Matmonim: Daf Yomi by Rabbi David Lapin

Daf 11a When Halacha conflicts with personal safety - היכא דקביע היזיקא שאני

There are times when the performance of a mitzvah could put an individual at risk. This episode explores how we approach this tension and how we resolve it.

Daf 11a When Halacha conflicts with personal safety - היכא דקביע היזיקא שאני

There are times when the performance of a mitzvah could put an individual at risk. This episode explores how we approach this tension and how we resolve it.

Yoma 10a The Limits of our Influence - גזירת מלך היא

There are two patterns of existence. A meta-pattern and a sub-pattern. The Meta is the unfolding of history according to Hashems grand scheme. We have little or no control over it. We can sense it and choose to actualize it, we can ignore it, we can engage in it or we can try to oppose it. The sub-patterns are the midah kenegged midah - the "karma" of our own actions. This episode explains this idea and how the two patterns align.

Yoma Daf 9a-b - Halachik Spectrum: Detail to Meaning - בני עלי

The way we reason in Halachik matters needs to be very pure and technically accurate. The way we live Halacha needs both to be technically accurate and also full of meaning and inspiring of ethical growth. A halachik life cannot be divorced from a moral and ethical life.

Yoma Daf 9a-b - Halachik Spectrum: Detail to Meaning - בני עלי

The way we reason in Halachik matters needs to be very pure and technically accurate. The way we live Halacha needs both to be technically accurate and also full of meaning and inspiring of ethical growth. A halachik life cannot be divorced from a moral and ethical life.

Yoma 8b - Purity and Sanctity-טהרה וקדושה

Tahara (purity) and Kedusha (sanctity) or different concepts as explained in this episode.

Yoma 7b - Unbroken Attention - תמיד על מצחו

We explore the "magical" power of the Tztitz - the golden plate that the Kohein Gadol wore across his forehead and also the idea of uninterrupted attentiveness.

Yoma 5b - Halacha & Current Relevance- מאי דהוה הוה

The Talmud deals with many abstract ideas, but when it comes to Halachik decisions, current relevance is paramount. Why?

Yoma 4b - Information Sharing בל יאמר

We explore three interpretations of the Gemarra dealing with restrictions on information sharing, The Chafetz |Chaim, the Rambam and the Meiri.

Yoma 3b - How to Be vs. How to Do - פרישת כהן גדול

This episode explores the idea of preparation for a transformative . We track the origin of the idea that the Kohein Gadol needs to be secluded for a week before Yom Kippur.

Yoma 2a - Probability and Neurosis - אם כן אין לדבר סוף

When trying to mitigate an insignificant  statistical risk translates into an absurd outcome, don't even go there!

Shekalim 22a As best you can - גר בזמן הזה צריך להביא קינו

There are times when we cannot fulfil our obligations or live our values in the fullness of their ideals. In these situations it is important not to abandon the mitzva or the value entirely but rather to fulfil it as best we can under the circumstances.

Shekalim 21b - Innovation & Authenticity - ושתיים עושים בכל שנה

The Tiferet Yisrael questions the veracity of the common undersatanding of the Mishna's statement that the two Parochot in the Beit Mikdash were replaced annually. He innovates a more rational explanation and supports it with authentic sources.

Shekalim 19a Analysis Paralysis - רוב וקרוב

This episode examines some of the halachik methodology to resolving dilemma and making choices:  Differentiate between "I am in doubt," and "there is a doubt." Differentiate between a statistic and a norm There is no need for data when common sense and intuition  make the choice clear.

Shekalim 18b Fueling the Fire

This episode goes to the essence of the idea of Korbanot (sacrificial service) by analyzing the nature of the wood offerings. It explains sacrifices as the antithesis of idolatry. 

Shekalim 17b Never Go Backwards

מעלין בקודש ואין מורדין

Shekalim 16a מלך וכהן - Two Models of Leadership

Analyzing a Rambam we extrapolate the two models of leadership and how to synthesize them.

Shekalim 15a - Preserving Dignity

We have learnt how important it is not only to be correct but to be seen to  correct as well. However when the dignity of others is in question, it is more important to preserve their dignity than to be concerned about ones own reputation.

Daf 15a - Preserving Dignity

We have learnt how important it is not only to be correct but to be seen to  correct as well. However when the dignity of others is in question, it is more important to preserve their dignity than to be concerned about ones own reputation.

Shekalim 9b - Nekiyut - Physical and Spiritual Hygiene

Shekalim Daf 11a - Purity of Intent

Shekalim Daf 12a קדושת דמיםWhat is Kedusha

Shekalim 10a - Donating Wholeheartedly

Shekalim 5a - Currency and Inflation

הפוך בה הפוך בה, דכולי בה  This means that by examining Torah ideas from every one of their facets, you can discover the foundational ideas of every discipline in the world. In this episode we discover how the debate around the gold standard is a part of a discussion in the Talmud and its interpretation by two great medieval authorities. 

Shekalim 4a - Purity of Donation

We are usually quite careful about checking the integrity of individuals or causes to whom we give financial support. In this episode we learn the importance of checking the integrity of donors as well and the purity of their contributions and intentions.

Shekalim 3b - Accessing Kedusha

Although a Kohein is born with inherent Kedusha, as with all things of Kedusha it cannot be accessed unless we create the conditions for accessing it. These conditions entail Kavod - honor.

Shekalim 2a - Rosh Chodesh Adar

Nearly 1000 years before the story of Purim and the evil Haman, Hashem inoculated His people against Haman's plot. It all started on the first day of Adar in the desert.

Pesachim 121b Shehecheyanu - In the Moment

Time specific events are unique, because even when they occur repeatedly we, and the world around us, are not in the same places we were the first time. The same applies to time-specific opportunities. The Beracha of Shehecheyanu sensitizes us to this focus. The Shehecheyanu of the Seder is unusually unique. THis episode explores why.

Pesachim 120b Seder Time Management

Many mitzvot in the Torah have specific times during which they need to be performed. Of course the mitvot of Pesach night need to be done on the night of Nissan the 15th. The question is whether we have all night to do them, or whether they should be completed by midnight. This episode opens up a 2,000 year conversation about this timing and also touches on managing procrastination!

Pesachim 118a Value Creation

Value is transferable from commodity to cash and vice versa. Energy can be converted into matter and vice versa. Similarly, wisdom, which is energy, can be converted into value - even economic value.

Pesachim 118a Music and Intuition

Although we have not had access to prophecy for millennia, there are other ways the Divine communicates with us if we adequately prepare and open ourselves to these communications.

Pesachim 116b Haggada and the Art of Conversation

The Mitzvah of the Hagadah is not one of recitation but one of dialogue.  This is why only one person reads the Hagadah. What do the others do? They engage in the unfolding conversation.

Pesachim 115b - The Seder Plate

This episode clarifies the sources for various customs relating to the Seder Plate and the Seder itself.

Pesachim 114a - How Many Truths are There? אין משגיחין בבת קול

Once Rabbinic scholars were given the authority to determine Halacha, Hashem also aligns to their decisions even when they differ from the way He ideally sees the issue. A powerful lesson in the delegation of authority and the avoidance of micro-managing

Pesachim 113b - Managing Attitudes: Ours and Others'

Character development is a primary function of the study and practice of Torah. This episode deals with character development and the mastery of our own attitudes towards others and how to influence their attitudes towards us. 

Pesachim 111b Kavod, Kavanah and Mindfulness

Halacha goes beyond mindfulness in what it expects from the way we act. Kavanah is more than mindfulness, it means directiveness. There is meaning and direction in everything we do and in the way we do it.  Kavod, honor, as a gradated idea; and where on the spectrum of Kavod we place an object or an individual is more telling about us than it is about the object.

Pesachim 111b - Kavod, Kavanah and Mindfulness

Halacha goes beyond mindfulness in what it expects from the way we act. Kavanah is more than mindfulness, it means directiveness. There is meaning and direction in everything we do and in the way we do it.  Kavod, honor, as a gradated idea; and where on the spectrum of Kavod we place an object or an individual is more telling about us than it is about the object.

Pesachim 110b - Body-language and Witchcraft

There are invisible forces in the world that are potentially negative and even destructive. Our immunity to them depends on who we are and how we act.  In this episode we see how althought these ideas are difficult to relate to, in the Halachik conversation they are drawn upon for issues sometimes not directly relating to them. In this case the subtly complex relationship between a man and his ex-wife is central.

Pesachim 109b - Zugot and Managing Polarity

There is a Kabbalistic idea that doing physical activities in even numbers can generate a negative spiritual energy. This episode explores the duality of even numbers and how to manage conflicting polarities.

Pesachim 108 - Women: Individual Geulah and the Four Cups

There are two themes of Geulah (Redemption) at the Seder: National and Personal. Each is separately identified with the mitzvah of the four cups of wine, each learned from a different source in the Torah. Women, who played a crucial role in facilitating the Geulah are as much a part of the mitzvah as are men.

Pesachim 107a Wine for Kiddush

There are various practices regarding using non-wine beverages for Kiddush on Shabbat morning. As we probe the sources we discover the importance of using wine or grape-juice if available in preference to any other drink.

Pesachim 106b - Kidush Rabbah Simplified

The study of Talmud exposes us to the full spectrum of halachik discourse rather than just to the bottom line as stated in Shulchan Aruch. Knowing the bottom line only, risks the possibility of dogmatism. Understanding the spectrum opens up possibilities for flexibility when needed. The Kiddush on the day of Shabbat is such an example.

Pesachim 104b Seeing is Believing

This episode exploes the Halachik process in the time of the Talmud and demonstrates the power of seeing Halacha in practice.

Pesachim 103b Havdalah: Inner and Outer Energy

Havdala is one of the most magical and mystical practices in our weekly calendar. Drawing from the fire-energy of Shabbat we infuse it into the week with the way we say the Beracha on the light.

Pesachim 102b Cost vs. Value

The way we package objects, ideas and even ourselves says a lot about whether cost is more important to us than value, or value is more important than cost. This applies to the way we package our Mitzvot as well.

Pesachim 101b Upliftment: Hatov veHameitiv

In good wine we celebrate not only the wine's qualities but especially it's capacity to uplift the moods of people who feel low. We explore the value the Torah places on upifting the spirits of others.

Pesachim 100b - It's all in the Presentation

This episode traversing medieval greats like the Rashbam, the Mordechai and the Rosh as well as the 8th century Rav Achai Gaon, explores the reasons for covering the Challot during Kiddush on Friday nights and Shabbat. Packaging and presentation adds to the drama of the moment and is a tool the Torah uses frequently.

Pesachim 99a - Shhh- Listen!

On the last Daf dealing with Kodshim (Temple practice) the Gemarra demonstrates how even from the most technical details of Halacha one can extract life principles. This episode expands on the  value of appropriate silence and the power of listening.

Pesachim 95 - Not Eating Alone

In a somewhat technically complex discussion we understand the insistence of the Torah that the Korban Pesach Sheini is not practiced alone but rather in company.

Pesachim 96a - Diversity and Exclusion

Just as Cohanim with certain imperfections may not practice in the Temple Service, so too with respect to the Korban Pesach there are disqualifying features. One such feature is a Jewish man who is uncircumsized and the other is a Jewish individual who has converted out of Judaism. This episode explores the nature of and reasons for these exclusions.