What is Talmud Tweets?

What is Talmud Tweets? A short, personal take on a page of Talmud - every day!

For several years now, I have been following the tradition of "Daf Yomi" - reading a set page of Talmud daily. With the start of a new 7 1/2 year cycle, I thought I would share a taste of what the Talmud offers, with a bit of personal commentary included. The idea is not to give a scholarly explanation. Rather, it is for those new to Talmud to give a little taste - a tweet, as it were - of the richness of this text and dialogue it contains. The Talmud is a window into a style of thinking as well as the world as it changed over the centuries of its compilation.

These are not literal "tweets" - I don't limit myself to 140 characters. Rather, these are intended to be short, quick takes - focusing in on one part of a much richer discussion. Hopefully, I will pique your interest. As Hillel says: "Go and study it!" (Shabbat 31a)

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Shabbat 52 – You Can Lead a Horse - or a Red Heifer!

What exactly is the issue with chord or rein on an animal in public during Shabbat? It seems there are two concerns:

One is that it could be considered unnecessary as in an ornament or a muzzle (the question being if a muzzle is necessary or not). A nose-ring on a camel, for example: some say “Whether as an ornament or a guard, it is forbidden” others “as an ornament it is forbidden, as a guard it is permitted.”


The second concern is that if the rein or chain slipped off the animal, the person holding it would then be left carrying an object on Shabbat!

 But the Mishnah is specific: A HORSE WITH ITS CHAIN, AND ALL CHAINWEARING ANIMALS MAY GO OUT WITH THEIR CHAINS AND BE LED BY THEIR CHAINS.

But what is the difference between “going out” and “being led” ? Why does the Mishnah list both?

R. Huna suggests that these animals can “go out” wearing a chain which is loosely wrapped around them, ready to be used if necessary – or with someone holding the chain and leading them. Samuel disagrees saying they cannot wear the chain unless someone is holding it. Huna seems to win.

But the interesting side reference is to a “red heifer.”  (Always interesting when the red heifer is mentioned.) How does it relate? It seems that this it is permitted to lead it or tie it with a chord. But the specific biblical command is it must be an animal “upon which never came a yoke” (Num. 19:2). So a cord or lead is not considered a “burden” making it permissible.

Tell that to the animal!

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