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Shabbos 87a

שבת פ״ז ע״א

Shabbat 87a

Learn Shabbos 87a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 87a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The week before מתן תורה: the timelines of רבי יוסי and the רבנן, the three things משה did on his own with ה׳'s approval, and the challenges from the 'third' and 'sixth' day ברייתות

Overview

This amud finishes רבי יוסי's day-by-day timeline of the week before מתן תורה, then gives the רבנן's timeline, which runs one day later. The גמרא challenges רבי יוסי from the פסוק "היום ומחר", which implies only two days of separation. It answers that משה added a third day on his own. A ברייתא lists three things משה did on his own that ה׳ agreed with: adding a day, separating from his wife, and breaking the לוחות. For each one, the גמרא explains משה's reasoning and gives the proof that ה׳ approved. The גמרא then returns to the date dispute. רבי יוסי is defended again with משה's extra day, and ברייתות that fit only רבי יוסי's calendar are shown to follow him, so they do not bind the רבנן. Along the way, a ברייתא explains that the 'third' day was the day of הגבלה, and רבי and others explain the words וישב and ויגד. The amud ends as רבא begins to explain what the 'sixth' day means according to the רבנן, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

בִּתְלָתָא אֲמַר לְהוּ מִצְוַת הַגְבָּלָה;

On the third day of the week, He told them the מצוה of setting boundaries;

בְּאַרְבְּעָה עֲבוּד פְּרִישָׁה.

on the fourth day, they performed separation.

וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי —

And the Rabbis hold:

בִּתְרֵי בְּשַׁבָּא אִיקְּבַע יַרְחָא,

on the second day of the week the New Moon was established,

The steps (28)

  1. StatementEnd of רבי יוסי's timeline: boundaries on the third day, separation on the fourth
  2. StatementThe רבנן's timeline is shifted one day later
  3. ChallengeThe verse says only "today and tomorrow" — a problem for רבי יוסי
  4. Resolutionמשה added one day on his own
  5. ProofA ברייתא: three things משה did on his own
  6. QuestionWhat was משה's reasoning for adding a day?
  7. Response"Today is like tomorrow": each day needs its night
  8. ProofProof ה׳ agreed: the שכינה came only on שבת morning
  9. QuestionWhat was משה's reasoning for separating from his wife?
  10. Responseמשה's קל וחומר from the people at Sinai
  11. ProofProof ה׳ agreed: "Return to your tents" but "you stand here with Me"
  12. ProofAnother opinion: "Mouth to mouth I speak with him"
  13. QuestionWhat reasoning led משה to break the Tablets?
  14. ResponseA קל וחומר from the קרבן פסח
  15. Proofה׳ approved: 'יישר כחך ששברת'
  16. Challenge'Be ready for the third day' challenges רבי יוסי
  17. Resolutionמשה added a day on his own
  18. Challenge'Third of the month and third of the week' challenges the רבנן
  19. ResolutionThat ברייתא follows רבי יוסי
  20. QuestionAccording to the רבנן, third to what?
  21. ResponseA ברייתא on two verses about משה reporting to ה׳
  22. QuestionWhat was said in the second exchange?
  23. ResponseIt was the command of setting boundaries
  24. Statementרבי: first punishment, then reward
  25. StatementSome say: first reward, then punishment
  26. ChallengeA ברייתא calls the day 'sixth of the month and sixth of the week'
  27. ResolutionThis ברייתא also follows רבי יוסי
  28. QuestionAccording to the רבנן, what was that day 'the sixth' of?