Talking Talmud

Epizody

• 
  Bekhorot 13: Yevamot and Avodah Zarah - Revisited 01.10.2026 19min

  Summary/description to follow after shabbat/chag, with apologies.
• 
  Bekhorot 12: Redemption Lambs and Other Animals 30.09.2026 15min

  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.
• 
  Bekhorot 11: Two Zuzim 29.09.2026 14min

  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.
• 
  Bekhorot 10: Food Impurity and Shechitah Practice 28.09.2026 19min

  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.
• 
  Bekhorot 9: A Lamb for the First-Born Donkey 27.09.2026 19min

  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.
• 
  Bekhorot 8: Dolphins, Mermaids, and Greek Philosophy 26.09.2026 20min

  Non-kosher fish "spawn" their offspring and nurse, where kosher fish lay eggs - with the exception of a bat, which lays eggs and also nurses, with many more factors to characterize the various animals (including wild geese and domesticated geese). Also, "dulfanim" -- "children of the sea" -- reproduce like people, and they may be dolphins or mermaid or sirens or something else. Plus, a question about the gestation of the snake. Also, philosophical discussion of the length of snakes gestation - 7 years? 3 years? 4 years? Note the Athenian sages. Eventually to debate the sages before the Roman caesar. Plus, social status and other timely decisions of the ancient world (12 of them).
• 
  Bekhorot 7: Can Kosher and Non-Kosher Animals Mate? 25.09.2026 15min

  When an impure animal appears to be born to a pure animal, the animal can be consumed if and only if its head and more resembles the kosher mother. But can a kosher animal and a non-kosher animal truly mate? It seems not. To the extent that an animal that looks like it's the progeny of both perhaps may have been born of two kosher animals, but where one had a mutation to look like a non-kosher animal. Also, the question of how practical the concern was about this kind of progeny of kosher-and-non-kosher animals. Plus, a new mishnah! On fish, where the non-kosher fish swallowed a kosher fish or the reverse. Note that the distinction between non-kosher fish (usually sea creatures or sea food) and kosher fish is the difference between spawning progeny vs. laying eggs. The link to Dr. Jeremy Brown's Talmudology post: https://www.talmudology.com/jeremybrownmdgmailcom/2016/8/14/pigxsheep-y7df4
• 
  Bekhorot 6: Milk from Meat 24.09.2026 16min

  When the progeny of an animal doesn't quite resemble the mother animal, but has some similar traits, will it require the first-born status? Note the complicating factors of a kosher animal giving birth to a non-kosher animal, or vice versa. Also, the Gemara delves into the non-kosher animals here, because the question of their milk (say, a camel), their brine, and more might seem logical -- that the milk would be prohibited as much as the non-kosher elements of the animals. But maybe the milk is allowed. Because even milk from a kosher animal (like cow's milk from a cow) seems a radical thing to be permitted.
• 
  Bekhorot 5: Wilderness Accounting 23.09.2026 17min

  Rabbi Yochanan came to Rabbi Elazar in a dream, and it was a harbinger for a good day. And the sanctification of the first-borns would not end, because of his own learning. Also, the story of a Roman official (Kunterukus) who bothers Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai about the number of Levites in the wilderness and in the final count in the Torah. Also, on the census count of the half-shekel. Where there shenanigans in the census money? Poor accounting? Plus, a new mishnah: A cow that gives birth to a kind of donkey... The question is when the first-born law kicks in, but the other question is how does a cow deliver a kind of donkey? Even given the exceptional status of the donkey.
• 
  Bekhorot 4: Wilderness First-borns 22.09.2026 20min

  A new mishnah! Establishing additional exemptions for the first-born donkey offerings. The initial exemptions took place in the wilderness, and exempted the Levites, because the people themselves were going to be exempted. But other - kosher - animals were still subject to the laws of the first-born (cattle, sheep, and goats). But why are the Levites exempt from the first-born son and the first-born donkey, but subject to the regular, other animals' first-borns? Also, the first-born sanctification seems to have first taken place in the wilderness -- or were they not? (A dispute between R. Yochanan and Resh Lakish) Note the original role of the first-born (people), before the kohanim were selected for their role. Then, the sanctification of the first-borns made a different kind of sense.
• 
  Bekhorot 3: Blemishes and Their Discontents 20.09.2026 18min

  If one sold a first-born, and had to buy it back, the question is whether that's buying it back for 10x the value of the animal specifically, or just some random large amount. Or maybe it's for 100x. Plus, the concern of blemishes -- and permanent blemishes -- in the first-born (what if it's jointly owned with a non-Jew?). Also, different kinds of blemishes could make the animal look like a pig or a goose or other kinds of mutations that aren't connected to the animal's real appearance.
• 
  Bekhorot 2: Beginning with Donkeys 19.09.2026 12min

  A new tractate, taking the first-born animals as its major focus: including human first-born sons, first male domesticated animals, and first-born donkeys, commemorating the first-borns who were saved in Egypt. We open with the focus on the donkeys. And, of course, with a new mishnah. The mitzvah applies only to donkeys that are owned fully by Jews. The question is, then, what happens if the donkey is jointly owned, and it lists 5 cases. The Gemara addresses why all of those 5 cases were necessary to spell out (instead of learning from one to the other).
• 
  Hullin 142: The Reward of Long Life in the World-to-Come 18.09.2026 15min

  A new mishnah! The last one, to be sure. Taking the mother bird for the fledglings or eggs -- you take the mother bird for the sake of the purification of the person recovering from tzara'at. Meaning, the mitzvah of that purification doesn't make it permitted to take the bird under the circumstances of her being on her chicks/eggs. Also, the philosophical conundrum of one who sends away the mother bird, for which long life is promised, and at the behest of his father, so honoring his parent, for which long life is promised, and then dies on the descent. How to reconcile or resolve this contradiction? [Who's Who: Elisha ben Avuya, aka "Aher"]
• 
  Hullin 141: Acquiring the Mother Bird 18.09.2026 16min

  New mishnayot! 1 - If you send away the mother bird, and she comes back (even several times), you still have to send her away, if you want the eggs. Plus, when a positive commandment comes together with a negative commandment. Also, the implementation of lashes -- where the obligation begins with the sending of the mother bird away, but once she's been taken without sending her away, then what? Can she be sent away after she wasn't? And practically speaking, lift the bird! (What does that accomplish??).
• 
  Hullin 140: Sometimes, You Don't Send Away the Mother Bird 17.09.2026 16min

  More on the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird from sitting on her eggs or fledgling birds. If someone approached the nest with a knife, and began slaughtering the birds, or nearly so, does he send away the mother bird? What does it mean to take the birds for yourself? What state does the bird need to be in? The Gemara proffers several cases for several "teiku" lack-of-conclusions. Also, the positioning of the mother bird at the time of sending her away -- the obligation to do so only kicks in if she's actually sitting on the eggs or fledgling and touching the nest itself.
• 
  Hullin 139: A Nest on Your Head 16.09.2026 21min

  Consecrated birds are exempt from the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird -- what is the case? Well, what if a person consecrated the baby birds in the nest? Returning them to the nest if the mother bird returns to them, then there's no requirement to send her away anyway! Maybe he's consecrating the mother bird. Plus, what happens if a consecrated bird escapes to the wild?! Note that the Gemara narrows the mishnah's halakhah to a very specific case, in contrast to the original phrasing. Also, the case of finding a nest in the head of a person. And the ostensible sources, or allusions, anyway, in the Torah, for Moshe, Haman, Esther, and Mordechai. [Where's Where? Papuniya]
• 
  Hullin 138: Sending Away the Mother Bird 15.09.2026 18min

  Finishing the 11th chapter and beginning the 12th chapter. First, how much wool must one give in terms of worth? And how must it be presented? And how do we know how much wool counts as this gift to the kohen? The source is in the verses in the same context as the "first fleece" mitzvah in the Torah, in Deuteronomy. Note the famous proverb about reaching for too much as an unsuccessful project, whereas a less ambitious grasp will be successful. Plus, the discussion of the kohen's sash -- namely, if there was no wool in the kohen's sash, then why the first fleece? The Gemara steps back to say that wool is used for the kohen gadol's clothing, and the sash applies to everyone, basically, and therefore the measure of how much fleece is required. Also, chapter 12! And a new mishnah -- all about the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird to take the eggs/baby birds, which, together with honoring parents, carry a biblical promise of long life.
• 
  Hullin 137: Shearing Sheep Only Applies to Sheep 14.09.2026 17min

  The "first fleece" mishnah applies only to sheep - and the question is how is that known (from the Torah). Along the way, other first-born rules are raised, like the first-born ox doesn't work. Can it be that "shearing" isn't specific to sheep, but removing any animal's hair? And was this a serious inquiry? Also, the minimum number of sheep required for the prescribed shearing -- perhaps 5. Or perhaps according to the value of the fleece. Which comes to a comparable value.
• 
  Hullin 136: Fleecing the Impure 13.09.2026 12min

  3 universally accepted lenient halakhot at that time: 1. The first shearing of the wool applied only in the land of Israel (a reduction of obligation, as compared to the mishnah). 2. The words of Torah are not susceptible to ritual impurity. 3. The complicated requirements to violate the law of "mixing kinds," wherein 3 separate elements had to be planted together. Also, note that the "first fleece" had other stringencies that were part of it (eg - whether the treyfot of these sheep would be obligated in the first fleece). And how that is learned from the verses, including a "gezerah shavah" (but which one?).
• 
  Hullin 135: The First Fleece 11.09.2026 20min

  A new chapter! A new mishnah! The first shearing of your sheep's wool goes to the kohanim. But only from non-consecrated animals. And only when you have "numerous" sheep -- which may be as few as two, or maybe five. Plus, what happens if the owner would dye the wool? Also, partnership in ownership of the flocks that would be required in gifts from the first-sheared wool but are not, because of the partnership (depending on the partnership). Note the contrasts when compared to terumah. Also, the categorization of retroactive clarification -- which shows up again (yesh/ein bereirah). Plus, the ramifications of a partnership with a non-Jew, including those who are not necessarily idolators.