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Shabbat 13

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Summary

Today’s daf is sponsored by Karolyn Benger in memory of her father Bernhard Benger, Dov ben Tzvi z”l and by Rena Septee Goldstein and Mark Goldstein in memory of Moe Septee, Moshe Ben Elazar Shmuel z”l and by Irine Schweitzer in memory of her grandmother Hasya bat Rachel and by Sharona and Binyamin Aranoff in memory of their grandmother, Mollie Chideckell, Esther Malka bat Zeev Wolf z”l who inspired them with her dedication to Limud Torah. 

The gemara deals with the case of the chazan – what is permitted and what is forbidden for him to do? Why? The zav can’t eat with a zava at the same table lest they come to sin. What can we learn from the fact that they didn’t say a pure person can’t eat with an impure person? Can a nidda sleep with her husband in the same bed each fully clothed? The gemara brings several sources to try to answer this question. Is being fully clothed enough of a distinction to remind them? What is required for one to assume that people will remember or remind each other – whether it relates to eating milk and meat together or a couple having sexual relations together when the wife is a nidda? A woman whose husband died young tries to figure out why. Eliyahu asks her details and discovers that during her seven clean days they were more leninent regarding certain things and that must be why he was punished. The mishna talks about the day the rabbis sat in the attic of Chananiya ben Chizkiya and there were more people from Beit Shamai than Beit Hillel and they determined halachot like Beit Shamai and instituted 18 ordinances. The gemara tells us a few things about Chananya that he wrote Megilat Taanit and also resolved the contradictions in Yechezkel and saved the book from being “taken out.” The gemara starts to list some of the 18 ordinances, all relating to purity and impurity and items that can disqualify teruma.

Shabbat 13

מֵיתִיבִי: רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר, הַתִּינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן הָיוּ מְסַדְּרִין פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת וְקוֹרִין לְאוֹר הַנֵּר. אִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא — רָאשֵׁי פָּרָשִׁיּוֹתָיו, וְאִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא — שָׁאנֵי תִּינוֹקוֹת, הוֹאִיל וְאֵימַת רַבָּן עֲלֵיהֶן לָא אָתֵי לְאַצְלוֹיֵי.

The Gemara raises an objection from that which was taught in a Tosefta: Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: The schoolchildren would organize the sections and read the book by candlelight. Apparently, it is permitted to read by candlelight on Shabbat. The Gemara answers: If you wish, say that the Tosefta is only referring to the beginning of the sections. And if you wish, say instead that children are different in this regard. Since the fear of their teacher is upon them, they will not come to adjust the wick. Even on a weekday, fear of their teacher will prevent them from tending to the lamp during their study.

כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ לֹא יֹאכַל הַזָּב. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: בּוֹא וּרְאֵה עַד הֵיכָן פָּרְצָה טׇהֳרָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁלֹּא שָׁנִינוּ ״לֹא יֹאכַל הַטָּהוֹר עִם הַטְּמֵאָה״, אֶלָּא לֹא יֹאכַל הַזָּב עִם הַזָּבָה מִפְּנֵי הֶרְגֵּל עֲבֵירָה. כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ: לֹא יֹאכַל זָב פָּרוּשׁ עִם זָב עַם הָאָרֶץ, שֶׁמָּא יַרְגִּילֶנּוּ אֶצְלוֹ.

We learned in the mishna: Similar to this decree of Shabbat, the Sages issued a decree that the zav may not eat with his wife, the zava, even though they are both ritually impure, because by eating together they will come to excessive intimacy and become accustomed to sin. It was taught in a Tosefta that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Come and see to what extent ritual purity was widespread in Israel, as we did not learn: The ritually pure may not eat with the ritually impure woman; but rather, the zav may not eat with the zava, although they are both ritually impure, lest he become accustomed to sin. Needless to say, a pure and an impure person certainly would not eat together, as everyone was careful with regard to ritual purity. On a similar note, the Sages said: A zav who generally distances himself from ritual impurity, eats ritually pure food, and is careful about separating tithes, may not eat with a zav who is an am ha’aretz, who does not distance himself from ritual impurity and is not careful about separating tithes, due to the concern lest the am ha’aretz accustom him to frequently spend time with him, by means of a shared meal.

וְכִי מַרְגִּילוֹ אֶצְלוֹ מַאי הָוֵי? אֶלָּא אֵימָא: שֶׁמָּא יַאֲכִילֶנּוּ דְּבָרִים טְמֵאִין. אַטּוּ זָב פָּרוּשׁ לָאו דְּבָרִים טְמֵאִין אָכֵיל? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: גְּזֵירָה שֶׁמָּא יַאֲכִילֶנּוּ דְּבָרִים שֶׁאֵינָן מְתוּקָּנִין. וְרָבָא אָמַר: רוֹב עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ מְעַשְּׂרִין הֵן, אֶלָּא שֶׁמָּא יְהֵא רָגִיל אֶצְלוֹ וְיַאֲכִילֶנּוּ דְּבָרִים טְמֵאִין בִּימֵי טׇהֳרָתוֹ.

The Gemara wonders: And if he accustoms him to be with him, what of it, what is the problem? Rather, say: Lest he feed him impure items. The Gemara asks: Is that to say that the zav who generally distances himself from ritual impurity does not eat impure things? In his impure state, everything he touches automatically becomes impure, so why would he be concerned with regard to impure items? Abaye said: This prohibition is due to a decree issued by the Sages lest the am ha’aretz feed him food items that are not tithed. Rava said: He needn’t worry about items that are not tithed. Even if his friend was an am ha’aretz, there is a general principle in effect that most amei ha’aretz tithe their fruits. Rather, the Sages were concerned lest he become accustomed to spending time with the am ha’aretz even after the period of his impurity and he feed him impure items even during the days of his purity.

אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: נִדָּה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּישַׁן עִם בַּעֲלָהּ הִיא בְּבִגְדָהּ וְהוּא בְּבִגְדוֹ? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, תָּא שְׁמַע: הָעוֹף עוֹלֶה עִם הַגְּבִינָה עַל הַשֻּׁלְחָן וְאֵינוֹ נֶאֱכָל, דִּבְרֵי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי. בֵּית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: לֹא עוֹלֶה וְלֹא נֶאֱכָל. שָׁאנֵי הָתָם דְּלֵיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת.

An additional dilemma was raised before the Sages with regard to the requirement to distance oneself from prohibition and impurity: What is the halakha with regard to a menstruating woman? May she sleep with her husband in one bed while she is in her clothes and he is in his clothes? Rav Yosef said: Come and hear a resolution to this dilemma from what we learned in a mishna: The fowl is permitted to be placed together with the cheese on the table, although it may not be eaten with cheese. This is the statement of Beit Shammai. Beit Hillel say: The fowl is neither permitted to be placed together with the cheese on the table, nor may it be eaten with it. According to the opinion of Beit Hillel, which is the halakha, not only must one distance himself from the sin itself, but one must also make certain that items that are prohibited together are not placed together. The Gemara rejects this: There it is different as there are not several consciousnesses. When the fowl and the cheese are on one person’s table, he is liable to err and eat them both, as there is only one consciousness there, his. That is not the case when there are two people in one bed. In that case, there are two consciousnesses and there is no concern that they will both forget the prohibition.

הָכִי נָמֵי מִסְתַּבְּרָא דְּהֵיכָא דְּאִיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת שָׁאנֵי. דְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: שְׁנֵי אַכְסְנָיִים אוֹכְלִין עַל שֻׁלְחָן אֶחָד, זֶה אוֹכֵל בָּשָׂר וְזֶה אוֹכֵל גְּבִינָה, וְאֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין. וְלָאו אִתְּמַר עֲלַהּ אָמַר רַב חָנִין בַּר אַמֵּי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֲבָל מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה — אֲסוּרִים. וְהָנֵי נָמֵי, מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה נִינְהוּ. הָכִי הַשְׁתָּא?! הָתָם דֵּיעוֹת אִיכָּא, שִׁינּוּי לֵיכָּא. הָכָא אִיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת וְאִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי.

The Gemara adds: So too, it is reasonable to say that where there are two or more consciousnesses it is different, as it was taught in the latter clause of that mishna, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: Two guests in one house may eat on one table this one eating meat and this one eating cheese, and they need not be concerned. The Gemara rejects this: That is not a proof. Was it not said with regard to this halakha that Rabbi Ḥanin bar Ami said that Shmuel said: They only taught that the two of them may eat on one table when they are not familiar with each other; however, if they are familiar with each other it is prohibited for them to eat on one table, as there is room for concern that due to their familiarity they will share their food and come to sin. And, if so, these too, the husband and his wife, are familiar with each other. There is room for concern that they will not keep appropriate distance, and therefore they may not sleep together in one bed even if he is wearing his clothes and she is wearing her clothes. The Gemara rejects this: How can you compare these two cases? There, in the case of meat and milk, there are two consciousnesses; however, there is no noticeable change from the norm, as the meat and the cheese are on the table without any obvious indication to remind them not to mix the food items. While, here, in the case of the menstruating woman, there are two consciousnesses and there is also a noticeable change from the norm, as it is unusual for people to sleep in their clothes. The fact that they are both dressed constitutes a change.

אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: תָּא שְׁמַע, רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: שְׁנֵי אַכְסְנָיִים אוֹכְלִין עַל שֻׁלְחָן אֶחָד, זֶה בָּשָׂר וְזֶה גְּבִינָה. וְאִתְּמַר עֲלַהּ, אָמַר רַב חָנִין בַּר אַמֵּי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֲבָל מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה — אָסוּר. וְהָנֵי נָמֵי, מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה נִינְהוּ! הָתָם, דֵּיעוֹת אִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי לֵיכָּא. הָכָא, אִיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת וְאִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי.

Others cite the previous passage as proof for Rav Yosef’s opinion and then reject it and say: Come and hear, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: Two guests may eat on one table, this one eating meat and this one eating cheese. And it was stated with regard to this halakha that Rabbi Ḥanin bar Ami said that Shmuel said: They only taught that the two of them may eat on one table when they are not familiar with each other; however, if they are familiar with each other it is prohibited for them to eat on one table, as there is room for concern that due to their familiarity they will share their food and come to sin. And, if so, these too, the husband and his wife are familiar with each other. There is room for concern that they will not act with the appropriate separation, and therefore they cannot sleep together in one bed, even if he is wearing his clothes and she is wearing her clothes. The Gemara distinguishes between the cases: There, in the case of meat and cheese, although there are two consciousnesses, there is no noticeable change. The meat and the cheese are on the table with no obvious indication to remind them not to mix the food items. While here, in the case of the menstruating woman, there are two consciousnesses and there is also a noticeable change.

תָּא שְׁמַע: לֹא יֹאכַל הַזָּב עִם הַזָּבָה מִשּׁוּם הֶרְגֵּל עֲבֵירָה. הָכָא נָמֵי, דֵּיעוֹת אִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי לֵיכָּא.

Come and hear a resolution to the dilemma from what we learned in our mishna: The zav may not eat with the zava due to concern that excessive intimacy will lead them to become accustomed to sin. Even eating together is prohibited. The Gemara answers: Here, too, although there are two consciousnesses, there is no noticeable change.

תָּא שְׁמַע: ״אֶל הֶהָרִים לֹא אָכָל וְעֵינָיו לֹא נָשָׂא אֶל גִּלּוּלֵי בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת אֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ לֹא טִמֵּא וְאֶל אִשָּׁה נִדָּה לֹא יִקְרָב״. מַקִּישׁ אִשָּׁה נִדָּה לְאֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ: מָה אֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ הוּא בְּבִגְדוֹ וְהִיא בְּבִגְדָהּ — אָסוּר, אַף אִשְׁתּוֹ נִדָּה הוּא בְּבִגְדוֹ וְהִיא בְּבִגְדָהּ — אָסוּר. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

Come and hear a different resolution from that which was taught in a baraita: It is stated: “And he has not eaten upon the mountains, neither has he lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither has he defiled his neighbor’s wife, neither has he come near to a woman in her impurity” (Ezekiel 18:6). This verse juxtaposes a menstruating woman to his neighbor’s wife. Just as lying together with his neighbor’s wife, even when he is in his clothes and she is in her clothes, is prohibited, so too, lying with his wife when she is menstruating, even when he is in his clothes and she is in her clothes, is prohibited.

וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַבִּי פְּדָת: דְּאָמַר רַבִּי פְּדָת לֹא אָסְרָה תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא קוּרְבָה שֶׁל גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת בִּלְבַד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִישׁ אִישׁ אֶל כׇּל שְׁאֵר בְּשָׂרוֹ לֹא תִקְרְבוּ לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוָה״.

The Gemara comments: And this conclusion disagrees with the opinion of Rabbi Pedat, as Rabbi Pedat said: The Torah only prohibited intimacy that involves engaging in prohibited sexual relations, as it is stated: “None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness” (Leviticus 18:6). The prohibition of intimacy in the Torah applies exclusively to relations, and all other kinds of intimacy that do not include actual relations are not included in the prohibition. When there is separation, they did not issue a decree.

עוּלָּא כִּי הָוֵי אָתֵי מִבֵּי רַב הֲוָה מְנַשֵּׁק לְהוּ לְאַחְווֹתֵיהּ אַבֵּי חָדַיְיהוּ, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ אַבֵּי יְדַיְיהוּ. וּפְלִיגָא דִידֵיהּ אַדִּידֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר עוּלָּא: אֲפִילּוּ שׁוּם קוּרְבָה אָסוּר, מִשּׁוּם ״לָךְ לָךְ אָמְרִי נְזִירָא סְחוֹר סְחוֹר, לְכַרְמָא לָא תִּקְרַב״.

The Gemara relates that Ulla, when he would come from the house of his teacher, would kiss his sisters on their chests. And some say: On their hands. Ulla was not concerned about violating the prohibition of displaying affection toward a relative forbidden to him, as his intention was not to have relations with them. The Gemara adds that his action was in contradiction to a saying of his, as Ulla said: Even any intimacy is prohibited with a woman with whom he is forbidden to engage in sexual relations due to the reason formulated as an adage: Go around, go around, and do not approach the vineyard, they say to the nazirite. They advise the nazirite, who is forbidden to consume any product of a vine, that he should not even approach the vineyard. The same is true with regard to the prohibition of forbidden relations. According to Ulla, one must distance himself from them to whatever degree possible.

תָּנֵי דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּתַלְמִיד אֶחָד שֶׁשָּׁנָה הַרְבֵּה, וְקָרָא הַרְבֵּה, וְשִׁימֵּשׁ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הַרְבֵּה, וּמֵת בַּחֲצִי יָמָיו. וְהָיְתָה אִשְׁתּוֹ נוֹטֶלֶת תְּפִילָּיו וּמְחַזַּרְתָּם בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת, וְאָמְרָה לָהֶם: כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה ״כִּי הוּא חַיֶּיךָ וְאוֹרֶךְ יָמֶיךָ״, בַּעֲלִי שֶׁשָּׁנָה הַרְבֵּה וְקָרָא הַרְבֵּה

The Sage in the school of Eliyahu taught a baraita that deals with this halakha: There was an incident involving one student who studied much Mishna and read much Bible, and served Torah scholars extensively, studying Torah from them, and, nevertheless, died at half his days, half his life expectancy. His wife in her bitterness would take his phylacteries and go around with them to synagogues and study halls, and she said to the Sages: It is written in the Torah: “For it is your life and the length of your days” (Deuteronomy 30:20). If so, my husband who studied much Mishna, and read much Bible,

וְשִׁימֵּשׁ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הַרְבֵּה, מִפְּנֵי מָה מֵת בַּחֲצִי יָמָיו? וְלֹא הָיָה אָדָם מַחְזִירָהּ דָּבָר. פַּעַם אַחַת נִתְאָרַחְתִּי אֶצְלָהּ וְהָיְתָה מְסִיחָה כׇּל אוֹתוֹ מְאוֹרָע. וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהּ: בִּתִּי, בִּימֵי נִדּוּתֵךְ מַה הוּא אֶצְלֵךְ? אָמְרָה לִי: חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אֲפִילּוּ בְּאֶצְבַּע קְטַנָּה לֹא נָגַע [בִּי]. בִּימֵי לִבּוּנִיךָ מַהוּ אֶצְלֵךְ? אָכַל עִמִּי וְשָׁתָה עִמִּי וְיָשַׁן עִמִּי בְּקֵירוּב בָּשָׂר, וְלֹא עָלְתָה דַּעְתּוֹ עַל דָּבָר אַחֵר. וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהּ: בָּרוּךְ הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁהֲרָגוֹ, שֶׁלֹּא נָשָׂא פָּנִים לַתּוֹרָה. שֶׁהֲרֵי אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: ״וְאֶל אִשָּׁה בְּנִדַּת טוּמְאָתָהּ לֹא תִקְרַב״. כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי, אָמַר: מִטָּה חֲדָא הֲוַאי. בְּמַעְרְבָא אָמְרִי: אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵף, סִינָר מַפְסִיק בֵּינוֹ לְבֵינָהּ.

and served Torah scholars extensively, why did he die at half his days? Where is the length of days promised him in the verse? No one would respond to her astonishment at all. Eliyahu said: One time I was a guest in her house, and she was relating that entire event with regard to the death of her husband. And I said to her: My daughter, during the period of your menstruation, how did he act toward you? She said to me: Heaven forbid, he did not touch me even with his little finger. And I asked her: In the days of your white garments, after the menstrual flow ended, and you were just counting clean days, how did he act toward you then? She said to me: He ate with me, and drank with me, and slept with me with bodily contact and, however, it did not enter his mind about something else, i.e., conjugal relations. And I said to her: Blessed is the Omnipresent who killed him for this sin, as your husband did not show respect to the Torah. The Torah said: “And to a woman in the separation of her impurity you should not approach” (Leviticus 18:19), even mere affectionate contact is prohibited. The Gemara relates that when Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: That student did not actually sleep with her with bodily contact; rather, it was in one bed that they slept without contact. In the West, in Eretz Yisrael, they say that Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef said: When they would sleep together in one bed, she wore a belt [sinar] from the waist down that would separate between him and her. Nevertheless, since the matter is prohibited, that student was punished.

מַתְנִי׳ וְאֵלּוּ מִן הַהֲלָכוֹת שֶׁאָמְרוּ בַּעֲלִיַּית חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה בֶּן גָּרוֹן. שֶׁעָלוּ לְבַקְּרוֹ, נִמְנוּ, וְרַבּוּ בֵּית שַׁמַּאי עַל בֵּית הִלֵּל. וּשְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר דְּבָרִים גָּזְרוּ בּוֹ בַּיּוֹם.

MISHNA: And these are among the halakhot that the Sages, who went up to visit him, said in the upper story of Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon. The precise nature of these halakhot will be explained in the Gemara. These halakhot are considered one unit because they share a distinctive element. Since many Sages were there, among them most of the generation’s Torah scholars in Eretz Yisrael, they engaged in discussion of various halakhot of the Torah. It turned out that when the people expressing opinions were counted, the students of Beit Shammai outnumbered the students of Beit Hillel, and they issued decrees with regard to eighteen matters on that day in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai.

גְּמָ׳ אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב יוֹסֵף: ״אֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, אוֹ ״וְאֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן? ״וְאֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, הָנֵי דַּאֲמַרַן. אוֹ ״אֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, דְּבָעֵינַן לְמֵימַר קַמַּן? תָּא שְׁמַע: אֵין פּוֹלִין לְאוֹר הַנֵּר וְאֵין קוֹרִין לְאוֹר הַנֵּר, וְאֵלּוּ מִן הַהֲלָכוֹת שֶׁאָמְרוּ בַּעֲלִיַּית חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה בֶּן גָּרוֹן. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: ״וְאֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

GEMARA: With regard to the language that introduces our mishna, Abaye said to Rav Yosef: Did we learn in our mishna: These are among the halakhot, or did we learn in our mishna: And these are among the halakhot? The difference is significant. Did we learn: And these, and if so, the reference would be to those that we said earlier, i.e., that those halakhot are included in the decrees? Or did we learn: These, and if so the reference would be to those that we seek to mention below? Come and hear a solution to this dilemma from the fact that these matters were taught together in a baraita: One may not shake garments to rid them of lice by the light of the lamp and one may not read by the light of the lamp; and these are among the halakhot that the Sages said in the attic of Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon. Conclude from this that we learned: And these in the mishna, and the reference is to the decrees mentioned earlier.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מִי כָּתַב מְגִילַּת תַּעֲנִית? — אָמְרוּ, חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה וְסִיעָתוֹ שֶׁהָיוּ מְחַבְּבִין אֶת הַצָּרוֹת.

The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to Megillat Ta’anit, which is a list of days of redemption that were established as celebrations for generations: Who wrote Megillat Ta’anit? This scroll was written by Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon and his faction, who held dear the memory of the troubles that befell Israel and their salvation from them.

אָמַר רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אַף אָנוּ מְחַבְּבִין אֶת הַצָּרוֹת, אֲבָל מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁאִם בָּאנוּ לִכְתּוֹב אֵין אָנוּ מַסְפִּיקִין.

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said: We also hold dear the memory of the troubles from which Israel was saved, but what can we do? If we came to write all the days of that kind, we would not manage to do so, as the troubles that Israel experienced in every generation and era are numerous, and on each day there is an event worthy of commemoration.

דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֵין שׁוֹטֶה נִפְגָּע.

Alternatively: Why do we not record the days of salvation from troubles? Just as a crazy person is not hurt, as he is not aware of the troubles that befall him, so too, we cannot appreciate the magnitude of the calamities that befall us.

דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֵין בְּשַׂר הַמֵּת מַרְגִּישׁ בָּאִיזְמֵל. אִינִי?! וְהָאָמַר רַב יִצְחָק: קָשָׁה רִימָּה לַמֵּת כְּמַחַט בַּבָּשָׂר הַחַי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַךְ בְּשָׂרוֹ עָלָיו יִכְאָב וְנַפְשׁוֹ עָלָיו תֶּאֱבָל״! אֵימָא: אֵין בָּשָׂר הַמֵּת שֶׁבַּחַי מַרְגִּישׁ בָּאִיזְמֵל.

Alternatively: The flesh of a dead person does not feel the scalpel [izemel] cutting into him, and we, too, are in such a difficult situation that we no longer feel the pains and troubles. With regard to the last analogy, the Gemara asks: Is that so? Didn’t Rav Yitzḥak say: The gnawing of maggots is as excruciating to the dead as the stab of a needle is to the flesh of the living, as it is stated with regard to the dead: “But his flesh shall hurt him, and his soul mourns over him” (Job 14:22)? Rather, say and explain the matter: The dead flesh in parts of the body of the living person that are insensitive to pain does not feel the scalpel that cuts him.

אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בְּרַם זָכוּר אוֹתוֹ הָאִישׁ לַטּוֹב וַחֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא הוּא נִגְנַז סֵפֶר יְחֶזְקֵאל, שֶׁהָיוּ דְּבָרָיו סוֹתְרִין דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה. מֶה עָשָׂה? — הֶעֱלוּ לוֹ שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת גַּרְבֵי שֶׁמֶן, וְיָשַׁב בַּעֲלִיָּיה וּדְרָשָׁן.

Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: Truly, that man is remembered for the good, and his name is Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya, as if not for him, the book of Ezekiel would have been suppressed because its contents, in many details, contradict matters of Torah. The Sages sought to suppress the book and exclude it from the canon. What did he, Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya, do? They brought him three hundred jugs of oil, for light and food, up to his upper story, and he sat isolated in the upper story and did not move from there until he homiletically interpreted all of those verses in the book of Ezekiel that seemed contradictory, and resolved the contradictions.

וּשְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר גָּזְרוּ. מַאי נִינְהוּ שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר? דִּתְנַן, אֵלּוּ פּוֹסְלִין אֶת הַתְּרוּמָה: הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן, וְהָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי, וְהַשּׁוֹתֶה מַשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין, וְהַבָּא רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ בְּמַיִם שְׁאוּבִין, וְטָהוֹר שֶׁנָּפְלוּ עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה לוּגִּין מַיִם שְׁאוּבִין, וְהַסֵּפֶר, וְהַיָּדַיִם, וְהַטְּבוּל יוֹם, וְהָאוֹכָלִים וְהַכֵּלִים שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין.

We learned in the mishna that when the Sages went up to the upper story of the house of Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon, they were counted and issued eighteen decrees in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai. The Gemara asks: What are those eighteen matters? The Gemara answers: As we learned in a mishna, a list of the decrees that the Sages issued with regard to items whose level of impurity is such that if they come into contact with teruma they disqualify it. By means of that contact, the teruma itself becomes impure, but it does not transmit impurity to other items. These disqualify teruma: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status acquired as a result of contact with a primary source of ritual impurity, e.g., a creeping animal; and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status acquired as a result of contact with an item with first degree ritual impurity status; and one who drinks impure liquids of any degree of impurity; and one whose head and most of his body come into drawn water after he immersed himself in a ritual bath to purify himself; and a ritually pure person that three log of drawn water fell on his head and most of his body; and a Torah scroll; and the hands of any person who did not purify himself for the purpose of handling teruma; and one who immersed himself during the day, i.e., one who was impure and immersed himself, and until evening he is not considered completely pure; and foods and vessels that became impure by coming into contact with impure liquids. Contact with any of these disqualifies the teruma. The Gemara seeks to clarify these matters.

מַאן תְּנָא הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן וְהָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — מִפְסָל פָּסְלִי, טַמּוֹיֵי

The Gemara asks first: Who is the tanna who holds that one who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status, and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status, disqualify the teruma, but

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Inspired by Hadran’s first Siyum ha Shas L’Nashim two years ago, I began daf yomi right after for the next cycle. As to this extraordinary journey together with Hadran..as TS Eliot wrote “We must not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.

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Susan Handelman

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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.
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Sarene Shanus

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I began my journey with Rabbanit Michelle more than five years ago. My friend came up with a great idea for about 15 of us to learn the daf and one of us would summarize weekly what we learned.
It was fun but after 2-3 months people began to leave. I have continued. Since the cycle began Again I have joined the Teaneck women.. I find it most rewarding in so many ways. Thank you

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Dena Heller

New Jersey, United States

Retirement and Covid converged to provide me with the opportunity to commit to daily Talmud study in October 2020. I dove into the middle of Eruvin and continued to navigate Seder Moed, with Rabannit Michelle as my guide. I have developed more confidence in my learning as I completed each masechet and look forward to completing the Daf Yomi cycle so that I can begin again!

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Rhona Fink

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I started learning at the start of this cycle, and quickly fell in love. It has become such an important part of my day, enriching every part of my life.

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Naomi Niederhoffer

Toronto, Canada

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.

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Sue Parker Gerson

Denver, United States

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

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Julie Landau

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

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Caroline Levison

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I started learning after the siyum hashas for women and my daily learning has been a constant over the last two years. It grounded me during the chaos of Corona while providing me with a community of fellow learners. The Daf can be challenging but it’s filled with life’s lessons, struggles and hope for a better world. It’s not about the destination but rather about the journey. Thank you Hadran!

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Dena Lehrman

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Hadran entered my life after the last Siyum Hashaas, January 2020. I was inspired and challenged simultaneously, having never thought of learning Gemara. With my family’s encouragement, I googled “daf yomi for women”. A perfecr fit!
I especially enjoy when Rabbanit Michelle connects the daf to contemporary issues to share at the shabbat table e.g: looking at the Kohen during duchaning. Toda rabba

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Marsha Wasserman

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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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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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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.

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It’s hard to believe it has been over two years. Daf yomi has changed my life in so many ways and has been sustaining during this global sea change. Each day means learning something new, digging a little deeper, adding another lens, seeing worlds with new eyes. Daf has also fostered new friendships and deepened childhood connections, as long time friends have unexpectedly become havruta.

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I heard the new Daf Yomi cycle was starting and I was curious, so I searched online for a women’s class and was pleasently surprised to find Rabanit Michelle’s great class reviews in many online articles. It has been a splendid journey. It is a way to fill my days with Torah, learning so many amazing things I have never heard before during my Tanach learning at High School. Thanks so much .

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Robin Zeiger

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When I began learning Daf Yomi at the beginning of the current cycle, I was preparing for an upcoming surgery and thought that learning the Daf would be something positive I could do each day during my recovery, even if I accomplished nothing else. I had no idea what a lifeline learning the Daf would turn out to be in so many ways.

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

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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!

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Beth Kissileff

Pittsburgh, United States

A few years back, after reading Ilana Kurshan’s book, “If All The Seas Were Ink,” I began pondering the crazy, outlandish idea of beginning the Daf Yomi cycle. Beginning in December, 2019, a month before the previous cycle ended, I “auditioned” 30 different podcasts in 30 days, and ultimately chose to take the plunge with Hadran and Rabbanit Michelle. Such joy!

Cindy Dolgin
Cindy Dolgin

HUNTINGTON, United States

Shabbat 13

מֵיתִיבִי: רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר, הַתִּינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן הָיוּ מְסַדְּרִין פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת וְקוֹרִין לְאוֹר הַנֵּר. אִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא — רָאשֵׁי פָּרָשִׁיּוֹתָיו, וְאִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא — שָׁאנֵי תִּינוֹקוֹת, הוֹאִיל וְאֵימַת רַבָּן עֲלֵיהֶן לָא אָתֵי לְאַצְלוֹיֵי.

The Gemara raises an objection from that which was taught in a Tosefta: Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: The schoolchildren would organize the sections and read the book by candlelight. Apparently, it is permitted to read by candlelight on Shabbat. The Gemara answers: If you wish, say that the Tosefta is only referring to the beginning of the sections. And if you wish, say instead that children are different in this regard. Since the fear of their teacher is upon them, they will not come to adjust the wick. Even on a weekday, fear of their teacher will prevent them from tending to the lamp during their study.

כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ לֹא יֹאכַל הַזָּב. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: בּוֹא וּרְאֵה עַד הֵיכָן פָּרְצָה טׇהֳרָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁלֹּא שָׁנִינוּ ״לֹא יֹאכַל הַטָּהוֹר עִם הַטְּמֵאָה״, אֶלָּא לֹא יֹאכַל הַזָּב עִם הַזָּבָה מִפְּנֵי הֶרְגֵּל עֲבֵירָה. כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ: לֹא יֹאכַל זָב פָּרוּשׁ עִם זָב עַם הָאָרֶץ, שֶׁמָּא יַרְגִּילֶנּוּ אֶצְלוֹ.

We learned in the mishna: Similar to this decree of Shabbat, the Sages issued a decree that the zav may not eat with his wife, the zava, even though they are both ritually impure, because by eating together they will come to excessive intimacy and become accustomed to sin. It was taught in a Tosefta that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Come and see to what extent ritual purity was widespread in Israel, as we did not learn: The ritually pure may not eat with the ritually impure woman; but rather, the zav may not eat with the zava, although they are both ritually impure, lest he become accustomed to sin. Needless to say, a pure and an impure person certainly would not eat together, as everyone was careful with regard to ritual purity. On a similar note, the Sages said: A zav who generally distances himself from ritual impurity, eats ritually pure food, and is careful about separating tithes, may not eat with a zav who is an am ha’aretz, who does not distance himself from ritual impurity and is not careful about separating tithes, due to the concern lest the am ha’aretz accustom him to frequently spend time with him, by means of a shared meal.

וְכִי מַרְגִּילוֹ אֶצְלוֹ מַאי הָוֵי? אֶלָּא אֵימָא: שֶׁמָּא יַאֲכִילֶנּוּ דְּבָרִים טְמֵאִין. אַטּוּ זָב פָּרוּשׁ לָאו דְּבָרִים טְמֵאִין אָכֵיל? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: גְּזֵירָה שֶׁמָּא יַאֲכִילֶנּוּ דְּבָרִים שֶׁאֵינָן מְתוּקָּנִין. וְרָבָא אָמַר: רוֹב עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ מְעַשְּׂרִין הֵן, אֶלָּא שֶׁמָּא יְהֵא רָגִיל אֶצְלוֹ וְיַאֲכִילֶנּוּ דְּבָרִים טְמֵאִין בִּימֵי טׇהֳרָתוֹ.

The Gemara wonders: And if he accustoms him to be with him, what of it, what is the problem? Rather, say: Lest he feed him impure items. The Gemara asks: Is that to say that the zav who generally distances himself from ritual impurity does not eat impure things? In his impure state, everything he touches automatically becomes impure, so why would he be concerned with regard to impure items? Abaye said: This prohibition is due to a decree issued by the Sages lest the am ha’aretz feed him food items that are not tithed. Rava said: He needn’t worry about items that are not tithed. Even if his friend was an am ha’aretz, there is a general principle in effect that most amei ha’aretz tithe their fruits. Rather, the Sages were concerned lest he become accustomed to spending time with the am ha’aretz even after the period of his impurity and he feed him impure items even during the days of his purity.

אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: נִדָּה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּישַׁן עִם בַּעֲלָהּ הִיא בְּבִגְדָהּ וְהוּא בְּבִגְדוֹ? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, תָּא שְׁמַע: הָעוֹף עוֹלֶה עִם הַגְּבִינָה עַל הַשֻּׁלְחָן וְאֵינוֹ נֶאֱכָל, דִּבְרֵי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי. בֵּית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: לֹא עוֹלֶה וְלֹא נֶאֱכָל. שָׁאנֵי הָתָם דְּלֵיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת.

An additional dilemma was raised before the Sages with regard to the requirement to distance oneself from prohibition and impurity: What is the halakha with regard to a menstruating woman? May she sleep with her husband in one bed while she is in her clothes and he is in his clothes? Rav Yosef said: Come and hear a resolution to this dilemma from what we learned in a mishna: The fowl is permitted to be placed together with the cheese on the table, although it may not be eaten with cheese. This is the statement of Beit Shammai. Beit Hillel say: The fowl is neither permitted to be placed together with the cheese on the table, nor may it be eaten with it. According to the opinion of Beit Hillel, which is the halakha, not only must one distance himself from the sin itself, but one must also make certain that items that are prohibited together are not placed together. The Gemara rejects this: There it is different as there are not several consciousnesses. When the fowl and the cheese are on one person’s table, he is liable to err and eat them both, as there is only one consciousness there, his. That is not the case when there are two people in one bed. In that case, there are two consciousnesses and there is no concern that they will both forget the prohibition.

הָכִי נָמֵי מִסְתַּבְּרָא דְּהֵיכָא דְּאִיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת שָׁאנֵי. דְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: שְׁנֵי אַכְסְנָיִים אוֹכְלִין עַל שֻׁלְחָן אֶחָד, זֶה אוֹכֵל בָּשָׂר וְזֶה אוֹכֵל גְּבִינָה, וְאֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין. וְלָאו אִתְּמַר עֲלַהּ אָמַר רַב חָנִין בַּר אַמֵּי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֲבָל מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה — אֲסוּרִים. וְהָנֵי נָמֵי, מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה נִינְהוּ. הָכִי הַשְׁתָּא?! הָתָם דֵּיעוֹת אִיכָּא, שִׁינּוּי לֵיכָּא. הָכָא אִיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת וְאִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי.

The Gemara adds: So too, it is reasonable to say that where there are two or more consciousnesses it is different, as it was taught in the latter clause of that mishna, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: Two guests in one house may eat on one table this one eating meat and this one eating cheese, and they need not be concerned. The Gemara rejects this: That is not a proof. Was it not said with regard to this halakha that Rabbi Ḥanin bar Ami said that Shmuel said: They only taught that the two of them may eat on one table when they are not familiar with each other; however, if they are familiar with each other it is prohibited for them to eat on one table, as there is room for concern that due to their familiarity they will share their food and come to sin. And, if so, these too, the husband and his wife, are familiar with each other. There is room for concern that they will not keep appropriate distance, and therefore they may not sleep together in one bed even if he is wearing his clothes and she is wearing her clothes. The Gemara rejects this: How can you compare these two cases? There, in the case of meat and milk, there are two consciousnesses; however, there is no noticeable change from the norm, as the meat and the cheese are on the table without any obvious indication to remind them not to mix the food items. While, here, in the case of the menstruating woman, there are two consciousnesses and there is also a noticeable change from the norm, as it is unusual for people to sleep in their clothes. The fact that they are both dressed constitutes a change.

אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: תָּא שְׁמַע, רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: שְׁנֵי אַכְסְנָיִים אוֹכְלִין עַל שֻׁלְחָן אֶחָד, זֶה בָּשָׂר וְזֶה גְּבִינָה. וְאִתְּמַר עֲלַהּ, אָמַר רַב חָנִין בַּר אַמֵּי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֲבָל מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה — אָסוּר. וְהָנֵי נָמֵי, מַכִּירִין זֶה אֶת זֶה נִינְהוּ! הָתָם, דֵּיעוֹת אִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי לֵיכָּא. הָכָא, אִיכָּא דֵּיעוֹת וְאִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי.

Others cite the previous passage as proof for Rav Yosef’s opinion and then reject it and say: Come and hear, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: Two guests may eat on one table, this one eating meat and this one eating cheese. And it was stated with regard to this halakha that Rabbi Ḥanin bar Ami said that Shmuel said: They only taught that the two of them may eat on one table when they are not familiar with each other; however, if they are familiar with each other it is prohibited for them to eat on one table, as there is room for concern that due to their familiarity they will share their food and come to sin. And, if so, these too, the husband and his wife are familiar with each other. There is room for concern that they will not act with the appropriate separation, and therefore they cannot sleep together in one bed, even if he is wearing his clothes and she is wearing her clothes. The Gemara distinguishes between the cases: There, in the case of meat and cheese, although there are two consciousnesses, there is no noticeable change. The meat and the cheese are on the table with no obvious indication to remind them not to mix the food items. While here, in the case of the menstruating woman, there are two consciousnesses and there is also a noticeable change.

תָּא שְׁמַע: לֹא יֹאכַל הַזָּב עִם הַזָּבָה מִשּׁוּם הֶרְגֵּל עֲבֵירָה. הָכָא נָמֵי, דֵּיעוֹת אִיכָּא שִׁינּוּי לֵיכָּא.

Come and hear a resolution to the dilemma from what we learned in our mishna: The zav may not eat with the zava due to concern that excessive intimacy will lead them to become accustomed to sin. Even eating together is prohibited. The Gemara answers: Here, too, although there are two consciousnesses, there is no noticeable change.

תָּא שְׁמַע: ״אֶל הֶהָרִים לֹא אָכָל וְעֵינָיו לֹא נָשָׂא אֶל גִּלּוּלֵי בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת אֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ לֹא טִמֵּא וְאֶל אִשָּׁה נִדָּה לֹא יִקְרָב״. מַקִּישׁ אִשָּׁה נִדָּה לְאֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ: מָה אֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ הוּא בְּבִגְדוֹ וְהִיא בְּבִגְדָהּ — אָסוּר, אַף אִשְׁתּוֹ נִדָּה הוּא בְּבִגְדוֹ וְהִיא בְּבִגְדָהּ — אָסוּר. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

Come and hear a different resolution from that which was taught in a baraita: It is stated: “And he has not eaten upon the mountains, neither has he lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither has he defiled his neighbor’s wife, neither has he come near to a woman in her impurity” (Ezekiel 18:6). This verse juxtaposes a menstruating woman to his neighbor’s wife. Just as lying together with his neighbor’s wife, even when he is in his clothes and she is in her clothes, is prohibited, so too, lying with his wife when she is menstruating, even when he is in his clothes and she is in her clothes, is prohibited.

וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַבִּי פְּדָת: דְּאָמַר רַבִּי פְּדָת לֹא אָסְרָה תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא קוּרְבָה שֶׁל גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת בִּלְבַד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִישׁ אִישׁ אֶל כׇּל שְׁאֵר בְּשָׂרוֹ לֹא תִקְרְבוּ לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוָה״.

The Gemara comments: And this conclusion disagrees with the opinion of Rabbi Pedat, as Rabbi Pedat said: The Torah only prohibited intimacy that involves engaging in prohibited sexual relations, as it is stated: “None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness” (Leviticus 18:6). The prohibition of intimacy in the Torah applies exclusively to relations, and all other kinds of intimacy that do not include actual relations are not included in the prohibition. When there is separation, they did not issue a decree.

עוּלָּא כִּי הָוֵי אָתֵי מִבֵּי רַב הֲוָה מְנַשֵּׁק לְהוּ לְאַחְווֹתֵיהּ אַבֵּי חָדַיְיהוּ, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ אַבֵּי יְדַיְיהוּ. וּפְלִיגָא דִידֵיהּ אַדִּידֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר עוּלָּא: אֲפִילּוּ שׁוּם קוּרְבָה אָסוּר, מִשּׁוּם ״לָךְ לָךְ אָמְרִי נְזִירָא סְחוֹר סְחוֹר, לְכַרְמָא לָא תִּקְרַב״.

The Gemara relates that Ulla, when he would come from the house of his teacher, would kiss his sisters on their chests. And some say: On their hands. Ulla was not concerned about violating the prohibition of displaying affection toward a relative forbidden to him, as his intention was not to have relations with them. The Gemara adds that his action was in contradiction to a saying of his, as Ulla said: Even any intimacy is prohibited with a woman with whom he is forbidden to engage in sexual relations due to the reason formulated as an adage: Go around, go around, and do not approach the vineyard, they say to the nazirite. They advise the nazirite, who is forbidden to consume any product of a vine, that he should not even approach the vineyard. The same is true with regard to the prohibition of forbidden relations. According to Ulla, one must distance himself from them to whatever degree possible.

תָּנֵי דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּתַלְמִיד אֶחָד שֶׁשָּׁנָה הַרְבֵּה, וְקָרָא הַרְבֵּה, וְשִׁימֵּשׁ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הַרְבֵּה, וּמֵת בַּחֲצִי יָמָיו. וְהָיְתָה אִשְׁתּוֹ נוֹטֶלֶת תְּפִילָּיו וּמְחַזַּרְתָּם בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת, וְאָמְרָה לָהֶם: כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה ״כִּי הוּא חַיֶּיךָ וְאוֹרֶךְ יָמֶיךָ״, בַּעֲלִי שֶׁשָּׁנָה הַרְבֵּה וְקָרָא הַרְבֵּה

The Sage in the school of Eliyahu taught a baraita that deals with this halakha: There was an incident involving one student who studied much Mishna and read much Bible, and served Torah scholars extensively, studying Torah from them, and, nevertheless, died at half his days, half his life expectancy. His wife in her bitterness would take his phylacteries and go around with them to synagogues and study halls, and she said to the Sages: It is written in the Torah: “For it is your life and the length of your days” (Deuteronomy 30:20). If so, my husband who studied much Mishna, and read much Bible,

וְשִׁימֵּשׁ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הַרְבֵּה, מִפְּנֵי מָה מֵת בַּחֲצִי יָמָיו? וְלֹא הָיָה אָדָם מַחְזִירָהּ דָּבָר. פַּעַם אַחַת נִתְאָרַחְתִּי אֶצְלָהּ וְהָיְתָה מְסִיחָה כׇּל אוֹתוֹ מְאוֹרָע. וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהּ: בִּתִּי, בִּימֵי נִדּוּתֵךְ מַה הוּא אֶצְלֵךְ? אָמְרָה לִי: חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אֲפִילּוּ בְּאֶצְבַּע קְטַנָּה לֹא נָגַע [בִּי]. בִּימֵי לִבּוּנִיךָ מַהוּ אֶצְלֵךְ? אָכַל עִמִּי וְשָׁתָה עִמִּי וְיָשַׁן עִמִּי בְּקֵירוּב בָּשָׂר, וְלֹא עָלְתָה דַּעְתּוֹ עַל דָּבָר אַחֵר. וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהּ: בָּרוּךְ הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁהֲרָגוֹ, שֶׁלֹּא נָשָׂא פָּנִים לַתּוֹרָה. שֶׁהֲרֵי אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: ״וְאֶל אִשָּׁה בְּנִדַּת טוּמְאָתָהּ לֹא תִקְרַב״. כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי, אָמַר: מִטָּה חֲדָא הֲוַאי. בְּמַעְרְבָא אָמְרִי: אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵף, סִינָר מַפְסִיק בֵּינוֹ לְבֵינָהּ.

and served Torah scholars extensively, why did he die at half his days? Where is the length of days promised him in the verse? No one would respond to her astonishment at all. Eliyahu said: One time I was a guest in her house, and she was relating that entire event with regard to the death of her husband. And I said to her: My daughter, during the period of your menstruation, how did he act toward you? She said to me: Heaven forbid, he did not touch me even with his little finger. And I asked her: In the days of your white garments, after the menstrual flow ended, and you were just counting clean days, how did he act toward you then? She said to me: He ate with me, and drank with me, and slept with me with bodily contact and, however, it did not enter his mind about something else, i.e., conjugal relations. And I said to her: Blessed is the Omnipresent who killed him for this sin, as your husband did not show respect to the Torah. The Torah said: “And to a woman in the separation of her impurity you should not approach” (Leviticus 18:19), even mere affectionate contact is prohibited. The Gemara relates that when Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: That student did not actually sleep with her with bodily contact; rather, it was in one bed that they slept without contact. In the West, in Eretz Yisrael, they say that Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef said: When they would sleep together in one bed, she wore a belt [sinar] from the waist down that would separate between him and her. Nevertheless, since the matter is prohibited, that student was punished.

מַתְנִי׳ וְאֵלּוּ מִן הַהֲלָכוֹת שֶׁאָמְרוּ בַּעֲלִיַּית חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה בֶּן גָּרוֹן. שֶׁעָלוּ לְבַקְּרוֹ, נִמְנוּ, וְרַבּוּ בֵּית שַׁמַּאי עַל בֵּית הִלֵּל. וּשְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר דְּבָרִים גָּזְרוּ בּוֹ בַּיּוֹם.

MISHNA: And these are among the halakhot that the Sages, who went up to visit him, said in the upper story of Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon. The precise nature of these halakhot will be explained in the Gemara. These halakhot are considered one unit because they share a distinctive element. Since many Sages were there, among them most of the generation’s Torah scholars in Eretz Yisrael, they engaged in discussion of various halakhot of the Torah. It turned out that when the people expressing opinions were counted, the students of Beit Shammai outnumbered the students of Beit Hillel, and they issued decrees with regard to eighteen matters on that day in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai.

גְּמָ׳ אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב יוֹסֵף: ״אֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, אוֹ ״וְאֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן? ״וְאֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, הָנֵי דַּאֲמַרַן. אוֹ ״אֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, דְּבָעֵינַן לְמֵימַר קַמַּן? תָּא שְׁמַע: אֵין פּוֹלִין לְאוֹר הַנֵּר וְאֵין קוֹרִין לְאוֹר הַנֵּר, וְאֵלּוּ מִן הַהֲלָכוֹת שֶׁאָמְרוּ בַּעֲלִיַּית חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה בֶּן גָּרוֹן. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: ״וְאֵלּוּ״ תְּנַן, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

GEMARA: With regard to the language that introduces our mishna, Abaye said to Rav Yosef: Did we learn in our mishna: These are among the halakhot, or did we learn in our mishna: And these are among the halakhot? The difference is significant. Did we learn: And these, and if so, the reference would be to those that we said earlier, i.e., that those halakhot are included in the decrees? Or did we learn: These, and if so the reference would be to those that we seek to mention below? Come and hear a solution to this dilemma from the fact that these matters were taught together in a baraita: One may not shake garments to rid them of lice by the light of the lamp and one may not read by the light of the lamp; and these are among the halakhot that the Sages said in the attic of Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon. Conclude from this that we learned: And these in the mishna, and the reference is to the decrees mentioned earlier.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מִי כָּתַב מְגִילַּת תַּעֲנִית? — אָמְרוּ, חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה וְסִיעָתוֹ שֶׁהָיוּ מְחַבְּבִין אֶת הַצָּרוֹת.

The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to Megillat Ta’anit, which is a list of days of redemption that were established as celebrations for generations: Who wrote Megillat Ta’anit? This scroll was written by Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon and his faction, who held dear the memory of the troubles that befell Israel and their salvation from them.

אָמַר רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אַף אָנוּ מְחַבְּבִין אֶת הַצָּרוֹת, אֲבָל מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁאִם בָּאנוּ לִכְתּוֹב אֵין אָנוּ מַסְפִּיקִין.

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said: We also hold dear the memory of the troubles from which Israel was saved, but what can we do? If we came to write all the days of that kind, we would not manage to do so, as the troubles that Israel experienced in every generation and era are numerous, and on each day there is an event worthy of commemoration.

דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֵין שׁוֹטֶה נִפְגָּע.

Alternatively: Why do we not record the days of salvation from troubles? Just as a crazy person is not hurt, as he is not aware of the troubles that befall him, so too, we cannot appreciate the magnitude of the calamities that befall us.

דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֵין בְּשַׂר הַמֵּת מַרְגִּישׁ בָּאִיזְמֵל. אִינִי?! וְהָאָמַר רַב יִצְחָק: קָשָׁה רִימָּה לַמֵּת כְּמַחַט בַּבָּשָׂר הַחַי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַךְ בְּשָׂרוֹ עָלָיו יִכְאָב וְנַפְשׁוֹ עָלָיו תֶּאֱבָל״! אֵימָא: אֵין בָּשָׂר הַמֵּת שֶׁבַּחַי מַרְגִּישׁ בָּאִיזְמֵל.

Alternatively: The flesh of a dead person does not feel the scalpel [izemel] cutting into him, and we, too, are in such a difficult situation that we no longer feel the pains and troubles. With regard to the last analogy, the Gemara asks: Is that so? Didn’t Rav Yitzḥak say: The gnawing of maggots is as excruciating to the dead as the stab of a needle is to the flesh of the living, as it is stated with regard to the dead: “But his flesh shall hurt him, and his soul mourns over him” (Job 14:22)? Rather, say and explain the matter: The dead flesh in parts of the body of the living person that are insensitive to pain does not feel the scalpel that cuts him.

אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בְּרַם זָכוּר אוֹתוֹ הָאִישׁ לַטּוֹב וַחֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא הוּא נִגְנַז סֵפֶר יְחֶזְקֵאל, שֶׁהָיוּ דְּבָרָיו סוֹתְרִין דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה. מֶה עָשָׂה? — הֶעֱלוּ לוֹ שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת גַּרְבֵי שֶׁמֶן, וְיָשַׁב בַּעֲלִיָּיה וּדְרָשָׁן.

Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: Truly, that man is remembered for the good, and his name is Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya, as if not for him, the book of Ezekiel would have been suppressed because its contents, in many details, contradict matters of Torah. The Sages sought to suppress the book and exclude it from the canon. What did he, Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya, do? They brought him three hundred jugs of oil, for light and food, up to his upper story, and he sat isolated in the upper story and did not move from there until he homiletically interpreted all of those verses in the book of Ezekiel that seemed contradictory, and resolved the contradictions.

וּשְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר גָּזְרוּ. מַאי נִינְהוּ שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר? דִּתְנַן, אֵלּוּ פּוֹסְלִין אֶת הַתְּרוּמָה: הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן, וְהָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי, וְהַשּׁוֹתֶה מַשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין, וְהַבָּא רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ בְּמַיִם שְׁאוּבִין, וְטָהוֹר שֶׁנָּפְלוּ עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה לוּגִּין מַיִם שְׁאוּבִין, וְהַסֵּפֶר, וְהַיָּדַיִם, וְהַטְּבוּל יוֹם, וְהָאוֹכָלִים וְהַכֵּלִים שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין.

We learned in the mishna that when the Sages went up to the upper story of the house of Ḥananya ben Ḥizkiya ben Garon, they were counted and issued eighteen decrees in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai. The Gemara asks: What are those eighteen matters? The Gemara answers: As we learned in a mishna, a list of the decrees that the Sages issued with regard to items whose level of impurity is such that if they come into contact with teruma they disqualify it. By means of that contact, the teruma itself becomes impure, but it does not transmit impurity to other items. These disqualify teruma: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status acquired as a result of contact with a primary source of ritual impurity, e.g., a creeping animal; and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status acquired as a result of contact with an item with first degree ritual impurity status; and one who drinks impure liquids of any degree of impurity; and one whose head and most of his body come into drawn water after he immersed himself in a ritual bath to purify himself; and a ritually pure person that three log of drawn water fell on his head and most of his body; and a Torah scroll; and the hands of any person who did not purify himself for the purpose of handling teruma; and one who immersed himself during the day, i.e., one who was impure and immersed himself, and until evening he is not considered completely pure; and foods and vessels that became impure by coming into contact with impure liquids. Contact with any of these disqualifies the teruma. The Gemara seeks to clarify these matters.

מַאן תְּנָא הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן וְהָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — מִפְסָל פָּסְלִי, טַמּוֹיֵי

The Gemara asks first: Who is the tanna who holds that one who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status, and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status, disqualify the teruma, but

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