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Pesachim 54b

פסחים נ״ד ע״ב

Learn Pesachim 54b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

End of the Creation אגדה, the משנה on working on תשעה באב, and the גמרא on its twilight and washing rules

Overview

This amud first finishes an אגדה section. It ends the list of things created on the first ערב שבת with the garment of אדם הראשון. Then come two ברייתות: seven things hidden from people, and things הקב"ה built into the world because it needs them. Next a new משנה says that working on תשעה באב follows local מנהג. תלמידי חכמים refrain everywhere, and רבן שמעון בן גמליאל says anyone may act like a תלמיד חכם. The גמרא then discusses whether eating during the בין השמשות of תשעה באב is forbidden. שמואל permits it. רבא, also in the name of רבי יוחנן, forbids it. The גמרא works through several readings of רבי יוחנן's words 'תשעה באב is not like a תענית ציבור': work, נעילה, the twenty-four ברכות, and רב פפא's stringency. A ברייתא comparing תשעה באב to יום הכיפורים is explained as referring to doubt about the date of ראש חודש, and this supports רבי אלעזר's ban on dipping even a finger in water. A final challenge from washing rules on a תענית ציבור is answered by רב פפא on the next amud.

Opening lines

בִּגְדּוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן.

The garment of Adam, the first man.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן:

The Rabbis taught:

שִׁבְעָה דְּבָרִים מְכוּסִּים מִבְּנֵי אָדָם,

Seven things are hidden from people,

אֵלּוּ הֵן: יוֹם הַמִּיתָה,

and they are: the day of death,

The steps (27)

  1. StatementLast item: the garment of the first man
  2. StatementSeven things hidden from people
  3. StatementThree things God built into the world that it needs
  4. StatementAnother view: currency that circulates
  5. Statementמשנה: Working on תשעה באב follows local custom
  6. Statementרבן שמעון בן גמליאל: Anyone may act like a תלמיד חכם
  7. Statementשמואל: In בבל, only תשעה באב is a full public fast
  8. ChallengeDoes this mean twilight is forbidden? שמואל said it is permitted
  9. ResolutionSuggested answer: שמואל permits twilight on every public fast
  10. ChallengeChallenge from the משנה: 'They eat while it is still day'
  11. ResolutionNo, the משנה only excludes full nightfall
  12. ProofProof attempt: 'Its doubt is permitted' must mean twilight
  13. RejectionRejected: 'Doubt' means doubt about the new month
  14. Statementרבא: Pregnant and nursing women fast fully, and twilight is forbidden
  15. ChallengeDid רבי יוחנן really say that? He said תשעה באב is not like a public fast
  16. ResolutionNo, רבי יוחנן meant work
  17. ChallengeWork on תשעה באב Is Already Known to Depend on Custom
  18. ResolutionNew Reading: It Refers to the Closing Prayer
  19. ChallengeChallenge: רבי יוחנן Wants People Praying All Day
  20. ResolutionRequired There, Optional Here
  21. ResolutionAnother Reading: The Twenty-Four Blessings
  22. Resolutionרב פפא: תשעה באב Is Like the Strictest Fasts
  23. ChallengeA ברייתא seems to say the twilight of תשעה באב is permitted
  24. ResolutionThe 'doubt' is about which day the month began
  25. ProofThis supports רבי אלעזר: no finger in water on תשעה באב
  26. ChallengeA ברייתא compares תשעה באב to a תענית ציבור, where partial washing is allowed
  27. Resolutionרב פפא begins his answer