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)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Shabbat 20 - Lost Words

The Mishnah raises the question of what materials are not suitable for wicks to light Shabbat candles. It goes on to list several ("Lekesh, Hoshen, Kallick" etc.) which are not acceptable. The commentary attempts to connect these terms to contemporary known items - including Samuel who "asked all sea-fearers" about one term.

Fascinating insight into the way language and terminology changes - and how Jewish law tries to adjust.

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