Chullin 44a

חולין מ״ד ע״א

Learn Chullin 44a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Following בית שמאי or בית הלל consistently; where the וושט is valid for שחיטה; a וושט torn from the jaw; and the start of the cut windpipe discussion.

Overview

The ברייתא ends by saying a person must follow either בית שמאי or בית הלל consistently, and not collect only the stringencies of both. The גמרא settles a contradiction inside that ברייתא: either the two lines come from before and after the בת קול, or the permission line follows רבי יהושע, who ignores a בת קול. Still, רבא's ruling seemed to take two clashing חומרות. רב טבות answers that both come from רב, as רמי בר יחזקאל reports. The גמרא then defines the area of the וושט where שחיטה works, from a hand's grip at the top down to where it becomes hairy, and settles a challenge from רב's statement about the bottom טפח. Next, שמואל rules that a וושט torn off the jaw is כשר. After challenges about uprooted סימנים, this is narrowed to a וושט mostly peeled off in one piece. Finally the גמרא turns to a cut windpipe, which is טרפה when most of it is cut, and begins asking how that majority is measured.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. StatementDon't collect only the stringencies of both schools
2. ChallengeThe ברייתא seems to contradict itself
3. ResolutionBefore and after the heavenly voice
4. ResolutionEven after the voice, according to רבי יהושע
5. ChallengeThe difficulty with רבא's ruling stands
6. Resolutionרבא followed רב completely
7. Proofרמי בר יחזקאל reports what רב really said
8. QuestionThe upper limit for valid slaughter in the gullet
9. QuestionThe lower limit for valid slaughter in the gullet
10. ChallengeThe bottom handbreadth counts as the stomach
11. ResolutionRead רב's statement as talking about the top handbreadth of the rumen
12. Resolutionרב was talking about a bull, which is extra hairy
13. StatementIf the top of the gullet is torn off the jaw, the animal is kosher
14. ProofA משנה supports שמואל: a detached lower jaw is kosher
15. Challengeרב פפא objects: isn't this uprooting of the סימנים?
16. ChallengeThe משנה is a problem for רב פפא
17. ChallengeThe משנה fits רב פפא but challenges שמואל
18. Resolutionשמואל meant mostly torn, not completely
19. ChallengeAnother שמואל ruling: mostly detached סימנים are טרפה
20. ResolutionPeeled off versus pulled apart
21. StatementA cut windpipe: how much is needed?
22. QuestionWhat counts as 'most' of the windpipe?