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)

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Shabbat 15 - Bring Back the Sages

A few cases are represented in which the Sages adopt neither the ruling of Hillel or of Shammai, but choose a compromise between the two.

These are quantitative compromises: the minimum amount of flour which is liable for an amount taken and burned as the Challah offering; the minimum amount of "drawn water" (that is water poured from jugs) as opposed to "living" (flowing) water which makes a mikve unfit.

These may see like small details, But I find it reassuring to see that solutions can be found to strongly held opposing viewpoints. Not feeling it so much these days. Anyone think we need more "Sages"?
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