Shabbat

R. Kahana said: Canes tied together require the greater part; if not tied together, they do not require the greater part. Kernels require the greater part; if put in bales they do not. R. Joseph learned: Four fires do not require the greater part, [viz.] of pitch, sulphur, cheese,  and grease.  In a Baraitha it was taught: straw and rakings too.  R. Johanan said: Babylonian woods do not require the greater part. R. Joseph demurred: To what does this refer? Shall we say, To chips?  But if [concerning] a wick 'Ulla said, He who kindles must kindle the great part of what protrudes,  is there a question of chips!  Rather, said R. Joseph: [It refers to] the bark of cedar.  Rami b. Abba said: [It refers to] dry twigs. MISHNAH. WHEREWITH MAY WE KINDLE [THE SABBATH LIGHTS], AND WHEREWITH MAY WE NOT KINDLE THEM]?  WE MAY NOT KINDLE [THEM] WITH LEKESH, HOSEN [TOW], KALLAK, A BAST WICK, A DESERT WICK, SEAWEED, ZEFETH [PITCH], SHA'AWAH [WAX], KIK OIL, OIL OF BURNING,  TAIL FAT, OR TALLOW. NAHUM THE MEDE SAID: WE MAY KINDLE [THEM] WITH BOILED HELEB; BUT THE SAGES MAINTAIN: WHETHER BOILED OR NOT, YOU MAY NOT KINDLE THEREWITH. GEMARA. Lekesh is cedar bark. But cedar bark is simply wood! — It means the woolly substance [bast] within it. NOR WITH HOSEN [TOW]. R. Joseph said: [That is,] hatcheled flax. Abaye demurred: But it is written, And the hason shall be as ne'oreth?  Rather said Abaye: It is crushed but uncombed flax. NOR WITH KALLAK. Samuel said: I asked all seafarers about it, and they told me that it is called kulka.  R. Isaac b. Ze'ira said: Gushkera.  Rabin and Abaye were sitting before Rabana  Nehemiah the brother of the Resh Galutha.  Seeing that he was wearing metaksa,  Rabin said to Abaye, That is the kallak of which we learnt. We call it peranda silk,  he answered him. An objection is raised: [Garments of] silk, kallak and corded [silk], are liable to fringes.  This refutes it.  Alternatively, silk is one thing and peranda silk is another. NOR WITH A BAST WICK: [I.e.,] willow-bast. Rabin and Abaye were walking in the valley of Tamruritha,  when they saw some willows. Said Rabin to Abaye, That is the idan [bast] of which we learnt. But that is simply wood, he objected. Thereupon he peeled it and showed him the wool-like substance within. NOR WITH A DESERT WICK: Mullein. NOR WITH SEAWEED. What is this? Shall we say, The black moss of pits? But that is crumbly!  Rather said R. Papa: it is the black fungus of ships. A Tanna taught: To these [enumerated in the Mishnah] were added [wicks] of wool and hair.  And our Tanna? — Wool shrinks [and] hair smoulders. NOR WITH PITCH [ZEFETH]. ZEFETH is pitch; SHA'AWAH is wax. A Tanna taught: Thus far the unfitness of wicks [is taught]; from here onwards it is the unfitness of oils.  But that is obvious? — It is necessary in respect to wax: you may say, It is not fit for wicks either; hence we are informed [otherwise]. Rami b. Abin said: 'Itrona  is the by-product of pitch; wax is the residue of honey.