
Menahot 93: The Metaphysical Side of Sacrifices
From Talking Talmud by Yardaena Osband & Anne Gordon
April 14, 2026 · 15 min · Season 30 · Episode 93
About this episode
The episode discusses the metaphysical aspects of sacrifices, focusing on the laying on of hands and its halakhic implications.
Yesterday's mishnah raised the case of heirs bringing a sacrifice on behalf of someone who died before being able to offer it - and whether they would do the laying on of hands. Here, we are privy to a contradiction in the materials over whether they do it. Plus, another mishnah, with the list of all those who can, under the right circumstances, do the laying on of hands (semichah). Also, more on the semichah - specifically, how it was done with 2 hands, and how we know that it is supposed to be done with 2 hands. Plus, Resh Lakish's stance on this halakhah and the way he argues for and against it, with some frustration.
Topics covered
- sacrifices
- laying on of hands
- semichah
- halakhah
Keywords
- metaphysical
- heirs
- contradiction
- Resh Lakish
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: mishnah
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