Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

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

Jewish pilgrimage to Jerusalem was a massive phenomenon, especially in the last century of the Temple’s existence–the century that began with Herod the Great’s rise to power and ended with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 ce. Numerous sources convey this basic understanding of pilgrimage: pilgrims “go up” to Jerusalem in order to be near God, to worship Him at the Temple via the sacrificial cult that was available only there, and in turn to be blessed by Him and to reassure themselves of His protection. The pilgrimage and coming together of myriads of Jews in Jerusalem inevitably awakened memories and hopes of a sovereign state. In Antiquity, Israelites and Judeans had a number of cultic obligations that could be fulfilled only at the Temple of Jerusalem. Philo of Alexandria, who himself participated at least once in a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, offers in his Special Laws 1.68–70, a direct exposition of pilgrimage.

Gittin 4: דְּכֵיוָן דְּאִיכָּא עוֹלֵי רְגָלִים

jyungar May 21, 2023

For the source text click/tap here: Gittin 4

To download, click/tap here: PDF

One who brings a get from region to region within Eretz Yisrael is also not required to state the declaration even according to the opinion of Rava, for the following reason: Since there are those who ascend to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival, witnesses are frequently available and they can come even from one region to another.

The Gemara raises a difficulty: This works out well when the Temple is standing, as there are those who ascend to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival at that time. However, when the Temple is not standing what can be said? The Gemara answers: Since there are central courts that are fixed in a permanent location where everyone goes, witnesses are frequently available to ratify the bill of divorce.

We explore the notion pilgrimage in late antiquity and pilgrimage itineraries through the eyes of the rabbis and Philo.

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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.​