Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

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

Yevamot 106: Spitting

jyungar June 21, 2022

For the source text click/tap here: Yevamot 106

To download, click/tap here: PDF

We end the perek describing the actual Chalitzah ceremonial stages whereby the yevama stands and spits on the ground in front of the yavam’s face so that it can be seen by the judges.

Chalitzah requires that both parties stand when reciting their assigned parts and when she spits.

The judges must see the saliva that she expectorates.

Finally, the text from Deuteronomy 25:9-10 – “Thus shall be done to the one who doesn’t build up his brother’s house. His name shall be called in Israel ‘the house of the one whose shoe was removed’” – is read and repeated by the yevama.

We explore the custom of spitting during Aleinu as well as the notion of ceremonial spitting in other cultures and the use of public spittoons in the last century to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

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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.​