Beitzah 9a-b.

1- New topic of moving a ladder on Yom Tov to a bird coop (for the purpose of taking a dove to be consumed on Yom Tov) using a small ladder as opposed to an “attic ladder” which is longer and heavier.

Beis Shamai prohibiting and Beis Hillel permitting. The issue here is that moving any type of  ladder on Yom Tov gives the appearance of a person on the way to repair a roof which of of course prohibited. The simple explanation to Beis Hillel’s ruling is that a ‘coop ladder’ is not used for roof repairs.

The Gemore questions if Beis Shamai would permit the use of this ladder in an area where no one is around – like a closed off courtyard.

2- Gemore discusses the concept of Mar’is Ha’ayin – Anything prohibited by the Rabanan because of Mar’is ha’Ayin is prohibited even in the innermost chambers. The example cited is hanging wet clother out to dry in the sun where one can mistakenly think that they were washed on Shabbos. .

3- Story of the children of Reb Chiya that while on a business trip were asked to rule in regard to a ladder on Yom Tov. Upon their return their father tells them that their ruling was incorrect.

We mentioned that the Gemore in Brochos mentioned that they forgot some of their learning due to their immersion in the world of business!!!

4-  Having concluded the lengthy Gemore (2a-9a) that extended from the first Mishna (Beitza Shenolda Byom Tov) we spoke about Reb Yisroel Iserlin, baal Terumas Hadeshen, the great rabbi who is the source of many Halochos and Minhogim we observe today.

One of his students, author of the Leket Yosher,  Reb Joseph (Joselein) writes that 3 times a year his teacher, Reb Yisroel, would invite his student to his meal where he would pose a Torah riddle.

Here is one riddle:

If a chicken flew over a tree on Yom Tov and caused an apple to fall off, that apple would be prohibited to eat. But, if at the same this chicken laid an egg, then both the apple and the egg would be permitted!

How is that possible?

The answer, in short-  If this chicken shook a tree during ‘bein hash’moshos’  בין השמשות (sofek yom, sofek lai’lo) the apple cannot be eaten because perhaps it was already Yom Tov. Now, as we learned on Daf 7a, (Fertilized) Chickens never lay eggs during daylight hours.

Thus, if simultaneously with the fall of the apple the chicken laid an egg…. it must have still been day (not night) . Therefore we can be certain that the apple too fell off the tree NOT on Yom Tov.

We mentioned that some took exception to this idea. “Something like ‘bein hash’moshos’ that all scholars have established as a ‘sofek’ cannot resolved by a chicken laying an egg…….”

פסקי תשובה חלק א-ג – פיטרקובסקי, אברהם בן חנוך דוד

Beitzah 8b.

 

 

Beitza 8a (1)

1- We spoke about understanding the life style in the times of the Gemara. Home floors were the actual ground with no wood or even a stone finish. It was common for an occasional ‘redo’ to even out the surface by pouring a fresh layer of sand.

We mentioned the Shul in Curacao in the Netherland Antilles that has beach sand on the floor.

2- Our Gemara speaks about a bucket of sand that was brought into a house Erev Yom Tov for general purposes including the use of freshening up the floor. Can one use this sand for Kisui Hadam?

3- We spoke in the past about the permissibility of ‘shechting’ on Yom Tov. Now the Gemara brings a Mishna that a KOI cannot be slaughter to eat on Yom Tov.

Japanese Koi Fish

4- We discussed the four way machlokes as to what is a KOI. Basically it is a particular  animal that we are in doubt if it it a chaya or behaima. Some say it is a water buffalo. 

a- Offspring of a he goat and a deer. (Tzvia/gazelle?)

b- Offspring of a she goat and a deer.

c- An animal of a mixed breed that we are in doubt of its status.

d- A unique animal that we are in doubt of its status.

Resting on Yom Tov

5- The Gemara originally accepts the premise that the Mitzvah of resting on Yom Tov is only a ‘Lo Sa’se’ (negative) and not also an ‘Ese’ (positive). Thus the positive commandment to perform  the Mitzvas Ese  of Kisui Hadam would permit the digging for fresh earth (thereby transgressing the Lo Sa’se of Yom Tov) based of the rule of Ese Doche Lo Sa’se. 

The the Gemore reverses itself saying that Yom Tov is both an Ese and lo Sa’se.

6- We spoke about the Ramban who offers a logical explanation as to why Ese Doche Lo Sa’se. (Ahava and Yirah),

7- The Alter Rebbe’s question: If Ese is greater than a Lo Sa’se why is the Teshuva for an Ese eisier than for a Lo Sa’se. See answer here. Igeres Ha’Teshuva Chapter 1.

8- The Jewish history of Curacao and it’s place in the saving of thousand of Jews during WWII and it’s Chabad connection. See here.

Harav Avrohom Tzvi Landa, Harav Chaim Meir A”H Bukiet,  Rabbi Avraham Garfinkel A”H, students of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Otwock, fleeing the Nazis after the invasion of Poland in WWII, arrive in Kobe, Japan. They would later make their way to Shanghai, China and remain there for the duration of the war.

Beitza 7b. (2)

1- Shechting on Yom Tov.

Our Gemara discusses the issue of covering the blood after the shechita in a case where loose earth was not prepared before Yom Tov.

Beis Shamai has no issue in allowing one to dig up some earth to cover the blood. On the other hand, Beis Hillel rules that one should not shecht if loose gravel is not available.

All agree however, that (despite the Halocha that one should not) if one did shecht he should use a shovel to dig and perform the Mitzvah of ‘Kisui HaDam‘.

2- We mentioned the two Rebbes of Abaya. Rabba and Rav Yosef. [Rabba’s actual name was Rabba bar Nachmeni]

The story (Brachos 48a)  of a young Abaya and Rava studying under Rabba. They were asked by Rava “who do we Bentch to”? And they responded to “Rachamono”. “And where is Rachamono” he asked them? Abaya pointed to the the roof. Rava went outside and pointed to the sky.

Upon seeing these two youngster’s pointing he predicted that they will be great schoolrs one day. “As the popular saying goes: BOTZIN BOTZIN MI’KATFEI YEDI’A– [the quality of] pumpkins is known by testing the sap from which they are formed, i.e. future Talmidei Chachamim are recognizable at a young age

3-We discussed the four issues in digging for earth on Yom Tov:

a- Choresh – plowing.

b- Tochen – grinding.

c- Boneh- building. (digging a hole in preparation to build)

d- Muktze.

4- Rav Yehuda’s ruling that the above allowable digging is only if the shovel was already in the ground. Our Gemara attempts to figure out which of the four issues above does Rav Yehuda’s ruling alleviate.

5- We began the Tosfos concerning the materials that can be used to cover the blood of a fowl or Chaya. The Torah states explicitly: Ofor – meaning earth. Can ashes be used?

Story of the poor guy who was in a desert with no earth to use (how’s that?). His only solution is to grind down a gold coin into dust and use it to perform Kisui Hadom!

Or if one is on a boat with no earth available. Can he burn his clothes and use the ashes?

More next week.