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Shabbat 81

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Summary

Today’s shiur is dedicated by Joni Brenner in honor of Rabbi Shuli Passow for introducing her to daf yomi. 

What is the size of a bone, a piece of glass, or a rock or stone that one would be obligated for carrying on Shabbat? By which use of these items is the size determined? Even though rocks are generally muktze, the rabbis allowed one to carry them for wiping in the bathroom (in those days rocks were used as toilet paper). What size rocks were permitted to be carried on Shabbat for this purpose? What items can’t be used on Shabbat for wiping? If one has a regular place for going to the bathroom or not, does that effect how many rocks one can carry? One can use a small mortar used to crushing spices to wipe with on Shabbat, but according to Rav Sheshet, only if it has signs that it was used in the past to wipe with in the bathroom. Is it really OK to use something that was used in the past to wipe with – isn’t that unhealthy and can cause disease? Three answers are brought. What if the rain washed off any dirt from previous uses? Can one carry rocks to the attic to be uses for wiping or is that considered extra work on Shabbat that would be forbidden? It is permitted because of kavod habriot – human dignity. Under what circumstances does human dignity not permit mutzke items to be moved on Shabbat? Why is there a difference? One cannot use a plowed field as a bathroom on Shabbat – why not? Can one use a rock that has grass growing on it for wiping? Can one use an earthenware shard for wiping?

Shabbat 81

מַתְנִי׳ עֶצֶם כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת תַּרְווֹד. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ חָף. זְכוּכִית — כְּדֵי לִגְרוֹר בָּהּ רֹאשׁ הַכַּרְכֵּר. צְרוֹר אוֹ אֶבֶן — כְּדֵי לִזְרוֹק בָּעוֹף. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בַּר יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: כְּדֵי לִזְרוֹק בַּבְּהֵמָה.

MISHNA: The measure that determines liability for carrying out a bone is equivalent to that which is used to make a spoon. Rabbi Yehuda says: In a measure equivalent to that which is used to make from it a key. The measure that determines liability for carrying out glass is equivalent to that which is used to scrape and smooth the top of a bobbin, a sharpened stick used by weavers. The measure that determines liability for carrying out a pebble or a stone is equivalent to that which is used to throw at a bird to chase it away. Rabbi Elazar bar Ya’akov says: Equivalent to that which is used to throw at an animal, which is larger.

גְּמָ׳ לְמֵימְרָא דְּשִׁיעוּרָא דְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה נְפִישׁ? הָא קַיְימָא לַן דְּשִׁיעוּרָא דְרַבָּנַן נְפִישׁ! אָמַר עוּלָּא: חֲפֵי פּוֹתַחַת. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חֲפֵי פּוֹתַחַת טְהוֹרִין, קְבָעָן בַּפּוֹתַחַת טְמֵאִין. וְשֶׁל גַּל, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁחִיבְּרָן בַּדֶּלֶת וּקְבָעָן בְּמַסְמְרִים טְהוֹרִין — שֶׁכׇּל הַמְחוּבָּר לַקַּרְקַע הֲרֵי הוּא כַּקַּרְקַע.

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: Is that to say that the measure of Rabbi Yehuda is greater? Don’t we maintain that the measure of the Rabbis is greater? Ulla said: Rabbi Yehuda did not refer to the entire key, but to the teeth of a key. With regard to the above, the Gemara cites that which the Sages taught in a baraita: The teeth of a key are ritually pure, and they cannot become impure when separate from the key, as they have no function on their own. However, if one affixed them to a key, they can become ritually impure as part of a utensil. And teeth of a lock, even though one attached them to the door and affixed them with nails, are ritually pure, as anything attached to the ground has the same legal status as the ground itself, which cannot become ritually impure.

זְכוּכִית כְּדֵי לִגְרוֹר בָּהּ. תָּנָא: סְכוּכִית — כְּדֵי לִפְצוֹעַ בָּהּ שְׁנֵי נִימִין כְּאַחַת.

We learned in the mishna: The measure that determines liability for carrying out glass is equivalent to that which is used to scrape and smooth the top of a bobbin. A tanna taught that halakha in a Tosefta in a different manner: The measure that determines liability for carrying out glass is equivalent to that which is used to cut two threads at once, as a glass shard can be used in place of a knife.

צְרוֹר אוֹ אֶבֶן כְּדֵי לִזְרוֹק בָּעוֹף. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר כּוּ׳. אָמַר רַבִּי יַעֲקֹב אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: וְהוּא שֶׁמַּרְגֶּשֶׁת בָּהּ. וְכַמָּה שִׁיעוּרוֹ? תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: מִשְׁקַל עֲשָׂרָה זוּז.

We learned in the mishna: The measure that determines liability for carrying out a pebble or a stone is equivalent to that which is used to throw at a bird to chase it away. Rabbi Elazar ben Ya’akov says: Equivalent to that which is used to throw at an animal. Rabbi Ya’akov said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: And that is only if the stone is large enough that the animal feels it. And how much is the measure of that stone? It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Elazar ben Ya’akov says: A weight of ten zuz.

זוּנִין עַל לְבֵי מִדְרְשָׁא, אֲמַר לְהוּ: רַבּוֹתַי, אֲבָנִים שֶׁל בֵּית הַכִּסֵּא שִׁיעוּרָן בְּכַמָּה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: כְּזַיִת כֶּאֱגוֹז וּכְבֵיצָה. אֲמַר לְהוּ: וְכִי טוּרְטָנֵי יַכְנִיס? נִמְנוּ וְגָמְרוּ מְלֹא הַיָּד. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: כְּזַיִת כֶּאֱגוֹז וּכְבֵיצָה. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם אָבִיו: מְלֹא הַיָּד.

The Gemara relates: Zunin entered the study hall and said to the Sages: My teachers, with regard to stones that may be moved on Shabbat for wiping in the bathroom, how much is their measure? They said to him: Stones of only three sizes may be moved for that purpose: An olive-bulk, a nut-bulk, and an egg-bulk. He said to them: And will he take scales [turtani] into the bathroom to weigh each stone? They were counted and the Sages concluded that one need not measure the stones. He simply takes a handful of stones. It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yosei says the measure of bathroom stones is an olive-bulk, a nut-bulk, and an egg-bulk. Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yosei, says in the name of his father: One need not measure the stones. He simply takes a handful of stones.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן בְּשַׁבָּת: שָׁלֹשׁ אֲבָנִים מְקוּרְזָלוֹת מוּתָּר לְהַכְנִיס לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא. וְכַמָּה שִׁיעוּרָן? רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: כֶּאֱגוֹז. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: כְּבֵיצָה. אָמַר רַפְרָם בַּר פָּפָּא אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: כַּמַּחֲלוֹקֶת כָּאן כָּךְ מַחֲלוֹקֶת בְּאֶתְרוֹג. הָתָם מַתְנִיתִין, הָכָא בָּרָיְיתָא! אֶלָּא: כַּמַּחֲלוֹקֶת בְּאֶתְרוֹג כָּךְ מַחֲלוֹקֶת כָּאן.

Our Sages taught in a baraita with regard to Shabbat: Three sharpened stones may be taken into the bathroom. And what is their measure? Rabbi Meir says: A nut-bulk; Rabbi Yehuda says: An egg-bulk. Rafram bar Pappa said that Rav Ḥisda said: Like the dispute here, so too, there is a dispute between these Sages with regard to the minimum size of a citron. The Gemara is surprised at the comparison. Why does the Gemara cite this baraita as a mnemonic to recall the dispute about the size of a citron? There, with regard to a citron, it is a mishna that is known by all; here it is a baraita, which is more obscure and more likely to require a mnemonic and a comparison to a more popular source. Rather, the phrasing is reversed: Like the dispute with regard to a citron, so too, there is a dispute here.

אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: אֲבָל לֹא אֶת הַפָּאיֵיס. מַאי ״פָּאיֵיס״? אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: כַּרְשִׁינֵי בַּבְלָיָיתָא. אָמַר רָבָא: אָסוּר לְמַשְׁמֵשׁ בִּצְרוֹר בְּשַׁבָּת כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁמְּמַשְׁמֵשׁ בַּחוֹל. מַתְקִיף לַהּ מָר זוּטְרָא: לִיסְתַּכַּן? כִּלְאַחַר יָד. אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: אִם יֵשׁ מָקוֹם קָבוּעַ לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא — מְלֹא הַיָּד. אִם לָאו — כַּהֶכְרֵעַ מְדוֹכָה קְטַנָּה שֶׁל בְּשָׂמִים. אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: אִם יֵשׁ עָלֶיהָ עֵד — מוּתָּר.

Rav Yehuda said: However, one may not move the payis for use in a bathroom. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of payis? Rabbi Zeira said: It refers to clods of Babylonian earth, which is soft and flaky. Rava said: It is prohibited to manipulate the anus with a stone on Shabbat to help discharge bodily functions in the manner that one manipulates it on weekdays. Mar Zutra strongly objected to this: According to Rava, should one endanger himself by refraining from relieving himself? The Gemara explains: He meant he should do so in an unusual manner and not in the manner it is typically done. With regard to the size of stones, Rabbi Yannai said: If he has a fixed place for a bathroom, he may take a handful of stones; if he does not need them on Shabbat, he can use them on another occasion. If he does not have a fixed place he may bring in an average size stone, which is the size of a small mortar used for crushing spices. Rav Sheshet said: If the stone has an indication on it that it has already been used in the bathroom, one is permitted to move it for that purpose on Shabbat, regardless of its size.

מֵיתִיבִי? עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים מְבִיאִין אֶת הָאָדָם לִידֵי תַחְתּוֹנִיּוֹת, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: הָאוֹכֵל עֲלֵי קָנִים, וַעֲלֵי גְפָנִים, וְלוּלַבֵּי גְפָנִים, וּמוֹרִיגֵּי בְהֵמָה בְּלֹא מֶלַח, וְשִׁדְרוֹ שֶׁל דָּג, וְדָג מָלִיחַ שֶׁלֹּא בִּישֵּׁל כׇּל צוֹרְכּוֹ, וְהַשּׁוֹתֶה שִׁמְרֵי יַיִן, וְהַמְקַנֵּחַ בְּסִיד, וּבְחַרְסִית, וְהַמְקַנֵּחַ בִּצְרוֹר שֶׁקִּינַּח בּוֹ חֲבֵרוֹ. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף הַתּוֹלֶה עַצְמוֹ בְּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא. לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא בְּלַח, הָא בְּיָבֵשׁ. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: כָּאן מִצַּד אֶחָד, וְכָאן מִשְּׁנֵי צְדָדִין. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: הָא דִּידֵיהּ, הָא דְּחַבְרֵיהּ.

The Gemara raises an objection: Is it permitted to wipe with a stone that was already used? Didn’t the Sages say: Ten things bring a person to suffer from hemorrhoids and they are: One who eats the leaves of bulrushes, grape leaves, tendrils of grapevines, the palate and tongue of an animal, as well as any other part of the animal which is not smooth and which has protrusions, without salt, the spine of a fish, a salty fish that is not fully cooked, and one who drinks wine dregs, and one who cleans himself with lime and clay, the materials from which earthenware is made, and one who cleans himself with a stone with which another person has cleaned himself. And some say: One who suspends himself in the bathroom as well. Apparently, using a previously used stone is dangerous to one’s health. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. Here, where it is prohibited, is referring to a case where the stone is still moist. Here, where it is permitted, is referring to a case where the stone is dry. And if you wish, say instead that here, where it is prohibited, is referring to one side, using the side that was already used; here, where it is permitted, is referring to both sides, using the other side of the same stone. And if you wish, say instead that this, where it is permitted, is referring to one’s own stone, which he used to clean himself; this, where it is prohibited, is referring to another person’s stone, which poses a danger.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב יוֹסֵף: יָרְדוּ עָלֶיהָ גְּשָׁמִים וְנִטַּשְׁטְשׁוּ מַהוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִם הָיָה רִישּׁוּמָן נִיכָּר — מוּתָּר.

Abaye said to Rav Yosef: What is the ruling if rain fell on the stone and the indications that it had been used previously in the bathroom were obscured? The dilemma is: Is moving it permitted like a stone that is designated for use in the bathroom on Shabbat, or, is moving it prohibited since its indications were obscured and it might have the legal status of set-aside? Rav Yosef said to him: If indication on them is apparent, even though it is partially obscured, it is permitted, since the stone remains clear that it is designated for use in the bathroom.

בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַבָּהּ בַּר רַב שֵׁילָא מֵרַב

Rabba bar Rav Sheila raised a dilemma before Rav

חִסְדָּא: מַהוּ לְהַעֲלוֹתָם אַחֲרָיו לַגַּג? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: גָּדוֹל כְּבוֹד הַבְּרִיּוֹת שֶׁדּוֹחֶה אֶת ״לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה״ שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה. יָתֵיב מָרִימָר וְקָאָמַר לַהּ לְהָא שְׁמַעְתָּא. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רָבִינָא לְמָרִימָר: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר נוֹטֵל אָדָם קֵיסָם מִשֶּׁלְּפָנָיו לַחֲצוֹת בּוֹ שִׁינָּיו, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים לֹא יִטּוֹל אֶלָּא מִן הָאֵבוּס שֶׁל בְּהֵמָה! הָכִי הַשְׁתָּא?! הָתָם — אָדָם קוֹבֵעַ מָקוֹם לִסְעוּדָה, הָכָא — אָדָם קוֹבֵעַ מָקוֹם לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא?

Ḥisda: What is the halakha with regard to taking those stones up with him to the roof if his bathroom is there? Is it permitted or is it prohibited due to the exertion involved? He said to him: It is permitted; great is human dignity as it overrides a prohibition in the Torah. The Gemara relates: Mareimar sat and stated this halakha. Ravina raised an objection to the statement of Mareimar from a baraita where Rabbi Eliezer says: A person may take a wood chip from the ground before him to clean his teeth on Shabbat. And the Rabbis say one may take a wood chip only from the animal’s trough, which is already designated for the animal’s use, but not from wood on the ground, which is set-aside. Apparently, despite the fact that using the wood chip enhances human dignity, it is nevertheless prohibited due to the prohibition of set-aside. The Gemara rejects this: How can you compare? There, a person determines the place for his meal. Since he knows where he will eat he should have prepared toothpicks beforehand. Here, does a person determine the place for a bathroom? He relieves himself wherever he finds a discreet place to do so.

אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: אָסוּר לִפָּנוֹת בִּשְׂדֵה נִיר בְּשַׁבָּת. מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם דַּוְושָׁא — אֲפִילּוּ בְּחוֹל נָמֵי! וְאֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם עֲשָׂבִים, וְהָאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: צְרוֹר שֶׁעָלוּ בּוֹ עֲשָׂבִים — מוּתָּר לְקַנֵּחַ בּוֹ. וְהַתּוֹלֵשׁ מִמֶּנָּה בְּשַׁבָּת — חַיָּיב חַטָּאת. אֶלָּא דִילְמָא נָקֵיט מֵעִילַּאי וְשָׁדֵי לְתַתַּאי, וּמִיחַיַּיב מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבָּה. דְּאָמַר רַבָּה: הָיְתָה לוֹ גּוּמָּא וּטְמָמָהּ, בַּבַּיִת — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם בּוֹנֶה, בַּשָּׂדֶה — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם חוֹרֵשׁ.

Rav Huna said: It is prohibited to defecate in a plowed field on Shabbat. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for that prohibition? If you say it is due to the fact that in doing so he treads on the furrows and destroys them, it should be prohibited even on weekdays. Rather, it is due to the concern that he will clean himself with a clod of earth on which grasses have grown. Didn’t Reish Lakish say that it is permitted to wipe with a stone upon which grasses have grown even though the grasses will be detached as a result? And that is the halakha even though one who unwittingly detaches grasses from it on Shabbat is liable to bring a sin-offering. Rather, the concern is lest he take a clod of earth from a high place, a pile of dirt, and throw it to a low place, into a hole in the ground. And in that case, he would be liable due to that which Rabba said, as Rabba said: If one had a hole and filled it, in the house, he is liable due to the prohibited labor of building; in the field, he is liable due to plowing.

גּוּפָא, אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: צְרוֹר שֶׁעָלוּ בּוֹ עֲשָׂבִים — מוּתָּר לְקַנֵּחַ בּוֹ. וְהַתּוֹלֵשׁ מִמֶּנָּה בְּשַׁבָּת — חַיָּיב חַטָּאת. אָמַר רַב פַּפֵּי: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ מִדְּרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, הַאי פַּרְפִּיסָא — שְׁרֵי לְטַלְטוֹלֵיהּ. מַתְקִיף לַהּ רַב כָּהֲנָא: אִם אָמְרוּ לְצוֹרֶךְ, יֹאמְרוּ שֶׁלֹּא לְצוֹרֶךְ?! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: פַּרְפִּיסָא, הוֹאִיל וַאֲתָא לְיָדָן לֵימָא בֵּיהּ מִילְּתָא: הָיָה מוּנָּח עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע וְהִנִּיחוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי יְתֵידוֹת — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם תּוֹלֵשׁ. הָיָה מוּנָּח עַל גַּבֵּי יְתֵידוֹת וְהִנִּיחוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם נוֹטֵעַ.

With regard to the matter itself, Reish Lakish said: It is permitted to wipe with a stone upon which grasses have grown. And one who detaches grasses from it unwittingly on Shabbat is liable to bring a sin-offering. Rav Pappi said: Learn from that which Reish Lakish said that it is permitted to carry this perforated flowerpot on Shabbat. Rav Kahana strongly objects to this: If they said that it is permitted to carry a stone with weeds on it for a purpose, will they say it is permitted to carry a flowerpot for no purpose? Abaye said: Since the topic of a perforated pot has come to our hands, let us say something with regard to it: If it had been placed on the ground and one lifted it and placed it on top of pegs on Shabbat, he is liable for the labor of detaching. The roots of the plant could have protruded through the holes to draw sustenance from the ground, and when one lifts it he detaches it from that sustenance. Similarly, if it had been placed on pegs and one placed it on the ground, he is liable for the labor of planting.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָסוּר לְקַנֵּחַ בְּחֶרֶס בְּשַׁבָּת. מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם סַכָּנָה — אֲפִילּוּ בְּחוֹל נָמֵי! וְאֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם כְּשָׁפִים — אֲפִילּוּ בְּחוֹל נָמֵי לָא! וְאֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם הַשָּׁרַת נִימִין — דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין הוּא. אֲמַר לְהוּ רַב נָתָן בַּר אוֹשַׁעְיָא: גַּבְרָא רַבָּה אֲמַר מִילְּתָא, נֵימָא בָּהּ טַעְמָא: לָא מִיבַּעְיָא בְּחוֹל — דְּאָסוּר, אֲבָל בְּשַׁבָּת — הוֹאִיל וְאִיכָּא תּוֹרַת כְּלִי עָלָיו, שַׁפִּיר דָּמֵי. קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: It is prohibited to wipe with an earthenware shard on Shabbat. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for that prohibition? If you say that it is due to the danger that he might injure himself with the sharp edges of the shard, it should be prohibited also on weekdays. Rather, it is due to the fact that it invites witchcraft. If so, he should also not do so on weekdays. Rather, the concern is lest he remove hairs with the earthenware shard. However, that is an unintentional act, which is permitted. Rav Natan bar Oshaya said to those who raised the question: A great man said something, let us say a reason for it, and explain Rabbi Yoḥanan’s statement as follows: It is not necessary to say that it is prohibited on a weekday for the aforementioned reasons because he has the option of using a stone. However, with regard to Shabbat we would have said that since this shard has the status of a utensil and is not set-aside, he may well use it, as it is preferable to a stone, which is set-aside. Therefore, he teaches us that it is prohibited.

רָבָא מַתְנֵי לַהּ מִשּׁוּם הַשָּׁרַת נִימִין, וְקַשְׁיָא לֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אַדְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָסוּר לְקַנֵּחַ בַּחֶרֶס בְּשַׁבָּת? אַלְמָא דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין — אָסוּר. וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הֲלָכָה כִּסְתַם מִשְׁנָה. וּתְנַן: נָזִיר חוֹפֵף וּמְפַסְפֵּס, אֲבָל לֹא סוֹרֵק! אֶלָּא מְחַוַּורְתָּא כִּדְרַב נָתָן בַּר אוֹשַׁעְיָא.

Rava taught that Rabbi Yoḥanan ruled that it is prohibited due to the removal of hairs, and he raised a difficulty between that which Rabbi Yoḥanan said here and that which Rabbi Yoḥanan said elsewhere. Did Rabbi Yoḥanan say it is forbidden to wipe with an earthenware shard on Shabbat? Apparently, he holds that an unintentional act is prohibited. Didn’t Rabbi Yoḥanan state a principle: The halakha is ruled in accordance with an unattributed mishna? And we learned in a mishna: A nazirite, for whom it is prohibited to cut his hair, may wash his hair on a weekday with sand and natron and separate it with his fingers; however, he may not comb it, which would certainly pull out some hair. Apparently, the unintentional act of removing hair while shampooing is permitted. Rather, it is clearly in accordance with the explanation of Rav Natan bar Oshaya.

מַאי כְּשָׁפִים? כִּי הָא דְּרַב חִסְדָּא וְרַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא הֲווֹ קָא אָזְלִי בְּאַרְבָּא, אֲמַרָה לְהוּ הָהִיא מַטְרוֹנִיתָא: אוֹתְבַן בַּהֲדַיְיכוּ! וְלָא אוֹתְבוּהָ. אֲמַרָה אִיהִי מִילְּתָא — אֲסַרְתַּהּ לְאַרְבָּא. אֲמַרוּ אִינְהוּ מִילְּתָא — שַׁרְיוּהָא. אֲמַרָה לְהוּ: מַאי אֶיעְבֵּיד לְכוּ?

The Gemara asks: What is the witchcraft involved with wiping with an earthenware shard? The Gemara explains: It is as that which transpired when Rav Ḥisda and Rabba bar Rav Huna were going on a boat. A certain matron [matronita] said to them: Let me sit with you, and they did not let her sit. She said something, an incantation of witchcraft, and stopped the boat. They said something, the Holy Name, and freed it. She said to them: What will I do to you, to enable me to harm you with witchcraft,

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

My first Talmud class experience was a weekly group in 1971 studying Taanit. In 2007 I resumed Talmud study with a weekly group I continue learning with. January 2020, I was inspired to try learning Daf Yomi. A friend introduced me to Daf Yomi for Women and Rabbanit Michelle Farber, I have kept with this program and look forward, G- willing, to complete the entire Shas with Hadran.
Lorri Lewis
Lorri Lewis

Palo Alto, CA, United States

I began learning with Rabbanit Michelle’s wonderful Talmud Skills class on Pesachim, which really enriched my Pesach seder, and I have been learning Daf Yomi off and on over the past year. Because I’m relatively new at this, there is a “chiddush” for me every time I learn, and the knowledge and insights of the group members add so much to my experience. I feel very lucky to be a part of this.

Julie-Landau-Photo
Julie Landau

Karmiel, Israel

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

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

Having never learned Talmud before, I started Daf Yomi in hopes of connecting to the Rabbinic tradition, sharing a daily idea on Instagram (@dafyomiadventures). With Hadran and Sefaria, I slowly gained confidence in my skills and understanding. Now, part of the Pardes Jewish Educators Program, I can’t wait to bring this love of learning with me as I continue to pass it on to my future students.

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Hannah Greenberg

Pennsylvania, United States

After all the hype on the 2020 siyum I became inspired by a friend to begin learning as the new cycle began.with no background in studying Talmud it was a bit daunting in the beginning. my husband began at the same time so we decided to study on shabbat together. The reaction from my 3 daughters has been fantastic. They are very proud. It’s been a great challenge for my brain which is so healthy!

Stacey Goodstein Ashtamker
Stacey Goodstein Ashtamker

Modi’in, Israel

I decided to give daf yomi a try when I heard about the siyum hashas in 2020. Once the pandemic hit, the daily commitment gave my days some much-needed structure. There have been times when I’ve felt like quitting- especially when encountering very technical details in the text. But then I tell myself, “Look how much you’ve done. You can’t stop now!” So I keep going & my Koren bookshelf grows…

Miriam Eckstein-Koas
Miriam Eckstein-Koas

Huntington, United States

Attending the Siyyum in Jerusalem 26 months ago inspired me to become part of this community of learners. So many aspects of Jewish life have been illuminated by what we have learned in Seder Moed. My day is not complete without daf Yomi. I am so grateful to Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran Community.

Nancy Kolodny
Nancy Kolodny

Newton, United States

With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!

Sharon Mink
Sharon Mink

Haifa, Israel

I started learning Daf in Jan 2020 with Brachot b/c I had never seen the Jewish people united around something so positive, and I wanted to be a part of it. Also, I wanted to broaden my background in Torah Shebal Peh- Maayanot gave me a great gemara education, but I knew that I could hold a conversation in most parts of tanach but almost no TSB. I’m so thankful for Daf and have gained immensely.

Meira Shapiro
Meira Shapiro

NJ, United States

I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.

Miriam Pollack
Miriam Pollack

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

After being so inspired by the siyum shas two years ago, I began tentatively learning daf yomi, like Rabbanut Michelle kept saying – taking one daf at a time. I’m still taking it one daf at a time, one masechet at a time, but I’m loving it and am still so inspired by Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran community, and yes – I am proud to be finishing Seder Mo’ed.

Caroline Graham-Ofstein
Caroline Graham-Ofstein

Bet Shemesh, Israel

Years ago, I attended the local Siyum HaShas with my high school class. It was inspiring! Through that cycle and the next one, I studied masekhtot on my own and then did “daf yomi practice.” The amazing Hadran Siyum HaShas event firmed my resolve to “really do” Daf Yomi this time. It has become a family goal. We’ve supported each other through challenges, and now we’re at the Siyum of Seder Moed!

Elisheva Brauner
Elisheva Brauner

Jerusalem, Israel

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 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

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 was moved to tears by the Hadran Siyyum HaShas. I have learned Torah all my life, but never connected to learning Gemara on a regular basis until then. Seeing the sheer joy Talmud Torah at the siyyum, I felt compelled to be part of it, and I haven’t missed a day!
It’s not always easy, but it is so worthwhile, and it has strengthened my love of learning. It is part of my life now.

Michelle Lewis
Michelle Lewis

Beit Shemesh, Israel

I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!

Caroline Levison
Caroline Levison

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

I’ve been learning since January 2020, and in June I started drawing a phrase from each daf. Sometimes it’s easy (e.g. plants), sometimes it’s very hard (e.g. korbanot), and sometimes it’s loads of fun (e.g. bird racing) to find something to draw. I upload my pictures from each masechet to #DafYomiArt. I am enjoying every step of the journey.

Gila Loike
Gila Loike

Ashdod, Israel

I started learning Jan 2020 when I heard the new cycle was starting. I had tried during the last cycle and didn’t make it past a few weeks. Learning online from old men didn’t speak to my soul and I knew Talmud had to be a soul journey for me. Enter Hadran! Talmud from Rabbanit Michelle Farber from a woman’s perspective, a mother’s perspective and a modern perspective. Motivated to continue!

Keren Carter
Keren Carter

Brentwood, California, United States

Shabbat 81

מַתְנִי׳ עֶצֶם כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת תַּרְווֹד. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ חָף. זְכוּכִית — כְּדֵי לִגְרוֹר בָּהּ רֹאשׁ הַכַּרְכֵּר. צְרוֹר אוֹ אֶבֶן — כְּדֵי לִזְרוֹק בָּעוֹף. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בַּר יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: כְּדֵי לִזְרוֹק בַּבְּהֵמָה.

MISHNA: The measure that determines liability for carrying out a bone is equivalent to that which is used to make a spoon. Rabbi Yehuda says: In a measure equivalent to that which is used to make from it a key. The measure that determines liability for carrying out glass is equivalent to that which is used to scrape and smooth the top of a bobbin, a sharpened stick used by weavers. The measure that determines liability for carrying out a pebble or a stone is equivalent to that which is used to throw at a bird to chase it away. Rabbi Elazar bar Ya’akov says: Equivalent to that which is used to throw at an animal, which is larger.

גְּמָ׳ לְמֵימְרָא דְּשִׁיעוּרָא דְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה נְפִישׁ? הָא קַיְימָא לַן דְּשִׁיעוּרָא דְרַבָּנַן נְפִישׁ! אָמַר עוּלָּא: חֲפֵי פּוֹתַחַת. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חֲפֵי פּוֹתַחַת טְהוֹרִין, קְבָעָן בַּפּוֹתַחַת טְמֵאִין. וְשֶׁל גַּל, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁחִיבְּרָן בַּדֶּלֶת וּקְבָעָן בְּמַסְמְרִים טְהוֹרִין — שֶׁכׇּל הַמְחוּבָּר לַקַּרְקַע הֲרֵי הוּא כַּקַּרְקַע.

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: Is that to say that the measure of Rabbi Yehuda is greater? Don’t we maintain that the measure of the Rabbis is greater? Ulla said: Rabbi Yehuda did not refer to the entire key, but to the teeth of a key. With regard to the above, the Gemara cites that which the Sages taught in a baraita: The teeth of a key are ritually pure, and they cannot become impure when separate from the key, as they have no function on their own. However, if one affixed them to a key, they can become ritually impure as part of a utensil. And teeth of a lock, even though one attached them to the door and affixed them with nails, are ritually pure, as anything attached to the ground has the same legal status as the ground itself, which cannot become ritually impure.

זְכוּכִית כְּדֵי לִגְרוֹר בָּהּ. תָּנָא: סְכוּכִית — כְּדֵי לִפְצוֹעַ בָּהּ שְׁנֵי נִימִין כְּאַחַת.

We learned in the mishna: The measure that determines liability for carrying out glass is equivalent to that which is used to scrape and smooth the top of a bobbin. A tanna taught that halakha in a Tosefta in a different manner: The measure that determines liability for carrying out glass is equivalent to that which is used to cut two threads at once, as a glass shard can be used in place of a knife.

צְרוֹר אוֹ אֶבֶן כְּדֵי לִזְרוֹק בָּעוֹף. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר כּוּ׳. אָמַר רַבִּי יַעֲקֹב אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: וְהוּא שֶׁמַּרְגֶּשֶׁת בָּהּ. וְכַמָּה שִׁיעוּרוֹ? תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: מִשְׁקַל עֲשָׂרָה זוּז.

We learned in the mishna: The measure that determines liability for carrying out a pebble or a stone is equivalent to that which is used to throw at a bird to chase it away. Rabbi Elazar ben Ya’akov says: Equivalent to that which is used to throw at an animal. Rabbi Ya’akov said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: And that is only if the stone is large enough that the animal feels it. And how much is the measure of that stone? It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Elazar ben Ya’akov says: A weight of ten zuz.

זוּנִין עַל לְבֵי מִדְרְשָׁא, אֲמַר לְהוּ: רַבּוֹתַי, אֲבָנִים שֶׁל בֵּית הַכִּסֵּא שִׁיעוּרָן בְּכַמָּה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: כְּזַיִת כֶּאֱגוֹז וּכְבֵיצָה. אֲמַר לְהוּ: וְכִי טוּרְטָנֵי יַכְנִיס? נִמְנוּ וְגָמְרוּ מְלֹא הַיָּד. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: כְּזַיִת כֶּאֱגוֹז וּכְבֵיצָה. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם אָבִיו: מְלֹא הַיָּד.

The Gemara relates: Zunin entered the study hall and said to the Sages: My teachers, with regard to stones that may be moved on Shabbat for wiping in the bathroom, how much is their measure? They said to him: Stones of only three sizes may be moved for that purpose: An olive-bulk, a nut-bulk, and an egg-bulk. He said to them: And will he take scales [turtani] into the bathroom to weigh each stone? They were counted and the Sages concluded that one need not measure the stones. He simply takes a handful of stones. It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yosei says the measure of bathroom stones is an olive-bulk, a nut-bulk, and an egg-bulk. Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yosei, says in the name of his father: One need not measure the stones. He simply takes a handful of stones.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן בְּשַׁבָּת: שָׁלֹשׁ אֲבָנִים מְקוּרְזָלוֹת מוּתָּר לְהַכְנִיס לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא. וְכַמָּה שִׁיעוּרָן? רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: כֶּאֱגוֹז. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: כְּבֵיצָה. אָמַר רַפְרָם בַּר פָּפָּא אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: כַּמַּחֲלוֹקֶת כָּאן כָּךְ מַחֲלוֹקֶת בְּאֶתְרוֹג. הָתָם מַתְנִיתִין, הָכָא בָּרָיְיתָא! אֶלָּא: כַּמַּחֲלוֹקֶת בְּאֶתְרוֹג כָּךְ מַחֲלוֹקֶת כָּאן.

Our Sages taught in a baraita with regard to Shabbat: Three sharpened stones may be taken into the bathroom. And what is their measure? Rabbi Meir says: A nut-bulk; Rabbi Yehuda says: An egg-bulk. Rafram bar Pappa said that Rav Ḥisda said: Like the dispute here, so too, there is a dispute between these Sages with regard to the minimum size of a citron. The Gemara is surprised at the comparison. Why does the Gemara cite this baraita as a mnemonic to recall the dispute about the size of a citron? There, with regard to a citron, it is a mishna that is known by all; here it is a baraita, which is more obscure and more likely to require a mnemonic and a comparison to a more popular source. Rather, the phrasing is reversed: Like the dispute with regard to a citron, so too, there is a dispute here.

אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: אֲבָל לֹא אֶת הַפָּאיֵיס. מַאי ״פָּאיֵיס״? אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: כַּרְשִׁינֵי בַּבְלָיָיתָא. אָמַר רָבָא: אָסוּר לְמַשְׁמֵשׁ בִּצְרוֹר בְּשַׁבָּת כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁמְּמַשְׁמֵשׁ בַּחוֹל. מַתְקִיף לַהּ מָר זוּטְרָא: לִיסְתַּכַּן? כִּלְאַחַר יָד. אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: אִם יֵשׁ מָקוֹם קָבוּעַ לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא — מְלֹא הַיָּד. אִם לָאו — כַּהֶכְרֵעַ מְדוֹכָה קְטַנָּה שֶׁל בְּשָׂמִים. אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: אִם יֵשׁ עָלֶיהָ עֵד — מוּתָּר.

Rav Yehuda said: However, one may not move the payis for use in a bathroom. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of payis? Rabbi Zeira said: It refers to clods of Babylonian earth, which is soft and flaky. Rava said: It is prohibited to manipulate the anus with a stone on Shabbat to help discharge bodily functions in the manner that one manipulates it on weekdays. Mar Zutra strongly objected to this: According to Rava, should one endanger himself by refraining from relieving himself? The Gemara explains: He meant he should do so in an unusual manner and not in the manner it is typically done. With regard to the size of stones, Rabbi Yannai said: If he has a fixed place for a bathroom, he may take a handful of stones; if he does not need them on Shabbat, he can use them on another occasion. If he does not have a fixed place he may bring in an average size stone, which is the size of a small mortar used for crushing spices. Rav Sheshet said: If the stone has an indication on it that it has already been used in the bathroom, one is permitted to move it for that purpose on Shabbat, regardless of its size.

מֵיתִיבִי? עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים מְבִיאִין אֶת הָאָדָם לִידֵי תַחְתּוֹנִיּוֹת, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: הָאוֹכֵל עֲלֵי קָנִים, וַעֲלֵי גְפָנִים, וְלוּלַבֵּי גְפָנִים, וּמוֹרִיגֵּי בְהֵמָה בְּלֹא מֶלַח, וְשִׁדְרוֹ שֶׁל דָּג, וְדָג מָלִיחַ שֶׁלֹּא בִּישֵּׁל כׇּל צוֹרְכּוֹ, וְהַשּׁוֹתֶה שִׁמְרֵי יַיִן, וְהַמְקַנֵּחַ בְּסִיד, וּבְחַרְסִית, וְהַמְקַנֵּחַ בִּצְרוֹר שֶׁקִּינַּח בּוֹ חֲבֵרוֹ. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף הַתּוֹלֶה עַצְמוֹ בְּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא. לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא בְּלַח, הָא בְּיָבֵשׁ. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: כָּאן מִצַּד אֶחָד, וְכָאן מִשְּׁנֵי צְדָדִין. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: הָא דִּידֵיהּ, הָא דְּחַבְרֵיהּ.

The Gemara raises an objection: Is it permitted to wipe with a stone that was already used? Didn’t the Sages say: Ten things bring a person to suffer from hemorrhoids and they are: One who eats the leaves of bulrushes, grape leaves, tendrils of grapevines, the palate and tongue of an animal, as well as any other part of the animal which is not smooth and which has protrusions, without salt, the spine of a fish, a salty fish that is not fully cooked, and one who drinks wine dregs, and one who cleans himself with lime and clay, the materials from which earthenware is made, and one who cleans himself with a stone with which another person has cleaned himself. And some say: One who suspends himself in the bathroom as well. Apparently, using a previously used stone is dangerous to one’s health. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult. Here, where it is prohibited, is referring to a case where the stone is still moist. Here, where it is permitted, is referring to a case where the stone is dry. And if you wish, say instead that here, where it is prohibited, is referring to one side, using the side that was already used; here, where it is permitted, is referring to both sides, using the other side of the same stone. And if you wish, say instead that this, where it is permitted, is referring to one’s own stone, which he used to clean himself; this, where it is prohibited, is referring to another person’s stone, which poses a danger.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב יוֹסֵף: יָרְדוּ עָלֶיהָ גְּשָׁמִים וְנִטַּשְׁטְשׁוּ מַהוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִם הָיָה רִישּׁוּמָן נִיכָּר — מוּתָּר.

Abaye said to Rav Yosef: What is the ruling if rain fell on the stone and the indications that it had been used previously in the bathroom were obscured? The dilemma is: Is moving it permitted like a stone that is designated for use in the bathroom on Shabbat, or, is moving it prohibited since its indications were obscured and it might have the legal status of set-aside? Rav Yosef said to him: If indication on them is apparent, even though it is partially obscured, it is permitted, since the stone remains clear that it is designated for use in the bathroom.

בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַבָּהּ בַּר רַב שֵׁילָא מֵרַב

Rabba bar Rav Sheila raised a dilemma before Rav

חִסְדָּא: מַהוּ לְהַעֲלוֹתָם אַחֲרָיו לַגַּג? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: גָּדוֹל כְּבוֹד הַבְּרִיּוֹת שֶׁדּוֹחֶה אֶת ״לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה״ שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה. יָתֵיב מָרִימָר וְקָאָמַר לַהּ לְהָא שְׁמַעְתָּא. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רָבִינָא לְמָרִימָר: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר נוֹטֵל אָדָם קֵיסָם מִשֶּׁלְּפָנָיו לַחֲצוֹת בּוֹ שִׁינָּיו, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים לֹא יִטּוֹל אֶלָּא מִן הָאֵבוּס שֶׁל בְּהֵמָה! הָכִי הַשְׁתָּא?! הָתָם — אָדָם קוֹבֵעַ מָקוֹם לִסְעוּדָה, הָכָא — אָדָם קוֹבֵעַ מָקוֹם לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא?

Ḥisda: What is the halakha with regard to taking those stones up with him to the roof if his bathroom is there? Is it permitted or is it prohibited due to the exertion involved? He said to him: It is permitted; great is human dignity as it overrides a prohibition in the Torah. The Gemara relates: Mareimar sat and stated this halakha. Ravina raised an objection to the statement of Mareimar from a baraita where Rabbi Eliezer says: A person may take a wood chip from the ground before him to clean his teeth on Shabbat. And the Rabbis say one may take a wood chip only from the animal’s trough, which is already designated for the animal’s use, but not from wood on the ground, which is set-aside. Apparently, despite the fact that using the wood chip enhances human dignity, it is nevertheless prohibited due to the prohibition of set-aside. The Gemara rejects this: How can you compare? There, a person determines the place for his meal. Since he knows where he will eat he should have prepared toothpicks beforehand. Here, does a person determine the place for a bathroom? He relieves himself wherever he finds a discreet place to do so.

אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: אָסוּר לִפָּנוֹת בִּשְׂדֵה נִיר בְּשַׁבָּת. מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם דַּוְושָׁא — אֲפִילּוּ בְּחוֹל נָמֵי! וְאֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם עֲשָׂבִים, וְהָאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: צְרוֹר שֶׁעָלוּ בּוֹ עֲשָׂבִים — מוּתָּר לְקַנֵּחַ בּוֹ. וְהַתּוֹלֵשׁ מִמֶּנָּה בְּשַׁבָּת — חַיָּיב חַטָּאת. אֶלָּא דִילְמָא נָקֵיט מֵעִילַּאי וְשָׁדֵי לְתַתַּאי, וּמִיחַיַּיב מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבָּה. דְּאָמַר רַבָּה: הָיְתָה לוֹ גּוּמָּא וּטְמָמָהּ, בַּבַּיִת — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם בּוֹנֶה, בַּשָּׂדֶה — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם חוֹרֵשׁ.

Rav Huna said: It is prohibited to defecate in a plowed field on Shabbat. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for that prohibition? If you say it is due to the fact that in doing so he treads on the furrows and destroys them, it should be prohibited even on weekdays. Rather, it is due to the concern that he will clean himself with a clod of earth on which grasses have grown. Didn’t Reish Lakish say that it is permitted to wipe with a stone upon which grasses have grown even though the grasses will be detached as a result? And that is the halakha even though one who unwittingly detaches grasses from it on Shabbat is liable to bring a sin-offering. Rather, the concern is lest he take a clod of earth from a high place, a pile of dirt, and throw it to a low place, into a hole in the ground. And in that case, he would be liable due to that which Rabba said, as Rabba said: If one had a hole and filled it, in the house, he is liable due to the prohibited labor of building; in the field, he is liable due to plowing.

גּוּפָא, אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: צְרוֹר שֶׁעָלוּ בּוֹ עֲשָׂבִים — מוּתָּר לְקַנֵּחַ בּוֹ. וְהַתּוֹלֵשׁ מִמֶּנָּה בְּשַׁבָּת — חַיָּיב חַטָּאת. אָמַר רַב פַּפֵּי: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ מִדְּרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, הַאי פַּרְפִּיסָא — שְׁרֵי לְטַלְטוֹלֵיהּ. מַתְקִיף לַהּ רַב כָּהֲנָא: אִם אָמְרוּ לְצוֹרֶךְ, יֹאמְרוּ שֶׁלֹּא לְצוֹרֶךְ?! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: פַּרְפִּיסָא, הוֹאִיל וַאֲתָא לְיָדָן לֵימָא בֵּיהּ מִילְּתָא: הָיָה מוּנָּח עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע וְהִנִּיחוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי יְתֵידוֹת — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם תּוֹלֵשׁ. הָיָה מוּנָּח עַל גַּבֵּי יְתֵידוֹת וְהִנִּיחוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע — חַיָּיב מִשּׁוּם נוֹטֵעַ.

With regard to the matter itself, Reish Lakish said: It is permitted to wipe with a stone upon which grasses have grown. And one who detaches grasses from it unwittingly on Shabbat is liable to bring a sin-offering. Rav Pappi said: Learn from that which Reish Lakish said that it is permitted to carry this perforated flowerpot on Shabbat. Rav Kahana strongly objects to this: If they said that it is permitted to carry a stone with weeds on it for a purpose, will they say it is permitted to carry a flowerpot for no purpose? Abaye said: Since the topic of a perforated pot has come to our hands, let us say something with regard to it: If it had been placed on the ground and one lifted it and placed it on top of pegs on Shabbat, he is liable for the labor of detaching. The roots of the plant could have protruded through the holes to draw sustenance from the ground, and when one lifts it he detaches it from that sustenance. Similarly, if it had been placed on pegs and one placed it on the ground, he is liable for the labor of planting.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָסוּר לְקַנֵּחַ בְּחֶרֶס בְּשַׁבָּת. מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם סַכָּנָה — אֲפִילּוּ בְּחוֹל נָמֵי! וְאֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם כְּשָׁפִים — אֲפִילּוּ בְּחוֹל נָמֵי לָא! וְאֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם הַשָּׁרַת נִימִין — דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין הוּא. אֲמַר לְהוּ רַב נָתָן בַּר אוֹשַׁעְיָא: גַּבְרָא רַבָּה אֲמַר מִילְּתָא, נֵימָא בָּהּ טַעְמָא: לָא מִיבַּעְיָא בְּחוֹל — דְּאָסוּר, אֲבָל בְּשַׁבָּת — הוֹאִיל וְאִיכָּא תּוֹרַת כְּלִי עָלָיו, שַׁפִּיר דָּמֵי. קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: It is prohibited to wipe with an earthenware shard on Shabbat. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for that prohibition? If you say that it is due to the danger that he might injure himself with the sharp edges of the shard, it should be prohibited also on weekdays. Rather, it is due to the fact that it invites witchcraft. If so, he should also not do so on weekdays. Rather, the concern is lest he remove hairs with the earthenware shard. However, that is an unintentional act, which is permitted. Rav Natan bar Oshaya said to those who raised the question: A great man said something, let us say a reason for it, and explain Rabbi Yoḥanan’s statement as follows: It is not necessary to say that it is prohibited on a weekday for the aforementioned reasons because he has the option of using a stone. However, with regard to Shabbat we would have said that since this shard has the status of a utensil and is not set-aside, he may well use it, as it is preferable to a stone, which is set-aside. Therefore, he teaches us that it is prohibited.

רָבָא מַתְנֵי לַהּ מִשּׁוּם הַשָּׁרַת נִימִין, וְקַשְׁיָא לֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אַדְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָסוּר לְקַנֵּחַ בַּחֶרֶס בְּשַׁבָּת? אַלְמָא דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין — אָסוּר. וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הֲלָכָה כִּסְתַם מִשְׁנָה. וּתְנַן: נָזִיר חוֹפֵף וּמְפַסְפֵּס, אֲבָל לֹא סוֹרֵק! אֶלָּא מְחַוַּורְתָּא כִּדְרַב נָתָן בַּר אוֹשַׁעְיָא.

Rava taught that Rabbi Yoḥanan ruled that it is prohibited due to the removal of hairs, and he raised a difficulty between that which Rabbi Yoḥanan said here and that which Rabbi Yoḥanan said elsewhere. Did Rabbi Yoḥanan say it is forbidden to wipe with an earthenware shard on Shabbat? Apparently, he holds that an unintentional act is prohibited. Didn’t Rabbi Yoḥanan state a principle: The halakha is ruled in accordance with an unattributed mishna? And we learned in a mishna: A nazirite, for whom it is prohibited to cut his hair, may wash his hair on a weekday with sand and natron and separate it with his fingers; however, he may not comb it, which would certainly pull out some hair. Apparently, the unintentional act of removing hair while shampooing is permitted. Rather, it is clearly in accordance with the explanation of Rav Natan bar Oshaya.

מַאי כְּשָׁפִים? כִּי הָא דְּרַב חִסְדָּא וְרַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא הֲווֹ קָא אָזְלִי בְּאַרְבָּא, אֲמַרָה לְהוּ הָהִיא מַטְרוֹנִיתָא: אוֹתְבַן בַּהֲדַיְיכוּ! וְלָא אוֹתְבוּהָ. אֲמַרָה אִיהִי מִילְּתָא — אֲסַרְתַּהּ לְאַרְבָּא. אֲמַרוּ אִינְהוּ מִילְּתָא — שַׁרְיוּהָא. אֲמַרָה לְהוּ: מַאי אֶיעְבֵּיד לְכוּ?

The Gemara asks: What is the witchcraft involved with wiping with an earthenware shard? The Gemara explains: It is as that which transpired when Rav Ḥisda and Rabba bar Rav Huna were going on a boat. A certain matron [matronita] said to them: Let me sit with you, and they did not let her sit. She said something, an incantation of witchcraft, and stopped the boat. They said something, the Holy Name, and freed it. She said to them: What will I do to you, to enable me to harm you with witchcraft,

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