Take One Daf Yomi
- Episodes
- 1,739
- Format
- Series – listen from the start
- Latest episode
- Nov 14, 2026
About the podcast
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 1,739
Bekhorot 58 and 59 - Talmudic Trash Talk
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 58 and 59, the rabbis revisit a particularly cutting insult: Ben Azzai compares nearly every sage in Israel to a garlic peel. Coming from a man who famously warned against scorning …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 58 and 59, the rabbis revisit a particularly cutting insult: Ben Azzai compares nearly every sage in Israel to a garlic peel. Coming from a man who famously warned against scorning anyone, the remark seems especially harsh. But the commentators offer a surprising lesson about the difference between insults meant to hurt and those meant to inspire. Is there such a thing as a righteous diss? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 56 and 57 - Time After Time
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 56 and 57, the rabbis establish three specific times each year for tithing newborn animals. But why impose deadlines when all the animals born in a year belong to the same group? …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 56 and 57, the rabbis establish three specific times each year for tithing newborn animals. But why impose deadlines when all the animals born in a year belong to the same group? Their answer offers a surprisingly modern lesson about procrastination, productivity, and the importance of setting aside time for what matters. What's the secret to actually getting things done? Listen and find out.
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Berekhot 55 - Let Your River Run
On today’s page, Bekhorot 55, the rabbis ask a surprisingly complicated question: Where, exactly, does the Jordan River become the Jordan River? Their answer takes us from the lush waters of northern Israel to …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 55, the rabbis ask a surprisingly complicated question: Where, exactly, does the Jordan River become the Jordan River? Their answer takes us from the lush waters of northern Israel to the desert near Jericho, revealing a lesson about individuality and the pressure to fit in. How do we hold on to what makes us unique when everyone around us wants us to go with the flow? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 54 - Stuck in the Middle with Ewe
On today’s page, Bekhorot 54, the rabbis ask how far apart two groups of animals can be before they cease to count as a single flock. Their answer leads us to a surprising lesson about the limits of human …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 54, the rabbis ask how far apart two groups of animals can be before they cease to count as a single flock. Their answer leads us to a surprising lesson about the limits of human attention, the nature of community, and the importance of those who stand in the middle and connect us. Could just one sheep—or one person—in the right place be the difference between a divided community and a united one? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 53 - There's No Place Like Home
On today’s page, Bekhorot 53, the rabbis begin the tractate's final chapter with the laws of animal tithing, exploring when and where farmers must set aside every tenth animal as sacred. Their discussion leads …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 53, the rabbis begin the tractate's final chapter with the laws of animal tithing, exploring when and where farmers must set aside every tenth animal as sacred. Their discussion leads us to a much larger question about the relationship between Jewish law and the Land of Israel. Is the Jewish homeland simply another place on the map, or does it possess a spiritual significance unlike anywhere else? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 51 and 52 - What's the Deal With Five Sela?
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 51 and 52, a father wants his firstborn son redeemed, but he also wants his money back. Rabbi Hanina isn't having it, and the resulting argument over refunds, intentions, and five …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 51 and 52, a father wants his firstborn son redeemed, but he also wants his money back. Rabbi Hanina isn't having it, and the resulting argument over refunds, intentions, and five sela sounds suspiciously like something out of Seinfeld. So Liel and producer Josh wrote their own episode, complete with a certain familiar nemesis. Can you redeem your son and still get a rebate? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 49 and 50 - A Higher Currency
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 49 and 50, the rabbis worry that coins looted from the Temple might have found their way into everyday circulation, potentially rendering enormous amounts of money unusable. Liel …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 49 and 50, the rabbis worry that coins looted from the Temple might have found their way into everyday circulation, potentially rendering enormous amounts of money unusable. Liel explores why the sages believed that some coins possess a value that transcends their purchasing power—and what that means for the way we spend our money today. Could the holiest thing you do today involve opening your wallet? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 48 - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
On today’s page, Bekhorot 48, the rabbis consider a series of tricky cases in which the obligation to redeem a firstborn son may depend on who was born first—or who survived. Liel turns to the poet Delmore …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 48, the rabbis consider a series of tricky cases in which the obligation to redeem a firstborn son may depend on who was born first—or who survived. Liel turns to the poet Delmore Schwartz to explore why even our noblest intentions mean little without the actions that bring them to life. What does it really take to turn a good intention into a sacred obligation? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 47 - Choose Your Own Adventure
On today’s page, Bekhorot 47, Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish debate whether a man who converts to Judaism after having children gets a fresh start when it comes to the laws of the firstborn. Their disagreement …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 47, Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish debate whether a man who converts to Judaism after having children gets a fresh start when it comes to the laws of the firstborn. Their disagreement leads Liel to a larger reflection on conversion, rebirth, and the choices that define Jewish life. What if being Jewish isn't simply something we're born into, but something we choose anew every single day? Listen and find out.
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Berekhot 46 - Who's on First?
On today’s page, Bekhorot 46, the rabbis begin a new chapter by asking who exactly qualifies as a firstborn, discovering that the answer depends on whether we're talking about redemption or inheritance. Liel …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 46, the rabbis begin a new chapter by asking who exactly qualifies as a firstborn, discovering that the answer depends on whether we're talking about redemption or inheritance. Liel turns to modern research on birth order to explore whether firstborn children really have the advantages we so often attribute to them. Is there something inherently special about being born first, or is it all a matter of family circumstances? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 44 and 45 - A Giant Among Men
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 44 and 45, the rabbis debate the proportions of Moses, whom they describe as an astonishing ten cubits tall. Their discussion takes us from Talmudic geometry to the Maharal of Prague …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 44 and 45, the rabbis debate the proportions of Moses, whom they describe as an astonishing ten cubits tall. Their discussion takes us from Talmudic geometry to the Maharal of Prague, who offers a very different way of understanding Moses's imposing stature. How should we measure the greatness of those who came before us—and how might we grow taller ourselves? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 42 and 43 - The Familiar Face
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 42 and 43, the rabbis discuss physical blemishes that disqualify priests from serving in the Temple, including some surprisingly specific descriptions of misshapen heads. Liel …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 42 and 43, the rabbis discuss physical blemishes that disqualify priests from serving in the Temple, including some surprisingly specific descriptions of misshapen heads. Liel explores the reasoning behind these seemingly harsh restrictions and discovers a remarkable teaching about how familiarity changes the way we see others. Can getting to know someone help us look beyond their physical differences? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 41 - Three Is a Magic Number
On today’s page, Bekhorot 41, the rabbis examine which blemishes disqualify a firstborn animal from sacrifice, focusing on three particular conditions: old age, illness, and foul odor. A single verse from …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 41, the rabbis examine which blemishes disqualify a firstborn animal from sacrifice, focusing on three particular conditions: old age, illness, and foul odor. A single verse from Leviticus, with three repetitions of the word “from,” becomes the foundation for an elaborate exercise in Talmudic logic. How much wisdom can the rabbis extract from three tiny words? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 40 - A Monumental Question
On today’s page, Bekhorot 40, we discover that one of the Temple Mount's gates bore the name and image of Shushan, the Persian capital. The rabbis offer several explanations for this unusual tribute, each …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 40, we discover that one of the Temple Mount's gates bore the name and image of Shushan, the Persian capital. The rabbis offer several explanations for this unusual tribute, each revealing a different way of understanding the past and our obligations to remember it. Should monuments celebrate our triumphs, remind us of our vulnerabilities, or warn us against repeating old mistakes? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 39 - The Faults in our Scars
On today’s page, Bekhorot 39, the rabbis distinguish between visible blemishes that disqualify an animal from sacrifice and hidden imperfections that may not. Liel considers what this distinction might teach us …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 39, the rabbis distinguish between visible blemishes that disqualify an animal from sacrifice and hidden imperfections that may not. Liel considers what this distinction might teach us about the wounds and scars we all carry, even when we appear perfectly fine to the outside world. Can something—or someone—be imperfect and still be worthy of holiness? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 37 and 38 - With Great Power…
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 37 and 38, Rav Nachman declares himself an expert qualified to make important halachic rulings, with none of the modesty we might expect from a great scholar. But stories about his …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 37 and 38, Rav Nachman declares himself an expert qualified to make important halachic rulings, with none of the modesty we might expect from a great scholar. But stories about his generosity, respect for others, and even a cleverly deployed wild goose reveal a more complicated picture. Could knowing exactly how great you are actually make you a better person? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 35 and 36 - A Tail of Two Presidents
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 35 and 36, the rabbis distinguish between damage done intentionally and damage done by accident, with the help of some unfortunate lambs. Presidential historian Tevi Troy joins us to …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 35 and 36, the rabbis distinguish between damage done intentionally and damage done by accident, with the help of some unfortunate lambs. Presidential historian Tevi Troy joins us to connect this ancient discussion to Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, whose very different responses to Jewish Americans during the Civil War reveal a remarkable story of wrongdoing and redemption. Is a person's worst action necessarily the final word on who they are? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 34 - You Say Terumotai, I Say Terumati
On today’s page, Bekhorot 34, the rabbis find themselves caught between two readings of the same Hebrew word, one singular and one plural, with significant consequences for the laws of terumah. It's time to …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 34, the rabbis find themselves caught between two readings of the same Hebrew word, one singular and one plural, with significant consequences for the laws of terumah. It's time to Slow Jam the Talmud as Liel follows their argument through spelling, pronunciation, and the intricacies of biblical interpretation. What can an ancient debate about vowels teach us about becoming more careful readers today? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 33 - More Than Meats the Eye
On today’s page, Bekhorot 33, the rabbis consider the value of meat from animals that can no longer be sacrificed. Liel welcomes producer Josh Kross for a conversation about the difference between how food …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 33, the rabbis consider the value of meat from animals that can no longer be sacrificed. Liel welcomes producer Josh Kross for a conversation about the difference between how food looks and how it tastes, with detours through molecular gastronomy, Montreal poutine, and good old-fashioned cholent. What can a messy plate of delicious food teach us about recognizing the true value of things? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 32 - The Limits of Privilege
On today’s page, Bekhorot 32, Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel disagree about who may eat the meat of a firstborn animal that develops a blemish and cannot be sacrificed. Their debate raises a much bigger question …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 32, Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel disagree about who may eat the meat of a firstborn animal that develops a blemish and cannot be sacrificed. Their debate raises a much bigger question about the privileges we grant those who serve the public—and the limits we place on those privileges. What can the laws governing priestly gifts teach us about keeping public servants from treating public resources as their own? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 30 and 31 - Keeping the Faith
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 30 and 31, the rabbis consider what happens when someone once trusted to observe Jewish law begins cutting corners. From a dishonest butcher to a woman whose second marriage threatens …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 30 and 31, the rabbis consider what happens when someone once trusted to observe Jewish law begins cutting corners. From a dishonest butcher to a woman whose second marriage threatens to undermine her religious commitments, Liel explores how easily our standards can shift when our circumstances change. How do we make sure that life's compromises don't become compromises of character? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 28 and 29 - Don't Quit Your Day Job
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 28 and 29, the rabbis ask whether judges should be paid for their rulings, leading to a much bigger question: Should anyone be allowed to make money teaching Torah? Liel turns to …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 28 and 29, the rabbis ask whether judges should be paid for their rulings, leading to a much bigger question: Should anyone be allowed to make money teaching Torah? Liel turns to Maimonides, whose uncompromising answer challenges the very idea of making a living from religious scholarship. What can one of Judaism's greatest thinkers teach us about the relationship between work, wisdom, and spiritual integrity? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 27 - The Long-Distance Relationship
On today’s page, Bekhorot 27, the rabbis grapple with a question that remains surprisingly relevant: How should Jews living outside Israel participate in religious obligations rooted in the Holy Land? Liel …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 27, the rabbis grapple with a question that remains surprisingly relevant: How should Jews living outside Israel participate in religious obligations rooted in the Holy Land? Liel explores how this ancient debate echoes today's arguments over what Israeli and American Jews owe one another—and whether every disagreement really needs a resolution. Can Jewish unity survive without Jewish uniformity? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 26 - What's the Rush?
On today’s page, Bekhorot 26, the Mishnah instructs us to wait before giving a firstborn animal to the priest, allowing it time to grow and mature. Liel explores how this seemingly minor requirement protects …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 26, the Mishnah instructs us to wait before giving a firstborn animal to the priest, allowing it time to grow and mature. Liel explores how this seemingly minor requirement protects the dignity of everyone involved and transforms a routine obligation into an opportunity for spiritual reflection. Why might the time we spend preparing to fulfill a mitzvah be just as important as the mitzvah itself? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 25 - First Among Equals
On today’s page, Bekhorot 25, we consider the importance of being first—not just among newborn animals, but among the people making decisions that shape history. Liel shares a conversation from Tablet's The …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 25, we consider the importance of being first—not just among newborn animals, but among the people making decisions that shape history. Liel shares a conversation from Tablet's The Barbarians with Wall Street Journal editorial board member Elliott Kaufman, whose new book, In the War Room: The Inside Story of Israel's Fight Against Hamas and the Iranian Axis, takes readers inside Israel's war cabinet during its battles against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. What happens when the people responsible for a nation's survival are also competing to be first among equals? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 23 and 24 - Waiting for Elijah
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 23 and 24, a strange case involving a sheep and a pig-like offspring leaves the rabbis facing a question they cannot definitively answer. Liel explores the meaning of teiku, the …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 23 and 24, a strange case involving a sheep and a pig-like offspring leaves the rabbis facing a question they cannot definitively answer. Liel explores the meaning of teiku, the tradition that Elijah the Prophet will someday resolve our most stubborn disputes, and the remarkable story of why Elijah visits every Passover Seder and brit milah. What makes Elijah the perfect person to settle the questions we've been asking for centuries? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 21 and 22 - Shepherds, not Sheep
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 21 and 22, the rabbis discuss how to determine whether an animal has previously given birth, eventually concluding that the answer requires a knowledgeable shepherd. Liel wonders what …
Show notes
On today’s pages, Bekhorot 21 and 22, the rabbis discuss how to determine whether an animal has previously given birth, eventually concluding that the answer requires a knowledgeable shepherd. Liel wonders what happened to that kind of practical wisdom in a world where we increasingly rely on technology we know how to use but don't really understand. Are we still masters of the tools around us, or have we become helpless consumers? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 20 - With Love and Correction
On today’s page, Bekhorot 20, Rabbi Yehoshua wastes no time correcting Rabbi Yishmael when his former student gets a point of halacha wrong. But years before that rebuke, Rabbi Yehoshua had encountered the …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 20, Rabbi Yehoshua wastes no time correcting Rabbi Yishmael when his former student gets a point of halacha wrong. But years before that rebuke, Rabbi Yehoshua had encountered the young prodigy imprisoned in Rome, recognized his extraordinary potential, and paid a fortune to free him. What does it mean to care enough about a student to both invest everything in him and tell him when he’s wrong? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 19 - The Mystery of the Headless Cow
On today’s page, Bekhorot 19, the rabbis discuss the rite of the Egla Arufa, or the decapitated calf, sacrificed whenever a stranger was murdered by an unknown assailant as a way to shock us all into …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 19, the rabbis discuss the rite of the Egla Arufa, or the decapitated calf, sacrificed whenever a stranger was murdered by an unknown assailant as a way to shock us all into understanding that we are responsible for each other. Still, why such a brutal ritual? And why a calf? Listen and find out.
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Bekhorot 18 - Doubles Trouble
On today’s page, Bekhorot 18, a ewe gives birth to two males whose heads appear at precisely the same moment, leaving the rabbis with a problem: Which one is actually the firstborn? What follows is a …
Show notes
On today’s page, Bekhorot 18, a ewe gives birth to two males whose heads appear at precisely the same moment, leaving the rabbis with a problem: Which one is actually the firstborn? What follows is a wonderfully intricate argument about stronger lambs, weaker lambs, competing claims, and the burden of proof. What can two newborn lambs teach us about the extraordinary precision of Talmudic reasoning? Listen and find out.
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These are the latest 60 of 1,739 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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