TL;DR

Daf Yomi is a 7.5-year cycle for studying the 2,711 pages of the Babylonian Talmud, one page per day. The program was founded in 1923 by Rabbi Meir Shapiro and unites millions of learners worldwide. You can display the daily page automatically on digital signage in the synagogue.

Daf Yomi is the most widespread Jewish study program in the world – millions of people around the globe learn the same page of the Babylonian Talmud on the same day, in a 7.5-year cycle. In this article we will review the program, its history, the time required, and how to display the daily page automatically on digital signage in the synagogue.

What is Daf Yomi? History

The “Daf Yomi” program was founded in 1923 by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin, head of the Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin. The idea: every Jew in the world would study the same page on the same day, creating a spiritual and communal bond among all learners. The call for the program was made at the First Agudath Israel Congress in Vienna in 1923, and within just a few years it was adopted across the Jewish world.

Today, we are in the 14th cycle – which began in January 2020 and will conclude in summer 2027. The Siyum HaShas (cycle completion) is a celebratory event held in massive stadiums around the world – in the United States at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before 90,000 people, and in Israel at public completion halls. The completion of the 13th cycle in January 2020 was one of the largest Jewish events in history.

The Cycle: 7.5 Years x 2,711 Pages

The Babylonian Talmud contains 37 tractates (60 by certain counts) spread across 2,711 pages. Each page = 2 sides: “Amud Aleph” (the right side when opening the book) and “Amud Bet” (the left side). Daf Yomi begins each day on Amud Aleph of a new page and finishes on its Amud Bet.

The cycle covers all six orders of the Mishnah: Zeraim (Berachot only in the Babylonian Talmud), Moed (Shabbat, Pesachim, Rosh Hashanah, Yoma, Sukkah, Beitzah, etc.), Nashim (Yevamot, Ketubot, Nedarim, Nazir, Gittin, Kiddushin), Nezikin (Bava Kamma, Bava Metzia, Bava Batra, Sanhedrin, Makkot, Shevuot, Avodah Zarah, Horayot), Kodashim (Zevachim, Menachot, Chullin, Bechorot, Arachin, Temurah, Keritot, Meilah, Tamid), and Taharot (Niddah only in the Babylonian Talmud). The conventional Daf Yomi order begins with Tractate Berachot.

Infographic - Daf Yomi 7.5-year cycle of the Babylonian Talmud
A 7.5-year cycle of 2,711 Talmud pages

How to Start Studying Daf Yomi? 5 Steps

Starting Daf Yomi study is relatively straightforward. Here are 5 steps to get started:

  1. Choose a fixed daily time – morning after Shacharit, evening before Maariv, or midday. Guiding principle: make it a fixed part of the daily routine, not an exception.
  2. Find a local class – every synagogue and beit midrash in the world has a Daf Yomi class, typically in Hebrew, English, Yiddish, or French. Ask the gabbai or search online for “Daf Yomi class” + city name.
  3. If there is no class – use a display board – the synagogue’s digital signage system shows today’s page automatically. Apps like “Sefaria” and “Yomi” plus ArtScroll podcasts provide audio lessons.
  4. Connect with a class / study partner (chavruta) – studying Gemara in chavruta is deeper and more enjoyable. Even if geographically distant – a chavruta via Zoom or phone works excellently.
  5. Stick to the pace – but do not give up – if you missed a day or a week, do not stop. Continue with today’s page and make up the missed ones on Shabbat or during a vacation. Habit is more important than maintaining a perfect streak.

Alternatives: Daf Shavui and Yerushalmi

If Daf Yomi is too fast or too slow a pace, there are variations:

  • Daf Shavui (Weekly Page) – the same track at a pace of one page per week. For those who want to study more in depth. Cycle: ~50 years.
  • Yerushalmi Vilna – the Jerusalem Talmud according to the Vilna page division. Daily pace, ~5-year cycle.
  • Yerushalmi Schottenstein – the Jerusalem Talmud according to the Schottenstein edition (ArtScroll) division. More popular in the West.
  • Daily Mishnah – 2 mishnayot per day, ~6-year cycle. Suitable for those who want short, light study.

For information on additional daily study programs (Mishnah, Rambam, Chofetz Chaim), see the guide to Daily Halacha.

How to Display Daf Yomi Automatically on the Synagogue Screen

The GoMixApp digital signage system for synagogues supports automatic display of 18 daily study programs, including Daf Yomi. The system shows the tractate name, page number, and chapter of the day, and updates automatically at midnight each night.

In addition to the Babylonian Daf Yomi, the system supports 3 variations: Daf Shavui, Daf Shavui Sunday edition, Yerushalmi Vilna, and Yerushalmi Schottenstein – so each community can choose the track that suits it.

LED screen in a synagogue displaying an open book icon with rays of light - Daf Yomi
Daf Yomi – automatic display of the page studied today

Frequently Asked Questions about Daf Yomi

What is Daf Yomi?

Daf Yomi is a program for studying the Babylonian Talmud in a 7.5-year cycle – one page per day, totaling 2,711 pages. The program was founded by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin in 1923 and grew to become the most widespread Jewish study program in the world, with millions of learners.

How long does a Daf Yomi cycle last?

Approximately 7 years and 5 months. The current cycle (the 14th) began in January 2020 and will conclude in June 2027. Each day learners study one page (=2 sides, “Amud Aleph” and “Amud Bet”). The completion of the cycle is a celebratory event called “Siyum HaShas” held in massive stadiums around the world.

How much time per day is needed to study Daf Yomi?

On average 45-60 minutes per page, including explanation. Without explanation and through self-study alone – 30-45 minutes. At an advanced level (pilpul and deep analysis) – 90 minutes or more. Study time depends on personal pace, prior knowledge, and source selection (Gemara only / Rashi / Tosafot / Rishonim).

Can Daf Yomi be studied alone or only in a group?

Both formats are possible. Group (class): every synagogue and beit midrash in the world has a Daf Yomi class, typically twice daily (morning after Shacharit, evening before Maariv). Self-study: via apps (Sefaria, Yomi, ArtScroll), podcasts, or YouTube. Many people combine – a class once a week + self-study on the other days.

What is Daf Shavui? How does it differ from Daf Yomi?

Daf Shavui is a variation of Daf Yomi – the same study track but at a slower pace: one page per week instead of per day. Suitable for those who want to study each page in greater depth or for those who do not have 45 minutes every day. A Daf Shavui cycle lasts about 50 years.

Is there also a Daf Yomi for the Jerusalem Talmud?

Yes. There are two Daf Yomi cycles for the Jerusalem Talmud: Yerushalmi Vilna (based on the pages of the Vilna edition) and Yerushalmi Schottenstein (based on the Schottenstein/ArtScroll edition division). Both are less popular than the Babylonian Daf Yomi, but there are dedicated groups of learners.

Can Daf Yomi be displayed on the synagogue screen automatically?

Yes. The GoMixApp system for synagogues supports automatic display of today’s page, including chapter/tractate/page number, as well as related programs: Daf Shavui, Daf Shavui Sunday edition, Yerushalmi Vilna, and Yerushalmi Schottenstein. The display updates automatically every day.

Summary

Daf Yomi is more than a study program – it is a spiritual bond among millions of Jews around the world, who study the same page on the same day. In a 7.5-year cycle, learners complete the entire Babylonian Talmud. Displaying Daf Yomi on digital signage in the synagogue allows anyone entering the synagogue to see today’s page at a glance, even without an active class.

For more details on the digital signage system for synagogues ->