Beitzah

with reference to Festivals, where the Tanna teaches anonymously according to [the Opinion of] R. Judah as we have learnt: You may not [on a Festival] chop up firewood from rafters1 nor from a beam which was broken on a Festival2 — Beth Hillel is made to represent the opinion of R. Judah. Now who taught our Mishnah anonymously, [was it not] Rabbi?3 Why then is it that with reference to the Sabbath he teaches the Mishnah anonymously according to [the opinion of] R. Simeon, whereas with reference to Festivals he teaches the Mishnah anonymously according to R. Judah? — I will answer. With respect to the Sabbath which is stringent so that people will not come to treat it lightly, he taught the Mishnah anonymously according to R. Simeon who is lenient; [with respect to] a Festival which is less stringent4 so that people might come to treat it lightly, he taught the Mishnah anonymously according to R. Judah who is strict. How have you explained it [the Mishnah]? With respect to a hen kept for laying eggs [the prohibition is] on account of mukzeh! If so, then instead of disputing about an egg,5 let [the Mishnah state that] they dispute about the hen [itself]!6 — It is in order to inform you of the extent of the opinion7 of Beth Shammai that [even] nolad is permitted. Then let them, dispute about the hen [itself] to show you the extent [of the opinion] of Beth Hillel that they forbid [even] mukzeh! And if you reply that information with respect to the extent of the opinion of permitting is to be preferred,8 then let them dispute about it both,9 thus: ‘A hen and its egg [laid on a Festival] may be eaten; but Beth Hillel maintain: They may not be eaten’!10 — Therefore, said Rabbah: In reality, it [the Mishnah] refers to a hen kept for food; but we are discussing a Festival which fell on a Sunday,11 and [the prohibition12 is] on account of preparation [on a Sabbath].13 For Rabbah is of the opinion that every egg laid now was completely formed the day before. And Rabbah is consistent with his view;14 for Rabbah said: What is [the teaching of] that which is written,15 and it shall come to pass on the sixth day that they shall prepare that which they bring in?16 [It is that] a weekday may prepare17 for Sabbath, and a weekday may prepare for a Festival; but a Festival may not prepare for Sabbath and Sabbath may not prepare for a Festival.18 Said Abaye to him [Rabbah]: But if it is so,19 let [the egg laid on] a Festival in general20 be permitted!21 — It is a preventive measure out of consideration for a Festival falling on a Sunday.22 Let [the egg laid on] a Sabbath in general23 be permitted!21 — It is a prevent ive measure out of consideration for a Sabbath [immediately] following a Festival.24 But do we enact a preventive measure [in such a case]? Surely it was taught: If one slaughters a hen25 and finds therein eggs completely formed, they may be eaten on the Festival.26 Now if this be so,27 let them28 be prohibited on account of those [eggs] laid on the same day!29 — He answered him: [The case of] there being in a hen eggs completely formed is a rare occurrence, and the Rabbis do not decree a prohibition with regard to a rare occurrence. R. Joseph said: It30 is a preventive measure on account of [the eating of] fruit fallen [from a tree].31 Said Abaye to him: What is the reason [that] fruit fallen from a tree [on a Festival] is forbidden? mukzeh, infra 31a, Shab. 157b. addition, more information could be given, this addition should be made. may not take place on the Sabbath and consequently the egg is prohibited]. on a Festival.