Shabbos 57a

שבת נ״ז ע״א

Shabbat 57a

Learn Shabbos 57a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Items a woman may not wear out on שבת, and the טבילה-based reason for banning hair-strings

Overview

This amud opens a new perek with a משנה about which items a woman may wear when she goes out into רשות הרבים on שבת. The משנה forbids hair-strings of wool or flax, several head ornaments, and a group of jewelry. It says that going out with them by mistake does not require a חטאת, because these are real ornaments and the ban is only a rabbinic גזירה. The גמרא asks why the משנה mentions טבילה. רבה בר אבוה explains that the טבילה line gives the reason for the ban: she must loosen the strings to immerse, so on שבת she might untie them and carry them four אמות. רב then rules that woven chains were never included in the גזירה. Two versions of רב הונא בריה דרב יהושע's support follow, and the גמרא shows that they differ about dirty chains. Next the גמרא quotes a משנה from מקוואות about strings that are a חציצה, and רב הונא limits it to strings tied in the hair. רב יוסף explains that neck strings are excluded because a woman does not choke herself. אביי challenges this from a ברייתא that forbids neck straps, and רבינא begins to answer at the end of the amud.

Opening lines

The steps (21)

1. StatementThe opening heading of the perek
2. StatementNo going out with wool, flax, or other strips braided into the hair
3. StatementSide rule: hair-ties must be loosened before immersion
4. StatementForehead ornaments and head coverings
5. StatementForbidden jewelry: city of gold, necklace, nose rings, ring, needle
6. StatementNo sin-offering if she went out with these items
7. ChallengeWhy does the משנה mention immersion at all?
8. ResolutionThe immersion line explains the reason for the שבת rule
9. Questionרב כהנא asks about hollow woven chains
10. ResponseWoven items were not included in the decree
11. ProofAnother אמורא says the same rule
12. ProofSecond version: רב הונא's sisters were not bothered by the chains
13. QuestionWhat difference is there between the two versions?
14. ResponseThe difference: dirty chains
15. StatementThe משנה in מקוואות on strings that block water
16. Statementרב הונא: the משנה is about strings tied in girls' hair
17. Challengeרב יוסף asks what רב הונא is excluding, starting with wool neck strings
18. ChallengeFlax neck strings cannot be what רב הונא excludes either
19. Resolutionרב יוסף's new reason: a woman does not choke herself
20. Challengeאביי challenges from the rule about girls' neck straps on Shabbat
21. Resolutionרבינא begins his response