Learners’ Tapestry
The kallah who makes a siyum at her wedding.
The executive who does the Daf on her commute.
The retiree who revels in the new time she has for Torah.
The woman who lives in Teaneck. In Jerusalem. In Berlin. In Honolulu.
They’re all here. If you have the drive to learn, you belong.
Connect with the stories of other Hadran women like you. And share your own here.
Judith Shapiro
Minnesota, United States
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Sigal Spitzer Flamholz
Bronx, United States
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Janice Block
Beit Shemesh, Israel
I am grateful for the structure of the Daf Yomi. When I am freer to learn to my heart’s content, I learn other passages in addition. But even in times of difficulty, I always know that I can rely on the structure and social support of Daf Yomi learners all over the world.
I am also grateful for this forum. It is very helpful to learn with a group of enthusiastic and committed women.
“I am G-d who makes all, and Who alone stretches out the heavens, with only Myself (מאיתי). (Isaiah 44:24) Mi iti (מי איתי) is written, meaning “Who partnered with Me in the creation of the world?!” Another interpretation: “For You are great and You do wonders…” It is the way of the world that a king of flesh and blood is praised in the land, and the great men of the land are praised with him, for they carry his burden with him. But the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not like this. Rather, He alone created the world. He alone is praised in the world. He alone is glorified in His world. R. Tanchum a said: “For You are great and You do wonders…” Why? Because, “…You, G-d, alone.” You, alone, created the world.
Other
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Rebecca Stulberg
Ottawa, Canada
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.
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Barbara Goldschlag
Silver Spring, MD, United States
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)
If a person says I have worked hard but have not found success, don’t believe him. If a person says I have not exerted myself, and I have found success, don’t believe him. If he says I gave it my all and I have found success, believe him.
Beitzah
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Marian Frankston
Pennsylvania, United States
What a great experience to learn with Rabbanit Michelle Farber. I began with this cycle in January 2020 and have been comforted by the consistency and energy of this process throughout the isolation period of Covid. Week by week, I feel like I am exploring a treasure chest with sparkling gems and puzzling antiquities. The hunt is exhilarating.
A verse for Moed Katan by Marian Frankston
The groom was a long-bearded gnome
En route with his bride to their home,
Took a swim in the sea
And was stung by a bee
He wailed in a high monotone.
The wife looked on rather bashfully.
Would this affect her virginity?
She laughed, then she cried,
‘Til she finally died.
“Died laughing” was her obituary.
The groom with astonishing tenacity
Sought out Rabbinic authority.
“Since the bride is now buried,
How soon may I marry?”
The nuptials ensued with alacrity.
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אביגיל כריסי
ראש העין, ישראל
התחלתי מחוג במסכת קידושין שהעבירה הרבנית רייסנר במסגרת בית המדרש כלנה בגבעת שמואל; לאחר מכן התחיל סבב הדף היומי אז הצטרפתי. לסביבה לקח זמן לעכל אבל היום כולם תומכים ומשתתפים איתי. הלימוד לעתים מעניין ומעשיר ולעתים קשה ואף הזוי… אך אני ממשיכה קדימה. הוא משפיע על היומיום שלי קודם כל במרדף אחרי הדף, וגם במושגים הרבים שלמדתי ובידע שהועשרתי בו, חלקו ממש מעשי
מסכת אחרת
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Gila Loike
Ashdod, Israel
I’ve been learning since January 2020, and in June I started drawing a phrase from each daf. Sometimes it’s easy (e.g. plants), sometimes it’s very hard (e.g. korbanot), and sometimes it’s loads of fun (e.g. bird racing) to find something to draw. I upload my pictures from each masechet to #DafYomiArt. I am enjoying every step of the journey.
הַתּוֹלֵשׁ מֵעָצִיץ נָקוּב — חַיָּיב, וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ נָקוּב — פָּטוּר
Shabbat
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חנה פיוטרקובסקי
ירושלים, Israel
A friend in the SF Bay Area said in Dec 2019 that she might start listening on her morning drive to work. I mentioned to my husband and we decided to try the Daf when it began in Jan 2020 as part of our preparing to make Aliyah in the summer.
אם היה מבוי כלהלרחבה – אינו צריך כלום
Eruvin, דף ז עמוד. א
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Beth Kissileff
Pittsburgh, United States
In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!
Where are the dinars? She replied: Go and get them from beneath the hinge of the door in such and such a place, and tell my mother that she should send me my comb and a tube of eyeshadow with such and such a woman who will die and come here tomorrow. Apparently, the dead know what transpires in this world.
I love the idea that the living are still able to help the dead and be in contact with them and that a mother is still sending her daughter care packages in the world to come. It is such a poignant and human and personal moment of tenderness, expressing the bond between mother and daughter which death does not sever.
Berakhot
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Sarene Shanus
Mamaroneck, NY, United States
There are some who expound well but do not fulfill well and who fulfill well but do not expound well
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Linda Brownstein
Mitspe, Israel
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.
I love all the things that were created at the period of time of hashmashot, I don’t have the quote handy. I love that piece
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