Sotah 48a

סוטה מ״ח ע״א

Learn Sotah 48a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The reforms of יוחנן כהן גדול, and what was lost after the סנהדרין ended and the בית המקדש was destroyed, especially the ban on song

Overview

The גמרא finishes explaining why יוחנן כהן גדול canceled the declaration of tithes. מעשר ראשון was going to the כהנים instead of the לויים, and since the declaration opens with the לוי's tithe, none of it can be said. A ברייתא seems to show that most people were not tithing at all. The גמרא answers that he made two separate rules: canceling the declaration was for the careful חברים, and the דמאי decree was for produce bought from עמי הארץ. The גמרא then explains his other reforms: stopping the לויים' daily 'עורה', stopping the cutting or beating of calves before שחיטה, and stopping hammering on חול המועד. A new משנה lists what was lost over time: song at wine feasts when the סנהדרין ended, the אורים ותומים, the שמיר, men of faith, and the blessing in dew and fruit after the חורבן. The גמרא brings strong warnings against song, with limits on which singing is allowed, and רבי יוחנן's teaching that drinking wine with music brings five punishments to the world.

Opening lines

The steps (42)

1. ResponseThe tithe was going to the כהנים instead of the לויים
2. ChallengeWhy not declare the other tithes?
3. ResolutionNo declaration for first tithe means no declaration at all
4. QuestionWhat is the reason for ריש לקיש's rule?
5. ResponseThe verse opens with the first tithe
6. ChallengeWere people even separating tithes?
7. StatementThe warning: untithed produce carries a death penalty
8. StatementThe decree for produce bought from an unlearned person
9. ResolutionTwo separate rules for two separate groups
10. QuestionWhat were the awakeners?
11. ResponseThe לויים who called on God to wake up
12. QuestionWhat were the strikers?
13. ResponseCutting the calf between its horns
14. ResponseA ברייתא gives a second explanation of the נוקפים
15. ChallengeHow can a slaughtered animal be called a נבילה?
16. ResolutionHe really meant טריפות, because the brain covering may be pierced
17. Conclusionיוחנן כהן גדול puts rings in the ground
18. ResponseThe hammer in ירושלים means on חול המועד
19. ResponseNo need to ask about דמאי, as already explained
20. StatementNew משנה: when the סנהדרין stopped, song at wine feasts stopped
21. StatementThe אורים ותומים stopped when the early prophets died
22. StatementWhat was lost when the בית המקדש was destroyed
23. Statementרבי יהושע's testimony: blessing left the world
24. Statementרבי יוסי and רבי שמעון בן אלעזר add to the losses
25. StatementThe חכמים: immorality and witchcraft ruined everything
26. QuestionHow do we know the end of singing is tied to the סנהדרין?
27. Responseרב הונא's source: the Elders and the young men stopped together
28. Statementרב: an ear that hears song should be uprooted
29. Statementרבא: song in the house brings destruction to the doorway
30. QuestionWhat does 'for its cedar work shall be laid bare' mean?
31. ResponseEven a house built with cedars is shaken
32. StatementDestruction starts at the doorway
33. ProofA second source: the gate is struck by שאיה
34. Statementמר בר רב אשי saw the destroyer
35. StatementWork songs are allowed, weavers' songs are forbidden
36. StatementWhen song stopped, food became cheap
37. StatementMen and women singing together
38. QuestionWhy does it matter which is worse?
39. ResponseTo stop the worse one first
40. StatementDrinking with four instruments brings five punishments
41. StatementThe five punishments read from the verses
42. StatementOpening one more verse after the five punishments