DD702_YEV045

Oct 1, 2026

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Talmudic discussion from Yevamot 45 addresses whether the offspring of a gentile or slave with a Jewish woman is classified as a mamzer, and whether such lineage affects marriage eligibility within the congregation of Israel. Multiple sages argue for permissibility, cite incidents involving Rav, and distinguish cases involving half-slave half-freeman status. The summary section further analyzes related concepts of intention and conversion-like immersion, and how fear of damaging family lineage influences decisions and community responses.

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CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages87

Reading Time3 h 39 min

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Daf Ditty Yevamot 45

Status of Mamzerim

Intention and Immersion as Conversion

Daf Ditty Yevamot 45: Lying with good intent Abaye said to Rav Yosef: What did you see that you rely upon Rav Dimi and his tradition that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi holds that the offspring of a gentile or a slave and a Jewish woman is amamzer? Rely instead upon Ravin, as when Ravin came from Eretz Yisrael he said that Rabbi Natan and Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi both rule that the offspring is permitted to marry into the congregation of Israel. And who is the Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi referred to in Ravin’s report? It is the one who is simply referred to as Rabbi, the redactor of the Mishna, whose opinion is accepted as the halakha. The Gemara notes: And even Rav rules that the offspring is permitted, as is evident from an incident involving a certain individual who came before Rav and said to him: With regard to the offspring of a gentile or a slave who engaged in intercourse with a Jewish woman, what is its halakhic status? Rav said to him: The lineage of the offspring is unflawed. The individual who asked the question was himself such a child, and he said to Rav: If so, give me your daughter in marriage. He said to him: I will not give her to you. Shimi bar Ḥiyya, Rav’s grandson, said to Rav: People often say that a camel in Medes can dance upon a small space that holds only a single kav of produce. However, clearly that is an exaggeration, since if one would go to Medes one could demonstrate that this is a space that holds a kav, and this is a camel, and this is Medes, and yet the camel is not dancing, i.e., the truth of a statement becomes apparent when it is put to the test. So too, it would appear that you do not truly believe in your ruling because when put to the test, you are unwilling to rely on it. RASHI Ben Yehoyadah He said to him: Even if he were as great as Joshua, son of Nun, I would not give him my daughter in marriage. My refusal to give her to him in marriage is not that I do not stand by my ruling; it is for other reasons. He said to him: If he were as great as Joshua, son of Nun, then even if the Master would not give him his daughter, others would still give him their daughters. However, with regard to this man, if the Master does not give him his daughter, others will not give him their daughters either out of fear of damaging the family lineage. Nevertheless, Rav remained unwilling to give his daughter to that individual. That individual would not go from standing before Rav and continued to plead with him. Rav placed his eyes upon him and he died. The Gemara adds: And even Rav Mattana rules that the offspring is permitted, and even Rav Yehuda rules that the offspring is permitted, as is evident from the fact that when a child of agentile or slave and a Jewish woman came before Rav Yehuda, he said to him: Go and conceal your paternal lineage so that people will not refrain from giving you their daughters in marriage, as it is permitted for you to marry into the congregation of Israel, or otherwise, marry a woman of your own kind, i.e., a woman of similar lineage. And similarly, when such a person came before Rava, he said to him: Either go into exile to a place where your lineage is unknown, so that others will give you their daughters in marriage or marry a woman of your own kind. The residents of Bei Mikhsei sent the following question to Rabba: With regard to the offspring of one who is a half-slave half-freeman, who engaged in intercourse with a Jewish woman, what is its halakhic status? He said to them: Now that with regard to the offspring of a full slave we say that his lineage is unflawed, is it necessary to ask about a half-slave? Rav Yosef said: The Master who is responsible for dissemination of this halakha that the offspring of a slave and a Jewish woman is not a mamzer, who is he? He is Rav Yehuda, as the Gemara cited above. But didn’t Rav Yehuda himself say: With regard to one who is a half-slave half-freeman who engaged in intercourse with a Jewish woman, that offspring of that unio

FAQs

What is the main question in Yevamot 45 regarding offspring lineage?

Whether the offspring of a gentile or slave with a Jewish woman is a mamzer and therefore restricted in marriage, including whether such offspring can marry within the congregation of Israel.

How do the sages treat the permissibility of such offspring marrying into the congregation?

The Gemara presents multiple rulings indicating permissibility for the offspring of a slave or gentile, while also addressing complications in cases involving a half-slave half-freeman.

Why did Rav refuse marriage for his daughter despite permissive rulings?

The text states Rav’s refusal was based on other considerations tied to fear of damaging family lineage and communal consequences, even though he would permit the offspring’s status in halakhic terms.

Oct 1, 2026

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