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Shabbat 67

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Summary

Today’s shiur is dedicated for a refuah shleima for Ilana Leah bat Esther and David Binyamin ben Duba Feige by Candace Plotsker-Herman.

The gemara continues to list incantations for various diseases or to protect from evil spirits. The mishna deals with carrying out objects that are used as segulot for protection. Rabbi Meir allows them and the rabbis forbid using them even on a weekday, as they are methods used by the Emorim, non Jews whose ways we are forbidden to follow. Abaye and Rava says that if they are used for medicinal purposes one is allowed to follow ways of non Jews. There is a debate whether or not some of these things are actually idol worship. Can we use any incantations or other methods mentioned in the gemara nowadays? Where does one draw the line between incantations and prayer?

Today’s daily daf tools:

Shabbat 67

לְאִשָּׁתָא תִּילְתָּא — לַיְיתֵי שִׁבְעָה סִילְוֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה דִּיקְלֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה צִיבֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה כְּשׁוּרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה סִיכֵּי מִשִּׁבְעָה גְּשׁוּרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה קִיטְמֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה תַּנּוּרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה עַפְרֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה סֻנְרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה כּוּפְרֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה אַרְבֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה בּוּנֵי כַּמּוֹנֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה בִּינֵי מִדִּיקְנָא דְכַלְבָּא סָבָא, וְלִצְיְירִינְהוּ בַּחֲלָלָא דְבֵי צַוְּארָא בְּנִירָא בַּרְקָא.

For tertian fever, which afflicts one every three days, let one bring seven thorns from seven palm trees, and seven slivers from seven beams, and seven pegs from seven bridges, and seven types of ashes from seven ovens, and seven types of dust from seven door sockets, the hole in which the hinge of the door revolves, and seven types of tar from seven boats, and seven cumin seeds, and seven hairs from the beard of an old dog, and let him bind it to the opening of the neckline of his garment with a thread made of hair.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לְאִשָּׁתָא צְמִירְתָּא — לִישְׁקֹל סַכִּינָא דְּכוּלֵּהּ פַּרְזְלָא, וְלֵיזִיל לְהֵיכָא דְּאִיכָּא וַורְדִּינָא, וְלִיקְטַר בֵּיהּ נִירָא בַּרְקָא.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: For healing a burning fever, let one take a knife that is made entirely of iron, including the handle, and let him go to a place where there is a bush and tie a string of hair to it.

יוֹמָא קַמָּא, לִיחְרוֹק בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא וְלֵימָא: ״וַיֵּרָא מַלְאַךְ ה׳ אֵלָיו וְגוֹ׳״. לִמְחַר, לִיחְרוֹק בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא וְלֵימָא: ״וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אָסֻרָה נָּא וְאֶרְאֶה״. לִמְחַר, לִיחְרוֹק בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא וְלֵימָא: ״וַיַּרְא ה׳ כִּי סָר לִרְאוֹת וְגוֹ׳״.

On the first day, let him carve the bush a little, and recite: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within the bush and he looked and behold the bush was aflame in fire and the bush was not consumed” (Exodus 3:2). On the following day, let him carve the bush a little more and recite: “And Moses said: I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned” (Exodus 3:3). On the following day, let him carve the bush a little more and recite: “And the Lord saw that he turned aside to see and God called to him within the bush and said: Moses, Moses, and he said: Here I am” (Exodus 3:4).

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי, וְלֵימָא: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אַל תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם וְגוֹ׳״? אֶלָּא לְיוֹמָא קַמָּא, לֵימָא: ״וַיֵּרָא מַלְאַךְ ה׳ אֵלָיו וְגוֹ׳ וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה וְגוֹ׳״, וְלִמְחַר, לֵימָא: ״וַיַּרְא ה׳ כִּי סָר לִרְאוֹת״, וְלִמְחַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אַל תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם״.

Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Rav Ashi: And let him say: “And the Lord said: Do not come close, take off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). This verse is more suited to be recited as an incantation to cure a fever. Rather, on the first day, let him recite the first two verses: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within the bush and he looked and behold the bush was aflame in fire and the bush was not consumed,” as well as, “And Moses said: I will turn aside now and see.” And on the following day, let him recite: “And the Lord saw that he turned aside to see.” And on the following day, let him recite: “And the Lord said: Do not come close, take off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5).

וְכִי פָּסֵק לֵיהּ, לִיתַתֵּיהּ וְלִיפְסְקֵיהּ וְלֵימָא הָכִי: ״הַסְּנֶה הַסְּנֶה! לָאו מִשּׁוּם דִּגְבִיהַתְּ מִכׇּל אִילָנֵי אַשְׁרִי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא שְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ עֲלָךְ, אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם דְּמָיְיכַתְּ מִכׇּל אִילָנֵי אַשְׁרִי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא שְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ עֲלָךְ. וְכִי הֵיכִי דַּחֲמִיתֵיהּ אִשָּׁתָא לַחֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה וַעֲרַקַת מִן קֳדָמוֹהִי, כֵּן תִּחְמֵינֵיהּ אִשָּׁתָא לִפְלוֹנִי בַּר פְּלוֹנִית וְתִיעְרוֹק מִן קֳדָמוֹהִי״.

And when he carves the bush, let him lower himself and cut it close to the ground, and recite as follows: The bush, the bush; not because you are higher than all trees did the Holy One, Blessed be He, rest His Divine Presence upon you. Rather, it is because you are lower than all trees did the Holy One, Blessed be He, rested His Divine Presence upon you. And just as the fire saw Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and fled from before them, so too, let the fire of the fever see so-and-so, son of so-and-so, his mother, flee from before him.

לְסִימְטָא, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״בַּז, בַּזְיָיה, מַס, מַסְיָיא, כַּס, כַּסְיָיה, שִׁרְלַאי, וַאֲמַרְלַאי, אִלֵּין מַלְאֲכֵי דְּאִישְׁתְּלַחוּ מֵאַרְעָא דִסְדוֹם וּלְאַסָּאָה שְׁחִינָא כְּאִיבִין, בְּזָךְ, בַּזַיִךְ, בַּזְבְּזִיךְ, מַסְמְסִיךְ, כַּמּוֹן, כָּמִיךְ, עֵינִיךְ בִּיךְ, עֵינִיךְ בִּיךְ, אַתְרִיךְ בִּיךְ, זַרְעִיךְ כְּקָלוּט וּכְפִרְדָּה דְּלָא פָּרָה וְלָא רָבְיָא, כָּךְ לָא תִּפְרֵה וְלָא תִּרְבֵּה בְּגוּפֵיהּ דִּפְלוֹנִי בַּר פְּלוֹנִית״.

For healing boils, let him recite as follows: Baz, Bazya, Mas, Masya, Kas, Kasya, Sharlai, and Amarlai, these are the angels who were sent from the land of Sodom and this was all in order to heal painful boils. Bazakh, Bazikh, Bazbazikh, Masmasikh, Kamon, Kamikh, may your appearance remain with you, may your appearance remain with you, i.e., the boils should not grow redder. May your place remain with you, i.e., they should not spread, may your, the boils’, seed be like one who is barren and like a mule that is not fruitful and does not multiply, so too, do not increase and do not multiply in the body of so-and-so, son of so-and-so.

לְכִיפָּה, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״חֶרֶב שְׁלוּפָה וְקֶלַע נְטוּשָׁה לָא שְׁמֵיהּ יוֹכַב חוֹלִין מַכְאוֹבִין״.

For healing a wound, let him recite as follows: A drawn sword and a readied sling, its name shall not be ache, sickness, and pains.

לְשֵׁידָא, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״הֲוֵית דִּפְקִיק, דִּפְקִיק הֲוֵית, לִיט תְּבִיר וּמְשׁוּמָּת בַּר טִיט בַּר טָמֵא בַּר טִינָא, כְּשַׁמְגַּז מְרִיגַז וְאִיסְטְמַאי״.

To be saved from a demon, let him recite as follows: You were stopped up, stopped up you were. Cursed, broken, and excommunicated be the demon called bar Tit bar Tamei bar Tina as Shamgaz, Merigaz, and Istemai.

לְשֵׁידָא דְּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״אַקַּרְקָפֵי דַאֲרִי וְאַאוֹסֵי דְגוּרַיְיתָא אַשְׁכַּחְתּוּן לְשֵׁידַאי בַּר שְׁרִיקָא פַּנְדָּא, בְּמֵישָׁרָא דְכַרָּתֵי חֲבַטְתֵּיהּ, בְּלוֹעָא דַחֲמָרָא חֲטַרְתֵּיהּ״.

To be saved from the demon of the bathroom, let him recite as follows: On the head of a lion and on the nose of a lioness we found the demon named bar Shirika Panda. With a bed of leeks I felled him, and with the jaw of the donkey I struck him.

וּבְנֵי מְלָכִים בְּזֹגִין. מַאן תַּנָּא? אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא, דְּאָמַר: כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּנֵי מְלָכִים הֵם. רָבָא אָמַר: בְּאָרִיג בִּכְסוּתוֹ, וְדִבְרֵי הַכֹּל.

We learned in the mishna that princes may go out with bells, and the same is true for anyone else. The Gemara asks: Who is the tanna who holds that all people of Israel are permitted to conduct themselves like princes with regard to going out with precious ornaments? Rabbi Oshaya said: It is Rabbi Shimon, who said: All of Israel are princes. Therefore, precious ornaments are suitable for every person of Israel. They will neither remove them to show to others nor will they remove them due to concern that people will think them pretentious. Rava said: The mishna is referring to a case where the bell is woven into his garment, obviating the concern lest he remove it, and the halakha in the mishna is in accordance with the statements of all tanna’im, not merely the statement of Rabbi Shimon.

מַתְנִי׳ יוֹצְאִין בְּבֵיצַת הַחַרְגּוֹל וּבְשֵׁן שׁוּעָל וּבְמַסְמֵר מִן הַצָּלוּב, מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה — דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹסְרִין אַף בַּחוֹל, מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

MISHNA: One may go out on Shabbat with a locust egg, and with a fox tooth, and with a nail from the crucified, for the purpose of healing; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. The Rabbis prohibit using these remedies even during the week, due to the prohibition of following the ways of the Amorite. These are superstitious beliefs and the customs of gentiles from which one must distance oneself.

גְּמָ׳ יוֹצְאִין בְּבֵיצַת הַחַרְגּוֹל — דְּעָבְדִי לְשִׁיחְלָא. וּבְשֵׁן שֶׁל שׁוּעָל — דְּעָבְדִי לְשִׁינְתָּא. דְּחַיָּיא — לְמַאן דְּנָיֵים. דְּמִיתָא — לְמַאן דְּלָא נָיֵים. וּבְמַסְמֵר מִן הַצָּלוּב — דְּעָבְדִי לְזִירְפָּא.

GEMARA: We learned in the mishna that in Rabbi Meir’s opinion one may go out on Shabbat with a locust egg, and a fox tooth, and with a nail from the crucified as a talisman or a cure. The Gemara explains the nature of each: One may go out with a locust egg, as they use it as a talisman to cure an earache; and with a fox tooth, as they use it as a talisman for sleep; the tooth of a live fox for one who sleeps too much to wake him up, and the tooth of a dead fox for one who does not sleep. And one may go out with a nail from the crucified, as they use it as a talisman for curing infection.

מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה — דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר.

We learned in the mishna that going out with those objects is permitted on Shabbat for the purpose of healing; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir.

אַבָּיֵי וְרָבָא דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: כׇּל דָּבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

With regard to the halakha in the mishna, the Gemara cites Abaye and Rava, who both said: Anything that contains an element of healing and seems to be effective does not contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite. There is no cause for suspicion of one who engages in their practice, gentile or Jew.

הָא אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי? וְהָתַנְיָא: אִילָן שֶׁמַּשִּׁיר פֵּירוֹתָיו סוֹקְרוֹ וְצוֹבֵעַ אוֹתוֹ בְּסִיקְרָא וְטוֹעֲנוֹ בַּאֲבָנִים. בִּשְׁלָמָא טוֹעֲנוֹ בַּאֲבָנִים, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיכְחוֹשׁ חֵילֵיהּ. אֶלָּא סוֹקְרוֹ בְּסִיקְרָא מַאי רְפוּאָה קָעָבֵיד?

The Gemara asks: Is that to say by inference that if it is does not contain an element of healing, it does contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite? Wasn’t it taught in a baraita: A tree that sheds its fruit prematurely, one paints it and colors it with red paint and loads it with stones? Granted, he is permitted to load it with stones because that action produces an actual benefit, i.e., he does that so that its strength will weaken. Sometimes a tree sheds its fruits prematurely due to excessive blossoming. Sustaining those blossoms taxes the tree, rendering it incapable of sustaining the fruits that grow from the blossoms. The stones were used to slightly weaken the tree when blossoming, thereby reducing the number of blossoms that the tree must nourish. However, painting it with red paint, what healing is he performing with that action?

כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיחְזְיוּהּ אִינָשֵׁי וְלִיבְעוֹ עֲלֵיהּ רַחֲמֵי. כִּדְתַנְיָא: ״וְטָמֵא טָמֵא יִקְרָא״. צָרִיךְ לְהוֹדִיעַ צַעֲרוֹ לְרַבִּים, וְרַבִּים יְבַקְּשׁוּ עָלָיו רַחֲמִים. אָמַר רָבִינָא: כְּמַאן תָּלֵינַן כּוּבְסֵי בְּדִיקְלָא — כִּי הַאי תַּנָּא.

The Gemara explains: He does so so that people will see the tree and pray for mercy for it. As it was taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be ripped and the hair of his head shall grow long and he will put a covering upon his upper lip and will cry: Impure, impure” (Leviticus 13:45). The leper publicizes the fact that he is ritually impure because he must announce his pain to the masses, and the masses will pray for mercy on his behalf. Ravina said: In accordance with whose opinion do we hang bunches of unripe dates on a palm tree that casts off its dates? According to that tanna who taught that one must publicize his pain to the masses.

תָּנֵי תַּנָּא בְּפֶרֶק אֱמוֹרָאֵי קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָבִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כּוּלְּהוּ אִית בְּהוּ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי, לְבַר מֵהָנֵי: מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ עֶצֶם בִּגְרוֹנוֹ מֵבִיא מֵאוֹתוֹ הַמִּין וּמַנִּיחַ לֵיהּ עַל קׇדְקֳדוֹ, וְלֵימָא הָכִי: ״חַד חַד נָחֵית בָּלַע, בָּלַע נָחֵית חַד חַד״, אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

The tanna recited the chapter of the Tosefta discussing the actions of the Amorites before Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Avin. Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Avin said to him: All those enumerated there contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite, except for these: One who has a bone in his throat brings a bone from the same species as the bone that is stuck in his throat, and places it on his skull, and says as follows: One by one descend and be swallowed, swallow and descend one by one. That does not contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite.

לְאִדְּרָא לֵימָא הָכִי: ״נִנְּעַצְתָּא כְּמַחַט, נִנְעַלְּתָא כִּתְרִיס, שַׁיָּיא שַׁיָּיא״.

For a fish bone stuck in the throat, let him say as follows: You are stuck like a needle, locked as a shutter, go down, go down.

הָאוֹמֵר ״גַּד גַּדִּי, וּסְנוּק לָא אַשְׁכִּי וּבוּשְׁכִּי״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: ״גַּד״ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הָעֹרְכִים לַגַּד שֻׁלְחָן״.

After some discussion of the ways of the Amorite, the Gemara cites additional statements from the Amorite chapter in the Tosefta and from other sources on this topic. One who says: My fortune be fortunate [gad gaddi] and be not weary by day or by night; that statement contains an element of the ways of the Amorite. Rabbi Yehuda says: That is more severe than the ways of the Amorite, as gad is nothing other than a term of idolatry, as it is stated: “And you that forsake the Lord, that forget My holy mountain, that prepare a table for Gad, and that offer mingled wine in full measure unto Meni” (Isaiah 65:11). Gad gaddi is a form of prayer to an idol.

הוּא בִּשְׁמָהּ וְהִיא בִּשְׁמוֹ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who requests that he be called by his wife’s name and she be called by his name for good fortune, his request contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

״דּוּנוּ דַּנַּי״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אֵין ״דָּן״ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַנִּשְׁבָּעִים בְּאַשְׁמַת שֹׁמְרוֹן וְאָמְרוּ חֵי אֱלֹהֶיךָ דָּן״.

One who says: Let my barrels be strengthened [donu danei], that contains an element of the ways of the Amorite. Rabbi Yehuda says: That is more severe than the ways of the Amorite, as Dan is nothing other than a term of idol worship, as it is stated: “They that swear by the sin of Samaria and say: As your god Dan lives” (Amos 8:14).

הָאוֹמֵר לְעוֹרֵב ״צְרַח״, וּלְעוֹרֶבְתָּא ״שְׁרִיקִי וְהַחֲזִירִי לִי זְנָבִיךְ לְטוֹבָה״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who hears a raven calling and is concerned about a bad omen and says to the raven: Scream, and says to the female raven: Whistle and turn your tail to me for the best; those statements contain an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הָאוֹמֵר ״שַׁחֲטוּ תַּרְנְגוֹל זֶה שֶׁקָּרָא עַרְבִית״ וְ״תַרְנְגוֹלֶת שֶׁקָּרְאָה גַּבְרִית״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who says: Slaughter this rooster that calls out in the evening and says: Slaughter this chicken that calls out like a male rooster; those statements contain an element of the ways of the Amorite.

״אֶשְׁתֶּה וְאוֹתִיר, אֶשְׁתֶּה וְאוֹתִיר״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who says: I will drink and leave over, I will drink and leave over, so that his wine will increase; that statement contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמְבַקַּעַת בֵּיצִים בַּכּוֹתֶל, וְהַטָּח בִּפְנֵי הָאֶפְרוֹחִים — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who cracks eggs on a wall and smears them in front of the chicks; that series of actions contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

וְהַמֵּגִיס בִּפְנֵי אֶפְרוֹחִים — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

And one who stirs the pot in front of chicks as an auspicious practice so they do not die; that action contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמְרַקֶּדֶת, וְהַמּוֹנָה שִׁבְעִים וְאֶחָד אֶפְרוֹחִין בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁלֹּא יָמוּתוּ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

A woman who dances and counts the chicks until she reaches the number of seventy-one chicks, so they won’t die; her action contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמְרַקֶּדֶת לְכוּתָּח, וְהַמְשַׁתֶּקֶת לַעֲדָשִׁים, וְהַמְצַוַּוחַת לִגְרִיסִין — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

A woman who dances to ensure that the kutaḥ, a spice made from whey salt and bread, that she is preparing will be successful, and a woman who silences bystanders to ensure that the lentils will cook properly, and a woman who screams to ensure that the pearl barley will cook properly; all these contain an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמַּשְׁתֶּנֶת בִּפְנֵי קְדֵירָתָהּ בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתִּתְבַּשֵּׁל מְהֵרָה — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

A woman who urinates in front of her pot so it will cook quickly; that action contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

אֲבָל נוֹתְנִין קֵיסָם שֶׁל תּוּת וְשִׁבְרֵי זְכוּכִית בִּקְדֵירָה בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתִּתְבַּשֵּׁל מְהֵרָה, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹסְרִין בְּשִׁבְרֵי זְכוּכִית מִפְּנֵי הַסַּכָּנָה.

But one may put a chip of mulberry wood and shards of glass in the pot so it will cook quickly, as doing so is effective and not merely superstition. And the Rabbis prohibit shards of glass not due to superstition; rather, due to the danger involved if the glass is not strained out completely.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: נוֹתְנִין בּוּל שֶׁל מֶלַח לְתוֹךְ הַנֵּר בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתָּאִיר וְתַדְלִיק. וְנוֹתְנִין טִיט וְחַרְסִית תַּחַת הַנֵּר בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתַּמְתִּין וְתַדְלִיק.

The Sages taught in the Tosefta: One may place a lump of salt into a candle so it will burn brightly; that is effective and not merely for good fortune, so there is no element of the ways of the Amorites involved. And similarly, one may put mud or clay under a candle so it will burn longer.

אָמַר רַב זוּטְרָא: הַאי מַאן דִּמְכַסֵּי שְׁרָגָא דְּמִשְׁחָא וּמְגַלֵּי נַפְטָא קָעָבַר מִשּׁוּם ״בַּל תַּשְׁחִית״.

Rav Zutra said: He who covers an oil lamp or who uncovers a kerosene lamp for no purpose violates the prohibition: Do not destroy, since by doing so the fuel burns more quickly.

״חַמְרָא וְחַיֵּי לְפוּם רַבָּנַן״ — אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי. מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שֶׁעָשָׂה מִשְׁתֶּה לִבְנוֹ, וְעַל כׇּל כּוֹס וָכוֹס שֶׁהֵבִיא אָמַר: ״חַמְרָא וְחַיֵּי לְפוּם רַבָּנַן, חַיֵּי וְחַמְרָא לְפוּם רַבָּנַן וּלְפוּם תַּלְמִידֵיהוֹן״.

One who says while drinking: Wine and life to the mouth of the Sages, this does not fall into the category of the ways of the Amorite. There was an incident with Rabbi Akiva who made a banquet for his son, and over each and every cup he brought he said: Wine and life to the mouth of the Sages, wine and life to the mouth of the Sages and to the mouth of their students.



הדרן עלך במה אשה

מַתְנִי׳ כְּלָל גָּדוֹל אָמְרוּ בְּשַׁבָּת: כׇּל הַשּׁוֹכֵחַ עִיקַּר שַׁבָּת, וְעָשָׂה מְלָאכוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת הַרְבֵּה — אֵינוֹ חַיָּיב אֶלָּא חַטָּאת אַחַת. הַיּוֹדֵעַ עִיקַּר שַׁבָּת, וְעָשָׂה מְלָאכוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת הַרְבֵּה — חַיָּיב עַל כׇּל שַׁבָּת וְשַׁבָּת. הַיּוֹדֵעַ שֶׁהוּא שַׁבָּת, וְעָשָׂה מְלָאכוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת הַרְבֵּה — חַיָּיב עַל כׇּל

MISHNA: The Sages stated a significant principle with regard to the halakhot of Shabbat: One who forgets the essence of Shabbat, i.e., one who is entirely ignorant of the mitzva of Shabbat according to Torah law, and performed numerous prohibited labors on multiple Shabbatot, is liable to bring only one sin-offering for all those labors when he becomes aware that those actions were prohibited. One who knows the essence of Shabbat but forgets which day is Shabbat, i.e., one who lost track of the days of the week, and performs numerous prohibited labors on multiple Shabbatot is liable to bring a sin-offering for each Shabbat when he becomes aware that he performed those actions on Shabbat. One who is aware that the day is Shabbat but temporarily forgot that certain labors were prohibited and performed numerous prohibited labors on multiple Shabbatot is liable to bring a sin-offering for each

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

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

Phoenix, AZ, United States

I never thought I’d be able to do Daf Yomi till I saw the video of Hadran’s Siyum HaShas. Now, 2 years later, I’m about to participate in Siyum Seder Mo’ed with my Hadran community. It has been an incredible privilege to learn with Rabbanit Michelle and to get to know so many caring, talented and knowledgeable women. I look forward with great anticipation and excitement to learning Seder Nashim.

Caroline-Ben-Ari-Tapestry
Caroline Ben-Ari

Karmiel, Israel

In January 2020 on a Shabbaton to Baltimore I heard about the new cycle of Daf Yomi after the siyum celebration in NYC stadium. I started to read “ a daily dose of Talmud “ and really enjoyed it . It led me to google “ do Orthodox women study Talmud? “ and found HADRAN! Since then I listen to the podcast every morning, participate in classes and siyum. I love to learn, this is amazing! Thank you

Sandrine Simons
Sandrine Simons

Atlanta, United States

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

Lori Stark
Lori Stark

Highland Park, United States

I had tried to start after being inspired by the hadran siyum, but did not manage to stick to it. However, just before masechet taanit, our rav wrote a message to the shul WhatsApp encouraging people to start with masechet taanit, so I did! And this time, I’m hooked! I listen to the shiur every day , and am also trying to improve my skills.

Laura Major
Laura Major

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

Beth Elster
Beth Elster

Irvine, United States

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.

Susan Handelman
Susan Handelman

Jerusalem, 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

Dena Heller
Dena Heller

New Jersey, United States

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!

Anne Mirsky (1)
Anne Mirsky

Maale Adumim, Israel

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

Shira Jacobowitz
Shira Jacobowitz

Jerusalem, Israel

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.

Adina Hagege
Adina Hagege

Zichron Yaakov, Israel

I LOVE learning the Daf. I started with Shabbat. I join the morning Zoom with Reb Michelle and it totally grounds my day. When Corona hit us in Israel, I decided that I would use the Daf to keep myself sane, especially during the days when we could not venture out more than 300 m from our home. Now my husband and I have so much new material to talk about! It really is the best part of my day!

Batsheva Pava
Batsheva Pava

Hashmonaim, Israel

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

Debbie Engelen-Eigles
Debbie Engelen-Eigles

Minnesota, United States

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

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

When I was working and taking care of my children, learning was never on the list. Now that I have more time I have two different Gemora classes and the nach yomi as well as the mishna yomi daily.

Shoshana Shinnar
Shoshana Shinnar

Jerusalem, Israel

I started with Ze Kollel in Berlin, directed by Jeremy Borowitz for Hillel Deutschland. We read Masechet Megillah chapter 4 and each participant wrote his commentary on a Sugia that particularly impressed him. I wrote six poems about different Sugiot! Fascinated by the discussions on Talmud I continued to learn with Rabanit Michelle Farber and am currently taking part in the Tikun Olam course.
Yael Merlini
Yael Merlini

Berlin, Germany

Margo
I started my Talmud journey in 7th grade at Akiba Jewish Day School in Chicago. I started my Daf Yomi journey after hearing Erica Brown speak at the Hadran Siyum about marking the passage of time through Daf Yomi.

Carolyn
I started my Talmud journey post-college in NY with a few classes. I started my Daf Yomi journey after the Hadran Siyum, which inspired both my son and myself.

Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal
Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal

Merion Station,  USA

Beit Shemesh, Israel

I decided to give daf yomi a try when I heard about the siyum hashas in 2020. Once the pandemic hit, the daily commitment gave my days some much-needed structure. There have been times when I’ve felt like quitting- especially when encountering very technical details in the text. But then I tell myself, “Look how much you’ve done. You can’t stop now!” So I keep going & my Koren bookshelf grows…

Miriam Eckstein-Koas
Miriam Eckstein-Koas

Huntington, United States

Shabbat 67

לְאִשָּׁתָא תִּילְתָּא — לַיְיתֵי שִׁבְעָה סִילְוֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה דִּיקְלֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה צִיבֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה כְּשׁוּרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה סִיכֵּי מִשִּׁבְעָה גְּשׁוּרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה קִיטְמֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה תַּנּוּרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה עַפְרֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה סֻנְרֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה כּוּפְרֵי מִשִּׁבְעָה אַרְבֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה בּוּנֵי כַּמּוֹנֵי, וְשִׁבְעָה בִּינֵי מִדִּיקְנָא דְכַלְבָּא סָבָא, וְלִצְיְירִינְהוּ בַּחֲלָלָא דְבֵי צַוְּארָא בְּנִירָא בַּרְקָא.

For tertian fever, which afflicts one every three days, let one bring seven thorns from seven palm trees, and seven slivers from seven beams, and seven pegs from seven bridges, and seven types of ashes from seven ovens, and seven types of dust from seven door sockets, the hole in which the hinge of the door revolves, and seven types of tar from seven boats, and seven cumin seeds, and seven hairs from the beard of an old dog, and let him bind it to the opening of the neckline of his garment with a thread made of hair.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לְאִשָּׁתָא צְמִירְתָּא — לִישְׁקֹל סַכִּינָא דְּכוּלֵּהּ פַּרְזְלָא, וְלֵיזִיל לְהֵיכָא דְּאִיכָּא וַורְדִּינָא, וְלִיקְטַר בֵּיהּ נִירָא בַּרְקָא.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: For healing a burning fever, let one take a knife that is made entirely of iron, including the handle, and let him go to a place where there is a bush and tie a string of hair to it.

יוֹמָא קַמָּא, לִיחְרוֹק בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא וְלֵימָא: ״וַיֵּרָא מַלְאַךְ ה׳ אֵלָיו וְגוֹ׳״. לִמְחַר, לִיחְרוֹק בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא וְלֵימָא: ״וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אָסֻרָה נָּא וְאֶרְאֶה״. לִמְחַר, לִיחְרוֹק בֵּיהּ פּוּרְתָּא וְלֵימָא: ״וַיַּרְא ה׳ כִּי סָר לִרְאוֹת וְגוֹ׳״.

On the first day, let him carve the bush a little, and recite: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within the bush and he looked and behold the bush was aflame in fire and the bush was not consumed” (Exodus 3:2). On the following day, let him carve the bush a little more and recite: “And Moses said: I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned” (Exodus 3:3). On the following day, let him carve the bush a little more and recite: “And the Lord saw that he turned aside to see and God called to him within the bush and said: Moses, Moses, and he said: Here I am” (Exodus 3:4).

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי, וְלֵימָא: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אַל תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם וְגוֹ׳״? אֶלָּא לְיוֹמָא קַמָּא, לֵימָא: ״וַיֵּרָא מַלְאַךְ ה׳ אֵלָיו וְגוֹ׳ וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה וְגוֹ׳״, וְלִמְחַר, לֵימָא: ״וַיַּרְא ה׳ כִּי סָר לִרְאוֹת״, וְלִמְחַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אַל תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם״.

Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Rav Ashi: And let him say: “And the Lord said: Do not come close, take off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). This verse is more suited to be recited as an incantation to cure a fever. Rather, on the first day, let him recite the first two verses: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within the bush and he looked and behold the bush was aflame in fire and the bush was not consumed,” as well as, “And Moses said: I will turn aside now and see.” And on the following day, let him recite: “And the Lord saw that he turned aside to see.” And on the following day, let him recite: “And the Lord said: Do not come close, take off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5).

וְכִי פָּסֵק לֵיהּ, לִיתַתֵּיהּ וְלִיפְסְקֵיהּ וְלֵימָא הָכִי: ״הַסְּנֶה הַסְּנֶה! לָאו מִשּׁוּם דִּגְבִיהַתְּ מִכׇּל אִילָנֵי אַשְׁרִי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא שְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ עֲלָךְ, אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם דְּמָיְיכַתְּ מִכׇּל אִילָנֵי אַשְׁרִי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא שְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ עֲלָךְ. וְכִי הֵיכִי דַּחֲמִיתֵיהּ אִשָּׁתָא לַחֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה וַעֲרַקַת מִן קֳדָמוֹהִי, כֵּן תִּחְמֵינֵיהּ אִשָּׁתָא לִפְלוֹנִי בַּר פְּלוֹנִית וְתִיעְרוֹק מִן קֳדָמוֹהִי״.

And when he carves the bush, let him lower himself and cut it close to the ground, and recite as follows: The bush, the bush; not because you are higher than all trees did the Holy One, Blessed be He, rest His Divine Presence upon you. Rather, it is because you are lower than all trees did the Holy One, Blessed be He, rested His Divine Presence upon you. And just as the fire saw Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and fled from before them, so too, let the fire of the fever see so-and-so, son of so-and-so, his mother, flee from before him.

לְסִימְטָא, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״בַּז, בַּזְיָיה, מַס, מַסְיָיא, כַּס, כַּסְיָיה, שִׁרְלַאי, וַאֲמַרְלַאי, אִלֵּין מַלְאֲכֵי דְּאִישְׁתְּלַחוּ מֵאַרְעָא דִסְדוֹם וּלְאַסָּאָה שְׁחִינָא כְּאִיבִין, בְּזָךְ, בַּזַיִךְ, בַּזְבְּזִיךְ, מַסְמְסִיךְ, כַּמּוֹן, כָּמִיךְ, עֵינִיךְ בִּיךְ, עֵינִיךְ בִּיךְ, אַתְרִיךְ בִּיךְ, זַרְעִיךְ כְּקָלוּט וּכְפִרְדָּה דְּלָא פָּרָה וְלָא רָבְיָא, כָּךְ לָא תִּפְרֵה וְלָא תִּרְבֵּה בְּגוּפֵיהּ דִּפְלוֹנִי בַּר פְּלוֹנִית״.

For healing boils, let him recite as follows: Baz, Bazya, Mas, Masya, Kas, Kasya, Sharlai, and Amarlai, these are the angels who were sent from the land of Sodom and this was all in order to heal painful boils. Bazakh, Bazikh, Bazbazikh, Masmasikh, Kamon, Kamikh, may your appearance remain with you, may your appearance remain with you, i.e., the boils should not grow redder. May your place remain with you, i.e., they should not spread, may your, the boils’, seed be like one who is barren and like a mule that is not fruitful and does not multiply, so too, do not increase and do not multiply in the body of so-and-so, son of so-and-so.

לְכִיפָּה, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״חֶרֶב שְׁלוּפָה וְקֶלַע נְטוּשָׁה לָא שְׁמֵיהּ יוֹכַב חוֹלִין מַכְאוֹבִין״.

For healing a wound, let him recite as follows: A drawn sword and a readied sling, its name shall not be ache, sickness, and pains.

לְשֵׁידָא, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״הֲוֵית דִּפְקִיק, דִּפְקִיק הֲוֵית, לִיט תְּבִיר וּמְשׁוּמָּת בַּר טִיט בַּר טָמֵא בַּר טִינָא, כְּשַׁמְגַּז מְרִיגַז וְאִיסְטְמַאי״.

To be saved from a demon, let him recite as follows: You were stopped up, stopped up you were. Cursed, broken, and excommunicated be the demon called bar Tit bar Tamei bar Tina as Shamgaz, Merigaz, and Istemai.

לְשֵׁידָא דְּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״אַקַּרְקָפֵי דַאֲרִי וְאַאוֹסֵי דְגוּרַיְיתָא אַשְׁכַּחְתּוּן לְשֵׁידַאי בַּר שְׁרִיקָא פַּנְדָּא, בְּמֵישָׁרָא דְכַרָּתֵי חֲבַטְתֵּיהּ, בְּלוֹעָא דַחֲמָרָא חֲטַרְתֵּיהּ״.

To be saved from the demon of the bathroom, let him recite as follows: On the head of a lion and on the nose of a lioness we found the demon named bar Shirika Panda. With a bed of leeks I felled him, and with the jaw of the donkey I struck him.

וּבְנֵי מְלָכִים בְּזֹגִין. מַאן תַּנָּא? אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא, דְּאָמַר: כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּנֵי מְלָכִים הֵם. רָבָא אָמַר: בְּאָרִיג בִּכְסוּתוֹ, וְדִבְרֵי הַכֹּל.

We learned in the mishna that princes may go out with bells, and the same is true for anyone else. The Gemara asks: Who is the tanna who holds that all people of Israel are permitted to conduct themselves like princes with regard to going out with precious ornaments? Rabbi Oshaya said: It is Rabbi Shimon, who said: All of Israel are princes. Therefore, precious ornaments are suitable for every person of Israel. They will neither remove them to show to others nor will they remove them due to concern that people will think them pretentious. Rava said: The mishna is referring to a case where the bell is woven into his garment, obviating the concern lest he remove it, and the halakha in the mishna is in accordance with the statements of all tanna’im, not merely the statement of Rabbi Shimon.

מַתְנִי׳ יוֹצְאִין בְּבֵיצַת הַחַרְגּוֹל וּבְשֵׁן שׁוּעָל וּבְמַסְמֵר מִן הַצָּלוּב, מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה — דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹסְרִין אַף בַּחוֹל, מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

MISHNA: One may go out on Shabbat with a locust egg, and with a fox tooth, and with a nail from the crucified, for the purpose of healing; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. The Rabbis prohibit using these remedies even during the week, due to the prohibition of following the ways of the Amorite. These are superstitious beliefs and the customs of gentiles from which one must distance oneself.

גְּמָ׳ יוֹצְאִין בְּבֵיצַת הַחַרְגּוֹל — דְּעָבְדִי לְשִׁיחְלָא. וּבְשֵׁן שֶׁל שׁוּעָל — דְּעָבְדִי לְשִׁינְתָּא. דְּחַיָּיא — לְמַאן דְּנָיֵים. דְּמִיתָא — לְמַאן דְּלָא נָיֵים. וּבְמַסְמֵר מִן הַצָּלוּב — דְּעָבְדִי לְזִירְפָּא.

GEMARA: We learned in the mishna that in Rabbi Meir’s opinion one may go out on Shabbat with a locust egg, and a fox tooth, and with a nail from the crucified as a talisman or a cure. The Gemara explains the nature of each: One may go out with a locust egg, as they use it as a talisman to cure an earache; and with a fox tooth, as they use it as a talisman for sleep; the tooth of a live fox for one who sleeps too much to wake him up, and the tooth of a dead fox for one who does not sleep. And one may go out with a nail from the crucified, as they use it as a talisman for curing infection.

מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה — דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר.

We learned in the mishna that going out with those objects is permitted on Shabbat for the purpose of healing; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir.

אַבָּיֵי וְרָבָא דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: כׇּל דָּבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

With regard to the halakha in the mishna, the Gemara cites Abaye and Rava, who both said: Anything that contains an element of healing and seems to be effective does not contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite. There is no cause for suspicion of one who engages in their practice, gentile or Jew.

הָא אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם רְפוּאָה יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי? וְהָתַנְיָא: אִילָן שֶׁמַּשִּׁיר פֵּירוֹתָיו סוֹקְרוֹ וְצוֹבֵעַ אוֹתוֹ בְּסִיקְרָא וְטוֹעֲנוֹ בַּאֲבָנִים. בִּשְׁלָמָא טוֹעֲנוֹ בַּאֲבָנִים, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיכְחוֹשׁ חֵילֵיהּ. אֶלָּא סוֹקְרוֹ בְּסִיקְרָא מַאי רְפוּאָה קָעָבֵיד?

The Gemara asks: Is that to say by inference that if it is does not contain an element of healing, it does contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite? Wasn’t it taught in a baraita: A tree that sheds its fruit prematurely, one paints it and colors it with red paint and loads it with stones? Granted, he is permitted to load it with stones because that action produces an actual benefit, i.e., he does that so that its strength will weaken. Sometimes a tree sheds its fruits prematurely due to excessive blossoming. Sustaining those blossoms taxes the tree, rendering it incapable of sustaining the fruits that grow from the blossoms. The stones were used to slightly weaken the tree when blossoming, thereby reducing the number of blossoms that the tree must nourish. However, painting it with red paint, what healing is he performing with that action?

כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיחְזְיוּהּ אִינָשֵׁי וְלִיבְעוֹ עֲלֵיהּ רַחֲמֵי. כִּדְתַנְיָא: ״וְטָמֵא טָמֵא יִקְרָא״. צָרִיךְ לְהוֹדִיעַ צַעֲרוֹ לְרַבִּים, וְרַבִּים יְבַקְּשׁוּ עָלָיו רַחֲמִים. אָמַר רָבִינָא: כְּמַאן תָּלֵינַן כּוּבְסֵי בְּדִיקְלָא — כִּי הַאי תַּנָּא.

The Gemara explains: He does so so that people will see the tree and pray for mercy for it. As it was taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be ripped and the hair of his head shall grow long and he will put a covering upon his upper lip and will cry: Impure, impure” (Leviticus 13:45). The leper publicizes the fact that he is ritually impure because he must announce his pain to the masses, and the masses will pray for mercy on his behalf. Ravina said: In accordance with whose opinion do we hang bunches of unripe dates on a palm tree that casts off its dates? According to that tanna who taught that one must publicize his pain to the masses.

תָּנֵי תַּנָּא בְּפֶרֶק אֱמוֹרָאֵי קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָבִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כּוּלְּהוּ אִית בְּהוּ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי, לְבַר מֵהָנֵי: מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ עֶצֶם בִּגְרוֹנוֹ מֵבִיא מֵאוֹתוֹ הַמִּין וּמַנִּיחַ לֵיהּ עַל קׇדְקֳדוֹ, וְלֵימָא הָכִי: ״חַד חַד נָחֵית בָּלַע, בָּלַע נָחֵית חַד חַד״, אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

The tanna recited the chapter of the Tosefta discussing the actions of the Amorites before Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Avin. Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Avin said to him: All those enumerated there contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite, except for these: One who has a bone in his throat brings a bone from the same species as the bone that is stuck in his throat, and places it on his skull, and says as follows: One by one descend and be swallowed, swallow and descend one by one. That does not contain an element of the prohibition against following the ways of the Amorite.

לְאִדְּרָא לֵימָא הָכִי: ״נִנְּעַצְתָּא כְּמַחַט, נִנְעַלְּתָא כִּתְרִיס, שַׁיָּיא שַׁיָּיא״.

For a fish bone stuck in the throat, let him say as follows: You are stuck like a needle, locked as a shutter, go down, go down.

הָאוֹמֵר ״גַּד גַּדִּי, וּסְנוּק לָא אַשְׁכִּי וּבוּשְׁכִּי״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: ״גַּד״ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הָעֹרְכִים לַגַּד שֻׁלְחָן״.

After some discussion of the ways of the Amorite, the Gemara cites additional statements from the Amorite chapter in the Tosefta and from other sources on this topic. One who says: My fortune be fortunate [gad gaddi] and be not weary by day or by night; that statement contains an element of the ways of the Amorite. Rabbi Yehuda says: That is more severe than the ways of the Amorite, as gad is nothing other than a term of idolatry, as it is stated: “And you that forsake the Lord, that forget My holy mountain, that prepare a table for Gad, and that offer mingled wine in full measure unto Meni” (Isaiah 65:11). Gad gaddi is a form of prayer to an idol.

הוּא בִּשְׁמָהּ וְהִיא בִּשְׁמוֹ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who requests that he be called by his wife’s name and she be called by his name for good fortune, his request contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

״דּוּנוּ דַּנַּי״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אֵין ״דָּן״ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַנִּשְׁבָּעִים בְּאַשְׁמַת שֹׁמְרוֹן וְאָמְרוּ חֵי אֱלֹהֶיךָ דָּן״.

One who says: Let my barrels be strengthened [donu danei], that contains an element of the ways of the Amorite. Rabbi Yehuda says: That is more severe than the ways of the Amorite, as Dan is nothing other than a term of idol worship, as it is stated: “They that swear by the sin of Samaria and say: As your god Dan lives” (Amos 8:14).

הָאוֹמֵר לְעוֹרֵב ״צְרַח״, וּלְעוֹרֶבְתָּא ״שְׁרִיקִי וְהַחֲזִירִי לִי זְנָבִיךְ לְטוֹבָה״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who hears a raven calling and is concerned about a bad omen and says to the raven: Scream, and says to the female raven: Whistle and turn your tail to me for the best; those statements contain an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הָאוֹמֵר ״שַׁחֲטוּ תַּרְנְגוֹל זֶה שֶׁקָּרָא עַרְבִית״ וְ״תַרְנְגוֹלֶת שֶׁקָּרְאָה גַּבְרִית״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who says: Slaughter this rooster that calls out in the evening and says: Slaughter this chicken that calls out like a male rooster; those statements contain an element of the ways of the Amorite.

״אֶשְׁתֶּה וְאוֹתִיר, אֶשְׁתֶּה וְאוֹתִיר״ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who says: I will drink and leave over, I will drink and leave over, so that his wine will increase; that statement contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמְבַקַּעַת בֵּיצִים בַּכּוֹתֶל, וְהַטָּח בִּפְנֵי הָאֶפְרוֹחִים — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

One who cracks eggs on a wall and smears them in front of the chicks; that series of actions contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

וְהַמֵּגִיס בִּפְנֵי אֶפְרוֹחִים — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

And one who stirs the pot in front of chicks as an auspicious practice so they do not die; that action contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמְרַקֶּדֶת, וְהַמּוֹנָה שִׁבְעִים וְאֶחָד אֶפְרוֹחִין בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁלֹּא יָמוּתוּ — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

A woman who dances and counts the chicks until she reaches the number of seventy-one chicks, so they won’t die; her action contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמְרַקֶּדֶת לְכוּתָּח, וְהַמְשַׁתֶּקֶת לַעֲדָשִׁים, וְהַמְצַוַּוחַת לִגְרִיסִין — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

A woman who dances to ensure that the kutaḥ, a spice made from whey salt and bread, that she is preparing will be successful, and a woman who silences bystanders to ensure that the lentils will cook properly, and a woman who screams to ensure that the pearl barley will cook properly; all these contain an element of the ways of the Amorite.

הַמַּשְׁתֶּנֶת בִּפְנֵי קְדֵירָתָהּ בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתִּתְבַּשֵּׁל מְהֵרָה — יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי.

A woman who urinates in front of her pot so it will cook quickly; that action contains an element of the ways of the Amorite.

אֲבָל נוֹתְנִין קֵיסָם שֶׁל תּוּת וְשִׁבְרֵי זְכוּכִית בִּקְדֵירָה בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתִּתְבַּשֵּׁל מְהֵרָה, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹסְרִין בְּשִׁבְרֵי זְכוּכִית מִפְּנֵי הַסַּכָּנָה.

But one may put a chip of mulberry wood and shards of glass in the pot so it will cook quickly, as doing so is effective and not merely superstition. And the Rabbis prohibit shards of glass not due to superstition; rather, due to the danger involved if the glass is not strained out completely.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: נוֹתְנִין בּוּל שֶׁל מֶלַח לְתוֹךְ הַנֵּר בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתָּאִיר וְתַדְלִיק. וְנוֹתְנִין טִיט וְחַרְסִית תַּחַת הַנֵּר בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁתַּמְתִּין וְתַדְלִיק.

The Sages taught in the Tosefta: One may place a lump of salt into a candle so it will burn brightly; that is effective and not merely for good fortune, so there is no element of the ways of the Amorites involved. And similarly, one may put mud or clay under a candle so it will burn longer.

אָמַר רַב זוּטְרָא: הַאי מַאן דִּמְכַסֵּי שְׁרָגָא דְּמִשְׁחָא וּמְגַלֵּי נַפְטָא קָעָבַר מִשּׁוּם ״בַּל תַּשְׁחִית״.

Rav Zutra said: He who covers an oil lamp or who uncovers a kerosene lamp for no purpose violates the prohibition: Do not destroy, since by doing so the fuel burns more quickly.

״חַמְרָא וְחַיֵּי לְפוּם רַבָּנַן״ — אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמוֹרִי. מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שֶׁעָשָׂה מִשְׁתֶּה לִבְנוֹ, וְעַל כׇּל כּוֹס וָכוֹס שֶׁהֵבִיא אָמַר: ״חַמְרָא וְחַיֵּי לְפוּם רַבָּנַן, חַיֵּי וְחַמְרָא לְפוּם רַבָּנַן וּלְפוּם תַּלְמִידֵיהוֹן״.

One who says while drinking: Wine and life to the mouth of the Sages, this does not fall into the category of the ways of the Amorite. There was an incident with Rabbi Akiva who made a banquet for his son, and over each and every cup he brought he said: Wine and life to the mouth of the Sages, wine and life to the mouth of the Sages and to the mouth of their students.

הדרן עלך במה אשה

מַתְנִי׳ כְּלָל גָּדוֹל אָמְרוּ בְּשַׁבָּת: כׇּל הַשּׁוֹכֵחַ עִיקַּר שַׁבָּת, וְעָשָׂה מְלָאכוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת הַרְבֵּה — אֵינוֹ חַיָּיב אֶלָּא חַטָּאת אַחַת. הַיּוֹדֵעַ עִיקַּר שַׁבָּת, וְעָשָׂה מְלָאכוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת הַרְבֵּה — חַיָּיב עַל כׇּל שַׁבָּת וְשַׁבָּת. הַיּוֹדֵעַ שֶׁהוּא שַׁבָּת, וְעָשָׂה מְלָאכוֹת הַרְבֵּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת הַרְבֵּה — חַיָּיב עַל כׇּל

MISHNA: The Sages stated a significant principle with regard to the halakhot of Shabbat: One who forgets the essence of Shabbat, i.e., one who is entirely ignorant of the mitzva of Shabbat according to Torah law, and performed numerous prohibited labors on multiple Shabbatot, is liable to bring only one sin-offering for all those labors when he becomes aware that those actions were prohibited. One who knows the essence of Shabbat but forgets which day is Shabbat, i.e., one who lost track of the days of the week, and performs numerous prohibited labors on multiple Shabbatot is liable to bring a sin-offering for each Shabbat when he becomes aware that he performed those actions on Shabbat. One who is aware that the day is Shabbat but temporarily forgot that certain labors were prohibited and performed numerous prohibited labors on multiple Shabbatot is liable to bring a sin-offering for each

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