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Shabbos 78b

שבת ע״ח ע״ב

Shabbat 78b

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

Open Shabbos 78b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Minimum amounts (שיעורים) for carrying materials on שבת, the size of a קשר מוכסין, and whether a used tax receipt or a repaid שטר still counts as having value.

Overview

This amud finishes the משנה's list of minimum amounts (שיעורים) for הוצאה, carrying from one domain to another on שבת. Each material is measured by the smallest useful thing people normally do with it, and רבי יהודה and רבי נחמיה disagree about some items. The גמרא then explains why rope does not get reed's smaller measure: people do not use rope that way. A ברייתא adds more items, and the גמרא shows that the סלע and the dried-fig measures for fat are really the same amount. Next the גמרא asks how big a קשר מוכסין (tax receipt) is. רב ששת and רבא each explain it differently, and a ברייתא about erased paper leaves רבא with an unanswered קשיא. Two ברייתות then ask whether a used tax receipt or a repaid שטר חוב still has value, with רבי יהודה saying it does 'because he needs it.' אמוראים offer different explanations of the practical difference in each dispute. The amud ends by asking how אביי reads the ברייתא's 'before repaid' and 'after repaid', and the answer comes on the next amud.

Opening lines

נְיָיר מָחוּק — כְּדֵי לִכְרוֹךְ

Erased paper: enough to wrap

עַל צְלוֹחִית קְטַנָּה שֶׁל פִּלְיָיטוֹן.

around a small jar of perfume.

עוֹר — כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת קָמֵיעַ.

Hide: enough to make an amulet.

דּוּכְסוּסְטוֹס — כְּדֵי לִכְתּוֹב מְזוּזָה.

Dokhsostos: enough to write a mezuza.

The steps (26)

  1. StatementMeasures for paper, hide, parchment and ink
  2. StatementMeasures for eye paint, glue, tar and wax
  3. StatementMeasures for crushed earthenware and bran
  4. StatementMeasure for lime, a three-way disagreement
  5. ChallengeWhy doesn't rope have the smaller measure?
  6. ResolutionRope damages the sieve
  7. StatementA ברייתא adds palm leaves, bast and fat
  8. ChallengeAnother ברייתא says the size of a dried fig
  9. ResolutionBoth are the same amount
  10. StatementMeasure for soft stuffing material
  11. StatementHow big is a קשר מוכסין?
  12. ChallengeBlank paper requires only two letters
  13. Resolutionרב ששת: these are tax-receipt letters too
  14. Resolutionרבא: two ordinary letters plus a margin
  15. ChallengeA ברייתא on erased paper and repaid documents is quoted
  16. ChallengeThe ברייתא fits רב ששת but not רבא, and the challenge stands
  17. StatementCarrying a tax receipt before or after showing it
  18. QuestionWhat is the practical difference in the tax-receipt dispute?
  19. Responseאביי: Tax inspectors who chase after travelers
  20. Responseרבא: A junior and a senior tax collector
  21. Responseרב אשי: Even with one collector, the receipt proves he is trusted
  22. StatementCarrying a loan document before or after repayment
  23. QuestionWhat is the practical difference in the loan-document dispute?
  24. Responseרב יוסף: Whether one may keep a repaid document
  25. Responseאביי: The dispute is about confirming a document the borrower admits writing
  26. QuestionHow does אביי read 'before repaid' and 'after repaid'?