

Take One Daf Yomi
Tablet Magazine
As Jews around the world engage in a seven-and-a-half year cycle of Daf Yomi, reading the entire Talmud one page per day, Tablet Magazine's new podcast, Take One, will offer a brief and evocative daily read of the daf, in just about 10 minutes. New episodes will be released daily Monday through Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 29, 2025 • 9min
Avodah Zarah 72 and 73 - Certified Truth
On today’s pages, Avodah Zarah 72 and 73, the rabbis dive into the logic of kosher: when does a forbidden flavor render food off-limits, and when does it not? Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin joins us to explain how this principle grew into the modern system of kosher certification. What does it really mean to trust the food we eat? Listen and find out.

Aug 28, 2025 • 18min
Avodah Zarah 71 - A Matter of Life
On today’s page, Avodah Zarah 71, we encounter a grim teaching: a gentile thief could face death even for a tiny crime. The Talmud wrestles with the balance between law and compassion, and so do we. So today, we revisit a conversation with Sister Helen Prejean, a tireless voice against the death penalty. What can ancient law teach us about one of today’s fiercest moral debates? Listen and find out.

Aug 27, 2025 • 5min
Avodah Zarah 70 - Thieves Among Us
On today’s page, Avodah Zarah 70, the rabbis reflect on a strange case: thieves breaking into wine cellars. Instead of harsh judgment, they remind us to presume purity—even for those who stumble. Can transgression and hope coexist in the same breath? Listen and find out.

Aug 26, 2025 • 6min
Avodah Zarah 69 - Uncorking the Truth
On today’s page, Avodah Zarah 69, the rabbis debate how best to seal a barrel of wine to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. From corks to screw tops, what can this age-old conversation teach us about trust, preservation, and innovation? Listen and find out.

Aug 25, 2025 • 10min
Avodah Zarah 67 and 68 - The Flavor of Faith
On today’s pages, Avodah Zarah 67 and 68, the Talmud digs into beans, vinegar, and the science of taste. Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin joins us to show how the rabbis’ rules of flavor transfer—through heat, salt, and soaking—mirror the ways we absorb spirituality. Can food metaphors help us understand how to infuse our lives with holiness? Listen and find out.

Aug 22, 2025 • 6min
Avodah Zarah 65 and 66 - Naked Power
Dive into an intriguing Talmudic tale where Rava and a minister debate pleasure versus power, with a surprise royal interruption showcasing fate's role in justice. Explore how lessons from presidents and moguls illustrate the fragile nature of power as their aspirations collide with political realities. Historical anecdotes reveal the strategies of iconic figures like Rockefeller and Gates, highlighting the complexities of influence in a world where even the mighty can be humbled.

Aug 21, 2025 • 8min
Avodah Zarah 64 - The Cost of Free
On today’s page, Avodah Zarah 64, the rabbis introduce the strange prohibition of giving a “free gift” to a gentile. Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin helps us unpack what’s at stake, from communal bonds to baseless love, and why family ties redefine generosity. What does Judaism teach about gifts without strings? Listen and find out.

Aug 20, 2025 • 7min
Avodah Zarah 63 - Breaking Point
On today’s page, Avodah Zarah 63, the Talmud suggests that sometimes smashing things apart clears the way for something better. But how do we know when destruction is holy, not harmful? Listen and find out.

Aug 19, 2025 • 7min
Avodah Zarah 62 - Workplace Purity
In today's page of Talmud, Avodah Zarah 62, the rabbis weigh in on whether wages earned from idolatrous wine are permitted, offering a lesson about work, boundaries, and moral compromise. But how do we know when a job crosses the line? Listen and find out.

Aug 18, 2025 • 7min
Avodah Zarah 60 and 61 - Pressing Matters
In today's page of Talmud, Avodah Zarah 60 and 61, the Rabbis debate touchless wine presses, leading to speculation about Rashi’s side hustle—wine maker, egg seller, or both. But what does this teach us about balancing learning with making a living? Listen and find out.