Sotah 29b

סוטה כ״ט ע״ב

Learn Sotah 29b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Trying to prove from other cases of טומאה that the impure loaf being discussed can disqualify תרומה. Each proposed source is pushed back with a מה ל- argument.

Overview

The גמרא is searching for a source that the impure loaf, which is food, can disqualify תרומה. It tries a טבול יום, but he comes from a type that can include an אב הטומאה. It then tries a כלי חרש, but it has the special power of airspace. Each source cancels the other's weak point, so the גמרא combines them through their common feature (הצד השוה) to prove the law by קל וחומר. The later generation rejects this because both sources have some strict side, while רבן יוחנן בן זכאי does not accept that objection. Next, a ברייתא brings רבי יוסי's קל וחומר from a מחוסר כיפורים that קודש has a fourth level of impurity, and the גמרא shows from ויקרא 7:19 that the third level comes from the תורה. רבי יוחנן challenges the קל וחומר with food touched by a טבול יום, based on a three-way ברייתא between אבא שאול, רבי מאיר and the חכמים. רב פפא asks whether רבי יוסי might hold like אבא שאול. The גמרא answers that if he did, he would have used an easier קל וחומר, and that argument continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (19)

1. ProofLearning from a person who immersed after touching a creeping animal
2. RejectionThe טבול יום case is stronger than the loaf
3. ResolutionAn earthenware vessel shows the difference does not matter
4. RejectionThe earthenware vessel has its own special power
5. ResolutionThe person who immersed today proves airspace does not matter
6. ProofCombining both sources to prove the law of the loaf
7. RejectionThe later generation's objection: both sources are strict
8. ConclusionWhy רבן יוחנן בן זכאי's proof still stands for him
9. Questionרבי יוסי asks for the source of a fourth degree in sacred food
10. ResponseA logical argument from one who still lacks atonement
11. ConclusionThird degree from the Torah, fourth degree from the logical argument
12. QuestionWhere does the Torah teach a third degree in sacred food?
13. ResponseThe verse about meat that touches anything impure
14. ConclusionThe fourth degree comes from the logical argument already stated
15. Challengeרבי יוחנן finds a counter-example to the קל וחומר
16. ProofA ברייתא shows how far a טבול יום spreads impurity to קודש
17. Challengeרב פפא: maybe רבי יוסי holds like אבא שאול
18. ResolutionIf he held like אבא שאול, he would have used the טבול יום case
19. ResolutionSpelling out the easier קל וחומר from the טבול יום