Megillah 25 - January 6, 4 Shevat

Study Guide Megillah 25

Today’s daf is sponsored by Rivkah Isseroff in loving memory of her mother, Gittel Bas Sarah v'Rav Zev Friedman Ha'levi, on the occasion of her Shloshim. “She was the sole survivor of her family of 8 who were murdered in the Shoah. She survived 2 years in Auschwitz between the ages of 14 and16, and went on to fulfill her father's tefillah asking for the survival of one family member so that the family would not be extinguished. She founded a new family now numbering 16 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. May she be a Melitzat Yosher for all.”

Today’s daf is sponsored by Harriet Hartman in loving memory of Baruch Wertzberger on his 3rd Yahrzeit “He was my husband’s (z’l) longest and best friend, whose devotion to Torah learning and Tefillah inspired me to grow closer to the depth of understanding what Daf Yomi brings.”

The Mishna lists phrases that if said in one's prayers, they could be misunderstood and therefore one is silenced. Some relate to things that may appear heretical (appearing to say there is more than one God) and others relate to misinterpretation of verses or of commandments. A few statements of Rabbi Chanina are brought. One should not add a list of praises to God in the first blessing of Shmone Esreh on top of the ones mentioned there. Why? In addition, he said that all is in the hands of God other than the fear of God. From where is this derived? There are certain texts from the Tanach that should not be read or can be read but not translated? For what reasons are there to censor parts of Tanach? A braita lists which sections can be read and translated can be read but not translated and neither. Why is it important to list ones that can be read and translated? Why would we have thought they couldn't be read or translated? Verses that use words that are obscene or harsh are replaced by a milder version of the word. However, if they are used to describe idol worship, one can use the more harsh form.