Parshas Hashavua
כי תצא
וְיָתֵד תִּהְיֶה לְךָ עַל אֲזֵנֶךָ
(דברים כ"ג: י"ד)
(דברים כ"ג: י"ד)
During the time of the second Bais Hamikdash, various sects and cults existed. Among them was the ”Issi’im” חז"ל called them “טובלי שחרית”.(went to the Mikveh every morning).
The טובלי שחרית considered טהרה and hygiene as one and were very strict about it. They frequented the Mikveh numerous times throughout the day. They started the day by going to the Mikveh. They also went to the Mikveh before the meals, after relieving themselves and if they touched someone who was from a lower cast.
They also had their חומרות in Hilchos Shabbos.
They wouldn't relieve themselves the entire Shabbos
because they wouldn’t use a shovel on Shabbos.
Now that you know this piece of history you will
understand Pshat* in the Gaon on the last תוספתא in
מסכת ידיים
understand Pshat* in the Gaon on the last תוספתא in
מסכת ידיים
(שהוא מלא צואה ולזה לא מהני טבילה)
A Personal Encounter
About twenty years ago in Bnei Brak, I met with
רשכבה"ג הרב הגאון ר' דב לנדוי שליט"א
and asked him Pshat in this גאון. After he told me מלא צואה refers to עבודה זרה I explained to him my Pshat.
He immediately admitted & agreed with my פשט that it means צואה ממש
אוצר ישראל- איסיים