Gemara Clarity

Bava Kamma 82a

בבא קמא פ״ב ע״א

Learn Bava Kamma 82a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The count of יהושע's ten conditions, and the reasons behind עזרא's ten תקנות

Overview

The גמרא challenges the count of ten conditions of יהושע, because רבי יוחנן reports another condition about trees near a border and ביכורים. It answers that the number ten comes from רבי יהושע בן לוי, an אמורא, so רבי יוחנן may disagree. It also brings a version that names him openly. Next, the גמרא lists the ten תקנות of עזרא and explains them one by one: the שבת afternoon reading, Monday and Thursday reading, courts on Monday and Thursday, laundry on Thursday, garlic on ערב שבת, and early baking for the poor. A ברייתא proves that Monday and Thursday reading began with the נביאים in the desert. The answer is that עזרא set the format of three men reading ten פסוקים. Along the way, the גמרא adds a side ברייתא about the benefits of garlic. Finally, it asks how combing before טבילה can be עזרא's תקנה when the Torah already requires it. The answer begins on this amud: the Torah only requires checking the hair, and the rest continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְהָא כִּי אֲתָא רַבִּי אָבִין

But when Rabbi Avin came

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן:

he said that Rabbi Yochanan says:

אֶחָד אִילָן הַנּוֹטֶה לְתוֹךְ שְׂדֵה חֲבֵירוֹ,

Both a tree that leans into the field of another,

וְאֶחָד אִילָן הַסָּמוּךְ לַמֶּצֶר –

and a tree that is close to the boundary –

The steps (18)

  1. ChallengeAn eleventh condition of Joshua?
  2. ResolutionThe 'ten' list is from רבי יהושע בן לוי
  3. ProofA version that names the source openly
  4. Statementעזרא's ten ordinances
  5. StatementWhy the תורה is read at מנחה on שבת
  6. ChallengeDidn't Monday and Thursday תורה reading exist before עזרא?
  7. ProofThe prophets in the desert set up Torah reading every few days
  8. Resolutionעזרא changed how much was read and by how many people
  9. StatementWhy courts sit on Monday and Thursday
  10. StatementLaundry on Thursday for the honor of שבת
  11. StatementEating garlic on Friday because of marital intimacy
  12. ProofA verse shows Friday night is the time for intimacy
  13. StatementA side teaching on the benefits of garlic
  14. StatementWomen bake early so bread is ready for the poor
  15. StatementA woman should wear a סינר for modesty
  16. ChallengeCombing before immersion is already a Torah law
  17. ProofA ברייתא proves the hair must be free of anything blocking
  18. ResolutionThe Torah only requires checking the hair