JCast Network

The new Prime Video series ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,’ is based on one of the most popular book and film series ever, and is the most expensive TV show ever produced. Does it rule them all? Has the king returned? And just how Jewish are harfoots and hobbits, anyway? Rabbis […]

This week, Brad and Steven are back for a special mid-term election episode. They look at the winners and losers and talk about the “Red Wave” that failed to materialize. The guys also discuss some of the lessons that the Republicans may draw from these elections and what it could mean for 2024. Happy listening! […]

Are all nazirim sinners? And why seem some of the rabbis convinced that anyone who does take the oath of nazirut is indeed a sinner? What is Judaisms relationship to self-imposed stringencies?

Some notes on variations in Talmudic manuscripts and how they relate to our daf -- where we see a strange phrase that doesn’t seem to fit and indeed isn’t found in other manuscripts.

We look at the difference between nedavot and nedarim, we learn about the "oath of the wicked" and the "oath of righteous" and why the first one is valid and the latter is not.

Can you swear an oath to fulfill a mitzah? And what happens if you fail to fulfill it -- would you have to bring a sin offering? How can you even swear to fulfill something for which you are obligated in the first place?

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Ute Steyer looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 7. Certain transgressions bring the punishment of “nidui” — excommunication. What does this mean? And can a person revoke a “nidui” that he placed on himself or herself? To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 7 on Sefaria, […]

Is a partial declaration, a "yad" valid in the case of kiddushin? There are all kinds of misunderstandings that can happen as some of the sages will point out. And what are some other examples where a "yad" might have more than one meaning -- and are these declarations valid?

It was a crazy week and Brad and Steven were there for all of it. In the latest episode of their podcast, the guys talk about the sad ending to the Yankees’ season, the ongoing Ye antisemitism fiasco, Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, and the assassination attempt at Speaker Pelosi’s house. Amidst all of the craziness, […]

What becomes forbidden and what remains permitted in a vow? What effect has a vow that is in some sort “shortened” in the way it was articulated -- a "yad b'nedarim". Is such a "yad" valid or not?

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 4. By letting us know how certain vows can be understood, specifically or generally, distinct or related to something else, the Talmud reminds us that we should have intent behind our words. Not only do the words we […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 3. On this page we address the differences between “equivalent terms” and “partial declarations.” Both hold weight within the concept of vows, but have different methods of enactment. To view the text of Nedarim, Daf 3 on Sefaria, […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi Noam Raucher looks at Masechet Nedarim, Daf 2. Nedarim kicks off a discussion about different types of vows and their consequences. Here we introduce four different types of vows with overarching similarities. Words have a great deal of weight our tradition. They can obligate us, […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 112. We follow a sage who feels impelled to come to live inIsrael. But is he doing the right thing? What does it mean to love Israel? Does it mean extolling its uniqueness only? Or can it mean […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 111. We are supposed to yearn for life in the land of Israel. Yet some would argue that the possibility of a more vibrant Jewish life in the Diaspora would justify staying away from Israel. Are those who […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 110. How shrewd does one have to be in order to protect one’s rights, in order to get justice done? Can we take shortcuts if we can get a fair outcome without going through all the steps of […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 109. We explore a number of situations in which people find themselves in difficulty. How much do we assume that it is their own fault and how much is just bad luck or the fault of others. Even […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 108. When is a favor not a favor? How do we measure a benefit that one derives from the unbidden generosity of others? Can we put a monetary value on the prevention of embarrassment? To view the text […]

Welcome to the Daily Daf Differently. In this episode, Rabbi David Greenstein looks at Masechet Ketubot, Daf 107. What assumptions can we make about a person who does not tell us what in on their mind? How does our concept of the “standard” marital relationship color our assumptions about what each partner cares about? How […]

The new FX/Hulu series The Patient is a psychological thriller about a therapist, played by Steve Carell, who is kidnapped by and forced to treat his patient, a serial killer, played by Domnhall Gleeson. The show touches on many powerful Jewish themes appropriate for the High Holy Day season, as well as the complicated dynamics of families […]