(Mishnah): An Esrog is like a tree in three Derachim, and like Yerek (vegetables) in one way;

It is like a tree regarding Orlah, Revai and Shemitah, and like Yerek, that its Ma'aser is according to when it is picked. (Ma'aser Sheni applies in years one, two, four and five of Shemitah, and Ma'aser Oni in years three and six.) R. Gamliel says so;

R. Eliezer says, it is like a tree in every way. (Also Ma'aser depends on Chanatah, i.e. budding. Ma'aser Oni applies if Chanatah was between Tu bi'Shevat of the second and third years, or between Tu bi'Shevat of the fifth and sixth years.)

(Gemara) Question: If it is like a tree, why is it like Yerek? If it is like Yerek, why is it like a tree?

Answer #1 (Chachamim in Bavel): If it entered from (Chanatah, i.e. budding, was in) the sixth year to (and it was picked in) the seventh, it belongs to the owner, like a tree (we follow Chanatah, so it is like sixth year produce; it is not Hefker), and it is exempt from Ma'aseros like Yerek (we follow picking, so it is like Shemitah, in which there are no Ma'aseros).

Question (Rav Hamnuna): What will you say in the next [year], if it entered from the seventh to the eighth? Is it Hefker, like a tree (Chanatah was in Shemitah), and it is obligated in Ma'aseros like Yerek (we follow picking, so it is like eighth year produce)? Is Hefker obligated in Ma'aseros?!

Answer #2 (R. Yochanan): [If he picked it] in other years of the Shemitah cycle, you follow [picking it,] like Yerek. ): [If he picked it] in Shevi'is, you [totally] follow Chanatah, like a tree.

How is this? [If it entered] from the fifth year to the sixth, it is like Shishis (sixth year produce; Ma'aser Oni applies). From the sixth year to the seventh, it is like Shishis (the year of Chanatah).

If it entered from the fifth year to the sixth and seventh (it can stay on the tree for a long time) - if he picked it in the sixth, it is Shishis; if he picked it in Shevi'is, it is Chamishis (the year of Chanatah; Ma'aser Sheni applies).

If it entered from Shishis to Shevi'is and Sheminis - if he picked it in Shevi'is, it is Shishis; in Sheminis, it is Sheminis.

Raboseinu retracted and voted [and said that] an Esrog follows the time of its picking, for Ma'aseros and Shemitah. (We explained this like GRA.)

(R. Yirmeyah citing R. Imi citing R. Yochanan, and R. Simon citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi): All agree that its Rosh Hashanah is Tu bi'Shevat (one may not tithe from one year's Peros on another year's).

Question (R. Yochanan, to R. Yonason): Is [its Rosh Hashanah Tu bi'Shevat] based on the order of the year (it varies according to when Beis Din makes a leap year), or based on the order of the Tekufos? (Tekufas Teves is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, when the sun is as far south as if ever goes. Shevat of Tekufah begins 30 days later.)

Answer (R. Yonason): It is based on the order of the year, even in a leap year (when it is very late).

A case occurred in which R. Akiva picked an Esrog on Shevat 1, and he conducted with the stringencies of Beis Shamai (who says that Rosh Hashanah of trees is Shevat 1) and the stringencies of Beis Hillel (who say that Rosh Hashanah is Tu bi'Shevat).

Question: Why does it say an Esrog? For any tree (he could conduct with the stringencies of both)!

Correction: The Beraisa should say 'like the stringencies of R. Gamliel (its Ma'aser is based on picking) and like the stringencies of R. Eliezer (its Ma'aser is based on Chanatah).'

Question: Were not R. Gamliel and R. Eliezer from Beis Hillel?! (Presumably, Chanatah was after the previous Tu bi'Shevat, so there is no difference whether we follow picking or Chanatah! MAHARA FULDA - perhaps the text should say 'R. Elazar', who was a Talmid of R. Akiva, and from Beis Hillel. Alternatively, even though R. Eliezer was from Beis Shamai, it was known that he followed Beis Hillel in this argument.)

Answer (R. Yosi bei R. Bun): The case is, Chanatah was before Tu bi'Shevat of the second year, and it entered (he picked it) in the third year. According to R. Gamliel, Ma'aser Oni applies (for it was picked in Shelishis). According to R. Gamliel, Ma'aser Sheni applies (for Chanatah was before Tu bi'Shevat of Shenis).

What did [R. Akiva] do? He declared Ma'aser Sheni in it, redeemed it, and gave it to an Oni (for perhaps it is obligated in Ma'aser Oni).

(Mishnah): Blood of [people], who walk on two feet, is like blood of animals, which is Machshir Zera'im (enables them to receive Tum'ah). Blood of a Sheretz, one is not liable for it.

(Gemara - R. Ba citing Rav Huna citing Rav): If he was warned [not to eat Dam Sheretz], he is lashed.

Question (Mishnah): Dam Sheretz, one is not liable for it.

Answer #1 (R. Ba): One is not Chayav Kares for it (but he is lashed for it).

Question (Beraisa): Blood of those who walk on two feet [is excluded from a Lav], for it does not have [even] light Tum'ah. Dam ha'Sheratz [is excluded], for it does not have severe Tum'ah.

Answer to both questions (R. Chiya bar Ada): [He is not liable] if he was warned about blood, but if he was warned about [eating] Sheratzim, he is lashed [just like for eating flesh of Sheratzim].