1)

LEAVING PRODUCE FROM WHICH TO TAKE TITHES [line 7]

(a)

(Mishnah): If one designated produce or money, intending that he can declare some of this produce (or money) to be Terumah or Ma'aser (or the redemption of Ma'aser Sheni) when he wants, he may do so. He may assume that the fruit or money is intact.

(b)

R. Elazar says, if he finds that the fruit or money was lost, he must be concerned for 24 hours (if he relied on it to tithe or redeem produce or Ma'aser Sheni, perhaps the fruit or money was already lost, and the tithing or redemption was invalid).

(c)

R. Yehudah says, we must check wine (from which we want to declare tithes) at three times to ensure that it has not spoiled - when the east wind blows after Sukos; when unripe grapes appear on the vines; when unripe grapes start filling up with liquid.

(d)

(Gemara) Question: For which 24 hours (are we concerned)?

(e)

Answer #1 (R. Yochanan): We are concerned for the last 24 hours before checking and finding that the fruit or money was lost.

(f)

Answer #2 (R. Elazar ben Antigonus): For the 24 hours after designating the fruit or money (we assume that it was intact. After that, we are in doubt.)

31b----------------------------------------31b

(g)

Question (Mishnah - R. Elazar): If he finds that the fruit or money was lost, he must be concerned for 24 hours.

1.

This is like the opinion that we are concerned for the last 24 hours.

2.

According to R. Elazar ben Antigonus, it should say that we are concerned until 24 hours after designation!

3.

This is left difficult.

(h)

(Mishnah): This is the opinion of R. Elazar (ben Shamu'a).

(i)

(R. Elazar (ben Pedas)): Chachamim argue with R. Elazar.

1.

(Mishnah): If a Mikveh was measured and found to be deficient, any food that touched people or Kelim that immersed in the Mikveh is retroactively Tamei.

2.

This is whether it is in a public or private domain.

(j)

Question: It is clear from the Mishnah that Chachamim argue! Why did R. Elazar need to teach this?

(k)

Answer: One might have thought that Chachamim meant that the foods are retroactively Tamei for 24 hours. R. Elazar teaches that this is not so.

(l)

(Mishnah - R. Yehudah): At three times we check...

(m)

(Beraisa): (The Mishnah discusses) when the east wind blows after Sukos, i.e. after the autumn equinox.

(n)

(Beraisa - R. Yehudah): We sell grain at three times: before seeding, at the time of seeding, and in the two weeks before Pesach;

1.

We sell wine at three times - in the two weeks before Pesach, in the two weeks before Shavu'os, and in the two weeks before Sukos.

2.

We sell oil after Shavu'os.

(o)

Question: For what law is this relevant?

(p)

Answer (Rava): This is for partnerships (one partner may sell at these times, even if the other partner does not want to).

(q)

Question: After the last time, when are they sold?

(r)

Answer (Rava): They are sold at any time.

2)

THE WINDS [line 19]

(a)

Question: What is the meaning of "an east wind Charishis"?

(b)

Answer (Rav Yehudah): When the east wind blows, it makes furrows in the water (from the word Charishah (plowing)).

(c)

Objection (Rava): This does not explain "the sun shone intensely on Yonah's head and he grew faint"!

(d)

Answer #2 (Rava): When the east wind blows, it is Macharish (silences) all the other winds (negates their cooling effects).

(e)

Support (Rav Tachlifa bar Rav Chisda): "Your clothing is warm, when the land is silent from the south" - your clothing is warm when the south wind has been silenced.

1.

The east wind silences the other winds.

(f)

Rav Huna and Rav Chisda were sitting; Geneiva passed by. One of them suggested rising to honor him, for he is learned.

1.

The other: Should we stand up for one who instigates arguments?!

(g)

(Geneiva): Four winds blow every day. The north wind accompanies all of them. If not for the north wind, the world could not endure at all.

1.

The south wind is the harshest. An angel called 'Netz' restrains it. If not, it would destroy the entire world!

(h)

(Rav): The east wind can make a woman miscarry.

(i)

(Shmuel): It even causes pearls in the sea to rot.

(j)

(R. Yochanan): It even causes semen in the womb to spoil.

(k)

(Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak): All three opinions learned from "it is Yafri (this will be explained) between brothers; an east wind of Hash-m arises from the wilderness and dries up the source..."

1.

"It dries up the source" refers to the womb;

2.

"It destroys his spring" refers to semen in the womb;

3.

"It despoils a storehouse of cherished Kelim" refers to pearls of the sea.

(l)

Question: What is the meaning of "it is Yafri"?

(m)

Answer #1 (Rava): Even the handle of a shovel Rafya (becomes soft, in the east wind).