Commentary for Yevamot 136:4

מצות חליצה בא הוא ויבמתו לפני בית דין והן נותנין לו את עצה ההגון לו שנאמר (דברים כה) וקראו לו זקני עירו ודברו אליו והיא אומרת מאן יבמי להקים לאחיו שם בישראל לא אבה יבמי והוא אומר לא חפצתי לקחתה

Rabbi Yehuda [said] in the name of Shmuel, "These are the words of Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yosa, but the words of the sages are, 'Cover [it with] a tablecloth and sanctify [the Shabbat by reciting Kiddush].'" What is [the law about] eating types of sweets [close to the beginning of Passover night]? What is [the law about] eating types of desserts [close to the beginning of Passover night]? Rabbi Yudan Nessia took a bath and became thirsty. He asked Rav Manna, "If thirst comes, What is [the law about] drinking [close to the beginning of Passover night]?" He said to him, "Rabbi Chiya taught, 'Its is forbidden for a person to taste anything until it gets dark.'" Rabbi Levi said, "One who eats matsa on the eve of Passover is like one who has intercourse with his betrothed in the house of his father-in-law; and the one who has intercourse with his betrothed in the house of his father-in-law is lashed." It was taught: Rabbi Yuda ben Betira says, "[It is forbidden to eat before Passover], whether it is matsa or whether it is <i>chamets</i> (leavened grain products)." Rabbi Simon [said] in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, "Rebbi did not eat, neither <i>chamets</i> nor matsa." Not matsa from that of Rabbi Levi, and not <i>chamets</i> from that of Rabbi Yuda ben Betira. And was Rebbi a student of Rabbi Yuda ben Betira? No. He was a student of Rabbi Yakov son of the holy ones. But rather it is [that he did not eat] because he was a firstborn (it is customary for firstborns to fast on the eve of Passover). Rav Manna said, "Rav Yonah, my father, was a firstborn and he would eat." Rav Tanchuma said, "It is not from this [that he did not eat], it is from this: Rebbi was delicate - when he would eat during the day, he would not eat at night. And why did he not eat here during the day? So that he would enter Shabbat (Passover) with desire (hungry)." Rav Levi said, "And because it is the way of slaves to eat standing up and here to eat reclining, [it is] made known that they went from slavery to freedom." Rabbi Simon [said] in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, "The <i>kazayit</i> (the minimum requirement - the size of a large olive) that a person is obligated [to eat of the required foods], he must eat it reclining. Rabbi Yose asked in front of Rabbi Simon, "Even a slave in front of his master? Even a woman in front of her husband?" He said [back] to him, "From the great man I have [only] heard up to this." Rav said, "Rav Chiya bar Adda [said], 'Because it is not pleasant for a person to eat from the weekly poor fund, and here [he must drink four cups] even [if they are acquired] from the daily poor fund.'" It was taught: A person must gladden his wife and children on the holiday. With what does he gladden them? With wine. Rabbi Yuda says, "Women with what is fitting for them and minors with what is fitting for them: Women with what is fitting for them - for example, shoes and garments; and minors with what is fitting for them - for example, walnuts and hazelnuts." They say that Rabbi Tarfon did this. From where [do we know the requirement to drink] four cups? Rabbi Yochanan [said] in the name of Rav, "Rabbi Banniah said, 'Corresponding to the four [expressions of] salvations: "Therefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out, etc. And I will take you to Me for a people, etc."(Exodus 6:6-7). "And I will bring you out, and I will rescue you, and I will save you, And I will take you."' Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, 'Corresponding to the four cups of Pharaoh: "And the cup of Pharaoh was in my hand and I squeezed them into the cup of Pharaoh and I placed the cup onto the palm of Pharaoh... and you will place the cup of Pharaoh, etc." (Genesis 40:11-13).' Rabbi Levi said, 'Corresponding to the four kingdoms' and the rabbis said, 'Corresponding to the four punishments that the Holy One, blessed be He, will pour upon the nations of the world in the future: "For so said the Lord, the God of Israel to me, 'Take the cup of wine of anger, etc.'" (Jeremiah 25:15); "A golden cup is Babylonia in the hand of the Lord" (Jeremiah 51:7); "As it is a cup in the hand of the Lord" (Psalms 75:9); "Upon the wicked He will cause to rain coals; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup" (Psalms 11:6).'" What is 'the portion of their cup'? Rabi Avin said

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