Avodah Zarah 32a

עבודה זרה ל״ב ע״א

Learn Avodah Zarah 32a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Hadrianic earthenware and using forbidden objects for other purposes (רוצה בקיומו), plus beer-vinegar, the רבן גמליאל testimony, and עורות לבובין

Overview

The גמרא first rules that vinegar made from Aramean beer is forbidden because יין נסך yeast is mixed in, though רב אשי permits vinegar from a storeroom. It then explains the משנה's חרס הדרייני: shards of jugs from הדריינוס קיסר's vineyard that soaked up so much wine that people soaked the shards in water and drank it. Next it asks whether one may use these shards to prop up a bed, which is a case of wanting a forbidden thing to stay whole for another use (רוצה בקיומו). רבי אלעזר and רבי יוחנן argue, and the הלכה follows the one who forbids. A ברייתא forbidding donkey blankets made from non-Jewish wineskins seems to challenge the permitting view, but רבא explains that the wineskin rule is a separate decree against patching. The forbidding view explains that jugs may be traded because no real forbidden wine is in them, unlike the shards. The גמרא then settles two conflicting reports of שמעון בן גודא's testimony about רבן גמליאל. Finally, it begins defining עורות לבובין, hides torn opposite the heart.

Opening lines

The steps (19)

1. StatementVinegar from Aramean beer is forbidden
2. Statementרב אשי permits vinegar from a storeroom
3. QuestionWhat is Hadrianic earthenware?
4. Responseשמואל: the earthenware of Emperor Hadrian
5. Responseרב דימי explains how the wine-soaked shards were made
6. StatementOur best wine equals their third soaking
7. QuestionMay the shards be used to prop up a bed?
8. Responseרבי אלעזר and רבי יוחנן disagree
9. ConclusionThe הלכה follows the one who forbids
10. ChallengeQuoting a ברייתא about Jewish wine in non-Jewish jugs
11. ChallengeWineskins may not be made into donkey blankets
12. RejectionPushback: then jugs should not be sold either
13. Resolutionרבא: wineskins are forbidden because of a separate decree
14. ChallengeTo the forbidding view: why are jugs allowed?
15. ResolutionIn the shards the forbidden wine is still really there
16. ChallengeTwo accounts of the same testimony disagree
17. ResolutionOnly the group disagreed, while the son agreed
18. ResolutionTwo different men named Guda
19. StatementDefining a hide torn at the heart