Gemara Clarity

Gittin 31b

גיטין ל״א ע״ב

Learn Gittin 31b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Gittin 31b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The 24-hour rule for lost produce set aside for tithes, רבי יהודה's set seasons, and an aggadic discussion of the winds.

Overview

The גמרא finishes the dispute over whether the 24 hours (מעת לעת) are counted from the checking or from the setting aside. It shows that the משנה's wording is a difficulty (קשיא) for the setting-aside view. The אמורא רבי אלעזר then says that the תנא רבי אלעזר's colleagues disagree with his 24-hour rule. He proves it from a משנה about a מקוה found lacking, where 'למפרע' goes all the way back. On רבי יהודה's times for checking wine, a ברייתא explains that the east wind after סוכות must come in its usual season. A related ברייתא lists set selling times, which רבא explains are for partners. The east wind leads to a discussion of winds: the meaning of 'חרישית', גניבא's teaching about the north and south winds, and a story about רב נחמן בר יעקב and the harmful שַׁדְיָא wind. That discussion ends with three views drawn from one פסוק in הושע, and רבא begins explaining its opening words, a thought that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מֵעֵת לְעֵת שֶׁל הַנָּחָה.

A 24-hour period counted from the setting aside.

תְּנַן: אִם אָבְדוּ –

We learned in the משנה: If they were lost –

הֲרֵי זֶה חוֹשֵׁשׁ מֵעֵת לְעֵת.

he must be concerned for a 24-hour period.

בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר

Granted, according to the one who said

The steps (34)

  1. StatementThe second view: 24 hours from when it was set aside
  2. ChallengeQuoting the משנה: the checking view fits well
  3. ChallengeThe setting-aside view does not match the משנה's wording
  4. Statementרבי אלעזר's colleagues disagree with him
  5. ProofProof from a מקוה found lacking
  6. ChallengeIsn't it obvious that they disagree?
  7. ResolutionWe might have thought 'retroactive' means 24 hours
  8. StatementWhich east wind after סוכות
  9. StatementThree times for selling grain and wine, and oil after שבועות
  10. QuestionWhat are these selling times for?
  11. ResponseThe rule is for partners
  12. QuestionWhat about after the last selling time?
  13. ResponseAfter that, every day is a selling time
  14. QuestionWhat does 'חרישית' mean?
  15. ResponseA wind that plows furrows in the sea
  16. Challengeרבה questions the plowing explanation
  17. Responseרבה: the east wind silences all other winds
  18. ProofA פסוק in איוב supports רבה
  19. Statementרב חסדא explains the פסוק in איוב
  20. StatementShould they stand up for גניבא?
  21. Questionגניבא asks what they were learning
  22. ResponseThey were learning about winds
  23. StatementFour winds blow every day, and the north wind blows with all of them
  24. StatementThe south wind is the harshest, held back by בן נץ
  25. ProofThe hawk spreading its wings to the south
  26. Statementרב נחמן בר יעקב passes by in a golden carriage
  27. StatementOne goes over to him, one stays put
  28. StatementWhy רב נחמן בר יצחק did not go
  29. Statementרב נחמן בר יצחק also goes over
  30. Statementרב נחמן בר יעקב feels the שַׁדְיָא wind
  31. StatementThree opinions on the damage this wind causes
  32. ProofAll three opinions come from one verse
  33. Statementרבא praises the precision of the Sura scholars
  34. QuestionWhat does "fruitful among the reed-plants" mean?