Chullin 137 - September 14, 3 Tishrei

<p><a href= "https://hadran.org.il/app/uploads/2026/09/Study-Guide-Chullin-137.pdf"> Study Guide</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The obligation of <em>reshit ha'gez</em> (first shearing) applies exclusively to sheep. Although the Gemara initially suggests a <em>gezeira shava</em> comparing <em>"gez"</em> in Deuteronomy 18:5 to Job 31:20 (<em>"m'gez kvasai yitchamam"</em>), it ultimately derives the requirement from the phrase <em>"l'amod l'sharet"</em>, establishing that the material must be fit for priestly service. This excludes goat hair <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang= "EN-US">-</span> which is used for sackcloth rather than garments <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang= "EN-US">-</span> as well as coarse wool.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style= "mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">W</span>ashing sheep<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang= "EN-US">, which causes some wool to be removed,</span> is subject to a Tannaitic debate: <span lang="EN-US" style= "mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">Rabbi Yosi</span> exempt<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">s</span> washing <span lang="EN-US" style= "mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">from the commandment to give the first shearing</span> because it <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">is not the typical method of</span> shearing, whereas <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">the rabbis</span> obligate it <span lang="EN-US" style= "mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">as it does remove the wool</span>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Tannaim dispute the minimum flock size required: Beit Shammai require two sheep based on the plural <em>"tzon"</em>, Beit Hillel require five (<em>"chamesh tzon asuyot"</em>), and Rabbi Yishmael b'Rabbi Yos<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">i</span> requires four based on <span lang="EN-US" style= "mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">the laws of theft of "<em>tzon</em>" where the penalty is four "<em>tzon</em>"</span>. R<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang= "EN-US">e</span>bbi <span lang="EN-US" style= "mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">shows preference to the ruling of</span> Rabbi Yishmael b'Rabbi Yos<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" xml:lang="EN-US">i</span> <span lang