[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 21 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H808-H810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING JEWISH COMMUNITIES ON THEIR SEVEN YEAR COMPLETION OF THE 
              11TH CYCLE OF THE DAILY STUDY OF THE TALMUD

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 124) congratulating Jewish communities on their 
seven year completion of the 11th cycle of the daily study of the 
Talmud.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 124

       Whereas the 11th cycle of the daily learning of the 2,711 
     pages in the Babylonian Talmud, through the Daf Hayomi study 
     program will culminate on March 1, 2005, the 20th day of Adar 
     I 5765 in the Jewish calendar;
       Whereas this will complete a formidable 7\1/2\ year 
     educational and daily study cycle introduced in 1923 at 
     Agudath Israel's first International Congress in Vienna by 
     Polish Rabbi Meir Shapiro, whose purpose was ``to enhance the 
     sense of unity of Jews worldwide'';
       Whereas Jews throughout the world will be celebrating 
     joyously in honor of the celebration, including 120,000 Jews 
     in North America, and more than 50,000 in 3 major locations 
     in the New York area will be technologically and spiritually 
     linked to hundreds of similar celebrations throughout the 
     world;
       Whereas the 10th Daf Yomi cycle was completed on September 
     28, 1997 with 26,000 people at Madison Square Garden linked 
     by satellite to dozens of communities around the world;
       Whereas the teachers and students of the Talmud have 
     displayed the remarkable ability to take individual efforts 
     and combine them in striving toward a common vision and goal; 
     and
       Whereas this monumental achievement in study, dedication, 
     perseverance, and persistence is a lesson for contemporary 
     society and for people of good will everywhere: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the students and teachers of the Daf Yomi program on the 
     occasion of their celebration of the completion of the 11th 
     cycle of the Daf Hayomi, and wishes them well on beginning 
     the 12th cycle.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Porter) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter).


                             General Leave

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 124, the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I rise in strong 
support of H. Res. 124. This legislation congratulates the people of 
Jewish faith across America and around the world on their completion of 
the eleventh cycle of the Babylonian Talmud. Thousands of Jews 
worldwide read a page a day of the 2,711-page Talmud for nearly 7\1/2\ 
years.
  This incredible reading program, called Dafyomi, ends today, March 1, 
2005, after beginning September 29, 1997.
  It consists of the Mishnah, which was the original written version of 
the Oral Torah, and the Gemara which is essentially a commentary on the 
Mishnah. Together, these two intertwined texts form Talmud, which 
serves today as an explanation of the law as described in the five 
books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
  Simply put, it was written to help Jews better understand God's will.
  It is called the Babylonian Talmud because, at the time of its 
composition in the 5th century A.D., the contributing rabbis and a 
significant portion of the Jewish population lived in Babylon, outside 
the bounds of the Roman Empire. The rabbis contemplated, discussed, 
argued and told stories to express their positions on the law. They 
recorded their thoughts, and the end product, the Gemara, accompanied 
the Mishnah and the two texts became known as the Babylonian Talmud.
  Jews began reading Talmud in the current cycles in 1923. A Polish 
rabbi named Meir Shapiro intended to unite Jews all over the world by 
having them study the same page each day. For almost 82 years, Jews 
have done just that, and today marks the end of the 11th cycle of Rabbi 
Shapiro's vision.
  Mr. Speaker, Talmud readers here in America can attend countless 
celebrations this evening. Tonight, they can also tune in to a 
simulcast of the worldwide commemoration of the 7\1/2\-year cycle 
completion.
  I want to thank my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Weiner) for introducing this meaningful resolution. I 
congratulate the students, the scholars and all people of Jewish faith 
who will complete this monumental undertaking today.
  In southern Nevada, where I am from, we have the fastest growing 
Jewish community in the country. So I am proud to be here today to talk 
about this important occasion.
  This is a terrific matter for the House to recognize and bring to 
light for all Americans one of the solemn rituals of Judaism.
  It is also important to note that there is no rest for the devoted. 
As the resolution declares, we all wish our Talmud readers well with 
the twelfth cycle that begins, believe it or not, tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of H. Res. 124.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Nevada for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I am pleased 
to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Nadler), a cosponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleague the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Weiner) in sponsoring this resolution on the completion of 
the 11th cycle of the daily study of the Talmud.

[[Page H809]]

  Mr. Speaker, tossed into a stormy sea when his ship was wrecked, the 
great Talmudic sage, Rabbi Akiva, was given up for lost. This is how he 
later described his miraculous rescue to Rabbi Gamaliel. He said, ``A 
daf,'' that is a wood plank, ``from the ship suddenly appeared as a 
salvation, and I just let the waves pass over me.''
  When Rabbi Meir Shapiro, the rabbi of Lublin, Poland, initiated the 
programs for Jews all over the world to study the same Dafyomi, that 
is, daily page of Talmud, he explained the significance of this 
undertaking by paraphrasing Rabbi Akiva, ``A daf is the instrument of 
our survival in the stormy seas of today. If we cling to it faithfully, 
all the waves of tribulation will but pass over us.''
  Mr. Speaker, the latest 7-year cycle of completion of the Talmud will 
occur in the first month of the Hebrew month of Adar, corresponding to 
March 1, 2005, which is today. This will complete a formidable 7\1/2\-
year educational and daily study cycle introduced in 1923 at Agudath 
Israel's first international Congress in Vienna by Polish Rabbi Meir 
Shapiro ``to enhance the sense of unity of Jews worldwide.''
  The entire Talmud is covered in 7\1/2\ years by those who keep to the 
prescribed daily pace of one page at a time. By studying the Talmud, 
groups and individuals throughout the world spend time learning the 
precious details of Jewish law and life. They are able to step back, to 
develop a sharply honed understanding of Jewish history and law. People 
study in every country and every city, in groups, alone, with friends 
and over the Internet.

                              {time}  1500

  CEOs and cab drivers, doctors and shop owners, of different ages and 
nationalities come together to learn the Talmud. Tens of thousands, 
mostly Orthodox Jews, around the globe are on the same page, literally. 
In the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, in my district, for example, 
about 200 fathers of young children gather each night at 10 p.m., after 
their children are asleep.
  I am proud that about 50,000 scholars are expected to attend this 
year's event at Madison Square Garden, the Javitz Convention Center in 
Manhattan, and Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey.
  In addition, more than 25,000 other Jews in 33 locations, ranging 
from Mexico City to Melbourne, Australia, from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv, 
will be linked to these activities via satellite television.
  I join in their joy and celebration. This monumental achievement in 
study, dedication, perseverance, and persistence is a lesson for 
contemporary society and for people of good will everywhere.
  I take this opportunity to congratulate the students and teachers of 
the Daf Yomi program on the occasion of their celebration of the 
completion of the 11th cycle of the Daf Hayomi, wish them well on the 
beginning of the 12th cycle, and urge the passage of this resolution.
  And again I thank my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Weiner), for being the chief sponsor of this, and I thank the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time at the 
moment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner), the 
sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois and the 
gentleman from Nevada for joining in commemorating what is truly a 
historic day, historic in many ways: historic in that this day arrives 
every 7 years, but also historic in that it is a celebration of the 
study of the Talmud, something that has gone back for over 1,500 years.
  In celebration of Daf Yomi, what we have is the ultimate egalitarian 
religious observance. We have, as my colleague, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Nadler), just mentioned, Jews from all walks of life, whether 
they be cab drivers or whether they be the owners of the big office 
buildings of Manhattan or Mexico City or Israel or anywhere in between. 
This is an opportunity where daily there is not the reading of a page a 
day, there is the intense studying of a page a day. There is the 
opportunity to learn the true meaning of the Talmud and to pour over 
the lessons we can bring to our daily lives.
  Today, on March 1, 2005, over 120,000 Jews from across North America 
will be joining together to celebrate the culmination of this, the 11th 
cycle. To give you a sense for what it means in my hometown of New 
York, Madison Square Garden will be filled, Nassau Coliseum will be 
filled, Continental Arena will be filled, the Javitz Center will be 
filled, all with folks who are studying, at the exact same time, the 
exact same final page of the Talmud. And also they will be learning the 
meanings. They will be learning what it means to our daily lives and 
why it is so important.
  Since 1923, hundreds of thousands of Jews worldwide have participated 
in the study of a daily page as part of a program that helps strengthen 
Jewish unity and communities. Today's resolution has received 
bipartisan support. I am grateful to acknowledge the chairman of the 
Government Reform Committee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom 
Davis); and his staff, Melissa Wojciak and Michael Layman; and the 
ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman); and his 
staff, Tanya Shand and Zahava Goldman; the majority leader, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay); the minority leader, the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Pelosi); and 56 Democrats and Republicans, with 
cosponsors from 23 States.
  We have to understand that today, as was pointed out by the gentleman 
from Nevada, not only do we have the celebration of the culmination of 
the reading that lasts for 7 years, but immediately we begin to study 
the very next page starting the cycle again. This sense of renewal is 
something that brings the Jewish community together. It is a sense of 
renewal of our spirit, a sense of renewal of our values, and also it is 
hopefully the time that we renew our commitment to the next generation; 
that next year Daf Yomi will be even larger and more populated; we will 
need more stadia, more office buildings, and even more places to join 
in the celebration.
  This is, of course, a tribute to not only Rav Shapiro, who, as was 
mentioned, at the first World Jewish Congress at the Agudath Israel in 
Vienna began this program; but it is frankly a tribute to the Agudath 
Israel movement throughout the world today.
  We join in extending congratulations to all of the participants in 
this program. We join in acknowledging the work of the Agudath Israel 
of America in particular, and we join in wishing them all good luck, 
120,000 students and teachers all across North America in over 40 
United States cities. We in the United States Congress join and offer 
them congratulations, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
resolution today.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume to close for our side.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join with my colleagues, the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter), the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Weiner), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), in support of 
House Resolution 124, honoring Jewish students and teachers on their 7-
year completion of the 11th cycle of the daily study of the Talmud.
  Mr. Speaker, the Talmud is considered to be an authoritative record 
of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, ethics, customs, legends, and 
stories. The Talmud is comprised of two components, the Mishnah and the 
Gemara. It expands on earlier writings in the Torah and it is the basis 
for all later codes of Jewish law and much of rabbinic literature.
  Today, we celebrate the conclusion of the 11th cycle of the Daf Yomi, 
a Jewish tradition that began over 80 years ago. Daf Yomi was created 
by Polish Rabbi Meir Shapiro in 1923. He wanted to create a way for 
Jews across the world to unite and study and pray. Daf Yomi does just 
that, and it also helps Jewish people to reconnect with their faith and 
to make it part of their daily lives. In order to complete the Daf 
Yomi, a person must study the Talmud each and every day for 7 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that everyone, regardless of their faith and 
beliefs,

[[Page H810]]

can appreciate and respect the profound commitment people must make in 
order to complete such an impressive task. To celebrate this 
accomplishment, countless people around the world are expected to 
gather together and to study in unison in the same manner that those we 
honor today gathered to study.
  In the United States alone, thousands of people are expected to 
celebrate the occasion. I think that the participants and teachers 
alike deserve a rousing applause from this body for their shared sense 
of purpose.
  I stand in strong support of this resolution and again want to 
congratulate each and every person who will participate and all of 
those for whom it will have meaning.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
strongly urge all my colleagues to support the adoption of H. Res. 124.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my strong 
support for the resolution and to congratulate the members of the 
Jewish community for completion of their 7-year study of the Talmud. I 
would like to thank Representatives Anthony Weiner and Jerrold Nadler 
for introducing this bill and I would also like to thank the majority 
and minority leadership for bringing it to the floor in such a timely 
manner and on the appropriate day.
  Today marks the completion of 7 years of dedication, study, and 
communal learning. First introduced in 1927 at Agudath Israel's first 
international Congress in Vienna by Polish Rabbi Meir Shapiro ``to 
enhance the sense of unity of Jews worldwide,'' this practice has 
become widespread among Jews around the world. It is estimated that in 
North America alone 120,000 members of the Jewish community will 
celebrate completion of their 7-year study on this day.
  These individuals have demonstrated great determination, both 
spiritual and physical, in completing this task and they must be 
honored for such action. According to Daf Hayomi study program each 
individual will read one page of the 2,711 page Talmud a day. In 
completing this task they have demonstrated great perseverance and 
will.
  The Talmud is a collection of Jewish laws, ethics, and stories that 
have been read for over 1500 years. The Completion of the 7-year study 
cycle demonstrates the commitment of the Jewish community to remain 
true to their history and origin and remain steadfast in their beliefs. 
For this they truly deserve recognition of their work.
  The effects of this communal act of study and learning serves to 
spiritually unify the Jewish community spread throughout the world and 
rekindle their sense of union. On this day Jews from around the world 
will unite in celebration at the completion of this daunting task. The 
26,000 that are estimated to celebrate in Madison Square Garden is a 
testament to the unifying power of the Daf Hayomi study program.
  This resolution expresses our veneration of this monumental 
achievement in study, dedication, perseverance, and persistence. 
Contemporary society and people of all creeds can appreciate it as a 
testament to the value of learning. I, once again, would like to thank 
the distinguished members for introducing this important resolution and 
voice my strong support.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 124.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________