Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

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

The Anemoi were the four wind gods in Greek mythology, each of them corresponding to one of the four cardinal directions (North, South, West, East) from which they came. They were the children of Aeolus, the Keeper of the Winds, and Eos, the Titan goddess of the dawn. The four were Boreas (North Wind), Notus (South Wind), Zephyrus (West Wind) and Eurus (East Wind).

Gittin 31: אַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת

jyungar June 16, 2023

For the source text click/tap here: Gittin 31

To download, click/tap here: PDF

The Mishna had stated: Rabbi Yehudah says: At three seasons (during the year) they examine the wine (to see if it turned into vinegar, for if so, it cannot be separated as terumah or ma’aser for wine): during the time that the east wind blows at the conclusion of the Festival of Sukkos, and when the blossom fall off and the grapes begin to appear in the clusters, and when the water enters the unripe grapes.

We learned in a braisa: It is when the east wind blows at the conclusion of the Festival of Sukkos, but only in the new season (in the autumnal equinox, but if it was still in the summer season, we would have no need to be concerned that it turned into vinegar).

The rabbis seem to believe that there are four winds: the north, south, west, and east winds. The east wind seems to hold great power, both figuratively and practically speaking. At the end of today's daf the rabbis discuss wind, heat, and the effects of these elements on people and upon objects.

We explore the mythology of the four winds in antiquity, native culture and Kabbalah.

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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.​