daf bit: Makkot 20

[cellio]

The mishna teaches: one who makes a baldness on his head or cuts the corners of his beard is liable to flogging. It goes on to discuss multiple penalties (if you make several bald spots you are flogged for them separately). The g'mara, in typical fashion, asks: how big is "a baldness"? There are several opinions: R. Huna says enough to show the bare scalp. R. Yehudah says in the name of R. Eleazar b. Shimon: the size of a bean. Tanna'im [mishna-era teachers] are cited for both positions, and a third tanna says removing two hairs counts (or, some say, the size of a lentil). (20a mishna, 20b g'mara)

The lentils in my pantry are bigger than the space occupied by two adjacent hairs on my head, by the way. Not that I'm planning to remove any of the latter.

When I shared this at minyan this morning, somebody asked me what kind of lentil. I suggested a research path for him but I don't think he'll bite.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/merle_/]

What counts as "making a baldness"? In theory, a haircut where they trim around your ears or up the back of your neck creates a baldness (the latter might not count as part of your head). Accidentally getting a bit of your hair ripped out by machinery, or asking for a haircut and having an inept barber: do these confer blame?

Argh, now I feel like finding a rabbi and debating the point. Stop converting me! ;-)

(and I would vote for brown lentils, the black ones mostly being cultivated in India)

[cellio]

I'm sorry to have alarmed you. Judicial punishments require testimony showing intent; your barber can't get you in trouble.

But you're right; along with "what exactly is a baldness?" we should be asking "what exactly is the head?". (Sideburns are to be left alone; that's why you'll sometimes see men with long curly ones.)

I believe all of the commandments related cutting/shaving (head) hair apply only to men. Women with problematic facial hair are allowed to remove it, or so I was told by an Orthodox rabbi I once asked out of curiosity. (Hey, if you don't want odd questions, don't advertise an ask-the-rabbi service on the internet...)

(What about red and green lentils? I default to brown too, but I can't hold that up with any degree of certainty.)

[http://users.livejournal.com/merle_/]

Oh, I wasn't too alarmed -- there must have been context around it otherwise the rule would be way too arbitrary. But as you say, always ask!

I think all the colours of lentils are cross-breedable but tend to grow best in different climates, much like bell peppers. But take that with a pinch of curry powder; occasionally I have been known to be completely wrong. (I prefer a mix of brown and red lentils for soups, with the red added in towards the end because they are smaller and cook much more quickly)