Gemara Clarity

Makkos 23a

מכות כ״ג ע״א

Makkot 23a

Learn Makkos 23a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Makkos 23a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

How מלקות is carried out, רב ששת's סמוכין teachings, and the new משנה that lashes free a person from כרת

Overview

The גמרא explains why the person being flogged has his clothes torn: the Torah calls him 'נקלה,' debased. רב ששת then gives four teachings in the name of רבי אלעזר בן עזריה, each learned from neighboring פסוקים (סמוכין). These cover the calf-hide strap, the יבמה and the מוכה שחין, contempt for the מועדים, and לשון הרע with false testimony. Next the גמרא goes through the details of the משנה about מלקות: donkey-hide side straps, an adjustable strap, one third of the lashes in front and two thirds behind, and a doubled strap learned from והפילו. It also discusses who may give the lashes, how the judges read and count, and the rule that no extra blow may be added. It then explains when soiling himself frees the person from more lashes, and שמואל's rule that a man who runs away from בית דין is exempt. Finally a new משנה teaches, in the name of רבי חנניה בן גמליאל, that lashes free a person from כרת. רבי שמעון begins a proof of his own, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

גְּמָ׳ מַאי טַעְמָא –

GEMARA: What is the reason?

מִשּׁוּם ״נִקְלָה״.

Because of 'debased.'

אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה:

Rav Sheshet said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya:

מִנַּיִן לִרְצוּעָה שֶׁהִיא שֶׁל עֵגֶל –

From where do we know that the strap is from a calf?

The steps (37)

  1. QuestionWhy are the clothes torn before flogging?
  2. ResponseBecause the Torah says he is 'debased'
  3. StatementThe flogging strap is made of calf hide
  4. StatementA יבמה is not forced to marry a brother-in-law with boils
  5. StatementTreating the Festivals with contempt is like idol worship
  6. StatementSpeakers of evil talk and false witnesses deserve to be thrown to the dogs
  7. StatementThe two side straps are made of donkey hide
  8. ProofThe ox and the donkey punish the one who ignores his Master
  9. Statementאביי: each person gets a strap made for his size
  10. Challengeרבא: that would mean far too many straps
  11. Resolutionרבא: one strap with loops that can be adjusted
  12. QuestionWhat is the source for where the lashes are given?
  13. Responseרב כהנא: 'his wickedness' teaches one part in front, two behind
  14. StatementThe strap is doubled, learned from והפילו
  15. ChallengeBut that word is needed for its own plain meaning
  16. ResolutionThe unusual word teaches both lessons
  17. StatementWho may be appointed to give lashes
  18. Proofרבא supports רבי יהודה from the warning not to add
  19. RejectionThe רבנן: you warn only someone who is already careful
  20. StatementLift with two hands, strike with one
  21. StatementThree judges share the jobs, and the reading matches the number of lashes
  22. ChallengeBut the משנה says he goes back to the start of the פסוק
  23. ResolutionMatching is the ideal, and going back is the fallback
  24. StatementEven a small extra blow is forbidden
  25. QuestionThen why does the פסוק say 'a great blow'?
  26. ResponseThe first lashes must be strong
  27. StatementThree opinions on what kind of sullying frees him from more lashes
  28. ChallengeAnother ברייתא quotes רבי יהודה differently
  29. ResolutionBoth are equal regarding רעי
  30. StatementA bound man who runs away is let off
  31. ChallengeA snapped strap on the first lash does not free him
  32. ResolutionRunning away is different from a snapped strap
  33. StatementEstimating ahead of time whether he will soil himself
  34. StatementSoiling before the lashes begin does not free him
  35. Statementמשנה: Lashes free a person from כרת
  36. ProofA קל וחומר: if a sin takes the soul, a מצוה gives it
  37. Proofרבי שמעון learns it from the same passage