Talking Talmud

More on King Solomon's 10 tables, and how the kohanim put the shewbread on Moses' table and not Solomon's (or was it one table at a time, including Solomon's tables?). Also, the concept of increasing in holiness and never diminishing it - as familiar from Chanukah, and applied here. Plus, not mocking one who has forgotten his Torah, but treating such a person with respect -- and a key example of how a sage's own life story may have impact on the positions he takes in the Gemara. Also, a new mishnah! Of the tables, and of two at the entrance of the sanctuary, one was marble and one was gold - with the preparation for the shewbread and then the staged removal of the old shewbread. Plus, the pageantry of switching in the new shewbread for the old. And the brief days during which eating the bread was valid (and how two days of not cooking led to Babylonian returnees eating raw meat). Also, the question of when to learn non-Torah subjects like Greek philosophy.

More on the set-up of the Temple, including a larger "amah," that was the one of Shushan, and also a smaller measure, which was most significant for the craftsman building the Temple. With an open discussion about representation of the foreign king in the Temple, which seems difficult. Could it be metaphorical? Maybe, but it sounds more literal. Also, healing trees. Plus, presenting the actions of King Solomon, in terms of setting up 10 tables and 10 menorahs in the Temple, with specific placement in the north and south of the courtyard respectively.

All of the mention of "amot," the measure of a forearm, that are mentioned in the Temple are "medium-sized" cubits -- which was 5 or 6 handbreadths, depending on what was being measured. Also, the application of those amot of different lengths, as concluded from the description of the Temple's measurements in Ezekiel.

Opening with a very (very!) long mishnah on the 12 loaves of the shewbread, including their process and their location and their shaping and their measurements and their placement. Also, how some of that processing overrode Shabbat rules, and some did not. Rabbi Akiva's general principle here is that if something can be done before Shabbat, it will not override the laws of Shabbat, but if it cannot be done before Shabbat (and not because a person ran out of time), those practices would override Shabbat. Plus, some of the comments of the Gemara - specifically on the way the shewbread was bent upwards but a significant measure, and set up on rods to allow the air to circulate and prevent mold.

On the lehem ha-panim, the 12 loaves of the shewbread - what happened to this offering when the Israelites were traveling in the wilderness, and need to switch the loaves from shabbat-to-shabbat? Would the bread become invalidated through the moving? Also, a new mishnah on how the 2 loaves of Shavuot and the 12 loaves of the shewbread are the same in processing. Including what is consecrated and requires the Temple courtyard for processing in vessels. Plus, a backhanded compliment for Rav Sheshet.