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.

Bread and a Coffeepot By Frans Meerts

Sukkah 56: Lukus Lukus

jyungar September 1, 2021

For the source text click/tap here: Sukkah 56

To download, click/tap here:  PDF

The Mishnah ends on a sad note, describing the punishment given to the mishmar of Bilgah, for “Miriam, the daughter of Bilgah, apostatized and married an officer of the Greek kings.

When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary, she stamped with her sandal upon the altar, crying out, ‘Lukos! Lukos! (the Greek name for wolf—Rashi ), how long will you consume Israel's money? And yet, you do not stand by them in the time of oppression!’

Most commentators use this as a lesson in raising children and warn of preaching vs living by example...

However the Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that Miriam Bat Bilgah teaches a lesson that if even a Jew who has converted out of Judaism and married an enemy of our People fundamentally remains committed to Torah, then every Jew has the potential to be reached by a committed Jew who is deeply committed to Torah.

Tags16th
  • 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.​