Beitzah 36b

ביצה ל״ו ע״ב

Learn Beitzah 36b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Beitzah 36b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Beehives and leaks on שבת, removing disgusting things, and acts forbidden on both שבת and יום טוב

Overview

The גמרא finishes the ברייתא about covering a beehive on שבת: you may cover it, as long as the covering does not become a trap. רב אשי reads the seasons in the ברייתא as ניסן and תשרי, when there is honey in the hive. Next comes the משנה's rule that you may put a vessel under a leak and empty it again and again. A story tells how רבה told אביי to bring his bed into his leaking millhouse, so the water would count like a גרף של רעי (chamber pot) and could be removed. אביי questioned this, and his millhouse collapsed. שמואל then rules on carrying out chamber pots, and a story about רב אשי and a mouse shows that disgusting things may be removed even without a vessel. A new משנה teaches that acts forbidden on שבת as שבות, רשות, or מצוה are also forbidden on יום טוב, and that the only difference between the days is אוכל נפש. The גמרא explains the reason for each שבות decree. It then starts asking why judging and betrothal are called only רשות, and the answer about betrothal continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (29)

1. ResolutionRewording the ברייתא: just don't make the mat into a trap
2. ChallengeIsn't that obvious?
3. ResolutionEven creatures people don't usually trap may not be trapped
4. Resolutionרב אשי: the ברייתא means Nisan and Tishrei, when there is honey
5. StatementQuoting the משנה: a vessel may be placed under a leak
6. StatementA full vessel may be emptied and put back again and again
7. Statementאביי's leaking millhouse and רבה's advice
8. Challengeאביי questions רבה's advice
9. StatementThe millhouse collapses and אביי accepts the lesson
10. Statementשמואל: taking out chamber pots on שבת
11. StatementA first reading: only together with the container
12. Rejectionרב אשי and the mouse in the spice storeroom
13. StatementNew משנה: what is forbidden on שבת is forbidden on יום טוב
14. StatementThe list of things forbidden because of שבות
15. StatementThe list of things forbidden even though they are optional good deeds
16. StatementThe list of things forbidden even though they are full מצוות
17. ConclusionSummary: all of this applies on יום טוב and even more on שבת; only food preparation differs
18. StatementWhy climbing a tree is forbidden
19. StatementFirst reason for not riding an animal
20. ChallengeThat reason would make תחומין a דאורייתא law
21. ResolutionNew reason: he might cut a branch
22. StatementWhy swimming is forbidden
23. StatementWhy clapping and dancing are forbidden
24. StatementThe optional-acts list begins with judging
25. ChallengeJudging is a real מצוה, so why call it optional?
26. ResolutionWhen someone better is available, judging is optional
27. StatementThe next optional act: betrothing a woman
28. ChallengeBetrothal is a real מצוה, so why call it optional?
29. ResolutionThe answer begins: a specific case is meant