Gemara Clarity

Shabbos 92a

שבת צ״ב ע״א

Shabbat 92a

Learn Shabbos 92a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shabbos 92a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

How objects are carried out on שבת: אגד כלי, normal versus unusual ways of carrying, carrying above ten טפחים, and carrying on the head

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a discussion about a thief who drags a purse out to the רשות הרבים on שבת. The גמרא shows how the theft and the שבת violation can happen at the same moment: the purse holds metal bars and has no laces, or its laces are wrapped around it. Next, רבא and אביי disagree about whether a vessel binds the things inside it (אגד כלי). In another dispute, about carrying fruit out by hand or in a vessel, each of them seems to hold the other's view, so the גמרא switches the names. It then defends the switched version by distinguishing a hand held below three טפחים from one held above. A new משנה follows: carrying in normal ways, such as in the hand, the lap, or on the shoulders, makes one חייב, because that is how the בני קהת carried. Unusual ways make one פטור. In the גמרא, רבי אלעזר rules that carrying above ten טפחים is still חייב. The גמרא proves the בני קהת carried that high, first from the height of משה and the לויים, and then from the ארון. Finally, רב quoting רבי חייא discusses carrying a load on the head. After two challenges, the גמרא concludes that it is פטור, and that statement continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

דְּאִי בָּעֵי מְפַקַּע לֵיהּ וְשָׁקֵיל!

For if he wants, he can tear it and take (the money)!

בְּנִסְכָּא.

With metal bars.

וְכֵיוָן דְּאִיכָּא שְׁנָצִין,

And since there are laces,

מַפֵּיק לֵיהּ עַד פּוּמֵּיהּ

he can bring it out up to its mouth

The steps (27)

  1. ChallengeHe could tear the purse and take the money
  2. ResolutionThe purse holds long metal bars
  3. ChallengeBut a purse with laces opens at the mouth
  4. ResolutionThe purse has no laces
  5. ResolutionOr the laces are wrapped around the purse
  6. Statementרבא: a basket of mustard seeds makes him liable
  7. Statementאביי: even mustard seeds are exempt
  8. ChallengeEach אמורא seems to hold the other's view
  9. ProofThe source: carrying fruit out by hand or in a vessel
  10. ResolutionReverse the names: by hand, liable
  11. ChallengeThe משנה says a hand reaching out is exempt
  12. ResolutionAbove three טפחים versus below three
  13. StatementCarrying in the normal ways makes one liable
  14. StatementCarrying in unusual ways makes one exempt
  15. Statementרבי אלעזר: carrying above ten handbreadths is still liable
  16. QuestionHow do we know the sons of Kehat carried that high?
  17. ResponseThe altar is compared to the Tabernacle: ten cubits
  18. QuestionHow do we know about the Tabernacle itself?
  19. ResponseMoses spread the tent, so the Levites were ten cubits tall
  20. ResponseSecond proof: from the Ark
  21. ChallengeWhy not just learn it from Moses?
  22. ResolutionMoses was different: the Shechinah rests only on the tall
  23. StatementCarrying a load on the head makes one liable
  24. ChallengeOne town is not most of the world
  25. ResolutionThe ruling applies only to a person from הוצל
  26. ChallengeHis town's habit is outweighed by everyone else
  27. ResolutionFinal version: carrying on the head is exempt