Shabbos 47a

שבת מ״ז ע״א

Shabbat 47a

Learn Shabbos 47a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Carrying a coal pan of ashes on שבת (from אביי's incense and גרף של רעי answers to רבא's answer about useful ashes), then reassembling a weaver's frame on שבת

Overview

This עמוד opens with the last line of an earlier discussion: a lamp that was burning when שבת began became a בסיס לדבר האסור, so it may not be moved. Then רבי רומנוס reports that רבי allowed him to carry a coal pan with its ashes. רבי זירא challenges this, because רבי יוחנן allows carrying a basket with a stone only when it also holds fruit. רבי אסי answers that the pan held bits of incense, but אביי rejects this: such bits mean nothing in רבי's wealthy home. אביי then compares the pan to a גרף של רעי, and רבא rejects that comparison for two reasons. רבא gives his own answer: the ashes are useful, so the pan may be carried for their sake, and broken wood on it does not matter. A challenge from wick fragments in a lamp is answered by אביי: that ruling reflects the גליל, where oil is cheap. Finally, a new topic begins about reassembling a weaver's frame on שבת. Two rabbis permit it, רב יהודה quotes רב and שמואל that it is liable to a חטאת, and the גמרא answers that the lenient rabbis follow a different תנא, whose ברייתא continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (16)

1. ConclusionThe burning lamp stays forbidden because it was a base for the flame
2. Statementרבי יהודה הנשיא allowed carrying a coal pan with its ashes
3. Challengeרבי זירא asks: רבי יוחנן allows the basket with a stone only because of the fruit
4. ResolutionAfter a stunned silence, רבי אסי answers: the pan had bits of incense
5. Challengeאביי objects: tiny bits are worthless in רבי's wealthy house
6. RejectionThe idea that the bits are useful to the poor is rejected
7. Resolutionאביי's own answer: the pan is like a chamber pot of waste
8. Rejectionרבא rejects the chamber pot comparison
9. Resolutionרבא: the pan may be moved because of the ashes
10. ChallengeChallenge from wick fragments in a lamp
11. Resolutionאביי: that ruling was taught in the גליל
12. Questionלוי בר שמואל asks about reassembling a weaver's frame
13. ResponseThey answer that it is permitted
14. Rejectionרב יהודה: רב and שמואל say one is liable to a חטאת
15. ChallengeChallenge from the ברייתא about reassembling objects
16. ResolutionThe lenient rabbis follow a different תנא