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Prepared by R. Yakov Blinder
of Kollel Iyun Hadaf, Yerushalayim
Rosh Kollel: Rabbi Mordecai Kornfeld


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Moed Katan 8

1) DISCUSSION OF DERIVATION MENTIONED ABOVE, 7b, 8:b:1.

(a) Question: How exactly did R. Yehudah derive from "On the day when it is seen on [the Metzora]..." that there are certain days when a Kohen should not examine Negaim?
(b) Abaye's answer: The prefix "u" of "u'v'yom" is extra, and therefore serves as a basis for the said derivation.
(c) Rava's answer: The entire word u'v'yom is extra.
(d) Here there is a discussion of how Abaye relates to Rava's approach and vice versa, how we know that Nega'im are not inspected at night, and how we know that an inspecting Kohen must be able to see with both eyes.
2) MISHNAH - REINTERMENT AND MOURNING DURING C.H.
(a) R. Meir allows reinterment for one's parents' remains on C.H., because it is a happy, not sad occasion. R. Yosi considers it to be a sad event, and therefore forbids it.
(b) One may not bewail or lament a dead person within thrity days of a Yom Tov.
3) GEMARA - QUESTION ON R. MEIR'S OPINION
(a) Question: How can R. Meir say reinterment is a joyous event? There is a Beraisa which requires a one-day (but not into the night) mourning period upon reinterment of a parent's remains!
(b) Answer: R. Meir's words should not be interpreted as "because it [reinterment] is a happy occasion," but as "because it [C.H.] is a happy occasion, and this joy will overshadow the sadness of reinterment."
4) DEFINITION OF THE MISHNAH'S "BEWAIL"
(a) What is to "bewail"? In Eretz Yisrael they used to say, "Let all those of bitter heart weep with him." This is "bewailing."
5) DISCUSSION OF THE NATURE OF THE MISHNAH'S THIRTY-DAY PERIOD
(a) Question: Why thirty days?
(b) Rav's answer: Because one might spend money that he had saved up for Yom Tov on hiring a professional lamenter.
(c) Shmuel's answer: Because the sad emotions stirred up in the lament last for thirty days and will interfere with one's Simchas Yom Tov.
(d) The practical difference between the two answers: Holding a lamentation ceremony without paid lamenters.
8b---------------------------------------8b

6) MISHNAH - THREE LAWS ABOUT C.H.

(a) One may not dig a new Kuch (little burial caves for individual bodies) or grave on C.H., but they may be altered.
(b) One may make a Nivreches (Rashi: a laundering pool; others: a kind of grave) on C.H.
(c) One may make a coffin (from scratch) in the same courtyard-complex where the deceased is. R. Yehudah forbids this, unless the boards used are already cut.
7) GEMARA - DEFINITON OF TERMS FOR 6:a AND 6:b
(a) Question: What is the difference between a "Kuch" and a "grave"?
(b) Answer: A "Kuch" is dug in the ground; a "grave" is dug in a building.
(c) Question: What is meant by "altering"?
(d) R. Yehudah's answer: Shortening it to size. Beraisa's answer: Lengthening and widening it.
(e) Question: What is a Nivreches?
(f) Answer: It is the same as a "Bekia."
(g) Question: A Beraisa makes it clear that Nivreches and Bekia are two different things.
(h) Answer: They are similar, but slightly different. One is a large pool, and the other is a smaller overflow pool built at the side of the larger pool (Rashi).
8) APROPOS TO 6:c
(a) The Mishnah implies that according to theTanna Kama boards may be cut anew for a coffin.
(b) This fact is corroborated by a Beraisa: "One may perform all requirements for a dead person (on C.H.) - cutting his hair, laundering his clothes, and constructing a coffin from pre-existing boards (corresponding to R. Yehudah in our Mishnah). Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel (corresponding to the Tanna Kama in our Mishnah) says new boards may also be cut for a coffin, provided it is done indoors, in private.
9) MISHNAH - FOUR TOPICS ABOUT C.H.
(a) One may not marry (except for remarrying one's own divorcee) on C.H. because it is a joyous activity.
(b) A woman may perform all kinds of beauty care on C.H. R. Yehudah, however, forbids using lime treatment because it causes her to become unsightly in the short run (during the holiday).
(c) A non-skilled person may sew on C.H., but a professional must do so in an unusual ("doglike") manner.
(d) The ropes that hold the mattress of a bed may be intertwined on C.H. according to the Tanna Kama. R. Yosi says the ropes may only be tightened.
10) EXPLANATION OF 9:a
(a) Question: Why should marriage be forbidden on C.H.?
(b) Shmuel's answer: Because one may not mingle one joy (C.H.) wth another (marriage).
(c) Rabah's answer: Because a person will become preoccupied with his rejoicing over his wife and neglect his Simchas Yom Tov.
(d) Ula's answer: Because getting married involves many preparations and exertions.
(e) R. Yitzchak Napcha's answer: Because if marriage were allowed on C.H. everyone would postpone their weddings to that convenient time, thus leading to delaying the mitzvah of procreation.
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