Pesachim 56a, b

Last daf we looked at the six actions performed by Jews of Jericho, three of which were condemned by the rabbis.  The Gemara notes that a similar situation occurred in Judea under the rule of King Hizkiah.  King Hizkiah performed six actions where three were allowed and three were condemned by the Sages.  

The forbidden actions of King Hizkiah were cutting off the doors to the Sanctuary and sending them to Assyria, sealing the water of the Gihon without relying on G-d to do so, and making a non-traditional change to the calendar year.  The Sages agreed that he was just in giving his father non-traditional, less than respectful burial rite, he ground the copper snake used in the desert, and he forbade use of "the Book of Cures", sefer refuot.

The Gemara comments further on the actions of the Jews of Jericho: grafting palm trees on the 14th of Nissan, bundling the shema, and harvesting/piling grain before offering the omer.  The rabbis speak about why these actions might have been prohibited. They share some interesting reasons for these traditions.  Of note - any hint of connection to idolatry, any potentially disrespectful behaviour toward the Sages - these are good reason for the Sages to disapprove of the actions of a community.

Amongst other things, the discussion turns to dates that have fallen from a tree.  They may have fallen onto a lower branch.  Are these permitted? or are they considered to be 'set aside'? and how does this relate to pe'a, where the corners of fields are set aside for the poor?

And what IS food, anyway? Anything that a person might consume?  Pe'a includes 1/60th of each field, vineyard or olive grove.   To qualify as pe'a, food must grow from the ground, be gathered as one, and brought in to be preserved.   But what can be preserved? Vegetables cannot be stored for long periods of time -- but turnips, cabbage and leeks might be stored.  And perhaps vegetables could be preserved if one were to use vinegar.  Is this what the people of Jericho are speaking of when they allowed the collection of vegetables?

I love that the rabbis are able to define even the most ephemeral concepts.  There is always a clear answer; the Torah tells us if we just look.  Thus the question,  what is food?, has a simple - if reasoned - answer.  I often wish that I could live by those same rules.  But my mind is not satisfied with the reasoning of anyone other than myself.  A disadvantage, certainly, but apparently not something that will change any time soon.