What is the exact value of the “shekel” or “kesef” mentioned in the Torah, in the Prophets and in the Writings? What about in the time of the Mishna? The rabbis try to establish the exact value of the Torah obligations in their own currencies.
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Bekhorot 50
רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אוֹמֵר: דִּינָרָא הַדְרִיָּינָא טִרְיָינָא שְׁיָיפָא דִּמְזַבְּנָא בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְחַמְשָׁה זוּזֵי, דַּל מִינַּיְיהוּ שְׁתוּתָא וְהָנָךְ לְפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן. הָנֵי עֶשְׂרִין וְחַד נְכֵי דַּנְקָא הָוֵי!
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If one wishes to know how much to give for the redemption of the firstborn son, take the worn-out gold dinars of Hadrian and Trajan, which are sold at twenty-five dinars, and deduct from them one-sixth. And these that remain are the five sela that one must give for the redemption of the firstborn son, i.e., twenty dinars, as there are four dinars in a sela. The Gemara challenges: After deducting one- sixth from twenty-five, one is not left with twenty dinars, but twenty-one dinars less one-sixth [danka] of a dinar.
אֶלָּא, דַּל שְׁתוּתָא וְזוּזָא, וְהָנָךְ לְפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן. אַכַּתִּי עֶשְׂרִין נְכֵי דַּנְקָא הָוֵי! אֶלָּא, דַּל זוּזָא וּשְׁתוּתָא, וְהָנָךְ לְפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן, דְּהָוֵי לְהוּ עֶשְׂרִין מַתְקָלֵי בְּמַתְקָלֵי דִּינָרָא, דְּאִינּוּן עֶשְׂרִין וּתְמָנְיָא זוּזֵי וּפַלְגֵי וּפַלְגָא דַּנְקָא.
Rather, deduct one-sixth and another dinar, and these that are left are for the redemption of the firstborn son. The Gemara challenges: But the calculation is still inexact, as this sum is twenty dinars less one-sixth of a dinar. Rather, first deduct one dinar, and from the remainder, i.e., twenty-four dinars, deduct one-sixth, and these that are left are the five sela coins that one must give for the redemption of the son. The Gemara notes that these are a weight of twenty matkalei of the small golden dinars known as matkalei, which are worth twenty-eight and a half dinars, and half of a sixth of a dinar, in Arabian silver dinars.
אָמַר רָבָא: סִילְעִים דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא תְּלָתָא וְתִילְתָּא הָוֵי, דִּכְתִיב: ״עֶשְׂרִים גֵּרָה הַשֶּׁקֶל״, וּמְתַרְגְּמִינַן: ״עֶשְׂרִין מָעִין״, וְתַנְיָא: שֵׁשׁ מָעָה כֶּסֶף דִּינָר.
§ Rava says: The biblical sela coins, i.e., the shekels that must be given for the redemption of the firstborn son, are each three and one-third dinars in weight, not four dinars. As it is written: “The shekel is twenty gera” (Exodus 30:13), and we translate “twenty gera” as twenty ma’a. And it is taught in a baraita: Six silver ma’a equal a dinar. If so, twenty ma’a, which is equal to the sela of the Torah, is worth three and one-third dinars.
מֵיתִיבִי: וַהֲלֹא סֶלַע שֶׁל קֹדֶשׁ אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמֹנֶה פּוּנְדְּיוֹנִין.
The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita, which discusses the halakha of one who redeems an ancestral field from the Temple treasury. The Torah states that one who consecrates his field in the Jubilee year gives as its redemption, for each of the upcoming forty-nine years, fifty sela for each area fit for the sowing of a kor of barley seed. In this regard, the Sages have said that one gives a sela and a pundeyon, which is half a ma’a, per year. The baraita notes a discrepancy here: But in the sela coins of the Sanctuary there are forty-eight pundeyon, which means that according to the statement of the Sages, the redemption for forty-nine years amounts to forty-nine sela and forty-nine pundeyon, i.e., fifty sela and a pundeyon, one pundeyon more than the sum required by the Torah.
פּוּנְדְּיוֹן זֶה מָה טִיבוֹ? קִילְבּוֹן לַפְּרוֹטְרוֹט!
The baraita explains: This pundeyon, what is its function? It is a premium [kilbon] for exchanging the sela into pundeyon. In any case, this baraita teaches that there are forty-eight pundeyon in the sela of the Torah, which is twenty-four ma’a. This contradicts the statement of Rava, who said that the sela of the Torah is worth only twenty ma’a.
בָּתַר דְּאוֹסִיפוּ עִילָּוַיְיהוּ, דְּתַנְיָא: ״עֶשְׂרִים גֵּרָה הַשֶּׁקֶל״ — לָמַדְנוּ לַשֶּׁקֶל שֶׁהוּא עֶשְׂרִים גֵּרָה, וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁאִם רָצָה לְהוֹסִיף יוֹסִיף? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״יִהְיֶה״, יָכוֹל יִפְחוֹת? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״הוּא״.
The Gemara answers that the baraita is referring to the period after the Sages added one-sixth to the coins, i.e., four ma’a to each sela. As it is taught in a baraita, with regard to the verse: “Twenty gera shall be the shekel” (Leviticus 27:25): We learn from here with regard to the shekel mentioned in the Torah that it is twenty gera. And from where is it derived that if one wants to add to the number of ma’a in the shekel he may add? The verse states: “Twenty gera shall be the shekel,” whereby the term “shall be” denotes an increase. One might have thought that one may reduce the number of ma’a in the shekel to fewer than twenty. Therefore, the verse states: “The same is twenty gera” (Numbers 18:16), i.e., it may not be fewer than that.
רַב אָשֵׁי שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ שִׁבְסַר זוּזֵי לְרַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבִינָא בְּפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן, שְׁלַח לֵיהּ: לִישַׁדַּר לִי מָר תִּלְתָּא יַתִּירְתָּא דְּאִיכָּא עִלָּוַיְיהוּ. שְׁלַח לֵיהּ: לְשַׁדַּר לִי מָר תְּלָתָא אַחֲרִינָא דְּאוֹסִיפוּ עִילָּוַיְיהוּ!
The Gemara relates that Rav Ashi sent seventeen dinars to Rav Aḥa, son of Ravina, a priest, for the redemption of the firstborn son. Along with the money, Rav Ashi sent him the following message: Let the Master send me back the extra one-third of a dinar that is included in the sum. Since according to Rava the sela of the Torah is worth three and one-third dinars, five sela amount to sixteen dinars and two-thirds, which is one-third less than the seventeen dinars he sent. Rav Aḥa sent him in response: Let the Master send me the other three dinars that the Sages added to them, since after the Sages added to the sela of the Torah, five sela are equal to twenty dinars, three more than the seventeen Rav Ashi sent.
אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: כׇּל כֶּסֶף הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה סְתָם — סֶלַע, דִּנְבִיאִים — לִיטְרִין, דִּכְתוּבִין — קִינְטְרִין, חוּץ מִן כַּסְפּוֹ שֶׁל עֶפְרוֹן, שֶׁאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה סְתָם — קִינְטָרִין, דִּכְתִיב ״אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שֶׁקֶל כֶּסֶף עוֹבֵר לַסֹּחֵר״, וְאִיכָּא דּוּכְתָּא דְּקָא קָרוּ לְקִינְטָרָא ״תִּיקְלָא״.
§ The Gemara continues to discuss the value of coins. Rabbi Ḥanina says: Any silver shekel that is stated in the Torah but which is unspecified is referring to one sela. Additionally, any unspecified silver shekel mentioned in the Prophets is a silver litra, weighing twenty-five sela, and any unspecified silver shekel mentioned in the Writings is in centenaria [kintarin], silver weighing one hundred sela. This is the case throughout the Bible except for the silver of Ephron, where even though it is written in the Torah: “Shekels of silver,” without specification, it is in centenaria, as it is written: “Four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant” (Genesis 23:16). This means that the silver was acceptable as shekels everywhere, and there is a place where they call a centenarius a shekel.
אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: בִּיקְּשׁוּ לִגְנוֹז כׇּל כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם מִפְּנֵי כַּסְפָּהּ וּזְהָבָהּ שֶׁל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, עַד שֶׁמָּצְאוּ לוֹ מִקְרָא מִן הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁהוּא מוּתָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבָאוּ בָהּ פָּרִיצִים וְחִלְּלוּהָ״.
With regard to the worn-out dinars of Hadrian and Trajan mentioned earlier, Rabbi Oshaya says: The Sages wished to sequester all the silver and gold in the world because of the silver and gold of Jerusalem, i.e., that which was kept in the Temple treasury and was appropriated by gentiles and mixed with other silver and gold. They did not permit its use until they found a verse in the Torah indicating that it is permitted, as it is stated: “And robbers shall enter into it, and profane it” (Ezekiel 7:22). This verse teaches that once robbers plundered the silver and gold it is profaned and does not retain its sanctity.
וִירוּשָׁלַיִם הָוְיָא רוּבָּא דְּעָלְמָא? אֶלָּא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בִּקְּשׁוּ לִגְנוֹז דִּינָרָא הַדְרִיָּינָא טִירְיָיאנָא שְׁיָיאפָא, מִפְּנֵי טִבְעָהּ שֶׁל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, עַד שֶׁמָּצְאוּ לָהּ מִקְרָא מִן הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁהוּא מוּתָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבָאוּ בָהּ פָּרִיצִים וְחִלְּלוּהָ״.
The Gemara asks: And is Jerusalem the majority of the world such that that all of the silver and gold of the world should be prohibited due to a concern that it comes from Jerusalem? Rather, Abaye said: The Sages wished to sequester all the worn-out dinars of Hadrian and Trajan because of the coins of Jerusalem, as these coins contained a large quantity of the Temple treasury’s gold and silver, until they found a verse in the Torah indicating that it is permitted, as it is stated: “And robbers shall enter into it, and profane it.”
רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל ״כֶּסֶף״ הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה סְתָם — כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם — כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה.
§ Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every sum of money stated in the Torah without specifying that it is in shekels is referring to silver dinars of Tyrian coinage, which have a high value. And every mention of coins in statements of the Sages is referring to provincial coinage, which was worth roughly one-eighth of Tyrian coinage.
וּכְלָלָא הוּא? וַהֲרֵי טַעֲנָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי יִתֵּן אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ כֶּסֶף אוֹ כֵלִים לִשְׁמוֹר״,
The Gemara challenges: And is it an established principle that all money mentioned in the Torah is a silver dinar of Tyrian coinage? But there is the case of one who admits to part of a claim that he has not returned a deposit or loan, where it is written: “If a man deliver to his neighbor money or vessels to guard and it is stolen out of the man’s house…the cause of both parties shall come before the judges” (Exodus 22:6–8). This teaches that the case is brought to a court, where the defendant must take an oath.
וּתְנַן: שְׁבוּעַת הַדַּיָּינִין — הַטַּעֲנָה שְׁתֵּי כֶסֶף!
And we learned in a mishna with regard to one who admits to part of a claim (Shevuot 38b): The oath administered by the judges to one who admits to part of a claim is administered only when the claim is for at least two silver ma’a, and the defendant’s admission is to at least the value of one peruta. If every sum of money mentioned in the Torah is referring to Tyrian coinage, how did the Sages arrive at the amount of two ma’a in this case?
שָׁאנֵי הָתָם, דִּכְתִיב: ״כֶּסֶף אוֹ כֵלִים״, מָה כֵּלִים שְׁנַיִם — אַף כֶּסֶף שְׁנַיִם, וּמָה כֶּסֶף דָּבָר חָשׁוּב — אַף כֵּלִים דָּבָר חָשׁוּב.
The Gemara explains: There, the halakha is derived from a juxtaposition, as the “money” mentioned in the verse is similar to “vessels”: Just as the word “vessels” indicates at least two, so too, “money” is referring to at least two coins. And just as money is a significant item, i.e., silver ma’a, so too, the vessels must be a significant item. Rav Asi, by contrast, is referring to a mention of money where there is no juxtaposition.
וַהֲרֵי מַעֲשֵׂר, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְצַרְתָּ הַכֶּסֶף בְּיָדְךָ״, וּתְנַן: הַפּוֹרֵט סֶלַע בִּמְעוֹת מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי! ״כֶּסֶף״ ״כֶּסֶף״ רִיבָּה.
The Gemara challenges: But there is the case of the redemption of second tithe, as it is written: “And bind up the money in your hand” (Deuteronomy 14:25). And yet we learned in a mishna (Ma’aser Sheni 2:8): With regard to one who exchanges copper coins of second-tithe money for a sela, Beit Shammai say: He may exchange the copper coins for the entire silver sela. This mishna indicates that second-tithe money, mentioned in the Torah, can be in the form of copper coins, and is not required to be in the form of silver coins. The Gemara explains that the verse states: “Money,” “money,” using the term more than once. This serves as an amplification. In other words, this addition teaches that second-tithe money can be in any coinage, including copper coins.
וַהֲרֵי הֶקְדֵּשׁ, דִּכְתִיב ״וְנָתַן הַכֶּסֶף וְקָם לוֹ״, וְאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הֶקְדֵּשׁ שָׁוֶה מָנֶה שֶׁחִילְּלוֹ עַל שָׁוֶה פְּרוּטָה מְחוּלָּל! הֶקְדֵּשׁ נָמֵי יָלֵיף ״קֹדֶשׁ״ ״קֹדֶשׁ״ מִמַּעֲשֵׂר.
The Gemara challenges: But there is the case of consecrated property, as it is written: “And he will give the money and it will be assured to him” (see Leviticus 27:19). And Shmuel says: With regard to consecrated property worth one hundred dinars, which was redeemed for an item worth one peruta, it is redeemed. Although the word “money” is stated in the Torah, a copper peruta may be used. The Gemara answers: There too, there is a reason for this unusual halakha, as he derives this ruling from a verbal analogy using the term “holy” mentioned here and “holy” from second tithe (see Leviticus 27:14, 30). Consequently, one may use any type of coin in this case as well.
וַהֲרֵי קִידּוּשֵׁי אִשָּׁה, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְיָצְאָה חִנָּם אֵין כָּסֶף״, וּתְנַן: בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בְּדִינָר וּבְשָׁוֶה דִּינָר, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְרוּטָה וּבְשָׁוֶה פְּרוּטָה, לֵימָא רַב אַסִּי דְּאָמַר כְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי?
The Gemara challenges: But there is the case of the betrothal of a woman, as it is written: “Then shall she go out for nothing, without money” (Exodus 21:11). And yet we learned in a mishna (Kiddushin 2a) that Beit Shammai say that one can betroth her with one dinar or with an item that is worth one dinar, and Beit Hillel say one can betroth a woman with one peruta or with any item that is worth one peruta. If so, shall we say that Rav Asi, who claims that all sums of money mentioned in the Torah are in Tyrian coinage, stated his opinion in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai, even though the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Beit Hillel?
אֶלָּא, אִי אִיתְּמַר הָכִי אִיתְּמַר, אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל כֶּסֶף קָצוּב הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה — כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם — כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה.
The Gemara suggests an alternative explanation: Rather, if this was stated, it was stated like this: Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every set amount of money stated in the Torah, i.e., when a specific amount is mentioned, such as the fifty shekels paid by a rapist (Deuteronomy 22:29), is referring to Tyrian coinage, and any amount of money set by rabbinic law is in provincial coinage.
מַאי קָמַשְׁמַע לַן? תְּנֵינָא: חָמֵשׁ סְלָעִים שֶׁל בֵּן וְכוּ׳!
The Gemara asks: If so, what is Rav Asi teaching us? We already learn all of these halakhot explicitly in the mishna: The payment of five sela for the redemption of a firstborn son, the thirty for a Canaanite slave killed by an ox, the fifty of a rapist and of a seducer, and the one hundred of the slanderer are all paid in the shekel of the Sanctuary, which is determined based on Tyrian coinage.
וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה אִיצְטְרִיכָא לֵיהּ, דִּתְנַן: הַתּוֹקֵעַ לַחֲבֵירוֹ נוֹתֵן לוֹ סֶלַע, וְלָא תֵּימָא סֶלַע אַרְבַּע זוּזֵי, אֶלָּא פַּלְגָא דְּזוּזָא, דְּקָרוּ אִינָשֵׁי ״סֶלַע״ פַּלְגָא דְּזוּזָא.
The Gemara answers: It was necessary for Rav Asi to clarify that payments mentioned in statements of the Sages are referring to provincial coinage, as that halakha was not taught in the mishna. As we learned in a mishna (Bava Kamma 90a): The Sages established that one who strikes another as an act of disrespect must give him a sela as a fine for striking him. And Rav Asi teaches: Do not say that this sela is a Tyrian sela worth four dinars. Rather, it is the sela of provincial coinage, which is worth one-half a dinar, as people commonly call a one-half dinar by the name sela.
חָנָן בִּישָׁא תְּקַע לֵיהּ לְהָהוּא גַּבְרָא, אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב הוּנָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַב לֵיהּ פַּלְגָא דְּזוּזָא. הֲוָה אִיכָּא
The Gemara relates that Ḥanan the wicked struck a certain man. He came before Rav Huna for judgment, and Rav Huna said to him: Go give him half a dinar, which is the fine imposed for such an action. Ḥanan had
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Tampa, 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.
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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
Berlin, Germany
I never thought I’d be able to do Daf Yomi till I saw the video of Hadran’s Siyum HaShas. Now, 2 years later, I’m about to participate in Siyum Seder Mo’ed with my Hadran community. It has been an incredible privilege to learn with Rabbanit Michelle and to get to know so many caring, talented and knowledgeable women. I look forward with great anticipation and excitement to learning Seder Nashim.
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Karmiel, Israel
Michelle has been an inspiration for years, but I only really started this cycle after the moving and uplifting siyum in Jerusalem. It’s been an wonderful to learn and relearn the tenets of our religion and to understand how the extraordinary efforts of a band of people to preserve Judaism after the fall of the beit hamikdash is still bearing fruits today. I’m proud to be part of the chain!
Judith Weil
Raanana, Israel
After experiences over the years of asking to join gemara shiurim for men and either being refused by the maggid shiur or being the only women there, sometimes behind a mechitza, I found out about Hadran sometime during the tail end of Masechet Shabbat, I think. Life has been much better since then.
Madeline Cohen
London, United Kingdom
I began my journey two years ago at the beginning of this cycle of the daf yomi. It has been an incredible, challenging experience and has given me a new perspective of Torah Sh’baal Peh and the role it plays in our lives
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Efrat, Israel
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.
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Ra’anana, Israel
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.
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Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
At almost 70 I am just beginning my journey with Talmud and Hadran. I began not late, but right when I was called to learn. It is never too late to begin! The understanding patience of staff and participants with more experience and knowledge has been fabulous. The joy of learning never stops and for me. It is a new life, a new light, a new depth of love of The Holy One, Blessed be He.
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Richmond, CA, United States
The start of my journey is not so exceptional. I was between jobs and wanted to be sure to get out every day (this was before corona). Well, I was hooked after about a month and from then on only looked for work-from-home jobs so I could continue learning the Daf. Daf has been a constant in my life, though hurricanes, death, illness/injury, weddings. My new friends are Rav, Shmuel, Ruth, Joanna.
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Raanana, 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.
Susan Vishner
Brookline, 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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Pennsylvania, United States
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!
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Jerusalem, Israel
I started Daf during the pandemic. I listened to a number of podcasts by various Rebbeim until one day, I discovered Rabbanit Farbers podcast. Subsequently I joined the Hadran family in Eruvin. Not the easiest place to begin, Rabbanit Farber made it all understandable and fun. The online live group has bonded together and have really become a supportive, encouraging family.
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Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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
Pittsburgh, United States
I started learning Dec 2019 after reading “If all the Seas Were Ink”. I found
Daily daf sessions of Rabbanit Michelle in her house teaching, I then heard about the siyum and a new cycle starting wow I am in! Afternoon here in Sydney, my family and friends know this is my sacred time to hide away to live zoom and learn. Often it’s hard to absorb and relate then a gem shines touching my heart.
Dianne Kuchar
Dover Heights, Australia
I had never heard of Daf Yomi and after reading the book, The Weight of Ink, I explored more about it. I discovered that it was only 6 months before a whole new cycle started and I was determined to give it a try. I tried to get a friend to join me on the journey but after the first few weeks they all dropped it. I haven’t missed a day of reading and of listening to the podcast.
Anne Rubin
Elkins Park, United States
I learned Talmud as a student in Yeshivat Ramaz and felt at the time that Talmud wasn’t for me. After reading Ilana Kurshan’s book I was intrigued and after watching the great siyum in Yerushalayim it ignited the spark to begin this journey. It has been a transformative life experience for me as a wife, mother, Savta and member of Klal Yisrael.
Elana Storch
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Bekhorot 50
Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨: ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ ΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΦΈΦΌΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧΧ ΦΈΧ Χ©Φ°ΧΧΦΈΧΧ€ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ©ΦΈΧΧ ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ·ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ Χ©Φ°ΧΧͺΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧΦ° ΧΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ. ΧΦΈΧ Φ΅Χ Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ Χ Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ Φ°Χ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ!
Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan says: If one wishes to know how much to give for the redemption of the firstborn son, take the worn-out gold dinars of Hadrian and Trajan, which are sold at twenty-five dinars, and deduct from them one-sixth. And these that remain are the five sela that one must give for the redemption of the firstborn son, i.e., twenty dinars, as there are four dinars in a sela. The Gemara challenges: After deducting one- sixth from twenty-five, one is not left with twenty dinars, but twenty-one dinars less one-sixth [danka] of a dinar.
ΧΦΆΧΦΈΦΌΧ, ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ Χ©Φ°ΧΧͺΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧΦ° ΧΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ. ΧΦ·ΧΦ·ΦΌΧͺΦ΄ΦΌΧ Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ Χ Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ Φ°Χ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ! ΧΦΆΧΦΈΦΌΧ, ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧ©Φ°ΧΧͺΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧΦ° ΧΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ, ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦ·ΧͺΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ ΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΧΦΌΧ Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧͺΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΧ€Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΧ€Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ Φ°Χ§ΦΈΧ.
Rather, deduct one-sixth and another dinar, and these that are left are for the redemption of the firstborn son. The Gemara challenges: But the calculation is still inexact, as this sum is twenty dinars less one-sixth of a dinar. Rather, first deduct one dinar, and from the remainder, i.e., twenty-four dinars, deduct one-sixth, and these that are left are the five sela coins that one must give for the redemption of the son. The Gemara notes that these are a weight of twenty matkalei of the small golden dinars known as matkalei, which are worth twenty-eight and a half dinars, and half of a sixth of a dinar, in Arabian silver dinars.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ: Χ‘Φ΄ΧΧΦ°Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧΦ°ΧΧͺΦΈΧ ΧͺΦ°ΦΌΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧΦ°ΧͺΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΆΦΌΧΧ§ΦΆΧΧ΄, ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ: Χ΄Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΄ΧΧΧ΄, ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ: Χ©Φ΅ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ ΦΈΧ¨.
Β§ Rava says: The biblical sela coins, i.e., the shekels that must be given for the redemption of the firstborn son, are each three and one-third dinars in weight, not four dinars. As it is written: βThe shekel is twenty geraβ (Exodus 30:13), and we translate βtwenty geraβ as twenty maβa. And it is taught in a baraita: Six silver maβa equal a dinar. If so, twenty maβa, which is equal to the sela of the Torah, is worth three and one-third dinars.
ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺΦ΄ΧΧΦ΄Χ: ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΉΧ Χ‘ΦΆΧΦ·Χ’ Χ©ΦΆΧΧ Χ§ΦΉΧΦΆΧ©Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΦΌΧ’Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧ©Φ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΦΆΧ Χ€ΦΌΧΦΌΧ Φ°ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΉΧ Φ΄ΧΧ.
The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita, which discusses the halakha of one who redeems an ancestral field from the Temple treasury. The Torah states that one who consecrates his field in the Jubilee year gives as its redemption, for each of the upcoming forty-nine years, fifty sela for each area fit for the sowing of a kor of barley seed. In this regard, the Sages have said that one gives a sela and a pundeyon, which is half a maβa, per year. The baraita notes a discrepancy here: But in the sela coins of the Sanctuary there are forty-eight pundeyon, which means that according to the statement of the Sages, the redemption for forty-nine years amounts to forty-nine sela and forty-nine pundeyon, i.e., fifty sela and a pundeyon, one pundeyon more than the sum required by the Torah.
Χ€ΦΌΧΦΌΧ Φ°ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ? Χ§Φ΄ΧΧΦ°ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·Χ€Φ°ΦΌΧ¨ΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ!
The baraita explains: This pundeyon, what is its function? It is a premium [kilbon] for exchanging the sela into pundeyon. In any case, this baraita teaches that there are forty-eight pundeyon in the sela of the Torah, which is twenty-four maβa. This contradicts the statement of Rava, who said that the sela of the Torah is worth only twenty maβa.
ΧΦΈΦΌΧͺΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΉΧ‘Φ΄ΧΧ€ΧΦΌ Χ’Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦ°ΦΌΧͺΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ: Χ΄Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΆΦΌΧΧ§ΦΆΧΧ΄ β ΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΆΦΌΧΧ§ΦΆΧ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΧΦΌΧ Χ’ΦΆΧ©Φ°ΧΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΧΦ΄Χ Φ·ΦΌΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΦ΄Χ Χ¨ΦΈΧ¦ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ‘Φ΄ΧΧ£ ΧΧΦΉΧ‘Φ΄ΧΧ£? ΧͺΦ·ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΧ΄, ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄Χ€Φ°ΧΧΦΉΧͺ? ΧͺΦ·ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΧ΄.
The Gemara answers that the baraita is referring to the period after the Sages added one-sixth to the coins, i.e., four maβa to each sela. As it is taught in a baraita, with regard to the verse: βTwenty gera shall be the shekelβ (Leviticus 27:25): We learn from here with regard to the shekel mentioned in the Torah that it is twenty gera. And from where is it derived that if one wants to add to the number of maβa in the shekel he may add? The verse states: βTwenty gera shall be the shekel,β whereby the term βshall beβ denotes an increase. One might have thought that one may reduce the number of maβa in the shekel to fewer than twenty. Therefore, the verse states: βThe same is twenty geraβ (Numbers 18:16), i.e., it may not be fewer than that.
Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦΈΧ©Φ΅ΧΧ Χ©Φ·ΧΧΦ·ΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ©Φ΄ΧΧΦ°Χ‘Φ·Χ¨ ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ¨Φ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ€Φ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ, Χ©Φ°ΧΧΦ·Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©Φ·ΧΧΦ·ΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧͺΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ¨Φ°ΧͺΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΦΌΧ Χ’Φ΄ΧΦΈΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ. Χ©Φ°ΧΧΦ·Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦ°Χ©Φ·ΧΧΦ·ΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧͺΦ°ΦΌΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΉΧ‘Φ΄ΧΧ€ΧΦΌ Χ’Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ!
The Gemara relates that Rav Ashi sent seventeen dinars to Rav AαΈ₯a, son of Ravina, a priest, for the redemption of the firstborn son. Along with the money, Rav Ashi sent him the following message: Let the Master send me back the extra one-third of a dinar that is included in the sum. Since according to Rava the sela of the Torah is worth three and one-third dinars, five sela amount to sixteen dinars and two-thirds, which is one-third less than the seventeen dinars he sent. Rav AαΈ₯a sent him in response: Let the Master send me the other three dinars that the Sages added to them, since after the Sages added to the sela of the Torah, five sela are equal to twenty dinars, three more than the seventeen Rav Ashi sent.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧ ΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ: ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ‘Φ°ΧͺΦΈΧ β Χ‘ΦΆΧΦ·Χ’, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧ Φ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΄ΧΧ β ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ β Χ§Φ΄ΧΧ Φ°ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΧΦΌΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ‘Φ°Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉ Χ©ΦΆΧΧ Χ’ΦΆΧ€Φ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ, Χ©ΦΆΧΧΦ·Χ£ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ€Φ΄ΦΌΧ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΦΈΦΌΧͺΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ‘Φ°ΧͺΦΈΧ β Χ§Φ΄ΧΧ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ Χ΄ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ’ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΉΧͺ Χ©ΦΆΧΧ§ΦΆΧ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ Χ’ΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦ·Χ‘ΦΉΦΌΧΦ΅Χ¨Χ΄, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ§ΦΈΧ Χ§ΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ§Φ΄ΧΧ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ΄ΧͺΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ§Φ°ΧΦΈΧΧ΄.
Β§ The Gemara continues to discuss the value of coins. Rabbi αΈ€anina says: Any silver shekel that is stated in the Torah but which is unspecified is referring to one sela. Additionally, any unspecified silver shekel mentioned in the Prophets is a silver litra, weighing twenty-five sela, and any unspecified silver shekel mentioned in the Writings is in centenaria [kintarin], silver weighing one hundred sela. This is the case throughout the Bible except for the silver of Ephron, where even though it is written in the Torah: βShekels of silver,β without specification, it is in centenaria, as it is written: βFour hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchantβ (Genesis 23:16). This means that the silver was acceptable as shekels everywhere, and there is a place where they call a centenarius a shekel.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ©Φ·ΧΧ’Φ°ΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ§Φ°ΦΌΧ©ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΦΈΦΌΧ’ΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ€Φ°ΦΌΧ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ‘Φ°Χ€ΦΈΦΌΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧΦΌ Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌΧ©ΦΈΧΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ, Χ’Φ·Χ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΦΈΦΌΧ¦Φ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄Χ§Φ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΦΌΧ¨, Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΦΆΦΌΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΈΧΦΌ Χ€ΦΈΦΌΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ¦Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ΄.
With regard to the worn-out dinars of Hadrian and Trajan mentioned earlier, Rabbi Oshaya says: The Sages wished to sequester all the silver and gold in the world because of the silver and gold of Jerusalem, i.e., that which was kept in the Temple treasury and was appropriated by gentiles and mixed with other silver and gold. They did not permit its use until they found a verse in the Torah indicating that it is permitted, as it is stated: βAnd robbers shall enter into it, and profane itβ (Ezekiel 7:22). This verse teaches that once robbers plundered the silver and gold it is profaned and does not retain its sanctity.
ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧ©ΦΈΧΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Χ¨ΧΦΌΧΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ’ΦΈΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ? ΧΦΆΧΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΈΦΌΧΦ΅Χ: ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧ§Φ°ΦΌΧ©ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ ΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΦΈΦΌΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧΧΧ ΦΈΧ Χ©Φ°ΧΧΦΈΧΧΧ€ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ΄Χ€Φ°ΦΌΧ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦΌ Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌΧ©ΦΈΧΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ, Χ’Φ·Χ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΦΈΦΌΧ¦Φ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΈΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄Χ§Φ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΦΌΧ¨, Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΦΆΦΌΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΈΧΦΌ Χ€ΦΈΦΌΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ¦Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ΄.
The Gemara asks: And is Jerusalem the majority of the world such that that all of the silver and gold of the world should be prohibited due to a concern that it comes from Jerusalem? Rather, Abaye said: The Sages wished to sequester all the worn-out dinars of Hadrian and Trajan because of the coins of Jerusalem, as these coins contained a large quantity of the Temple treasuryβs gold and silver, until they found a verse in the Torah indicating that it is permitted, as it is stated: βAnd robbers shall enter into it, and profane it.β
Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ‘Φ΄ΦΌΧ: ΧΧΦΌΧ Χ΄ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£Χ΄ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ‘Φ°ΧͺΦΈΧ β ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ Χ¦ΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΄Χ, ΧΦ°Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ.
Β§ Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every sum of money stated in the Torah without specifying that it is in shekels is referring to silver dinars of Tyrian coinage, which have a high value. And every mention of coins in statements of the Sages is referring to provincial coinage, which was worth roughly one-eighth of Tyrian coinage.
ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ? ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ΅ΦΌΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΆΧ Χ¨Φ΅Χ’Φ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©Φ°ΧΧΧΦΉΧ¨Χ΄,
The Gemara challenges: And is it an established principle that all money mentioned in the Torah is a silver dinar of Tyrian coinage? But there is the case of one who admits to part of a claim that he has not returned a deposit or loan, where it is written: βIf a man deliver to his neighbor money or vessels to guard and it is stolen out of the manβs houseβ¦the cause of both parties shall come before the judgesβ (Exodus 22:6β8). This teaches that the case is brought to a court, where the defendant must take an oath.
ΧΦΌΧͺΦ°Χ Φ·Χ: Χ©Φ°ΧΧΧΦΌΧ’Φ·Χͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦ·ΦΌΧΦΈΦΌΧΧ Φ΄ΧΧ β ΧΦ·ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ’Φ²Χ ΦΈΧ Χ©Φ°ΧΧͺΦ΅ΦΌΧ ΧΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ£!
And we learned in a mishna with regard to one who admits to part of a claim (Shevuot 38b): The oath administered by the judges to one who admits to part of a claim is administered only when the claim is for at least two silver maβa, and the defendantβs admission is to at least the value of one peruta. If every sum of money mentioned in the Torah is referring to Tyrian coinage, how did the Sages arrive at the amount of two maβa in this case?
Χ©ΦΈΧΧΧ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧΧ΄, ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ©Φ°ΧΧ Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ β ΧΦ·Χ£ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ Χ©Φ°ΧΧ Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ, ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦΈΦΌΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΌΧ β ΧΦ·Χ£ ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΦΌΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΌΧ.
The Gemara explains: There, the halakha is derived from a juxtaposition, as the βmoneyβ mentioned in the verse is similar to βvesselsβ: Just as the word βvesselsβ indicates at least two, so too, βmoneyβ is referring to at least two coins. And just as money is a significant item, i.e., silver maβa, so too, the vessels must be a significant item. Rav Asi, by contrast, is referring to a mention of money where there is no juxtaposition.
ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©Φ΅ΧΧ¨, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ·Χ¨Φ°ΧͺΦΈΦΌ ΧΦ·ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ΄, ΧΦΌΧͺΦ°Χ Φ·Χ: ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΅Χ Χ‘ΦΆΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°Χ’ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©Φ΅ΧΧ¨ Χ©Φ΅ΧΧ Φ΄Χ! Χ΄ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£Χ΄ Χ΄ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£Χ΄ Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΦΌΧ.
The Gemara challenges: But there is the case of the redemption of second tithe, as it is written: βAnd bind up the money in your handβ (Deuteronomy 14:25). And yet we learned in a mishna (Maβaser Sheni 2:8): With regard to one who exchanges copper coins of second-tithe money for a sela, Beit Shammai say: He may exchange the copper coins for the entire silver sela. This mishna indicates that second-tithe money, mentioned in the Torah, can be in the form of copper coins, and is not required to be in the form of silver coins. The Gemara explains that the verse states: βMoney,β βmoney,β using the term more than once. This serves as an amplification. In other words, this addition teaches that second-tithe money can be in any coinage, including copper coins.
ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧ§Φ°ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ©Χ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ Χ΄ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ΄, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ©Φ°ΧΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ: ΧΦΆΧ§Φ°ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ©Χ Χ©ΦΈΧΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧ ΦΆΧ Χ©ΦΆΧΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΉ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ©ΦΈΧΧΦΆΧ Χ€Φ°ΦΌΧ¨ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΦΌΧ! ΧΦΆΧ§Φ°ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ©Χ Χ ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ£ Χ΄Χ§ΦΉΧΦΆΧ©ΧΧ΄ Χ΄Χ§ΦΉΧΦΆΧ©ΧΧ΄ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ’Φ²Χ©Φ΅ΧΧ¨.
The Gemara challenges: But there is the case of consecrated property, as it is written: βAnd he will give the money and it will be assured to himβ (see Leviticus 27:19). And Shmuel says: With regard to consecrated property worth one hundred dinars, which was redeemed for an item worth one peruta, it is redeemed. Although the word βmoneyβ is stated in the Torah, a copper peruta may be used. The Gemara answers: There too, there is a reason for this unusual halakha, as he derives this ruling from a verbal analogy using the term βholyβ mentioned here and βholyβ from second tithe (see Leviticus 27:14, 30). Consequently, one may use any type of coin in this case as well.
ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ Χ§Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ©Φ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΈΦΌΧΧ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΦΈΦΌΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΈΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£Χ΄, ΧΦΌΧͺΦ°Χ Φ·Χ: ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧΧͺ Χ©Φ·ΧΧΦ·ΦΌΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ: ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΦΈΧΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ ΦΈΧ¨, ΧΦΌΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ: ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧ€Φ°Χ¨ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΦΈΧΧΦΆΧ Χ€Φ°ΦΌΧ¨ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ‘Φ΄ΦΌΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ Χ©Φ·ΧΧΦ·ΦΌΧΧ?
The Gemara challenges: But there is the case of the betrothal of a woman, as it is written: βThen shall she go out for nothing, without moneyβ (Exodus 21:11). And yet we learned in a mishna (Kiddushin 2a) that Beit Shammai say that one can betroth her with one dinar or with an item that is worth one dinar, and Beit Hillel say one can betroth a woman with one peruta or with any item that is worth one peruta. If so, shall we say that Rav Asi, who claims that all sums of money mentioned in the Torah are in Tyrian coinage, stated his opinion in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai, even though the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Beit Hillel?
ΧΦΆΧΦΈΦΌΧ, ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦ°ΦΌΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦ°ΦΌΧΦ·Χ¨, ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ‘Φ΄ΦΌΧ: ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ Χ§ΦΈΧ¦ΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ β ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ Χ¦ΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΄Χ, ΧΦ°Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ.
The Gemara suggests an alternative explanation: Rather, if this was stated, it was stated like this: Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every set amount of money stated in the Torah, i.e., when a specific amount is mentioned, such as the fifty shekels paid by a rapist (Deuteronomy 22:29), is referring to Tyrian coinage, and any amount of money set by rabbinic law is in provincial coinage.
ΧΦ·ΧΧ Χ§ΦΈΧΦ·Χ©Φ°ΧΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ·Χ? ΧͺΦ°ΦΌΧ Φ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧ: ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ©Χ Χ‘Φ°ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ³!
The Gemara asks: If so, what is Rav Asi teaching us? We already learn all of these halakhot explicitly in the mishna: The payment of five sela for the redemption of a firstborn son, the thirty for a Canaanite slave killed by an ox, the fifty of a rapist and of a seducer, and the one hundred of the slanderer are all paid in the shekel of the Sanctuary, which is determined based on Tyrian coinage.
ΧΦ°Χ©ΦΆΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ£ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ¦Φ°ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧͺΦ°Χ Φ·Χ: ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ§Φ΅Χ’Φ· ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ΧΦΉ Χ ΧΦΉΧͺΦ΅Χ ΧΧΦΉ Χ‘ΦΆΧΦ·Χ’, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧͺΦ΅ΦΌΧΧΦΈΧ Χ‘ΦΆΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ·ΦΌΧ’ ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦΆΧΦΈΦΌΧ Χ€Φ·ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ§ΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ©Φ΅ΧΧ Χ΄Χ‘ΦΆΧΦ·Χ’Χ΄ Χ€Φ·ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ.
The Gemara answers: It was necessary for Rav Asi to clarify that payments mentioned in statements of the Sages are referring to provincial coinage, as that halakha was not taught in the mishna. As we learned in a mishna (Bava Kamma 90a): The Sages established that one who strikes another as an act of disrespect must give him a sela as a fine for striking him. And Rav Asi teaches: Do not say that this sela is a Tyrian sela worth four dinars. Rather, it is the sela of provincial coinage, which is worth one-half a dinar, as people commonly call a one-half dinar by the name sela.
ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΦΌΧΧ©ΦΈΧΧ ΧͺΦ°ΦΌΧ§Φ·Χ’ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ·ΦΌΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ²ΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ§Φ·ΧΦ΅ΦΌΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧ¨Φ·Χ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦ·Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ€Φ·ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ. ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΦΌΧ
The Gemara relates that αΈ€anan the wicked struck a certain man. He came before Rav Huna for judgment, and Rav Huna said to him: Go give him half a dinar, which is the fine imposed for such an action. αΈ€anan had
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