Talking Talmud

A series of stories about Rabbi Yehoshua ben Haninah interacting with Roman officers, conversing with the Caesar, etc. Some of these stories need unpacking and investigation: including God as described as a lion (Amos). Plus, the lion whose roar pulled down the walls of Rome (and caused its women to miscarry). All of which points to the power residing with God, and not the Caesar. Also, how God controls the events of the world via nature -- another question by the Caesar, and Rabbi Yehoshua has a demonstration for him. Fundamentally, the series of stories provide some measure of comfort for a Jewish audience. Also, an investigation into the verses that describe the creation of the world in Genesis -- specifically, the story of the moon as a diminished light in comparison to the sun, and God's ostensible regret in how He handled the moon. Plus, the production of the world's vegetation in creation.

What are kosher animals? What are non-kosher animals? That is, from the signs listed in the Torah for domesticated and non-domesticated animals -- such as split cloven hooves and chewing its cud (for the former category). Ditto re birds -- excluding predator birds, where the forbidden ones are listed explicitly (or perhaps for the sake of deriving a general rule). Likewise for the few kosher creepy-crawlies. And fish (fins and scales). Plus, what if there is no tradition with regard to a certain animal (eg: duck; turkey). Also, the signs of the undomesticated - which might seem superfluous, but they permit the special fat, which might appear to be incorrect, so it's explicit. Plus, a unicorn. With caveats on the horns making various goats and their cousins

What is the status of a treyfa animal after it has been declared a treyfa? For example if a hen is deemed a treyfa, what is the story with her eggs, for example? It will depend on whether the "father" of the eggs was also a treyfa, if the eggs were unfertilized, and the timing of when the eggs began growing (before or after the treyfa status). Also, worms in a melon when it grows from the ground or in dates that are stored in a jar -- when is that a problem of kashrut or not? Based on the presumption that invertebrates don't survive 12 months. Plus, mosquitos who officially lasted 7 years, but, apparently, that's not a real issue for the count.

If a bird has a dislocated femur, the bird is nonetheless kosher. But it seems that the same sage said that it was not kosher - in Pompedita, leading to an observation that different stringencies applied in different communities. One element of the decision being where the break occurs in the bird's leg. [Who's Who: Rabbi Shimon bar Halafta] Also, efforts to demonstrate that an animal that had been dubbed a treyfa is really not a treyfa - experiments by R. Shimon bar Halafta to disprove Rabbi Yehudah, including the shenanigans at an ant hill that apparently has no king.

2 mishanyot! 1 - A list of injuries or damage that render birds to be treyfot -- including a weasel that hits the bird on its head. With an apparent 24-hour testing ground to see if the animal will recover, at which point, it will be considered kosher. Also, how much of the bird would turn green in the internal organs if it were scorched for it to be a treyfa? Plus, the story of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi's bird that was scorched in a fire, and a color change from red to green (or green to red) being a problem.