Siman - Shabbos 50

• Wool shearings used for insulation

The Mishnah stated that one may insulate with גיזי צמר, wool shearings, but they cannot be moved. Rashi explains that wool shearings are typically reserved to be made into thread and therefore are muktzeh.

It was said in the name of Rebbe that the wool shearings are not permitted to be moved if they were not dedicated to being used for insulation. But if they were dedicated for use as insulation, they would no longer be deemed muktzeh, and one would be permitted to move them.

• Releasing hardened date palm branches from muktzeh status

There is a three-way machlokes Amoraim regarding one who harvested חריות של דקל, hardened date palm branches, for firewood, which are muktzeh, and then changed his mind and decided to use them for sitting on (i.e.a non-muktzeh designation).

What is required to release the branches from their muktzeh status prior to Shabbos?

• Rav says  קושר– He must ties them into bundles, intent alone is not enough.

• Shmuel says חושב– He must intend to sit upon them. He does not require a physical action.

• Rav Asssi says יושב – He sits on them erev Shabbos even though he does not tie them or consciously intend to sit on them on Shabbos.

• Barda

Ameimar, Mar Zutra and Rav Ashi were sitting together one Shabbos and were brought barda, a mixture containing one-third aloes, one-third myrtle and one-third violets. Ameimar and Rav Ashi washed with it but Mar Zutra did not.

Rav Mordechai explained that Mar Zutra holds that even during the week one is not permitted to wash with it since he agrees with what was taught in a Baraisa that a man may scrape crusts of filth and crusts of a wound because of discomfort but it is forbidden to do so if it to beautify himself.

- Rashi explains that he would be transgressing the prohibition of לא ילבש איש שמלת אשה – A man should not wear a feminine garment.

Ameimar and Rav Ashi washed with it because they held of what was taught in a Baraisa that a person should wash his face, hands and feet each day in honor of his Creator.

Rashi explains the Baraisa means that it is an honor to one’s Creator due to the fact that a person was created in Hashem’s image. Furthermore, one who sees beautiful creatures will come to bless Hashem.