Gemara Clarity

Avodah Zarah 64b

עבודה זרה ס״ד ע״ב

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

Open Avodah Zarah 64b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Can a גר תושב cancel an עבודה זרה, and how is a גר תושב defined and treated?

Overview

The גמרא first brings a ברייתא supporting an earlier rule: a גר and a גוי may divide property that includes idol items only if they inherited it, not if they were partners. Then the sages ask whether a גר תושב, who has given up idol worship, can cancel an idol. רב נחמן says no, because only someone who worships idols can cancel one. The גמרא challenges him with a ברייתא saying a גוי can cancel an idol 'whether he worships it or not.' It answers that this means a גוי who serves a different idol. A second challenge comes from a ברייתא that defines a גר תושב, sets out rules for his wine, and says that in all other matters he is like a גוי. רב נחמן בר יצחק answers that this line is about giving up rights in a shared courtyard on שבת, not about cancelling idols, and a ברייתא about apostate Jews and courtyard rights backs him up. The amud ends as a new story begins about a gift רב יהודה sent.

Opening lines

תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי:

This is also taught in a baraita:

בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים?

In what case is this said?

שֶׁיָּרְשׁוּ,

Where they inherited;

אֲבָל נִשְׁתַּתְּפוּ — אָסוּר.

but if they were partners, it is forbidden.

The steps (17)

  1. ProofA ברייתא backs up the inheritance-versus-partnership rule
  2. QuestionCan a non-Jew who gave up idol worship cancel an idol?
  3. Responseרב נחמן: only one who worships can cancel
  4. ChallengeA ברייתא says even a non-worshipper can cancel
  5. ChallengeReading 'does not worship it' as a גר תושב
  6. ResolutionBoth phrases mean a גוי: same idol versus different idol
  7. ChallengeNew challenge: who counts as a גר תושב
  8. StatementA third view: a גר תושב keeps everything except נבילות
  9. StatementHow a גר תושב's wine is treated
  10. ChallengeOil cannot be like wine
  11. ResolutionFixing the wording: his wine is like his oil
  12. StatementOther matters, and רבן שמעון's view on his wine
  13. ProofTrying to prove a גר תושב can nullify an idol
  14. RejectionThe line is about courtyard rights, not idols
  15. ProofA ברייתא on which apostate Jews can give up courtyard rights
  16. StatementWith a גוי the share must be rented, and how a Jew gives up his share
  17. StatementA new story begins: רב יהודה sends a gift