- Bells without clappers remaining tamei
The Gemara began a discussion on 58b regarding why a bell which was tamei that had its clapper removed, still remains tamei. Abaye explained that since the clapper can be easily reattached and does not require the work of a craftsman, it retains its tumah status.
On our Daf, two more opinions are introduced and according to the Gemara’s conclusion the opinions are switched. The final understanding of the Gemara is as follows:
• Rebbe Yose Be’Rebbe Chanina holds that the bell retains its tumah status since it is fit to be used to give a drink to a child. He holds if a utensil can still be used for something it retains its tumah status.
• Rebbe Yochanon and Rava hold that it retains its tumah status because it is still fit to strike against an earthenware pot to make sound. בעי מעין מלאכה ראשונה – They require that the vessel is still useable for a semblance of its original function.
- Wearing an עיר של זהב
The Mishnah stated that a woman may not go out on Shabbos with an עיר של זהב – a crown ornament engraved with the likeness of Yerushalayim. The Gemara introduces a machlokes Tannaim:
• R’ Meir holds that it is a burden and not and ornament, therefore a woman would be liable a chatas for wearing it in reshus harabim.
• The Chochamim hold that it was prohibited to her to wear it out of concern that she would take it off to show others, and come to carry it four amos. Since it is a deRabbonim, she would not be liable a chatas.
• R’ Eliezer permits a woman to go outside wearing it. He holds that only distinguished women would wear such an ornament and it was beneath their dignity to take it off to show others.
- Levi coming to Nehardea
When Rav was told that a tall man came to Nehardea limping and ruled that wearing a tiara on Shabbos is permitted, he was able to deduce that is was Levi, and that Rebbe Afeis had passed away and Rebbe Chanina bar Chama became the head of Rebbe’s yeshiva. Rebbe Chanina bar Chama was Levi’s chavrusa, and when he became head of the academy, Levi left.
One of the reasons that Rav knew that Rebbe Chanina bar Chama had not passed away (and that was the reason that Levi left and came to Bavel) was that Rebbe had said before his death that “Chanina bar Chamah shall sit at the head”, and the passuk states, ותגזר אמר ויקם לך – And you will make a plan and it will succeed for you. Rebbe Chanina bar Chama refused to take the position while Rebbe Afeis who was older was alive, and Rav knew that Rebbe Chanina’s leadership would eventually come to fruition.