Shabbos 90a

שבת צ׳ ע״א

Shabbat 90a

Learn Shabbos 90a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Shabbat 90a: minimum amounts (שיעורים) for carrying out spices, dyes, laundry materials, and כל שהוא items on שבת

Overview

This amud finishes the list of minimum amounts (שיעורים) for carrying things out on שבת. First the גמרא explains that different spices join together only when they can sweeten one pot. It then resolves a contradiction about dye-materials: dry materials need enough to dye a small garment, but herbs that are already soaked count at a tiny sample. Next it identifies the laundry materials of the משנה. After three tries, בורית turns out to be one kind of aloe. A new משנה rules that pepper, tar, perfumes, metals, holy items stored for גניזה, and, according to רבי יהודה, items of עבודה זרה count at כל שהוא. The גמרא gives the use of each tiny amount, and it adds a side discussion about the minimum for vows to donate iron and copper to the בית המקדש. It warns that insects in fruit are dangerous, with a story from the time of רבי יוחנן. Finally, a new משנה teaches that a peddler's basket brings only one חטאת, and it gives the amount for garden seeds.

Opening lines

The steps (42)

1. StatementSpice types combine only when they are sweetening spices
2. ChallengeInference: spices that cannot sweeten together do not combine
3. ResolutionOur משנה also speaks of spices that can sweeten together
4. Statementמשנה quote: the amount of dye-materials is enough to dye a small garment
5. ChallengeContradiction: soaked dye-herbs need only enough for a tiny sample
6. ResolutionSoaked herbs are already prepared, so a smaller amount counts
7. StatementUrine for laundering is up to forty days old
8. StatementThe natron meant is Alexandrian natron
9. Statementרב יהודה: בורית is sand
10. ChallengeA ברייתא lists בורית and sand separately
11. ResolutionSecond proposal: בורית is sulphur
12. Challengeבורית is under שביעית laws, but sulphur would not be
13. ProofProof: only rooted, growing things have שביעית
14. ResolutionThird proposal: בורית is aloe
15. ChallengeA ברייתא lists בורית and aloe separately
16. ConclusionConclusion: there are two kinds of aloe, and בורית is one of them
17. Statementרב יהודה identifies קימוליא
18. Statementשמואל identifies אשלג from sailors' report
19. StatementNew משנה: pepper, tar, perfumes and metals at any amount
20. StatementHoly items stored for burial at any amount
21. Statementרבי יהודה adds items of idolatry
22. QuestionWhat use is a tiny bit of pepper
23. ResponsePepper is for bad breath
24. QuestionWhat use is a tiny bit of tar
25. ResponseTar is for headaches
26. Statementברייתא adds bad smells, fine oil, purple dye and rosebuds
27. QuestionWhat use is a tiny bit of metal
28. ResponseMetal can make a small goad
29. StatementA vow to donate iron must be at least a cubit by a cubit
30. QuestionWhat is that size of iron used for?
31. Responseרב יוסף: It is used for the anti-raven cover
32. StatementAnother version: the minimum is whatever a raven-preventer needs
33. QuestionHow much iron is a raven-preventer?
34. Responseרב יוסף: A cubit by a cubit
35. StatementA vow of copper must be worth at least a silver מעה
36. Statementרבי אליעזר: At least enough for a small copper hook
37. QuestionWhat is a small copper hook used for?
38. Responseאביי: It cleans the wicks and lamps of the מנורה
39. Statementרבי יהודה: Insects that eat books, silk, and fruit are dangerous
40. ProofA student dies from the fig insect
41. StatementNew משנה: A peddler's basket is only one sin-offering
42. StatementGarden seeds: less than a dried fig, or five seeds