Pesachim

but Beth Hillel permit it. And how much is a thick loaf?1 Said R. Huna, A handbreadth, because thus we find in the case of the shewbread [that it was] a handbreadth.2 To this R. Joseph demurred: If they [the Sages] said [this] of men of care,3 did they say [it] of those who are not careful?4 If they said [this] of well-kneaded bread, did they say [it] of bread that is not well-kneaded? If they said [this] of dry logs, did they say [it] of damp logs? If they said [this] of a hot oven, did they say [it] of a cool oven? If they said [this] of a metal oven, did they say [it] of an earthen oven?5 Said R. Jeremiah b. Abba, I asked my teacher in private, and who is it? Rab — others state, R. Jeremiah b. Abba said in Rab's name, I asked my teacher in private, and who is it? Our holy Teacher.6 What is [meant by] a thick bread? Bread in large quantity.7 And why is it called a thick bread? Because it is much in kneading.8 Alternatively, in the locality of this Tanna bread in large quantity is called thick bread. [Then] what is the reason:9 if because he takes unnecessary trouble,10 — why particularly on Passover: even on any [other] festival too [it is forbidden]? — That indeed is so, but this Tanna was engaged on11 the festival of Passover. It was taught likewise:12 Beth Shammai maintain: One may not bake thick bread on a festival,13 while Beth Hillel permit it. Our Rabbis taught: You discharge [your obligation] with fine bread,14 with coarse bread,15 and with Syrian cakes shaped in figures. although they [the Sages] said, Syrian cakes shaped in figures must not be made on Passover. Rab Judah said: This thing Boethus b. Zonin asked the Sages: Why was it said [that] Syrian cakes shaped in figures must not be made on Passover? Said they to him, Because a woman would tarry over it and cause it to turn leaven. [But], he objected, it is possible to make it in a mould, which would form it without delay.16 Then it shall be said, replied they, [that] all Syrian cakes [shaped in figures] are forbidden, but the Syrian cakes of Boethus are permitted! 17 R. Eleazar b. Zadok said: I once followed18 my father into the house of R. Gamaliel, and they placed19 before him Syrian cakes shaped in figures on Passover. Said I, ‘Father, did not the Sages say thus, One may not make Syrian cakes shaped in figures on Passover?’ ‘My son’, he replied, ‘they did not speak of [the cakes of] all people, but only of those of bakers’.20 Others say, he said thus to him: ‘They did not speak of those of bakers, but [only] of those of private people’.21 R. Jose said: One may make Syrian cakes like wafers, but one may not make Syrian cakes like rolls. We learned elsewhere:22 Sponge cakes,23 honey cakes, paste-balls,24 cakes made in a mould, and mixed dough25 are exempt from hallah.26 What are cakes made in a mould? — Said R. Joshua b. Levi: That is halut27 of private people.28 Resh Lakish said: These are prepared in an ilpes.29 While R. Johanan maintained: Those which are prepared in an ilpes are liable [to hallah], but these [are exempt] because they were prepared in the sun. An objection is raised: Sponge cakes, honey cakes, and pasteballs: if prepared in an ilpes, they are liable [to hallah]; if in the sun, they are exempt. This is a refutation of R. Simeon b. Lakish? Said ‘Ulla, R. Simeon b. Lakish can answer you: The case we treat of here is where he [first] heated [the ilpes] and then placed [the dough in it].30 But what [is the law] if he [first] placed [the dough] and then heated it? Are they indeed exempt! Then instead of teaching [in] the second clause, ‘if prepared in the sun, they are exempt’, let him draw a distinction in that itself and teach: When is that? E.g., if he heated [it] and then placed [the dough]; but if he [first] placed [the dough] and then heated it, they are exempt? There is a lacuna[in this teaching], and it was thus taught: When is that? If he heated [it] and then placed [the dough]; but if he first for the shape to be exactly right and so may take too long over it. But private people are not so particular. placed [the dough] and then heated it, it becomes as though he prepared it in the sun, and they are exempt. Come and hear: You discharge your duty with partially baked unleavened bread and unleavened bread which was prepared in an ilpes?31 — Here too it means that he [first] heats it and then places [the dough]. What is partially baked unleavened bread?32 — Said Rab Judah in Samuel's name: Whatever can be broken without threads dragging from it.33 Raba said: And the same [rule applies to] loaves of the thanksoffering.34 That is obvious: ‘bread’ is written here and ‘bread’ is written there?35 — You might say, since it is written, and he shall offer one fermenting when it is so thick. home. oven is bread to be subject to hallah. pressed to the side of the pot, which was the ancient method of baking. as the loaves have arrived at this stage of baking as defined by Rab Judah, they become sanctified by the slaughtering of the sacrifice, and the sacrifice itself valid. thanksoffering: Lev. VII, 13: with cakes of leavened bread etc.