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Shabbat 41

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Summary

Today’s shiur is sponsored in honor of Chana Rivka Bracha’s birthday by her mother, Malka Abraham.

The gemara brings two stories of Rabbi Zeira where he was with other rabbis while they were bathing and learned or tried to learn halachot from what he observed. The mishna describes different types of hot water boilers and can they be used on Shabbat. The mishna describes a case of a hot water boiler where one added cold water to it after it was removed from the fire or emptied. It is a subject of debate which case the mishna was referring to – removed from the fire or emptied? Does the mishna follow Rabbi Yehuda or Rabbi Shimon regarding one who does an act of Shabbat by which a melacha is performed – however one had no intention to perform that melacha.

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Shabbat 41

דְּלֵית לֵיהּ גִּידּוּדֵי, הָא דְּאִית לֵיהּ גִּידּוּדֵי.

that does not have embankments surrounding it. Since there are no partitions, it appears like an ocean or a river. That incident involving Rabbi Abbahu occurred in a place that has embankments and looks like a vessel. Therefore, the Sages did not prohibit it.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֲנָא חֲזִיתֵיהּ לְרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ שֶׁהִנִּיחַ יָדָיו כְּנֶגֶד פָּנָיו שֶׁל מַטָּה, וְלָא יָדַעְנָא אִי נְגַע אִי לָא נְגַע. פְּשִׁיטָא דְּלָא נְגַע, דְּתַנְיָא רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: כׇּל הָאוֹחֵז בָּאַמָּה וּמַשְׁתִּין — כְּאִילּוּ מֵבִיא מַבּוּל לָעוֹלָם.

After citing what Rabbi Zeira related with regard to Rabbi Abbahu, the Gemara cites that Rabbi Zeira said: I saw that Rabbi Abbahu, while he was bathing, placed his hands over his genitals for the sake of modesty, and I do not know whether he touched them or did not touch them. The Gemara questions Rabbi Zeira’s uncertainty. It is obvious that he did not touch his genitals, as it was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer says: One who holds his penis and urinates it is as if he were bringing a flood to the world. He is liable to become aroused by that contact and that is an extremely severe transgression, comparable to the transgressions violated in the generation of the flood.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: עֲשָׂאוּהָ כְּבוֹלֶשֶׁת. דִּתְנַן: בּוֹלֶשֶׁת שֶׁנִּכְנְסָה לָעִיר, בִּשְׁעַת שָׁלוֹם — חָבִיּוֹת פְּתוּחוֹת אֲסוּרוֹת, סְתוּמוֹת מוּתָּרוֹת. בִּשְׁעַת מִלְחָמָה — אֵלּוּ וְאֵלּוּ מוּתָּרוֹת, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין פְּנַאי לְנַסֵּךְ. אַלְמָא כֵּיוָן דִּבְעִיתִי לָא מְנַסְּכִי. הָכָא נָמֵי, כֵּיוָן דִּבְעִית לָא אָתֵי לְהַרְהוֹרֵי. הָכָא מַאי בִּיעֲתוּתָא? בִּיעֲתוּתָא דְנַהְרָא.

Abaye said: Nevertheless, no proof can be cited from that baraita. Perhaps the Sages rendered the legal status of this situation like that of a military unit, as we learned in a mishna: A military unit that entered a city, if it entered during peacetime, after the soldiers leave, the open barrels of wine are prohibited and the wine in them may not be drunk due to suspicion that the gentile soldiers may have poured this wine as a libation for idolatry. The sealed barrels are permitted. However, if the unit entered in wartime, both are permitted because in wartime there is no respite to pour wine for idolatry, and one can be certain that the soldiers did not do so. Apparently, since they are afraid, they do not pour libations. Here too, in the case of bathing, since he is afraid, he will not come to have impure thoughts. The Gemara asks: And what fear is there here that would prevent one bathing from having impure thoughts? The Gemara answers: Fear of the river. Since he needs to be careful that the water does not wash him away, he is too distracted to think of other matters.

אִינִי?! וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא אָמַר רַב הוּנָא אָמַר רַב: כׇּל הַמַּנִּיחַ יָדָיו כְּנֶגֶד פָּנָיו שֶׁל מַטָּה כְּאִילּוּ כּוֹפֵר בִּבְרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא כִּי נָחֵית, הָא כִּי סָלֵיק. כִּי הָא דְּרָבָא שָׁחֵי. רַבִּי זֵירָא זָקֵיף. רַבָּנַן דְּבֵי רַב אָשֵׁי, כִּי קָא נָחֲתִי — זָקְפִי, כִּי קָא סָלְקִי — שָׁחוּ.

The Gemara questions the story itself: And is that so? Is it permitted under any circumstances to cover one’s genitals while bathing? Didn’t Rabbi Abba say that Rav Huna said that Rav said: Anyone who places his hands over his genitals is as if he denies the covenant of our father Abraham? It appears as if he is covering himself to obscure the fact that he is circumcised. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult, as there is room to distinguish and say that this, the case where it is prohibited to cover oneself, is when he is descending into the river and there are no people facing him and he need not be concerned with modesty. In that case covering oneself is prohibited as he appears to be renouncing the covenant of Abraham. That, the case where, in certain circumstances, this prohibition does not apply, is when he is emerging from the river. When he emerges, he is facing the people on the riverbank and it is then permitted to cover himself in the interest of modesty, as that which Rava would do. He would bend over when he was naked. Rabbi Zeira would stand upright, in accordance with Rav’s statement that it is prohibited to appear to be renouncing the covenant of Abraham. When the Sages of the school of Rav Ashi descended into the river they stood upright. When they emerged from the river they bent over.

רַבִּי זֵירָא הֲוָה קָא מִשְׁתְּמִיט מִדְּרַב יְהוּדָה, דְּבָעֵי לְמִיסַּק לְאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: כׇּל הָעוֹלֶה מִבָּבֶל לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹבֵר בַּעֲשֵׂה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בָּבֶלָה יוּבָאוּ וְשָׁמָּה יִהְיוּ״. אֲמַר: אֵיזִיל וְאֶשְׁמַע מִינֵּיהּ מִילְּתָא וְאֵיתֵי וְאֶיסַּק. אֲזַל, אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ דְּקָאֵי בֵּי בָאנֵי וְקָאָמַר לֵיהּ לְשַׁמָּעֵיהּ: הָבִיאוּ לִי נֶתֶר, הָבִיאוּ לִי מַסְרֵק, פִּתְחוּ פּוּמַּיְיכוּ וְאַפִּיקוּ הַבְלָא, וְאִשְׁתוּ מִמַּיָּא דְּבֵי בָאנֵי. אֲמַר: אִילְמָלֵא לֹא בָּאתִי אֶלָּא לִשְׁמוֹעַ דָּבָר זֶה דַּיִּי.

Speaking of bathing and its halakhot, the Gemara relates: Rabbi Zeira was avoiding being seen by his teacher, Rav Yehuda, as Rabbi Zeira sought to ascend to Eretz Yisrael and his teacher disapproved. As Rav Yehuda said: Anyone who ascends from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael transgresses a positive commandment, as it is stated: “They shall be taken to Babylonia and there they shall remain until the day that I recall them, said the Lord” (Jeremiah 27:22). Based on that verse, Rav Yehuda held that since the Babylonian exile was by divine decree, permission to leave Babylonia for Eretz Yisrael could only be granted by God. Rabbi Zeira did not want to discuss his desire to emigrate with Rav Yehuda, so that he would not be forced to explicitly disobey him. Nevertheless, he said: I will go and hear something from him and then I will leave. He went and found Rav Yehuda standing in the bathhouse and telling his servant: Bring me natron [neter] with which to wash, bring me a comb, open your mouths and let out air, and drink from the water of the bathhouse. Rabbi Zeira said: If I had come only to hear this matter from Rav Yehuda, it would suffice for me.

בִּשְׁלָמָא ״הָבִיאוּ נֶתֶר, הָבִיאוּ מַסְרֵק״ — קָמַשְׁמַע לַן דְּבָרִים שֶׁל חוֹל מוּתָּר לְאוֹמְרָם בִּלְשׁוֹן קֹדֶשׁ. ״פִּתְחוּ פּוּמַּיְיכוּ וְאַפִּיקוּ הַבְלָא״ — נָמֵי כְּדִשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַבְלָא מַפֵּיק הַבְלָא. אֶלָּא ״אִשְׁתוּ מַיָּא דְּבֵי בָאנֵי״ מַאי מְעַלְּיוּתָא? דְּתַנְיָא אָכַל וְלֹא שָׁתָה — אֲכִילָתוֹ דָּם, וְזֶהוּ תְּחִילַּת חוֹלִי מֵעַיִים. אָכַל וְלֹא הָלַךְ אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת — אֲכִילָתוֹ מַרְקֶבֶת, וְזֶהוּ תְּחִילַּת רֵיחַ רַע. הַנִּצְרָךְ לִנְקָבָיו וְאָכַל — דּוֹמֶה לְתַנּוּר שֶׁהִסִּיקוּהוּ עַל גַּבֵּי אֶפְרוֹ, וְזֶהוּ תְּחִילַּת רֵיחַ זוּהֲמָא. רָחַץ בְּחַמִּין וְלֹא שָׁתָה מֵהֶן — דּוֹמֶה לְתַנּוּר שֶׁהִסִּיקוּהוּ מִבְּחוּץ וְלֹא הִסִּיקוּהוּ מִבִּפְנִים. רָחַץ בְּחַמִּין וְלֹא נִשְׁתַּטֵּף בְּצוֹנֵן — דּוֹמֶה לְבַרְזֶל שֶׁהִכְנִיסוּהוּ לָאוּר וְלֹא הִכְנִיסוּהוּ לְצוֹנֵן. רָחַץ וְלֹא סָךְ — דּוֹמֶה לְמַיִם עַל גַּבֵּי חָבִית.

The Gemara analyzes the lessons learned from this story. Granted, when Rav Yehuda said: Bring me natron, bring me a comb, he was teaching us that mundane matters are permitted to be spoken in the bathhouse, even in the sacred language. When he said: Open your mouths and let out air, that too is in accordance with that which Shmuel said, as Shmuel said: Heat produces heat. The hot air that one inhales causes him to sweat more quickly. However, drink the water of the bathhouse, what benefit is there in doing that? The Gemara answers: As it was taught in a baraita: One who ate and did not drink at all, what he ate becomes blood and that causes the onset of intestinal disease. One who ate and did not walk four cubits after eating, what he ate rots and that causes the onset of bad breath. One who needs to defecate and ate is similar to an oven that was lit on top of its ashes. When ashes from a previous fire are not swept out, and new logs are placed on top of the old ones, it inhibits the burning and dirties the oven, and that causes the onset of odor of the filth of perspiration in a person. As far as our matter is concerned, the baraita teaches: One who bathed in hot water and did not drink from it is like an oven that was lit from the outside and not lit from the inside. The lighting is ineffective and the oven does not heat properly. Rav Yehuda told his servants to drink the hot water while bathing so that they would be heated from the inside and the outside. The baraita continues: One who bathed in hot water and did not rinse afterward with cold water is like iron that was placed in the fire and not placed afterward in cold water, which leaves the iron soft. And one who bathed and did not smear himself with oil afterward is like water that was poured on top of a barrel, and not into it. The water spills outside the barrel.

מַתְנִי׳ מוּלְיָאר הַגָּרוּף שׁוֹתִין הֵימֶנּוּ בְּשַׁבָּת. אַנְטִיכֵי, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגְּרוּפָה אֵין שׁוֹתִין הֵימֶנָּה.

MISHNA: In this mishna, the Sages discuss two vessels used for heating water. With regard to a mulyar, a bronze vessel into which coals are placed in an outer compartment and water is placed into an adjacent inner compartment, whose coals were swept, one may drink from it on Shabbat. With regard to an antikhi, which is a vessel with a different configuration, even if its coals were swept, one may not drink from it on Shabbat.

גְּמָ׳ הֵיכִי דָּמֵי מוּלְיָאר הַגָּרוּף? תָּנָא, מַיִם מִבִּפְנִים וְגֶחָלִים מִבְּחוּץ. אַנְטִיכֵי: רַבָּה אָמַר — בֵּי כִירֵי. רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר — בֵּי דוּדֵי. מַאן דְּאָמַר בֵּי דוּדֵי כָּל שֶׁכֵּן בֵּי כִירֵי, וּמַאן דְּאָמַר בֵּי כִירֵי אֲבָל בֵּי דוּדֵי — לָא. תַּנְיָא כְּווֹתֵיהּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן: אַנְטִיכֵי אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגְּרוּפָה וּקְטוּמָה אֵין שׁוֹתִין הֵימֶנָּה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנְּחוּשְׁתָּהּ מְחַמַּמְתָּהּ.

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of a swept mulyar? The Gemara answers: A mulyar is the vessel, explained in the Tosefta on our mishna, that has water on the inside and coals on the outside. With regard to the identity of an antikhi there are different opinions. Rabba said that it refers to a stove. A space is created in the wall of a stove and filled with water. Since the stove is very hot, it is prohibited to use this water. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzhak said: An antikhi is a cauldron, i.e., a vessel made from two cauldrons stacked one on top of the other with coals in the bottom one and water in the upper one. These two different opinions have halakhic implications. The one who says that it is prohibited to use a vessel composed of two cauldrons, all the more so it is prohibited to use the space inside of a stove. And the one who says that it is prohibited to use the space inside a stove, a vessel composed of two cauldrons, no, it is not prohibited. It was taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rav Naḥman: An antikhi, even if it was swept and covered with ashes, one may not drink from it on Shabbat because its copper heats it. The heating in an antikhi is by means of the coals beneath the water.

מַתְנִי׳ הַמֵּיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּהוּ לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכוֹ צוֹנֵן בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁיֵּחַמּוּ. אֲבָל נוֹתֵן הוּא לְתוֹכוֹ אוֹ לְתוֹךְ הַכּוֹס כְּדֵי לְהַפְשִׁירָן.

MISHNA: The Sages added to the laws of leaving food on a source of heat and cooking food on Shabbat: An urn that was emptied of its hot water on Shabbat, one may not place cold water into it so that the cold water will be heated. However, one may place cold water into an urn or into a cup that were emptied of their hot water in order to warm it but not in order to heat it.

גְּמָ׳ מַאי קָאָמַר? אָמַר רַב אַדָּא בַּר מַתְנָא, הָכִי קָאָמַר: הַמֵּיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּה מִמֶּנּוּ מַיִם חַמִּין לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכָן מַיִם מוּעָטִים כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּחַמּוּ, אֲבָל נוֹתֵן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם מְרוּבִּים כְּדֵי לְהַפְשִׁירָן.

GEMARA: The mishna seems to contradict itself. The first statement completely prohibits placing water into an urn, and later it was partially permitted. The Gemara asks: What is the mishna saying? Rav Adda bar Mattana said that it said the following: An urn that was emptied of its hot water, one may not put a small amount of water into it so that it will become very hot. However, one may put a large quantity of water into it in order to warm it. A large quantity of cold water will not be heated in those circumstances.

וַהֲלֹא מְצָרֵף? רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא, דְּאָמַר: דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין — מוּתָּר. מַתְקִיף לַהּ אַבָּיֵי: מִידֵּי מֵיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּה מִמֶּנּוּ מַיִם קָתָנֵי?! מֵיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּהוּ קָתָנֵי!

The Gemara questions this leniency: By putting cold water into the urn, doesn’t it harden the vessel? Cold water poured into a heated metal vessel reinforces the vessel. It is one of the stages in the labor of a blacksmith. How is it permitted to do something similar on Shabbat? The Gemara answers: This mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, who stated a principle with regard to the laws of Shabbat: An unintentional act, i.e., a permitted action from which a prohibited labor inadvertently ensues, is permitted. Here too, his intention was to warm the water, not to reinforce the vessel. Abaye strongly objects to this explanation: Does it say in the mishna: An urn from which water was emptied? That would indicate that he sought to fill the vessel with other water and warm up that water. Rather, an urn that was removed was taught in the mishna, meaning that the urn was removed from the fire, not that the water was emptied from it.

אֶלָּא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, הָכִי קָאָמַר: הַמֵּיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּהוּ וְיֵשׁ בּוֹ מַיִם חַמִּין — לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם מוּעָטִין בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁיָּחוֹמּוּ, אֲבָל נוֹתֵן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם מְרוּבִּים כְּדֵי לְהַפְשִׁירָן. וּמֵיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּה מִמֶּנּוּ מַיִם — לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם כׇּל עִיקָּר, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמְּצָרֵף. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא, דְּאָמַר דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין אָסוּר.

Rather, Abaye said this is what the mishna is saying: An urn that was removed from the fire and contains hot water, one may not place a small quantity of water in it so that the water will become hot; rather, one may place a large quantity of water in it so that the water will become warm. And with regard to an urn from which water was removed; one may not place any water into it because he hardens the vessel by placing cold water into a hot vessel. And, according to this explanation, our mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who said that an unintentional act from which a prohibited labor inadvertently ensues is prohibited on Shabbat.

אָמַר רַב: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא לְהַפְשִׁיר, אֲבָל לְצָרֵף — אָסוּר. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ לְצָרֵף נָמֵי מוּתָּר. לְצָרֵף לְכַתְּחִילָּה מִי שְׁרֵי?! אֶלָּא אִי אִיתְּמַר הָכִי אִיתְּמַר: אָמַר רַב לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שִׁיעוּר לְהַפְשִׁיר, אֲבָל שִׁיעוּר לְצָרֵף — אָסוּר. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ שִׁיעוּר לְצָרֵף —

With regard to the matter itself, Rav said: They taught that one is permitted to place cold water into an urn with hot water after it was removed from the fire, when his intention is only to warm the cold water. However, if he did this in order to harden the vessel, it is prohibited. And Shmuel said: Even if he does so in order to harden the vessel, it is also permitted. The Gemara wonders: Is hardening permitted ab initio? Isn’t it a full-fledged prohibited labor on Shabbat? Rather, if the dispute between Rav and Shmuel was stated, it was stated as follows. Rav said: They taught that it is permitted to add water only in a measure that is sufficient to warm the water, i.e., to only partially fill the vessel. However, filling it completely with a measure sufficient to harden the vessel is prohibited. And Shmuel said: Even a measure sufficient to harden the vessel

Today’s daily daf tools:

Delve Deeper

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

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

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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. 

My Daf journey began in August 2012 after participating in the Siyum Hashas where I was blessed as an “enabler” of others.  Galvanized into my own learning I recited the Hadran on Shas in January 2020 with Rabbanit Michelle. That Siyum was a highlight in my life.  Now, on round two, Daf has become my spiritual anchor to which I attribute manifold blessings.

Rina Goldberg
Rina Goldberg

Englewood NJ, United States

I tried Daf Yomi in the middle of the last cycle after realizing I could listen to Michelle’s shiurim online. It lasted all of 2 days! Then the new cycle started just days before my father’s first yahrzeit and my youngest daughter’s bat mitzvah. It seemed the right time for a new beginning. My family, friends, colleagues are immensely supportive!

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Catriella Freedman

Zichron Yaakov, Israel

Attending the Siyyum in Jerusalem 26 months ago inspired me to become part of this community of learners. So many aspects of Jewish life have been illuminated by what we have learned in Seder Moed. My day is not complete without daf Yomi. I am so grateful to Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran Community.

Nancy Kolodny
Nancy Kolodny

Newton, 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!

Rhona Fink
Rhona Fink

San Diego, United States

I have joined the community of daf yomi learners at the start of this cycle. I have studied in different ways – by reading the page, translating the page, attending a local shiur and listening to Rabbanit Farber’s podcasts, depending on circumstances and where I was at the time. The reactions have been positive throughout – with no exception!

Silke Goldberg
Silke Goldberg

Guildford, United Kingdom

My husband learns Daf, my son learns Daf, my son-in-law learns Daf.
When I read about Hadran’s Siyyum HaShas 2 years ago, I thought- I can learn Daf too!
I had learned Gemara in Hillel HS in NJ, & I remembered loving it.
Rabbanit Michelle & Hadran have opened my eyes & expanding my learning so much in the past few years. We can now discuss Gemara as a family.
This was a life saver during Covid

Renee Braha
Renee Braha

Brooklyn, NY, 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.

Shira Krebs
Shira Krebs

Minnesota, United States

I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!

Pamela Elisheva
Pamela Elisheva

Bakersfield, United States

In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.

Rhondda May
Rhondda May

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

My curiosity was peaked after seeing posts about the end of the last cycle. I am always looking for opportunities to increase my Jewish literacy & I am someone that is drawn to habit and consistency. Dinnertime includes a “Guess what I learned on the daf” segment for my husband and 18 year old twins. I also love the feelings of connection with my colleagues who are also learning.

Diana Bloom
Diana Bloom

Tampa, United States

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

Hannah Lee
Hannah Lee

Pennsylvania, United States

A Gemara shiur previous to the Hadran Siyum, was the impetus to attend it.It was highly inspirational and I was smitten. The message for me was התלמוד בידינו. I had decided along with my Chahsmonaim group to to do the daf and take it one daf at time- without any expectations at all. There has been a wealth of information, insights and halachik ideas. It is truly exercise of the mind, heart & Soul

Phyllis Hecht.jpeg
Phyllis Hecht

Hashmonaim, Israel

I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!

Khaya Eisenberg
Khaya Eisenberg

Jerusalem, Israel

I had no formal learning in Talmud until I began my studies in the Joint Program where in 1976 I was one of the few, if not the only, woman talmud major. It was superior training for law school and enabled me to approach my legal studies with a foundation . In 2018, I began daf yomi listening to Rabbanit MIchelle’s pod cast and my daily talmud studies are one of the highlights of my life.

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Terri Krivosha

Minneapolis, United States

The start of my journey is not so exceptional. I was between jobs and wanted to be sure to get out every day (this was before corona). Well, I was hooked after about a month and from then on only looked for work-from-home jobs so I could continue learning the Daf. Daf has been a constant in my life, though hurricanes, death, illness/injury, weddings. My new friends are Rav, Shmuel, Ruth, Joanna.
Judi Felber
Judi Felber

Raanana, Israel

I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.

Miriam Pollack
Miriam Pollack

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

I began my journey two years ago at the beginning of this cycle of the daf yomi. It has been an incredible, challenging experience and has given me a new perspective of Torah Sh’baal Peh and the role it plays in our lives

linda kalish-marcus
linda kalish-marcus

Efrat, Israel

Studying has changed my life view on הלכה and יהדות and time. It has taught me bonudaries of the human nature and honesty of our sages in their discourse to try and build a nation of caring people .

Goldie Gilad
Goldie Gilad

Kfar Saba, Israel

I started learning Dec 2019 after reading “If all the Seas Were Ink”. I found
Daily daf sessions of Rabbanit Michelle in her house teaching, I then heard about the siyum and a new cycle starting wow I am in! Afternoon here in Sydney, my family and friends know this is my sacred time to hide away to live zoom and learn. Often it’s hard to absorb and relate then a gem shines touching my heart.

Dianne Kuchar
Dianne Kuchar

Dover Heights, Australia

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.

Reena Slovin
Reena Slovin

Worcester, United States

Shabbat 41

דְּלֵית לֵיהּ גִּידּוּדֵי, הָא דְּאִית לֵיהּ גִּידּוּדֵי.

that does not have embankments surrounding it. Since there are no partitions, it appears like an ocean or a river. That incident involving Rabbi Abbahu occurred in a place that has embankments and looks like a vessel. Therefore, the Sages did not prohibit it.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אֲנָא חֲזִיתֵיהּ לְרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ שֶׁהִנִּיחַ יָדָיו כְּנֶגֶד פָּנָיו שֶׁל מַטָּה, וְלָא יָדַעְנָא אִי נְגַע אִי לָא נְגַע. פְּשִׁיטָא דְּלָא נְגַע, דְּתַנְיָא רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: כׇּל הָאוֹחֵז בָּאַמָּה וּמַשְׁתִּין — כְּאִילּוּ מֵבִיא מַבּוּל לָעוֹלָם.

After citing what Rabbi Zeira related with regard to Rabbi Abbahu, the Gemara cites that Rabbi Zeira said: I saw that Rabbi Abbahu, while he was bathing, placed his hands over his genitals for the sake of modesty, and I do not know whether he touched them or did not touch them. The Gemara questions Rabbi Zeira’s uncertainty. It is obvious that he did not touch his genitals, as it was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer says: One who holds his penis and urinates it is as if he were bringing a flood to the world. He is liable to become aroused by that contact and that is an extremely severe transgression, comparable to the transgressions violated in the generation of the flood.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: עֲשָׂאוּהָ כְּבוֹלֶשֶׁת. דִּתְנַן: בּוֹלֶשֶׁת שֶׁנִּכְנְסָה לָעִיר, בִּשְׁעַת שָׁלוֹם — חָבִיּוֹת פְּתוּחוֹת אֲסוּרוֹת, סְתוּמוֹת מוּתָּרוֹת. בִּשְׁעַת מִלְחָמָה — אֵלּוּ וְאֵלּוּ מוּתָּרוֹת, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין פְּנַאי לְנַסֵּךְ. אַלְמָא כֵּיוָן דִּבְעִיתִי לָא מְנַסְּכִי. הָכָא נָמֵי, כֵּיוָן דִּבְעִית לָא אָתֵי לְהַרְהוֹרֵי. הָכָא מַאי בִּיעֲתוּתָא? בִּיעֲתוּתָא דְנַהְרָא.

Abaye said: Nevertheless, no proof can be cited from that baraita. Perhaps the Sages rendered the legal status of this situation like that of a military unit, as we learned in a mishna: A military unit that entered a city, if it entered during peacetime, after the soldiers leave, the open barrels of wine are prohibited and the wine in them may not be drunk due to suspicion that the gentile soldiers may have poured this wine as a libation for idolatry. The sealed barrels are permitted. However, if the unit entered in wartime, both are permitted because in wartime there is no respite to pour wine for idolatry, and one can be certain that the soldiers did not do so. Apparently, since they are afraid, they do not pour libations. Here too, in the case of bathing, since he is afraid, he will not come to have impure thoughts. The Gemara asks: And what fear is there here that would prevent one bathing from having impure thoughts? The Gemara answers: Fear of the river. Since he needs to be careful that the water does not wash him away, he is too distracted to think of other matters.

אִינִי?! וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא אָמַר רַב הוּנָא אָמַר רַב: כׇּל הַמַּנִּיחַ יָדָיו כְּנֶגֶד פָּנָיו שֶׁל מַטָּה כְּאִילּוּ כּוֹפֵר בִּבְרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא כִּי נָחֵית, הָא כִּי סָלֵיק. כִּי הָא דְּרָבָא שָׁחֵי. רַבִּי זֵירָא זָקֵיף. רַבָּנַן דְּבֵי רַב אָשֵׁי, כִּי קָא נָחֲתִי — זָקְפִי, כִּי קָא סָלְקִי — שָׁחוּ.

The Gemara questions the story itself: And is that so? Is it permitted under any circumstances to cover one’s genitals while bathing? Didn’t Rabbi Abba say that Rav Huna said that Rav said: Anyone who places his hands over his genitals is as if he denies the covenant of our father Abraham? It appears as if he is covering himself to obscure the fact that he is circumcised. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult, as there is room to distinguish and say that this, the case where it is prohibited to cover oneself, is when he is descending into the river and there are no people facing him and he need not be concerned with modesty. In that case covering oneself is prohibited as he appears to be renouncing the covenant of Abraham. That, the case where, in certain circumstances, this prohibition does not apply, is when he is emerging from the river. When he emerges, he is facing the people on the riverbank and it is then permitted to cover himself in the interest of modesty, as that which Rava would do. He would bend over when he was naked. Rabbi Zeira would stand upright, in accordance with Rav’s statement that it is prohibited to appear to be renouncing the covenant of Abraham. When the Sages of the school of Rav Ashi descended into the river they stood upright. When they emerged from the river they bent over.

רַבִּי זֵירָא הֲוָה קָא מִשְׁתְּמִיט מִדְּרַב יְהוּדָה, דְּבָעֵי לְמִיסַּק לְאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: כׇּל הָעוֹלֶה מִבָּבֶל לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹבֵר בַּעֲשֵׂה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בָּבֶלָה יוּבָאוּ וְשָׁמָּה יִהְיוּ״. אֲמַר: אֵיזִיל וְאֶשְׁמַע מִינֵּיהּ מִילְּתָא וְאֵיתֵי וְאֶיסַּק. אֲזַל, אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ דְּקָאֵי בֵּי בָאנֵי וְקָאָמַר לֵיהּ לְשַׁמָּעֵיהּ: הָבִיאוּ לִי נֶתֶר, הָבִיאוּ לִי מַסְרֵק, פִּתְחוּ פּוּמַּיְיכוּ וְאַפִּיקוּ הַבְלָא, וְאִשְׁתוּ מִמַּיָּא דְּבֵי בָאנֵי. אֲמַר: אִילְמָלֵא לֹא בָּאתִי אֶלָּא לִשְׁמוֹעַ דָּבָר זֶה דַּיִּי.

Speaking of bathing and its halakhot, the Gemara relates: Rabbi Zeira was avoiding being seen by his teacher, Rav Yehuda, as Rabbi Zeira sought to ascend to Eretz Yisrael and his teacher disapproved. As Rav Yehuda said: Anyone who ascends from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael transgresses a positive commandment, as it is stated: “They shall be taken to Babylonia and there they shall remain until the day that I recall them, said the Lord” (Jeremiah 27:22). Based on that verse, Rav Yehuda held that since the Babylonian exile was by divine decree, permission to leave Babylonia for Eretz Yisrael could only be granted by God. Rabbi Zeira did not want to discuss his desire to emigrate with Rav Yehuda, so that he would not be forced to explicitly disobey him. Nevertheless, he said: I will go and hear something from him and then I will leave. He went and found Rav Yehuda standing in the bathhouse and telling his servant: Bring me natron [neter] with which to wash, bring me a comb, open your mouths and let out air, and drink from the water of the bathhouse. Rabbi Zeira said: If I had come only to hear this matter from Rav Yehuda, it would suffice for me.

בִּשְׁלָמָא ״הָבִיאוּ נֶתֶר, הָבִיאוּ מַסְרֵק״ — קָמַשְׁמַע לַן דְּבָרִים שֶׁל חוֹל מוּתָּר לְאוֹמְרָם בִּלְשׁוֹן קֹדֶשׁ. ״פִּתְחוּ פּוּמַּיְיכוּ וְאַפִּיקוּ הַבְלָא״ — נָמֵי כְּדִשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַבְלָא מַפֵּיק הַבְלָא. אֶלָּא ״אִשְׁתוּ מַיָּא דְּבֵי בָאנֵי״ מַאי מְעַלְּיוּתָא? דְּתַנְיָא אָכַל וְלֹא שָׁתָה — אֲכִילָתוֹ דָּם, וְזֶהוּ תְּחִילַּת חוֹלִי מֵעַיִים. אָכַל וְלֹא הָלַךְ אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת — אֲכִילָתוֹ מַרְקֶבֶת, וְזֶהוּ תְּחִילַּת רֵיחַ רַע. הַנִּצְרָךְ לִנְקָבָיו וְאָכַל — דּוֹמֶה לְתַנּוּר שֶׁהִסִּיקוּהוּ עַל גַּבֵּי אֶפְרוֹ, וְזֶהוּ תְּחִילַּת רֵיחַ זוּהֲמָא. רָחַץ בְּחַמִּין וְלֹא שָׁתָה מֵהֶן — דּוֹמֶה לְתַנּוּר שֶׁהִסִּיקוּהוּ מִבְּחוּץ וְלֹא הִסִּיקוּהוּ מִבִּפְנִים. רָחַץ בְּחַמִּין וְלֹא נִשְׁתַּטֵּף בְּצוֹנֵן — דּוֹמֶה לְבַרְזֶל שֶׁהִכְנִיסוּהוּ לָאוּר וְלֹא הִכְנִיסוּהוּ לְצוֹנֵן. רָחַץ וְלֹא סָךְ — דּוֹמֶה לְמַיִם עַל גַּבֵּי חָבִית.

The Gemara analyzes the lessons learned from this story. Granted, when Rav Yehuda said: Bring me natron, bring me a comb, he was teaching us that mundane matters are permitted to be spoken in the bathhouse, even in the sacred language. When he said: Open your mouths and let out air, that too is in accordance with that which Shmuel said, as Shmuel said: Heat produces heat. The hot air that one inhales causes him to sweat more quickly. However, drink the water of the bathhouse, what benefit is there in doing that? The Gemara answers: As it was taught in a baraita: One who ate and did not drink at all, what he ate becomes blood and that causes the onset of intestinal disease. One who ate and did not walk four cubits after eating, what he ate rots and that causes the onset of bad breath. One who needs to defecate and ate is similar to an oven that was lit on top of its ashes. When ashes from a previous fire are not swept out, and new logs are placed on top of the old ones, it inhibits the burning and dirties the oven, and that causes the onset of odor of the filth of perspiration in a person. As far as our matter is concerned, the baraita teaches: One who bathed in hot water and did not drink from it is like an oven that was lit from the outside and not lit from the inside. The lighting is ineffective and the oven does not heat properly. Rav Yehuda told his servants to drink the hot water while bathing so that they would be heated from the inside and the outside. The baraita continues: One who bathed in hot water and did not rinse afterward with cold water is like iron that was placed in the fire and not placed afterward in cold water, which leaves the iron soft. And one who bathed and did not smear himself with oil afterward is like water that was poured on top of a barrel, and not into it. The water spills outside the barrel.

מַתְנִי׳ מוּלְיָאר הַגָּרוּף שׁוֹתִין הֵימֶנּוּ בְּשַׁבָּת. אַנְטִיכֵי, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגְּרוּפָה אֵין שׁוֹתִין הֵימֶנָּה.

MISHNA: In this mishna, the Sages discuss two vessels used for heating water. With regard to a mulyar, a bronze vessel into which coals are placed in an outer compartment and water is placed into an adjacent inner compartment, whose coals were swept, one may drink from it on Shabbat. With regard to an antikhi, which is a vessel with a different configuration, even if its coals were swept, one may not drink from it on Shabbat.

גְּמָ׳ הֵיכִי דָּמֵי מוּלְיָאר הַגָּרוּף? תָּנָא, מַיִם מִבִּפְנִים וְגֶחָלִים מִבְּחוּץ. אַנְטִיכֵי: רַבָּה אָמַר — בֵּי כִירֵי. רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר — בֵּי דוּדֵי. מַאן דְּאָמַר בֵּי דוּדֵי כָּל שֶׁכֵּן בֵּי כִירֵי, וּמַאן דְּאָמַר בֵּי כִירֵי אֲבָל בֵּי דוּדֵי — לָא. תַּנְיָא כְּווֹתֵיהּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן: אַנְטִיכֵי אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגְּרוּפָה וּקְטוּמָה אֵין שׁוֹתִין הֵימֶנָּה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנְּחוּשְׁתָּהּ מְחַמַּמְתָּהּ.

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances of a swept mulyar? The Gemara answers: A mulyar is the vessel, explained in the Tosefta on our mishna, that has water on the inside and coals on the outside. With regard to the identity of an antikhi there are different opinions. Rabba said that it refers to a stove. A space is created in the wall of a stove and filled with water. Since the stove is very hot, it is prohibited to use this water. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzhak said: An antikhi is a cauldron, i.e., a vessel made from two cauldrons stacked one on top of the other with coals in the bottom one and water in the upper one. These two different opinions have halakhic implications. The one who says that it is prohibited to use a vessel composed of two cauldrons, all the more so it is prohibited to use the space inside of a stove. And the one who says that it is prohibited to use the space inside a stove, a vessel composed of two cauldrons, no, it is not prohibited. It was taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rav Naḥman: An antikhi, even if it was swept and covered with ashes, one may not drink from it on Shabbat because its copper heats it. The heating in an antikhi is by means of the coals beneath the water.

מַתְנִי׳ הַמֵּיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּהוּ לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכוֹ צוֹנֵן בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁיֵּחַמּוּ. אֲבָל נוֹתֵן הוּא לְתוֹכוֹ אוֹ לְתוֹךְ הַכּוֹס כְּדֵי לְהַפְשִׁירָן.

MISHNA: The Sages added to the laws of leaving food on a source of heat and cooking food on Shabbat: An urn that was emptied of its hot water on Shabbat, one may not place cold water into it so that the cold water will be heated. However, one may place cold water into an urn or into a cup that were emptied of their hot water in order to warm it but not in order to heat it.

גְּמָ׳ מַאי קָאָמַר? אָמַר רַב אַדָּא בַּר מַתְנָא, הָכִי קָאָמַר: הַמֵּיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּה מִמֶּנּוּ מַיִם חַמִּין לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכָן מַיִם מוּעָטִים כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּחַמּוּ, אֲבָל נוֹתֵן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם מְרוּבִּים כְּדֵי לְהַפְשִׁירָן.

GEMARA: The mishna seems to contradict itself. The first statement completely prohibits placing water into an urn, and later it was partially permitted. The Gemara asks: What is the mishna saying? Rav Adda bar Mattana said that it said the following: An urn that was emptied of its hot water, one may not put a small amount of water into it so that it will become very hot. However, one may put a large quantity of water into it in order to warm it. A large quantity of cold water will not be heated in those circumstances.

וַהֲלֹא מְצָרֵף? רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא, דְּאָמַר: דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין — מוּתָּר. מַתְקִיף לַהּ אַבָּיֵי: מִידֵּי מֵיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּה מִמֶּנּוּ מַיִם קָתָנֵי?! מֵיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּהוּ קָתָנֵי!

The Gemara questions this leniency: By putting cold water into the urn, doesn’t it harden the vessel? Cold water poured into a heated metal vessel reinforces the vessel. It is one of the stages in the labor of a blacksmith. How is it permitted to do something similar on Shabbat? The Gemara answers: This mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, who stated a principle with regard to the laws of Shabbat: An unintentional act, i.e., a permitted action from which a prohibited labor inadvertently ensues, is permitted. Here too, his intention was to warm the water, not to reinforce the vessel. Abaye strongly objects to this explanation: Does it say in the mishna: An urn from which water was emptied? That would indicate that he sought to fill the vessel with other water and warm up that water. Rather, an urn that was removed was taught in the mishna, meaning that the urn was removed from the fire, not that the water was emptied from it.

אֶלָּא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, הָכִי קָאָמַר: הַמֵּיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּהוּ וְיֵשׁ בּוֹ מַיִם חַמִּין — לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם מוּעָטִין בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁיָּחוֹמּוּ, אֲבָל נוֹתֵן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם מְרוּבִּים כְּדֵי לְהַפְשִׁירָן. וּמֵיחַם שֶׁפִּינָּה מִמֶּנּוּ מַיִם — לֹא יִתֵּן לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם כׇּל עִיקָּר, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמְּצָרֵף. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא, דְּאָמַר דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין מִתְכַּוֵּין אָסוּר.

Rather, Abaye said this is what the mishna is saying: An urn that was removed from the fire and contains hot water, one may not place a small quantity of water in it so that the water will become hot; rather, one may place a large quantity of water in it so that the water will become warm. And with regard to an urn from which water was removed; one may not place any water into it because he hardens the vessel by placing cold water into a hot vessel. And, according to this explanation, our mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who said that an unintentional act from which a prohibited labor inadvertently ensues is prohibited on Shabbat.

אָמַר רַב: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא לְהַפְשִׁיר, אֲבָל לְצָרֵף — אָסוּר. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ לְצָרֵף נָמֵי מוּתָּר. לְצָרֵף לְכַתְּחִילָּה מִי שְׁרֵי?! אֶלָּא אִי אִיתְּמַר הָכִי אִיתְּמַר: אָמַר רַב לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שִׁיעוּר לְהַפְשִׁיר, אֲבָל שִׁיעוּר לְצָרֵף — אָסוּר. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ שִׁיעוּר לְצָרֵף —

With regard to the matter itself, Rav said: They taught that one is permitted to place cold water into an urn with hot water after it was removed from the fire, when his intention is only to warm the cold water. However, if he did this in order to harden the vessel, it is prohibited. And Shmuel said: Even if he does so in order to harden the vessel, it is also permitted. The Gemara wonders: Is hardening permitted ab initio? Isn’t it a full-fledged prohibited labor on Shabbat? Rather, if the dispute between Rav and Shmuel was stated, it was stated as follows. Rav said: They taught that it is permitted to add water only in a measure that is sufficient to warm the water, i.e., to only partially fill the vessel. However, filling it completely with a measure sufficient to harden the vessel is prohibited. And Shmuel said: Even a measure sufficient to harden the vessel

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