Road to Redemption
The Gemara in Avodah Zara (2a-b) opens with a scene so grand—a story that has not yet occurred but waits just beyond the curtain of redemption.
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Seder Nezikin · dafim 2–76
Avodah Zarah
Finished September 2, 2025 in this cycle. 19 articles, 9 stories
Map of the dafim
Articles, in daf order
All Roads Lead To . . . Yerushalayim
The Gemara in Avodah Zara (2a–b) relates a fascinating story, albeit one that hasn’t happened yet. It will take place sometime after Mashiach comes.
Happy Birthday
At the end of elementary school, one young student resolutely decided to stop celebrating birthdays, feeling it was a frivolous custom reserved for little kids, like tagging along with the family to the zoo on Chol…
Stories in Avodah Zarah
Rome Claims Its Reward at the End of Days
In the future, Hashem offers reward to all who busied themselves with Torah, and Rome claims its markets, bathhouses and gold were all for Israel's learning.
Rabbi Meir Rescues Bruriah's Sister
Rabbi Meir bribes a guard to free his wife Bruriah's captive sister and teaches him to call out "G-d of Meir, answer me," which stops vicious dogs and later saves the guard.
The Martyrdom of Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon
Rome sentences Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon and his wife to death and his daughter to disgrace. The Gemara explains each one's fate and his wife's acceptance of it.
Rabbi Meir Escapes by Faking a Non-Kosher Meal
Hunted by the Romans after freeing his sister-in-law, Rabbi Meir dips one finger in non-kosher food and sucks another, so his pursuers decide he can't be the famous rabbi.
The Brisker Rav Checks His Tefillin in a Mirror
Told that the Divrei Chaim called checking tefillin in a mirror the mark of an am ha'aretz, the Brisker Rav said he would rather be one and wear them right.
