Julian Ungar-Sargon

  • Home
  • Theological Essays
  • Healing Essays
  • Podcast
  • Poetry
  • Daf Ditty
  • Deep Dive Ditty
  • Videos
  • Publications
  • Military Service
  • Dominican University
  • Home
  • Theological Essays
  • Healing Essays
  • Podcast
  • Poetry
  • Daf Ditty
  • Deep Dive Ditty
  • Videos
  • Publications
  • Military Service
  • Dominican University
Julian Ungar-Sargon copy 3.jpg

Daf Ditty

A wide-ranging commentary on the daily page of Talmud.

The seder scene in a Passover Haggadah, with German translation p. 42. (copied by Eliezer Sussman Mezeritsch, decorated by Charlotte von Rothschild · 1842 ) Zürich, Braginsky Collection, B314, e-codices.ch

Pesachim 114: כוס ראשון

jyungar March 15, 2021

For the source text click/tap here: Pesachim 114

To download, click/tap here: PDF

The requirement that every Jew drink four cups of wine with his meal of roast lamb, matzah and maror, is part of the effort of halakhah to ensure that the passover meal is eaten 'in freedom', as we explained in connection with mishnah 1. Technically speaking, the first cup is designated for 'Kiddush', the sanctification of the day over wine; the second is reserved for the recitation of the 'Haggadah' (which is also a requirement of the Torah); the third cup is the cup over which grace is recited after the meal; and the fourth cup is that which accompanies and concludes the recitation of Hallel. The last clause of the previous mishnah mentioned that every Jew at every Seder must have four cups of wine 'even if this is from the soup-kitchen'. In ancient Israel the soup-kitchen [Tamĥu'i] was part of the rather extensive arrangements made for the support of the indigent. Any person whose annual income was less than 200 dinars was considered indigent and was entitled to weekly financial support from the local charity fund, and to daily support from the soup kitchen which supplied them with food.

Tags11th
  • Daf Ditty
  • Older
  • Newer

Julian Ungar-Sargon

This is Julian Ungar-Sargon's personal website. It contains poems, essays, and podcasts for the spiritual seeker and interdisciplinary aficionado.​