Shabbos 78a

שבת ע״ח ע״א

Shabbat 78a

Learn Shabbos 78a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The minimum amounts of oil, water, blood, other liquids, rope, reed grass and paper that make a person liable for carrying them out on שבת

Overview

This amud discusses the minimum amounts that make a person liable for carrying things out on שבת. First the גמרא defines the dispute between רבי שמעון בן אלעזר and רבי נתן about the measure for oil, and settles it with a ברייתא: enough oil to smear a small limb of a day-old baby. Next, אביי gives a rule for substances with more than one use. If one use is common and the other is rare, the רבנן follow the common use. If both uses are common, they follow the stricter one. He shows this with wine, milk, and honey. The גמרא then asks why water is measured by its healing use, and both אביי and רבא explain why healing with water is common. A ברייתא then argues about blood, and another argues about how storing an item (מצניע) changes the amounts. אביי explains that storing case with a student clearing his teacher's room, and the גמרא explains why waste water needs a רביעית. Finally, a new משנה begins, giving the amounts for rope, reed grass (גמי), paper, and a tax receipt.

Opening lines

The steps (32)

1. ConclusionThe explanation of the school of רבי ינאי is set aside
2. StatementWhat the two תנאים actually disagree about
3. QuestionWhat is the final ruling?
4. ResponseA ברייתא: the small limb of a day-old baby
5. StatementThe משנה's measure for water
6. Statementאביי's rule: common versus uncommon uses
7. ProofWine and milk: drinking is common, so the measure is lenient
8. ProofHoney: both uses are common, so the measure is strict
9. ChallengeWhy is water measured by healing?
10. Resolutionאביי: the משנה was taught in the גליל
11. Resolutionרבא: water is a common eye remedy everywhere
12. StatementAll other liquids need a רביעית
13. StatementBlood and all liquids need a רביעית
14. StatementBlood needs only enough for one eye
15. QuestionWhich blood heals the wart
16. StatementBlood used to heal a cataract
17. QuestionWhich blood heals the cataract
18. StatementA memory aid for the two cures
19. StatementStoring an item makes any amount count
20. Statementרבי שמעון reverses the rule
21. StatementEveryone agrees about waste water
22. ChallengeIsn't one who stores also carrying?
23. ResolutionA student clearing his teacher's room
24. QuestionWhat is waste water good for
25. ResponseWaste water is used to knead clay
26. ChallengeClay has a much smaller amount
27. ResolutionKneaded clay versus unkneaded clay
28. StatementRope: enough to make a basket handle
29. StatementReed grass: enough to make a hanging loop for a sifter
30. Statementרבי יהודה: enough to measure a child's shoe
31. StatementPaper: enough to write a tax receipt
32. StatementCarrying out a tax receipt itself makes one liable