Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 1 On which days do we celebrate Purim by reading the Megilla publicly? Why did the Sages establish different days for different kinds of towns? What was their Scriptural authority for these rulings? Why did …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 1 Completing the tractate! What may we eat on the 8th of Av? May we work on the 9th of Av? What mourning practices are required on Tisha b’Av? What is Tu b’Av and how …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 1 Tragedies which befell the Jewish people on the 9th of Av throughout history (until Talmudic times). The Roman officer who sacrificed himself to save Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel from a decree of death. What …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 1 The righteous Jews who deceived the Greek guards with figs and pestles received a special holiday for their families. When is Hallel recited? What happened on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz? …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 1 The history and development of the priestly & non-priestly watches in ancient Israel. If humanity has descended to the wickedness of the generations of the flood and the dispersion, why does the world still …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 1 Final chapter and final mishna of our tractate! Examining the righteous Israelites who served alongside the Priests in the Temple as representatives of the nation, and the memorial fast days which we still observe …

Topics covered: Chapter 3, Mishna 1 Stories of impoverished Sages with great merit accrued for their lives in the World to Come. Eliezer and Akiva both prayed for rain, why was Akiva answered? Because he prayed Avinu Malkeinu? Nope! Because …

Topics covered: Chapter 3, Mishna 1 Righteous deeds of the Sages, Yosei from Yokrat may have been too righteous, at least as far as his children were concerned. Even his donkey was scrupulously honest! Elazar of Birta gave all his …

Topics covered: Chapter 3, Mishna 1 A story for the ages, literally! Honi the Circle-maker was a saintly miracle worker who nagged God on behalf of others. All his life he was puzzled by a verse from Psalms that compares …