Shabbos 125b

שבת קכ״ה ע״ב

Shabbat 125b

Learn Shabbos 125b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 125b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

When a מוקצה object becomes usable on שבת through attachment, placement, or an action (stone on a barrel, branches, building stones), and the window-shutter dispute about adding to a temporary tent

Overview

This עמוד finishes the משנה: a branch tied to a pitcher may be used to draw water, and רבי אליעזר and the חכמים argue about a window shutter. The גמרא then discusses a stone sitting on a barrel. רבי יוחנן's ruling comes in two versions. In רבה's version, a stone placed there on purpose makes the barrel a בסיס לדבר האסור. In רב יוסף's version, it becomes a כיסוי for the barrel. Each version is tested against a משנה about a stone in a gourd. The dispute is explained as whether a physical מעשה is needed to make an object usable. This ties into a story about רבי and some building stones, where רבי אמי and רבי אסי each follow their own reasoning. Next, the גמרא asks whether the tied-branch rule contradicts רבן שמעון בן גמליאל, and רב ששת and רב אשי each answer. Finally, רבי יוחנן explains that the shutter dispute is only about adding to an existing אהל עראי, and the גמרא begins to explain 'בין כך ובין כך', with the answer continuing on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (28)

1. StatementA branch tied to a pitcher may be used to draw water
2. Statementרבי אליעזר on the window shutter
3. StatementThe Sages permit the shutter either way
4. StatementA stone resting on a barrel
5. Statementרבה's version: a placed stone makes the barrel a base
6. Statementרב יוסף's version: a placed stone becomes a barrel cover
7. Challengeרבה's challenge from a stone in a gourd
8. RejectionThe gourd case is different: the stone became a wall
9. Challengeרב יוסף raises a difficulty against his own teaching
10. RejectionThe gourd case is different because the stone was not secured
11. QuestionWhat is the root of their disagreement?
12. ResponseIs a physical action needed or not?
13. ProofThe same dispute in a story about רבי and building stones
14. Statementרבי יוחנן: רבי did require an action
15. QuestionWhich action did רבי require?
16. ResponseArrange the stones, or rub them clean
17. StatementWhat Did רבי's Students Sit On?
18. ConclusionHow the Two Views Relate
19. StatementThe משנה Requires a Tied Branch
20. ChallengeDoes the משנה Disagree with רבן שמעון בן גמליאל?
21. ProofThe ברייתא About Palm Branches
22. Resolutionרב ששת: The Branch Is Still Attached to the Vine
23. ChallengeBut You May Not Use Something Attached to the Ground
24. ResolutionBelow Three טפחים
25. Resolutionרב אשי: A Decree That He Might Trim It
26. StatementEveryone agrees: no brand-new temporary tent on יום טוב or שבת
27. StatementThe dispute is only about adding to an existing tent
28. QuestionWhat does 'either way' mean in the חכמים's ruling?