עגלה של קטן

Talmudic literature mentions many different types of wagons and carts, and many of these have been identified with common vehicles known in the Graeco-Roman world. This does not apply, however, to the 'child's wagon' (עגלה של קטן) mentioned in Mishnah Beẕa 2:10 and parallels (PT Yom Tov 2, 10 [61d]); BT Beẕa 23b; BT Shabbat 66a), and a number of commentators and scholars were not even sure that this 'wagon' was indeed a wagon. It is the purpose of the present study to analyze 'wagon' traditions, and particularly 'toy' wagon traditions, in talmudic as well as in classical literature, and to attempt to identify the wagon of the Mishnah. It will also be shown that a proper identification of the wagon or cart mentioned there will allow a new interpretation of Mishnah Beẕa 2:10 as well as establishing the correct reading of the text of that mishnah. Finally, the article seeks to place the toy wagon of Mishnah Beẕa within the context of children's play, games and toys in Graeco-Roman and ancient Jewish society.