Talking Talmud

Determining the capacity of an earthenware vessel to become impure on both its inside and outside -- as long as it's a receptacle, with a "middle," such as it was, with sides that form a middle to contain something (in contrast to a platter). Also, 2 mishnayot: 1 - Blemishes in an animal's eye, such as cataracts. Also, the case of the "hilazon nahash" -- is that one animal or two? And the kohen who determines status and teaches others to determine status. 2 - Checking the animal for the blemish, whether it disappears or will become permanent, especially when considering the eye blemishes,

Finishing chapter 5 and starting chapter 6, with a mishnah in each chapter, and attention to the requirement of an experts to sign off on a first-born animal's status as "blemished" (and what can be done with it afterwards), as well as the various blemishes and their implications, as we embark on a new chapter that focuses on blemishes, and -- to be careful -- not treyfot.

The case of hearsay testimony - and when it's acceptable (not often!). Also, the opinion of Rabbi Tzadok on a first-born that split its lip while eating. But does that smack of intentional blemishing? Plus, the famous and important showdown between Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Yehoshua, which also appears on Berakhot 27b. Also, 3 mishnayot: more on kohanim and unblemished first-borns who get blemished. And the Pompedita practice of accepting the testimony of kohanim. Plus, blemishes in the eyes of the animals.

3 mishnayot! 1 - Beginning with a story about a Roman soldier intentionally blemishing a first-born ram, and how the sages approved that case as a blemish, but not when others attempted the same. Likewise, kids who tied the tails of lambs together, including first-borns, and one lost a tail, and that case was also permitted, but not as a general rule. Intent would ruin that. 2 - One who kicks a first-born and causes a blemish. 3 - Who can testify about the blemish to a first-born, when it's brought to an expert to adjudicate the blemish?

For a case of certainly pure terumah vs. uncertain terumah (whether it's pure or not) - in light of the plural of the word "terumotai" in the Torah. Or is it "terumati"?! Also, what if one DID make a blemish on a first-born animal, even though it's of course not allowed. The Gemara specifically looks for comparable cases to determine the penalties, if there are to be any.

The Gemara picks up on Beit Hillel's leniency from the previous day's mishnah, and Rabbi Akiva's opinion on "the gazelle and the hart" - which are permitted to a non-Jew to eat. And how that phrasing drives the interpretation, including explanations by Rishonim (the medieval commentators). Plus, the question whether menstruant woman could participate in such a meal. Also, a new mishnah! You can't actively intentionally make a blemish in an animal, but certain actions that might leave a blemish are allowed to prevent a more lasting blemish. Note the shift to issues of impurity and purity, in the case of wine where there's uncertainty as to whether it's impure.

A discussion here compares the first-born with tithed animals. For a firstborn, it cannot be redeemed, but it can be sold. And tithed animals are the reverse. What's the source? The Gemara explains that for the subjects of this group much be free. Thus, there are two steps here - establishing that a "maaser" item cannot be redeemed to begin. with. The details, for those who delve in, show many different appearances of non-Geulah. Also, a focus on the "gezarah shavah" as the methodological leading principle here. The phrase cannot be used for other inferences for that gezarah shavah to work at all. Also, a statement by Rava about how that which has been dedicated cannot be redeemed, at least when it's a first-born animal. Plus, it depends where the items are - whether in the kohen's possession or that of the owner. Also, a very small new mishnah (!), with a dispute between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel, as to whether those partaking of a blemished first born could sit together -- B"Sh says only kohanim; B"H says even a non-Jew!

Finishing the 4th chapter - with the series of baraitot about the "chaver" - with a focus here on the last one. That is, specifically, a kohen can examine first-borns for blemishes, as long as they are not being given to himself, but he could rule on his own sacrifices, for example. Plus, how many judges are needed for various things, including judging first-borns, one or three? Plus, other examples that require a court of 3, including halitzah. What if you have an expert in blemishes on that court? And starting chapter 5 - with a new mishnah: selling the meat of disqualified consecrated animals at the butcher vs. selling the blemished of first-born animals. They're not weighed precisely in contrast to the regular consecrated animals, and the proceeds go to the owner. Plus, Rav Sheshet and narrowing the focus of the mishnah to orphans...

A new mishnah! A person who is suspected or known to not be careful about the laws of the shemitah year may or may not be careful about tithing, and likewise with regard to the rules of purity/impurity. But once one is suspect, that person can't judge or bear witness, at least with regard to that specific arena. Also, a focus on the "chaver," someone who is known to be careful in all areas of halakhah. Including details that are debated between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai.

Another day of mishnayot: 1 - One who takes wages to be a judge or give testimony or a kohen who does so to facilitate a red heifer -- all of those efforts would be void. Note that the kohen who facilitates the red heifer becomes impure and cannot partake of terumah, which is his own monetary loss. 2 - If one is suspect with regard to bekhorot, for example, a kohen who is accused of making a blemish on the first-borns, then one may not purchase regular meat from him either, including the kind for which the first-born law was irrelevant (like venison). 3 - One who is suspected of not being careful with the laws of the shemitah year -- you can't buy any plant-based items from him, but you can buy non-plant based items. 4 - One who is not trustworthy with regard to terumot and ma'aserot may be untrustworthy when it comes to water and salt, no less.