Pesachim 104a

פסחים ק״ד ע״א

Learn Pesachim 104a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 104a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The number and kind of distinctions in הבדלה, the מעין חתימה rule, and how the ברכה of הבדלה ends

Overview

The גמרא explains why the Master's הבדלה, which listed four distinctions, does not break the rule of three to seven. The line 'between the seventh day and the six days of work' is not counted. It is a lead-in that matches the closing of the ברכה, following שמואל's rule. The scholars of פומבדיתא say instead to echo the opening of the ברכה, and the two versions differ when יום טוב falls right after שבת. The גמרא then examines רבי אושעיא's rule of no fewer than three and no more than seven. It answers a תוספתא that allows one distinction by calling it a dispute between תנאים, and it rules against the one-distinction view. רבי יהושע בן לוי adds that the distinctions must be ones the תורה calls a הבדלה. To fit his rule, 'sea and dry land' is struck from a ברייתא, and the count of seven is restored by splitting כהנים, לוים and ישראלים into two. Finally, רב and שמואל argue about how the ברכה ends. רב's 'מקדש ישראל' is sharply rejected, and a ברייתא praises combining both endings.

Opening lines

The steps (26)

1. ChallengeFour distinctions is neither three nor seven
2. ResolutionThe fourth line is not counted as a separate distinction
3. Proofשמואל's rule: say something like the closing near the closing
4. Statementפומבדיתא: echo the opening near the closing
5. QuestionWhat difference is there between the two versions?
6. ResponseThe case: יום טוב right after שבת
7. ResponseHow each version handles that case
8. StatementBack to the source: no fewer than three, no more than seven
9. ChallengeA teaching that says one distinction is enough
10. ResolutionThis is a dispute between תנאים
11. QuestionWho is the son of holy ones
12. ResponseHe is רבי מנחם בר סימאי
13. QuestionWhy he was given that title
14. ResponseHe never looked at images on coins
15. StatementAnother sage also said one distinction
16. ConclusionThe הלכה does not follow the one-distinction view
17. StatementDistinctions must match those in the Torah
18. ChallengeA ברייתא with a long list of distinctions
19. ChallengeSea and dry land is not called a הבדלה in the תורה
20. ResolutionRemove sea and dry land from the list
21. ChallengeNow the list is short of seven
22. ResolutionPriests, Levites and Israelites count as two distinctions
23. QuestionHow does the ברכה of הבדלה end?
24. Responseרב and שמואל disagree about the ending
25. Rejectionאביי strongly rejects רב's ending
26. StatementA blessing for one who ends with both phrases