Rabban Gamliel: He may even float them in water and pick the dirt off the top.
Beraisa: Rabbi Elazar b’Rebbi Tzaddok: Such was the practice of Rabban Gamliel’s household. They would bring a bucketful of lentils and pour water over it, the lentils would remain on bottom and the inedible parts would float to the top.
Challenge: But we learned the other way around: The edible parts would float to the top and the inedible would remain on bottom.
Resolution: It depends on what type of inedible matter was mixed in; earth would sink to the bottom while straw would float to the top. [All this makes no difference because we don’t pasken like Rabban Gamliel anyhow].
It was the practice to send over servants carrying platters of food on Yom Tov as a demonstration of friendship. Beis Shammai holds that only portions that can be eaten on Yom Tov may be sent, otherwise one is carrying without Yom Tov use.
Mishnah:
Beis Shammai: One can only send portions of food on Yom Tov.
Beis Hillel: Animals and fowl may be sent, whether alive or slaughtered [since the intention is to create friendship, it will have its intended effect on Yom Tov, even if the gift is not consumed on Yom Tov].
One can send wines, bottles of oil, bottles of flour and peas, but not grains [because it cannot be used on Yom Tov at all].
Rabbi Shimon permits sending grain [since it can be cooked].
Gemara:
Beraisa: Rav Yechiel: On condition that it is not sent with a row of servants [it is too much fuss for Yom Tov].
Beraisa: Three people are considered a row.
Rav Ashi: What if three servants are sent, each bearing something else?
Teiku: It remains unanswered.
Rabbi Shimon permits sending grain.
Beraisa: Rabbi Shimon permits grain, for instance, to make porridge from wheat, to feed barley to animals, and to make cooked lentils.