Chullin 92

Hook

Do you remember that final night at camp? The fire is dying down to glowing embers, the smoke is drifting into the pines, and we’re all singing that soft, lingering niggun—the one that feels less like a performance and more like a conversation with the stars? There’s a line in the Kedushah of our morning prayers that hits just like that: "Baruch Kevod Hashem Mi-mekomo"—"Blessed is the glory of Hashem from His place." It’s a moment of awe, a moment of "Whoa, God is bigger than I thought." Today, we’re stepping into the campfire circle of Chullin 92, where the Sages are doing exactly that: trying to figure out who is singing what, and why it matters that they have the "permission" to sing it at all.

Context

• The Setting: We are deep in the Masechet of Chullin, a book primarily focused on the laws of slaughtering animals, but today we’ve wandered off the trail and into the thickets of Aggadah (legend and homiletical teaching).
• The Atmosphere: Imagine you’re hiking up a steep ridge. The trail is marked with stone cairns—some are ancient, some are fresh. The Sages are treating the verses of the Torah like those markers, trying to see the path Jacob took as he wrestled with the angel.
• The Metaphor: Just like a summer camp where every bunk has its own "vibe"—some are loud, some are scholarly, some are the ones who do the heavy lifting—the Gemara here is mapping out the "bunks" of the celestial world. Who are the Ofanim? Who are the Seraphim? And what does it mean to have "permission" to speak in the presence of the Divine?

Text Snapshot

The Gemara answers that it is the ofanim who say the verse: “Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place,” as the next verse mentions “the noise of the ofanim” Ezekiel 3:13... And if you wish, say that once permission has been given to them to mention the name of God after three words when they say: “Holy, holy, holy,” permission is also given to them to mention the name of God again while praising Him even after fewer than three words.

Close Reading

Insight 1: The Anatomy of Permission

The Gemara here introduces a fascinating, almost bureaucratic idea: "Once permission has been given... permission is also given." It’s talking about how the angels, who chant "Holy, holy, holy" (the Kedushah), gain the confidence or the authorization to praise God further.

Think about your own life. How often do we wait for "permission" to be our authentic selves? In our families or at work, we often hold back our deepest values or our spiritual excitement because we feel like we haven’t "earned the right" to share them yet. But look at the angels! They start with a standard, formal prayer—three words—and because they’ve built that foundation, they get the green light to add their own unique "Blessed be" melody afterward.

In our homes, we need to create an environment where everyone feels they have "permission." Maybe it’s the teenager who is afraid to share their opinion on a moral issue, or the partner who feels their spiritual practice is "too weird." This text reminds us that spiritual growth isn't about being perfect from the start; it’s about showing up, saying your "Holy, holy, holy," and realizing that the more you engage with the sacred, the more space you create to speak your own truth. You don't need a formal invite to bring holiness into your kitchen; the moment you start the song, you've already been granted the clearance to continue.

Insight 2: The Vine and the Support System

Later in this text, we see a beautiful breakdown of a vine: the homeowners are the branches, the Torah scholars are the clusters, and the "empty" or "simple" ones are the leaves. The Gemara tells us: "Let the clusters pray for the leaves, as were it not for the leaves, the clusters would not survive."

This is a total flip of the "expert-first" model. Usually, we think the scholars (the grapes) are the ones sustaining the community. But the Gemara says the leaves—the people who might not be the most learned or the most "fruitful" in a traditional sense—are the ones providing the shade and protection that keep the whole thing alive.

At home, this is a game-changer. We often measure the "value" of a family member by their grades, their career, or their level of observance. But this text suggests we are all part of the same vine. The person who handles the "simple" tasks—the one who keeps the house running, the one who just listens, the one who keeps the mood light—is the leaf protecting the scholar. If you are the "scholar" in your house, start praying for the "leaves" who support you. If you are the "leaf," realize that the fruit wouldn't exist without your humble, protective presence. We aren't just living in a house; we are an ecosystem.

Micro-Ritual

The "Permission" Niggun This Friday night, after you finish the Kiddush or before you start the meal, take 30 seconds to sing a simple, wordless melody—a niggun.

• The Tweak: Before you sing, say out loud: "I am giving myself permission to be present tonight."
• The Song: Try this simple, repetitive line (to a slow, soulful tune): “Baruch, Baruch, Baruch—Mi-mekomo.”
• The Intent: As you sing, think of one person in your life who is a "leaf"—someone who supports you in ways you rarely acknowledge. By the time you reach the end of the song, send a silent "thank you" to them. It’s a way of acknowledging that we all have "permission" to bring our full selves to the table, and we are all held up by the people around us.

Chevruta Mini

1. If you had to map your family or your friend group onto the "vine" metaphor (branches, clusters, leaves, tendrils), who would be which part? Does this change how you appreciate them?
2. The Gemara struggles with the idea of "who masters whom" when Jacob wrestles the angel. Why do you think it’s so important to the Sages to define who won? Is there a "wrestling match" you’re currently in—with a decision, a person, or a goal—where the winner isn't clear yet?

Takeaway

You don't need to be an angel to have "permission" to speak to the Divine, and you don't need to be the "fruit" of the vine to be the most vital part of the plant. Whether you're wrestling with your own demons like Jacob or just trying to figure out how to keep your household thriving, remember: you have the authorization, the support, and the space to grow. Keep the song going.