Nazir 41a

נזיר מ״א ע״א

Learn Nazir 41a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Nazir 41a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Must a מצורע shave with a תער? רבי אליעזר's proof from ״ראשו״, and how the רבנן use ״ראשו״ and ״זקנו״ to override the bans on shaving

Overview

The גמרא adds another proof that a מצורע must shave with a תער. If tweezers or a plane were good enough, ריש לקיש's rule would require him to use them, since that way he keeps both the עשה and the לא תעשה. Next the גמרא asks for רבי אליעזר's source and finds it in the word ״ראשו״: a נזיר מצורע shaves his head, even though a נזיר may not use a razor. The גמרא suggests the verse may only be allowing a razor, not requiring it. It then rejects that suggestion with ריש לקיש's rule, so the proof stands. Then the גמרא asks what the רבנן, who learn the razor rule from elsewhere, learn from ״ראשו״. They use it to teach that a מצורע's shaving overrides the ban on rounding the corners of the head. When the גמרא asks why ״זקנו״ is not enough, it answers that both words are needed. Without ״ראשו״ we might think shaving the whole head is not called הקפה at all. The rest of this answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (13)

1. ProofAnother proof that a razor is required
2. Statementריש לקיש's rule: keep both commands if you can
3. QuestionWhere does רבי אליעזר learn the razor rule?
4. ResponseHe learns it from the word "his head"
5. RejectionMaybe tweezers also count
6. ChallengeThen why mention the razor at all?
7. ResolutionThe verse only allows a razor, it does not require one
8. RejectionIf tweezers counted, a razor would be forbidden
9. QuestionWhat do the רבנן learn from ״ראשו״?
10. Response'His head' overrides the ban on rounding
11. ChallengeWhy not learn it from 'his beard'?
12. ChallengeWhy write both words?
13. ResolutionBoth words are needed