Pisqa’ 2661
1
“When you come into your kinsman’s vineyard,
you may eat grapes freely, as you desire” (Dt.23:25)—
is it possible to say that
the rule applies any time
[even after the completion of the work]?
The Teaching states:
“But do not put any in your basket” (Dt.23:25)—
while you are gathering them into the boss’s basket.2
“Your kinsman” (Dt.23:25)—
this excludes [gentile] outsiders from the rule.
“Your kinsman” (Dt.23:25)—
this excludes [from the rule produce consecrated to] the Supernal One.
2
“You may eat” (Dt.23:25)—
but you may not squeeze the juice [into a container]. 3
“Grapes” (Dt.23:25)—
but [the rule] does not apply to figs.
On this basis you can teach:
A laborer engaged with figs shall not eat grapes;
[when engaged with] grapes, he shall not eat figs.
Rather, he restrains himself until he reaches the best place,
And then may eat.4
R. Elazar Hisma says:
On what basis do I know that
a laborer may not eat more than his pay?
The Teaching states:
“Freely” (Dt.23:25)—
[as long as he doesn’t eat more than his pay].
But sages say:
“As you desire” (Dt.23:25)—
this teaches that
a laborer may eat more than his pay. 5
“But do not put any in your basket” (Dt.23:25)—
while you are gathering them into the boss’s basket.