Beitza 2b-3a.
1- We continue with answers #3 and #4.
The question: Why is an egg hatched on Yom Tov permissible to eat according to Beis Shamai and prohibited according to Beis Hillel.
The premise is that if one may Shecht the chicken (which is permissible on Yom Tov provided that one had the intention to do so before Yom Tov) then the egg should also be permitted.
Conversely if the chicken cannot be used (since it is an egg-laying chicken, and not intended to be shechted on yom tov, and therefore cannot be shechted on Yom Tov) then the egg is also Muktzeh/Nolad.
Answer #3- Rav Yosef: Picking a fruit (and harvesting in general) is prohibited on Yom Tov. (see below as to why). The Chachamim enacted a ‘Gezeira’ that prohibits a fruit that fell off of a tree as well.
When they enacted this ‘Gezeira’ they included a newly hatched egg as well. Thus the prohibition of Beis Hillel in our Mishna.
Answer #4 – Rav Yitzchak: Squeezing juice out of a fruit is prohibited on Yom Tov. (see below as to why). The Chachamim enacted a ‘Gezeira’ that prohibits a juice that flowed out of a fruit on it own as well.
When they enacted this ‘Gezeira’ they included a newly hatched egg as well. Thus the prohibition of Beis Hillel in our Mishna.
2- Underlying logic and difference between the two answers above:
A hatched egg is more like a fruit because it is solid – unlike juice which is liquid.
On the other hand an egg is more like juice since it is not visible until hatched, like juice which remains unseen until the fruit is squeezed – unlike fruit itself which is visible on the tree prior to picking.
Jabuticaba – The Tree that Fruits on its Trunk
3- We discussed at length the basic premise of work allowed on Yom Tov for the purpose preparing food.
The Torah prohibits all work on Yom Tov. All 39 Melachos just like Shabbos. But then it allows ‘all work that pertains to the preparation of food’.
is all work permitted? All 39 Melachos? No. Some are indeed not allowed on Yom Tov; like picking fruit of fishing.
Why? So here is a fundamental argument in regard to the Halachos of Yom Tov:
A- Tosfos and many others are of the opinion that the Torah hinted as to what is permitted on Yom Tov.
In the adjoining verse permitting food related work אך אשר יאכל לכל-נפש הוא לבדו יעשה לכם [‘all work that pertains to the preparation of food’] then it states ושמרתם את-המצות ‘ and also watch the Matzos’ so it should not become chametz.
When does the watching the Matzos begin?
Way before this!
Obviously not before the harvesting. The first opportunity for chometz in Matzos is after the harvesting the wheat.
So the Torah is hinting that only work that starts after harvesting is permitted. So kneading and baking is OK. Harvesting, picking fruit, threshing and the similar is not.
This picture was not taken on Yom Tov.
B- Other Rishonim (Rambam and others) disagree. In their opinion min Hatorah, every type of work is permitted.
It is only a Rabbinic decree that limits the work permitted on Yom Tov. And the parameters of the type of work/melacha allowed in the preparation of food is only work that is performed for, say, one meal at a time, like cooking. As opposed to harvesting which is usually done with an entire field. Another example is milling of flour which is performed on tons of grains at a time.
The rationale is that if such work would be permitted then people would delay these time consuming jobs for a day when one is of from work…Yom Tov! And that would inevitably reduce Simchas Yom Tov.
See here and here the Alter Rebbe that accepts this latter opinion.
4- We mentioned the Chasam Sofer that brilliantly reconciles the Gemara and Midrash regarding the ‘Mon‘ falling on Yom Tov.
A Freilichen Chanukah!