Talking Talmud

Yardaena Osband & Anne Gordon

Learning the daf? We have something for you to think about. Not learning the daf? We have something for you to think about! (Along with a taste of the daf...)
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2,402 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes2402

Newest first

Feb 15, 2020 · 24 min
Berakhot 43: Dress Up a Pig and It Will Still Roll in the Mud
The personal and the halakhic loss that happens with the death of Rav. Also: The naturalist blessings for all of us in God's perfect world. And: Don't disgrace others or yourself.
Feb 14, 2020 · 17 min
Berakhot 42: Warning: Gluten Ahead
Pat HaBa BeKisnin: If you fill up on cakes and cookies and pretzels (snacks and desserts), you may not need to say Birkat HaMazon. You said you had HOW MUCH? You might have to daven as it is. If you fill up, you might need to bentsch after all. And a question a claim that IF this, THEN that -- immediately (what exactly does that entail? Perhaps you know.
Feb 13, 2020 · 22 min
Berakhot 41: A Barley-grain-sized Piece of Bone from a Corpse (Understanding the 7 Species)
The power of HaMotzi. The 7 species and their halakhic meaning in our land, including impurity because of Tzaraat. What's What: Asmakhta
Feb 12, 2020 · 27 min
Berakhot 40: Adam and Eve Ate What?!
Identifying the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Also, how flexible is the formula for blessings? And the very flexible Shehakol blessing. Note: Talking Talmud is now on Facebook.
Feb 11, 2020 · 19 min
Berakhot 39: What's Better Than Sliced Bread?
Also, the story of how two students incurred Bar Kapara's wrath. And: how big an olive?
Feb 10, 2020 · 19 min
Berakhot 38: Breaking Bread
The careful wording of HaMotzi, and the transformative partnership we recognize from the blessing's allusion to the Exodus from Egypt. Also, Who's Who: Ulla.
Feb 9, 2020 · 22 min
Berakhot 37: So, You Think Rice Is HaMotzi?
What do we do when the a Gemara gets detailed in the different halakhic intricacies on one daf. Plus: Rice and Rabban Gamliel vs. Rabbi Akiva.
Feb 8, 2020 · 15 min
Berakhot 36: Medicine Is Not Food
Promoting a deep appreciation for the world around us, from time to the land, and the food we eat. Applying the blessings over food. Also: Orlah, the one "land" mitzvah that applies outside of the Land of Israel.
Feb 7, 2020 · 20 min
Berakhot 35: Don't Steal from God!
[WE HAVE MUSIC! (Still fine-tuning, literally, but excited to include our theme here)]. Birkat HaNehenin. Plus: tending your fields vs. learning Torah - How should we spend our time in this world? The eternal challenge of finding a balance.
Feb 6, 2020 · 20 min
Berakhot 34: God Knows Who You're Praying For
Prayer is not magic. The Messianic Era won't be magic either. Also: Some "chazzan" etiquette. And the powerful need and effect of praying on behalf of others.
Feb 5, 2020 · 25 min
Berakhot 33: Lions and Snakes and Scorpions, Oh My!
Clear demarcations on the expected violence from various specious of wildlife, and the miraculous doings of R. Chanina Ben Dosa in withstanding all that nature. Also: Who's Who/What's What: Anshei Knesset HaGedolah and the institution of Havdalah.
Feb 4, 2020 · 24 min
Berakhot 32: The Golden Calf Was All God's Fault
How much are we masters of our own fate? If God influences our actions, do we have free will? To what degree must human beings overcome themselves to reach the Divine?
Feb 3, 2020 · 19 min
Berakhot 31: No, of course Hannah wasn't drunk
More on prayer (of course). Giving rebuke even when it turns out that you're wrong (and standing up for yourself!). Also, focus in prayer... And the unsung model of prayer: Daniel.
Feb 2, 2020 · 20 min
Berakhot 30: Kavanah, Kavanah, Kavanah!
We begin with location, we continue to constituency, and close with context - the many factors that are designed to drive our focus and intent in prayer. Do they work for you?
Feb 1, 2020 · 20 min
Berakhot 29: The Advantages of Praying by Heart
The Amidah, its 19th blessing, its abridgement, and the Traveler's Prayer. Also: What's What: Sadducees
Jan 31, 2020 · 32 min
Berakhot 28: Leadership and the Value of Machloket
The daf we've all been waiting for, with the story Yardaena has been telling us about: Rabban Gamliel, Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Elazar Ben Azariah.
Jan 30, 2020 · 14 min
Berakhot 27: If Maariv Is Optional, Why Do We Daven 3x/Day?
Treating one's Torah teacher right.... Buy a watch and you'll know what time to daven!... And that critical evening service.
Jan 29, 2020 · 21 min
Berakhot 26: Now We Have Prayer
Our daf finishes the discussion of bodily fluids with some practical details for our day too. And then: Our Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv that replace the Temple sacrifices...or originate with the Patriarchs... Or both!
Jan 28, 2020 · 15 min
Berakhot 25: We're Not Angels
When the daf is all cases of urine and excrement, we found some important cases of nakedness. Special guest appearance by Maya, aged 4 (listen if you can spot her).
Jan 27, 2020 · 20 min
Berakhot 24: Naked!
What does it mean that a woman's thigh, voice, and hair are "nakedness"? Is that for always, or is it about Shema? Also: How many people did sleep in the same bed? And: Elevating ourselves above the physical.

Talking Talmud

Berakhot 43: Dress Up a Pig and It Will Still Roll in the Mud

Berakhot 42: Warning: Gluten Ahead

Berakhot 41: A Barley-grain-sized Piece of Bone from a Corpse (Understanding the 7 Species)

Berakhot 40: Adam and Eve Ate What?!

Berakhot 39: What's Better Than Sliced Bread?

Berakhot 38: Breaking Bread

Berakhot 37: So, You Think Rice Is HaMotzi?

Berakhot 36: Medicine Is Not Food

Berakhot 35: Don't Steal from God!

Berakhot 34: God Knows Who You're Praying For

Berakhot 33: Lions and Snakes and Scorpions, Oh My!

Berakhot 32: The Golden Calf Was All God's Fault

Berakhot 31: No, of course Hannah wasn't drunk

Berakhot 30: Kavanah, Kavanah, Kavanah!

Berakhot 29: The Advantages of Praying by Heart

Berakhot 28: Leadership and the Value of Machloket

Berakhot 27: If Maariv Is Optional, Why Do We Daven 3x/Day?

Berakhot 26: Now We Have Prayer

Berakhot 25: We're Not Angels

Berakhot 24: Naked!