Niddah 13a

נדה י״ג ע״א

Learn Niddah 13a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Niddah 13a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Checking for discharges, the ban on holding the organ, and how serious wasting seed is

Overview

The משנה says that a hand that checks often for discharges is praised for women, but for men it 'should be cut off.' The גמרא explains that a man may become aroused and waste seed, so he should not check even once. A ברייתא limits this: checking for זוב is praiseworthy, and even for semen a man may check with a pebble, earthenware, or a thick cloth. This leads to the כהן eating תרומה who holds his organ to delay an emission. אביי says he must use a thick cloth, and רבא allows even a soft one. The גמרא then studies רבי אליעזר's warning that holding the organ while urinating is like bringing a flood, and his debate with the חכמים about the risk of rumors. It explains why wasting seed is so serious: it deserves death, and it is like murder and like עבודה זרה. Finally, a story about שמואל and רב יהודה on a shul roof gets several possible answers: fear, being married, supporting from below, or holding only in a permitted area.

Opening lines

The steps (35)

1. StatementThe משנה: frequent checking is praised for women but condemned for men
2. QuestionWhy are women and men treated differently?
3. ResponseMen can be aroused by checking, women cannot
4. ChallengeThen why does the משנה say 'often'?
5. Resolution'Often' goes only on the women's half
6. StatementThe ban on men checking applies only to semen, not to זוב
7. StatementEven for semen, checking with a pebble or earthenware is allowed
8. ChallengeChallenge: another ברייתא allows checking with a cloth
9. ResolutionAnswer: the cloth means a thick cloth, like אביי said
10. QuestionWhere did אביי say this?
11. ResponseThe source: a כהן eating תרומה who feels an emission coming
12. ChallengeChallenge: holding the organ is compared to bringing a flood
13. Resolutionאביי's answer: he holds it through a thick cloth
14. Resolutionרבא: Even a soft cloth is fine, since the emission already started
15. StatementWhat אביי and רבא disagree about
16. ChallengeA finger in the eye keeps the tears coming
17. ResolutionA second arousal right at that moment is uncommon
18. StatementBack to רבי אליעזר: holding while urinating is like bringing a flood
19. ChallengeThe חכמים object: drops on his legs will lead people to suspect his children
20. ResolutionBetter a rumor than being wicked before ה'
21. StatementA second version: there is a practical way to avoid splashing
22. QuestionWhich answer did רבי אליעזר give first?
23. ResponseThe practical fix came first, then the strict ruling
24. QuestionWhy be so strict?
25. ResponseBecause it can lead to wasting seed, which carries a death penalty
26. StatementWasting seed is like shedding blood
27. StatementWasting seed is like serving idols
28. Statementשמואל tells רב יהודה to hold his organ on the shul roof
29. ChallengeHow could רב יהודה hold his organ?
30. ResolutionFear stops improper thoughts, like raiders in wartime
31. QuestionWhat fear did רב יהודה have?
32. ResponseFour possible fears
33. ResolutionAnother answer: רב יהודה was married
34. ResolutionAnother answer: he supported from below
35. ResolutionAnother answer: a set boundary from רבי יוחנן