Yoma 11b

יומא י״א ע״ב

Learn Yoma 11b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Which buildings and gates need a מזוזה. A ברייתא uses the word ״בַּיִת״ to set the limits of the obligation, and that ברייתא refutes רב יהודה. Then רב שמואל בר יהודה teaches a list of gates exempt from מזוזה.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a ברייתא that uses the word ״בַּיִת״ to set three limits on מזוזה: a place for living, a place of dignity, and a non-holy place. Because this ברייתא obligates barns and storehouses, רב יהודה is refuted with a תיובתא. Next, רב שמואל בר יהודה recites a list of 'six' gates exempt from מזוזה, and רבא points out that he listed seven. The answer is that the שער המדי (an arched gate) is a dispute between רבי מאיר and חכמים, and אביי explains that they argue over חוקקין להשלים. A new ברייתא then rules that a בית הכנסת, a woman's house and a partners' house need a מזוזה, and the גמרא shows that ״ביתך״ teaches that the מזוזה goes on the right side, following רבא. A parallel ברייתא says the same three houses can get נגעים, and the word ״לו״ is read as a lesson about the stingy owner. Finally, the גמרא resolves a contradiction about whether a בית הכנסת gets נגעים with several answers, and the third answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (29)

1. ProofFirst limit: only places used for living
2. ProofSecond limit: only places meant for dignity
3. ProofThird limit: only non-holy places
4. Conclusionרב יהודה is refuted
5. StatementA list of six gates exempt from מזוזה
6. Challengeרבא: you said six but listed seven
7. ResolutionThe Median gate is subject to a dispute between תנאים
8. ProofProof: רבי מאיר and the Sages argue about a dome-shaped gateway
9. Statementאביי: cases where everyone agrees the gate is nothing
10. StatementThe real dispute: may we imagine carving out the missing width
11. Statementבית הכנסת, woman's house and partners' house need a מזוזה
12. ChallengeIsn't that obvious?
13. ResolutionOne might have read 'your house' as excluding women and partners
14. ChallengeMaybe that reading is actually correct
15. ResolutionThe reward of long life applies to everyone
16. QuestionSo what does the word 'your house' teach?
17. ResponseFollowing רבא: the מזוזה goes on the side you enter
18. StatementNew ברייתא: these houses become impure with house-leprosy
19. ChallengeIsn't that obvious?
20. ResolutionThe word 'his' might have excluded women and partners
21. ChallengeMaybe they really are excluded
22. Resolution'Your possession' is plural, so it includes everyone
23. QuestionSo what does the word 'his' teach?
24. Response'His': the stingy man who keeps his house to himself
25. ChallengeBut another ברייתא says a בית הכנסת does not get leprosy
26. ResolutionThe two ברייתות follow different Tannaim
27. ProofProof that רבי מאיר and חכמים argue about a בית הכנסת
28. ResolutionBoth ברייתות follow רבנן, but discuss different buildings
29. ResolutionA third answer: both speak of a בית הכנסת without a living space