Gittin 5b

גיטין ה׳ ע״ב

Learn Gittin 5b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Gittin 5b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Why the שליח says ״בפני נכתב ובפני נחתם״, how many people must be present when the גט is given, and how much of the writing the שליח must see.

Overview

The גמרא continues explaining why a שליח bringing a גט from abroad must say ״בפני נכתב ובפני נחתם״. It shows that the argument of רבה and רבא matches an older dispute: one view says the reason is that people abroad were not experts in writing a גט לשמה, and the other says it is that witnesses are not available to confirm the signatures (קיום). A story proves that רבי יהושע בן לוי holds the לשמה reason, so רבי יוחנן holds קיום. The גמרא then explains why רבי שמעון בר אבא could skip the declaration: a second man was with him. Next, רבי יוחנן and רבי חנינא argue whether the גט is handed over in front of two people or three. After rejecting two explanations, the גמרא settles on this: the question is whether we worry that people would rely on a woman שליח as one of the judges. A ברייתא supports רבי יוחנן's view of two, and the גמרא explains רבי מאיר's harsh ruling there by his strict rule about the חכמים' set formula for גיטין. Finally, stories with בר הדיא and רבה בר בר חנה show that a שליח does not need to watch every letter. Even one line written לשמה in front of him is enough, and רב אשי's added view continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. StatementThe declaration only protects against the husband's challenge
2. StatementThe discussion depends on the dispute of רבי יוחנן and רבי יהושע בן לוי
3. ProofA story to show which view is רבי יהושע בן לוי's
4. Proofרבי יהושע בן לוי: the declaration was only for earlier generations
5. ConclusionConclusion: רבי יהושע בן לוי holds the לשמה reason
6. ChallengeHow could the agent skip the declaration?
7. ResolutionThere was a second man with him
8. StatementIn front of how many people is the גט given?
9. ProofProof that רבי יוחנן says two
10. ConclusionThe proof is accepted
11. StatementSuggestion: the two-or-three argument depends on the reason for the declaration
12. RejectionFirst rejection: רבי יוחנן holds the קיום reason, yet he says two
13. RejectionSecond rejection: even the לשמה view also needs קיום
14. ResolutionThe real argument: can the agent be a witness and then a judge?
15. ChallengeBut a witness can become a judge in rabbinic matters
16. ResolutionThey argue about a woman bringing the גט
17. ProofA ברייתא supporting רבי יוחנן begins
18. ProofThe חכמים' view and the fix: give the גט again in front of two
19. ChallengeIs רבי מאיר really that strict over missing words?
20. ResolutionYes: רבי מאיר holds that changing the חכמים' formula ruins a גט
21. Statementבר הדיא is told to watch every single letter
22. Statementרבי אמי and רבי אסי say it is not needed
23. RejectionBeing extra strict would cast doubt on earlier גיטין
24. Statementרבה בר בר חנה's half-witnessed גט and רבי אלעזר's ruling
25. Statementרב אשי begins his view