Avodah Zarah, Daf Samekh Gimmel, Part 6

 

Introduction

R. Ashi offers another solution for the last part of the baraita.

 

רב אשי אמר כגון שנטל ונתן ביד

 

R. Ashi said: For example when [the employer] took [the food] from the shopkeeper and handed it [to his workmen].

 

The employer transgresses only if he actually takes the food from the shopkeeper and gives it directly to his employees. If he pays the shopkeeper back, he is not transgressing.

א"ל רב יימר לרב אשי אי הכי אדתני צאו ואכלו צאו ושתו, טלו ואכלו טלו ושתו מיבעי ליה

א"ל תני טלו ואכלו טלו ושתו

 

R. Yemar said to R. Ashi: If that were so, then instead of the words, Go out and eat, go out and drink it should have stated, Take and eat, take and drink !

He replied to him: Teach it, Take and eat, take and drink.

 

As the baraita reads, it sounds like the employer is going to pay the shopkeeper back, not take the food from his hand and give it over to the workers. Therefore R. Ashi must, like R. Kahana earlier, emend the baraita to accord with his interpretation.