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

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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)