Bava Kamma 101b

בבא קמא ק״א ע״ב

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Topic

רבא's two contradictions: whether color (חזותא) counts as a real substance, and whether non-food growth like wood has קדושת שביעית.

Overview

The גמרא brings two contradictions raised by רבא. First, a משנה about ערלה says a garment dyed with ערלה peels must be burned, which shows that color (חזותא) counts as a real substance. But a משנה about corpse blood counts blood in a garment only if a רביעית washes out, so the stain itself seems to count for nothing. רב כהנא answers that the blood case is a special leniency, because דם תבוסה is impure only מדרבנן. Second, a משנה gives dye plants קדושת שביעית, which suggests even inedible growth like wood has the sanctity. A ברייתא says leaves gathered for fuel have none. רבא answers from the word 'לאכלה': the sanctity applies only to things whose benefit comes while they are used up, which excludes wood burned for its coals. The גמרא objects that wood burned for warmth does give benefit while it burns, and רבא's reply continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (9)

1. Statementרבא's first source: a garment dyed with ערלה peels must be burned
2. ChallengeThe contradicting משנה begins: blood absorbed in a house
3. ChallengeBlood absorbed in a garment only counts if it can be washed out
4. Resolutionרב כהנא: the blood case is a special rabbinic leniency
5. Statementרבא's second contradiction: dye plants have שביעית sanctity
6. ChallengeA ברייתא says leaves gathered for fuel have no שביעית sanctity
7. ResolutionThe פסוק 'for food' limits שביעית to benefit that comes while the item is used up
8. ChallengeBut wood burned for warmth gives benefit while it burns
9. Resolutionרבא begins his answer