Talking Talmud

A new mishnah! A convert who had a cow -- and it was slaughtered before the conversion, no gifts to the kohen; if after the conversion, then the convert is obligated in the gifts. But if it's not clear which happened first -- then the convert would be exempt from giving those gifts. [Who's Who: Rav Dimi] Plus, a contradiction raised by a different case -- as based on the information provid...

Rav Yosef tested Rava and Abaye, regarding the gifts that are supposed to go to the kohen - when the kohen grabs the goods, he presents himself with the defense of obtaining the materials. Abaye explains how he used to reach of the gifts, but was schooled by others to simply wait. Plus, did Abaye teach Torah when he should have been functioning as a kohen? Also, partnered ownership of animals with...

Do the gifts to the kohen include the daughter of the kohen as a recipient, or is she considered like a yisrael for this purpose, and the gifts are only to male kohanim? Also, more on the koi (the animal that is neither "behamah" nor "haya," but has indications of each). Plus, a new mishnah! On the case of a first-born animal that is blemished, which then exempts the owner from...

A particular levi would grab the gifts going to the kohanim, before they reached the kohanim. The people complained to Rav... which raises the question of the gifts that are not required of the levites for the kohanim. But why aren't they required of the levites? Where does Rav find this approach? The difference seems to hinge on whether the levites are part of the people. Also, any foods that...

A new chapter, and a new mishnah! The mitzvah of gifts from slaughtered animals that went to the kohanim - leg, jaw, and maw (the 4th stomach of the cow). Even not during the time of the Temple. Specifically about non-consecrated animals, and not about sacrifices, which have their own set of laws regarding the kohanim. And the many details surrounding these gifts. Also, delving into the gifts, and...

When something that is made of food is not being used for the purposes of food -- and then is not subject to the rules that pertain to food, such as those of impurity, for example. Thus, what a thing is used for has impact on its status and other areas of halakhah, and not just what it was originally designed to be. Also, a new mishnah! More on a dangling limb, and when it is considered to be atta...

When a dangling limb might become susceptible to impurity. Plus, cases that conclude "Teiku" -- the conclusion is not known with surety. Does the whole body function as a "handle" for the dangling limb? It's a machloket. And several other cases that are not resolved, but conclude "teiku." Plus, flesh that is severed and becomes susceptible to impurity, with attent...

A list of the creeping-crawlies... which diverts us to the fire that a salamander can generate, and the glory of God's creations, including animals that grow on land vs. those from sea vs. those from fire, and the wonder of Rabbi Akiva. Plus, the corruption of the people of Neresh, and various different strengths (or weaknesses) of various locations. Also, a new mishnah! The impurity of partia...

The question of impure marrow from bone - if closed, it doesn't matter, but if punctured, it will impart impurity. Thus, bones become a whole discussion unto themselves, as exceptional cases. Also, the eggs of creepy crawlies - when would they render a person impure? (Begin with the perforation of the egg -- much as the hole in the bone to access the marrow makes a difference too). Note: Ahist...

The marrow of a bone - in a sacrificial offering, that was then leftover - leads to impurity, as do the bones themselves. But that can depend on whether they are opened or closed. Also, touching impurity turns out to have the same status as one would have after carrying impurity. And raises the question of the "ohel," tent, for when impurity is transferred as a matter of being there, as...

A new mishnah! But first, procedure about how that which is rendered impure becomes pure again by virtue of an action, though that action is not necessarily needed. Plus, when is the impurity of such an item lasting? Some of the description are very fast, in contrast to some others. Plus, how one applies the cautionary tale of this verse. So, when is nevelah meat a debate? And would one want to pr...

A new mishnah! More on the hide, and how, without flesh, it doesn't transmit impurity. But in the process of flaying the hide, there is a short time when convey impurity is possible. Also, note that impurity can be removed by changes to the item itself, and not just ridding the item of its ritual impurity.

A new mishnah! But a difficult one. Specifically about skin and when it conveys impurity -- with specific reference to creepie-crawlies, but there is also discussion about the skin of other animals, and even of a dead body (human). And the gruesome discussion of skin being used functionally. With a different level of impurity for human skin -- from a Torah level and from a rabbinic level, which is...

More on items that join with meat to achieve a volume of food that would lead to the imparting of impurity. Including "allal" - which this daf defines (nuchal ligaments?). With a focus on what aspects can join with meat. Also, if a Jew slaughters a non-kosher animal for a non-Jew's consumption (or the converse) -- the implications of that case, as to when impurity would be imparted,...

When do spices join together with the meat to yield an amount that can impart impurity of food -- even though the spices alone wouldn't get that impurity to begin with, because spices aren't quite food for this purpose. The Gemara clarifies that it really means the scrapings - including meat - at the bottom of the pot. But what if that includes forbidden fats or coagulated blood or the lik...

A pod that has beans that come in contact with a creepy-crawly will not impart impurity (the beans are protected well enough on their own). In contrast to a pod with smaller legumes. What kind of "protections" of the food can come together to make the food large enough to impart impurity? For example, the 3 peels of an onion have different practical implications with regard to this kind...

How handling impure food can become its own issue, and using a handle or an item of protection for the food will have different implications for the impurity and transfer thereof. The connection between the accouterments of food and the food itself is derived from the Torah verses. Also, in the case of something that was impure from a carcass falls on food - then the handle can import or export im...

A new mishnah! Both blood and forbidden fats are prohibited by Torah law, but there are ways in which each is more stringent than the other, and also more lenient than the other. But one would not be liable for the other prohibitions that are more connected to the sacrifices, like "pigul," at that same time. Also, a new chapter (9) with a new mishnah! Parts of an animal that are not edib...

The distinction between Rabbi Akiva's leniencies regarding cooking undomesticated animals and fowl in milk vs. those of Rabbi Yossi HaGelili's permission and stringency in that regard. Plus, the respect afforded Rabbi Yossi HaGelili's opinion because it was his opinion, in his own region -- even by those who strongly disagreed, like Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. Also, a new mishnah! On curdlin...

More on the abominable products that are the result of actions that are prohibited -- for example, food that was cooked on shabbat, which violates shabbat and then is itself problematic. Also, the prohibition against benefitting from meat cooked in milk -- an inference that comes not only from the 3-fold repetition about the kid and its mother's milk, but together with the Pesach sacrifice.

How literal is the Torah's phrasing of "mother's milk"? Does it really mean the milk of the mother of the given animal, or all milk? Clearly, all milk - and the Gemara provides the logic for that as well as a verse to teach it too. But why both? Also, how do we know that it is prohibited to consume meat and milk that have been cooked together? The product of that which is prohibi...

Beginning with a mnemonic to help remember the cases that are exceptions -- for example, the way salting (and rinsing, depending on the order and location) renders some meat kosher. Also, what happens if the blood from one piece of meat can be absorbed elsewhere? And - a new mishnah! What if you have cheese and fowl on the table? Does that violate the meat/milk-on-the-same-table problem? It would...

Can you put a jug of salt alongside a jug of kutch - milk and grain reality....? The Gemara seems to say other substances would not be allowed - and that the kutach would not allowed.... depending on whether it was mixed with salt, or maybe vinegar. Also, bread that was used as something under the meat that you're cooking - that bread is a complicated situation, for the blood that emerges from...

What if you roast a liver with other meat? Over a fire is acceptable, because the blood would be burned out, but an udder is not, because of the milk being absorbed. Except that there's a machloket, where the reverse positions are taken. Also, fish that was put in a meat bowl that doesn't have meat in it at the time -- can that same fish be eaten with kutach (the very dairy sourdough ferme...

More on the udder. And the different practices with regard to eating udder, as per different places. Plus, the story of Rami bar Dekuli, who went to Sura from Pompedita (where they don't eat udders) on the day before Yom Kippur. But in Sura, they don't eat udder, and so they were shocked when he collected them to eat. Leading to an intensive discussion about minhag, basic practice. Also, m...