📖 SATURDAY PRAYER: NETZACH-YESHIVAT HAVERIM יְשִׁיבָה חברים – BABYLONIAN TALMUD p143

READING: BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN OF SATURDAY

CHAPTER VIII.
REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE PRESCRIBED QUANTITIES OF VICTUALS AND
BEVERAGES WHICH MUST NOT BE CARRIED ABOUT ON THE SABBATH.
MISHNA I.: The prescribed quantities (of victuals and beverages) prohibited to be carried about
on the Sabbath (are as follows): Sufficient wine in a goblet, which with the addition of a certain
quantity of water would make a full goblet of wine (fit to drink); 1 milk to the quantity of a
mouthful, honey sufficient to cover a wound with, oil sufficient to anoint a small limb with, and
water in quantities sufficient for a medical bath for the eyes. For all other liquids and also of
whatever can be poured out, the prescribed quantity is a quarter of a lug (about a quart). R.
Simeon says: The prescribed quantities for the liquids enumerated in this Mishna are also a
quarter of a lug, and the various prescribed quantities specified apply only to those who store
such liquids.
GEMARA: A Boraitha, in addition to this Mishna, states: “The quantity which suffices for a
good goblet of wine.” What is to be understood by a good goblet? The goblet used in
benediction 2 after meals.
R. Na’hman in the name of R. Abuhu said: “A goblet used at benediction after meals must
contain no less than a fourth of a quarter lug (of pure wine), so that when mixed with water the
prescribed quantity (a quarter lug) will be made.” Said Rabha: We have learned this in our
Mishna: “Sufficient wine in a goblet, which with addition of water would make a full goblet”–
commented on by the Boraitha to mean “which would make a good goblet.” From the close of
the Mishna we learn: “For all other liquids the prescribed quantity is a quarter of a lug.” [And]
he is in accordance with his theory elsewhere, that wine which is not strong enough to be mixed
with three parts of water is not considered wine at all. Said Abayi: “There are two objections to this: Firstly, there is a Mishna that wine fit to drink is such as has been mixed with two-thirds water, like the wine of Sharon; secondly, do you think that the water in the pitcher (intended for mixing with the wine) is
counted in?” Rejoined Rabha: The first objection does not hold good, as Sharon wine is an
exception, which although weak is nevertheless good; or it may be that there the particularity is
the color, which is not changed by an addition of two-thirds; but concerning taste, I say that only
one which can bear three-fourths of water is considered. As to the second objection, concerning
water in the pitcher, it is also nothing as concerning Sabbath. The quality and not the quantity is
considered, and the wine in question is of that quality.