Does one need to wait in between eating meat and milk? If so, how long? How did this fit in twith the end of daf 104 which indicated washing hands and cleaning out one’s mouth? The gemara talks about washing hands before, during and after the meal – what is the purpose of the washing in the middle and after the meal? Abaye brings a list of items that people are careful about and he says he irignally thought each was for a particular purpose but the Rabba corrected him and told him why people do it, most of them being connected to evil spirits or sorcery and the like.
This week’s learning is sponsored for the merit and safety of Haymanut (Emuna) Kasau, who was 9 years old when she disappeared from her home in Tzfat two years ago, on the 16th of Adar, 5784 (February 25, 2024), and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
This week’s learning is dedicated of the safety of our nation, the soldiers and citizens of Israel, and for the liberation of the Iranian people. May we soon see the realization of “ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר”.
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
English
עברית
0:00
0:00
0:00
0:00
Today’s daily daf tools:
This week’s learning is sponsored for the merit and safety of Haymanut (Emuna) Kasau, who was 9 years old when she disappeared from her home in Tzfat two years ago, on the 16th of Adar, 5784 (February 25, 2024), and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
This week’s learning is dedicated of the safety of our nation, the soldiers and citizens of Israel, and for the liberation of the Iranian people. May we soon see the realization of “ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר”.
Chullin 105
אִילֵּימָא בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: מְקַנֵּחַ וְלָא בָּעֵי מֵדִיחַ, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: מֵדִיחַ וְלָא בָּעֵי מְקַנֵּחַ. אֶלָּא הָא דְּאָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֵין קִינּוּחַ פֶּה אֶלָּא בְּפַת, כְּמַאן? כְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי!
If we say that Beit Shammai say that one wipes out his mouth with solid food and does not need to rinse his mouth with water, since they maintain that wiping is more effective than rinsing, and Beit Hillel say that he rinses his mouth in water and does not need to wipe his mouth, as rinsing is more effective, one can respond: But as for that which Rabbi Zeira said: Wiping of the mouth can be performed only with bread, in accordance with whose opinion is it? It is apparently in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai, since Beit Hillel do not require wiping. Yet, it is unlikely that Rabbi Zeira would rule in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai rather than Beit Hillel.
אֶלָּא, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: מְקַנֵּחַ וְלָא בָּעֵי מֵדִיחַ, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: אַף מֵדִיחַ. הָוֵי לֵיהּ מִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּמֵחוּמְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל, וְלִתְנְיַיהּ גַּבֵּי קוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וְחוּמְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל!
Rather, one must explain the dispute as follows: Beit Shammai say that one wipes his mouth after eating meat and does not need to rinse his mouth as well, and Beit Hillel say that in addition to wiping one must also rinse. This interpretation is difficult as well, since if so, this constitutes one of the disputes between them that involve leniencies of Beit Shammai and stringencies of Beit Hillel, and consequently, let the tanna of tractate Eduyyot teach it alongside the other disputes listed there that involve leniencies of Beit Shammai and stringencies of Beit Hillel.
אֶלָּא, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: מְקַנֵּחַ, וְהוּא הַדִּין לְמֵדִיחַ, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: מֵדִיחַ, וְהוּא הַדִּין לִמְקַנֵּחַ. מָר אָמַר חֲדָא, וּמָר אָמַר חֲדָא, וְלָא פְּלִיגִי.
Rather, one must interpret their statements as follows: Beit Shammai say that one wipes his mouth after eating meat, and the same is true of rinsing, i.e., one must rinse his mouth as well. And Beit Hillel say that one rinses his mouth, and the same is true of wiping. And one Sage said one statement and one Sage said another statement, and they do not disagree.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֵין קִינּוּחַ הַפֶּה אֶלָּא בְּפַת. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּדְחִיטֵּי, אֲבָל בְּדִשְׂעָרֵי – לָא.
§ After citing Rabbi Zeira’s statement tangentially, the Gemara discusses the matter itself. Rabbi Zeira says: Wiping of the mouth can be performed only with bread. The Gemara explains: And this statement applies only to bread prepared from wheat flour. But with regard to bread prepared from barley flour, one may not use it for wiping, as barley bread crumbles in the mouth and does not wipe thoroughly.
וּדְחִיטֵּי נָמֵי לָא אֲמַרַן, אֶלָּא בִּקְרִירָא, אֲבָל בְּחַמִּימָא – מִשְׁטָר שָׁטְרִי. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּרַכִּיכָא, אֲבָל בְּאַקּוֹשָׁא – לָא. וְהִלְכְתָא בְּכֹל מִילֵּי הָוֵי קִינּוּחַ, לְבַר מִקִּמְחָא, תַּמְרֵי וְיַרְקָא.
The Gemara adds: And even in the case of bread prepared from wheat flour, we said the halakha only with regard to cold bread, but as for warm bread, it is ineffective for wiping even if made of wheat, as it softens and sticks to the palate, and it does not wipe the mouth properly. And furthermore, even if the bread is cold, this statement applies only with regard to soft bread, but one may not wipe with hard bread, as it also does not clean effectively. The Gemara concludes: And the halakha is that the use of all items constitutes effective wiping, except for flour, dates, and vegetables.
בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַב אַסִּי מֵרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כַּמָּה יִשְׁהֶה בֵּין בָּשָׂר לִגְבִינָה? אָמַר לוֹ: וְלֹא כְּלוּם. אִינִי? וְהָא אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אָכַל בָּשָׂר – אָסוּר לֶאֱכוֹל גְּבִינָה, גְּבִינָה – מוּתָּר לֶאֱכוֹל בָּשָׂר! אֶלָּא כַּמָּה יִשְׁהֶה בֵּין גְּבִינָה לְבָשָׂר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְלֹא כְּלוּם.
§ Rav Asi posed a dilemma to Rabbi Yoḥanan: How much time should one wait between eating meat and eating cheese? Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: No time at all. The Gemara asks: Is that so? But doesn’t Rav Ḥisda say: If one ate meat, it is prohibited for him to eat cheese immediately, but if he ate cheese it is permitted for him to eat meat without delay? Rather, Rav Asi actually asked Rabbi Yoḥanan the following question: How much time should one wait between eating cheese and eating meat? In response to this question, Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: No time at all.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אָכַל בָּשָׂר – אָסוּר לֶאֱכוֹל גְּבִינָה, גְּבִינָה – מוּתָּר לֶאֱכוֹל בָּשָׂר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בַּר יוֹסֵף לְרַב חִסְדָּא: בָּשָׂר שֶׁבֵּין הַשִּׁינַּיִם מַהוּ?
After tangentially citing a statement of Rav Ḥisda, the Gemara discusses the matter itself. Rav Ḥisda says: If one ate meat, it is prohibited for him to eat cheese immediately, as the meat contains fatty substances that stick to one’s mouth and preserve the flavor of meat. But if he ate cheese it is permitted for him to eat meat without delay. Rav Aḥa bar Yosef said to Rav Ḥisda: In the case of meat that is between the teeth, what is the halakha? Are these remnants considered meat to the extent that one may not eat cheese as long as they are in his mouth?
קָרֵי עֲלֵיהּ ״הַבָּשָׂר עוֹדֶנּוּ בֵּין שִׁנֵּיהֶם״.
In response, Rav Ḥisda read about him the following verse: “While the meat was yet between their teeth” (Numbers 11:33). This verse indicates that even when the meat is between one’s teeth it is still considered meat, and therefore one may not partake of cheese until that meat has been removed.
אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: אֲנָא, לְהָא מִלְּתָא, חַלָּא בַּר חַמְרָא לְגַבֵּי אַבָּא, דְּאִילּוּ אַבָּא כִּי הֲוָה אָכֵיל בִּשְׂרָא הָאִידָּנָא, לָא הֲוָה אָכֵל גְּבִינָה עַד לִמְחַר עַד הַשְׁתָּא, וְאִילּוּ אֲנָא – בְּהָא סְעוֹדְתָּא הוּא דְּלָא אָכֵילְנָא, לִסְעוֹדְתָּא אַחְרִיתָא – אָכֵילְנָא.
Mar Ukva said: I am, with regard to this matter, like vinegar, son of wine, with respect to Father, i.e., my practice is inferior to that of my father. As Father, if he were to eat meat at this time, would not eat cheese until tomorrow at this time. But as for me, only at this meal, during which I ate meat, do I not eat cheese; at a different meal on the same day I will eat cheese.
אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֲנָא, לְהָא מִלְּתָא, חַלָּא בַּר חַמְרָא לְגַבֵּי אַבָּא, דְּאִילּוּ אַבָּא הֲוָה סָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ תְּרֵי זִמְנֵי בְּיוֹמָא, וַאֲנָא לָא סָיַירְנָא אֶלָּא חֲדָא זִימְנָא. שְׁמוּאֵל לְטַעְמֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַאן דְּסָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ כֹּל יוֹמָא מַשְׁכַּח אִסְתֵּירָא.
Similarly, Shmuel said: I am, with regard to this other matter, like vinegar, son of wine, with respect to Father. As Father would patrol his property to examine it twice daily, but I patrol it only once a day. The Gemara notes: In this regard Shmuel conforms to his line of reasoning, as Shmuel said: One who patrols his property every day will find an asteira coin.
אַבָּיֵי הֲוָה סָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ כֹּל יוֹמָא וְיוֹמָא. יוֹמָא חַד פְּגַע בַּאֲרִיסֵיהּ דְּדָרֵי פִּתְכָּא דְּאוּפֵי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָנֵי לְהֵיכָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לְבֵי מָר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כְּבָר קַדְמוּךְ רַבָּנַן.
The Gemara relates that Abaye would patrol his property each and every day. One day he encountered his sharecropper carrying a load of wood that the sharecropper intended to take for himself. Abaye said to him: To where are you taking these logs of wood? The sharecropper said to him: To the Master’s house. Abaye, who knew that the sharecropper had intended to take the wood for himself, said to him: The Sages already preempted you when they said that one should patrol his property regularly, and they thereby prevented you from stealing the wood.
רַב אַסִּי הֲוָה סָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ כֹּל יוֹמָא, אָמַר: הֵיכָא נִינְהוּ כֹּל הָנֵי אִסְתִּירֵי דְּמָר שְׁמוּאֵל? יוֹמָא חַד חֲזָא צִינּוֹרָא דְּבִדְקָא בְּאַרְעֵיהּ, שַׁקְלֵיהּ לִגְלִימֵיהּ, כַּרְכֵיהּ אוֹתְבֵיהּ בְּגַוַּהּ, רְמָא קָלָא, אֲתוֹ אִינָשֵׁי סַכְרוּהּ, [אֲמַר]: אַשְׁכַּחְתִּינְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ אִיסְתֵּרֵי דְּמָר שְׁמוּאֵל.
The Gemara likewise relates that Rav Asi would patrol his property every day. He said: Where are all these asteira coins mentioned by Mar Shmuel? This patrol is not reaping me any benefit. One day he saw a water channel that overflowed, causing water to flood onto his land. He took off his cloak, wrapped it, and placed it inside the pipe to block the flow of water. He then raised his voice, and people came and sealed the hole. He said: I have just found all the asteira coins mentioned by Mar Shmuel, as I would have suffered a great loss had I not patrolled my fields.
אָמַר רַב אִידִי בַּר אָבִין, אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר אַשְׁיָין: מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים מִצְוָה, וְאַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה.
§ Having mentioned the manner of washing hands during a meal, the Gemara discusses another matter concerning washing hands. Rav Idi bar Avin says that Rav Yitzḥak bar Ashyan says: The first waters, i.e., washing of the hands before eating bread, are a mitzva by rabbinic law, but the final waters, washing of the hands upon conclusion of the meal and before reciting Grace after Meals, are an obligation, a more stringent requirement.
מֵיתִיבִי: מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים וְאַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה, אֶמְצָעִיִּים רְשׁוּת. מִצְוָה לְגַבֵּי רְשׁוּת – חוֹבָה קָרֵי לַהּ.
The Gemara raises an objection to this ruling from a baraita: The first waters and the final waters are an obligation, whereas the middle waters, between courses during the meal, are optional. Apparently, the first waters are also an obligation, not a mitzva. The Gemara responds: Although the first waters are in fact a mitzva, the tanna calls a mitzva an obligation when compared to an optional requirement.
גּוּפָא: מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים וְאַחֲרוֹנִים – חוֹבָה, אֶמְצָעִיִּים – רְשׁוּת. רִאשׁוֹנִים – נוֹטְלִין בֵּין בִּכְלִי בֵּין עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע, אַחֲרוֹנִים – אֵין נוֹטְלִין אֶלָּא בִּכְלִי, וְאָמְרִי לָהּ: אֵין נוֹטְלִין עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע.
The Gemara analyzes the matter itself. The full text of the baraita is as follows: First waters and final waters are an obligation, whereas middle waters are optional. For first waters, one may wash either by spilling the water into a vessel or onto the ground. But for final waters, one washes only by pouring the water into a vessel. And some say a slightly different version of the baraita: For final waters, one may not wash by pouring the water onto the ground.
מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ? אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ קִינְסָא.
The Gemara interjects: What is the difference between these two versions? The Gemara answers: There is a practical difference between them with regard to pouring the water on thin wood slivers on the ground. According to the first version, which requires that the water be poured into a vessel, one may not use such slivers for this purpose, whereas according to the second version, which merely prohibits pouring the water onto the ground, one may use wood slivers.
מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים נוֹטְלִין בֵּין בְּחַמִּין בֵּין בְּצוֹנֵן, אַחֲרוֹנִים אֵין נוֹטְלִין אֶלָּא בְּצוֹנֵן, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחַמִּין מְפַעְפְּעִין אֶת הַיָּדַיִם וְאֵין מַעֲבִירִין אֶת הַזּוּהֲמָא. מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים נוֹטְלִין בֵּין בְּחַמִּין בֵּין בְּצוֹנֵן, אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵף אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין הַיָּד
The baraita continues: With regard to first waters, one may wash either with hot water or with cold water. But for final waters, one may wash only with cold water, because hot water softens the hands and does not remove the dirt from them. The Gemara analyzes the statement that for first waters one may wash either with hot water or with cold water: Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef says that Rabbi Yannai says: They taught this halakha only in a case where the hand does not
סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן, אֲבָל הַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן אֵין נוֹטְלִין בָּהֶן.
recoil [soledet] from the water’s heat. But if the hand recoils from it, one may not wash with it.
וְאִיכָּא דְּמַתְנֵי לַהּ אַסֵּיפָא, אַחֲרוֹנִים אֵין נוֹטְלִין אֶלָּא בְּצוֹנֵן, אֲבָל בְּחַמִּין – לֹא. אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵף אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁהַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן, אֲבָל אֵין הַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן – נוֹטְלִין. מִכְּלָל דְּרִאשׁוֹנִים, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן – מוּתָּר.
And there are those who teach a version of this statement with regard to the latter clause of the baraita: For final waters, one may wash only with cold water, but one may not wash with hot water. Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef says that Rabbi Yannai says: They taught that one may not use hot water only in a case where the water is so hot that the hand recoils from it, but if the hand does not recoil from it, one may wash with it. The Gemara comments: One can learn by inference from this version of the statement that in the case of first waters, even if the water is so hot that the hand recoils from it, it is permitted to use it for washing.
אֶמְצָעִיִּים רְשׁוּת. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בֵּין תַּבְשִׁיל לְתַבְשִׁיל, אֲבָל בֵּין תַּבְשִׁיל לִגְבִינָה – חוֹבָה.
§ The baraita states that middle waters are optional. Rav Naḥman says: They taught this only with regard to washing the hands between one cooked dish and another cooked dish served at a meal. But between a cooked dish and cheese there is an obligation to wash one’s hands.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרוּ מַיִם אַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה? שֶׁמֶּלַח סְדוֹמִית יֵשׁ, שֶׁמְּסַמֵּא אֶת הָעֵינַיִם. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: וּמִשְׁתְּכַח כִּי קוּרְטָא בְּכוֹרָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: כָּל מִלְחָא מַאי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא מִבַּעְיָא.
§ The baraita further teaches that final waters are an obligation. Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, says: For what reason did the Sages say that final waters are an obligation? It is because Sodomite salt is sometimes present, a small amount of which blinds the eyes. Since Sodomite salt could remain on one’s hands, one must wash them after eating. Abaye said: And this type of dangerous salt is present in the proportion of a pinch [korta] in an entire kor of regular salt. Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Rav Ashi: If one measured salt between meals, what is the halakha? Must he wash his hands afterward? He said to him: It is not necessary to say this; he is certainly obligated to do so.
אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא מָשׁוּ מַיָּא בָּתְרָאֵי עַל אַרְעָא – מִשּׁוּם זוּהֲמָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּשָׁרְיָא רוּחַ רָעָה עֲלַיְיהוּ.
§ Abaye said: At first I would say that this halakha that one may not wash his hands with final waters over the ground is due to messiness. But the Master, Rabba, said to me that it is because an evil spirit rests upon the water and passersby are liable to be afflicted.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא שָׁקֵיל מִידֵּי מִפָּתוּרָא כִּי נָקֵיט אִינִישׁ כָּסָא לְמִשְׁתֵּי, שֶׁמָּא יֶאֱרַע דְּבַר קַלְקָלָה בַּסְּעוּדָה. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לְרוּחַ צְרָדָא.
And Abaye also said: At first I would say that the reason for this statement of the Sages that one should not take anything from the table when a person is holding a cup to drink, is lest a mishap occur at the meal, i.e., the one holding the cup might have wanted the item that was taken, and since he is unable to speak he will choke in his anger. But the Master subsequently said to me that it is because it is bad for one’s health, causing a spirit of pain in half his head, i.e., a migraine.
וְלָא אֲמַרַן, אֶלָּא דְּשָׁקֵיל וְלָא מַהְדַּר, אֲבָל מִשְׁקַל וְאַהְדּוֹרֵי – לֵית לַן בַּהּ. וְלָא אֲמַרַן אֶלָּא חוּץ לְאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת, אֲבָל תּוֹךְ אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת – לֵית לַן בַּהּ. וְלָא אֲמַרַן אֶלָּא מִידֵּי דִּצְרִיךְ לִסְעוֹדְתָּא, אֲבָל מִידֵּי דְּלָא צְרִיךְ לִסְעוֹדְתָּא – לֵית לַן בַּהּ.
And we said that this practice is prohibited only if one takes an item from the table and does not put it back. But as for taking and putting back, we have no problem with it. And likewise, we said it is prohibited only if one takes the item beyond four cubits of the table. But if one leaves it within four cubits, we have no problem with it. And furthermore, we said this halakha only with regard to an item that is necessary for the meal. But in the case of an item that is not necessary for the meal, we have no problem with it.
מָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי קָפֵיד אֲפִילּוּ אַאֲסִיתָא וּבוּכְנָא דְּתַבְלֵי, מִידֵּי דִּצְרִיכִי לִסְעוּדְתָּא.
The Gemara relates that Mar bar Rav Ashi was particular not to remove any object from the table when someone was holding his cup in hand, even with regard to a mortar [asita] and pestle [bukhna] for spices, like all items that are necessary for the meal.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּכָנְשִׁי נִשְׁוָורָאָה – מִשּׁוּם מְנַקֵּירוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לְעַנְיוּתָא.
And Abaye further said: At first I would say that this practice that people collect the crumbs of bread after a meal is due to cleanliness. But the Master subsequently said to me that it is because leaving them is bad for, i.e., it can increase, a person’s vulnerability to poverty.
הָהוּא גַּבְרָא דַּהֲוָה מְהַדַּר עֲלֵיהּ שָׂרָא דְּעַנְיוּתָא, וְלָא הֲוָה יָכֵיל לֵיהּ, דְּקָא זְהִיר אַנִּשְׁוָורָא טוּבָא. יוֹמָא חַד כְּרַךְ לִיפְתָּא אַיַּבְלֵי, אֲמַר: הַשְׁתָּא וַדַּאי נָפֵל בִּידַאי. בָּתַר דְּאָכֵיל, אַיְיתִי מָרָא עַקְרִינְהוּ לְיַבְלֵי, שְׁדִינְהוּ לְנַהֲרָא. שַׁמְעֵיהּ דְּקָאָמַר: וַוי דְּאַפְּקֵיהּ הָהוּא גַּבְרָא מִבֵּיתֵיהּ.
The Gemara relates: There was a certain man who was pursued by the ministering angel of poverty, but the angel was unable to impoverish him, as he was exceptionally careful with regard to crumbs. One day that man broke his bread over grass, and some crumbs fell among the blades of grass. The angel said: Now he will certainly fall into my hands, as he cannot collect all the crumbs. After the man ate, he brought a hoe, uprooted the grass, and threw it into the river. He subsequently heard the ministering angel of poverty say: Woe is me, as that man has removed me from my house, i.e., my position of comfort.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא שָׁתֵי אוּפְיָא – מִשּׁוּם מְאִיסוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לְכַרְסָם. מִישְׁתְּיֵהּ – קָשֵׁה לְכַרְסָם, מִינְפַּח בֵּיהּ – קַשְׁיָא לְרֵישָׁא, מִדְחֲיֵיהּ – קַשְׁיָא לְעַנְיוּתָא. מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ? לְשַׁקְּעֵיהּ שַׁקּוֹעֵי.
And Abaye said: At first I would say that this practice that people do not drink the foam from the top of a beverage is followed because it is repulsive. But the Master said to me that it is followed because it is bad for one’s vulnerability to catarrh. The Gemara comments: Drinking it is bad for catarrh, while blowing off the foam from the drink is bad for head pains, and removing it with one’s hand is bad for poverty. If so, what is its remedy? How may one drink? He should sink the foam inside the beverage and then drink it.
לְכַרְסָם דְּחַמְרָא – שִׁיכְרָא, דְּשִׁיכְרָא – מַיָּא, דְּמַיָּא – לֵית לֵיהּ תַּקַּנְתָּא, וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: בָּתַר עַנְיָא אָזְלָא עַנְיוּתָא.
The Gemara notes: The treatment for catarrh caused by the foam of wine is beer; the treatment for catarrh caused by the foam of beer is water; and for catarrh caused by the foam of water there is no remedy. And this is in accordance with the adage that people say: Poverty follows the poor. Not only does a pauper have nothing to drink other than water, but there also is no treatment for the disease caused by his beverage.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא אָכְלִי יַרְקָא מִכִּישָׁא דְּאָסַר גִּינָּאָה, מִשּׁוּם דְּמִיחֲזֵי כְּרַעַבְתָנוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לִכְשָׁפִים.
And Abaye said: At first I would say that the reason for this practice that people do not eat vegetables from a bundle tied by the gardener is because it has the appearance of gluttony, as he does not wait to untie the bundle to eat. But the Master said to me that it is because it is bad for one’s vulnerability to witchcraft.
רַב חִסְדָּא וְרַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא הֲווֹ קָאָזְלִי בְּאַרְבָּא, אֲמַרָה לְהוּ הָהִיא מַטְרוֹנִיתָא: אוֹתְבַן בַּהֲדַיְיכוּ. לָא אוֹתְבוּהָ. אֲמַרָה מִלְּתָא, אֲסַרְתַּהּ לְאַרְבָּא. אֲמַרוּ אִינְהוּ מִילְּתָא, שַׁרְיוּהָ. אֲמַרָה לְהוּ: מַאי אֶיעְבֵּיד לְכוּ, דְּלָא מְקַנַּח לְכוּ בְּחַסְפָּא, וְלָא קְטִיל לְכוּ כִּינָּה אַמָּנַיְיכוּ, וְלָא אֲכִיל לְכוּ יַרְקָא מִכִּישָׁא דְּאָסַר גִּינָּאָה.
The Gemara relates: Rav Ḥisda and Rabba bar Rav Huna were traveling on a boat. A certain matron said to them: Seat me together with you on the boat, but they did not seat her alongside them. She said something, an incantation, and thereby tied the boat to its spot so that it could not move. They too said something and thereby released it. That matron said to them: What can I do to you? Witchcraft has no power over you, as after attending to your bodily functions, you do not wipe yourselves with an earthenware shard, and you do not kill a louse that you find on your garments, and you do not eat vegetables from a bundle tied by the gardener.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא אָכְלִי יַרְקָא דִּנְפַל (אַתַּכָּא) [מִתַּכָּא], מִשּׁוּם מְאִיסוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֶׁה לְרֵיחַ הַפֶּה. וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא יָתְבִי תּוּתֵי מַרְזֵיבָא, מִשּׁוּם שׁוֹפְכִים. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דִּשְׁכִיחִי מַזִּיקִין.
And Abaye said: At first I would say as follows: The reason for this practice that people do not eat vegetables that fell on the table is because it is replusive. But the Master said to me that it is because it is bad for halitosis. And Abaye said: At first I would say that the reason for this practice that people do not sit under a gutter is because of the waste water that pours out of it. But the Master said to me that it is because demons are commonly found there.
הָנְהוּ שָׁקוֹלָאֵי דַּהֲווֹ דָּרוּ חָבִיתָא דְּחַמְרָא, בְּעוֹ לְאִיתְּפוֹחֵי, אוֹתְבוּהָ תּוּתֵי מַרְזֵיבָא, פְּקַעָה. אֲתוֹ לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּמָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי, אַפֵּיק שִׁיפּוּרֵי שַׁמְּתֵיהּ. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי תַּעֲבֵיד הָכִי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֵיכִי אֶעֱבֵיד, כִּי אוֹתְבֵיהּ בְּאוּנַּאי?
The Gemara relates: There were certain porters who were carrying a barrel of wine. When they wanted to rest, they placed it under a gutter and the barrel burst. They came before Mar bar Rav Ashi, who brought out horns and had them blown as he excommunicated the demon of that place. The demon came before Mar bar Rav Ashi, and the Sage said to it: Why did you do this? The demon said to him: How else should I act, when these men place a barrel on my ear?
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַתְּ בְּדוּכְתָּא דִּשְׁכִיחִי רַבִּים מַאי בָּעֵית? אַתְּ הוּא דְּשַׁנֵּית, זִיל שַׁלֵּים! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי לִיקְבַּע לִי מָר זִימְנָא וְאֶפְרַע. קְבַע לֵיהּ זִימְנָא. כִּי מְטָא זִימְנָא, אִיעַכַּב. כִּי אֲתָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי לָא אֲתֵית בְּזִמְנָךְ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כֹּל מִילֵּי דִּצְיִיר וַחֲתִים וּכְיִיל וּמְנֵי, לֵית לַן רְשׁוּתָא לְמִשְׁקַל מִינֵּיהּ, עַד דְּמַשְׁכְּחִינַן מִידֵּי דְּהֶפְקֵרָא.
Mar bar Rav Ashi said to it: What are you doing in a place where many people are found? You are the one who deviated from the norm; go and pay them the value of the barrel of wine. The demon said to him: Let the Master now set a time for me, so that I can find the money, and I will pay. Mar bar Rav Ashi set a time for his payment. When that time arrived, the demon delayed in coming to pay. When the demon eventually came, Mar bar Rav Ashi said to it: Why did you not come at the time set for you? The demon said to him: With regard to any item that is tied up, or sealed, or measured, or counted, we have no authority to take it. We are unable to obtain money until we find an ownerless item. For this reason, it took him a long time to find enough money to pay for the barrel.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּשָׁדֵי מַיָּא מִפּוּמָּא דְּחַצְבָּא – מִשּׁוּם צִיבְתָּא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּאִיכָּא מַיִם הָרָעִים.
And Abaye said: At first I would say that this practice that people pour out a little water from the mouth of a pitcher before drinking from it is followed because of twigs it might contain. But the Master said to me that it is followed because there are foul waters in the pitcher.
הָהוּא בַּר שֵׁידָא דַּהֲוָה בֵּי רַב פָּפָּא, אֲזַל לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַיָּא מִנַּהֲרָא, אִיעַכַּב. כִּי אֲתָא, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי אִיעַכַּבְתְּ? אֲמַר לְהוּ: עַד דְּחָלְפִי מַיִם הָרָעִים. אַדְּהָכִי
The Gemara relates: There was a certain son of a demon that was in Rav Pappa’s house as a servant. It went to bring water from the river, and it delayed in returning. When it came, the members of Rav Pappa’s household said to it: Why did you delay? It said to them: I waited until the foul waters passed. In the meantime,
Follow 
Today’s daily daf tools:
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
New to Talmud?
Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you.
The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
I started learning at the beginning of the cycle after a friend persuaded me that it would be right up my alley. I was lucky enough to learn at Rabbanit Michelle’s house before it started on zoom and it was quickly part of my daily routine. I find it so important to see for myself where halachot were derived, where stories were told and to get more insight into how the Rabbis interacted.
Deborah Dickson
Ra’anana, Israel
See video
Susan Fisher
Raanana, Israel
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Shira Eliaser
Skokie, IL, United States
I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.
Medinah Korn
בית שמש, Israel
About a year into learning more about Judaism on a path to potential conversion, I saw an article about the upcoming Siyum HaShas in January of 2020. My curiosity was piqued and I immediately started investigating what learning the Daf actually meant. Daily learning? Just what I wanted. Seven and a half years? I love a challenge! So I dove in head first and I’ve enjoyed every moment!!
Nickie Matthews
Blacksburg, United States
Years ago, I attended the local Siyum HaShas with my high school class. It was inspiring! Through that cycle and the next one, I studied masekhtot on my own and then did “daf yomi practice.” The amazing Hadran Siyum HaShas event firmed my resolve to “really do” Daf Yomi this time. It has become a family goal. We’ve supported each other through challenges, and now we’re at the Siyum of Seder Moed!
Elisheva Brauner
Jerusalem, Israel
I began daf yomi in January 2020 with Brachot. I had made aliya 6 months before, and one of my post-aliya goals was to complete a full cycle. As a life-long Tanach teacher, I wanted to swim from one side of the Yam shel Torah to the other. Daf yomi was also my sanity through COVID. It was the way to marking the progression of time, and feel that I could grow and accomplish while time stopped.
Leah Herzog
Givat Zev, Israel
I learned Talmud as a student in Yeshivat Ramaz and felt at the time that Talmud wasn’t for me. After reading Ilana Kurshan’s book I was intrigued and after watching the great siyum in Yerushalayim it ignited the spark to begin this journey. It has been a transformative life experience for me as a wife, mother, Savta and member of Klal Yisrael.
Elana Storch
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
I’ve been studying Talmud since the ’90s, and decided to take on Daf Yomi two years ago. I wanted to attempt the challenge of a day-to-day, very Jewish activity. Some days are so interesting and some days are so boring. But I’m still here.
Sarene Shanus
Mamaroneck, NY, United States
With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!
Sharon Mink
Haifa, Israel
I start learning Daf Yomi in January 2020. The daily learning with Rabbanit Michelle has kept me grounded in this very uncertain time. Despite everything going on – the Pandemic, my personal life, climate change, war, etc… I know I can count on Hadran’s podcast to bring a smile to my face.
Deb Engel
Los Angeles, United States
In January 2020 on a Shabbaton to Baltimore I heard about the new cycle of Daf Yomi after the siyum celebration in NYC stadium. I started to read “ a daily dose of Talmud “ and really enjoyed it . It led me to google “ do Orthodox women study Talmud? “ and found HADRAN! Since then I listen to the podcast every morning, participate in classes and siyum. I love to learn, this is amazing! Thank you
Sandrine Simons
Atlanta, United States
A friend mentioned that she was starting Daf Yomi in January 2020. I had heard of it and thought, why not? I decided to try it – go day by day and not think about the seven plus year commitment. Fast forward today, over two years in and I can’t imagine my life without Daf Yomi. It’s part of my morning ritual. If I have a busy day ahead of me I set my alarm to get up early to finish the day’s daf
Debbie Fitzerman
Ontario, Canada
I had never heard of Daf Yomi and after reading the book, The Weight of Ink, I explored more about it. I discovered that it was only 6 months before a whole new cycle started and I was determined to give it a try. I tried to get a friend to join me on the journey but after the first few weeks they all dropped it. I haven’t missed a day of reading and of listening to the podcast.
Anne Rubin
Elkins Park, United States
Margo
I started my Talmud journey in 7th grade at Akiba Jewish Day School in Chicago. I started my Daf Yomi journey after hearing Erica Brown speak at the Hadran Siyum about marking the passage of time through Daf Yomi.
Carolyn
I started my Talmud journey post-college in NY with a few classes. I started my Daf Yomi journey after the Hadran Siyum, which inspired both my son and myself.
Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal
Merion Station, USA
Beit Shemesh, Israel
The first month I learned Daf Yomi by myself in secret, because I wasn’t sure how my husband would react, but after the siyyum on Masechet Brachot I discovered Hadran and now sometimes my husband listens to the daf with me. He and I also learn mishnayot together and are constantly finding connections between the different masechtot.
Laura Warshawsky
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
I started my Daf Yomi journey at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.
Karena Perry
Los Angeles, United States
I started learning at the beginning of this cycle more than 2 years ago, and I have not missed a day or a daf. It’s been challenging and enlightening and even mind-numbing at times, but the learning and the shared experience have all been worth it. If you are open to it, there’s no telling what might come into your life.
Patti Evans
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
I started to listen to Michelle’s podcasts four years ago. The minute I started I was hooked. I’m so excited to learn the entire Talmud, and think I will continue always. I chose the quote “while a woman is engaged in conversation she also holds the spindle”. (Megillah 14b). It reminds me of all of the amazing women I learn with every day who multi-task, think ahead and accomplish so much.
Julie Mendelsohn
Zichron Yakov, Israel
Last cycle, I listened to parts of various מסכתות. When the הדרן סיום was advertised, I listened to Michelle on נידה. I knew that בע”ה with the next cycle I was in (ב”נ). As I entered the סיום (early), I saw the signs and was overcome with emotion. I was randomly seated in the front row, and I cried many times that night. My choice to learn דף יומי was affirmed. It is one of the best I have made!
Miriam Tannenbaum
אפרת, Israel
Chullin 105
אִילֵּימָא בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: מְקַנֵּחַ וְלָא בָּעֵי מֵדִיחַ, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: מֵדִיחַ וְלָא בָּעֵי מְקַנֵּחַ. אֶלָּא הָא דְּאָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֵין קִינּוּחַ פֶּה אֶלָּא בְּפַת, כְּמַאן? כְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי!
If we say that Beit Shammai say that one wipes out his mouth with solid food and does not need to rinse his mouth with water, since they maintain that wiping is more effective than rinsing, and Beit Hillel say that he rinses his mouth in water and does not need to wipe his mouth, as rinsing is more effective, one can respond: But as for that which Rabbi Zeira said: Wiping of the mouth can be performed only with bread, in accordance with whose opinion is it? It is apparently in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai, since Beit Hillel do not require wiping. Yet, it is unlikely that Rabbi Zeira would rule in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai rather than Beit Hillel.
אֶלָּא, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: מְקַנֵּחַ וְלָא בָּעֵי מֵדִיחַ, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: אַף מֵדִיחַ. הָוֵי לֵיהּ מִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּמֵחוּמְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל, וְלִתְנְיַיהּ גַּבֵּי קוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וְחוּמְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל!
Rather, one must explain the dispute as follows: Beit Shammai say that one wipes his mouth after eating meat and does not need to rinse his mouth as well, and Beit Hillel say that in addition to wiping one must also rinse. This interpretation is difficult as well, since if so, this constitutes one of the disputes between them that involve leniencies of Beit Shammai and stringencies of Beit Hillel, and consequently, let the tanna of tractate Eduyyot teach it alongside the other disputes listed there that involve leniencies of Beit Shammai and stringencies of Beit Hillel.
אֶלָּא, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: מְקַנֵּחַ, וְהוּא הַדִּין לְמֵדִיחַ, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: מֵדִיחַ, וְהוּא הַדִּין לִמְקַנֵּחַ. מָר אָמַר חֲדָא, וּמָר אָמַר חֲדָא, וְלָא פְּלִיגִי.
Rather, one must interpret their statements as follows: Beit Shammai say that one wipes his mouth after eating meat, and the same is true of rinsing, i.e., one must rinse his mouth as well. And Beit Hillel say that one rinses his mouth, and the same is true of wiping. And one Sage said one statement and one Sage said another statement, and they do not disagree.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֵין קִינּוּחַ הַפֶּה אֶלָּא בְּפַת. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּדְחִיטֵּי, אֲבָל בְּדִשְׂעָרֵי – לָא.
§ After citing Rabbi Zeira’s statement tangentially, the Gemara discusses the matter itself. Rabbi Zeira says: Wiping of the mouth can be performed only with bread. The Gemara explains: And this statement applies only to bread prepared from wheat flour. But with regard to bread prepared from barley flour, one may not use it for wiping, as barley bread crumbles in the mouth and does not wipe thoroughly.
וּדְחִיטֵּי נָמֵי לָא אֲמַרַן, אֶלָּא בִּקְרִירָא, אֲבָל בְּחַמִּימָא – מִשְׁטָר שָׁטְרִי. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּרַכִּיכָא, אֲבָל בְּאַקּוֹשָׁא – לָא. וְהִלְכְתָא בְּכֹל מִילֵּי הָוֵי קִינּוּחַ, לְבַר מִקִּמְחָא, תַּמְרֵי וְיַרְקָא.
The Gemara adds: And even in the case of bread prepared from wheat flour, we said the halakha only with regard to cold bread, but as for warm bread, it is ineffective for wiping even if made of wheat, as it softens and sticks to the palate, and it does not wipe the mouth properly. And furthermore, even if the bread is cold, this statement applies only with regard to soft bread, but one may not wipe with hard bread, as it also does not clean effectively. The Gemara concludes: And the halakha is that the use of all items constitutes effective wiping, except for flour, dates, and vegetables.
בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַב אַסִּי מֵרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כַּמָּה יִשְׁהֶה בֵּין בָּשָׂר לִגְבִינָה? אָמַר לוֹ: וְלֹא כְּלוּם. אִינִי? וְהָא אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אָכַל בָּשָׂר – אָסוּר לֶאֱכוֹל גְּבִינָה, גְּבִינָה – מוּתָּר לֶאֱכוֹל בָּשָׂר! אֶלָּא כַּמָּה יִשְׁהֶה בֵּין גְּבִינָה לְבָשָׂר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְלֹא כְּלוּם.
§ Rav Asi posed a dilemma to Rabbi Yoḥanan: How much time should one wait between eating meat and eating cheese? Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: No time at all. The Gemara asks: Is that so? But doesn’t Rav Ḥisda say: If one ate meat, it is prohibited for him to eat cheese immediately, but if he ate cheese it is permitted for him to eat meat without delay? Rather, Rav Asi actually asked Rabbi Yoḥanan the following question: How much time should one wait between eating cheese and eating meat? In response to this question, Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: No time at all.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אָכַל בָּשָׂר – אָסוּר לֶאֱכוֹל גְּבִינָה, גְּבִינָה – מוּתָּר לֶאֱכוֹל בָּשָׂר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בַּר יוֹסֵף לְרַב חִסְדָּא: בָּשָׂר שֶׁבֵּין הַשִּׁינַּיִם מַהוּ?
After tangentially citing a statement of Rav Ḥisda, the Gemara discusses the matter itself. Rav Ḥisda says: If one ate meat, it is prohibited for him to eat cheese immediately, as the meat contains fatty substances that stick to one’s mouth and preserve the flavor of meat. But if he ate cheese it is permitted for him to eat meat without delay. Rav Aḥa bar Yosef said to Rav Ḥisda: In the case of meat that is between the teeth, what is the halakha? Are these remnants considered meat to the extent that one may not eat cheese as long as they are in his mouth?
קָרֵי עֲלֵיהּ ״הַבָּשָׂר עוֹדֶנּוּ בֵּין שִׁנֵּיהֶם״.
In response, Rav Ḥisda read about him the following verse: “While the meat was yet between their teeth” (Numbers 11:33). This verse indicates that even when the meat is between one’s teeth it is still considered meat, and therefore one may not partake of cheese until that meat has been removed.
אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: אֲנָא, לְהָא מִלְּתָא, חַלָּא בַּר חַמְרָא לְגַבֵּי אַבָּא, דְּאִילּוּ אַבָּא כִּי הֲוָה אָכֵיל בִּשְׂרָא הָאִידָּנָא, לָא הֲוָה אָכֵל גְּבִינָה עַד לִמְחַר עַד הַשְׁתָּא, וְאִילּוּ אֲנָא – בְּהָא סְעוֹדְתָּא הוּא דְּלָא אָכֵילְנָא, לִסְעוֹדְתָּא אַחְרִיתָא – אָכֵילְנָא.
Mar Ukva said: I am, with regard to this matter, like vinegar, son of wine, with respect to Father, i.e., my practice is inferior to that of my father. As Father, if he were to eat meat at this time, would not eat cheese until tomorrow at this time. But as for me, only at this meal, during which I ate meat, do I not eat cheese; at a different meal on the same day I will eat cheese.
אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֲנָא, לְהָא מִלְּתָא, חַלָּא בַּר חַמְרָא לְגַבֵּי אַבָּא, דְּאִילּוּ אַבָּא הֲוָה סָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ תְּרֵי זִמְנֵי בְּיוֹמָא, וַאֲנָא לָא סָיַירְנָא אֶלָּא חֲדָא זִימְנָא. שְׁמוּאֵל לְטַעְמֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַאן דְּסָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ כֹּל יוֹמָא מַשְׁכַּח אִסְתֵּירָא.
Similarly, Shmuel said: I am, with regard to this other matter, like vinegar, son of wine, with respect to Father. As Father would patrol his property to examine it twice daily, but I patrol it only once a day. The Gemara notes: In this regard Shmuel conforms to his line of reasoning, as Shmuel said: One who patrols his property every day will find an asteira coin.
אַבָּיֵי הֲוָה סָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ כֹּל יוֹמָא וְיוֹמָא. יוֹמָא חַד פְּגַע בַּאֲרִיסֵיהּ דְּדָרֵי פִּתְכָּא דְּאוּפֵי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָנֵי לְהֵיכָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לְבֵי מָר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כְּבָר קַדְמוּךְ רַבָּנַן.
The Gemara relates that Abaye would patrol his property each and every day. One day he encountered his sharecropper carrying a load of wood that the sharecropper intended to take for himself. Abaye said to him: To where are you taking these logs of wood? The sharecropper said to him: To the Master’s house. Abaye, who knew that the sharecropper had intended to take the wood for himself, said to him: The Sages already preempted you when they said that one should patrol his property regularly, and they thereby prevented you from stealing the wood.
רַב אַסִּי הֲוָה סָיַיר נִכְסֵיהּ כֹּל יוֹמָא, אָמַר: הֵיכָא נִינְהוּ כֹּל הָנֵי אִסְתִּירֵי דְּמָר שְׁמוּאֵל? יוֹמָא חַד חֲזָא צִינּוֹרָא דְּבִדְקָא בְּאַרְעֵיהּ, שַׁקְלֵיהּ לִגְלִימֵיהּ, כַּרְכֵיהּ אוֹתְבֵיהּ בְּגַוַּהּ, רְמָא קָלָא, אֲתוֹ אִינָשֵׁי סַכְרוּהּ, [אֲמַר]: אַשְׁכַּחְתִּינְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ אִיסְתֵּרֵי דְּמָר שְׁמוּאֵל.
The Gemara likewise relates that Rav Asi would patrol his property every day. He said: Where are all these asteira coins mentioned by Mar Shmuel? This patrol is not reaping me any benefit. One day he saw a water channel that overflowed, causing water to flood onto his land. He took off his cloak, wrapped it, and placed it inside the pipe to block the flow of water. He then raised his voice, and people came and sealed the hole. He said: I have just found all the asteira coins mentioned by Mar Shmuel, as I would have suffered a great loss had I not patrolled my fields.
אָמַר רַב אִידִי בַּר אָבִין, אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר אַשְׁיָין: מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים מִצְוָה, וְאַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה.
§ Having mentioned the manner of washing hands during a meal, the Gemara discusses another matter concerning washing hands. Rav Idi bar Avin says that Rav Yitzḥak bar Ashyan says: The first waters, i.e., washing of the hands before eating bread, are a mitzva by rabbinic law, but the final waters, washing of the hands upon conclusion of the meal and before reciting Grace after Meals, are an obligation, a more stringent requirement.
מֵיתִיבִי: מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים וְאַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה, אֶמְצָעִיִּים רְשׁוּת. מִצְוָה לְגַבֵּי רְשׁוּת – חוֹבָה קָרֵי לַהּ.
The Gemara raises an objection to this ruling from a baraita: The first waters and the final waters are an obligation, whereas the middle waters, between courses during the meal, are optional. Apparently, the first waters are also an obligation, not a mitzva. The Gemara responds: Although the first waters are in fact a mitzva, the tanna calls a mitzva an obligation when compared to an optional requirement.
גּוּפָא: מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים וְאַחֲרוֹנִים – חוֹבָה, אֶמְצָעִיִּים – רְשׁוּת. רִאשׁוֹנִים – נוֹטְלִין בֵּין בִּכְלִי בֵּין עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע, אַחֲרוֹנִים – אֵין נוֹטְלִין אֶלָּא בִּכְלִי, וְאָמְרִי לָהּ: אֵין נוֹטְלִין עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע.
The Gemara analyzes the matter itself. The full text of the baraita is as follows: First waters and final waters are an obligation, whereas middle waters are optional. For first waters, one may wash either by spilling the water into a vessel or onto the ground. But for final waters, one washes only by pouring the water into a vessel. And some say a slightly different version of the baraita: For final waters, one may not wash by pouring the water onto the ground.
מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ? אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ קִינְסָא.
The Gemara interjects: What is the difference between these two versions? The Gemara answers: There is a practical difference between them with regard to pouring the water on thin wood slivers on the ground. According to the first version, which requires that the water be poured into a vessel, one may not use such slivers for this purpose, whereas according to the second version, which merely prohibits pouring the water onto the ground, one may use wood slivers.
מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים נוֹטְלִין בֵּין בְּחַמִּין בֵּין בְּצוֹנֵן, אַחֲרוֹנִים אֵין נוֹטְלִין אֶלָּא בְּצוֹנֵן, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחַמִּין מְפַעְפְּעִין אֶת הַיָּדַיִם וְאֵין מַעֲבִירִין אֶת הַזּוּהֲמָא. מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים נוֹטְלִין בֵּין בְּחַמִּין בֵּין בְּצוֹנֵן, אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵף אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין הַיָּד
The baraita continues: With regard to first waters, one may wash either with hot water or with cold water. But for final waters, one may wash only with cold water, because hot water softens the hands and does not remove the dirt from them. The Gemara analyzes the statement that for first waters one may wash either with hot water or with cold water: Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef says that Rabbi Yannai says: They taught this halakha only in a case where the hand does not
סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן, אֲבָל הַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן אֵין נוֹטְלִין בָּהֶן.
recoil [soledet] from the water’s heat. But if the hand recoils from it, one may not wash with it.
וְאִיכָּא דְּמַתְנֵי לַהּ אַסֵּיפָא, אַחֲרוֹנִים אֵין נוֹטְלִין אֶלָּא בְּצוֹנֵן, אֲבָל בְּחַמִּין – לֹא. אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵף אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁהַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן, אֲבָל אֵין הַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן – נוֹטְלִין. מִכְּלָל דְּרִאשׁוֹנִים, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַיָּד סוֹלֶדֶת בָּהֶן – מוּתָּר.
And there are those who teach a version of this statement with regard to the latter clause of the baraita: For final waters, one may wash only with cold water, but one may not wash with hot water. Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef says that Rabbi Yannai says: They taught that one may not use hot water only in a case where the water is so hot that the hand recoils from it, but if the hand does not recoil from it, one may wash with it. The Gemara comments: One can learn by inference from this version of the statement that in the case of first waters, even if the water is so hot that the hand recoils from it, it is permitted to use it for washing.
אֶמְצָעִיִּים רְשׁוּת. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בֵּין תַּבְשִׁיל לְתַבְשִׁיל, אֲבָל בֵּין תַּבְשִׁיל לִגְבִינָה – חוֹבָה.
§ The baraita states that middle waters are optional. Rav Naḥman says: They taught this only with regard to washing the hands between one cooked dish and another cooked dish served at a meal. But between a cooked dish and cheese there is an obligation to wash one’s hands.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרוּ מַיִם אַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה? שֶׁמֶּלַח סְדוֹמִית יֵשׁ, שֶׁמְּסַמֵּא אֶת הָעֵינַיִם. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: וּמִשְׁתְּכַח כִּי קוּרְטָא בְּכוֹרָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: כָּל מִלְחָא מַאי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא מִבַּעְיָא.
§ The baraita further teaches that final waters are an obligation. Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, says: For what reason did the Sages say that final waters are an obligation? It is because Sodomite salt is sometimes present, a small amount of which blinds the eyes. Since Sodomite salt could remain on one’s hands, one must wash them after eating. Abaye said: And this type of dangerous salt is present in the proportion of a pinch [korta] in an entire kor of regular salt. Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Rav Ashi: If one measured salt between meals, what is the halakha? Must he wash his hands afterward? He said to him: It is not necessary to say this; he is certainly obligated to do so.
אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא מָשׁוּ מַיָּא בָּתְרָאֵי עַל אַרְעָא – מִשּׁוּם זוּהֲמָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּשָׁרְיָא רוּחַ רָעָה עֲלַיְיהוּ.
§ Abaye said: At first I would say that this halakha that one may not wash his hands with final waters over the ground is due to messiness. But the Master, Rabba, said to me that it is because an evil spirit rests upon the water and passersby are liable to be afflicted.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא שָׁקֵיל מִידֵּי מִפָּתוּרָא כִּי נָקֵיט אִינִישׁ כָּסָא לְמִשְׁתֵּי, שֶׁמָּא יֶאֱרַע דְּבַר קַלְקָלָה בַּסְּעוּדָה. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לְרוּחַ צְרָדָא.
And Abaye also said: At first I would say that the reason for this statement of the Sages that one should not take anything from the table when a person is holding a cup to drink, is lest a mishap occur at the meal, i.e., the one holding the cup might have wanted the item that was taken, and since he is unable to speak he will choke in his anger. But the Master subsequently said to me that it is because it is bad for one’s health, causing a spirit of pain in half his head, i.e., a migraine.
וְלָא אֲמַרַן, אֶלָּא דְּשָׁקֵיל וְלָא מַהְדַּר, אֲבָל מִשְׁקַל וְאַהְדּוֹרֵי – לֵית לַן בַּהּ. וְלָא אֲמַרַן אֶלָּא חוּץ לְאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת, אֲבָל תּוֹךְ אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת – לֵית לַן בַּהּ. וְלָא אֲמַרַן אֶלָּא מִידֵּי דִּצְרִיךְ לִסְעוֹדְתָּא, אֲבָל מִידֵּי דְּלָא צְרִיךְ לִסְעוֹדְתָּא – לֵית לַן בַּהּ.
And we said that this practice is prohibited only if one takes an item from the table and does not put it back. But as for taking and putting back, we have no problem with it. And likewise, we said it is prohibited only if one takes the item beyond four cubits of the table. But if one leaves it within four cubits, we have no problem with it. And furthermore, we said this halakha only with regard to an item that is necessary for the meal. But in the case of an item that is not necessary for the meal, we have no problem with it.
מָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי קָפֵיד אֲפִילּוּ אַאֲסִיתָא וּבוּכְנָא דְּתַבְלֵי, מִידֵּי דִּצְרִיכִי לִסְעוּדְתָּא.
The Gemara relates that Mar bar Rav Ashi was particular not to remove any object from the table when someone was holding his cup in hand, even with regard to a mortar [asita] and pestle [bukhna] for spices, like all items that are necessary for the meal.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּכָנְשִׁי נִשְׁוָורָאָה – מִשּׁוּם מְנַקֵּירוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לְעַנְיוּתָא.
And Abaye further said: At first I would say that this practice that people collect the crumbs of bread after a meal is due to cleanliness. But the Master subsequently said to me that it is because leaving them is bad for, i.e., it can increase, a person’s vulnerability to poverty.
הָהוּא גַּבְרָא דַּהֲוָה מְהַדַּר עֲלֵיהּ שָׂרָא דְּעַנְיוּתָא, וְלָא הֲוָה יָכֵיל לֵיהּ, דְּקָא זְהִיר אַנִּשְׁוָורָא טוּבָא. יוֹמָא חַד כְּרַךְ לִיפְתָּא אַיַּבְלֵי, אֲמַר: הַשְׁתָּא וַדַּאי נָפֵל בִּידַאי. בָּתַר דְּאָכֵיל, אַיְיתִי מָרָא עַקְרִינְהוּ לְיַבְלֵי, שְׁדִינְהוּ לְנַהֲרָא. שַׁמְעֵיהּ דְּקָאָמַר: וַוי דְּאַפְּקֵיהּ הָהוּא גַּבְרָא מִבֵּיתֵיהּ.
The Gemara relates: There was a certain man who was pursued by the ministering angel of poverty, but the angel was unable to impoverish him, as he was exceptionally careful with regard to crumbs. One day that man broke his bread over grass, and some crumbs fell among the blades of grass. The angel said: Now he will certainly fall into my hands, as he cannot collect all the crumbs. After the man ate, he brought a hoe, uprooted the grass, and threw it into the river. He subsequently heard the ministering angel of poverty say: Woe is me, as that man has removed me from my house, i.e., my position of comfort.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא שָׁתֵי אוּפְיָא – מִשּׁוּם מְאִיסוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לְכַרְסָם. מִישְׁתְּיֵהּ – קָשֵׁה לְכַרְסָם, מִינְפַּח בֵּיהּ – קַשְׁיָא לְרֵישָׁא, מִדְחֲיֵיהּ – קַשְׁיָא לְעַנְיוּתָא. מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ? לְשַׁקְּעֵיהּ שַׁקּוֹעֵי.
And Abaye said: At first I would say that this practice that people do not drink the foam from the top of a beverage is followed because it is repulsive. But the Master said to me that it is followed because it is bad for one’s vulnerability to catarrh. The Gemara comments: Drinking it is bad for catarrh, while blowing off the foam from the drink is bad for head pains, and removing it with one’s hand is bad for poverty. If so, what is its remedy? How may one drink? He should sink the foam inside the beverage and then drink it.
לְכַרְסָם דְּחַמְרָא – שִׁיכְרָא, דְּשִׁיכְרָא – מַיָּא, דְּמַיָּא – לֵית לֵיהּ תַּקַּנְתָּא, וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: בָּתַר עַנְיָא אָזְלָא עַנְיוּתָא.
The Gemara notes: The treatment for catarrh caused by the foam of wine is beer; the treatment for catarrh caused by the foam of beer is water; and for catarrh caused by the foam of water there is no remedy. And this is in accordance with the adage that people say: Poverty follows the poor. Not only does a pauper have nothing to drink other than water, but there also is no treatment for the disease caused by his beverage.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא אָכְלִי יַרְקָא מִכִּישָׁא דְּאָסַר גִּינָּאָה, מִשּׁוּם דְּמִיחֲזֵי כְּרַעַבְתָנוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֵׁי לִכְשָׁפִים.
And Abaye said: At first I would say that the reason for this practice that people do not eat vegetables from a bundle tied by the gardener is because it has the appearance of gluttony, as he does not wait to untie the bundle to eat. But the Master said to me that it is because it is bad for one’s vulnerability to witchcraft.
רַב חִסְדָּא וְרַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא הֲווֹ קָאָזְלִי בְּאַרְבָּא, אֲמַרָה לְהוּ הָהִיא מַטְרוֹנִיתָא: אוֹתְבַן בַּהֲדַיְיכוּ. לָא אוֹתְבוּהָ. אֲמַרָה מִלְּתָא, אֲסַרְתַּהּ לְאַרְבָּא. אֲמַרוּ אִינְהוּ מִילְּתָא, שַׁרְיוּהָ. אֲמַרָה לְהוּ: מַאי אֶיעְבֵּיד לְכוּ, דְּלָא מְקַנַּח לְכוּ בְּחַסְפָּא, וְלָא קְטִיל לְכוּ כִּינָּה אַמָּנַיְיכוּ, וְלָא אֲכִיל לְכוּ יַרְקָא מִכִּישָׁא דְּאָסַר גִּינָּאָה.
The Gemara relates: Rav Ḥisda and Rabba bar Rav Huna were traveling on a boat. A certain matron said to them: Seat me together with you on the boat, but they did not seat her alongside them. She said something, an incantation, and thereby tied the boat to its spot so that it could not move. They too said something and thereby released it. That matron said to them: What can I do to you? Witchcraft has no power over you, as after attending to your bodily functions, you do not wipe yourselves with an earthenware shard, and you do not kill a louse that you find on your garments, and you do not eat vegetables from a bundle tied by the gardener.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא אָכְלִי יַרְקָא דִּנְפַל (אַתַּכָּא) [מִתַּכָּא], מִשּׁוּם מְאִיסוּתָא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּקָשֶׁה לְרֵיחַ הַפֶּה. וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּלָא יָתְבִי תּוּתֵי מַרְזֵיבָא, מִשּׁוּם שׁוֹפְכִים. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דִּשְׁכִיחִי מַזִּיקִין.
And Abaye said: At first I would say as follows: The reason for this practice that people do not eat vegetables that fell on the table is because it is replusive. But the Master said to me that it is because it is bad for halitosis. And Abaye said: At first I would say that the reason for this practice that people do not sit under a gutter is because of the waste water that pours out of it. But the Master said to me that it is because demons are commonly found there.
הָנְהוּ שָׁקוֹלָאֵי דַּהֲווֹ דָּרוּ חָבִיתָא דְּחַמְרָא, בְּעוֹ לְאִיתְּפוֹחֵי, אוֹתְבוּהָ תּוּתֵי מַרְזֵיבָא, פְּקַעָה. אֲתוֹ לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּמָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי, אַפֵּיק שִׁיפּוּרֵי שַׁמְּתֵיהּ. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי תַּעֲבֵיד הָכִי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֵיכִי אֶעֱבֵיד, כִּי אוֹתְבֵיהּ בְּאוּנַּאי?
The Gemara relates: There were certain porters who were carrying a barrel of wine. When they wanted to rest, they placed it under a gutter and the barrel burst. They came before Mar bar Rav Ashi, who brought out horns and had them blown as he excommunicated the demon of that place. The demon came before Mar bar Rav Ashi, and the Sage said to it: Why did you do this? The demon said to him: How else should I act, when these men place a barrel on my ear?
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַתְּ בְּדוּכְתָּא דִּשְׁכִיחִי רַבִּים מַאי בָּעֵית? אַתְּ הוּא דְּשַׁנֵּית, זִיל שַׁלֵּים! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי לִיקְבַּע לִי מָר זִימְנָא וְאֶפְרַע. קְבַע לֵיהּ זִימְנָא. כִּי מְטָא זִימְנָא, אִיעַכַּב. כִּי אֲתָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי לָא אֲתֵית בְּזִמְנָךְ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כֹּל מִילֵּי דִּצְיִיר וַחֲתִים וּכְיִיל וּמְנֵי, לֵית לַן רְשׁוּתָא לְמִשְׁקַל מִינֵּיהּ, עַד דְּמַשְׁכְּחִינַן מִידֵּי דְּהֶפְקֵרָא.
Mar bar Rav Ashi said to it: What are you doing in a place where many people are found? You are the one who deviated from the norm; go and pay them the value of the barrel of wine. The demon said to him: Let the Master now set a time for me, so that I can find the money, and I will pay. Mar bar Rav Ashi set a time for his payment. When that time arrived, the demon delayed in coming to pay. When the demon eventually came, Mar bar Rav Ashi said to it: Why did you not come at the time set for you? The demon said to him: With regard to any item that is tied up, or sealed, or measured, or counted, we have no authority to take it. We are unable to obtain money until we find an ownerless item. For this reason, it took him a long time to find enough money to pay for the barrel.
וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, הַאי דְּשָׁדֵי מַיָּא מִפּוּמָּא דְּחַצְבָּא – מִשּׁוּם צִיבְתָּא. אֲמַר לִי מָר: מִשּׁוּם דְּאִיכָּא מַיִם הָרָעִים.
And Abaye said: At first I would say that this practice that people pour out a little water from the mouth of a pitcher before drinking from it is followed because of twigs it might contain. But the Master said to me that it is followed because there are foul waters in the pitcher.
הָהוּא בַּר שֵׁידָא דַּהֲוָה בֵּי רַב פָּפָּא, אֲזַל לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַיָּא מִנַּהֲרָא, אִיעַכַּב. כִּי אֲתָא, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי אִיעַכַּבְתְּ? אֲמַר לְהוּ: עַד דְּחָלְפִי מַיִם הָרָעִים. אַדְּהָכִי
The Gemara relates: There was a certain son of a demon that was in Rav Pappa’s house as a servant. It went to bring water from the river, and it delayed in returning. When it came, the members of Rav Pappa’s household said to it: Why did you delay? It said to them: I waited until the foul waters passed. In the meantime,
Follow
