Sanhedrin 24b

סנהדרין כ״ד ע״ב

Learn Sanhedrin 24b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Sanhedrin 24b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Backing out of accepting unfit judges (timing, הלכה, קנין), and a new משנה on who is disqualified from testifying, starting with the dice player.

Overview

The amud opens by defending רבא's rule that רבי מאיר and the חכמים argue only about "אתן לך" (I will give you), not about "מחול לך" (it is forgiven to you). The גמרא shows that both cases in the משנה are "אתן לך" cases, and that each is needed: one relies on outsiders, the other on the opponent himself. Next, ריש לקיש and רבי יוחנן argue whether the dispute is before or after גמר דין. Using רבא's ruling, the גמרא concludes that for רבי יוחנן the dispute is only after the verdict. Several versions of a letter then give the final הלכה like the חכמים, and שמואל rules that after a קנין no one can back out. A new משנה lists people who are פסול to testify, such as dice players and lenders with interest. רבי יהודה adds that they are פסול only if this is their only job. The גמרא brings two reasons why a dice player is פסול: אסמכתא (רמי בר חמא) or not doing useful work (רב ששת). It then challenges רמי בר חמא from רבי יהודה, and the discussion continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. ChallengeIsn't the second case of the משנה a forgiving case?
2. ResolutionNo, it is a case where the claimant swears and collects
3. ChallengeBut the first case already taught "I will give you"
4. ResolutionOne case depends on others, the other on the opponent himself
5. ResolutionWhy the first case alone would not be enough
6. ResolutionWhy the second case alone would not be enough
7. StatementIs the argument before or after the verdict?
8. QuestionWhat does רבי יוחנן hold about before the verdict?
9. Proofרבא's ruling on backing out before and after the verdict
10. Proofרבא fits only one way of reading רבי יוחנן
11. ConclusionThe dispute is only after the verdict
12. QuestionA question sent to רב נחמן בר יעקב
13. ResponseThe dispute is after the verdict and the הלכה follows the חכמים
14. Questionרב אשי's version of the question
15. ResponseThe dispute is in "I will give you"; the הלכה follows the חכמים
16. QuestionThe פומבדיתא version: a קנין before the ruling
17. Responseשמואל: after a קנין, there is no backing out
18. StatementThe משנה lists people who are disqualified
19. Statementרבי שמעון: the name changed from gatherers to merchants
20. Statementרבי יהודה limits the disqualification to those with no other job
21. QuestionWhat is wrong with a dice player?
22. Responseרמי בר חמא: gambling is an אסמכתא, so winnings are not truly acquired
23. Responseרב ששת: not an אסמכתא; the problem is no productive work
24. QuestionWhat is the practical difference between them?
25. ResponseThe difference: a gambler who also learned another trade
26. ChallengeThe משנה's ruling from רבי יהודה seems to support רב ששת
27. ResolutionA possible defense: the Sages disagree with רבי יהודה
28. RejectionPushing back with רבי יהושע בן לוי's rule about רבי יהודה