Take One Daf Yomi

On today’s page, Bekhorot 54, the rabbis ask how far apart two groups of animals can be before they cease to count as a single flock. Their answer leads us to a surprising lesson about the limits of human attention, the nature of community, and the importance of those who stand in the middle and connect us. Could just one sheep—or one person—in the right place be the difference between a divided community and a united one? Listen and find out.
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On today’s page, Bekhorot 53, the rabbis begin the tractate's final chapter with the laws of animal tithing, exploring when and where farmers must set aside every tenth animal as sacred. Their discussion leads us to a much larger question about the relationship between Jewish law and the Land of Israel. Is the Jewish homeland simply another place on the map, or does it possess a spiritual significance unlike anywhere else? Listen and find out.

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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 51 and 52, a father wants his firstborn son redeemed, but he also wants his money back. Rabbi Hanina isn't having it, and the resulting argument over refunds, intentions, and five sela sounds suspiciously like something out of Seinfeld. So Liel and producer Josh wrote their own episode, complete with a certain familiar nemesis. Can you redeem your son and still get a rebate? Listen and find out.

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On today’s pages, Bekhorot 49 and 50, the rabbis worry that coins looted from the Temple might have found their way into everyday circulation, potentially rendering enormous amounts of money unusable. Liel explores why the sages believed that some coins possess a value that transcends their purchasing power—and what that means for the way we spend our money today. Could the holiest thing you do today involve opening your wallet? Listen and find out.
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On today’s page, Bekhorot 48, the rabbis consider a series of tricky cases in which the obligation to redeem a firstborn son may depend on who was born first—or who survived. Liel turns to the poet Delmore Schwartz to explore why even our noblest intentions mean little without the actions that bring them to life. What does it really take to turn a good intention into a sacred obligation? Listen and find out.
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