Moed Katan 15b

מועד קטן ט״ו ע״ב

Learn Moed Katan 15b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Which mourning rules (overturning the bed, work, washing, shoes, marital relations, offerings) also apply to a מנודה and a מצורע

Overview

The גמרא finishes explaining why a mourner overturns his bed: God's image in man was 'overturned' by sin, so the beds are overturned too. It then goes through one mourning rule after another: work, washing, wearing shoes, marital relations and sending קרבנות. For each rule it first gives the source for an אבל, then asks whether a מנודה and a מצורע share the rule. A ברייתא proves that a מנודה may work, but רב יוסף's proofs for the other rules are pushed off, either with 'לא, אשארא' or by אביי. אביי argues that ostracism by Heaven, as in the מדבר, may be different. When asked how he can call it both lighter and more severe, the גמרא explains that he is unsure and uses the doubt in both directions. For a מצורע, a ברייתא proves he is forbidden in marital relations, but this does not prove the same for a מנודה. Several of the מצורע questions end in תיקו. The amud ends as the גמרא begins a proof, from the פסוקים in יחזקאל, about whether a מצורע may send his קרבנות; the proof continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (36)

1. StatementWhy the mourner's bed is overturned
2. QuestionDoes an ostracized person or a leper overturn his bed?
3. StatementA mourner may not do work
4. QuestionMay an ostracized person work?
5. Proofרב יוסף tries to prove that a מנודה may not work
6. RejectionThe comparison covers only the other rules
7. ProofA ברייתא proves that a מנודה may work
8. QuestionMay a leper work? Unresolved
9. StatementA mourner may not wash
10. QuestionDoes the washing ban apply to a person in ban?
11. Proofרב יוסף's proof from the fast-day ברייתא
12. RejectionThe proof is pushed off: 'the same' means the other rules
13. QuestionWashing for a מצורע: left unresolved
14. StatementA mourner may not wear shoes
15. QuestionDoes the shoe ban apply to a person in ban?
16. Proofרב יוסף's proof from the fast-day ברייתא about shoes
17. RejectionThe shoe proof is pushed off the same way
18. QuestionMay a leper wear shoes? Left unresolved
19. StatementA mourner may not have marital relations
20. QuestionIs an ostracized person forbidden in marital relations?
21. ProofProof from the Jews in the wilderness
22. Rejectionאביי: being ostracized by Heaven may be lighter
23. ChallengeBut אביי said it was more severe
24. Resolutionאביי is unsure, so he rejects proofs both ways
25. QuestionIs a leper forbidden in marital relations?
26. ProofA ברייתא proves a leper is forbidden
27. QuestionCan this also settle the question about a מנודה?
28. RejectionThe comparison is about other things only
29. StatementA mourner does not send his offerings
30. QuestionMay an ostracized person send his offerings?
31. ProofProof from the generation in the wilderness
32. Rejectionאביי: Heavenly ostracism may be lighter
33. ChallengeDid אביי not say Heaven's ostracism is more serious?
34. Resolutionאביי is unsure, so he rejects the proof either way
35. QuestionMay a leper send his offerings?
36. ProofA proof begins from יחזקאל's verse about a כהן