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Sanhedrin 84b

סנהדרין פ״ד ע״ב

Learn Sanhedrin 84b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Sanhedrin 84b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The משנה of those executed by חנק, and the rules for one who strikes a parent: a blow alone, a wound, and wounding for healing

Overview

The new פרק opens with a משנה listing the sinners whom בית דין executes by חנק. The גמרא starts with one who strikes a parent. It brings a פסוק and the rule that any unspecified death in the תורה is חנק. It then proves that a blow alone is enough, without killing, because when the תורה means killing it adds 'and he dies.' Next it asks why the striker is liable only for a wound. It first compares striking a person to striking an animal. After רב ירמיה's challenge, it learns the wound rule from the extra word נפש instead. The comparison is still needed, either for the teaching of the school of חזקיה or to teach that striking for healing is exempt, so a son may let blood for his father. The גמרא then discusses why רב and מר בריה דרבינא would not let their sons treat them, and compares this to removing a thorn on שבת. The discussion of רבי שמעון's view on a destructive wound continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מַתְנִי׳ אֵלּוּ הֵן הַנֶּחְנָקִין –

MISHNA: These are the ones who are strangled:

הַמַּכֶּה אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ,

One who strikes his father or his mother,

וְגוֹנֵב נֶפֶשׁ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל,

and one who kidnaps a Jewish person,

וְזָקֵן מַמְרֵא עַל פִּי בֵּית דִּין,

and a rebellious elder against the ruling of the court,

The steps (26)

  1. StatementThe list of those executed by strangulation
  2. QuestionWhat is the source for striking a parent?
  3. ResponseThe verse plus the rule for unspecified death
  4. ChallengeMaybe he must actually kill the parent
  5. ResolutionKilling a parent can't be punished less than killing a stranger
  6. ChallengeThe answer fails if strangulation is the harsher death
  7. ResolutionPlain 'striking' in the Torah means a blow, not a killing
  8. StatementWhy the Torah needs two separate murder verses
  9. ChallengeWhy is a wound required for striking a parent?
  10. ResolutionStriking a person is compared to striking an animal
  11. ChallengeDamaging an animal without a wound still makes you pay
  12. ResolutionThe word 'נפש' is moved over to a person
  13. ChallengeThen why compare a person to an animal at all?
  14. ResolutionThe comparison teaches the school of חזקיה's rule
  15. ChallengeWhat about those who reject the school of חזקיה?
  16. ResolutionStriking to heal is exempt
  17. QuestionThe question: may a son let blood for his father?
  18. Responseרב מתנא: love your neighbor as yourself
  19. Responseרב דימי בר חיננא: healing a person is like healing an animal
  20. StatementTwo אמוראים who would not let their sons treat them
  21. ChallengeWhy not worry about anyone else too?
  22. ResolutionA son's mistake is far more serious
  23. ChallengeChallenge from removing a thorn on שבת
  24. ResolutionWounding while removing a thorn is a destructive act
  25. ChallengeWhat about the opinion that a destructive act is still liable?
  26. ResolutionThe opinion that holds a destructive wound liable is רבי שמעון