Beitzah

ON THE EVE OF A SABBATH IN THE SABBATICAL YEAR1 AND SAY: FROM THIS PART WILL I EAT TO-MORROW.2 BUT THE SAGES SAY: ONLY IF HE MARKS IT OUT AND SAYS, ‘FROM HERE UNTO THERE.’ GEMARA. We have learnt elsewhere:3 If children put away figs4 [in the field] on the eve of Sabbath [for the Sabbath] and they forgot and did not tithe them, [before the Sabbath], they may not be eaten after the Sabbath until they have been tithed.5 And we have also learnt:6 If one was carrying figs through his court for drying,7 his children and the members of his household may make a light meal of them and are exempt [from tithes].8 Raba asked R. Nahman: Does the Sabbath establish a liability to tithes in the case of drying figs,9 seeing that they were not completely ready [for eating]?10 Do we say, Since it is written, And [thou shalt] call the Sabbath a delight,11 it [the Sabbath] establishes a liability even where the commodity is not completely ready [for tithing], or perhaps it [the Sabbath] establishes liability only where the commodity is completely ready [for tithing], but not where the commodity is not yet completely ready? — He replied to him: The Sabbath establishes liability whether the commodity is completely ready [for tithing] or not. He said to him: Say [perhaps] that the Sabbath is like a court? Just as a court establishes liability only where the commodity is completely ready [for tithing],12 so also the Sabbath does not establish liability save where the commodity is completely ready? — He replied to him: We have a distinct teaching that the Sabbath establishes liability both where the commodity is completely ready and where the commodity is not completely ready [for tithing]. Mar Zutra son of R. Nahman said: We have likewise learnt: R. Eliezer further said: A MAN MAY STAND NEAR HIS DRYING FIGS ON THE EVE OF A SABBATH IN THE SABBATICAL YEAR etc.: Thus it is only in the Sabbatical year, when it is free from tithe; but in the other years of the septennate it would be forbidden;13 [and] for what reason? Is it not because the Sabbath establishes liability! — No, there it is different; since he Says, FROM THIS PART WILL I EAT TO-MORROW, he established liability for himself.14 If so, why particularly the Sabbath; this holds good even on a weekday? — This is what he informs us, [namely] that tebel15 is regarded as mukan legal effect retrospectively, as though it were made earlier-here, as though he expressly designated the particular figs to-morrow. 88a), appointing these figs for the Sabbath marks the end of their ingathering and they become liable to tithe.