Pesachim 24a, b

We continue with yesterday's discussion of deriving benefit from something otherwise prohibited.  Ultimately this regards the use of leaven just before and during Pesach, as leaven is forbidden to be eaten - at the very least.

The rabbis discuss the command that "it shall not be eaten", lo yeachel (Leviticus 7:19), and how that is interpreted in different situations.  For example, they examine the role of burning offerings in the sacred places of the Temple.  They also look at impure items that have been burned.  The rabbis note that no one was to eat either of those items; not even the food left over after being burned.  This would indicate that one is not to derive ulterior benefit from these offerings.

On a side conversation we are introduced to a different interpretation of "it shall not be eaten".  Instead of teaching us about deriving benefit, these words may be used to teach us how to punish those who eat forbidden items such as putitas (small water creatures), ants or hornets.  Punishments include flogging with four, five or six sets of lashes as determined by how many commandments were broken in the act of eating that forbidden 'food'.

Daf b introduces a number of situations and examples to further explain when we might derive benefit from an action otherwise forbidden.  We look at using the fat of an ox that has been stoned, mixing diverse seeds in a field, and the laws agains mixing meat and milk.  The rabbis note examples of people breaking negative mitzvot, who may have been consequenced more leniently than those breaking positive mitzvot.  

It is interesting to me that dapim like today's daf - so simple at first glance - can be quite difficult for me to get through.  Similarly, dapim that are more obviously complex are often easier for me to grasp and wrangle with. I have not quite figured out what this pattern means, if anything.