Chagigah 21a

חגיגה כ״א ע״א

Learn Chagigah 21a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Chagigah 21a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Why vessels may not be immersed one inside another for קדשים: רבי אילא's answer of חציצה, and why the משנה needs both its רישא and its סיפא

Overview

This amud finishes the משנה's list of extra stringencies for קודש compared with תרומה. An אונן and a מחוסר כפורים must immerse before eating קודש, but not before eating תרומה. The גמרא then goes back to an earlier clause of the משנה. That clause says you may immerse vessels inside other vessels for תרומה but not for קודש, and the גמרא asks why. רבי אילא answers that the weight of the inner vessel blocks the water, which is a חציצה. The גמרא objects that the סיפא of the משנה, about untying knots before טבילה, already deals with חציצה, so the רישא should be about something else. The answer is that both clauses are about חציצה and each one is needed. From the רישא alone we would think only a heavy vessel counts as a חציצה. The amud ends partway through explaining why the סיפא alone would not have been enough, and that explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (6)

1. StatementMourner and one lacking atonement must immerse for sacred food
2. QuestionWhy may vessels not be immersed inside each other for sacred food
3. ResponseThe weight of the inner vessel blocks the water
4. ChallengeThe latter clause already covers interposition
5. ResolutionBoth clauses are about interposition, and each is needed
6. ResolutionWhy the latter clause alone would not be enough