Talking Talmud

Irregularities in a field that is to be used for kiddushin - how do they change things? Plus new mishnah on the double conditions of Gad and Reuven. Plus, the dispute between R. Meir and R. Hanina ben Gamliel.

The parallels between the regular case of betrothal and other topics. Plus, specific conditions - based on specifics of money - what he has, what she can trust that he has. The specific phrasing of the conditions can make a difference. Depending, course, on the behavior of the shaliach, and retroactive kiddushin... Plus, if the condition is the 30 days for when betrothal kicks in, and what he real...

A new chapter, and a new mishnah - when a man appoints an agent to betroth a woman on his behalf, and instead the agent betrothed her to himself. With examples and commentary, and some confusion.

The daf introduces a new concept of tovat hana and asks can one take a payment for a mitzvah?

On the ox that is condemned to death - how do we know that its hide is prohibited from any benefit? As "et" was interpreted by the sages, including R. Akiva's famous inclusive interpretative approach. Also, sourcing the prohibition against benefitting from a nazir's hair or meat and milk cooked together.

More on the second tithe, ma'aser sheni - as a paradigm of deconsecrating the produce, and redeeming it, eventually. For example, you can't (or shouldn't) use ma'aser sheni money to purchase an animal outside of Jerusalem. Also, a new mishnah, with prohibited items that cannot be used for kiddushin -- because they are prohibited for benefit (items that a user can't get any benefit from, without in...

More on the dispute between R. Yehudah and R. Meir. With a mention of Shekalim - and how wandering animals are understood to have been designated for various sacrifices. Plus, the question of deconsecrating consecrated property, and if/when that is possible. Plus, the mechanism by which that deconsecrating worked.

More on what can and cannot be used for betrothal, specifically among the sanctified property, specifically the garments of the kohanim - that have not worn out. And what about the worn out garments? When does me'ilah (misuse of consecrated property) kick in? Also, the question of whether the walls of Jerusalem are consecrated, and if so, does that mean stones loose from the wall are subject to me...

A long beraita that is brought into the discussion of when betrothal with a portion of some sanctified or dedicated portion works, or doesn't. Plus, how this parallel text to our Gemara is relevant to understand the differences of opinion. Also, more analysis of the cases of the mishnah - specifically, using the second tithe (maaser sheni) for betrothal. In contrast to other gifts to God/kohanim,...

A deep dive on 5 women, including 2 sisters, who are given a basket of figs as a means of betrothal. Rav taught 3 of the 4 halakhot that the specifics of the case teach. Note the chronological restructuring of the personalities here. Also, several cases of attempted betrothal where the ownership of the betrothal item is iffy, to say the least. Also, a new mishnah - on a kohen using kodshim as an i...

A dispute between Abaye and Rava, whether a betrothal works if there's no consummation with sexual intercourse. Plus, how is this impacted by an attempt betrothal of two woman who can't be "co-wives" to begin with. Also, explaining the rationale of both Abaye and Rava, including complicated cases of betrothal to support the rational of each.

If you think your positions in your mind without articulating them, then they don't count, even when it's a positive commitment. Also, 4 new mishnayot: betrothal via shaliach with conditions, like the location of betrothal. What if she has "vows," for example, as a lien, etc. She needed to be forthcoming monetarily. She needed to divulge any relevant details... or blemishes might be grounds for di...

A conditional kiddushin - where a statement is made as a prerequisite to the betrothal. With implications for lineage status (yuchasin). Plus, a rich man who claims to be poor and vice versa. Also, 10 measures of all kinds of things that were given to the world, where specific countries or entities got 9 of those measures (beautiful Jerusalem, for example). Plus, a mishnah, continuing the discussi...

A dispute on the question of whether kiddushin works via a loan, on an oral agreement. Plus, transferring the right if collection. Also, betrothal with a document - when does it work, and when not? All via beraitot trying to understand Rav's opinion on betrothal. Also, a new mishnah: a man who betroths a woman with a cup of wine, but it turns out to be honey, or other cases of mistaken identity, a...

Betrothing with a loan does not work - but why not? What is the rationale for the mechanism not bringing about kiddushin? Perhaps the loan itself is never really considered owned by the borrower who would use it for kiddushin. Plus, how she feels about the sum total of the betrothal and the need to scrounge for it can have impact on whether the kiddushin takes effect. Also, Rav's view on the loan...

A new mishnah: a betrothal via a date (the fruit). But is it worth a perutah? Can the value of the individual dates accrue? What if she eats them as he gives them to her? How are we to make sense of this mishnah? Also, a gift to a sister is obviously collateral, a deposit. Why would he say "kiddushin" (in this case)? How did the sanctity of a kohen's food make a difference? What about the challah...

A couple of cases of betrothing a daughter - with a cup of wine, with a package of vegetables in the marketplace. And who's doing the betrothing? The father of the daughter to the father of a son is a complicated question. And the marketplace complicates matters because it (or the vegetables themselves) may be lacking in respect. Plus, when the mother and father of the daughter each want their dau...

On the case of a father betrothing his daughter - a series of disputes on how this works. Which leads into a "reality" story account of the yelling in the beit midrash. Also, what about a minor who accepts kiddushin, not her father's doing? Plus, the complicated case of bringing a case before Shmuel and then Rav - when the get is needed, plus mi'un, where the action (or marriage, or betrothal) can...

More on the topic of sending an agent to do a sin - in this case, specifically, murder. With parallels to King David, in his efforts to hide his affair with Batsheva. Also, can a shaliach (agent) be a witness? Some key disputes flesh out the concerns.

How do we know shelichut (appointing an agent) works, with some pushback as to whether it should work at all. Plus, the idea of benefitting another person, and whether action taken on another's behalf is necessarily shelichut. Also, who is responsible for damages in the process of shelichut - the agent or the one who appoints an agent? Note the important principle that there's no agent for a sin,...

A new chapter, with a new mishnah: Both men and women can betroth/be betrothed directly or via an agent. With investigation of these cases. Plus, the famous pronouncement that marriage is better than being alone, with the halakhic ramifications. Plus, discussion of a father betrothing his young (but not too young) daughter. Also, a discussion of agency in the context of betrothal, though it begins...

Starting with mitzvot that are done in this world, and the reward for them comes in the next world. Eg: Honoring your parents. Plus, the impact of how we handle our mitzvot in the environment around us, such as sending away the mother bird. Also, a new mishnah - those who learn Torah and refine their behavior won't come to sin too easily, while those who don't aren't even part of the community. Pl...

More on the discussion of orlah outside of the land of Israel, with some sharp disagreement by the sages. Plus, according to those who say there is orlah outside of Israel, how should it be treated? Also, when a couple of sages spot someone planting kilayim - and how they react to him. Also, a new mishnah! On the value of doing mitzvot, including the rewards that are known for them. And the challe...

The Children of Israel were given several mitzvot at the time they entered the land, so the Gemara focuses on their experience just before this time. For example, how close to the land of Israel were they when they stopped eating the manna? It's not as obviously "40 years in the wilderness" as one might think. Plus, tracking the date via Moshe's death on the 7th of Adar. Plus, how it is known that...

Mitzvot that depend on the land only apply in the land of Israel. Mitzvot that are not dependent on the land apply everywhere. But orlah and kilayim also apply everywhere. And R. Eliezer says "chadash" - and the question is whether he is being more machmir, in adding another mitzvah to the list, or swapping it out. What does "land-dependent" mean? Because not all of these mitzvot seem quite depend...