Masechet Chullin is sponsored by Judi Felber in honor of the Hadran Community. “During my first cycle of Daf Yomi, just as we began Masechet Chullin, my son was injured while serving in the IDF. Throughout those two and a half months of difficulty and uncertainty, my fellow learners never left my side. With profound gratitude to the community that held me, encouraged me, and ensured I could keep up with the Daf during those trying times.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Judith Rosenfeld Hochstadter, Gittel bat Kreindel v’Binyamin BenZion on her second yahrzeit. “Her curiosity, humor, intellect and devout nature continues to inspire and hold us accountable. We miss her and think of her in all our pursuits, especially in our Hadran learning, where she would be glad to know that she didn’t have to boil more than 1 egg at a time!!”
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Summary
One may purchase eggs from a non-Jew if the seller explicitly specifies that they come from a particular kosher species. The Gemara asks why we cannot simply rely on the physical diagnostic signs of kosher eggs, which are: being pointed on one end and rounded on the other, and having the yolk (chalmon) on the inside with the albumen (chelbon, or white) on the outside. The Gemara explains that these signs alone are insufficient because certain non-kosher species (such as the crow) lay eggs that mimic these exact characteristics.
Regarding blood found in an egg, the halakhic status depends entirely on its location: depending on where the blood spot is positioned, one either removes the blood spot alone or is forbidden from eating the entire egg. The Gemara presents two conflicting traditions regarding which specific location (the yolk or the albumen) triggers the stricter prohibition.
The Gemara identifies the biblical source prohibiting the eggs of non-kosher birds, deriving it hermeneutically from the verse banning the “daughter of the ostrich” (bat ha-ya’anah), where the “daughter” is expounded to mean the egg of the ostrich.
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Masechet Chullin is sponsored by Judi Felber in honor of the Hadran Community. “During my first cycle of Daf Yomi, just as we began Masechet Chullin, my son was injured while serving in the IDF. Throughout those two and a half months of difficulty and uncertainty, my fellow learners never left my side. With profound gratitude to the community that held me, encouraged me, and ensured I could keep up with the Daf during those trying times.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Judith Rosenfeld Hochstadter, Gittel bat Kreindel v’Binyamin BenZion on her second yahrzeit. “Her curiosity, humor, intellect and devout nature continues to inspire and hold us accountable. We miss her and think of her in all our pursuits, especially in our Hadran learning, where she would be glad to know that she didn’t have to boil more than 1 egg at a time!!”
Today’s daf is sponsored by Masha and Yisroel Rotman in loving memory of Masha’s father, Solomon Maltz, Shlomo Emanuel ben Yaakov Yitzchak on his 22nd yahrtzeit. “He taught us by example what it means to love one’s fellow Jew with tolerance, consideration, and kindness.”
Chullin 64
עוּבְּרֵי דָּגִים.
fish embryos, i.e., fish eggs found in the fish’s innards.
וְתַנְיָא גַּבֵּי בֵיצִים: אֵלּוּ הֵן סִימָנֵי בֵיצִים – כָּל שֶׁכּוֹדֶרֶת וַעֲגוּלְגּוֹלֶת, רֹאשָׁהּ אֶחָד כַּד וְרֹאשָׁהּ אֶחָד חַד – טְהוֹרָה, שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ כַּדִּין אוֹ שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ חַדִּין – טְמֵאִין. חֶלְבּוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְמוֹן מִבִּפְנִים – טְהוֹרָה, חֶלְמוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְבּוֹן מִבְּפָנִים – טְמֵאָה, חֶלְמוֹן וְחֶלְבּוֹן מְעוֹרָבִין זֶה בָּזֶה – בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁהִיא בֵּיצַת הַשֶּׁרֶץ.
The Gemara continues: And it is taught in a baraita about eggs that these are the signs of bird eggs: Any egg that narrows at the top and is rounded, so that one of its ends is rounded and the other one of its ends is pointed, is kosher. If both of its ends are rounded or both of its ends are pointed, they are non-kosher. If the albumen is on the outside and the yolk on the inside, it is kosher. If the yolk is on the outside and the albumen on the inside, it is non-kosher. If the yolk and albumen are mixed with each other, it is certainly the egg of a creeping animal. Therefore, if it is possible to recognize a kosher egg by these signs, there is no need to rely on the gentile.
לָא צְרִיכָא, דַּחֲתוּכוֹת. וְלִיבְדּוֹק בְּחֶלְמוֹן וְחֶלְבּוֹן? בִּטְרוּפוֹת בִּקְעָרָה.
The Gemara responds: No, it is necessary if the eggs have already been cut and one cannot know their original shape. The Gemara challenges: But let him inspect the yolk and the albumen, to see which is inside and which is outside. The Gemara responds: The baraita deals with a case where the eggs are mixed in a bowl, and it is impossible to discern this.
וּכְהַאי גַּוְונָא מִי זָבְנִינַן מִינַּיְיהוּ? וְהָא תַּנְיָא: אֵין מוֹכְרִין בֵּיצַת טְרֵפָה לְגוֹי, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן טְרוּפָה בִּקְעָרָה; לְפִיכָךְ אֵין לוֹקְחִין מֵהֶם בֵּיצִים טְרוּפוֹת בִּקְעָרָה.
The Gemara counters: But in a case like this, where the eggs are mixed, may we buy eggs from them? Isn’t it taught in another baraita: One may sell the egg of a tereifa bird to a gentile only if it is mixed in a bowl; therefore, one may not buy eggs mixed in a bowl from them, because they may be from tereifot? If so, it cannot be that the baraita deals with a case where they are mixed, and one should be able to inspect the yolk and albumen.
אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: סִימָנִין לָאו דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא, דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, הָא דְּאָמַר רַב אַסִּי: שְׁמֹנָה סְפֵיקוֹת הֵן – לִיבְדּוֹק בְּבֵיצִים דִּידְהוּ! אֶלָּא שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: סִימָנִין לָאו דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא.
Rather, Rabbi Zeira said: The signs of a kosher egg are not valid by Torah law. As, if you do not say so, one encounters difficulty with that which Rav Asi says: There are eight birds whose kosher status is uncertain. Why is there uncertainty? Let one inspect their eggs for the signs listed in the baraita to determine whether they are kosher. Rather, learn from it that the signs are not valid by Torah law and one may not rely on them.
אֶלָּא לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא קָתָנֵי לַהּ? הָכִי קָאָמַר: שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ כַּדִּין, אוֹ שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ חַדִּין, אוֹ חֶלְמוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְבּוֹן מִבִּפְנִים – וַדַּאי טְמֵאָה. רֵישֵׁיהּ חַד חַד, רֵישֵׁיהּ חַד כַּד, וְחֶלְבּוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְמוֹן מִבִּפְנִים, וְאָמַר לָךְ שֶׁל עוֹף פְּלוֹנִי וְטָהוֹר הוּא – סְמוֹךְ עֲלֵיהּ. בִּסְתָמָא – לָא תִּסְמוֹךְ עֲלֵיהּ, דְּאִיכָּא דְּעוֹרְבָא דְּדָמֵי לִדְיוֹנָה.
The Gemara asks: But if one may not rely on these signs, with regard to what halakha is the baraita teaching them? The Gemara responds: This is what the baraita is saying: If both of its ends are rounded, or both its ends are pointed, or the yolk is on the outside and the albumen is on the inside, it is certainly non-kosher. But if one of its ends is pointed and one of its ends is rounded, and the albumen is on the outside and the yolk on the inside, and the gentile says to you that it is from such and such bird, and that bird is kosher, rely on the signs. But if he offers no specification of the type of bird, or if one simply finds eggs with these signs, do not rely on them, since there are crow’s eggs that resemble those of a pigeon.
אָמַר מָר: חֶלְבּוֹן וְחֶלְמוֹן מְעוֹרָבִין זֶה בָּזֶה – בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁהִיא בֵּיצַת הַשֶּׁרֶץ. לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא? אָמַר רַב עוּקְבָא בַּר חָמָא: לוֹמַר שֶׁאִם רִיקְּמָה וְנִיקְּבָה בְּכַעֲדָשָׁה – מְטַמֵּא.
The Gemara analyzes the baraita: The Master said: If the albumen and yolk are mixed with each other, it is certainly the egg of a creeping animal and not of a non-kosher bird. The Gemara asks: For what halakha is this information necessary? Either way, the egg is forbidden. Rav Ukva bar Ḥama said: The baraita means to say that if tissue of an embryo developed [rikema] inside it and it was perforated, and one touched it, it transmits ritual impurity provided that the embryo is at least the size of a lentil-bulk, because the carcass of a creeping animal of this size is a source of ritual impurity.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רָבִינָא: וְדִלְמָא דְּנָחָשׁ הִיא? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: שֶׁאִם רִיקְּמָה וְאָכְלָה – לוֹקֶה עָלֶיהָ מִשּׁוּם ״שֶׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ״.
Ravina objects to this: But perhaps it is the egg of a snake, whose carcass does not transmit ritual impurity, even though the albumen and yolk of its eggs are mixed together. Rather, Rava said: The baraita does not teach about ritual impurity, but rather that if tissue of an embryo developed inside the egg and one ate it, he is flogged on its account, due to the prohibition: “And every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth is a detestable thing; it shall not be eaten” (Leviticus 11:41).
אִי הָכִי, מַאי אִירְיָא דִּטְמֵאָה? אֲפִילּוּ דִּטְהוֹרָה נָמֵי! דְּתַנְיָא: ״כׇּל הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ״ –
The Gemara asks: If so, why specifically mention the egg of a non-kosher creeping animal? The same would apply even for one who eats the embryo of a kosher bird as well. In either case, one is flogged, as it is taught in a baraita that the verse: “Every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth,”
לְרַבּוֹת אֶפְרוֹחִים שֶׁלֹּא נִפְתְּחוּ עֵינֵיהֶם! מִדְּרַבָּנַן, וּקְרָא אַסְמַכְתָּא בְּעָלְמָא.
serves to include chicks of pigeons whose eyes have not yet opened in the prohibition against consuming swarming things. The Gemara responds: This prohibition is by rabbinic law, and the verse cited is a mere support for it. One who eats the embryo of a kosher bird is not liable to receive lashes.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: גִּיעוּלֵי בֵּיצִים מוּתָּרוֹת, בֵּיצִים מוּזָרוֹת – נֶפֶשׁ יָפָה תֹּאכְלֵם, נִמְצָא עָלֶיהָ קוֹרֶט דָּם – זוֹרֵק אֶת הַדָּם וְאוֹכֵל אֶת הַשְּׁאָר.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita: Kosher eggs that have been boiled with non-kosher eggs are permitted. Unfertilized eggs are permitted, and one of strong constitution may eat them, even if the hen has sat on them for a long period of time. If a drop [koret] of blood is found on it, one discards the blood, which is the first stage of an embryo’s development, and eats the rest.
אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: וְהוּא שֶׁנִּמְצָא עַל קֶשֶׁר שֶׁלָּהּ. תָּנֵי דּוֹסְתַּאי אֲבוּהּ דְּרַבִּי אַפְטוֹרִיקִי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁנִּמְצָא עַל חֶלְבּוֹן שֶׁלָּהּ, אֲבָל נִמְצָא עַל חֶלְמוֹן שֶׁלָּהּ – אֲפִילּוּ בֵּיצָה אֲסוּרָה. מַאי טַעְמָא? דִּשְׁדָא תִּכְלָא בְּכוּלַּהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב גְּבִיהָה מִבֵּי כְתִיל לְרַב אָשֵׁי: אִיפְּכָא תָּנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּאַבָּיֵי, וְאַבָּיֵי הוּא דְּתָרְצַהּ נִיהֲלֵיהּ הָכִי.
Rabbi Yirmeya said: And this applies when the blood is found on its knot, i.e., the place in the albumen where the embryo begins to develop, since this proves that tissue has not developed elsewhere in the egg. And so taught Dostai, father of Rabbi Aptoriki: The Sages taught that one may eat the rest of the egg only when the blood is found on its albumen, i.e., the knot; but if it is found on its yolk, even the rest of the egg is forbidden. What is the reason for this? It is that the decay has spread through all of it. Rav Geviha from Bei Ketil said to Rav Ashi: A tanna taught the opposite before Abaye, that one may eat the rest of the egg only when the blood is found on its yolk, and it is Abaye that corrected it in this manner.
אָמַר חִזְקִיָּה: מִנַּיִן לְבֵיצַת טְמֵאָה שֶׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֶת בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה״, וְכִי בַּת יֵשׁ לָהּ לַיַּעֲנָה? אֶלָּא אֵיזוֹ – זוֹ בֵּיצָה טְמֵאָה. וְדִלְמָא הַיְינוּ שְׁמַיְיהוּ? לָא סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּת עַמִּי לְאַכְזָר כַּיְעֵנִים בַּמִּדְבָּר״.
§ Ḥizkiyya says: From where is it derived that the egg of a non-kosher bird is prohibited by Torah law? As it is stated: “And the daughter [bat] of the ya’ana” (Leviticus 11:16). But does the ya’ana have a daughter whose forbidden status would be different from that of its mother? Both daughter and mother should be included in the same prohibition. Rather, which is this? This is a non-kosher egg. The Gemara challenges: But perhaps this is their name, i.e., the bird is called bat ya’ana. The Gemara responds: This should not enter your mind, as it is written: “The daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ye’enim in the wilderness” (Lamentations 4:3).
וְלָא? וְהָא כְּתִיב: ״אֶעֱשֶׂה מִסְפֵּד כַּתַּנִּים וְאֵבֶל כִּבְנוֹת יַעֲנָה״? כְּיַעֲנָה זוֹ שֶׁמִּתְאַבֶּלֶת עַל בָּנֶיהָ. וְהָא כְּתִיב: ״וְשָׁכְנוּ שָׁם בְּנוֹת יַעֲנָה״? כְּיַעֲנָה זוֹ שֶׁשּׁוֹכֶנֶת עִם בָּנֶיהָ.
The Gemara persists: And is bat ya’ana not its name? But isn’t it written: “I will make a wailing like the jackals, and a mourning like the daughters [benot] of the ya’ana” (Micah 1:8)? The Gemara responds: The verse means: I will make mourning like this ya’ana that mourns for its children. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it written: “And benot ya’ana shall dwell there” (Isaiah 13:21)? The Gemara responds: Here too, the verse means: And they shall dwell there like this ya’ana that dwells with its children.
וְהָכְתִיב: ״תְּכַבְּדֵנִי חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה תַּנִּים וּבְנוֹת יַעֲנָה״, וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ בֵּיצָה, בֵּיצָה בַּת מֵימַר שִׁירָה הִיא? אֶלָּא, כְּתִיב ״הַיַּעֲנָה״, וּכְתִיב ״בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה״.
The Gemara asks: But isn’t it written: “The animals of the field shall honor Me, the jackals and the benot ya’ana” (Isaiah 43:20)? And if it enters your mind that the term bat ya’ana is referring to an egg, can an egg sing a song of praise to God? Rather, one must say: The ya’ana is written, and the bat ya’ana is also written, and both are acceptable names for this bird.
וְשָׁאנֵי הָכָא, דְּפָסֵק סָפְרָא לִשְׁתֵּי תֵּיבוֹת, וּמִדְּפָסֵיק לְהוּ סָפְרָא
And still, the name here is different from those of other animals, in that the scribe splits it into two words: Bat ya’ana, even though it is one species. And from the fact that the scribe splits it
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Ottawa, Canada
I am grateful for the structure of the Daf Yomi. When I am freer to learn to my heart’s content, I learn other passages in addition. But even in times of difficulty, I always know that I can rely on the structure and social support of Daf Yomi learners all over the world.
I am also grateful for this forum. It is very helpful to learn with a group of enthusiastic and committed women.
Beit Shemesh, Israel
It’s hard to believe it has been over two years. Daf yomi has changed my life in so many ways and has been sustaining during this global sea change. Each day means learning something new, digging a little deeper, adding another lens, seeing worlds with new eyes. Daf has also fostered new friendships and deepened childhood connections, as long time friends have unexpectedly become havruta.
Northwest Washington, United States
In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.
Worcester, United States
I decided to learn one masechet, Brachot, but quickly fell in love and never stopped! It has been great, everyone is always asking how it’s going and chering me on, and my students are always making sure I did the day’s daf.
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Palo Alto, CA, United States
When I began the previous cycle, I promised myself that if I stuck with it, I would reward myself with a trip to Israel. Little did I know that the trip would involve attending the first ever women’s siyum and being inspired by so many learners. I am now over 2 years into my second cycle and being part of this large, diverse, fascinating learning family has enhanced my learning exponentially.
Minnesota, United States
I had dreamed of doing daf yomi since I had my first serious Talmud class 18 years ago at Pardes with Rahel Berkovitz, and then a couple of summers with Leah Rosenthal. There is no way I would be able to do it without another wonderful teacher, Michelle, and the Hadran organization. I wake up and am excited to start each day with the next daf.
Irvine, United States
I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!
Borehamwood, United Kingdom
Berlin, Germany
Chullin 64
עוּבְּרֵי דָּגִים.
fish embryos, i.e., fish eggs found in the fish’s innards.
וְתַנְיָא גַּבֵּי בֵיצִים: אֵלּוּ הֵן סִימָנֵי בֵיצִים – כָּל שֶׁכּוֹדֶרֶת וַעֲגוּלְגּוֹלֶת, רֹאשָׁהּ אֶחָד כַּד וְרֹאשָׁהּ אֶחָד חַד – טְהוֹרָה, שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ כַּדִּין אוֹ שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ חַדִּין – טְמֵאִין. חֶלְבּוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְמוֹן מִבִּפְנִים – טְהוֹרָה, חֶלְמוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְבּוֹן מִבְּפָנִים – טְמֵאָה, חֶלְמוֹן וְחֶלְבּוֹן מְעוֹרָבִין זֶה בָּזֶה – בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁהִיא בֵּיצַת הַשֶּׁרֶץ.
The Gemara continues: And it is taught in a baraita about eggs that these are the signs of bird eggs: Any egg that narrows at the top and is rounded, so that one of its ends is rounded and the other one of its ends is pointed, is kosher. If both of its ends are rounded or both of its ends are pointed, they are non-kosher. If the albumen is on the outside and the yolk on the inside, it is kosher. If the yolk is on the outside and the albumen on the inside, it is non-kosher. If the yolk and albumen are mixed with each other, it is certainly the egg of a creeping animal. Therefore, if it is possible to recognize a kosher egg by these signs, there is no need to rely on the gentile.
לָא צְרִיכָא, דַּחֲתוּכוֹת. וְלִיבְדּוֹק בְּחֶלְמוֹן וְחֶלְבּוֹן? בִּטְרוּפוֹת בִּקְעָרָה.
The Gemara responds: No, it is necessary if the eggs have already been cut and one cannot know their original shape. The Gemara challenges: But let him inspect the yolk and the albumen, to see which is inside and which is outside. The Gemara responds: The baraita deals with a case where the eggs are mixed in a bowl, and it is impossible to discern this.
וּכְהַאי גַּוְונָא מִי זָבְנִינַן מִינַּיְיהוּ? וְהָא תַּנְיָא: אֵין מוֹכְרִין בֵּיצַת טְרֵפָה לְגוֹי, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן טְרוּפָה בִּקְעָרָה; לְפִיכָךְ אֵין לוֹקְחִין מֵהֶם בֵּיצִים טְרוּפוֹת בִּקְעָרָה.
The Gemara counters: But in a case like this, where the eggs are mixed, may we buy eggs from them? Isn’t it taught in another baraita: One may sell the egg of a tereifa bird to a gentile only if it is mixed in a bowl; therefore, one may not buy eggs mixed in a bowl from them, because they may be from tereifot? If so, it cannot be that the baraita deals with a case where they are mixed, and one should be able to inspect the yolk and albumen.
אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: סִימָנִין לָאו דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא, דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, הָא דְּאָמַר רַב אַסִּי: שְׁמֹנָה סְפֵיקוֹת הֵן – לִיבְדּוֹק בְּבֵיצִים דִּידְהוּ! אֶלָּא שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: סִימָנִין לָאו דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא.
Rather, Rabbi Zeira said: The signs of a kosher egg are not valid by Torah law. As, if you do not say so, one encounters difficulty with that which Rav Asi says: There are eight birds whose kosher status is uncertain. Why is there uncertainty? Let one inspect their eggs for the signs listed in the baraita to determine whether they are kosher. Rather, learn from it that the signs are not valid by Torah law and one may not rely on them.
אֶלָּא לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא קָתָנֵי לַהּ? הָכִי קָאָמַר: שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ כַּדִּין, אוֹ שְׁנֵי רָאשֶׁיהָ חַדִּין, אוֹ חֶלְמוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְבּוֹן מִבִּפְנִים – וַדַּאי טְמֵאָה. רֵישֵׁיהּ חַד חַד, רֵישֵׁיהּ חַד כַּד, וְחֶלְבּוֹן מִבַּחוּץ וְחֶלְמוֹן מִבִּפְנִים, וְאָמַר לָךְ שֶׁל עוֹף פְּלוֹנִי וְטָהוֹר הוּא – סְמוֹךְ עֲלֵיהּ. בִּסְתָמָא – לָא תִּסְמוֹךְ עֲלֵיהּ, דְּאִיכָּא דְּעוֹרְבָא דְּדָמֵי לִדְיוֹנָה.
The Gemara asks: But if one may not rely on these signs, with regard to what halakha is the baraita teaching them? The Gemara responds: This is what the baraita is saying: If both of its ends are rounded, or both its ends are pointed, or the yolk is on the outside and the albumen is on the inside, it is certainly non-kosher. But if one of its ends is pointed and one of its ends is rounded, and the albumen is on the outside and the yolk on the inside, and the gentile says to you that it is from such and such bird, and that bird is kosher, rely on the signs. But if he offers no specification of the type of bird, or if one simply finds eggs with these signs, do not rely on them, since there are crow’s eggs that resemble those of a pigeon.
אָמַר מָר: חֶלְבּוֹן וְחֶלְמוֹן מְעוֹרָבִין זֶה בָּזֶה – בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁהִיא בֵּיצַת הַשֶּׁרֶץ. לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא? אָמַר רַב עוּקְבָא בַּר חָמָא: לוֹמַר שֶׁאִם רִיקְּמָה וְנִיקְּבָה בְּכַעֲדָשָׁה – מְטַמֵּא.
The Gemara analyzes the baraita: The Master said: If the albumen and yolk are mixed with each other, it is certainly the egg of a creeping animal and not of a non-kosher bird. The Gemara asks: For what halakha is this information necessary? Either way, the egg is forbidden. Rav Ukva bar Ḥama said: The baraita means to say that if tissue of an embryo developed [rikema] inside it and it was perforated, and one touched it, it transmits ritual impurity provided that the embryo is at least the size of a lentil-bulk, because the carcass of a creeping animal of this size is a source of ritual impurity.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רָבִינָא: וְדִלְמָא דְּנָחָשׁ הִיא? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: שֶׁאִם רִיקְּמָה וְאָכְלָה – לוֹקֶה עָלֶיהָ מִשּׁוּם ״שֶׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ״.
Ravina objects to this: But perhaps it is the egg of a snake, whose carcass does not transmit ritual impurity, even though the albumen and yolk of its eggs are mixed together. Rather, Rava said: The baraita does not teach about ritual impurity, but rather that if tissue of an embryo developed inside the egg and one ate it, he is flogged on its account, due to the prohibition: “And every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth is a detestable thing; it shall not be eaten” (Leviticus 11:41).
אִי הָכִי, מַאי אִירְיָא דִּטְמֵאָה? אֲפִילּוּ דִּטְהוֹרָה נָמֵי! דְּתַנְיָא: ״כׇּל הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ״ –
The Gemara asks: If so, why specifically mention the egg of a non-kosher creeping animal? The same would apply even for one who eats the embryo of a kosher bird as well. In either case, one is flogged, as it is taught in a baraita that the verse: “Every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth,”
לְרַבּוֹת אֶפְרוֹחִים שֶׁלֹּא נִפְתְּחוּ עֵינֵיהֶם! מִדְּרַבָּנַן, וּקְרָא אַסְמַכְתָּא בְּעָלְמָא.
serves to include chicks of pigeons whose eyes have not yet opened in the prohibition against consuming swarming things. The Gemara responds: This prohibition is by rabbinic law, and the verse cited is a mere support for it. One who eats the embryo of a kosher bird is not liable to receive lashes.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: גִּיעוּלֵי בֵּיצִים מוּתָּרוֹת, בֵּיצִים מוּזָרוֹת – נֶפֶשׁ יָפָה תֹּאכְלֵם, נִמְצָא עָלֶיהָ קוֹרֶט דָּם – זוֹרֵק אֶת הַדָּם וְאוֹכֵל אֶת הַשְּׁאָר.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita: Kosher eggs that have been boiled with non-kosher eggs are permitted. Unfertilized eggs are permitted, and one of strong constitution may eat them, even if the hen has sat on them for a long period of time. If a drop [koret] of blood is found on it, one discards the blood, which is the first stage of an embryo’s development, and eats the rest.
אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: וְהוּא שֶׁנִּמְצָא עַל קֶשֶׁר שֶׁלָּהּ. תָּנֵי דּוֹסְתַּאי אֲבוּהּ דְּרַבִּי אַפְטוֹרִיקִי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁנִּמְצָא עַל חֶלְבּוֹן שֶׁלָּהּ, אֲבָל נִמְצָא עַל חֶלְמוֹן שֶׁלָּהּ – אֲפִילּוּ בֵּיצָה אֲסוּרָה. מַאי טַעְמָא? דִּשְׁדָא תִּכְלָא בְּכוּלַּהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב גְּבִיהָה מִבֵּי כְתִיל לְרַב אָשֵׁי: אִיפְּכָא תָּנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּאַבָּיֵי, וְאַבָּיֵי הוּא דְּתָרְצַהּ נִיהֲלֵיהּ הָכִי.
Rabbi Yirmeya said: And this applies when the blood is found on its knot, i.e., the place in the albumen where the embryo begins to develop, since this proves that tissue has not developed elsewhere in the egg. And so taught Dostai, father of Rabbi Aptoriki: The Sages taught that one may eat the rest of the egg only when the blood is found on its albumen, i.e., the knot; but if it is found on its yolk, even the rest of the egg is forbidden. What is the reason for this? It is that the decay has spread through all of it. Rav Geviha from Bei Ketil said to Rav Ashi: A tanna taught the opposite before Abaye, that one may eat the rest of the egg only when the blood is found on its yolk, and it is Abaye that corrected it in this manner.
אָמַר חִזְקִיָּה: מִנַּיִן לְבֵיצַת טְמֵאָה שֶׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֶת בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה״, וְכִי בַּת יֵשׁ לָהּ לַיַּעֲנָה? אֶלָּא אֵיזוֹ – זוֹ בֵּיצָה טְמֵאָה. וְדִלְמָא הַיְינוּ שְׁמַיְיהוּ? לָא סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּת עַמִּי לְאַכְזָר כַּיְעֵנִים בַּמִּדְבָּר״.
§ Ḥizkiyya says: From where is it derived that the egg of a non-kosher bird is prohibited by Torah law? As it is stated: “And the daughter [bat] of the ya’ana” (Leviticus 11:16). But does the ya’ana have a daughter whose forbidden status would be different from that of its mother? Both daughter and mother should be included in the same prohibition. Rather, which is this? This is a non-kosher egg. The Gemara challenges: But perhaps this is their name, i.e., the bird is called bat ya’ana. The Gemara responds: This should not enter your mind, as it is written: “The daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ye’enim in the wilderness” (Lamentations 4:3).
וְלָא? וְהָא כְּתִיב: ״אֶעֱשֶׂה מִסְפֵּד כַּתַּנִּים וְאֵבֶל כִּבְנוֹת יַעֲנָה״? כְּיַעֲנָה זוֹ שֶׁמִּתְאַבֶּלֶת עַל בָּנֶיהָ. וְהָא כְּתִיב: ״וְשָׁכְנוּ שָׁם בְּנוֹת יַעֲנָה״? כְּיַעֲנָה זוֹ שֶׁשּׁוֹכֶנֶת עִם בָּנֶיהָ.
The Gemara persists: And is bat ya’ana not its name? But isn’t it written: “I will make a wailing like the jackals, and a mourning like the daughters [benot] of the ya’ana” (Micah 1:8)? The Gemara responds: The verse means: I will make mourning like this ya’ana that mourns for its children. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it written: “And benot ya’ana shall dwell there” (Isaiah 13:21)? The Gemara responds: Here too, the verse means: And they shall dwell there like this ya’ana that dwells with its children.
וְהָכְתִיב: ״תְּכַבְּדֵנִי חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה תַּנִּים וּבְנוֹת יַעֲנָה״, וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ בֵּיצָה, בֵּיצָה בַּת מֵימַר שִׁירָה הִיא? אֶלָּא, כְּתִיב ״הַיַּעֲנָה״, וּכְתִיב ״בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה״.
The Gemara asks: But isn’t it written: “The animals of the field shall honor Me, the jackals and the benot ya’ana” (Isaiah 43:20)? And if it enters your mind that the term bat ya’ana is referring to an egg, can an egg sing a song of praise to God? Rather, one must say: The ya’ana is written, and the bat ya’ana is also written, and both are acceptable names for this bird.
וְשָׁאנֵי הָכָא, דְּפָסֵק סָפְרָא לִשְׁתֵּי תֵּיבוֹת, וּמִדְּפָסֵיק לְהוּ סָפְרָא
And still, the name here is different from those of other animals, in that the scribe splits it into two words: Bat ya’ana, even though it is one species. And from the fact that the scribe splits it
