Pesachim 2a

פסחים ב׳ ע״א

Learn Pesachim 2a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

בדיקת חמץ on אור לארבעה עשר: what the word אור means in the משנה (Pesachim 2a)

Overview

The משנה teaches that we search for חמץ on the אור of the fourteenth of ניסן by candlelight. It adds that places where חמץ is never brought need no search, and it records a dispute between בית שמאי and בית הלל about how much of a wine cellar must be searched. The גמרא asks what אור means. רב הונא says נגהי and רב יהודה says לילי, and at first the גמרא assumes one means daytime and the other nighttime. Three פסוקים seem to prove that אור means daytime, against רב יהודה. Each is turned aside: אור can be a verb ('became light'), part of a comparison, or the פסוק can be about God assigning light and darkness their roles. A פסוק about 'stars of אור' then seems to prove that אור means evening, against רב הונא. It turns out only to teach that starlight also counts as אור, which matters for someone who vows off light. A final פסוק from איוב begins a new challenge, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. StatementThe משנה's basic rule: search for חמץ on the אור of the fourteenth by candlelight
2. StatementPlaces where חמץ is never brought do not need searching
3. StatementWhy the earlier rule of 'two rows in the cellar' applies
4. StatementDispute over which two rows of the cellar must be searched
5. QuestionWhat does the word אור mean?
6. Responseרב הונא says 'light', רב יהודה says 'night'
7. StatementFirst assumption: they truly disagree, day versus night
8. ChallengeChallenge from the verse 'the morning was light'
9. RejectionThe verse uses 'or' as a verb: 'the morning became light'
10. ProofWhy the brothers left at daybreak: רב's advice to travel in daylight
11. ChallengeChallenge from the verse 'as the light of morning, the sun shines'
12. RejectionThe verse is a comparison: morning light now, the sun for the righteous later
13. ChallengeA third verse seems to show that light means day
14. RejectionFirst answer: the advancing light is called day
15. ChallengeThe first answer fails because of the second half of the verse
16. ResolutionNew answer: God assigned light and darkness their jobs
17. ChallengeA verse about stars seems to link light with evening
18. RejectionRejection: it means stars that shine
19. ChallengeBut all stars must praise God
20. ResolutionThe verse teaches that starlight counts as light
21. QuestionWhat practical difference does this make?
22. ResponseIt matters for someone who vows off light
23. ChallengeA verse from Job that seems to use the word for daytime