שבת - Shabbat
The High Priest modeled his costly haircut on that of the Emperor Nero.
Shabbat 12a ~ Killing Lice and Spontaneous Generation
The rabbis believed in spontaneous generation. So did everyone, till Louis Pasteur came along.
Shabbat 13a ~ The Original Social Distancing: Menstruation Taboos
When it comes to menstruation, Judaism shares much with other faiths and cultures.
Shabbat 21b ~ Was there a Chanukah Miracle?
It became a very contentious question in nineteenth century Russia. And remains so today.
Shabbat 23a ~ Rashi and Why Women Light the Menorah
It’s to do with The Right to the Thigh, which never happened. But it could have.
Shabbat 28b ~ Did Adam Sacrifice a Unicorn?
Why was the mysterious Re’em was thought to be a unicorn.
On the many astronomical definitions of dusk and dawn, and being late for Shabbat.
Shabbat 47a ~ Electricity on Shabbat
How a discussion about a pole used by a plasterer lead to a far-reaching ruling about electricity.
Shabbat 50a ~ Cleanliness is next to Godliness
Bathe daily for the honor of Gad. A history of Judaism and bathing.
Shabbat 53~ Male Lactation, Gender Fluidity and Mordechai
A man grew breasts to feed his child. It’s not as fanciful - or rare - as you might think.
Shabbat 57b ~ "A Well-Fleshed Woman"
Why women in talmudic times emphasized their girth. And what men find attractive today.
Shabbat 61 ~ On the Ubiquity of Amulets
Amulets in the Talmud and the modern intensive care unit. And the popularity of dried toads.
Shabbat 63 ~ Jews and Their Dogs
If a Jew has a dog, either the dog is no dog, or the Jew is no Jew.
Shabbat 65b ~ Prosthetic Limbs
A history of prosthetic limbs, starting with an Egyptian mummy and her big toe.
Shabbat 75a ~ Some Jewish Astronomers
It is a mitzvah to be a competent astronomer. Here are some outstanding examples.
Shabbat 77b ~ On the Healing Power of Honey
The Talmud mentions that honey was used to cure a variety of ailments. And it really does work.
Shabbat 81 ~ A History of Toilet Paper
Stones were once used for personal hygiene. But paper is softer.
Shabbat 107 ~ Can a leopard change its spots?
It’s a metaphor for being stubborn, but some leopards have no spots at all.
Shabbat 108-110 ~ Might Talmudic Medicines Really Work?
The surprising story of some ancient remedies that may work.
Shabbat 109b ~ Curing Snakebites
The talmudic approach to treating snakebites, contrasted with those of the Israeli Defense Forces.
Shabbat 121b ~ Rabbis and Rabies
The disease was deadly in Talmudic times. Why it remains so today.
Shabbat 129a-b ~ Blood Letting
About the history and science of this practice, widely described in the Talmud, and completely ineffective.
Shabbat 134a ~ The Imperforate Anus and the Skills of the Midwife
How to perform surgery to correct a congenital malformation and the knowledge developed by midwives.
Shabbat 136 ~ The Tumtum, the Androgyne, and the Fluidity of Gender
Why some babies have ambiguous genitalia, and girls who turn into boys.
Shabbat 156 ~ Talmudic Astrology
The rabbis of the Talmud believed that the alignment of the stars defined a person’s future.