Shabbos 155a

שבת קנ״ה ע״א

Shabbat 155a

Learn Shabbos 155a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 155a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Using the צדדין of a tree on שבת, and preparing animal feed on שבת: extra effort on food (מיטרח באוכלא) versus making food (שוויי אוכלא)

Overview

The amud opens at the end of a ברייתא about an עירוב placed in a basket hanging from a peg in a tree. The עירוב works only if the basket is below ten טפחים. The גמרא infers that without a peg the עירוב would fail, so this תנא seems to forbid using the 'sides' (צדדין) of a tree yet permit the 'sides of the sides' (צדי צדדין), against רבא. רב פפא answers that the no-peg case involves a tight basket, so taking the food shakes the tree itself. The הלכה is that צדדין are forbidden and צדי צדדין are permitted. רב אשי applies this to a ladder: lean it on pegs in the palm tree, and step only on the rungs. Then a new משנה deals with untying bundles of animal feed and crushing hay and carobs. רב הונא and רב יהודה define the bundles in opposite ways, based on opposite principles: may one put extra effort into food that is already edible, or may one turn something into food? The גמרא challenges רב הונא from the משנה twice. The first challenge is answered. The second ends in a קשיא, and a new proof begins that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (21)

1. StatementThe ברייתא: a basket hung on a peg in a tree
2. ChallengeInference: this תנא forbids sides but permits sides of sides
3. Resolutionרב פפא: a tight basket makes it direct use of the tree
4. ConclusionThe הלכה: sides forbidden, sides of sides permitted
5. Statementרב אשי: do not lean a ladder against the palm tree
6. StatementWhen climbing, step on the rungs, not the pegs
7. StatementThe new משנה: untying bundles and crushing feed for animals
8. Statementרב הונא defines the three bundle types
9. Statementרב הונא's reading of the משנה
10. Statementרב חסדא explains רב הונא's reason
11. Statementרב יהודה defines the bundle types differently
12. Statementרב יהודה's reading of the משנה
13. Statementרבא explains רב יהודה's reason
14. ChallengeChallenge to רב הונא from the ban on crushing soft carobs
15. Resolutionרב הונא: The hay in the משנה is hard like the carobs
16. QuestionWhen is hay so hard that it cannot be eaten?
17. ResponseHay for young donkeys
18. ChallengeChallenge from רבי יהודה permitting carobs for a small animal
19. Resolutionדקה means a large animal that is picky about food
20. ChallengeThe first clause shows דקה means a truly small animal — left unanswered
21. ProofOpening a new proof from a source about chopping