Q&A: A Dispute Regarding the Measure of an Egg-Volume
A Dispute Regarding the Measure of an Egg-Volume
Question
Hello Rabbi,
It is known that the view of the Noda B'Yehuda is that the eggs of our time have shrunk to half the size of the eggs that existed in the time of the Talmud, and therefore according to his view one must today calculate volume measures as double, and the Chazon Ish also maintained this. The Noda B'Yehuda himself reached this conclusion because of a contradiction he found in the calculated measure of a mikveh in linear dimensions as compared to volume.
Honestly, this is difficult in my eyes, because it is hard to infer such a far-reaching conclusion from that objection. My question is whether the Rabbi knows of or is familiar with an answer to his question, or with research that has been published on the matter that clears up the uncertainty surrounding the topic of halakhic measures and reaches a clear conclusion as to how we should measure nowadays.
Thank you
Answer
I haven’t looked into this topic. I vaguely remember an article in "Higayon" by a physicist from Bar-Ilan, and I’m sure there are many others. There is also a book about halakhic measures by some rabbi who also wrote about sanctifying the new moon. I’m sure an online search will turn up lots of results and information.
Discussion on Answer
Nadav Shnerb has an article about this in his book Keren Zavit.
It should set your mind at ease.
The book itself is highly recommended (it’s very sharp and funny, with touches of cynicism).
It can be purchased directly from Nadav Shnerb
Eggshells were found in Pompeii (from the period of the Sages), and they are the same size as eggs nowadays.
https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART2/087/076.html