Bava Basra 120b

בבא בתרא ק״כ ע״ב

Bava Batra 120b

Learn Bava Basra 120b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The meaning of "זֶה הַדָּבָר": the one-generation limit, the גזרה שוה between נדרים and שחוטי חוץ, and how בית שמאי read it

Overview

Earlier, the גמרא learned from the words "זֶה הַדָּבָר" that the rule limiting whom בנות צלפחד could marry applied only to their generation. רבה זוטי asks רב אשי why the same words at the start of the laws of נדרים do not limit vows to one generation as well. רב אשי answers that in נדרים the words are needed for a גזרה שוה with שחוטי חוץ. In the inheritance parsha, the words would be extra unless they teach a one-generation limit. A ברייתא spells out the גזרה שוה in both directions. From the first direction, רב אחא בר יעקב learns that three ordinary people (הדיוטות) can release a vow, and "ראשי המטות" adds that one expert alone can also do it. From the second direction, רב ששת learns that a חכם can undo a הקדש. בית שמאי hold that a הקדש cannot be undone, so they use each "זה הדבר" for its own lesson. The גמרא then asks where they learn the rule of three ordinary people, and begins a ברייתא of רבי יוסי הגלילי on the festivals פסוק that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (16)

1. ChallengeDo the laws of vows also apply only to that generation?
2. ResolutionIn vows, the phrase is used for a link to another parsha
3. ChallengeWhy not use the same link for the daughters' case?
4. ResolutionIn the daughters' case the words would be extra
5. QuestionWhich גזרה שוה is meant?
6. ResponseThe ברייתא linking vows and slaughtering outside
7. QuestionWhat practical law does the first half teach?
8. ResponseThree ordinary people can release a vow
9. ChallengeBut the פסוק says 'heads of the tribes'
10. ResolutionThe heads of the tribes means one expert alone
11. QuestionWhat do the heads of the tribes teach about שחוטי חוץ?
12. ResponseA הקדש can be undone like a vow
13. ChallengeWhat do בית שמאי do with 'this' and 'this'?
14. ResolutionFor בית שמאי, each 'זה הדבר' teaches its own lesson
15. QuestionWhere do בית שמאי learn the rule of three laymen?
16. ResponseThey learn it from a ברייתא on the festivals פסוק