Moed Katan 18a

מועד קטן י״ח ע״א

Learn Moed Katan 18a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Cutting nails and trimming the mustache during אבל and the מועד, the power of spoken words, and who may launder clothes on חול המועד.

Overview

The גמרא rules like רבי יוסי, who allows cutting nails on the מועד and during אבל, because in אבל we follow the lenient view. A story follows about שמואל and his brother פנחס. It teaches that spoken words can come true (ברית כרותה לשפתים), with a proof from what אברהם said at the עקידה. The גמרא then clarifies that an אבל may cut both fingernails and toenails, but not with special nail scissors. From רבי יוחנן biting his nails on חול המועד, it learns three rules, and it explains why throwing nails in the בית מדרש is not dangerous. רבי allowed a mourner to cut nails and trim the mustache, and the אמוראים discuss how much of the mustache may be cut. After two side teachings about פרעה, the גמרא returns to the משנה's laundering rules. It defends רבי יוחנן's leniencies for someone with only one shirt and for linen garments. רבא begins a challenge to the linen ruling, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. ConclusionThe ruling follows רבי יוסי on the מועד and on mourning
2. Statementשמואל visits his mourning brother פנחס
3. Questionשמואל asks why the nails are not cut
4. Responseפנחס answers: would you take it so lightly?
5. Statementפנחס's words come true
6. Statementשמואל throws his nails and teaches about the power of the lips
7. Proofרבי יוחנן proves from אברהם that words have power
8. StatementFirst understanding: only fingernails are allowed
9. RejectionCorrection: hands and feet are the same
10. Statementרב limits it: no nail scissors
11. Statementרבי יוחנן bit his nails on חול המועד
12. ConclusionThree rules learned from the story
13. ChallengeChallenge: throwing away nails is called wicked
14. ResolutionWomen are not usually in the בית מדרש
15. ChallengeThe nails might be swept outside
16. ResolutionOnce the nails are moved, they lose their harm
17. StatementScholars from חמתן ask רבי about cutting nails
18. Statementשמואל: they really did ask about the mustache
19. StatementThe mustache: from corner to corner
20. Statementרבי אמי: only the part that gets in the way
21. Statementרב נחמן בר יצחק: my whole mustache gets in the way
22. StatementHow small פרעה was
23. Statementפרעה was a sorcerer
24. StatementSomeone with only one shirt may launder it
25. ChallengeThe משנה's list seems to leave out the one-shirt case
26. ResolutionThe משנה is about people who own two garments
27. StatementLinen garments may be laundered on חול המועד
28. Challengeרבא begins a challenge from the משנה's list of towels