x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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...) Join the conversation with us!

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

00:16:53

Avodah Zarah 38: A King's Table

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/25

More on "bishul akum" -- the rabbinic prohibition against eating food cooked by a non-Jew. But anything that can be eaten raw isn't subject to the prohibition - or, that's what was taught in Sura. In Pompedita, they said the more subjective stipulation - namely, that which was not fit or a king's table was not subject to bishul akum. But there's another practical difference - namely, foods that are not eaten raw, but also are not elegant dining. The Gemara's discussion leads into considerations of

en

00:31:17

Avodah Zarah 36: "Bishul Akum" and Jews Separating...

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/24

On the oil that was decreed off-limits, until Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi said it was permitted. So the Gemara delves into the source of the degree, which becomes a far-ranging discussion on kashrut, impurity, and authority. Plus, a list of decrees - which were among 18 degrees that were established on one day - with massive implications for our own day and age.

en

00:17:08

Avodah Zarah 35: Rolling Out Decrees

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/23

First, a note on Rabbi Akiva's question on the previous daf. Then, a discussion about the cheese of non-Jews that leads into reflection on the verse, "for your love is better than wine" - is God talking? Are the Jewish people talking? Plus, how decrees were made quietly, lest people not be able to live up to the requirements of the decree, and tactfully. Also, a new mishnah! The list of non-Jews' foods from which Jews are prohibited to eat, but they can get benefit from the things

en

00:13:17

Avodah Zarah 34: When Rabbi Akiva Didn't Know Everything

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/22

A Rabbi Akiva story -- wherein he didn't know the answer to 3 questions, though others in the beit midrash were able to shed light for him. (One of these questions being a straight-up "avodah zarah" Jew/non-Jew interaction question, and the possibility of rehabilitating jugs owned by a non-Jew, which explains the passage's presence on this daf). Also, more on the fish stew -- and the story of how guards were placed to guard the fish stew to make sure nobody added wine to it

en

00:17:26

Avodah Zarah 33: Correctives (or not) for Idolatrous...

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/21

Jewish wine in non-Jewish jugs - there's a dispute over how prohibited the wine is, and under what conditions. But if there's a Jewish intermediary, that might increase the possibilities. With the perpetual concern being a non-Jew pouring a libation that the Jew might not even notice. Also, Rav Zevid's take on non-Jews tossing things into the wine of the Jews - at what cost? But how did people handle the expense of not using the jugs or other vessels. Also, fish stew and cheese -- how

en

00:17:39

Avodah Zarah 31: If a Tree Bears Fruit in a Forest...

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/20

NOTE: This episode is released out of order (after daf 32) because of a problem with the recording. We apologize for the inconvenience. There are 3 reasons why wine would be prohibited -- that which was used for libation; that which was owned by a non-Jew; that which belonged to a Jew, but what was deposited with a non-Jew. With various degrees of severity regarding benefit and impurity. Plus, an aphorism about a tree's presence and its fruit. Also, a further discussion on beer - and specific

en

00:13:54

Avodah Zarah 32: How to Make the Very Best Wine

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/19

[Who's Who: The Emperor Hadrian] Hadrianic ceramics were prohibited for use by Jews -- white earthenware that absorbed the Roman wine, and then was broken and used again. But could it be used for not foodstuffs? Also, a question is raised when the halakhah isn't practical -- that the point isn't just to memorize the halakhah, but following it through, credit to Abaye. Plus, an idolatrous offering can render a place impure.

en

00:16:58

Avodah Zarah 30: Wine, Beer, Snakes, and Intermarriage

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/18

Various types of wine, and when they are permitted -- mostly they are prohibited, but not necessarily so, for example, if something is prepared prior to the Jew ever appearing as a recipient of the wine, or ointment, or other derivative products. Plus, the distinction between a healing beverage and plain old regular beverage -- and whether they can be prepared on Shabbat. Plus, concerns about how making such beverages can go wrong. Also, the distinction between wine and beer - which is usually

en

00:17:31

Avodah Zarah 29: At the Barbershop

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/17

On bloodletting - as a healing practice - and how the practice would dictate restrictions to one's diet for a time. Also, precautions that a Jew must take in a non-Jew's barber shop (or salon), beginning with watching the barber in the mirror. Including the question of how the mirror helps in a private domain. Plus, a story that illustrates the danger of a haircut in a private domain. Also, a new mishnah! With a list of the items from non-Jews that Jews are not permitted to use, from wine to

en

00:13:39

Avodah Zarah 28: Shabbat Healing: Eyes and Ears and...

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/16

More on healing -- when the healer is an idolater or when the healing is done on Shabbat. With a focus on vinegar and its healing properties and when it is not permitted even for sipping on Shabbat. Also, a focus on a specific treatment of "raising one's ears" on Shabbat - a physical adjustment, which is permitted on Shabbat. Plus, stories of healing on Shabbat with actual medicine too.

en

00:22:07

Avodah Zarah 27: To Trust a Heretic

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/15

Circumcision that wasn't done for the sake of the mitzvah (or for God) was considered invalid. Of course, whether one needs that degree of intent is up for debate. Note also that non-Jew who happens to be circumcised isn't fulfilling the mitzvah of brit milah. Also, a new mishnah: medical or other health treatments by professionals who are non-Jews are largely prohibited, except for when they can sidestep those regulation -- but noting Rabbi Meir's harsher views in general regarding

en

00:16:47

Avodah Zarah 26: Breaking Halakhah on Purpose - But Why?

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/14

A Jewish woman shouldn't deliver the child of a non-Jewish (pagan) woman, but the reverse is permitted. Plus, the question of being a wet nurse. Or what about being hired for these roles? Plus, some perspective on the negativity toward non-Jews. Also, a shift in focus to renegade or heretical Jews.

en

00:21:40

Avodah Zarah 25: When the Sun Stood Still

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/13

On cows singing... and the sun standing still (how long is a key discussion), among other miracles from the Bible. Plus, the story of Nakdimon. Also, working off the mishnah, on seclusion - a Jewish woman is not allowed to seclude herself with a non-Jew. Nor should a Jewish man seclude himself with a non-Jew, with all kinds of complicated thinking regarding what happens if men met while traveling, and so on (to the extent of one's sword side, etc.).

en

00:15:33

Avodah Zarah 24: The Honorable Dama ben Netinah

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/12

More on the red heifer... and bestiality. Also, the purchase of precious stones Dama ben Netinah, an apparent idolater. Which seems to have been acceptable when it shouldn't have been. And then he is honored by having a red heifer to sell too. Also, the question of viability of animals bought from non-Jews for the sake of offerings. Plus, the question of the role of biblical figures, including Yitro, in providing offerings to the Children of Israel, after Egypt, and also later.

en

00:16:56

Avodah Zarah 23: What We Can Assume

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/11

More on the very difficult topic of bestiality. Beginning with the question of birds. Also, a study of the statuses of "lechathilah" and "bediavad" -- when someone acts in an ideal way or after the fact. With key implications for the assumptions that are made under these different statuses (for example, under what conditions one might make an assumption that rape took place or not). Also, the red heifer - with concerns about the possibility of a sodomized cow. With parallels to

en

00:17:13

Avodah Zarah 22: How Common Was Idolaters' Immorality...

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/11

A story about an idolater who works for a Jew -- and works on Shabbat, when the Jew cannot. Was that allowed? It depends on whether that was their original agreement. And the comparable question regarding a tree where the fruit is orlah. Plus, moving on to chapter 2, with a new mishnah - on the measure of negative relationships between Jews and non-Jews, where the Jews are not permitted to stable their animals at the inns of non-Jews/idolaters, because of the concern of bestiality. Note the focus on

en

00:13:18

Avodah Zarah 21: Protecting the Homes and Fields of...

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/09

A new mishnah! A Jew may not rent a house to a non-Jew in the land of Israel, and clearly not a field. In Syria, a Jew may rent a house to the non-Jew, but not the field. And in the Diaspora, a Jew may indeed sell a house to a non-Jew and rent out the fields. (All according to Rabbi Meir). Rabbi Yossi's response is more generous. The Gemara notes that even where one may rent out a house to a non-Jews, there is no permit to do so for purpose of using the space as residential. Plus, the questions

en

00:15:44

Avodah Zarah 20: No Mercy, No Favors

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/09

Beginning with a new mishnah that opens on the bottom of daf 19: One may not make jewelry for an object of idolatry -- but you can be hired to do such things, as an artist. Also, note that Jews may not sell that which is attached to the ground to non-Jews. The Gemara will investigate the source of this prohibition - lo techanem - don't do them any mercy - which demands a great deal of investigation, and several possible meanings. But the meaning of the text and the term itself don't quite

en

00:19:18

Avodah Zarah 19: Learn the Torah That Delights You

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/07

Avoiding wickedness and wrong-doing: Interpreting the first psalm in the Book of Psalms (Tehilim) - happy is one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked - as in the generation of the Tower of Babel, or the people of Sodom. Plus, one should learn Torah according to what is a delight -- only that which one's heart desires. Also, if one builds beyond the part that a Jew should build (unto a host section for idolatry), the Jew should still receive his wages -- it's only an accessory to

en

00:24:55

Avodah Zarah 18: Rabbi Haninah, Rabbi Meir, and Beruriah

Talking Talmud ·

2025/07/05

More on Rabbi Hanina ben Teradyon - his trial and interrogation about why he engaged in Torah study. Plus, his daughter who ended up sentenced to a brothel, and why his wife and daughter were punished on account of him. Yet, they all accepted the judgements as deserved, which raises theological questions about reward and punishment. Plus, those who worked alongside Rome and those who defied them, and the difference in their deaths (Rabbi Yossi ben Kismah and Rabbi Haninah ben Teradyon) - including

en

2,131 results

Similar Podcasts

Jeff Haygood, Pastor

PodPoint

PASTOR ALVARO VALENCIA

Pastor Alvaro Valencia

Grace Life Church CT.

PodPoint

Pleasant View Church

Ted Nance

Christian Heritage Church"s Podcast

PodPoint