Shiur 11/06/18 Beitza 39a (2)

BS”D

Beitza 39a (2)

1- Carrying a flame on Shabbos is Potur.

How can one ‘carry a flame’ without it being attached to a match or coal?

Image result for flame

The Gemara suggests that it can be done by ‘blowing on the flame causing it to move from a Reshus HaYochid to a Reshus HoRabim’.

Image result for blowing fire

2- We spoke briefly about the argument in Bava Kama (22a) concerning the idea of fire as it pertains to paying damages.

אשו משום חיציו או משום ממונו,

Meaning that if someone ignites a fire and it travels into his neighbor’s property he is obviously required to pay. The question is the basis of his obligation: Is it like an arrow that one shoots and causes damages or is it like his ox that gores someone.

An arrow is directly associated with the shooter. An extension of his hand. One would thus be liable for נזק, צער, ריפוי, שבת, ובושת.

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On the other hand an ox causing damage is one step removed from his owner and he would not be liable for all the above.

See this discussion.

3- We mentioned that although our Gemara says that using a flame from  הקדש is not considered מעילה, nevertheless some say that the flame of the מזבח is indeed considered דבר שיש בו ממש.  Yuma 21,b. Tosfos Nedorim 10,b.

Image result for flame on the altar in temple

Stay tuned…more on using a flame of עבודה זרה next week. 

4- Moving on to water…

We mentioned the Halachah that one needs to make a ברכה on water only when thirsty. Water used to swallow medicine does not require a Brachah.

 

 

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When making an Eiruv ( תחומין או חצרות) one cannot use water as a ‘food’ since water, although crucial for survival, it is not considered something that nurtures the body. Ditto for salt.

5- We spoke about the Yerushalmi (Eiruvin 3,1) that states that water or salt cannot be used since ‘they are cursed’! Water from the מבול and salt from סדום.

Image result for lots wife salt

Mentioned that Reb Yosef Engel writes about this. Berochos 44,a.

Story of the visitor to Reb Yosef: His wife tells the guest that Reb Yosef is sleeping. He pleaded with her to allow him to enter the bedroom ‘just to look at his face’. He noticed that despite Reb Yosef being asleep he was moving his hand and thumb  as if trying to explain a difficult concept!

Expressing amazement to his wife she replied: You mean to tell me that not all men do this…?

6- Speaking of water we mentioned the opinion of the הלכות קטנות that drinking water on Yom Kippur may not be an Issur כרת since it has no nutritional value. This is of course a minority opinion. See Tiferes Yisroel, Yuma 8, 1.

7- A few weeks ago we mentioned the port of Salonika which prior to WW2 was closed on Shabbos!

See here an interesting article about the Jews of this ancient city.

 

 

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