Question: How exactly did R. Yehudah derive from "On the day when it is seen on [the Metzora]..." that there are certain days when a Kohen should not examine Negaim?

Answer (Abaye): The prefix "u" of "uv'Yom" is extra, and therefore serves as a basis for the said derivation.

Answer (Rava): The entire word uv'Yom is extra.

Here there is a discussion of how Abaye relates to Rava's approach and vice versa, how we know that Nega'im are not inspected at night, and how we know that an inspecting Kohen must be able to see with both eyes.

R. Meir allows reinterment for one's parents' remains on Chol ha'Mo'ed, because it is a happy, not sad occasion. R. Yosi considers it to be a sad event, and therefore forbids it.

One may not bewail or lament a dead person within thrity days of a Yom Tov.

Question: How can R. Meir say reinterment is a joyous event? There is a Beraisa which requires a one-day (but not into the night) mourning period upon reinterment of a parent's remains!

Answer: R. Meir's words should not be interpreted as "because it [reinterment] is a happy occasion," but as "because it [Chol ha'Mo'ed] is a happy occasion, and this joy will overshadow the sadness of reinterment."

What is to "bewail"? In Eretz Yisrael they used to say, "Let all those of bitter heart weep with him." This is "bewailing."

Question: Why thirty days?

Answer (Rav): Because one might spend money that he had saved up for Yom Tov on hiring a professional lamenter.

Answer (Shmuel): Because the sad emotions stirred up in the lament last for thirty days and will interfere with one's Simchas Yom Tov.

The practical difference between the two answers: Holding a lamentation ceremony without paid lamenters.

One may not dig a new Kuch (little burial caves for individual bodies) or grave on Chol ha'Mo'ed, but they may be altered.

One may make a Nivreches (Rashi: a laundering pool; others: a kind of grave) on Chol ha'Mo'ed

One may make a coffin (from scratch) in the same courtyard-complex where the deceased is. R. Yehudah forbids this, unless the boards used are already cut.

Question: What is the difference between a "Kuch" and a "grave"?

Answer: A "Kuch" is dug in the ground; a "grave" is dug in a building.

Question: What is meant by "altering"?

Answer (R. Yehudah): Shortening it to size. Beraisa's answer: Lengthening and widening it.

Question: What is a Nivreches?

Answer: It is the same as a "Bekia."

Question: A Beraisa makes it clear that Nivreches and Bekia are two different things.

Answer: They are similar, but slightly different. One is a large pool, and the other is a smaller overflow pool built at the side of the larger pool (Rashi).

The Mishnah implies that according to theTana Kama boards may be cut anew for a coffin.

This fact is corroborated by a Beraisa: "One may perform all requirements for a dead person (on Chol ha'Mo'ed) - cutting his hair, laundering his clothes, and constructing a coffin from pre-existing boards (corresponding to R. Yehudah in our Mishnah). Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel (corresponding to the Tana Kama in our Mishnah) says new boards may also be cut for a coffin, provided it is done indoors, in private.

One may not marry (except for remarrying one's own divorcee) on Chol ha'Mo'ed because it is a joyous activity.

A woman may perform all kinds of beauty care on Chol ha'Mo'ed, R. Yehudah, however, forbids using lime treatment because it causes her to become unsightly in the short run (during the holiday).

A non-skilled person may sew on Chol ha'Mo'ed, but a professional must do so in an unusual ("doglike") manner.

The ropes that hold the mattress of a bed may be intertwined on Chol ha'Mo'ed according to the Tana Kama. R. Yosi says the ropes may only be tightened.

Question: Why should marriage be forbidden on Chol ha'Mo'ed?

Answer (Shmuel): Because one may not mingle one joy (Chol ha'Mo'ed) with another (marriage).

Answer (Rabah): Because a person will become preoccupied with his rejoicing over his wife and neglect his Simchas Yom Tov.

Answer (Ula): Because getting married involves many preparations and exertions.

Answer (R. Yitzchak Nafcha): Because if marriage were allowed on Chol ha'Mo'ed everyone would postpone their weddings to that convenient time, thus leading to delaying the Mitzvah of procreation.

Question: A Beraisa says that it is permitted to marry the day before Yom Tov - although festivities continue for seven days. This seems to contradict all four reasons.

Answer: The main joy of marriage is the wedding day, not afterwards. (This answers for reasons (b) and (c.)) The main exertion involved in wedding plans is only for the wedding day, not afterwards (This answers for reason (d)) People will not postpone their weddings for a mere one-day slot, lest something go wrong. (This answers for reason (e)).