Yevamos 31b

יבמות ל״א ע״ב

Yevamot 31b

Learn Yevamos 31b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Doubtful קידושין and גירושין, why a שטר קידושין has no date, and the new משנה about two widows tied to two brothers

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a challenge to רבה's reading of the משנה about doubtful קידושין and גירושין, using the case of בר שטיא. אביי says the משנה uses the style of "יגיד עליו ריעו", so each case of doubt applies to both topics. רבא objects from the word "זהו" and gives a one-way rule: every doubt in קידושין is also a doubt in גירושין, but גירושין has extra doubts, such as a problem with the date. The גמרא then asks why the חכמים did not require a date in a שטר קידושין. One answer is that most קידושין are done with money, unlike slaves, who are mostly bought with a document. A second answer is that a dated שטר קידושין could not be kept safe with her, with him, or with the witnesses, and that a גט is different because its date helps her. A new משנה follows about three brothers, a מאמר, and two widows who must do חליצה, with רבי שמעון disagreeing. The גמרא explains that this ruling is only a rabbinic decree and starts a second decree that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. ChallengeThe land stayed with בר שטיא
2. Resolutionאביי: each case teaches about the other
3. Challengeרבא asks: what does the word "זהו" mean?
4. Resolutionרבא: גירושין has extra doubts, so "זהו" there is not exact
5. QuestionWhat does "זהו" leave out in קידושין?
6. ResponseIt leaves out the date
7. QuestionWhy is there no required date in a betrothal document?
8. ChallengeThe reason for a date in a גט should also apply to betrothal
9. ResolutionBetrothal can be done with money, so no date was required
10. ChallengeBut a slave's bill of sale does need a date
11. ResolutionIt depends on what most people do
12. ResolutionA second answer: there is no safe place to keep a dated document
13. ResolutionLeaving it with the witnesses does not work either
14. ChallengeThen the same worry should apply to a גט
15. ResolutionA גט protects her; a קידושין date works against her
16. StatementNew משנה: three brothers, a מאמר, and two widows
17. ProofThe verse behind the ruling: one bond only
18. Statementרבי שמעון: he may marry either one
19. ChallengeIf it is from the תורה, why is חליצה needed?
20. ResolutionIt is only a rabbinic decree
21. ChallengeWhy not יבום with one and חליצה with the other?
22. ResolutionA second decree: a house half built