Pesachim 91a

פסחים צ״א ע״א

Learn Pesachim 91a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 91a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Slaughtering the קרבן פסח for people whose eating is uncertain, and the dispute of רבי יהודה and רבי יוסי over slaughtering it for a single person.

Overview

The משנה lists people who might not be able to eat the קרבן פסח at night: one clearing rubble, a prisoner promised release, and the sick and elderly. The פסח may be slaughtered for them as part of a group, but not for them alone. If something later goes wrong, they are exempt from פסח שני, except the rubble-clearer who was טמא from the start. The גמרא limits the prisoner rule twice. רבי יוחנן says a promise from a Jewish prison can be trusted. רב חסדא says a prison inside the wall of בית פאגי is also fine, because the meat can be brought to him there. רבי יוחנן also limits the rubble-clearer's obligation to a round pile, and a ברייתא confirms this. A new משנה brings a dispute: רבי יהודה forbids slaughtering a פסח for a יחיד, while רבי יוסי permits it if he can eat. The גמרא explains how each reads the verse ״בְּאַחַד״, including רבי שמעון's private-altar law. Finally, רב עוקבא challenges רבי יהודה from a ברייתא about a woman. רבא answers that a group of only women is allowed, and only mixed groups of women, slaves, and minors are forbidden. That explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (26)

1. StatementPeople whose eating is uncertain can still have the פסח slaughtered for them
2. StatementBut not for them alone
3. StatementExempt from פסח שני, except the rubble-clearer
4. Statementרבי יוחנן limits the prisoner rule to a non-Jewish prison
5. ProofWhy we trust a Jewish promise
6. StatementA prison inside the wall of בית פאגי counts differently
7. ProofWhy: his portion can be brought to him
8. StatementThe rubble-clearer brings a פסח שני only for a round pile
9. ProofA ברייתא supports the round-pile and long-pile distinction
10. StatementNew משנה: may the Pesach be slaughtered for one person?
11. StatementNo slaughter for a group that cannot eat a כזית
12. StatementNo group made of women, slaves, and minors
13. ProofThe verse behind רבי יהודה's rule
14. Statementרבי יוסי: what matters is the ability to eat
15. QuestionHow does רבי יוסי use the word ״בְּאַחַד״?
16. ResponseHe uses it for רבי שמעון's teaching
17. Proofרבי שמעון: a פסח on a private altar is a לא תעשה
18. RejectionThe prohibition applies only when everyone uses one central altar
19. QuestionWhere does רבי יהודה learn the private-altar law?
20. Responseרבי יהודה learns two lessons from one verse
21. ChallengeWhy should רבי יוסי not read the verse like רבי יהודה?
22. ResolutionAnother verse shows a פסח can be for one person
23. ChallengeA ברייתא seems to show רבי יהודה allows a פסח for one woman
24. Resolutionרבא: read it as 'women by themselves'
25. ChallengeCan a group be made up only of women?
26. ResolutionThe משנה only forbids mixed groups