Talking Talmud

Determining the capacity of an earthenware vessel to become impure on both its inside and outside -- as long as it's a receptacle, with a "middle," such as it was, with sides that form a middle to contain something (in contrast to a platter). Also, 2 mishnayot: 1 - Blemishes in an animal's eye, such as cataracts. Also, the case of the "hilazon nahash" -- is that one animal or two? And the kohen who determines status and teaches others to determine status. 2 - Checking the animal for the blemish, whether it disappears or will become permanent, especially when considering the eye blemishes,

Finishing chapter 5 and starting chapter 6, with a mishnah in each chapter, and attention to the requirement of an experts to sign off on a first-born animal's status as "blemished" (and what can be done with it afterwards), as well as the various blemishes and their implications, as we embark on a new chapter that focuses on blemishes, and -- to be careful -- not treyfot.

The case of hearsay testimony - and when it's acceptable (not often!). Also, the opinion of Rabbi Tzadok on a first-born that split its lip while eating. But does that smack of intentional blemishing? Plus, the famous and important showdown between Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Yehoshua, which also appears on Berakhot 27b. Also, 3 mishnayot: more on kohanim and unblemished first-borns who get blemished. And the Pompedita practice of accepting the testimony of kohanim. Plus, blemishes in the eyes of the animals.

3 mishnayot! 1 - Beginning with a story about a Roman soldier intentionally blemishing a first-born ram, and how the sages approved that case as a blemish, but not when others attempted the same. Likewise, kids who tied the tails of lambs together, including first-borns, and one lost a tail, and that case was also permitted, but not as a general rule. Intent would ruin that. 2 - One who kicks a first-born and causes a blemish. 3 - Who can testify about the blemish to a first-born, when it's brought to an expert to adjudicate the blemish?

For a case of certainly pure terumah vs. uncertain terumah (whether it's pure or not) - in light of the plural of the word "terumotai" in the Torah. Or is it "terumati"?! Also, what if one DID make a blemish on a first-born animal, even though it's of course not allowed. The Gemara specifically looks for comparable cases to determine the penalties, if there are to be any.