Gittin 2a

גיטין ב׳ ע״א

Learn Gittin 2a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The opening משנה of גיטין: when a שליח bringing a גט must declare בפני נכתב ובפני נחתם, where the borders of ארץ ישראל lie for this law, and the גמרא's question about the reason for the declaration

Overview

This amud opens מסכת גיטין. The משנה teaches that a שליח who brings a גט from מדינת הים (outside ארץ ישראל) must say, 'It was written in my presence and signed in my presence.' Several תנאים then argue about how far this rule reaches. רבן גמליאל and רבי אליעזר extend it to places close to ארץ ישראל. The חכמים limit it to bringing a גט from outside or taking one out, and moving one between countries outside ארץ ישראל. רבן שמעון בן גמליאל extends it even to moving a גט between districts. רבי יהודה and רבי מאיר then argue over where the borders lie, especially about עכו. The משנה ends by ruling that inside ארץ ישראל no declaration is needed, and a challenged גט is confirmed through its witnesses' signatures. The גמרא then asks why the declaration is needed at all, and רבה's answer begins on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (10)

1. StatementA messenger bringing a divorce document from abroad must make a declaration
2. Statementרבן גמליאל extends the rule to רקם and חגר
3. Statementרבי אליעזר extends the rule even to the short trip from כפר לודים to לוד
4. StatementThe חכמים limit the rule to overseas, but include taking a document out and moving it between overseas countries
5. Statementרבן שמעון בן גמליאל extends the rule to moving between districts
6. Statementרבי יהודה marks the borders: רקם, אשקלון and עכו count as outside
7. Statementרבי מאיר: עכו counts as inside ארץ ישראל for divorce documents
8. StatementInside the Land, no declaration is needed
9. StatementIf the גט is challenged, check the witnesses' signatures
10. QuestionWhy is the declaration needed at all?