Shabbos 104b

שבת ק״ד ע״ב

Shabbat 104b

Learn Shabbos 104b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 104b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The מלאכה of כותב (writing) on שבת: what counts as liable writing, which materials and surfaces qualify, and which cases are exempt

Overview

The משנה sets the basic rule for the מלאכה of כותב on שבת: writing two letters in one הֶעְלֵם makes a person חייב. It lists inks and surfaces that count, rules on writing on or scratching into the skin, and gives a long list of exempt cases. These include writing that does not last, writing in an unusual way, writing that is not a new two-letter text, and letters that are not read together. The גמרא defines the five inks and explains that 'anything that makes a mark' covers every lasting material valid for a גט. It brings רבי אליעזר's proof about scratching on skin from בן סטדא, which the חכמים reject, followed by a short side discussion about that name. It then shows that two exempt cases in the משנה go against רבי אליעזר and רבי יהודה. It also discusses a single letter that completes a ספר, and רבי אמי's ruling that letters written in two cities make one חייב. The amud ends with a ברייתא about correcting one letter, explained by רב ששת and רבא, and opens a new ברייתא that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (34)

1. StatementWriting two letters makes one liable, and the inks that count
2. StatementLetters on two surfaces that are read together
3. StatementWriting on skin versus scratching into skin
4. StatementWriting that does not last is exempt
5. StatementUnusual manner, incomplete writing, and letters not read together
6. StatementA single letter used as an abbreviation
7. StatementDefining the five inks in the משנה
8. QuestionWhat does 'any substance that makes a mark' add?
9. ResponseIt includes fruit juice and gallnut juice, which are valid for a גט
10. ResponseAlso included: lead, soot, and shoeblack
11. Proofרבי אליעזר's proof that scratching on skin counts as writing
12. RejectionThe Sages reject the proof because he was a fool
13. QuestionSide question: why is he called בן סטדא?
14. Responseרב חסדא: one name is the husband, the other is the father
15. ChallengeBut the husband was פפוס בן יהודה
16. ResolutionRather, סטדא was his mother's name
17. ChallengeBut his mother's name was מרים
18. Resolutionסטדא was a nickname, as they say in פומבדיתא
19. QuestionWho taught that one letter next to writing is exempt?
20. ResponseNot רבי אליעזר, who counts even one thread
21. QuestionWho taught that writing over writing is exempt?
22. ResponseNot רבי יהודה, who lets one sanctify God's name by tracing over it
23. Statementברייתא: one letter or one thread that completes the whole item makes one liable
24. QuestionWho is the Tanna of this ברייתא?
25. Responseרבא בר רב הונא: it is רבי אליעזר
26. Responseרב אשי: even the רבנן agree when it completes the item
27. StatementTwo letters written in two different cities
28. ChallengeChallenge from the משנה about two walls and two tablet pages
29. ResolutionThe difference: needing an extra act to join the letters
30. StatementA ברייתא: fixing one letter makes one liable
31. ChallengeHow can fixing one letter be worse than writing one?
32. Resolutionרב ששת: turning a ח into two ז's
33. Resolutionרבא: turning a ד into a ר
34. StatementA new ברייתא begins: intending to write one letter