Chullin 39b

חולין ל״ט ע״ב

Learn Chullin 39b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Idolatrous intent in שחיטה: the unresolved incident in קיסרי, הוכיח סופו על תחילתו, and the ruling like רבי יוסי

Overview

The amud opens with the end of a קל וחומר: in חולין, only the slaughterer's intent counts. A ברייתא then supports רבי יוחנן, ruling that slaughtering in order to sprinkle the blood or burn the fat for עבודה זרה makes the animal זבחי מתים. In a case in קיסרי, the idolatrous thought came only after the slaughter, and the חכמים gave no ruling. רב חסדא says they were silent out of respect for both the רבנן and רבי אליעזר, but the גמרא shows that the case may not depend on their מחלוקת. רב שיזבי says instead that they did not permit the animal out of respect for רבן שמעון בן גמליאל, who holds הוכיח סופו על תחילתו. The גט case is tried as his source and rejected. רבינא then points to the ברייתא about slaves that the receiver refused, where רבן שמעון בן גמליאל says a later protest reveals his original refusal. The גמרא then rules like רבי יוסי that only the slaughterer's intent matters, applies this to Arabs who wanted the blood and fat, and discusses a גוי paying a זוז according to רבי אליעזר. A new משנה begins: slaughtering for the sake of mountains, seas and the like is invalid.

Opening lines

The steps (24)

1. ProofClosing the argument: in non-sacred animals, only the slaughterer's intent counts
2. ProofA ברייתא supports רבי יוחנן, and tells of the incident in קיסרי
3. StatementWhy the חכמים stayed silent in קיסרי
4. ChallengeChallenge: maybe even the רבנן would forbid when the intent is heard
5. ChallengeMaybe רבי אליעזר only spoke about a נכרי
6. Resolutionרב שיזבי: no permission out of respect for רבן שמעון בן גמליאל
7. QuestionWhich teaching of רבן שמעון בן גמליאל?
8. ResponseSuggestion: his ruling about a גט
9. ProofThe man who fell from the roof
10. ChallengeDoes the story contradict the rule in the משנה?
11. ResolutionThe משנה is missing a line: the end can prove the beginning
12. RejectionThe גט case may be different because he said 'write'
13. Resolutionרבינא points to a different teaching of רבן שמעון בן גמליאל
14. ProofThe slaves the receiver did not want
15. ChallengeDoes the receiver really acquire even while protesting?
16. ResolutionTwo cases where everyone agrees
17. ResolutionThe real argument: a gift given through someone else
18. Resolutionרבן שמעון בן גמליאל: the end shows what he meant from the start
19. StatementThe הלכה follows רבי יוסי
20. QuestionArabs give rams and want the blood and fat
21. Responseרב יוסף answers with שמואל's ruling
22. QuestionFor רבי אליעזר, what if a גוי pays a small coin?
23. ResponseIt depends on whether the Jew can refuse him
24. StatementSlaughtering for mountains, seas and rivers is invalid