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Hullin 70: The Surgical Activity of a Weasel

July 09, 2026 | כ״ד בתמוז תשפ״ו

More on case of the fetus — when does the principle of “majority” apply to limbs emerging? Or does it ever? When is it considered as if it was born? What if half of the fetus has emerged, but a majority of a particular limb? A nuanced, and likely boundary-pushing case. Also, what if the fetus were wrapped while it was still internal? Is that a barrier to the sanctity of the first-born? What about its amniotic sac? What about shenanigans by a weasel that removes and replaces the fetus? Also – a new mishnah about whether the fetus is pure or impure, as per the parent, or (as the main view in the mishnah stipulates), the fetus is inherently pure and won’t convey impurity. The Gemara probes this rationale. Plus, an important distinction between animals’ feet – when they are paws as compared to cloven hooves.

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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!”

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