Commentary for Kelim 17:7
כַּגְּרוֹגֶרֶת שֶׁאָמְרוּ, לֹא גְדוֹלָה וְלֹא קְטַנָּה אֶלָּא בֵינוֹנִית. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, הַגְּדוֹלָה שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל הִיא הַבֵּינוֹנִית שֶׁבַּמְּדִינוֹת:
[The measurement of] the dried fig that was mentioned is neither large nor small, but medium-sized. Rabbi Yehudah says, The biggest in the land of Israel is the medium-sized of other lands.
Bartenura on Mishnah Kelim
כגרוגרת שאמרו – for the removal [of foodstuffs] on Shabbat and to the merging of alleyways. But the Halakha is not according to Rabbi Yehuda (see also Tractate Shabbat, Chapter Seven, Mishnah Four and Tractate Eruvin, Chapter 7, Mishnah 8).
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
The dried fig of which they spoke--- it is one that is neither big nor small but of moderate size. Dried figs are a measure used in several halakhot (see for instance Shabbat 7:4 and Kelim 3:2, and 4:2). As with the egg and pomegranate, these laws referred to medium sized eggs.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Kelim
Rabbi Judah says: the biggest in the land of Israel is like one of medium size in other lands. Rabbi Judah now notes that what are considered to be large figs in the land of Israel, are only medium sized in other lands. Note that some commentators say that the mishnah should be reversed and read "the smallest in the land of Israel is like one of medium size in other lands." This would imply that the figs in Israel are the best. I can personally attest to the fact that the figs here in Israel are delicious, and I am tempted to go to the store right now and buy some (seriously). But I really don't know how good they are in surrounding countries, especially since I can't visit many of them.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy