Chullin 118b

חולין קי״ח ע״ב

Learn Chullin 118b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Chullin 118b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The sources and limits of יד (handle) and שומר (covering) for food טומאה: their פסוקים, הכשר, and minimum sizes

Overview

Background: a יד is a handle-like part of food, such as a stalk, and a שומר is a protective covering, such as a shell or peel. The גמרא first asks where we learn that a יד brings טומאה into food. It settles on the פסוק about food (ויקרא 11:38), and explains that the extra פסוק about the שומר of a נבלה teaches its own topic, even though a קל וחומר could teach it. When a פסוק can teach something new, though, we read it that way. רב חביבא offers another answer: the שומר of a נבלה acts like a handle, so its extra teaching goes to the law of יד. Next, רב יהודה בר ישמעאל challenges learning שומר from 'on any sowing seed', using a pomegranate and parts of meat that are never sown. The גמרא answers that three 'sowing' words cover seeds, trees, and meat, eggs and fish. Then רב and רבי יוחנן argue whether a handle also counts for הכשר, and the גמרא explains their argument from a פסוק or from logic; a ברייתא supports רבי יוחנן. Finally they argue whether a handle or covering counts for food smaller than a כזית or a כפול. A ברייתא about two bones with half-olives of flesh challenges both views, and the discussion continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. ChallengeWhy give the extra verse to the handle and not to coverings in general?
2. ResolutionBack to the original source: the handle verse is about bringing in
3. ChallengeThen why do we need the verse about a carcass's covering?
4. ResolutionThe carcass verse teaches its own topic
5. ChallengeBut what exactly would it teach about a carcass?
6. ResolutionThe תורה sometimes writes out what a קל וחומר could teach
7. ChallengeThen say the food פסוק also only teaches bringing in
8. ResolutionWhen a פסוק can teach something new, we read it that way
9. Resolutionרב חביבא: the שומר of a נבלה works like a handle
10. ChallengeChallenge from the pomegranate's tip and flower
11. ChallengeWhy should the pomegranate's tip join if it is not planted that way?
12. ChallengeA second challenge from the parts of meat that join
13. ResolutionThree sowing words cover seeds, trees, and meat, eggs and fish
14. StatementA handle counts for טומאה but not for הכשר
15. Statementרבי יוחנן says a handle counts for both טומאה and הכשר
16. QuestionWhat is the root of the argument between רב and רבי יוחנן?
17. ResponseThe פסוק explanation: how far back does a teaching word reach?
18. ResponseSecond explanation: the argument is about logic
19. ProofA ברייתא supports רבי יוחנן
20. Statementרב: no handle or shell for very small food
21. Statementרבי יוחנן: handle and shell count even for very small food
22. ChallengeA ברייתא where two bones with half-olives of flesh make a house טמא
23. Challengeיהודה בן נקוסא asks how two bones can join to make a כזית