Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

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

Gold medallion decorated with a shofar uncovered in a public building of the Byzantine Period near the southern wall of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem. Photo: Ticia Verveer.

Sukkah 54: Counting Tekiyot

jyungar August 30, 2021

For the source text click/tap here: Sukkah 54

To download, click/tap here: PDF

The Mishna enumerated the 48 blasts blown on a Friday during sukkos. The Gemora notes that the list does not include the 3 blasts on the tenth step, which the earlier Mishna had listed. The Gemora explains that this Mishna follows Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov, who says they didn't blow on the tenth step.

The Gemora cites a braisa which says that they blew on the tenth step, and then cites Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov saying that they only blew on the altar. The Gemora explains that only three blasts were blown, and the dispute is where they occurred. Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov says that once they blew for the opening of the gates on the way to draw the water, there was no need to blow on the steps, and therefore it is preferable to blow on the altar. The Sages say that once they blew when they drew the water, there was no need to blow on the altar, when the water was libated, and therefore it is preferable to blow on the steps.

We explore the use of the shofar in the bible and some interesting commentary on current events...

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Julian Ungar-Sargon

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