Yevamot 16: Jewish Geography, Talmud-style

Talking Talmud - Een podcast door Yardaena Osband & Anne Gordon

The question of whether the co-wives of a daughter would be permitted to the brothers... As answered in the time of R. Dosa ben Hyrcanus, in accord with Beit Shammai (which is a startling alignment). He was elderly and rather homebound, so he wasn't available for consultation or elaboration on his psak, so eventually, a crew of rabbis make the trek to his home. And the Gemara presents what seems to be the entirety of their visit and inquiry. Plus, the harsh language among brothers... (and then we meet him too). Also, lessons from Haggai the prophet, about the case of the co-wives of the daughter, the tithing in Jordan, and details about whom we accept how easily for conversion. Specifically, two groups of people who would have thought to have factors that would invalidate them as possible converts -- but the names of these groups are similar to two groups that were indeed valid to convert, which muddies things. Which leads into questions of different standards, how much Jewish practice does it take to be considered Jewish, etc. Plus, a discussion of the non-Jews and their desecration if the first Beit HaMikdash, which is held against the Tarmodim (one of the groups), and the violence against women in war... With implications for Jewish lineage...

Visit the podcast's native language site