Gittin 10a

גיטין י׳ ע״א

Learn Gittin 10a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Gittin 10a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Which rules are on the list of ways a גט and a שטר שחרור are alike, and why a כותי witness is accepted on a גט

Overview

The גמרא first explains that even the תנא קמא can hold like רבי אלעזר. He differs from רבי שמעון only when the gentile witnesses have clearly gentile names (שמות מובהקין). Next, the גמרא settles which rules go on the list of ways a גט and a שטר שחרור are alike: only rules that do not also apply to קידושין. חזרה fits this rule because it is about שליחות against the recipient's will, which works for divorce but not for betrothal. A new משנה then teaches that a document signed by a כותי witness is invalid, except for a גט and a שטר שחרור, and tells how רבן גמליאל accepted a גט with כותי witnesses. The גמרא asks whose view this is, and quotes a ברייתא with three views on a כותי's מצה. It shows that none of the three seems to explain why a גט is different. It tries to fit the משנה to רבן שמעון בן גמליאל and rejects that, because only one כותי witness is allowed. Finally it says the משנה follows רבי אלעזר and speaks of a case where a Jew signed last. The explanation of that case continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (14)

1. ResolutionThe real disagreement is about clearly gentile names
2. ChallengeBut retraction is a Torah rule, and it is on the list
3. ResolutionNew rule: the list only includes things that don't apply to betrothal
4. ChallengeBut retraction also applies to betrothal
5. ResolutionThe case is agency against her will, which works only for divorce
6. StatementA document with a Samaritan witness is invalid, with two exceptions
7. Proofרבן גמליאל approved a divorce with Samaritan witnesses
8. ChallengeNo known opinion seems to fit the משנה
9. StatementThe ברייתא about a כותי's מצה
10. ChallengeNeither the תנא קמא nor רבי אלעזר fits
11. ChallengeThe משנה does not fit רבן שמעון בן גמליאל either
12. ResolutionSuggestion: they took on גיטין but not other documents
13. RejectionThen why only one כותי witness?
14. ResolutionThe משנה follows רבי אלעזר: a Jew signed last