Bechorot 20: Miscarriage of Animals and Bechorot; Rabbis as Parents and Mentors

We are introduced to a baraita that furthers yesterday's argument between Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Akiva about a firstborn animal purchased from a Gentile.  It says that Rabbi Yishmael (we determine the status of a bachor based on the age of the mother), Rabbi Yehoshua said that there had been a mistake.  An animal could have a miscarriage that are considered to be a bachor,  but the newborn would not be considered a bachor.  It is possible to have a miscarriage and then give birth the same year, but the newborn would not be a bachor.

Steinsaltz teaches us about the Tanna Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha, discussed here.  He was jailed by the Romans when he was young.  Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya paid a large ransom to release him (Gittin 58).  When he returned to Israel, Rabbi Yishmael studied under Rabbi Yehoshua.  He became a leading speakers in the academy in Yavne.  His teachings cover the Mishna and the Gemara; he created the 13 hermeneutic rules for studying Torah.

We learn that when this discussion was taking place, Rabbi Yehoshua was already an elder of the Sages.  His reaction to Rabbi Yishmael was both teacher-student and father-son.