📖 FRIDAY PRAYER: BINAH-YESHIVAT HAVERIM יְשִׁיבָה חברים – BABYLONIAN TALMUD p141

READING: BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN OF SATURDAY

MISHNA IV.: It is forbidden to carry about chopped straw in quantities of a cow’s mouthful,
stalks in quantities of a camel’s mouthful, stubble in quantities of a lamb’s mouthful, herbs in
quantities of a kid’s mouthful, leek and onion leaves, if fresh, equal in size to a dried fig, and if
dry in quantities of a kid’s mouthful. The different kinds of fodder are, however, not to be
counted together, as the prescribed quantities are not equal for all.
GEMARA: “Chopped straw.” What kind? Said R. Jehudah: “Pease stalks.” When Rabhin came
to Babylon he said thus: There is no diversity of opinion concerning the carrying out of straw in
quantities of a cow’s mouthful for a camel, as all agree that in such a case one is liable; the point
of their differing is concerning the carrying out of stalks (which is not fit food for a cow) in
quantities of a cow’s mouthful for a cow. R. Johanan frees him, as he holds that unfit food
cannot be regarded as nutrition; and Resh Lakish makes him liable, as he holds that even such is
considered nutrition.
“Stubble in quantities of a lamb’s mouthful.” But does not a Boraitha state “the size of a dried
fig”? Both quantities are equal.
“Leek and onion leaves, if fresh,” etc. Said R. Jossi b. Hanina: Inferior food is not to be counted
in with superior (in order to make out the prescribed quantity). Superior food, however, may be
counted with the inferior (in order to complete the prescribed quantity).
MISHNA V.: The carrying out of an article of food the size of a dried fig makes one liable. And
the different kinds of them are to be counted together, for the prescribed quantity is the same for
all kinds, with the exception of husks, kernels, and stalks; likewise bran, both coarse and fine. R.
Jehudah says that the husks of lentils are not excepted, because they are boiled with the lentils
and are counted in the same (as food).
GEMARA: “Except bran,” etc. Is not fine as well as coarse bran to be counted in (the same as
food)? Is there not a Mishna concerning the separation of the first dough, that one is bound to
separate the first dough made of flour mixed with its fine or coarse bran? Answered Abayi:
“This is no contradiction. Poor people only generally use such mixed flour (when Sabbath is
concerned something possessing real value is always spoken of).”