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Avodah Zarah 26b

עבודה זרה כ״ו ע״ב

Learn Avodah Zarah 26b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Who counts as a משומד or מין and how they are treated, and whether a non-Jew may perform מילה on a Jew.

Overview

The amud opens with the end of a ברייתא: מינין, מסורות and משומדים may be lowered into a pit and are not pulled out. רבי יוחנן objects that the Torah includes a משומד in השבת אבידה, so he removes the word משומד. The גמרא explains that for רבי אבהו, someone who sins להכעיס is already a מין. רב אחא and רבינא then argue over whether a spiteful sinner is a מין or a משומד. A ברייתא about eating a flea is answered by saying that wanting to taste something forbidden counts as desire. The גמרא then explains that 'not raised' allows quietly removing a way out of the pit, such as a ledge, the opening or a ladder. A new ברייתא about מילה follows. רבי מאיר forbids a non-Jew to circumcise a Jew, while the חכמים allow it if others are watching. A contradiction from another ברייתא about a כותי and an ארמאי leads to swapping the names, then taking that swap back. The new answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְלֹא מוֹרִידִין,

and one may not lower them into a pit.

אֲבָל הַמִּינִין וְהַמָּסוֹרוֹת

But the heretics and the informers

וְהַמְשׁוּמָּדִים —

and the apostates

מוֹרִידִין וְלֹא מַעֲלִין.

are lowered into a pit, and are not raised out of it.

The steps (18)

  1. StatementEnd of the ברייתא: heretics, informers and apostates are lowered, not raised
  2. Challengeרבי יוחנן objects and removes the word משומד
  3. ChallengeWhy not split between two kinds of משומד?
  4. ResolutionEating to spite makes one a מין
  5. Statementרב אחא and רבינא argue: first view
  6. StatementSecond view: a מין is an idol worshipper
  7. ChallengeEating a single flea makes one a משומד
  8. ResolutionHe wanted to taste something forbidden
  9. ChallengeWhy say 'not raised' if they may be pushed down?
  10. ResolutionScraping away a foothold in the pit
  11. ResolutionCovering the mouth of the well with a stone
  12. ResolutionTaking away the ladder
  13. StatementCircumcision between a Jew and a non-Jew
  14. StatementThe Rabbis allow a non-Jew to circumcise with others watching; רבי מאיר does not
  15. ChallengeAnother ברייתא seems to show רבי מאיר prefers a non-Jewish doctor
  16. ResolutionSwitch the names in the second ברייתא
  17. ChallengeBut רבי יהודה learns from a פסוק that a non-Jew's circumcision is invalid
  18. ResolutionDropping the switch and preparing a new answer