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Shabbos 48b

שבת מ״ח ע״ב

Shabbat 48b

Learn Shabbos 48b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

When attached things count as one unit (חיבור): for שבת, for טומאה, and for הזאה.

Overview

This amud is all about חיבור, the question of when two attached things count as one unit. It opens with a challenge to the ruling from the previous amud that opening a new shirt's neck on שבת is forbidden: why is that different from piercing a barrel's מגופה, which is allowed? רבא answers that the neck is part of the shirt, while the stopper is a separate object. Next, רבי ירמיה shows רבי זירא two משניות about חיבור לטומאה that seem to clash. רבי זירא explains that the deciding factor is whether the owner wants the items kept together when they are not in use. The גמרא then asks which תנא holds that anything attached to an object is like the object, and רב names רבי מאיר, based on the holders built into a stove. רבי מאיר's split ruling, טמא through contact but not through the air space, is explained as a deliberate rabbinic היכרא, so that people will not burn תרומה and קדשים by mistake. Finally, a ברייתא says separable tools are a חיבור for טומאה but not for הזאה. רבא begins to explain this: by Torah law, whether the tool is in use decides both laws the same way. The explanation of the ברייתא's split continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מָה בֵּין זוֹ לִמְגוּפַת חָבִית.

What is the difference between this and the stopper of a barrel?

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא:

Rava said to him:

זֶה חִיבּוּר, וְזֶה אֵינוֹ חִיבּוּר.

This is a connection, and that is not a connection.

רָמֵי לֵיהּ רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה לְרַבִּי זֵירָא:

Rabbi Yirmeya raised a contradiction before Rabbi Zeira:

The steps (14)

  1. ChallengeWhy is opening a shirt's neck different from piercing a barrel stopper?
  2. ResolutionThe shirt's neck is part of the shirt, but the stopper is separate
  3. StatementFirst source: temporarily joined items stay connected even when not in use
  4. ChallengeSecond source: an axe handle is connected only while in use
  5. ResolutionIt depends on whether the owner wants them kept together
  6. QuestionWho taught that whatever is attached counts like the object itself?
  7. ResponseIt is רבי מאיר, based on the stove compartments
  8. Challengeרבי מאיר's middle position seems inconsistent
  9. ResolutionBy Torah law they are separate; the חכמים added a גזירה
  10. ChallengeThen the decree should cover the air space case too
  11. ResolutionThe split ruling is a deliberate signal so people won't burn תרומה
  12. StatementSeparable tools count as connected for טומאה but not for הזאה
  13. ChallengeEither it is connected or it is not
  14. ResolutionTorah law depends on whether the tool is in use