Category: Seder Nezekin

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Argument About a False Navi (last line on previous Amud) Context The Talmud is discussing a false prophet (navi sheker) who prophesies to either totally uproot a mitzvah or partially uproot it. There’s a difference between “idolatry” vs. “other mitzvot.” Also, the Talmud references a Beraita explaining that “min…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. How One Could Add to the Mitzvah of Tefillin Context & Question The Talmud references a scenario where someone might attempt to add an extra compartment to tefillin. We know standard head tefillin (Shel Rosh) has four compartments – adding a fifth is invalid from the start. But if one…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Liability for Kidnapping Context / Discrepancies in Beraitot A Beraita states that if one kidnaps a Jew and sells him to relatives, the kidnapper is liable. Another Beraita suggests he is exempt if he sells to relatives. R. Shimon says that “me-echav” in the verse means removing the victim from…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Can a Son Lash or Curse His Father by Court Appointment? Central Question The Talmud asks if Beit Din can appoint a son to administer punishment (lashes or curses, e.g. excommunication) to his father if the father is judged guilty by the court. Rav Sheshes’s Approach Rav Sheshes suggests that…

  I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Those Who Transgress a Lav (line before last on previous Amud) The Talmud references “la’amod leshareis,” i.e. the service must be performed standing, not sitting. Violating this is a mere Lav with no higher penalty.   B. Debate: Ba’al Mum Doing Avodah   C. Me’ilah (Misuse of Sacred Property)…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Liability for Performing Avodah While Tamei (continued from previous Amud) do not incur capital punishment. These are all non-fundamental or “preparatory” Avodot. The Mishnah’s omission of Haktarah (burning parts of a Korban on the altar) suggests that if one performs Haktarah in a disqualified state (e.g., a Tamei Kohen), he…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Zealots May Kill One Who Has Bi’ah with a Nochris Rav Kahana asks: If zealots did not kill him in the moment, does he remain punishable by some other means after the fact? The discussion is: Kanna’im Pog’in Bo is a specific dispensation only while the act is in progress.…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. “Killing Someone Before He Sins”   B. “Ba b’Machteres” (Thief in a Tunnel) Revisited (lines about the rodef scenario) Typically, to execute a criminal, a formal warning is required. But for a rodef threatening immediate harm, no prior warning is necessary. Once the rodef has completed the act (e.g., raped…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. What Is Best for the Wicked and the Righteous (cont.) (line 1) The Gemara reiterates that the Ben Sorer u’Moreh isn’t killed for the small offense of stealing and eating a small portion of meat/wine; rather, the Torah anticipates that if unchecked, he’ll deplete his parents’ money, turn to robbery,…