Talking Talmud

Ulla traveled from Eretz Yisrael to Bavel, and he told the Babylonians how the Beit Din in Israel had added a day to Elul, which would insert a weekday between Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat, which would be so great for them in Babylonia. The questions are: why having that extra day would make a difference, and why especially in Bavel. Also, how are those witnesses treated? Namely, a process of intimidation that was employed judiciously, based on how the court wants the date to fall out, with regard to the holidays. Plus, when the witnesses are encouraged to lie (or close). And how the pattern of the length of the months falls into place (29.5 days needs to shake down to months of both 29 and 30 days, plus 4 extra days). Plus, defining the molad.

Update with information on the 17 Tammuz (clarification on yesterday). On the holidays that are written in Megilat Taanit, as compared to other holidays... It seems that the Torah holidays have fewer stringencies around them as compared to the rabbinic ones found in the megillah. Why?

Is one's judgement or sentence mutable? The Tannaim dispute this - in a concrete way, regarding two people who had the same circumstances, yet one was saved and the other was not. What was the difference between them? Perhaps the way they prayed. Perhaps the timing of the decree against them. Plus, the same concerns for the collective, as compared to the individual. Also, a decree against Eli's descendants... How it was averted and when it was not. Also, the new mishnah - moving on with the calendar, and how Rosh Chodesh was established. Plus, the fast days, as established in the wake of Rosh Chodesh. And What's What: Megilat Taanit. Plus, a fast day on Chanukah!

Those who sin against God in a variety of ways go down to Gehinnom, and what happens after that (how long and for what degree) depends on the sin. With all the fear that that induces. Plus, a dig by Rava at Mehoza as sinners. Also, and acknowledgement of God's kindness, and His tipping the scales with mercy, when possible. Plus, leaders who inspire fear for the wrong reasons, and their comeuppance. Also, a strange story of R. Huna and R. Pappa, and recovery from near death, and an encounter with the Divine. Plus, series of verses about the righteousness of God, and also His forgiveness. Also, God teaching Moshe how to ask for mercy with the 13 attributes of God, which would surely be impossible but for the fact that God trained us in it. To what extent is judgement reversible? Perhaps it's not as simple as we would hope.

The second mishnah of the masekhet: 4 judgements of the year, on grain, fruit, water, and people. Which leads into a greater discussion of the judgement of each, including the timing of that judgement. Also, the call out to God, whether via water libations or the voice of the shofar. Indeed, why the shofar? Why the blasts that we know well? Including the concern of confusing the Satan, and what happens when we do not confuse him. Plus, how God judges us, knowing our future too. Also, 4 ways to tear up a negative decree.

More on the new year for an etrog... Specifically, on etrogim that are from the 6th and 7th years of the shemitah cycle. And the 8th year. Including the concerns of removing the produce from your possession, as needed. And the ongoing efforts to puzzle what's required for each year. Also, trees that bear fruit twice in one year. And those trees that bear fruit before the 15th of Shevat - specifically, olives, dates, and carob - which are disputed whether they are counted according to the time of ripening or the time of picking. With a sidebar to a debate over white figs. Plus, efforts to create the debate between R. Yochanan and Resh Lakish that didn't happen, because R. Yochanan said nothing, whether in acquiescence or rejection.

Tracing a sugia... on the specifics of tithing produce that takes root before Rosh Hashanah, and the question of tithing produce that is "mixed." Can the produce be combined for the purpose of tithing? Which question opens up reason to delve into Shmuel's position, and that of R. Shimon Shezuri. For example, how solids and liquids may not be the same with regard to mixtures. Also, the new year for the trees! When does the winter season really begin? Plus, the story of an etrog that was picked at such a time that 2 tithings were reasonable. In accord with both sides of the machloket re the new year for trees. In what ways are etrogim akin to both trees and vegetables?

The Gemara's premise have a tradition that grain that has reached 1/3 of its growth before Rosh Hashanah, and is then harvested on Sukkot, is credited to the previous year. But how do you know when it has reached a third of what it will come to grow? But R. Zeira stipulates that the sages were precise and exact and always correct in their measurements. Which is a strong statement, that needs some unpacking. Also, following a sugiah through the daf (the growth of produce for the first third of its growth) including more of R. Zeira's objections (and his appreciation for R. Hanina's retort).

When do we start counting the date for vegetable ma'aser? And does that date work? [What's What: Terumot and Ma'aserot, an overview] Also, nedarim - taking oaths, to swear off something - and how they are counted against a yearly calendar. Namely, is that year counted according to Nisan or Tishrei? (There's no machloket, as it turns out).

When is the future redemption going to happen? Tishrei or Nisan? It's a machloket! Which basically means 2 models of redemption, going beyond timing. Plus, a study of the creation of the world, and how that worked - specifically, or especially, how the fruit trees came to have fruit, and what that means about the way we relate to and experience God in this world. Also, regarding that cancellation of oppression and labor in Egypt... in Tishrei - which seems to include a long time lag before redemption in Nisan. Biblical verses are used to establish each detail here, of course. But it still seems like too much time passing...