POPULARITY
In this class, Rabbi Joshua Cahan delves into the question: what story is the Haggadah telling? The Haggadah is a liturgy text whose focus is actually praise of God for the Redemption from Egypt rather than the complex human drama. In this class, Rabbi Cahan takes a quick tour through Maggid to see how that lens helps us to track its structure. He ends with a few thoughts about how we might find meaning in the act of 'declaring God's wonders'. Rabbi Cahan compiled and edited the Yedid Nefesh bencher and is introducing the new Yedid Nefesh Haggadah this Spring. He spent 13 years teaching high school Talmud and Tefilah in New York and 8 summers running the Beit Midrash program at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. He holds Rabbinic Ordination and a Ph.D. in Talmud from the Jewish Theological Seminary. This session took place in person at Temple Beth Am and via Zoom on March 8, 2023. Rabbi Cahan is introduced by Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny.
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fifth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 6. The shekel tax is a flat amount, equal for all. But when you set something aside for the Temple, you are bound to follow through. So what happens when you set […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fifth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 6. The shekel tax is a flat amount, equal for all. But when you set something aside for the Temple, you are bound to follow through. So what happens when you set […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fifth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 6. The shekel tax is a flat amount, equal for all. But when you set something aside for the Temple, you are bound to follow through. So what happens when you set […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fourth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 5. Who owns the money that has been designated for the Temple? Who is responsible for its security? This sessions looks at how Temple ownership works differently than private ownership, and how […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fourth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 5. Who owns the money that has been designated for the Temple? Who is responsible for its security? This sessions looks at how Temple ownership works differently than private ownership, and how […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fourth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 5. Who owns the money that has been designated for the Temple? Who is responsible for its security? This sessions looks at how Temple ownership works differently than private ownership, and how […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Third episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 4. Who is required to the pay the tax and who is exempt? This episode focuses on two gray areas – older children and the Tmple priests themselves. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Third episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 4. Who is required to the pay the tax and who is exempt? This episode focuses on two gray areas – older children and the Tmple priests themselves. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Third episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 4. Who is required to the pay the tax and who is exempt? This episode focuses on two gray areas – older children and the Tmple priests themselves. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Second episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 3. A comparison of the Israelites giving of the half-shekel to their giving of gold for the Golden Calf doesn't reflect well on them. The parallels point to a painful tension in […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Second episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 3. A comparison of the Israelites giving of the half-shekel to their giving of gold for the Golden Calf doesn’t reflect well on them. The parallels point to a painful tension in […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Second episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 3. A comparison of the Israelites giving of the half-shekel to their giving of gold for the Golden Calf doesn’t reflect well on them. The parallels point to a painful tension in […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty First episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 2. An introduction to the annual half-shekel tax. The tax was announced on 1 Adar and collected throughout the month so that it could be used to provide the Temple’s public offerings […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty First episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 2. An introduction to the annual half-shekel tax. The tax was announced on 1 Adar and collected throughout the month so that it could be used to provide the Temple's public offerings […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty First episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 2. An introduction to the annual half-shekel tax. The tax was announced on 1 Adar and collected throughout the month so that it could be used to provide the Temple’s public offerings […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eightieth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 121. A seemingly technical debate about until when one can eat the Pesach meat reflects different views of the Exodus experience. Is it a story of a frightened and exhausted nation rushing out […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eightieth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 121. A seemingly technical debate about until when one can eat the Pesach meat reflects different views of the Exodus experience. Is it a story of a frightened and exhausted nation rushing out […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eightieth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 121. A seemingly technical debate about until when one can eat the Pesach meat reflects different views of the Exodus experience. Is it a story of a frightened and exhausted nation rushing out […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Seventy Ninth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 120. The Rabbis agree that we remain obligated to eat matza and maror even though we cannot offer the Pesach offering. But they debate whether these are merely vestiges of the ancient […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Seventy Ninth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 120. The Rabbis agree that we remain obligated to eat matza and maror even though we cannot offer the Pesach offering. But they debate whether these are merely vestiges of the ancient […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Seventy Ninth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 120. The Rabbis agree that we remain obligated to eat matza and maror even though we cannot offer the Pesach offering. But they debate whether these are merely vestiges of the ancient […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Twelvth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 113. The Rabbis try to guide us in making Shabbat different from the weekdays and in making Shabbat the pinnacle of our week. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Twelvth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 113. The Rabbis try to guide us in making Shabbat different from the weekdays and in making Shabbat the pinnacle of our week. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Eleventh episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 112. A knotty puzzle: Wherein we try to piece together how the Rabbis delineate the prohibition on tying knots on Shabbat. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from the Jewish […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Eleventh episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 112. A knotty puzzle: Wherein we try to piece together how the Rabbis delineate the prohibition on tying knots on Shabbat. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from the Jewish […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Tenth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 111. How important is my intention when asking whether I have violated Shabbat? Am I responsible for all effects of my actions or only the ones that I intended and wanted to make […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Tenth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 111. How important is my intention when asking whether I have violated Shabbat? Am I responsible for all effects of my actions or only the ones that I intended and wanted to make […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Ninth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 110. Meet the ultimate enforcer of Halakha: the Rabbinic Snake. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He teaches rabbinics at the Schechter High School of […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Ninth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 110. Meet the ultimate enforcer of Halakha: the Rabbinic Snake. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He teaches rabbinics at the Schechter High School of […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Eighth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 109. The ban on healing on Shabbat is both well-established and porous as a sieve. Why do the Rabbis have such a hard time getting this straight? Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Eighth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 109. The ban on healing on Shabbat is both well-established and porous as a sieve. Why do the Rabbis have such a hard time getting this straight? Rabbi Joshua Cahan received his Ph.D. […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Seventh episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 108. Rav shows up in Babylonia with a fancy new degree, ready to take over. Shmuel wants to put the interloper in his place. But Rav doesn’t take this challenge lying down. Rabbi […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Seventh episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 108. Rav shows up in Babylonia with a fancy new degree, ready to take over. Shmuel wants to put the interloper in his place. But Rav doesn’t take this challenge lying down. Rabbi […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Sixith episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 107. The Talmud shows a strong inclination to define the forbidden labors of shabbat using abstract concepts. But they find that sometimes a category can be as slippery as a fish. Rabbi Joshua […]
Welcome to the Hundred and Sixith episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shabbat Daf 107. The Talmud shows a strong inclination to define the forbidden labors of shabbat using abstract concepts. But they find that sometimes a category can be as slippery as a fish. Rabbi Joshua […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fifth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 6. The shekel tax is a flat amount, equal for all. But when you set something aside for the Temple, you are bound to follow through. So what happens when you set […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Fourth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 5. Who owns the money that has been designated for the Temple? Who is responsible for its security? This sessions looks at how Temple ownership works differently than private ownership, and how […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Third episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 4. Who is required to the pay the tax and who is exempt? This episode focuses on two gray areas – older children and the Tmple priests themselves. Rabbi Joshua Cahan received […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty Second episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 3. A comparison of the Israelites giving of the half-shekel to their giving of gold for the Golden Calf doesn’t reflect well on them. The parallels point to a painful tension in […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eighty First episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Shekalim Daf 2. An introduction to the annual half-shekel tax. The tax was announced on 1 Adar and collected throughout the month so that it could be used to provide the Temple’s public offerings […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Eightieth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 121. A seemingly technical debate about until when one can eat the Pesach meat reflects different views of the Exodus experience. Is it a story of a frightened and exhausted nation rushing out […]
Welcome to the Three Hundred Seventy Ninth episode of Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua Cahan looks at Masechet Pesachim Daf 120. The Rabbis agree that we remain obligated to eat matza and maror even though we cannot offer the Pesach offering. But they debate whether these are merely vestiges of the ancient […]