Daf Yomi - Beitza 35 - PREFERENTIAL VERSE

The Mishna rules that one may lower produce from his roof through a skylight on Yom Tov but not on Shabbos. The Gemora discusses the term used in the Mishna to connote lowering. There are two versions cited. One version is that the word is mashilin and the other is mashchilin. The Gemora offers proofs for each of the versions. The verse cited to prove that mashilin connotes lowering is a possuk at the end of Devarim. It is written “ki yishal zeisecha” – “your olive tree will throw down its fruits.” This indicates that yishal, mashilin means to throw down.

Rosh Yosef asks that there is an earlier verse in the Torah that would also prove this point. Hashem commanded Moshe to remove his shoes by the burning bush and the possuk states “shal nalecha” – “remove your shoes.” Why isn’t that possuk cited? He answers that the definition of the word “shal” is to remove and not to “throw down” and therefore the verse at the end of Devarim, where it is evident that “yishal” connotes “throw down” is more preferable.

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach answers that the Gemora would rather cite a possuk that is discussing fruits or produce.