Beitzah

that their knot becomes worn out. WITHIN THE NEST AND FOUND THEM IN FRONT OF THE NEST THEY ARE FORBIDDEN. Shall it be said that this1 supports the view of R. Hanina? For R. Hanina said:2 [If] majority and proximity [are in opposition] you follow the majority? — Said Abaye: When there is a board.3 Raba says: ‘We are treating here of two nests one above the other;4 and it goes without saying that if he designated [doves] in the lower [nest] and did not designate [those] in the upper, and [on the morrow] finds [doves] in the lower [nest] and none in the upper they are forbidden, for we assume that those of the lower [nest] had flown away and these5 had indeed hopped down; but even if he designated [doves] in the upper [nest] and did not designate [those] in the lower and he came and found [some] in the upper and did not find [any] in the lower, these too are forbidden, for we assume that those6 had flown away and these had indeed fluttered up.7 BUT IF NONE EXCEPT THESE WERE THERE THEY ARE PERMITTED. What are the circumstances? If you say that [this refers] to those which can fly, then it is possible to assume that those had flown away and these are different ones? And if [this refers] to those which can [only] hop,8 then if there is [another] nest within fifty cubits, they might indeed have hopped away;9 and if there is no [other] nest within fifty cubits, it is obvious that they are permitted, for Mar ‘Ukba b. Hama said: ‘Whatever hops does not hop more than fifty cubits! — In truth [it means] where there is [another] nest within fifty cubits, but e.g., it is situated round a corner; you might say that they has indeed hopped away,’ so it10 informs us that they only hop along as long as by turning they see their nest,11 but if not,12 they do not hop away. MISHNAH. BETH SHAMMAI SAY:13 YOU MAY NOT TAKE A PESTLE14 TO CUT UP MEAT THEREON,15 BUT BETH HILLEL PERMIT [IT]. BETH SHAMMAI SAY: ONE MAY NOT PLACE A HIDE16 FOR TREADING ON17 NOR MAY HE LIFT IT UP UNLESS THERE IS AS MUCH AS AN OLIVE OF FLESH WITH IT,18 BUT BETH HILLEL PERMIT IT. GEMARA. A Tanna taught: And they [both] agree that if he had already cut up meat thereon, it [the pestle] may not be moved.19 Abaye said: The dispute is [only] with respect to a pestle, but in the case of a butcher's block20 all agree that it is permitted. This is obvious: we learnt, A PESTLE!21 — You might say that the same applies even to a butcher's block22 and the reason it states PESTLE is in order to inform you of the extent of the view of Beth Hillel that even an object specially made for work which is forbidden23 is also permitted; hence he informs us [that it is not so]. Others state; Abaye [himself] replied:24 It is only necessary [to teach] that even a new butcher's block [is permitted]. You might say: He may change his mind and not cut up [meat] on it,25 so he informs us [that this is not so]. Do then Beth Shammai not fear [the possibility of] one changing his mind?26 Surely it was taught: Beth Shammai say: One may not lead the slaughterer27 and the knife to the animal [to be slaughtered]28 nor the animal to the slaughterer and the knife; but Beth Hillel say: One may bring the one to the other. Beth Shammai say: One may not carry spices or a pestle to the mortar, nor the mortar to the spices or the pestle; but Beth Hillel say: One may bring the one to the other! — What comparison is this? [With respect to] an animal it is well: he may come to change his mind saying, let us leave this lean animal and I will bring another animal which is fatter than this; [with respect to] a dish too he may come to change his mind, saying, let us leave this dish which requires spices and I will bring another [dish] which does not require spices. [But] here what are we to suppose? He will change his mind and not cut up [the meat]? Since he has already slaughtered [the animal], it has to be cut up. BETH SHAMMAI SAY: ONE MAY NOT PLACE A HIDE. A Tanna taught: And they [both] agree that one may salt upon it meat for roasting.29 Abaye said: It was taught only [when it is] for roasting but not for boiling.30 This is obvious: We learnt31 ‘for roasting’? — This he [Abaye] informs us that even for roasting [to salt it almost as much] as for boiling is [also] forbidden. Our Rabbis taught: One may neither salt32 pieces of suet33 for turn them about.34 They reported in the name of R. Joshua: One may spread them out in the air on pegs [of wood]. R. Mattenah said: The halachah is as R. Joshua. Others state: R. Mattenah said: The halachah is not as R. Joshua. This is well according to the version, ‘the halachah is as R. Joshua’, [then it is necessary]: For I might say, [when] an individual and a majority [are in dispute] the halachah is as the majority: [hence] he informs us that [here] the halachah is as the individual. But according to the version ‘the halachah is not as R. Joshua’, it is obvious: [for when] an individual and a majority [are in dispute], the halachah is as the majority! — You might think that the opinion of R. Joshua is logical, for if you will not permit him35 he will altogether forbear to slaughter,36 so he informs us.37 And why is this different from the case of placing a hide before the treading place?38 within the nest. of bids. cutting up meat thereon, and they do not take into consideration the possibility of changing the mind. Festival. altogether.