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Gittin 7

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Summary

Today’s daf is sponsored by Malka Abraham in honor of her 66th birthday! “Thank you Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran community for all that you do!!” 

There are various statements and a story warning people of the potential dangers of imposing excessive fear on people in one’s household. The Gemara brings a number of letters that rabbis wrote to each other regarding what to do with people in the community who are behaving inappropriately, not playing music, singing and not wearing the crown of grooms after the destruction, and the importance of charity giving, even for those who don’t have a lot of money. In each letter, they quoted a verse and the person writing the letter drew lines on the page (sirtut). Is Acco really the Northern border of Israel? What about K’ziv? If one writes a get on a boat in the waters right outside of Israel, is it considered from abroad and one would need to say “in front of me…” or not? The Gemara quotes two contradictory braitot and suggests two possible resolutions.

Gittin 7

לְמֵימְרִינְהוּ בְּנִיחוּתָא, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיקַבְּלוּ מִינֵּיהּ. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אֲנָא לָא שְׁמִיעָא לִי הָא דְּרַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה, וְקִיַּימְתִּיהָ מִסְּבָרָא.

say them with calmness so that they will accept instruction from him. Rav Ashi said: I did not hear this statement of Rabba bar bar Ḥana, and yet I fulfilled it through my own reasoning.

אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: לְעוֹלָם אַל יָטִיל אָדָם אֵימָה יְתֵירָה בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ, שֶׁהֲרֵי אָדָם גָּדוֹל הֵטִיל אֵימָה יְתֵירָה בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ וְהֶאֱכִילוּהוּ דָּבָר גָּדוֹל.

Rabbi Abbahu says: A person should never impose excessive fear upon the members of his household, as a great man imposed excessive fear upon his household and they fed him something that carried a great prohibition.

וּמַנּוּ? רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל. הֶאֱכִילוּהוּ סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ?! הַשְׁתָּא בְּהֶמְתָּן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵבִיא תַּקָּלָה עַל יָדָם, צַדִּיקִים עַצְמָן לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן?

The Gemara asks: And who was this individual? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamliel. The Gemara asks: Would it enter your mind to say that they actually fed him forbidden food? Now consider that the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not cause an error to be performed through the animals of the righteous. With regard to the righteous themselves is it not all the more so? How can you say that Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamliel ate forbidden food?

אֶלָּא בִּקְּשׁוּ לְהַאֲכִילוֹ דָּבָר גָּדוֹל. וּמַאי נִיהוּ? אֵבֶר מִן הַחַי.

Rather, it means that they sought to feed him something that carried a great prohibition. And what was this? A limb from a living animal. One day the animal they brought him was missing a limb, and as the members of his household were very fearful they severed a limb from a living animal to make his meal appear whole, and he almost ate it.

שְׁלַח לֵיהּ מָר עוּקְבָא לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: בְּנֵי אָדָם הָעוֹמְדִים עָלַי, וּבְיָדִי לְמׇסְרָם לַמַּלְכוּת, מַהוּ?

§ After mentioning letters sent from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia and the issue of scoring parchment, the Gemara relates: Mar Ukva, the Exilarch in Babylonia, sent a letter to Rabbi Elazar, who was in Eretz Yisrael, in which the following was written: With regard to people who stand over and torment me, and I have the power to deliver them into the hands of the government, what is the halakha? May I hand them over to the authorities or not?

שִׂרְטֵט וּכְתַב לֵיהּ: ״אָמַרְתִּי אֶשְׁמְרָה דְרָכַי מֵחֲטוֹא בִלְשׁוֹנִי אֶשְׁמְרָה לְפִי מַחְסוֹם בְּעוֹד רָשָׁע לְנֶגְדִּי״ – אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁרָשָׁע לְנֶגְדִּי, אֶשְׁמְרָה לְפִי מַחְסוֹם.

Rabbi Elazar scored parchment and wrote to him the following verse: “I said: I will take heed to my ways, that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep a curb upon my mouth, while the wicked is before me” (Psalms 39:2). Rabbi Elazar quoted this verse to allude to the following response: Even though “the wicked is before me,” “I will keep a curb upon my mouth.”

שְׁלַח לֵיהּ: קָא מְצַעֲרִי לִי טוּבָא, וְלָא מָצֵינָא דְּאֵיקוּם בְּהוּ. שְׁלַח לֵיהּ: ״דּוֹם לַה׳ וְהִתְחוֹלֵל לוֹ״ – דּוֹם לַה׳, וְהוּא יַפִּילֵם לְךָ חֲלָלִים חֲלָלִים; הַשְׁכֵּם וְהַעֲרֵב עֲלֵיהֶן לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ, וְהֵן כָּלִין מֵאֵילֵיהֶן. הַדָּבָר יָצָא מִפִּי רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, וּנְתָנוּהוּ לִגְנִיבָא בְּקוֹלָר.

Mar Ukva sent word to him again: They are tormenting me a great deal and I cannot stand them. Rabbi Elazar sent to him in response: “Resign yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently [hitḥolel] for Him; do not fret yourself because of he who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass” (Psalms 37:7). This verse indicates: “Resign yourself to the Lord,” i.e., do not do anything, and He will strike them down as many corpses [ḥalalim]. Rise before and stay later than them in your visits to the study hall, and they will disappear on their own. The Gemara relates: The matter emerged from the mouth of Rabbi Elazar, and Geneiva, Mar Ukva’s tormentor, was placed in a neck iron [kolar], as one sentenced by the government.

שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ לְמָר עוּקְבָא: זִמְרָא מְנָא לַן דַּאֲסִיר? שִׂרְטֵט וּכְתַב לְהוּ: ״אַל תִּשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל גִּיל בְּעַמִּים״.

The Gemara further relates: They sent the following question to Mar Ukva: From where do we derive that song is forbidden in the present, following the destruction of the Temple? He scored parchment and wrote to them: “Rejoice not, O Israel, to exultation, like the peoples” (Hosea 9:1).

וְלִישְׁלַח לְהוּ מֵהָכָא: ״בַּשִּׁיר לֹא יִשְׁתּוּ יָיִן יֵמַר שֵׁכָר לְשׁוֹתָיו״! אִי מֵהָהוּא, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי זִמְרָא דְמָנָא, אֲבָל דְּפוּמָּא שְׁרֵי, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

The Gemara asks: And let him send them a response from here: “They do not drink wine with a song; strong drink is bitter to them who drink it” (Isaiah 24:9), indicating that song is no longer allowed. The Gemara answers: If he had answered by citing that verse, I would say that this matter applies only to instrumental music, in accordance with the previous verse: “The mirth of tabrets ceases, the noise of them who rejoice ends, the joy of the harp ceases” (Isaiah 24:8); however, vocal song is permitted. Therefore, Mar Ukva teaches us that all types of song are forbidden.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב הוּנָא בַּר נָתָן לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״קִינָה וְדִימוֹנָה וְעַדְעָדָה״? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מָתְוָותָא דְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קָחָשֵׁיב.

In connection to the incident in which Mar Ukva was instructed not to take revenge against his tormentors, the Gemara relates similar discussions. Rav Huna bar Natan said to Rav Ashi: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Kina, and Dimonah, and Adadah” (Joshua 15:22)? He said to him: The verse is listing the cities of Eretz Yisrael.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַטּוּ אֲנָא לָא יָדַעְנָא דְּמָתְוָותָא דְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קָא חָשֵׁיב?! אֶלָּא רַב גְּבִיהָא מֵאָרַגִּיזָא אָמַר בָּהּ טַעְמָא: כֹּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ קִנְאָה עַל חֲבֵירוֹ וְדוֹמֵם, שׁוֹכֵן עֲדֵי עַד עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ דִּין.

Rav Huna said to him: Is that to say that you think I don’t know that the verse is listing the cities of Eretz Yisrael? This is certainly the straightforward meaning of the verse. Rather, Rav Geviha from Argiza said an explanation of this verse, suggesting that it is an allusion to the following idea: Anyone who harbors jealousy [kina] toward another, and yet remains silent [domem], He who dwells for all eternity [adei ad] performs judgment on his behalf.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, ״צִקְלָג וּמַדְמֵנָה וְסַנְסַנָּהּ״ הָכִי נָמֵי?! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי הֲוָה רַב גְּבִיהָא מִבֵּי אָרַגִּיזָא הָכָא, הֲוָה אָמַר בָּהּ טַעְמָא. רַב אַחָא מִבֵּי חוֹזָאָה אָמַר בַּהּ הָכִי: כָּל מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ צַעֲקַת לְגִימָא עַל חֲבֵירוֹ, וְדוֹמֵם, שׁוֹכֵן בַּסְּנֶה עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ דִּין.

Rav Ashi said to him: If that is so, you should also expound the verse: “Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah” (Joshua 15:31), in a similar manner. Rav Huna said to him: If Rav Geviha from Bei Argiza was here, he would say an explanation for it. The Gemara relates: Rav Aḥa from Bei Ḥoza’a said this about that verse: Anyone who has a complaint against another over a sip [tza’akat legima], i.e., he has a claim that someone did not give him food, and remains silent [domem], the One who dwells in the burning bush [seneh] performs judgment on his behalf.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא לְרַב הוּנָא: כְּלִילָא מְנָא לַן דְּאָסוּר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִדְּרַבָּנַן, דִּתְנַן: בַּפּוּלְמוּס שֶׁל אַסְפַּסְיָינוּס גָּזְרוּ עַל עַטְרוֹת חֲתָנִים וְעַל הָאִירוּס.

The Exilarch said to Rav Huna: From where do we derive that it is prohibited to place a garland on a groom’s head? Rav Huna said to him: It is prohibited by rabbinic law, as we learned in a mishna (Sota 49a): In the war [pulmus] of Vespasian they decreed upon the garlands of bridegrooms, meaning that bridegrooms may no longer wear garlands, and they decreed upon the drum [irus], meaning they also banned the playing of drums.

אַדְּהָכִי קָם רַב הוּנָא לְאִפְּנוֹיֵי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב חִסְדָּא, קְרָא כְּתִיב: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ אֱלֹהִים הָסִר הַמִּצְנֶפֶת וְהָרִם הָעֲטָרָה זֹאת לֹא זֹאת הַשָּׁפָלָה הַגְבֵּהַּ וְהַגָּבוֹהַּ הַשְׁפִּיל״ –

In the meantime Rav Huna stood to relieve himself, and after he left, Rav Ḥisda, who had not spoken up to that point out of reverence for his teacher, Rav Huna, said to the Exilarch: A verse is written with regard to this matter: “Thus says the Lord God: The mitre shall be removed, and the garland taken off; this shall no more be the same; that which is low shall be exalted, and that which is high abased” (Ezekiel 21:31).

וְכִי מָה עִנְיַן מִצְנֶפֶת אֵצֶל עֲטָרָה? אֶלָּא לוֹמַר לָךְ: בִּזְמַן שֶׁמִּצְנֶפֶת בְּרֹאשׁ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל – עֲטָרָה בְּרֹאשׁ כׇּל אָדָם, נִסְתַּלְּקָה מִצְנֶפֶת מֵרֹאשׁ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל – נִסְתַּלְּקָה עֲטָרָה מֵרֹאשׁ כׇּל אָדָם.

But in what way is a mitre connected to a garland? These two are not placed on the head of the same type of person. Rather, this verse serves to say to you: When the mitre is found on the head of the High Priest, i.e., when the Temple is standing, then a garland may be found on the head of every man at his wedding. However, once the mitre is removed from the head of the High Priest, the garland is removed from the head of every man.

אַדְּהָכִי אֲתָא רַב הוּנָא, אַשְׁכְּחִינְהוּ דַּהֲוֵי יָתְבִי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָאֱלֹהִים! מִדְּרַבָּנַן, אֶלָּא חִסְדָּא שְׁמָךְ וְחִסְדָּאִין מִילָּךְ.

In the meantime, Rav Huna came back and he found them sitting and discussing this matter. He said to Rav Ḥisda in the form of an oath: By God! This prohibition applies by rabbinic law. However, your name is Ḥisda and your words find favor [ḥisda’in], as you have discovered a fine source for this halakha.

רָבִינָא אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְמָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי דַּהֲוָה גָּדֵיל כְּלִילָא לִבְרַתֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא סָבַר לַהּ מָר: ״הָסִר הַמִּצְנֶפֶת וְהָרִם הָעֲטָרָה״?! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: דּוּמְיָא דְּכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל – בְּגַבְרֵי, אֲבָל בִּנְשֵׁי – לָא.

The Gemara relates: Ravina found Mar bar Rav Ashi braiding a garland for his daughter upon her marriage. He said to him: Doesn’t the Master hold in accordance with the aforementioned halakha derived from the verse: “The mitre shall be removed and the garland taken off”? He said to him: This prohibition was stated in reference to one who is similar to a High Priest, and is only applicable with regard to men. However, with regard to women, the Sages did not issue this decree.

מַאי ״זֹאת לֹא זֹאת״? דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי עַוִּירָא, זִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַמֵּי, וְזִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַסִּי: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: ״הָסִר הַמִּצְנֶפֶת וְהָרִם הָעֲטָרָה״, אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, זֹאת לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁהִקְדִּימוּ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּסִינַי ״נַעֲשֶׂה״ לְ״נִשְׁמָע״?!

With regard to the above verse, the Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the expression: “This shall no more be the same”? Rabbi Avira interpreted this verse homiletically. Sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Ami, and sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Asi: When the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people at the time of the destruction of the Temple: “Remove the mitre and take off the garland,” the ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, is this the appropriate treatment for the Jewish people, who, at the giving of the Torah at Sinai, preceded the statement of: “We will do” to the statement: “We will hear” (Exodus 24:7)?

אָמַר לָהֶן: לֹא זֹאת לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁהִשְׁפִּילוּ אֶת הַגָּבוֹהַּ וְהִגְבִּיהוּ אֶת הַשָּׁפֵל, וְהֶעֱמִידוּ צֶלֶם בַּהֵיכָל?!

God said to them: Is this not appropriate for the Jewish people, who lowered the exalted and who exalted the lowly, i.e., they did not serve God, and instead worshiped idols when they established an idol in the Sanctuary? This response is alluded to in the verse: “This shall no more be the same.”

דָּרֵשׁ רַב עַוִּירָא, זִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַמֵּי, וְזִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַסִּי – מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ אִם שְׁלֵמִים וְכֵן רַבִּים וְכֵן נָגוֹזּוּ וְעָבָר וְגוֹ׳״? אִם רוֹאֶה אָדָם שֶׁמְּזוֹנוֹתָיו מְצוּמְצָמִין – יַעֲשֶׂה מֵהֶן צְדָקָה. וְכׇל שֶׁכֵּן כְּשֶׁהֵן מְרוּבִּין.

The Gemara cites another statement by the same Sages. Rav Avira interpreted a verse homiletically. Sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Ami, and sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Asi: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Thus says the Lord: Though they be in full strength [shelemim], and likewise many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away; and though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more” (Nahum 1:12). This means: If a person sees that his sustenance is limited he should use it for charity, and all the more so when it is plentiful. In other words, if his livelihood has finished [nishlam] he should perform charity, and he should certainly act in this manner if his means are plentiful.

מַאי ״וְכֵן נָגוֹזּוּ וְעָבַר״? תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: כָּל הַגּוֹזֵז מִנְּכָסָיו וְעוֹשֶׂה מֵהֶן צְדָקָה – נִיצָּל מִדִּינָהּ שֶׁל גֵּיהִנָּם. מָשָׁל לִשְׁתֵּי רְחֵילוֹת שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹבְרוֹת בְּמַיִם, אַחַת גְּזוּזָה וְאַחַת אֵינָהּ גְּזוּזָה; גְּזוּזָה עָבְרָה, וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ גְּזוּזָה לֹא עָבְרָה.

The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: “Even so shall they be cut down [nagozzu], and he shall pass away”? A Sage from the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: Anyone who shears off [gozez] some of his property and performs charity with it will be saved from the judgment of Gehenna. The Gemara offers a parable that compares this case to two sheep that were passing through the water. One of them was shorn and the other one was unshorn. The shorn sheep crossed to the other side, but the unshorn sheep did not cross, as its wool absorbed the water and it drowned. Similarly, one who shears off his property and gives it as charity will not descend to Gehenna.

״וְעִנִּתִךְ״ – אָמַר מָר זוּטְרָא: אֲפִילּוּ עָנִי הַמִּתְפַּרְנֵס מִן הַצְּדָקָה, יַעֲשֶׂה צְדָקָה. ״לֹא אַעֲנֵּךְ עוֹד״ – תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: שׁוּב אֵין מַרְאִין לוֹ סִימָנֵי עֲנִיּוּת.

The Gemara addresses the continuation of the verse: “And though I have afflicted you [ve’innitikh]” (Nahum 1:12). Mar Zutra says: This means that even a poor person [ani] who is sustained from charity must also perform charity. With regard to the expression: “And I will afflict you [a’anekh] no more,” Rav Yosef teaches: This means that if he gives charity to others, God will no longer show him signs of poverty [aniyyut].

רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, מִרְקָם לַמִּזְרָח כּוּ׳: לְמֵימְרָא דְּעַכּוֹ לִצְפוֹנָהּ דְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קָיְימָא?! וּרְמִינְהוּ: הָיָה מְהַלֵּךְ מֵעַכּוֹ לִכְזִיב; מִימִינוֹ – לְמִזְרַח הַדֶּרֶךְ – טְמֵאָה מִשּׁוּם אֶרֶץ הָעַמִּים, וּפְטוּרָה מִן הַמַּעֲשֵׂר וּמִן הַשְּׁבִיעִית, עַד שֶׁיִּוָּדַע לָךְ שֶׁהִיא חַיֶּיבֶת.

§ The mishna teaches that Rabbi Yehuda says: From Rekem and eastward is considered to be a country overseas, from Akko and northward is also outside of Eretz Yisrael, and Akko itself is like north of Eretz Yisrael. The Gemara asks: Is this to say that Akko is located to the north of Eretz Yisrael? And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a baraita (Tosefta, Oholot 18:14) that indicates that Akko is not on the northern border of Eretz Yisrael: If one was traveling from Akko to Keziv, the area on his right, to the east of the road, is impure due to the impurity of the land of the nations, and that area is exempt from the obligation to separate tithe from its produce and from the mitzvot of the Sabbatical Year, as it is assumed to be outside of Eretz Yisrael, until he arrives at a place where it is known to you that it is obligated.

מִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ – לְמַעֲרַב הַדֶּרֶךְ – טְהוֹרָה מִשּׁוּם אֶרֶץ הָעַמִּים, וְחַיֶּיבֶת בְּמַעֲשֵׂר וּבִשְׁבִיעִית, עַד שֶׁיִּוָּדַע לָךְ שֶׁהִיא פְּטוּרָה. עַד הֵיכָן? עַד כְּזִיב. רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם אָבִיו: עַד לַבְלָבוֹ.

The baraita continues: Conversely, the territory on his left, to the west of the road, is pure with regard to the impurity of the land of the nations, as it is assumed to be within Eretz Yisrael, and obligated in the mitzva to separate tithe from its produce and in the mitzvot of the Sabbatical Year, until he arrives at a place where it is known to you that it is exempt. Until where does this halakha apply? Until Keziv. Rabbi Yishmael, son of Rabbi Yosei, said in the name of his father: Until the place known as Lavlevu. In any case, this indicates that Akko is not considered the northern border of Eretz Yisrael, as the description in the baraita indicates that Keziv is further north than Akko.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: רְצוּעָה נָפְקָא. וְיָהֵיב תַּנָּא סִימָנָא הָכִי?! אִין; קְרָא נָמֵי יָהֵיב סִימָנָא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמְרוּ הִנֵּה חַג ה׳ בְּשִׁילוֹ מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה אֲשֶׁר מִצְּפוֹנָה לְבֵית אֵל, מִזְרְחָה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לִמְסִלָּה הָעוֹלָה מִבֵּית אֵל שְׁכֶמָה, וּמִנֶּגֶב לִלְבוֹנָה״, וְאָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: לְמִזְרָחָהּ שֶׁל מְסִלָּה.

Abaye said: A strip extends northward from Akko, which is still considered part of Eretz Yisrael, but the general border is at the latitude of Akko. The Gemara asks: But would the tanna of the baraita provide a sign in this manner for an area of a strip of land? The Gemara answers: Yes, and a verse also provides a sign in this manner, as it is written: “And they said: Behold, there is the feast of the Lord from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah” (Judges 21:19). And Rav Pappa said: The expression: “On the east side,” should be understood as meaning to the east of the highway. This verse demonstrates that an area as narrow as a road can be used as a sign.

תָּנָא חֲדָא: הַמֵּבִיא גֵּט בִּסְפִינָה – כְּמֵבִיא בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתַנְיָא אִידַּךְ – כְּמֵבִיא בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ!

§ The Gemara presents a contradiction between two baraitot. It was taught in one baraita: One who brings a bill of divorce that was written on a boat in Eretz Yisrael is considered to be like one who brings it in Eretz Yisrael, and therefore he is not required to say: It was written in my presence and it was signed in my presence. And it is taught in another baraita (Tosefta 1:1) that one who brings a bill of divorce written on a boat in Eretz Yisrael is like one who brings a bill of divorce outside of Eretz Yisrael.

אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָא רַבָּנַן. דִּתְנַן: עֲפַר חוּצָה לָאָרֶץ הַבָּא בִּסְפִינָה לָאָרֶץ – חַיָּיב בְּמַעֲשֵׂר וּבִשְׁבִיעִית.

Rabbi Yirmeya says: This is not difficult, as one can say that this baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and that baraita is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis. As we learned in a mishna (Ḥalla 2:2): With regard to soil from outside of Eretz Yisrael that is brought on a boat to Eretz Yisrael, anything that grew in that soil is obligated in tithe and in the mitzvot of the Sabbatical Year. According to this opinion, soil is considered part of Eretz Yisrael once it arrives there, which means that the plants growing in it are considered to be in Eretz Yisrael.

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: אֵימָתַי? בִּזְמַן שֶׁהַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת, אֲבָל אֵין הַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת – פָּטוּר.

Rabbi Yehuda said: When did the Sages say this ruling? When the boat is skimming [gosheshet] the sea floor, as it is weighed down in the water. However, when the boat is not skimming the sea floor, the soil is exempt. The Sage who maintains that the boat is considered to be like Eretz Yisrael with regard to a bill of divorce holds in accordance with the Rabbis of this mishna, and the one who maintains that the boat is not like Eretz Yisrael for the purposes of a bill of divorce holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda.

אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: הָא וְהָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא, וְלָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֵין הַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת, כָּאן בִּזְמַן שֶׁהַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת.

Abaye said: It is possible to say that both this baraita and that baraita are in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and it is not difficult: Here, the baraita where the soil is considered outside of Eretz Yisrael, deals with a situation when the boat is not skimming the sea floor; and there, in the baraita that states that the soil is considered to be like Eretz Yisrael, it is referring to a case when the boat is skimming the sea floor.

אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: עָצִיץ נָקוּב הַמּוּנָּח עַל גַּבֵּי יְתֵדוֹת, בָּאנוּ לְמַחְלוֹקֶת רַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבָּנַן.

Rabbi Zeira says: In the case of a perforated pot that is resting on pegs, if something grew in it, we have arrived at the dispute of Rabbi Yehuda and the Rabbis concerning the soil on the boat. Just as the Rabbis maintain that the soil is considered attached to Eretz Yisrael even if the boat does not actually touch the sea floor, the same applies to a perforated flowerpot on pegs, whereas Rabbi Yehuda holds that in both cases the soil must actually be in contact with the earth for it to be considered part of Eretz Yisrael.

אָמַר רָבָא: דִּילְמָא לָא הִיא – עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָתָם אֶלָּא בִּסְפִינָה,

Rava said, in rejection of this claim: Perhaps that is not so, as Rabbi Yehuda says his opinion only there, with regard to a boat,

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The Hadran Women’s Tapestry

Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories. 

In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!

Beth Kissileff
Beth Kissileff

Pittsburgh, United States

What a great experience to learn with Rabbanit Michelle Farber. I began with this cycle in January 2020 and have been comforted by the consistency and energy of this process throughout the isolation period of Covid. Week by week, I feel like I am exploring a treasure chest with sparkling gems and puzzling antiquities. The hunt is exhilarating.

Marian Frankston
Marian Frankston

Pennsylvania, United States

I started learning at the beginning of the cycle after a friend persuaded me that it would be right up my alley. I was lucky enough to learn at Rabbanit Michelle’s house before it started on zoom and it was quickly part of my daily routine. I find it so important to see for myself where halachot were derived, where stories were told and to get more insight into how the Rabbis interacted.

Deborah Dickson
Deborah Dickson

Ra’anana, Israel

I started to listen to Michelle’s podcasts four years ago. The minute I started I was hooked. I’m so excited to learn the entire Talmud, and think I will continue always. I chose the quote “while a woman is engaged in conversation she also holds the spindle”. (Megillah 14b). It reminds me of all of the amazing women I learn with every day who multi-task, think ahead and accomplish so much.

Julie Mendelsohn
Julie Mendelsohn

Zichron Yakov, Israel

My family recently made Aliyah, because we believe the next chapter in the story of the Jewish people is being written here, and we want to be a part of it. Daf Yomi, on the other hand, connects me BACK, to those who wrote earlier chapters thousands of years ago. So, I feel like I’m living in the middle of this epic story. I’m learning how it all began, and looking ahead to see where it goes!
Tina Lamm
Tina Lamm

Jerusalem, Israel

When I began the previous cycle, I promised myself that if I stuck with it, I would reward myself with a trip to Israel. Little did I know that the trip would involve attending the first ever women’s siyum and being inspired by so many learners. I am now over 2 years into my second cycle and being part of this large, diverse, fascinating learning family has enhanced my learning exponentially.

Shira Krebs
Shira Krebs

Minnesota, United States

I started last year after completing the Pesach Sugiyot class. Masechet Yoma might seem like a difficult set of topics, but for me made Yom Kippur and the Beit HaMikdash come alive. Liturgy I’d always had trouble connecting with took on new meaning as I gained a sense of real people moving through specific spaces in particular ways. It was the perfect introduction; I am so grateful for Hadran!

Debbie Engelen-Eigles
Debbie Engelen-Eigles

Minnesota, United States

I LOVE learning the Daf. I started with Shabbat. I join the morning Zoom with Reb Michelle and it totally grounds my day. When Corona hit us in Israel, I decided that I would use the Daf to keep myself sane, especially during the days when we could not venture out more than 300 m from our home. Now my husband and I have so much new material to talk about! It really is the best part of my day!

Batsheva Pava
Batsheva Pava

Hashmonaim, Israel

After enthusing to my friend Ruth Kahan about how much I had enjoyed remote Jewish learning during the earlier part of the pandemic, she challenged me to join her in learning the daf yomi cycle. I had always wanted to do daf yomi but now had no excuse. The beginning was particularly hard as I had never studied Talmud but has become easier, as I have gained some familiarity with it.

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Susan Vishner

Brookline, United States

I started at the beginning of this cycle. No 1 reason, but here’s 5.
In 2019 I read about the upcoming siyum hashas.
There was a sermon at shul about how anyone can learn Talmud.
Talmud references come up when I am studying. I wanted to know more.
Yentl was on telly. Not a great movie but it’s about studying Talmud.
I went to the Hadran website: A new cycle is starting. I’m gonna do this

Denise Neapolitan
Denise Neapolitan

Cambridge, United Kingdom

I learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!

Shoshana Ruerup
Shoshana Ruerup

Berlin, Germany

My Daf journey began in August 2012 after participating in the Siyum Hashas where I was blessed as an “enabler” of others.  Galvanized into my own learning I recited the Hadran on Shas in January 2020 with Rabbanit Michelle. That Siyum was a highlight in my life.  Now, on round two, Daf has become my spiritual anchor to which I attribute manifold blessings.

Rina Goldberg
Rina Goldberg

Englewood NJ, United States

In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.

Reena Slovin
Reena Slovin

Worcester, United States

I read Ilana Kurshan’s “If All the Seas Were Ink” which inspired me. Then the Women’s Siyum in Jerusalem in 2020 convinced me, I knew I had to join! I have loved it- it’s been a constant in my life daily, many of the sugiyot connect to our lives. My family and friends all are so supportive. It’s incredible being part of this community and love how diverse it is! I am so excited to learn more!

Shira Jacobowitz
Shira Jacobowitz

Jerusalem, Israel

I attended the Siyum so that I could tell my granddaughter that I had been there. Then I decided to listen on Spotify and after the siyum of Brachot, Covid and zoom began. It gave structure to my day. I learn with people from all over the world who are now my friends – yet most of us have never met. I can’t imagine life without it. Thank you Rabbanit Michelle.

Emma Rinberg
Emma Rinberg

Raanana, Israel

While vacationing in San Diego, Rabbi Leah Herz asked if I’d be interested in being in hevruta with her to learn Daf Yomi through Hadran. Why not? I had loved learning Gemara in college in 1971 but hadn’t returned. With the onset of covid, Daf Yomi and Rabbanit Michelle centered me each day. Thank-you for helping me grow and enter this amazing world of learning.
Meryll Page
Meryll Page

Minneapolis, MN, United States

I started learning with rabbis. I needed to know more than the stories. My first teacher to show me “the way of the Talmud” as well as the stories was Samara Schwartz.
Michelle Farber started the new cycle 2 yrs ago and I jumped on for the ride.
I do not look back.

Jenifer Nech
Jenifer Nech

Houston, United States

Jill Shames
Jill Shames

Jerusalem, Israel

In January 2020, my teaching partner at IDC suggested we do daf yomi. Thanks to her challenge, I started learning daily from Rabbanit Michelle. It’s a joy to be part of the Hadran community. (It’s also a tikkun: in 7th grade, my best friend and I tied for first place in a citywide gemara exam, but we weren’t invited to the celebration because girls weren’t supposed to be learning gemara).

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Sara Averick

Jerusalem, Israel

My husband learns Daf, my son learns Daf, my son-in-law learns Daf.
When I read about Hadran’s Siyyum HaShas 2 years ago, I thought- I can learn Daf too!
I had learned Gemara in Hillel HS in NJ, & I remembered loving it.
Rabbanit Michelle & Hadran have opened my eyes & expanding my learning so much in the past few years. We can now discuss Gemara as a family.
This was a life saver during Covid

Renee Braha
Renee Braha

Brooklyn, NY, United States

Gittin 7

לְמֵימְרִינְהוּ בְּנִיחוּתָא, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיקַבְּלוּ מִינֵּיהּ. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אֲנָא לָא שְׁמִיעָא לִי הָא דְּרַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה, וְקִיַּימְתִּיהָ מִסְּבָרָא.

say them with calmness so that they will accept instruction from him. Rav Ashi said: I did not hear this statement of Rabba bar bar Ḥana, and yet I fulfilled it through my own reasoning.

אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: לְעוֹלָם אַל יָטִיל אָדָם אֵימָה יְתֵירָה בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ, שֶׁהֲרֵי אָדָם גָּדוֹל הֵטִיל אֵימָה יְתֵירָה בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ וְהֶאֱכִילוּהוּ דָּבָר גָּדוֹל.

Rabbi Abbahu says: A person should never impose excessive fear upon the members of his household, as a great man imposed excessive fear upon his household and they fed him something that carried a great prohibition.

וּמַנּוּ? רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל. הֶאֱכִילוּהוּ סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ?! הַשְׁתָּא בְּהֶמְתָּן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵבִיא תַּקָּלָה עַל יָדָם, צַדִּיקִים עַצְמָן לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן?

The Gemara asks: And who was this individual? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamliel. The Gemara asks: Would it enter your mind to say that they actually fed him forbidden food? Now consider that the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not cause an error to be performed through the animals of the righteous. With regard to the righteous themselves is it not all the more so? How can you say that Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamliel ate forbidden food?

אֶלָּא בִּקְּשׁוּ לְהַאֲכִילוֹ דָּבָר גָּדוֹל. וּמַאי נִיהוּ? אֵבֶר מִן הַחַי.

Rather, it means that they sought to feed him something that carried a great prohibition. And what was this? A limb from a living animal. One day the animal they brought him was missing a limb, and as the members of his household were very fearful they severed a limb from a living animal to make his meal appear whole, and he almost ate it.

שְׁלַח לֵיהּ מָר עוּקְבָא לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: בְּנֵי אָדָם הָעוֹמְדִים עָלַי, וּבְיָדִי לְמׇסְרָם לַמַּלְכוּת, מַהוּ?

§ After mentioning letters sent from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia and the issue of scoring parchment, the Gemara relates: Mar Ukva, the Exilarch in Babylonia, sent a letter to Rabbi Elazar, who was in Eretz Yisrael, in which the following was written: With regard to people who stand over and torment me, and I have the power to deliver them into the hands of the government, what is the halakha? May I hand them over to the authorities or not?

שִׂרְטֵט וּכְתַב לֵיהּ: ״אָמַרְתִּי אֶשְׁמְרָה דְרָכַי מֵחֲטוֹא בִלְשׁוֹנִי אֶשְׁמְרָה לְפִי מַחְסוֹם בְּעוֹד רָשָׁע לְנֶגְדִּי״ – אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁרָשָׁע לְנֶגְדִּי, אֶשְׁמְרָה לְפִי מַחְסוֹם.

Rabbi Elazar scored parchment and wrote to him the following verse: “I said: I will take heed to my ways, that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep a curb upon my mouth, while the wicked is before me” (Psalms 39:2). Rabbi Elazar quoted this verse to allude to the following response: Even though “the wicked is before me,” “I will keep a curb upon my mouth.”

שְׁלַח לֵיהּ: קָא מְצַעֲרִי לִי טוּבָא, וְלָא מָצֵינָא דְּאֵיקוּם בְּהוּ. שְׁלַח לֵיהּ: ״דּוֹם לַה׳ וְהִתְחוֹלֵל לוֹ״ – דּוֹם לַה׳, וְהוּא יַפִּילֵם לְךָ חֲלָלִים חֲלָלִים; הַשְׁכֵּם וְהַעֲרֵב עֲלֵיהֶן לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ, וְהֵן כָּלִין מֵאֵילֵיהֶן. הַדָּבָר יָצָא מִפִּי רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, וּנְתָנוּהוּ לִגְנִיבָא בְּקוֹלָר.

Mar Ukva sent word to him again: They are tormenting me a great deal and I cannot stand them. Rabbi Elazar sent to him in response: “Resign yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently [hitḥolel] for Him; do not fret yourself because of he who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass” (Psalms 37:7). This verse indicates: “Resign yourself to the Lord,” i.e., do not do anything, and He will strike them down as many corpses [ḥalalim]. Rise before and stay later than them in your visits to the study hall, and they will disappear on their own. The Gemara relates: The matter emerged from the mouth of Rabbi Elazar, and Geneiva, Mar Ukva’s tormentor, was placed in a neck iron [kolar], as one sentenced by the government.

שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ לְמָר עוּקְבָא: זִמְרָא מְנָא לַן דַּאֲסִיר? שִׂרְטֵט וּכְתַב לְהוּ: ״אַל תִּשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל גִּיל בְּעַמִּים״.

The Gemara further relates: They sent the following question to Mar Ukva: From where do we derive that song is forbidden in the present, following the destruction of the Temple? He scored parchment and wrote to them: “Rejoice not, O Israel, to exultation, like the peoples” (Hosea 9:1).

וְלִישְׁלַח לְהוּ מֵהָכָא: ״בַּשִּׁיר לֹא יִשְׁתּוּ יָיִן יֵמַר שֵׁכָר לְשׁוֹתָיו״! אִי מֵהָהוּא, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי זִמְרָא דְמָנָא, אֲבָל דְּפוּמָּא שְׁרֵי, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

The Gemara asks: And let him send them a response from here: “They do not drink wine with a song; strong drink is bitter to them who drink it” (Isaiah 24:9), indicating that song is no longer allowed. The Gemara answers: If he had answered by citing that verse, I would say that this matter applies only to instrumental music, in accordance with the previous verse: “The mirth of tabrets ceases, the noise of them who rejoice ends, the joy of the harp ceases” (Isaiah 24:8); however, vocal song is permitted. Therefore, Mar Ukva teaches us that all types of song are forbidden.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב הוּנָא בַּר נָתָן לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״קִינָה וְדִימוֹנָה וְעַדְעָדָה״? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מָתְוָותָא דְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קָחָשֵׁיב.

In connection to the incident in which Mar Ukva was instructed not to take revenge against his tormentors, the Gemara relates similar discussions. Rav Huna bar Natan said to Rav Ashi: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Kina, and Dimonah, and Adadah” (Joshua 15:22)? He said to him: The verse is listing the cities of Eretz Yisrael.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַטּוּ אֲנָא לָא יָדַעְנָא דְּמָתְוָותָא דְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קָא חָשֵׁיב?! אֶלָּא רַב גְּבִיהָא מֵאָרַגִּיזָא אָמַר בָּהּ טַעְמָא: כֹּל שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ קִנְאָה עַל חֲבֵירוֹ וְדוֹמֵם, שׁוֹכֵן עֲדֵי עַד עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ דִּין.

Rav Huna said to him: Is that to say that you think I don’t know that the verse is listing the cities of Eretz Yisrael? This is certainly the straightforward meaning of the verse. Rather, Rav Geviha from Argiza said an explanation of this verse, suggesting that it is an allusion to the following idea: Anyone who harbors jealousy [kina] toward another, and yet remains silent [domem], He who dwells for all eternity [adei ad] performs judgment on his behalf.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, ״צִקְלָג וּמַדְמֵנָה וְסַנְסַנָּהּ״ הָכִי נָמֵי?! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי הֲוָה רַב גְּבִיהָא מִבֵּי אָרַגִּיזָא הָכָא, הֲוָה אָמַר בָּהּ טַעְמָא. רַב אַחָא מִבֵּי חוֹזָאָה אָמַר בַּהּ הָכִי: כָּל מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ צַעֲקַת לְגִימָא עַל חֲבֵירוֹ, וְדוֹמֵם, שׁוֹכֵן בַּסְּנֶה עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ דִּין.

Rav Ashi said to him: If that is so, you should also expound the verse: “Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah” (Joshua 15:31), in a similar manner. Rav Huna said to him: If Rav Geviha from Bei Argiza was here, he would say an explanation for it. The Gemara relates: Rav Aḥa from Bei Ḥoza’a said this about that verse: Anyone who has a complaint against another over a sip [tza’akat legima], i.e., he has a claim that someone did not give him food, and remains silent [domem], the One who dwells in the burning bush [seneh] performs judgment on his behalf.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא לְרַב הוּנָא: כְּלִילָא מְנָא לַן דְּאָסוּר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִדְּרַבָּנַן, דִּתְנַן: בַּפּוּלְמוּס שֶׁל אַסְפַּסְיָינוּס גָּזְרוּ עַל עַטְרוֹת חֲתָנִים וְעַל הָאִירוּס.

The Exilarch said to Rav Huna: From where do we derive that it is prohibited to place a garland on a groom’s head? Rav Huna said to him: It is prohibited by rabbinic law, as we learned in a mishna (Sota 49a): In the war [pulmus] of Vespasian they decreed upon the garlands of bridegrooms, meaning that bridegrooms may no longer wear garlands, and they decreed upon the drum [irus], meaning they also banned the playing of drums.

אַדְּהָכִי קָם רַב הוּנָא לְאִפְּנוֹיֵי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב חִסְדָּא, קְרָא כְּתִיב: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ אֱלֹהִים הָסִר הַמִּצְנֶפֶת וְהָרִם הָעֲטָרָה זֹאת לֹא זֹאת הַשָּׁפָלָה הַגְבֵּהַּ וְהַגָּבוֹהַּ הַשְׁפִּיל״ –

In the meantime Rav Huna stood to relieve himself, and after he left, Rav Ḥisda, who had not spoken up to that point out of reverence for his teacher, Rav Huna, said to the Exilarch: A verse is written with regard to this matter: “Thus says the Lord God: The mitre shall be removed, and the garland taken off; this shall no more be the same; that which is low shall be exalted, and that which is high abased” (Ezekiel 21:31).

וְכִי מָה עִנְיַן מִצְנֶפֶת אֵצֶל עֲטָרָה? אֶלָּא לוֹמַר לָךְ: בִּזְמַן שֶׁמִּצְנֶפֶת בְּרֹאשׁ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל – עֲטָרָה בְּרֹאשׁ כׇּל אָדָם, נִסְתַּלְּקָה מִצְנֶפֶת מֵרֹאשׁ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל – נִסְתַּלְּקָה עֲטָרָה מֵרֹאשׁ כׇּל אָדָם.

But in what way is a mitre connected to a garland? These two are not placed on the head of the same type of person. Rather, this verse serves to say to you: When the mitre is found on the head of the High Priest, i.e., when the Temple is standing, then a garland may be found on the head of every man at his wedding. However, once the mitre is removed from the head of the High Priest, the garland is removed from the head of every man.

אַדְּהָכִי אֲתָא רַב הוּנָא, אַשְׁכְּחִינְהוּ דַּהֲוֵי יָתְבִי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָאֱלֹהִים! מִדְּרַבָּנַן, אֶלָּא חִסְדָּא שְׁמָךְ וְחִסְדָּאִין מִילָּךְ.

In the meantime, Rav Huna came back and he found them sitting and discussing this matter. He said to Rav Ḥisda in the form of an oath: By God! This prohibition applies by rabbinic law. However, your name is Ḥisda and your words find favor [ḥisda’in], as you have discovered a fine source for this halakha.

רָבִינָא אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְמָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי דַּהֲוָה גָּדֵיל כְּלִילָא לִבְרַתֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא סָבַר לַהּ מָר: ״הָסִר הַמִּצְנֶפֶת וְהָרִם הָעֲטָרָה״?! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: דּוּמְיָא דְּכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל – בְּגַבְרֵי, אֲבָל בִּנְשֵׁי – לָא.

The Gemara relates: Ravina found Mar bar Rav Ashi braiding a garland for his daughter upon her marriage. He said to him: Doesn’t the Master hold in accordance with the aforementioned halakha derived from the verse: “The mitre shall be removed and the garland taken off”? He said to him: This prohibition was stated in reference to one who is similar to a High Priest, and is only applicable with regard to men. However, with regard to women, the Sages did not issue this decree.

מַאי ״זֹאת לֹא זֹאת״? דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי עַוִּירָא, זִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַמֵּי, וְזִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַסִּי: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: ״הָסִר הַמִּצְנֶפֶת וְהָרִם הָעֲטָרָה״, אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, זֹאת לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁהִקְדִּימוּ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּסִינַי ״נַעֲשֶׂה״ לְ״נִשְׁמָע״?!

With regard to the above verse, the Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the expression: “This shall no more be the same”? Rabbi Avira interpreted this verse homiletically. Sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Ami, and sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Asi: When the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people at the time of the destruction of the Temple: “Remove the mitre and take off the garland,” the ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, is this the appropriate treatment for the Jewish people, who, at the giving of the Torah at Sinai, preceded the statement of: “We will do” to the statement: “We will hear” (Exodus 24:7)?

אָמַר לָהֶן: לֹא זֹאת לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁהִשְׁפִּילוּ אֶת הַגָּבוֹהַּ וְהִגְבִּיהוּ אֶת הַשָּׁפֵל, וְהֶעֱמִידוּ צֶלֶם בַּהֵיכָל?!

God said to them: Is this not appropriate for the Jewish people, who lowered the exalted and who exalted the lowly, i.e., they did not serve God, and instead worshiped idols when they established an idol in the Sanctuary? This response is alluded to in the verse: “This shall no more be the same.”

דָּרֵשׁ רַב עַוִּירָא, זִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַמֵּי, וְזִימְנִין אָמַר לַהּ מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב אַסִּי – מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ אִם שְׁלֵמִים וְכֵן רַבִּים וְכֵן נָגוֹזּוּ וְעָבָר וְגוֹ׳״? אִם רוֹאֶה אָדָם שֶׁמְּזוֹנוֹתָיו מְצוּמְצָמִין – יַעֲשֶׂה מֵהֶן צְדָקָה. וְכׇל שֶׁכֵּן כְּשֶׁהֵן מְרוּבִּין.

The Gemara cites another statement by the same Sages. Rav Avira interpreted a verse homiletically. Sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Ami, and sometimes he would say it in the name of Rav Asi: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Thus says the Lord: Though they be in full strength [shelemim], and likewise many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away; and though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more” (Nahum 1:12). This means: If a person sees that his sustenance is limited he should use it for charity, and all the more so when it is plentiful. In other words, if his livelihood has finished [nishlam] he should perform charity, and he should certainly act in this manner if his means are plentiful.

מַאי ״וְכֵן נָגוֹזּוּ וְעָבַר״? תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: כָּל הַגּוֹזֵז מִנְּכָסָיו וְעוֹשֶׂה מֵהֶן צְדָקָה – נִיצָּל מִדִּינָהּ שֶׁל גֵּיהִנָּם. מָשָׁל לִשְׁתֵּי רְחֵילוֹת שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹבְרוֹת בְּמַיִם, אַחַת גְּזוּזָה וְאַחַת אֵינָהּ גְּזוּזָה; גְּזוּזָה עָבְרָה, וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ גְּזוּזָה לֹא עָבְרָה.

The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: “Even so shall they be cut down [nagozzu], and he shall pass away”? A Sage from the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: Anyone who shears off [gozez] some of his property and performs charity with it will be saved from the judgment of Gehenna. The Gemara offers a parable that compares this case to two sheep that were passing through the water. One of them was shorn and the other one was unshorn. The shorn sheep crossed to the other side, but the unshorn sheep did not cross, as its wool absorbed the water and it drowned. Similarly, one who shears off his property and gives it as charity will not descend to Gehenna.

״וְעִנִּתִךְ״ – אָמַר מָר זוּטְרָא: אֲפִילּוּ עָנִי הַמִּתְפַּרְנֵס מִן הַצְּדָקָה, יַעֲשֶׂה צְדָקָה. ״לֹא אַעֲנֵּךְ עוֹד״ – תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: שׁוּב אֵין מַרְאִין לוֹ סִימָנֵי עֲנִיּוּת.

The Gemara addresses the continuation of the verse: “And though I have afflicted you [ve’innitikh]” (Nahum 1:12). Mar Zutra says: This means that even a poor person [ani] who is sustained from charity must also perform charity. With regard to the expression: “And I will afflict you [a’anekh] no more,” Rav Yosef teaches: This means that if he gives charity to others, God will no longer show him signs of poverty [aniyyut].

רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, מִרְקָם לַמִּזְרָח כּוּ׳: לְמֵימְרָא דְּעַכּוֹ לִצְפוֹנָהּ דְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל קָיְימָא?! וּרְמִינְהוּ: הָיָה מְהַלֵּךְ מֵעַכּוֹ לִכְזִיב; מִימִינוֹ – לְמִזְרַח הַדֶּרֶךְ – טְמֵאָה מִשּׁוּם אֶרֶץ הָעַמִּים, וּפְטוּרָה מִן הַמַּעֲשֵׂר וּמִן הַשְּׁבִיעִית, עַד שֶׁיִּוָּדַע לָךְ שֶׁהִיא חַיֶּיבֶת.

§ The mishna teaches that Rabbi Yehuda says: From Rekem and eastward is considered to be a country overseas, from Akko and northward is also outside of Eretz Yisrael, and Akko itself is like north of Eretz Yisrael. The Gemara asks: Is this to say that Akko is located to the north of Eretz Yisrael? And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a baraita (Tosefta, Oholot 18:14) that indicates that Akko is not on the northern border of Eretz Yisrael: If one was traveling from Akko to Keziv, the area on his right, to the east of the road, is impure due to the impurity of the land of the nations, and that area is exempt from the obligation to separate tithe from its produce and from the mitzvot of the Sabbatical Year, as it is assumed to be outside of Eretz Yisrael, until he arrives at a place where it is known to you that it is obligated.

מִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ – לְמַעֲרַב הַדֶּרֶךְ – טְהוֹרָה מִשּׁוּם אֶרֶץ הָעַמִּים, וְחַיֶּיבֶת בְּמַעֲשֵׂר וּבִשְׁבִיעִית, עַד שֶׁיִּוָּדַע לָךְ שֶׁהִיא פְּטוּרָה. עַד הֵיכָן? עַד כְּזִיב. רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם אָבִיו: עַד לַבְלָבוֹ.

The baraita continues: Conversely, the territory on his left, to the west of the road, is pure with regard to the impurity of the land of the nations, as it is assumed to be within Eretz Yisrael, and obligated in the mitzva to separate tithe from its produce and in the mitzvot of the Sabbatical Year, until he arrives at a place where it is known to you that it is exempt. Until where does this halakha apply? Until Keziv. Rabbi Yishmael, son of Rabbi Yosei, said in the name of his father: Until the place known as Lavlevu. In any case, this indicates that Akko is not considered the northern border of Eretz Yisrael, as the description in the baraita indicates that Keziv is further north than Akko.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: רְצוּעָה נָפְקָא. וְיָהֵיב תַּנָּא סִימָנָא הָכִי?! אִין; קְרָא נָמֵי יָהֵיב סִימָנָא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמְרוּ הִנֵּה חַג ה׳ בְּשִׁילוֹ מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה אֲשֶׁר מִצְּפוֹנָה לְבֵית אֵל, מִזְרְחָה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לִמְסִלָּה הָעוֹלָה מִבֵּית אֵל שְׁכֶמָה, וּמִנֶּגֶב לִלְבוֹנָה״, וְאָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: לְמִזְרָחָהּ שֶׁל מְסִלָּה.

Abaye said: A strip extends northward from Akko, which is still considered part of Eretz Yisrael, but the general border is at the latitude of Akko. The Gemara asks: But would the tanna of the baraita provide a sign in this manner for an area of a strip of land? The Gemara answers: Yes, and a verse also provides a sign in this manner, as it is written: “And they said: Behold, there is the feast of the Lord from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah” (Judges 21:19). And Rav Pappa said: The expression: “On the east side,” should be understood as meaning to the east of the highway. This verse demonstrates that an area as narrow as a road can be used as a sign.

תָּנָא חֲדָא: הַמֵּבִיא גֵּט בִּסְפִינָה – כְּמֵבִיא בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְתַנְיָא אִידַּךְ – כְּמֵבִיא בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ!

§ The Gemara presents a contradiction between two baraitot. It was taught in one baraita: One who brings a bill of divorce that was written on a boat in Eretz Yisrael is considered to be like one who brings it in Eretz Yisrael, and therefore he is not required to say: It was written in my presence and it was signed in my presence. And it is taught in another baraita (Tosefta 1:1) that one who brings a bill of divorce written on a boat in Eretz Yisrael is like one who brings a bill of divorce outside of Eretz Yisrael.

אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָא רַבָּנַן. דִּתְנַן: עֲפַר חוּצָה לָאָרֶץ הַבָּא בִּסְפִינָה לָאָרֶץ – חַיָּיב בְּמַעֲשֵׂר וּבִשְׁבִיעִית.

Rabbi Yirmeya says: This is not difficult, as one can say that this baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and that baraita is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis. As we learned in a mishna (Ḥalla 2:2): With regard to soil from outside of Eretz Yisrael that is brought on a boat to Eretz Yisrael, anything that grew in that soil is obligated in tithe and in the mitzvot of the Sabbatical Year. According to this opinion, soil is considered part of Eretz Yisrael once it arrives there, which means that the plants growing in it are considered to be in Eretz Yisrael.

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: אֵימָתַי? בִּזְמַן שֶׁהַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת, אֲבָל אֵין הַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת – פָּטוּר.

Rabbi Yehuda said: When did the Sages say this ruling? When the boat is skimming [gosheshet] the sea floor, as it is weighed down in the water. However, when the boat is not skimming the sea floor, the soil is exempt. The Sage who maintains that the boat is considered to be like Eretz Yisrael with regard to a bill of divorce holds in accordance with the Rabbis of this mishna, and the one who maintains that the boat is not like Eretz Yisrael for the purposes of a bill of divorce holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda.

אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: הָא וְהָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא, וְלָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֵין הַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת, כָּאן בִּזְמַן שֶׁהַסְּפִינָה גּוֹשֶׁשֶׁת.

Abaye said: It is possible to say that both this baraita and that baraita are in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and it is not difficult: Here, the baraita where the soil is considered outside of Eretz Yisrael, deals with a situation when the boat is not skimming the sea floor; and there, in the baraita that states that the soil is considered to be like Eretz Yisrael, it is referring to a case when the boat is skimming the sea floor.

אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: עָצִיץ נָקוּב הַמּוּנָּח עַל גַּבֵּי יְתֵדוֹת, בָּאנוּ לְמַחְלוֹקֶת רַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבָּנַן.

Rabbi Zeira says: In the case of a perforated pot that is resting on pegs, if something grew in it, we have arrived at the dispute of Rabbi Yehuda and the Rabbis concerning the soil on the boat. Just as the Rabbis maintain that the soil is considered attached to Eretz Yisrael even if the boat does not actually touch the sea floor, the same applies to a perforated flowerpot on pegs, whereas Rabbi Yehuda holds that in both cases the soil must actually be in contact with the earth for it to be considered part of Eretz Yisrael.

אָמַר רָבָא: דִּילְמָא לָא הִיא – עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הָתָם אֶלָּא בִּסְפִינָה,

Rava said, in rejection of this claim: Perhaps that is not so, as Rabbi Yehuda says his opinion only there, with regard to a boat,

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