Chullin 137a

חולין קל״ז ע״א

Learn Chullin 137a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Chullin 137a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

ראשית הגז: why it is learned from מעשר בהמה, why it applies only to sheep, רבי יוסי's view on shearing and harvesting, and how many sheep obligate it

Overview

The גמרא finishes explaining why רבי שמעון compares ראשית הגז to מעשר בהמה rather than בכור: an ordinary animal is best learned from an ordinary animal. It then looks for the source that ראשית הגז applies only to sheep. After a word-link of 'shearing' is challenged, the גמרא settles on רבי יהושע בן לוי's teaching that the wool must be fit for the service of the כהנים. The word-link is then used to teach that sheep with hard wool are exempt. Two ברייתות disagree about wool that comes off when sheep are washed, and the גמרא explains them as רבנן versus רבי יוסי, who requires real shearing or harvesting. It then proves that רבי יוסי agrees when another method is the normal way, using לקט and onion beds. Finally, the גמרא discusses how many sheep obligate ראשית הגז: two, five, or four. רבי strongly backs רבי יוסי's four, and the גמרא challenges him with the rule that a third, in-between opinion does not decide.

Opening lines

The steps (30)

1. ChallengeThe list of shared laws with the firstborn ends, and it is longer
2. ResolutionOrdinary is learned from ordinary
3. QuestionWhere do we learn that first wool applies only to sheep?
4. ResponseShearing here and shearing in איוב
5. ChallengeWhy not learn shearing from the firstborn instead?
6. ChallengeThe ברייתא ends: work and shearing apply to both ox and sheep
7. ResolutionOxen are left out: the wool must be fit for the כהן to wear
8. ChallengeThen goats' hair should be included
9. ResolutionWe need real shearing, and goats are not shorn
10. Challengeרבי יוסי agrees when plucking is the normal way
11. ResolutionA new source: the gift must be fit for Temple service
12. QuestionWhat is the word-link 'גיזה גיזה' for now?
13. ResponseThe word-link exempts sheep with hard wool
14. ChallengeTwo ברייתות disagree about wool from washing sheep
15. ResolutionThe two ברייתות follow רבנן and רבי יוסי
16. ProofThe source: their argument about לקט
17. ChallengeIsn't רבי יוסי Saying the Same Thing as the First Opinion?
18. ResolutionThe Whole ברייתא Is רבי יוסי
19. Statementרבי יוסי Agrees When Hand-Picking Is the Normal Way
20. ProofProof from the Extra Words of the Verses
21. ProofMore Support: פאה from Onion Beds
22. ChallengeWhy do בית הלל require five sheep?
23. Resolutionרב כהנא: 'עשויות' means two מצוות
24. ChallengeMaybe the two מצוות are בכורה and מתנות?
25. Resolutionבכורה applies even to one animal
26. ChallengeBut מתנות also apply to one animal
27. Resolutionרב אשי: five sheep push the owner to do a מצוה
28. StatementA third view: four sheep
29. Statementרבי strongly backs רבי יוסי's opinion of four sheep
30. ChallengeA third, in-between opinion does not decide