Pesachim 86a

פסחים פ״ו ע״א

Learn Pesachim 86a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 86a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Whether roofs and upper stories of ירושלים and the מקדש carry קדושה, and a new משנה on two groups eating the פסח in one room (following רבי יהודה).

Overview

The גמרא asks whether roofs and upper stories share the קדושה of the place below them. It tests several sources. Saying הלל on the roofs of ירושלים proves nothing, since people may have eaten below and gone up only after the meal. The stricter upper story above the קדשי הקדשים is a special case, because its upper rooms were part of the plan ה׳ gave to דוד. The roofs of the לשכות count as holy only when they are level with the עזרה floor. This leads to a side discussion about tunnels: their status follows where they open. A ברייתא shows that roofs cannot be used for eating or slaughtering sacrifices. The words 'its roof is holy' are explained as holy for storing sacred utensils used for the building work, like the two measuring rods, which were kept at שושן הבירה. The גמרא also explains how the thickness of the wall can count as inside: it refers to the low wall, whose top was level with the floor. A new משנה then teaches how two groups may eat one פסח in one room, and the גמרא shows it follows רבי יהודה against רבי שמעון.

Opening lines

The steps (31)

1. ProofTrying to prove they ate the פסח on the roof
2. RejectionMaybe they ate below and only sang on the roof
3. ChallengeThe אפיקומן משנה seems to forbid changing places
4. ResolutionThe ban on moving applies only while eating
5. Proofאבא שאול: the upper story above the קדשי הקדשים is stricter
6. Rejectionרב יוסף: the היכל is a special case
7. ProofNew proof from the chambers whose roofs are holy
8. RejectionThe roofs were level with the courtyard floor
9. ChallengeThe second half of the ruling would make tunnels holy
10. ResolutionIt depends on where the tunnel opens
11. Challengeרבי יהודה: even tunnels under the היכל are unholy
12. ResolutionThose tunnels opened to the unholy area
13. ProofNew proof: the roof of the היכל is holy
14. RejectionA teaching says these roofs are not holy
15. ChallengeThen what does 'its roof is holy' mean?
16. ResolutionThe roof was holy for storing sacred building utensils
17. ProofThe משנה about the two measuring rods
18. QuestionWhy were there a larger and a smaller cubit?
19. ResponseSo the workers would not misuse holy money
20. QuestionWhy were two larger cubits needed?
21. ResponseOne for gold and silver, one for building
22. StatementOur משנה: windows and wall thickness count as inside
23. ChallengeHow can the thick wall be level with the floor?
24. ResolutionThe low outer wall solves the problem
25. StatementTwo groups eating in one room
26. StatementThe waiter and the bride
27. QuestionWhose opinion is the משנה?
28. ResponseIt follows רבי יהודה
29. ProofVerses: two groups allowed, but each eater stays in one place
30. StatementThe waiter who ate by the oven
31. Statementרבי שמעון allows one person to eat the פסח in two places