Soncino English Talmud
Yevamot
Daf 78b
surely [it may be retorted] R. Kahana stated: This applies only in respect of its greater part, but when the whole of it is effected a legal interposition is constituted! — The case of the embryo is different since its position is that of its natural growth. When Rabina came, he stated in the name of R. Johanan: Among the other nations follow the male. If they are converted follow the more tainted of the two. 'Among the other nations follow the male, as it was taught: Whence is it deduced that if one of the other nations cohabited with a Canaanitish woman and begat a son, that son may be purchased as a slave? It is said, Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them may ye buy. As it might have been assumed that even if one of the Canaanites had cohabited with one of the women of the other [gentile] nations and begat a son, you may buy that son as a slave, it was explicitly stated, That they have begotten in your land; only from those who were begotten in your land, but not from those who dwell in your land. 'If they are converted, follow the more tainted of the two'. In what case? If it be suggested that it refers to an Egyptian who married an Ammonitess, how could the expression 'the more tainted of the two', be applicable when Scripture explicitly said, An Ammonite,' but not an Ammonitess? — Rather, the reference is to an Ammonite who married an Egyptian wife. If [the child of such a marriage] is a male, he is ascribed to the Ammonite; if it is a female, she is ascribed to the Egyptian. MISHNAH. BASTARDS AND NETHINIM ARE INELIGIBLE, AND THEIR INELIGIBILITY IS FOR ALL TIME, WHETHER THEY BE MALES OR FEMALES. GEMARA. Resh Lakish said: A woman bastard is eligible after ten generations. This is derived from an analogy between tenth, and tenth mentioned in respect of the Ammonite and the Moabite; as in the latter case the females are permitted so are they permitted in the former case. Should you suggest that as in the latter case eligibility begins forthwith so it does in the former case, [it may be replied] that the analogy can only be effective in respect of the generations after the tenth. But, surely, we learned, BASTARDS AND NETHINIM ARE INELIGIBLE, AND THEIR INELIGIBILITY IS FOR ALL TIME, WHETHER THEY BE MALES OR FEMALES! — This is no difficulty: One statement is in agreement with him who holds that a deduction is carried through in all respects, while the other is in agreement with him who maintains that a deduction is restricted by its original basis. R. Eliezer was asked: What [is the legal position of] a female bastard after ten generations? 'Were anyone to present to me', he replied, 'a third generation. I would declare it pure!' He is obviously of the opinion [that the stock of] a bastard does not survive. So also did R. Huna state: A bastard's stock does not survive. Did we not learn, however, BASTARDS ARE INELIGIBLE, AND THEIR INELIGIBILITY IS FOR ALL TIME? — R. Zera replied: It was explained to me by Rab Judah that those who are known survive; those who are not known do not survive; and those who are partly known and partly unknown survive for three generations but no longer. A certain man once lived in the neighbourhood of R. Ammi. and the latter made a public announcement that he was a bastard. As the other was bewailing the action, [the Master] said to him: I have given you life. R. Hana b. Adda stated: David issued the decree of prohibition against the nethinim, for it is said, And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them-now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel etc. Why did he issue the decree against them? — Because it is written. And there was a famine in the days of David three years. year after year. In the first year he said to them, 'It is possible that there are idolaters among you, for it is written, And serve other gods, and worship them … and he will shut up the heaven, so that there shall be no rain etc.' They instituted enquiries but could not discover any idolaters. In the second year he said to them, 'There may be transgressors among you, for it is written, Therefore the showers have been withheld and there hath been no latter rain; yet thou hadst a harlot's forehead etc.' Enquiries were made but none was found. In the third year he said to them, 'There might be among you men who announce specified sums for charity in public but do not give them, as it is written, As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift'. Enquiries were made and none was found. 'The matter', he concluded, 'depends entirely upon me; Immediately, he sought the face of the Lord. What does this mean? — Resh Lakish explained: He enquired of the Urim and Tummim. How is this inferred? R. Eleazar replied: It is arrived at by an analogy between two occurrences of the expression of 'countenance of'; for here it is written, And David sought the countenance of the Lord, and elsewhere it is written, Who shall enquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the countenance of the Lord. And the Lord said: 'It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites'. 'For Saul', because he was not mourned for in a proper manner; 'and his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites'. Where, however, do we find that Saul 'put to death the Gibeonites'! The truth is that, as he killed the inhabitants of Nob, the city of the priests who were supplying them with water and food, Scripture regards it as if he himself had killed them. Justice is demanded for Saul because he was not properly mourned for, and justice is demanded because he put to death the Gibeonites? — Yes; for Resh Lakish stated: What is meant by the Scriptural text, Seek ye the Lord, all ye humble of the earth, that have executed His ordinance? Where there is his ordinance, there are also his executions. David said: As to Saul, there have already elapsed
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