Take One Daf Yomi

Today’s Talmud pages, Bava Batra 123, 124, and 125, tells a sordid and complicated tale of inheritance gone wrong. At its core is this vexing question: Can a person have a say in what happens to something once he decides to give it away? And how does this seemingly theoretical conundrum shape our understanding of everything from law to family relations? Listen and find out.Like the show? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Send us a note at takeone@tabletmag.com. Follow us on Twitter at @takeonedafyomi and join the conversation in the Take One Facebook group.We think that you may also enjoy Liel's new book How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.Listen to the Testimonies Archive, a partnership between Tablet Studios and the USC Shoah Foundation, for eyewitness audio accounts from Israel in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.Check out all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Today’s Talmud pages, Bava Batra 120, 121, and 122, contain a charming discussion of Judaism's happiest days. One is the 15th of Av, the Jewish celebration of love; the other is... Yom Kippur? Singer, songwriter, and author Peter Himmelman joins us to talk about God, love, grief, joy, and other uneasy but necessary paths to happiness. Why would a budding rock star give up on fame and fortune for a life of deeper meaning? Listen and find out.Like the show? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Send us a note at takeone@tabletmag.com. Follow us on Twitter at @takeonedafyomi and join the conversation in the Take One Facebook group.We think that you may also enjoy Liel's new book How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.Listen to the Testimonies Archive, a partnership between Tablet Studios and the USC Shoah Foundation, for eyewitness audio accounts from Israel in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.Check out all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Today’s Talmud page, Bava Batra 119, delivers a direct warning for women not to marry too late in life. Faith Salie, author, actress, and panelist on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! joins us to talk about her own later-in-life marriage, and why she wouldn't have it any other way. What unique insights do older adults have into life, marriage, and parenthood? Listen and find out.Like the show? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Send us a note at takeone@tabletmag.com. Follow us on Twitter at @takeonedafyomi and join the conversation in the Take One Facebook group.We think that you may also enjoy Liel's new book How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.Listen to the Testimonies Archive, a partnership between Tablet Studios and the USC Shoah Foundation, for eyewitness audio accounts from Israel in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.Check out all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Today’s Talmud pages, Bava Batra 116, 117, and 118, find the rabbis engaged in a conversation about childlessness. Is God angry with those who choose not to have children? Or with those who don't pass on their knowledge to the next generation? And how does this discussion touch on our current combustible political climate? Listen and find out.Like the show? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Send us a note at takeone@tabletmag.com. Follow us on Twitter at @takeonedafyomi and join the conversation in the Take One Facebook group.We think that you may also enjoy Liel's new book How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.Listen to the Testimonies Archive, a partnership between Tablet Studios and the USC Shoah Foundation, for eyewitness audio accounts from Israel in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.Check out all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Alice Hoffman, an internationally acclaimed author known for the Practical Magic series, discusses her new novel, When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank. The conversation shifts between tragedy and hope as she delves into Anne's life during the Nazi occupation. Hoffman reflects on the profound impact of Anne's diary on young readers and the importance of preserving her legacy in today's context of rising anti-Semitism. Ultimately, she emphasizes how Anne's story can inspire love and resilience, making a lasting difference despite historical tragedies.

Dive into the gripping tale of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish military officer wrongfully convicted in 1894, revealing the deep-seated anti-Semitism of the time. Discover the stories of moral heroes like Emile Zola, who stood against injustice. Unravel the bizarre involvement of an illiterate cleaning woman turned spy, caught in a web of betrayal. Explore the backdrop of France's national trauma post-Franco-Prussian War, where paranoia and espionage shaped public sentiment and history.

Maurice Samuels, a Yale professor and author of "Alfred Dreyfus, The Man at the Center of the Affair," delves into the profound implications of Captain Alfred Dreyfus's wrongful conviction. He discusses how this scandal forced Europe to confront its anti-Semitism and inspired Zionism. Reflecting on Dreyfus's legacy, Samuels connects historical injustices to modern issues of justice and identity, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of Dreyfus's story in today's socio-political climate.

Explore the intriguing tale of Jonathan, Moses's grandson, and his unexpected involvement in idol worship. The discussion centers on three vital life questions that serve as powerful tools for self-reflection. Delve into the importance of understanding one's origins, values, and choices. The conversation also highlights the significance of reflection during the transition from Yom Kippur to Sukkot, urging listeners to confront their past and rebuild their futures. These topics will make you reconsider how you navigate your own life journey!

Dr. Shaina Trapedo, a Shakespeare scholar and Yeshiva University writer, shares a moving audio essay reflecting on second chances in honor of Yom Kippur. She delves into the themes of personal growth and accountability, intertwined with literary references. The discussion examines redemption in Shakespearean tragedy, the resilience of a grieving mother, and unique insights from Jewish thought regarding free will and moral growth. This exploration emphasizes the significance of making amends and embracing new beginnings.

Today’s Talmud page, Bava Batra 107, starts out as a discussion of a complicated inheritance situation but blooms into a meditation on family. What, if anything, do we owe our nearest and dearest? And what are our responsibilities to each other when, God forbid, very bad things happen? Listen and find out.Like the show? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Send us a note at takeone@tabletmag.com. Follow us on Twitter at @takeonedafyomi and join the conversation in the Take One Facebook group.We think that you may also enjoy Liel's new book How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.Listen to the Testimonies Archive, a partnership between Tablet Studios and the USC Shoah Foundation, for eyewitness audio accounts from Israel in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.Check out all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.