Real Clear Daf

I am filling out this review after speaking with R Shmuel Wise. I emailed him now due to a technical glitch regarding the app and was amazed that he called me within minutes and helped me troubleshoot the problem. We started speaking and R Wise asked me to share publicly the reflections I shared with him privately in order to help others benefit from the app as I have, which of course is the least I can do to show my gratitude for all I have received from this app. I spent the past three years in Harvard Law School and RCD was my companion during exercise and commutes every morning. The shiurim reliably kickstarted my learning each day and helped me ensure that no matter how busy I got, I was always connecting to dvar Hashem - and to klal Yisrael. The clarity and concision of R Wise’s presentation were invaluable during this period. I gained so much from this app and am always recommending it highly to anybody who asks (and many who do not). Thank you, thank you Rabbi Wise for all you have given to me and to Klal Yisrael! May you be zocheh to be marbitz Torah in good health ad meah v’esrim!

If you commute to work by bus or train, Real Clear Daf could turn wasted time into a real opportunity to learn and understand the Daf well. Rabbi Wise is concise, clear and focuses exclusively on the simple פשט, without getting sidetracked. In terms of the application, it’s the best I have seen, now that the exact phrase which is being explained is highlighted on the daf. This is brilliant, and in my opinion it’s a game changer. In addition, both the sound and the text are clear and of high quality, that’s definitely not so with many other applications. Rabbi Wise is always several days ahead, especially important for those who live in Israel. The level of professionalism which he has put into both the shiurim and the application is very impressive.

I have been trying to learn Talmud by myself for years with only limited success. Rabbi Wise provides a fluent translation of the text and clear explanation of the dialectic. It is fun to study with him and I look forward to it every day. My comprehension of the discourse and its background is much better since I started using Real Clear Daf. Although it is best to study with a partner and a teacher if possible, Rabbi Wise is really a “virtual”study partner and teacher. He also responded to my e-mail quickly. The daf page appears with the audio lecture so you can follow along with the text as he reads and translates. I know Hebrew but do not know Aramaic. Nevertheless, his explanation and translation are clear. I imagine that even if Hebrew is not in your skill set, you can still follow the Talmudic discussion as translated and explained by Rabbi Wise. I highly recommend this App for those interested in the Daf Yomi or Talmudic study. Bill Schecter