Chullin

sixty sela's. But do we know of any Tanna that refers to a maneh of forty sela's? — We do, indeed; for it has been taught: A new1 waterskin, even though it can hold pomegranates, is clean; if it had been sewn and then was torn, [it thereby becomes clean provided the rent was of] such a size as to let through pomegranates. R. Eliezer b. Jacob says: Of such a size as to let through a warp-clew [which weighs] one fourth part of a maneh of forty sela's.2 AND NOW MUCH SHOULD ONE GIVE HIM . . . [OF BLEACHED WOOL]. A Tanna taught: It does not mean that one must first bleach it and give it him, but that after the priest has bleached it there should be the weight of five sela's.3 SUFFICIENT TO MAKE FROM IT A SMALL GARMENT. Whence is this derived? — R. Joshua b. Levi said: The expression ‘to stand to minister’4 indicates that it5 must be something serviceable for ministering, and that is, the girdle.6 Perhaps it is the robe [that is meant]? — If you grasp a lot, you cannot hold it; if you grasp a little, you can hold it.7 Perhaps it is the woollen cap [that is meant]? For it has been taught: Upon the High Priest's head there lay a woollen cap upon which was placed the plate [of gold], in order to fulfil literally what is said: And thou shalt put it on a lace of blue wool!8 — The verse says: Him and his sons,9 that is, an article worn alike by Aaron and his sons.10 But the girdle is not worn alike [by High Priest and priest], is it? This, however, presents no difficulty to him who holds that the girdle worn by the High Priest [on the Day of Atonement]11 was not similar to that worn by an ordinary priest [the whole year round];12 but what can be said according to him who holds that the girdle worn by the High Priest [on the Day of Atonement] was similar to that worn by an ordinary priest [the whole year round]?13 — The name girdle, however, is to be found with each.14 IF THE OWNER DID NOT MANAGE TO GIVE etc. It was stated: If a man sheared the first [sheep] and immediately sold it,15 R. Hisda says: He is liable [to give the first of the fleece]; but R. Nathan b. Hoshaia says: He is exempt. ‘R. Hisda says: He is liable’, because he has shorn;16 ‘R. Nathan b. Hoshaia says: He is exempt’, because at the time that the requisite quantity has been reached one must be able to refer to [the sheep as] ‘thy sheep’, and this is not the case here. 17 We have learnt: IF A MAN BOUGHT THE FLEECES OF A FLOCK BELONGING TO A GENTILE, HE IS EXEMPT FROM THE LAW OF THE FIRST OF THE FLEECE. It follows from this that if [he acquired] the flock for [the time that he was] shearing, he would be liable [to the first of the fleece].18 But why? Does not each sheep leave his possession after it has been shorn?19 — R. Hisda interpreted this according to the view of R. Nathan b. Hoshaia as follows: He20 granted him possession of the flock for thirty days.21 IF A MAN BOUGHT THE FLEECE OF A FLOCK BELONGING TO HIS NEIGHBOUR, [AND THE SELLER KEPT BACK SOME FOR HIMSELF, THE SELLER IS LIABLE]. Who is the authority that holds that where the seller keeps back some for himself we turn to the seller?22 — R. Hisda said: It is R. Judah, for we have learnt:23 If a man sold single trees24 in his field, the buyer must leave the ‘Corner’ from each tree.25 R. Judah said: This applies only if the owner of the field had not kept back [any tree for himself], but if the owner of the field had kept back some for himself he must leave the ‘Corner’ for the whole.26 Raba said to him: But did not the Master himself say: ‘Provided the owner of the field had begun to reap’?27 And if you were to suggest in this case, too, ‘Provided the owner of the sheep had begun to shear,28 [I reply that the cases are not alike]. For it is right in that case, since it is written: And when ye reap the harvest of your land;29 that is, the moment one begins to reap one becomes bound to leave the ‘Corner’ for the whole field; but in this case, the moment one begins to shear one does not become liable for the whole flock.30 — Rather, said Raba: It is the following Tanna, for we have learnt:31 If a man said: ‘Sell me the entrails of this cow’, and among them were the priestly dues, he32 must give them to the priest, and [the seller] need not allow any reduction in the purchase price on that account. But if he bought them from him by weight, he must give them to a priest, and [the seller] must allow a reduction in the price on that account. an unfinished article. would, after bleaching, make up five sela's weight. Rashi s.v. ,ap,. combined, cf. Ex. XXXIX, 29; so that a woolen girdle is a garment worn alike by priest and High Priest. so that it cannot be said that the ‘woollen girdle’ was worn alike by ‘Aaron and his sons’. material in each case was different. precept of the Torah ‘The first of the fleece of thy sheep’. already sold the first four sheep. belong to him, even if only temporarily, he would be liable. that the ownership in all the sheep remained with the Israelite for thirty days, or for any period until the end of all the shearing. kept back some for himself. This view therefore corresponds with the view in our Mishnah. upon him in respect of the entire field. ‘And when ye shear’.