Chullin 45a

חולין מ״ה ע״א

Learn Chullin 45a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Chullin 45a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Windpipe damage measures, the valid area of the neck for שחיטה, and the brain membranes

Overview

This amud opens with the last line of a story, where a sage says that people who honor him are really honoring themselves. Then the גמרא turns to damage in the windpipe (קנה). Holes that remove real material add up toward the size of an איסר coin. Tiny sieve-like holes that remove almost nothing add up toward a majority of the windpipe's circumference, like a cut. For a bird, whose windpipe is too small for an איסר, the damaged piece is folded over the opening, and if it covers most of it the bird is טרפה. The גמרא also rules on a door-like flap and on a crack along the length. On the crack, רבי יוחנן says any tiny whole bit at the top and bottom is enough. Next it marks the area of the neck valid for שחיטה, which is the stretch the animal extends naturally while grazing, and it defines the חזה. Finally it discusses a hole in the brain's membranes and where the brain ends and the חוט השדרה begins. That last answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (26)

1. ConclusionEnd of the story: honoring me is their honor
2. StatementMany tiny holes in the windpipe add up to a majority
3. ChallengeChallenge from the holes in a skull
4. ResolutionHoles that remove material versus tiny holes
5. StatementA removed strip joins toward an איסר
6. QuestionWhat if the windpipe is pierced like a sieve?
7. ResponseHoles that remove material versus holes that do not
8. QuestionWhat is the measure for a bird?
9. ResponseFold the damaged piece over the windpipe's opening
10. StatementA piece hanging like a door
11. StatementA lengthwise crack stays kosher if the end rings remain
12. Rejectionרבי יוחנן: rings do not matter, any tiny bit is enough
13. Proofרבי יוחנן is pleased that רבי יונתן agrees
14. StatementThe whole neck is fit for slaughter
15. Statementרבא explains 'lower' and limits the area to the natural grazing stretch
16. QuestionWhat if the animal stretched itself? Left unresolved
17. StatementForcing the neck and slaughtering makes the שחיטה invalid
18. StatementA hole in the windpipe below the chest is judged like the lung
19. StatementWhat exactly is the breast
20. StatementA pierced outer brain membrane is enough
21. StatementSecond version: the inner membrane must be pierced
22. StatementA memory sign pointing to the inner membrane
23. StatementThe thin membrane is easy to see in the testicles
24. StatementWhere the brain ends and the spinal cord begins
25. QuestionWhere does the stretching begin
26. ResponseAn answer heard directly from רבי יהושע בן לוי