Take One Daf Yomi Zevachim 49 and 50 - Thanks a Lot
Nov 3, 2025
Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, a Talmud scholar and teacher, dives deep into the concept of gratitude through the lens of the korban todah, the thanksgiving sacrifice. He connects this ancient practice to the modern birkat hagomel, highlighting how such blessings arise from life-altering experiences like danger or illness. The conversation explores the nature of gratitude, how recognizing our perilous moments can inspire thankfulness, and the importance of communal acknowledgment through rituals. Bashevkin offers insightful reflections on how contemporary Jewish practices echo these timeless themes.
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Ritual Shift From Sacrifice To Blessing
- The korban todah transformed conceptually into a verbal blessing once sacrifices ceased.
- Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin explains birkat hagomel preserves the ritual's gratitude function today.
Say Birkat Hagomel With A Minyan
- Recite birkat hagomel publicly with a minyan after surviving danger, illness, or captivity.
- Invite others to respond so the community can acknowledge and pray for continued safety.
Recovery Meals And Blessings
- Rabbi Bashevkin notes people recovering from illness often host a meal and recite birkat hagomel.
- He recalls patients his oncologist father knew who used the blessing after recovery.
