Shabbos 37b

שבת ל״ז ע״ב

Shabbat 37b

Learn Shabbos 37b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 37b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

שהיה and חזרה on a כירה, and whether food that is מצטמק ויפה לו may be left on the stove before שבת

Overview

This amud asks when food may be left on a stove (כירה) from before שבת. First the גמרא tries to prove from two teachings that food which is מצטמק ויפה לו (gets better as it keeps cooking) may be left on the stove. Each time it pushes the proof off, because the coals there were covered (קטומה). It then finds the new points in those teachings: covered coals that flared up again still count as covered, and this holds even for very hot רותם coals. Next, רב ששת in the name of רבי יוחנן separates leaving food (שהיה) from returning it (חזרה). Leaving is allowed even on an uncovered stove, while returning needs a swept or covered stove. רבא shows that both halves are already implied by משניות. Then רבי יוחנן's view that even מצטמק ויפה לו may be left is set against רב and שמואל, who forbid it, and each community follows its own teachers. After stories about what great scholars did, רב נחמן rules that food that improves is forbidden and food that gets worse is permitted. He then lists which foods fall into each group. The amud ends as a new question is brought to רבי חייא בר אבא.

Opening lines

The steps (31)

1. ProofInference that shrinking-and-improving food is permitted
2. RejectionRejected: there the coals were covered
3. ChallengeThen what is the point of the teaching?
4. ResolutionThe new point: the fire flared up again
5. Statementרבי יוחנן: covered and reignited, even with broom-wood coals
6. ProofSame inference from רבי יוחנן's teaching
7. RejectionRejected again: the coals were covered
8. ChallengeThen why say it?
9. ResolutionThe new point: it flared up again
10. ChallengeThat is the same as the earlier teaching
11. ResolutionThe new point: broom-wood coals
12. Statementרב ששת: leaving is allowed, returning is not
13. StatementWhy: the משנה is about returning
14. Challengeרבא: both points are already in the משנה
15. ProofLeaving is taught: the bread with a crust
16. ProofReturning is taught: בית הלל's ruling
17. Resolutionרב ששת was only spelling out the משנה's implication
18. Statementרבי יוחנן permits leaving fully cooked food, even food that improves
19. ChallengeA scholar objects: רב and שמואל forbid food that improves
20. Resolutionרב שמואל בר יהודה: I was only reporting רבי יוחנן's view
21. StatementEach place follows its own teachers
22. Questionאביי asks: may one leave food on the stove?
23. Responseרב יוסף: רב יהודה's food was left on the stove
24. Rejectionאביי: רב יהודה was ill, so he is no proof
25. Responseרב יוסף: In סורא they leave food, as רב נחמן בר יצחק did
26. Proofרב אשי's unclear evidence from רב הונא's fried fish
27. Statementרב נחמן: improving food is forbidden, worsening food is permitted
28. StatementGeneral rule: dishes with flour get worse, except turnip
29. StatementThe turnip exception only applies with meat and not for guests
30. ConclusionFigs, porridge, and dates get worse with long cooking
31. QuestionA question is brought to רבי חייא בר אבא