Many Thanks Or Just One?
My brother-in-law, an avid Mets fan, was once rushed to the hospital on a Friday night. The Yankees were playing in the postseason. In the spirit of a bitter Mets fan, he was rooting for the opposing team.
Seder Kodashim · dafim 2–120
Zevachim
Finished January 12, 2026 in this cycle. 32 articles, 10 stories
Map of the dafim
Articles, in daf order
What A Day Dad Had
Recently my brother-in-law, an avid Mets fan, was rushed to the hospital on a Friday night. It was the last night of the American League playoffs. In the spirit of a true Mets fan, he was rooting for the Texas Rangers.
The Candles Burning Bright
Last week’s daf article about Rosh Hashana was timed perfectly. This week’s article…not so much. Still, there’s a strong connection. The Kohen Gadol performed all of the Avodah on Yom Kippur, including lighting the…
Davening on a Plane
With many people traveling for Sukkos and the winter season, it’s appropriate to review some of the halachos of davening on a plane. Those learning the Daf may not realize how this discussion stems directly from our…
Fasten Your Seatbelts And Prepare For Minchah
Our Gemara discusses the laws of avodah in the Beis HaMikdash. Avodah performed by kohanim while sitting is invalid (Zevachim 23b). It is viewed as if a non-kohen performed the avodah.
Reach Out and Grab a Mitzvah
The floor of the Beis HaMikdash was composed of beautiful tiles. The Gemara discusses the halachah if one of the tiles became dislodged. May the kohen stand on the wobbly tile and perform the avodah?
You Have The Right To Remain Silent: Omitting Tachanun
Rabbi Blumenkrantz, zt’l, once remarked that the greatest simcha for a Jewish male is to be exempt from Tachanun. Congregants will argue for five minutes to try to exempt themselves from saying Tachanun that takes less…
Analysis of Halachic Requirements for Kiddush on Liquor
The common practice, particularly in Litvishe communities, is to recite kiddush exclusively over wine or grape juice. However, a differing custom is observed among many Chassidic circles, where kiddush is recited over…
The Kiddush Cup Runneth Over
Being of Litvish stock, I always insist on making Kiddush on grape juice or wine. However, occasionally I attend a Kiddush where wine and grape juice are hard to come by.
The Avodah of Shemoneh Esrei
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 98:4) writes that tefillah, specifically the Shemoneh Esrei, is comparable to the offering of a korban. “Prayer stands in place of the sacrifice.
Sacrificial Service
This week, daf yomi participants are beginning the perek of Gemara titled Eizeh Mekoman (Zevachim 47a), which starts out discussing the proper place for various sacrifices to be brought.
Cracker Jack Kitniyos Controversy
The following story takes place in an unincorporated community named Cracker Jack, located in Carroll Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. It’s the afternoon of Erev Pesach.
A Mitzvah for Each Footstep
A vexing question that plagues many is how to choose a shul. Some say that the most important aspect of a shul is available parking. After all, if you can’t park there, how can you daven there?
Sleeping Duty
Before I started attending an early-morning daf yomi shiur, in my ignorance I envisioned that many attendees sleep through most of the shiur.
Racing Towards Chatzos
Recap: Boruch called Shimon a sheigetz for eating popcorn and peanuts on Erev Pesach, when chametz was already forbidden. Shimon politely explained that his posek ruled that popcorn is permitted, and peanuts are not…
Doing the Right Thing
It seems that sitting in the left lane, engine idling while waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so you can make a left-hand turn is wasteful—not only of time and peace of mind but also of gas and therefore money.
The Friday Night Food Fight
There are no courses offered for a father on how to cut the lechem mishneh on Shabbos. A father has a few moments to cut through and distribute the challah before he has a rebellion on his hands.
What’s the Right ‘Whey’?
Shimon and Boruch wiped their hands clean after finishing their deli sandwiches. Shimon leaned back, satisfied, and said, “OK, let’s do the daf.
The Tiff Over Two Tefillin
Many people wear two pairs of tefillin — Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam. The question arises whether one may wear both pairs at the same time. The Shulchan Aruch rules that one may.
Something In The Air
The following was inspired by a true question posed to the Beis Shlomo. Boruch went to the daf yomi shiur and learned Zevachim 87b. The Gemara questions whether the airspace above the Mizbeiach has the same sanctity as…
Tumult Over Tadir
Shimon and Boruch had just closed their Gemaras after finishing the daf. Boruch leaned back with a grin. “Wow,” he said. “Today’s daf was incredible. We just learned tadir v’she’eino tadir, tadir kodem in Zevachim 89.
Big Shoes To Fill
While a gentile may wake up in the morning and immediately eat to his heart’s content and get dressed however he feels, we have halachos that guide our morning.
Getting A Handle On Shul Rules
When Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva was located in Forest Hills, the beis midrash was mostly underground. There were windows, but they were located near the ceiling and had to be opened using a ten-foot pole.
A Forced Tumah
The Gemara (Zevachim 100a; see also Moed Katan 23a) and its commentators discuss various details of the following account, and some aspects are subject to interpretation.
The Truth of the Matter
President Donald Trump once met with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea. At the time, Mr. Kim promised to begin dismantling his country’s nuclear program. When Mr. Trump was asked whether he believed Mr.
Excuses, Excuses
President Donald Trump met with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea. Apparently, Mr. Kim promised to start dismantling his country’s nuclear program. Mr. Trump was asked if he believed that Mr.
The Greatest Article Since Sliced Bread?
In the hierarchy of human achievement, there is a very specific, crusty yardstick by which all modern innovation is measured. Forget the moon landing, electricity, or the discovery of penicillin.
Still Sacred
A question that has been discussed in recent years is the appropriateness of entering Har HaBayis. The Gemara records a dispute whether or not someone is liable for kareis by offering a sacrifice to Hashem outside the…
Firstborn Offerings
Which of our forefathers were considered bechoros? Was Avraham Avinu a bechor? What about Yitzchak or Yaakov? The Mishnah in Zevachim (14:4) teaches that before the Mishkan was built, the avodah was performed by…
A Humbling Metaphor
The Ravens from the dark northern crags descended onto the southern plains to face the crimson-crested Falcons riding the rising wind.
Lots Of Land: Daf 119b in Zevachim
On daf 119b in Zevachim, the Gemara discusses the words “nachalah” and “menuchah” in the verse “For you have not yet come to the resting place (menuchah) or the inheritance (nachalah).” According to one opinion, both…
Conquer And Divide
Mazel tov to all those who finished Zevachim this week! On daf 119b in Zevachim, the Gemara discusses the words “nachalah” and “menuchah” in the verse “For you have not yet come to the Menuchah—resting place or…
Stories in Zevachim
Dovid HaMelech Prepares the Beis HaMikdash
Told by Nosson HaNavi that his son would build the Beis HaMikdash, Dovid HaMelech buys the site, gathers materials and even sanctifies the floor.
Moshe Designates the Cities of Refuge
Barred from Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu still sets aside the three cities of refuge east of the Jordan, though they would not take effect in his lifetime.
The Chofetz Chaim and the Spilled Apple Cart
A man tells the Chofetz Chaim his mind wanders in Shemoneh Esrei. The Chofetz Chaim answers with a parable: grab what you can, like the apple seller.
Rabbi Yochanan and the Widow's Footsteps
A widow walks past her local shul to daven in Rabbi Yochanan's beis midrash. When he asks why, she answers: is there not reward for each step?
Rav Henoch Leibowitz's Quick First Seder
Asked why his first Seder was so short, Rav Henoch Leibowitz explained that the Rebbetzin had worked nonstop to make Pesach. Should he keep her up?
The Wedding Called Off Over Tying a Shoe
Rav Avrohom Pam tells of a wayward Jew who, tying his shoes on his intermarriage wedding day, felt his Yiddishkeit stir and called the wedding off.
Rav Chiya bar Ashi Cleans Rav's Shoes
Rav Chiya bar Ashi served his rebbe Rav devotedly, dropping water on Rav's shoes even on Shabbos to clean them, which opens a Gemara discussion on laundering.
Yosef HaKohen Forced Into Tumah at His Wife's Funeral
On Erev Pesach, Yosef HaKohen's wife dies and his friends force him under the tent so he cannot bring the Korban Pesach as an onen; he then arranges care for his orphans.
Moshe Rabbeinu Admits He Forgot
Moshe Rabbeinu objects when Aharon's Rosh Chodesh offering is burned. Aharon explains the halachah, and Moshe openly admits he had heard it and forgotten.
Rabba bar bar Channa and the Giant Re'em
Rabba bar bar Channa describes a day-old Re'em as big as Mount Tabor. The Vilna Gaon reads it as a warning about the student who skips the basics.