Gemara Clarity

Shabbos 72b

שבת ע״ב ע״ב

Shabbat 72b

Learn Shabbos 72b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 72b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

מתעסק on שבת: the מחלוקת between אביי and רבא, and the גמרא's analysis of the ברייתא comparing שבת to other מצוות, which turns out to mean עבודה זרה.

Overview

The גמרא first rules that someone who only meant to lift a detached plant, and accidentally cut an attached one, is פטור. Then אביי and רבא disagree about someone who meant to cut a detached plant and cut an attached one instead: רבא says פטור, and אביי says חייב. רבא brings a ברייתא as proof. It says that in other מצוות, 'שגג בלא מתכוין' is חייב, but on שבת it is not. Before using the proof, the גמרא works out the ברייתא's first line. It concludes that 'other מצוות' means עבודה זרה, following רבי אמי. The גמרא then looks for a case of 'שגג בלא מתכוין' in עבודה זרה. Bowing in a supposed בית הכנסת fails, and so does bowing to a statue. Bowing out of love or fear works only for אביי. The case of one who thinks it is 'מותר' clashes with רבא's own question to רב נחמן. The answer to that challenge comes on the next amud.

Opening lines

נִתְכַּוֵּין לְהַגְבִּיהַּ אֶת הַתָּלוּשׁ,

If he intended to lift a detached plant,

וְחָתַךְ אֶת הַמְחוּבָּר — פָּטוּר.

and he cut an attached plant, he is exempt.

לַחְתּוֹךְ אֶת הַתָּלוּשׁ,

If he intended to cut a detached plant,

וְחָתַךְ אֶת הַמְחוּבָּר,

and he cut an attached plant,

The steps (16)

  1. StatementMeant to lift a detached plant but cut an attached one
  2. StatementMeant to cut a detached plant: אביי and רבא disagree
  3. StatementThe reasons behind each opinion
  4. Proofרבא's proof from a ברייתא comparing שבת to other מצוות
  5. QuestionWhat case does the first line of the ברייתא mean?
  6. ChallengeReaping and grinding cannot be the case
  7. ChallengeRepeating the same act cannot be the case either
  8. ResolutionAnswer: reaping and grinding, compared to עבודה זרה
  9. Statementרבי אמי: several acts of עבודה זרה bring only one חטאת
  10. ChallengeDoes the idolatry explanation fit the ברייתא's last line?
  11. RejectionBowing in what he thought was a synagogue is no sin
  12. RejectionBowing to a statue is either deliberate or meaningless
  13. ResolutionThe case is bowing out of love or fear
  14. ChallengeThis works for אביי but not for רבא
  15. ResolutionThe case is one who thinks it is permitted
  16. Challengeרבא never considered total exemption on שבת