Niddah 22b

נדה כ״ב ע״ב

Learn Niddah 22b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Niddah 22b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Testing strange discharges, רבי יהודה and the fish-shaped case, and רבי מאיר's animal-shaped birth learned through a גזירה שוה

Overview

The גמרא first explains the משנה's water test for discharges that look like shells or hairs. If they dissolve, they are blood and she is טמאה; if they don't, רבה says they are a separate thing, not blood. A ברייתא tells of two real cases brought to the חכמים in יבנה, and the גמרא adds that the water must be lukewarm. It also brings רבן שמעון בן גמליאל's test of mashing with saliva, and it leaves unresolved (תיקו) whether the soak must last twenty-four hours. Next, the גמרא asks why רבי יהודה doesn't argue about a fish-shaped discharge. ריש לקיש and רבי יוחנן answer in different ways, and the גמרא ties each answer to a version of רבי יוחנן's view. Finally, שמואל explains that רבי מאיר treats an animal-shaped discharge like a birth because the Torah says both man and animals were 'formed' (יצירה). Sea monsters, which were 'created' (בריאה), are not included, because the word 'formed' is free on both sides. This leads to the rules for how free a גזירה שוה must be, and that discussion continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (35)

1. StatementThe water test: if they dissolve, she is impure
2. ChallengeThen why not impure even if they don't dissolve?
3. Resolutionרבה: if they don't dissolve, it isn't blood at all
4. QuestionDo such strange cases really happen?
5. ResponseYes: two real cases brought to יבנה
6. ProofFirst case: a woman who discharged red shells
7. ProofSecond case: a woman who discharged red hairs
8. StatementThe water must be lukewarm
9. ProofA ברייתא supports the lukewarm water rule
10. Statementרבן שמעון בן גמליאל's different test: mashing with saliva
11. QuestionWhat is the difference between the two tests?
12. ResponseThe difference: an item that breaks only with pressure
13. QuestionHow long must the item soak?
14. QuestionThe two sides of the question
15. ConclusionThe question stays open
16. ChallengeWhy doesn't רבי יהודה argue about the fish-like case?
17. Resolutionריש לקיש: the case is disputed, and the משנה follows the רבנן
18. Resolutionרבי יוחנן: even רבי יהודה agrees here
19. ChallengeChallenge from the other version of רבי יוחנן
20. ResolutionThat version's holders say both אמוראים agree it is disputed
21. StatementNew משנה line: a discharge shaped like an animal
22. StatementThe source for רבי מאיר: animals were 'formed' like man
23. ChallengeChallenge: then a sea-monster shape should count too
24. ResolutionAnswer: 'formed' links to 'formed,' but 'created' does not
25. ChallengeChallenge: different words with the same meaning can still be linked
26. ChallengeMan is also 'created,' so sea monsters should link to man too
27. ResolutionOnly the word 'formed' is extra and free for learning
28. ChallengeMaybe it is the other way around
29. Resolution'Formed' is free on both sides, 'created' only on one
30. ChallengeWhy is the animal word free but not the sea monster word?
31. ResolutionThe creeping things there are land creatures
32. QuestionDoes it matter if the link is free on one side or both?
33. ResponseThe rule for how free a גזירה שוה must be
34. QuestionWhat difference does it make for רבי ישמעאל?
35. ResponseWhen two links compete, the stronger one wins