Talking Talmud

A daf that covers a range of topics at the end of chapter 5: harvesting a crop for the sake of clearing out the area, rather than for the sake of the harvest... The omer is, of course, supposed to be brought from the standing grain - barley, that is. The Gemara then lists several "less than ideal" ways of offering the omer, all of which are included in the Torah's verse - "you will bring," even if it's not in the ideal way of doing so. Also, if the grain for the omer offering was harvested on the 16th of Nisan itself, that would be valid - even to the point of overriding the rules of Shabbat. But how do we know that this offering (and others) would be brought on Shabbat? Plus, more, in case you were missing it, on the Shavuot offering of the 2 loaves.

Exclusions when it comes to harvesting the omer and bringing the offering - including an irrigated field, not fully ripe grain. The offering should come from standing grain, unless there's none to be found. Plus, what happens with fields that are "trimmed" via natural means, such as grasshoppers. Plus, making sense of Rabbi Meir's approach vs. Rabbi Shimon's approach.

What about produce that remains attached to the ground? Is that to be tithed? Is it food? Also, a new mishnah with the 5 grains that are obligated in "challah" - giving a portion to God - plus, the same 5 that can become both matzah and chametz.

Does the omer offering render kernels that are planted in the ground permitted? It depends on whether they have taken root. Also, sales of grain - with questions as to whether it's movable property or land, and how to deal honestly, rather than in fraudulent ways. And what about swearing as to the honesty of their handling? Under what circumstances - the narrowest of them - does the omer offering permit aspects of planted unrooted kernels, or not? Also, when wheat or barley kernels are mixed into the dung of cattle or other animals, what rules apply to that grain? What about when an elephant swallows an Egyptian wicker basket - and excretes it intact? Or if an elephant swallows leaves whole and excretes them whole? Or wolves who swallowed and excreted (intact, though not alive) two babies. With implications for purity and impurity.

2 mishnayot - 1. The impact of bringing the omer offering - and how it releases the new grain from that status, even at quite a physical distance from the Temple. Plus, determining what is done in the absence of a Temple in terms schedule (the release from the prohibition against new grain is not cancelled). Also, the decree of R. Yohanan ben Zakkai. [What's What: The decrees of R. Yohanan ben Zakkai]. 2. - The schedule of other grain-offerings in the context of the omer. And also the 2 loaves of Shavuot. What is the significance and impact of each? Plus, new wine, and how the omer didn't have impact on it (or maybe it did!).