Man darf eine Lampe (auf yom tov) nicht "öffnen" [indem man eines der "Eier" des Töpfers nimmt und seine Faust hineinsteckt, um (die Schüssel für) eine Lampe auszuhöhlen], denn er macht dadurch ein Gefäß. Und man darf keine Holzkohle auf Jom Tov machen, [auch diese sind "Gefäße" für Goldschmiede], und ein Docht darf nicht in zwei Teile geschnitten werden. [Auch ein Docht ist ein "Gefäß" zum Anzünden, das vorbereitet werden muss. Es darf nicht in zwei Teile geteilt werden, da dies ein Gefäß ändert. (Aber es ist erlaubt, es in der Hand zu "zerdrücken".)] R. Yehudah sagt: Er kann es durch Feuer in zwei Lampen schneiden. [Er steckt die beiden Köpfe der Dochte in die Münder zweier Lampen, die er gleichzeitig anzünden muss, und zündet sie in der Mitte an. Im Moment erweckt er nicht den Eindruck, etwas zu gestalten, sondern eine Beleuchtung (eine Lampe). Die Halacha stimmt mit R. Yehudah überein.]
Bartenura on Mishnah Beitzah
אין פוחתין את הנר – to take one of the lumps of the artisan of earthenware and to insert his fist into it to engrave a lamp, because he is making a utensil.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
Introduction
This mishnah deals with several laws concerning the use and production of lamps on Yom Tov.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Beitzah
ואין עושין פחמין – for these are also a utensil for the refinement/smelting of gold, and the wick also is a utensil for kindling, which requires making and repair.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
One may not make a hole in a [lump of clay for use as a] lamp because that is making a vessel. Lamps in mishnaic times were basically lumps of clay with a receptacle for oil and a small hole in which one could put a wick. While lighting a lamp is allowed on Yom Tov, making a lamp is not. One may not make a hole in a lump of clay in order to make it into a lamp because making a vessel is forbidden on Yom Tov.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Beitzah
ואין חתכין אותה לשנים – because [in the process] he is repairing a utensil, but to crush it/rub it with his hand is permitted.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
One may not make charcoal on Yom Tov. Charcoal is also considered to be a vessel, or at least as important as a vessel. Therefore it is forbidden to make charcoal on Yom Tov.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
And one may not cut a wick into two. Rabbi Judah says: he may cut it into two lamps using a fire. Cutting a piece of twine or other material into two in order to make two wicks is also considered similar to making a vessel and is therefore prohibited on Yom Tov. Rabbi Judah says that while one cannot cut the twine into two with a knife or scissors, he can cut it into two by using fire. The Talmud explains that he places two lamps next to each other and one wick in the two lamps, one end in each. He then lights the wick in the middle and it will split in two.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Beitzah
חותכה באור – he places the two ends of the wick in the mouth of two candles that he needs to kindle at once and kindles in the middle, but now that he does not prove that he was repairing something with intention, but merely just to kindle. And the Halakha is according to Rabbi Yehuda.
