1)

(a)The Mishnah begins with 'ha'Kol Shochtin' (See Tosfos Yom-Tov), which implies that - everyone is allowed to Shecht even Lechatchilah.

(b)The problem with the continuation of the Mishnah 'u'Shechitasan Kesheirah' is that - it implies that they may only Shecht Bedi'eved.

(c)To solve the problem, the Gemara establishes the Reisha by anyone who is thoroughly conversant with Hilchos Shechitah, even though he is not Muchzak - (he has not proved himself strong enough to Shecht and not faint, thereby invalidating the Shechitah via Shehiyah [waiting in the middle of the Shechitah] by Shechting in front of us three times).

(d)And it establishes the Seifa - where the Shochet is not known to be conversant with the laws of Shechitah, but where we examine him after he has Shechted and found that he is.

2)

(a)The three exceptions to the rule 'ha'Kol Shochtin' are - Cheresh, Shoteh ve'Katan (known in short by the acronym of 'Chashu') ...

(b)... whose Shechitah is Pasul even Bedi'eved - because, seeing as they do not have Da'as, they have a Chazakah of rendering the Shechitah Pasul (even if they are conversant with the Dinim).

(c)Their Shechitah is Kasher however - if someone stood watch as they Shechted (See Tosfos Yom Tov)..

(d)From the fact that the Tana says, not 've'Im Shachtu', but 've'Chulan she'Shachtu', we learn that - the current ruling incorporates the earlier case (someone whom we do not know to be conversant with the laws of Shechitah).

3)

(a)The Halachah in the latter case is - (not like the Mishnah, but) that his Shechitah is Kasher even if nobody observed him Shechting ...

(b)... based on the principle that - 'the majority of people who Shecht are experts'.

(c)In fact - we even allow them to Shecht Leachtchilah.

4)

(a)The status of an animal that is Shechted by a Nochri who is ...

1. ... not observed by a Yisrael, or even if ...

2. ... he is - is that of a Neveilah (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(b)The animal is also Asur be'Hana'ah - if the Nochri is a Miyn ...

(c)... who cleaves to Avodah-Zarah - unlike a regular Nochri, who only serves Avodah-Zarah because he has been taught to do so.

(d)A Neveilah is Metamei - be'Maga (by touching) and be Masa (by carrying).

(e)That being the case, the current ruling is obvious, and the reason that the Mishnah mentions it here is - to teach us it is specifically here that it is only Metamei be'Masa, but that an animal that one offers to Avodah-Zarah is also Metamei be'Ohel (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

5)

(a)The Mishnah rules that if ...

1. ... someone Shechts at nighttime, or if ...

2. ... a blind person Shechts - the Shechitah is Kasher Bedieved.

(b)In spite of having taught us the latter, the Tana finds it necessary to insert the former - to teach us that it is only if it is dark (like the Shechitah of a blind person) that his Shechitah is Pasul, but that, if there is a light burning, he is permitted to Shecht even Lechatchilah.

6)

(a)The Mishnah rules that if someone Shechts on Shabbos or on Yom Kipur (be'Shogeg [See Tosfos Yom Tov]) - his Shechitah is Kasher.

(b)We might have thought that the Shechitah is Pasul - because, had he Shechted be'Meizid, he would have been Chayav Misah (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(c)In spite of having taught us the Din regarding Shabbos, the Tana found it necessary to add that of Yom Kipur - to teach us that (like on Yom Kipur), one is forbidden to eat from the Shechitah on the same day (on Shabbos).

(d)On Motza'ei Shabbos - both ...

1. ... others and ...

2. ... the Shochet himself are permitted to eat it.

7)

(a)A healthy person is permitted to eat meat from an animal that has been Shechted on behalf of a person who is very ill, provided the meat ...

1. ... is still raw, but not if it ...

2. ... has been cooked ...

(b)... because we are afraid that he will add to what needs to be cooked for the sick person, for his own consumption.

(c)And the reason that he is permitted to eat it raw is - because the entire animal has to be Shechted on behalf of the sick person.

8)

(a)The Mishnah declares Kasher a Shechitah that is performed with a 'Magal Yad' - a knife one side of which is smooth like a regular knife, the other, with notches (which would render any Shechitah, Pasul).

(b)The Tana is referring to - a Shechitah that one performed with the side that is smooth ...

(c)... which is forbidden Lechatchilah - in case one forgets and Shechts with the other side.

(d)We learn from here - the prohibition against Shechting with a knife part of which is covered with notches, even using the section that is smooth.

9)

(a)When the Mishnah permits Bedi'eved, a Shechitah that is performed with a sharp rock (Tzur) or with a piece of cane, it is referring to - one that was initially detached and that one used to Shecht after re-attaching it to the ground.

(b)It will be Pasul even Bedi'eved - if it was never detached (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(c)If one Shechts with a sharp rock or with a piece of cane that is detached - the Shechitah is Kasher.

(d)We find the word "Tzur" in the Torah that means a sharp piece of rock - in connection with Tziporah (Moshe's wife) who used it to circumcise her son.

10)

(a)When the Tana writes 'ha'Kol Shochtin', he is coming to include - a Mumar (who regularly transgresses) one or many sins.

(b)Besides a Mumar la'Avodah Zarah - a Mumar who transgresses Shabbos in public is also precluded from this ruling (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(c)A Yisrael needs to examine the knife before the Mumar Shechts - because a Mumar is suspected of not bothering to inspect it himself before Shechting (and inspecting the knife before Shechting is obligatory).

(d)Notwithstanding the fact that the Mumar is then permitted to Shecht even without supervision, after he has Shechted - the Yisrael is obligated to examine the knife again.

11)

(a)The Kara'im are - a sect of Tzedokim.

(b)Their Shechitah is Kasher Bedi'eved - provided someone observed it from beginning to end.

(c)Their Shechitah is otherwise Pasul - since they do not believe in the teachings of the Torah she'be'al Peh (which includes the five things that render Pasul a Shechitah).

12)

(a)When the Tana says 'Le'olam Shochtin', he is coming to include - someone who Shechts at nighttime (provided there is a light burning [as we learned earlier]).

(b)He also incorporates Shechting on the roof-top and onto the outer wall of a ship. We might have thought that it is forbidden to Shecht ...

1. ... on a rooftop - because people might say that he is Shechting to the hosts of the heaven (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

2. ... onto the outer wall of a ship - because they might say that he is Shechting to the angel in charge of the sea.

(c)The latter is nevertheless permitted - since it is obvious that he is doing so in order to keep the deck clean (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

13)

(a)When the Tana writes 'ba'Kol Shochtin', besides a sharp piece of glass, he is coming to include - the membrane of a cane.

(b)However, it is Asur Lechatchilah to Shecht with the cane itself - on account of the splinters that come off it ...

(c)... which make holes in the Simanim - causing Chaladah (a P'sul about which we will learn in the next Perek).

14)

(a)The first two cases of the four exceptions to the current ruling is a Magal Katzir (a sickle) and a 'Megeirah' - a saw ...

(b)... with which one is forbidden to Shecht because their sharp teeth all point in one direction, in which case the animal will be strangled to death and not Shechted.

(c)If one Shechts in the direction against the notches, it is a good Shechitah.

15)

(a)The other two exceptions listed by the Mishnah are teeth (that are still attached to the jaw) and a finger-nail or toe-nail. The Tana says 'teeth' (in the plural) - because the P'sul is based on the fact that there is a notch between the teeth (which is not a problem by one tooth [See also Tosfos Yom Tov]).

(b)Shechitah with a finger or toe nail is Pasul - because it is Mechubar (attached [See Tosfos Yom Tov]).

(c)Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel argue over a Shechitah that is performed with a 'Magal Katzir' (as we will explain shortly) if one pulls it against the notches. Both agree however that - one is forbidden to eat from the Shechitah ...

(d)... in case one pulls it the other way.

16)

(a)Beis Shamai render it Tamei be'Masa irrespective of how one uses it. Beis Hillel declare it Tahor - in the event that one pulls it in the direction against the notches ...

(b)... because the Chachamim do not like increasing Tum'ah unnecessarily.

17)

(a)'Hagramah' is - a Shechitah that is performed on the neck, but outside the area of Shechitah, thereby rendering the animal a Neveilah.

(b)The Tana Kama rules that if one Shechts at the edge of the Taba'as (ha'Gedolah [See Tosfos Yom Tov] {the large laryngeal cartilage}), the Shechitah is Kasher - provided he keeps within a hairsbreadth of the cartilage all the way round.

(c)Otherwise, the Shechitah is Pasul - since he concluded it bi'Pesul.

(d)Rebbi Yossi b'Rebbi Yehudah - declares the Shechitah Kasher as long as the majority is performed within the Taba'as ha'Gedolah.

18)

(a)The Halachah however, is, that as long as one Shechts below the Shipuy Kova (which is above the Taba'as ha'Gedolah), the Shechitah is Kasher. The ...

1. ... 'Kova' is - the thyroid cartilage (that resembles a hat).

2. ... 'Shipuy Kova' is - the slope leading up to the Kova.

(b)This area is synonymous with the 'Chuti' - the two srips of flesh between the Taba'as ha'Gedolah and the Shipuy Kova.

19)

(a)The Tana rules that if one Shechts at the side of the neck, the Shechitah is Kasher, but that Melikah on a Kodshim bird in the same location - is Pasul.

(b)We learn this from the Pasuk in Vayikra (in connection with Melikah) "mi'Mul Orpo", which implies - at the back of the neck.

(c)Despite the fact that one is permitted Lechatchilah to Shecht at the side of the neck, why does the Tana say 'ha'Shochet' (Bedi'eved) - to balance the Seifa regarding Melikah, which is Pasul even Bedi'eved (See also Tosfos Yom Tov).

20)

(a)The Mishnah declares Pasul a Shechitah that is performed from the Oref - the back of the neck.

(b)It is Pasul - because cutting the back of the neck before one has cut the Simanim renders the animal a Neveilah.

(c)The Shechitah will therefore be Kasher - if one moves the Simanim round to the back before Shechting them.

21)

(a)Melikah, on the other hand, is performed there (at the back of the neck) Lechatchilah. Consequently, 'Min ha'Oref' with regard to Melikah really means 'Mul Oref' (the area slightly lower down the back of the neck [See Tosfos Yom Tov]).

(b)The reason that the Tana say 'ha'Molek' (Bedi'eved) - is to balance with Shechitah, which is Pasul even Bedi'eved.

(c)Cutting the back of the neck of the bird first does not render the bird a Neveilah, like it does by the Shechitah of an animal - because that is part of the Melikah.

22)

(a)The major difference between Shechitah and Melikah (location-wise) - is that the former is performed at the front of the neck, the latter, at the back.

(b)The Mishnah therefore says that if someone ...

1. ... Shechts from the front of the neck- it is Kasher.

2. ... performs Melikah from the front of the neck - it is Pasul.

(c)It says - that the entire Oref is Kasher for Melikah, and the entire Tzavor for Shechitah.

(d)The Tana finally presents the overall principle - that whatever is Kasher regarding Shechitah is Pasul regarding Melikah (See Tosfos Yom Tov), and vice-versa.

23)

(a)

1. ... 'Torin' - are pigeons, and ...

2. ... 'b'nei Yonah' - young doves.

(b)A similar principle to the previous one does the Tana present regarding Torin and b'nei Yonah is - that what is Kasher by Torin is Pasul by b'nei Yonah, and vice-versa.

(c)The basis for this distinction is the fact that - "Torin" implies grown-up birds, and "b'nei Yonah, young ones.

(d)The distinction is, in effect, what the Mishnah calls 'Techilas ha'Tzihuv' - when the plumage in the area of the neck begins to turn gold, when it is neither grown-up yet, nor is it young any longer.

(e)Very young doves - where one plucks a feather and no blood comes out) are not Kasher either.

24)

(a)The Mishnah continues 'Kasher be'Parah, Pasul be'Eglah', and vice-versa - with reference to the Parah Adumah and the Eglah Arufah.

(b)The Parah - must be Shechted, whereas the Eglah's neck must be broken; the other way round renders it Pasul (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(c)The common specification they have that sets them apart from regular Korbanos is - the fact that they are both brought outside the Azarah.

25)

(a)Continuing with the list of distinctions, the Tana says 'Kasher ba'Kohanim, Pasul ba'Levi'im' and vice-versa. A blemish - renders a Kohen Pasul, but not a Levi.

(b)Age - renders a Levi Pasul, but not a Kohen (See Tosfos Yom Tov DH 'Kasher ba'Kohanim ... ').

(c)Based on the Pasuk in Naso, a Levi retires - at the age of fifty.

(d)In Shiloh and in the Beis-ha'Mikdash, where the Levi'im did not carry the Keilim on their shoulders, a Levi retired - from singing.

(e)Neither of these two aspects apply to Kohanim.

26)

(a)When the Mishnah says .'Tahor ..

1. ... bi'Chelei Cheres Tamei be'Chol ha'Keilim', it means that - whereas earthenware vessels are not subject to Tum'ah by contact with Tum'ah on the outside of the vessel, other vessels are.

2. ... be'Chol ha'Keilim Tamei bi'Chelei Cheres' that - whereas other vessels are not subject to Tum'ah via their air-space, earthenware vessels are.

(b)We learn from the Pasuk in Shemini " ... asher Yipol meihem el Tocho" - the latter Din regarding earthenware vessels.

(c)And when the Tana says 'Tahor ...

1. ... bi'Chelei Eitz, Tamei bi'Chelei Matchos', he means that - whereas flat wooden vessels (that are not receptacles) are not subject to Tum'ah (See Tosfos Yom Tov), flat metal vessels are.

2. ... bi'Chelei Matchos, Tamei bi'Chelei Eitz', he means that - whereas 'Golmei K'lei Matchos (unfinished metal vessels) are not subject to Tum'ah, Golmei K'lei Eitz are.

27)

(a)From the Pasuk there "mi'Kol K'li Eitz ... O Sak", we learn that - just as a sack can be carried either full or empty (in that they are receptacles), so too are wooden vessels subject to Tum'ah if they are receptacles.

(b)Peshutei K'lei Matchos are not Tahor like Peshutei K'lei Eitz - because, unlike the latter, they are not compared to a sack.

(c)Golmei K'lei Matchos are not subject to Tum'ah - because a metal vessels is Tamei on account of its Chashivus, and it is only Chashuv when it is finished.

28)

(a)When the Tana finally says 'ha'Chayav ba'Shekeidim ha'Marim, Patur ba'Mesukim, ha'Chayav ba'Mesukim, Patur ba'Marim', he is referring to - the Chiyuv Ma'aser regarding almonds.

(b)Small ...

1. ... bitter almonds are subject to Ma'aser - because they are edible when they are small, and only become bitter when they become large.

2. ... sweet almonds, on the other hand, are Patur from Ma'aser - because they are not yet ripe and are therefore not generally eaten at that stage.

29)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses 'Temed' - water that one pours on to wine-pits or skins, which ferments and becomes wine, or that one pours on to dregs to absorb the taste of wine.

(b)One may purchase Temed with the money of Ma'aser Sheini - provided it has fermented and turned into wine.

(c)By the same token, it does not invalidate a Mikvah - because water invalidates a Mikvah, wine generally doesn't (as we will see shortly).

(d)Temed is considered wine even it has not fermented - provided it produces four parts water to the three that one poured in (and no less [See Tosfos Yom Tov]).

30)

(a)Based on the Pasuk in Re'ei ("Venasata ha'Kesef be'Chol asher Te'aveh Nafsh'cha ... "), to enable the purchase of a food with Ma'aser money, other than 'a fruit that comes from a fruit', it must also fall under the category of 'Gidulei Karka' (what grows from the ground).

(b)Drawn water invalidates the Mikvah into which it falls - if the Mikvah does not yet contain forty Sa'ah.

(c)Wine invalidates it too - provided it causes the water in the Mikvah to change color.

(d)To invalidate the Mikvah - three Lugin of water or wine is needed.

31)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses brothers who are partners with regard to Kalbon and Ma'aser Beheimah. 'Kalbon' - which means literally additional weight, is the little extra that one pays together with one's half-Shekel.

(b)The Din regarding ...

1. ... Kalbon if a father gives a half-Shekel on behalf of his sons is that - he is Patur.

2. ... Ma'aser Beheimah if the brothers have not yet divided the animals that they inherited from their father is that - they are Chayav.

(c)The brothers therefore are ...

1. ... Chayav to give Kalbon and Patur from Ma'aser Beheimah if they have not yet divided the animals they inherited from their father.

2. ... Chayav to give Ma'aser Beheimah and Patur from Kalbon after they divided the animals they inherited from their father and later became partners.

(d)In the former case, two brothers who give a Shekel between them, must add - two Kalbonos (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(e)We learn from the Pasuk in Korach (in connection with B'chor, but with reference to Ma'aser Beheimah) "Yih'yeh lach" that - partners are Patur from Ma'aser Beheimah.

32)

(a)A father is permitted to sell his daughter - from the time she is born until she becomes a Na'arah (until she grows two pubic hairs after she turns twelve).

(b)According to Rebbi Meir, a girl who has been raped is not subject to K'nas until she becomes a Na'arah. The Chachamim maintain that - she is ...

(c)... starting from the age of three.

33)

(a)The author of the Mishnah which states 'Kol Makom she'Yesh Mecher, Ein K'nas', is - Rebbi Meir.

(b)The Halachah is - like the Chachamim.

(c)She is still subject to K'nas, but cannot be sold - from the time she becomes a Na'arah until she turns into a Bogeres (six months later).

(d)When the Tana adds 've'Chol Makom she'Yesh K'nas, Ein Mecher', he is referring - to a Na'arah ...

(e)... according to Rebbi Meir.

34)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses the difference between when a girl may perform Miy'un and when she may perform Chalitzah. 'Miy'un' is - when a girl whose father died and whose mother or brother married her off, leaves her husband because she doesn't like him.

(b)She may perform ...

1. ... Miy'un - as long as she is a Ketanah, and ...

2. ... Chalitzah - only once she becomes a Na'arah.

(c)We learn that a Ketanah is not permitted to perform Chalitzah from the Pasuk in ki Seitzei "ve'Im Lo Yachpotz ha'Ish" - by comparing a woman to a man.

35)

(a)They used to blow the Shofar on Erev Shabbos and Yom-Tov ...

1. ... in the afternoon - as a sign to stop work.

2. ... at bein-h'Shemashos - to bring in Shabbos or Yom-Tov.

(b)Each time they blew - three notes (See Tiferes Yisrael).

(c)When the Tana now says 'Kol Makom she'Yesh ...

1. ... Teki'ah, Ein Havdalah', he means that - on Erev Shabbos and Yom-Tov, they would blow the Shofar but not recite Havdalah.

2. ... Havdalah, Ein Teki'ah' - that on Motza'ei Shabbos or Yom-Tov, they would recite Havdalah but not blow the Shofar.

36)

(a)When Yom-Tov fell on ...

1. ... Erev Shabbos - they blew the Shofar but did not make Havdalah (See Tiferes Yisrael).

2. ... Motza'ei Shabbos - they recited Havdalah but did not blow the Shofar.

(b)The reason for both ...

1. ... the former and ...

2. ... latter rulings is - because Shabbos is more stringent than Yom-Tov. Consequently, one does not make Havdalah when it comes in, and cannot blow the Shofar when it is going out.

(c)According to the Tana Kama, the text of Havdalah in the latter case reads 'ha'Mavdil bein Kodesh le'Kodesh'; Rebbi Dosa says - 'ha'Mavdil bein Kodesh Chamur le'Kodesh Kal'.

(d)We do not Pasken like Rebbi Dosa (even though his wording is more specific) - in order not to belittle Yom-Tov.