4 mishnayot on the daf, a series of disputes between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai with regard to food preparation for yom tov. The first, salt, and other spices (to crush them) - and introducing a discussion of "shinui," doing apparent melakhah a little differently, in this case, the mortar and pestle - size, material, and so on. Plus, a difference in location (Bavel, in particular). Also, preparing legumes, and skimming the undesirable refuse from the top, which would not be the way to that selection on Shabbat. Plus, sending gifts - fresh meat, in this case. Plus, textiles, garments, and the issue of sha'atnez. "As long as you need it for the holiday.

Terumot and maaserot - the holiness that is in the food, and how to handle it. Including how the foods themselves are usually prepared for eating. Plus all kinds of food prep for yom tov. Also, fixing the amounts of these gifts - must the amounts be precise? Or approximate? Terumah, ma'aser, and terumat ma'aser are treated differently.

Again, more Beit Hillel vs. Beit Shammai. This time, what can be carried from the private domain to the public domain. Including a child, including a lulav. What is the focus of their dispute? Might it be about what is usually permitted and can be extended? Or is the dispute over a difference between Shabbat and yom tov? Also, giving gifts to the kohen on yom tov - another Beit Hillel/Beit Shammai dispute. How far does that concern extend regarding other gifts? What if it's a matter of simchat yom tov? Plus, a couple of stories illustrating different opinions of what can and cannot be done on yom tov.

[For reasons unclear, several audio issues returned in this episode. The content is still readily available. In the spirit of the season, please forgive us and the app.] Another dispute between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai on what can and cannot be done on yom tov. Including mortar and pestle, including tanning. Also, an investigation into the amoraic handling of the tannaitic dispute, and how Beit Hillel is always accepted.

Continuing from the attempted line up of the positions of Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai by R. Yochanan, including his willingness to reverse their positions (the Gemara pushes back). Plus, a new mishnah! With a new machloket between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel, which may revolve around the questions of bereira, again (retroactive designation). And another mishnah too: you go to choose birds from the dovecote that you have already designated, and they are apparently not there... Now what? The birds need to be the ones that were designated if they are to be used in sacrifice. Plus other examples of designation vs. that which is not designated, where they get mixed and the mixture is not discernible.

Carrying a ladder on yom tov - muktzah? Not muktzah? To what degree? An apparently straightforward machloket. The Gemara makes it clear that there are other issues as well - including others' perceptions (mar'it ayin), which leads to discussion of other cases of mar'it ayin. Also, the story of R. Hiya's sons, and their misinterpretation of the Mishnah.

This episode is for Wednesday's daf. || Cases of unclear, obscure, indeterminable statuses: ashes from the hearth, in various permutations. Plus, other cares that are permitted because one angle is permitted even though another angle of the same activity is prohibited. Also: the Koi/Koy, an animal that may be a chaya (wild animal) and may be a behamah (domesticated animal) but really neither, as it has aspects of each, and yet also of neither. With the practical question of whether the blood would need to be covered on yom tov. In all cases, with regard to the koi, we rule stringently, because of the questions pertaining to this animal.

This is Tuesday's episode. || How do we know that a chicken has laid an egg? The Gemara connects laying/bearing with the time of conception, at least, in principle. The practical implications here are a little hard to bring to bear. Note also the implications of a male rooster being present. And how many barriers might deter the rooster. Plus, the case of one who slaughters a sacrifice on Shabbat or the holiday... How is one to treat the blood? Note that this discussion presumes that you have gone ahead with shichitah. Perhaps the mishnah could have been read differently.... Is the mishnah talking about a case of "after the fact," be-diavad, or an ideal lekhathilah situation? What needs to be done in advance to allow this to happen in the ideal fashion?

On Rosh Hashanah - how timely! - that was consecutive with Shabbat, where they forgot to make an eruv tavshilin (and then couldn't prepare for Shabbat). Can't one make the eruv tavshilin on the first day of Rosh Hashanah? Because maybe it's not yom tov at all! (because of the doubt of the day). But that possibility only seems relevant for the other yom tov sheni issues - in the Diaspora, but not Rosh Hashanah. Also, when does the egg become an egg? What about eggs found within the chicken?! Can the eggs found internally be eaten on yom tov, in contrast to the one that is laid on yom tov? Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai argue here, but apparently, not on this point.

Who's Who: Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai. Now, from the time of the decrees of R. Yochanan ben Zakkai, an egg that wasn't permitted on one day of Rosh Hashanah would indeed be permitted on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Which leads to a discussion of the calendar differences between witnesses and the math of the calendar. Plus, a recognition of the difference between the Land of Israel, as compared to the Diaspora. And, of course, how it all applies to the egg. Also, why the egg case is specific to Rosh Hashanah, and not a problem for other holidays. Plus, why we trust the courts for sanctifying the new moon, as compared to the egg issue, which is at home.