Pisqa’ 287¹

1

“You may not muzzle an ox” (Dt.25:4).

I might infer only that an ox

[may not be muzzled while at work]!

How do I know to apply

to other cattle, wild animals, or fowl

the same rule the Torah applies to an ox?

The Teaching states:

“You may not muzzle” (Dt.25:4)—

any kind [of work-animal].²

If so, why is it stated:

“An ox” ( Dt.25:4)?

You may not muzzle an ox while he is working,

but you may indeed muzzle a human being

[who is working with produce].

2

“During his threshing” (Dt.25:4).

I might infer only that

this rule applies to threshing!

How do I know that it might include other kinds of work?

The Teaching states:

“You may not muzzle” (Dt.25:4)—

that is, during any sort [of work].

If so, why is it stated:

“During his threshing” (Dt.25:4)?

 

Just as threshing is distinctive,

in dealing with produce

that grows from the earth,

but is detached from the ground

during its final processing,

when the animal is doing its work—

doesn’t he [enjoy permission to] eat?

So, too, [any labor with produce]

that grows from the earth,

but is detached from the ground

during its final processing

when the animal is doing its work—

shouldn’t he [enjoy permission to] eat?³

R. Yose b. R. Judah says:

Precisely because threshing is distinctive,

as a labor involving the hands, feet, and body,

[the rule regarding the muzzled ox] excludes

[permission to eat during]

any labor done with the hands, but not with the feet,

or with the feet, but not with the body.⁴

1. H:278-279;JN2:244-245.
2. Cf. M. BQ. 5:7.
3. //T.BM.8:7
4. =T.BM.8:7