More Discussions for this daf
1. Shouldn't one call a spade, a spade? 2. Maharsha
DAF DISCUSSIONS - BEITZAH 31

Alex Lebovits asked:

Rashi DH 'Lo Bekardum' describes a kardum as a cutting tool used by an uman to make saddles and other kelim; having a wide and a pointy edge. If so- why would the Mishna in Pirkei Avos 4:7 say "velo kardum lachfor bo"-that one should not use Torah like a 'kardum' to dig with. Who uses a kardum to dig with?! Or as my friend Shimon Schonblum put it; Why not call a spade, a spade?!

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

Alex Lebovits, Toronto, Canada

The Kollel replies:

The Mishnah in Kelim 29:7 tells us there were two types of Kardum, one for digging and one for chopping (and a third for hoeing or softening clods of dirt). In Kelim 13:3 we see that the one for chopping had two cutting edges - as is evident from our Gemara as well.

Be well,

Mordecai Kornfeld