Shabbos 157a

שבת קנ״ז ע״א

Shabbat 157a

Learn Shabbos 157a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 157a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Following רבי שמעון on מוקצה and its limits, then the משנה on dissolving vows on שבת: whether a שבת need is required, the time window for הפרה, and the story of the sealed window.

Overview

The amud opens by testing רבי יוחנן, who rules like רבי שמעון's lenient view of מוקצה because he follows a סתם משנה. Three unattributed משניות seem to follow the strict רבי יהודה. The first is assigned to רבי יוסי בר יהודה. The second is explained as מוקצה מחמת חסרון כיס, which even רבי שמעון forbids. For the third, the גמרא explains that רבי יוחנן relied on a weightier source: בית הלל, as reversed by רב נחמן, follows רבי שמעון. רב אחא and רבינא then argue over which kinds of מוקצה are exceptions to following רבי שמעון. Both agree that מוקצה מחמת חסרון כיס is forbidden, and this is proven from the large saw and the plow blade. A new משנה then permits הפרת נדרים and asking a חכם about vows on שבת, along with sealing, measuring, and tying. The גמרא asks whether the limit 'for the needs of שבת' applies to הפרה too. It connects this question to the תנאים's dispute over whether הפרה lasts כל היום or מעת לעת, and it rules that a חכם may dissolve a vow on שבת even if the person had time before. Finally, רב begins explaining the משנה's story of the sealed window, and his explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. ChallengeAn unattributed משנה that seems to follow רבי יהודה
2. Resolutionרבי יוחנן assigns that משנה to רבי יוסי בר יהודה
3. ChallengeChallenge from starting a fire with straw but not stored wood
4. ResolutionExpensive cedar and fir wood is a case even רבי שמעון forbids
5. ChallengeChallenge from desert animals versus household animals
6. Resolutionרבי יוחנן relied on a different unattributed משנה
7. Proofרב נחמן reverses the opinions so בית הלל follows רבי שמעון
8. StatementFirst view: follow רבי שמעון except for repulsive items like an old lamp
9. StatementSecond view: follow רבי שמעון even for repulsive items, except a lamp lit that שבת
10. StatementItems guarded against monetary loss are forbidden even for רבי שמעון
11. ProofProof from the משנה of the large saw and plow blade
12. StatementThe משנה lists what may be done on שבת
13. ProofA historical story supports sealing, measuring, and tying
14. QuestionDoes the limit 'for שבת needs' apply only to asking a חכם?
15. QuestionSecond side: both require a שבת need
16. ProofA ברייתא shows nullification also requires a שבת need
17. QuestionSecond version of the question: does 'for the need' cover both, meaning the window is twenty-four hours?
18. QuestionOr does 'for the need' apply only to asking a sage, meaning the window ends with the day?
19. Proofרב זוטי's ברייתא shows the window is twenty-four hours
20. Challengeרב אשי objects: a משנה says the window is only the whole day
21. ResolutionIt is a dispute between תנאים
22. QuestionAsking a sage on שבת: only if there was no time before?
23. ProofThe sages dissolved רב זוטרא's vow even though he had time
24. StatementQuoting the story of the sealed window from the משנה
25. Statementרב explains the setting: a small alley with טומאת מת