Shevuos 3a

שבועות ג׳ ע״א

Shevuot 3a

Learn Shevuos 3a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Shevuos 3a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

How שבועות follows מכות, why its opening משנה lists every 'two that are four' set, what each set means, and whether the משנה fits רבי ישמעאל or רבי עקיבא

Overview

The גמרא explains that מסכת שבועות follows מכות, which ended with one prohibition that brings two liabilities, like the edges of the beard. So שבועות opens with a similar pattern: 'two that are four.' The גמרא asks why our משנה lists every 'two that are four' set, while the openings of שבת and נגעים list only their own. The answer is that שבועות and ידיעות הטומאה sit side by side in the תורה and share the קרבן עולה ויורד. Once two sets were listed, the משנה listed them all. The short topic of ידיעות הטומאה is explained first, and the long topic of שבועות comes after. The גמרא then defines each set of four: oaths, awareness of טומאה, carrying on שבת, and shades of נגעים. Next it asks whose view the משנה follows, since רבי ישמעאל and רבי עקיבא each reject liability in one of the lists. It answers that each list includes both liable and exempt cases. The גמרא begins to question that answer, and the challenge continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (13)

1. StatementThe end of the quote from מסכת מכות about the beard
2. ResponseHow מכות leads into 'two that are four'
3. QuestionWhy list every set here but not in שבת and נגעים?
4. ResponseOaths and טומאה belong together, and the rest came along
5. ChallengeThe tractate opens with oaths but explains impurity first
6. ResolutionShort topic first, then the long one
7. StatementOaths: two that are four
8. StatementAwareness of impurity: two that are four
9. StatementCarrying on שבת: two that are four
10. StatementThe two shades of leprous marks that are really four
11. ChallengeWhose opinion is the משנה? Neither רבי ישמעאל nor רבי עקיבא fits
12. ResolutionEither תנא works: the four include liable and exempt cases
13. ChallengeCan the משנה really be listing exempt cases?