Shabbos 17b

שבת י״ז ע״ב

Shabbat 17b

Learn Shabbos 17b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 17b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The last of the eighteen decrees, and the new משנה on starting work before שבת that continues on שבת

Overview

The גמרא finishes listing the eighteen decrees (י״ח דבר) that the Sages made on one day. First, שמואל teaches that produce grown from planted תרומה is also תרומה. רבי חנינא says the worry was a ישראל cheating the כהן, but רבא rejects this and explains that the worry was a כהן holding on to impure תרומה. Next comes the traveler caught on the road when שבת begins, who must give his purse to a גוי. Then the גמרא adds the decrees on the bread, oil, wine, and daughters of non-Jews. It works out a chain in which each decree protects something more serious, ending with a decree that a non-Jewish boy carries the טומאה of a זב. This makes the count eighteen for both רבי יוסי and רבי מאיר. Finally, a new משנה begins: בית שמאי and בית הלל argue about starting work before שבת that will continue by itself on שבת. The amud ends in the middle of בית הלל's ruling, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (21)

1. StatementProduce grown from planted תרומה was decreed that same day
2. QuestionWhy was this decree made?
3. Responseרבי חנינא: the worry is a ישראל holding pure תרומה
4. Challengeרבא: if we suspect him, he would not separate תרומה at all
5. RejectionA ישראל who separates generously can be trusted
6. ResolutionThe real reason: a כהן holding impure תרומה
7. StatementThe traveler at nightfall gives his purse to a non-Jew
8. StatementNon-Jews' bread, oil, wine, and daughters count as one decree
9. ChallengeAccording to רבי יוסי, the count is only seventeen
10. ResolutionBread and oil are separate decrees, completing eighteen
11. ChallengeWhy would oil be the root of the bread decree?
12. ResolutionThe corrected chain of decrees
13. QuestionWhat is the final 'something else'?
14. ResponseThe decree on a non-Jewish baby
15. ChallengeNow רבי מאיר has nineteen
16. Resolutionרבי מאיר counts two decrees as one
17. StatementSoaking ink, dyes, and vetch before שבת
18. StatementFlax in the oven and wool in the dye pot
19. StatementSetting traps before שבת
20. StatementSelling to and loading for a גוי before שבת
21. StatementGiving work to a non-Jewish tanner or launderer