Arachin 16a

ערכין ט״ז ע״א

Arakhin 16a

Learn Arachin 16a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Arachin 16a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The dangers of speech, the seven sins that bring נגעים, and what atones for murder and לשון הרע

Overview

This amud continues the discussion of good and bad speech. רבה בר רב הונא rules that something said in front of three people may be repeated, because it will spread anyway. רב דימי explains that loudly praising a generous host can bring him trouble, and a teaching warns that praising someone leads to talking about his faults. רבי יוחנן then lists seven sins that bring נגעים, and the גמרא proves each one from a פסוק. The גמרא challenges this with רבי ענני בר ששון's teaching that each of the בגדי כהונה atones for a sin, including the מעיל for לשון הרע. It answers that לשון הרע which caused harm brings נגעים, while harmless לשון הרע is atoned for by the מעיל. A new teaching says the עגלה ערופה atones for murder and the קטרת for לשון הרע, which clashes with the כתונת and the מעיל. The גמרא resolves the murder clash and begins resolving the לשון הרע clash, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (30)

1. StatementSomething said before three people is not evil speech
2. QuestionAsking for the reason
3. ResponseYour friend has a friend
4. QuestionWhat does the פסוק about loud blessing mean?
5. ResponsePraising a generous host brings him trouble
6. StatementNever speak about another person's goodness
7. StatementAnother version: רב דימי is sick
8. Challengeרב ספרא challenges: did you keep the rule about praise?
9. ResolutionI never heard it, but I would have kept it
10. StatementSeven sins that bring נגעים
11. ProofSource for לשון הרע
12. ProofSource for murder
13. ProofSource for a false oath
14. ProofForbidden relations bring נגעים: the case of פרעה
15. ProofArrogance brings נגעים: the case of King עוזיהו
16. ProofTheft brings נגעים: the priest empties the house
17. ProofStinginess brings נגעים: 'the one whose house is his'
18. ChallengeIs that so? The priestly garments atone like offerings
19. ProofThe tunic and the trousers
20. ProofThe turban and the belt
21. ChallengeBreastplate, ephod, and robe: the robe atones for evil speech
22. ProofThe headplate atones for brazenness
23. ResolutionIt depends whether the evil speech actually did damage
24. ChallengeA new teaching: murder and evil speech are not atoned for by offerings
25. ProofIncense atones for evil speech
26. ChallengeTwo contradictions laid out side by side
27. ResolutionMurder: known killer versus unknown killer
28. ChallengeA known killer should be executed
29. ResolutionHe killed on purpose but was never warned
30. Resolutionלשון הרע: the קטרת is for speech said in private