Yoma 74a

יומא ע״ד ע״א

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Topic

חצי שיעור: oaths, the word אסור, and the מחלוקת of רבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש (Yoma 74a)

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a challenge to ריש לקיש. He rules that an oath not to eat takes effect even on a half-measure, following רבי עקיבא. That suggests he holds חצי שיעור is not forbidden at all, not even מדרבנן. The גמרא considers saying that an oath takes effect whenever something is permitted מן התורה. It then tests this against the dice-player, whom only the רבנן disqualify, yet a שבועת העדות does not apply to him. The answer is that testimony is different, because the verse ״אם לא יגיד״ requires someone able to testify. Next the גמרא asks whether the word אסור can describe acts that carry כרת. It answers in two ways: אסור means חצי שיעור, or it means the four lighter עינויים learned from שבתון. Then, with גופא, the גמרא lays out the מחלוקת itself. רבי יוחנן says חצי שיעור is forbidden מן התורה because it can combine. ריש לקיש says the Torah only forbids an act of 'eating'. רבי יוחנן challenges him from ״כל חלב״, and ריש לקיש answers that the פסוק is only an אסמכתא. A supporting proof from the כוי is then pushed back, and the reason continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (16)

1. Challengeריש לקיש's oath ruling suggests a half-measure is fully permitted
2. ChallengeProposed logic for the oath, and a source raised against it
3. QuestionWhat does 'fit to testify' exclude?
4. Responseרב פפא: it excludes a king
5. Responseרב אחא בר יעקב: it excludes a dice-player
6. ChallengeThe dice-player proves a rabbinic rule can block a Torah oath
7. ResolutionTestimony is different: the verse requires someone who can testify
8. ChallengeDoes the word 'forbidden' also get used for acts that carry כרת?
9. ResolutionThe ברייתא's 'forbidden' means a half-measure
10. ResolutionSecond answer: 'forbidden' refers to the other activities
11. StatementThe dispute itself: is a half-measure forbidden by the Torah?
12. StatementThe reasons behind each opinion
13. Challengeרבי יוחנן challenges ריש לקיש from the verse 'כל חלב'
14. ResolutionThe prohibition is rabbinic; the verse is only a hint
15. ProofLogical support that the verse is only a hint
16. RejectionThe support is not conclusive