Which tannaitic opinion is reflected in the mishna in Zavim quoted by the gemara which listed that one who eats food that is a rishon/first degree or a sheni/second degree would disqualify teruma, but the teruma itself would not be able to pass on impurities (it would make the teruma a shlishi/third degree). Why does one who eats these impurites disqualify teruma? The gemara proceeds to go through the list of the other ordinances related to impurities and explain why the rabbis instituted each ordinance. The gemara then questions the fact that the students of Shamai and Hillel decreed that if one’s hands touch food, it disqualifies teruma – wasn’t this instituted by Shamai and Hillel themselves? After answering this question, the gemara then suggests that King Solomon decreed this – how can that be explained?
This week’s learning is sponsored by Nira Feldman in loving memory of her mother, Faye Darack Z’L 3rd yahrzeit. “She was a dedicated Hadran learner and continues to inspire us with her curiosity and love of learning each day. We miss her deeply.”
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
Today’s daily daf tools:
This week’s learning is sponsored by Nira Feldman in loving memory of her mother, Faye Darack Z’L 3rd yahrzeit. “She was a dedicated Hadran learner and continues to inspire us with her curiosity and love of learning each day. We miss her deeply.”
Shabbat 14
לָא מְטַמּוּ? אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה, רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הִיא. דִּתְנַן: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן — רִאשׁוֹן. וְאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — שֵׁנִי. אוֹכֶל שְׁלִישִׁי — שְׁלִישִׁי. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן וְאוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — שֵׁנִי. שְׁלִישִׁי — שֵׁנִי לַקּוֹדֶשׁ, וְאֵין שֵׁנִי לַתְּרוּמָה בְּחוּלִּין שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ עַל טׇהֳרַת תְּרוּמָה.
do not render it impure; in other words, they do not render the teruma capable of transmitting impurity to other items? Rabba bar bar Ḥana said: It is the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua. As we learned in a mishna: Rabbi Eliezer says: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status assumes first degree ritual impurity status, and anything with first degree ritual impurity status renders teruma impure. And one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status assumes second degree ritual impurity status. One who eats food with third degree ritual impurity status assumes third degree ritual impurity status. Rabbi Yehoshua says: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status assume second degree ritual impurity status. One with second degree ritual impurity status who comes into contact with teruma disqualifies it and does not render it impure. One who eats food with third degree ritual impurity status assumes second degree ritual impurity status vis-à-vis consecrated items, and he does not assume second degree ritual impurity status vis-à-vis teruma. Eating an item with third degree ritual impurity status is only feasible in the case of non-sacred items, as eating impure teruma is prohibited. It is only possible in the case of non-sacred food items that were prepared as if their level of purity were on the level of the purity of teruma.
אוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן וְאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? דְּזִימְנִין דְּאָכֵיל אוֹכָלִין טְמֵאִין, וְשָׁקֵיל מַשְׁקִין דִּתְרוּמָה, וְשָׁדֵי לְפוּמֵּיהּ וּפָסֵיל לְהוּ.
With regard to the decree itself, the Gemara asks: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status; what is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon him, rendering him impure? The Gemara answers: Because at times one eats impure food, and takes liquids of teruma, and casts them into his mouth and disqualifies the liquids, as the impure food comes into contact with the liquid in his mouth and disqualifies it. To prevent this, the Sages decreed that one who eats impure food becomes impure and must refrain from touching teruma at all.
שׁוֹתֶה מַשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? דְּזִימְנִין דְּשָׁתֵי מַשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין, וְשָׁקֵיל אוֹכָלִין דִּתְרוּמָה וְשָׁדֵי לְפוּמֵּיהּ וּפָסֵיל לְהוּ. הַיְינוּ הָךְ? מַהוּ דְתֵימָא: הָא שְׁכִיחִי, וְהָא לָא שְׁכִיחִי — קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
Similarly, the Gemara asks: One who drinks impure liquids; what is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon him? The Gemara answers: Because at times one drinks impure liquids, and takes teruma foods, and casts them in his mouth, and disqualifies them. The Gemara asks: This decree is the same as that decree as they were issued for one reason. Why did the mishna list them separately and consider them two different decrees? The Gemara answers: Lest you say that this, people who eat impure food, is common; as it is common for one eating to drink. Consequently, one who eats impure food is likely to drink teruma liquid. And, however, that, one drinking impure liquids who would put food in his mouth while drinking is uncommon. As a result, it is conceivable to say that the Sages did not issue a decree in an uncommon case. Therefore, the mishna teaches us that even in that instance the Sages decreed impurity.
וְהַבָּא רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ בְּמַיִם שְׁאוּבִין — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? אָמַר רַב בִּיבִי אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: שֶׁבַּתְּחִלָּה הָיוּ טוֹבְלִין בְּמֵי מְעָרוֹת מְכוּנָּסִין וּסְרוּחִין, וְהָיוּ נוֹתְנִין עֲלֵיהֶן מַיִם שְׁאוּבִין. הִתְחִילוּ וַעֲשָׂאוּם קֶבַע — גָּזְרוּ עֲלֵיהֶם טוּמְאָה.
Among the eighteen decrees that the Sages issued on that day, we also learned: And one whose head and most of his body come into drawn water is impure by rabbinic decree. The Gemara asks: What is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon him? Rav Beivai said that Rav Asi said: The reason for this is that originally they would immerse to become purified in cave water that was collected, still, and foul. Although this water purified them, due to its stench, the people immersing themselves would pour on themselves drawn water in order to clean themselves. Once they began this custom and transformed it into an established part of the ritual, the Sages issued a decree on the drawn water, rendering it impure, to prevent them from washing with it after immersion.
מַאי קֶבַע? — אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: לֹא אֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין, אֶלָּא אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: מַאי נָפְקָא מִינַּהּ, הָא קָא טָבְלִי בְּהָנָךְ? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: לֹא אֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין, אֶלָּא אֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין.
The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of this, that they transformed it into an established part of the ritual? Abaye said that they would say: The cave water is not what purifies; rather this, the cave water, and that, the drawn water, together purify. Rava said to him: What difference does it make if they say that? Ultimately, aren’t they immersing in the cave water? As long as they immersed themselves properly, it matters not if they misunderstand the reason. Rather, Rava said: The problem is that eventually they would say: This, the cave water, is not what purifies; rather, that, the drawn water, purifies. Therefore, the Sages issued a decree prohibiting the use of drawn water after purification.
וְטָהוֹר שֶׁנָּפְלוּ עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה לוּגִּין מַיִם שְׁאוּבִין — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? — דְּאִי לָא הָא, לָא קָיְימָא הָא.
And the Sages decreed impurity upon a ritually pure person that three log of drawn water fell on his head and most of his body. The Gemara explains: What is the reason that the Sages decreed impurity upon him? The reason for the decree is that if it were not for this decree that a ritually pure person, who does not require immersion, becomes impure when drawn water falls on him, then that, the first decree, would not stand. People would not distinguish between a person who was pure from the start and one who was just purified upon emerging from immersion.
וְסֵפֶר — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? — אָמַר רַב מְשַׁרְשְׁיָא: שֶׁבִּתְחִלָּה הָיוּ מַצְנִיעִין (אֶת) אוֹכָלִין דִּתְרוּמָה אֵצֶל סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, וַאֲמַרוּ: הַאי קֹדֶשׁ וְהַאי קֹדֶשׁ. כֵּיוָן דְּקָחָזוּ דְּקָאָתוּ לִידֵי פְסֵידָא, גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה.
The Gemara explains the next case in the mishna: And a Torah scroll; what is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon it? Rav Mesharshiya said: Since at first, ignorant priests would conceal teruma foods alongside the Torah scroll, and they said in explaining that method of storage: This is sacred and that is sacred, and it is appropriate that they be stored together. Since the Sages saw that they were coming to ruin, as the mice who were attracted to the teruma foods would also gnaw at the Torah scrolls, the Sages decreed impurity upon it. Once they issued the decree of impurity on the Torah scroll, the priests no longer placed teruma near it.
וְהַיָּדַיִם — מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַיָּדַיִם עַסְקָנִיּוֹת הֵן. תָּנָא, אַף יָדַיִם הַבָּאוֹת מֵחֲמַת סֵפֶר פּוֹסְלוֹת אֶת הַתְּרוּמָה. מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי פַּרְנָךְ — דְּאָמַר רַבִּי פַּרְנָךְ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הָאוֹחֵז סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה עָרוֹם, נִקְבָּר עָרוֹם. עָרוֹם סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: עָרוֹם בְּלֹא מִצְוֹת. בְּלֹא מִצְוֹת סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? אֶלָּא אֵימָא: עָרוֹם בְּלֹא אוֹתָהּ מִצְוָה.
The Gemara explains the next case in the mishna: And the hands; the reason that the Sages decreed impurity upon them is because hands are busy. A person’s hands tend to touch dirty or impure objects. Since one does not always pay attention to what his hands touch, and it is inappropriate for holy food to be touched by dirty hands, the Sages decreed impurity. It was taught in a baraita: Even hands that come to be impure due to contact with a Torah scroll disqualify the teruma. The reason for this decree is because of the statement of Rabbi Parnakh, as Rabbi Parnakh said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One who holds a Torah scroll in a manner that the scroll is exposed without a covering; his punishment is that he is buried naked. The Gemara wonders: Does it enter your mind to say that he will actually be buried naked? Why should he suffer such ignominy for this sin? Rather, Rabbi Zeira said: He is buried naked, i.e., without mitzvot. And the Gemara wonders further: Does it enter your mind to say that he should be buried naked in the sense of without mitzvot? Will he be stripped of all his merit due to that sin? Rather, say he is buried naked, i.e., without that mitzva. If he touches an uncovered Torah scroll, even for the purpose of performing a mitzva, he is not credited with that mitzva because he performed it inappropriately.
הֵי גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא? אִילֵימָא הָא גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא,
The Gemara asks: Which of these decrees did the Sages issue first? If you say that they issued this decree, impurity of hands in general, first,
כֵּיוָן דְּהָךְ גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא, הָא תּוּ לְמָה לִי? אֶלָּא הָךְ גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא, וַהֲדַר גְּזוּר בְּכוּלְּהוּ יָדַיִם.
once they decreed that first, why do I need that decree of impurity on hands that touch a sacred scroll as well? Once the Sages decreed impurity on hands in general, there is no longer a necessity to decree impurity on hands that touched a Torah scroll, as hands are impure in any case. Rather, certainly the Sages decreed impurity on this, hands that touched a Torah scroll, first. And then they decreed impurity on all hands.
וּטְבוּל יוֹם — טְבוּל יוֹם דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הוּא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וּבָא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְטָהֵר״! סְמִי מִכָּאן טְבוּל יוֹם.
Among the decrees listed in the mishna, there is the decree that contact with one who immersed himself during the day disqualifies teruma. The Gemara asks: One who immersed himself during the day transmits impurity by Torah law, as it is written: “One who touches it remains impure until evening. He should not eat of the consecrated items and he must wash his flesh with water. And the sun sets and it is purified. Afterward, he may eat from the teruma, for it is his bread” (Leviticus 22:6–7). Consequently, until sunset he is prohibited by Torah law from touching consecrated items, and the same is true for teruma. The Gemara answers: Delete from here, from the list of decrees in the mishna, one who immersed himself during the day.
וְהָאוֹכָלִין שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין — בְּמַשְׁקִין דְּמַאי? אִילֵימָא בְּמַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרֶץ — דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא נִינְהוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְכׇל מַשְׁקֶה אֲשֶׁר יִשָּׁתֶה״. אֶלָּא בְּמַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת יָדַיִם, וּגְזֵירָה מִשּׁוּם מַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרֶץ.
And among the decrees that were listed, there is also the decree concerning the impurity of the foods that became impure through contact with liquids. The Gemara asks: With liquids that became impure due to contact with what source of impurity? If you say that the mishna is referring to liquids that come to be impure due to contact with a creeping animal, they are impure by Torah law, as it is written with regard to the impurity of creeping animals: “And every liquid that is drunk in any vessel, will be impure” (Leviticus 11:34). Rather, the mishna is referring to liquids that come to be impure due to contact with impure hands. The Sages issued this decree due to liquids that come to be impure through contact with a creeping animal.
וְהַכֵּלִים שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין — כֵּלִים דְּאִיטַּמְּאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין דְּמַאי? אִילֵימָא בְּמַשְׁקִין דְּזָב — דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא נִינְהוּ! דִּכְתִיב: ״וְכִי יָרוֹק הַזָּב בַּטָּהוֹר״ — מַה שֶּׁבְּיַד טָהוֹר טִמֵּאתִי לָךְ. אֶלָּא בְּמַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרֶץ, וּגְזֵירָה מִשּׁוּם מַשְׁקִין דְּזָב.
And among the decrees that were listed, there is also the decree concerning the vessels that became impure through contact with liquids. The Gemara asks: Vessels that became impure due to contact with liquids that became impure due to contact with what source of impurity? If you say that they become impure due to contact with liquids secreted by a zav, e.g., spittle, urine, etc., they are impure by Torah law, as it is written: “And if a zav spits on a pure person and he should wash his clothes and wash in water and he is impure until the evening” (Leviticus 15:8). The Sages interpreted homiletically: Whatever is in the hand of the pure person I made impure for you. Not only did the person who came into contact with the liquids of the zav become impure, but the objects in his hand did as well. Rather, here it is referring to liquids that come to be impure due to contact with a creeping animal, which by Torah law do not transmit impurity to vessels. And the Sages issued a decree with regard to those liquids due to their similarity to the liquids of a zav.
וְיָדַיִם תַּלְמִידֵי שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל גְּזוּר? שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל גְּזוּר! דְּתַנְיָא: יוֹסֵי בֶּן יוֹעֶזֶר אִישׁ צְרֵידָה וְיוֹסֵי בֶּן יוֹחָנָן אִישׁ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם גְּזַרוּ טוּמְאָה עַל אֶרֶץ הָעַמִּים וְעַל כְּלֵי זְכוּכִית. שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן שָׁטַח תִּיקֵּן כְּתוּבָּה לָאִשָּׁה, וְגָזַר טוּמְאָה עַל כְּלֵי מַתָּכוֹת. שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל גָּזְרוּ טוּמְאָה עַל הַיָּדַיִם!
Among the list of items in the mishna with regard to which the disciples of Shammai and Hillel instituted decrees, were the hands of any person who did not purify himself for the sake of purity of teruma. If he came into contact with teruma, the Sages decreed it impure. The Gemara asks: And with regard to hands, was it the disciples of Shammai and Hillel who issued the decree of impurity? Shammai and Hillel themselves issued the decree. As it was taught in a baraita: Yosei ben Yo’ezer of Tzereida and Yosei ben Yoḥanan of Jerusalem decreed impurity on the land of the nations, that the land outside Eretz Yisrael transmits impurity; and they decreed impurity on glass vessels, even though glass is not listed in the Torah among the vessels that can become impure. Shimon ben Shataḥ instituted the formula of a woman’s marriage contract and also decreed special impurity on metal vessels. Shammai and Hillel decreed impurity on the hands.
וְכִי תֵּימָא שַׁמַּאי וְסִיעָתוֹ וְהִלֵּל וְסִיעָתוֹ, וְהָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר גָּזְרוּ, וּבִשְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר נֶחְלְקוּ. וְאִילּוּ הִלֵּל וְשַׁמַּאי לֹא נֶחְלְקוּ אֶלָּא בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה מְקוֹמוֹת, דְּאָמַר רַב הוּנָא: בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה מְקוֹמוֹת נֶחְלְקוּ וְתוּ לָא. וְכִי תֵימָא: אֲתוֹ אִינְהוּ גְּזוּר לִתְלוֹת, וַאֲתוֹ תַּלְמִידַיְיהוּ וּגְזַרוּ לִשְׂרוֹף. וְהָאָמַר אִילְפָא: יָדַיִם תְּחִלַּת גְּזֵירָתָן לִשְׂרֵיפָה! אֶלָּא אֲתוֹ אִינְהוּ גְּזוּר וְלָא קַבִּלוּ מִינַּיְיהוּ, וַאֲתוֹ תַּלְמִידַיְיהוּ גְּזַרוּ וְקַבִּלוּ מִינַּיְיהוּ.
And if you say that the baraita is referring to Shammai and his faction and Hillel and his faction, didn’t Rav Yehuda say that Shmuel said: With regard to eighteen matters they issued decrees that day, and with regard to those eighteen matters they disagreed prior to that? The eighteen disputes were only between the disciples of Shammai and Hillel, whereas Hillel and Shammai themselves argued only in three places. Clearly, they were neither party to the disputes nor the decrees. As Rav Huna said: Shammai and Hillel disagreed in only three places and no more. And if you say that Hillel and Shammai came and decreed that teruma that came into contact with hands would be in abeyance, and their students came and decreed to burn teruma that came into contact with hands, then the following difficulty arises. Didn’t Ilfa, one of the Sages, say: With regard to hands, from the beginning their decree was that teruma that comes into contact with them is to be burned? According to Ilfa, there is no uncertainty. Teruma that came into contact with definite impurity is burned. Teruma that is in abeyance may not be destroyed. One must wait until it becomes definitely impure or decomposes on its own. Rather, the explanation is that they came and issued a decree and the people did not accept the decree from them, and their disciples came and issued a decree and they accepted it from them.
וְאַכַּתִּי, שְׁלֹמֹה גְּזַר! דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁתִּיקֵּן שְׁלֹמֹה עֵירוּבִין וּנְטִילַת יָדַיִם, יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: ״בְּנִי אִם חָכַם לִבֶּךָ יִשְׂמַח לִבִּי גַם אָנִי״, ״חֲכַם בְּנִי וְשַׂמַּח לִבִּי וְאָשִׁיבָה חוֹרְפִי דָבָר״! — אֲתָא
The Gemara asks further: Still, the matter is not clear, as the decree of hands was issued by King Solomon. As Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: At the time that Solomon instituted the ordinances of eiruv and of washing hands to purify them from their impurity, a Divine Voice emerged and said in his praise: “My son, if your heart is wise my heart will be glad, even mine” (Proverbs 23:15), and so too: “My son, be wise and make my heart glad, that I may respond to those who taunt me” (Proverbs 27: 11). The Gemara responds: Came
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.
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.
Bronx, United States
I started learning daf in January, 2020, being inspired by watching the Siyyum Hashas in Binyanei Haumah. I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep up with the task. When I went to school, Gemara was not an option. Fast forward to March, 2022, and each day starts with the daf. The challenge is now learning the intricacies of delving into the actual learning. Hadran community, thank you!
Riverdale, NY, 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!
Jerusalem, Israel
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.
Karmiel, Israel
Richmond, CA, United States
I started learning Daf Yomi in January 2020 after watching my grandfather, Mayer Penstein z”l, finish shas with the previous cycle. My grandfather made learning so much fun was so proud that his grandchildren wanted to join him. I was also inspired by Ilana Kurshan’s book, If All the Seas Were Ink. Two years in, I can say that it has enriched my life in so many ways.
New York, United States
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
New Jersey, 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.
Raanana, Israel
I started learning Gemara at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. And I resumed ‘ברוך ה decades later with Rabbanit Michele at Hadran. I started from Brachot and have had an exciting, rewarding experience throughout seder Moed!
Maale Adumim, Israel
Mamaroneck, NY, 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.
Raanana, Israel
In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.
Worcester, United States
I am a Reform rabbi and took Talmud courses in rabbinical school, but I knew there was so much more to learn. It felt inauthentic to serve as a rabbi without having read the entire Talmud, so when the opportunity arose to start Daf Yomi in 2020, I dove in! Thanks to Hadran, Daf Yomi has enriched my understanding of rabbinic Judaism and deepened my love of Jewish text & tradition. Todah rabbah!
California, United States
I started to listen to Michelle’s podcasts four years ago. The minute I started I was hooked. I’m so excited to learn the entire Talmud, and think I will continue always. I chose the quote “while a woman is engaged in conversation she also holds the spindle”. (Megillah 14b). It reminds me of all of the amazing women I learn with every day who multi-task, think ahead and accomplish so much.
Zichron Yakov, Israel
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
New Jersey, United States
I was exposed to Talmud in high school, but I was truly inspired after my daughter and I decided to attend the Women’s Siyum Shas in 2020. We knew that this was a historic moment. We were blown away, overcome with emotion at the euphoria of the revolution. Right then, I knew I would continue. My commitment deepened with the every-morning Virtual Beit Midrash on Zoom with R. Michelle.
Zichron Yaakov, Israel
It happened without intent (so am I yotzei?!) – I watched the women’s siyum live and was so moved by it that the next morning, I tuned in to Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur, and here I am, still learning every day, over 2 years later. Some days it all goes over my head, but others I grasp onto an idea or a story, and I ‘get it’ and that’s the best feeling in the world. So proud to be a Hadran learner.
Zichron Yaakov, Israel
Palo Alto, CA, 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.
Englewood NJ, United States
When I began the previous cycle, I promised myself that if I stuck with it, I would reward myself with a trip to Israel. Little did I know that the trip would involve attending the first ever women’s siyum and being inspired by so many learners. I am now over 2 years into my second cycle and being part of this large, diverse, fascinating learning family has enhanced my learning exponentially.
Minnesota, United States
Shabbat 14
לָא מְטַמּוּ? אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה, רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הִיא. דִּתְנַן: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן — רִאשׁוֹן. וְאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — שֵׁנִי. אוֹכֶל שְׁלִישִׁי — שְׁלִישִׁי. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: הָאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן וְאוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — שֵׁנִי. שְׁלִישִׁי — שֵׁנִי לַקּוֹדֶשׁ, וְאֵין שֵׁנִי לַתְּרוּמָה בְּחוּלִּין שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ עַל טׇהֳרַת תְּרוּמָה.
do not render it impure; in other words, they do not render the teruma capable of transmitting impurity to other items? Rabba bar bar Ḥana said: It is the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua. As we learned in a mishna: Rabbi Eliezer says: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status assumes first degree ritual impurity status, and anything with first degree ritual impurity status renders teruma impure. And one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status assumes second degree ritual impurity status. One who eats food with third degree ritual impurity status assumes third degree ritual impurity status. Rabbi Yehoshua says: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status assume second degree ritual impurity status. One with second degree ritual impurity status who comes into contact with teruma disqualifies it and does not render it impure. One who eats food with third degree ritual impurity status assumes second degree ritual impurity status vis-à-vis consecrated items, and he does not assume second degree ritual impurity status vis-à-vis teruma. Eating an item with third degree ritual impurity status is only feasible in the case of non-sacred items, as eating impure teruma is prohibited. It is only possible in the case of non-sacred food items that were prepared as if their level of purity were on the level of the purity of teruma.
אוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל רִאשׁוֹן וְאוֹכֵל אוֹכֶל שֵׁנִי — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? דְּזִימְנִין דְּאָכֵיל אוֹכָלִין טְמֵאִין, וְשָׁקֵיל מַשְׁקִין דִּתְרוּמָה, וְשָׁדֵי לְפוּמֵּיהּ וּפָסֵיל לְהוּ.
With regard to the decree itself, the Gemara asks: One who eats food with first degree ritual impurity status and one who eats food with second degree ritual impurity status; what is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon him, rendering him impure? The Gemara answers: Because at times one eats impure food, and takes liquids of teruma, and casts them into his mouth and disqualifies the liquids, as the impure food comes into contact with the liquid in his mouth and disqualifies it. To prevent this, the Sages decreed that one who eats impure food becomes impure and must refrain from touching teruma at all.
שׁוֹתֶה מַשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? דְּזִימְנִין דְּשָׁתֵי מַשְׁקִין טְמֵאִין, וְשָׁקֵיל אוֹכָלִין דִּתְרוּמָה וְשָׁדֵי לְפוּמֵּיהּ וּפָסֵיל לְהוּ. הַיְינוּ הָךְ? מַהוּ דְתֵימָא: הָא שְׁכִיחִי, וְהָא לָא שְׁכִיחִי — קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
Similarly, the Gemara asks: One who drinks impure liquids; what is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon him? The Gemara answers: Because at times one drinks impure liquids, and takes teruma foods, and casts them in his mouth, and disqualifies them. The Gemara asks: This decree is the same as that decree as they were issued for one reason. Why did the mishna list them separately and consider them two different decrees? The Gemara answers: Lest you say that this, people who eat impure food, is common; as it is common for one eating to drink. Consequently, one who eats impure food is likely to drink teruma liquid. And, however, that, one drinking impure liquids who would put food in his mouth while drinking is uncommon. As a result, it is conceivable to say that the Sages did not issue a decree in an uncommon case. Therefore, the mishna teaches us that even in that instance the Sages decreed impurity.
וְהַבָּא רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ בְּמַיִם שְׁאוּבִין — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? אָמַר רַב בִּיבִי אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: שֶׁבַּתְּחִלָּה הָיוּ טוֹבְלִין בְּמֵי מְעָרוֹת מְכוּנָּסִין וּסְרוּחִין, וְהָיוּ נוֹתְנִין עֲלֵיהֶן מַיִם שְׁאוּבִין. הִתְחִילוּ וַעֲשָׂאוּם קֶבַע — גָּזְרוּ עֲלֵיהֶם טוּמְאָה.
Among the eighteen decrees that the Sages issued on that day, we also learned: And one whose head and most of his body come into drawn water is impure by rabbinic decree. The Gemara asks: What is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon him? Rav Beivai said that Rav Asi said: The reason for this is that originally they would immerse to become purified in cave water that was collected, still, and foul. Although this water purified them, due to its stench, the people immersing themselves would pour on themselves drawn water in order to clean themselves. Once they began this custom and transformed it into an established part of the ritual, the Sages issued a decree on the drawn water, rendering it impure, to prevent them from washing with it after immersion.
מַאי קֶבַע? — אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: לֹא אֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין, אֶלָּא אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: מַאי נָפְקָא מִינַּהּ, הָא קָא טָבְלִי בְּהָנָךְ? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: לֹא אֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין, אֶלָּא אֵלּוּ מְטַהֲרִין.
The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of this, that they transformed it into an established part of the ritual? Abaye said that they would say: The cave water is not what purifies; rather this, the cave water, and that, the drawn water, together purify. Rava said to him: What difference does it make if they say that? Ultimately, aren’t they immersing in the cave water? As long as they immersed themselves properly, it matters not if they misunderstand the reason. Rather, Rava said: The problem is that eventually they would say: This, the cave water, is not what purifies; rather, that, the drawn water, purifies. Therefore, the Sages issued a decree prohibiting the use of drawn water after purification.
וְטָהוֹר שֶׁנָּפְלוּ עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה לוּגִּין מַיִם שְׁאוּבִין — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? — דְּאִי לָא הָא, לָא קָיְימָא הָא.
And the Sages decreed impurity upon a ritually pure person that three log of drawn water fell on his head and most of his body. The Gemara explains: What is the reason that the Sages decreed impurity upon him? The reason for the decree is that if it were not for this decree that a ritually pure person, who does not require immersion, becomes impure when drawn water falls on him, then that, the first decree, would not stand. People would not distinguish between a person who was pure from the start and one who was just purified upon emerging from immersion.
וְסֵפֶר — מַאי טַעְמָא גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה? — אָמַר רַב מְשַׁרְשְׁיָא: שֶׁבִּתְחִלָּה הָיוּ מַצְנִיעִין (אֶת) אוֹכָלִין דִּתְרוּמָה אֵצֶל סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, וַאֲמַרוּ: הַאי קֹדֶשׁ וְהַאי קֹדֶשׁ. כֵּיוָן דְּקָחָזוּ דְּקָאָתוּ לִידֵי פְסֵידָא, גְּזַרוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן טוּמְאָה.
The Gemara explains the next case in the mishna: And a Torah scroll; what is the reason the Sages decreed impurity upon it? Rav Mesharshiya said: Since at first, ignorant priests would conceal teruma foods alongside the Torah scroll, and they said in explaining that method of storage: This is sacred and that is sacred, and it is appropriate that they be stored together. Since the Sages saw that they were coming to ruin, as the mice who were attracted to the teruma foods would also gnaw at the Torah scrolls, the Sages decreed impurity upon it. Once they issued the decree of impurity on the Torah scroll, the priests no longer placed teruma near it.
וְהַיָּדַיִם — מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַיָּדַיִם עַסְקָנִיּוֹת הֵן. תָּנָא, אַף יָדַיִם הַבָּאוֹת מֵחֲמַת סֵפֶר פּוֹסְלוֹת אֶת הַתְּרוּמָה. מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי פַּרְנָךְ — דְּאָמַר רַבִּי פַּרְנָךְ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הָאוֹחֵז סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה עָרוֹם, נִקְבָּר עָרוֹם. עָרוֹם סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: עָרוֹם בְּלֹא מִצְוֹת. בְּלֹא מִצְוֹת סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? אֶלָּא אֵימָא: עָרוֹם בְּלֹא אוֹתָהּ מִצְוָה.
The Gemara explains the next case in the mishna: And the hands; the reason that the Sages decreed impurity upon them is because hands are busy. A person’s hands tend to touch dirty or impure objects. Since one does not always pay attention to what his hands touch, and it is inappropriate for holy food to be touched by dirty hands, the Sages decreed impurity. It was taught in a baraita: Even hands that come to be impure due to contact with a Torah scroll disqualify the teruma. The reason for this decree is because of the statement of Rabbi Parnakh, as Rabbi Parnakh said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One who holds a Torah scroll in a manner that the scroll is exposed without a covering; his punishment is that he is buried naked. The Gemara wonders: Does it enter your mind to say that he will actually be buried naked? Why should he suffer such ignominy for this sin? Rather, Rabbi Zeira said: He is buried naked, i.e., without mitzvot. And the Gemara wonders further: Does it enter your mind to say that he should be buried naked in the sense of without mitzvot? Will he be stripped of all his merit due to that sin? Rather, say he is buried naked, i.e., without that mitzva. If he touches an uncovered Torah scroll, even for the purpose of performing a mitzva, he is not credited with that mitzva because he performed it inappropriately.
הֵי גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא? אִילֵימָא הָא גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא,
The Gemara asks: Which of these decrees did the Sages issue first? If you say that they issued this decree, impurity of hands in general, first,
כֵּיוָן דְּהָךְ גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא, הָא תּוּ לְמָה לִי? אֶלָּא הָךְ גְּזוּר בְּרֵישָׁא, וַהֲדַר גְּזוּר בְּכוּלְּהוּ יָדַיִם.
once they decreed that first, why do I need that decree of impurity on hands that touch a sacred scroll as well? Once the Sages decreed impurity on hands in general, there is no longer a necessity to decree impurity on hands that touched a Torah scroll, as hands are impure in any case. Rather, certainly the Sages decreed impurity on this, hands that touched a Torah scroll, first. And then they decreed impurity on all hands.
וּטְבוּל יוֹם — טְבוּל יוֹם דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הוּא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וּבָא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְטָהֵר״! סְמִי מִכָּאן טְבוּל יוֹם.
Among the decrees listed in the mishna, there is the decree that contact with one who immersed himself during the day disqualifies teruma. The Gemara asks: One who immersed himself during the day transmits impurity by Torah law, as it is written: “One who touches it remains impure until evening. He should not eat of the consecrated items and he must wash his flesh with water. And the sun sets and it is purified. Afterward, he may eat from the teruma, for it is his bread” (Leviticus 22:6–7). Consequently, until sunset he is prohibited by Torah law from touching consecrated items, and the same is true for teruma. The Gemara answers: Delete from here, from the list of decrees in the mishna, one who immersed himself during the day.
וְהָאוֹכָלִין שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין — בְּמַשְׁקִין דְּמַאי? אִילֵימָא בְּמַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרֶץ — דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא נִינְהוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְכׇל מַשְׁקֶה אֲשֶׁר יִשָּׁתֶה״. אֶלָּא בְּמַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת יָדַיִם, וּגְזֵירָה מִשּׁוּם מַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרֶץ.
And among the decrees that were listed, there is also the decree concerning the impurity of the foods that became impure through contact with liquids. The Gemara asks: With liquids that became impure due to contact with what source of impurity? If you say that the mishna is referring to liquids that come to be impure due to contact with a creeping animal, they are impure by Torah law, as it is written with regard to the impurity of creeping animals: “And every liquid that is drunk in any vessel, will be impure” (Leviticus 11:34). Rather, the mishna is referring to liquids that come to be impure due to contact with impure hands. The Sages issued this decree due to liquids that come to be impure through contact with a creeping animal.
וְהַכֵּלִים שֶׁנִּטְמְאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין — כֵּלִים דְּאִיטַּמְּאוּ בְּמַשְׁקִין דְּמַאי? אִילֵימָא בְּמַשְׁקִין דְּזָב — דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא נִינְהוּ! דִּכְתִיב: ״וְכִי יָרוֹק הַזָּב בַּטָּהוֹר״ — מַה שֶּׁבְּיַד טָהוֹר טִמֵּאתִי לָךְ. אֶלָּא בְּמַשְׁקִין הַבָּאִין מֵחֲמַת שֶׁרֶץ, וּגְזֵירָה מִשּׁוּם מַשְׁקִין דְּזָב.
And among the decrees that were listed, there is also the decree concerning the vessels that became impure through contact with liquids. The Gemara asks: Vessels that became impure due to contact with liquids that became impure due to contact with what source of impurity? If you say that they become impure due to contact with liquids secreted by a zav, e.g., spittle, urine, etc., they are impure by Torah law, as it is written: “And if a zav spits on a pure person and he should wash his clothes and wash in water and he is impure until the evening” (Leviticus 15:8). The Sages interpreted homiletically: Whatever is in the hand of the pure person I made impure for you. Not only did the person who came into contact with the liquids of the zav become impure, but the objects in his hand did as well. Rather, here it is referring to liquids that come to be impure due to contact with a creeping animal, which by Torah law do not transmit impurity to vessels. And the Sages issued a decree with regard to those liquids due to their similarity to the liquids of a zav.
וְיָדַיִם תַּלְמִידֵי שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל גְּזוּר? שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל גְּזוּר! דְּתַנְיָא: יוֹסֵי בֶּן יוֹעֶזֶר אִישׁ צְרֵידָה וְיוֹסֵי בֶּן יוֹחָנָן אִישׁ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם גְּזַרוּ טוּמְאָה עַל אֶרֶץ הָעַמִּים וְעַל כְּלֵי זְכוּכִית. שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן שָׁטַח תִּיקֵּן כְּתוּבָּה לָאִשָּׁה, וְגָזַר טוּמְאָה עַל כְּלֵי מַתָּכוֹת. שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל גָּזְרוּ טוּמְאָה עַל הַיָּדַיִם!
Among the list of items in the mishna with regard to which the disciples of Shammai and Hillel instituted decrees, were the hands of any person who did not purify himself for the sake of purity of teruma. If he came into contact with teruma, the Sages decreed it impure. The Gemara asks: And with regard to hands, was it the disciples of Shammai and Hillel who issued the decree of impurity? Shammai and Hillel themselves issued the decree. As it was taught in a baraita: Yosei ben Yo’ezer of Tzereida and Yosei ben Yoḥanan of Jerusalem decreed impurity on the land of the nations, that the land outside Eretz Yisrael transmits impurity; and they decreed impurity on glass vessels, even though glass is not listed in the Torah among the vessels that can become impure. Shimon ben Shataḥ instituted the formula of a woman’s marriage contract and also decreed special impurity on metal vessels. Shammai and Hillel decreed impurity on the hands.
וְכִי תֵּימָא שַׁמַּאי וְסִיעָתוֹ וְהִלֵּל וְסִיעָתוֹ, וְהָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר גָּזְרוּ, וּבִשְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר נֶחְלְקוּ. וְאִילּוּ הִלֵּל וְשַׁמַּאי לֹא נֶחְלְקוּ אֶלָּא בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה מְקוֹמוֹת, דְּאָמַר רַב הוּנָא: בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה מְקוֹמוֹת נֶחְלְקוּ וְתוּ לָא. וְכִי תֵימָא: אֲתוֹ אִינְהוּ גְּזוּר לִתְלוֹת, וַאֲתוֹ תַּלְמִידַיְיהוּ וּגְזַרוּ לִשְׂרוֹף. וְהָאָמַר אִילְפָא: יָדַיִם תְּחִלַּת גְּזֵירָתָן לִשְׂרֵיפָה! אֶלָּא אֲתוֹ אִינְהוּ גְּזוּר וְלָא קַבִּלוּ מִינַּיְיהוּ, וַאֲתוֹ תַּלְמִידַיְיהוּ גְּזַרוּ וְקַבִּלוּ מִינַּיְיהוּ.
And if you say that the baraita is referring to Shammai and his faction and Hillel and his faction, didn’t Rav Yehuda say that Shmuel said: With regard to eighteen matters they issued decrees that day, and with regard to those eighteen matters they disagreed prior to that? The eighteen disputes were only between the disciples of Shammai and Hillel, whereas Hillel and Shammai themselves argued only in three places. Clearly, they were neither party to the disputes nor the decrees. As Rav Huna said: Shammai and Hillel disagreed in only three places and no more. And if you say that Hillel and Shammai came and decreed that teruma that came into contact with hands would be in abeyance, and their students came and decreed to burn teruma that came into contact with hands, then the following difficulty arises. Didn’t Ilfa, one of the Sages, say: With regard to hands, from the beginning their decree was that teruma that comes into contact with them is to be burned? According to Ilfa, there is no uncertainty. Teruma that came into contact with definite impurity is burned. Teruma that is in abeyance may not be destroyed. One must wait until it becomes definitely impure or decomposes on its own. Rather, the explanation is that they came and issued a decree and the people did not accept the decree from them, and their disciples came and issued a decree and they accepted it from them.
וְאַכַּתִּי, שְׁלֹמֹה גְּזַר! דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁתִּיקֵּן שְׁלֹמֹה עֵירוּבִין וּנְטִילַת יָדַיִם, יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: ״בְּנִי אִם חָכַם לִבֶּךָ יִשְׂמַח לִבִּי גַם אָנִי״, ״חֲכַם בְּנִי וְשַׂמַּח לִבִּי וְאָשִׁיבָה חוֹרְפִי דָבָר״! — אֲתָא
The Gemara asks further: Still, the matter is not clear, as the decree of hands was issued by King Solomon. As Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: At the time that Solomon instituted the ordinances of eiruv and of washing hands to purify them from their impurity, a Divine Voice emerged and said in his praise: “My son, if your heart is wise my heart will be glad, even mine” (Proverbs 23:15), and so too: “My son, be wise and make my heart glad, that I may respond to those who taunt me” (Proverbs 27: 11). The Gemara responds: Came
