What is Talmud Tweets?

What is Talmud Tweets? A short, personal take on a page of Talmud - every day!

For several years now, I have been following the tradition of "Daf Yomi" - reading a set page of Talmud daily. With the start of a new 7 1/2 year cycle, I thought I would share a taste of what the Talmud offers, with a bit of personal commentary included. The idea is not to give a scholarly explanation. Rather, it is for those new to Talmud to give a little taste - a tweet, as it were - of the richness of this text and dialogue it contains. The Talmud is a window into a style of thinking as well as the world as it changed over the centuries of its compilation.

These are not literal "tweets" - I don't limit myself to 140 characters. Rather, these are intended to be short, quick takes - focusing in on one part of a much richer discussion. Hopefully, I will pique your interest. As Hillel says: "Go and study it!" (Shabbat 31a)

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Berachot 14 - Interrupted Prayer

When can one interrupt one's prayer to give greetings to another? What if that person is a respected teacher? What if that person is a person to fear (say a Roman officer?)? Specific "breaks" are discussed - with an attempt to balance respect for the continuity of prayer with respect for the individual. It does call to mind the "chatter" one hears in traditional synagogues vs the "decorum" of liberal ones.

Also - one should not conduct business before prayer. Based on Psalm 85:14 Righteousness shall go before him and [then] he shall set his steps on his own way.
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