Commentary for Menachot 127:1

אימא לך כרבנן סבירא ליה

<br> I would say that he is in agreement with the Sages. And, on the other hand, perhaps R. Ishmael the son of R. Johanan b. Beroka only said so there, since the requirements for the Most - High have been fulfilled, so that there is no further need to profane the Sabbath; but here, since the requirements for the Most High have not yet been fulfilled, so that there is a need to profane the Sabbath, I would say that he is in agreement with the Sages! - Said Rabbah, R. Ishmael and R. Hanina the Vice-High Priest both hold the same view. For we have learnt: R. HANINA THE VICE-HIGH PRIEST SAYS, ON THE SABBATH IT WAS REAPED BY ONE MAN WITH ONE SICKLE INTO ONE BASKET, AND ON A WEEKDAY IT WAS REAPED BY THREE MEN INTO THREE BASKETS AND WITH THREE SICKLES. BUT THE SAGES SAY, WHETHER ON THE SABBATH OR ON A WEEKDAY IT WAS REAPED BY THREE MEN INTO THREE BASKETS AND WITH THREE SICKLES. Now did not R. Hanina the Vice-High Priest say there that where it is possible [to manage with one] we must not trouble [more to work on the Sabbath]? Here, too, since it is possible [to manage with less] we must not trouble [to do more on the Sabbath]. Whence [do you know this]? Perhaps R. Ishmael only said so here, since there is no opportunity for making the matter public, but there, since there is an opportunity for making the matter public, I would say that he is in agreement with the Rabbis. And, on the other hand, perhaps R. Hanina the Vice-High Priest only said so there, for after all, whether one man or three are employed, the service to the Most High is performed according to its prescribed rites, but here, since the service to the Most High is not performed according to its prescribed rites, I would say that he is in agreement with the Sages! - Rather, said R. Ashi, R. Ishmael and R. Jose both hold the same view. For we have learnt: Whether [the new moon] was clearly visible or not, they may profane the Sabbath because of it. But R. Jose says. If it was clearly visible they may not profane the Sabbath because of it. Now did not R. Jose say there that wherever it is possible [to manage without them] we do not trouble [them to profane the Sabbath]? Here, too, since it is possible [to manage with less] we must not trouble [to do more on the Sabbath]. Whence [do you know this]? Perhaps R. Ishmael only said so here, since the reason 'it will result that you will prevent them from coming in the future' does not apply, but there, since the reason 'it will result that you will prevent them from coming in the future applies, I would say that he is in agreement with the Rabbis. And, on the other hand, perhaps R. Jose only said so there, since the matter in question is no service to the Most High, and moreover the Sabbath has not been overridden [by another service], but here, since it is a service to the Most High. and the Sabbath has already been overridden [by other acts of work]. I would say that he is in agreement with the Rabbis.

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