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Nazir 49a
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Read the full text in the readerNazir 49a
Nazir 49a. The full printed text of this folio side — 4 numbered segments, about 80 words — with the classic commentaries printed on the page.
Rashi
ולרבי עקיבא מכדי לא שנא כהן גדול לחודיה ול"ש כהן גדול ונזיר איכא למשמע מולאחיו דהשתא כהן גדול והוא נזיר מיטמא למת מצוה כל שכן כהן גדול לחודיה ולאביו נמי דאינו מיטמא משמע ליה מעל. כל נפשות מת כדלעיל הא דכתב רחמנא לאביו ולאמו לבתר הכי. למה לי הא קא משמע לן מעל כל נפשות מת:
צריכי דאי כתב רחמנא לאביו ולא לאמו הוה אמינא לאביו הוא דאינו מיטמא משום דלא ברירא מילתא אי אבוה הוא דחזקה בעלמא הוא אבל אמו דודאי ילידתיה ליטמא לה קמשמע לן:
למשפחותם לבית אבותם (ב"ב קט:) משפחת אב קרויה משפחה ולא משפחת אם קרויה משפחה:
ולרבי עקיבא דאמר גבי נזיר נפש אלו רחוקים מת אלו קרובים האי על כל נפשות מת דכתיב גבי כהן גדול למה לי אמר לך צריכא:
Rashi on Nazir 49a · Sefaria · Edition: Vilna Edition · Public Domain
Tosafot
And both answers are necessary for if it had written "his father" and not "his mother," I would have thought specifically to his father he does not become impure because the relationship of his father is merely a presumption [of paternity], since most acts of intercourse follow the husband, but his mother, who certainly gave birth to him, I would say he becomes impure to her. Therefore, if it had written "his father" alone, I would have said that the extra "his father" comes to exclude "his mother" for this reason. And if it had written "his mother" without "his father," I would have thought specifically to his mother he does not become impure, for his seed does not go after her, as it is written "according to their families, according to their fathers' houses." And therefore, if it had written "his mother" and not "his father," I would have said that "his mother" is extra to exclude "his father," and [the verse] "to any dead person he shall not come" we would establish as referring to relatives from the extra [word] "dead," even though it is written without specification. For if "his father" had not been written explicitly, we would have established it only for maternal relatives, based on the reasoning that she certainly gave birth to him. And if "his father" had been written and not "his mother" explicitly, even though we expand [to include] relatives from "dead" which is extra, we would have established it only for paternal relatives, for the reason that the Talmud states: that his seed is traced after him. And if you ask: even if "his father" had been written and not "his mother," how could it enter your mind that he becomes impure to his mother? It should derive from a kal vachomer [a fortiori argument] from his father, the kal vachomer mentioned above: if in a situation where an ordinary priest becomes impure to his brother from his father, as we said above... And [the Tosafot] suggests it is a kal vachomer that can be refuted. The Maharam of Rothenburg explains: According to Rabbi Akiva, who derives from "dead person" regarding the Nazirite, and likewise from "to any dead person he shall not come" regarding the High Priest, that it refers to relatives, then it becomes a general rule [kelal] for all relatives. Therefore, when afterward it specifies one of the relatives — "his father" or "his mother" — I would have said: the general rule includes only what is in the specification — "his father" yes, "his mother" no, or vice versa, since there is reason to distinguish between them. And since this follows the principle of kelal u-prat [general rule and specification], where the general includes only what is in the specification, then even through kal vachomer his mother would not be derived from his father, just as with kelal u-prat elsewhere, where we do not expand beyond the specification, neither through kal vachomer nor through any other exegetical method, as I explained at the beginning of "Three Types" [earlier in Nazir 35a]. And if you ask: since it follows the principle of kelal u-prat, why do I need the reason given for "his father" based on presumption [of paternity], and likewise for "his mother" because her seed does not go after her? It should derive from this reason that the general includes only what is in the specification, as elsewhere. Furthermore, it is difficult: it implies here that from the writing of "his mother" we would know all relatives, such as his brother and sister — why not say forever that the general includes only what is in the specification? And the answer is: impurity prohibition is different, for the verse revealed regarding an ordinary priest that he becomes impure to close relatives but not to distant ones. Thus the matter depends on the reasoning of relationship. Therefore, one must give a reason for "his father" and "his mother" — what aspect of closeness is present in this one more than that one. And it also works out well that from "his father" and "his mother" we know "his brother" and "his sister," for there is no further reason to distinguish among relatives other than from these two reasons — from the father's side and from the mother's side, as explained in the necessity. And therefore, since it revealed "his father" and "his mother," the same applies to "his brother" and "his sister," and we should not say further that the general includes only what is in the specification. And you should know this is correct, for above in Rabbi Ishmael's statement, when he initially says "or is it not saying 'his father' except to exclude other distant [relatives]," the Tosafot above explained this follows from kelal u-prat reasoning and refuted it because it revealed regarding an ordinary priest that it is logical to become impure to close relatives more than to distant ones. We learn from this that regarding the prohibition of impurity, even when we apply kelal u-prat, we need reason and logic for the matter. And now it works out well that according to Rabbi Akiva, both "his father" and "his mother" must be written, and "his mother" does not come through kal vachomer from "his father," as I explained. And it is not comparable to Rabbi Ishmael, who derives "his mother" from "his father" through kal vachomer, for according to Rabbi Ishmael, the general rule of the Nazirite — "to any dead person he shall not come" — is not written regarding close relatives. And since it is written regarding distant relatives, you cannot apply kelal u-prat unless you say it comes to exclude distant relatives, and this you cannot say, as it says above, based on the kal vachomer from an ordinary priest. Therefore, we no longer apply kelal u-prat to exclude other close relatives, such as his mother, as according to Rabbi Akiva, for the general rule is not written regarding close relatives as it is according to Rabbi Akiva. And therefore "his mother" properly comes through kal vachomer from "his father." And in any case, we need the kal vachomer for the logical necessity, as I explained above. And if you ask: this works well regarding the Nazirite, but regarding the High Priest, the general rule applies to close relatives even according to Rabbi Ishmael, as he said above "to any dead person he shall not come" — [does it refer] to close relatives or only to distant ones? I would derive it through kal vachomer from an ordinary priest. And if so, we should apply kelal u-prat? And it seems [correct] that since regarding the Nazirite we cannot apply kelal u-prat, and "his mother" comes through kal vachomer from "his father" as I explained, then regarding the High Priest it is likewise, for we derive one from the other through the gezeirah shavah [verbal analogy] of "his mother." Furthermore, one can explain that perhaps it is not considered a general rule, since the fact that we established that [verse] of the High Priest regarding close relatives is not from the force of the verse itself of the High Priest, but rather from the ordinary priest through "or is it not" [logic], as I explained above. And it is not comparable to Rabbi Akiva, for Rabbi Akiva establishes the verse for its own reason, from the force of the verse itself. Therefore, it is considered a complete general rule. And [further] examination is needed, for Rabbi Akiva expounds "expanded and reduced" [ribah u-mi'et] in the third chapter of Shevuot (26a). And the answer is that even with "expanded and reduced," we nevertheless exclude one thing, and kal vachomer or another method is ineffective to include. And therefore, if "his father" had been written, we would exclude "his mother," and it would not come through kal vachomer, and nothing further. All this is the language of the Maharam of Rothenburg. And if you ask: since "his father" and "his mother" are necessary for themselves, then from where would the meit mitzvah [unattended corpse] come for the Nazirite? And also, the gezeirah shavah would not be extra for the High Priest, since they are necessarily required. And the answer is: necessarily they are extra for meit mitzvah for the Nazirite and for the gezeirah shavah for the High Priest, for otherwise the verse should be silent about both of them. For Rabbi Akiva derives from the extra [word] "dead" [to include] close relatives, both for the Nazirite and for the High Priest. And necessarily, the verse speaks at length about all close relatives and does not distinguish between "his father" and "his mother" by any logic — why were both of them written at all? Rather, for the Nazirite to include meit mitzvah, and for the High Priest for the gezeirah shavah. However, if only one had been written — "his father" or "his mother" — then I would have said that even though the verse speaks at length, nevertheless I would have said that therefore one was written to exclude the other and to remove it from [being considered] lengthly speech, as I explained. And if you ask: do we need to state the necessities according to Rabbi Akiva between "his mother" and "his father"? On the contrary, let us say there is no logic to distinguish between them, and both "his father" and "his mother" are extra, both for the Nazirite and for the High Priest, and we will expound "his father" for meit mitzvah and "his mother" for the gezeirah shavah in both of them. And even though the Baraita mentions both in Rabbi Akiva's statement — "his father" and "his mother" — both for meit mitzvah, what of it? Nevertheless, let us say it is not precise, rather only from "his father" alone it is derived. For so too we say above regarding Rabbi Ishmael that even though the Baraita mentioned "his father" and "his mother" regarding meit mitzvah, nevertheless we conclude that neither "his father" nor "his mother" come for meit mitzvah, rather "his father" for itself and "his mother" for the gezeirah shavah, and meit mitzvah we derive from "his brother," as we say above. So apparently it is not precise; likewise here too, let us say it is not precise, rather only from "his father" alone it is derived. And the answer is: it is not comparable, for certainly according to Rabbi Ishmael, he did not mention for the derivation of meit mitzvah except "his mother," for "his father" was necessary for itself for close relatives, as we said above. Therefore, even though in conclusion meit mitzvah we derive from "his brother" and not from "his mother," nevertheless it was proper to mention "his mother" regarding meit mitzvah, because if "his brother" had not been written, we would have expounded and established "his mother" for meit mitzvah and not for the gezeirah shavah, for we always have to establish first for meit mitzvah, which is similar to [the prohibition] itself, more than a gezeirah shavah to derive elsewhere. Therefore, "his mother," which was written first, we would establish for the derivation of meit mitzvah if "his brother" had not been written afterward. However, in conclusion, since we can derive meit mitzvah from "his brother," we establish "his mother" for the gezeirah shavah. But here, in Rabbi Akiva's statement, since we derive close relatives from "to any," as we said above, we do not need "his father" and "his mother" at all for themselves. Therefore, necessarily, what the Baraita mentioned regarding meit mitzvah — "his father" and "his mother" — for both are extra, as I explained, [means] both were taken for meit mitzvah. For if "his father" [were] for meit mitzvah and "his mother" for the gezeirah shavah, why mention "his mother" at all regarding meit mitzvah? For since "his father" is written first in the verse, and the first verse we should establish for meit mitzvah, as I explained, if so, here we cannot say as with Rabbi Ishmael. Rather, we learn from this that specifically both were mentioned for meit mitzvah, and they are necessarily necessary, as concluded at the end. All this is the language of the Maharam of Rothenburg. [The Tosafot] raises a question: in our sugya, [the Gemara] expounds according to Rabbi Akiva "his father" and "his mother" of the Nazirite — both for meit mitzvah. But in the chapter "One Who Immersed That Day" in Zevachim (100a), [the Gemara] expounds according to Rabbi Akiva "his father" alone for meit mitzvah, and "his mother" [for the law that] if he was an ordinary priest and a Nazirite, he too becomes impure for meit mitzvah; [or] if he was a High Priest and a Nazirite, he too becomes impure for meit mitzvah. What is the difference? Furthermore, it is difficult: how can [the Gemara] expound simply two derivations from "his father" and "his mother"? For "his father" and "his mother" are necessary, as it says here, and if so, only one derivation can be expounded from them, as I explained above. However, in the tosefta of the sugya in the chapter "One Who Immersed That Day," it disagrees with this one here and does not hold the necessity here. Therefore, "his father" and "his mother" come for two derivations. And if you ask: why doesn't our sugya also require a verse for "an ordinary priest and a Nazirite," as there? And the answer is: the logic [is] that since an ordinary priest becomes impure to close relatives, the addition [lit: fattening] of an ordinary priest in the verse regarding "his holiness is eternal holiness" together with the Nazirite does not require a verse. For since regarding his own impurity he is lenient compared to the Nazirite — but a High Priest, who also does not become impure to close relatives, that one certainly I would have thought the addition of his "his holiness is eternal holiness" [means he] should not become impure to meit mitzvah, and therefore the verse of the Nazirite regarding "his brother" was necessary for a High Priest who is a Nazirite. And the sugya there holds that even for the addition of an ordinary priest and a Nazirite, an extra verse is required. However, it is difficult: since there, in the chapter "One Who Immersed That Day," it does not hold the necessity of "his father" and "his mother," then why do I need "his father" and "his mother" of the High Priest? Granted, regarding the Nazirite, all [the derivations] are explained there, as we explained. But regarding the High Priest, it is difficult — [one verse] would suffice for the gezeirah shavah! And we cannot say that the sugya there expounds regarding the High Priest from "his father" meit mitzvah and "his mother" for the gezeirah shavah, for we know meit mitzvah for the High Priest from "his brother" of the Nazirite, as the Talmud says: what [difference is there] to me [between] a High Priest alone [and] a High Priest and Nazirite? Therefore, it appears that there too in the chapter "One Who Immersed That Day," it holds the necessity regarding the High Priest. However, it holds that since both were revealed to us regarding the High Priest that there is no distinction between this one and that one, between father and mother, rather it is merely a revelation of the matter, and the Nazirite derives from it, therefore [the Gemara] expounds both regarding the Nazirite simply. However, one must say that the sugya here disagrees, for it requires both also regarding the Nazirite. Therefore, it does not expound from "his mother" [the law of] "an ordinary priest and a Nazirite," as there. Furthermore, one can also reconcile even this one here, that it holds like that one in "One Who Immersed That Day," for it is difficult to divide the sugya of our Gemara from that one in the chapter "One Who Immersed That Day," for both are [according to] Rabbi Akiva, and there is no logic to say they are two Tannaim according to Rabbi Akiva, since the Talmud did not say so explicitly. And even though our sugya makes a necessity from "his father" and "his mother," and there [the Gemara] expounds two [derivations] from "his father" and "his mother," let us say that from the verse of the High Priest it makes the necessity and to reveal the matter to the Nazirite simply. And from now on, even regarding the Nazirite they are equal, and both were made extra for us regarding the Nazirite for the derivation, as it expounds there. And if you ask: if so, why does [the Gemara] here expound from "his father" and "his mother" of the Nazirite — both for meit mitzvah — according to Rabbi Akiva? One would suffice! And the answer is: yes indeed, here too let us say "his father" alone for meit mitzvah and "his mother" for [the law of] "an ordinary priest and a Nazirite," as it expounds there. However, [the Gemara] did not bother to explain all the derivations here because it relies on the sugya there in the chapter "One Who Immersed That Day." And such is the way of the Talmud, that it abbreviates in one place and elaborates in another place. And if you ask: if so, why did [the Gemara] mention here according to Rabbi Akiva the derivation of "High Priest and Nazirite," as we expound shortly, [and] also relies on the sugya there, just as it relies on the derivation of "ordinary priest and Nazirite" that we expound from "his mother," which [the Gemara] did not bring here that derivation? And one can say: this is because it needed to bring the derivation of "High Priest and Nazirite" from "his brother," and to say: why do I need "High Priest and Nazirite," etc., in order to free up that "his father" and "his mother" of the High Priest for the gezeirah shavah. And [the fact] that both were written, "his father" and "his mother," this is because of the necessity between them. And also from it we raise a question to Rabbi Ishmael: "High Priest and Nazirite" on it. And "his sister" also [the Gemara] explains according to Rabbi Akiva that it is written after "his brother" — since [the Gemara] began to expound "his brother," as I explained, it must complete the verse to its end. Alternatively, because according to Rabbi Akiva, "his sister" was more necessary than according to Rabbi Ishmael, because Rabbi Akiva holds [the principle] "what [difference is there] to me [between] one prohibition [and multiple]," etc. All this is the language of the Maharam of Rothenburg.
Tosafot on Nazir 49a · Sefaria · Edition: Vilna Edition · Public Domain
Shita Mekubetzet
ולר' עקיבא מכדי לא שנא כהן גדול לחודיה ולא שנא כהן גדול ונזיר נפקא ליה מלאחיו לאביו ולאמו דכהן גדול למה לי. נהי דלאמו צריך לגזרה שוה לאביו למה לי. והוא הדין דמצי למיבעי לאביו ולאמו דנזיר אמאי צריכי תרוייהו למת מצוה.
משום דחזקה בעלמא הוא דרוב בעילות אחר הבעל אבל אמו דודאי ילידתיה אימא ליטמא לה. והאי דדרשינן מת אלו הקרובים הוה מוקמינן ליה בקרובים מצד האב דמדכתיב לאביו הוה ממעיטנא אמו וקרוביה שיטמא להם כיון שהם ודאין.
כיון דכתיב למשפחותם לבית אבותם ודרשינן מיניה בבתרא פרק יש נוחלין משפחת אב קרויה משפחה משפחת אם אינה קרויה משפחה הוה אמינא דלאמו אתא למעוטי אב וקרובים דידיה שיטמא להם. ומת אלו הקרובים הוה מוקמינן בקרובי האם. אבל השתא דכתיב תרוייהו דרשינן שפיר גזרה שוה דלישתוק קרא מינייהו ומעל כל נפשות מת דכהן גדול ומנפש מת דנזיר (ד)שמעינן כל קרובים. ולאמו דכהן גדול הוצרך לכתוב לגזרה שוה וכיון דהוצרך לכתוב לאמו הוצרך נמי לכתוב לאביו דלא תימא דמלאמו ממעטינן אביו. ולאביו דנזיר הוצרך לכתוב למדרש מיניה דמיטמא למת מצוה ואיצטרך נמי למכתב לאמו דלא תימא דמלאביו ממעטינן אמו. ואית ליה לר' עקיבא מופנה מצד אחד למדין ואין משיבין. אי נמי כיון דגלי קרא גבי כהן גדול שקולין הם הוא הדין נמי גבי נזיר ואייתר לאמו דנזיר להפנות גזרה שוה משני צדדין:
על כל נפשות מת למה לי אגב דדריש נפש מת דנזיר בעי נמי למדרש קרא דכהן גדול. הרא"ש ז"ל בפירושיו. וכן כתב הרב עזריאל ז"ל וז"ל: ולר' עקיבא מכדי לא שנא כהן גדול לחודיה לא שנא כהן גדול ונזיר נפקא ליה למת מצוה מלאחיו. דבכהן גדול נמי נפקא משום דלא שנא ואם כן לאביו ולאמו דכהן מופנה לגזרה שוה ולמה לי תרוייהו. והכי נמי מצי למבעי מלאביו ולאמו דנזיר דאוקימנא תרוייהו למת מצוה ולמה לי תרוייהו. ועל כולהו הויא הך צריכותא דמפרש:
אבל לאמו דחזינא דילידתה אימא ליטמא ולית ליה השתא הקל וחומר דלעיל דכהן הדיוט שמטמא לאחיו מאביו ואינו מטמא לאחיו מאמו. עד כאן לשון הרב עזריאל ז"ל.
אימא ליטמא לה והאי דדרשינן מת אלו הקרובים וכו' ככתוב בתוס'. אבל השתא דכתיבי תרוייהו דרשינן שפיר גזרה שוה דלישתוק קרא מינייהו ומעל כל נפשות מת דכהן גדול ומנפש מת דנזיר שמעינן כל קרובים. ולאמו דכהן גדול הוצרך לכתוב לגזרה שוה וכיון דהוצרך לכתוב לאמו הוצרך נמי לכתוב לאביו דלא תימא דמלאמו ממעטינן אביו. ולאביו דנזיר הוצרך לכתוב למידרש מיניה דמיטמא למת מצוה. ואיצטריך נמי למכתב לאמו דלא תימא דמלאביו ממעטינן אמו. ואית ליה לר' עקיבא מופנה מצד אחד למדין ואין משיבין. אי נמי כיון דגלי קרא גבי כהן גדול שקולין הם הוא הדין נמי גבי נזיר ואייתר לאמו דנזיר להפנות גזרה שוה משני צדדין:
על כל נפשות מת למה לי אגב דדריש נפש מת דנזיר בעי נמי למדרש קרא דכהן גדול.
Shita Mekubbetzet on Nazir 49a · Sefaria · Edition: Vilna Ed · Public Domain
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A full text unit for Nazir, daf 49, Amud Aleph, about 80 words in 4 segments. Segment numbers make it easier to return to an exact line; the commentaries below are quoted from their printed sources.
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A unit-by-unit map of all 4 segments on this page: opening words, the moves the text actually makes and a link back to that exact segment.
- Segment 120 words
Opens “וּלְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא, מִכְּדֵי לָא שְׁנָא כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל…”
- Segment 223 words
Opens “צְרִיכִי: דְּאִי כְּתַב ״אָבִיו״, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: הַיְינוּ…”
- Segment 329 words
Opens “וְאִי כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״אִמּוֹ״, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: אִמּוֹ…”
- Segment 48 words
Opens “״וְעַל כׇּל נַפְשׁוֹת מֵת לֹא יָבֹא״, לְמָה…”
Original text
וּלְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא, מִכְּדֵי לָא שְׁנָא כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל לְחוֹדֵיהּ וְלָא שְׁנָא כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל וְהוּא נָזִיר, נָפְקָא מִ״לְּאָחִיו״, ״לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמּוֹ״ לְמָה לִי?
The Gemara asks: And according to the derivation of Rabbi Akiva, now consider, it is no different whether the individual was a High Priest alone, and it is no different if he was a High Priest who was also a nazirite; the halakha that he must become impure to bury a met mitzva is derived from the phrase “for his brother,” stated with regard to a nazirite (Numbers 6:7). But if so, why do I need the expression “for his father, or for his mother” (Numbers 6:7)? The general prohibition against contracting impurity from any corpse should suffice.
צְרִיכִי: דְּאִי כְּתַב ״אָבִיו״, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא דְּלָא מִיטַּמֵּא לֵיהּ — מִשּׁוּם דַּחֲזָקָה בְּעָלְמָא הוּא. אֲבָל אִמּוֹ דְּיָדְעִין דִּילֵידְתֵּיהּ — לִיטַמֵּא לַהּ.
The Gemara answers: Both are necessary, as had the verse written only “for his father,” I would say that this is the reason that a nazirite may not become impure for his father: Because it is merely a presumption that he is his father, as one cannot be absolutely sure of the identity of one’s father. However, with regard to his mother, whom we know gave birth to him, perhaps let him become impure to bury her. The verse therefore states: “His mother.”
וְאִי כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״אִמּוֹ״, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: אִמּוֹ לָא לִיטַמֵּא לַהּ, דְּלָאו אָזֵיל זַרְעַהּ בָּתְרַהּ. אֲבָל אָבִיו, כֵּיוָן דְּאָמַר מָר ״לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָם לְבֵית אֲבוֹתָם״, אֵימָא לִיטַמֵּא לֵיהּ — קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
And conversely, had the Merciful One written only “for his mother,” I would say that it is solely to bury his mother that he may not become impure, as her seed does not follow her, i.e., a man’s lineage is determined by his father, not his mother. However, with regard to his father, since the Master said with regard to the verse “by their families, by their fathers’ house” (Numbers 1:2) that one’s family ancestry follows his father, you might say: Let him become impure to bury him. The verse therefore teaches us that a nazirite may not become impure to bury his father either.
״וְעַל כׇּל נַפְשׁוֹת מֵת לֹא יָבֹא״, לְמָה לִי?
The Gemara asks: According to the derivation of Rabbi Akiva, why do I need the words “neither shall he go in to any dead bodies” (Leviticus 21:11), stated with regard to a High Priest?