Pesachim 39b

פסחים ל״ט ע״ב

Learn Pesachim 39b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 39b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

מרור (planting, fresh vs. dry, מעשר שני) and things that can or cannot become חמץ

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a challenge from the previous amud. The ruling that all types of מרור may share one garden bed seems unnecessary, since a משנה in כלאים already allows several species in one bed. After two rejected answers, the גמרא concludes that the ruling was needed for חזרת. Because חזרת hardens like a cabbage stalk, we might have thought it needs extra space. Next, רב חסדא teaches that dry מרור is acceptable only for the stalk, while leaves must be fresh, and the גמרא defends this against the משנה's wording and a ברייתא. רמי בר חמא then asks whether מרור of מעשר שני can be used. רבא answers that מצה and מרור follow the same rule. A new משנה forbids soaking bran or chewing wheat on פסח, since they may become חמץ. The גמרא then discusses foods that cannot leaven, dripping water on flour, the dish ותיקא, and מר זוטרא's warning about coating a pot. The amud ends as רב יוסף begins a warning about scalding, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. ChallengeThe משנה about planting five species in one small garden bed
2. ResolutionMaybe we would think the משנה only applies to seeds, not vegetables
3. ChallengeBut vegetables are actually more lenient than seeds
4. ResolutionMaybe we would think מרור counts as a seed
5. ChallengeBut every source calls מרור vegetables
6. ResolutionThe ruling was needed for lettuce, which hardens
7. ProofSupport for the mistaken idea from the hardened cabbage stalk
8. Statementרב חסדא limits 'fresh or dry' to the stalk
9. ChallengeThe משנה's wording suggests the first clause is about leaves
10. ResolutionThe משנה's later words explain the earlier clause
11. ChallengeA ברייתא has רבי מאיר allowing even dry herbs
12. Resolutionרבי מאיר's 'fresh or dry' refers to the stalk
13. StatementA dispute over wilted מרור
14. QuestionCan מרור of מעשר שני be used?
15. ResponseAccording to רבי עקיבא there is no question
16. QuestionThe real question: according to רבי יוסי הגלילי
17. Responseרבא: מצה and מרור are treated the same
18. StatementNew משנה: soaking bran and chewing wheat on פסח
19. StatementFoods that cannot become חמץ
20. ChallengeHow can cooked dough not become חמץ?
21. Resolutionרב פפא: it means baked and then cooked
22. StatementFlour under dripping water does not leaven
23. Statementרב פפא: only when the dripping is nonstop
24. StatementThe school of רבי שילא permits ותיקא
25. ChallengeA ברייתא forbids ותיקא
26. ResolutionOil and salt versus water and salt
27. Statementמר זוטרא: do not coat a pot with roasted flour
28. Statementרב יוסף begins a warning about scalding