Talking Talmud

More on the female triplet goats who each have triplets to lead into a discussion of Rabbi Shimon's position, as compared to the tanna kama. Specifically about whether a goat that has miscarried will delay for a spate of time before mating again. Which in turn gets into how to count that time, even to the final day. Also, a dispute between Rav and Shmuel (and Rabbi Yochanan) as to whether one can take it as a given that an animal purchased from a non-Jew has had progeny before. How much should one expect the seller to share about the animal he's selling? How much should the buyer be expected to ask?

More on buying an animal from a non-Jew, with the question of whether the animal has given birth before. A goat that has offspring during its first year - those must be the first offspring, and the first-born goes to the kohen. But what if there was evidence of a miscarriage -- does that count as the first-born, as it were? Note the discussion lands on concern for a minority, when there's a stringency (as compared to a leniency). Also, the case of a goat who has female triplets who each has triplets, which leads to sufficient goats for tithing -- with a substantive discussion as to why triplets are needed, when twins might do just as well.

2 mishnayot to close out chapter 2! Two ewes bear 2 male lambs -- both are first-born. One male, one female - the kohen gets the male. But with twins, what goes to the kohen? What about a C-section? Chapter 3 - and a new mishnah: When a Jew purchases an animal from a non-Jew... has that animal given birth already? Or no? And the certainty for not having given birth depends on the youth of the animal. A goat is considered certainly off-spring-free until 1 year old; a sheep, until 2 years old; and an ox or donkey until 3 years old. What if the animal conceived and miscarried, instead of bearing offspring?

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?