Beitzah 31a

ביצה ל״א ע״א

Learn Beitzah 31a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Beitzah 31a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Bringing and chopping wood on יום טוב: gathered vs. scattered wood, what counts as a קרפף, and which tools may be used

Overview

The משנה teaches that on יום טוב you may bring wood for fuel from an open field only if it was already gathered into a pile. From a קרפף, an enclosed storage area, you may bring even scattered wood. רבי יהודה and רבי יוסי argue about what counts as a קרפף. In the גמרא, שמואל rules more strictly: only gathered wood inside a קרפף is allowed. The גמרא explains that our משנה is a lone opinion, which it shows from a ברייתא of רבי שמעון בן אלעזר about בית שמאי and בית הלל. רבא adds that light leaves count as scattered even when piled, unless a vessel was placed on them before יום טוב. The גמרא then proves from רבי יוסי's wording that he only adds leniencies to רבי יהודה, and the הלכה follows him to be lenient. A new משנה begins: wood may not be chopped from building beams, and chopping is allowed only with a cleaver, not with an axe, saw, or sickle.

Opening lines

The steps (13)

1. StatementThe משנה: which wood may be brought on יום טוב
2. StatementWhat counts as a קרפף
3. Statementשמואל's stricter rule
4. ChallengeChallenge: the משנה allows scattered wood in a קרפף
5. ResolutionAnswer: the משנה is a lone opinion
6. ProofProof from the ברייתא of רבי שמעון בן אלעזר
7. Statementרבא: piled leaves still count as scattered
8. StatementA vessel placed on the leaves makes them permitted
9. QuestionHow should we read the קרפף debate? First possibility
10. QuestionSecond possibility: רבי יוסי makes the lock the deciding factor
11. ResponseProof from the word 'even': רבי יוסי gives two leniencies
12. ConclusionThe הלכה follows רבי יוסי to be lenient
13. StatementNew משנה: chopping wood on יום טוב