Talking Talmud

On "shemen ha-mor" - the oil of myrrh, which a discussion of how Queen Esther beautified herself among the other girls in the beauty contest, until the king chose her to be queen. With the question of defining what this oil was used for (an anointing or a depilatory). Also, a new mishnah - with a focus on olives and the several harvests and various pressings of them, attesting to the various qualities of oil too. And another mishnah - 9 degrees of oil, where the top level would be just prohibitive for the grain-offerings, but were always taken for the menorah oil.

2 mishnayot! 1 - Which grain is not acceptable - in this case, specifically listed, but after the fact, the grain would be accepted if used. Plus, how one works the land to grow good grain - from sowing to plowing to timing. 2 - The olive trees in Tekoa were the main source of olive oil for the Temple. After that, the trees in Regev. And after that, any other olives were still kosher, as long as they weren't coming a fertilized grove or an irrigated grove, as above regarding grain.

Which barley is to be used for the omer offering? During a sabbatical/shemitah year, they couldn't plant, but they could collect the natural growth, which they did. That collection needed to be as for food, however, and not for fuel -- because shemitah produce could not be burned. But it wasn't quite burned either.... Also, a deep dive into "first fruits/bikkurim," and how they were to be brought from the 7 species from the land of Israel. Plus, refinement of the details of the bikkurim as brought, based on the verses, and also the basic growth and whether it was in a field or elsewhere, for example. But why weren't bikkurim offered for all fruits and not just the 7 species?

On the sanctification of the many kinds of offerings, including the absorption into the sanctity. Plus, leading into the Pesach sacrifice, and when it might be invalidated as the korban Pesach, but still work as a peace-offering. Also, beginning chapter 9! Grain, oil, and wine, as used in the Temple service - from the new mishnah specifying where the grain can come from. The best grain, and from the land of Israel were required for the omer offering and the 2 loaves of Shavuot, but for most grain-offerings, there was a great deal of flexibility.

The case of one who designates ma'aser sheni money towards a peace-offering, can that work? The Gemara delves into the level of sacredness of the various properties. Also, a new mishnah! One who takes an oath to bring a sacrifice... which leads us right into the Passover offering, in perfect timing. Really, on the question of what funds can be used to purchase the offering. Also, more on the purchase of the all mandatory offerings - which are bought with non-sacred funds.