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Yevamos 46b

יבמות מ״ו ע״ב

Yevamot 46b

Learn Yevamos 46b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

How a convert is accepted: מילה and טבילה, a court of three, and proving one's status

Overview

The גמרא pins down where רבי אליעזר and רבי יהושע disagree about a convert. Both agree that טבילה without מילה works, as with the אמהות. They argue only about מילה without טבילה. רבי יהושע holds that the אבות also immersed at Sinai, and the גמרא proves this from the הזאה of blood there. רבי יוחנן then rules that a convert needs both מילה and טבילה, following רבי יוסי. A ברייתא shows how רבי יוסי and רבי יהודה argue, including whether a convert may be immersed on שבת, and the גמרא explains why each side's שבת ruling had to be stated. A story in the house of רבי חייא בר רבי teaches three rules: a גר needs three people, he needs both acts, and he is not immersed at night. רבי יוחנן gives the source for three judges, the word "משפט". Finally, a ברייתא teaches that someone who just claims to be a גר is not accepted unless he is already known as one or brings עדים.

Opening lines

בְּטָבַל וְלֹא מָל

In a case where he immersed but was not circumcised

כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא פְּלִיגִי דְּמַהְנֵי,

everyone agrees that it is effective;

כִּי פְּלִיגִי בְּמָל וְלֹא טָבַל.

where they disagree is when he was circumcised but did not immerse.

רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר יָלֵיף מֵאָבוֹת,

Rabbi Eliezer learns it from the forefathers,

The steps (24)

  1. ResolutionDefining exactly where the argument lies
  2. StatementEach side's reasoning about the forefathers
  3. QuestionHow does רבי יהושע know the forefathers immersed?
  4. ResponseFirst suggestion: a קל וחומר from washing clothes
  5. RejectionMaybe the washing was just for cleanliness
  6. ResponseThe real source: sprinkling of blood at Sinai
  7. QuestionHow do we know the foremothers immersed?
  8. ResponseIt is simple logic
  9. StatementA convert needs both circumcision and immersion
  10. ChallengeWhy say it? The majority always wins
  11. ResolutionThe 'חכמים' are really רבי יוסי
  12. ProofThe ברייתא where רבי יוסי argues with רבי יהודה
  13. ProofThe ברייתא's Practical Result: Immersing a Convert on שבת
  14. ChallengeWhy Did the ברייתא Need to Teach רבי יהודה's שבת Ruling?
  15. ResolutionThe Ruling Teaches That Either Act Alone Works for רבי יהודה
  16. ChallengeIsn't רבי יוסי's שבת Ruling Also Obvious?
  17. ResolutionWhy רבי יוסי's ruling had to be said
  18. StatementA convert told to wait until tomorrow
  19. ProofThree rules learned from the story
  20. QuestionShould we also learn that experts are needed?
  21. RejectionThe Sages just happened to be there
  22. StatementThe source that a convert needs three
  23. StatementSomeone who just says 'I am a convert' is not automatically accepted
  24. StatementA convert who brings witnesses is accepted