Soncino English Talmud
Nazir
Daf 35a
Now, R. Eleazar b. Azariah utilises the clause, 'from the pressed grapes even to the grape stone' for the inference that there is no penalty unless he eats two pressed grapes and one grape-stone. Where does he find a [second] specification? — He will agree with R. Eleazar who interprets [the passage as a clause that] amplifies [followed by a clause] that limits. Alternatively, it can be argued that he agrees with the Rabbis, for [he might say] if [the sole object of this clause were the inference] of R. Eleazar b. Azariah, the Torah could have included, 'from the pressed grapes even to the grape-stone' with the other items specified. Why then does it appear after the general statement? To show that the text is to be construed as a general statement followed by a specification. But why should not this be its sole object? If this were so, the verse should have read either 'pressed grapes and grape-stones [with both words in the plural] or 'pressed grape and grape-stone [with both in the singular]. The reason why the All-merciful says, 'from the pressed grapes even to the grape-stone' can only be that we should both interpret as a general statement followed by a specification and infer [that there is no penalty] unless he eats two pressed-grapes and one grape-stone. Now R. Eleazar interprets [the text as consisting of] a clause that amplifies and a clause that limits. Where then does he find [in the Scripture the typical example of] specification, general statement and second specification? — R. Abbahu said that he finds it in the following verse. If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, is a specification; or any beast is a generalisation; to keep is a further specification and so we may infer only what is similar to the specification. Raba said that [R. Eleazar] could find one in the following verse. And if [his offering] be of [the flock] is a specifications the flock a general statement, and [whether of] the sheep, [or of] the goats a further specification, and so we may infer only what is similar to the specification. Rab Judah of Diskarta asked Raba: Why should not [R. Eleazar] find it in the following verse? [Ye shall bring your offering] of is a specification the cattle [beasts] a general statement, and [of] the herd [or of] the flock a further specification, and so only what is similar to the specification can be inferred? — He replied: This is not a clear case, for if [he inferred it] from there it could be argued that [in the expression] 'the cattle',
Sefaria
Mesoret HaShas