Gemara Clarity

Menachos 55a

מנחות נ״ה ע״א

Menachot 55a

Learn Menachos 55a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Menachos 55a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Fresh and dried figs for תרומה (measuring size, and which to give with or without a כהן), then the משנה on keeping מנחות, even their שיריים, from becoming חמץ.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a comparison: just as תרומה גדולה is given generously (בעין יפה), so too is תרומת מעשר. The גמרא tries to prove from רבי יוסי's practice, giving ten dried figs for ninety fresh ones, that produce is measured by its original size. רבי אלעזר rejects the proof, because dried figs are special: boiling brings them back to their fresh size. A ברייתא then rules that fresh figs may be given for dried figs where people usually dry figs, but dried figs may never be given for fresh ones. The גמרא explains that the first half is a case with no כהן present, where you give what lasts. The second half is a case with a כהן present, where you give the best. From this רב פפא learns a general rule: we would rather read a teaching as one תנא describing two cases than split it between two תנאים. A new משנה then teaches that מנחות must be kept from becoming חמץ, even their שיריים, with liability for kneading, shaping and baking. ריש לקיש brings the source from ״לא תאפה חמץ חלקם״, and the גמרא begins to challenge it, a discussion that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וּבְמַחְשָׁבָה, מָה תְּרוּמָה גְּדוֹלָה בְּעַיִן יָפָה,

and by thought. Just as standard teruma is with a generous eye,

אַף תְּרוּמַת מַעֲשֵׂר בְּעַיִן יָפָה.

so too teruma of the tithe is with a generous eye.

וּמִינַּהּ,

And from this [there is a proof]:

אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בַּר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי:

Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Yosei, said:

The steps (16)

  1. StatementGiving תרומת מעשר generously, like תרומה גדולה
  2. ProofProof from רבי יוסי's practice with dried figs
  3. RejectionDried figs are a special case
  4. Statementברייתא on separating fresh figs for dried figs
  5. StatementQuoting the figs ruling and drawing an inference
  6. ChallengeIt can't be a case with a כהן present
  7. ResolutionSo the first half must be a case with no כהן
  8. ChallengeThe second half doesn't fit a case with no כהן
  9. ResolutionSo the second half must be a case with a כהן present
  10. ChallengeCan the two halves be different cases?
  11. ConclusionYes, the two halves are different cases
  12. Conclusionרב פפא's rule: two cases rather than two תנאים
  13. StatementNew משנה: guarding meal-offerings from becoming leaven
  14. QuestionSource for the leftovers rule
  15. Responseריש לקיש: 'even their portion' may not be baked leaven
  16. ChallengeIs this verse needed for something else?