Shabbat 53: Consideration of Animals' Comfort; Miracles of FTM Transition to Feed an Infant

The rabbis consider whether or not a donkey's saddlecloth might fall from the animal without having to actively remove it on Shabbat.  They also consider the differences between halacha regarding this and halacha regarding a donkey's saddle which might be tied in different places.  Rav Chiyya bar Ashi suggests that it is permitted to place a saddlecloth on a donkey on Shabbat in a private domain with the purpose of warming the donkey.  Rabbi Zeira agrees, stating that we may hang a basket (for feeding) around an animal's neck for the animal's comfort.  Thus it is permitted to place a saddlecloth, to stop the animal's suffering from the cold.  Shmuel disagrees even about the basket.  And then the rabbis debate who actually said what.  Was Shmuel the same person as Aryoch?  And do animals even feel heat?

The rabbis go on to discuss animals, people, and healing.  Should it be permitted to bring an animal into the water on Shabbat to cool the animal when it is ill?  Some rabbis say yes, as we help animals to feel comfortable.  Some rabbis say no, for we should not give anyone the idea that animals can help with crushing medicinal herbs.  Even if that means that the animal dies.  Rabbi Oshaya permits us to run an animal on Shabbat if that animal is seriously constipated, and the halacha agrees with his opinion.

We learn more about the binding and protection of animals' udders.  And then we learn the story of a man whose wife died leaving him a son to nurse.  He did not have money to pay a wet-nurse.  A miracle happened - he developed breasts like a woman and was able to nurse his own son.  Rav Yosef speaks to the deservingness of that man to receive such a miracle.  Abaye says that he was punished as the order of creation was altered on his behalf in such a demeaning way.  Rav Yehuda notes that the order of creation was altered to provide sustenance for an infant rather than find him financial means to pay a wet-nurse.  And Rav Nachman says that food has never been miraculously created in a person's home.

Finally we are told of a man who did not know that his wife had only one arm until the day that she died.   Was this a sign of her modesty?  Or was this a man so modest that he did not truly see the body of his own wife?

Levuvin might refer to the hide that is tied over the hears of rams so that wolves will not attak them.  Or levuvin might refer to animal hides that are tied under male organs so that they will not mount the females.  

We've read some important words in today's daf regarding the consideration of animals' comforts, the modesty of women and men, and the miracle of transitioning from male to female.