Beitzah

Raba says: There is no difficulty: this [Baraitha1 refers] to us,2 and the other [Baraitha3 refers] to them.4 R. Papa visited Mar Samuel.5 They set before him pearl-barley broth and he did not eat of it. Perhaps they prepared it in a small mortar?6 — He noticed that it was very fine.7 Perhaps they prepared it the day before [the Festival]? — He saw that it [the pearl-barley] was still bearing the polish from the husking.8 Or you can say: It is different in the case of the house of Mar Samuel, on account of the laxity of the servants.9 MISHNAH. IF ONE SELECTS PULSE ON A FESTIVAL, BETH SHAMMAI SAY: HE MUST SELECT THE EDIBLE PARTS AND EAT [THEM FORTHWITH]; BUT BETH HILLEL SAY: HE MAY PICK OUT AS USUAL10 [FROM A SMALL QUANTITY] IN HIS LAP OR IN A BASKET OR IN A DISH; BUT NOT ON TO A BOARD OR IN A SIFTER OR IN A SIEVE.11 RABBAN GAMALIEL SAYS: HE MAY EVEN RINSE THEM [IN WATER] AND SKIM OFF [THE REFUSE]. GEMARA. It was taught: Rabban Gamaliel said: This was [only] stated when the edible part is more than the refuse;12 but if the refuse is more than the edible part, all agree that he must pick out the edible part and leave the refuse. If the refuse is more than the edible part, is there anyone who permits it [to be picked]?13 — This refers to a case where the work [of picking out the refuse] is great though the quantity [of the refuse] is small.14 RABBAN GAMALIEL SAYS: HE MAY EVEN RINSE THEM AND SKIM OFF [THE REFUSE]: It was taught: R. Eleazar son of R. Zadok said: This was the practice in the house of Rabban Gamaliel; they brought a bucket-full of lentils and poured water over them with the result that that which was edible remained below and the refuse [floated] on top. But has not the opposite been taught?15 — There is no contradiction: The one applies to sand, the other applies to chaff. 16 MISHNAH. BETH SHAMMAI SAY: ONE MAY SEND [GIFTS TO A NEIGHBOUR] ON A FESTIVAL ONLY PORTIONS [READY FOR EATING],17 BUT BETH HILLEL SAY: ONE MAY SEND CATTLE, GAME AND POULTRY WHETHER ALIVE OR SLAUGHTERED. ONE MAY [ALSO] SEND WINE, OIL, FLOUR OR PULSE BUT NOT GRAIN.18 BUT R. SIMEON PERMITS [ALSO] GRAIN.19 GEMARA. R. Jehiel taught: Provided that he does not send it [the present] by a company [of men].20 A Tanna taught: A company consists of not less than three persons. R. Ashi put the question: What [is the law] with respect to three persons with three varieties [of gifts]?21 This question is undecided. R. SIMEON PERMITS [ALSO] GRAIN. It was taught: R. Simeon allows grain: e.g., wheat, to prepare thereof food for gladiators;22 barley, to give to his cattle; [and] lentils to prepare thereof groats.23 MISHNAH. ONE MAY SEND CLOTHES, WHETHER SEWN UP OR NOT YET SEWN UP EVEN THOUGH THERE IS KIL'AYIM24 IN THEM, PROVIDED THEY ARE NECESSARY25 FOR THE FES TIVAL; BUT [ONE MAY] NOT [SEND] HOB-NAILED SANDALS26 NOR UNSTITCHED SHOES. R. JUDAH SAYS: NOT EVEN WHITE SHOES BECAUSE THEY [STILL] REQUIRE AN ARTISAN [TO BLACKEN THEM]. THIS IS THE GENERAL RULE: WHATEVER MAY BE USED ON A FESTIVAL MAY [ALSO] BE SENT [ON A FESTIVAL]. GEMARA. As for sewn [articles] it is well: they are fit for garments; [likewise] unsewn [articles] too, [as] they are fit for a covering. But for what are kil'ayim fit? And if you say they can be used to fold under him,27 surely it was taught: Neither shall there come upon thee [a garment of two kinds of stuff mingled together],28 but you may spread it beneath you. But the Sages said: It is forbidden to do so lest a thread might cling to his body! And if you say [that it is permissible] if there is anything interposing between them,29 surely R. Simeon b. Pazzi said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi, who said in the name of R Jose b. Saul, who said in the name of Rabbi in the name of the Holy Community at Jerusalem:30 Even if ten mattresses lie one on top of the other and [some material of] kil'ayim is beneath them, it is forbidden to sleep thereon! And if [you say] it refers to a curtain, surely ‘Ulla said: Why did [the Sages] say a curtain is unclean31 because the attendant warms himself beside it!32 used a small one; hence small ones too were forbidden. the trouble of picking out the refuse was greater. defiled, because it is also used as a wrap for warming; and since a curtain may be used as a wrap it may not be made of kil'ayim.