If one picks out peas on yom tov — Beth Shammai say: He picks the food and eats it [He picks the food (the peas) one by one from the psoleth (the non-edible parts)], and Beth Hillel say: He picks out (the psoleth) in the normal manner on his lap, in a reed basket, or in a tray, [so long as the exertion of picking out the psoleth is not greater (than that of picking out the food); but if it is greater (as when the psoleth is especially thin), even if there is more food than psoleth, Beth Hillel agree that he picks out the food and leaves the psoleth, reduction of exertion being the prime criterion.]; but he may not (pick it out) on the table, with a sifter, or with a sieve. R. Gamliel says: He may also rinse them and pick it (the psoleth) out (sholeh). [He brings a vessel full of peas, pours water on them, the psoleth rises to the surface, and he removes it with his hand. "sholeh," as in (Exodus 3:5): "Remove (shal) your shoes." The halachah is not in accordance with R. Gamliel.]
Bartenura on Mishnah Beitzah
בורר אוכל אוכל – he collects food one piece at a time from the refuse.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
Introduction
This mishnah deals with how one separates out the dirt and inedible parts from a pile of beans on Yom Tov. “Sorting” is one of the prohibited labors on Shabbat, but it is permitted on Yom Tov because it is done in preparation of food.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Beitzah
בורר כדרכו בחיקו – and as long as it won’t be a painstaking preparation separating the large amount of refuse. But if it the painstaking preparation involved in separating the refuse is greater than the trouble involved to separate the food, such as the case where the refuse is exceptionally thin, even though the food is greater in its measure than the refuse, the School of Hillel agrees that one separates the food and sets aside the refuse, to exclude where the trouble involved is preferable.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
One who sorts beans on Yom Tov: Bet Shammai says: he must sort the edible parts and eat [them immediate]. According to Bet Shammai he is not really allowed to sort out the beans and make two piles, one of edible beans and one of dirt and other such yucky stuff. Rather all that he is allowed to do is sort out the beans and either eat them immediately, or put them in water to cook them if they are the type of bean that requires cooking. Again we see that Bet Shammai allows one to prepare food on Yom Tov but requires it to be done in a very minimal way, and with some significant differences from how it is done during the week.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Beitzah
אף מדיח ושולה – that he brings a utensil filled with pulse and puts water upon it and the refuse floats on top of the water and he removes it with his hand. The word שולה /”draw it out” is like (Exodus 3: 5 ) “Remove your sandals [from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground].” But the Halakha is not according to Rabban Gamaliel.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
But Bet Hillel says: he may sort as usual in his lap or in a basket or in a dish; but not with a board or in a sifter or in a sieve. Bet Hillel allows one to sort beans but only if he does so in a more make-shift fashion, using his lap a basket or a dish. He may not use the instruments that he regularly uses during the week, vessels such as a board, a sifter or a sieve.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Beitzah
Rabban Gamaliel says: he may even rinse them [in water] and skim off [the refuse]. Rabban Gamaliel is the most lenient of the opinions in the mishnah. He allows one to sort beans even by rinsing the beans in water and skimming off the refuse that floats to the surface.
