Talking Talmud

The backup vessels of the Beit HaMikdash did not include a backup mizbeach (altar). But they assumed everything was impure because of the kohanim who were amei ha-aretz, which means that the mizbeach didn't need purification. The question is what mechanism kept it pure? Also, the fire of Gehenna has no power over Torah scholars, as can be inferred from the case of the fire salamander. Nor even ove...

The daf discusses a variety of different scenarios where an Am Ha’areaz can or cannot be trusted. What happens to all the Keilim in the Beit HaMikdash after the regalim.

Why the Galileans weren't considered reliable with regard to purity and impurity. And possible solutions that would have enabled them to bring their goods to Jerusalem - like a movable tent for those who consider that to be immune to bring rendered impure. Or perhaps a tightly sealed cover would do the trick. Plus a comparison to the purification waters from the red heifer. Also, on the relationsh...

4 more stringencies for kodesh over terumah, including what happens when only one hand is pure and the other hand impure, and how consecrated foods that are dry have a different status. Also, a new mishnah with a stringency for terumah over kodshim, specifically in the context of grape pressing and olive pressing for wine and oil, in the area of Judea.

More on the purity/impurity stringencies... Trying to make sense of the list of them, by their numbers. One who carries something that has impurity because of the way it came in contact with someone who was impure can also carry terumah, but not kodshim. This stringency is based on a one-time occurrence of things going wrong. Also, another stringency focuses again on the possibility that an am ha-...

The daf discusses how the Chaver and Am HaAretz interact with each other. How many different parts of a klei are there?

The starts the delve into the maalot. Why does kodesh have extra stringencies over terumah?

More on the purity/impurity issues with regard to clothing. What does it mean to have a constant awareness of your garments? And how little inattention it takes to render a garment impure! Plus, the wives of "chaverim" who switched their clothing, and fendered their garments impure. Also, the questions posed to one who is generally very careful, but knows that she hasn't had complete intent and at...

More on intent when immersing in a mikveh -- and just how far that goes. Specifically, will dunking one hands in a mikveh, for example, render one's hands pure? Or must you have that purification aim in mind at the time of immersion? The rules for Chillun (regular food) vs. sanctified food turn out to be different. Plus, the case of a large enough wave that falls on a person and vessels that need...

A new mishnah: Washing hands prior to eating non-kodesh food, for ma'aserot, for terumot; and for kodesh (korbanot) or for a chatat, you need to dunk. But what if you've dunked for the purpose of eating regular food? You're presumed to be pure for the level of food that you dunked, but not for anything that requires a greater level of purity (whereas if you are pure for a higher level, you are con...

A new mishnah! With a dispute between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai (with some background on their disputes), over whether semichah - the laying of hands on the holiday. Beit Shammai says the fully burnt offerings can't be brought on the holiday anyway, because they aren't eaten. But when the festival of Shavuot falls out on Shabbat, and there is a korban olah (that is fully burnt), then when can y...

On demons, angels, human beings, and animals. Also, on how people should not attempt to look in the prohibited 4 directions, or aspects of the functioning of the heavens, the future, etc. Rather, we focus on this world. Plus, not looking at a rainbow, whether for reasons that disparage the phenomenon or for those that elevate it. Also, the question of one who is overcome by a desire to sin - what...

Such a rich daf! First, the story of "Pardes," the four who entered the Pardes and came out with very different reactions (Ben Azzai, Ben Zoma, Elisha ben Avuyah, and R. Akiva). What happened to them is helpful, and perhaps essential, to understanding how people function in the world, when they confront that which is difficult, or metaphysically challenging, and the like. Also, Elisha ben Avuyah's...

How angels were created, daily, for the purpose of singing the praises of God... Or via the utterances of God. Plus, R. Akiva's foray into aggadic interpretation and the double rebuke he receives for his efforts. Also, how R. Yochanan ben Zakkai taught, or didn't, the Ma'aseh Merkavah to R. Elazar ben Arakh. And what happens to R. Elazar ben Arakh when he delves in on his own, including the creati...

Delving into Ma'aseh Merkavah, when we're not supposed to learn it at all... Who should not be studying Ma'aseh Merkavah? Perhaps everyone, but broad strokes may be acceptable, or acceptable for a select few. Plus, the words of the Torah are not to be taught to a non-Jew. And how R. Elazar defers his opportunities to learn Ma'aseh Merkavah. Also, the purported hiding of the Book of Ezekiel, and th...

Delving into "Ma'aseh Bereishit" - including the order of creation, heavens or earth first? It's debatable, by Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel: top down or bottom up? The later sages arrive at a resolution. And yet, the discussion of the Rakiya (firmament) is still rather beyond what we can make sense of. Also, a dispute between R. Yishmael [Who's Who] and R. Akiva, who have significantly different a...

On the illicit sexual relationships bring explicitly listed in the Torah - even that list leaves out some prohibited relationships. Plus, a statement by the mishnah on the essence of the Torah that the Gemara understands to be both explicit and derived details of halakhah. Also, chapter 2: Limiting the public study or discourse on certain topics, from the sexually illicit relationships to Ma'aseh...

A range of mitzvot, beginning with hatarat nedarim, that the mishnah claims are not well sourced in the text of the Torah. The Gemara than contradicts this premise of the mishnah, for each of the mitzvot or categories of halakhah discussed - by means of examples of biblical verses to back up the defense. The question then is why does the mishnah make this claim?

Tashlumin - making things up, from sacrifices and beyond. What happens if you can't make it up? Plus, how tashlumin play out after Sukkot, at the point when you can no longer make it up. Also, the difference between theft, for example, and the child who is a mamzer - which status cannot be undone. And how can you make up the korban, when you actually can? Also, delving further into the essence of...

What monies can be used to pay for the korbanot of a festival, in particular, the Chagigah shelamim? And when you you need to lay out money, can you combine money from your own pocket with your ma'aser sheni money? Especially when you need more than one animal to feed the family. And why ma'aser behamah animals could not be brought on yom tov. Also, a mishnah! What happens when you have many mouth...

A dispute between R. Yochanan and Resh Lakish on the mitzvah here of seeing and being seen. Note the parallel passage to Masekhet Peah, on those mitzvot which have no limit - including "ra'ayon," which needs defining in the context of Re'eiah. What is the extent to which we need to bring what we bring to God? Anthropomorphism par excellence. Also, a new mishnah - on what monies can be used to pay...

Who is a minor? The Gemara follows the mishnah's discussion of the abilities of the child - to ride on his father's shoulders to the Temple, or to walk holding his hand. But how did the child get to Jerusalem to begin with? Clearly, his mother brought him, as she comes to Jerusalem to fulfill her own obligation of simcha, rejoicing. With support for this presumption in the biblical story of Chana...

The story of R. Yochanan who encounters a man who is picking less ripe figs and leaving the ripe figs. And the rationale and value of picking the figs that weren't quite ready becomes a springboard for some heavy hitting philosophical discussion of how God takes some people before their time, the question of hidden wrong-doing, and the possibility of trusting people that nothing inadvertently wron...

A halakhic discussion and an aggadic discussion. First, a study of why those who are excluded from the mitzvah of Re'eiah, even when the exclusions are rather self-evident (women, tumtum, androgynous, plus a slave who has not been freed). Second, one who is blind and can't see, even in one eye, is exempt from appearing, or from the obligation to be seen - which introduces a large measure of anthro...

On the list of people who are not obligated in the mitzvah of Re'eiah is the "deaf" person, a category which is expanded to include those who cannot hear but can speak, and those who can hear but are mute. How does their obligation differ from the obligation of others, including as that obligation is present in the mitzvah of Hakhel. Which spawns the question of whether those who cannot speak cann...