Today we are introduced to Rabbi Zeira - the short one with the singed thighs. Rabbi Zeira was also known as the Black Pot or the Pious Babylonian. He was…
Social vs. Religious Status and the Talmud – Berakhot 45
The Talmud was reduced to writing in the 6th Century of the Common Era. For historical context, the Talmud pre-dates the countries of France, Italy and Germany and the separation…
Texting and the Talmud – Berakhot 44
My daughter Helen and I have an ongoing argument about texting. Since she is 18, texting is our main form of communication (when I receive an email or phone call…
Dressed Up Pigs and the Talmud – Berakhot 43
"You can put lipstick on a pig . . ." We are all familiar with this expression. I had no idea that its origins were in today's Daf. We learn,…
The End of the Meal and the Talmud – Berakhot 42
How do we know when a meal has ended? This question, for the Rabbis of the Talmud, raised religiously significant issues. We learned previously that there was an order to…
Hierarchy of Food and the Talmud
Recall that there are six rabinically approved blessings we can say before we eat, depending on what we are going to eat. The blessings are as follows: Borei p'ri ha'eitz…
Tooth Brushing and the Talmud – Berakhot 40
Americans did not widely brush their teeth until after World War II. American soldiers were required to brush their teeth in the armed forces and the practice continued when these…
Mean Rabbis and the Talmud – Berakhot 39
If you are ever dining with a famous Rabbi and she or he asks you to say the blessing before or after the meal, DON'T DO IT! Remember just a…
Flinstones Chewables and the Talmud – Berakhot 38
Continuing on my theme of growing up in the '70s, recall the Flinstones Chewable. Every morning before school, I would have a bowl of cereal and a Flinstones Chewable -…
School Lunch and the Talmud – Berakhot 37
Like most kids in the 70's, my mother packed me the same lunch every day for elementary school - a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a small baggie of chips…