Beitzah
Beitza 2: Protecting the Neglected
The Rambam, in discussing the prohibition of ba’al toseef (Devarim 4:2), the prohibition of adding to the Torah rules, said that one violates this Biblical law by claiming a rabbinic law is biblical in origin (Mamrim 2:9). The Torah gives the Sages the right and obligation to ensure the relevance of Torah to each generation by making “amendments”; gezerot, protective fences; takanot, social...
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Some Opening Thoughts on Masechet Beitza
“An egg that was laid on Yom Tov: Beit Shammai says it may be eaten, and Beit Hillel says it may not be eaten”. For six pages, the Gemara discusses this poor little egg. The issues go far beyond an analysis of this debate—at least four reasons are given to explain Beit Hillel’s view—or a discussion of whether we are dealing with a hen raised for slaughter or egg production. This little egg is the springboard for...
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