Avodah Zarah, Daf Nun Zayin, Part 2

 

Introduction

Today s section continues to deal with Rav s statement, that minor non-Jews do not render Jewish wine yayin nesekh.

 

גופא אמר רב תינוק בן יומו עושה יין נסך

 

The text states: The Master himself has declared that a child a day old can make yayin nesekh.

 

איתיביה רב שימי בר חייא לרב הלוקח עבדים מן העובדי כוכבים שמלו ולא טבלו וכן בני השפחות שמלו ולא טבלו רוקן ומדרסן בשוק טמא ואמרי לה טהור

 

R. Shimi b. Hiyya raised an objection: If [an Israelite] bought slaves from a non-Jew who had been circumcised but not immersed, and similarly with the children of female slaves [born in an Israelite’s house] who had been circumcised but not immersed, their spittle and the place where they tread in the street are impure, but others declare that they are pure.

 

R. Shimi raises an objection against Rav. This baraita deals with two types of slaves those bought from a non-Jew and those born into a Jewish house. Until these slaves are circumcised (if male) and immersed, they are considered non-Jews. Thus they convey impurity. However, others consider them to be pure. This section is not directly related to the issue at hand.

 

יינן גדולים עושים יין נסך קטנים אין עושים יין נסך

ואלו הן גדולים ואלו הן קטנים גדולים יודעין בטיב עבודת כוכבים ומשמשיה קטנים אינם יודעין בטיב עבודת כוכבים ומשמשיה קתני מיהת גדולים אין קטנים לא

 

As for wine, adults render it yayin nesekh but minors do not render it yayin nesekh. The following are adults and minors: Adults understand the nature of idolatry and its accessories, whereas minors do not understand the nature of idolatry and its accessories.

In any case, it teaches that adults do [render wine yayin nesekh] but minors do not!

 

The baraita rules that if adult slaves that have not immersed touch wine they render it yayin nesekh, forbidden to the Jew. But minors do not. This is the difficulty on Rav. We shall see his answer tomorrow.