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Bechoros 13b

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Bekhorot 13b

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

Open Bechoros 13b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Acquiring from a גוי: why the Torah says ״לעמיתך״, and the ברייתא about finding an idol among purchased vessels

Overview

This amud opens by finishing a derivation: just as a Jew acquires from a fellow Jew with only one method, he acquires from a גוי with only one method, which is money. The גמרא then tests אמימר, who says משיכה acquires from a גוי. His view fits רבי יוחנן, but under ריש לקיש the word ״לעמיתך״ seems extra. The גמרא first suggests the word teaches about אונאה, and then shows that one word leaves out a גוי and the other leaves out הקדש. It adds that anyone who permits robbing a גוי must hold like רבי יוחנן. Next, a ברייתא about buying broken vessels from גוים and finding an idol among them is used to challenge the view that money acquires from a גוי. The גמרא answers that the גוי accepted Jewish law, which leads to a debate between אביי and רבא about מקח טעות. רב אשי and רבינא then each offer their own reading of the ברייתא. רבינא explains that backing out of a spoken deal with a גוי is not מחוסרי אמנה.

Opening lines

מָה ״עֲמִיתֶךָ״ בְּאַחַת,

Just as with "your counterpart" it is through one method,

אַף גּוֹי נָמֵי בְּאַחַת.

so too with a gentile it is also through one method.

אָמְרִי:

They said:

וּלְאָמֵימָר דְּאָמַר

And according to Ameimar, who says

The steps (23)

  1. ConclusionJust one act of acquisition for a gentile too
  2. Statementאמימר's view works well if he follows רבי יוחנן
  3. ChallengeBut if אמימר follows ריש לקיש, the word seems extra
  4. ResolutionThe word teaches that overcharge is returned only to a fellow Jew
  5. RejectionThat rule already comes from 'his brother'
  6. ResolutionOne verse for a non-Jew, one for consecrated property
  7. ChallengeDoes the answer work if robbing a non-Jew is permitted?
  8. ResolutionThen he must hold like רבי יוחנן
  9. ChallengeA ברייתא about buying broken vessels from non-Jews
  10. ChallengeIf money acquires, why is pulling needed?
  11. ResolutionThe non-Jew agreed to follow Jewish law
  12. ChallengeThen why mention money at all?
  13. ResolutionEven after paying, only pulling finishes the deal
  14. ChallengeThe first clause now seems difficult
  15. Resolutionאביי: the first clause is a mistaken purchase
  16. Challengeרבא: the latter clause is also a mistake
  17. Resolutionרבא: the difference is how it looks
  18. Resolutionאביי defends his answer
  19. Resolutionרב אשי: pulling does nothing in either clause
  20. Resolutionרבינא: pulling acquires in both clauses
  21. QuestionWhat does 'he may go back' mean?
  22. ResponseHe backs out of his words
  23. ResolutionWhy the תנא needed to say this