Talking Talmud

A new mishnah - with a new discussion of a korban: miluim, the inaugural grain-offerings that were brought by Aaron and his sons. A second mishnah - when the kohen slaughters the thanksgiving offering in the proper place in the Temple courtyard, and the accompanying loaves were brought outside the place - with some dispute as to where that was - which means they were not consecrated.

Chapter 8, focusing on the korban todah, the thanksgiving offering - with a new mishnah. The amount of flour used for this grain-offering was 5 "Jerusalem se'ah" (or 6 "wilderness se'ah"). With all the concomitant conversions. Where the number of se'ah are then assessed for an eiphah, as measured in tenths of an eiphah. Plus, a discussion of the flour for the leavened loaves and for the unleavened loaves of different kinds. With sources in the Torah's verses. Also, deriving the key laws for these component parts of the todah offering.

2 mishnayot: 1 - All of the grain-offerings require 500 "rubbings" (between hands) and 300 "poundings" (in kneading, for example). With clear heritage of the knowledge, though it has essentially been lost now. 2- The measure of barley of the omer: one-tenth of a se'ah of barley - and the amounts of flour required for not only the omer, but also other grain-offerings. Including sifting the flour for each of them. Which leads into multiple rounds of sifting that is to be used in these holiday offerings.

More on the use of oil in the grain-offerings, whether mixing, or smearing, etc. Note the different ways of applying the oil. Plus, a tiny new mishnah: regarding breaking the grain-offering into pieces. And then doused (to some degree) with oil. Note the distinction between the oven vs. cooking on a flame. The Gemara introduces a beraita with the breaking of the product that is to be the grain-offering upon cooking. Plus, another mishnah: various foldings of the grain-offerings, including that of the kohanim, the anointed kohen, and more. The breaking doesn't take place - as there was no removal of a fistful.

A couple of addenda - about the grasshoppers as reapers of the field, and the impossibility of the 16th of Nisan falling out on Shabbat nowadays. Also - for the grain-offering brought by the "sinner" - with the details of what must be in place for this offering to count for the sinner's atonement. Also, 2 new mishnayot: 1 - grain-offerings that are completely burned on the altar, without the fistful of grain being taken off. All of these texts narrow the focus of these halakhot. 2 - The applications of oil for the grain-offerings, even when the offering is baked in an oven. Including "smearing" the oil on, in the form of a Greek letter.

A new chapter! With a breakdown of the specific various grain-offerings, with an initial focus on the different ways a grain-offering could be prepared. With a question as to whether the variety could be brought together to complete a dedication of an offering. With a focus on the impact of the nature of the way the offering is prepared. Also, voluntary offerings that are usually understood to be burnt-offerings, but a poor person might bring a grain-offering as a burnt-offering. Note also that idolators could bring an offering, and even eat from the offering they brought. But what are they allowed to bring?

A daf that covers a range of topics at the end of chapter 5: harvesting a crop for the sake of clearing out the area, rather than for the sake of the harvest... The omer is, of course, supposed to be brought from the standing grain - barley, that is. The Gemara then lists several "less than ideal" ways of offering the omer, all of which are included in the Torah's verse - "you will bring," even if it's not in the ideal way of doing so. Also, if the grain for the omer offering was harvested on the 16th of Nisan itself, that would be valid - even to the point of overriding the rules of Shabbat. But how do we know that this offering (and others) would be brought on Shabbat? Plus, more, in case you were missing it, on the Shavuot offering of the 2 loaves.

Exclusions when it comes to harvesting the omer and bringing the offering - including an irrigated field, not fully ripe grain. The offering should come from standing grain, unless there's none to be found. Plus, what happens with fields that are "trimmed" via natural means, such as grasshoppers. Plus, making sense of Rabbi Meir's approach vs. Rabbi Shimon's approach.

What about produce that remains attached to the ground? Is that to be tithed? Is it food? Also, a new mishnah with the 5 grains that are obligated in "challah" - giving a portion to God - plus, the same 5 that can become both matzah and chametz.

Does the omer offering render kernels that are planted in the ground permitted? It depends on whether they have taken root. Also, sales of grain - with questions as to whether it's movable property or land, and how to deal honestly, rather than in fraudulent ways. And what about swearing as to the honesty of their handling? Under what circumstances - the narrowest of them - does the omer offering permit aspects of planted unrooted kernels, or not? Also, when wheat or barley kernels are mixed into the dung of cattle or other animals, what rules apply to that grain? What about when an elephant swallows an Egyptian wicker basket - and excretes it intact? Or if an elephant swallows leaves whole and excretes them whole? Or wolves who swallowed and excreted (intact, though not alive) two babies. With implications for purity and impurity.