Gemara Clarity

Pesachim 55b

פסחים נ״ה ע״ב

Learn Pesachim 55b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 55b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Work on ערב פסח and חול המועד: finishing versus starting, permitted crafts, hens, dung, vessels at the craftsman, and the customs of יריחו

Overview

This amud discusses what work is allowed on ערב פסח, the fourteenth of ניסן. First, the גמרא finishes a ברייתא and decides that its real point is 'finish yes, start no.' It then proves from רבי מאיר that work for the festival is allowed and other work is not. Next, it explains the חכמים, who allow tailors, barbers and launderers to work. רבי יוסי ברבי יהודה adds shoemakers, and the two sides disagree whether we learn starting work from finishing work. A new משנה allows setting hens on eggs, clearing dung, and taking vessels to and from a craftsman. The גמרא explains these rules using the difference between ערב פסח and חול המועד. Along the way it brings an argument between רב הונא and רבי אמי about big and small losses. Finally, a new משנה begins listing six customs of the people of יריחו, and that list continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

גּוֹמְרָהּ בְּאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר,

one finishes it on the fourteenth,

אֵימָתַי?

When is that true?

בִּזְמַן שֶׁהִתְחִיל בָּהּ קוֹדֶם אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר,

when he started it before the fourteenth.

אֲבָל לֹא הִתְחִיל בָּהּ קוֹדֶם אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר —

But if he did not start it before the fourteenth,

The steps (31)

  1. ProofThe end of the ברייתא: finish what you started, but do not start anything new
  2. ProofInference: only work for the festival may be finished
  3. RejectionRejection: the ברייתא's real point is finishing versus starting
  4. ProofA new proof from רבי מאיר
  5. ProofDrawing the lesson: festival work yes, other work no
  6. ConclusionConclusion: the proof stands
  7. StatementBack to the משנה: the חכמים allow three crafts
  8. StatementWhich three crafts, and why: tailors, barbers, launderers
  9. Statementרבי יוסי ברבי יהודה adds shoemakers
  10. QuestionWhat is the disagreement about?
  11. ResponseCan we learn starting work from finishing work?
  12. StatementNew משנה: Chickens, Animal Dung, and Repaired Vessels
  13. ChallengeWhy Mention Returning the Hen?
  14. Resolutionאביי: That Clause Is About חול המועד
  15. Statementרב הונא Limits When the Hen May Be Returned
  16. Statementרבי אמי: Return It Even in the First Three Days
  17. QuestionWhat Is the Root of Their Argument?
  18. ResponseBig Loss Versus Small Loss
  19. StatementA ברייתא about clearing dung
  20. ChallengeThe ברייתא seems to contradict itself
  21. Resolutionאביי: two different days
  22. Resolutionרבא: both are חול המועד, depending on how dirty the courtyard is
  23. Statementרב פפא recalls רבא's test about vessels
  24. ChallengeAnother source forbids bringing vessels from the craftsman
  25. ResolutionFirst answer: ערב פסח versus חול המועד
  26. ResolutionSecond answer: does he trust the craftsman?
  27. ProofA ברייתא supports the trust distinction
  28. ChallengeThe trust answer cannot explain taking vessels to the craftsman
  29. ConclusionBack to the first answer
  30. StatementSix practices of the people of יריחו; three the חכמים did not protest
  31. StatementThe protested practices begin: using branches of הקדש