Talking Talmud

More on the case of the male twins whose heads emerged simultaneously -- where Rabbi Tarfon and Rabbi Akiva disagree. Also, delving in deeper, in terms of assessing the lambs, the stronger would go to the kohen, the weaker to the owner. In contrast to Rabbi Tarfon's claim that the first head out is the healthier stronger lamb - and he retracts that approach, eventually. Plus, narrowing the case of the mishnah and understanding the psychology of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon.

If a ewe gives birth to animal that looks like a goat, or vice versa, but also looks a little like its mother... Rabbi Meir says it is subject to the laws of first-born, but the majority view of the sages say no, the owner is exempt. Plus, when lambs are exempt from the first fleece. Also, a new mishnah! When a female sheep gives birth to twin male lambs - and their heads emerge at exactly the same time. Who gets which of the lambs? Does the first-born status kick in, and for which animal? Plus, can such things happen truly simultaneously?

The 5 sin-offerings that are left to die that are left to die (if they cannot be offered on the altar). How we know this, and how it works -- including the verse that teaches these details. Also, a new mishnah! In the case of a profit-sharing agreement, the value of the partnership is still owed to him. The partnership can be bought out, depending on the terms and who the partners are (depend on whether one is not Jewish, for example). Plus, the 10 generations for which the "first-born" is relevant.

More on the consecration vs. blemish and their implications for practice, in terms of order: where is all this derived? From the different animals mentioned in the Torah, and how each of them teaches something new. Also, what about the exchange for blemished offerings? What about the offspring of blemished offerings? When can you redeem which? Are the offspring -- which can't be redeemed -- really subject to redemption? To sacrifice? Again, the timing (in this case, the time of conception in the context of the mother's consecration) matters.

A new mishnah! Consecrated animals that acquire a blemish -- so they cannot be used for a regular sacrifice, what happens when they're then used for other things -- which doesn't rid the animal of the first-born status (or the obligation to give the kohen gifts). Note that the order that things happen (when consecrated, when blemished) make a difference in terms of the halakhah for the given animal. Also: Significantly, the Gemara rereads the details of the mishnah completely differently -- limiting the cases there for private altars, which changes the circumstances, the consequences, and more.

Summary/description to follow after shabbat/chag, with apologies.

Two mishnayot! First - How you cannot redeem the first-born donkey (a list of the animals that don't work for this redemption). Who's opinion is represented in the mishnah? Ben Bag-bag. [Who's Who: Ben Bag-bag]. Second - What if the redemption lamb died before it was given to the kohen? The Gemara delves into the dispute in the mishnah, and attempts different rationales to see what the dispute is really based on.

Our first story in the tractate! Meaning, an actual case and discussion between the sages. On how much a person pays to redeem an animal from the kohanim, whether generous or stingy -- namely, via a lamb that is worth a certain amount of zuzim. What if there is no lamb? Then the redemption takes place via the value in another item. Also, in the event of depositing produce with a kuti or an ignoramus, you can pretty much continue apace when you get it back, but if you left your produce with a non-Jew, you need to treat it as produce that is new to you, as if nothing had been done, or at the very least as produce that has a doubt attached to it.

A debate between Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Meir, as to whether a first-born donkey is permitted for benefit. Whether the animal is decapitated is a relevant element to the disagreement. Plus, the question of food impurity -- that which isn't forbidden for benefit is food, and vice versa, but then it can become impure. But then what about meat and milk that are cooked together, and prohibited for benefit? Because that's not Rabbi Shimon's opinion. The system of food impurity seems to be internal to itself. Also, the case of slaughtering a first-born animal for practice in slaughtering. [Who's Who? Nimos (and Rabbi Yehoshua HaGarsi)] Plus, Rashi's comment, as well as that of Rabbenu Gershom.

A new mishnah! When two donkeys are born at the same time, and it's not clear which one should be offered as a first-born (or a male and female and not clear which was born first). Also, the redemption of the first-born donkey with a lamb (or a kid). Note that a lamb can be used multiple times to redeem a donkey, given the proper procedure. Also, the Gemara delves into the case of designating a lamb as a possible redeemer -- with the sharp question why the owner who designates the lamb has to designate, since it will remain in his possession regardless.