Rosh Hashanah 23b

ראש השנה כ״ג ע״ב

Learn Rosh Hashanah 23b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The torch signals, the witnesses' courtyard and their walking rights on שבת, and how witnesses to the new moon were questioned

Overview

This amud finishes the torch signals for ראש חודש. בית בלתין is identified as בירם. The גולה that looked like a bonfire is פומבדיתא, where everyone held a torch on his roof. A ברייתא adds more stations, and רבי יוחנן says the stations were eight פרסאות apart. אביי explains that the trip is longer today because the direct roads were blocked, and two פסוקים are brought for this. A new משנה describes בית יעזק, the courtyard where witnesses were hosted with big meals. It also tells how רבן גמליאל הזקן let them, and also midwives and rescuers, walk 2,000 אמות on שבת. The גמרא asks whether the name is בית יעזק or בית יזק, and the question is not settled. Another משנה describes how the witnesses were questioned about the moon. אביי explains that 'in front of the sun' asks which way the moon's hollow side faced. רבי יוחנן supports this with a פסוק, and his reason about the rainbow continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (27)

1. Responseבית בלתין is בירם
2. QuestionWhat does 'Diaspora' mean here?
3. ResponseThe גולה here means פומבדיתא
4. QuestionWhat does 'like a bonfire' mean?
5. ResponseEveryone held a torch on his roof
6. Statementרבי שמעון בן אלעזר adds more stations
7. StatementFirst view: the extra stations were in between
8. StatementSecond view: the extra stations were on the other side
9. StatementEight פרסאות between each station
10. QuestionHow far is the whole route?
11. ResponseThe total is thirty-two פרסאות
12. ChallengeBut today the route is much longer
13. ResolutionThe direct roads became blocked
14. ProofA פסוק showing the roads were blocked
15. ProofA second source for the longer roads
16. StatementThe courtyard where witnesses gathered
17. Statementרבן גמליאל lets witnesses walk on שבת
18. StatementThe same rule for a midwife and rescuers
19. QuestionHow is the courtyard's name read?
20. Proofאביי's proof from the big meals
21. RejectionMaybe they did both
22. StatementQuestioning the first witness
23. StatementThe second witness and the other pairs
24. ChallengeAren't two of the questions the same?
25. Resolutionאביי: the question is about which way the curve faces
26. Proofרבי יוחנן: the sun never sees the concave side
27. StatementThe reasons: the moon's feelings and the sun-worshippers