Gemara Clarity

Pesachim 8a

פסחים ח׳ ע״א

Learn Pesachim 8a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 8a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

How בדיקת חמץ is done: with a נר, in which places, and its limits because of danger

Overview

This amud finishes a ברייתא that says we search for חמץ only by the light of a נר, and it brings verses as a זכר לדבר. The גמרא asks where the ban on searching by sunlight applies. It concludes that it means the sides of a room lit by a skylight (ארובה). Next it asks why a torch (אבוקה) is not allowed, since it is brighter. Four אמוראים each explain why a נר is still better for searching. The גמרא then explains which places need no בדיקה. It settles clashing ברייתות about holes, beds, and storerooms: a place needs checking only if a person might bring חמץ there, for example in the middle of a meal. Finally, a ברייתא excuses a person from reaching into holes because of danger. This leads to the 'dog test' for buried חמץ and to a discussion of שלוחי מצוה אינן ניזוקין, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאוֹר הַנֵּר יָפֶה לַבְּדִיקָה.

because the light of a lamp is good for searching.

וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין רְאָיָה לַדָּבָר —

And even though there is no proof for the matter,

זֵכֶר לַדָּבָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:

there is an allusion to the matter, as it is stated:

״שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שְׂאֹר לֹא יִמָּצֵא בְּבָתֵּיכֶם״,

"Seven days leaven shall not be found in your houses,"

The steps (39)

  1. StatementThe reason a lamp is used for searching
  2. ProofVerses hinting that searching is done with a lamp
  3. QuestionWhat case of sunlight is the ברייתא talking about?
  4. ChallengeIt cannot mean a courtyard
  5. ChallengeIt cannot mean a portico either
  6. ResolutionThe case is a room with a skylight
  7. QuestionWhere in the skylight room?
  8. ResponseThe sides of the room
  9. ChallengeIsn't a torch brighter than a lamp?
  10. ProofA torch is the best choice for הבדלה
  11. Resolutionרב נחמן בר יצחק: a candle fits into holes, a torch does not
  12. Resolutionרב זביד: a candle's light goes forward, a torch's light goes backward
  13. Resolutionרב פפא: with a torch, a person is afraid of starting a fire
  14. Resolutionרבינא: a candle gives steady light, a torch flickers
  15. QuestionWhat does the משנה's phrase 'any place' come to include?
  16. ResponseA ברייתא lists places that need no checking; רבן שמעון בן גמליאל adds a bed that does
  17. ChallengeA second ברייתא that seems to say the opposite
  18. ChallengeThe double contradiction: bed against bed, holes against holes
  19. ResolutionHoles: high and low ones versus middle ones
  20. ResolutionBeds: a raised bed versus a low bed
  21. ChallengeAnother ברייתא says wine storerooms need checking
  22. ResolutionThe second ברייתא means someone who refills during the meal
  23. ChallengeThen oil storerooms should need checking too
  24. ResolutionOil has a set amount per meal; wine does not
  25. StatementBeer storerooms in Babylonia are like wine storerooms in Israel
  26. StatementFish storerooms do not need checking
  27. ChallengeA ברייתא says fish storerooms do need checking
  28. ResolutionBig fish versus small fish
  29. StatementSalt and candle storerooms need checking
  30. StatementWood and date storerooms need checking
  31. StatementNo need to reach into holes and cracks because of danger
  32. QuestionWhat danger is meant?
  33. ChallengeIf the danger is a scorpion, how did he ever use the hole?
  34. ResolutionThe case is where חמץ fell into the hole
  35. ChallengeFallen חמץ should count as destroyed, like חמץ under rubble
  36. ResolutionRubble is too deep for a dog, but this hole is not
  37. ChallengeWhy worry about danger? People doing a מצוה are protected
  38. ResolutionHe might also search for a lost needle
  39. ChallengeA מצוה with a personal motive is still a מצוה