Penny Cagan

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Apr 26, 2021, 1:20 AM

Spring always comes

Taking a walk in New York City, after hibernating during this endless COVID winter, reminds me that I am vulnerable in the new season - and also filled with hope

Apr 20, 2021, 2:26 PM

Don’t blame it on the women (Daf Yomi Yoma 9)

“The bed is too short for stretching, and the cover is too narrow for gathering.” Today’s Daf Yomi portion attempts to explain why both Temples were destroyed. We are told that the First Temple – Solomon’s Temple – stood for...

Apr 18, 2021, 4:06 PM

The magic of the frontplate (Daf Yomi Yoma 7)

“It shall be always upon his forehead.” My only prior knowledge of what it meant to be a Kohen was from family funerals when my Father, Brother and Uncle were left standing at the gates of the cemetery. They were...

Apr 13, 2021, 2:49 PM

The stand-in wife (Daf Yomi Yoma 2)

“And it will atone for him and for his house.” We have made our way through Passover and the spring rituals of collecting half-shekels over the last few months. But now, as we open the pages to Tractate Yoma, we...

Apr 11, 2021, 2:47 PM

Closing the book on Shekalim (Daf Yomi Shekalim 22)

“Guard the month of the spring.” There is a pervasive sense of loss throughout the Talmud, with the references to the destruction of the first and second Temples, which were the golden homes that united the Jewish people from their...

Apr 9, 2021, 2:25 PM

A certain stringency (Daf Yomi Shekalim 19)

“If one diverted his attention.” I asked a few days ago in my blog what you would do if you found five dollars (see which is the approximate current value of the half-shekel that each male over twenty was...

Apr 7, 2021, 2:05 PM

Loss upon loss (Daf Yomi Shekalim 17)

“Has the time come for this house to be destroyed?” There is a pervasive sense of loss throughout the Talmud, with the references to the destruction of the second Temple, which was the golden house that united the Jewish people...

Apr 6, 2021, 1:47 PM

Broken Tablets (Daf Yomi Shekalim 16)

“And I will write on the tables the words that were on the first tables which you did break, and you shall put them in the Ark.” I have always been fascinated by the story of Moses, who ascended Mt. Sinai...

Apr 5, 2021, 5:09 PM

‘Who sees but is not seen, should render kindness to you.’

“Who sees but is not seen, should render kindness to you.” Today’s Daf Yomi considers the poor, and how to provide for their needs without embarrassing them. We are told that back when the second Temple stood there were “special”...

Apr 4, 2021, 3:26 PM

Sometimes you just need to pay up (Daf Yomi Shekalim 14)

“We have a tradition from our fathers.” Today’s Daf Yomi discussion considers the professions that supported the Second Temple when it stood in Jerusalem. We are introduced to Ben Bevai, who had a very particular skill, which was to braid...

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About Me

Penny Cagan was born in New Jersey and has lived in New York City since 1980. She has published two books of poems called “City Poems “ and “And Today I am Happy." She is employed as a risk manager and continues to write poetry. More information on Penny can be found at https://brokentabletsfrompennycagan.me

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