Mishnah 1
Hear the Mishnah

1)

(a)The Mishnah discusses a case where five people fill five small barrels with water with the intention of being Mekadesh five lots of ashes, and then decide that they want to pour all the water into one large barrel and to make one Kidush, and the reverse case. What is the reverse case?

(b)What might be the problem in these two cases?

(c)Why does the Tana then declare the Mei Chatas Kasher in both cases?

1)

(a)The Mishnah discusses a case where five people fill five small barrels with water with the intention of being Mekadesh five lots of ashes, and then decide that they want to pour all the water into one large barrel and to make one Kidush, and the reverse case - where they initially intend to pour the water into one large barrel, to make one Kidush, and subsequently decide to leave it where it is, to make one Kidush.

(b)The problem in both cases might be the fact that between the time that the first one fills his barrel and the Kidush, the other four performed Melachah (by filling or pouring their barrels).

(c)The Tana declares the Mei Chatas Kasher in both cases - since each one fills his own K'li, nobody did a Melachah between the one and the other (see also Tiferes Yisrael).

2)

(a)What does the Tana say about a case where one person fills ...

1. ... five small barrels with water with the intention of being Mekadesh five lots of ashes, and then decides that he wants to pour all the water into one large barrel and to make one Kidush?

2. ... one large barrel of water with the intention of being Mekadesh one lot of ashes, and then decides that he wants to pour the water into five smaller barrels and to make five Kidushin?

(b)What does the Mishnah say about a case where Reuven instructs Shimon to take the five barrels of Mei Chatas that he drew, and to be Mekadash them on behalf of ...

1. ... himself (Shimon)? Why is that?

2. ... Reuven?

(c)What is the reason for the latter ruling?

2)

(a)The Tana rules in a case where one person fills ...

1. ... five small barrels with water with the intention of being Mekadesh five lots of ashes, and then decides that he wants to pour all the water into one large barrel and to make one Kidush (see Tos. Yom-Tov) that - only the water in the last barrel is Kasher, because the water in each of the first four barrels became Pasul when he filled the next one.

2. ... one large barrel of water with the intention of being Mekadesh one lot of ashes, and then decides that he wants to pour the water into five smaller barrels and to make five Kidushin that - only the barrel that he is Mekadesh first is Kasher (see Tos. Yom-Tov), because the water in each of the last four barrels became Pasul already when he poured the water from the large barrel into the first of the small barrels.

(b)The Mishnah rules in a case where Reuven instructs Shimon to take the five barrels of Mei Chatas that he drew, and to be Mekadash them on behalf of ...

1. ... himself (Shimon) that - only the first one is Kasher, because, since all five barrels now belong to Shimon, the last four all became Pasul when he drew the first one, as we explained earlier.

2. ... Reuven - that all the barrels are Kasher ...

(c)... because on the one hand, the owner did not perform a Melachah, and on the other, the Mekadesh does not have the power to invalidate the water via Melachah, since he is not the owner.

3)

(a)In the first of the last two cases, why does the Tana specifically present the case where the individual fills the five barrels in order to make five Kidushin? What would be the Din if he meant to make one Kidush?

(b)Why would he do that?

(c)What is the reason for this ruling?

3)

(a)In the first of the last two cases, the Tana specifically presents the case where the individual fills the five barrels in order to make five Kidushin. If he meant to make one Kidush - then they would all be Kasher.

(b)And he would do it - if he has a lot of vessels that are Tamei Meis and that require Haza'ah).

(c)And the reason for the ruling is - because, since all the fillings are intended for one Kidush, they are considered as if they are one filling.

Mishnah 2
Hear the Mishnah

4)

(a)What will be the Din if someone fills a barrel of water for Mei Chatas with one hand, whilst performing Melachah with the other?

(b)Why is that?

(c)And what if he fills it for ...

1. ... himself and for somebody else?

2. ... two other people?

(d)Why is that?

4)

(a)If someone fills a barrel of water for Mei Chatas with one hand, whilst performing Melachah with the other - the Mei Chatas becomes Pasul ...

(b)... because he performed a Melachah during the Miluy.

(c)And it becomes Pasul too, if he fills it for ...

1. ... himself and for somebody else, and even if he fills it for ...

2. ... two other people (see Tos. Yom-Tov) ...

(d)... because filling for Reuven whilst he is filling for Shimon is considered a Melachah vis-a-vis Shimon, and vice-versa.

Mishnah 3
Hear the Mishnah

5)

(a)On what grounds will the water become Pasul if the same person performs a Melachah with one hand whilst being Mekadesh the water (pouring in the ashes) with the other?

(b)On what condition does the Tana declare the water Kasher even though he may have performed the Melachah before the completion of the Kidush?

(c)And what if he is performing the Kidush on behalf of himself and somebody else?

5)

(a)If the same person performs a Melachah with one hand whilst being Mekadesh the water (pouring in the ashes) with the other, the water will become Pasul - because he may have (see Tos. Yom-Tov DH 'ha'Mekadesh ... ') performed a Melachah before completing the Kidush.

(b)The Tana declares the water Kasher however, even though he may have performed the Melachah before the completion of the Kidush - if he is doing the Kidush on behalf of somebody else, or on behalf of two people.

(c)If he is performing the Kidush on behalf of himself and somebody else - the water becomes Pasul (see Tos. Yom-Tov Ibid.).

Mishnah 4
Hear the Mishnah

6)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses a case where Re'uven says to Shimon 'Kadesh Li va'Akadesh Lach'. What is the case? Who performed the Miluy?

(b)The Tana validates the first Mei Chatas, but disqualifies the second. Why is that?

(c)What does he say in the equivalent case regarding Miluy, where Reuven says 'Malei Li va'Amalei Lach')? Why is that?

(d)And what does he say in a case where Reuven says ...

1. ... 'Kadesh Li va'Amalei Lach'?

2. ... 'Malei Li va'Akadesh Lach'?

6)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses a case where Re'uven says to Shimon 'Kadesh Li va'Akadesh Lach' - where each one has already filled his barrel with water for the Mei Chatas, and Reuven now asks Shimon to be Mekadesh his water and he will be Mekadesh Shimon's.

(b)The Tana validates the first Mei Chatas, but disqualifies the second - because whereas the owner of the first barrel did not perform a Melachah between the Miluy and the Kidush, the owner of the second one did (by filling the first one's barrel).

(c)In the equivalent case regarding Miluy, where Reuven says 'Malei Li va'Amalei Lach', he validates the second barrel and invalidates the first - because the latter became Pasul when the owner was Mekadesh the other barrel, but not the former, since he only performed Melachah after the Kidush of his water had taken place.

(d)And in a case where Reuven says ...

1. ... 'Kadesh Li va'Amalei Lach' - both lots of water are Kasher (because Melachah does not invalidates Mei Chatas once the Kidush has taken place), and if he says ...

2. ... 'Malei Li va'Akadesh Lach' - they are both Pasul (because each one performed a Melachah between the Miluy of his Mei Chatas and the Kidush).

Mishnah 5
Hear the Mishnah

7)

(a)What should a person do if he wants to fill some water for himself and some for Mei Chatas?

(b)What does the Tana mean when he adds ve'Koshro be'Eisel? What is an Eisel?

(c)What if he reverses the order?

7)

(a)A person who wants to fill some water for himself and some for Mei Chatas - should fill his own barrel first (so as not to render the Mei Chatas Pasul bi'Melachah).

(b)When the Tana adds ve'Koshro be'Eisel, he means that - he should remember to tie his barrel to the water-carrier's stick [see Tos. Yom-Tov] before drawing the water for the Mei Chatas (for the same reason).

(c)If he reversed the order - the Mei Chatas is Pasul.

8)

(a)Why does the Mishnah obligate him to place the Mei Chatas in front of the Eisel and his own water at the back? What is the source for this?

(b)What if he reverses the order?

(c)Then what must he do if he has filled two barrels with Mei Chatas?

(d)Why is that?

8)

(a)The Mishnah obligates him to place the Mei Chatas in front of the Eisel and his own water at the back - in order to keep a careful eye (see Tos. Yom-Tov) on the Mei Chatas (based on the Pasuk "le'Mishmeres le'Mei Nidah", from which we see that it needs some sort of guarding).

(b)If he reverses the order - the Mei Chatas is Pasul.

(c)On the other hand, if he has filled two barrels with Mei Chatas - he is permitted to fit one of them at the back ...

(d)... because whilst guarding the barrel in front, he will keep an eye on the one at the back (see also Tos. Yom-Tov).

Mishnah 6
Hear the Mishnah

9)

(a)On what condition does the Mei Chatas remain Kasher if, together with it, Reuven is carrying Shimon's rope, which he intends to return to Shimon?

(b)A certain Chacham went to Yavneh regarding this issue. Why specifically Yavneh?

(c)What She'eilah did ask there?

(d)How often did he have to go until he received a reply?

(e)On what basis did they finally declare the Mei Chatas Kasher?

9)

(a)The Mei Chatas remains Kasher if, together with it, Reuven is carrying Shimon's rope, which he intends to return to Shimon - provided he does not go out of his way at all (returning it to him only when he meets him.

(b)A certain Chacham went to Yavneh regarding this issue - to ask the Sanhedrin (who convened there at the time of Churban).

(c)He asked there - about the latter case (there where a person did go out of his way to return the rope).

(d)He had to go - on three successive Yamim Tovim, until ...

(e)... they declared the Mei Chatas Kasher, because it was a case of emergency (since there was no other Mei Chatas available [Tiferes Yisrael]).

Mishnah 7
Hear the Mishnah

10)

(a)What does the Mishnah say about the person drawing water for Mei Chatas winding the rope round and round his hand? Why does he do that?

(b)On what condition will doing so be considered a Melachah?

(c)Why the difference?

(d)What does R. Yossi say about this in respect of the final statement in the previous Mishnah?

10)

(a)The Mishnah rules that - the person drawing water for Mei Chatas does not invalidate it by winding the rope round and round his hand (as he pulls it up, to avoid it slipping back into the well).

(b)He will however, render the water Pasul - if he does this once the barrel is fully drawn ...

(c)... because then it is no longer part of the drawing process.

(d)According to R. Yossi - this was the She'eilah that sent the Chacham to Yavneh, and not that of returning the rope to the owner.

Mishnah 8
Hear the Mishnah

11)

(a)Is hiding the barrel that one has just used for Miluy and after pouring the water into the trough for Kidush (to protect it from breaking) or turning it upside down (for it to dry) considered a Melachah?

(b)On what condition is the same act considered a Melachah?

(c)What is the reason for this distinction?

(d)By the same token, when is removing broken pieces of earthenware from the trough (before the Kidush) considered a Melachah, and when is it not?

11)

(a)Hiding the barrel that one has just used for Miluy and after pouring the water into the trough for Kidush (to protect it from breaking) or turning it upside down (for it to dry) - is not considered a Melachah ...

(b)... but if he does it - in order to prepare to transport it after the Kidush, it is.

(c)The reason for this distinction is - because whatever enables further Miluy is not considered a Melachah, whereas whatever does not is not (just like we answered a little earlier [see also Tos. Yom-Tov]).

(d)By the same token, removing broken pieces of earthenware from the trough (before the Kidush) is considered a Melachah - if it is performed with the intention of making more space to pour in more water, but not if it is to prevent it from hindering the Haza'ah.

Mishnah 9
Hear the Mishnah

12)

(a)What does the Mishnah say about somebody who, with a barrel containing Mei Chatas on his shoulders ...

1. ... issues a ruling (in whatever area of Halachah it may be) or shows someone the way?

2. ... kills a snake or a scorpion or takes food to put it away?

3. ... kills a snake or scorpion that is keeping him back or takes food to eat?

(b)On what basis does issuing a ruling or showing somebody the way (which are not Melachos) disqualify the Mei Chatas?

(c)Based on this distinction, R. Yehudah qualifies the first ruling. On what condition does he declare the Mei Chatas Kasher?

(d)Like whom is the Halachah?

12)

(a)The Mishnah rules that - somebody who, with a barrel containing Mei Chatas on his shoulders ...

1. ... issues a ruling (in whatever area of Halachah it may be) or shows someone the way ...

2. ... kills a snake or a scorpion or takes food to put it away - invalidates the Mei Chatas, but not if he ...

3. ... kills a snake or scorpion that is keeping him back or takes food to eat (see Tos. Yom-Tov).

(b)Issuing a ruling or showing somebody the way (which are not Melachos) disqualify the Mei Chatas - on the basis of Hesech ha'Da'as (being distracted from the issue, which disqualifies all Kodhsim).

(c)Based on this distinction, R. Yehudah qualifies the first ruling, and declares the Mei Chatas Kasher - as long as he did not stop in the process.

(d)The Halachah is - like R. Yehudah.

Mishnah 10
Hear the Mishnah

13)

(a)What distinction does the Tana Kama draw between whether the Shomer to whom one hands the Mei Chatas is Tamei or Tahor?

(b)Will it make a difference whether the owner then performs a Melachah or not?

(c)What is the reason for the earlier ruling?

(d)What is the source for that?

13)

(a)According to the Tana Kama, if the Shomer to whom one hands the Mei Chatas is Tamei - the Mei Chatas is Pasul; whereas it is Kasher if he the Shomer is Tahor.

(b)In the former case, the Mei Chatos is Tamei - even if the owner does not perform a Melachah himself, whereas in the latter, it is Tahor even if he does.

(c)The reason for the earlier ruling is - because a Tamei Shomer cannot be relied upon to guard them properly ...

(d)... and the source - is the Pasuk "le'Mishmeres le'Mei Nidah".

14)

(a)On what grounds does R. Eliezer validate the Mei Chatas even if the Shomer is Tamei?

(b)Like whom is the Halachah?

14)

(a)R. Eliezer validates the Mei Chatas even in the earlier case - because, in his opinion, the Mei Chatas remains in the charge of the owner, who is Tahor.

(b)The Halachah is - like the Chachamim.

Mishnah 11
Hear the Mishnah

15)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses two people who are both being Mekadesh Mei Chatas, and who assist each other to lift up the trough. What distinction does the Tana draw between whether they are making one combined Kidush or two separate ones?

(b)What will be the Din if, instead of helping each other to lift the trough, they remove splinters from one another's flesh?

(c)R. Yossi disagrees. What does he say?

(d)Like whom is the Halachah?

15)

(a)The Mishnah now discusses two people who are both being Mekadesh Mei Chatas, and who assist each other to lift up the trough. The Tana declares it - Kasher if they are making one combined Kidush, but Pasul if they are making two separate ones, and the same will apply ...

(b)... if, instead of helping each other to lift the trough, they remove splinters from one another's flesh.

(c)R. Yossi maintains - even in the case of two separate Kidushin, the Mei Chatas is Kasher, provided each one made a stipulation that whenever he helps his friend to carry, that particular Keili will be his, and vice-versa (see also Tiferes Yisrael).

(d)The Halachah is - like the Tana Kama.

Mishnah 12
Hear the Mishnah

16)

(a)The Tana rules that if the person carrying the barrel with the Mei Chatas makes a breach (to get to the water), this is not considered a Melachah. Why not (see Tos. Yom-Tov)?

(b)What if he does so with the intention of repairing it? Why might we have thought that it makes a difference?

(c)On what condition will the Mei Chatas become Pasul?

16)

(a)The Tana rules that if the person carrying the barrel with the Mei Chatas makes a breach (to get to the water), this is not considered a Melachah - because it is Mekalkel (an act of destruction [see Tos. Yom-Tov]) ...

(b)... even if he does so with the intention of repairing it - in spite of the fact that with regard to Shabbos, it is considered a Melachah.

(c)The Mei Chatas will become Pasul however - if he actually repairs the breach (since that Melachah is not needed for the Miluy (Tiferes Yisrael).

17)

(a)What similar distinction does the Tana draw regarding picking figs as he walks with the Mei Chatas? When does it remain Kasher and when does it become Pasul?

(b)In which case will the Mei Chatas become Pasul, even he does not dry the remaining figs?

17)

(a)Similarly, the Tana rules that - if the person picks figs and eats them after he has filled the Mei Chatas, it remains Kasher, even if he initially intended to dry them (see Tos. Yom-Tov); but in the event he actually dries the remaining figs, it becomes Pasul.

(b)It becomes Pasul however, even if he does not - if he throws the remaining figs under the tree or into a yard in order to retrieve them later.

**** Hadran alach 'Chamishah she'Mil'u'