Search

Bekhorot 8: Dolphins, Mermaids, and Greek Philosophy

September 26, 2026 | ט״ו בתשרי תשפ״ז

Non-kosher fish “spawn” their offspring and nurse, where kosher fish lay eggs – with the exception of a bat, which lays eggs and also nurses, with many more factors to characterize the various animals (including wild geese and domesticated geese). Also, “dulfanim” — “children of the sea” — reproduce like people, and they may be dolphins or mermaid or sirens or something else. Plus, a question about the gestation of the snake. Also, philosophical discussion of the length of snakes gestation – 7 years? 3 years? 4 years? Note the Athenian sages. Eventually to debate the sages before the Roman caesar. Plus, social status and other timely decisions of the ancient world (12 of them).

240420251745481775.jpeg

Anne and Yardaena

Anne Gordon is the deputy editor of Ops & Blogs at The Times of Israel. She is a veteran educator, having taught in high school and post-high school institutions in Israel and America for several decades. Yardaena Osband is a pediatrician and teaches in her community and online. They both hail from Boston, proud alumna of Maimonides School, where they first learned Gemara. Talking Talmud is their conversation (via podcast) on the daf yomi. They say: “Learning the daf? We have something for you to think about. Not learning the daf? We have something for you to think about! (Along with a taste of the daf…) Join the conversation with us!”

Get Beyond the Daf via podcast

Want to follow content and continue where you left off?

Create an account today to track your progress, mark what you’ve learned, and follow the shiurim that speak to you.

Clear all items from this list?

This will remove ALL the items in this section. You will lose any progress or history connected to them. This is irreversible.

Cancel
Yes, clear all

Are you sure you want to delete this item?

You will lose any progress or history connected to this item.

Cancel
Yes, delete