Can an Am ha'aretz be a waiter?
Once again one is forced to ask oneself - however did we end up discussing this, and who cares? Why is this important and what is going on?
The answer is not simple and I am not sure I understand fully the minds of Hillel and Shammai - but I think it has something to do with the way the rabbinical world saw itself. Are they a small sect with their own ways, and so everything needs to be done by one of their own? Or are they part of the Am - and thus all are welcome to be part of their meals, their celebrations and maybe even their learning? Going back to the sugya with regard to who should be allowed in the Beit Midrash - what is this saying? Why do we follow Shammai and not Hillel? Is it because in this case Shammai is the more lenient? Is he more lenient? What is Hillel's logic if he really does hold that an Am Ha'aretz can't wait on the meal of sages?
When I eat with friends - am I solely with them? Who is part of my meal? Is the waiter?
As always, the rabbis seem obsessed with boundaries (including the boundaries of the meal - mayim Ahronim). But what does that mean? Why are boundaries so important?
Is this once again an expression of the fragility of the Jewish people's position without sovereignty?
Or do we just not like mess and wasting food?
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