Bechoros 50b

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Bekhorot 50b

Learn Bechoros 50b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Which coin the word כסף means: in the תורה versus in the words of the חכמים

Overview

רב אסי teaches that when the תורה says כסף, it means the valuable Tyrian coin (כסף צורי), while amounts set by the חכמים use the cheaper local coin (כסף מדינה). The גמרא tests this with four cases where the תורה says כסף but a small or copper coin is allowed. For a court claim (טענה), the amount comes from pairing כסף with כלים. For מעשר שני, the repeated word כסף widens the rule, and הקדש learns the same from מעשר שני through the word קודש. But קידושין has no such exception, and רב אסי cannot be holding like בית שמאי. So the גמרא restates his rule: only a fixed sum (כסף קצוב) in the תורה is in Tyrian silver. Since the משנה already teaches that, his real new point is that rabbinic sums are in local coin. For example, the 'סלע' fine for striking someone is only half a זוז. A story about רב הונא and חנן the wicked shows this fine in practice, and it continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (12)

1. Statementתורה money means Tyrian coins; rabbinic money means local coins
2. ChallengeChallenge from the minimum amount of a court claim
3. ResolutionA claim is different because money is paired with vessels
4. ChallengeChallenge from second tithe money
5. ResolutionThe repeated word money widens the rule
6. ChallengeChallenge from redeeming consecrated property
7. ResolutionConsecrated property learns from second tithe
8. ChallengeChallenge from betrothing a woman
9. Conclusionרב אסי's rule restated for fixed amounts only
10. ChallengeWhat does רב אסי add if the משנה already says this?
11. ResolutionHis real point is that rabbinic sums use local coin
12. Statementרב הונא orders a striker to pay half a זוז