SATURDAY PRAYER: HESED-YESHIVAT HAVERIM יְשִׁיבָה חברים – BABYLONIAN TALMUD p112

READING: BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN OF SATURDAY

GEMARA: “Iron-riveted sandal.” What is the reason of its being prohibited? Said Samuel: “It
happened toward the close of the persecutions (of the Jews) that a party of men hid themselves
in a cave with the understanding that after once entering no one was to go out. Suddenly they
heard a voice on the outside of the cave, and thinking the enemies were upon them, they began
crowding each other into the farthest recesses of the cave. During the panic that ensued more
men were trampled to death by the iron-riveted sandals worn by the party than the enemies
would have killed. At that time it was enacted that a man must not go out (on Sabbath) with ironriveted
sandals.” If this be the reason, let it also be prohibited on week days? Because it
occurred on a Sabbath! Then let it be allowed on a festival; why then is it stated that on a
festival it must not be sent (Betzah, 26, Mishna)? And furthermore, why is it forbidden on
Sabbath? Because the people usually assemble on that day; and the same is the case with a
festival. But do they not assemble on a congregational fast–why then should it not be prohibited
also then? When the above-mentioned happened it was a prohibited assembly, but all these
assemblies are permitted. And even according to R. Hanina b. Aqiba, who said concerning
defilement that this prohibition is only in the Jordan in a boat, as the case happened, it is because
the Jordan is different in width and depth from other rivers; but Sabbath and a festival are alike
as regards labor.
Said R. Jehudah in the name of Samuel: This (the prohibition of the sandals in question) is only
with regard to such as are riveted for the sake of durability, but not with regard to such as are
riveted for the sake of decoration. How many (rivets are considered to be for the latter purpose)?
R. Johanan said five in each. R. Hanina said seven in each. Said R. Johanan to R. Samon b. Aba:
“I will explain to you the difference between my opinion and that of R. Hanina. I mean two
rivets on each side of the sandal and one in the centre, while he means three on each side and
one in the centre. The Gemara declared that R. Hanina is in accordance with R. Nathan, who
permits seven; and R. Johanan is in accordance with R. Nohorai, who permits only five. And
Aipha said to Rabba b. b. Hana: “Ye who are the disciples of R. Johanan may act according to
him; we, however, are acting in accordance with R.