SATURDAY PRAYER: BINAH-YESHIVAT HAVERIM יְשִׁיבָה חברים – BABYLONIAN TALMUD p122

READING: BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN OF SATURDAY

GEMARA: It has been taught: “Provided a young woman does not go out with (plaits of hair
belonging to) an old woman; nor an old woman with plaits of hair belonging to a young
woman.” So far as an old woman is concerned, it would be nothing but right, for the plaits of a
young woman would be a source of pride to her (and there is fear of her taking them off to show
to others); but why should a young woman be prohibited to go out with plaits belonging to an
old woman? They are a disgrace to her (and surely she would not take them off for exhibition)!
The teacher while treating on plaits with respect to an old woman also makes mention of the
case of a young woman (for the sake of antithesis).
“With a hood or a wig in her yard.” Said Rabh: “Everything prohibited by the sages to be worn
on public ground must not be worn in the yard, save a hood and a wig.” R. Anani b. Sasson in
the name of R. Ishmael said: “Everything may be worn in the yard like a hood. But why does
Rabh discriminate in favor of these objects?” Said Ulla: “In order that she may not become
repulsive to her husband.”
“And with cotton in her ears or in her shoes.” Romi b. Ezekiel taught only when tied to her ears
or her shoes.
“And cotton wadding prepared for her menstruation.” “In this case,” said Rabha, even if it is not
tied it may be worn, because, being disgusting, it will not be handled.” R. Jeremiah b. R. Abba
questioned Rabha: “How is it if the same was prepared with a handle?” And he answered: “Then
it is also allowed.” And so also it was taught by R. Na’hman b. Oshia in the name of R. Johanan.
R. Johanan went to the college with cotton wadding in his ears on Sabbath, and his colleagues
objected to it. R. Joni went into unclaimed ground with it against the opinion of all his
contemporaries.
“With a grain of pepper or a grain of salt.” The former to take away any bad odor of the breath
and the latter as a remedy for toothache.
“Or with whatever else she is accustomed to keep in her mouth,” meaning ginger or cinnamon.
“A metal or a gilt tooth,” etc. Said R. Zera: They differ concerning a gold tooth only, for a silver
tooth is unanimously
permitted. And so we have learned plainly in a Boraitha. Said Abayi: Rabbi, R. Eliezer, and R.
Simeon b. Elazar, all three agree to the opinion that anything provoking disgust (or ridicule) a
woman will not wear for show: Rabbi, as just cited; R. Eliezer, as he freed a woman bearing a
box of cachous or a perfume bottle; R. Simeon b. Elazar, as we have learned in the following
Boraitha: “Anything below the hair-net is permitted to be worn outside.”