Daf 68 — Menachos 68 Summary

Menachos 68 – Good Morning Raboisai Chadash vs. Chametz – Why One Is More Strict The sugya compares חדש (new crop) with חמץ : • By Chametz , Chazal are concerned that if you handle it (like during bedikah), you may come to eat it . • By Chadash , some hold there is no such concern , since people are generally careful not to eat it. Abaye explains: People are not used to eating Chadash , so they stay cautious. But Chametz is eaten all year, so a person might easily slip and eat it. Using a “Shinuy” as a Reminder The Gemara explains why handling Chadash is sometimes permitted: • Harvesting is done with a shinuy (unusual method) – e.g., by hand instead of a sickle • Grinding and sifting are also done in an unusual way This serves as a reminder that the produce is Chadash and still forbidden. Chadash Becomes Permitted – When? Key rule: • When the Omer is brought , Chadash becomes permitted immediately. Even if you are far away: • Once enough time has passed (e.g. midday), we assume the Omer has been brought and it is permitted. This day is called: “ יום הנף ” – the day the Omer is waved (16th of Nissan) After the Churban – What Changed? After the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed: • There is no Omer offering So when does Chadash become permitted? Two approaches: • Torah level: permitted from sunrise ( האיר מזרח ) • Rabbanan (Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai): forbid eating Chadash the entire 16th of Nissan This was a gezeirah , in case the Beis HaMikdash is rebuilt and people get confused. Is the Entire Day Forbidden Mid’Oraisa? There is a major debate: • Rabbi Yehudah: the entire 16th is forbidden mid’Oraisa • Others: only forbidden mid’Rabbanan after the Churban This depends on how to understand the pasuk “ עד עצם היום הזה ” . Chadash in Chutz LaAretz The Gemara discusses whether Chadash applies outside Eretz Yisrael: • Some Amoraim treated Chadash in Chutz LaAretz as derabbanan • Others were strict and waited even longer (due to safek of two days Yom Tov) Example: • Some waited until the night of the 17th • Others waited until the 18th This reflects different levels of stringency. Omer vs. Shtei HaLechem Two key stages: • Omer (Pesach) → permits Chadash for regular eating • Shtei HaLechem (Shavuos) → permits Chadash for use in the Beis HaMikdash Before Shavuos: • You should not bring new grain offerings • If you did → it may still be valid Before the Omer: • If you brought from Chadash → it is invalid A Powerful Story – Derech Eretz Matters A תלמיד answered Rebbi Tarfon correctly in a halachic discussion. However: • He showed excess pride and disrespect Rebbi Tarfon responded that such behavior is inappropriate, and the תלמיד did not live long. Lesson: Torah knowledge must come with humility and respect ( דרך ארץ ) Yesodos of the Daf • Chadash is less likely to be eaten accidentally than Chametz. • A shinuy (unusual method) serves as a reminder not to eat forbidden items. • Chadash becomes permitted after the Omer , or after sunrise post - Churban . • Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai forbade Chadash the entire 16th as a safeguard. • There is a major debate if the whole day is forbidden mid’Oraisa or mid’Rabbanan . • The Omer permits eating , while Shtei HaLechem permits Mikdash use . • Torah must be paired with proper middos and respect . לעילוי נשמת אמי מורתי רות בת הרב מנחם מנדל