Menahot 94: Fresh Bread Baking

Menahot 94: Fresh Bread Baking

From Talking Talmud by Yardaena Osband & Anne Gordon

April 15, 2026 · 17 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the nuances of semichah and waving in the context of mishnah, along with the preparation of bread for Shavuot.

Closing chapter 10: A new mishnah! On the ways that semichah (laying on of hands) is more stringent than the requirement of waving the animal parts, and the ways that the waving is more stringent than semichah. And a potential contradiction as to whether the laying on of hands was as limited as the mishnah makes it sound (with a very nice resolution, too). Opening chapter 11! With a new mishnah - back to the 2 loaves of Shavuot and the lechem ha-panim, and the process by which they are kneaded and baked. Including safeguards to prevent mold. Plus, a puzzling apparent mismatch between the shape of the pans and that of the loaves.

Topics covered

  • semichah
  • waving
  • mishnah
  • Shavuot
  • lechem ha-panim
  • bread baking

Keywords

  • bread
  • baking
  • mold prevention
  • loaves
  • pans

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