Talmudic manuscripts reveal the existence of a forgotten, fifth cup of wine at the Passover Seder.
Dr. Menachem Katz Continue reading Five Cups of Wine at the Seder?
The seder scene in a Passover Haggadah, with German translation p. 42. (copied by Eliezer Sussman Mezeritsch, decorated by Charlotte von Rothschild · 1842 ) Zürich, Braginsky Collection, B314, e-codices.ch
How Is the Passover Seder Different from All Other Symposia?
The accumulation of liturgical layers, songs, and discussion that adorn the traditional Seder can obscure its original, primary purpose. By closely analyzing the Seder’s artful oration in light of classical rhetoric, a sharper picture emerges of a Roman symposium-like gathering whose aim is to help its members appreciate and celebrate the freedom God granted through the Exodus.1
Dr. Rabbi Richard Hidary
Continue reading How Is the Passover Seder Different from All Other Symposia?
- This article is a reworked excerpt from Richard Hidary, Rabbis and Classical Rhetoric: Sophistic Education and Oratory in the Talmud and Midrash (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), 68-73. ↩
Blessing of New Moon by Artur Markowicz, 1933.
What Does Rosh Hodesh Celebrate?
Tracing the meaning and motifs of Rosh Hodesh (the new moon festival) from the biblical through the talmudic periods reveals a day of two different meanings.
Prof. Michael L. Satlow Continue reading What Does Rosh Hodesh Celebrate?
The Mother of Moses. Artist:
Simeon Solomon 1860. Delaware Art Museum
When Moses Was Born the House Was Filled with Light
The Iranian Origins of a Talmudic Midrash
Dr. Shana Strauch Schick Continue reading When Moses Was Born the House Was Filled with Light
An illustration of a man lighting the Hanukkah lamp with a congregation behind him from the Forli Siddur, Italy 1383. British Library
In Praise of the Hasmoneans: Chanukah Beyond Rabbinic Literature
The relative absence of Chanukah from rabbinic literature has been seen by many scholars as evidence that late antique Jews were ambivalent about the holiday and its Hasmonean founders. However, the highly suggestive evidence of piyyut (liturgical poetry), which extensively and creatively thematizes Chanukah and the Hasmoneans, suggests that this apparent ambivalence was not shared across late antique Jewish society.
Prof. Ophir Münz-Manor Continue reading In Praise of the Hasmoneans: Chanukah Beyond Rabbinic Literature
Flute Player 1938 Artist: Reuven Rubin. Moma.org
The Baal Shem Tov and the Boy who Played Flute on Yom Kippur
A Talmudic reading of a Hassidic tale—and vice versa. Continue reading The Baal Shem Tov and the Boy who Played Flute on Yom Kippur
Talmudist 1925 by Yehuda Pen (1854–1937)
From Theology to Comedy: The Story of R. Adda bar Ahavah and Matun
A talmudic discussion about why God no longer makes miracles ends with a surprising comedy of errors. What message is the Talmud trying to convey? And how is this story used in a 20th century halakhic responsum about women’s pants? Continue reading From Theology to Comedy: The Story of R. Adda bar Ahavah and Matun
A tzedakah-charity box in a wall. Old City of Jerusalem. JHistory -Wikimedia
How Tzedakah Became Charity
“Tzedakah” in the sense of communal charity, civic benefaction, and an individual form of giving came into being during the tannaitic period, with the help of the Greeks and a little-known king named Munbaz.
Prof. Gregg E. Gardner Continue reading How Tzedakah Became Charity
Model of Herod's Temple (a renovation of the Second Temple) in the Israel Museum
Herod’s Renovation of the Temple – The Talmudic Version
In their discussion of King Herod’s reconstruction of the Second Temple, Talmudic storytellers emphasize themes of sight, blindness, and illegitimate rule. They also make a surprising suggestion about who really should get credit for this renovation.
Prof. Jeffrey L. Rubenstein Continue reading Herod’s Renovation of the Temple – The Talmudic Version
The Palace of Ardashir. Built in AD 224. Muslim historians refer to this place as a fire temple of great importance.
Herod’s Renovation of the Temple – Uncovering the Talmud’s Persian Influences
Prof. Jeffrey L. Rubenstein Continue reading Herod’s Renovation of the Temple – Uncovering the Talmud’s Persian Influences
Detail of a decorated initial-word panel at the beginning of Ma nishtanah. The 'Ashkenazi Haggadah', German rite with the commentary of Eleazar of Worms. Date: c. 1460
How Many Questions in the “Four Questions”?
A short history of how the Mah Nishtana changed: From three to four to five questions
Prof. Joseph Tabory Continue reading How Many Questions in the “Four Questions”?
Bakery, Machane Yehuda Market Jerusalem Wikimedia
Hametz Owned by a Non-Jew May be Eaten on Passover?!
A striking talmudic passage asserts that it is biblically permitted to eat the ḥametz of a non-Jew on Passover. How are we to explain this strange claim? What might this development teach us about the dynamics of rabbinic texts? Continue reading Hametz Owned by a Non-Jew May be Eaten on Passover?!
The Colossal Statue of Shapur I, (239–270 CE ), the second king of the Sasanian Empire, stands in a cave located about 6 km from the ancient city of Bishapur in the south of Iran. Its height of about 6.7 m and breadth across the shoulders of more than 2 m make it one of the most impressive sculptures from the Sasanian period. Wikimedia
Concluding a Tractate with King Shapur’s Praise and Practice of Rabbinic Law
The Bavli’s editors noted the conclusion of some tractates with an edifying message. For tractates Bava Metzia and Avodah Zarah, they placed stories about Sasanian king Shapur I. In this way, they connected their rabbinic milieu to the Sasanian world in which they operated, and imagined Sasanian authority and approval of rabbinic law.
Dr. Jason Mokhtarian Continue reading Concluding a Tractate with King Shapur’s Praise and Practice of Rabbinic Law
Good Deal, by Octav Bancila
Date: 1899.
“All Dreams Follow the Interpretation” – Even for the Rabbis!
A New Approach to the Story of Abaye, Rava and the Dream Interpreter Bar Hedya (b. Berakhot 55b-56a). Continue reading “All Dreams Follow the Interpretation” – Even for the Rabbis!
Image taken from page 12 of "A journey from London to Persepolis; including wanderings in Daghestan, Georgia, Armenia, Kurdistan, Mesopotamia, and Persia." Author: John. Shelfmark: "British Library HMNTS 10076.g.6."
The Development of the Chanukah Oil Miracle in Context of Zoroastrian Fire Veneration
The Ancient Fire that Fueled the Chanukah Story
Dr. Shai Secunda Continue reading The Development of the Chanukah Oil Miracle in Context of Zoroastrian Fire Veneration
High Priests Annas (חנן בן שת) and Joseph Caiaphas (יהוסף בר קיפא). James Tissot (1836–1902)
Kimchit’s Head Covering: Between Rabbis and Priests
A Feminist Reading
Dr. Marjorie Lehman Continue reading Kimchit’s Head Covering: Between Rabbis and Priests
Genesis 5:22 - Enoch walked with God; and then he was gone, for God had taken him.
Enoch’s Walk with God Ends Badly in Babylonia
Echoing the Iranian story of Yima, the biblical Enoch morphed into the theologically problematic angel Metatron, and ends up being flogged.
Dr. Yishai Kiel Continue reading Enoch’s Walk with God Ends Badly in Babylonia
The Munich Talmud: The only complete manuscript of the Talmud. Dates from 1342. Snapshot of b. Berakhot 12b
The Changes to the Amidah Blessings during the Ten Days of Penitence
During the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur two concluding blessing formulas are switched to refer to God as a judge What is the meaning of this change? What can talmudic manuscripts teach us about this liturgical practice?
Prof. Joseph Tabory Continue reading The Changes to the Amidah Blessings during the Ten Days of Penitence
Illustration of Rosh Hashanah. Arthur Szyk 1948.
Directing the Heart to God: Moses’ Hands, Brass Serpents, and the Shofar
How the Mishnah’s version of a tannaitic homily advances a more active human role in divine deliverance. Continue reading Directing the Heart to God: Moses’ Hands, Brass Serpents, and the Shofar
A Philosophical Exploration of Shinuy: What Constitutes Change?
Examining the Talmud’s commitment to earlier rabbinic sources by exploring a b. Bava Kamma sugya about what constitutes change in stolen objects.
Dr. Ariel Furstenberg Continue reading A Philosophical Exploration of Shinuy: What Constitutes Change?