Pesachim 110a

פסחים ק״י ע״א

Learn Pesachim 110a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 110a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

זוגות (the danger of 'pairs'): when even numbers are dangerous, how many cups are safe, and remedies against demons and witches

Overview

This amud is about זוגות, the danger of doing things in even numbers. It opens by finishing an earlier answer: each of the ארבע כוסות is its own מצוה, so they do not form a pair. אביי then explains a ברייתא about marital relations: after eating or drinking in pairs, one should not have relations even once, because it weakens him. A ברייתא warns that one who drinks כפלים is responsible for his own harm. The גמרא then limits this: going out to see the marketplace between cups breaks the pair, and the danger applies mainly when setting out on the road, going to sleep, or going to the בית הכסא. Sages who were careful even at home are explained as a special case, because an אדם חשוב is different. Next, several opinions argue about where the danger stops. עולא says ten cups are safe. Others use the words of ברכת כהנים to make eight, six, and even four safe, and רבא acted on this view. Reports from יוסף שידא describe אשמדאי as ruling over pairs and explain when two or four cups can harm. The גמרא gives a remedy of counting with one's thumbs for someone who went out after a pair. It then begins אמימר's protective formula against witches, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. ResolutionEach cup at the סדר is its own separate מצוה
2. ChallengeWhy should unplanned marital relations count as a pair?
3. Resolutionאביי: after eating or drinking in pairs, avoid relations even once
4. StatementOne who drinks in pairs bears responsibility for himself
5. Statementרב יהודה: seeing the marketplace breaks the pair
6. Proofרב אשי saw רב חנניא בר ביבי go out after each cup
7. StatementThe danger applies only when setting out on the road
8. Statementרבי זירא: going to sleep is like setting out on the road
9. Statementרב פפא: going to the bathroom is like setting out on the road
10. ChallengeBut רבא counted the beams to avoid pairs even at home
11. ChallengeMore stories of great people guarding against pairs at home
12. ResolutionAn important person is different
13. StatementTen cups do not count as a dangerous pair
14. Proofעולא's proof from the ten cups in a mourner's house
15. StatementEight is also safe because of the word שלום
16. StatementSix is also safe because of the word ויחנך
17. Statementאביי and רבא: The Third Cup Joins Only for Good
18. Proofרבא Acted on His View with Four Cups
19. Resolutionרבא Explains Away רבא בר ליואי's Injury
20. Statementאשמדאי Rules Over Pairs, and a King Does Not Harm
21. StatementOther Version: The King Does Whatever He Wants
22. Statementרב פפא: Two Can Kill, Four Only Harms
23. Statementרב פפא: With Four, Only Doing It on Purpose Matters
24. QuestionWhat if he forgot and went outside after a pair?
25. ResponseHold your thumbs and count to three
26. ResponseIf the demon answers back, keep counting odd
27. StatementA story: counting to one hundred and one
28. Statementאמימר's formula against witches begins