Sotah 8a

סוטה ח׳ ע״א

Learn Sotah 8a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Procedures of the סוטה at the Eastern Gate, why two סוטות do not drink together, and uncovering her versus the stoned woman

Overview

The גמרא explains that the סוטה is brought up and down on purpose to tire her out so she will confess, just as בית דין moves witnesses around to unsettle false testimony. It then asks why the משנה lists the יולדת at the Eastern Gate. It answers that a person must stand over their own קרבן, and that the תנא named one example out of a larger group. Next, a ברייתא rules that two סוטות do not drink together. The תנא קמא, identified as רבי שמעון, gives the reason as boldness, while רבי יהודה learns it from the word אותה. The practical difference is a trembling woman, and the rule against doing מצוות in bundles is resolved by having two כהנים. The גמרא then gives the source in the פסוק for uncovering the סוטה and unbraiding her hair. Finally, it reconciles רבי יהודה's views on the סוטה and on a woman being stoned, and רבא raises the same question about the רבנן and then begins resolving both, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (26)

1. ChallengeShe is already standing there
2. ResolutionThey move her around to tire her out
3. ProofThe same tactic is used with witnesses
4. StatementQuoting the משנה about the Eastern Gate
5. QuestionWhy does the יולדת stand at the gate?
6. ResponseBecause a person must stand over their own קרבן
7. ChallengeThen זבין and זבות should be listed too
8. ResolutionThe תנא listed only one example
9. StatementTwo סוטות do not drink together
10. Statementרבי יהודה learns it from the word אותה
11. ChallengeHow does the first opinion deal with the word 'her'?
12. ResolutionThe first opinion is רבי שמעון, who explains the reason behind the פסוק
13. QuestionWhat practical difference is there between the two views?
14. ResponseThe difference is a trembling woman
15. ChallengeEven a trembling woman can't drink together, because מצוות aren't done in bundles
16. ProofThe source: four מצוות that are not done two at a time
17. ResolutionOne priest versus two priests
18. ProofSource that the priest uncovers her body
19. Resolution'Her head' teaches unbraiding her hair
20. QuestionDoes רבי יהודה worry about improper thoughts?
21. ChallengeThe stoning case shows the opposite
22. Resolutionרבה explains why the two cases are different for רבי יהודה
23. ChallengeObjection: maybe the onlookers will desire other women
24. Resolutionרבא's tradition: desire only works on what the eyes see
25. Challengeרבא: the Rabbis also seem to contradict themselves
26. Resolutionרבא agrees רבי יהודה is already settled