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.

Bava Batra 134: יוֹנָתָן בֶּן עוּזִּיאֵל

jyungar November 6, 2024

For the source text click/tap here: Bava Batra 134

To download, click/tap here: PDF 

Continuing their conversation about inheritance that is given as a 'gift', the rabbis discuss a case where people claim that they will consecrate gifted property. The Sages decided that any gift that cannot be consecrated to the Temple is not a gift at all.

The braisa says that Hillel had eighty students. Thirty of them reached the level of Moshe, fitting to receive the Heavenly presence. Thirty of them reached the level of Yehoshua, fitting for Hashem to stop the sun in their merit.

Twenty reached the level of outstanding students. The greatest of them was Yonasan ben Uziel, while the lowest was Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was fully versed in all aspects of Torah – Tanach, Mishnayos, Gemora (explanation of the Mishnayos), Halachos, derivations of halachos from verses, close inspection of the text of the Torah, enactments of the Sages, logical arguments, comparisons of halachos by similar language, astronomy, mathematical meanings of verses, parables, dialogues of sheidim (demons), trees, and angels, and large and small things.

We explore the life and works (Targum) of this famous convert.

Tags56th
  • 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.​