Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Taanit
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 Rosh Hashanah, please visit HERE. For the next masechet please visit Megillah.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Taanit: Lesson 1: Daf 2-6
The overarching theme of Masechet Taanit is Rain. Rain, especially in Israel, is integral to the health and growth of the country’s produce. Unlike other countries, Israel is almost completely dependent on rain fall for a successful crop. The first Mishna teaches us when in the year and where in our prayers do we remember and ask for rain. We will learn about the different types of rain and when in the year they are beneficial for the harvest.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Taanit: Lesson 2: Daf 7-13
This week we will learn all about the greatness and miraculous nature of rain. We will see how rainfall is linked to our deeds and the deeds of the righteous among us. We will learn about the 3 great leaders in the desert and what the Jewish People merited on their behalf. The Gemara teaches what date we need to start asking for rain, and what happens if it doesn’t rain by a certain date.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Taanit: Lesson 3: Daf 14-18
This week we will continue learning about the 3 sets of fast days they would institute when it didn’t rain in Israel by a certain date. The second chapter of Masechet Taanit begins by describing how they brought the Ark out into the street during these fast days. We will learn how they added 6 blessings to the Amida, making it a total of 24 blessings. We will also learn about the special minor holidays listed in Megilat Taanit, when it is forbidden to fast or eulogize on those days.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Taanit: Lesson 4: Daf 19-25
The third chapter of Masechet Taanit describes numerous reasons the Rabbis would institute a fast: famine, locusts, wild animals, invaders or a plague. We will learn many famous stories of Sages who prayed for rain and were answered because of their special relationship with G-d or because of their righteousness. We will hear about a Sage who spoke with Elijah the Prophet in the market and about someone who falls asleep and wakes up 70 years later.
Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Taanit: Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Taanit: Lesson 5: 26-31 + Siyum
This week we will learn about the national involvement in the Temple service, including Priests, Levites, and Israel. These were called Maamadot. We will also learn about the tragic events that befell the Jewish Nation on the 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Av. We will end the Masechet discussing the festive day of Tu B’Av (15th of Av).
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.