Study Megillah folio 31B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
When the New Moon of Av occurs on Shabbat, they read as the haftara the portion that includes the verse “Your New Moons and your Festivals, My soul hated; they were a burden to Me” (Isaiah 1:14). The Talmud asks: What is the meaning of: “They were a burden to Me”? The Talmud explains: God said: It
The Talmud asks: On the 9th of Av itself, what do we read as the haftara? Rav said: The portion containing the verse “How did the faithful city become a prostitute?” (Isaiah 1:21). The Talmud asks: What Torah portion do they read? It is taught in a baraita that others say: They read the portion c
§ The Mishnah states: In the non-priestly watches they read the act of Creation. The Talmud asks: From where are these matters derived, i.e., why do they read the account of Creation? R' Ami said: To allude to the fact that were it not for the non-priestly watches, heaven and earth would not endur
And with regard to Abraham it is written: “And he said, O Lord God, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it?” (Genesis 15:8). Abraham said before God: God! perhaps, Heaven forbid, the Jewish people will sin before You, and You will do to them as You did to the Generation of the Flood and as Yo
Abraham then said before Him: God!: “By what shall I know this?” God said to him: “Take Me a heifer of 3 years old” (Genesis 15:9). With this, God intimated to Abraham that even if his descendants will sin, they will be able to achieve atonement through sacrificing offerings. Abraham said before Hi