Author: Meghan Froy

Mafrum is a Jewish Libyan dish of potato stuffed with spiced ground beef, then simmered in a tomato sauce. It is traditionally eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.  The Libyan kitchen is a mix of Arabic and Mediterranean food, with a strong Italian influence. But since the early 1950s, when the vast majority of Libyan […]

One of the most universally observed commandments in Jewish tradition is the mitzvah of circumcision. In the mishnah at the bottom of yesterday’s daf, sage after sage waxes poetic about why circumcision is so great.  On today’s daf, the Gemara continues this discussion by sharing a number of stories about Abraham, considered the first Jew […]

On today’s daf, we encounter a mishnah that teaches the following: One who takes a vow that deriving benefit from those who rest on Shabbat is forbidden, is prohibited from deriving benefit from Jews and Samaritans …  One takes a vow that deriving benefit from those who ascend to Jerusalem is forbidden, is prohibited from deriving benefit […]

What is the difference between being born and not being born? This isn’t the set-up for some kind of dad joke, it’s the question at the heart of a mishnah on today’s daf.  One who takes a vow (not to derive benefit) from those that are born is permitted those who will be born. From […]

Parashat Toldot uses the search for water as the basis for a profound lesson about grief and death. In the previous Torah portion, we learn about Abraham’s hostile encounter with Avimelech, the ruler of Gerar, an area scholars believe is located in what is now southern Israel. Abraham and Avimelech have a dispute over water […]

Whether or not we are able to enjoy this holiday weekend in the physical presence of family, Thanksgiving weekend is an opportunity to reflect on the longest-standing relationships of our lives: our siblings. We may no longer live in the same homes, and our lives may have long since gone in different directions, but there […]

In the mishnah on yesterday’s daf, we learned about someone who dedicates a tree to God “until it is cut down.” At the moment of dedication, the tree takes on the sanctity of being dedicated to God. But things that are dedicated to God can sometimes be redeemed with cash, so what happens if the dedicator redeems […]

Finding the time to make homemade sufganiyot or sfenj is amazing for Hanukkah. But sometimes, you just can’t muster the energy for a big baking project. Or maybe you don’t even like donuts (are you okay?). Either way, I have the easiest Hanukkah dessert to try and it’s only TWO INGREDIENTS: store-bought cookie dough and […]

“If you two don’t stop fighting, I swear I’m going to stop this car and make you walk!” As the parent of two children and a carpool duty veteran, I admit to having uttered such threats in the past, albeit without following through (at least on the second part). On today’s daf, we learn the […]