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)

Friday, March 1, 2013

Shabbat 149 - Table Games


A MAN MAY CAST LOTS WITH HIS SONS AND THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD FOR [SERVINGS ON] THE TABLE, PROVIDED THAT HE DOES NOT INTEND TO OFFSET A LARGE PORTION AGAINST A SMALL ONE.

Only with his sons and household, but not with strangers: what is the reason?

According to the tradition reported by Rab Judah in Samuel’s name, it is because when people travel together they are careful about sharing provisions fairly, by weighing and measuring each member’s contribution – and thus will violating the Shabbat.

So what is the problem with large portions being set against small ones? In fact the rabbis forbid it even on weekdays! Why:

On account of gambling

It looks like a gambling game. The text doesn't say so, but "casting lots" reminds us of Purim! It was Hamen's game. We don't play it.
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