Shabbos 101b

שבת ק״א ע״ב

Shabbat 101b

Learn Shabbos 101b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 101b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Partitions in water, tied boats and עירוב, partitions made on שבת, and how strong the tie between boats must be

Overview

This amud finishes the discussion of a hanging partition (מחיצה תלויה), which the חכמים allowed only in water. It concludes that fish swimming under the partition do not count as breaking it. The גמרא then asks why the משנה needs to say that tied boats may be carried between. רבא says it means carrying through a small boat in the middle. רב ספרא rejects that and says the משנה teaches that the tied boats need an עירוב. A ברייתא supports him: if the boats come apart and are retied, or mats are rolled up and spread out again, the permission returns, because any partition made on שבת counts as a partition. The גמרא answers a challenge from רב נחמן by explaining that his limit on carrying is only a penalty for someone who made the partition on purpose. Finally, שמואל teaches that even a thin cloak-string that can hold the boats is enough for שבת, because there it is only a sign. An iron chain is required only for טומאה, because metal is treated like a dead body.

Opening lines

The steps (18)

1. StatementA hanging partition works only in water
2. ChallengeBut fish swim under the partition
3. ConclusionFish passing through is not a breach
4. StatementQuoting the משנה about tied boats
5. ChallengeIsn't that obvious?
6. Resolutionרבא: it teaches carrying through a small middle boat
7. Rejectionרב ספרא: the משנה says 'from one to the other'
8. Resolutionרב ספרא: the משנה teaches that an עירוב is needed
9. Proofברייתא: tied boats need an עירוב, and retying restores it
10. StatementThe same rule for mats spread as partitions
11. ConclusionAny partition made on שבת counts
12. ChallengeChallenge from רב נחמן: a partition made on שבת works only for throwing
13. Resolutionרב נחמן was speaking about someone who made the partition on purpose
14. Statementשמואל: even a cloak-string is enough to tie the boats
15. ChallengeWhat case is שמואל talking about?
16. ResolutionThe string does hold them; שמואל is contrasting with his own other ruling
17. StatementThe משנה about טומאה and שמואל's iron-chain ruling
18. ConclusionWhy טומאה needs iron but שבת accepts any string