Talking Talmud

More of R. Yochanan ben Zakkai's decrees. Lulav, Yom Henef (Omer). The changes are made to remember the Mikdash, but how is that allowed to begin with? There's a verse for that. Also, the witnesses on Rosh Hashanah have far more complications than the usual Rosh Chodesh. Including the special psalms as sung by the Levites. And, of course, the daily sacrifices. When they accepted the witnesses all day long, there was too much risk of error. Which happened.

The shofar-blower must also have intent to dispatch the community's mitzvah obligation. Plus, a mishnah that describes the Israelites' successful war against Amalek, and what causes what. Plus, the serpent on the banner. Plus, praying for the sick. And then back to halakhah, and who can blow shofar for others? Also, opening the 4th chapter: the difference between how the shofar was blown in the Temple and elsewhere, the difference between how the shofar was blown on Shabbat (or not). Specifically, R. Yochanan ben Zakkai's decrees, and the way he implemented them.

Blowing shofar in a pit or elsewhere with an echo - distinguishing between who fulfills the obligation and who does not. Plus, a Gemara revision. Also, what happens if one hears part of the shofar blast in the pit and part out of the pit...or if it's just at the break of day... And can a tekiyah be divided to count for two? Bringing us back to the question of intent, which is most discussed in the context of shofar. Also, whether you need intent to break halakhah, to transgress a mitzvah, to sin.

First, a comment on the maidservant from yesterday's daf. Then, more on the trumpets and shofarot, and why we blow a longer blast on the shofar when it is accompanied. How do we relate to sound, and our experience of listening. Also, a new mishnah on both the physical shofar and its sound. A cracked or broken shofar is invalid for the mitzvah of shofar. Also, one who blows from the bottom of a pit or a cistern - can one fulfill the mitzvah? What if you happen to walk by shul during shofar-blowing? What is the role of intent? What is the role of the shofar?

The key mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah: shofar! And we start with the "instrument" itself. And why the horn cannot come from a cow. Plus, a lot of word play and puzzlement regarding unusual terms that are then defined by R. Yehudah HaNasi's maidservant. Also, the different types of shofar used at different times of year - from different animals. And chatzotzrot vs. shofarot.

Parallel to a story in Berakhot, the mishnah here has an episode starring R. Gamliel and R. Yehoshua, about new moon testimony. Where one day's testimony seems contradicted by the next day's experience. How do we handle the human capacity for error? Also, how we can't compare courts, especially across generations, with biblical examples (it's not an insult to today; it is about authority). Plus, a new mishnah in a new perek - the court and everyone sees the moon, without sanctifying the day - how does this case play out, and why are all its elements in the mishnah? And what happens if the judges are the ones to see the moon? And why can't the moon be sanctified at night? With various permutations as loose ends to close the topic, even if it's at the beginning of a new chapter.

The court asks witnesses about what they saw, regarding their testimony about the moon - and the celestial bodies change position over the course of a year, so the answers really would be different. How the sky actually looks makes a difference for the sake of accurate testimony. Plus, the formal sanctification of the new moon: Mekudash! But how critical is that part. Also, using a pre-fab poster, as it were, to quiz the witnesses regarding what they saw in the sky. Which raises questions about making images of the moon - out of concern for idolatry - and leads to answers as well.

Burning wood for the Rosh Chodesh torches, including from coral wood, which leads to a tangent, including a story about diving, and sinking a ship to get down there and pull up the coral. Plus, individuals contributed to the torch notifications. And a discussion about blocked roads making the way longer to travel in Babylonia. [And some brief audio wonkiness, with our apologies - nothing was off when we recorded, as far as we could determine]. Also, a new mishnah, on the witnesses would come to the court and be examined in Beit Yazek - where there would be a feast set up for the witnesses - incentive! And a decree was made to allow the witnesses to be able to go home (and so too any "helpers," who should not be deterred from helping because they wouldn't be able to get home after helping). Plus, another new mishnah, on the way the witnesses would be interrogated, and also treated well, with respect.

Father and son who saw the new moon should both go to testify, even though it's not clear that they can be paired together as witnesses. Which leads into a discussion about who can't be witnesses. Including the discussion about women. And what can be done on Shabbat to facilitate the witnesses' travel to the Beit Din. Also, the second chapter of the masekhet: How important is it that the court trust the witnesses? There's a historical shift in the answer to that question. Including the description of how the court spread the word of the new moon - hilltops and mountaintops, and the corruptability of the system.

What happens if a community misses the notification about Rosh Chodesh? One can keep track to some extent to which months would be "full," and which incomplete. Plus, Levi's trip to Babylonia. Also, the connection to the second day of yom tov, and how this sanctification of the new moon affects Tishrei and Nisan. Also, desecrating Shabbat to get to the court to testify about the new moon. And getting to the court in time for Tishrei and Nisan. And the difference between post-Temple and Temple periods of time. Plus, when the clear weather keeps a witness home. And when many witnesses go, but don't keep the extras home. Plus, clarify the term for "clear." And Moshe as close to God.