Peah, Chapter 6, Mishnah 7. In the previous mishnah we established that a sheaf containing two se'ah is not considered shichechah (forgotten produce). Our mishnah teaches that the same law applies to standing grain as well, grain still attached to its roots: "Kamah she'yesh bah sa'atayim u'shechachah - einah shichechah" - standing grain that contains two se'ah and was forgotten is not shichechah. We have already learned that the law of shichechah applies even to standing grain, and nevertheless, when it contains two se'ah of grain, shichechah does not take effect upon it, just as was stated regarding a sheaf.
Standing grain that does not contain two se'ah but is fit to produce that amount:
The mishnah continues: "Ein bah sa'atayim, aval hi re'uyah la'asos sa'atayim, afilu hi shel tofeach - ro'in osah ke'ilu hi anavah shel se'orim" - it does not contain two se'ah, but it is fit to produce two se'ah, even if it is of tofeach, we view it as though it were the full growth of barley. In other words, this standing grain does not actually hold a measure of two se'ah, but it is a type of grain that normally reaches a quantity of two se'ah, only that this year was a poor one and its kernels are shriveled more than usual.
"Afilu hi shel tofeach" - even if the kernels are so hard and small, smaller than usual, that they resemble tofeach, which is a type of small bean.
"Ro'in osah ke'ilu hi anavah shel se'orim" - even in such a case we regard it as though these were full, strong barley kernels, barley being known for its especially large and sturdy kernels. Even though at present, because of the poor season, the standing grain is not as large as usual, the determination of the measure of two se'ah, at which the law of shichechah does not apply, is made according to what this type of grain normally produces.
Two ways of understanding the mishnah:
The commentators differ in their understanding of the mishnah, and there are two approaches:
Our mishnah is dealing with barley itself, and it comes to teach that even though this is not high quality barley, we relate to it as though it were barley of proper quality.
The mishnah is dealing with other types of grain, and the comparison to barley is made because barley kernels are sturdier than average grain.
In summary: Standing grain that contains two se'ah is not shichechah, just as is the law regarding a sheaf; and even standing grain that does not actually contain two se'ah, but is fit to produce two se'ah, is viewed according to what it normally produces, as full barley kernels, and the law of shichechah does not apply to it. As to the nature of the comparison to barley, the commentators differ as to whether the mishnah refers to barley itself or to other types measured against it.