talmudic methodWe're still mapping where this idea was first discussed. Key passages and related ideas below.
Hoil (Since — Retroactive Justification)
Rabbah's principle that an act is permitted 'since' a permissible use could arise (e.g. baking on Yom Tov for guests who might come).
Hoil (Hebrew for 'since') is a piece of Talmudic reasoning from Rabbah: an act can be permitted now because of a permissible use it might serve later. For example, the Sages allowed baking extra food on Yom Tov (a festival day), since unexpected guests might still arrive who would be allowed to eat it. The possibility, even if it never happens, justifies the act.
Key passages(1)
Pesachim 46:2:1↗defines
Pesachim · Anonymous (Stammaim, redactors of the Bavli) · 450 CE
Very high
לֹא זֶה הוּא חָמֵץ שֶׁמּוּזְהָרִין עָלָיו בְּבַל יֵרָאֶה וּבְבַל יִמָּצֵא. אֶלָּא: מַפְרִישָׁתָהּ וּמַנִּיחָתָהּ עַד הָעֶרֶב, וְאִם הֶחְמִיצָה — הֶחְמִיצָה.
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