Shabbos 41b

שבת מ״א ע״ב

Shabbat 41b

Learn Shabbos 41b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Putting water into a hot urn (מיחם) on שבת: the problem of מצרף (hardening the metal), whether the משנה follows רבי שמעון or רבי יהודה on דבר שאין מתכוין, and the dispute between רב and שמואל.

Overview

The גמרא asks how the משנה can let a person pour cold water into a hot urn on שבת, since cold water hardens hot metal (מצרף), which is a forbidden מלאכה. The first answer is that the משנה follows רבי שמעון, who permits an unintended result (דבר שאין מתכוין). אביי objects that the משנה's word שפינהו means an urn removed from the fire, not an urn emptied of its water. He rereads the משנה with two cases. If the urn still has hot water, a small amount of cold water may not be added, because it would become fully hot, but a large amount may be added just to warm it. If the urn was emptied, no water may be added at all, because it would harden the metal. That follows רבי יהודה, who forbids an unintended result. Then רב and שמואל argue about the משנה's permission. The גמרא rejects the version in which שמואל permits hardening on purpose and restates their argument as being about the amount of water poured in. שמואל's statement continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (8)

1. ChallengeDoesn't pouring cold water harden the urn?
2. ResolutionThe משנה follows רבי שמעון, who permits an unintended result
3. Challengeאביי: the משנה's wording does not fit this reading
4. Resolutionאביי rereads the משנה: an urn removed from the fire that still has hot water
5. ResolutionAn emptied urn: no water at all, following רבי יהודה
6. Statementרב and שמואל argue about the משנה's permission
7. ChallengeCan hardening be permitted from the start?
8. ResolutionRestating the dispute as about the amount of water