Talking Talmud

More on Bikkurim - first fruits: Rav Sheshet says that not placing the produce in the right place next to the altar will prevent it from counting as first fruits, but not reciting the verses from the Torah won't invalidate the first fruits. Which then leads to discussion of whose view he is citing. With comparisons to "bekhor" - first animals - and also to ma'aser sheni (second tithings). Also, from there, the discussion of why ma'aser sheni isn't practiced in the absence of the Temple (eating food in sanctity in Jerusalem could theoretically happen without the Temple, but the aim is to prove why that is not the case, even many years after the Temple's destruction).

A case of a kohen who eats from a korban olah before the throwing of the blood on the altar... but even kohanim aren't allowed to eat from an olah/burnt-offering. In any case, the inappropriate eating of sacrifices leads to reason for 6 sets of lashes (or maybe 5, which is part of the discussion). Also, more on bikkurim, the first fruits - and what invalidates them as food for the kohen, or perhaps not. Plus, a comparison to mixing flour and oil for the meal-offering.

A new mishnah! Bikkurim - first fruits - and other special offerings where one who eats incorrectly and gets lashes. NOTE CLARIFICATION TO THE AUDIO: The issue of lashes upon eating the Bikkurim is specifically in the case that a kohen ate the offerings before the person who brought them recited the verses (two separate people (which wasn't clear, in listening to the recording). Plus other prohibited foods - like a korban Pesach, if it were left over night. Plus, the case of the mother bird and one who didn't send her away. Also, a discussion about whose opinion is represented in the mishnah -- Rabbi Akiva or Rabbi Shimon? With a deep dive into Rabbi Shimon's approach (via a very long baraita). Specifically with regard to eating specific foods outside of Jerusalem (what happens with Maaser Sheni, and the limitations on who can eat from it, for example).

With regard to the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird when you come to take the eggs (or the fledgling birds), if one took the mother bird instead of sending her away - what happens? It's a machloket! Either the perpetrator here receives lashes, or he should just send away the mother bird now, and not get lashes. (it's an example of the positive commandment that comes together with the negative commandment, and doesn't (necessarily) get lashes). And there's one other mitzvah that has that same capacity - namely, the rapist who marries and divorces the woman he raped (and can remarry her). Also, on forbidden foods - when does one eats them get lashes? With a focus on creepie-crawlies and water creatures, and eventually land creatures, and those that fly -- all of which are learned out from verses in the Torah. Eight possible violations in total.

A difficult daf. When a combination of mitzvot (positive and negative) and the violation thereof lead to lashes vs. when the result is no lashes. Plus, Rabbi Yochanan changes his mind. Plus, the case of a man who rapes a woman, has to marry her, can't divorce her, and then does divorce her - what happens to him? Also, how the time factor to do a positive commandment is relevant to his rectifying this situation.

Reviewing the opinions of Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yishmael, and Rabbi Yitzchak on lashes and more severe punishments from the previous daf, with some focus on Rabbi Yitzchak's opinion. Plus, Rabbi Yochanan's opinion that one who committed all of the illicit sexual relationships in one period of forgetting or lack of awareness would need to bring a sin-offering for each relationship. But the only way one could violate the prohibition against sleeping with one's sister, who is also one's father's sister, and one's mother's sister - that takes a wicked person who is the son of a wicked person, in terms of violating and violating again, for such relationships to be possible in one person (and then raising the question whether that's one sin-offering or three). [Who's Who: Rabbi Yitzchak] Also, what happens when a person is ritually impure and needs to bring that sacrifice? And what if an impure person did eat from the offering (eg - Shelamim) while impure? To be punished, one still needs a warning from the biblical text.

The end of chapter 2, and the beginning of chapter 3. First, a killer who goes into exile must be upfront about why he's in exile. And in the event of people wanting to honor him, he would need to protest just the once. But not more. The chapter closes with a dispute. Also, the beginning of chapter 3, with its first mishnah -- namely, for when people get lashes. Plus: who and why the Givonim? Note: The Gemara explains the view that says - for every violation of karet, one also gets lashes, but not everyone agrees with that! So the Gemara presents the 3 opinions on this topic, only one of which is represented in the mishnah - specifically, that of Rabbi Akiva.

If the verdict comes from the court that an inadvertent killer has to go to the city of refuge to exile, but there is no kohen gadol at that time - the killer cannot every leave his exile. Plus, Yoav and the mistakes he made in trying to seek refuge. Plus, the angel of Rome. Plus, a new mishnah, with a person in need of exile who is in a tree, on the border of the city of refuge. And another mishnah, with the role of ma'aser sheni - and the Levite cities Along with the need to take refuge in a city other than your own, even if your residence is in a city of refuge.

The verses of the Torah suggest that Joshua wrote part of the Torah - which might just be the passages about the city of refuge (since he later implemented the plan for them, upon entering the land). Or did Joshua simply repeat it later in his own book? A worthy dispute. Also, a new mishnah: The role of the kohen gadol and his death with regard to exiles returning from the city of refuge. Plus, the role of the anointed kohen. Plus, how the mothers of the kohanim gedolim helped the exiles, so they wouldn't pray for the deaths of the mothers' sons (though those prayers might not bring about his death either!). Plus, a real case of defamation and lashes. Also, a mishnah about the timing when the exile verdict comes down - depending on the life of the kohen gadol, and what happens if that seat is empty.

More on the cities of refuge -- what kinds of cities are suitable for this purpose? Medium-sized cities, with water available, and marketplaces, and a sizable enough population -- which should be replenished if those numbers drop. Also, if a student (of Torah, presumably) is exiled, his teacher is exiled with him -- as essential to his life. Which points to the idea that people should only teach suitable students (who are not likely to end up in a city of refuge). If a teacher is exiled, the entire yeshivah goes with him too. Plus, the sages and the verses they used to learn out details about those who kill inadvertently. In the hopes that all happens as it should. Also, a city of refuge that is already home to a majority of unintentional killers cannot accept new ones. Plus, what happens in a city that has no elders to begin with?