daf bit: Moed Katan 10

[cellio]

Sometimes the permissibility of an action depends on the intent rather than the action itself. In discussing chol hamoed, the intermediate days of festivals, the g'mara says: On clearing sticks from one's field, if he does it to gather firewood it's permitted but if he does it to clear the field it's forbidden. How can we tell? If he picks up only the larger sticks he's gathering firewood; if he picks up everything he's clearing the field. And on opening channels so that water flows into one's field, if he does it to get the fish it's permitted but if he does it to water his field it's forbidden. How can we tell? If he makes upper and lower openings (that is, inflow and outflow -- I guess on a slope?) then he is doing it for the fish; if he makes only one opening (so the water can't flow out) then he's doing it for the water. And on trimming one's palm trees (to remove the young shoots and foliage), if he does it for his animals it's permitted but if he does it for the palms it's forbidden. How do we know? If he trims one side only it's for his animals; if he trims both sides it's for the palm. (10b)

I don't understand this last part -- do the animals eat the trimmings or what?

Also, I have not encountered this method of fishing before. Nets are customary, as I understand it. This sounds like pretty specialized circumstances.

Comments

[alaricmacconnal.livejournal.com]

It could be that the palm is shading part of a pasture, thus preventing the grass (or whatever the animals are eating) from growing properly. So trimming one side of the palm might then allow the sunlight to reach the grass.

[cellio]

I hadn't considered the shade angle. Thanks.