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Sanhedrin 83a

סנהדרין פ״ג ע״א

Learn Sanhedrin 83a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

A טמא כהן who serves is liable to מיתה בידי שמים. The גמרא then studies a ברייתא listing who gets מיתה and finds sources for טבל and for תרומה eaten by a טמא כהן.

Overview

The גמרא continues with רב אחא בר הונא's question: is a טמא כהן who does the עבודה liable to מיתה בידי שמים? It first tries to prove death from a ברייתא that says burning on the מזבח brings liability. It rejects that proof, since 'liable' may mean only an אזהרה, and it answers two side challenges along the way. Then a different ברייתא lists a טמא ששימש among those who get מיתה, and רב ששת's view that he is not liable to death is refuted with a תיובתא. Next the גמרא quotes that ברייתא in full. It lists the cases that get מיתה, the cases that get only an אזהרה, and two disputes between רבי and the חכמים. The גמרא then looks for sources. Eating טבל gets מיתה through a גזירה שוה on 'חילול' from תרומה, which is chosen over נותר, either because more features are shared or because both use the plural wording. Finally, שמואל gives the פסוק for a טמא כהן who eats pure תרומה. He then begins to explain why impure תרומה carries no death penalty, and that explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

לֹא מִשּׁוּם זָרוּת,

not because of being a non-priest,

וְלֹא מִשּׁוּם טוּמְאָה,

and not because of impurity,

וְלֹא מִשּׁוּם מְחוּסַּר בְּגָדִים,

and not because of lacking garments,

וְלֹא מִשּׁוּם רִחוּץ יָדַיִם וְרַגְלַיִם.

and not because of washing hands and feet.

The steps (23)

  1. StatementThe ברייתא lists what these early steps are not liable for
  2. ProofInference: burning brings liability, perhaps death
  3. RejectionNo, the liability may be only a prohibition
  4. ChallengeBut a זר who burns is liable to death by a פסוק
  5. ResolutionEach case keeps its own rule
  6. ChallengePouring and mixing do have a prohibition
  7. ResolutionThat prohibition is only rabbinic
  8. ConclusionA ברייתא lists the impure priest among those who get death, and the view is refuted
  9. StatementThe full list of those who get death at the hands of Heaven
  10. StatementWho gets only a prohibition, and the debate over a blemished priest
  11. StatementThe debate over someone who misuses holy property on purpose
  12. QuestionWhat is the source that one who eats טבל gets מיתה?
  13. Responseשמואל brings a פסוק about produce that will be separated
  14. ResponseThe word 'חילול' links טבל to תרומה, giving מיתה
  15. ChallengeWhy not link טבל to נותר and give כרת?
  16. Resolutionתרומה is the better match because it shares many features with טבל
  17. ChallengeMaybe טבל should be learned from נותר instead
  18. ResolutionThe features shared with תרומה are more numerous
  19. ResolutionPlural 'profane' is learned from plural 'profane'
  20. QuestionSource for a טמא כהן who ate pure תרומה
  21. Responseשמואל brings the פסוק 'ושמרו את משמרתי'
  22. QuestionWhy only pure תרומה and not impure תרומה?
  23. ResponseSource from 'ומתו בו כי יחללוהו'