Yevamos 62b

יבמות ס״ב ע״ב

Yevamot 62b

Learn Yevamos 62b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Fulfilling פריה ורביה through children and grandchildren, continuing to have children in old age, and the value of marriage

Overview

The גמרא finishes testing רב הונא, who said a man whose children died has still done פריה ורביה. A ברייתא saying a child who died does not count refutes him. Next comes the question of which grandchildren count. אביי limits it, but רבא says any grandchildren who keep the world populated are enough. Everyone agrees, though, that two grandchildren from one child are not enough, and the story of רב ששת does not change that. The source for 'grandchildren are like children' is found in the פסוקים about מכיר. The גמרא then brings רבי יהושע, who says a man should keep having children even in old age, and רב מתנא rules like him. Along the way comes רבי עקיבא's teaching to keep teaching in old age, with the story of his 24,000 students who died. The amud ends with sayings praising marriage and a husband's duties to his wife and family.

Opening lines

The steps (35)

1. ChallengeGrandchildren are like children: a challenge to רב הונא
2. ResolutionThe ברייתא is only about completing the count
3. ChallengeA ברייתא says a child who died does not count
4. Conclusionרב הונא is refuted
5. Statementאביי: which grandchildren count
6. Rejectionרבא: the goal is a populated world
7. StatementEveryone agrees: two grandchildren from one child are not enough
8. Challengeרב ששת: my daughter's sons are my sons
9. Resolutionרב ששת was only giving an excuse
10. Questionרבה asks for the source that grandchildren are like children
11. ResponseFirst suggestion: לבן's words to יעקב
12. RejectionRejecting the proof from לבן
13. ResponseThe real source: מכיר's lawgivers from יהודה
14. StatementOur משנה is not like רבי יהושע
15. StatementKeep learning and teaching in old age
16. Statementרבי עקיבא's 24,000 students died
17. Statementרבי עקיבא teaches five new students
18. StatementThe students died between פסח and שבועות
19. StatementThey died a bad death
20. QuestionWhat is a bad death
21. ResponseThe bad death was אסכרה
22. ConclusionThe הלכה follows רבי יהושע
23. StatementA man without a wife lacks joy, blessing, and goodness
24. ProofVerses that prove each of the three losses
25. StatementIn ארץ ישראל they add: without Torah and without a protective wall
26. Statementרבא בר עולא adds: without peace
27. StatementNeglecting a God-fearing wife makes a man a sinner
28. StatementA husband must be close with his wife before a trip
29. ChallengeWhy bring a new source when one already exists?
30. ResolutionThe second source is for the time near her period
31. QuestionHow close to her period?
32. ResponseClose means one עונה
33. StatementOnly for an optional trip, not a trip for a מצוה
34. StatementLoving and honoring one's family brings a peaceful home
35. StatementA second list: loving neighbors and relatives