Chullin 121a

חולין קכ״א ע״א

Learn Chullin 121a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Chullin 121a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Defining אָלָל in the משנה, which hard animal parts count as food, and whether certain slaughtered animals need הכשר

Overview

The amud opens by finishing an earlier point. Liquids of ערלה are learned from ביכורים through the shared word 'פרי', so only grape and olive liquids count. The גמרא then asks what the משנה's word אָלָל means. רבי יוחנן says it is the neck ligament, and ריש לקיש says it is the bits of meat the knife leaves on the hide. A פסוק in איוב and a ruling of רבי יהודה are each used to challenge one of them. Both challenges are answered by narrowing where the two actually disagree. Next the גמרא asks how leftover meat can only 'join' with other meat, and two אמוראים give a 'part food, part not' case. Then a משנה about a bird's beak and talons, and our משנה's horns, are explained as meaning only their soft, edible parts. Finally רבי אסי rules that certain slaughtered animals need מחשבה and הכשר. The גמרא challenges the הכשר requirement from the rule that food destined for severe טומאה needs no הכשר, and it brings sources for that rule. The last source, from רבי יוסי, continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. ConclusionLiquids of ערלה are learned from ביכורים through the word 'פרי'
2. QuestionWhat is the אָלָל mentioned in the משנה?
3. Responseרבי יוחנן says neck ligament; ריש לקיש says meat left on the hide
4. ChallengeChallenge from איוב: 'רופאי אליל' means something that can't be healed
5. ResolutionEveryone agrees about the פסוק; they argue only about the משנה's word
6. ChallengeBringing רבי יהודה's ruling about gathered אָלָל
7. ChallengeA ligament is like wood, so why would an olive-size matter?
8. ResolutionThe dispute is only about the view of the רבנן
9. ChallengeWhen can loose meat only 'join in'?
10. ResolutionFirst answer: he planned to eat only part of it
11. ResolutionSecond answer: part torn by an animal, part cut by a knife
12. StatementA משנה about a bird's beak and talons
13. ChallengeBut a beak is just wood
14. Resolutionרבי אלעזר: it means the lower beak
15. ChallengeThe lower beak is also wood
16. Resolutionרב פפא: the underside of the upper beak
17. ResolutionThe talons mean the part buried in the flesh
18. ResolutionThe horns mean the place that bleeds when cut
19. StatementBack to our משנה: one who slaughters an animal
20. Statementרבי אסי: two cases that need intent and outside water
21. ChallengeWhy would this animal need הכשר at all?
22. ProofThe source: seeds need הכשר because they never get severe impurity
23. Proofרבי יוסי asks why a kosher bird's carcass needs no הכשר