Class One Notes 12 JUL 11

Class One Synopsis (Expanded below with some questions and comments)

I. Welcome and Introduction to Talmud
II. Tradition of Chevrutah
III. Study of Berachot 2a1 (Law and thought related to reciting the Shema (Devarim 6:4–9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37–41.)
R. Tamar's Study Guide {Click Here for Study Guide} (Vocabulary, Study Questions for Berachot 2a1)
IV. Home Work: Read the Publisher's Preface as well as the General Introduction.

Class Notes

I. Welcome and Introduction to Talmud
A. Introduction to Talmud

1. Elements in the Talmud (Lots of new vocabulary)
a. Mishna
• Predecessor to Talmud. Contains simple and concise legal statements but generally
Doesn't often reference Torah from which statements derive.
• From Oral Tradition committed to writing c.200 CE.
• Large role in compilation given to Judah the Prince (Yehuda HaNasi) Bio of Judah the Prince
• Has been published without Gemara but never the reverse.
• Composed of Six Orders Orders of Mishna
• Each Order is composed of multiple Tractates. For example Tractate Berachot, is from the Order of Zeraim (The Seeds)

b. Gemara (Talmud) - Commentary expounding the Mishna and other Mishna era texts c.500 CE

c. Contains Rashi Commentary
Class Asked "Who is Rashi?" R. Shlomo Yitzak (1040-1105ce in Troyes/Worms region of what is mod France.) Rashi Bio

d. Contains Commentary of Tosafot. (Both Tosafot and Rashi Commentary are in a font called Rashi Script but Rashi is always on the inside margin.) (Do not confuse with Tosefeta a manuscript from the Mishna era.)

e. Contains other important and later Commentators, cross reference, and text citations.

2. Elements in the Talmud in a Page Layout - Click Here to View Talmud Page Layout Explained

3. The Talmud consists mainly of Halakhic (legal) discussion and Aggadah (Stories, including Ma'aseh - Stories and Mashal - parables)

II. The Tradition of Chevrutah
Chevrutah = Study Partner (from shared root of Haver - Friend)
1. R. Tamar explained that Chevrutah are traditional because Talmud sprang from oral tradition. Study is not only to be on the page but read aloud with discussion, discourse, and conversation. Study partner also creates accountability and builds relationships in community.
2. Class Selected Study Partners.

III. Study of Berachot 2a1 (Law and thought related to reciting the Shema
Click Here for Rabbi Tamar's Study Guide {Click Here For Study Guide}(Vocabulary, Study Questions for Berachot 2a1)

Home Work: Read the Publisher's Preface as well as the General Introduction.

Vocabulary:
•Poskim - Scholarly Authorities, Singular Posek. (Decider of Halackha questions in a community)
•Terumah - Portion of Burnt offering eaten by Kohanim (Priests) More
•MaAriv - Evening/Evening Prayer Service
•Tamei/Tahor - "In Torah and halakhic terminology, tumah is a state of ritual impurity. A person or object which contracts tumah is said to be tamei (ritually impure), thereby unsuited for certain kedusha (Holy) activities or use until undergoing predefined purification actions that usually include the elapse of a specified time-period.
•Tahrah is a state of ritual purity that qualifies the tahor person or object to be used for kedusha purpouses"
•Pirkei - Chapter of Tractate
•Halakic Hours - Division of the day into 12 parts. This is modern. Do not confuse with time in Sugya.
•Ma'aseh - Story

Some Notes on Berachot 2a1
1. R. Mentioned it is customary to memorize first line. In this case "From when..."

2. The Sugya (section of Talmud to be studied as a unit) discusses when to recite the Shema. When is evening? When is the time we "lay down" or "rise up."

3. There is a Ma'aseh (story) regarding guests to a wedding who arrive late and are unsure on when to recite the Shema.

4. As an example of how elements in the page layout work, I noted that in the footnotes it mentioned that Rashi commented that Shema should be said at MaAriv not because it fulfills the obligation to say it but because it fulfills and obligation to recite Torah before the Amidah is said. The Tosafot disagree with him. This is harder to recognize because not all elements are translated into English. However, the feast set before is so great that we shall never starve and can look at how much more is to be had in the future!!!

Comments, Questions, and Rabbi's Remarks.
1. Class Discussed ideas about Jewish time. The Night is divided into 3 watches and begins when the stars come out. The day starts at dawn.
A. Class commented on idea of geographic centric, "What about in the north where they have 24hrs of sun sometimes?"
B. Class commented that with this rule at sometimes of year you would have much less light/time to comply.

2. R. Tamar contrasted bracha l'vatalah or saying an unnecessary blessing which is to be avoided since it uses G-d's name without any real reason) with the idea of saying the Shema anytime without being obligated. She then asked what 'obligated' means? This was a tricky question. R. Tamar explained that in relation to the parable the guests were not asking simply "How late can we say Shema" but "if you HAVE TO say the Shema what is the latest it CAN BE said."

3. In response to R. Tamar's last study question "Why are the Sages more stringent that the command? What does this tell us about the way they viewed people and dealt with them?" The class cited the idea of "Putting a fence around the Torah." That is to set the bar high so if people fall short they still observe. (The idea of the fence, R. Tamar once told me is also both ways. To keep us in and to keep it safe.