Tafasta meruba lo tafasta
Encyclopedia
Tafasta meruba lo tafasta (Hebrew
: תפשת מרובה לא תפשת, "If you have seized a lot, you have not seized") is a Talmud
ic idiom
used to express the idea that when it is possible to take a particular law from two different sources, it should be taken from the stricter of the two, in order to stay on the safe side and avoid making assumptions about which is correct. This will be illustrated with an example below.
In Yoma 80a, the mythical egg of the enormous Bar-Yochani bird is provided as an example of Tafasta meruba lo tafasta:
"ואימא ביצת בר יוכני תפסת מרובה לא תפסת תפסת מועט תפסת ואימא ביעתא דציפורתא דזוטר טובאץ"
In comparison to the holidays of Passover
and Sukkot
, Shavuot
is a relatively short Jewish holiday
. This posed a problem in the times of the Holy Temple
because there simply would not be enough time for the holiday sacrificial offerings
of the entire nation to be sacrificed; Passover and Sukkot were seven and eight days, respectively, while Shavuot was but a single day. The Talmud explains that there was an extended period of time, referred to as tashlumin (period during which the remaining sacrifices could be completed), that was appended to Shavuot to make up for the relative shortness of the holiday.
The question is: for how long can the Shavuot holiday offerings be brought? With the presence of an extra mention of both Passover and Sukkot, both could be used to determine an equivalent period of time—comparing Shavuot to Passover would yield a seven day period, while comparing it to Sukkot would yield an eight day period, and there is nothing pressing one choice over another.
The Talmud concludes that Shavuot is compared to Passover to yield a comparable seven day period to complete the sacrificial offerings. Why not compare Shavuot to Sukkot and gain an extra day? So the rule of tafasta meruba lo tafasta comes to show us that we cannot take more time than we are sure is allowed. Either way we're following the precedent and Shavuot will last at least seven days, but it is only by presuming, without grounds, that it should be compared to Sukkot that we can get the eighth day. In order to stay on the safe side, we must use the limit of seven days from Passover.
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
: תפשת מרובה לא תפשת, "If you have seized a lot, you have not seized") is a Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic idiom
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
used to express the idea that when it is possible to take a particular law from two different sources, it should be taken from the stricter of the two, in order to stay on the safe side and avoid making assumptions about which is correct. This will be illustrated with an example below.
Terminology and meaning
The entire phrase actually includes both a positive and a negative expression: תפשת מרובה לא תפשת תפשת מועט תפשת - "If you have seized a lot, you have not seized; if you have seized a little, you have seized." The intended analogy is to one who grabs more than he can hold.In Yoma 80a, the mythical egg of the enormous Bar-Yochani bird is provided as an example of Tafasta meruba lo tafasta:
"ואימא ביצת בר יוכני תפסת מרובה לא תפסת תפסת מועט תפסת ואימא ביעתא דציפורתא דזוטר טובאץ"
Explanation
The use of this concept is best explained with an example from the Talmud:In comparison to the holidays of Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
and Sukkot
Sukkot
Sukkot is a Biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei . It is one of the three biblically mandated festivals Shalosh regalim on which Hebrews were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.The holiday lasts seven days...
, Shavuot
Shavuot
The festival of is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan ....
is a relatively short Jewish holiday
Jewish holiday
Jewish holidays are days observed by Jews as holy or secular commemorations of important events in Jewish history. In Hebrew, Jewish holidays and festivals, depending on their nature, may be called yom tov or chag or ta'anit...
. This posed a problem in the times of the Holy Temple
Temple in Jerusalem
The Temple in Jerusalem or Holy Temple , refers to one of a series of structures which were historically located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, the current site of the Dome of the Rock. Historically, these successive temples stood at this location and functioned as the centre of...
because there simply would not be enough time for the holiday sacrificial offerings
Korban
The term offering as found in the Hebrew Bible in relation to the worship of Ancient Israel is mainly represented by the Hebrew noun korban whether for an animal or other offering...
of the entire nation to be sacrificed; Passover and Sukkot were seven and eight days, respectively, while Shavuot was but a single day. The Talmud explains that there was an extended period of time, referred to as tashlumin (period during which the remaining sacrifices could be completed), that was appended to Shavuot to make up for the relative shortness of the holiday.
The question is: for how long can the Shavuot holiday offerings be brought? With the presence of an extra mention of both Passover and Sukkot, both could be used to determine an equivalent period of time—comparing Shavuot to Passover would yield a seven day period, while comparing it to Sukkot would yield an eight day period, and there is nothing pressing one choice over another.
The Talmud concludes that Shavuot is compared to Passover to yield a comparable seven day period to complete the sacrificial offerings. Why not compare Shavuot to Sukkot and gain an extra day? So the rule of tafasta meruba lo tafasta comes to show us that we cannot take more time than we are sure is allowed. Either way we're following the precedent and Shavuot will last at least seven days, but it is only by presuming, without grounds, that it should be compared to Sukkot that we can get the eighth day. In order to stay on the safe side, we must use the limit of seven days from Passover.