Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Dvar Hashem Me'Yerushalmi: Killing Lice on Shabbos

The problem with the Bavli's position that killing lice on Shabbos is permitted because they do not reproduce sexually is well known. However, according to the proposed girsa of the Sha'arei Toras Eretz Yisroel to Yerushalmi Shabbos 8a, who substitutes eilim (rams) for chilazon (murex) - because there were no murex in the Midbar to kill, so netilas neshamah is derived from the rams killed for dye in Meleches HaMishkan - the reason one may kill lice on Shabbos is actually because they have no bones or sinews, and therefore cannot exist for twelve months, and therefore are not strictly speaking ''alive." חידוש גדול!
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8 comments:

  1. PhilThursday, May 28, 2015 12:26:00 AM

    Are there insects without bones or sinews that live more than one year? And are there insects without bones or sinews that live less than one year, yet we are not allowed to kill them on Shabbos?

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  2. dlzThursday, May 28, 2015 4:13:00 AM

    I am pretty sure that queen termites live for several decades.

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  3. Yosef Gavriel BechhoferThursday, May 28, 2015 9:31:00 AM

    Termites have skeletons: http://www.termites.com/information/lifecycle/

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  4. Mighty Garnel IronheartThursday, May 28, 2015 7:19:00 PM

    So mosquitos are okay too?

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    Replies
    1. Yosef Gavriel BechhoferThursday, May 28, 2015 9:07:00 PM

      Mosquitoes have exoskeletons: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/insects/mosquito/

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    2. Mighty Garnel IronheartFriday, May 29, 2015 12:07:00 PM

      But pretty much all insects are the same - hard exoskeleton, soft interior and blood which circulates under the shell to pick up oxygen from the atmosphere.
      That last part is great on Sukkos. Fill a spray bottle with vodka and spritz the bees when they invade your sukka. Just don't forget to call them a cab so they can get home.

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