Sanhedrin 48a

סנהדרין מ״ח ע״א

Learn Sanhedrin 48a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Sanhedrin 48a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Does designation (הזמנה) for the dead make an item forbidden? אביי and רבא's sources, and a series of challenges and proofs testing their מחלוקת

Overview

The גמרא is in the middle of a מחלוקת between אביי and רבא: does designating something for a dead person (הזמנה), like weaving shrouds, make it forbidden? אביי says yes and learns it from עגלה ערופה. רבא says no and learns it from עבודה זרה. The amud first explains why each one rejects the other's source. It then gives a סימן and brings a series of cases against רבא: a scarf set aside for a ספר תורה, a monument with a row added for the dead, and a grave dug for a father. Each time the גמרא defends רבא, either by showing a real action was done or by giving another reason, such as כבוד אביו. Along the way, רב חסדא teaches that a cloth for תפילין becomes restricted only with both designation and use. Next the גמרא tries to prove רבא's view from a new grave and from leftover burial money. Both proofs are pushed away, and the משנה about leftover money turns out to fit both אביי and רבא. The amud ends by opening a new proof attempt: parents throwing garments onto their son's bier.

Opening lines

The steps (30)

1. ResolutionWhy רבא learns from עבודה זרה and not from עגלה ערופה
2. QuestionWhy doesn't אביי learn from עבודה זרה?
3. Responseאביי: learn a proper practice from a proper practice
4. StatementA memory aid for the coming challenges
5. ChallengeChallenge to רבא: a scarf designated for a ספר תורה
6. ResolutionReread it: she set it aside and wrapped it
7. QuestionWhy does the ברייתא mention both designating and wrapping?
8. ResponseBoth are needed, as רב חסדא taught about a תפילין cloth
9. StatementHow אביי would state רב חסדא's rule
10. ChallengeA challenge from a monument built for a living person
11. ResolutionA body was actually placed there
12. ChallengeThen why mention the added row at all?
13. ResolutionIt stays forbidden even after the body is removed
14. StatementThe added row can be removed, and the rest is permitted
15. ChallengeA grave dug for a father but not used
16. ResolutionThe reason is the father's honor
17. ProofSupport from the second half of the ברייתא
18. ProofCut stones cannot count as designation
19. ProofProof from a new grave
20. RejectionThe stillborn is mentioned only to reject רבן שמעון בן גמליאל
21. ProofProof from leftover burial money
22. RejectionThe money was collected while he was alive
23. ChallengeA ברייתא shows the money was collected after death
24. ResolutionThe second half of the משנה seems to support אביי
25. ResolutionEach אמורא can explain the whole משנה his own way
26. Resolutionאביי's reading: the first תנא forbids only what was fitting to spend
27. Resolutionאביי's reading of רבי מאיר and רבי נתן
28. Resolutionרבא's reading: the dead person gives up his honor for his heirs
29. Resolutionרבא's reading of רבי מאיר and רבי נתן
30. ProofA new proof attempt: parents throwing garments onto the bier