Nedarim 40 - December 4, 10 Kislev

This week’s learning is sponsored by Naomi and Adam Ferziger in memory of Naomi's father David Weiss, Chaim Zeev ben Pessel and Yoel Greenblatt, to commemorate his 10th yahrzeit. “He was a Holocaust Survivor who proudly rebuilt his life. Kind, generous, and with a good sense of humor, he was devoted to his family and community." This week’s learning is sponsored by Romi and Josh Sussman “in honor of our second son who will be joining his older brother in the IDF this week, in defense of our country and our people.” Today's daf is sponsored by Diana Bloom in loving memory of her Bobe, Ita Rosa Sonabend Marmurek on her yahrzeit. Today's daf is sponsored by Debbie Engelen-Eigles in honor of the bris of her first grandchild. "May he have a long, happy, and healthy life and bring joy to all who know him." Why is it important to visit sick people and what did we learn from Rabbi Akiva about the importance of this mitzva? Should you let people know that you are sick? Why? What rewards does one receive from this mitzva in this world and in the next world? What times of day should one not visit the sick? A few drashot on the verse in Tehillim 41:3 are brought relating to God's presence around a sick person and how does that affect where one can sit when visiting? Rav and Shmuel have a debate about whether the Euphrates being full is mainly from rainwater from Israel or does it fill up from its banks. This has halakhic relevance for using it as a mikveh as water that is flowing can only be used for a mikveh if the majority of its contents are from spring water, not from rainwater. Shmuel's opinion (it fills up from its banks) contradicts a statement of his regarding using the Euphrates as a mikveh as he only permitted it in the month of Tishrei, as otherwise, one needs to be concerned that the rainwater is greater than the spring water.