Avodah Zarah 57
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Masechet Avodah Zarah is sponsored by the Talmud class of Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City, CA, in honor of the Hadran staff who make learning possible.
This month’s learning is sponsored by Jonathan Loring in honor of his wife, Leah Ackner and their children Zev and Meira. “From the first day I met my wife in Hebrew class at JTS to watching her show kindness when we volunteered together to help those in need and even when I had to wait 9 years for a first date, my wife has always been an inspiration to me and everyone she meets. Thank you for these 20 years and B’Ezrat Hashem to many more! I love you wifesy.”
This month’s learning is dedicated for a refuah shleima for Pesha Etel bat Sarah
This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Chaim Avraham HaKohen ben Alter Gershon HaKohen.
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Masechet Avodah Zarah
Masechet Avodah Zarah is sponsored by the Talmud class of Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City, CA, in honor of the Hadran staff who make learning possible.
This month’s learning is sponsored by Jonathan Loring in honor of his wife, Leah Ackner and their children Zev and Meira. “From the first day I met my wife in Hebrew class at JTS to watching her show kindness when we volunteered together to help those in need and even when I had to wait 9 years for a first date, my wife has always been an inspiration to me and everyone she meets. Thank you for these 20 years and B’Ezrat Hashem to many more! I love you wifesy.”
This month’s learning is dedicated for a refuah shleima for Pesha Etel bat Sarah
This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Chaim Avraham HaKohen ben Alter Gershon HaKohen.
Avodah Zarah 57
דְּאִי מַשְׁכַּחְנָא תַּנָּא דְּאָסַר כְּרַבִּי נָתָן, אוֹסְרִינֵּיהּ אֲפִילּוּ בַּהֲנָאָה. דְּתַנְיָא: מְדָדוֹ, בֵּין בַּיָּד בֵּין בָּרֶגֶל — יִמָּכֵר. רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: בַּיָּד — אָסוּר, בָּרֶגֶל — מוּתָּר.
I should delay my ruling, as if I find a tanna who prohibits the wine in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Natan, I will prohibit even deriving benefit from it; this is difficult. Rabbi Natan prohibits one from deriving benefit from wine that was touched by a gentile, as it is taught in a baraita: If a gentile measured a Jew’s wine, whether he measured it with his hand or with his foot, it may be sold. Rabbi Natan says: If he measured it with his hand it is prohibited, but if he measured it with his foot it is permitted.
אֵימַר דְּאָמַר רַבִּי נָתָן בַּיָּד, בָּרֶגֶל מִי אָמַר? אֶלָּא דְּאִי מַשְׁכַּחְנָא תַּנָּא דְּשָׁרֵי כְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אֶישְׁרְיֵיהּ אֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁתִיָּיה.
The Gemara explains why the suggestion that Shmuel delayed his ruling because of the opinion of Rabbi Natan is difficult: Say that Rabbi Natan said that the wine is forbidden when the gentile measured it with his hand. Did he say that the wine is forbidden if he measured it with his foot? Rather, Shmuel delayed ruling on the matter because he thought to himself: If I find another tanna who permits the wine in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, who holds that if a gentile touches wine without intending to render it a libation, it is permitted, I will permit the wine even for drinking.
הָהוּא עוֹבָדָא דַּהֲוָה בְּבֵירָם, דְּהָהוּא גּוֹי דַּהֲוָה קָא סָלֵיק בְּדִיקְלָא וְאַיְיתִי לוּלִיבָּא, בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָא נָחֵית נְגַע בְּרֵאשֵׁהּ דְּלוּלִיבָּא בְּחַמְרָא שֶׁלֹּא בְּכַוָּונָה, שַׁרְיֵיהּ רַב לְזַבּוֹנֵיהּ לְגוֹיִם.
There was a certain incident in Biram that occurred as follows: There was a certain gentile who was climbing a palm tree and he brought down with him a palm branch. While he was descending from the tree he unintentionally touched some wine with the tip of the palm branch. Rav permitted the owners to sell the wine to gentiles.
אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ רַב כָּהֲנָא וְרַב אַסִּי לְרַב, וְהָא מָר הוּא דְּאָמַר: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה יֵין נֶסֶךְ! אֲמַר לְהוּ: אֵימוֹר דַּאֲמַרִי אֲנָא בִּשְׁתִיָּיה, בַּהֲנָאָה מִי אֲמַרִי?
Rav Kahana and Rav Asi said to Rav: But wasn’t it you, Master, who said: If a gentile baby who is one day old touches wine, he renders it wine used for a libation, even though he lacks any intent? Rav said to them: Say that I said that the baby renders the wine prohibited for drinking. Did I say that it is prohibited to derive benefit from it? It is therefore permitted to sell the wine.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ עוֹשֶׂה יֵין נֶסֶךְ.
§ The Gemara cites Rav’s statement in order to discuss the matter itself: Rav says: If a gentile baby who is one day old touches wine, he renders it wine used for a libation, even though he lacks any intent.
אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רַב שִׁימִי בַּר חִיָּיא לְרַב: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם, שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ, וְכֵן בְּנֵי הַשְּׁפָחוֹת, שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ — רוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן בַּשּׁוּק טָמֵא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: טָהוֹר.
Rav Shimi bar Ḥiyya raised an objection to the statement of Rav from a baraita: With regard to one who purchases from the gentiles slaves who have been circumcised but have not immersed in a ritual bath, and also with regard to the sons of the gentile maidservants who grew up in a Jew’s home and were circumcised but did not immerse in a ritual bath, their conversion is not yet valid. They have the legal status of gentiles, who transmit impurity like a zav, a man who experiences a gonorrhea-like discharge. Their spittle and objects upon which they tread, even if they are found in the marketplace, are ritually impure. But some say that they are ritually pure.
יֵינָן — גְּדוֹלִים עוֹשִׂים יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂים יֵין נֶסֶךְ. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן גְּדוֹלִים וְאֵלּוּ הֵן קְטַנִּים? גְּדוֹלִים — יוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ, קְטַנִּים — אֵינָם יוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ.
The baraita continues: With regard to their wine, the adults render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but the minors do not render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation. And which slaves are considered adults, and which slaves are considered minors? The adults are those who know the nature of idol worship and its accessories, and the minors are those who do not know the nature of idol worship and its accessories.
קָתָנֵי מִיהַת גְּדוֹלִים — אִין, קְטַנִּים — לָא! תַּרְגְּמַהּ אַבְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת.
In any event, the baraita teaches that with regard to adults, yes, the wine they touch is rendered prohibited, but with regard to minors, no, the wine they touch is not rendered prohibited. This contradicts the statement of Rav. The Gemara replies: Interpret the distinction between adults and minors as referring to the sons of maidservants. Since they were raised in a Jewish home, there is less reason for concern lest they render the wine an idolatrous libation, and therefore the Sages did not prohibit wine touched by minors. This distinction does not apply in the case of slaves that were purchased from gentiles.
הָא ״וְכֵן״ קָאָמַר! אַרוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן.
The Gemara asks: Doesn’t the baraita say that the halakha applies to slaves purchased from gentiles and also to the sons of gentile maidservants, indicating that there is no differentiation between them? The Gemara replies: The baraita equates the two cases only with regard to the impurity of their spittle and of the objects upon which they tread.
הָנִיחָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָמֵא, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָהוֹר, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר?
The Gemara asks: This works out well according to the one who says that their spittle and the objects upon which they tread are impure. But according to the one who says that they are pure, what can be said? If the spittle of the slaves and the objects upon which they tread are pure, clearly the halakha is the same in the case of the sons of maidservants, and it is unnecessary to state this. One may therefore conclude that the baraita equated the two cases with regard to the status of the wine that they touch.
הָא קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן, עֲבָדִים דֻּומְיָא דִּבְנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת, מָה בְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת מָלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ הוּא דְּעוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, מָלוּ וְטָבְלוּ לָא, אַף עֲבָדִים כֵּן.
The Gemara replies: Even if the baraita is equating the two cases with regard to the status of the wine that they touch, it is not equating them with regard to the distinction between adults and minors. Rather, this teaches us that the halakha with regard to slaves is similar to the halakha with regard to the sons of maidservants. Just as in the case of the sons of maidservants, it is only those who were circumcised but did not immerse who render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but those who were circumcised and immersed do not; so too in the case of slaves, once they have immersed in a ritual bath they do not render wine prohibited.
לְאַפּוֹקֵי מִדְּרַב נַחְמָן אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמָּלוּ וְטָבְלוּ — עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ עַד שֶׁתִּשְׁקַע עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מִפִּיהֶם, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן דְּלָא.
This halakha is to the exclusion of that which Rav Naḥman says that Shmuel says, as Rav Naḥman says that Shmuel says: In the case of one who purchases slaves from the gentiles, even though the slaves were circumcised and immersed in a ritual bath, they still render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, as they are accustomed to idolatrous practices, until reference to idol worship disappears from their mouths. The baraita teaches us that their wine is not prohibited.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמָּלוּ וְטָבְלוּ — עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ עַד שֶׁתִּשְׁקַע עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מִפִּיהֶם. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: עַד שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ.
§ The Gemara cites the aforementioned statement in order to discuss the matter itself: Rav Naḥman says that Shmuel says: In the case of one who purchases slaves from the gentiles, even though the slaves were circumcised and immersed in a ritual bath, they still render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, as they are accustomed to idolatrous practices, until reference to idol worship disappears from their mouths. And how much time does this take? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: One does not assume that the slave has forgotten his idolatrous worship until twelve months have passed.
אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רַבָּה לְרַב נַחְמָן: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ, וְכֵן בְּנֵי הַשְּׁפָחוֹת שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ — רוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן
Rabba raised an objection to Rav Naḥman from the aforementioned baraita: With regard to one who purchases from the gentiles slaves that have been circumcised but have not immersed in a ritual bath, and also with regard to the sons of the gentile maidservants who grew up in a Jew’s home and were circumcised but did not immerse in a ritual bath, their conversion is not valid and they have the legal status of gentiles. Their spittle and objects upon which they tread,
בַּשּׁוּק טָמֵא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: טָהוֹר. יֵינָן — גְּדוֹלִים עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ. אֵלּוּ הֵן גְּדוֹלִים וְאֵלּוּ הֵן קְטַנִּים? גְּדוֹלִים — שֶׁיּוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ, קְטַנִּים — שֶׁאֵין יוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ.
even if they are found in the marketplace, are ritually impure. But some say that they are ritually pure. With regard to their wine, the adults render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but the minors do not render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation. Which slaves are considered adults, and which slaves are considered minors? The adults are those who know the nature of idol worship and its accessories, and the minors are those who do not know the nature of idol worship and its accessories.
קָתָנֵי מִיהַת: מָלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ — אִין, מָלוּ וְטָבְלוּ — לָא! תַּרְגְּמַהּ אַבְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת.
In any event, the baraita teaches that with regard to those slaves who were circumcised but did not immerse, yes, the wine they touch is prohibited, but with regard to those who were circumcised and immersed, no, the wine they touch is not prohibited, even if they have not yet forgotten their idolatrous worship. The Gemara replies: Interpret this halakha as referring only to the sons of maidservants who were raised in a Jewish home and never engaged in idolatrous worship, but not to slaves who were acquired from gentiles.
הָא ״וְכֵן״ קָתָנֵי! אַרוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן.
The Gemara asks: Doesn’t the baraita teach that the halakha applies to slaves purchased from gentiles and also to the sons of gentile maidservants, indicating that there is no differentiation between them? The Gemara replies: The baraita equates the two cases only with regard to the impurity of their spittle and of the objects upon which they tread.
הָנִיחָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָמֵא, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָהוֹר, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר?
The Gemara asks: This works out well according to the one who says that their spittle and the objects upon which they tread are impure. But according to the one who says that they are pure, what can be said? If the spittle of the slaves and the objects upon which they tread are pure, clearly the same halakha applies in the case of the sons of maidservants, and it is unnecessary to state this. One may therefore conclude that the baraita equated the two cases with regard to the status of the wine that they touch.
הָא קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן: עֲבָדִים דֻּומְיָא דִּבְנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת, מָה בְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת — גְּדוֹלִים הוּא דְּעוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, אַף עֲבָדִים נָמֵי — גְּדוֹלִים עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ.
The Gemara answers: Even if the baraita equates the slaves and the sons of maidservants with regard to the status of their wine, it does not intend to compare their status once they have immersed. Rather, this teaches us that the halakha with regard to slaves is similar to the halakha with regard to the sons of maidservants. Just as in the case of the sons of maidservants, it is only the adults who render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but minors do not render the wine they touch wine used for a libation, so too in the case of slaves, the adults render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but minors do not render the wine they touch wine used for a libation.
לְאַפּוֹקֵי מִדְּרַב, דְּאָמַר רַב: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ עוֹשֶׂה יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן דְּלָא.
This halakha is to the exclusion of that which Rav says, as Rav says: If a gentile baby who is one day old touches wine, he renders it wine used for a libation. The baraita teaches us that this is not the case.
הָהוּא עוֹבָדָא דַּהֲוָה בְּמָחוֹזָא, אֲתָא גּוֹי עָייל לְחָנוּתָא דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִית לְכוּ חַמְרָא לְזַבּוֹנֵי? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: לָא. הֲוָה יָתֵיב חַמְרָא בְּדַוְולָא, שְׁדָא בֵּיהּ יְדֵיהּ שַׁיכְשֵׁךְ בֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לְהוּ: הַאי לָאו חַמְרָא הוּא? שַׁקְלֵיהּ הַאיְךְ בְּרִיתְחֵיהּ שַׁדְיֵיהּ לְדַנָּא.
§ The Gemara relates: There was a certain incident in Meḥoza in which a gentile came and entered the store of a Jew. The gentile said to the owners: Do you have any wine to sell? They said to him: No. There was wine sitting in a bucket. The gentile put his hand in it and stirred the wine around. The gentile said to them: This, is it not wine? The other person, i.e., the storeowner, took the bucket and, in his anger, threw its contents into a barrel of wine.
שַׁרְיֵיהּ רָבָא לְזַבּוֹנֵי לְגוֹיִם, אִיפְּלִיג עֲלֵיהּ רַב הוּנָא בַּר חִינָּנָא וְרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן. נָפְקִי שִׁיפּוּרֵי דְּרָבָא וְשָׁרוּ, וְנָפְקִי שִׁיפּוּרֵי דְּרַב הוּנָא בַּר חִינָּנָא וְרַב הוּנָא בַּר רַב נַחְמָן וְאָסְרִי.
This incident raised a dilemma with regard to the status of the wine in the barrel. Rava permitted the owner to sell the wine to gentiles, as he held that it is permitted to derive benefit from the wine. Rav Huna bar Ḥinnana and Rav Huna, son of Rav Naḥman, disagreed with him. Blasts of shofarot went out from the court of Rava promulgating his ruling, and they permitted the sale. And blasts of shofarot went out from the court of Rav Huna bar Ḥinnana and Rav Huna, son of Rav Naḥman, promulgating their ruling, and they prohibited the sale.
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The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
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).
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.
Raanana, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
I began Daf Yomi with the last cycle. I was inspired by the Hadran Siyum in Yerushalayim to continue with this cycle. I have learned Daf Yomi with Rabanit Michelle in over 25 countries on 6 continents ( missing Australia)
Silver Spring, MD, 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.
Pennsylvania, United States
I heard about the syium in January 2020 & I was excited to start learning then the pandemic started. Learning Daf became something to focus on but also something stressful. As the world changed around me & my family I had to adjust my expectations for myself & the world. Daf Yomi & the Hadran podcast has been something I look forward to every day. It gives me a moment of centering & Judaism daily.
Denver, 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.
Worcester, United States
תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.
מיתר, ישראל
I had no formal learning in Talmud until I began my studies in the Joint Program where in 1976 I was one of the few, if not the only, woman talmud major. It was superior training for law school and enabled me to approach my legal studies with a foundation . In 2018, I began daf yomi listening to Rabbanit MIchelle’s pod cast and my daily talmud studies are one of the highlights of my life.
Minneapolis, United States
In my Shana bet at Migdal Oz I attended the Hadran siyum hash”as. Witnessing so many women so passionate about their Torah learning and connection to God, I knew I had to begin with the coming cycle. My wedding (June 24) was two weeks before the siyum of mesechet yoma so I went a little ahead and was able to make a speech and siyum at my kiseh kallah on my wedding day!
Givat Shmuel, Israel
When the new cycle began, I thought, If not now, when? I’d just turned 72. I feel like a tourist on a tour bus passing astonishing scenery each day. Rabbanit Michelle is my beloved tour guide. When the cycle ends, I’ll be 80. I pray that I’ll have strength and mind to continue the journey to glimpse a little more. My grandchildren think having a daf-learning savta is cool!
Jerusalem, Israel
I was exposed to Talmud in high school, but I was truly inspired after my daughter and I decided to attend the Women’s Siyum Shas in 2020. We knew that this was a historic moment. We were blown away, overcome with emotion at the euphoria of the revolution. Right then, I knew I would continue. My commitment deepened with the every-morning Virtual Beit Midrash on Zoom with R. Michelle.
Zichron Yaakov, Israel
I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!
Jerusalem, Israel
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Skokie, IL, United States
Margo
I started my Talmud journey in 7th grade at Akiba Jewish Day School in Chicago. I started my Daf Yomi journey after hearing Erica Brown speak at the Hadran Siyum about marking the passage of time through Daf Yomi.
Carolyn
I started my Talmud journey post-college in NY with a few classes. I started my Daf Yomi journey after the Hadran Siyum, which inspired both my son and myself.
Merion Station, USA
Beit Shemesh, Israel
I started learning at the beginning of this cycle more than 2 years ago, and I have not missed a day or a daf. It’s been challenging and enlightening and even mind-numbing at times, but the learning and the shared experience have all been worth it. If you are open to it, there’s no telling what might come into your life.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
I began Daf Yomi with the last cycle. I was inspired by the Hadran Siyum in Yerushalayim to continue with this cycle. I have learned Daf Yomi with Rabanit Michelle in over 25 countries on 6 continents ( missing Australia)
Silver Spring, MD, United States
Bronx, United States
I started learning daf yomi at the beginning of this cycle. As the pandemic evolved, it’s been so helpful to me to have this discipline every morning to listen to the daf podcast after I’ve read the daf; learning about the relationships between the rabbis and the ways they were constructing our Jewish religion after the destruction of the Temple. I’m grateful to be on this journey!
Teaneck NJ, United States
In January 2020 on a Shabbaton to Baltimore I heard about the new cycle of Daf Yomi after the siyum celebration in NYC stadium. I started to read “ a daily dose of Talmud “ and really enjoyed it . It led me to google “ do Orthodox women study Talmud? “ and found HADRAN! Since then I listen to the podcast every morning, participate in classes and siyum. I love to learn, this is amazing! Thank you
Atlanta, United States
Avodah Zarah 57
דְּאִי מַשְׁכַּחְנָא תַּנָּא דְּאָסַר כְּרַבִּי נָתָן, אוֹסְרִינֵּיהּ אֲפִילּוּ בַּהֲנָאָה. דְּתַנְיָא: מְדָדוֹ, בֵּין בַּיָּד בֵּין בָּרֶגֶל — יִמָּכֵר. רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: בַּיָּד — אָסוּר, בָּרֶגֶל — מוּתָּר.
I should delay my ruling, as if I find a tanna who prohibits the wine in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Natan, I will prohibit even deriving benefit from it; this is difficult. Rabbi Natan prohibits one from deriving benefit from wine that was touched by a gentile, as it is taught in a baraita: If a gentile measured a Jew’s wine, whether he measured it with his hand or with his foot, it may be sold. Rabbi Natan says: If he measured it with his hand it is prohibited, but if he measured it with his foot it is permitted.
אֵימַר דְּאָמַר רַבִּי נָתָן בַּיָּד, בָּרֶגֶל מִי אָמַר? אֶלָּא דְּאִי מַשְׁכַּחְנָא תַּנָּא דְּשָׁרֵי כְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אֶישְׁרְיֵיהּ אֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁתִיָּיה.
The Gemara explains why the suggestion that Shmuel delayed his ruling because of the opinion of Rabbi Natan is difficult: Say that Rabbi Natan said that the wine is forbidden when the gentile measured it with his hand. Did he say that the wine is forbidden if he measured it with his foot? Rather, Shmuel delayed ruling on the matter because he thought to himself: If I find another tanna who permits the wine in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, who holds that if a gentile touches wine without intending to render it a libation, it is permitted, I will permit the wine even for drinking.
הָהוּא עוֹבָדָא דַּהֲוָה בְּבֵירָם, דְּהָהוּא גּוֹי דַּהֲוָה קָא סָלֵיק בְּדִיקְלָא וְאַיְיתִי לוּלִיבָּא, בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָא נָחֵית נְגַע בְּרֵאשֵׁהּ דְּלוּלִיבָּא בְּחַמְרָא שֶׁלֹּא בְּכַוָּונָה, שַׁרְיֵיהּ רַב לְזַבּוֹנֵיהּ לְגוֹיִם.
There was a certain incident in Biram that occurred as follows: There was a certain gentile who was climbing a palm tree and he brought down with him a palm branch. While he was descending from the tree he unintentionally touched some wine with the tip of the palm branch. Rav permitted the owners to sell the wine to gentiles.
אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ רַב כָּהֲנָא וְרַב אַסִּי לְרַב, וְהָא מָר הוּא דְּאָמַר: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה יֵין נֶסֶךְ! אֲמַר לְהוּ: אֵימוֹר דַּאֲמַרִי אֲנָא בִּשְׁתִיָּיה, בַּהֲנָאָה מִי אֲמַרִי?
Rav Kahana and Rav Asi said to Rav: But wasn’t it you, Master, who said: If a gentile baby who is one day old touches wine, he renders it wine used for a libation, even though he lacks any intent? Rav said to them: Say that I said that the baby renders the wine prohibited for drinking. Did I say that it is prohibited to derive benefit from it? It is therefore permitted to sell the wine.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ עוֹשֶׂה יֵין נֶסֶךְ.
§ The Gemara cites Rav’s statement in order to discuss the matter itself: Rav says: If a gentile baby who is one day old touches wine, he renders it wine used for a libation, even though he lacks any intent.
אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רַב שִׁימִי בַּר חִיָּיא לְרַב: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם, שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ, וְכֵן בְּנֵי הַשְּׁפָחוֹת, שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ — רוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן בַּשּׁוּק טָמֵא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: טָהוֹר.
Rav Shimi bar Ḥiyya raised an objection to the statement of Rav from a baraita: With regard to one who purchases from the gentiles slaves who have been circumcised but have not immersed in a ritual bath, and also with regard to the sons of the gentile maidservants who grew up in a Jew’s home and were circumcised but did not immerse in a ritual bath, their conversion is not yet valid. They have the legal status of gentiles, who transmit impurity like a zav, a man who experiences a gonorrhea-like discharge. Their spittle and objects upon which they tread, even if they are found in the marketplace, are ritually impure. But some say that they are ritually pure.
יֵינָן — גְּדוֹלִים עוֹשִׂים יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂים יֵין נֶסֶךְ. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן גְּדוֹלִים וְאֵלּוּ הֵן קְטַנִּים? גְּדוֹלִים — יוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ, קְטַנִּים — אֵינָם יוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ.
The baraita continues: With regard to their wine, the adults render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but the minors do not render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation. And which slaves are considered adults, and which slaves are considered minors? The adults are those who know the nature of idol worship and its accessories, and the minors are those who do not know the nature of idol worship and its accessories.
קָתָנֵי מִיהַת גְּדוֹלִים — אִין, קְטַנִּים — לָא! תַּרְגְּמַהּ אַבְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת.
In any event, the baraita teaches that with regard to adults, yes, the wine they touch is rendered prohibited, but with regard to minors, no, the wine they touch is not rendered prohibited. This contradicts the statement of Rav. The Gemara replies: Interpret the distinction between adults and minors as referring to the sons of maidservants. Since they were raised in a Jewish home, there is less reason for concern lest they render the wine an idolatrous libation, and therefore the Sages did not prohibit wine touched by minors. This distinction does not apply in the case of slaves that were purchased from gentiles.
הָא ״וְכֵן״ קָאָמַר! אַרוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן.
The Gemara asks: Doesn’t the baraita say that the halakha applies to slaves purchased from gentiles and also to the sons of gentile maidservants, indicating that there is no differentiation between them? The Gemara replies: The baraita equates the two cases only with regard to the impurity of their spittle and of the objects upon which they tread.
הָנִיחָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָמֵא, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָהוֹר, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר?
The Gemara asks: This works out well according to the one who says that their spittle and the objects upon which they tread are impure. But according to the one who says that they are pure, what can be said? If the spittle of the slaves and the objects upon which they tread are pure, clearly the halakha is the same in the case of the sons of maidservants, and it is unnecessary to state this. One may therefore conclude that the baraita equated the two cases with regard to the status of the wine that they touch.
הָא קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן, עֲבָדִים דֻּומְיָא דִּבְנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת, מָה בְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת מָלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ הוּא דְּעוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, מָלוּ וְטָבְלוּ לָא, אַף עֲבָדִים כֵּן.
The Gemara replies: Even if the baraita is equating the two cases with regard to the status of the wine that they touch, it is not equating them with regard to the distinction between adults and minors. Rather, this teaches us that the halakha with regard to slaves is similar to the halakha with regard to the sons of maidservants. Just as in the case of the sons of maidservants, it is only those who were circumcised but did not immerse who render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but those who were circumcised and immersed do not; so too in the case of slaves, once they have immersed in a ritual bath they do not render wine prohibited.
לְאַפּוֹקֵי מִדְּרַב נַחְמָן אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמָּלוּ וְטָבְלוּ — עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ עַד שֶׁתִּשְׁקַע עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מִפִּיהֶם, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן דְּלָא.
This halakha is to the exclusion of that which Rav Naḥman says that Shmuel says, as Rav Naḥman says that Shmuel says: In the case of one who purchases slaves from the gentiles, even though the slaves were circumcised and immersed in a ritual bath, they still render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, as they are accustomed to idolatrous practices, until reference to idol worship disappears from their mouths. The baraita teaches us that their wine is not prohibited.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמָּלוּ וְטָבְלוּ — עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ עַד שֶׁתִּשְׁקַע עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מִפִּיהֶם. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: עַד שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ.
§ The Gemara cites the aforementioned statement in order to discuss the matter itself: Rav Naḥman says that Shmuel says: In the case of one who purchases slaves from the gentiles, even though the slaves were circumcised and immersed in a ritual bath, they still render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, as they are accustomed to idolatrous practices, until reference to idol worship disappears from their mouths. And how much time does this take? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: One does not assume that the slave has forgotten his idolatrous worship until twelve months have passed.
אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רַבָּה לְרַב נַחְמָן: הַלּוֹקֵחַ עֲבָדִים מִן הַגּוֹיִם שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ, וְכֵן בְּנֵי הַשְּׁפָחוֹת שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ — רוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן
Rabba raised an objection to Rav Naḥman from the aforementioned baraita: With regard to one who purchases from the gentiles slaves that have been circumcised but have not immersed in a ritual bath, and also with regard to the sons of the gentile maidservants who grew up in a Jew’s home and were circumcised but did not immerse in a ritual bath, their conversion is not valid and they have the legal status of gentiles. Their spittle and objects upon which they tread,
בַּשּׁוּק טָמֵא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: טָהוֹר. יֵינָן — גְּדוֹלִים עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ. אֵלּוּ הֵן גְּדוֹלִים וְאֵלּוּ הֵן קְטַנִּים? גְּדוֹלִים — שֶׁיּוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ, קְטַנִּים — שֶׁאֵין יוֹדְעִין בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ.
even if they are found in the marketplace, are ritually impure. But some say that they are ritually pure. With regard to their wine, the adults render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but the minors do not render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation. Which slaves are considered adults, and which slaves are considered minors? The adults are those who know the nature of idol worship and its accessories, and the minors are those who do not know the nature of idol worship and its accessories.
קָתָנֵי מִיהַת: מָלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ — אִין, מָלוּ וְטָבְלוּ — לָא! תַּרְגְּמַהּ אַבְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת.
In any event, the baraita teaches that with regard to those slaves who were circumcised but did not immerse, yes, the wine they touch is prohibited, but with regard to those who were circumcised and immersed, no, the wine they touch is not prohibited, even if they have not yet forgotten their idolatrous worship. The Gemara replies: Interpret this halakha as referring only to the sons of maidservants who were raised in a Jewish home and never engaged in idolatrous worship, but not to slaves who were acquired from gentiles.
הָא ״וְכֵן״ קָתָנֵי! אַרוּקָּן וּמִדְרָסָן.
The Gemara asks: Doesn’t the baraita teach that the halakha applies to slaves purchased from gentiles and also to the sons of gentile maidservants, indicating that there is no differentiation between them? The Gemara replies: The baraita equates the two cases only with regard to the impurity of their spittle and of the objects upon which they tread.
הָנִיחָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָמֵא, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר טָהוֹר, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר?
The Gemara asks: This works out well according to the one who says that their spittle and the objects upon which they tread are impure. But according to the one who says that they are pure, what can be said? If the spittle of the slaves and the objects upon which they tread are pure, clearly the same halakha applies in the case of the sons of maidservants, and it is unnecessary to state this. One may therefore conclude that the baraita equated the two cases with regard to the status of the wine that they touch.
הָא קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן: עֲבָדִים דֻּומְיָא דִּבְנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת, מָה בְּנֵי שְׁפָחוֹת — גְּדוֹלִים הוּא דְּעוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, אַף עֲבָדִים נָמֵי — גְּדוֹלִים עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קְטַנִּים אֵין עוֹשִׂין יֵין נֶסֶךְ.
The Gemara answers: Even if the baraita equates the slaves and the sons of maidservants with regard to the status of their wine, it does not intend to compare their status once they have immersed. Rather, this teaches us that the halakha with regard to slaves is similar to the halakha with regard to the sons of maidservants. Just as in the case of the sons of maidservants, it is only the adults who render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but minors do not render the wine they touch wine used for a libation, so too in the case of slaves, the adults render the wine that they touch wine used for a libation, but minors do not render the wine they touch wine used for a libation.
לְאַפּוֹקֵי מִדְּרַב, דְּאָמַר רַב: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ עוֹשֶׂה יֵין נֶסֶךְ, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן דְּלָא.
This halakha is to the exclusion of that which Rav says, as Rav says: If a gentile baby who is one day old touches wine, he renders it wine used for a libation. The baraita teaches us that this is not the case.
הָהוּא עוֹבָדָא דַּהֲוָה בְּמָחוֹזָא, אֲתָא גּוֹי עָייל לְחָנוּתָא דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִית לְכוּ חַמְרָא לְזַבּוֹנֵי? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: לָא. הֲוָה יָתֵיב חַמְרָא בְּדַוְולָא, שְׁדָא בֵּיהּ יְדֵיהּ שַׁיכְשֵׁךְ בֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לְהוּ: הַאי לָאו חַמְרָא הוּא? שַׁקְלֵיהּ הַאיְךְ בְּרִיתְחֵיהּ שַׁדְיֵיהּ לְדַנָּא.
§ The Gemara relates: There was a certain incident in Meḥoza in which a gentile came and entered the store of a Jew. The gentile said to the owners: Do you have any wine to sell? They said to him: No. There was wine sitting in a bucket. The gentile put his hand in it and stirred the wine around. The gentile said to them: This, is it not wine? The other person, i.e., the storeowner, took the bucket and, in his anger, threw its contents into a barrel of wine.
שַׁרְיֵיהּ רָבָא לְזַבּוֹנֵי לְגוֹיִם, אִיפְּלִיג עֲלֵיהּ רַב הוּנָא בַּר חִינָּנָא וְרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן. נָפְקִי שִׁיפּוּרֵי דְּרָבָא וְשָׁרוּ, וְנָפְקִי שִׁיפּוּרֵי דְּרַב הוּנָא בַּר חִינָּנָא וְרַב הוּנָא בַּר רַב נַחְמָן וְאָסְרִי.
This incident raised a dilemma with regard to the status of the wine in the barrel. Rava permitted the owner to sell the wine to gentiles, as he held that it is permitted to derive benefit from the wine. Rav Huna bar Ḥinnana and Rav Huna, son of Rav Naḥman, disagreed with him. Blasts of shofarot went out from the court of Rava promulgating his ruling, and they permitted the sale. And blasts of shofarot went out from the court of Rav Huna bar Ḥinnana and Rav Huna, son of Rav Naḥman, promulgating their ruling, and they prohibited the sale.
