Avodah Zarah 23: What We Can Assume

More on the very difficult topic of bestiality. Beginning with the question of birds. Also, a study of the statuses of "lechathilah" and "bediavad" -- when someone acts in an ideal way or after the fact. With key implications for the assumptions that are made under these different statuses (for example, under what conditions one might make an assumption that rape took place or not). Also, the red heifer - with concerns about the possibility of a sodomized cow. With parallels to the sin-offering, and the role or concern of blemishes.