Sukkah, Daf Mem, Part 2
Introduction
The Talmud continues to discuss whether wood set aside for heating/kindling is subject to the sabbatical year laws. This section uses a baraita that only indirectly relates to the subject.
ועצים להסקה תנאי היא, דתניא: אין מוסרין פירות שביעית לא למשרה ולא לכבוסה, רבי יוסי אומר: מוסרין.
And the question of whether [the restrictions of the Sabbatical Year apply to] wood that is used for heating is a dispute between Tannas, as it has been taught: The produce of the Sabbatical Year may not be used either for steeping or for washing.
R. Yose say: they may be so used.
The Talmud cites a baraita, which it will now explain and then later connect to the issue about wood during the sabbatical year. In this baraita we see a dispute between the sages whether one can use produce gathered during the sabbatical year for steeping or washing. Rashi explains that this produce is wine they would steep flax or launder clothes in wine. R. Yose says that the wine can be used for such a purpose, while the first opinion says it may not. Below we shall see why.
מאי טעמא דתנא קמא – דאמר קרא לאכלה – ולא למשרה, ולא לכבוסה.
What is the reason of the first Tanna?
Because Scripture says "for food," [implying] but not for steeping or for washing.
The Torah (Leviticus 25:6) says that one can use sabbatical year produce for food. The first opinion in the baraita learns from here that one cannot use this produce for other purposes such as steeping or washing.
מאי טעמא דרבי יוסי – אמר קרא לכם – לכם לכל צרכיכם, ואפילו למשרה ולכבוסה.
What is the reason of R. Yose? Because Scripture says, "for you" [implying], for all your needs, even for steeping and for washing.
Rabbi Yose emphasizes a different word from the verse "for you." One can use the sabbatical year produce for any purpose, even to steep or launder.
ותנא קמא, הא כתיב לכם!
ההוא לכם דומיא דלאכלה – מי שהנאתו וביעורו שוה, יצאו משרה וכבוסה שהנאתן אחר ביעורן.
But, according to the first Tanna, is it not written, "for you? That "for you" is to compare it with "for food:" Such that its benefit comes at the same time as its consumption, thus excluding [produce used for] steeping and washing the benefit from which comes after their consumption.
The Talmud now asks what the first tanna who said that sabbatical year produce can only be used for food, does with the verse "for you." The answer is that he compares it with "for food." This is a similar notion to the one we saw in yesterday’s section once can use sabbatical year produce only if it is consumed and benefit is derived from it at the same time. When one steeps or launders with wine, the product is first consumed (by being rendered undrinkable), and then the benefit is derived. Therefore, one cannot use it for such a purpose.
This opinion would therefore hold that wood is not subject to the sabbatical year restrictions because its benefit by definition comes after it has been consumed. Thus from this baraita the Talmud can conclude that there is a debate about wood, not just about using wine for steeping or laundering.