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Kesubos 5a

כתובות ה׳ ע״א

Ketubot 5a

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

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Topic

The days for weddings: why not on מוצאי שבת, when a בתולה and an אלמנה complete their marriage, and אגדות of בר קפרא.

Overview

The גמרא finishes explaining why a בתולה is not married on מוצאי שבת. The first reason, that people would do wedding calculations on שבת, is rejected: אביי shows from many sources that planning for a מצוה is allowed on שבת. רבי זירא gives a new reason. It is a גזירה, so that a busy host does not slaughter a bird on שבת for the feast. The same reason is then applied to ערב שבת. Next the גמרא asks whether a בתולה married on Wednesday waits until the night that begins Thursday, in case the groom's anger cools before court. בר קפרא's ברייתא shows the timing comes from the ברכה of creation, and the גמרא gives two reasons why an אלמנה waits until Friday. The amud closes with אגדות of בר קפרא: the work of צדיקים is greater than creating heaven and earth, and a פסוק about a 'peg' is read as a lesson about guarding one's ear. That lesson continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מִשּׁוּם חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת.

Because of calculations.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי:

Abaye said to him:

וְחֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת שֶׁל מִצְוָה מִי אֲסִירִי?

And are calculations for a מצוה forbidden?

וְהָא רַב חִסְדָּא וְרַב הַמְנוּנָא דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ:

But it was Rav Chisda and Rav Hamnuna who both said:

The steps (24)

  1. ResponseThe reason: because of calculations
  2. Challengeאביי: calculations for a מצוה are permitted
  3. ProofMore sources: charity, community needs, saving life
  4. ProofEven arranging a match is allowed on שבת
  5. ResolutionNew reason: a decree lest one slaughter a bird
  6. Challengeאביי: then יום הכפורים on Monday should be moved
  7. ResolutionFirst answer: cooking for others makes one rushed
  8. ResolutionSecond answer: ערב יום הכפורים leaves time
  9. ConclusionThe same decree explains the rule about ערב שבת
  10. QuestionRelations on Wednesday itself, or on the night beginning Thursday?
  11. Proofבר קפרא: the timing follows the ברכה of creation
  12. ChallengeWhy shouldn't a widow also use Thursday?
  13. ResolutionMan's ברכה is better
  14. ResolutionAnother reason: the חכמים wanted the groom to rejoice for three days
  15. QuestionWhat difference is there between the two reasons?
  16. ResponseTwo cases where the reasons differ: a man without work, and יום טוב on Friday
  17. Statementבר קפרא: the work of צדיקים is greater than creating heaven and earth
  18. Challengeרבי חייא: a פסוק about creation also says 'His hands'
  19. ResolutionThe word is spelled 'His hand'
  20. ChallengeBut the verb 'formed' is plural
  21. Resolutionרב נחמן בר יצחק: the plural refers to God's fingers
  22. ChallengeA verse says the sky tells of the work of God's hands
  23. ResolutionThe sky reveals the work of the righteous through rain
  24. StatementA peg on your ear: guarding yourself from improper speech