Avodah Zarah 28a

עבודה זרה כ״ח ע״א

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Topic

Being treated by non-Jews for a מכה של חלל: what counts as internal, gums and teeth and צפדינא, why רבי יוחנן's treatment was allowed, and a list of dangerous ailments and their remedies

Overview

The גמרא finishes the second version of רבי יוחנן's rule: one may not be treated by an idolater for a מכה של חלל. It explains that the two versions differ over the back of the hand and foot, and then adds more conditions that override שבת: any injury needing evaluation, and a burning fever. רבי אמי says 'internal' starts from the lips inward. That leads to רבי אליעזר's question about gums and teeth. Two proofs are tried and both are pushed aside: אביי's proof from a משנה, and the story of רבי יוחנן, whose צפדינא was treated by a noblewoman. Along the way, the גמרא explains the signs, causes and cures of צפדינא. It then asks how רבי יוחנן could be treated by a non-Jew at all. It concludes that an expert healer would not risk her reputation, while a מין like the one who poisoned רבי אבהו is willing to harm himself. The amud ends with a list of dangerous ailments and their remedies, and begins a story about רבי יעקב that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (35)

1. StatementSecond version: no treatment by them for an internal injury
2. QuestionWhat is the difference between the two versions?
3. ResponseThe difference: the back of the hand and the back of the foot
4. StatementAny injury that needs evaluation overrides שבת
5. StatementA burning fever is like an internal injury
6. QuestionWhere does internal begin?
7. ResponseFrom the lips inward
8. QuestionAre gums and teeth internal or external?
9. Proofאביי's proof from the toothache and vinegar משנה
10. RejectionRejected: 'bothered' may include great pain
11. ProofThe story of רבי יוחנן and the noblewoman's cure
12. ChallengeHow could he reveal the secret after swearing?
13. ResolutionHis oath was worded carefully
14. ChallengeIsn't this still a חילול השם?
15. ResolutionHe told her from the start
16. ProofSo gum disease is like an internal injury
17. Rejectionצפדינא is a special case
18. QuestionThe symptoms of צפדינא
19. QuestionWhat causes צפדינא
20. QuestionThe cure the noblewoman used
21. Statementאביי's cure that finally worked
22. ChallengeHow could רבי יוחנן be treated by a non-Jew?
23. ResolutionAn important person is different
24. ChallengeBut רבי אבהו was important and was still attacked
25. Resolutionרבי יוחנן's healer was an expert doctor
26. ChallengeBut רבי אבהו's healer was also an expert
27. Resolutionמינים are willing to harm themselves
28. StatementA sword gash is dangerous enough to break שבת
29. ResponseThe remedy for a gash
30. StatementGrape-like boils come before death
31. ResponseThe remedy for grape-like boils
32. StatementAn abscess comes before fever
33. ResponseThe remedy for an abscess
34. StatementWhen an abscess is not a concern
35. StatementA new story about רבי יעקב begins