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Kiddushin 81

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Summary

Today’s daf is sponsored by Martin Gaynor in loving memory of Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz.

Today’s daf is sponsored by Rivka and Martin Himmel in loving memory of her grandparents, Yechiel ben Meir and Feige bat Meir hy”d who were taken out to be murdered with many of the Jews of their town in Poland on the 18th of Cheshvan. 

Today’s daf is sponsored by Elisheva Gray in honor of all the hostages, our courageous chayalim and all their families. “Also with much appreciation to Rabbanit Michelle for her steady wisdom and unwavering dedication, continuing to bring the pages of the Talmud alive for us all even at such a difficult time.” 

Are laws of seclusion different when traveling outside the city? If so, why? Several stories are brought to show that rabbis also struggled with their desires for women. Does one receive lashes if one was secluded in a way that is forbidden? On what does it depend? The rabbis discuss other types of scenarios where there are/are not seclusion issues. What precautions did different rabbis take to prevent themselves from engaging in relations with a woman they were not married to? Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Akiva would mock those who sinned, but Satan decided to tempt them into sin so that they could understand why others sin. Pleimo would speak to Satan and say, “I will shoot arrows in the eyes of Satan.” As a result, the Satan came to exact revenge. What transpired and what in the end did Satan want from Pleimo? A woman whose husband no longer had relations with her, couldn’t understand why her husband would pray to be saved from the evil inclination. She disguised herself as a prostitute to see if he was tempted to sin, and he was tempted by the “prostitute” and had relations with her. When she then explains to him that it was her, he still spends the rest of his life depressed about the fact that he intended to sin, even though he did not sin. Rabbi Akiva cries while reading two verses that highlight that one who intends to sin but does not sin and one who sins without intending to still needs to atone for that sin. This indicates how severe it is when one sins with intent. Can one be secluded with a forbidden relative other than one’s daughter/son? Shmuel even forbids seclusion with a daughter/son. Until what age are there no limitations with a parent/child? Is it determined by age, stage of development, or maturity?

Today’s daily daf tools:

Kiddushin 81

לְאַתְרוֹיֵי בֵּיהּ.

how to warn him not to engage in intercourse with her, since that would neutralize the effectiveness of the examination of the waters.

אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בָּעִיר, אֲבָל בַּדֶּרֶךְ – עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה, שֶׁמָּא יִצְטָרֵךְ אֶחָד מֵהֶם לְהַשְׁתִּין, וְנִמְצָא אֶחָד מִתְיַיחֵד עִם הָעֶרְוָה. נֵימָא מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ: מוֹסְרִים לוֹ שְׁנֵי תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁמָּא יָבֹא עָלֶיהָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ. תְּרֵי וְאִיהוּ, הָא תְּלָתָא! הָתָם כִּי הֵיכִי דְּנִיהְווֹ עֲלֵיהּ סָהֲדִי.

Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: The Sages taught that two men may seclude themselves with one woman only in a city, where others are present, but on the road it is not permitted unless there are three. Why are two men insufficient on the road? Perhaps one of them will need to urinate and will walk away, and it will turn out that one person will be secluded with a woman forbidden to him. The Gemara suggests: Shall we say the mishna quoted above supports him: They provide him with two Torah scholars to accompany them lest he engage in sexual intercourse with her along the way? He and two Torah scholars are three, which indicates that there is a requirement for three men when they are traveling. The Gemara answers: That is no proof, as there, in the case of the sota, there is a requirement for an additional two men in order that they should serve as witnesses about him, to testify whether or not he engaged in intercourse with her along the way.

רַב וְרַב יְהוּדָה הֲווֹ קָאָזְלִי בְּאוֹרְחָא, הֲוָה קָאָזְלָא הַהִיא אִתְּתָא קַמַּיְיהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְרַב יְהוּדָה: דַּל כַּרְעָיךְ מִקַּמֵּי גֵיהִנָּם. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְהָא מָר הוּא דְּאָמַר בִּכְשֵׁרִים שַׁפִּיר דָּמֵי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִי יֵימַר דְּבִכְשֵׁרִים כְּגוֹן אֲנָא וְאַתְּ? אֶלָּא כְּגוֹן מַאי? כְּגוֹן רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פַּפֵּי וַחֲבֵירָיו.

The Gemara relates: Rav and Rav Yehuda were walking along the way, and a certain woman was walking ahead of them. Rav said to Rav Yehuda: Raise your feet and walk quickly away from Gehenna so that we do not remain secluded with her. Rav Yehuda said to him: But wasn’t it you, Master, who said that it is permitted in the case of men of fit morals? Rav said to him: Who says that I referred to men of fit morals such as you and me? Rav Yehuda responded: Rather, such as whom? Rav answered: Such as Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappi and his colleagues, who have proven that they can withstand temptation (see 39b). All other people are not trusted in this matter.

אָמַר רַב: מַלְקִין עַל יִיחוּד, וְאֵין אוֹסְרִין עַל הַיִּיחוּד. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: לָא אֲמַרַן אֶלָּא בְּיִיחוּד פְּנוּיָה, אֲבָל בְּיִיחוּד דְּאֵשֶׁת אִישׁ – לָא, שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא מוֹצִיא לַעַז עַל בָּנֶיהָ.

Rav says: The court flogs a man due to his being secluded with a woman. But a wife is not forbidden to her husband, and an unmarried woman is not prohibited from marrying a priest due to being secluded, as it cannot be stated definitively that the secluded pair engaged in sexual intercourse. Rav Ashi says: We stated the halakha that one is flogged due to being secluded only with an unmarried woman, but for being secluded with a married woman, one is not flogged. Why not? It is so that there should not be rumors spread concerning her children. If the secluded pair is flogged, everyone will assume that they engaged in intercourse, and people will consider her children to be mamzerim, whereas in fact they were flogged only for being secluded.

מָר זוּטְרָא מַלְקֵי וּמַכְרֵיז. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב נַחְמָן מִפַּרְהַטְיָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מָר נָמֵי לַילְקֵי וְלַכְרֵיז! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִיכָּא דְּשָׁמַע בְּהָא וְלָא שָׁמַע בְּהָא.

The Gemara relates: Mar Zutra would even flog one who was secluded with a married woman, and he would proclaim the reason for the punishment. Rav Naḥman from Parhatya said to Rav Ashi: Let the Master also flog and proclaim the reason. Rav Ashi said to him: I am hesitant to do so, in case there are those who hear about this, i.e., the flogging, and do not hear about that, i.e., the reason for the flogging.

אָמַר רַב: מַלְקִין עַל לֹא טוֹבָה הַשְּׁמוּעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַל בָּנָי כִּי לוֹא טוֹבָה הַשְּׁמֻעָה״. מָר זוּטְרָא מוֹתֵיב לֵהּ אַפְסֵירָה עַל כַּתְפֵּיהּ וּמַקְרֵי לֵיהּ: ״אַל בָּנָי״

Rav says: The court flogs one due to his being the subject of a bad rumor, meaning that not only is a person flogged when the facts have been ascertained, but even when he has only reportedly committed transgressions he may be flogged. As it is stated: “No, my sons, for it is no good report” (I Samuel 2:24). When Mar Zutra would flog a person for being the subject of a bad rumor, he would place the bridle of a donkey on the person’s shoulders and recite before him when administering lashes: “No, my sons, for it is no good report,” so that people would know why he was being flogged.

אָמַר רַבָּה: בַּעְלָהּ בָּעִיר – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: פֶּתַח פָּתוּחַ לִרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. רַב בִּיבִי אִיקְּלַע לְבֵי רַב יוֹסֵף. בָּתַר דִּכְרַךְ רִיפְתָּא אֲמַר לְהוּ: שְׁקוּלוּ דַּרְגָּא מִתּוּתֵי בִּיבִי. וְהָא אָמַר רַבָּה: בַּעְלָהּ בָּעִיר – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד! שָׁאנֵי רַב בִּיבִי דְּשׁוֹשְׁבִינְתֵּיהּ הֲוַאי וְגָיְיסָא בֵּיהּ.

Rabba says: If a woman’s husband is in town, there is no concern due to her being secluded with a man. People are afraid to sin with her, since they cannot be sure when her husband will return. Rav Yosef says: If there is an open entrance to the public domain there is no concern due to being secluded. The Gemara relates: Rav Beivai arrived at Rav Yosef’s house. After he wrapped his bread, i.e., ate his meal, he said to the members of the household: Remove the ladder from beneath Beivai, who was going to sleep in the upper story, so that he not be able to climb down, due to the prohibition of being secluded with Rav Yosef’s wife. The Gemara asks: But doesn’t Rabba say: If her husband is in town, there is no concern due to her being secluded with a man? The Gemara answers: Rav Beivai is different, since Rav Yosef’s wife was his friend and she was familiar with him, and therefore there was more cause for concern.

אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: אֲנָשִׁים מִבַּחוּץ וְנָשִׁים מִבִּפְנִים – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. אֲנָשִׁים מִבִּפְנִים וְנָשִׁים מִבַּחוּץ – חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד.

Rav Kahana says: If the men are located on the outside, i.e., in the outer room, and the women in the inside, i.e., in the inner room, there is no concern due to being secluded. Even if one of the men were to enter the inner room, he would be seen by the other men. By contrast, if there were men in the inside and women on the outside, there is a concern due to being secluded, since one of the men can claim that he is leaving and in fact join the women.

בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא אִיפְּכָא. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: הַשְׁתָּא דְּאָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא הָכִי וְתָנָא מַתְנִיתָא אִיפְּכָא, אֲנָא נַעֲבֵיד לְחוּמְרָא.

The Gemara comments: The opposite was taught in a baraita, that if the men are on the outside and the women are inside there is concern due to being secluded, as one of the men might venture inside without being noticed, but if the men are inside and the women are outside, he knows that one of the other men might go out through the women’s quarters at any time, and therefore there is no concern due to being secluded. Abaye said: Now that Rav Kahana has said the halakha in this manner and a baraita teaches the opposite, we shall act stringently in both cases.

אַבָּיֵי דָּיַיר גּוּלְפֵי. רָבָא דָּיַיר קְנֵה. אָמַר אָבִין: סְקָבָא דְשַׁתָּא רִיגְלָא.

Abaye would arrange rows of pitchers between the men and women, so that they would not be able to cross from one area to the other without making noise. Rava would arrange rows of reeds to prevent passage. Avin said: The wound [sakva], i.e., the vulnerable point, of the year is the Festival, since men and women would come together on these joyous occasions, and this would lead to sin.

הָנָךְ שְׁבוּיָיתָא דַּאֲתַאי לִנְהַרְדְּעָא. אַסְּקִינְהוּ לְבֵי רַב עַמְרָם חֲסִידָא, אַשְׁקוּלוּ דַּרְגָּא מִקַּמַּיְיהוּ. בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָא חָלְפָה חֲדָא מִנַּיְיהוּ נְפַל נְהוֹרָא בְּאִיפּוּמָּא. שַׁקְלֵיהּ רַב עַמְרָם לְדַרְגָּא דְּלָא הֲווֹ יָכְלִין בֵּי עַשְׂרָה לְמִדְלְיֵיהּ, דַּלְיֵיהּ לְחוֹדֵיהּ, סָלֵיק וְאָזֵיל.

§ The Gemara relates: Those captive women who were brought to Neharde’a, where they were redeemed, were brought up to the house of Rav Amram the Pious. They removed the ladder from before them to prevent men from climbing up after them to the attic where they were to sleep. When one of them passed by the entrance to the upper chamber, it was as though a light shone in the aperture due to her great beauty. Out of his desire for her, Rav Amram grabbed a ladder that ten men together could not lift, lifted it on his own and began climbing.

כִּי מְטָא לְפַלְגָא [דְּ]דַרְגָּא אִיפְּשַׁח, רְמָא קָלָא: נוּרָא בֵּי עַמְרָם! אֲתוֹ רַבָּנַן, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: כַּסֵּיפְתִּינַן. אֲמַר לְהוּ: מוּטָב תִּיכַּסְפוּ בֵּי עַמְרָם בְּעָלְמָא הָדֵין וְלָא תִּיכַּסְפוּ מִינֵּיהּ לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי. אַשְׁבְּעֵיהּ דְּיִנְפַּק מִינֵּיהּ, נְפַק מִינֵּיהּ כִּי עַמּוּדָא דְנוּרָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: חֲזִי, דְּאַתְּ נוּרָא וַאֲנָא בִּישְׂרָא, וַאֲנָא עֲדִיפְנָא מִינָּךְ.

When he was halfway up the ladder, he strengthened his legs against the sides of the ladder to stop himself from climbing further, raised his voice, and cried out: There is a fire in the house of Amram. Upon hearing this, the Sages came and found him in that position. They said to him: You have embarrassed us, since everyone sees what you had intended to do. Rav Amram said to them: It is better that you be shamed in Amram’s house in this world, and not be ashamed of him in the World-to-Come. He took an oath that his evil inclination should emerge from him, and an apparition similar to a pillar of fire emerged from him. He said to his evil inclination: See, as you are fire and I am mere flesh, and yet, I am still superior to you, as I was able to overcome you.

רַבִּי מֵאִיר הֲוָה מִתְלוֹצֵץ בְּעוֹבְרֵי עֲבֵירָה. יוֹמָא חַד אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ שָׂטָן כְּאִיתְּתָא בְּהָךְ גִּיסָא דְנַהֲרָא, לָא הֲוָה מַבָּרָא – נְקַט מִצְרָא וְקָא עָבַר. כִּי מְטָא פַּלְגָא מִצְרָא שַׁבְקֵיהּ, אָמַר: אִי לָאו דְּקָא מַכְרְזִי בִּרְקִיעָא ״הִזָּהֲרוּ בְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר וְתוֹרָתוֹ״ שַׁוֵּיתֵיהּ לִדְמָךְ תַּרְתֵּי מָעֵי.

The Gemara relates: Rabbi Meir would ridicule transgressors by saying it is easy to avoid temptation. One day, Satan appeared to him as a woman standing on the other side of the river. Since there was no ferry to cross the river, he took hold of a rope bridge and crossed the river. When he reached halfway across the rope bridge, the evil inclination left him and said to him: Were it not for the fact that they proclaim about you in heaven: Be careful with regard to Rabbi Meir and his Torah, I would have made your blood like two ma’a, i.e., completely worthless, since you would have fallen completely from your spiritual level.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הֲוָה מִתְלוֹצֵץ בְּעוֹבְרֵי עֲבֵירָה. יוֹמָא חַד אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ שָׂטָן כְּאִיתְּתָא בְּרֵישׁ דִּיקְלָא. נַקְטֵיהּ לְדִיקְלָא וְקָסָלֵיק וְאָזֵיל. כִּי מְטָא לְפַלְגֵיהּ דְּדִיקְלָא שַׁבְקֵיהּ, אָמַר: אִי לָאו דְּמַכְרְזִי בִּרְקִיעָא ״הִזָּהֲרוּ בְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וְתוֹרָתוֹ״ שַׁוֵּיתֵיהּ לִדְמָךְ תַּרְתֵּי מָעֵי.

Rabbi Akiva would likewise ridicule transgressors. One day, Satan appeared to him as a woman at the top of a palm tree. Rabbi Akiva grabbed hold of the palm tree and began climbing. When he was halfway up the palm tree, the evil inclination left him and said to him: Were it not for the fact that they proclaim about you in heaven: Be careful with regard to Rabbi Akiva and his Torah, I would have made your blood like two ma’a.

פְּלֵימוֹ הֲוָה רְגִיל לְמֵימַר כׇּל יוֹמָא ״גִּירָא בְּעֵינֵיהּ דְּשָׂטָן״. יוֹמָא חַד מַעֲלֵי יוֹמָא דְכִיפּוּרֵי הֲוָה. אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ כְּעַנְיָא. אֲתָא קְרָא אַבָּבָא, אַפִּיקוּ לֵיהּ רִיפְתָּא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יוֹמָא כִּי הָאִידָּנָא כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא גַּוַּאי וַאֲנָא אַבָּרַאי? עַיְּילֵיהּ וְקָרִיבוּ לֵיהּ רִיפְתָּא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יוֹמָא כִּי הָאִידָּנָא כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא אַתַּכָּא וַאֲנָא לְחוֹדַאי? אַתְיוּהּ אוֹתְבוּהּ אַתַּכָּא. הֲוָה יָתֵיב מְלָא נַפְשֵׁיהּ שִׁיחְנָא וְכִיבֵי (עֲלֵיהּ) וַהֲוָה קָעָבֵיד בֵּיהּ מִילֵּי דִּמְאִיס. אֲמַר לֵיהּ:

The Sage Peleimu had the habit to say every day: An arrow in the eye of Satan, mocking the temptations of the evil inclination. One day, it was the eve of Yom Kippur, and Satan appeared to him as a pauper who came and called him to the door, requesting alms. Peleimu brought out bread to him. Satan said to him: On a day like today, everyone is inside eating, and shall I stand outside and eat? Peleimu brought him inside and gave him bread. He said to him: On a day like today, everyone is sitting at the table, and shall I sit by myself? They brought him and sat him at the table. He was sitting and had covered himself with boils and pus, and he was doing repulsive things at the table. Peleimu said to the pauper:

תִּיב שַׁפִּיר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַבוּ לִי כָּסָא, יְהַבוּ לֵיהּ כָּסָא. אַכְמַר שְׁדָא בֵּיהּ כִּיחוֹ. נְחַרוּ בֵּיהּ. שְׁקָא וּמִית. שְׁמַעוּ דַּהֲווֹ קָאָמְרִי: פְּלֵימוֹ קְטַל גַּבְרָא! פְּלֵימוֹ קְטַל גַּבְרָא! עֲרַק וּטְשָׁא נַפְשֵׁיהּ בְּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא. אָזֵיל בָּתְרֵיהּ, נְפַל קַמֵּיהּ. כִּי דְּחַזְיֵיהּ דַּהֲוָה מִצְטַעַר גַּלִּי לֵיהּ נַפְשֵׁיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא אָמְרַתְּ הָכִי? וְאֶלָּא הֵיכִי אֵימָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לֵימָא מָר ״רַחֲמָנָא נִגְעַר בֵּיהּ בְּשָׂטָן״.

Sit properly and do not act in a revolting manner. Satan then said to him: Give me a cup. They gave him a cup. He coughed up his phlegm and spat it into the cup. They berated him for acting this way, at which point Satan pretended to sink down and die. They heard people around them saying: Peleimu killed a man! Peleimu killed a man! Peleimu fled and hid himself in the bathroom. Satan followed him and fell before him. Upon seeing that Peleimu was suffering, he revealed himself to him. Satan said to him: What is the reason that you spoke this way, provoking me by saying: An arrow in the eye of Satan? He replied: But what then should I say? Satan said to him: Let the Master, i.e., Peleimu, say: Let the Merciful One rebuke the Satan.

רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי הֲוָה רְגִיל כׇּל עִידָּן דַּהֲוָה נָפֵל לְאַפֵּיהּ הֲוָה אָמַר: ״הָרַחֲמָן יַצִּילֵנוּ מִיֵּצֶר הָרָע״. יוֹמָא חַד (שְׁמַעְתִּינְהוּ) [שְׁמַעְתֵּיהּ] דְּבֵיתְהוּ, אֲמַרָה: מִכְּדֵי הָא כַּמָּה שְׁנֵי דְּפָרֵישׁ לֵיהּ מִינַּאי, מַאי טַעְמָא קָאָמַר הָכִי?

The Gemara relates: Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Ashi was accustomed to say, whenever he would fall on his face in prayer: May the Merciful One save us from the evil inclination. One day his wife heard him saying this prayer. She said: After all, it has been several years since he has withdrawn from engaging in intercourse with me due to his advanced years. What is the reason that he says this prayer, as there is no concern that he will engage in sinful sexual behavior?

יוֹמָא חֲדָא הֲוָה קָא גָרֵיס בְּגִינְּתֵיהּ. קַשִּׁטָה נַפְשַׁהּ, חָלְפָה וְתָנְיָיה קַמֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: מַאן אַתְּ? אֲמַרָה: אֲנָא חָרוּתָא דַּהֲדַרִי מִיּוֹמָא. תַּבְעַהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: אַיְיתִי נִיהֲלַי לְהָךְ רוּמָּנָא דְּרֵישׁ צוּצִיתָא. שְׁוַור, אֲזַל אַתְיֵיהּ נִיהֲלַהּ.

One day, while he was studying in his garden, she adorned herself and repeatedly walked past him. He said: Who are you? She said: I am Ḥaruta, a well-known prostitute, returning from my day at work. He propositioned her. She said to him: Give me that pomegranate from the top of the tree as payment. He leapt up, went, and brought it to her, and they engaged in intercourse.

כִּי אֲתָא לְבֵיתֵיהּ הֲוָה קָא שָׁגְרָא דְּבֵיתְהוּ תַּנּוּרָא, סָלֵיק וְקָא יָתֵיב בְּגַוֵּיהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַר לַהּ: הָכִי וְהָכִי הֲוָה מַעֲשֶׂה. אָמְרָה לֵיהּ: אֲנָא הֲוַאי. לָא אַשְׁגַּח בַּהּ, עַד דִּיהַבָה לֵיהּ סִימָנֵי. אָמַר לַהּ: אֲנָא מִיהָא לְאִיסּוּרָא אִיכַּוַּונִי. כׇּל יָמָיו שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק הָיָה מִתְעַנֶּה עַד שֶׁמֵּת בְּאוֹתָהּ מִיתָה.

When he came home, his wife was lighting a fire in the oven. He went and sat inside it. She said to him: What is this? He said to her: Such and such an incident occurred; he told her that he engaged in intercourse with a prostitute. She said to him: It was I. He paid no attention to her, thinking she was merely trying to comfort him, until she gave him signs that it was indeed she. He said to her: I, in any event, intended to transgress. The Gemara relates: All the days of that righteous man he would fast for the transgression he intended to commit, until he died by that death in his misery.

דְּתַנְיָא: ״אִישָׁהּ הֲפֵרָם וַה׳ יִסְלַח לָהּ״, בַּמָּה הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר? בְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁנָּדְרָה בְּנָזִיר, וְשָׁמַע בַּעְלָהּ וְהֵפֵר לָהּ, וְהִיא לֹא יָדְעָה שֶׁהֵפֵר לָהּ בַּעְלָהּ, וְהָיְתָה שׁוֹתָה יַיִן וּמִטַּמְּאָה לְמֵתִים.

The Gemara explains the source that one who intended to transgress is punished even though he did not actually sin. As it is taught in a baraita concerning a husband who nullified the vow of his wife: “Her husband has made them null; and the Lord will forgive her” (Numbers 30:13). With regard to what case is the verse speaking? Why would the woman require forgiveness if her husband has nullified her vow? It is referring to a woman who vowed to be a nazirite, and her husband heard and nullified her vow. And she did not know that her husband had nullified her vow, and she drank wine and contracted impurity from a corpse, violating her presumed vow.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא כִּי הֲוָה מָטֵי לְהַאי פְּסוּקָא הֲוָה בָּכֵי, אָמַר: וּמָה מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל בְּשַׂר חֲזִיר וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ בְּשַׂר טָלֶה, אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: צְרִיכָה כַּפָּרָה וּסְלִיחָה, מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל בְּשַׂר חֲזִיר וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ בְּשַׂר חֲזִיר – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.

The Gemara relates: When Rabbi Akiva came to this verse he would cry. He said: And if with regard to one who intended to eat pork, and kosher lamb came up in his hand, like this woman who intended to violate her vow but in fact did not, the Torah nevertheless says: She requires atonement and forgiveness, all the more so does one who intended to eat pork and pork came up in his hand require atonement and forgiveness.

כַּיּוֹצֵא בַּדָּבָר אַתָּה אוֹמֵר ״וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנוֹ״. כְּשֶׁהָיָה רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא מַגִּיעַ לְפָסוּק זֶה הָיָה בּוֹכֶה: וּמָה מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל שׁוּמָּן וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ חֵלֶב – אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: ״וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנוֹ״, מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל חֵלֶב וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ חֵלֶב – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. אִיסִי בֶּן יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: ״וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנוֹ״ – עַל דָּבָר זֶה יִדְווּ כׇּל הַדּוֹוִים.

In a similar manner, you can say that the same lesson can be derived from the verse: “Though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 5:17). When Rabbi Akiva came to this verse he would cry. He said: And if with regard to one who intended to eat permitted fat, and forbidden fat mistakenly came up in his hand, the Torah states: “Though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity,” all the more so is this true for one who intended to eat forbidden fat and forbidden fat came up in his hand. Isi ben Yehuda says with regard to the verse “Though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity”: With regard to this matter all sufferers shall grieve, since the verse teaches that one is punished even for sinning unawares.

מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם אִמּוֹ. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם אֲחוֹתוֹ, וְדָר עִם אִמּוֹ וְעִם בִּתּוֹ. כִּי אַמְרִ[יתַ]הּ קַמֵּיהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, אָמַר: אָסוּר לְהִתְיַיחֵד עִם כׇּל עֲרָיוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, וַאֲפִילּוּ עִם בְּהֵמָה.

§ The mishna teaches that a man may be secluded with his mother. Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: A man may be secluded with his sister, and live with his mother or with his daughter in a permanent arrangement, without concern. When he said this before Shmuel, the latter said: It is prohibited to be secluded with all those with whom relations are forbidden by the Torah, and even with an animal, as it is prohibited to engage in intercourse with an animal as well.

תְּנַן: מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם אִמּוֹ וְעִם בִּתּוֹ וְיָשֵׁן עִמָּהֶם בְּקֵירוּב בָּשָׂר, וּתְיוּבְתָּא דִשְׁמוּאֵל! אָמַר לָךְ שְׁמוּאֵל: וְלִיטַעְמָיךְ, הָא דְּתַנְיָא: אֲחוֹתוֹ וַחֲמוֹתוֹ וּשְׁאָר כׇּל עֲרָיוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה אֵין מִתְיַיחֵד עִמָּהֶם אֶלָּא בְּעֵדִים. בְּעֵדִים – אִין, שֶׁלֹּא בְּעֵדִים – לָא!

We learned in the mishna: A man may be secluded with his mother, and with his daughter, and sleep alongside them with bodily contact, and this appears to be a conclusive refutation of the statement of Shmuel. The Gemara answers: Shmuel could have said to you: And according to your reasoning, how should one explain that which is taught in a baraita: With regard to his sister, and his mother-in-law, and all those with whom relations are forbidden, including his mother and daughter, one may be secluded with them only in the presence of witnesses, from which it can be inferred: In the presence of witnesses, yes; without the presence of witnesses, no. This baraita supports the opinion of Shmuel that one may not be secluded with his mother or sister.

אֶלָּא תַּנָּאֵי הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי מֵאִיר: הִזָּהֲרוּ בִּי מִפְּנֵי בִּתִּי. אָמַר רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן: הִזָּהֲרוּ בִּי מִפְּנֵי כַּלָּתִי. לִיגְלֵג עָלָיו אוֹתוֹ תַּלְמִיד. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: לֹא הָיוּ יָמִים מוּעָטִים עַד שֶׁנִּכְשַׁל אוֹתוֹ תַּלְמִיד בַּחֲמוֹתוֹ.

Rather, it is a dispute between tanna’im as to whether one may be secluded with his mother or sister. As it is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Meir said: Be careful with me because of my daughter, i.e., make sure I am not left secluded with her. Similarly, Rabbi Tarfon said: Be careful with me because of my daughter-in-law. A certain student mocked him for being wary of the possibility of sinning with his daughter-in-law. Rabbi Abbahu said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamliel: Not many days passed until that student stumbled into sin with his mother-in-law.

אֲפִילּוּ עִם בְּהֵמָה אַבָּיֵי מְכַלֵּ[י] לֵיהּ מִכּוּלֵּהּ דַּבְרָא. רַב שֵׁשֶׁת מְעַבַּר לֵיהּ מִצְרָא. רַב חָנָן מִנְּהַרְדְּעָא אִיקְּלַע לְרַב כָּהֲנָא לְפוּם נַהֲרָא. חַזְיֵיהּ דְּיָתֵיב וְקָא גָרֵס וְקָיְימָא בְּהֵמָה קַמֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא סָבַר לַהּ מָר אֲפִילּוּ עִם בְּהֵמָה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָאו אַדַּעְתַּאי.

The Gemara stated that according to Shmuel it is prohibited for one to be alone even with an animal. The Gemara relates: Abaye removed the animals from the entire field he was in. Rav Sheshet transferred the animals to the other side of the fence. Rav Ḥanan from Neharde’a happened to come to Rav Kahana in Pum Nahara. He saw that he was sitting and studying, and an animal was standing before him. Rav Ḥanan said to him: Doesn’t the Master hold that one may not be secluded even with an animal? Rav Kahana said to him: It did not enter my mind that an animal was before me.

אָמַר רָבָא: מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם שְׁתֵּי יְבָמוֹת וְעִם שְׁתֵּי צָרוֹת, עִם אִשָּׁה וַחֲמוֹתָהּ, עִם אִשָּׁה וּבַת בַּעְלָהּ, עִם אִשָּׁה וְתִינוֹקֶת שֶׁיּוֹדַעַת טַעַם בִּיאָה, וְאֵין מוֹסֶרֶת עַצְמָהּ לְבִיאָה.

Rava says: A man may be secluded with two sisters-in-law and with two rival wives, i.e., two women who share a husband; with a woman and her mother-in-law; and with a woman and her husband’s daughter. Since these women typically dislike each other, each fears that the other will publicize her sins, and they will be careful not to transgress. Similarly, a man may be secluded with a woman and a girl who knows the meaning of sexual intercourse, i.e., one who is old enough to understand the nature of intercourse, but is still young enough that she does not submit herself to intercourse, since she does not yet desire it. In such a situation, the woman is concerned that the child will reveal her behavior.

הִגְדִּילוּ זֶה יָשֵׁן בִּכְסוּתוֹ וְכוּ׳. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַב אַדָּא בַּר רַב (עֻזָּא) [עַוָּא] אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: תִּינוֹקֶת בַּת תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד, תִּינוֹק בֶּן שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי: תִּינוֹקֶת בַּת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד, תִּינוֹק בֶּן שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה וְיוֹם אֶחָד, וְזֶה וְזֶה כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ ״שָׁדַיִם נָכֹנוּ וּשְׂעָרֵךְ צִמֵּחַ״.

§ The mishna teaches that when one’s children have grown up, this one sleeps in his garment and that one sleeps in her garment, but they may share a bed. The Gemara asks: And how old must a child be to be considered grown up for the purposes of this halakha? Rav Adda bar Rav Azza says that Rav Asi says: A girl must reach the age of nine years and one day; a boy must reach the age of twelve years and one day. There are those who say: A girl must reach the age of twelve years and one day; a boy must reach the age of thirteen years and one day. And according to this and that, according to both opinions, the girl is considered a child until she has reached the stage of: “Your breasts were fashioned, and your hair was grown” (Ezekiel 16:7), meaning the onset of puberty.

אָמַר רַפְרָם בַּר פָּפָּא אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵינָהּ בּוֹשָׁה לַעֲמוֹד לְפָנָיו עֲרוּמָּה, אֲבָל בּוֹשָׁה לַעֲמוֹד לְפָנָיו עֲרוּמָּה – אָסוּר. מַאי טַעְמָא – יֵצֶר אַלְבְּשַׁהּ.

Rafram bar Pappa says that Rav Ḥisda says: They taught that a man may sleep in close proximity to his minor daughter only if she is not ashamed to stand naked before him, but if she is ashamed to stand naked before him, it is prohibited for him to sleep close to her, regardless of her age. What is the reason? It is that the inclination has a hold upon her, as otherwise she would not be ashamed.

רַב אַחָא בַּר אַבָּא אִיקְּלַע לְבֵי רַב חִסְדָּא חַתְנֵיהּ. שַׁקְלֵיהּ לְבַת בְּרַתֵּיה אוֹתְבַהּ בְּכַנְפֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא סָבַר לַהּ מָר דְּמִקַּדְּשָׁא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עֲבַרְתְּ לָךְ אַדְּרַב. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: אָסוּר לְאָדָם שֶׁיְּקַדֵּשׁ אֶת בִּתּוֹ כְּשֶׁהִיא קְטַנָּה, עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֹאמַר: ״בִּפְלוֹנִי אֲנִי רוֹצָה״. מָר נָמֵי עֲבַר לֵיהּ אַדִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵין מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁים בְּאִשָּׁה! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנָא כְּאִידַּךְ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל סְבִירָא לִי, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל:

The Gemara relates: Rav Aḥa bar Abba arrived at the house of Rav Ḥisda, his son-in-law. He took his daughter’s daughter and placed her on his lap. Rav Ḥisda said to him: Doesn’t the Master think that she might already be betrothed? Rav Aḥa said to him: If that is true, you have transgressed the ruling of Rav, as Rav Yehuda says that Rav says, and some say it was said by Rabbi Elazar: It is prohibited for a man to betroth his daughter when she is a minor, until she grows up and says: I want to marry so-and-so, as otherwise she might reject the designated husband and ultimately sin by committing adultery. Rav Ḥisda replied: The Master has likewise transgressed the words of Shmuel. As Shmuel says: One may not make use of a woman, so how can you hold her on your lap? He said to him: I hold in accordance with another statement of Shmuel, as Shmuel says:

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Having never learned Talmud before, I started Daf Yomi in hopes of connecting to the Rabbinic tradition, sharing a daily idea on Instagram (@dafyomiadventures). With Hadran and Sefaria, I slowly gained confidence in my skills and understanding. Now, part of the Pardes Jewish Educators Program, I can’t wait to bring this love of learning with me as I continue to pass it on to my future students.

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I started learning at the beginning of this cycle more than 2 years ago, and I have not missed a day or a daf. It’s been challenging and enlightening and even mind-numbing at times, but the learning and the shared experience have all been worth it. If you are open to it, there’s no telling what might come into your life.

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Patti Evans

Phoenix, Arizona, 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.

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Susan Handelman

Jerusalem, Israel

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.

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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.

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Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal

Merion Station,  USA

Beit Shemesh, Israel

It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.

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Janice Block

Beit Shemesh, Israel

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

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I 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.
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Yael Merlini

Berlin, Germany

תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.

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Vitti Kones

מיתר, ישראל

I started learning when my brother sent me the news clip of the celebration of the last Daf Yomi cycle. I was so floored to see so many women celebrating that I wanted to be a part of it. It has been an enriching experience studying a text in a language I don’t speak, using background knowledge that I don’t have. It is stretching my learning in unexpected ways, bringing me joy and satisfaction.

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Jodi Gladstone

Warwick, Rhode Island, United States

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

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Martha Tarazi

Panama, Panama

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

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Renee Braha

Brooklyn, NY, United States

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

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Joanna Rom

Northwest Washington, United States

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Rochel Cheifetz

Riverdale, NY, United States

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Lori Stark

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Deb Engel

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Sara Averick

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Silke Goldberg

Guildford, United Kingdom

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Far Rockaway, United States

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Tina Lamm

Jerusalem, Israel

Kiddushin 81

לְאַתְרוֹיֵי בֵּיהּ.

how to warn him not to engage in intercourse with her, since that would neutralize the effectiveness of the examination of the waters.

אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בָּעִיר, אֲבָל בַּדֶּרֶךְ – עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה, שֶׁמָּא יִצְטָרֵךְ אֶחָד מֵהֶם לְהַשְׁתִּין, וְנִמְצָא אֶחָד מִתְיַיחֵד עִם הָעֶרְוָה. נֵימָא מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ: מוֹסְרִים לוֹ שְׁנֵי תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁמָּא יָבֹא עָלֶיהָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ. תְּרֵי וְאִיהוּ, הָא תְּלָתָא! הָתָם כִּי הֵיכִי דְּנִיהְווֹ עֲלֵיהּ סָהֲדִי.

Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: The Sages taught that two men may seclude themselves with one woman only in a city, where others are present, but on the road it is not permitted unless there are three. Why are two men insufficient on the road? Perhaps one of them will need to urinate and will walk away, and it will turn out that one person will be secluded with a woman forbidden to him. The Gemara suggests: Shall we say the mishna quoted above supports him: They provide him with two Torah scholars to accompany them lest he engage in sexual intercourse with her along the way? He and two Torah scholars are three, which indicates that there is a requirement for three men when they are traveling. The Gemara answers: That is no proof, as there, in the case of the sota, there is a requirement for an additional two men in order that they should serve as witnesses about him, to testify whether or not he engaged in intercourse with her along the way.

רַב וְרַב יְהוּדָה הֲווֹ קָאָזְלִי בְּאוֹרְחָא, הֲוָה קָאָזְלָא הַהִיא אִתְּתָא קַמַּיְיהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְרַב יְהוּדָה: דַּל כַּרְעָיךְ מִקַּמֵּי גֵיהִנָּם. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְהָא מָר הוּא דְּאָמַר בִּכְשֵׁרִים שַׁפִּיר דָּמֵי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִי יֵימַר דְּבִכְשֵׁרִים כְּגוֹן אֲנָא וְאַתְּ? אֶלָּא כְּגוֹן מַאי? כְּגוֹן רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פַּפֵּי וַחֲבֵירָיו.

The Gemara relates: Rav and Rav Yehuda were walking along the way, and a certain woman was walking ahead of them. Rav said to Rav Yehuda: Raise your feet and walk quickly away from Gehenna so that we do not remain secluded with her. Rav Yehuda said to him: But wasn’t it you, Master, who said that it is permitted in the case of men of fit morals? Rav said to him: Who says that I referred to men of fit morals such as you and me? Rav Yehuda responded: Rather, such as whom? Rav answered: Such as Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappi and his colleagues, who have proven that they can withstand temptation (see 39b). All other people are not trusted in this matter.

אָמַר רַב: מַלְקִין עַל יִיחוּד, וְאֵין אוֹסְרִין עַל הַיִּיחוּד. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: לָא אֲמַרַן אֶלָּא בְּיִיחוּד פְּנוּיָה, אֲבָל בְּיִיחוּד דְּאֵשֶׁת אִישׁ – לָא, שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא מוֹצִיא לַעַז עַל בָּנֶיהָ.

Rav says: The court flogs a man due to his being secluded with a woman. But a wife is not forbidden to her husband, and an unmarried woman is not prohibited from marrying a priest due to being secluded, as it cannot be stated definitively that the secluded pair engaged in sexual intercourse. Rav Ashi says: We stated the halakha that one is flogged due to being secluded only with an unmarried woman, but for being secluded with a married woman, one is not flogged. Why not? It is so that there should not be rumors spread concerning her children. If the secluded pair is flogged, everyone will assume that they engaged in intercourse, and people will consider her children to be mamzerim, whereas in fact they were flogged only for being secluded.

מָר זוּטְרָא מַלְקֵי וּמַכְרֵיז. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב נַחְמָן מִפַּרְהַטְיָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מָר נָמֵי לַילְקֵי וְלַכְרֵיז! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִיכָּא דְּשָׁמַע בְּהָא וְלָא שָׁמַע בְּהָא.

The Gemara relates: Mar Zutra would even flog one who was secluded with a married woman, and he would proclaim the reason for the punishment. Rav Naḥman from Parhatya said to Rav Ashi: Let the Master also flog and proclaim the reason. Rav Ashi said to him: I am hesitant to do so, in case there are those who hear about this, i.e., the flogging, and do not hear about that, i.e., the reason for the flogging.

אָמַר רַב: מַלְקִין עַל לֹא טוֹבָה הַשְּׁמוּעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַל בָּנָי כִּי לוֹא טוֹבָה הַשְּׁמֻעָה״. מָר זוּטְרָא מוֹתֵיב לֵהּ אַפְסֵירָה עַל כַּתְפֵּיהּ וּמַקְרֵי לֵיהּ: ״אַל בָּנָי״

Rav says: The court flogs one due to his being the subject of a bad rumor, meaning that not only is a person flogged when the facts have been ascertained, but even when he has only reportedly committed transgressions he may be flogged. As it is stated: “No, my sons, for it is no good report” (I Samuel 2:24). When Mar Zutra would flog a person for being the subject of a bad rumor, he would place the bridle of a donkey on the person’s shoulders and recite before him when administering lashes: “No, my sons, for it is no good report,” so that people would know why he was being flogged.

אָמַר רַבָּה: בַּעְלָהּ בָּעִיר – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: פֶּתַח פָּתוּחַ לִרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. רַב בִּיבִי אִיקְּלַע לְבֵי רַב יוֹסֵף. בָּתַר דִּכְרַךְ רִיפְתָּא אֲמַר לְהוּ: שְׁקוּלוּ דַּרְגָּא מִתּוּתֵי בִּיבִי. וְהָא אָמַר רַבָּה: בַּעְלָהּ בָּעִיר – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד! שָׁאנֵי רַב בִּיבִי דְּשׁוֹשְׁבִינְתֵּיהּ הֲוַאי וְגָיְיסָא בֵּיהּ.

Rabba says: If a woman’s husband is in town, there is no concern due to her being secluded with a man. People are afraid to sin with her, since they cannot be sure when her husband will return. Rav Yosef says: If there is an open entrance to the public domain there is no concern due to being secluded. The Gemara relates: Rav Beivai arrived at Rav Yosef’s house. After he wrapped his bread, i.e., ate his meal, he said to the members of the household: Remove the ladder from beneath Beivai, who was going to sleep in the upper story, so that he not be able to climb down, due to the prohibition of being secluded with Rav Yosef’s wife. The Gemara asks: But doesn’t Rabba say: If her husband is in town, there is no concern due to her being secluded with a man? The Gemara answers: Rav Beivai is different, since Rav Yosef’s wife was his friend and she was familiar with him, and therefore there was more cause for concern.

אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: אֲנָשִׁים מִבַּחוּץ וְנָשִׁים מִבִּפְנִים – אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד. אֲנָשִׁים מִבִּפְנִים וְנָשִׁים מִבַּחוּץ – חוֹשְׁשִׁין מִשּׁוּם יִיחוּד.

Rav Kahana says: If the men are located on the outside, i.e., in the outer room, and the women in the inside, i.e., in the inner room, there is no concern due to being secluded. Even if one of the men were to enter the inner room, he would be seen by the other men. By contrast, if there were men in the inside and women on the outside, there is a concern due to being secluded, since one of the men can claim that he is leaving and in fact join the women.

בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא אִיפְּכָא. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: הַשְׁתָּא דְּאָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא הָכִי וְתָנָא מַתְנִיתָא אִיפְּכָא, אֲנָא נַעֲבֵיד לְחוּמְרָא.

The Gemara comments: The opposite was taught in a baraita, that if the men are on the outside and the women are inside there is concern due to being secluded, as one of the men might venture inside without being noticed, but if the men are inside and the women are outside, he knows that one of the other men might go out through the women’s quarters at any time, and therefore there is no concern due to being secluded. Abaye said: Now that Rav Kahana has said the halakha in this manner and a baraita teaches the opposite, we shall act stringently in both cases.

אַבָּיֵי דָּיַיר גּוּלְפֵי. רָבָא דָּיַיר קְנֵה. אָמַר אָבִין: סְקָבָא דְשַׁתָּא רִיגְלָא.

Abaye would arrange rows of pitchers between the men and women, so that they would not be able to cross from one area to the other without making noise. Rava would arrange rows of reeds to prevent passage. Avin said: The wound [sakva], i.e., the vulnerable point, of the year is the Festival, since men and women would come together on these joyous occasions, and this would lead to sin.

הָנָךְ שְׁבוּיָיתָא דַּאֲתַאי לִנְהַרְדְּעָא. אַסְּקִינְהוּ לְבֵי רַב עַמְרָם חֲסִידָא, אַשְׁקוּלוּ דַּרְגָּא מִקַּמַּיְיהוּ. בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָא חָלְפָה חֲדָא מִנַּיְיהוּ נְפַל נְהוֹרָא בְּאִיפּוּמָּא. שַׁקְלֵיהּ רַב עַמְרָם לְדַרְגָּא דְּלָא הֲווֹ יָכְלִין בֵּי עַשְׂרָה לְמִדְלְיֵיהּ, דַּלְיֵיהּ לְחוֹדֵיהּ, סָלֵיק וְאָזֵיל.

§ The Gemara relates: Those captive women who were brought to Neharde’a, where they were redeemed, were brought up to the house of Rav Amram the Pious. They removed the ladder from before them to prevent men from climbing up after them to the attic where they were to sleep. When one of them passed by the entrance to the upper chamber, it was as though a light shone in the aperture due to her great beauty. Out of his desire for her, Rav Amram grabbed a ladder that ten men together could not lift, lifted it on his own and began climbing.

כִּי מְטָא לְפַלְגָא [דְּ]דַרְגָּא אִיפְּשַׁח, רְמָא קָלָא: נוּרָא בֵּי עַמְרָם! אֲתוֹ רַבָּנַן, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: כַּסֵּיפְתִּינַן. אֲמַר לְהוּ: מוּטָב תִּיכַּסְפוּ בֵּי עַמְרָם בְּעָלְמָא הָדֵין וְלָא תִּיכַּסְפוּ מִינֵּיהּ לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי. אַשְׁבְּעֵיהּ דְּיִנְפַּק מִינֵּיהּ, נְפַק מִינֵּיהּ כִּי עַמּוּדָא דְנוּרָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: חֲזִי, דְּאַתְּ נוּרָא וַאֲנָא בִּישְׂרָא, וַאֲנָא עֲדִיפְנָא מִינָּךְ.

When he was halfway up the ladder, he strengthened his legs against the sides of the ladder to stop himself from climbing further, raised his voice, and cried out: There is a fire in the house of Amram. Upon hearing this, the Sages came and found him in that position. They said to him: You have embarrassed us, since everyone sees what you had intended to do. Rav Amram said to them: It is better that you be shamed in Amram’s house in this world, and not be ashamed of him in the World-to-Come. He took an oath that his evil inclination should emerge from him, and an apparition similar to a pillar of fire emerged from him. He said to his evil inclination: See, as you are fire and I am mere flesh, and yet, I am still superior to you, as I was able to overcome you.

רַבִּי מֵאִיר הֲוָה מִתְלוֹצֵץ בְּעוֹבְרֵי עֲבֵירָה. יוֹמָא חַד אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ שָׂטָן כְּאִיתְּתָא בְּהָךְ גִּיסָא דְנַהֲרָא, לָא הֲוָה מַבָּרָא – נְקַט מִצְרָא וְקָא עָבַר. כִּי מְטָא פַּלְגָא מִצְרָא שַׁבְקֵיהּ, אָמַר: אִי לָאו דְּקָא מַכְרְזִי בִּרְקִיעָא ״הִזָּהֲרוּ בְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר וְתוֹרָתוֹ״ שַׁוֵּיתֵיהּ לִדְמָךְ תַּרְתֵּי מָעֵי.

The Gemara relates: Rabbi Meir would ridicule transgressors by saying it is easy to avoid temptation. One day, Satan appeared to him as a woman standing on the other side of the river. Since there was no ferry to cross the river, he took hold of a rope bridge and crossed the river. When he reached halfway across the rope bridge, the evil inclination left him and said to him: Were it not for the fact that they proclaim about you in heaven: Be careful with regard to Rabbi Meir and his Torah, I would have made your blood like two ma’a, i.e., completely worthless, since you would have fallen completely from your spiritual level.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הֲוָה מִתְלוֹצֵץ בְּעוֹבְרֵי עֲבֵירָה. יוֹמָא חַד אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ שָׂטָן כְּאִיתְּתָא בְּרֵישׁ דִּיקְלָא. נַקְטֵיהּ לְדִיקְלָא וְקָסָלֵיק וְאָזֵיל. כִּי מְטָא לְפַלְגֵיהּ דְּדִיקְלָא שַׁבְקֵיהּ, אָמַר: אִי לָאו דְּמַכְרְזִי בִּרְקִיעָא ״הִזָּהֲרוּ בְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וְתוֹרָתוֹ״ שַׁוֵּיתֵיהּ לִדְמָךְ תַּרְתֵּי מָעֵי.

Rabbi Akiva would likewise ridicule transgressors. One day, Satan appeared to him as a woman at the top of a palm tree. Rabbi Akiva grabbed hold of the palm tree and began climbing. When he was halfway up the palm tree, the evil inclination left him and said to him: Were it not for the fact that they proclaim about you in heaven: Be careful with regard to Rabbi Akiva and his Torah, I would have made your blood like two ma’a.

פְּלֵימוֹ הֲוָה רְגִיל לְמֵימַר כׇּל יוֹמָא ״גִּירָא בְּעֵינֵיהּ דְּשָׂטָן״. יוֹמָא חַד מַעֲלֵי יוֹמָא דְכִיפּוּרֵי הֲוָה. אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ כְּעַנְיָא. אֲתָא קְרָא אַבָּבָא, אַפִּיקוּ לֵיהּ רִיפְתָּא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יוֹמָא כִּי הָאִידָּנָא כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא גַּוַּאי וַאֲנָא אַבָּרַאי? עַיְּילֵיהּ וְקָרִיבוּ לֵיהּ רִיפְתָּא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יוֹמָא כִּי הָאִידָּנָא כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא אַתַּכָּא וַאֲנָא לְחוֹדַאי? אַתְיוּהּ אוֹתְבוּהּ אַתַּכָּא. הֲוָה יָתֵיב מְלָא נַפְשֵׁיהּ שִׁיחְנָא וְכִיבֵי (עֲלֵיהּ) וַהֲוָה קָעָבֵיד בֵּיהּ מִילֵּי דִּמְאִיס. אֲמַר לֵיהּ:

The Sage Peleimu had the habit to say every day: An arrow in the eye of Satan, mocking the temptations of the evil inclination. One day, it was the eve of Yom Kippur, and Satan appeared to him as a pauper who came and called him to the door, requesting alms. Peleimu brought out bread to him. Satan said to him: On a day like today, everyone is inside eating, and shall I stand outside and eat? Peleimu brought him inside and gave him bread. He said to him: On a day like today, everyone is sitting at the table, and shall I sit by myself? They brought him and sat him at the table. He was sitting and had covered himself with boils and pus, and he was doing repulsive things at the table. Peleimu said to the pauper:

תִּיב שַׁפִּיר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַבוּ לִי כָּסָא, יְהַבוּ לֵיהּ כָּסָא. אַכְמַר שְׁדָא בֵּיהּ כִּיחוֹ. נְחַרוּ בֵּיהּ. שְׁקָא וּמִית. שְׁמַעוּ דַּהֲווֹ קָאָמְרִי: פְּלֵימוֹ קְטַל גַּבְרָא! פְּלֵימוֹ קְטַל גַּבְרָא! עֲרַק וּטְשָׁא נַפְשֵׁיהּ בְּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא. אָזֵיל בָּתְרֵיהּ, נְפַל קַמֵּיהּ. כִּי דְּחַזְיֵיהּ דַּהֲוָה מִצְטַעַר גַּלִּי לֵיהּ נַפְשֵׁיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא אָמְרַתְּ הָכִי? וְאֶלָּא הֵיכִי אֵימָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לֵימָא מָר ״רַחֲמָנָא נִגְעַר בֵּיהּ בְּשָׂטָן״.

Sit properly and do not act in a revolting manner. Satan then said to him: Give me a cup. They gave him a cup. He coughed up his phlegm and spat it into the cup. They berated him for acting this way, at which point Satan pretended to sink down and die. They heard people around them saying: Peleimu killed a man! Peleimu killed a man! Peleimu fled and hid himself in the bathroom. Satan followed him and fell before him. Upon seeing that Peleimu was suffering, he revealed himself to him. Satan said to him: What is the reason that you spoke this way, provoking me by saying: An arrow in the eye of Satan? He replied: But what then should I say? Satan said to him: Let the Master, i.e., Peleimu, say: Let the Merciful One rebuke the Satan.

רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי הֲוָה רְגִיל כׇּל עִידָּן דַּהֲוָה נָפֵל לְאַפֵּיהּ הֲוָה אָמַר: ״הָרַחֲמָן יַצִּילֵנוּ מִיֵּצֶר הָרָע״. יוֹמָא חַד (שְׁמַעְתִּינְהוּ) [שְׁמַעְתֵּיהּ] דְּבֵיתְהוּ, אֲמַרָה: מִכְּדֵי הָא כַּמָּה שְׁנֵי דְּפָרֵישׁ לֵיהּ מִינַּאי, מַאי טַעְמָא קָאָמַר הָכִי?

The Gemara relates: Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Ashi was accustomed to say, whenever he would fall on his face in prayer: May the Merciful One save us from the evil inclination. One day his wife heard him saying this prayer. She said: After all, it has been several years since he has withdrawn from engaging in intercourse with me due to his advanced years. What is the reason that he says this prayer, as there is no concern that he will engage in sinful sexual behavior?

יוֹמָא חֲדָא הֲוָה קָא גָרֵיס בְּגִינְּתֵיהּ. קַשִּׁטָה נַפְשַׁהּ, חָלְפָה וְתָנְיָיה קַמֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: מַאן אַתְּ? אֲמַרָה: אֲנָא חָרוּתָא דַּהֲדַרִי מִיּוֹמָא. תַּבְעַהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: אַיְיתִי נִיהֲלַי לְהָךְ רוּמָּנָא דְּרֵישׁ צוּצִיתָא. שְׁוַור, אֲזַל אַתְיֵיהּ נִיהֲלַהּ.

One day, while he was studying in his garden, she adorned herself and repeatedly walked past him. He said: Who are you? She said: I am Ḥaruta, a well-known prostitute, returning from my day at work. He propositioned her. She said to him: Give me that pomegranate from the top of the tree as payment. He leapt up, went, and brought it to her, and they engaged in intercourse.

כִּי אֲתָא לְבֵיתֵיהּ הֲוָה קָא שָׁגְרָא דְּבֵיתְהוּ תַּנּוּרָא, סָלֵיק וְקָא יָתֵיב בְּגַוֵּיהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַר לַהּ: הָכִי וְהָכִי הֲוָה מַעֲשֶׂה. אָמְרָה לֵיהּ: אֲנָא הֲוַאי. לָא אַשְׁגַּח בַּהּ, עַד דִּיהַבָה לֵיהּ סִימָנֵי. אָמַר לַהּ: אֲנָא מִיהָא לְאִיסּוּרָא אִיכַּוַּונִי. כׇּל יָמָיו שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק הָיָה מִתְעַנֶּה עַד שֶׁמֵּת בְּאוֹתָהּ מִיתָה.

When he came home, his wife was lighting a fire in the oven. He went and sat inside it. She said to him: What is this? He said to her: Such and such an incident occurred; he told her that he engaged in intercourse with a prostitute. She said to him: It was I. He paid no attention to her, thinking she was merely trying to comfort him, until she gave him signs that it was indeed she. He said to her: I, in any event, intended to transgress. The Gemara relates: All the days of that righteous man he would fast for the transgression he intended to commit, until he died by that death in his misery.

דְּתַנְיָא: ״אִישָׁהּ הֲפֵרָם וַה׳ יִסְלַח לָהּ״, בַּמָּה הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר? בְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁנָּדְרָה בְּנָזִיר, וְשָׁמַע בַּעְלָהּ וְהֵפֵר לָהּ, וְהִיא לֹא יָדְעָה שֶׁהֵפֵר לָהּ בַּעְלָהּ, וְהָיְתָה שׁוֹתָה יַיִן וּמִטַּמְּאָה לְמֵתִים.

The Gemara explains the source that one who intended to transgress is punished even though he did not actually sin. As it is taught in a baraita concerning a husband who nullified the vow of his wife: “Her husband has made them null; and the Lord will forgive her” (Numbers 30:13). With regard to what case is the verse speaking? Why would the woman require forgiveness if her husband has nullified her vow? It is referring to a woman who vowed to be a nazirite, and her husband heard and nullified her vow. And she did not know that her husband had nullified her vow, and she drank wine and contracted impurity from a corpse, violating her presumed vow.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא כִּי הֲוָה מָטֵי לְהַאי פְּסוּקָא הֲוָה בָּכֵי, אָמַר: וּמָה מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל בְּשַׂר חֲזִיר וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ בְּשַׂר טָלֶה, אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: צְרִיכָה כַּפָּרָה וּסְלִיחָה, מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל בְּשַׂר חֲזִיר וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ בְּשַׂר חֲזִיר – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.

The Gemara relates: When Rabbi Akiva came to this verse he would cry. He said: And if with regard to one who intended to eat pork, and kosher lamb came up in his hand, like this woman who intended to violate her vow but in fact did not, the Torah nevertheless says: She requires atonement and forgiveness, all the more so does one who intended to eat pork and pork came up in his hand require atonement and forgiveness.

כַּיּוֹצֵא בַּדָּבָר אַתָּה אוֹמֵר ״וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנוֹ״. כְּשֶׁהָיָה רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא מַגִּיעַ לְפָסוּק זֶה הָיָה בּוֹכֶה: וּמָה מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל שׁוּמָּן וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ חֵלֶב – אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: ״וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנוֹ״, מִי שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּין לֶאֱכוֹל חֵלֶב וְעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ חֵלֶב – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. אִיסִי בֶּן יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: ״וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנוֹ״ – עַל דָּבָר זֶה יִדְווּ כׇּל הַדּוֹוִים.

In a similar manner, you can say that the same lesson can be derived from the verse: “Though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 5:17). When Rabbi Akiva came to this verse he would cry. He said: And if with regard to one who intended to eat permitted fat, and forbidden fat mistakenly came up in his hand, the Torah states: “Though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity,” all the more so is this true for one who intended to eat forbidden fat and forbidden fat came up in his hand. Isi ben Yehuda says with regard to the verse “Though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity”: With regard to this matter all sufferers shall grieve, since the verse teaches that one is punished even for sinning unawares.

מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם אִמּוֹ. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם אֲחוֹתוֹ, וְדָר עִם אִמּוֹ וְעִם בִּתּוֹ. כִּי אַמְרִ[יתַ]הּ קַמֵּיהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, אָמַר: אָסוּר לְהִתְיַיחֵד עִם כׇּל עֲרָיוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, וַאֲפִילּוּ עִם בְּהֵמָה.

§ The mishna teaches that a man may be secluded with his mother. Rav Yehuda says that Rav Asi says: A man may be secluded with his sister, and live with his mother or with his daughter in a permanent arrangement, without concern. When he said this before Shmuel, the latter said: It is prohibited to be secluded with all those with whom relations are forbidden by the Torah, and even with an animal, as it is prohibited to engage in intercourse with an animal as well.

תְּנַן: מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם אִמּוֹ וְעִם בִּתּוֹ וְיָשֵׁן עִמָּהֶם בְּקֵירוּב בָּשָׂר, וּתְיוּבְתָּא דִשְׁמוּאֵל! אָמַר לָךְ שְׁמוּאֵל: וְלִיטַעְמָיךְ, הָא דְּתַנְיָא: אֲחוֹתוֹ וַחֲמוֹתוֹ וּשְׁאָר כׇּל עֲרָיוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה אֵין מִתְיַיחֵד עִמָּהֶם אֶלָּא בְּעֵדִים. בְּעֵדִים – אִין, שֶׁלֹּא בְּעֵדִים – לָא!

We learned in the mishna: A man may be secluded with his mother, and with his daughter, and sleep alongside them with bodily contact, and this appears to be a conclusive refutation of the statement of Shmuel. The Gemara answers: Shmuel could have said to you: And according to your reasoning, how should one explain that which is taught in a baraita: With regard to his sister, and his mother-in-law, and all those with whom relations are forbidden, including his mother and daughter, one may be secluded with them only in the presence of witnesses, from which it can be inferred: In the presence of witnesses, yes; without the presence of witnesses, no. This baraita supports the opinion of Shmuel that one may not be secluded with his mother or sister.

אֶלָּא תַּנָּאֵי הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי מֵאִיר: הִזָּהֲרוּ בִּי מִפְּנֵי בִּתִּי. אָמַר רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן: הִזָּהֲרוּ בִּי מִפְּנֵי כַּלָּתִי. לִיגְלֵג עָלָיו אוֹתוֹ תַּלְמִיד. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: לֹא הָיוּ יָמִים מוּעָטִים עַד שֶׁנִּכְשַׁל אוֹתוֹ תַּלְמִיד בַּחֲמוֹתוֹ.

Rather, it is a dispute between tanna’im as to whether one may be secluded with his mother or sister. As it is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Meir said: Be careful with me because of my daughter, i.e., make sure I am not left secluded with her. Similarly, Rabbi Tarfon said: Be careful with me because of my daughter-in-law. A certain student mocked him for being wary of the possibility of sinning with his daughter-in-law. Rabbi Abbahu said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamliel: Not many days passed until that student stumbled into sin with his mother-in-law.

אֲפִילּוּ עִם בְּהֵמָה אַבָּיֵי מְכַלֵּ[י] לֵיהּ מִכּוּלֵּהּ דַּבְרָא. רַב שֵׁשֶׁת מְעַבַּר לֵיהּ מִצְרָא. רַב חָנָן מִנְּהַרְדְּעָא אִיקְּלַע לְרַב כָּהֲנָא לְפוּם נַהֲרָא. חַזְיֵיהּ דְּיָתֵיב וְקָא גָרֵס וְקָיְימָא בְּהֵמָה קַמֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא סָבַר לַהּ מָר אֲפִילּוּ עִם בְּהֵמָה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָאו אַדַּעְתַּאי.

The Gemara stated that according to Shmuel it is prohibited for one to be alone even with an animal. The Gemara relates: Abaye removed the animals from the entire field he was in. Rav Sheshet transferred the animals to the other side of the fence. Rav Ḥanan from Neharde’a happened to come to Rav Kahana in Pum Nahara. He saw that he was sitting and studying, and an animal was standing before him. Rav Ḥanan said to him: Doesn’t the Master hold that one may not be secluded even with an animal? Rav Kahana said to him: It did not enter my mind that an animal was before me.

אָמַר רָבָא: מִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִם שְׁתֵּי יְבָמוֹת וְעִם שְׁתֵּי צָרוֹת, עִם אִשָּׁה וַחֲמוֹתָהּ, עִם אִשָּׁה וּבַת בַּעְלָהּ, עִם אִשָּׁה וְתִינוֹקֶת שֶׁיּוֹדַעַת טַעַם בִּיאָה, וְאֵין מוֹסֶרֶת עַצְמָהּ לְבִיאָה.

Rava says: A man may be secluded with two sisters-in-law and with two rival wives, i.e., two women who share a husband; with a woman and her mother-in-law; and with a woman and her husband’s daughter. Since these women typically dislike each other, each fears that the other will publicize her sins, and they will be careful not to transgress. Similarly, a man may be secluded with a woman and a girl who knows the meaning of sexual intercourse, i.e., one who is old enough to understand the nature of intercourse, but is still young enough that she does not submit herself to intercourse, since she does not yet desire it. In such a situation, the woman is concerned that the child will reveal her behavior.

הִגְדִּילוּ זֶה יָשֵׁן בִּכְסוּתוֹ וְכוּ׳. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַב אַדָּא בַּר רַב (עֻזָּא) [עַוָּא] אָמַר רַב אַסִּי: תִּינוֹקֶת בַּת תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד, תִּינוֹק בֶּן שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי: תִּינוֹקֶת בַּת שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד, תִּינוֹק בֶּן שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה וְיוֹם אֶחָד, וְזֶה וְזֶה כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ ״שָׁדַיִם נָכֹנוּ וּשְׂעָרֵךְ צִמֵּחַ״.

§ The mishna teaches that when one’s children have grown up, this one sleeps in his garment and that one sleeps in her garment, but they may share a bed. The Gemara asks: And how old must a child be to be considered grown up for the purposes of this halakha? Rav Adda bar Rav Azza says that Rav Asi says: A girl must reach the age of nine years and one day; a boy must reach the age of twelve years and one day. There are those who say: A girl must reach the age of twelve years and one day; a boy must reach the age of thirteen years and one day. And according to this and that, according to both opinions, the girl is considered a child until she has reached the stage of: “Your breasts were fashioned, and your hair was grown” (Ezekiel 16:7), meaning the onset of puberty.

אָמַר רַפְרָם בַּר פָּפָּא אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵינָהּ בּוֹשָׁה לַעֲמוֹד לְפָנָיו עֲרוּמָּה, אֲבָל בּוֹשָׁה לַעֲמוֹד לְפָנָיו עֲרוּמָּה – אָסוּר. מַאי טַעְמָא – יֵצֶר אַלְבְּשַׁהּ.

Rafram bar Pappa says that Rav Ḥisda says: They taught that a man may sleep in close proximity to his minor daughter only if she is not ashamed to stand naked before him, but if she is ashamed to stand naked before him, it is prohibited for him to sleep close to her, regardless of her age. What is the reason? It is that the inclination has a hold upon her, as otherwise she would not be ashamed.

רַב אַחָא בַּר אַבָּא אִיקְּלַע לְבֵי רַב חִסְדָּא חַתְנֵיהּ. שַׁקְלֵיהּ לְבַת בְּרַתֵּיה אוֹתְבַהּ בְּכַנְפֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא סָבַר לַהּ מָר דְּמִקַּדְּשָׁא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עֲבַרְתְּ לָךְ אַדְּרַב. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: אָסוּר לְאָדָם שֶׁיְּקַדֵּשׁ אֶת בִּתּוֹ כְּשֶׁהִיא קְטַנָּה, עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֹאמַר: ״בִּפְלוֹנִי אֲנִי רוֹצָה״. מָר נָמֵי עֲבַר לֵיהּ אַדִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵין מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁים בְּאִשָּׁה! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנָא כְּאִידַּךְ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל סְבִירָא לִי, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל:

The Gemara relates: Rav Aḥa bar Abba arrived at the house of Rav Ḥisda, his son-in-law. He took his daughter’s daughter and placed her on his lap. Rav Ḥisda said to him: Doesn’t the Master think that she might already be betrothed? Rav Aḥa said to him: If that is true, you have transgressed the ruling of Rav, as Rav Yehuda says that Rav says, and some say it was said by Rabbi Elazar: It is prohibited for a man to betroth his daughter when she is a minor, until she grows up and says: I want to marry so-and-so, as otherwise she might reject the designated husband and ultimately sin by committing adultery. Rav Ḥisda replied: The Master has likewise transgressed the words of Shmuel. As Shmuel says: One may not make use of a woman, so how can you hold her on your lap? He said to him: I hold in accordance with another statement of Shmuel, as Shmuel says:

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