Commentary for Bava Batra 159:5
ר' יוחנן אמר נוטל שלשה נחילין בסירוס במתניתא תנא נוטל ג' נחילין בזה אחר זה מכאן ואילך נוטל אחת ומניח אחת:
— A mother is [always] attached to a daughter, but not so a daughter to a mother. [IF HE BUYS] THE [ANNUAL] ISSUE OF A BEEHIVE, HE TAKES [THE FIRST] THREE SWARMS; AND [THE SELLER MAY THEN] EMASCULATE [THOSE REMAINING]. Wherewith does he emasculate them? — Rab Judah said in the name of Samuel: With mustard. In Palestine it has been stated, in the name of R. Jose b. Hanina: It is not the mustard that emasculates them but the excessive quantities of honey, which the bitterness in their mouths [caused by the mustard], makes them consume.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The surfeit deprives them of the power of propagation and consequently their entire energies are centred on the production of honey. ');"><sup>9</sup></span>
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