Masechet Zevachim
Masechet Zevachim is sponsored by Esther Kremer in loving memory of her father, Manny Gross on his third yahrzeit. “He exemplified a path of holiness and purity, living with kedushah in his everyday life.”
This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, Yosef ben Moshe HaCohen, z”l. “He was hard working, loved to sing, esp. as a chazan, and was very dedicated to his family and community.”
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Summary
Rav and Levi disagree about whether there was truly no base on the south and east sides of the altar, or whether a base existed but the blood could not be poured there. Various sources are cited to challenge both opinions, and each difficulty is addressed and resolved. One of the sources provides a detailed description of how the altar was constructed.
Rava, based on a drasha from a verse in Shmuel I 19:19, explains how David and Shmuel determined that the Temple would be built specifically in the territory of Binyamin and precisely at that location—not elsewhere. Although Ein Eitam was actually higher in elevation, two reasons are given for why that site was ultimately rejected.
Today’s daily daf tools:
Masechet Zevachim
Masechet Zevachim is sponsored by Esther Kremer in loving memory of her father, Manny Gross on his third yahrzeit. “He exemplified a path of holiness and purity, living with kedushah in his everyday life.”
This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, Yosef ben Moshe HaCohen, z”l. “He was hard working, loved to sing, esp. as a chazan, and was very dedicated to his family and community.”
Zevachim 54
״חֹפֵף עָלָיו כׇּל הַיּוֹם״. לְפִיכָךְ זָכָה בִּנְיָמִין הַצַּדִּיק וְנַעֲשָׂה אוּשְׁפִּיזְכָן לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן״.
“He covers it throughout the day, and He dwells between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12). The term “covers it” is understood to mean that Benjamin is continually focused upon that site. Therefore, Benjamin the righteous was privileged and became the host of the Holy One, Blessed be He, as the Holy of Holies was built in his portion. As it is stated: “And He dwells between his shoulders.”
מֵיתִיבִי: עוֹלַת הָעוֹף כֵּיצַד הָיְתָה נַעֲשֵׂית? הָיָה מוֹלֵק אֶת רֹאשָׁהּ מִמּוּל עוֹרְפָּהּ, וּמַבְדִּיל, וּמְמַצֶּה דָּמָהּ עַל קִיר הַמִּזְבֵּחַ.
The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: How was the rite of a bird burnt offering performed? The priest ascended the ramp and turned to the surrounding ledge. When he arrived at the southeast corner, the priest would pinch the bird’s head by pinching at its nape with his thumbnail and sever the bird’s head from its body, and would squeeze out its blood on the wall of the altar.
וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ לֹא הָיָה לָהּ יְסוֹד – בְּאַוֵּירָא בְּעָלְמָא הוּא דְּקָא עָבֵיד! אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: אֵימַר כָּךְ הִתְנוּ – אַוֵּירָא דְּבִנְיָמִין, קַרְקַע דִּיהוּדָה.
The Gemara states its objection: And if you say that the southeast corner of the altar had no base, is he merely performing the rite in the air, i.e., not within the domain of the altar? Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Say that when Eretz Yisrael was apportioned, they made this condition: The airspace of what would become the southeast part of the altar is in the portion of the tribe of Benjamin, so the pinching of the bird offering was performed within the domain of the altar. But the land was in the portion of the tribe of Judah.
מַאי לֹא (הֲוָה) [הָיָה] לָהּ יְסוֹד? רַב אָמַר: בְּבִנְיָן, לֵוִי אָמַר: בְּדָמִים. רַב מְתַרְגֵּם: ״בְּאַחְסָנְתֵּיהּ יִתְבְּנֵי מַדְבְּחָא״, לֵוִי מְתַרְגֵּם: ״בְּאַחְסָנְתֵּיהּ יִתְבְּנֵי מַקְדְּשָׁא״ – מְקוֹם מְקוּדָּשׁ לְדָמִים.
§ The Gemara asks: What does the baraita mean when it states that the southeast corner of the altar had no base? Rav says: It is with regard to the fact that it had no base built on those sides. Levi says: It is with regard to the fact that no blood was sprinkled on that side, as the blood was not permitted to be presented there, even though there was a physical base. Based on this dispute, each of them disagreed as to the correct Aramaic translation of the verse: “Benjamin is a wolf that tears apart; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil” (Genesis 49:27). Rav translates this as: In his portion will the altar be built. Levi translates this as: In his portion will the Sanctuary be built, which means: A place sanctified for blood.
תָּא שְׁמַע: הַיְסוֹד הָיָה מְהַלֵּךְ עַל פְּנֵי כׇּל הַצָּפוֹן וְעַל פְּנֵי כׇּל הַמַּעֲרָב, אוֹכֵל בַּדָּרוֹם אַמָּה אַחַת וּבַמִּזְרָח אַמָּה אַחַת! מַאי ״אוֹכֵל״ נָמֵי – בְּדָמִים.
The Gemara brings proof for each opinion: Come and hear a proof for the explanation of Rav from a mishna (Middot 35b): The base of the altar would extend along all of the northern side and along all of the western side. It consumed one cubit on the southern side and one cubit on the eastern side. This indicates that there was no base on most of the southern or eastern sides of the altar. The Gemara comments: Levi would explain: What is the meaning of the term: Consume? The baraita, as well, is stated with regard to consuming blood of the offerings.
תָּא שְׁמַע: הַמִּזְבֵּחַ הָיָה שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם! הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן – מִן הַצַּד.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof for the explanation of Levi from that same mishna: The altar was thirty-two cubits by thirty-two cubits. This indicates that there was a base on all four sides, in accordance with the opinion of Levi. Rav could answer: Here we are dealing with the measurement from the side. In other words, only the northern and western sides were thirty-two cubits in length.
תָּא שְׁמַע: נִמְצָא פּוֹרֵחַ אַמָּה עַל יְסוֹד וְאַמָּה עַל סוֹבֵב! אֵימָא כְּנֶגֶד אַמָּה יְסוֹד, וְעַל אַמָּה סוֹבֵב.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof for the explanation of Levi from a baraita: It turns out the top of the ramp of the altar would overhang one cubit in the air over the base of the altar and one cubit over the surrounding ledge. This indicates that it had a base on all four sides, as the ramp was on the southern side. Rav could answer: Say that the baraita means it would overhang toward the place where the base of a cubit would have been, and one cubit over the surrounding ledge.
תָּא שְׁמַע, דְּתָנֵי לֵוִי: כֵּיצַד בּוֹנִין אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ? מְבִיאִין מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם וְגוֹבְהוֹ אַמָּה, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי אֲבָנִים מְפוּלָּמוֹת – בֵּין גְּדוֹלוֹת בֵּין קְטַנּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא סִיד וְקוּנְיָא וָזֶפֶת, וּמְמַחֶה וְשׁוֹפֵךְ. וְזֶה הוּא מְקוֹם יְסוֹד.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof, as Levi teaches in a baraita: How does one build the altar? He brings a square wooden frame, which is thirty-two cubits by thirty-two cubits, and its height is one cubit. And he brings pieces of damp [mefulamot] stone, both large and small, which are the main components of the altar, which is described as: “An altar of stone” (Exodus 20:22). And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the gaps between the stones. And this is the place of the base of the altar.
וְחוֹזֵר וּמֵבִיא מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא שְׁלֹשִׁים אַמָּה עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים אַמָּה וְגוֹבְהוֹ חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי אֲבָנִים כּוּ׳. וְחוֹזֵר וּמֵבִיא מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה עַל עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה אַמּוֹת וְגוֹבְהוֹ שָׁלֹשׁ אַמּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי כּוּ׳. וְהוּא מְקוֹם הַמַּעֲרָכָה.
And then he brings a square wooden frame, which is thirty cubits by thirty cubits, and its height is five cubits. And he brings pieces of damp stone, both large and small. And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the gaps between the stones. And then he brings a square wooden frame, which is twenty-eight cubits by twenty-eight cubits, and its height is three cubits. And he brings pieces of damp stone, both large and small. And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the gaps between the stones. And this is the place of the arrangement of wood on the altar.
וְחוֹזֵר וּמֵבִיא מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא אַמָּה עַל אַמָּה, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי אֲבָנִים מְפוּלָּמוֹת בֵּין גְּדוֹלוֹת בֵּין קְטַנּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא זֶפֶת וְקוּנְיָא, וּמְמַחֶה וְשׁוֹפֵךְ. וְזֶהוּ קֶרֶן. וְכֵן לְכׇל קֶרֶן וָקֶרֶן.
And then he brings a square wooden frame, which is one cubit by one cubit. And he brings pieces of damp stone, both large and small. And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the frame. And this is the corner of the altar. And so he does this for each and every corner. This baraita indicates that the altar had a base around all four sides.
וְכִי תֵּימָא
The Gemara comments: And if you would say
דְּגָיֵיז לֵיהּ, ״אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת״ כְּתִיב!
that he cuts the base on the southern and western sides after he has poured the mixture for the altar and it has dried, it is written concerning the altar: “You shall build the altar of the Lord your God of unhewn stones; and you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 27:6), so it cannot be cut.
דְּמַחֵית מִידֵּי מִתּוּתֵיהּ, וְשָׁקֵיל לֵיהּ. דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, הָא דְּאָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: אֲבָנִים שֶׁל קְרָנוֹת חֲלוּלוֹת הָיוּ – דִּכְתִיב: ״וּמָלְאוּ כַּמִּזְרָק כְּזָוִיֹּת מִזְבֵּחַ״; הָכָא נָמֵי ״אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת״ אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא! אֶלָּא דְּמַחֵית מִידֵּי מִתּוּתֵיהּ וְשָׁקֵיל לֵיהּ; הָכָא נָמֵי, דְּמַחֵית מִידֵּי מִתּוּתֵיהּ וְשָׁקֵיל לֵיהּ.
Rav could answer: This means that he places something under the frame, in the place where there is to be no base, and after the poured mixture has dried he removes it, leaving the space empty. As if you do not say so, how will you explain that which Rav Kahana says: The stone interiors of the corners were hollow, i.e., there were gaps between the stones, as it is written: “And they shall be filled like the basins, like the corners of the altar” (Zechariah 9:15)? The verse compares the corners to hollow basins. Here too, doesn’t the Merciful One state that the altar must be made of “unhewn stones”? If so, how could the corners be hollow? Rather, it must be that he places something, e.g., sticks and twigs, under the frame and pours the mixture for the corners over it, and when it has hardened, removes the sticks and twigs, leaving the corners somewhat hollow. Here too, he places something under the frame and later removes it.
דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד וּשְׁמוּאֵל וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בְּנוֹיוֹת בָּרָמָה״? וְכִי מָה עִנְיַן נוֹיוֹת אֵצֶל רָמָה? אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיוּ יוֹשְׁבִין בָּרָמָה וְעוֹסְקִין בְּנוֹיוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם.
§ Apropos the altar and the Temple, the Gemara relates that Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written concerning David: “And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. And it was told Saul, saying: Behold, David is at Naioth [beNayot] in Ramah” (I Samuel 19:18–19)? But what does Naioth have to do with Ramah? They are in two distinct places. Rather, this means that they were sitting in Ramah and were involved in discussing the beauty [benoyo] of the world, i.e., the Temple.
אָמְרִי, כְּתִיב: ״וְקַמְתָּ וְעָלִיתָ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם״ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ גָּבוֹהַּ מִכׇּל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל גְּבוֹהָה מִכׇּל אֲרָצוֹת. לָא הֲווֹ יָדְעִי דּוּכְתֵּיהּ הֵיכָא;
David and Samuel said: It is written: “Then you shall arise, and get you up unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose” (Deuteronomy 17:8). This teaches that the Temple is higher than all places in Eretz Yisrael. And Eretz Yisrael is higher than all countries. They did not know where the highest place in Eretz Yisrael was.
אַיְיתוֹ סֵפֶר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, בְּכוּלְּהוּ כְּתִיב: ״וְיָרַד (וְעָלָה) הַגְּבוּל״, ״וְתָאַר הַגְּבוּל״; בְּשֵׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִין ״וְעָלָה״ כְּתִיב, ״וְיָרַד״ לָא כְּתִיב. אָמְרִי, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: הָכָא הוּא מְקוֹמוֹ.
They brought the book of Joshua. With regard to all of the borders of the tribes it is written: “And went down” (see Joshua 15:10, 16:3, 17:9), and it is written: “And the border went up to Beth Hoglah.” (Joshua 15:6), and: “And the border was drawn from the top of the mountain to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah” (Joshua 15:9). The verse uses different terms to describe the borders of the portion of each tribe. And with regard to the borders of the tribe of Benjamin it is written only: “And went up” (Joshua 18:11), but it is not written: “And went down.” They said: Conclude from the verses that the Temple’s place is here, in the portion of Benjamin.
סְבוּר לְמִבְנְיֵיהּ בְּעֵין עֵיטָם – דְּמִדְּלֵי; אָמְרִי: נִיתַתֵּי בֵּיהּ קַלִּיל, כְּדִכְתִיב: ״וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן״.
They thought to build it at Ein Eitam, which is higher than any other place in the portion of Benjamin. They said: Let us lower it a bit, as it is written: “He covers it throughout the day, and He dwells between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12). This indicates that the Temple is situated slightly lower, between two peaks.
וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: גְּמִירִי דְּסַנְהֶדְרִין בְּחֶלְקוֹ דִּיהוּדָה וּשְׁכִינָה בְּחֶלְקוֹ דְּבִנְיָמִין, וְאִי מְדַלִּינַן לֵיהּ – מִתְפְּלֵיג טוּבָא; מוּטָב דְּנִיתַתֵּי בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא, כְּדִכְתִיב: ״וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן״.
And if you wish, say instead that it is learned as a tradition that the Sanhedrin is to be located in the portion of Judah, and the place of the Divine Presence is to be located in the portion of Benjamin. They said: And if we raise it and place it near Ein Eitam it will be too distant from the portion of Judah. They said: It is preferable that we lower it a bit, as it is written: “He covers it throughout the day, and He dwells between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).
וְעַל דָּבָר זֶה נִתְקַנֵּא דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדוֹמִי בְּדָוִד, כְּדִכְתִיב: ״כִּי קִנְאַת בֵּיתְךָ אֲכָלָתְנִי״, וּכְתִיב: ״זְכוֹר ה׳ לְדָוִד אֵת כׇּל עֻנּוֹתוֹ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַה׳ וְגוֹ׳, אִם אָבֹא בְּאֹהֶל בֵּיתִי וְגוֹ׳, אִם אֶתֵּן שְׁנַת לְעֵינָי לְעַפְעַפַּי תְּנוּמָה עַד אֶמְצָא מָקוֹם לַה׳ וְגוֹ׳״.
And with regard to this matter, that David and Samuel discovered the location of the Temple, Doeg the Edomite was jealous of David, as it is written: “Because jealousy for Your House has eaten me up” (Psalms 69:10), and it is written: “Lord, remember for David all his affliction; how he swore to the Lord, and vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob: I will not come into the tent of my house, nor go up into the bed that is spread for me; if I will give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids; until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (Psalms 132:1–5).
״הִנֵּה שְׁמַעֲנוּהָ בְאֶפְרָתָה מְצָאנוּהָ בִּשְׂדֵה יַעַר״; ״בְּאֶפְרָתָה״ – זֶה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, דְּקָאָתֵי מֵאֶפְרַיִם. ״מְצָאנוּהָ בִּשְׂדֵה יַעַר״ – זֶה בִּנְיָמִין, דִּכְתִיב: ״בִּנְיָמִין זְאֵב יִטְרָף״.
The verse following those verses states: “We heard of it as being in Ephrath; we found it in the field of the wood” (Psalms 132:6). Rava explains the meaning of these words: “In Ephrath”; this is a reference to Joshua, who came from the tribe of Ephraim. This alludes to the fact that David and Samuel were able to locate the highest place in Eretz Yisrael based on the book of Joshua. “We found it in the field of the wood”; this is a reference to Benjamin, as it is written concerning him: “Benjamin is a wolf that tears apart; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil” (Genesis 49:27). A wolf is a wild animal living in the field, and David and Samuel found the location of the Temple in the portion of Benjamin.
מַתְנִי׳ זִבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵי צִבּוּר וַאֲשָׁמוֹת; אֵלּוּ הֵן אֲשָׁמוֹת – אֲשַׁם גְּזֵילוֹת, אֲשַׁם מְעִילוֹת, אֲשַׁם שִׁפְחָה חֲרוּפָה, אֲשַׁם נָזִיר, אֲשַׁם מְצוֹרָע, אָשָׁם תָּלוּי;
MISHNA: These are the halakhot of communal peace offerings and guilt offerings. These are guilt offerings: The guilt offering for robbery, brought by one from whom another demanded payment of a debt and he denied it and took a false oath (see Leviticus 5:20–26); the guilt offering for unwitting misuse of consecrated property (see Leviticus 5:14–16); the guilt offering of an espoused maidservant, brought by one who engaged in sexual intercourse with a Canaanite maidservant betrothed to a Hebrew slave (see Leviticus 19:20–22); the guilt offering of a nazirite who became impure via contact with a corpse (see Numbers 6:12); the guilt offering of a leper, brought for his purification (see Leviticus 14:12); and the provisional guilt offering, brought by one who is uncertain as to whether he committed a sin that requires a sin offering (see Leviticus 5:17–18).
שְׁחִיטָתָן בַּצָּפוֹן וְקִיבּוּל דָּמָן בִּכְלֵי שָׁרֵת בַּצָּפוֹן, וְדָמָן טָעוּן שְׁתֵּי מַתָּנוֹת שֶׁהֵן אַרְבַּע, וְנֶאֱכָלִין לִפְנִים מִן הַקְּלָעִים – לְזִכְרֵי כְהוּנָּה, לְכׇל מַאֲכָל, לְיוֹם וָלַיְלָה עַד חֲצוֹת.
Concerning all of these, their slaughter is in the north of the Temple courtyard and collection of their blood in a service vessel is in the north, and their blood requires two placements that are four. And the meat portions of the offering are eaten within the curtains, i.e., in the Temple courtyard, by male priests. And they are eaten prepared in any manner of food preparation, on the day the offering was sacrificed and during the night that follows, until midnight.
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Ive been learning Gmara since 5th grade and always loved it. Have always wanted to do Daf Yomi and now with Michelle Farber’s online classes it made it much easier to do! Really enjoying the experience thank you!!
Neve Daniel, Israel
Philadelphia, 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 Jan 2020 when I heard the new cycle was starting. I had tried during the last cycle and didn’t make it past a few weeks. Learning online from old men didn’t speak to my soul and I knew Talmud had to be a soul journey for me. Enter Hadran! Talmud from Rabbanit Michelle Farber from a woman’s perspective, a mother’s perspective and a modern perspective. Motivated to continue!
Brentwood, California, United States
I started at the beginning of this cycle. No 1 reason, but here’s 5.
In 2019 I read about the upcoming siyum hashas.
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I went to the Hadran website: A new cycle is starting. I’m gonna do this
Cambridge, United Kingdom
I started last year after completing the Pesach Sugiyot class. Masechet Yoma might seem like a difficult set of topics, but for me made Yom Kippur and the Beit HaMikdash come alive. Liturgy I’d always had trouble connecting with took on new meaning as I gained a sense of real people moving through specific spaces in particular ways. It was the perfect introduction; I am so grateful for Hadran!
Minnesota, 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
When I started studying Hebrew at Brown University’s Hillel, I had no idea that almost 38 years later, I’m doing Daf Yomi. My Shabbat haburah is led by Rabbanit Leah Sarna. The women are a hoot. I’m tracking the completion of each tractate by reading Ilana Kurshan’s memoir, If All the Seas Were Ink.
Pennsylvania, United States
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
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
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 attended the Siyum so that I could tell my granddaughter that I had been there. Then I decided to listen on Spotify and after the siyum of Brachot, Covid and zoom began. It gave structure to my day. I learn with people from all over the world who are now my friends – yet most of us have never met. I can’t imagine life without it. Thank you Rabbanit Michelle.
Raanana, Israel
I started at the beginning of this cycle. No 1 reason, but here’s 5.
In 2019 I read about the upcoming siyum hashas.
There was a sermon at shul about how anyone can learn Talmud.
Talmud references come up when I am studying. I wanted to know more.
Yentl was on telly. Not a great movie but it’s about studying Talmud.
I went to the Hadran website: A new cycle is starting. I’m gonna do this
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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.
Tekoa, Israel
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
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New York, United States
I tried Daf Yomi in the middle of the last cycle after realizing I could listen to Michelle’s shiurim online. It lasted all of 2 days! Then the new cycle started just days before my father’s first yahrzeit and my youngest daughter’s bat mitzvah. It seemed the right time for a new beginning. My family, friends, colleagues are immensely supportive!
Zichron Yaakov, 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 started learning daf yomi at the beginning of this cycle. As the pandemic evolved, it’s been so helpful to me to have this discipline every morning to listen to the daf podcast after I’ve read the daf; learning about the relationships between the rabbis and the ways they were constructing our Jewish religion after the destruction of the Temple. I’m grateful to be on this journey!
Teaneck NJ, United States
Zevachim 54
״חֹפֵף עָלָיו כׇּל הַיּוֹם״. לְפִיכָךְ זָכָה בִּנְיָמִין הַצַּדִּיק וְנַעֲשָׂה אוּשְׁפִּיזְכָן לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן״.
“He covers it throughout the day, and He dwells between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12). The term “covers it” is understood to mean that Benjamin is continually focused upon that site. Therefore, Benjamin the righteous was privileged and became the host of the Holy One, Blessed be He, as the Holy of Holies was built in his portion. As it is stated: “And He dwells between his shoulders.”
מֵיתִיבִי: עוֹלַת הָעוֹף כֵּיצַד הָיְתָה נַעֲשֵׂית? הָיָה מוֹלֵק אֶת רֹאשָׁהּ מִמּוּל עוֹרְפָּהּ, וּמַבְדִּיל, וּמְמַצֶּה דָּמָהּ עַל קִיר הַמִּזְבֵּחַ.
The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: How was the rite of a bird burnt offering performed? The priest ascended the ramp and turned to the surrounding ledge. When he arrived at the southeast corner, the priest would pinch the bird’s head by pinching at its nape with his thumbnail and sever the bird’s head from its body, and would squeeze out its blood on the wall of the altar.
וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ לֹא הָיָה לָהּ יְסוֹד – בְּאַוֵּירָא בְּעָלְמָא הוּא דְּקָא עָבֵיד! אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: אֵימַר כָּךְ הִתְנוּ – אַוֵּירָא דְּבִנְיָמִין, קַרְקַע דִּיהוּדָה.
The Gemara states its objection: And if you say that the southeast corner of the altar had no base, is he merely performing the rite in the air, i.e., not within the domain of the altar? Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Say that when Eretz Yisrael was apportioned, they made this condition: The airspace of what would become the southeast part of the altar is in the portion of the tribe of Benjamin, so the pinching of the bird offering was performed within the domain of the altar. But the land was in the portion of the tribe of Judah.
מַאי לֹא (הֲוָה) [הָיָה] לָהּ יְסוֹד? רַב אָמַר: בְּבִנְיָן, לֵוִי אָמַר: בְּדָמִים. רַב מְתַרְגֵּם: ״בְּאַחְסָנְתֵּיהּ יִתְבְּנֵי מַדְבְּחָא״, לֵוִי מְתַרְגֵּם: ״בְּאַחְסָנְתֵּיהּ יִתְבְּנֵי מַקְדְּשָׁא״ – מְקוֹם מְקוּדָּשׁ לְדָמִים.
§ The Gemara asks: What does the baraita mean when it states that the southeast corner of the altar had no base? Rav says: It is with regard to the fact that it had no base built on those sides. Levi says: It is with regard to the fact that no blood was sprinkled on that side, as the blood was not permitted to be presented there, even though there was a physical base. Based on this dispute, each of them disagreed as to the correct Aramaic translation of the verse: “Benjamin is a wolf that tears apart; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil” (Genesis 49:27). Rav translates this as: In his portion will the altar be built. Levi translates this as: In his portion will the Sanctuary be built, which means: A place sanctified for blood.
תָּא שְׁמַע: הַיְסוֹד הָיָה מְהַלֵּךְ עַל פְּנֵי כׇּל הַצָּפוֹן וְעַל פְּנֵי כׇּל הַמַּעֲרָב, אוֹכֵל בַּדָּרוֹם אַמָּה אַחַת וּבַמִּזְרָח אַמָּה אַחַת! מַאי ״אוֹכֵל״ נָמֵי – בְּדָמִים.
The Gemara brings proof for each opinion: Come and hear a proof for the explanation of Rav from a mishna (Middot 35b): The base of the altar would extend along all of the northern side and along all of the western side. It consumed one cubit on the southern side and one cubit on the eastern side. This indicates that there was no base on most of the southern or eastern sides of the altar. The Gemara comments: Levi would explain: What is the meaning of the term: Consume? The baraita, as well, is stated with regard to consuming blood of the offerings.
תָּא שְׁמַע: הַמִּזְבֵּחַ הָיָה שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם! הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן – מִן הַצַּד.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof for the explanation of Levi from that same mishna: The altar was thirty-two cubits by thirty-two cubits. This indicates that there was a base on all four sides, in accordance with the opinion of Levi. Rav could answer: Here we are dealing with the measurement from the side. In other words, only the northern and western sides were thirty-two cubits in length.
תָּא שְׁמַע: נִמְצָא פּוֹרֵחַ אַמָּה עַל יְסוֹד וְאַמָּה עַל סוֹבֵב! אֵימָא כְּנֶגֶד אַמָּה יְסוֹד, וְעַל אַמָּה סוֹבֵב.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof for the explanation of Levi from a baraita: It turns out the top of the ramp of the altar would overhang one cubit in the air over the base of the altar and one cubit over the surrounding ledge. This indicates that it had a base on all four sides, as the ramp was on the southern side. Rav could answer: Say that the baraita means it would overhang toward the place where the base of a cubit would have been, and one cubit over the surrounding ledge.
תָּא שְׁמַע, דְּתָנֵי לֵוִי: כֵּיצַד בּוֹנִין אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ? מְבִיאִין מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם וְגוֹבְהוֹ אַמָּה, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי אֲבָנִים מְפוּלָּמוֹת – בֵּין גְּדוֹלוֹת בֵּין קְטַנּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא סִיד וְקוּנְיָא וָזֶפֶת, וּמְמַחֶה וְשׁוֹפֵךְ. וְזֶה הוּא מְקוֹם יְסוֹד.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof, as Levi teaches in a baraita: How does one build the altar? He brings a square wooden frame, which is thirty-two cubits by thirty-two cubits, and its height is one cubit. And he brings pieces of damp [mefulamot] stone, both large and small, which are the main components of the altar, which is described as: “An altar of stone” (Exodus 20:22). And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the gaps between the stones. And this is the place of the base of the altar.
וְחוֹזֵר וּמֵבִיא מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא שְׁלֹשִׁים אַמָּה עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים אַמָּה וְגוֹבְהוֹ חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי אֲבָנִים כּוּ׳. וְחוֹזֵר וּמֵבִיא מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה עַל עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה אַמּוֹת וְגוֹבְהוֹ שָׁלֹשׁ אַמּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי כּוּ׳. וְהוּא מְקוֹם הַמַּעֲרָכָה.
And then he brings a square wooden frame, which is thirty cubits by thirty cubits, and its height is five cubits. And he brings pieces of damp stone, both large and small. And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the gaps between the stones. And then he brings a square wooden frame, which is twenty-eight cubits by twenty-eight cubits, and its height is three cubits. And he brings pieces of damp stone, both large and small. And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the gaps between the stones. And this is the place of the arrangement of wood on the altar.
וְחוֹזֵר וּמֵבִיא מַלְבֵּן שֶׁהוּא אַמָּה עַל אַמָּה, וּמֵבִיא חֲלוּקֵי אֲבָנִים מְפוּלָּמוֹת בֵּין גְּדוֹלוֹת בֵּין קְטַנּוֹת, וּמֵבִיא זֶפֶת וְקוּנְיָא, וּמְמַחֶה וְשׁוֹפֵךְ. וְזֶהוּ קֶרֶן. וְכֵן לְכׇל קֶרֶן וָקֶרֶן.
And then he brings a square wooden frame, which is one cubit by one cubit. And he brings pieces of damp stone, both large and small. And he brings plaster and molten lead and tar, and melts them and pours the mixture into the frame. And this is the corner of the altar. And so he does this for each and every corner. This baraita indicates that the altar had a base around all four sides.
וְכִי תֵּימָא
The Gemara comments: And if you would say
דְּגָיֵיז לֵיהּ, ״אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת״ כְּתִיב!
that he cuts the base on the southern and western sides after he has poured the mixture for the altar and it has dried, it is written concerning the altar: “You shall build the altar of the Lord your God of unhewn stones; and you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 27:6), so it cannot be cut.
דְּמַחֵית מִידֵּי מִתּוּתֵיהּ, וְשָׁקֵיל לֵיהּ. דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, הָא דְּאָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: אֲבָנִים שֶׁל קְרָנוֹת חֲלוּלוֹת הָיוּ – דִּכְתִיב: ״וּמָלְאוּ כַּמִּזְרָק כְּזָוִיֹּת מִזְבֵּחַ״; הָכָא נָמֵי ״אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת״ אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא! אֶלָּא דְּמַחֵית מִידֵּי מִתּוּתֵיהּ וְשָׁקֵיל לֵיהּ; הָכָא נָמֵי, דְּמַחֵית מִידֵּי מִתּוּתֵיהּ וְשָׁקֵיל לֵיהּ.
Rav could answer: This means that he places something under the frame, in the place where there is to be no base, and after the poured mixture has dried he removes it, leaving the space empty. As if you do not say so, how will you explain that which Rav Kahana says: The stone interiors of the corners were hollow, i.e., there were gaps between the stones, as it is written: “And they shall be filled like the basins, like the corners of the altar” (Zechariah 9:15)? The verse compares the corners to hollow basins. Here too, doesn’t the Merciful One state that the altar must be made of “unhewn stones”? If so, how could the corners be hollow? Rather, it must be that he places something, e.g., sticks and twigs, under the frame and pours the mixture for the corners over it, and when it has hardened, removes the sticks and twigs, leaving the corners somewhat hollow. Here too, he places something under the frame and later removes it.
דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד וּשְׁמוּאֵל וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בְּנוֹיוֹת בָּרָמָה״? וְכִי מָה עִנְיַן נוֹיוֹת אֵצֶל רָמָה? אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיוּ יוֹשְׁבִין בָּרָמָה וְעוֹסְקִין בְּנוֹיוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם.
§ Apropos the altar and the Temple, the Gemara relates that Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written concerning David: “And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. And it was told Saul, saying: Behold, David is at Naioth [beNayot] in Ramah” (I Samuel 19:18–19)? But what does Naioth have to do with Ramah? They are in two distinct places. Rather, this means that they were sitting in Ramah and were involved in discussing the beauty [benoyo] of the world, i.e., the Temple.
אָמְרִי, כְּתִיב: ״וְקַמְתָּ וְעָלִיתָ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם״ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ גָּבוֹהַּ מִכׇּל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל גְּבוֹהָה מִכׇּל אֲרָצוֹת. לָא הֲווֹ יָדְעִי דּוּכְתֵּיהּ הֵיכָא;
David and Samuel said: It is written: “Then you shall arise, and get you up unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose” (Deuteronomy 17:8). This teaches that the Temple is higher than all places in Eretz Yisrael. And Eretz Yisrael is higher than all countries. They did not know where the highest place in Eretz Yisrael was.
אַיְיתוֹ סֵפֶר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, בְּכוּלְּהוּ כְּתִיב: ״וְיָרַד (וְעָלָה) הַגְּבוּל״, ״וְתָאַר הַגְּבוּל״; בְּשֵׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִין ״וְעָלָה״ כְּתִיב, ״וְיָרַד״ לָא כְּתִיב. אָמְרִי, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: הָכָא הוּא מְקוֹמוֹ.
They brought the book of Joshua. With regard to all of the borders of the tribes it is written: “And went down” (see Joshua 15:10, 16:3, 17:9), and it is written: “And the border went up to Beth Hoglah.” (Joshua 15:6), and: “And the border was drawn from the top of the mountain to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah” (Joshua 15:9). The verse uses different terms to describe the borders of the portion of each tribe. And with regard to the borders of the tribe of Benjamin it is written only: “And went up” (Joshua 18:11), but it is not written: “And went down.” They said: Conclude from the verses that the Temple’s place is here, in the portion of Benjamin.
סְבוּר לְמִבְנְיֵיהּ בְּעֵין עֵיטָם – דְּמִדְּלֵי; אָמְרִי: נִיתַתֵּי בֵּיהּ קַלִּיל, כְּדִכְתִיב: ״וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן״.
They thought to build it at Ein Eitam, which is higher than any other place in the portion of Benjamin. They said: Let us lower it a bit, as it is written: “He covers it throughout the day, and He dwells between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12). This indicates that the Temple is situated slightly lower, between two peaks.
וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: גְּמִירִי דְּסַנְהֶדְרִין בְּחֶלְקוֹ דִּיהוּדָה וּשְׁכִינָה בְּחֶלְקוֹ דְּבִנְיָמִין, וְאִי מְדַלִּינַן לֵיהּ – מִתְפְּלֵיג טוּבָא; מוּטָב דְּנִיתַתֵּי בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא, כְּדִכְתִיב: ״וּבֵין כְּתֵפָיו שָׁכֵן״.
And if you wish, say instead that it is learned as a tradition that the Sanhedrin is to be located in the portion of Judah, and the place of the Divine Presence is to be located in the portion of Benjamin. They said: And if we raise it and place it near Ein Eitam it will be too distant from the portion of Judah. They said: It is preferable that we lower it a bit, as it is written: “He covers it throughout the day, and He dwells between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).
וְעַל דָּבָר זֶה נִתְקַנֵּא דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדוֹמִי בְּדָוִד, כְּדִכְתִיב: ״כִּי קִנְאַת בֵּיתְךָ אֲכָלָתְנִי״, וּכְתִיב: ״זְכוֹר ה׳ לְדָוִד אֵת כׇּל עֻנּוֹתוֹ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַה׳ וְגוֹ׳, אִם אָבֹא בְּאֹהֶל בֵּיתִי וְגוֹ׳, אִם אֶתֵּן שְׁנַת לְעֵינָי לְעַפְעַפַּי תְּנוּמָה עַד אֶמְצָא מָקוֹם לַה׳ וְגוֹ׳״.
And with regard to this matter, that David and Samuel discovered the location of the Temple, Doeg the Edomite was jealous of David, as it is written: “Because jealousy for Your House has eaten me up” (Psalms 69:10), and it is written: “Lord, remember for David all his affliction; how he swore to the Lord, and vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob: I will not come into the tent of my house, nor go up into the bed that is spread for me; if I will give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids; until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (Psalms 132:1–5).
״הִנֵּה שְׁמַעֲנוּהָ בְאֶפְרָתָה מְצָאנוּהָ בִּשְׂדֵה יַעַר״; ״בְּאֶפְרָתָה״ – זֶה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, דְּקָאָתֵי מֵאֶפְרַיִם. ״מְצָאנוּהָ בִּשְׂדֵה יַעַר״ – זֶה בִּנְיָמִין, דִּכְתִיב: ״בִּנְיָמִין זְאֵב יִטְרָף״.
The verse following those verses states: “We heard of it as being in Ephrath; we found it in the field of the wood” (Psalms 132:6). Rava explains the meaning of these words: “In Ephrath”; this is a reference to Joshua, who came from the tribe of Ephraim. This alludes to the fact that David and Samuel were able to locate the highest place in Eretz Yisrael based on the book of Joshua. “We found it in the field of the wood”; this is a reference to Benjamin, as it is written concerning him: “Benjamin is a wolf that tears apart; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil” (Genesis 49:27). A wolf is a wild animal living in the field, and David and Samuel found the location of the Temple in the portion of Benjamin.
מַתְנִי׳ זִבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵי צִבּוּר וַאֲשָׁמוֹת; אֵלּוּ הֵן אֲשָׁמוֹת – אֲשַׁם גְּזֵילוֹת, אֲשַׁם מְעִילוֹת, אֲשַׁם שִׁפְחָה חֲרוּפָה, אֲשַׁם נָזִיר, אֲשַׁם מְצוֹרָע, אָשָׁם תָּלוּי;
MISHNA: These are the halakhot of communal peace offerings and guilt offerings. These are guilt offerings: The guilt offering for robbery, brought by one from whom another demanded payment of a debt and he denied it and took a false oath (see Leviticus 5:20–26); the guilt offering for unwitting misuse of consecrated property (see Leviticus 5:14–16); the guilt offering of an espoused maidservant, brought by one who engaged in sexual intercourse with a Canaanite maidservant betrothed to a Hebrew slave (see Leviticus 19:20–22); the guilt offering of a nazirite who became impure via contact with a corpse (see Numbers 6:12); the guilt offering of a leper, brought for his purification (see Leviticus 14:12); and the provisional guilt offering, brought by one who is uncertain as to whether he committed a sin that requires a sin offering (see Leviticus 5:17–18).
שְׁחִיטָתָן בַּצָּפוֹן וְקִיבּוּל דָּמָן בִּכְלֵי שָׁרֵת בַּצָּפוֹן, וְדָמָן טָעוּן שְׁתֵּי מַתָּנוֹת שֶׁהֵן אַרְבַּע, וְנֶאֱכָלִין לִפְנִים מִן הַקְּלָעִים – לְזִכְרֵי כְהוּנָּה, לְכׇל מַאֲכָל, לְיוֹם וָלַיְלָה עַד חֲצוֹת.
Concerning all of these, their slaughter is in the north of the Temple courtyard and collection of their blood in a service vessel is in the north, and their blood requires two placements that are four. And the meat portions of the offering are eaten within the curtains, i.e., in the Temple courtyard, by male priests. And they are eaten prepared in any manner of food preparation, on the day the offering was sacrificed and during the night that follows, until midnight.
