Uncategorized – Page 19 – 2,711 pages of Talmud. A gem a day.

Avodah Zarah 55

There is a Church here in Miami, El Rey Jesús. It’s a mega-church and they do faith healings. People will approach the stage and share their maladies and some will walk, dance, many will faint. Apparently, this is nothing new. On the daf we read: Zunin said to Rabbi Akiva: Both my heart and your heart knowContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 55”

Avodah Zarah 54

We don’t always here from those who challenge Jewish thought and believe on the daf, but today we do! A certain philosopher asked Rabban Gamliel: It is written in your Torah with regard to the prohibition against idol worship: “For the Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24). For whatContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 54”

Avodah Zarah 53

In the 80s, if you called someone a “nimrod” you were basically calling them an idiot. But, Nimrod, is a biblical figure. Great-grandson of Noah, son of Cush, and leader of the people after the flood. According to Legend, the man who commissioned the building of the Tower of Babel. On our daf today, itContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 53”

Avodah Zarah 52

Is this chapter really about idol worship? Bowing down to idols? Or maybe something a little more common . . . like corruption? Reish Lakish says: Anyone who appoints over the community a judge who is unfit for the position, due to his lack of knowledge or wickedness, is considered as though he plants anContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 52”

Avodah Zarah 51

Want to visit Turkish baths or Japanese gardens on vacation, but scared you’re supporting idol worship? Well, today’s daf should help you. MISHNA: In the case of an object of idol worship that had a garden or a bathhouse, one may derive benefit from them when it is not to the advantage of the idolContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 51”

Avodah Zarah 50

It’s not everyday the Talmud has me thinking about Jesus. It’s not everyday the rabbis of the Talmud use their slang. But today, the rabbis’ slang has me thinking about Jesus. Exhibit a: a rabbi is so scrupulous they refer to him as “The son of holy ones” The Gemara relates: The house of KingContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 50”

Avodah Zarah 49

While I was in rabbinical school, I was dual enrolled in the Jewish Educator program. In the program we were taught that kids who are actively being brought up both Jewish and another faith were being damaged by their parents. We talked about the “hypothetical” situation of a child who goes to CCD (Catholic CommunionContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 49”

Avodah Zarah 48

For some reson this image is really staying in my mind after reading the daf. Which tree is assumed to be an ashera, even without specific knowledge that it was worshipped? Rav says: Any tree that gentile priests sit beneath and do not taste of its fruits, as they apparently consider the fruits consecrated toContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 48”

Avodah Zarah 47

Many of us live in systems propped up by forces we say we oppose—racism, white supremacy, economic injustice. When something collapses (a scandal, a law overturned, a major news event), we get a clearer view of what we’re adjacent to and even that we may be propped up by these injustices. The temptation is toContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 47”

Avodah Zarah 46

I remember as a child reminding my mom of something she said and her saying that she had zero recollection of it. It’s so frustrating when you’re talking to someone and it seems as though they have no recollection of a previous conversation, or something that happened. It made me angry and frustrated. But myContinue reading “Avodah Zarah 46”