Gemara Clarity

Chullin 90b

חולין צ׳ ע״ב

Learn Chullin 90b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Chullin 90b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The גיד הנשה on the מזבח, exaggerated language in the words of the חכמים, and רבי יהודה's view that only one thigh is forbidden

Overview

The גמרא finishes the debate between רבי and the רבנן on whether the גיד הנשה of a קרבן goes on the מזבח. רבי says an attached גיד הנשה is burned, just like חלב and דם. The רבנן say only what a Jew may eat is offered, and חלב and דם are special because the Torah commands offering them. רב הונא rules that the גיד הנשה of an עולה is removed and put on the תפוח, the ash pile. He defends this against רב חסדא and a ברייתא, and another ברייתא supports him. Mentioning the תפוח leads to a side discussion about exaggerated language in the Torah, the נביאים and the חכמים, including שמואל's three examples: the תפוח, the golden גפן and the פרוכת. The גמרא then says our משנה, which forbids the גיד in both thighs, does not follow רבי יהודה, who forbids only one thigh. It asks whether רבי יהודה is sure it is the right thigh or only leaning that way. A proof from a משנה about the קרבן פסח is offered, but רב איקא בר חנינא rejects it by explaining the case as one where the two גידים got mixed up.

Opening lines

לָא אִיצְטְרִיךְ קְרָא לְרַבּוֹיֵי,

A verse was not needed to include them,

כִּי אִיצְטְרִיךְ קְרָא

when the verse was needed,

לְגִיד הַנָּשֶׁה בִּמְחוּבָּר.

it was for the sciatic nerve while it is attached.

וְרַבָּנַן, ״מִמַּשְׁקֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל״ –

And the Rabbis say: 'From the drink of Israel'

The steps (27)

  1. Resolutionרבי's use of the verse: the attached גיד הנשה
  2. StatementThe רבנן's source: only what a Jew may eat
  3. Rejectionרבי's answer: just like חלב and דם
  4. ResolutionThe רבנן's reply: חלב and דם are different
  5. Statementרב הונא: the גיד הנשה goes on the ash pile
  6. Challengeרב חסדא: the Torah only forbids Jews from eating it
  7. Resolutionרב הונא's source: only what is permitted to a Jew
  8. ChallengeA ברייתא seems to say the nerve of an עולה is burned
  9. ResolutionIt goes up only to be removed
  10. QuestionWhy bring it up if it will be removed?
  11. ResponseDon't bring God a damaged gift
  12. ProofA ברייתא that supports רב הונא
  13. StatementThe ash pile on the altar was huge, but the number is an exaggeration
  14. StatementThe golden cup for the תמיד is also an exaggeration
  15. StatementTorah, נביאים and חכמים all use exaggerated language
  16. ProofExamples of exaggeration from the חכמים, the Torah and the נביאים
  17. Statementשמואל lists three places where the Sages exaggerated
  18. ProofThe golden vine moved by three hundred priests
  19. ProofThe huge Curtain immersed by three hundred priests
  20. StatementOur משנה, both thighs, does not follow רבי יהודה
  21. Proofרבי יהודה says only one thigh, probably the right
  22. QuestionIs רבי יהודה certain or unsure about the right thigh?
  23. ProofA משנה about burning bones, sinews and leftovers
  24. ChallengeWhich sinews could need burning?
  25. Resolutionרב חסדא: it means the גיד הנשה according to רבי יהודה
  26. ProofSo רבי יהודה must be in doubt
  27. RejectionThe two גידים were known, then mixed up