Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Avodah Zarah 73:3

מיסתמיך ואזיל ר' יהודה נשיאה אכתפיה דרבי שמלאי שמעיה א"ל שמלאי לא היית אמש בבית המדרש כשהתרנו את השמן אמר לו בימינו תתיר אף את הפת אמר לו א"כ קרו לן בית דינא שריא דתנן העיד רבי יוסי בן יועזר איש צרידה על אייל קמצא דכן ועל משקה בית מטבחיא דכן ועל דיקרב למיתא מסאב וקרו ליה יוסף שריא

R. Judah Nesi'a was once walking and leaning upon the shoulder of his attendant, R. Simlai, when he said to him, “Simlai, you were not present yesterday at the Bet Midrash” when we declared [Gentile] oil permitted.” He replied, “Would that in our days you permitted their bread also!” He said to him, “If we were to do that, they would call us ‘the permitting Court.’’ As we have learned: R. Yose b. Yo'ezer of Zeredah testified that the stag-locust is clean, that the flow [of blood and water] from the place of slaughter [in the Temple] is non-defiling, and that one who comes in contact with a corpse is defiled; and they called him "Joseph the permitter".’

Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah

This story offers us an excellent window into people’s heads. Simlai, who is not a rabbi, is thrilled that R. Judah Nesi’a allowed Jews to consume non-Jewish oil. He wants permission to eat non-Jewish bread as well. But Rabbi Judah Nesi’a, the rabbi whose court allowed their oil, fears that if he is too lenient he will tarnish his reputation. No one wants to be called a “permitting court.”
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Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah

This is a mishnah from Avodah Zarah. It proves that when rabbis permit too many things they get the reputation of being “permitters.” Not something they wanted. The Talmud will explain the particular issues below.
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