Today's Daf contains a ruling that Samaritan women are considered Niddah (impure because of menstruation) from their birth. In the Talmud Samaritans are referred to as "Cutheans". I had no…
Author: Beastman
I am a corporate attorney. I was raised Jewish in a slightly observant household. Although I was bar mitzvahed in an Orthodox synagogue, I have never kept kosher or Shomer Shabbos. I love history and particularly Jewish history. I am happily married to a Catholic woman. Our children were raised in a reform synagogue and consider themselves Jewish - in some ways, they are more observant than me.
Monty Python’s Life Of Brian and the Talmud – Shabbat 15
One of my favorite movies is Monty Python's Life of Brian. I have seen it dozens of times. My wife won't watch it with me because I yell the lines…
The Weeds and the Talmud – Shabbat 14
Today, we have no choice but to go deep in the weeds. I will try to explain the laws of impurity for food, containers and liquids, but I am an…
My Wife and the Talmud – Shabbat 13
The Talmud's version of marriage is very different than my marriage. I should not be surprised. The Talmud was written approximately 1500 years ago in an agricultural economy on a…
My Purpose and the Talmud – Shabbat 12
Yesterday, we discussed a Zav (a man who experiences a specific type of emission, which is sometimes associated with gonorrhea). The practice was for the Zav to wear a special…
The Depth of the Mind of the Government – Shabbat 11
"If all the seas were black ink, and all the marshes quills, and the heavens were parchments, and all the people were scribes, they would not suffice to record the…
My Wife’s Delicious Sourdough Bread and the Talmud – Berakhot 34
I blame my wife for my inability to lose weight (not really, but she makes a convenient scapegoat). My wife, amongst her many talents, is a true foodie. She is…
Justice Roberts and the Talmud – Shabbat 10
Two weeks ago, Justice Roberts, the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, issued a rebuke to Senator Schumer, " Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening…
Procrastination and the Talmud – Shabbat 9
We have read many times about things that are biblically permitted, but the Rabbis prohibit. Rabbinical prohibitions arose because the Rabbis were acutely aware of human psychology and decision making.…
The Public and the Talmud – Shabbat 8
In American law, we look to what is private, as opposed to public, by asking where we have a reasonable expectation of privacy. If there is an area (or device)…