Me’ilah 18a

מעילה י״ח ע״א

Meilah 18a

Learn Me’ilah 18a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Me’ilah 18a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Joining different items to reach a שיעור (forbidden foods and materials for טומאה), and when benefiting from הקדש counts as מעילה.

Overview

This amud finishes the פרק קדשי מזבח and opens a new פרק. First, a משנה says ערלה and כלאי הכרם join together to reach a forbidden amount, while רבי שמעון disagrees. The גמרא explains that for רבי שמעון they simply do not need to join, since any amount at all brings מלקות. A second משנה teaches that a garment, a sack, a hide and a mat join together for טומאה, because each can become טמא as a seat (מושב). A ברייתא adds that a cloth sewn from these pieces becomes טמא at different sizes depending on whether it is made for lying, sitting or holding. After the הדרן, a new משנה brings a מחלוקת about מעילה: רבי עקיבא says benefit alone is enough, while the חכמים require damage for items that wear out from use. רבא explains that they really argue only about a middle garment and fine cloth. Finally, a ברייתא begins explaining the פסוק of מעילה: it applies to everyone, and the word מעל means a change. The second proof for that meaning continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (20)

1. StatementDo ערלה and כלאי הכרם join together?
2. ChallengeWhy would רבי שמעון need them to join at all?
3. ResolutionFixing the wording: they do not need to join
4. StatementGarment, sack, hide and mat all join together
5. Statementרבי שמעון's reason: they can all become טמא as a seat
6. StatementA sewn-together cloth: size depends on its use
7. QuestionWhy does a cloth for holding count?
8. ResponseIt protects a weaver's hands
9. ResponseIt is useful for fig cutters
10. ConclusionHadran — Closing קדשי מזבח
11. StatementBenefit versus damage in מעילה
12. StatementExamples: jewelry and gold cups versus clothing and axes
13. StatementBenefit from a live versus a dead sin offering
14. StatementA teaching: רבי עקיבא agrees about items that can be damaged
15. QuestionSo what are they arguing about?
16. Responseרבא: they disagree about a middle garment and fine cloth
17. StatementThe law of מעילה applies to everyone equally
18. StatementThe word מעל means a change
19. ProofFirst proof: the סוטה
20. ProofSecond proof: turning to idol worship