Sanhedrin 59a

סנהדרין נ״ט ע״א

Learn Sanhedrin 59a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The מצוות of בני נח: תורה study by a גוי, דם מן החי, and which early מצוות still bind the nations

Overview

The amud opens by explaining that דינין has both a 'do' side and a 'don't' side, so it fits the list of seven מצוות of בני נח. Then רבי יוחנן rules that a גוי who learns תורה is חייב מיתה, because the תורה is our מורשה. The גמרא explains that this ban falls under גזל, or under the law of a נערה המאורסה. A ברייתא of רבי מאיר seems to clash with this, and the גמרא answers that רבי מאיר praises only a גוי who learns his own seven מצוות. Next, רבי חנינא בן גמליאל adds a ban on דם מן החי, and the גמרא shows how he and the רבנן each read the פסוקים. This leads to רבי יוסי ברבי חנינא's rule. A מצוה given to בני נח and repeated at סיני applies to both groups, while one not repeated applies only to ישראל. The גמרא defends both halves, using עבודה זרה and the principle that nothing is permitted to a Jew and forbidden to a גוי. The amud ends by quoting the first half of the rule again, setting up a challenge on 59b.

Opening lines

The steps (29)

1. ChallengeBut courts are an active מצוה, and they are still counted
2. ResolutionCourts include both a 'do' and a 'don't'
3. StatementA גוי who learns תורה is חייב מיתה
4. ChallengeThen why is this not counted with the seven מצוות?
5. ResolutionIt falls under robbery, or under the law of a betrothed girl
6. Challengeרבי מאיר: a גוי who learns תורה is like a כהן גדול
7. ResolutionThe praised גוי learns only his own seven מצוות
8. StatementOpening a new topic: blood from a living animal
9. StatementThe ברייתא and its פסוק about eating from a living animal
10. QuestionWhat is רבי חנינא בן גמליאל's reasoning?
11. ResponseReading the פסוק as two separate prohibitions
12. QuestionHow do the רבנן use the word 'its blood'?
13. ResponseThe רבנן: 'its blood' permits creeping creatures
14. StatementA matching reading of a פסוק for the Jewish people
15. ResponseThe רבנן apply the פסוק to דם הקזה
16. ChallengeWhy say the law to בני נח and repeat it at סיני?
17. ResolutionRepeated at סיני means it applies to everyone
18. StatementNot repeated means it applies only to Jews, like גיד הנשה
19. StatementQuoting the first half of the rule again
20. ChallengeOn the contrary: repeating it should mean only ישראל
21. ResolutionProof from עבודה זרה
22. StatementQuoting the second half of the rule
23. ChallengeOn the contrary: not repeating it should mean only בני נח
24. ResolutionNothing is permitted to a Jew and forbidden to a גוי
25. ChallengeBut what about יפת תואר?
26. Resolutionגוים are not permitted to conquer
27. ChallengeChallenge from stealing less than a פרוטה
28. Resolutionגוים do not forgive small amounts
29. StatementQuoting the first clause: repeated at סיני applies to both