Mishnah 1
Hear the Mishnah

1)

(a)The Mishnah opens with 'Or le'Arba'ah-Asar Bodkin es ha'Chametz le'Or ha'Ner'. What does 'Or le'Arba'ah-Asar mean?

(b)Why does the Tana not simply say 'Leil Arba'ah-Asar'?

(c)Some commentaries give the reason for the Mitzvah so as to avoid transgressing 'Bal Yera'eh u'Bal Yimatzei on Pesach. Why ought the search for Chametz then not be necessary?

(d)Why did the Chachamim nevertheless institute it?

1)

(a)The Mishnah opens with 'Or le'Arba'ah-Asar Bodkin es ha'Chametz le'Or ha'Ner', which means - on the eve of the fourteenth (of Nisan).

(b)The Tana does not simply say 'Leil Arba'ah-Asar' - because on a deeper level, 'Or' is a more refined Lashon than 'Leil'.

(c)Some commentaries give the reason for the Mitzvah so as to avoid transgressing 'Bal Yera'eh u'Bal Yimatzei on Pesach, in spite of which the search for Chametz should not be necessary - since min ha'Torah, Bitul (nullifying) the Chametz will suffice.

(d)Nevertheless the Chachamim instituted it - in case one finds a nice loaf or cake on Pesach and retracts one's Bitul, in which case, one will transgresses the La'avin of 'Bal Yera'eh' and 'Bal Yimatzei'.

2)

(a)What reason do other commentaries give for the institution of Bedikas Chametz?

(b)Why did the Chachamim not institute a similar Mitzvah with regard to other forbidden foods?

(c)The Chachamim based searching with a lamp on two basic D'rashos. What did they learn from ...

1. ... the 'Gezeirah-Shavah' "Yimatzei" ("Se'or Lo Yimatzei ... ") "Yimatzei" ("Vayimatzei ha'Gavi'a" [in connection with Binyamin and Yosef's cup])?

2. ... "Ner Hash-m Nishmas Adam, Chofeis Kol Chadrei Baten"?

(d)Why did Chazal institute Bedikas Chametz specifically by night?

(e)What if somebody did not manage to search by night, and searches on Erev Pesach in the morning?

2)

(a)Other commentaries ascribe the institution of Bedikas Chametz - to the fear that one may find Chametz on Pesach and to eat it.

(b)The Chachamim did not institute a similar Mitzvah with regard to other forbidden foods - since one is not Generally) accustomed to seeing them all the year round (as is the case with Chametz).

(c)The Chachamim based searching with a lamp on two basic D'rashos. They learned from ...

1. ... the 'Gezeirah-Shavah' "Yimatzei" ("Se'or Lo Yimatzei ... ") "Yimatzei" ("Vayimatzei ha'Gavi'a" [in connection with Binyamin and Yosef's cup]) - that just as what they found there was through searching, so too here, one finds the Chametz through searching.

2. ... "Ner Hash-m Nishmas Adam, Chofeis Kol Chadrei Baten" - that the search must take place using a lamp.

(d)Chazal instituted Bedikas Chametz specifically by night - because that is when the light of a lamp is effective.

(e)If somebody who did not manage to search by night, and searches on Erev Pesach in the morning - he is nevertheless obligated to search by the light of a lamp (because of 'Lo P'lug' [Chazal did not differentiate between one situation and another]).

3)

(a)What sort of location does the Mishnah exempt from Bedikas Chametz?

(b)Then how will we explain the obligation to search include two rows in a wine-cellar?

3)

(a)The Mishnah exempts from Bedikas Chametz - any location where one does not tend to bring Chametz ...

(b)And when they included two rows of a wine-cellar in the obligation - they were referring to a wine-cellar where Chametz Is sometimes taken (e.g. wheRE the servant sometimes enterS in the middle of a meal to fill a flask of wine, bread in hand).

4)

(a)How were the barrels in a wine-cellar stacked?

(b)According to Beis Shamai, two rows means 'on the surface of the entire wine-cellar. What do they mean by that?

(c)What is a 'Gam Yevanis'?

(d)What do Beis Hillel say?

4)

(a)The barrels in a wine-cellar were stacked - row upon row from floor to ceiling.

(b)According to Beis Shamai, two rows means 'on the surface of the entire wine-cellar, by which they mean the entire front and the entire top (like a Greek 'Gama' ...

(c)... (Gam Yevanis) - which is shaped like a final 'Chaf'.

(d)According to Beis Hillel - one is obligated to search the two top outer rows only (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

Mishnah 2
Hear the Mishnah

5)

(a)The Mishnah states that we are not concerned that perhaps a weasel carried Chametz from one corner to another or from one house to another. What if we were?

(b)Bearing in mind the strong possibility that a weasel has carried Chametz from one house to another in the same Chatzer, why did Chazal not obligate us to do so?

5)

(a)The Mishnah states that we are not concerned that perhaps a weasel carried Chametz from one corner to another or from one house to another. Otherwise - we would be obligated to search all the rooms in the house and all the houses in the Chatzer simultaneously.

(b)Bearing in mind the strong possibility that a weasel has carried Chametz from one house to another in the same Chatzer, Chazal did not obligate us to do so - because then, by the same token, we would have to also search all the Chatzeiros in the town and all the cities in the vicinity (in case a weasel carried Chametz from one to the other).

Mishnah 3
Hear the Mishnah

6)

(a)Which one of two time periods does Rebbi Yehudah obligate someone who did not manage to search on the night of the fourteenth, to still do so?

(b)Why does he forbid searching after that.

(c)The Chachamim hold that he remains obligated be'Toch ha'Mo'ed and even le'Achar ha'Mo'ed. If 'be'Toch ha'Mo'ed' means until the sixth hour (which is the time that one is obligated to destroy Chametz min ha'Torah), what does 'le'Achar ha'Mo'ed' incorporate?

6)

(a)Rebbi Yehudah obligate someone who did not manage to search on the night of the fourteenth, to still do so - on the morning of the fourteenth and when the time of Bi'ur Chametz arrives (during the sixth hour).

(b)He forbids searching after that - in case one comes to eat it.

(c)The Chachamim hold that he remains obligated be'Toch ha'Mo'ed - (during the sixth hour) and even le'Achar ha'Mo'ed - (from after the sixth hour until nightfall).

7)

(a)According to those who interpret 'be'Toch ha'Mo'ed' as during Yom-Tov, what does 'le'Achar ha'Mo'ed' then mean?

(b)What is the reason for this?

(c)Why are the Chachamim not worried (like Rebbi Yehudah is) that someone who searches for Chametz after the time of Isur, may come to eat it?

(d)Like whom is the Halachah?

7)

(a)According to those who interpret 'be'Toch ha'Mo'ed' as during Yom-Tov, 'le'Achar ha'Mo'ed' then means - even after Pesach (See Tos. Yom-Tov).

(b)The reason for this is - in case some Chametz she'Avar alav ha'Pesach (which is Asur be'Hana'ah) becomes mixed up with Chametz that was made after Pesach, and one eats it. (It is not clear why we need to come on to the mixture, and not just in case one finds Chametz she'Avar alav ha'Pesach and eats it.)

(c)The Chachamim are not worried (like Rebbi Yehudah is) that someone who searches for Chametz after the time of Isur, may come to eat it - because, since he is searching for it in order to burn it, he is unlikely to eat it.

(d)The Halachah is - like the Chachamim.

8)

(a)What should one do with the Chametz that one finds on the night of the fourteenth?

(b)Why is that?

8)

(a)The Chametz that one finds on the night of the fourteenth - one places in a discreet place ...

(b)... out of reach of children and weasels (see Tiferes Yisrael).

Mishnah 4
Hear the Mishnah

9)

(a)Rebbi Meir permits eating Chametz up to the end of the fifth hour of Erev Pesach. When must one then burn whatever is left?

(b)Rebbi Yehudah agrees with Rebbi Meir with regard to the latter ruling. What does he say about the former?

(c)What is the reason for this stringency?

(d)What does he nevertheless permit during that period?

9)

(a)Rebbi Meir permits eating Chametz up to the end of the fifth hour of Erev Pesach. One then burns what is left - at the beginning of the sixth hour.

(b)Rebbi Yehudah agrees with Rebbi Meir with regard to the latter ruling. With regard to the former however - he forbids eating it already from the beginning of the fifth hour ...

(c)... due to a cloudy day, when one may think that the seventh hour (when one is forbidden to eat Chametz min ha'Torah) is actually the fifth hour, and eat the Chametz.

(d)He nevertheless permits - feeding one's animals (i.e. deriving benefit from it) during that period (See Tiferes Yisrael).

10)

(a)What is the status of the sixth hour, according to both opinions?

(b)Like whom is the Halachah?

10)

(a)The status of the sixth hour, according to both opinions - is 'Asur be'Hana'ah mi'de'Rabbanan'.

(b)The Halachah is - like Rebbi Yehudah.

Mishnah 5
Hear the Mishnah

11)

(a)What did Rebbi Yehudah say further about two Pasul Chalos Todah? Where were they placed?

(b)What is the significance of Chalos Todah? Why was this likely to happen on the thirteenth of Nisan?

(c)How did the Loaves become Pasul?

(d)Why could they not bring the Korban Todah on the fourteenth?

11)

(a)Rebbi Yehudah says further - that they used to place two Pasul Chalos Todah on the roof of an Itztaba (a covered seating area) on the Har ha'Bayis.

(b)Chalos Todah - because, since everybody brought their Nedarim and Nedavos before Yom-Tov, there would be an abundance of such loaves ...

(c)... some of which were bound to have become Pasul be'Linah.

(d)They could not bring the Korban Todah on the fourteenth - because seeing as the loaves cannot be eaten after the time of Isur Chametz, we apply the principle 'That it is forbidden to curtail the time that one may eat a Korban so as not to bring it to the Beis ha'Pesul' (i.e. to cause it to be burnt).

12)

(a)When did a Shali'ach Beis-Din remove one of the Loaves? What did the removal signify?

(b)How did the people then know that the time to burn the Chametz had arrived?

(c)Raban Gamliel makes a compromise between Rebbi Meir and Rebbi Yehudah with regard to the fifth hour. When does he agree with ...

1. ... Rebbi Yehudah?

2. ... Rebbi Meir?

(d)On what grounds is he more lenient with Terumah than with Chulin?

(e)Like whom is the Halachah?

12)

(a)A Shali'ach Beis-Din removed one of the Loaves - at the beginning of the fifth hour (a sign that the people must stop eating Chametz immediately).

(b)And they knew that the time to burn the Chametz had arrived, when - exactly one hour later, the Shali'ach came and removed the second Loaf.

(c)Raban Gamliel makes a compromise between Rebbi Meir and Rebbi Yehudah regarding to the fifth hour. He agrees with ...

1. ... Rebbi Yehudah - with regard to Chulin., and with ...

2. ... Rebbi Meir - with regard to Terumah ...

(d)... with which he is more lenient than with Chulin - due to the prohibition of destroying Terumah as long as it is possible to eat it.

(e)The Halachah is - like Rebbi Yehudah (even regarding Terumah).

Mishnah 6
Hear the Mishnah

13)

(a)What does Rebbi Chanina S'gan ha'Kohanim say about burning Basar that became Tamei through a V'lad ha'Tum'ah together with Basar that became Tamei through an Av ha'Tum'ah?

(b)Why does the Tana insert this Mishnah here?

(c)What does Rebbi Chanina mean by 'V'lad ha'Tum'ah'?

13)

(a)Rebbi Chanina S'gan ha'Kohanim - permits burning Basar that became Tamei through a V'lad ha'Tum'ah together with Basar that became Tamei through an Av ha'Tum'ah.

(b)The Tana inserts this Mishnah here - because the concludes with a dispute as to whether one may to burn Terumah Tehorah together with Terumah Tehorah on Erev Pesach.

(c)By 'V'lad ha'Tum'ah', Rebbi Chanina means - V'lad shel V'lad, a Sheini (i.e. Basar that became Tamei via a Sheini le'Tum'ah and which is therefore a Sh'lishi).

14)

(a)What is the Chidush in the above case? Why would we otherwise have thought that what they did was forbidden?

(b)Why did they in fact, permit it?

(c)Since when does one food render another food Tamei?

(d)So what has the Chachamim's concession finally achieved?

14)

(a)The Chidush in the above case is - that it is permitted, despite the fact that one is turning a Sh'lishi le'Tum'ah into a Sheini.

(b)They in fact, permitted it - because, since it has to be burned anyway, they were not particular about increasing its level of Tum'ah in the process.

(c)Even though one food does not render another food Tamei min ha'Torah - it does, mi'de'Rabbanan ...

(d)... in which case, the Chachamim's concession has turned a Sh'lishi mi'd'Oraysa into a Sheini mi'de'Rabbanan.

15)

(a)Rebbi Akiva carries the Chidush still further. What does he say about burning oil that became Tamei through a T'vul-Yom inside a lamp that became Tamei through a Tamei Meis?

(b)What is the status of food or drink that touches a T'vul-Yom?

(c)What is now the Chidush according to Rebbi Akiva? What level of Tum'ah was the oil before it was placed in the lamp and what level of Tum'ah did it become afterwards?

(d)Why must Rebbi Akiva be speaking about a metal lamp and not an earthenware one?

(e)On what basis did they permit it?

15)

(a)Rebbi Akiva carries the Chidush still further - permitting burning oil that became Tamei through a T'vul-Yom inside a lamp that became Tamei through a Tamei Meis.

(b)The status of food or drink that touches a T'vul-Yom is - a Sheini le'Tum'ah.

(c)The Chidush according to Rebbi Akiva is - that they permitted turning oil that was a Sh'lishi into a Rishon (seeing as it touched a lamp that had become an Av ha'Tum'ah).

(d)Rebbi Akiva must be speaking about a metal lamp and not an earthenware one - since it is a metal lamp that becomes an Av ha'Tum'ah when it touches a Tamei Meis (See Zera Yitzchak), but not an earthenware one.

(e)And they permitted it - because it is Tamei anyway (so once again, they were not particular ... ).

Mishnah 7
Hear the Mishnah

16)

(a)What does Rebbi Meir now extrapolate from the above Tana'im with regard to burning Terumah Tehorah together with Terumah Teme'ah on Erev Pesach?

(b)How does he compare burning Terumah Tehorah together with Terumah Teme'ah on the one hand, with Basar that became Tamei through liquid (See Tiferes Yisrael) together with Basar that became Tamei through an Av ha'Tum'ah on the other?

(c)On what grounds does Rebbi Yossi object to Rebbi Meir's comparison?

(d)What does he therefore rule?

(e)Like whom is the Halachah?

16)

(a)Rebbi Meir now extrapolates from the above Tana'im - that one may burn Terumah Tehorah together with Terumah Teme'ah on Erev Pesach.

(b)He compare burning Terumah Tehorah together with Terumah Teme'ah on the one hand, with Basar that became Tamei through a liquid (See Tiferes Yisrael) together with Basar that became Tamei through an Av ha'Tum'ah on the other - seeing as Chametz during the sixth hour is only Asur mi'de'Rabbanan, just like Basar that became Tamei through a liquid.

(c)Rebbi Yossi objects to Rebbi Meir's comparison - since in his opinion, liquids are Metamei mi'd'Oraysa.

(d)He therefore rules - that one must burn Terumah Tehorah and Terumah Teme'ah separately on Erev Pesach.

(e)The Halachah is - like Rebbi Yossi.

17)

(a)What does Rebbi Yossi's conclusion have to do with Rebbi Eliezer and Rebbi Yehoshua?

(b)How does he then establish their Machlokes?

(c)Rebbi Eliezer holds that they must be burned separately. What does he learn from the fact that the Torah writes "Mishmeres Terumosai" (in the plural)?

17)

(a)Rebbi Yossi concludes - that even Rebbi Eliezer and Rebbi Yehoshua agree that one must burn Terumah Tehorah and Terumah Teme'ah separately.

(b)And he establishes their Machlokes - by Terumah Teluyah (Safek) and Terumah Teme'ah.

(c)Rebbi Eliezer holds that they must be burned separately - because from the fact that the Torah writes "Mishmeres Terumosai" (in the plural), he learns - that there are two kinds of Terumah that must be guarded (against Tum'ah) Terumah Tehorah and Terumah Teluyah.

18)

(a)What does Rebbi Yehoshua say about guarding Terumah Teluyah against Tum'ah?

(b)What about burning Terumah Teluyah together with Terumah Tehorah on Erev Pesach?

(c)Why is that?

18)

(a)According to Rebbi Yehoshua - Terumah Teluyah does not require guarding against Tum'ah ...

(b)Even Rebbi Eliezer will agree however, that burning Terumah Teluyah together with Terumah Tehorah on Erev Pesach - is permitted ...

(c)... because, since there is no Chazakah of Tum'ah, it does not appear as if one is being Metamei Terumah Tehorah with one's hands.

D.A.F. TALMUD RESOURCES
FOR MASECHES PESACHIM