Shabbos 134b

שבת קל״ד ע״ב

Shabbat 134b

Learn Shabbos 134b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Washing a baby after מילה on שבת, treating wounds on שבת, and doubtful cases of מילה

Overview

The משנה allows washing a baby on שבת before and after his מילה, with sprinkling by hand but not with a vessel. רבי אלעזר בן עזריה allows washing even on the third day, which the פסוק about שכם shows is a time of danger. The גמרא asks how washing can be allowed if a vessel is forbidden. רב יהודה and רבה בר אבוה read the משנה as 'washing means sprinkling by hand.' רבא reads it instead as two days: normal washing on the first day and only sprinkling on the third day. A ברייתא supports רבא, but he later regrets ruling against the elders, because the משנה's wording fits their reading. The הלכה follows רבי אלעזר בן עזריה: the baby may be washed in every case, because he is in danger. The גמרא then discusses hot water, oil, and bandages on a wound on שבת. Finally, it begins the source for why a doubtful מילה does not override שבת, a discussion that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (34)

1. StatementWashing the baby before and after the circumcision
2. Statementרבי אלעזר בן עזריה: washing on the third day
3. StatementDoubtful cases and a hermaphrodite baby
4. ChallengeWashing is allowed, so why is sprinkling with a vessel forbidden?
5. ResolutionThe משנה uses a 'how' structure
6. Challengeרבא objects that the משנה says 'washing', not sprinkling
7. Resolutionרבא rereads the משנה as two different days
8. ProofA ברייתא supports רבא's reading
9. StatementThe ברייתא's sprinkling rule follows the תנא קמא
10. QuestionWhy is the verse only a hint and not a proof?
11. ResponseAdults heal slowly, but babies heal quickly
12. Statementרבא rules in practice, falls ill, and regrets it
13. ChallengeThe רבנן point out that a ברייתא supports רבא
14. Resolutionרבא answers that the משנה's wording fits the elders
15. ProofProof from the word 'wash' in רבי אלעזר בן עזריה's statement
16. ConclusionThe הלכה follows רבי אלעזר בן עזריה
17. QuestionWhole body or only the place of the circumcision?
18. Responseרבי יעקב: it must mean the whole body
19. Challengeרב יוסף: water heated on שבת is different
20. Challengeרב דימי: maybe the dispute is about water heated before שבת
21. ResolutionThe baby is in danger, so it must be heating on שבת
22. ConclusionThe ruling: washing is allowed in every case because of danger
23. Statementרב and שמואל disagree about hot water and oil on a wound
24. ChallengeA ברייתא forbids putting oil and hot water on a cloth for a wound
25. ResolutionThe cloth is forbidden only because of squeezing
26. ChallengeA second ברייתא: not even onto a cloth already on the wound
27. ResolutionHere too, the reason is squeezing
28. ProofA ברייתא supports שמואל's way of applying oil and hot water
29. StatementWhich dry materials may be put on a wound
30. ChallengeRags allowed and rags forbidden in the same ברייתא
31. ResolutionNew rags versus old rags
32. Conclusionאביי learns that rags heal
33. StatementBack to the משנה: a doubtful baby and a hermaphrodite
34. StatementOnly a certain foreskin pushes aside שבת