Kiddushin 61a

קידושין ס״א ע״א

Learn Kiddushin 61a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Measuring a field with crevices and boulders (in הקדש, in a sale, and in a קידושין condition), and רבי מאיר's rule of the doubled condition (תנאי כפול)

Overview

The גמרא quotes a משנה: someone who is מקדיש his field while the יובל is in force redeems it at fifty shekels for each area sown with a חומר of barley. Crevices ten טפחים deep or boulders ten טפחים high are not measured with the field. The גמרא asks why these spots are not redeemed on their own, since a ברייתא shows that even tiny areas count as a 'field.' מר עוקבא בר חמא answers that the crevices are full of water and cannot be planted, and smaller dips and bumps are just normal parts of a field. In a sale, though, big crevices are left out even when dry, because, as רב פפא explains, a buyer wants one connected field. The גמרא decides that a קידושין condition about owning a בית כור follows the הקדש rule, because the husband can say he will take the trouble to farm those spots. Then a new משנה opens: רבי מאיר says every condition must be doubled, stating both outcomes like the condition with בני גד and בני ראובן. רבי חנינא בן גמליאל answers that the 'if not' half of that פסוק had its own purpose. The גמרא begins showing how רבי מאיר defends his proof from the extra words 'in the land of Canaan,' and this continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (17)

1. StatementThe fixed price for redeeming a consecrated field, and what is left out of the measurement
2. ChallengeWhy aren't the crevices and boulders consecrated on their own?
3. ResolutionA suggested answer: areas smaller than a בית כור don't count
4. RejectionA ברייתא shows that even tiny areas count as a field
5. Resolutionמר עוקבא בר חמא: the crevices are full of water
6. ProofThe wording of the משנה supports the answer
7. ChallengeThen Shallow Crevices Should Not Count Either
8. ResolutionSmall Dips and Bumps Are Normal Parts of a Field
9. StatementThe Rule for Crevices When Selling a Field
10. QuestionWhy Is a Sale Different?
11. ResponseA Buyer Wants One Smooth Field
12. QuestionIs Our Case Like הקדש or Like a Sale?
13. ResponseIt Is Like הקדש: The Husband Will Do the Extra Work
14. Statementרבי מאיר: A condition must be doubled like the one with בני גד and בני ראובן
15. Rejectionרבי חנינא בן גמליאל: That double wording was needed for its own reason
16. ChallengeThe גמרא admits רבי חנינא בן גמליאל's point is strong
17. Resolutionרבי מאיר's reply: The פסוק has extra words