Chullin 105b

חולין ק״ה ע״ב

Learn Chullin 105b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Hand-washing at a meal and מים אחרונים, then אביי's list of customs whose true reasons are health, poverty, and protection from מזיקין

Overview

This amud finishes רבי ינאי's rule about hot water for washing hands. In a second version his rule applies to the final washing (מים אחרונים), and from it the גמרא infers that even scalding water is allowed for the first washing. רב נחמן teaches that the middle washing is optional, except between a cooked dish and cheese, where it is required. רב יהודה בריה דרבי חייא explains that מים אחרונים are a חובה because of dangerous מלח סדומית, which can blind the eyes. Then comes a long series of אביי's teachings: 'At first I thought the reason for this custom was simple, but my teacher told me the real reason.' These cover not washing onto the ground, not taking things off the table while someone drinks, gathering crumbs, avoiding foam, eating from a tied bundle, vegetables that fell from the table, sitting under a gutter, and pouring a little water out of a pitcher. Stories support these teachings: the angel of poverty and the careful man, a witch on a boat, the demon under the gutter who had to pay for a wine barrel, and a demon-servant in רב פפא's house. That last story continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (34)

1. StatementEnd of the first version: very hot water may not be used
2. StatementSecond version: the rule applies to the final washing
3. ConclusionInference: very hot water is fine for the first washing
4. StatementMiddle washing is optional, but not between a cooked dish and cheese
5. StatementWhy final waters are required: dangerous salt
6. StatementHow rare the dangerous salt is
7. QuestionWhat about someone who measured salt?
8. ResponseCertainly he must wash
9. StatementWhy final washing water is not poured on the ground
10. StatementWhy nothing is taken off the table while someone drinks
11. StatementThree limits on the table rule
12. Statementמר בר רב אשי was strict even with spice tools
13. StatementGathering crumbs protects against poverty
14. StatementThe story of the man the angel of poverty could not catch
15. StatementNot drinking the foam prevents illness
16. StatementEvery simple way of getting rid of foam causes harm
17. QuestionSo what should a person do with the foam?
18. ResponseSink the foam into the drink
19. StatementCures for illness from foam
20. ConclusionPoverty follows the poor
21. StatementVegetables from a tied bundle: witchcraft, not gluttony
22. ProofThe witch who could not harm the sages
23. StatementVegetables that fell from the table: bad breath, not disgust
24. StatementNot sitting under a gutter: demons, not dirty water
25. ProofThe wine barrel that burst under a gutter
26. Questionמר בר רב אשי asks the demon why it did this
27. ResponseThe demon: they put it on my ear
28. RejectionThe demon's excuse is rejected: you were in a public place, so pay
29. StatementThe demon asks for a payment date
30. QuestionThe demon is late: why didn't you come on time?
31. ResponseDemons may only take ownerless things
32. StatementPouring water from a pitcher is because of bad waters
33. ProofA demon-servant in רב פפא's house comes back late from the river
34. ResponseThe demon waited for the bad waters to pass