Shabbos 60b

שבת ס׳ ע״ב

Shabbat 60b

Learn Shabbos 60b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 60b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

סנדל המסומר: why it is forbidden on יום טוב, how many nails are allowed, and which kinds of footwear fall outside the גזירה

Overview

The גמרא proves that the סנדל המסומר (spiked sandal) is forbidden on יום טוב as well as on שבת. The original incident happened at a gathering on a day when work is forbidden, so a תענית ציבור is not included. Even רבי חנינא בן עקיבא, who keeps גזירות narrow, would agree, because יום טוב and שבת differ only in אוכל נפש. שמואל limits the איסור to nails that strengthen the sandal, and רבי יוחנן and רבי חנינא argue whether five or seven decorative nails are allowed. Each view is traced to a תנא, and רב אשי rules that seven is permitted and eight is forbidden. Several cases fall outside the decree: a sandal sewn from inside (it counts as a מנעל), a nail bent like tongs, and a sole fully covered with nails. A ברייתא supporting רב ששת is then explained line by line, and the הלכה is ruled against the strict view of רבי אלעזר ברבי שמעון. רבי חייא says he would have permitted many more nails. Finally, the גמרא turns to the next line of the משנה, about going out on שבת with a single sandal.

Opening lines

The steps (42)

1. ProofA source: the spiked sandal may not be sent on a Festival
2. ResolutionWhy the decree covers the Festival: there is a gathering then too
3. ChallengeChallenge: a public fast also has a gathering
4. ResolutionAnswer: the incident was at a gathering on a day when work is forbidden
5. StatementEven the opinion that limits decrees agrees
6. ResolutionThe Jordan is unique, but יום טוב and שבת are alike
7. ProofProof: the only difference is food preparation
8. StatementOnly strengthening nails are forbidden, not decorative ones
9. QuestionHow many nails count as decoration?
10. ResponseFive per sandal or seven per sandal
11. Statementרבי יוחנן explains where the nails go
12. ChallengeA ברייתא gives seven and thirteen nails
13. Challengeרבי חנינא fits, but whom does רבי יוחנן follow?
14. Resolutionרבי יוחנן follows רבי נהוראי
15. ConclusionEach group follows its own teacher
16. Questionרב הונא asks whether five nails are allowed
17. ResponseEven seven nails are permitted
18. Questionרב הונא asks about nine nails
19. ResponseEven eight nails are forbidden
20. QuestionA shoemaker asks about a sandal sewn from the inside
21. Responseרבי אמי permits it but does not know why
22. Resolutionרב אשי explains: sewn from inside makes it a shoe
23. QuestionQuestion about a nail bent like tongs
24. ResponseA tongs-shaped nail is permitted
25. Proofרבי יוסי ברבי חנינא says the same
26. StatementA sole fully covered with nails is permitted
27. ProofA ברייתא supports רב ששת and lists the nailed-sandal laws
28. ChallengeThe ברייתא seems to contradict itself on leftover nails
29. ResolutionBroken-off nails versus fully removed nails
30. ChallengeWhy mention four if five is already allowed?
31. ResolutionFour for a small sandal, five for a large one
32. ChallengeDoes רבי allow seven nails or thirteen?
33. ResolutionAn uneven sole is different
34. ResolutionThe same answer helps רבי יוחנן
35. StatementThe הלכה does not follow רבי אלעזר ברבי שמעון
36. ChallengeIsn't that obvious? One against many
37. ResolutionHis reasoning seemed strong, so it needed saying
38. Statementרבי חייא would have permitted many nails
39. QuestionHow many nails did he mean?
40. Responseפומבדיתא says twenty-four, סורא says twenty-two
41. StatementA memory trick: two nails lost on the road
42. StatementNew משנה line: going out with one sandal