Chullin 67a

חולין ס״ז ע״א

Learn Chullin 67a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Chullin 67a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Which waters make fish without סנפיר and קשקשת forbidden, the sources for permitting fish in vessels, and when small creatures in drinks become a forbidden שרץ

Overview

This עמוד asks which waters the תורה means when it forbids fish without fins and scales. The גמרא reads the words 'in the waters... in the seas and in the rivers... in the waters' as a כלל ופרט וכלל. That method includes only waters like seas and rivers, meaning flowing water. So fish from trenches and channels are forbidden, and fish from pits, ditches and caves are permitted. The school of רבי ישמעאל reads the same words as רִיבָּה וּמִיעֵט וְרִיבָּה and reaches the same result. Under both readings, the word תאכלו shows that more than just vessels is permitted. מתתיה בר יהודה explains why: still water is like a vessel. Next, רב אחא and רבינא disagree about which verse is the stated source for permitting fish in vessels and which is only implied. Then רב הונא warns not to filter beer through straw at night, because a creature that leaves the liquid and falls back in becomes a forbidden שרץ. Clinging to a vessel's walls is normal growth and does not count as leaving, and רב חסדא brings a ברייתא supporting רב הונא. The עמוד ends as שמואל begins a ruling about a wormy cucumber, which continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. StatementPlacing the detail between the two generalizations
2. StatementOnly waters similar to seas and rivers: flowing water
3. StatementWhat is included and what is excluded
4. ChallengeWhy not a broader likeness: any water on the ground?
5. ResolutionThen what would the word 'you may eat' add?
6. StatementThe school of רבי ישמעאל reads the verse as amplify, restrict, amplify
7. StatementWhat is included and what is left out
8. ChallengeMaybe only vessels are left out
9. ResolutionThen 'you may eat' would teach nothing
10. ChallengeWhy not reverse it
11. ResolutionStill water is like a vessel
12. QuestionWhich verse is the unstated source and which is the stated source
13. Responseרב אחא and רבינא disagree
14. ResponseWhy the 'has fins and scales' verse is the stated source
15. ResponseWhy the 'has not fins and scales' verse is the stated source
16. StatementDo not filter beer through straw at night
17. ChallengeThe same worry should apply to the walls of any vessel
18. ResolutionClinging to the vessel's wall is normal growth
19. ProofA ברייתא permits drinking from pits, ditches, and caves
20. ProofWhy the pits ברייתא proves the point
21. ConclusionThe same applies to beer in a vessel
22. Proofרב חסדא brings a ברייתא supporting רב הונא
23. Statementשמואל begins a teaching about a wormy cucumber