About this episode
Today's daf is sponsored by Nancy Kolodny in honor of her daughter-in-law Lisa Kolodny's birthday. "She brings light, love and learning into the lives of her family and friends." Today's daf is sponsored by Caroline Ben-Ari in loving memory of her mother, Daphne Rhodes, Daphne Devora bat Avraham v'Chana on her 8th yahrzeit. The story of the battle between Hizkiyahu and Sancheriv is discussed in detail, beginning with the tradition that Hizkiyahu was destined to be the messiah but was ultimately deemed unworthy because he failed to express gratitude to God after being saved from Sancheriv's attack. In recounting this story, the Gemara uses it as a platform to emphasize the critical importance of Torah study. It specifically highlights that Hizkiyahu's merit in encouraging the people to learn Torah is what ultimately saved them from destruction.