Rav Meir Shapiro ZT'L |
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"Dafyomi," (or Daf Yomi) means a "page (Daf) a day (Yomi)," and refers to the system
of Talmud study started on Rosh Hashanah 5684 (Sept. 11, 1923) by Rabbi Meir Shapiro.
Rabbi Shapiro, Rabbi of Pietrkov and Lublin and representative of the Jewish community
in the Polish senate, was one of the most brilliant and dynamic leaders of world Jewry in the early 20th century. For more about him, SEE HERE. For the wonderful video documentary about his life and accomplishments, SEE HERE
Although Jews have always studied the Talmud, Rabbi Shapiro's goal was to unite Jews all over the world by having them study the same page of Talmud each day, and to enable the Jewish layman to accomplish the great achievement of completing the entire Talmud which, with his system of a page a day, would take seven years (2,711 pages). Click here for a CALENDAR OF THE CURRENT DAFYOMI CYCLE.
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Today, Dafyomi study is often structured around a daily, hour-long lecture or study group. Invariably, one who has succeeded in completing one Dafyomi cycle will enthusiastically start the cycle all over again. An entire lifetime is not enough time to truly master the Talmud in all of its aspects.
Because of the vast breadth and depth of the encyclopedic Talmud, only those with a very strong commitment to complete the Talmud actually make it through the seven-year cycle. It requires much discipline to structure one's daily time for Talmud study around inclement weather, family celebrations, vacations, and the like.
Since the Talmud is the essence of traditional, authentic Judaism --as it comprises the Oral Law and forms the basis for Halachah and Jewish living -- one who is familiar with the various sections of the Talmud has a more profound understanding of Jewish ethics and practice and finds his day-to-day living much more meaningful.
Ready to start?
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