Shabbos 117a

שבת קי״ז ע״א

Shabbat 117a

Learn Shabbos 117a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Comparing the case of a ספר תורה to the hide of the קרבן פסח on שבת, and defining an open versus closed מבוי for rescuing items from a fire

Overview

The amud opens in the middle of an argument. The חכמים compared saving a ספר תורה in its case to handling the hide of the קרבן פסח on שבת. The גמרא rejects two versions of this comparison. A third version is proposed: one may bring a case with money in it to rescue the scroll. The גמרא then finds no source for that rule. מר בר רב אשי returns to the original comparison and says the case is one where the person does not want the hide. When challenged with פסיק רישיה, he answers that the hide is removed in strips. The גמרא then turns to the משנה's open and closed מבוי. רב חסדא defines them as three walls with one or two posts, following רבי אליעזר. רבה rejects this and defines them as two walls with one or two posts, following רבי יהודה. אביי then turns רבה's own objection about food and drink back on him, and the discussion continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (19)

1. ChallengeThe case and the hide are not comparable
2. ResolutionSecond version: a case that also has money inside
3. ChallengeStill not comparable: partly permitted versus fully forbidden
4. ResolutionThird version: bringing a case full of money to save the scroll
5. QuestionWhere do we learn this rule itself?
6. ProofProposed source: we need not dump the money, so we may also bring it
7. RejectionRejected: emptying costs time in a fire, but the money could be dumped first
8. Responseמר בר רב אשי returns to the original comparison
9. ResolutionFlaying is not a מלאכה when he does not want the hide
10. ChallengeChallenge from פסיק רישיה ולא ימות
11. ResolutionHe flays it in strips
12. QuestionWhat is an open versus a closed מבוי?
13. Responseרב חסדא: two posts means closed, one post means open
14. ProofBoth opinions follow רבי אליעזר's view on fixing a מבוי
15. Challengeרבה objects: three walls is not an 'open' alley
16. Challengeרבה's second objection: then food and drink could be rescued too
17. Responseרבה's own definition: two walls with two posts or one post
18. ProofBoth opinions in the משנה follow רבי יהודה
19. Challengeאביי: the food-and-drink problem hits your view too