I always try to relate what I read in the Daf to my own life. The task is more difficult because I am not a strictly observant religious Jew. A lot of times, like a good jazz solo, a theme in the Daf sends me into a new riff on something very personal to me. Other times, the material is just there – foreign, ancient, esoteric and with no real impact on me. In fairness, the problem may not be the material. Perhaps I approach some days in a more creative, open frame of mind. Perhaps some days the stresses of quarantine living and business take all energy I would otherwise have to relate to the Talmud.

Today’s Daf, unfortunately, falls into the later category. The Daf discusses the rules of whether we include special Chanukah blessings in the grace after meals. We also consider whether we include special blessings for the new month in the grace after meals. We then consider whether we include special Chanukah blessings in the extra prayer service we have on Shabbat.

Before we conclude today’s Daf, we introduce a new Mishnah. We get a list of oils we can use for the Shabbat lights, but we also learn that we cannot kindle the lights with Itran – which apparently was quite smelly. Rabbi Tarfon, who was rich, would only kindle Shabbat lights with olive oil, which was expensive. The Talmud launches from this Mishnah into a discussion of whether we can burn Terumah that has become impure or other sacrifices on holidays other than Shabbat.