Yoma 55b

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Learn Yoma 55b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

רבי יהודה and labels (כתיבה) in the מקדש: the single כן, the thirteen שופרות, the missing חטאת box, and רבי יהודה's rejection of ברירה.

Overview

The גמרא claims that רבי יהודה does not trust written labels (כתיבה) to prevent mix-ups. Its proof is his view that the blood of יום הכיפורים had only one stand (כן): if labels worked, two labeled stands would have been fine. A ברייתא challenges this. In רבי יהודה's own view, the מקדש had thirteen labeled collection boxes (שופרות), but no box for obligatory חטאת birds. רב דימי explains that the missing box is a rabbinic decree (גזירה) because of a חטאת whose owner has died. The גמרא objects that we normally presume an owner is alive. It answers that in a shared box, some donor's death is certain. Why not simply destroy four זוזים and permit the rest? Because רבי יהודה does not accept ברירה. The גמרא then asks for the source of this. It begins quoting a משנה about buying wine from כותים just before שבת, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (15)

1. Statementרבי יהודה does not rely on writing
2. ProofProof from the single blood stand
3. QuestionWhy not two stands?
4. ResponseBecause they could be switched
5. ChallengeWhy not label the two stands?
6. ConclusionTherefore רבי יהודה does not trust labels
7. ChallengeChallenge: thirteen labeled collection boxes
8. ChallengeThe ברייתא explains the labels — רבי יהודה's view
9. Resolutionרב דימי: a decree because of a sin-offering whose owners died
10. ChallengeDo we really worry the owner died?
11. ResolutionThe concern is a חטאת whose owner has certainly died
12. ChallengeWhy not destroy four זוזים and permit the rest?
13. Resolutionרבי יהודה does not accept ברירה
14. QuestionHow do we know רבי יהודה rejects ברירה?
15. ProofA proposed source: buying wine from כותים before שבת