Arachin 6a

ערכין ו׳ ע״א

Arakhin 6a

Learn Arachin 6a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Arachin 6a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Gifts from a גוי to the מקדש, a non-Jew's תרומה, and using money promised to צדקה

Overview

The גמרא finds two ברייתות that disagree about accepting a גוי's donation for בדק הבית. רבי יוחנן explains that we refuse at the start of building and accept at the end, though even then not a noticeable item like the raven-repelling spikes. רב יוסף challenges this from נחמיה, who took wood from the Persian king, and אביי answers that a government never backs out of its word. Next, רב rules that if a non-Jew separates תרומה without a Jew's intent, it needs גניזה because he may have meant it for Heaven. A ברייתא about a beam with God's Name on it seems to disagree, but the גמרא explains that the Name is mentioned only to teach that the rest of the beam is not holy. The last topic is a coin promised to צדקה. The owner may use it and replace it, for himself or for others. רבא argues that the wording of his promise, 'עלי' or 'הרי זו', makes no difference, and a ברייתא supports him. רב זביד credits the whole rule to רב, and a final ברייתא teaches that once the coin reaches the גבאי it may no longer be switched.

Opening lines

The steps (24)

1. ChallengeTwo ברייתות contradict about a גוי's donation
2. ResolutionBeginning of the building versus the end
3. Proofרבי יוחנן's fuller rule about beginning and end
4. QuestionWhat counts as a noticeable item?
5. ResponseExample: the raven-repelling spikes
6. ChallengeChallenge from נחמיה's letter to the king
7. ResolutionA government is different
8. Proofשמואל: a government that says it will uproot mountains does it
9. StatementA non-Jew who separates תרומה
10. ChallengeA beam donated by a non-Jew with God's Name on it
11. ChallengeOnly the Name causes the need to put it away
12. ResolutionWithout the Name it also needs to be put away
13. ProofProof that only the Name itself must be cut off
14. StatementA coin set aside for charity may be used for now
15. StatementFirst assumption: only for his own use
16. Rejectionרבי יוחנן allows it for others too
17. Statementרבי זעירא: the rule applies only when he said "upon me"
18. Challengeרבא: the reverse makes more sense
19. ConclusionConclusion: no difference between the wordings
20. ProofA ברייתא that supports רבא
21. ChallengeThe ברייתא's wording makes no sense as it stands
22. Resolutionצדקה is like a נדר for timing, but unlike הקדש for use
23. Statementרב זביד's version: the full rule comes from רב
24. StatementOnce the גבאי has the coin, it may not be switched