https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day xml article Daf Yomi: A Page a Day The 7.5-year program that has unified Jewish learning across the world since 1923. The New Jew /index.xml Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml Daf Yomi: A Page a Day /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml
calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day Daf Yomi: A Page a Day The 7.5-year program that has unified Jewish learning across the world since 1923. Summary. Daf Yomi (literally "Page of the Day") is the daily Talmud study program, initiated by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin in 1923. The program covers one page (one daf, or two sides of a Vilna edition page) of the Babylonian Talmud each day; the entire Bavli is completed in 7 years and 5 months. The 14th cycle began January 2020; the 15th will begin in 2027. Daily learning groups (shiurim) meet around the world; podcasts, apps, and online classes serve the millions who study independently. Daf Yomi has been called the most unifying single practice in contemporary Jewish life. deeper calendar daf yomi talmud daily learning 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 569 3
sacred-time Sacred Time
summary Summary. [Daf Yomi](/glossary.xml#letter-D) (literally "Page of the Day") is the daily [Talmud](/glossary.xml#letter-T) study program, initiated by [Rabbi Meir Shapiro](/glossary.xml#letter-M) of Lublin in 1923. The program covers one page (one [daf](/glossary.xml#letter-D), or two sides of a Vilna edition page) of the Babylonian Talmud each day; the entire Bavli is completed in 7 years and 5 months. The 14th cycle began January 2020; the 15th will begin in 2027. Daily learning groups ([shiurim](/glossary.xml#letter-S)) meet around the world; podcasts, apps, and online classes serve the millions who study independently. Daf Yomi has been called the most unifying single practice in contemporary Jewish life. Summary. Daf Yomi (literally "Page of the Day") is the daily Talmud study program, initiated by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin in 1923. The program covers one page (one daf, or two sides of a Vilna edition page) of the Babylonian Talmud each day; the entire Bavli is completed in 7 years and 5 months. The 14th cycle began January 2020; the 15th will begin in 2027. Daily learning groups (shiurim) meet around the world; podcasts, apps, and online classes serve the millions who study independently. Daf Yomi has been called the most unifying single practice in contemporary Jewish life. heading Why Daf Yomi Why Daf Yomi paragraph Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin proposed Daf Yomi at the First World Congress of the World Agudath Israel in Vienna in 1923. His vision: every Jew studying the same page of Talmud on the same day, anywhere in the world. The proposal was adopted. By the time of Rabbi Shapiro's death in 1933, daily Daf Yomi was well-established in Eastern Europe. The Holocaust devastated the original participants; the program was rebuilt after the war. The [Siyum HaShas](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (the celebration at the completion of each cycle) has become one of the largest gatherings in contemporary Jewish life — over 90,000 people at the 13th Siyum HaShas at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, in January 2020. Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin proposed Daf Yomi at the First World Congress of the World Agudath Israel in Vienna in 1923. His vision: every Jew studying the same page of Talmud on the same day, anywhere in the world. The proposal was adopted. By the time of Rabbi Shapiro's death in 1933, daily Daf Yomi was well-established in Eastern Europe. The Holocaust devastated the original participants; the program was rebuilt after the war. The Siyum HaShas (the celebration at the completion of each cycle) has become one of the largest gatherings in contemporary Jewish life — over 90,000 people at the 13th Siyum HaShas at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, in January 2020. heading What It Takes What It Takes paragraph Forty-five minutes a day, every day, for seven years and five months. The pace is unforgiving — miss a few days and you fall behind a [tractate](/glossary.xml#letter-M). Most people study with a shiur (a class), with a podcast (the OU's All Daf, Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rabbi Ari Bergmann), or with a [chevruta](/glossary.xml#letter-C). The text is in Hebrew and Aramaic; an English-language companion (the William Davidson [Steinsaltz](/glossary.xml#letter-A) translation, available free on Sefaria; the ArtScroll Schottenstein Edition; the older Soncino edition) is essential for the New Jew. Forty-five minutes a day, every day, for seven years and five months. The pace is unforgiving — miss a few days and you fall behind a tractate. Most people study with a shiur (a class), with a podcast (the OU's All Daf, Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rabbi Ari Bergmann), or with a chevruta. The text is in Hebrew and Aramaic; an English-language companion (the William Davidson Steinsaltz translation, available free on Sefaria; the ArtScroll Schottenstein Edition; the older Soncino edition) is essential for the New Jew. heading Starting Mid-Cycle Starting Mid-Cycle paragraph You do not have to wait for a new cycle to begin. Start where the cycle currently is; join the next Siyum HaShas with your peers; then begin again with the next cycle from [Berachot 2a](https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.2a). Or wait for June 2027 and the start of the 15th cycle. Both approaches work. You do not have to wait for a new cycle to begin. Start where the cycle currently is; join the next Siyum HaShas with your peers; then begin again with the next cycle from Berachot 2a. Or wait for June 2027 and the start of the 15th cycle. Both approaches work. heading Alternatives to Daf Yomi Alternatives to Daf Yomi paragraph Mishna Yomit — two mishnayot a day, completing the [Mishnah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) in 6 years. Mishna Yomit — two mishnayot a day, completing the Mishnah in 6 years. paragraph [Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R) Yomi — three chapters of the [Mishneh Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) a day, completing it in 11 months (the standard [Chabad](/glossary.xml#letter-C) cycle). Rambam Yomi — three chapters of the Mishneh Torah a day, completing it in 11 months (the standard Chabad cycle). paragraph [Tanakh](/glossary.xml#letter-T) Yomi — a few chapters of Tanakh a day, completing it annually. Tanakh Yomi — a few chapters of Tanakh a day, completing it annually. paragraph Halacha Yomit — short daily [halacha](/glossary.xml#letter-H) (the OU offers a popular email). Halacha Yomit — short daily halacha (the OU offers a popular email). paragraph [Mesilat Yesharim](/glossary.xml#letter-M) Yomit — the [Mussar](/glossary.xml#letter-M) text in a daily cycle. Mesilat Yesharim Yomit — the Mussar text in a daily cycle. paragraph Any of these is a worthy adult-learning commitment. For the New Jew without prior [yeshiva](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) background, Mishna Yomit or Rambam Yomi may be a gentler start than Daf Yomi. Any of these is a worthy adult-learning commitment. For the New Jew without prior yeshiva background, Mishna Yomit or Rambam Yomi may be a gentler start than Daf Yomi. heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph Originated in the [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) world and remains overwhelmingly Orthodox in its practitioner base, but Daf Yomi has been embraced increasingly in Conservative and [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) settings (notably the Hadar Institute's Daf Yomi for Women program, founded by Michelle Cohen Farber). Cross-denominational Daf Yomi groups are now common. Originated in the Orthodox world and remains overwhelmingly Orthodox in its practitioner base, but Daf Yomi has been embraced increasingly in Conservative and Reform settings (notably the Hadar Institute's Daf Yomi for Women program, founded by Michelle Cohen Farber). Cross-denominational Daf Yomi groups are now common. heading Sources Sources paragraph [Talmud Bavli](/glossary.xml#letter-T) (entire corpus). Talmud Bavli (entire corpus). paragraph Rabbi Meir Shapiro's 1923 address to the World Agudath Israel. Rabbi Meir Shapiro's 1923 address to the World Agudath Israel. paragraph Siyum HaShas history (jta.org). Siyum HaShas history (jta.org). paragraph [Daily Learning](https://www.hebcal.com/learning/) — Hebcal. Daily Learning — Hebcal. paragraph [5 Reasons Why “Daf Yomi” Electrifies the Jewish World](https://aish.com/5-reasons-why-daf-yomi-electrifies-the-jewish-world/) — Aish. 5 Reasons Why “Daf Yomi” Electrifies the Jewish World — Aish. paragraph [Learning Schedules | Sefaria Library](https://www.sefaria.org/calendars) — Sefaria. Learning Schedules | Sefaria Library — Sefaria. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud. Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud. paragraph All Daf app (Orthodox Union). All Daf app (Orthodox Union). paragraph Daf Yomi for Women (Michelle Cohen Farber, Hadran.org.il). Daf Yomi for Women (Michelle Cohen Farber, Hadran.org.il). calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works How the Jewish Calendar Works /articles/calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works.xml calendar-the-parshah-cycle The Parshah Cycle /articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.xml calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) /articles/calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer.xml Adin Steinsaltz עדין שטיינזלץ Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (1937–2020) produced a monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the entire Babylonian Talmud, later rendered into English, opening the Talmud to a generation of learners without a yeshiva background. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Chabad חב״ד Chabad-Lubavitch is a Hasidic movement, historically headquartered in the Russian town of Lubavitch, known today for its worldwide network of Chabad Houses that offer hospitality, classes, and holiday services to Jews of every background, often in places with no other organized Jewish community. community-finding-a-shul Daf Yomi דַּף יוֹמִי 'The daily page' — the worldwide program of studying one Talmud folio each day, completing the entire Babylonian Talmud in about seven and a half years. calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day Halacha הֲלָכָה Jewish law — literally "the way one walks" — the legal system that develops from the Torah's mitzvot through the Mishnah, Talmud, and the great codes; the movements differ on how binding it is, not on its centrality to the tradition. essentials-essential-questions-what-is-halacha Meir Shapiro מאיר שפירא Rabbi Meir Shapiro (1887–1933), rabbi of Lublin and founder of its great Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, introduced the Daf Yomi program in 1923 — a single page of Talmud studied each day by Jews worldwide, completing the entire Bavli every seven and a half years. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Mesillat Yesharim מְסִלַּת יְשָׁרִים 'The Path of the Upright' — the classic 18th-century guide to ethical and spiritual growth by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (the Ramchal), a cornerstone of Mussar study. Mishnah מִשְׁנָה The first great written compilation of the Oral Torah, organized by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi around 200 CE into six orders; together with the Gemara it forms the Talmud. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Mishneh Torah מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָה The Rambam's monumental 12th-century code of Jewish law — the first work to organize the whole of Halacha systematically, from prayer to Temple service. Mussar מוּסָר The Jewish discipline of character refinement — the tradition of examining and training one's middot (traits), formalized as a movement in 19th-century Lithuania by Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussar Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations. how-to-use-this-field-guide Rambam רמב״ם Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations. essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Siyum HaShas סיום הש״ס The celebration marking the completion of the entire Babylonian Talmud, most famously at the end of each seven-and-a-half-year Daf Yomi cycle, when hundreds of thousands gather worldwide. calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day Talmud תלמוד The vast rabbinic work — the Mishnah together with the Gemara's discussion of it — that develops the Oral Torah into Jewish law and thought. It is the central text of Jewish study after the Bible itself. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Talmud Bavli תלמוד בבלי The Babylonian Talmud, completed around 500 CE in the academies of Babylonia — the more extensive of the two Talmuds and the authoritative one for Jewish law. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Tanakh תנ״ך The Hebrew Bible, named for the initials of its three sections: Torah (the Five Books), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — twenty-four books in the traditional count. essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-article chevruta חַבְרוּתָא A study partner, and the paired, out-loud style of learning that is the basic unit of Talmud study — from the Aramaic for 'friendship.' Two learners argue a text into clarity. community-chevra-and-chevruta daf דַּף A folio of the Talmud — one leaf, two printed sides — the unit by which the Talmud is paginated and studied. calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day masechet מַסֶּכֶת A tractate — one of the 63 subject-organized volumes of the Mishnah and Talmud, such as Berakhot (blessings) or Shabbat. shiur שיעור A Torah class or lesson (plural shiurim), from a word meaning 'measure' or 'portion.' Attending a weekly shiur is one of the most common ways Jews learn together. yeshiva ישיבה An academy of intensive Torah and Talmud study (plural yeshivot), traditionally built around chevruta partner learning; from a root meaning 'to sit.' parent Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml related How the Jewish Calendar Works /articles/calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works.xml related The Parshah Cycle /articles/calendar-the-parshah-cycle.xml related Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) /articles/calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer.xml