Talking Talmud

High Priest Yochanan cancelled several practices from the Beit HaMikdash, beyond Sotah and Eglah Arufah: the "Awakeners" and the "Strikers." As well as several other things (Urim veTumim) that were lost in the wake of the destruction of the Temple. Which get explanation on this daf. Plus, a question on the panning of music on this daf. Also, the use of the Urim veTumim in the era of the prophets....

[Who's Who: Yehoshua Ben Perachiya] Plus, his story, including fleeing to Alexandria. Also, the story of the apostate who doesn't belong in teshuvah anymore, and may be Jesus. Also, what happens in the event that the killer of the person that was going to lead to the eglah arufah is determined? Before the heifer? After the heifer? Also, the cancellation of Eglah Arufah, Sotah...

A new mishnah! Going through the process of establishing the heifer whose neck is to be broken, in contrast to some of the details of the red heifer, through to the statement that is to be made by the elders, as a matter of innocence and atonement. Plus, a kal va-homer regarding the way the heifer might (or might not) become invalid. Also, what is the Eitan Valley? What is lost in this kind of mur...

On the dispute between R. Elazar ben Yaakov and our mishnah, with regard to who goes out to confess over the eglah arufah - which leadership? And the verses that get him to his position. Also, when the dead body is found in a pile of stones, among other cases, there wouldn't be an eglah erufah. The halakhic rationale here is derived from the parallel to Shikhcha, the forgotten gleanings from the f...

More on the exemptions from going into battle - the Gemara says the order of the exemptions themselves teach us of the proper order of how we should live. Also, the ways one may be fearful in going out to war, and how that's a good excuse, until a certain point if no return. Plus, defining when war is an elective and when it's obligatory. And the implications for other activities when involved in...

The exceptions of the people who won't go out to war because they are built or planted or married, and so on. Plus, subcategories of these mainstay exemptions. Also, the examination of these basic exemptions by the Gemara.

Chapter 8! On the anointed kohen who is designated to lead the people before and into war, and what he says. Plus, the difference between the enemy that is external to the Jewish people, in contrast to conflicts between the various tribes. Also, how the people felt the Philistines in the battle with Goliath.

How many Torah readers can there be, and what concerns the sages about multiple readers. Plus, in the new mishnah: Hakhel, the 8th year of the shemitah cycle. How did it work? [Who's Who: Agrippas I] Also, the Gemara's reinterpretation of a line of the mishnah that really turns it on its head.

On two of the Temple practices - specifically, how the congregation would daven or meditate on verses while the kohanim were blessing the people. Plus, how "amen" was not said in the Beit HaMikdash, and what was said instead (and when). [Who's Who: Rabbi Abbahu] Also, the blessings by the kohen gadol on Yom Kippur, plus the ceremony of him reading passages from the Torah as well.

More on Birkat Kohanim. Plus, how R. Elazar Ben Shamua achieved a truly ling life - in never using a synagogue as a shortcut, among other respectful aspects of his comportment. Also, what the people say in response to the kohanim when they are duchening (saying the priestly blessing in shul). The formal response brings the people to bless God who has blessed them.

On Birkat Kohanim - the priestly blessing - and how it was said in the Temple and outside of it. Including the responses by the people. Also, the case of eglah arufah - a found murdered body - and why it would happen. And the role of the kohanim there. Plus, coming back to permutations of Birkat kohanim, even in shul.

More on the discussion of Yosef and Yehudah, getting God's name inserted into their names. With some debate over what Nachshon ben Aminadav overcame to jump into the sea first. Were the tribes fighting to jump in, or to avoid the sea wholly? Plus, deriving information (not only halakhah) from the biblical text. Also, what exactly happened during the blessings and curses? With some mathematics and...

Bringing a verse to life - a winged flying insect that helps (or does not help) the Israelites when they crossed into the land of Israel to conquer it. Also, what about the tribes on Mounts Gerizim and Eval, and how that parallels the kohen gadol's breastplate. Also, midrashim on Yosef... and Yehudah, how both of them were righteous and we're therefore treated to letters from God's name to be adde...

More on the spies. Why people wanted to hear from Calev more than they were willing to hear from Joshua. Plus, trusting God when it comes to conquering the land with His assistance. The midrashim establish the sins of the spies, I spades. And then suggests otherwise. Also, a description of how the people and the ark crossed the Jordan River. Which leads to the story of Uzza.

The splitting of the Jordan River reminded the nations around of what they'd heard of the splitting of the Red Sea, and were still afraid, all these years later. Also, Moses' sending out of the spies, and how they were looking to shame the land from the outset. Also, a discussion of Calev, whose report on the land was dramatically different from nearly all the other spies, and he made a detour to...

On the fact that Tefilah can be said in any language - because it's a request for mercy. But can one really pray in... wait for it... Aramaic?! Plus, the way to pray as an individual... in Hebrew! Plus, a guest appearances by Caligula, and the message from a heavenly voice in Aramaic! Plus, the appearance of the Angel Gabriel, who clearly knew Aramaic, when others seemed not to. Also, determining...

Chapter 7! Passages that are read out that can be recited in any language, as compared to those that need the Hebrew. Plus, a long description of the blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Eival. Plus, the difference between a mitzvah that has an utterance as compared to one that has both speaking and saying. What is to be said loud? And what quietly? Including the Amidah. Including one who is...

A daf that opens with aggadata: Job's worship of God from love, as explicated in the text. Plus, Abraham's worship of love of God. As compared to the one who serves God out of fear. Also, the 6th chapter, with its single mishnah. On witnesses and the question of a woman who has secluded herself, and who is considered a reliable witness - to establish her as a sotah or prevent her from becoming a s...

A debate on whether one is allowed to cause non-hekdesh food to become impure. Plus, a quick mention on the debate regarding the status of the Shabbat boundary. Also, intensive interpretation of the Song at the Sea.

On the interpretation of the verses that address the women we cannot marry kohanim - or is it those who can't eat terumah? Delving into the fine points of the text for the sake of the interpretations. Plus, R. Yochanan ben Zakkai's handling of halakhah when he didn't have the proof he thought he needed and would one day (theoretically) get. Including a comparison (attempted) to a tivul yom.

A deep dive into R. Yehudah HaNasi's position that the water check the paramour just as it checks the woman. Also, a long beraita on the way of being rendered impure, in the event if infidelity - the logic of how the sotah-woman is treated accordingly. Which raises questions on R. Akiva and on R. Yishmael.

Finishing one chapter and starting the next. Wrapping up some possible cases - for the relationships where the husband isn't present or available to continue with sotah proceedings, but his warning to her negates her claim on her ketubah even though she doesn't drink the bitter waters. Also, a mishnah that lists many of the halakhot that were taught in the Beit Midrash when R. Elazar ben Azariah t...

More on women who would (or would not) drink the bitter waters. Plus, the forbidden relationships - for which the husband's warning is valid, and she can become a sotah - despite all the rationales that might suggest otherwise. Also, the kohen's wife who does need to drink the waters, and in the event of her acquittal, goes home to her husband, even if she had some kind of negative reaction to the...

Two dilemmas relate back to the very long mishnah: 1. If a woman violates some aspect of modesty standards or practices, does she get a warning before she loses her entitlement to her ketubah? 2. What about the prohibited marriages - do they get warned, once we know they're not going to drink and also won't get their ketubot? The Gemara suggests several explanations for these dilemmas, still comin...

Another long series of mishnayot now discussing situations where a woman does not drink the Mei Sotah. The Gemara further discusses some of the biblical sources for the Mishna’s rulings.