Pesachim 33b

פסחים ל״ג ע״ב

Learn Pesachim 33b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 33b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Is the juice inside impure grapes 'stored' or 'absorbed', and the concern for תקלה when burning impure תרומה

Overview

The amud opens by finishing an earlier discussion: the word ״ראשית״ teaches that תרומה takes effect only when the owner is left with a usable remainder. Then רב אחא בר רב עויא quotes רבי יוחנן: impure grapes may be pressed less than a כביצה at a time, and the wine stays pure, even for נסכים. The reason is that רבי יוחנן holds the juice is only 'stored' in the grape (מיפקד פקידי), so it meets impurity only when squeezed out, when too little impure food is present. רב חסדא rejects this, because he holds the juice is 'absorbed' (מיבלע בליעי) and became impure together with the grape. רב אחא challenges him from a משנה about squeezing an exact כביצה. רב חסדא answers that the משנה speaks of grapes that were never made susceptible to impurity. He then tries to prove his view from a ברייתא saying impure תרומה grapes cannot be eaten. רבא deflects the proof: that ban may be just a גזירה against תקלה, and he defends this against אביי's challenge from burning impure bread and oil. Finally the גמרא examines that ברייתא: one view allows burning only bread, not wheat, while רבי יוחנן allows even wheat. The answer to why he does not worry about תקלה begins with רב אשי's statement and continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (17)

1. ResponseThe verse 'ראשית' requires usable leftovers
2. StatementImpure grapes may be pressed in small amounts
3. StatementThe reasoning: juice is just stored inside the grape
4. ChallengeWhy not a full egg-bulk? A משנה permits it
5. ResolutionAfter the fact versus from the start
6. Challengeרב חסדא: where did the impurity go?
7. Statementרב חסדא's view: juice is absorbed into the grape
8. ChallengeChallenge to רב חסדא from the משנה of the exact כביצה
9. ResolutionThe משנה speaks of grapes never made susceptible to impurity
10. ProofSupport from the ברייתא that impure תרומה grapes cannot be eaten
11. RejectionThe ברייתא may reflect only a rabbinic decree
12. Challengeאביי asks: do we really worry about תקלה?
13. ResolutionBread and oil are made unappetizing first
14. Statementחזקיה and רב הונא: only bread may be burned, not wheat
15. Statementרבי יוחנן: even wheat may be burned
16. ChallengeWhy isn't רבי יוחנן worried about תקלה?
17. ResolutionThe answer begins with רב אשי's principle