Arachin 25a

ערכין כ״ה ע״א

Arakhin 25a

Learn Arachin 25a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Redeeming a consecrated inherited field (שדה אחוזה): counting years, the fixed price by area, and who keeps the field at the יובל

Overview

This amud is about redeeming an inherited field that someone gave to הקדש. It opens by explaining that only full years lower the redemption price. A leftover part of a year is never subtracted. A ברייתא learns from the word 'years' in ויקרא 27:18 that months are not counted to lower the price, and it learns from 'וחשב לו הכהן' that הקדש may count months as a full year when that helps it. A new משנה sets the price at fifty שקלים for an area sown with a חומר of barley, divided by the years left until the יובל and paid all at once. Only the owner adds a חומש. The גמרא defines the measure as seed sown by hand at an average thickness. It explains that deep crevices are left out because they are full of water and cannot be sown, while shallow dips and low rocks count as part of the field. Another משנה then tells who keeps a redeemed field at the יובל: the owner or his son keeps it, but if someone else redeemed it first it goes to all the כהנים.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. ResolutionAfter the Jubilee really means during the Jubilee cycle
2. ChallengeWhy say it, if the next line of the משנה says it outright?
3. ResolutionThe משנה is giving the reason for the rule
4. QuestionAsking for the source that months are not counted against the Temple
5. ResponseThe verse says years, not months
6. QuestionAsking for the source that the Temple may treat months as a year
7. QuestionWhen would this matter? A field consecrated in the middle of the 48th year
8. ResponseThe source: the כהן reckons in any case
9. StatementThe basic redemption price and what is measured
10. StatementPaying by the years left, all at once
11. StatementOwner and anyone else: the only difference is the חומש
12. StatementMeasured by seed, sown by hand
13. StatementAverage density of sowing
14. ChallengeWhy aren't the deep crevices consecrated on their own?
15. RejectionEven a tiny field can be consecrated
16. ResolutionThe crevices are full of water
17. ProofThe wording of the משנה supports this answer
18. ChallengeThen shallower crevices should be left out too
19. ResolutionShallow dips and bumps are part of the field
20. StatementYears in הקדש Are Also Subtracted From the Price
21. QuestionCan the Owner Pay Year by Year?
22. Response'The Money' Means One Full Payment
23. QuestionThe Owner Adds a Fifth, Others Do Not
24. StatementNew משנה: Who Keeps a Redeemed Field at יובל
25. StatementA priest who redeemed the field must share it with all the priests