Search

Kiddushin 11

Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:

English
עברית
podcast placeholder

0:00
0:00




podcast placeholder

0:00
0:00




Summary

Today’s daf is sponsored by Betsy Frank in honor of Penny’s Daf Yomi Salon.

Today’s daf is sponsored by Marilyn Katz in honor of Rebecca Koenigsberg. “She is a constant source for me of inspiration and knowledge, and whose constant observation of the mitzva of hachnassat orchim extends to regularly serving as the siyum mesaderet for our small local group of daf-yomi-ers.”

Why does Beit Shammai hold that the money required for betrothal is significantly higher than the amount Beit Hillel says? Several answers are suggested.

Today’s daily daf tools:

Kiddushin 11

עַד שֶׁתִּכָּנֵס לַחוּפָּה, מִשּׁוּם דְּעוּלָּא.

until she enters the wedding canopy, due to the reason of Ulla, lest she feed her non-priestly family members the teruma that her husband has given her.

וּבֶן בַּג בַּג? סִימְפּוֹן, בַּעֲבָדִים לֵית לֵיהּ. אִי מוּמִין שֶׁבַּגָּלוּי הוּא – הָא קָא חָזֵי לֵיהּ. אִי מִשּׁוּם מוּמִין שֶׁבַּסֵּתֶר – מַאי נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִינֵּיהּ? לִמְלָאכָה קָא בָעֵי לֵיהּ לָא אִיכְפַּת לֵיהּ.

The Gemara asks: And ben Bag Bag, what does he say about this a fortiori inference? The Gemara answers that he maintains that this a fortiori inference is invalid because he does not accept that there can be a claim of simfon with regard to the acquisition of slaves. The reason is that if it is an exposed blemish that the master found on the slave, he saw the blemish and purchased him regardless. Therefore, he cannot later claim that the transaction was unfair. If it is due to hidden blemishes on his slave, what difference does that make to him? Why should it matter if a slave has hidden blemishes? He needs him only for labor, and he does not care if he has hidden blemishes that do not impair his ability to perform labor.

נִמְצָא גַּנָּב אוֹ קוּבְיוּסְטוּס – הִגִּיעוֹ. מַאי אָמְרַתְּ, לִסְטִים מְזוּיָּין אוֹ (נִכְתַּב) [מוּכְתָּב] לַמַּלְכוּת? הָנְהוּ קָלָא אִית לְהוּ!

And even if this slave is discovered to be a thief or a gambler [kuvyustus], which are considered hidden blemishes that affect his work, it has come to him, i.e., the slave is acquired by the one who purchased him and the transaction is non-refundable. The reason is that the buyer should have suspected behavior of this kind, which is common among slaves, and therefore he suffers the loss. What do you say? Perhaps he discovered that the slave is an armed bandit and subject to be killed by the government for this, or sentenced to death by the government for another reason, and is sought by the authorities. This is not a valid claim, since these matters generate publicity, and therefore he is assumed to have taken the risk into consideration.

מִכְּדִי, בֵּין לְמָר וּבֵין לְמָר לָא אָכְלָה, מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ?

The Gemara asks: Now, both according to the one Master, Yoḥanan ben Bag Bag, and according to the other Master, Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira, the daughter of a non-priest betrothed to a priest may not partake of teruma by rabbinic decree. What, then, is the difference between them?

אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ: קִיבֵּל, מָסַר, וְהָלַךְ.

The Gemara answers: The difference between them involves three cases. The Gemara elaborates: If the husband initially accepted her blemishes, there is no concern that an annulling factor might lead to the nullification of the betrothal, but there is still concern that she might feed teruma to the members of her family. If her father transferred her to the betrothed husband’s agents, or if the father’s agents walked with the husband’s messenger, and therefore she is no longer in her father’s house, there is no concern that she might feed her family members teruma, but it remains possible that the betrothal will be nullified.

בְּכֶסֶף, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים בְּדִינָר וְכו׳. מַאי טַעְמַיְיהוּ דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי? אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה מַקְפֶּדֶת עַל עַצְמָהּ, וְאֵין מִתְקַדֶּשֶׁת בְּפָחוֹת מִדִּינָר.

§ The Gemara returns to the halakhot of the mishna. The mishna teaches that if one betroths a woman with money, Beit Shammai say he must betroth her with at least one dinar, whereas according to the opinion of Beit Hillel even one peruta is sufficient. The Gemara asks: What is the reasoning of Beit Shammai? Rabbi Zeira says: Their reasoning is that a woman is particular about herself and considers it beneath her dignity to be acquired with a paltry sum, and therefore she will not agree to be betrothed with less than one dinar.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, כְּגוֹן בְּנָתֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יַנַּאי, דְּקָפְדָן אַנַּפְשַׁיְיהוּ, וְלָא מִקַּדְּשָׁן בְּפָחוֹת מִתַּרְקְבָא דְּדִינָרֵי, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּאִי פָּשְׁטָה יָדָהּ וְקִבְּלָה חַד זוּזָא מֵאַחֵר, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּלָא הָווּ קִדּוּשִׁין?

Abaye said to him: If that is so, with regard to Rabbi Yannai’s daughters, for example, who are very particular about themselves and their honor, and they will not agree to be betrothed with less than three kav of dinars due to their status, so too will you say that if she reaches out her hand and accepts one dinar from another man, so too, this is not a betrothal?

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: פָּשְׁטָה יָדָהּ וְקִבְּלָהּ לָא קָאָמֵינָא, כִּי קָאָמֵינָא, דְּקַדְּשַׁהּ בְּלֵילְיָא, אִי נָמֵי דְּשַׁוִּיָה שָׁלִיחַ.

Rabbi Zeira said to Abaye: I did not say that this halakha includes a case where she reached out her hand and accepted a betrothal. She has the right to willingly relinquish her dignity. When I said this halakha I was referring to a case where he betrothed her at night and she did not see what she was being given. Alternatively, where she appointed an agent to betroth her but did not explicitly tell him how much she wished to receive for her betrothal. In these cases it is assumed that she is particular about her honor and will not agree to be betrothed for less than one dinar.

רַב יוֹסֵף אָמַר: טַעְמַיְהוּ דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי כִּדְרַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל כֶּסֶף הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה – כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם – כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה.

Rav Yosef said a different explanation: The reasoning of Beit Shammai is in accordance with that which Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says. As Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every sum of money mentioned in the Torah is in Tyrian coinage, i.e., dinars from Tyre, which have a high value. And any amount of money set by rabbinic law is measured by provincial coinage. Local currency, i.e., that which existed at the time of the Sages of the Mishna, was worth about one-eighth of the value of Tyrian coinage. Beit Shammai follow the standard sum of the Torah, and the smallest possible amount in Tyrian currency is the silver coin, which is worth one dinar.

גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל כֶּסֶף הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה – כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם – כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה. וּכְלָלָא הוּא?

The Gemara discusses the matter itself. Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every sum of money mentioned in the Torah is Tyrian coinage, and any amount of money set by rabbinic law is measured by provincial coinage. The Gemara asks: And is it an established principle that any mention of money in the Torah is referring to a silver coin worth at least one dinar?

וַהֲרֵי טַעֲנָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי יִתֵּן אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ כֶּסֶף אוֹ כֵלִים לִשְׁמֹר״, וּתְנַן: שְׁבוּעַת הַדַּיָּינִין, הַטַּעֲנָה – שְׁתֵּי כֶּסֶף, וְהַהוֹדָאָה – שָׁוֶה פְרוּטָה.

But with regard to a claim that someone has not returned a deposit or loan, when the defendant admits that only part of the claim is true, it is written: “If a man deliver to his neighbor money or vessels to guard and it be stolen out of the man’s house” (Exodus 22:6). The following verses teach that if the thief is not found, the case is brought to a court, where the defendant must take an oath. 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?

הָתָם דּוּמְיָא דְּכֵלִים, 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, so too the vessels must be a significant item.

וַהֲרֵי מַעֲשֵׂר, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְצַרְתָּ הַכֶּסֶף בְּיָדְךָ״, וּתְנַן: הַפּוֹרֵט סֶלַע מִמְּעוֹת מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי! ״כֶּסֶף״ ״הַכֶּסֶף״ – רִיבָּה.

The Gemara asks: 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 it is not required to be in the form of silver coins. The Gemara explains that the verse does not say money, but “the money.” The addition of the article 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 פְרוּטָה – מְחוּלָּל! הָתָם נָמֵי, ״כֶּסֶף״ ״כֶּסֶף״ יָלֵיף מִמַּעֲשֵׂר.

The Gemara asks: 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 of the terms “money” mentioned here and “money” from tithes. Consequently, one may use any type of coin in this case as well.

וַהֲרֵי קִידּוּשֵׁי אִשָּׁה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי יִקַּח אִישׁ אִשָּׁה וּבְעָלָהּ״, וְגָמַר ״קִיחָה״ ״קִיחָה״ מִשְּׂדֵה עֶפְרוֹן, וּתְנַן: בֵּית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְרוּטָה וּבְשָׁוֶה פְרוּטָה. נֵימָא רַב אַסִּי דְּאָמַר כְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי?!

The Gemara asks: But there is the case of the betrothal of a woman, as it is written: “When a man takes a woman and engages in sexual intercourse with her” (Deuteronomy 24:1), and one derives betrothal through money by a verbal analogy of the term “taking” used here and “taking” from the case of the field of Ephron. And yet we learned in the mishna that 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?

אֶלָּא אִי אִיתְּמַר, הָכִי אִיתְּמַר: אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל כֶּסֶף קָצוּב הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה – כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם – כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה.

Rather, the Gemara suggests an alternative explanation: 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, is referring to Tyrian coinage, and any amount of money set by rabbinic law is in provincial coinage.

מַאי קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן? תְּנֵינָא: חָמֵשׁ סְלָעִים שֶׁל בֵּן, שְׁלֹשִׁים שֶׁל עֶבֶד, חֲמִשִּׁים שֶׁל אוֹנֶס וְשֶׁל מְפַתֶּה, מֵאָה שֶׁל מוֹצִיא שֵׁם רַע – כּוּלָּם בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקּוֹדֶשׁ, בְּמָנֶה צוֹרִי!

The Gemara asks: If so, what is Rav Asi teaching us? We have already learned all of these halakhot explicitly (Bekhorot 49b): The payment of five sela for the redemption of a firstborn son (Numbers 18:16); the payment of thirty sela for a slave, paid by the owner of the ox that killed the slave (Exodus 21:32); the fifty sela paid by a rapist and by a seducer (Deuteronomy 22:29); the one hundred sela paid by a defamer (Deuteronomy 22:19); all of these are paid in the sacred shekel, which is one hundred dinars in Tyrian coinage. All of the cases in which a defined amount is mentioned by the Torah have already been taught, and it is unclear what Rav Asi adds.

״וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה״ אִיצְטְרִיכָא לֵיהּ, דְּלָא תְּנַן. דְּתַנְיָא: הַתּוֹקֵעַ לַחֲבֵירוֹ – נוֹתֵן לוֹ סֶלַע. וְלָא תֵּימָא מַאי סֶלַע – אַרְבְּעָה זוּזֵי, אֶלָּא מַאי סֶלַע – פַּלְגָא דְזוּזָא, דַּעֲבִידִי אִינָשֵׁי דְּקָרוּ לְפַלְגָא דְזוּזָא אִיסְתֵּירָא.

The Gemara answers: It was necessary for Rav Asi to teach: And any amount of money set by rabbinic law is in provincial coinage, as we did not learn that halakha in that mishna. As it is taught in a baraita: The Sages established that one who strikes another as an act of disrespect must give him one sela as a fine. And Rav Asi is teaching that one should not say: What is the meaning of one sela? It is a Tyrian sela worth four dinar. Rather, what is the meaning of one sela? This is the sela of provincial coinage, which is worth half a dinar, as people commonly call half a dinar by the name sela [isteira].

רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ אוֹמֵר: טַעְמַיְיהוּ דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי, כִּדְחִזְקִיָּה. דְּאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה: אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְהֶפְדָּהּ״ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁמְּגָרַעַת מִפִּדְיוֹנָהּ, וְיוֹצְאָה.

Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says a different explanation: The reasoning of Beit Shammai, that the minimum amount with which a woman can be betrothed is one dinar, is in accordance with the opinion of Ḥizkiyya. As Ḥizkiyya says that the verse states with regard to a Hebrew maidservant: “Then he shall let her be redeemed” (Exodus 21:8), which teaches that she can deduct an amount from the price of her redemption and leave before her time of slavery is complete. If she comes into possession of money, she can pay the master for her value, less the work she has performed. Beit Shammai derive the halakhot of regular betrothal from the case of a Hebrew maidservant, as explained below.

אִי אָמְרַתְּ בִּשְׁלָמָא דִּיהַב לַהּ דִּינָר – הַיְינוּ דִּמְגָרְעָה וְאָזְלָה עַד פְּרוּטָה, אֶלָּא אִי אָמְרַתְּ דִּיהַב לַהּ פְּרוּטָה, מִפְּרוּטָה מִי מְגָרְעָה? וְדִלְמָא הָכִי קָאָמַר רַחֲמָנָא: הֵיכָא דִּיהַב לַהּ דִּינָר – תְּיגָרַע עַד פְּרוּטָה, הֵיכָא דִּיהַב לַהּ פְּרוּטָה – לָא תְּיגָרַע כְּלָל!

Granted, if you say that when she was acquired he gave her at least one dinar, this is the meaning of the statement that she may continually deduct from that amount up to one peruta. But if you say that he gave her one peruta when he purchased her as a maidservant, can she deduct from one peruta? One peruta is already the smallest possible sum of money. The Gemara rejects this argument: But perhaps this is what the Merciful One is saying: In a case where he gave her one dinar, she deducts from that amount up to one peruta; in a case where he gave her one peruta she cannot deduct at all. If he paid one peruta for her, the option of redemption does not apply.

Today’s daily daf tools:

Delve Deeper

Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.

For the Beyond the Daf shiurim offered in Hebrew, see here.

New to Talmud?

Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you. 

The Hadran Women’s Tapestry

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

I began learning the daf in January 2022. I initially “flew under the radar,” sharing my journey with my husband and a few close friends. I was apprehensive – who, me? Gemara? Now, 2 years in, I feel changed. The rigor of a daily commitment frames my days. The intellectual engagement enhances my knowledge. And the virtual community of learners has become a new family, weaving a glorious tapestry.

Gitta Jaroslawicz-Neufeld
Gitta Jaroslawicz-Neufeld

Far Rockaway, United States

I started learning Talmud with R’ Haramati in Yeshivah of Flatbush. But after a respite of 60 years, Rabbanit Michelle lit my fire – after attending the last three world siyumim in Miami Beach, Meadowlands and Boca Raton, and now that I’m retired, I decided – “I can do this!” It has been an incredible journey so far, and I look forward to learning Daf everyday – Mazal Tov to everyone!

Roslyn Jaffe
Roslyn Jaffe

Florida, United States

I’ve been studying Talmud since the ’90s, and decided to take on Daf Yomi two years ago. I wanted to attempt the challenge of a day-to-day, very Jewish activity. Some days are so interesting and some days are so boring. But I’m still here.
Wendy Rozov
Wendy Rozov

Phoenix, AZ, United States

I had dreamed of doing daf yomi since I had my first serious Talmud class 18 years ago at Pardes with Rahel Berkovitz, and then a couple of summers with Leah Rosenthal. There is no way I would be able to do it without another wonderful teacher, Michelle, and the Hadran organization. I wake up and am excited to start each day with the next daf.

Beth Elster
Beth Elster

Irvine, 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)

Barbara-Goldschlag
Barbara Goldschlag

Silver Spring, MD, 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 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.

Krivosha_Terri_Bio
Terri Krivosha

Minneapolis, United States

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

Emma Rinberg
Emma Rinberg

Raanana, Israel

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

Debbie Engelen-Eigles
Debbie Engelen-Eigles

Minnesota, United States

As Jewish educator and as a woman, I’m mindful that Talmud has been kept from women for many centuries. Now that we are privileged to learn, and learning is so accessible, it’s my intent to complete Daf Yomi. I am so excited to keep learning with my Hadran community.

Sue Parker Gerson
Sue Parker Gerson

Denver, United States

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

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.
Deborah Hoffman-Wade
Deborah Hoffman-Wade

Richmond, CA, United States

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

Marian Frankston
Marian Frankston

Pennsylvania, United States

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

Shortly after the death of my father, David Malik z”l, I made the commitment to Daf Yomi. While riding to Ben Gurion airport in January, Siyum HaShas was playing on the radio; that was the nudge I needed to get started. The “everyday-ness” of the Daf has been a meaningful spiritual practice, especial after COVID began & I was temporarily unable to say Kaddish at daily in-person minyanim.

Lisa S. Malik
Lisa S. Malik

Wynnewood, United States

I began my Daf Yomi journey on January 5, 2020. I had never learned Talmud before. Initially it struck me as a bunch of inane and arcane details with mind bending logic. I am now smitten. Rabbanit Farber brings the page to life and I am eager to learn with her every day!

Lori Stark
Lori Stark

Highland Park, United States

When I started studying Hebrew at Brown University’s Hillel, I had no idea that almost 38 years later, I’m doing Daf Yomi. My Shabbat haburah is led by Rabbanit Leah Sarna. The women are a hoot. I’m tracking the completion of each tractate by reading Ilana Kurshan’s memoir, If All the Seas Were Ink.

Hannah Lee
Hannah Lee

Pennsylvania, United States

See video

Susan Fisher
Susan Fisher

Raanana, Israel

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.
Judi Felber
Judi Felber

Raanana, Israel

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

Shira Jacobowitz
Shira Jacobowitz

Jerusalem, Israel

Kiddushin 11

עַד שֶׁתִּכָּנֵס לַחוּפָּה, מִשּׁוּם דְּעוּלָּא.

until she enters the wedding canopy, due to the reason of Ulla, lest she feed her non-priestly family members the teruma that her husband has given her.

וּבֶן בַּג בַּג? סִימְפּוֹן, בַּעֲבָדִים לֵית לֵיהּ. אִי מוּמִין שֶׁבַּגָּלוּי הוּא – הָא קָא חָזֵי לֵיהּ. אִי מִשּׁוּם מוּמִין שֶׁבַּסֵּתֶר – מַאי נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִינֵּיהּ? לִמְלָאכָה קָא בָעֵי לֵיהּ לָא אִיכְפַּת לֵיהּ.

The Gemara asks: And ben Bag Bag, what does he say about this a fortiori inference? The Gemara answers that he maintains that this a fortiori inference is invalid because he does not accept that there can be a claim of simfon with regard to the acquisition of slaves. The reason is that if it is an exposed blemish that the master found on the slave, he saw the blemish and purchased him regardless. Therefore, he cannot later claim that the transaction was unfair. If it is due to hidden blemishes on his slave, what difference does that make to him? Why should it matter if a slave has hidden blemishes? He needs him only for labor, and he does not care if he has hidden blemishes that do not impair his ability to perform labor.

נִמְצָא גַּנָּב אוֹ קוּבְיוּסְטוּס – הִגִּיעוֹ. מַאי אָמְרַתְּ, לִסְטִים מְזוּיָּין אוֹ (נִכְתַּב) [מוּכְתָּב] לַמַּלְכוּת? הָנְהוּ קָלָא אִית לְהוּ!

And even if this slave is discovered to be a thief or a gambler [kuvyustus], which are considered hidden blemishes that affect his work, it has come to him, i.e., the slave is acquired by the one who purchased him and the transaction is non-refundable. The reason is that the buyer should have suspected behavior of this kind, which is common among slaves, and therefore he suffers the loss. What do you say? Perhaps he discovered that the slave is an armed bandit and subject to be killed by the government for this, or sentenced to death by the government for another reason, and is sought by the authorities. This is not a valid claim, since these matters generate publicity, and therefore he is assumed to have taken the risk into consideration.

מִכְּדִי, בֵּין לְמָר וּבֵין לְמָר לָא אָכְלָה, מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ?

The Gemara asks: Now, both according to the one Master, Yoḥanan ben Bag Bag, and according to the other Master, Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira, the daughter of a non-priest betrothed to a priest may not partake of teruma by rabbinic decree. What, then, is the difference between them?

אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ: קִיבֵּל, מָסַר, וְהָלַךְ.

The Gemara answers: The difference between them involves three cases. The Gemara elaborates: If the husband initially accepted her blemishes, there is no concern that an annulling factor might lead to the nullification of the betrothal, but there is still concern that she might feed teruma to the members of her family. If her father transferred her to the betrothed husband’s agents, or if the father’s agents walked with the husband’s messenger, and therefore she is no longer in her father’s house, there is no concern that she might feed her family members teruma, but it remains possible that the betrothal will be nullified.

בְּכֶסֶף, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים בְּדִינָר וְכו׳. מַאי טַעְמַיְיהוּ דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי? אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה מַקְפֶּדֶת עַל עַצְמָהּ, וְאֵין מִתְקַדֶּשֶׁת בְּפָחוֹת מִדִּינָר.

§ The Gemara returns to the halakhot of the mishna. The mishna teaches that if one betroths a woman with money, Beit Shammai say he must betroth her with at least one dinar, whereas according to the opinion of Beit Hillel even one peruta is sufficient. The Gemara asks: What is the reasoning of Beit Shammai? Rabbi Zeira says: Their reasoning is that a woman is particular about herself and considers it beneath her dignity to be acquired with a paltry sum, and therefore she will not agree to be betrothed with less than one dinar.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, כְּגוֹן בְּנָתֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יַנַּאי, דְּקָפְדָן אַנַּפְשַׁיְיהוּ, וְלָא מִקַּדְּשָׁן בְּפָחוֹת מִתַּרְקְבָא דְּדִינָרֵי, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּאִי פָּשְׁטָה יָדָהּ וְקִבְּלָה חַד זוּזָא מֵאַחֵר, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּלָא הָווּ קִדּוּשִׁין?

Abaye said to him: If that is so, with regard to Rabbi Yannai’s daughters, for example, who are very particular about themselves and their honor, and they will not agree to be betrothed with less than three kav of dinars due to their status, so too will you say that if she reaches out her hand and accepts one dinar from another man, so too, this is not a betrothal?

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: פָּשְׁטָה יָדָהּ וְקִבְּלָהּ לָא קָאָמֵינָא, כִּי קָאָמֵינָא, דְּקַדְּשַׁהּ בְּלֵילְיָא, אִי נָמֵי דְּשַׁוִּיָה שָׁלִיחַ.

Rabbi Zeira said to Abaye: I did not say that this halakha includes a case where she reached out her hand and accepted a betrothal. She has the right to willingly relinquish her dignity. When I said this halakha I was referring to a case where he betrothed her at night and she did not see what she was being given. Alternatively, where she appointed an agent to betroth her but did not explicitly tell him how much she wished to receive for her betrothal. In these cases it is assumed that she is particular about her honor and will not agree to be betrothed for less than one dinar.

רַב יוֹסֵף אָמַר: טַעְמַיְהוּ דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי כִּדְרַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל כֶּסֶף הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה – כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם – כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה.

Rav Yosef said a different explanation: The reasoning of Beit Shammai is in accordance with that which Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says. As Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every sum of money mentioned in the Torah is in Tyrian coinage, i.e., dinars from Tyre, which have a high value. And any amount of money set by rabbinic law is measured by provincial coinage. Local currency, i.e., that which existed at the time of the Sages of the Mishna, was worth about one-eighth of the value of Tyrian coinage. Beit Shammai follow the standard sum of the Torah, and the smallest possible amount in Tyrian currency is the silver coin, which is worth one dinar.

גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל כֶּסֶף הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה – כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם – כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה. וּכְלָלָא הוּא?

The Gemara discusses the matter itself. Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: Every sum of money mentioned in the Torah is Tyrian coinage, and any amount of money set by rabbinic law is measured by provincial coinage. The Gemara asks: And is it an established principle that any mention of money in the Torah is referring to a silver coin worth at least one dinar?

וַהֲרֵי טַעֲנָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי יִתֵּן אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ כֶּסֶף אוֹ כֵלִים לִשְׁמֹר״, וּתְנַן: שְׁבוּעַת הַדַּיָּינִין, הַטַּעֲנָה – שְׁתֵּי כֶּסֶף, וְהַהוֹדָאָה – שָׁוֶה פְרוּטָה.

But with regard to a claim that someone has not returned a deposit or loan, when the defendant admits that only part of the claim is true, it is written: “If a man deliver to his neighbor money or vessels to guard and it be stolen out of the man’s house” (Exodus 22:6). The following verses teach that if the thief is not found, the case is brought to a court, where the defendant must take an oath. 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?

הָתָם דּוּמְיָא דְּכֵלִים, 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, so too the vessels must be a significant item.

וַהֲרֵי מַעֲשֵׂר, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְצַרְתָּ הַכֶּסֶף בְּיָדְךָ״, וּתְנַן: הַפּוֹרֵט סֶלַע מִמְּעוֹת מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי! ״כֶּסֶף״ ״הַכֶּסֶף״ – רִיבָּה.

The Gemara asks: 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 it is not required to be in the form of silver coins. The Gemara explains that the verse does not say money, but “the money.” The addition of the article 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 פְרוּטָה – מְחוּלָּל! הָתָם נָמֵי, ״כֶּסֶף״ ״כֶּסֶף״ יָלֵיף מִמַּעֲשֵׂר.

The Gemara asks: 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 of the terms “money” mentioned here and “money” from tithes. Consequently, one may use any type of coin in this case as well.

וַהֲרֵי קִידּוּשֵׁי אִשָּׁה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי יִקַּח אִישׁ אִשָּׁה וּבְעָלָהּ״, וְגָמַר ״קִיחָה״ ״קִיחָה״ מִשְּׂדֵה עֶפְרוֹן, וּתְנַן: בֵּית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְרוּטָה וּבְשָׁוֶה פְרוּטָה. נֵימָא רַב אַסִּי דְּאָמַר כְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי?!

The Gemara asks: But there is the case of the betrothal of a woman, as it is written: “When a man takes a woman and engages in sexual intercourse with her” (Deuteronomy 24:1), and one derives betrothal through money by a verbal analogy of the term “taking” used here and “taking” from the case of the field of Ephron. And yet we learned in the mishna that 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?

אֶלָּא אִי אִיתְּמַר, הָכִי אִיתְּמַר: אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: כׇּל כֶּסֶף קָצוּב הָאָמוּר בַּתּוֹרָה – כֶּסֶף צוֹרִי, וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם – כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה.

Rather, the Gemara suggests an alternative explanation: 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, is referring to Tyrian coinage, and any amount of money set by rabbinic law is in provincial coinage.

מַאי קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן? תְּנֵינָא: חָמֵשׁ סְלָעִים שֶׁל בֵּן, שְׁלֹשִׁים שֶׁל עֶבֶד, חֲמִשִּׁים שֶׁל אוֹנֶס וְשֶׁל מְפַתֶּה, מֵאָה שֶׁל מוֹצִיא שֵׁם רַע – כּוּלָּם בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקּוֹדֶשׁ, בְּמָנֶה צוֹרִי!

The Gemara asks: If so, what is Rav Asi teaching us? We have already learned all of these halakhot explicitly (Bekhorot 49b): The payment of five sela for the redemption of a firstborn son (Numbers 18:16); the payment of thirty sela for a slave, paid by the owner of the ox that killed the slave (Exodus 21:32); the fifty sela paid by a rapist and by a seducer (Deuteronomy 22:29); the one hundred sela paid by a defamer (Deuteronomy 22:19); all of these are paid in the sacred shekel, which is one hundred dinars in Tyrian coinage. All of the cases in which a defined amount is mentioned by the Torah have already been taught, and it is unclear what Rav Asi adds.

״וְשֶׁל דִּבְרֵיהֶם כֶּסֶף מְדִינָה״ אִיצְטְרִיכָא לֵיהּ, דְּלָא תְּנַן. דְּתַנְיָא: הַתּוֹקֵעַ לַחֲבֵירוֹ – נוֹתֵן לוֹ סֶלַע. וְלָא תֵּימָא מַאי סֶלַע – אַרְבְּעָה זוּזֵי, אֶלָּא מַאי סֶלַע – פַּלְגָא דְזוּזָא, דַּעֲבִידִי אִינָשֵׁי דְּקָרוּ לְפַלְגָא דְזוּזָא אִיסְתֵּירָא.

The Gemara answers: It was necessary for Rav Asi to teach: And any amount of money set by rabbinic law is in provincial coinage, as we did not learn that halakha in that mishna. As it is taught in a baraita: The Sages established that one who strikes another as an act of disrespect must give him one sela as a fine. And Rav Asi is teaching that one should not say: What is the meaning of one sela? It is a Tyrian sela worth four dinar. Rather, what is the meaning of one sela? This is the sela of provincial coinage, which is worth half a dinar, as people commonly call half a dinar by the name sela [isteira].

רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ אוֹמֵר: טַעְמַיְיהוּ דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי, כִּדְחִזְקִיָּה. דְּאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה: אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְהֶפְדָּהּ״ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁמְּגָרַעַת מִפִּדְיוֹנָהּ, וְיוֹצְאָה.

Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says a different explanation: The reasoning of Beit Shammai, that the minimum amount with which a woman can be betrothed is one dinar, is in accordance with the opinion of Ḥizkiyya. As Ḥizkiyya says that the verse states with regard to a Hebrew maidservant: “Then he shall let her be redeemed” (Exodus 21:8), which teaches that she can deduct an amount from the price of her redemption and leave before her time of slavery is complete. If she comes into possession of money, she can pay the master for her value, less the work she has performed. Beit Shammai derive the halakhot of regular betrothal from the case of a Hebrew maidservant, as explained below.

אִי אָמְרַתְּ בִּשְׁלָמָא דִּיהַב לַהּ דִּינָר – הַיְינוּ דִּמְגָרְעָה וְאָזְלָה עַד פְּרוּטָה, אֶלָּא אִי אָמְרַתְּ דִּיהַב לַהּ פְּרוּטָה, מִפְּרוּטָה מִי מְגָרְעָה? וְדִלְמָא הָכִי קָאָמַר רַחֲמָנָא: הֵיכָא דִּיהַב לַהּ דִּינָר – תְּיגָרַע עַד פְּרוּטָה, הֵיכָא דִּיהַב לַהּ פְּרוּטָה – לָא תְּיגָרַע כְּלָל!

Granted, if you say that when she was acquired he gave her at least one dinar, this is the meaning of the statement that she may continually deduct from that amount up to one peruta. But if you say that he gave her one peruta when he purchased her as a maidservant, can she deduct from one peruta? One peruta is already the smallest possible sum of money. The Gemara rejects this argument: But perhaps this is what the Merciful One is saying: In a case where he gave her one dinar, she deducts from that amount up to one peruta; in a case where he gave her one peruta she cannot deduct at all. If he paid one peruta for her, the option of redemption does not apply.

Want to follow content and continue where you left off?

Create an account today to track your progress, mark what you’ve learned, and follow the shiurim that speak to you.

Clear all items from this list?

This will remove ALL the items in this section. You will lose any progress or history connected to them. This is irreversible.

Cancel
Yes, clear all

Are you sure you want to delete this item?

You will lose any progress or history connected to this item.

Cancel
Yes, delete