Talking Talmud

More on slaves' emancipation - and how that works as a matter of transaction. Even if he's not cognizant of it, it's to his benefit - and actions in his own interest can be done without his knowledge. Also, the sages allow the slave to free himself with the money of others. Because otherwise, the funds are immediately acquired by the master when they arrive in the slave's possession. But can you g...

More on "retziyah" - and the obligation of a master to the slave's family. Plus, a description of piercing the slave's ear, and where the slave who adds to the time of service goes wrong. Also, switching to a Canaanite slave - what are the means of acquisition?

The Gemara continues its discussion comparing the redemption of fields and houses during Yovel. The daf then shares a baraita that explains many of the halachot of retziah. Finally a discussion about the kohen who becomes a slave.

Abaye compares himself to Ben Azzai [brief recall of Who's Who]. How does one figure out the purchase price of redeeming a slave? Plus, treating a slave leniently. What about a Jew working for an idolater? Also, a mnemonic to help remember the cases of partial redemption.

Can a father tell his minor daughter to go accept her own betrothal that she isn't old enough to accept herself? Plus, the marriage that follows the time of a maidservant - to the master - and how that kiddushin can kick in, switching the relationship from marriage to slavery. With props to marriage over and above slavery, given the comparison.

Redeeming the maidservant against "his" will - but whose will? The master or the father? What about the strike against the family's good name in the servitude itself?! Plus, a maidservant isn't sold a second time. Also, she can't be sold to a second master - with interpretation of a phrase in the verse being essential.

The daf explores a few different opinions on how much severance must be paid to a freed slave.

Gemara discussed some key differences between female and male Hebrew slaves. The daf also looks at which slaves are eligible for a severance gift and what might that teach us about biblical slavery.

More on the gezerah shavah between "sachir" and "sachir," with regard to how this indentured fellow goes free - aside from the jubilee year, which is already specified in the verse. But Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi doesn't use this gezarah shavah, so why not? And why the disagreement over this? Plus, how does a gezarah shavah really work? How does one be freed from one owner only to be enslaved to the rel...

Recapping Yevamot, to explain the first mishnah of Kiddushin. With a deeper dive into the halitzah case on this daf - namely, how do we know she frees herself with halitzah? Plus, a story of R. Tarfon's beit din for a woman who comes for halitzah. Also, the economics of Jewish (Hebrew) slaves, usually as a matter of paying off debt. What about the sale of a female Hebrew slave? How does that compa...

More cases of possible kiddushin. For example, betrothal with a mat of myrtle branches - to no response by the woman who takes the mat. Is that silence a matter of acquiescence or rejection? How would she knows the details of that kind of silence? Also, what about a designated sin-offering on the woman's behalf post childbirth? What if she dies in childbirth? Plus, what about a loan where the debt...

How much is a perutah actually worth? How do we define its value, given fluctuating currencies and given the different value of items in various places. Also, what happens when the value diminishes over time? Plus, how can some cases of actual effective kiddushin be valued at less than a perutah (Shmuel's opinion vs. that of R. Hisda). Plus, R. Hiya's wife's efforts to leave him.

The Gemara does a deep dive on Beit Shammai’s opinion that for Kiddushin to take place with money it must be at a value of at least a dinar. Several opinions are offered to help understand Beit Shammai’s reasoning.

Investigating the precise moment that sexual intercourse functions as betrothal. With practical implications. Also, a story of terumah and chuppah. [Who's Who: Yochanan Ben Bag Bag] Plus, the modesty of clear language and addressing difficult (sexual) topics directly.

More interesting cases - to illustrate the halakhah. How far do they go toward kiddushin? (Spoiler: Not kiddushin). Plus, kiddushin with a shtar/document. Note - it's not worth even a perutah, nor is it a bill of sale, in that it comes from the woman's husband-to-be, and not her father (or herself, once she's an adult). Note the requirement for consent. Also, does the document need to be written f...

Betrothal with money has to be with something that has a clearly defined value. With a parallel to pidyon haben - redemption which also needs to be of a certain value. Also, what happens if the woman takes the money a man offers her for kiddushin and she destroys the money? Is that rejection of kiddushin, or is it too late? Or does she owe him the funds? [NOTE: If the second part of today's daf so...

A series of cases of possibly effective kiddushin, and the effect of the formal act of acquisition (kinyan). What does it mean that marriage is effected through an act of acquisition (as one buys property). Also, what happens if the man offers to betroth the woman in parts, with half of the money equivalent to a perutah? Half of this coin for half of you, and vice versa. Does it count for kiddushi...

Other formulations that may or may not work for betrothal. What if the couple is talking about betrothal? Is that enough to betroth her? Also, the case of one who wants to betroth a woman with the money he's already lent her. Or the benefit of that loan.

Can each of these three ways of betrothal imply the others? Or can any two imply the third? Or do we need all three of them stated explicitly? Also, what about chuppah? Shouldn't it work to bring about a betrothal? The Gemara works out why not. Plus, the actual process of betrothal via "money."

Honing in on the language, specifically with regard to a girl's coming to physical majority. Plus, the question of superfluous words - with regard to letting a slave (or maidservant) go free. Also, investigating the source of betrothal taking place with money - is it logic or is it a verse?

The use of "derekh" - ways - in the mishnah, and a probe into why this term and not another. With parallel cases with a "zav" and an "etrog." What do the explicit cases (3 and 2 ways that a woman comes in or out of marriage) come to exclude? Plus, an investigation into the money that is used for betrothal. And the move from under her father's auspices.

Embarking on the new relationship, with the new tractate, as it is established by a transactional arrangements. The mishnah begins with the formal act of acquisition can be accomplished in one of three ways: money, contract, or sexual intercourse. The mishnah also outlines how she goes free from that bond too. Considering the rationale behind this kind of take on marriage, and the sense of it with...

A new mishnah on this last daf! Specifically, under what circumstances is a husband allowed to divorce his wife - of course, a machloket, this time, between Beit Shammai, Beit Hillel, and Rabbi Akiva (based on interpreting a verse). Plus, 4 ways to understand the word, "ki," in the biblical text. Also, ending the tractate with the full emotions of divorce - in sorrow and some measure or regret - a...

When rumours about a woman's conduct abound - when would she need to be divorced? How do we investigate rumors?

More on signatures on a get on the wrong place. Plus, a verse referring to the Children of Israel being long in the world - 3 generations. Also, another aggadah - about the number of generations before the destruction of the Temple (based on the list of Jewish kings who did some form of idolatry), which is understood to be 7. Also, 2 mishnayot, one about when a forced get is acceptable and one abo...