Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 6-12 A series of digressions in the Mishna based on the structure, “The only difference between x and y is…” Vows not to benefit from another or his food. Animals consecrated as vow offerings vs …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 3, 4, 5 How did the Book of Esther get incorporated into the Bible? Is it as sacred as other books in the Bible? How do we know that it was Divinely inspired? How does …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 2, 3 More recent names of ancient cities in Israel and Babylonia. Rome and Israel are opposites: when one rises, the other falls and vice versa. If someone tells you that he labored without success …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 2 How do we distinguish between large and small towns with respect to Purim and the now-extinct custom of advancing the Megilla-reading to a market day? Why do we postpone the observances of certain holidays …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 1 Jews living in walled cities that were around at the time of Joshua ben Nun celebrate Purim a day later than Jews living everywhere else. How does this square with Purim that falls on …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 1 Why did the Earth shake when Yonasan ben Uzziel translated the Prophets into Aramaic? Why did the Earth not shake when Onkelos translated the Torah into Aramaic? What is the difference between translation and …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 1 On which days do we celebrate Purim by reading the Megilla publicly? Why did the Sages establish different days for different kinds of towns? What was their Scriptural authority for these rulings? Why did …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 1 Completing the tractate! What may we eat on the 8th of Av? May we work on the 9th of Av? What mourning practices are required on Tisha b’Av? What is Tu b’Av and how …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 1 Tragedies which befell the Jewish people on the 9th of Av throughout history (until Talmudic times). The Roman officer who sacrificed himself to save Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel from a decree of death. What …