Do these matters apply only to Talmidim?

Maharal #1: If they were like the simple meaning, they would apply to everyone. Rather, they are a Mashal for great matters. Do not follow the Kisha (name), for different matters have the same name, and they have different lengths. People do not err so about individual items, rather, about bundles (Klalim). Chachamim follow the name, because it is intellectual - therefore Rav Chisda warns a Talmid not to rely on the name totally.

Maharal #2: A Chacham might assume that the seller would not sell long and short together. Really, every matter has a minimal length based on its Tzurah. People are not particular if it is longer than this, for this is incidental; it is not intrinsic to the matter itself.

Maharal: I heard this Perush; my first Perush is primary.

Rav Elyashiv: This shows how concerned Rav Chisda was for the good of Talmidim!

Do all Yerakos arouse appetite?

Rashi: This refers to raw vegetables, like leeks and cress.

Maharal #1: This is not limited to Yerek. People err to follow the name. One might think that something will satiate, and really, it arouses appetite! Rather, each matter must be judged by itself.

Maharal #2: Some say that Yerek refers to Agados, and matters that draw the heart; it is a light food. A Talmid should not accustom himself to them, for they draw him to learn only Agadah, and not Halachic teachings, which are called bread and fatty meat - 'eat fatty meat in Rava's academy' (Bava Basra 22a). They sustain a person. Rav Chisda said, I did not eat Yerek (learn Agados) when I was poor, before I learned, lest I be drawn after them too much. I do not learn them after I became rich, for meat is primary. There is more reward for Halachos.

Maharal: My first Perush is primary.

What is Livatza Betzuei, and why is it bad?

Rashi: He eats a little at a time (what he has now); this does not satiate. Rather, he should gather enough and eat a proper amount at once.

Rav Elyashiv: He should not invite guests [since he does not have enough].

What is the connection of cutting the bread and giving generously?

Maharal: "Tov Ayin Hu Yevurach" - Hash-m is unlimited. When one blesses [and distributes pieces to everyone] generously, Hash-m is properly blessed.

Maharsha: This is why Chachamim said that the Ba'al ha'Bayis blesses, for he gives pieces generously.

Why did he say that initially, he would not cut the bread until he felt...?

Rashi: This was before he became rich.

If one could eat barley bread or drink beer, and he and eats wheat bread or drinks wine, why does he transgress Bal Tashchis?

Maharal: We discuss when there is no damage to his health.

Maharsha: Rav Chisda's other teachings were for Bar Bei Rav (a Talmid). Here he did not say so, for all are commanded Bal Tashchis.

Etz Yosef citing Iyei ha'Yam: Above, Rav Chisda said that when he was poor, he did not eat vegetables because they arouse to eat more bread. When he became rich, why did he eat meat and fish? He could eat vegetables, for now he can afford more bread! Perhaps Bal Tashchis of eating much bread is worse than Bal Tashchis of eating meat and fish. (NOTE: If Bal Tashchis applies, both of them are forbidden! He should have continued like when he was poor! - PF)

What was the answer 'Bal Tashchis of the body is more important'?

Maharal: Even though there is no lasting damage to his health, for he recovers, at the time his body is harmed. One should not harm his body, and rely on recovering - at the time, this is Bal Tashchis of the body. Perhaps he will not recover! Further, even if it will not harm his health, he is stronger when he eats good bread; inferior food bring Hashchasah of his strength.

Maharsha: The Gemara said 'this is not so.' Rav Papa said so for his own benefit; he used to brew beer (Bava Metzi'a 65a). Rav Elyashiv it is astounding to say that he said so due to his bias! Meforshim explain above (118b), Rav Papa said 'people wrongly suspected me' - they said like Maharsha, that he said so for his benefit! (NOTE: Seemingly, 'this is not so' applies also to Rav Chisda's teaching about eating wheat, and not barley - he was not biased! - PF)

Daf Al ha'Daf citing Divrei Yatziv (1:9:2): Rashbatz (Zohar ha'Raki'a) says that when there is a Safek mid'Rabanan, and being stringent will cause monetary loss. Chachamim must be lenient. We find that the Torah is concerned for Yisrael's money! Tereifah mid'Oraisa and you say 'the Torah is concerned for Yisrael's money' (Chulin 49b) implies that for a Safek mid'Rabanan, this is a reason to be lenient! Giluy Da'as (Reish Hilchos Tereifos) says that we learn from "u'Finu Es ha'Bayis" - the Torah is concerned for [Yisrael's money, i.e.] earthenware Kelim that cannot be immersed (Rashi Vayikra 14:36, from Toras Kohanim). Noda bi'Yhudah (2, YD 10) and Minchas Chinuch (529) hold that mid'Oraisa, Bal Tashchis applies to every waste of money, just one is lashed only for cutting fruit trees. Perhaps Maharsha means that Rav Papa was an expert brewer. His beer did not harm the body. The Gemara said 'this is not so'; we should not publicize his words, for most people cannot make such beer, and Bal Tashchis of the body applies. (NOTE: Rav Papa said (Bava Metzi'a 65a) that his beer lasts better than Stam beer. - PF)

Why should he wash his hands in a pond in which algae grows?

Rashi: People used to anoint their hands with oil before Mayim Acharonim (Berachos 42a); this is a good substitute.

Maharal: Hash-m oversees His world. He gives to an Oni ways to get what he needs. Man needs oil greatly. So an Oni will not lack it, Hash-m gave this water in place of oil. The same applies to many needs of an Oni, lest he lack.

Daf Al ha'Daf citing Menuchas Shalom (11:25): If people used to anoint their hands with oil before Mayim Acharonim, this removes the filth. What is the need for Mayim Acharonim? And why are we concerned for Sedom salt? The oil will remove it! It is difficult to say that the concern is for one who did not anoint, e.g. he did not have oil. (NOTE: What is difficult? Perhaps a sizable minority of people did not use oil, and only a small minority of Chachamim! It was enacted to wash each hand twice before a meal, even though this is needed only for one who does not pour a Revi'is each time! Since there is danger of Sedom salt, surely Chachamim were concerned for the minority! Further, Chachamim did not reveal all the reasons for their enactments. Perhaps Mayim Acharonim is not only to remove filth and Sedom salt! An Asmachta learns it from "vi'Hyisem Kedoshim" (Berachos 53b)! - PF)

What is the significance of buying the neck?

Maharal: Man desires meat - "Ki Se'aveh Nafshecha Le'echol Basar." Man normally desires varied matters. Hash-m made that the neck contains three kinds of meat, and most people do not buy it, so an Oni can buy it [cheaply].

What is the meaning of Kisa Na'eh?

Rashi: It puts its owner in an elite Kas (caste).

Maharal: A Chacham should have nice garments, according to the honor of his Torah. How can an Oni fulfill this? Hash-m provided ways that an Oni not lack. Rav Chisda teaches that even though flax is expensive, it is strong and will last. He said to take from river Aba. The Torah commanded Kohanim to wear only a Ketones, and not a Gelima or other garment (NOTE: on the torso. A Kohen wears also a turban, sash and underpants. Drushei Tzlach 1:28 - a Ketones covers the torso; a Gelima covers the entire body. - PF) This shows that it is esteemed! It is most proper for man. Hash-m made for Adam and Chavah "Kusnos Ohr."

Why did he need to warn a Talmid about what will ruin his garment?

Maharal: R. Yochanan called his garments 'what honors me' (113b). One should be adamant about what is his honor. If not, he lacks honor.

Why should his daughters not eat bread in front of their husbands?

Rashi: Perhaps you will eat a lot, and be disgraced in his eyes.

Me'iri: If your husband s satiated, and he sees you eat, this looks like gluttony to him.

Why should they not eat vegetables at night?

Rashi: It causes bad breath.

Why should they not eat dates or drink beer at night?

Rashi: They loosen the bowels and cause gas.

Why should they not defecate the same place as their husbands?

Rashi: He knows the place, and she become repulsive in his eyes.

Why should they ask in the feminine 'who is it?'

Rashi: They should not accustom themselves to speak with men.

Me'iri: One who hears should not suspect that you expect to see a man.

What is Kavra, and why should she show the gem immediately, but not show the Kavra until he is pained'?

Me'iri: It is a pebble. Because he yearned to see it, it is esteemed in his eyes. This is a Mashal. Even an ugly woman, if she is modest, she esteems herself in her husband's eyes, and is not repulsive to him.

Rav Elyashiv: R' Y. i. Chaver explains similarly (just he explains that Kavra is a small fish). All his advice to his daughters helps for Shalom Bayis.

R. E.M. Horowitz: It is a fish. There are fish and pearls in the sea. Fish are pleasure for the senses; pearls are more esteemed and valuable. So a woman has attributes that please only the senses (beauty), and others that are more esteemed and valuable (Chochmah and Yir'as Shamayim). Amidst modesty, she should hide her body even from her husband as much as possible, like we find in many places. She should show to him "Piha Paschah b'Chochmah v'Soras Chesed Al Leshonah."