Friday, December 01, 2006

Daf Yomi - Beitza 35 - Highlights # 2

LOWERING PRODUCE THROUGH THE SKYLIGHT

The Mishna rules that one may lower produce from his roof through a skylight on Yom Tov but not on Shabbos. This is referring to a case where one placed wheat or barley on his roof in order to dry and he is concerned on Yom Tov that the impending rain will ruin the grain. He is permitted to throw the grain through the skylight in order to avoid a financial loss. It would be forbidden to throw the grain through a window on the side since then he would be exerting himself excessively, which is prohibited on Yom Tov.

The Gemora inquires as to how much grain will one be permitted to lower into his house. A Mishna in Shabbos is cited which rules that one is permitted to remove four or five boxes of straw or produce in order to make room for his guests to eat or for the student to utilize as seats in the Beis Medrash. It can be said that here too, four or five boxes of grain can be lowered into the house.

The Gemora offers three reasons to reject this analogy. Firstly, perhaps one is permitted to remove four or five boxes only because there is a concern due to the lack of room in the Beis Medrash or because his guests do not have where to sit; however in our Mishna where those concerns do not apply, perhaps we would not be so lenient. Secondly, perhaps only in regards to Shabbos do we permit the removal of four or five boxes but on Yom Tov, we would be stricter. The reasoning for this is because Shabbos is generally strict and we are not concerned that this leniency will cause people to be lax in the laws of Shabbos; however Yom Tov, whose laws are lenient, we are concerned that further leniencies will lead to laxity and therefore we should be strict and not permit any boxes from being lowered. Thirdly, one can argue and state that here, it would be permitted to lower more than four or five boxes since there is a concern for the loss of money; however by Shabbos, where there is no such concern, it would only be permitted to move four or five boxes. (35B)

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