Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Shabbat 45:4

א"ר יהושע בן לוי כל השמנים כולן יפין לנר ושמן זית מן המובחר אמר אביי מריש הוה מהדר מר אמשחא דשומשמי אמר האי משך נהורי טפי כיון דשמע לה להא דרבי יהושע בן לוי מהדר אמשחא דזיתא אמר האי צליל נהוריה טפי

for ink, and olive oil is of the best. The scholars propounded: for kneading or for smoking?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Is it the best for kneading with soot or for creating the smoke which produces the soot? ');"><sup>11</sup></span> — Come and hear: For R. Samuel b. Zutra recited: All oils are fit for ink, and olive oil is of the best, both for kneading and for smoking. R. Samuel b. Zutra recited it thus: All soots are fit for ink: and olive oil is the best. R. Huna said: All gums are good for ink, but balsam gum is the best of all. R. Hiyya b. Ashi said: He who lights the Hanukkah lamp must pronounce a blessing; while R. Jeremiah said He who sees the Hanukkah lamp must pronounce a blessing. Rab Judah said: On the first day, he who sees must pronounce two, and he who lights must pronounce three blessings;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. P.B. p. 274; the spectator omits the first, since he does not kindle the lights. Rashi and Asheri observe that only a spectator who has not yet kindled the lights himself, or who cannot do so, e.g., when he is in a boat, is required to pronounce these benedictions. ');"><sup>12</sup></span> thereafter, he who lights pronounces two, and he who sees pronounces one. What is omitted?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' After the first day. ');"><sup>13</sup></span>

Rashi on Shabbat

Its light lasts: It does not quickly end like olive oil [does].
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Tosafot on Shabbat

At first, my Master would seek sesame oil: It appears that it is referring to the Channukah lamp, and it is because of the reason that he concluded - that its light is [long-lasting]. But for the Shabbat lamp, it is obvious that olive oil is [used to perform] the choice commandment, since it is drawn more readily by the wick than all [other oils] - as it is shown in our mishnah. For they all conceded that we light with it.
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Rashi on Shabbat

Its light is clear: Clear and gives off light.
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