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Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In the case of one who placed meat on top of coals on Shabbat, if he subsequently turned over the meat, he is liable for cooking on Shabbat, and if he did not turn over the meat, he is exempt. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of this case? If we say that this was a situation where if he does not turn over the meat it would not cook, then it is obvious that if he does not turn it over, he is exempt. Rather, it must be referring to a case where even if he does not turn over the meat it would nevertheless cook.But if so, why isn’t he liable for merely placing the meat on the coals, despite the fact that he did not turn it over?
The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to state this halakha in a case where if he does not turn over the meat it would cook on one side only partially, roughly one-third of the ordinary process of cooking, like the food of ben Derosai. And now that he turns it over, it cooks on both sides like the food of ben Derosai. And Rabbi Yoḥanan teaches us that any meat roasted on only one side like the food of ben Derosai is nothing, i.e., this is not a violation of the prohibited labor of cooking on Shabbat. If it was roasted on both sides like the food of ben Derosai this is classified as cooking, and he is liable for cooking on Shabbat.
Who is the ben Derosai ? this bandit who never had enough time to cook his meat since he was always on the run!
We learn of him elsewhere on Shabbat 20a, 38a, 102b and Pesachim 41a….and explore who was this character from the perspective of Shamm Friedman’s analysis.