Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Moed Katan
Jews around the world study the same page of Talmud each day as part of the 7-year cycle of the Daf Yomi. Join Rabbanit Dr. Tamara Spitz each week as she reviews the key topics of the previous week’s seven pages, gaining an overview of the entire Talmud while also doing a deeper analysis of one of the core issues in that week’s text. We will combine breadth and depth to gain insights into each Tractate being studied, and enjoy the benefits of moving through topics at a quicker pace.
Whatever your background in Talmud, this shiur will allow you to connect to the worldwide phenomenon of Daf Yomi study, whether you learn the daf each day or just want to gain an overview of the entire Gemara. For the previous tractate, masechet Megillah, please visit HERE. For the next masechet please visit Chagigah.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Moed Katan: Lesson 1: Daf 2-6
This week we will start Moed Katan. We will start with an overview of the Masechet and understand some of the central themes that will be discussed over the next few weeks. We will learn what activities are permitted on Chol HaMOed and during the Shemita year, specifically watering different types of fields. We will also learn about fixing water cisterns and about marking graves on Chol Hamoed.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Moed Katan: Lesson 2: Daf 7-13
This week we will learn about how the priests checked and diagnosed Tzaraat and if they were allowed to do this on Chol HaMoed (Intermediary Days of the Festival). We will learn what activities one can do in order to bury someone on Chol HaMoed. The Gemara teaches us that we can’t have wedding on Chol HaMoed because we don’t fix celebrations. The second chapter begins by discussing the activities that are prohibited for a mourner and on Chol HaMoed.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Moed Katan: Lesson 3: Daf 14-20
The third chapter of Moed Katan explains that people in extenuating circumstances can get haircuts and shave on Chol HaMoed. We will also learn what a mourner and leper are not allowed to do. The Gemara then describes people who have been excommunicated and what the ramifications are for different levels of excommunication. We will also learn what scrolls or documents may or may not be written on Chol HaMoed.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Moed Katan: Lesson 4: Daf 21-29 + Siyum
We continue to learn about the mourning rituals and customs. We will also learn about the different stages of the mourning process and the customs that are connected to each stage. The Masechet ends by discussing the departing of the soul from the body.
Rabbanit Dr. Tamara Spitz is the Rosh Beit Midrash and Mashgicha Ruchanit of Midreshet Torah v'Avodah. She lectures on various topics in Gemara, including Daf Yomi, Halacha, and Tefilah. Dr. Spitz has held academic and administrative positions at various Midrashot and served as the Jewish Studies Principal of Instituto Yavne, one of the main Jewish day schools of Montevideo, Uruguay. She also runs a Chiropractic practice specializing in Women’s Health in Gush Etzion and is a Hip-Hop dance teacher.