shabbat 3

the body is fixed but the hands, being neither public or private, can wander.

or: why the rabbis don't like doing the hokey-cokey on shabbat

(continuing the discussion about carrying, compares a body being laden up by someone else then walking out into the public space - which is definitely forbidden - to a hand that extends out from private to public while holding something. for english translation of this full talmud page see here)

shabbat 2

2 -> 4

giving and receiving, public and private
the homeowner and the poor who remain outside.

(definition of carrying. the number of ways an object is transferred between a homeowner inside and a poor person outside. for english translation of this talmud page, see here)

au revoir brachot

so long, farewell, auf weidersen, adieu...

so, we've gone from discussing when night-time begins and saying the shema, to learning about the omens and night-time messages that pop up in dreams.

we've tussled with the problems and pitfalls of having a physical body that defecates, urinates, ejaculates etc but also has a mouth that prays.

And on the way one Rabbi died while saying the shema, excommunication has been threatened as the importance of conformity to the group needs to be maintained, and prayer can be a form of protest as well as a praise of God.

it's been good getting to know you Brachot. goodbye. see you again some day


(the chavrutah/external voice fizzled out due to the disruption of my travelling and the chagim. sorry about that, hope to bring it back for Shabbat. please contact me if you want to be part of this)

brachot 64

the rabbi who was threatened with excommunication by the Torah scholars, teaches that Torah scholars should be builders of peace.

and peace is something to build, to go towards, a path - it's only a destination for the dead.

(for english translation of this talmud page please see here)

brachot 63

it's good to learn clean and careful cutting and crafting of precious things.
but precise and careful calculations of the calendar in your own space, away from the source, can get you in trouble with others.

so don't be foolish, best to study with the group, and not strike out on your own.

(for english translation of this page of talmud see here)

brachot 62

the dangers of going to the toilet: snakes, scorpions & demons.
so, remember to face the fight, and face the right direction and hope you have some shelter,
like the protecting hand of R. Hisda's daughter.

(for english translation of this page of talmud see here)

brachot 61

the two faces of the two yods of the creation of the first human
and
the fiery shema of R. Akiva's dying breath.