Shabbos 103a

שבת ק״ג ע״א

Shabbat 103a

Learn Shabbos 103a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 103a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Ending the previous משנה (drilling, 'זה הכלל', the anvil), the משנה on field labors and their minimum amounts, and the משנה on writing two letters

Overview

The גמרא finishes the previous משנה. It explains how drilling a tiny hole counts as a finished מלאכה even for שמואל, what the words 'זה הכלל' add, and why striking an anvil makes one liable: the משכן metalworkers did it, not because it trains the hand. A new משנה then teaches that plowing, weeding, and pruning make one liable for any amount, while gathering wood or grass has a minimum that depends on the purpose. A ברייתא gives similar purpose-based measures for cutting plants. The גמרא asks why every cut does not count as improving the land, and answers with a swamp (רבה and רב יוסף) or someone else's field (אביי). Next, a משנה rules that writing two letters makes one liable, with reasons from רבי יוסי (marking, as on the boards of the משכן) and רבי יהודה (a short name inside a longer one). The גמרא explains why the left hand counts: either an ambidextrous person (אביי) or the view of רבי יוסי. Finally, it asks whether רבי יהודה requires two different letters, and begins quoting a ברייתא on 'מאחת' that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (33)

1. StatementThe משנה's rule: drilling any size hole makes one liable
2. ChallengeAccording to שמואל, drilling is not a finished labor
3. ResolutionThe case is one where an iron nail drilled the hole and was left in
4. QuestionWhat does 'this is the principle' come to include?
5. ResponseIt includes carving a small measure in wood meant for a larger one
6. QuestionWhy is striking the anvil with a hammer a labor?
7. Responseרבה and רב יוסף: he is training his hand
8. Challengeבני רחבה: then watching and learning a craft would be liable too
9. Resolutionאביי and רבא: the משכן metalworkers did this
10. ProofA ברייתא supports אביי and רבא
11. StatementNew משנה: plowing, weeding, and pruning any amount
12. StatementGathering wood or grass: the amount depends on the purpose
13. QuestionWhat is plowing a tiny amount good for?
14. ResponseEnough to plant one pumpkin seed
15. StatementMinimum amounts for cutting plants depend on the purpose
16. ChallengeDoesn't every cut improve the land?
17. ResolutionThe case is a swamp
18. Resolutionאביי: The person did not intend to improve the land
19. ChallengeBut a result that is certain counts anyway
20. ResolutionIt is someone else's field
21. StatementWriting two letters makes one liable
22. Statementרבי יוסי: Two letters count because they are a mark
23. Statementרבי יהודה: A short name inside a longer name
24. ChallengeWhy is writing with the left hand liable?
25. ResolutionThe משנה is about a left-handed person
26. ChallengeThen the right hand should not count for him
27. ResolutionThe משנה is about someone who uses both hands equally
28. ResolutionAnother answer: the משנה follows רבי יוסי
29. ChallengeBut רבי יוסי is named only in the later part
30. ResolutionThe whole משנה is רבי יוסי
31. QuestionDoes רבי יהודה require two different letters?
32. ChallengeA ברייתא: liable even without finishing the whole job
33. ChallengeThe ברייתא worries that even one letter, one thread, or one sieve-eye might be enough