Pesachim

To this R. Hisda demurred: After filling his stomach with it he returns and recites a blessing over it! — Rather, said R. Hisda: On the first occasion he recites over it, ‘Who createst the fruit of the ground,’ and, ‘concerning the eating of bitter herbs,’ and eats, while subsequently he eats the lettuce without a blessing. In Syria they acted in accordance with R. Huna, while R. Shesheth the son of R. Joshua acted according to R. Hisda. And the law is in accordance with R. Hisda. R. Aha the son of Raba used to go in search of other vegetables, so as to avoid controversy. 1 Rabina said, R. Mesharsheya son of R. Nathan told me: Thus did Hillel2 say on the authority of tradition:3 A man must not make a sandwich of mazzah and bitter herbs together and eat them, because we hold that mazzah nowadays4 is a Biblical obligation, whereas bitter herbs are a Rabbinical requirement and thus the bitter herbs, which are Rabbinical, will come and nullify the mazzah, which is Biblical. And even on the view that precepts cannot nullify each other, that applies only to a Biblical [precept] with a Biblical [precept], or a Rabbinical [precept] with a Rabbinical [precept], but in the case of a Scriptural and a Rabbinical [precept], the Rabbinical [one] comes and nullifies the Scriptural [one]. Which Tanna do you know [to hold] that precepts do not nullify each other? — it is Hillel.5 For it was taught, it was related of Hillel that he used to wrap them together,6 for it is said, they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.7 R. Johanan observed: Hillel's colleagues disagreed with him. For it was taught: You might think that he should wrap them together and eat them, in the manner that Hillel ate it, therefore it is stated, they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, [intimating] even each separately.8 To this R. Ashi demurred: If so, what is [the meaning of] ‘even’?9 Rather, said R. Ashi, this Tanna teaches thus: You might think that he does not discharge his duty unless he wraps them together and eats them, in the manner of Hillel therefore it is stated, they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, [intimating] even each separately. Now that the law was not stated either as Hillel or as the Rabbis,10 one recites the blessing. ‘[Who hast commanded us] concerning the eating of unleavened bread’ and eats; then he recites the blessing, ‘concerning the eating of bitter herbs,’ and eats; and then he eats unleavened bread and lettuce together without a blessing. in memory of the Temple, as Hillel [did].11 R. Eleazar said in R. Oshaia's name: Whatever is dipped in a liquid12 requires the washing of the hands.13 Said R. Papa: Infer from this that the lettuce the first century B.C.E. some Rabbis did disagree. a.l.), and whatever disqualifies teruma defiles liquids in the first degree (supra 14b). Therefore the hands must be washed.