Take One Daf Yomi

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices