Daily Daf Differently

In this episode of The JCast Journey, host Darone Ruskay acknowledges with regret the end of one of the most important shows on the Network Daily Daf Differently. After explaining the ins and outs of the issues with keeping the show going, Darone thanks Jeremy Kalmanofsky and The Conservative Yeshiva for all of their help […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 15. What do we do when the values between two of our commitments conflict? To view the text of Nazir, Daf 15 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 14. In today’s episode we ask how can a person fulfill two obligations at the same time? To view the text of Nazir, Daf 14 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and closing music for this podcast […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 13. What is the obligation to fulfill a Nazir’s vow, if it was made in a moment of bargaining for the life or health of a child?” To view the text of Nazir, Daf 13 on Sefaria, please […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 12. A meditation on the limits of language and knowledge when we depend on others. To view the text of Nazir, Daf 12 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 11. When someone makes a vow in order to prevent others from forcing them into an action, does that vow have validity? In other words if I make a vow to avoid peer pressure do I remain accountable […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 10. What are the limits of frustration as an explanation for extreme statements? If a person makes a Nazarite vow under the stress of frustration does that vow have validity? To view the text of Nazir, Daf 10 […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Mordecai Schwartz looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 9. Can an individual modify the Nazarite vow to fit their personal preferences? We will look at the limits for individuals altering religious ritual described in the Torah. To view the text of Nazir, Daf 9 on Sefaria, […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Joe Rosenstein looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 8. Yesterday’s daf focused on the implications of the person’s vow on the length of his or her n’zirut if the vow mentioned duration. Today’s daf focuses on the implications of the person’s vow if it specifies the n’zirut […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Joe Rosenstein looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 7. Although Chapter 1 of Tractate Nazir has led us in many interesting directions, we have to remember that the internal theme of the chapter is on the implications of the specific language of the vow on the person’s […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Joe Rosenstein looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 6. The ceremony at the end of the nazir’s term is called “hitgalachat” because that is when his or her hair is cut (galach). Daf 6 focuses on the question of when hitgalachat takes place. If the term of […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Joe Rosenstein looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 5. Today’s daf is focused on a Mishnah that states that if a person vows to be a nazir without setting a specific time limit, then the term of his or her n’zirut is 30 days. This term is […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Joe Rosenstein looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 4. Today's daf focuses on a vow to be a nazir like Samson and a vow to be a nazir for life; neither of these corresponds to the nazir described in Bamidbar (Numbers) since that nazir has a fixed […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Joe Rosenstein looks at Masechet Nazir, Daf 3. Following up on a question in the previous daf, this episode discusses the question of why the nazir might be considered a sinner? This leads us to discuss the ceremony at the end of a period of n'zirut […]

The first chapter of Tractate Nazir focuses on the implications of the actual statement made by a person on whether and for how long he or she becomes a nazir. We begin today's episode, dealing with the first page of Tractate Nazir, with a description of the three prohibitions of the nazir in Bamidbar (Numbers). A nazir is a person who vows not to partake of the fruit of the vine, not to be in contact with a corpse, and not to cut his or her hair. The episode continues with a discussion of the various perceptions of the nazir, and a set of questions that will be discussed in the first seven episodes of Tractate Nazir, including, Is there any link between the three prohibitions? Why would a person choose to be a nazir? What role did the nazir have in society? Was the nazir regarded favorably or unfavorable in Jewish history? The first Mishnah of the tractate includes a number of euphemisms and abbreviations that would make a person a nazir, including one that provokes the question in the gemara of whether a nazir is a sinner (!)

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 91. Hadran Alach Masechet Nedarim! We will return to you, Tractate Nedarim! We give thanks to God for the Talmud kopp, the Talmudic mind, that we cultivate through this study. To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 91 […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 90. To a modern eye, the rabbis seem to have some blind spots when it comes to women and to marriage. But in other areas, as when they deal with real communities and their propensity for gossip, the […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Abby Sosland looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 89. The rabbis understood that the vows we make that damage our most intimate relationships actually threaten our own happiness as well. Thankfully, they put some protections into place to prevent us from wreaking havoc on ourselves and […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 79. Today we focus on the categories of vows that a husband may annul. To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 79 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and closing music for this podcast is Ufros from […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 78. This daf shares some reflections on what God does on God’s own and what people contribute to holy calendar. To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 78 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and closing music […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 77. Today we ask what the grounds are for a sage to nullify vows? Are vows serious business? Or a mere formality? To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 77 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 76. This podcast episode focuses on the intersection of laws about vows and the restrictions of Shabbat. To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 76 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and closing music for this podcast […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 75. A husband may annul his wife’s religious vows when he hears of them. Can he annul them before she makes them? To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 75 on Sefaria, please click here. The opening and […]

In this episode, Rabbis Daniel and Hillary Chorny delve into the complex mishnah that began on the previous amud. This mishnah features several scenarios over which the chachamim of the mishnah and Rabbi Eliezer Yaakov disagree.

In this episode, Rabbis Daniel and Hillary Chorny conclude the fourth chapter of Nedarim and begin the fifth chapter, which is concerned with the implications of mutual vows on two partners who share property.

In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Chorny delves into the fundamental disagreement between Rabbi Yosi and the chachamim in answering the question: when does a renunciation of ownership (hefker) go into effect?

In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Chorny explores the limits, challenges, and relationship between one who vows that his fellow may not enjoy any of his property, and the one who is subject to the restrictions of that vow.

In this episode, Rabbis Daniel and Hillary Chorny explore the effectiveness of vows made before and during the sh'mita year. The daf begins with the fifth mishnah of chapter four of Nedarim.

On this page, continuing the theme of the mitzvah of bikkur holim, we focus on three statements today. One regarding the relationship between forgiveness and healing. One regarding how illness can impact our intellectual capacity. And one regarding the extraordinary, though every-day, miracle of people moving from illness to health.

In this episode we take a break from some nitty-gritty material regarding vows and promises, and learn about the great mitzvah of visiting the sick, reminding us that when we choose to make ourselves vulnerable to others' pain and discomfort, we can contribute to enormous healing.

Some notes on variations in Talmudic manuscripts and how they relate to our daf -- where we see a strange phrase that doesn't seem to fit and indeed isn't found in other manuscripts.

Are all nazirim sinners? And why seem some of the rabbis convinced that anyone who does take the oath of nazirut is indeed a sinner? What is Judaisms relationship to self-imposed stringencies?

We look at the difference between nedavot and nedarim, we learn about the "oath of the wicked" and the "oath of righteous" and why the first one is valid and the latter is not.

Can you swear an oath to fulfill a mitzah? And what happens if you fail to fulfill it -- would you have to bring a sin offering? How can you even swear to fulfill something for which you are obligated in the first place?

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ute Steyer looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 7. Certain transgressions bring the punishment of “nidui” — excommunication. What does this mean? And can a person revoke a “nidui” that he placed on himself or herself? To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 7 on Sefaria, […]

Is a partial declaration, a "yad" valid in the case of kiddushin? There are all kinds of misunderstandings that can happen as some of the sages will point out. And what are some other examples where a "yad" might have more than one meaning -- and are these declarations valid?

What becomes forbidden and what remains permitted in a vow? What effect has a vow that is in some sort “shortened” in the way it was articulated -- a "yad b'nedarim". Is such a "yad" valid or not?

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 4. By letting us know how certain vows can be understood, specifically or generally, distinct or related to something else, the Talmud reminds us that we should have intent behind our words. Not only do the words we […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 3. On this page we address the differences between “equivalent terms” and “partial declarations.” Both hold weight within the concept of vows, but have different methods of enactment. To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 3 on Sefaria, […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 2. Nedarim kicks off a discussion about different types of vows and their consequences. Here we introduce four different types of vows with overarching similarities. Words have a great deal of weight our tradition. They can obligate us, […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 112. We follow a sage who feels impelled to come to live inIsrael. But is he doing the right thing? What does it mean to love Israel? Does it mean extolling its uniqueness only? Or can it mean […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 111. We are supposed to yearn for life in the land of Israel. Yet some would argue that the possibility of a more vibrant Jewish life in the Diaspora would justify staying away from Israel. Are those who […]