Beitzah 13b

ביצה י״ג ע״ב

Learn Beitzah 13b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Beitzah 13b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The rules of תרומת מעשר and early-taken מעשר ראשון, and the difference between 'finished work' for מעשר and forbidden labor on שבת and יום טוב.

Overview

This amud opens at the end of a derivation: just as תרומה גדולה is taken only from finished produce at the granary and winepress, so is תרומת מעשר. The גמרא asks why the source says 'מחשב' (calculates) when תרומת מעשר is a fixed tenth. It answers that the source follows אבא אלעזר בן גימל, who allows both תרומות to be separated by estimate and by thought. Next, רבי שמעון בן לקיש teaches two rules about מעשר ראשון taken early, while the grain is still on the stalks. It is still obligated in תרומת מעשר, but it is exempt from תרומה גדולה. אביי explains that grain in a pile has already become דגן, while grain on the stalks has not. The גמרא then quotes a משנה about peeling barley and רבי אלעזר's comment 'וכן לשבת'. Because of the practice of רב and רבי חייא, it moves his comment to the wheat clause. This leads to the principle that שבת forbids only מלאכת מחשבת, so piling or gathering produce can finish it for מעשר and still be permitted on שבת. Finally, the גמרא asks how one may rub grain on יום טוב and blow away its chaff on שבת, using a changed method, and רב's answer about blowing continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. ProofBoth תרומות are taken only from finished produce
2. ChallengeWhy say 'calculates' if a tenth needs exact measuring?
3. ResolutionThe source follows אבא אלעזר בן גימל
4. ProofThe ברייתא: both תרומות can be separated by estimate and thought
5. Statementמעשר ראשון taken on the stalks is still obligated in תרומת מעשר
6. QuestionWhat is the reason?
7. ResponseBecause it carries the name 'מעשר'
8. StatementTithe taken early on the stalks is exempt from תרומה גדולה
9. ProofThe verse source: only a tithe from the tithe
10. ChallengeThen even tithe taken from the pile should be exempt
11. ResolutionA second verse obligates the tithe in תרומה גדולה
12. QuestionWhy assign each verse to its case?
13. ResponsePile grain is finished grain, stalk grain is not
14. StatementThe משנה on peeling barley, and רבי אלעזר's comparison to שבת
15. Challengeרב and רבי חייא had barley peeled by the cupful
16. Resolutionרבי אלעזר's comment was said on the wheat clause
17. ChallengeCan something be finished work for מעשר but not for שבת?
18. RejectionPiling produce: finished for מעשר but permitted on שבת
19. ConclusionThe Torah forbids only purposeful creative labor on שבת
20. QuestionHow may one rub the grain?
21. Responseאביי: Rub with one finger against one finger
22. Responseרב אויא: One finger against two
23. Responseרבא: Since he changes the method, even one finger against all
24. QuestionHow may one blow away the chaff?
25. Responseרב אדא בר אהבה in the name of רב begins to answer