Moed Katan 17 And Still More Ostracism; Hair and Nail Cutting

The rabbis continue to look at the practice of ostracism in amud (a).  In amud (b) they move back to the topic of cutting hair - and now nails - on the Intermediate Festival Days.

We are told a number of stories that help us understand exactly when, why and how people were ostracized.  Along the way, we learn a great deal about power dynamics among Torah scholars, the effects of social status, mourning practices, and other gems.  

One of my favourites regards Rav Yehuda's maidservant, who ostracized someone who hit his adult (either over 22 or 24 years of age) son.  She noted that he broke the halacha of "placing a stumbling block before the blind" (Leviticus 19:14).  An adult son is likely to hit back, which would be breaking one of our most important Torah laws.  Thus this maidservant is described as both wise and upstanding, and her ostracism does not need to go before the court.

We are told about this incident as part of a larger story.  Rav Yehuda had ostracized another Torah scholar, but Rav Yehuda died before the punishment was completed.  The ostraized man, who is not named, goes to great lengths to release the decree.  However, it is decided that he must live the remained of the three years of ostracism.

A great deal of thought is shared regarding ostracizing Torah scholars.  Can they forego the courts if they note behaviour that is consequenced with ostracism?  Can they ostracize themselves?  Can they nullify those decrees?  The rabbis note the importance of public versus private transgressions.  They wish to set only the most positive examples of behaviour when they are in public.  In private, however, sins carry a different significance.  

It is noted that no one should learn from a Torah scholar who is not 'upright' in public.  Even if he is Torah giant.

We also learn about how mourners, priests, nazirites and others should deal with hair and nail cutting during Intermediate Festival Days.  Specific prohibitions are directed at these groups.  The Gemara looks at the exceptions to these rules: when is a priest, for example, permitted to cut his hair during the Moed?