Siman - Beitzah Daf 11
- If there are no other birds in the vicinity
The Mishnah on Daf 10b stated that if the doves were inside the pigeonhole when one designated them before Yom Tov, but the only doves he found on Yom Tov were on the ledge in front of the pigeonhole, they are prohibited. ואם אין שם אלא הם הרי אלו מותרים – However, if before Yom Tov there were no birds there (in the vicinity of the dovecote) except these, then they are permitted. The Gemara asks what the circumstances of the last case were. If the doves could fly, then maybe they flew away, and others came. If they could only hop, then if there was a pigeonhole within fifty amos, they could hop there. If there was not a pigeonhole within fifty amos then it is obvious they are permitted, since any bird that is too young to fly, does not hop more than fifty amos from its nest. The Gemara answers that the Mishnah refers to a case where there is another pigeonhole within fifty amos וכגון דקיימא בקרן זוית – however, it is located on the other side of the corner of the building. The Mishnah is coming to teach that a young bird will only continue to hop as long as it can turn around and see its pigeonhole.
- The difference between spreading hides and spreading cheilev
The next Mishnah states: Beis Shammai say: אין נותנין את העור לפני הדורסן – One may not place an animal hide where it will be trampled on, and one may not even pick it up unless there is a kezayis of meat on it. ובית הלל מתירין – but Beis Hillel permit these activities. Rashi on Daf 10a explained that Beis Hillel is lenient for שמחת יום טוב, for if people were not allowed to move the hide and put it where it will be trampled on, one might refrain from shechting an animal on Yom Tov for fear that its hide will spoil. The Gemara here asks why spreading cheilev over pegs on Yom Tov to prevent the cheilev from spoiling is prohibited on Yom Tov, given that the same concern applies. If people are not permitted to spread the pieces of cheilev and expose them to air, they might refrain from shechting on Yom Tov for fear the cheilev will spoil? The Gemara answers that in the case of the hide, it is not evident that it was spread out for tanning, because it is fit for sitting on. People will assume the Rabbanon permitted it for sitting. But in the case of the cheilev, people will say spreading it out was to prevent spoilage. “What difference does it make if I salt it or spread it out!”, and they will come to salt cheilev on Yom Tov, which is a d’Oraysa prohibition.
- שלשה דברים התירו סופן משום תחלתן
Ulla said: שלשה דברים התירו סופן משום תחלתן – There are three cases in which the Rabbanon permitted their final phase on account of their initial phase; meaning the final phase was permitted because of the apprehension that if it is forbidden people might refrain from engaging in the initial phase. Rashi explains that in most of these cases the final phase serves no direct Yom Tov related purpose, yet it is permitted so that people will not refrain from the initial phase. The first cases is עור לפני הדורסן – Placing a hide where it will be trampled on. If people are not allowed to spread a hide (“final phase”) they will not shecht (“initial phase”). The second case is replacing shutters of vendor’s stalls. If vendors have to leave their shutters open the entire day, they will be reluctant to remove the shutters in the first place for people to purchase their needs for the Yom Tov meal. The third case is the replacement of a dressing on the wound of a Kohen in the Temple on Yom Tov. If the Kohen is prohibited from replacing the bandage, he might choose to keep it on and refrain from performing the avodah.
