Yesterday’s daf yomi can ready us for the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz today. Yesterday’s Talmud text (Shab 82b) cites a verse from Isaiah, who prophesizes the downfall of Jerusalem: “[The wall] is smashed as one smashes an earthen jug, ruthlessly shattered so that no shard is left in its breakage to scoop coals from a brazier or ladle water from a puddle.” Isaish was right about that wall. The fast mourns the day that the Roman breached the wall of Jerusalem. A day that tradition links to the sin of idolatry.
Yesterday’s daf also sends a message to Jews about the internal Jewish conflict over Israel’s proposed withdrawal from Gaza:
For opponents of the Gaza withdrawal, there is the lesson that when rebuilding a wall next to the Other [1]: “How does one rebuild the wall? He should withdraw 4 cubits into his own property.” (82a end)
For supporters of the Gaza withdrawal: a women who does witchcraft begrudgingly admires the rabbis, saying: “You do not pull out a vegetable from the bundle that the gardener has tied.” (82a top) A metaphor for Jewish unity.
May today's daf yomi and fasting help bring down the walls that divide our people.
Tzom qal,
Kaspit כספית
P.S. On a lighter note: The story of the aforementioned witch fits in well with our previous posts on Harry Potter. The witch casts a spell to paralyze a ferry – then the rabbis cast a spell to release the ferry! Thank you, rabbis, for being well-versed in defending against the Dark Arts!
[1] Lit., a house with an idol.
Sources: Trans. Isaiah from JPS, witch’s quote from Artscroll
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