Take One Daf Yomi

On today’s page, Bekhorot 41, the rabbis examine which blemishes disqualify a firstborn animal from sacrifice, focusing on three particular conditions: old age, illness, and foul odor. A single verse from Leviticus, with three repetitions of the word “from,” becomes the foundation for an elaborate exercise in Talmudic logic. How much wisdom can the rabbis extract from three tiny words? Listen and find out.
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On today’s page, Bekhorot 40, we discover that one of the Temple Mount's gates bore the name and image of Shushan, the Persian capital. The rabbis offer several explanations for this unusual tribute, each revealing a different way of understanding the past and our obligations to remember it. Should monuments celebrate our triumphs, remind us of our vulnerabilities, or warn us against repeating old mistakes? Listen and find out.
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On today’s page, Bekhorot 39, the rabbis distinguish between visible blemishes that disqualify an animal from sacrifice and hidden imperfections that may not. Liel considers what this distinction might teach us about the wounds and scars we all carry, even when we appear perfectly fine to the outside world. Can something—or someone—be imperfect and still be worthy of holiness? Listen and find out.
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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 37 and 38, Rav Nachman declares himself an expert qualified to make important halachic rulings, with none of the modesty we might expect from a great scholar. But stories about his generosity, respect for others, and even a cleverly deployed wild goose reveal a more complicated picture. Could knowing exactly how great you are actually make you a better person? Listen and find out.
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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 35 and 36, the rabbis distinguish between damage done intentionally and damage done by accident, with the help of some unfortunate lambs. Presidential historian Tevi Troy joins us to connect this ancient discussion to Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, whose very different responses to Jewish Americans during the Civil War reveal a remarkable story of wrongdoing and redemption. Is a person's worst action necessarily the final word on who they are? Listen and find out.
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