you wish, say that this baraita is referring to a place where fruits are uncommon, and therefore other sweet foods are eaten, but fruit can similarly complete the requirement. Consequently, no support can be brought from here.
רַב זְבִיד אָמַר: כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ — חֲסֵרָה מִכְּבֵיצָה. דִּתְנַן, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: שְׂאוֹר — בְּכַזַּיִת, חָמֵץ — בְּכַכּוֹתֶבֶת.
Until now, the Gemara has assumed that the volume of a large date is more than that of an egg. Rav Zevid disagreed with what was mentioned earlier and said: This is not so. Rather, the volume of a large date that they spoke of is less than an egg-bulk, as we learned in a mishna: Beit Shammai say: With regard to leaven, the sourdough used to make dough rise, ownership of the volume of an olive-bulk violates the prohibitions in the following verses stated regarding Passover: “And no leavened bread shall be seen with you” (Exodus 13:7) and “Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses” (Exodus 12:19). However, the amount of leavened bread that must be owned to violate the prohibition is the volume of a large date.
וְהָוֵינַן בָּהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי? נִכְתּוֹב רַחֲמָנָא ״חָמֵץ״, וְלָא בָּעֵי ״שְׂאוֹר״, וַאֲנָא אָמֵינָא: וּמָה חָמֵץ שֶׁאֵין חִמּוּצוֹ קָשֶׁה — אָסוּר בִּכְזַיִת, שְׂאוֹר שֶׁחִמּוּצוֹ קָשֶׁה — לֹא כָּל שֶׁכֵּן? מִדְּפַלְגִינְהוּ רַחֲמָנָא, לִימְּדָה לְךָ שִׁיעוּרוֹ שֶׁל זֶה לֹא כְּשִׁיעוּרוֹ שֶׁל זֶה. שְׂאוֹר בְּכַזַּיִת, וְחָמֵץ בְּכַכּוֹתֶבֶת.
The Gemara continues. And we discussed it: What is the reason for the opinion of Beit Shammai? If both leaven and leavened bread had the same measure that determines liability, let the Merciful One write only: “Leavened bread,” and He would not need to write: “Leaven.” I would say, based on logic: If leavened bread, whose leavening ability is not as strong, is prohibited at an olive-bulk, all the more so should not leaven, whose leavening ability is strong because it causes dough to rise, be also prohibited at an olive-bulk? Since the Merciful One distinguishes between them and states both “leaven” and “leavened bread,” this taught you that the measure for one is not the same as the measure for the other. The measure that determines liability for leaven is an olive-bulk, like in the case of most prohibitions from the Torah, and the measure that determines liability for leavened bread, whose leavening ability is weaker, is the volume of a large date.
וְאִי סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, מִכְּדִי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אַשִּׁיעוּרָא דִּנְפִישׁ מִכְּזַיִת קָא מְהַדְּרִי, לִיתְנֵי כְּבֵיצָה. וְאִי נָמֵי כִּי הֲדָדֵי נִינְהוּ, נִיתְנֵי כְּבֵיצָה! אֶלָּא לָאו, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: כּוֹתֶבֶת פְּחוּתָה מִכְּבֵיצָה.
The Gemara clarifies: And if it should enter your mind to say: The volume of the large date that they spoke of is greater than an egg-bulk, since Beit Shammai are searching for the measure one size larger than an olive-bulk, as they proved that leavened bread must have a larger measure than an olive-bulk, and if the measure one size larger than an olive-bulk is an egg-bulk, then let them teach an egg-bulk and not a date. Alternatively, if they are exactly the same volume, and the volume of a large date has the same volume as an egg-bulk, they should have taught an egg-bulk, which is the more commonly used measure. Rather, must one not conclude from here that the volume of a large date is less than an egg-bulk?
מִמַּאי? דִּילְמָא לְעוֹלָם אֵימָא לְךָ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ — יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, הָא סְתָמָא — כְּבֵיצָה. וְאִי נָמֵי כִּי הֲדָדֵי נִינְהוּ, וַחֲדָא מִינַּיְיהוּ נְקַט.
The Gemara rejects this: From where is your proof? Perhaps I could actually say to you that the measure of the volume of a large date that they said is larger than an egg-bulk; however, the volume of a date of normal size is the same as an egg-bulk, and Beit Shammai were referring to a normal-sized date. Alternatively, say that the volume of a large date and an egg-bulk are equal, and the mishna chose to use one of them. Either way, there is no proof from here that the volume of a large date is greater than an egg-bulk.
אֶלָּא מֵהָכָא: עַד כַּמָּה מְזַמְּנִין? עַד כְּזַיִת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: עַד כְּבֵיצָה. בְּמַאי קָא מִיפַּלְגִי — רַבִּי מֵאִיר סָבַר: ״וְאָכַלְתָּ״, זוֹ אֲכִילָה, ״וְשָׂבָעְתָּ״, זוֹ שְׁתִיָּה — וַאֲכִילָה בִּכְזַיִת. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: ״וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ״, אֲכִילָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ שְׂבִיעָה, וְאֵי זֶה — זֶה כְּבֵיצָה.
Rather, it cannot be proven from here. Proof can be found from here: How much must one eat to obligate those with whom he ate in an invitation [zimmun] for Grace After Meals? An olive-bulk of food suffices to obligate those with whom they ate in a zimmun; these are the words of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says: An egg-bulk is the minimum measure to obligate those with whom they ate in a zimmun. The Gemara clarifies: With regard to what do they disagree? Rabbi Meir holds that the verse “And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:10) should be understood as follows: “And you shall eat”; this is referring to eating. “And be satisfied”; this is referring to drinking. The definition of eating throughout the Torah is consuming an olive-bulk. Rabbi Yehuda holds: “And you shall eat and be satisfied” is referring to eating that causes satisfaction, and what is that? The volume of an egg-bulk. Less than that amount of food is not satisfying.
וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, הַשְׁתָּא כְּבֵיצָה שַׂבּוֹעֵי מְשַׂבְּעָא, דַּעְתָּא לָא מִיַּתְּבָא?! אֶלָּא לָאו, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ פָּחוֹת מִכְּבֵיצָה. כְּבֵיצָה — מְשַׂבְּעָא, כְּכוֹתֶבֶת — מִיַּתְּבָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ.
And if it should enter your mind to say that the volume of the large date that they spoke of is larger than an egg-bulk, the following question can be asked: Now that we have said that the volume of an egg-bulk satisfies, can we say that it does not settle the mind, and thereby remove the affliction of Yom Kippur? Rather, must one not conclude from this that the volume of a large date that they said is less than the size of an egg-bulk? Eating the larger amount of an egg-bulk satisfies a person, but eating the volume of a large date only settles his mind.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר:
It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says:
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Zevahim 39: Blood on the Inner Altar
Zevahim 38: When Beit Hillel Turns Stringent and Beit Shammai Lenient
Zevahim 37: Different Interpretations: Meaning and Reading
Zevahim 37: Different Interpretations: Meaning and Reading
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Zevachim Daf 22-29 – Daf Yomi: One Week at a Time
Zevahim 36: Invalid Offerings
Zevahim 35: A Fetus, Eggs, and the Separation of Animals
Zevahim 34: Pouring and Disposing of the Dregs
Zevahim 33: The Heavy Laying on of Hands
Zevahim 31: It’s a Measure of Time: Half a Loaf of Bread
Zevahim 32: The Surprising Leniencies and Leeway of Sacrifices
May a Woman Schecht Sacred Animals? – Gefet
Zevahim 30: An Olive’s Measure of Intent
Zevahim 29: More Ways to Offer Offerings Right
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The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
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
Geri Goldstein got me started learning daf yomi when I was in Israel 2 years ago. It’s been a challenge and I’ve learned a lot though I’m sure I miss a lot. I quilt as I listen and I want to share what I’ve been working on.
Ottawa, Canada
I started my journey on the day I realized that the Siyum was happening in Yerushalayim and I was missing out. What? I told myself. How could I have not known about this? How can I have missed out on this opportunity? I decided that moment, I would start Daf Yomi and Nach Yomi the very next day. I am so grateful to Hadran. I am changed forever because I learn Gemara with women. Thank you.
Mitspe, Israel
As Jewish educator and as a woman, I’m mindful that Talmud has been kept from women for many centuries. Now that we are privileged to learn, and learning is so accessible, it’s my intent to complete Daf Yomi. I am so excited to keep learning with my Hadran community.
Denver, United States
Berlin, Germany
With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!
Haifa, Israel
Studying has changed my life view on הלכה and יהדות and time. It has taught me bonudaries of the human nature and honesty of our sages in their discourse to try and build a nation of caring people .
Kfar Saba, Israel
Attending the Siyyum in Jerusalem 26 months ago inspired me to become part of this community of learners. So many aspects of Jewish life have been illuminated by what we have learned in Seder Moed. My day is not complete without daf Yomi. I am so grateful to Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran Community.
Newton, 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
Inspired by Hadran’s first Siyum ha Shas L’Nashim two years ago, I began daf yomi right after for the next cycle. As to this extraordinary journey together with Hadran..as TS Eliot wrote “We must not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.
Jerusalem, Israel
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 learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!
Berlin, Germany
I started learning at the beginning of this cycle more than 2 years ago, and I have not missed a day or a daf. It’s been challenging and enlightening and even mind-numbing at times, but the learning and the shared experience have all been worth it. If you are open to it, there’s no telling what might come into your life.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Berlin, Germany
I began learning with Rabbanit Michelle’s wonderful Talmud Skills class on Pesachim, which really enriched my Pesach seder, and I have been learning Daf Yomi off and on over the past year. Because I’m relatively new at this, there is a “chiddush” for me every time I learn, and the knowledge and insights of the group members add so much to my experience. I feel very lucky to be a part of this.
Karmiel, Israel
When we heard that R. Michelle was starting daf yomi, my 11-year-old suggested that I go. Little did she know that she would lose me every morning from then on. I remember standing at the Farbers’ door, almost too shy to enter. After that first class, I said that I would come the next day but couldn’t commit to more. A decade later, I still look forward to learning from R. Michelle every morning.
Ra’anana, Israel
As Jewish educator and as a woman, I’m mindful that Talmud has been kept from women for many centuries. Now that we are privileged to learn, and learning is so accessible, it’s my intent to complete Daf Yomi. I am so excited to keep learning with my Hadran community.
Denver, United States
Last cycle, I listened to parts of various מסכתות. When the הדרן סיום was advertised, I listened to Michelle on נידה. I knew that בע”ה with the next cycle I was in (ב”נ). As I entered the סיום (early), I saw the signs and was overcome with emotion. I was randomly seated in the front row, and I cried many times that night. My choice to learn דף יומי was affirmed. It is one of the best I have made!
אפרת, Israel
Retirement and Covid converged to provide me with the opportunity to commit to daily Talmud study in October 2020. I dove into the middle of Eruvin and continued to navigate Seder Moed, with Rabannit Michelle as my guide. I have developed more confidence in my learning as I completed each masechet and look forward to completing the Daf Yomi cycle so that I can begin again!
San Diego, United States
In my Shana bet at Migdal Oz I attended the Hadran siyum hash”as. Witnessing so many women so passionate about their Torah learning and connection to God, I knew I had to begin with the coming cycle. My wedding (June 24) was two weeks before the siyum of mesechet yoma so I went a little ahead and was able to make a speech and siyum at my kiseh kallah on my wedding day!
Givat Shmuel, Israel
Yoma 79
כְּכוֹתֶבֶת שֶׁאָמְרוּ, בְּגַרְעִינָתָהּ: אוֹ בְּלֹא גַּרְעִינָתָהּ? בָּעֵי רַב אָשֵׁי: עֶצֶם כִּשְׂעוֹרָה, בִּקְלִיפָּתָהּ אוֹ בְּלֹא קְלִיפָּתָהּ, בְּלַחָה אוֹ בִּיבֵשָׁה? רַב אָשֵׁי לָא מִבַּעְיָא לֵיהּ הָא דְּרַב פָּפָּא, ״גַּסָּה״ אִיתְּמַר — כֹּל כַּמָּה דְּגַסָּה. רַב פָּפָּא לָא מִבַּעְיָא לֵיהּ הָא דְּרַב אָשֵׁי: לַחָה — שִׁבּוֹלֶת מִיקְּרֵי, שֶׁלֹּא בִּקְלִיפָּתָהּ — אוּשְׁלָא מִיקְּרֵי.
The large date-bulk that they said is the measure that determines liability for eating on Yom Kippur, does this refer to the volume of a large date with its pit or without its pit? Rav Ashi asked a similar question: The mishna that states that a bone that is a barley-grain-bulk imparts ritual impurity, does this refer to the volume of a barley grain with its husk or without its husk? And is that referring to a wet kernel or a dry one? The Gemara clarifies: Rav Ashi did not ask the question that Rav Pappa asked, regarding the size of the date-bulk on Yom Kippur because the answer was clear to him. Since it is stated in the mishna: Large, it means as large as possible, which must include the pit. Conversely, Rav Pappa did not ask the question that Rav Ashi asked regarding the size of the barley-grain-bulk because the answer was clear to him. Wet barley is called shibbolet and not barley; without its shell it is no longer called barley but is called ushla. Therefore, the mishna must be referring to dry barley within its shell.
אָמַר (רָבָא) אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ, יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה. וְקִים לְהוּ לְרַבָּנַן דִּבְהָכִי מִיַּתְּבָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ, בְּצִיר מֵהֲכִי — לָא מִיַּתְּבָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ. מֵיתִיבִי: מַעֲשֶׂה וְהֵבִיאוּ לְרַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי לִטְעוֹם אֶת הַתַּבְשִׁיל, וּלְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל שְׁתֵּי כוֹתָבוֹת וּדְלִי שֶׁל מַיִם. וְאָמְרוּ: הַעֲלוּם לַסּוּכָּה. וְתָנֵי עֲלַהּ: לָא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֲלָכָה כָּךְ, אֶלָּא שֶׁרָצוּ לְהַחֲמִיר עַל עַצְמָן.
Rava said that Rav Yehuda said: The volume of a large date that they said is larger than an egg-bulk. The Sages have an accepted tradition that with this amount of food, the mind of the one who eats is settled, and he is not afflicted. Less than this amount, the mind is not settled. The Gemara raises an objection from what we have learned: An incident happened on the festival of Sukkot. They brought a cooked dish to Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai to taste, and they brought to Rabban Gamliel two dates and a tankard of water. Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai and Rabban Gamliel said to them: Bring them up to the sukka, and we will eat there. And a baraita was taught in that regard: They did not act this way because that is the halakha, that such food must be eaten in the sukka. Rather, they wished to be stringent upon themselves and not eat anything outside of the sukka.
וּכְשֶׁנָּתְנוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי צָדוֹק אוֹכֶל פָּחוֹת מִכְּבֵיצָה — נְטָלוֹ בְּמַפָּה וַאֲכָלוֹ חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה, וְלֹא בֵּירַךְ אַחֲרָיו.
On the other hand, the Gemara reports: And when they gave Rabbi Tzadok food that was less than an egg-bulk to eat, he held it in a cloth and did not wash his hands. And he ate it outside of the sukka and did not recite Grace after Meals afterward.
הָא כְּבֵיצָה — בָּעֵי סוּכָּה. וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, הַשְׁתָּא שְׁתֵּי כוֹתָבוֹת בְּלֹא גַּרְעִינָן לָא הָווּ כְּבֵיצָה, כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה וְגַרְעִינָתָהּ מִי הָוֵי יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה?! אֲמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: אִין, שְׁתֵּי כוֹתָבוֹת בְּלֹא גַּרְעִינָתָן לָא הָווּ כְּבֵיצָה, כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה וְגַרְעִינָתָהּ הָוֵי יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה. אֲמַר רַב פָּפָּא, הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: תְּרֵי קַבֵּי דְּתַמְרֵי חַד קַבָּא דְּקַשְׁיָיתָא וּסְרִיחַ.
The Gemara clarifies: Food that has the volume of an egg-bulk is required to be eaten in a sukka. If it should enter your mind to say that the volume of the large date that they spoke of is larger than the volume of an egg-bulk, there is a contradiction. Now, comparing the two episodes, it seems that two dates without their pits are not the volume of an egg. If so, can the volume of a large date and its pit be greater than that of an egg-bulk? Rav Yirmeya said: Yes, although two dates without their pits are not equal to an egg-bulk, the volume of a large date and its pit are larger than an egg-bulk, since date pits are very large. Rav Pappa said: This explains the folk saying that people say: In two kav of dates there is one kav and more of pits, meaning that the volume of the pit is larger than that of the fruit itself.
רָבָא אָמַר: הָתָם הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא מִשּׁוּם דְּהָווּ לְהוּ פֵּירֵי, וּפֵירֵי לָא בָּעוּ סוּכָּה. מֵיתִיבִי, אָמַר רַבִּי: כְּשֶׁהָיִינוּ לוֹמְדִים תּוֹרָה אֵצֶל רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שַׁמּוּעַ הֵבִיאוּ לְפָנֵינוּ תְּאֵנִים וַעֲנָבִים וַאֲכַלְנוּם אֲכִילַת עֲרַאי חוּץ לְסוּכָּה. אֲכִילַת עֲרַאי — אִין, אֲכִילַת קֶבַע — לָא! אֵימָא: אֲכַלְנוּם כַּאֲכִילַת עֲרַאי חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה.
Rava said: This entire line of questioning has no basis: There, in the incident of the sukka, this is the reasoning that the halakha permits eating the dates outside of the sukka, due to the fact that dates are fruit, and fruit need not be eaten in a sukka but may be eaten outside of a sukka. The Gemara raises an objection. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: When we would learn Torah with Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua, they brought before us figs and grapes, and we ate them as a casual meal outside of the sukka. The Gemara analyzes this: This implies that in the case of a casual meal, yes, it may be eaten outside of a sukka; but a fixed meal may not be eaten outside of a sukka. Therefore, a meal consisting of fruit must be eaten in a sukka. The Gemara rejects this: That is the wrong inference. Instead, say we ate them as if they were a casual meal, which may be eaten outside of the sukka, meaning that eating fruit is always considered a snack.
אִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא: אֲכַלְנוּם אֲכִילַת קֶבַע, וְאָכַלְנוּ פַּת אֲכִילַת עֲרַאי בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ חוּץ לַסּוּכָּה.
If you wish, say instead that it can be understood in this way: We ate that fruit as a fixed meal, and we ate bread as a casual meal with the fruit, to temper their sweetness, outside of the sukka.
לֵימָא מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ: לְפִיכָךְ, אִם הִשְׁלִים בְּמִינֵי תַרְגִּימָא — יָצָא. וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ פֵּירֵי בָּעוּ סוּכָּה, לִיתְנֵי פֵּירוֹת! מַאי מִינֵי תַרְגִּימָא — פֵּירוֹת. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: בְּאַתְרָא דְּלָא שְׁכִיחִי פֵּירֵי.
The Gemara suggests: Let us say that this baraita supports Rava. It teaches: Therefore, if one completed consuming the amount that one is required to eat in the sukka with types of sweets, he has fulfilled his obligation of sitting in the sukka. If it should enter your mind to say that fruit is required to be eaten in a sukka, then it should not say sweets; let it teach fruit. The Gemara rejects this proof: What do the words types of sweets mean? It means fruit. Therefore, this baraita is not a support for Rava’s opinion. And if you wish, say that this baraita is referring to a place where fruits are uncommon, and therefore other sweet foods are eaten, but fruit can similarly complete the requirement. Consequently, no support can be brought from here.
רַב זְבִיד אָמַר: כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ — חֲסֵרָה מִכְּבֵיצָה. דִּתְנַן, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: שְׂאוֹר — בְּכַזַּיִת, חָמֵץ — בְּכַכּוֹתֶבֶת.
Until now, the Gemara has assumed that the volume of a large date is more than that of an egg. Rav Zevid disagreed with what was mentioned earlier and said: This is not so. Rather, the volume of a large date that they spoke of is less than an egg-bulk, as we learned in a mishna: Beit Shammai say: With regard to leaven, the sourdough used to make dough rise, ownership of the volume of an olive-bulk violates the prohibitions in the following verses stated regarding Passover: “And no leavened bread shall be seen with you” (Exodus 13:7) and “Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses” (Exodus 12:19). However, the amount of leavened bread that must be owned to violate the prohibition is the volume of a large date.
וְהָוֵינַן בָּהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי? נִכְתּוֹב רַחֲמָנָא ״חָמֵץ״, וְלָא בָּעֵי ״שְׂאוֹר״, וַאֲנָא אָמֵינָא: וּמָה חָמֵץ שֶׁאֵין חִמּוּצוֹ קָשֶׁה — אָסוּר בִּכְזַיִת, שְׂאוֹר שֶׁחִמּוּצוֹ קָשֶׁה — לֹא כָּל שֶׁכֵּן? מִדְּפַלְגִינְהוּ רַחֲמָנָא, לִימְּדָה לְךָ שִׁיעוּרוֹ שֶׁל זֶה לֹא כְּשִׁיעוּרוֹ שֶׁל זֶה. שְׂאוֹר בְּכַזַּיִת, וְחָמֵץ בְּכַכּוֹתֶבֶת.
The Gemara continues. And we discussed it: What is the reason for the opinion of Beit Shammai? If both leaven and leavened bread had the same measure that determines liability, let the Merciful One write only: “Leavened bread,” and He would not need to write: “Leaven.” I would say, based on logic: If leavened bread, whose leavening ability is not as strong, is prohibited at an olive-bulk, all the more so should not leaven, whose leavening ability is strong because it causes dough to rise, be also prohibited at an olive-bulk? Since the Merciful One distinguishes between them and states both “leaven” and “leavened bread,” this taught you that the measure for one is not the same as the measure for the other. The measure that determines liability for leaven is an olive-bulk, like in the case of most prohibitions from the Torah, and the measure that determines liability for leavened bread, whose leavening ability is weaker, is the volume of a large date.
וְאִי סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, מִכְּדִי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אַשִּׁיעוּרָא דִּנְפִישׁ מִכְּזַיִת קָא מְהַדְּרִי, לִיתְנֵי כְּבֵיצָה. וְאִי נָמֵי כִּי הֲדָדֵי נִינְהוּ, נִיתְנֵי כְּבֵיצָה! אֶלָּא לָאו, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: כּוֹתֶבֶת פְּחוּתָה מִכְּבֵיצָה.
The Gemara clarifies: And if it should enter your mind to say: The volume of the large date that they spoke of is greater than an egg-bulk, since Beit Shammai are searching for the measure one size larger than an olive-bulk, as they proved that leavened bread must have a larger measure than an olive-bulk, and if the measure one size larger than an olive-bulk is an egg-bulk, then let them teach an egg-bulk and not a date. Alternatively, if they are exactly the same volume, and the volume of a large date has the same volume as an egg-bulk, they should have taught an egg-bulk, which is the more commonly used measure. Rather, must one not conclude from here that the volume of a large date is less than an egg-bulk?
מִמַּאי? דִּילְמָא לְעוֹלָם אֵימָא לְךָ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ — יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, הָא סְתָמָא — כְּבֵיצָה. וְאִי נָמֵי כִּי הֲדָדֵי נִינְהוּ, וַחֲדָא מִינַּיְיהוּ נְקַט.
The Gemara rejects this: From where is your proof? Perhaps I could actually say to you that the measure of the volume of a large date that they said is larger than an egg-bulk; however, the volume of a date of normal size is the same as an egg-bulk, and Beit Shammai were referring to a normal-sized date. Alternatively, say that the volume of a large date and an egg-bulk are equal, and the mishna chose to use one of them. Either way, there is no proof from here that the volume of a large date is greater than an egg-bulk.
אֶלָּא מֵהָכָא: עַד כַּמָּה מְזַמְּנִין? עַד כְּזַיִת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: עַד כְּבֵיצָה. בְּמַאי קָא מִיפַּלְגִי — רַבִּי מֵאִיר סָבַר: ״וְאָכַלְתָּ״, זוֹ אֲכִילָה, ״וְשָׂבָעְתָּ״, זוֹ שְׁתִיָּה — וַאֲכִילָה בִּכְזַיִת. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: ״וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ״, אֲכִילָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ שְׂבִיעָה, וְאֵי זֶה — זֶה כְּבֵיצָה.
Rather, it cannot be proven from here. Proof can be found from here: How much must one eat to obligate those with whom he ate in an invitation [zimmun] for Grace After Meals? An olive-bulk of food suffices to obligate those with whom they ate in a zimmun; these are the words of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says: An egg-bulk is the minimum measure to obligate those with whom they ate in a zimmun. The Gemara clarifies: With regard to what do they disagree? Rabbi Meir holds that the verse “And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:10) should be understood as follows: “And you shall eat”; this is referring to eating. “And be satisfied”; this is referring to drinking. The definition of eating throughout the Torah is consuming an olive-bulk. Rabbi Yehuda holds: “And you shall eat and be satisfied” is referring to eating that causes satisfaction, and what is that? The volume of an egg-bulk. Less than that amount of food is not satisfying.
וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ יְתֵירָה מִכְּבֵיצָה, הַשְׁתָּא כְּבֵיצָה שַׂבּוֹעֵי מְשַׂבְּעָא, דַּעְתָּא לָא מִיַּתְּבָא?! אֶלָּא לָאו, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: כּוֹתֶבֶת הַגַּסָּה שֶׁאָמְרוּ פָּחוֹת מִכְּבֵיצָה. כְּבֵיצָה — מְשַׂבְּעָא, כְּכוֹתֶבֶת — מִיַּתְּבָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ.
And if it should enter your mind to say that the volume of the large date that they spoke of is larger than an egg-bulk, the following question can be asked: Now that we have said that the volume of an egg-bulk satisfies, can we say that it does not settle the mind, and thereby remove the affliction of Yom Kippur? Rather, must one not conclude from this that the volume of a large date that they said is less than the size of an egg-bulk? Eating the larger amount of an egg-bulk satisfies a person, but eating the volume of a large date only settles his mind.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר:
It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says:
