Fruit Juicy TB Shabbat 144

We know that squeezing (סחיטה) is a sub category (תולדה) of threshing (דש) and is one of the forbidden labors (מלאכות). It is a subcategory of the labor of threshing, which is defined abstractly as removing the desired contents from within an unwanted wrapping or shell.

On yesterday’s daf TB Shabbat 143b Rabbah clarifies the dispute between the sages and Rabbi Yehuda concerning the juice that seeps out of the fruit on his own accord on Shabbat. For example, if one begins the squeezing process before Shabbat and it continues on its own accord during Shabbat, what is the status of that juice? Rabbah teaches that everybody agrees that the liquid from olives and grapes on its own accord is forbidden under all circumstances. When it comes to strawberries and pomegranates juice the sages forbid this juice under all circumstances while Rabbi Yehuda says it depends on why the person brought the fruit. If he brought the fruit for the purpose of juicing, any juice that seeps out on his own accord is forbidden. If he bought the fruit for eating, any juice that seeps out on his own accord is permitted. Finally, everybody agrees that the juice from rest of the fruits are permitted under all circumstances.

We learn on today’s daf TB Shabbat 142 an amazing new interpretation (חדוש) some squeezing is permitted! “As it was taught in a baraita: One may squeeze plums and quinces and crab apples. However, one may not squeeze pomegranates, because they are typically squeezed for their juice, as people from the house of Menashya bar Menaḥem would squeeze pomegranates during the week. Apparently, the Rabbis concede to Rabbi Yehuda with regard to fruits other than pomegranates and mulberries.” (Seefaria.org translation) This baraita actually says that one may actually squeeze these fruits for their on Shabbat! The Gemara explains why. “Since they are not fruits that are generally designated for squeezing, it is permitted to squeeze them even ab initio. That being the case, even if you say the baraita is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, the same reasoning applies: Since they are not generally designated for squeezing, it is permitted to squeeze them even ab initio. Even the Rabbis would permit squeezing fruits such as plums, quinces, and crab apples. Since the baraita does not permit squeezing pomegranates, learn from it that the baraita is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis. The Gemara concludes: Indeed, learn from it.” (Seefaria.org translation)

The moral of our daf: When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade on Shabbat.