Gemara Clarity

Pesachim 35a

פסחים ל״ה ע״א

Learn Pesachim 35a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 35a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The end of the sugya on the מעלה for קדשים, then the משנה and גמרא on which grains and produce can be used for מצה, and which dough brings כרת as חמץ

Overview

This amud opens by finishing a sugya about consecrated liquids that became impure. The גמרא explains that the rule against purifying them is only a מעלה, an extra stringency the Sages added for holy things. רב שימי בר אשי and רב אשי each bring another source showing such a מעלה. Then a new משנה begins. It lists the five grains that can be used for מצה, which kinds of produce may and may not be used, and the case of breads baked for a תודה or a נזיר. The גמרא identifies the grains. It learns from a פסוק that only something that can become חמץ can be מצה, so rice and millet are excluded. It then shows that רבי יוחנן בן נורי disagrees, holding that rice is a real grain, and adds his ruling about קרמית. Finally, the students of רב אידי בר אבין debate why ריש לקיש says dough kneaded with wine, oil, or honey brings no כרת. רב אידי wakes up and begins to explain that these are מי פירות, and his explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

אֶלָּא מַעֲלָה.

Rather, it is a higher standard.

הָכִי נָמֵי — מַעֲלָה.

So too here, it is a higher standard.

אָמַר רַב שִׁימִי בַּר אָשֵׁי,

Rav Shimi bar Ashi said:

אַף אֲנַן נָמֵי תְּנֵינָא:

We too have learned this:

The steps (31)

  1. ProofThe previous proof ends: it is only a higher standard
  2. Proofרב שימי בר אשי quotes a ברייתא about someone who immersed
  3. ChallengeInference: תרומה yes, קדשים no — but he is already pure
  4. ResolutionAnswer: it is a higher standard, and so too here
  5. Proofרב אשי quotes a teaching that includes wood and frankincense
  6. ChallengeCan wood and frankincense even become impure?
  7. ResolutionAnswer: a higher standard, and the same here
  8. StatementNew משנה: the five grains that can be used for מצה
  9. StatementProduce with uncertain or special status can also be used
  10. Statementכהנים may use חלה and תרומה
  11. StatementForbidden produce cannot be used for מצה
  12. StatementThanksgiving loaves and nazirite wafers
  13. StatementIdentifying the five grains
  14. StatementRice and millet are excluded
  15. QuestionWhat is the source?
  16. ResponseOnly what can become חמץ can be מצה
  17. StatementThe משנה disagrees with רבי יוחנן בן נורי
  18. ProofSource for רבי יוחנן בן נורי's view
  19. QuestionWhat does 'close to becoming חמץ' mean?
  20. ResponseRice is a real grain for רבי יוחנן בן נורי
  21. Statementרבי יוחנן בן נורי: קרמית requires חלה
  22. QuestionWhat is קרמית?
  23. Responseאביי: it is שיצניתא
  24. QuestionWhat is שיצניתא?
  25. Responseרב פפא: the grain growing among reeds
  26. Statementריש לקיש: dough kneaded with wine, oil, or honey brings no כרת
  27. StatementThe scene: students before a dozing רב אידי בר אבין
  28. QuestionWhat is ריש לקיש's reason?
  29. Responseרב פפא Links חמץ to מצה
  30. ChallengeChallenge from Dissolved and Swallowed Bread
  31. Resolutionרב אידי Gives the Real Reason: Fruit Liquids