Talking Talmud

One who consecrates all possessions with specifying what would be designated for what, then how should those possessions be handled? What if the person's possessions include animals that are fit to be sacrifices? (Spoiler: They'll be used as sacrifices). With a dispute between R. Akiva and R. Yehoshua - as to what happens with the sum total of the dedication. [Who's Who: R. Pappias] R. Pappias res...

The special ramp built for it with funds from machatzit ha-shekel... Or by the kohanim themselves?! But that may have been pompus... But Shimon HaTzadik and his 2 parot adumot. Surely, he wasn't pompous! [Who's Who: Shimon HaTzadik] The difference between arrogance and giving honor. The ramp, of course, is to help prevent the encounter with anything impure. Also, the extra, overflow - specifically...

Chapter 4! What is the machatzit ha-shekel used for? A clear list of public korbanot. Also to pay the guards who protected the extra growing grain during a Shemitah year. But whether those guards need to be paid or can volunteer is a matter of dispute. Which leads to a discussion of several families that donated the wood to the Temple. Plus, other things funded with the shekalim, including the par...

How the kohen handled the collected shekalim, with great care to make it impossible for a kohen to steal from the funds (again, no presumption of perfection!). With the focus on being blame-free before both man and God. Also, the practice of collecting in the house of R. Gamliel. As well as the collection and storage of the coins from farther afield. Plus, a list of traits to achieve all that a pe...

A long, discursive daf. What happens to the shekalim of machatzit ha-shekel, when they get to Jerusalem? Also: What's What: Ma'aser Behemah. Which leads to a discussion re the proper dating for this mitzvah, and a machloket Tannaim. What year does the animal belong to, so to speak, and what is the date of tithing? Also, on the Tannaim themselves, and what it means to have a talmid-rebbe- friend re...

What if you have collected funds for any specifically designated purpose (to ransom a captive, charity, burying the dead...)? It's a machloket, of course. Also, a story: How the sages conduct themselves, including asking after one's welfare. R. Yochanan and R. Eliezer. What matters to different people of Chazal. And as cast back on King David. What it means to quote in the name of.

A dispute between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai: what do you do with the coins that exceed the value of the machatzit ha-shekel? Is the extra considered consecrated, or I it extra that can be used for anything? Consider the comparison between machatzit ha-shekel and a korban chatat - and the contrast between the fixed sum of the former and the variable value of the latter. Also, the ability the swa...

What happened to the shekalim of those who lived outside of Jerusalem? How did they get all the coins to the Temple? Worse, what would happen if those coins were lost or stolen on their way to Jerusalem? Who owns the shekalim while en route? And if you're going to convert the coinage into that which is worth more, why use gold and not gems? All of which revolves around the level of responsibility...

On the mitzvah of machatzit ha-shekel... women and slaves and minors are not obligated to provide it, but they can donate if they want to - while non-Jews' donations in this category would not be accepted. Also, paying a premium on top of the machatzit ha-shekel: who pays, who doesn't have to? Plus: the dispute between R. Yochanan and Resh Lakish and R. Meir's approach regarding paying 2 machatzit...

The 15th of Adar ushers in the springtime, and all of the repairs that winter made necessary. So too, the courts open up. And also th administration of some judgements (including sotah and eglah arufah). And public waterworks. Also, when the sages (of the Yerushalmi) cite a verse about the person with tzaraat, and why. Plus, description pertaining to the wars of Gog and Magog, and the bones that w...

What makes Shekalim different? Note that the Gemara on these mishnayot is Talmud Yerushalmi, the so-called Palestinian Talmud. Why is it here? Also, the content of Shekalim makes its placement in Seder Moed incongruous, at least at first read. || Opening with the proclamation for people to contribute their shekalim (half shekel) to the Beit HaMikdash, for upkeep, repair, public welfare, and even c...

The final daf of Pesachim! [At some point, the app acted up and overlapped our talking again; we hope that this is the last time this happens! (We've been on touch with the people at Anchor)] Notar and pigul - leftover korban and incorrect intent on the part of the officiating kohen.... Not all kohanim were as good as all other kohanim Thus, there were suspected kohanim (intentionally messing up t...

More on the afikoman... And actual desserts. Also, the status of matzah in an era without a Korban Pesach. And what counts as an interruption of the meal? Including what counts as real sleep vs. dozing off? Plus, pigul and notar and re seeing the meat impure. Which Tanna was concerned about Impurity kicking in after midnight?

A verse about that which was concealed is understood to mean either that secrets of Torah were hidden away - as in details of Creation, or Ma'aseh Merkavah, or perhaps the meaning of mitzvot altogether. Note that God rejoices when He is "conquered" by people. For example, when Moshe convinces God not to destroy Bnei Yisrael. Also, more on Hallel. But with a twist - that God is rejoicing in us. Fir...

A series of juxtaposed verses.... How difficult is it for people to acquire food?! "Etzev" and "itzavon" about Adam and Eve suggests the comparison. Similarly, a comparison to the protection by either God at one's job (of shepherding) or an angel, for getting food. Plus, other challenges, including going to the bathroom... as challenging as splitting the sea. So too, producing food. Is it hyperbol...

On the authorship of the book of Psalms - ascribed here to King David, though that is not a given by any means. Especially given that some of the events mentioned in Psalms predate King David. Yet, some ancient Hallel (which is made from psalms) seems to have existed forever, as it were. So when were these psalms written?! Also, what makes these passages personal to King David and also universal a...

Processing on the events of Seder night: cup #2. The mishnah interpolates the child asking Mah Nishtanah with the manner of asking found among the 4 sons. To be asked by anyone and everyone who can ask. Note the "5th" question on the meat of the Korban Pesach! Plus, the versions of the story of the exodus from Egypt that is to begin with the Israelites' historical disgrace, and concluding with pra...

Figuring out the practices of the seder - Hillel's combination of matzah, maror, and Korban Pesach. Matzah and maror together ends up being a d'Orayta and d'Rabbanan mix, at least in our day, when it's not all a Torah level issue. Even though mitzvot should not be cancelling each other. Or maybe they're eaten consecutively, not together? This, Hillel's model becomes an ideal, but not the only way...

It's the seder! First, the first cup, for kiddush. What should the order of the blessings be? [What's What: Tadir ve-she'aino tadir] Note that the dispute here is between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel, where we have a given (from a bat kol, no less) that we always pasken like Beit Hillel. Which the Gemara acknowledges here as well, perhaps redundantly. Continuing along with the seder... the vegetab...

More sage advice. Rav's points include using animals barks and neighs as indicators of protection in the given locale (reminiscent of the animals at the beginning of Berakhot determining the watches of the night). Plus a mayor should not also be a doctor. Plus do not marry 2 women, or if you do, make sure you also marry a third. Also, business advice from Rav for a son who was not such a student....

Advice from the sages. We begin with some statements by R. Akiva. He demonstrates concern for the well-being of a poor person over the need to glorify Shabbat, for example. Also, the idea that publicizing the miracle - including with regard to the exodus form Egypt - should entail a bit more effort, including from a poor person. Also, advice that the Torah scholar and the temporal leader should no...

Don't walk between two of the following: dogs, palm trees, women (nor should these go between 2 people). The concern is witchcraft, and the protection against it seems to be recitation of one biblical verses or another. Is this all a matter of superstition? Is there any truth to it? Also, Amoraim were walking together... and their order seems to have made a difference. Plus, destruction by "Meriri...

Demons and pairs, or even numbers. Yes, this daf is esoteric for us. Why demons prefer pairs is unclear, though adding any second one to the Oneness of God may be part of the story. But the 4 cups is an even number! Why is that okay? The sages have an answer. Moreover, clearly, there is a range of opinions on the existence and power (or lack thereof) of demons. Plus: The story of a divorced man an...

Everyone is obligated in the mitzvah of the 4 cups, at the seder. But how will that work for children? It's wine! And they don't yet have an obligation in mitzvot! We give them nuts and treats on Erev Pesach, so that they come to ask questions [NOTE: As we have noted before, the Gemara uses "Erev Pesach" to refer to what we would call "Pesach night" or "Leyl Pesach." In this episode, we used the G...

R. Sheshet would fast on Erev Pesach, to make sure he has an appetite later: "istenis." Also, even the poorest of Jews recline at the seder. What does the reclining of the 4 cups mean? There's a transformation from "we were slaves in Egypt" at the seder to the state of freedom. Including women, who were part of the miracle of the exodus from Egypt (with several possible interpretations of what tha...