Avodah Zarah 64a

עבודה זרה ס״ד ע״א

Learn Avodah Zarah 64a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Avodah Zarah 64a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Reducing wrongdoing with כלאים, and whether money from עבודה זרה in a גוי's hand is permitted

Overview

The גמרא finishes a ברייתא: one may not help tend כלאים, but one may help uproot them to reduce wrongdoing. It first assumes the ברייתא follows רבי עקיבא, who says even keeping כלאים earns lashes. From that it proves רב נחמן's ruling that reducing wrongdoing is allowed. The proof is rejected, because the ברייתא may follow the רבנן. The גמרא then explains the ברייתא as dealing with free work, following רבי יהודה, and the support for רב נחמן returns. Next comes a new question: does money from selling עבודה זרה become forbidden while a גוי holds it? רב נחמן says it is permitted. After one proof falls, the גמרא brings a ברייתא about a גוי repaying a debt. רב ששת explains that the forbidden case there is because the Jew wants the idol preserved. A challenge from a convert's inheritance is finally answered by רב פפא: the חכמים were specially lenient with a גר's inheritance.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. StatementThe ברייתא allows helping to uproot כלאים
2. StatementThe ברייתא is assumed to follow רבי עקיבא
3. ProofThe ברייתא showing רבי עקיבא's view
4. QuestionWhat is רבי עקיבא's source?
5. ResponseLearning "keeping" from the wording of the פסוק
6. ProofEven רבי עקיבא allows acting to reduce wrongdoing
7. RejectionMaybe the ברייתא follows the רבנן
8. ChallengeWhy would the רבנן mention only uprooting?
9. ResolutionThe case is unpaid work, following רבי יהודה
10. ConclusionFrom רבי יהודה we learn רבי עקיבא too, so רב נחמן is supported
11. QuestionDoes money from idol worship become forbidden in a gentile's hand?
12. Proofרב נחמן's proof from רבה בר אבוה's advice to converts
13. RejectionThe converts' case is different because they cancelled their idols
14. ProofA new proof from a ברייתא about a גוי repaying a debt
15. ChallengeWhy are the two halves of the ברייתא different?
16. Resolutionרב ששת: in the second case the Jew wants the idol to survive
17. ChallengeA challenge from the convert who inherits with his gentile brother
18. ResolutionThe idol keeps its value even in broken pieces
19. ChallengeThat answer doesn't work for the wine
20. ResolutionThe wine case is about חרס הדרייני
21. ChallengeHe still wants it kept from theft and loss
22. ResolutionA convert's inheritance is a special leniency