Orthodox Jews Use Smartphones, Websites to Complete Talmud Cycle

Orthodox Jews Use Smartphones, Websites to Complete Talmud Cycle

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Want to study the Talmud with thousands of other Orthodox Jews? There’s an app for that. 21st century Internet technology makes it easier than ever for thousands of people worldwide to participate in Daf Yomi, a 7.5-year program to study the Torah’s rabbinical commentary. To mark Siyum HaShas, the end of the 12th Daf Yomi cycle, more than 90,000 Orthodox men and women will join in prayer services, speeches, and dancing at a celebration at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In all, 150,000 people will participate as the celebration is broadcast live in 80 cities from Santiago to Melbourne. Rabbi Labish Becker, who led the team that coordinated the local celebrations, said it will be the biggest celebration yet, and attributes much of the growth to the access new technologies allow.

Literally “a page a day,” Daf Yomi breaks down the Talmud into 2,711 daily lessons. Participants study alone or meet for nightly lessons in synagogues, schools and homes. With the advent of smartphone apps, podcasts and mass e-mails, Orthodox Jews can now access lessons anywhere in the world, at any time of day.