How could Rav be disproved?

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Frequently, when the Gemara tries to disprove Rav from a Mishna, it answers that he's considered a Tanna and can argue on a Mishna.

But there's this case in Berachos 37a, where Rav and Shmuel both say that one doesn't say a Mezonos on rice, and the Gemara concludes with a "תיובתא" (a conclusive refutation) against them.

Why doesn't the Gemara answer here that Rav is a Tanna?

halacha-theory masechet-berachot machlokes tannaim amoroim

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edited Aug 15 at 20:16

Isaac Moses♦

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asked Aug 14 at 18:41

Shmuel Brin

27.4k673152

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  You phrased it right - he's considered by some by not by others. THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, you can only be Makshe if he's treated differently in the same dispute, but in different disputes it is quite natural.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 20:46
  

  
  
  
  


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  THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, source that this rule applies here?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 20:48
  

  
  
  
  


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  Wait, I remember it to be a general rule everywhere. THe rule says "לא ילפינן ממסת למסכת" "we don't ask..." I think, it's maybe Rashi or other Rishon. Your assumption that there should be a consistency in treating different figures through the Gemmorah is probably misleading.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 21:38
  

  
  
  
  


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  Who says תיובתא means an Amora can't argue with a Tanna. there are occasions where "mativ" is posed as a question by an Amora against a Tanna maybe it means a strong question that one may choose to answer.
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 15 at 0:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  @AlBerko Google has no results for that rule. If there is such a rule, Tosafot break it at least about once every page
  – b a
  Aug 15 at 10:06
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

up vote
12
down vote

favorite

1

Frequently, when the Gemara tries to disprove Rav from a Mishna, it answers that he's considered a Tanna and can argue on a Mishna.

But there's this case in Berachos 37a, where Rav and Shmuel both say that one doesn't say a Mezonos on rice, and the Gemara concludes with a "תיובתא" (a conclusive refutation) against them.

Why doesn't the Gemara answer here that Rav is a Tanna?

halacha-theory masechet-berachot machlokes tannaim amoroim

share|improve this question

edited Aug 15 at 20:16

Isaac Moses♦

30.9k1274244

asked Aug 14 at 18:41

Shmuel Brin

27.4k673152

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You phrased it right - he's considered by some by not by others. THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, you can only be Makshe if he's treated differently in the same dispute, but in different disputes it is quite natural.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 20:46
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, source that this rule applies here?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 20:48
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Wait, I remember it to be a general rule everywhere. THe rule says "לא ילפינן ממסת למסכת" "we don't ask..." I think, it's maybe Rashi or other Rishon. Your assumption that there should be a consistency in treating different figures through the Gemmorah is probably misleading.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 21:38
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Who says תיובתא means an Amora can't argue with a Tanna. there are occasions where "mativ" is posed as a question by an Amora against a Tanna maybe it means a strong question that one may choose to answer.
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 15 at 0:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @AlBerko Google has no results for that rule. If there is such a rule, Tosafot break it at least about once every page
  – b a
  Aug 15 at 10:06
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

up vote
12
down vote

favorite

1

up vote
12
down vote

favorite

1

1

Frequently, when the Gemara tries to disprove Rav from a Mishna, it answers that he's considered a Tanna and can argue on a Mishna.

But there's this case in Berachos 37a, where Rav and Shmuel both say that one doesn't say a Mezonos on rice, and the Gemara concludes with a "תיובתא" (a conclusive refutation) against them.

Why doesn't the Gemara answer here that Rav is a Tanna?

halacha-theory masechet-berachot machlokes tannaim amoroim

share|improve this question

edited Aug 15 at 20:16

Isaac Moses♦

30.9k1274244

asked Aug 14 at 18:41

Shmuel Brin

27.4k673152

Frequently, when the Gemara tries to disprove Rav from a Mishna, it answers that he's considered a Tanna and can argue on a Mishna.

But there's this case in Berachos 37a, where Rav and Shmuel both say that one doesn't say a Mezonos on rice, and the Gemara concludes with a "תיובתא" (a conclusive refutation) against them.

Why doesn't the Gemara answer here that Rav is a Tanna?

halacha-theory masechet-berachot machlokes tannaim amoroim

share|improve this question

edited Aug 15 at 20:16

Isaac Moses♦

30.9k1274244

asked Aug 14 at 18:41

Shmuel Brin

27.4k673152

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Aug 15 at 20:16

Isaac Moses♦

30.9k1274244

edited Aug 15 at 20:16

Isaac Moses♦

30.9k1274244

edited Aug 15 at 20:16

Isaac Moses♦

30.9k1274244

30.9k1274244

asked Aug 14 at 18:41

Shmuel Brin

27.4k673152

asked Aug 14 at 18:41

Shmuel Brin

27.4k673152

asked Aug 14 at 18:41

Shmuel Brin

27.4k673152

27.4k673152

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You phrased it right - he's considered by some by not by others. THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, you can only be Makshe if he's treated differently in the same dispute, but in different disputes it is quite natural.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 20:46
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, source that this rule applies here?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 20:48
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Wait, I remember it to be a general rule everywhere. THe rule says "לא ילפינן ממסת למסכת" "we don't ask..." I think, it's maybe Rashi or other Rishon. Your assumption that there should be a consistency in treating different figures through the Gemmorah is probably misleading.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 21:38
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Who says תיובתא means an Amora can't argue with a Tanna. there are occasions where "mativ" is posed as a question by an Amora against a Tanna maybe it means a strong question that one may choose to answer.
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 15 at 0:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @AlBerko Google has no results for that rule. If there is such a rule, Tosafot break it at least about once every page
  – b a
  Aug 15 at 10:06
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You phrased it right - he's considered by some by not by others. THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, you can only be Makshe if he's treated differently in the same dispute, but in different disputes it is quite natural.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 20:46
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, source that this rule applies here?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 20:48
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Wait, I remember it to be a general rule everywhere. THe rule says "לא ילפינן ממסת למסכת" "we don't ask..." I think, it's maybe Rashi or other Rishon. Your assumption that there should be a consistency in treating different figures through the Gemmorah is probably misleading.
  – Al Berko
  Aug 14 at 21:38
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Who says תיובתא means an Amora can't argue with a Tanna. there are occasions where "mativ" is posed as a question by an Amora against a Tanna maybe it means a strong question that one may choose to answer.
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 15 at 0:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @AlBerko Google has no results for that rule. If there is such a rule, Tosafot break it at least about once every page
  – b a
  Aug 15 at 10:06
  

  
  
  
  

You phrased it right - he's considered by some by not by others. THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, you can only be Makshe if he's treated differently in the same dispute, but in different disputes it is quite natural.
– Al Berko
Aug 14 at 20:46

You phrased it right - he's considered by some by not by others. THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, you can only be Makshe if he's treated differently in the same dispute, but in different disputes it is quite natural.
– Al Berko
Aug 14 at 20:46

1

1

THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, source that this rule applies here?
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 20:48

THe rule is that we don't ask such things from one Masechet to another, source that this rule applies here?
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 20:48

Wait, I remember it to be a general rule everywhere. THe rule says "לא ילפינן ממסת למסכת" "we don't ask..." I think, it's maybe Rashi or other Rishon. Your assumption that there should be a consistency in treating different figures through the Gemmorah is probably misleading.
– Al Berko
Aug 14 at 21:38

Wait, I remember it to be a general rule everywhere. THe rule says "לא ילפינן ממסת למסכת" "we don't ask..." I think, it's maybe Rashi or other Rishon. Your assumption that there should be a consistency in treating different figures through the Gemmorah is probably misleading.
– Al Berko
Aug 14 at 21:38

Who says תיובתא means an Amora can't argue with a Tanna. there are occasions where "mativ" is posed as a question by an Amora against a Tanna maybe it means a strong question that one may choose to answer.
– yosefkorn
Aug 15 at 0:03

Who says תיובתא means an Amora can't argue with a Tanna. there are occasions where "mativ" is posed as a question by an Amora against a Tanna maybe it means a strong question that one may choose to answer.
– yosefkorn
Aug 15 at 0:03

4

4

@AlBerko Google has no results for that rule. If there is such a rule, Tosafot break it at least about once every page
– b a
Aug 15 at 10:06

@AlBerko Google has no results for that rule. If there is such a rule, Tosafot break it at least about once every page
– b a
Aug 15 at 10:06

 | 
show 1 more comment

3 Answers
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accepted

I thought to answer as follows:

When the Gemara answers that Rav is a tanna, that is when the question is on Rav alone. In this case the question is on a joint statement of Rav and Shmuel. (Whether there is also a concept of "Shmuel is a tanna" as well is subject to debate, but for the sake of this answer let's assume that there isn't.) Thus even if the Gemara were to answer here that Rav is a tanna, it wouldn't help for Shmuel, who would still be refuted.

Now one could retort that if Shmuel is agreeing with Rav and Rav is a tanna then Shmuel should be on safe ground. However, in Ketubot 8a the same statement is cited first in the name of Rav and then in the name of R. Yochanan. When the Gemara challenges the statement of Rav it answers that Rav is a tanna, but when it challenges the statement of R. Yochanan it gives a different answer. Tosafot there asks why R. Yochanan couldn't defend himself by saying that he agrees with Rav who is a tanna. Tosafot answers that R. Yochanan frequently argues with Rav, which shows that even if Rav considers himself a tanna R. Yochanan does not consider Rav to be a tanna. If that is the case then R. Yochanan cannot now hide behind Rav, saying that he is a tanna.

Tosafot Ketubot 8a s.v. Rav

ואין להקשות דאמאי לא משני רבי יוחנן אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא הוא דרבי יוחנן
לא היה מחזיק רב כתנא דפליג עליו בכל דוכתא

Here, too, then, Shmuel would not be able to defend himself by saying that Rav is a tanna, because Shmuel frequently argues with Rav. Thus, in this case the concept of "Rav is a tanna" wouldn't help because Shmuel would still be refuted.

---

I subsequently found that R. Chizkiya Medini says that R. Yisrael Dushwitzky wrote to him giving this exact explanation to answer your question:

Sedei Chemed (entry for "Rav Tanna Hu U'Palig")

ועל זה כתב לי הרב המאוה"ג מוהר"ר ישראל דישאוויצקי מעיר מאהליב דינפער
יצ"ו וזה לשונו במכתב לחזקיהו דף ט"ז ע"ד העיר כת"ר שליט"א בהא דברכות
ל"ז א' דאמרינן תיובתא דרב ושמואל תיובתא האיך מסיק הש"ס בתיובתא ולא
משנינן כבעלמא רב תנא הוא ופליג ולפי עניות דעתי פשוט דבודאי על רב לא
הוה סלקינן בתיובתא דמצינן לשנויי רב תנא הוא ופליג רק בשביל שמואל
סלקינן בתיובתא ולא הוה מצינן לשנויי ושמואל אמר לך אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא
הוא דהא שמואל לא היה מחזיק את רב לתנא מדפליג עליה בכל דוכתא וחזון כזה
נמצא ממש בתוספות כתובות ח' ע"א גבי ר' יוחנן והרבה הארכתי בכל זה בספרי
חמדת ישראל עד כאן לשונו יצ"ו

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edited Aug 15 at 1:56

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

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  This does not answer why Rav Yochanan argues with Rebbi in Kiddushin 9b and if it weren't for the great Rabbi that is quoted I would say Shmuel agreeing with Rav does not make Ravs opinion worst off if he is a Tanna, rather if he argued that would make Rav into an Amora
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:53
  

  
  
  
  


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  @yosefkorn In my comment to the other answer I pointed out that Kiddushin 9b is not a halachic dispute. Either way, the question here didn't ask about R. Yochanan so there is no need for me to address that in an answer. And if anything it would be a question on Tosafos.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:12
  

  
  
  
  


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  @yosefkorn And the answer here is not that Shmuel makes Rav's opinion worse off; it's that "Rav tanna hu u'palig" doesn't help Shmuel. In fact, the Sedei Chemed quoting R. Dushwitzky explicitly says that it is not a tiyuvta to Rav.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:14
  

  
  
  
  


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  @Alex. This is a great answer (and I was going to post along these lines myself until you beat me to it - ברוך שכיווני to the opinion of the S'dei Chemed (and to yours!)). However, it doesn't generalize to other instances of the same problem. My answer attempts to do just that.
  – Joel K
  Aug 15 at 12:03
  
  

  
  
  
  

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up vote
5
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There is another gemara where Rav is refuted from a beraita, and the gemara does not answer that Rav is a tanna who can argue.

Take a look at Menachot 5a (today's page in the Daf Yomi cycle!). Rav is of the opinion that an asham metzora (a leper's guilt offering) which has been slaughtered shelo lishmo (with the intent that it not be an asham metzora but something else) is not offered up.

The gemara asks:

מיתיבי אשם מצורע שנשחט שלא לשמו או שלא ניתן מדמו ע"ג בהונות ה"ז עולה לגבי מזבח וטעון נסכים וצריך אשם אחר להכשירו תיובתא דרב

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake, or if none of its blood was placed on the leper’s right thumb and big toe, this guilt offering is offered up upon the altar and it requires libations, in accordance with the halakha of the guilt offering of a leper. But the leper must nevertheless bring another guilt offering to render him fit to partake of offerings. This baraita is a conclusive refutation of the statement of Rav, who said that the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake is entirely disqualified because it did not render the leper fit.

(Translation and elucidation from Sefaria)

Tosafot ad loc. picks up on the fact that the gemara could have explained that Rav is arguing in his capacity as a tanna, but chooses not to.

הוה מצי למימר רב תנא הוא ופליג כדקאמר בכמה דוכתי

It could have answered that Rav is a tanna who argues, as it does in other places.

Tosafot does not explain why the gemara did not in fact do so.

Unfortunately, Alex's fantastic answer won't help us in this case, as it is only Rav's opinion here which is at stake, not Rav and Shmuel together as in Berachot 37a (the focus of the question).

An explanation is offered by Yad Malachi 150 (basing himself on Kesef Mishneh to Hilchot Ma'asei HaKorbanot 5:6):

אי הוה שמיע ליה לרב ההיא ברייתא לא הוה פליג אתנא

Had Rav heard of that beraita he would not have argued on the tanna.

Thus, the gemara will only invoke the principle of רב תנא הוא ופליג, that Rav may argue on a tanna, when it knows that Rav was aware of the tanna's statement, and chose to argue regardless.

However, if Rav did not know of the opinion of the tanna, as is presumed to be the case here, then we say that Rav would presumably have backed down were he to have become aware of it. Thus, the tanna's statment is an effective refutation of Rav's position.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

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  This is indeed more generalizable than my answer. A couple of points: 1) It's not clear that the Kessef Mishneh is using this as an explanation for "Rav tanna hu u'palig" or lack thereof; he seems to be using it to explain why we would pasken for/against Rav. 2) It's somewhat arbitrary, without any real methodology to apply it. How do we know in which cases Rav was aware of the tannaic statement and in which cases he wasn't? For that matter, how does the Gemara know?
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


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  3) Other sources (some even quoted in the Yad Malachi) use such an explanation for amoraim in general, not for Rav as a quasi-tanna.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


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  This is not to repudiate your answer; just some thoughts.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


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  My instinct is that although we sometimes say רב תנא הוא ופליג, it's infrequent and we do often ask on רב from Tannaitic sources. As in many cases in the גמרא, there are answers that we would prefer not to give unless there is no other option. רב could argue, but he usually wouldn't.
  – Josh Friedlander
  Aug 21 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

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I heard in the name of Rav Elchonon Vasserman Kovetz Shiurim on Bava Basra (# 633) that really an Amora could argue with a Tanna if he has the Guts to, but they simply wouldn't since they were so sure that whatever the Tanna says is correct they would automatically rescind their opinion in face of the Tanna who was much greater than them. But since Rav was so old and in the time of the Tanaim (see Gittin 58b-59a, where Rav discusses his time in Rebbi’s court) he more often than other Amoraim argued with Tanaim since he understood them personally.

Examples of other Ammoraim who had the Guts to argue with Tanaim:

Rabbi Yochanan Kiddushin 9b who argues with Rebbi about wedlock through consumation:

ובביאה:
מנא לן אמר ר' אבהו א"ר יוחנן דאמר קרא (דברים כב, כב) בעולת בעל מלמד שנעשה לה בעל על ידי בעילה א"ל ר' זירא לר' אבהו ואמרי לה ר"ל לרבי יוחנן כעורה זו ששנה רבי (דברים כד, א) ובעלה מלמד שנקנית בביאה

Shmuel in Megilla 7a who argues where we know the Megilat Ester was written with Ruach Hakodesh (Divine inspiration)

תניא ר' אליעזר אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ו, ו) ויאמר המן בלבו ר' עקיבא אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, טו) ותהי אסתר נשאת חן בעיני כל רואיה ר"מ אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, כב) ויודע הדבר למרדכי רבי יוסי בן דורמסקית אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ט, י) ובבזה לא שלחו את ידם אמר שמואל אי הואי התם הוה אמינא מלתא דעדיפא מכולהו שנאמר קימו וקבלו קימו למעלה מה שקיבלו למטה אמר רבא לכולהו אית להו פירכא לבר מדשמואל דלית ליה פירכא

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edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

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  I don't think this really answers the question. You don't address why the case in Berachos is different from other cases. Also, your examples of other amoraim disagreeing with tannaim are both non-halachic. In such instances, even rishonim and acharonim argue with tannaim and amoraim.
  – Alex
  Aug 14 at 22:08
  

  
  
  
  


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  @alex can Rav Elchanan not argue with you ? Do you have to down vote anything which is contrary to your opinion? The answer says even Rav would not always argue with a Tanna in a situation where he did not feel comfortable and instead deferred to the opinion of the Tanna just like Rav Yochanan and Shmuel. It happens to be Rav argues more often with Tanaim than Shmuel and Rav Yochanan
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:00
  

  
  
  
  


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  There's a Machlokes (Meiri vs Tosfos) if Rabbi Yochanan considered himself a Tanna. Shmuel definitely isn't a Tanna (he argued in an Aggadata sugya, where a Tanna (and even Rishonim)) can argue on a Tanna
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:11
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  @Alex The Meiri does hold that Rabbi Yochanan is a Tanna (in the first chapter of Yevamos (the Chatzer HaChadasha Braisa))
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:12
  

  
  
  
  


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  But, as Alex says, this doesn't answer the question. For if Rav would argue with a Tanna, why would the Gemara say Tyuvta when it can say "Rav Tanna hu u Palig"?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:14
  

  
  
  
  

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up vote
14
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accepted

I thought to answer as follows:

When the Gemara answers that Rav is a tanna, that is when the question is on Rav alone. In this case the question is on a joint statement of Rav and Shmuel. (Whether there is also a concept of "Shmuel is a tanna" as well is subject to debate, but for the sake of this answer let's assume that there isn't.) Thus even if the Gemara were to answer here that Rav is a tanna, it wouldn't help for Shmuel, who would still be refuted.

Now one could retort that if Shmuel is agreeing with Rav and Rav is a tanna then Shmuel should be on safe ground. However, in Ketubot 8a the same statement is cited first in the name of Rav and then in the name of R. Yochanan. When the Gemara challenges the statement of Rav it answers that Rav is a tanna, but when it challenges the statement of R. Yochanan it gives a different answer. Tosafot there asks why R. Yochanan couldn't defend himself by saying that he agrees with Rav who is a tanna. Tosafot answers that R. Yochanan frequently argues with Rav, which shows that even if Rav considers himself a tanna R. Yochanan does not consider Rav to be a tanna. If that is the case then R. Yochanan cannot now hide behind Rav, saying that he is a tanna.

Tosafot Ketubot 8a s.v. Rav

ואין להקשות דאמאי לא משני רבי יוחנן אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא הוא דרבי יוחנן
לא היה מחזיק רב כתנא דפליג עליו בכל דוכתא

Here, too, then, Shmuel would not be able to defend himself by saying that Rav is a tanna, because Shmuel frequently argues with Rav. Thus, in this case the concept of "Rav is a tanna" wouldn't help because Shmuel would still be refuted.

---

I subsequently found that R. Chizkiya Medini says that R. Yisrael Dushwitzky wrote to him giving this exact explanation to answer your question:

Sedei Chemed (entry for "Rav Tanna Hu U'Palig")

ועל זה כתב לי הרב המאוה"ג מוהר"ר ישראל דישאוויצקי מעיר מאהליב דינפער
יצ"ו וזה לשונו במכתב לחזקיהו דף ט"ז ע"ד העיר כת"ר שליט"א בהא דברכות
ל"ז א' דאמרינן תיובתא דרב ושמואל תיובתא האיך מסיק הש"ס בתיובתא ולא
משנינן כבעלמא רב תנא הוא ופליג ולפי עניות דעתי פשוט דבודאי על רב לא
הוה סלקינן בתיובתא דמצינן לשנויי רב תנא הוא ופליג רק בשביל שמואל
סלקינן בתיובתא ולא הוה מצינן לשנויי ושמואל אמר לך אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא
הוא דהא שמואל לא היה מחזיק את רב לתנא מדפליג עליה בכל דוכתא וחזון כזה
נמצא ממש בתוספות כתובות ח' ע"א גבי ר' יוחנן והרבה הארכתי בכל זה בספרי
חמדת ישראל עד כאן לשונו יצ"ו

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 1:56

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

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  This does not answer why Rav Yochanan argues with Rebbi in Kiddushin 9b and if it weren't for the great Rabbi that is quoted I would say Shmuel agreeing with Rav does not make Ravs opinion worst off if he is a Tanna, rather if he argued that would make Rav into an Amora
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:53
  

  
  
  
  


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  @yosefkorn In my comment to the other answer I pointed out that Kiddushin 9b is not a halachic dispute. Either way, the question here didn't ask about R. Yochanan so there is no need for me to address that in an answer. And if anything it would be a question on Tosafos.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:12
  

  
  
  
  


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  @yosefkorn And the answer here is not that Shmuel makes Rav's opinion worse off; it's that "Rav tanna hu u'palig" doesn't help Shmuel. In fact, the Sedei Chemed quoting R. Dushwitzky explicitly says that it is not a tiyuvta to Rav.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:14
  

  
  
  
  


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  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Alex. This is a great answer (and I was going to post along these lines myself until you beat me to it - ברוך שכיווני to the opinion of the S'dei Chemed (and to yours!)). However, it doesn't generalize to other instances of the same problem. My answer attempts to do just that.
  – Joel K
  Aug 15 at 12:03
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

I thought to answer as follows:

When the Gemara answers that Rav is a tanna, that is when the question is on Rav alone. In this case the question is on a joint statement of Rav and Shmuel. (Whether there is also a concept of "Shmuel is a tanna" as well is subject to debate, but for the sake of this answer let's assume that there isn't.) Thus even if the Gemara were to answer here that Rav is a tanna, it wouldn't help for Shmuel, who would still be refuted.

Now one could retort that if Shmuel is agreeing with Rav and Rav is a tanna then Shmuel should be on safe ground. However, in Ketubot 8a the same statement is cited first in the name of Rav and then in the name of R. Yochanan. When the Gemara challenges the statement of Rav it answers that Rav is a tanna, but when it challenges the statement of R. Yochanan it gives a different answer. Tosafot there asks why R. Yochanan couldn't defend himself by saying that he agrees with Rav who is a tanna. Tosafot answers that R. Yochanan frequently argues with Rav, which shows that even if Rav considers himself a tanna R. Yochanan does not consider Rav to be a tanna. If that is the case then R. Yochanan cannot now hide behind Rav, saying that he is a tanna.

Tosafot Ketubot 8a s.v. Rav

ואין להקשות דאמאי לא משני רבי יוחנן אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא הוא דרבי יוחנן
לא היה מחזיק רב כתנא דפליג עליו בכל דוכתא

Here, too, then, Shmuel would not be able to defend himself by saying that Rav is a tanna, because Shmuel frequently argues with Rav. Thus, in this case the concept of "Rav is a tanna" wouldn't help because Shmuel would still be refuted.

---

I subsequently found that R. Chizkiya Medini says that R. Yisrael Dushwitzky wrote to him giving this exact explanation to answer your question:

Sedei Chemed (entry for "Rav Tanna Hu U'Palig")

ועל זה כתב לי הרב המאוה"ג מוהר"ר ישראל דישאוויצקי מעיר מאהליב דינפער
יצ"ו וזה לשונו במכתב לחזקיהו דף ט"ז ע"ד העיר כת"ר שליט"א בהא דברכות
ל"ז א' דאמרינן תיובתא דרב ושמואל תיובתא האיך מסיק הש"ס בתיובתא ולא
משנינן כבעלמא רב תנא הוא ופליג ולפי עניות דעתי פשוט דבודאי על רב לא
הוה סלקינן בתיובתא דמצינן לשנויי רב תנא הוא ופליג רק בשביל שמואל
סלקינן בתיובתא ולא הוה מצינן לשנויי ושמואל אמר לך אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא
הוא דהא שמואל לא היה מחזיק את רב לתנא מדפליג עליה בכל דוכתא וחזון כזה
נמצא ממש בתוספות כתובות ח' ע"א גבי ר' יוחנן והרבה הארכתי בכל זה בספרי
חמדת ישראל עד כאן לשונו יצ"ו

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 1:56

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This does not answer why Rav Yochanan argues with Rebbi in Kiddushin 9b and if it weren't for the great Rabbi that is quoted I would say Shmuel agreeing with Rav does not make Ravs opinion worst off if he is a Tanna, rather if he argued that would make Rav into an Amora
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:53
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @yosefkorn In my comment to the other answer I pointed out that Kiddushin 9b is not a halachic dispute. Either way, the question here didn't ask about R. Yochanan so there is no need for me to address that in an answer. And if anything it would be a question on Tosafos.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @yosefkorn And the answer here is not that Shmuel makes Rav's opinion worse off; it's that "Rav tanna hu u'palig" doesn't help Shmuel. In fact, the Sedei Chemed quoting R. Dushwitzky explicitly says that it is not a tiyuvta to Rav.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:14
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Alex. This is a great answer (and I was going to post along these lines myself until you beat me to it - ברוך שכיווני to the opinion of the S'dei Chemed (and to yours!)). However, it doesn't generalize to other instances of the same problem. My answer attempts to do just that.
  – Joel K
  Aug 15 at 12:03
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

up vote
14
down vote



accepted

I thought to answer as follows:

When the Gemara answers that Rav is a tanna, that is when the question is on Rav alone. In this case the question is on a joint statement of Rav and Shmuel. (Whether there is also a concept of "Shmuel is a tanna" as well is subject to debate, but for the sake of this answer let's assume that there isn't.) Thus even if the Gemara were to answer here that Rav is a tanna, it wouldn't help for Shmuel, who would still be refuted.

Now one could retort that if Shmuel is agreeing with Rav and Rav is a tanna then Shmuel should be on safe ground. However, in Ketubot 8a the same statement is cited first in the name of Rav and then in the name of R. Yochanan. When the Gemara challenges the statement of Rav it answers that Rav is a tanna, but when it challenges the statement of R. Yochanan it gives a different answer. Tosafot there asks why R. Yochanan couldn't defend himself by saying that he agrees with Rav who is a tanna. Tosafot answers that R. Yochanan frequently argues with Rav, which shows that even if Rav considers himself a tanna R. Yochanan does not consider Rav to be a tanna. If that is the case then R. Yochanan cannot now hide behind Rav, saying that he is a tanna.

Tosafot Ketubot 8a s.v. Rav

ואין להקשות דאמאי לא משני רבי יוחנן אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא הוא דרבי יוחנן
לא היה מחזיק רב כתנא דפליג עליו בכל דוכתא

Here, too, then, Shmuel would not be able to defend himself by saying that Rav is a tanna, because Shmuel frequently argues with Rav. Thus, in this case the concept of "Rav is a tanna" wouldn't help because Shmuel would still be refuted.

---

I subsequently found that R. Chizkiya Medini says that R. Yisrael Dushwitzky wrote to him giving this exact explanation to answer your question:

Sedei Chemed (entry for "Rav Tanna Hu U'Palig")

ועל זה כתב לי הרב המאוה"ג מוהר"ר ישראל דישאוויצקי מעיר מאהליב דינפער
יצ"ו וזה לשונו במכתב לחזקיהו דף ט"ז ע"ד העיר כת"ר שליט"א בהא דברכות
ל"ז א' דאמרינן תיובתא דרב ושמואל תיובתא האיך מסיק הש"ס בתיובתא ולא
משנינן כבעלמא רב תנא הוא ופליג ולפי עניות דעתי פשוט דבודאי על רב לא
הוה סלקינן בתיובתא דמצינן לשנויי רב תנא הוא ופליג רק בשביל שמואל
סלקינן בתיובתא ולא הוה מצינן לשנויי ושמואל אמר לך אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא
הוא דהא שמואל לא היה מחזיק את רב לתנא מדפליג עליה בכל דוכתא וחזון כזה
נמצא ממש בתוספות כתובות ח' ע"א גבי ר' יוחנן והרבה הארכתי בכל זה בספרי
חמדת ישראל עד כאן לשונו יצ"ו

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 1:56

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

I thought to answer as follows:

When the Gemara answers that Rav is a tanna, that is when the question is on Rav alone. In this case the question is on a joint statement of Rav and Shmuel. (Whether there is also a concept of "Shmuel is a tanna" as well is subject to debate, but for the sake of this answer let's assume that there isn't.) Thus even if the Gemara were to answer here that Rav is a tanna, it wouldn't help for Shmuel, who would still be refuted.

Now one could retort that if Shmuel is agreeing with Rav and Rav is a tanna then Shmuel should be on safe ground. However, in Ketubot 8a the same statement is cited first in the name of Rav and then in the name of R. Yochanan. When the Gemara challenges the statement of Rav it answers that Rav is a tanna, but when it challenges the statement of R. Yochanan it gives a different answer. Tosafot there asks why R. Yochanan couldn't defend himself by saying that he agrees with Rav who is a tanna. Tosafot answers that R. Yochanan frequently argues with Rav, which shows that even if Rav considers himself a tanna R. Yochanan does not consider Rav to be a tanna. If that is the case then R. Yochanan cannot now hide behind Rav, saying that he is a tanna.

Tosafot Ketubot 8a s.v. Rav

ואין להקשות דאמאי לא משני רבי יוחנן אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא הוא דרבי יוחנן
לא היה מחזיק רב כתנא דפליג עליו בכל דוכתא

Here, too, then, Shmuel would not be able to defend himself by saying that Rav is a tanna, because Shmuel frequently argues with Rav. Thus, in this case the concept of "Rav is a tanna" wouldn't help because Shmuel would still be refuted.

---

I subsequently found that R. Chizkiya Medini says that R. Yisrael Dushwitzky wrote to him giving this exact explanation to answer your question:

Sedei Chemed (entry for "Rav Tanna Hu U'Palig")

ועל זה כתב לי הרב המאוה"ג מוהר"ר ישראל דישאוויצקי מעיר מאהליב דינפער
יצ"ו וזה לשונו במכתב לחזקיהו דף ט"ז ע"ד העיר כת"ר שליט"א בהא דברכות
ל"ז א' דאמרינן תיובתא דרב ושמואל תיובתא האיך מסיק הש"ס בתיובתא ולא
משנינן כבעלמא רב תנא הוא ופליג ולפי עניות דעתי פשוט דבודאי על רב לא
הוה סלקינן בתיובתא דמצינן לשנויי רב תנא הוא ופליג רק בשביל שמואל
סלקינן בתיובתא ולא הוה מצינן לשנויי ושמואל אמר לך אנא דאמרי כרב דתנא
הוא דהא שמואל לא היה מחזיק את רב לתנא מדפליג עליה בכל דוכתא וחזון כזה
נמצא ממש בתוספות כתובות ח' ע"א גבי ר' יוחנן והרבה הארכתי בכל זה בספרי
חמדת ישראל עד כאן לשונו יצ"ו

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 1:56

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 1:56

edited Aug 15 at 1:56

edited Aug 15 at 1:56

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

answered Aug 14 at 20:23

Alex

12.9k2969

12.9k2969

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This does not answer why Rav Yochanan argues with Rebbi in Kiddushin 9b and if it weren't for the great Rabbi that is quoted I would say Shmuel agreeing with Rav does not make Ravs opinion worst off if he is a Tanna, rather if he argued that would make Rav into an Amora
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:53
  

  
  
  
  


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  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @yosefkorn In my comment to the other answer I pointed out that Kiddushin 9b is not a halachic dispute. Either way, the question here didn't ask about R. Yochanan so there is no need for me to address that in an answer. And if anything it would be a question on Tosafos.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @yosefkorn And the answer here is not that Shmuel makes Rav's opinion worse off; it's that "Rav tanna hu u'palig" doesn't help Shmuel. In fact, the Sedei Chemed quoting R. Dushwitzky explicitly says that it is not a tiyuvta to Rav.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:14
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Alex. This is a great answer (and I was going to post along these lines myself until you beat me to it - ברוך שכיווני to the opinion of the S'dei Chemed (and to yours!)). However, it doesn't generalize to other instances of the same problem. My answer attempts to do just that.
  – Joel K
  Aug 15 at 12:03
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This does not answer why Rav Yochanan argues with Rebbi in Kiddushin 9b and if it weren't for the great Rabbi that is quoted I would say Shmuel agreeing with Rav does not make Ravs opinion worst off if he is a Tanna, rather if he argued that would make Rav into an Amora
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:53
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @yosefkorn In my comment to the other answer I pointed out that Kiddushin 9b is not a halachic dispute. Either way, the question here didn't ask about R. Yochanan so there is no need for me to address that in an answer. And if anything it would be a question on Tosafos.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @yosefkorn And the answer here is not that Shmuel makes Rav's opinion worse off; it's that "Rav tanna hu u'palig" doesn't help Shmuel. In fact, the Sedei Chemed quoting R. Dushwitzky explicitly says that it is not a tiyuvta to Rav.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 0:14
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Alex. This is a great answer (and I was going to post along these lines myself until you beat me to it - ברוך שכיווני to the opinion of the S'dei Chemed (and to yours!)). However, it doesn't generalize to other instances of the same problem. My answer attempts to do just that.
  – Joel K
  Aug 15 at 12:03
  
  

  
  
  
  

This does not answer why Rav Yochanan argues with Rebbi in Kiddushin 9b and if it weren't for the great Rabbi that is quoted I would say Shmuel agreeing with Rav does not make Ravs opinion worst off if he is a Tanna, rather if he argued that would make Rav into an Amora
– yosefkorn
Aug 14 at 23:53

This does not answer why Rav Yochanan argues with Rebbi in Kiddushin 9b and if it weren't for the great Rabbi that is quoted I would say Shmuel agreeing with Rav does not make Ravs opinion worst off if he is a Tanna, rather if he argued that would make Rav into an Amora
– yosefkorn
Aug 14 at 23:53

1

1

@yosefkorn In my comment to the other answer I pointed out that Kiddushin 9b is not a halachic dispute. Either way, the question here didn't ask about R. Yochanan so there is no need for me to address that in an answer. And if anything it would be a question on Tosafos.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 0:12

@yosefkorn In my comment to the other answer I pointed out that Kiddushin 9b is not a halachic dispute. Either way, the question here didn't ask about R. Yochanan so there is no need for me to address that in an answer. And if anything it would be a question on Tosafos.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 0:12

@yosefkorn And the answer here is not that Shmuel makes Rav's opinion worse off; it's that "Rav tanna hu u'palig" doesn't help Shmuel. In fact, the Sedei Chemed quoting R. Dushwitzky explicitly says that it is not a tiyuvta to Rav.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 0:14

@yosefkorn And the answer here is not that Shmuel makes Rav's opinion worse off; it's that "Rav tanna hu u'palig" doesn't help Shmuel. In fact, the Sedei Chemed quoting R. Dushwitzky explicitly says that it is not a tiyuvta to Rav.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 0:14

1

1

@Alex. This is a great answer (and I was going to post along these lines myself until you beat me to it - ברוך שכיווני to the opinion of the S'dei Chemed (and to yours!)). However, it doesn't generalize to other instances of the same problem. My answer attempts to do just that.
– Joel K
Aug 15 at 12:03

@Alex. This is a great answer (and I was going to post along these lines myself until you beat me to it - ברוך שכיווני to the opinion of the S'dei Chemed (and to yours!)). However, it doesn't generalize to other instances of the same problem. My answer attempts to do just that.
– Joel K
Aug 15 at 12:03

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

There is another gemara where Rav is refuted from a beraita, and the gemara does not answer that Rav is a tanna who can argue.

Take a look at Menachot 5a (today's page in the Daf Yomi cycle!). Rav is of the opinion that an asham metzora (a leper's guilt offering) which has been slaughtered shelo lishmo (with the intent that it not be an asham metzora but something else) is not offered up.

The gemara asks:

מיתיבי אשם מצורע שנשחט שלא לשמו או שלא ניתן מדמו ע"ג בהונות ה"ז עולה לגבי מזבח וטעון נסכים וצריך אשם אחר להכשירו תיובתא דרב

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake, or if none of its blood was placed on the leper’s right thumb and big toe, this guilt offering is offered up upon the altar and it requires libations, in accordance with the halakha of the guilt offering of a leper. But the leper must nevertheless bring another guilt offering to render him fit to partake of offerings. This baraita is a conclusive refutation of the statement of Rav, who said that the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake is entirely disqualified because it did not render the leper fit.

(Translation and elucidation from Sefaria)

Tosafot ad loc. picks up on the fact that the gemara could have explained that Rav is arguing in his capacity as a tanna, but chooses not to.

הוה מצי למימר רב תנא הוא ופליג כדקאמר בכמה דוכתי

It could have answered that Rav is a tanna who argues, as it does in other places.

Tosafot does not explain why the gemara did not in fact do so.

Unfortunately, Alex's fantastic answer won't help us in this case, as it is only Rav's opinion here which is at stake, not Rav and Shmuel together as in Berachot 37a (the focus of the question).

An explanation is offered by Yad Malachi 150 (basing himself on Kesef Mishneh to Hilchot Ma'asei HaKorbanot 5:6):

אי הוה שמיע ליה לרב ההיא ברייתא לא הוה פליג אתנא

Had Rav heard of that beraita he would not have argued on the tanna.

Thus, the gemara will only invoke the principle of רב תנא הוא ופליג, that Rav may argue on a tanna, when it knows that Rav was aware of the tanna's statement, and chose to argue regardless.

However, if Rav did not know of the opinion of the tanna, as is presumed to be the case here, then we say that Rav would presumably have backed down were he to have become aware of it. Thus, the tanna's statment is an effective refutation of Rav's position.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is indeed more generalizable than my answer. A couple of points: 1) It's not clear that the Kessef Mishneh is using this as an explanation for "Rav tanna hu u'palig" or lack thereof; he seems to be using it to explain why we would pasken for/against Rav. 2) It's somewhat arbitrary, without any real methodology to apply it. How do we know in which cases Rav was aware of the tannaic statement and in which cases he wasn't? For that matter, how does the Gemara know?
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  3) Other sources (some even quoted in the Yad Malachi) use such an explanation for amoraim in general, not for Rav as a quasi-tanna.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is not to repudiate your answer; just some thoughts.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  My instinct is that although we sometimes say רב תנא הוא ופליג, it's infrequent and we do often ask on רב from Tannaitic sources. As in many cases in the גמרא, there are answers that we would prefer not to give unless there is no other option. רב could argue, but he usually wouldn't.
  – Josh Friedlander
  Aug 21 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

There is another gemara where Rav is refuted from a beraita, and the gemara does not answer that Rav is a tanna who can argue.

Take a look at Menachot 5a (today's page in the Daf Yomi cycle!). Rav is of the opinion that an asham metzora (a leper's guilt offering) which has been slaughtered shelo lishmo (with the intent that it not be an asham metzora but something else) is not offered up.

The gemara asks:

מיתיבי אשם מצורע שנשחט שלא לשמו או שלא ניתן מדמו ע"ג בהונות ה"ז עולה לגבי מזבח וטעון נסכים וצריך אשם אחר להכשירו תיובתא דרב

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake, or if none of its blood was placed on the leper’s right thumb and big toe, this guilt offering is offered up upon the altar and it requires libations, in accordance with the halakha of the guilt offering of a leper. But the leper must nevertheless bring another guilt offering to render him fit to partake of offerings. This baraita is a conclusive refutation of the statement of Rav, who said that the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake is entirely disqualified because it did not render the leper fit.

(Translation and elucidation from Sefaria)

Tosafot ad loc. picks up on the fact that the gemara could have explained that Rav is arguing in his capacity as a tanna, but chooses not to.

הוה מצי למימר רב תנא הוא ופליג כדקאמר בכמה דוכתי

It could have answered that Rav is a tanna who argues, as it does in other places.

Tosafot does not explain why the gemara did not in fact do so.

Unfortunately, Alex's fantastic answer won't help us in this case, as it is only Rav's opinion here which is at stake, not Rav and Shmuel together as in Berachot 37a (the focus of the question).

An explanation is offered by Yad Malachi 150 (basing himself on Kesef Mishneh to Hilchot Ma'asei HaKorbanot 5:6):

אי הוה שמיע ליה לרב ההיא ברייתא לא הוה פליג אתנא

Had Rav heard of that beraita he would not have argued on the tanna.

Thus, the gemara will only invoke the principle of רב תנא הוא ופליג, that Rav may argue on a tanna, when it knows that Rav was aware of the tanna's statement, and chose to argue regardless.

However, if Rav did not know of the opinion of the tanna, as is presumed to be the case here, then we say that Rav would presumably have backed down were he to have become aware of it. Thus, the tanna's statment is an effective refutation of Rav's position.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is indeed more generalizable than my answer. A couple of points: 1) It's not clear that the Kessef Mishneh is using this as an explanation for "Rav tanna hu u'palig" or lack thereof; he seems to be using it to explain why we would pasken for/against Rav. 2) It's somewhat arbitrary, without any real methodology to apply it. How do we know in which cases Rav was aware of the tannaic statement and in which cases he wasn't? For that matter, how does the Gemara know?
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  3) Other sources (some even quoted in the Yad Malachi) use such an explanation for amoraim in general, not for Rav as a quasi-tanna.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is not to repudiate your answer; just some thoughts.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  My instinct is that although we sometimes say רב תנא הוא ופליג, it's infrequent and we do often ask on רב from Tannaitic sources. As in many cases in the גמרא, there are answers that we would prefer not to give unless there is no other option. רב could argue, but he usually wouldn't.
  – Josh Friedlander
  Aug 21 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

up vote
5
down vote

There is another gemara where Rav is refuted from a beraita, and the gemara does not answer that Rav is a tanna who can argue.

Take a look at Menachot 5a (today's page in the Daf Yomi cycle!). Rav is of the opinion that an asham metzora (a leper's guilt offering) which has been slaughtered shelo lishmo (with the intent that it not be an asham metzora but something else) is not offered up.

The gemara asks:

מיתיבי אשם מצורע שנשחט שלא לשמו או שלא ניתן מדמו ע"ג בהונות ה"ז עולה לגבי מזבח וטעון נסכים וצריך אשם אחר להכשירו תיובתא דרב

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake, or if none of its blood was placed on the leper’s right thumb and big toe, this guilt offering is offered up upon the altar and it requires libations, in accordance with the halakha of the guilt offering of a leper. But the leper must nevertheless bring another guilt offering to render him fit to partake of offerings. This baraita is a conclusive refutation of the statement of Rav, who said that the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake is entirely disqualified because it did not render the leper fit.

(Translation and elucidation from Sefaria)

Tosafot ad loc. picks up on the fact that the gemara could have explained that Rav is arguing in his capacity as a tanna, but chooses not to.

הוה מצי למימר רב תנא הוא ופליג כדקאמר בכמה דוכתי

It could have answered that Rav is a tanna who argues, as it does in other places.

Tosafot does not explain why the gemara did not in fact do so.

Unfortunately, Alex's fantastic answer won't help us in this case, as it is only Rav's opinion here which is at stake, not Rav and Shmuel together as in Berachot 37a (the focus of the question).

An explanation is offered by Yad Malachi 150 (basing himself on Kesef Mishneh to Hilchot Ma'asei HaKorbanot 5:6):

אי הוה שמיע ליה לרב ההיא ברייתא לא הוה פליג אתנא

Had Rav heard of that beraita he would not have argued on the tanna.

Thus, the gemara will only invoke the principle of רב תנא הוא ופליג, that Rav may argue on a tanna, when it knows that Rav was aware of the tanna's statement, and chose to argue regardless.

However, if Rav did not know of the opinion of the tanna, as is presumed to be the case here, then we say that Rav would presumably have backed down were he to have become aware of it. Thus, the tanna's statment is an effective refutation of Rav's position.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

There is another gemara where Rav is refuted from a beraita, and the gemara does not answer that Rav is a tanna who can argue.

Take a look at Menachot 5a (today's page in the Daf Yomi cycle!). Rav is of the opinion that an asham metzora (a leper's guilt offering) which has been slaughtered shelo lishmo (with the intent that it not be an asham metzora but something else) is not offered up.

The gemara asks:

מיתיבי אשם מצורע שנשחט שלא לשמו או שלא ניתן מדמו ע"ג בהונות ה"ז עולה לגבי מזבח וטעון נסכים וצריך אשם אחר להכשירו תיובתא דרב

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake, or if none of its blood was placed on the leper’s right thumb and big toe, this guilt offering is offered up upon the altar and it requires libations, in accordance with the halakha of the guilt offering of a leper. But the leper must nevertheless bring another guilt offering to render him fit to partake of offerings. This baraita is a conclusive refutation of the statement of Rav, who said that the guilt offering of a leper that was slaughtered not for its own sake is entirely disqualified because it did not render the leper fit.

(Translation and elucidation from Sefaria)

Tosafot ad loc. picks up on the fact that the gemara could have explained that Rav is arguing in his capacity as a tanna, but chooses not to.

הוה מצי למימר רב תנא הוא ופליג כדקאמר בכמה דוכתי

It could have answered that Rav is a tanna who argues, as it does in other places.

Tosafot does not explain why the gemara did not in fact do so.

Unfortunately, Alex's fantastic answer won't help us in this case, as it is only Rav's opinion here which is at stake, not Rav and Shmuel together as in Berachot 37a (the focus of the question).

An explanation is offered by Yad Malachi 150 (basing himself on Kesef Mishneh to Hilchot Ma'asei HaKorbanot 5:6):

אי הוה שמיע ליה לרב ההיא ברייתא לא הוה פליג אתנא

Had Rav heard of that beraita he would not have argued on the tanna.

Thus, the gemara will only invoke the principle of רב תנא הוא ופליג, that Rav may argue on a tanna, when it knows that Rav was aware of the tanna's statement, and chose to argue regardless.

However, if Rav did not know of the opinion of the tanna, as is presumed to be the case here, then we say that Rav would presumably have backed down were he to have become aware of it. Thus, the tanna's statment is an effective refutation of Rav's position.

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

edited Aug 15 at 12:24

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

answered Aug 15 at 11:57

Joel K

7,0901459

7,0901459

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is indeed more generalizable than my answer. A couple of points: 1) It's not clear that the Kessef Mishneh is using this as an explanation for "Rav tanna hu u'palig" or lack thereof; he seems to be using it to explain why we would pasken for/against Rav. 2) It's somewhat arbitrary, without any real methodology to apply it. How do we know in which cases Rav was aware of the tannaic statement and in which cases he wasn't? For that matter, how does the Gemara know?
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  3) Other sources (some even quoted in the Yad Malachi) use such an explanation for amoraim in general, not for Rav as a quasi-tanna.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is not to repudiate your answer; just some thoughts.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  My instinct is that although we sometimes say רב תנא הוא ופליג, it's infrequent and we do often ask on רב from Tannaitic sources. As in many cases in the גמרא, there are answers that we would prefer not to give unless there is no other option. רב could argue, but he usually wouldn't.
  – Josh Friedlander
  Aug 21 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is indeed more generalizable than my answer. A couple of points: 1) It's not clear that the Kessef Mishneh is using this as an explanation for "Rav tanna hu u'palig" or lack thereof; he seems to be using it to explain why we would pasken for/against Rav. 2) It's somewhat arbitrary, without any real methodology to apply it. How do we know in which cases Rav was aware of the tannaic statement and in which cases he wasn't? For that matter, how does the Gemara know?
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  3) Other sources (some even quoted in the Yad Malachi) use such an explanation for amoraim in general, not for Rav as a quasi-tanna.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is not to repudiate your answer; just some thoughts.
  – Alex
  Aug 15 at 15:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  My instinct is that although we sometimes say רב תנא הוא ופליג, it's infrequent and we do often ask on רב from Tannaitic sources. As in many cases in the גמרא, there are answers that we would prefer not to give unless there is no other option. רב could argue, but he usually wouldn't.
  – Josh Friedlander
  Aug 21 at 20:02
  

  
  
  
  

This is indeed more generalizable than my answer. A couple of points: 1) It's not clear that the Kessef Mishneh is using this as an explanation for "Rav tanna hu u'palig" or lack thereof; he seems to be using it to explain why we would pasken for/against Rav. 2) It's somewhat arbitrary, without any real methodology to apply it. How do we know in which cases Rav was aware of the tannaic statement and in which cases he wasn't? For that matter, how does the Gemara know?
– Alex
Aug 15 at 15:08

This is indeed more generalizable than my answer. A couple of points: 1) It's not clear that the Kessef Mishneh is using this as an explanation for "Rav tanna hu u'palig" or lack thereof; he seems to be using it to explain why we would pasken for/against Rav. 2) It's somewhat arbitrary, without any real methodology to apply it. How do we know in which cases Rav was aware of the tannaic statement and in which cases he wasn't? For that matter, how does the Gemara know?
– Alex
Aug 15 at 15:08

3) Other sources (some even quoted in the Yad Malachi) use such an explanation for amoraim in general, not for Rav as a quasi-tanna.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 15:08

3) Other sources (some even quoted in the Yad Malachi) use such an explanation for amoraim in general, not for Rav as a quasi-tanna.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 15:08

This is not to repudiate your answer; just some thoughts.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 15:08

This is not to repudiate your answer; just some thoughts.
– Alex
Aug 15 at 15:08

My instinct is that although we sometimes say רב תנא הוא ופליג, it's infrequent and we do often ask on רב from Tannaitic sources. As in many cases in the גמרא, there are answers that we would prefer not to give unless there is no other option. רב could argue, but he usually wouldn't.
– Josh Friedlander
Aug 21 at 20:02

My instinct is that although we sometimes say רב תנא הוא ופליג, it's infrequent and we do often ask on רב from Tannaitic sources. As in many cases in the גמרא, there are answers that we would prefer not to give unless there is no other option. רב could argue, but he usually wouldn't.
– Josh Friedlander
Aug 21 at 20:02

add a comment | 

up vote
-4
down vote

I heard in the name of Rav Elchonon Vasserman Kovetz Shiurim on Bava Basra (# 633) that really an Amora could argue with a Tanna if he has the Guts to, but they simply wouldn't since they were so sure that whatever the Tanna says is correct they would automatically rescind their opinion in face of the Tanna who was much greater than them. But since Rav was so old and in the time of the Tanaim (see Gittin 58b-59a, where Rav discusses his time in Rebbi’s court) he more often than other Amoraim argued with Tanaim since he understood them personally.

Examples of other Ammoraim who had the Guts to argue with Tanaim:

Rabbi Yochanan Kiddushin 9b who argues with Rebbi about wedlock through consumation:

ובביאה:
מנא לן אמר ר' אבהו א"ר יוחנן דאמר קרא (דברים כב, כב) בעולת בעל מלמד שנעשה לה בעל על ידי בעילה א"ל ר' זירא לר' אבהו ואמרי לה ר"ל לרבי יוחנן כעורה זו ששנה רבי (דברים כד, א) ובעלה מלמד שנקנית בביאה

Shmuel in Megilla 7a who argues where we know the Megilat Ester was written with Ruach Hakodesh (Divine inspiration)

תניא ר' אליעזר אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ו, ו) ויאמר המן בלבו ר' עקיבא אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, טו) ותהי אסתר נשאת חן בעיני כל רואיה ר"מ אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, כב) ויודע הדבר למרדכי רבי יוסי בן דורמסקית אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ט, י) ובבזה לא שלחו את ידם אמר שמואל אי הואי התם הוה אמינא מלתא דעדיפא מכולהו שנאמר קימו וקבלו קימו למעלה מה שקיבלו למטה אמר רבא לכולהו אית להו פירכא לבר מדשמואל דלית ליה פירכא

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

2,013337

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  I don't think this really answers the question. You don't address why the case in Berachos is different from other cases. Also, your examples of other amoraim disagreeing with tannaim are both non-halachic. In such instances, even rishonim and acharonim argue with tannaim and amoraim.
  – Alex
  Aug 14 at 22:08
  

  
  
  
  


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  @alex can Rav Elchanan not argue with you ? Do you have to down vote anything which is contrary to your opinion? The answer says even Rav would not always argue with a Tanna in a situation where he did not feel comfortable and instead deferred to the opinion of the Tanna just like Rav Yochanan and Shmuel. It happens to be Rav argues more often with Tanaim than Shmuel and Rav Yochanan
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:00
  

  
  
  
  


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  There's a Machlokes (Meiri vs Tosfos) if Rabbi Yochanan considered himself a Tanna. Shmuel definitely isn't a Tanna (he argued in an Aggadata sugya, where a Tanna (and even Rishonim)) can argue on a Tanna
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:11
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  @Alex The Meiri does hold that Rabbi Yochanan is a Tanna (in the first chapter of Yevamos (the Chatzer HaChadasha Braisa))
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:12
  

  
  
  
  


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  But, as Alex says, this doesn't answer the question. For if Rav would argue with a Tanna, why would the Gemara say Tyuvta when it can say "Rav Tanna hu u Palig"?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:14
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 6 more comments

up vote
-4
down vote

I heard in the name of Rav Elchonon Vasserman Kovetz Shiurim on Bava Basra (# 633) that really an Amora could argue with a Tanna if he has the Guts to, but they simply wouldn't since they were so sure that whatever the Tanna says is correct they would automatically rescind their opinion in face of the Tanna who was much greater than them. But since Rav was so old and in the time of the Tanaim (see Gittin 58b-59a, where Rav discusses his time in Rebbi’s court) he more often than other Amoraim argued with Tanaim since he understood them personally.

Examples of other Ammoraim who had the Guts to argue with Tanaim:

Rabbi Yochanan Kiddushin 9b who argues with Rebbi about wedlock through consumation:

ובביאה:
מנא לן אמר ר' אבהו א"ר יוחנן דאמר קרא (דברים כב, כב) בעולת בעל מלמד שנעשה לה בעל על ידי בעילה א"ל ר' זירא לר' אבהו ואמרי לה ר"ל לרבי יוחנן כעורה זו ששנה רבי (דברים כד, א) ובעלה מלמד שנקנית בביאה

Shmuel in Megilla 7a who argues where we know the Megilat Ester was written with Ruach Hakodesh (Divine inspiration)

תניא ר' אליעזר אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ו, ו) ויאמר המן בלבו ר' עקיבא אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, טו) ותהי אסתר נשאת חן בעיני כל רואיה ר"מ אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, כב) ויודע הדבר למרדכי רבי יוסי בן דורמסקית אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ט, י) ובבזה לא שלחו את ידם אמר שמואל אי הואי התם הוה אמינא מלתא דעדיפא מכולהו שנאמר קימו וקבלו קימו למעלה מה שקיבלו למטה אמר רבא לכולהו אית להו פירכא לבר מדשמואל דלית ליה פירכא

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

2,013337

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  I don't think this really answers the question. You don't address why the case in Berachos is different from other cases. Also, your examples of other amoraim disagreeing with tannaim are both non-halachic. In such instances, even rishonim and acharonim argue with tannaim and amoraim.
  – Alex
  Aug 14 at 22:08
  

  
  
  
  


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  @alex can Rav Elchanan not argue with you ? Do you have to down vote anything which is contrary to your opinion? The answer says even Rav would not always argue with a Tanna in a situation where he did not feel comfortable and instead deferred to the opinion of the Tanna just like Rav Yochanan and Shmuel. It happens to be Rav argues more often with Tanaim than Shmuel and Rav Yochanan
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:00
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There's a Machlokes (Meiri vs Tosfos) if Rabbi Yochanan considered himself a Tanna. Shmuel definitely isn't a Tanna (he argued in an Aggadata sugya, where a Tanna (and even Rishonim)) can argue on a Tanna
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:11
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Alex The Meiri does hold that Rabbi Yochanan is a Tanna (in the first chapter of Yevamos (the Chatzer HaChadasha Braisa))
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:12
  

  
  
  
  


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  But, as Alex says, this doesn't answer the question. For if Rav would argue with a Tanna, why would the Gemara say Tyuvta when it can say "Rav Tanna hu u Palig"?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:14
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 6 more comments

up vote
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up vote
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I heard in the name of Rav Elchonon Vasserman Kovetz Shiurim on Bava Basra (# 633) that really an Amora could argue with a Tanna if he has the Guts to, but they simply wouldn't since they were so sure that whatever the Tanna says is correct they would automatically rescind their opinion in face of the Tanna who was much greater than them. But since Rav was so old and in the time of the Tanaim (see Gittin 58b-59a, where Rav discusses his time in Rebbi’s court) he more often than other Amoraim argued with Tanaim since he understood them personally.

Examples of other Ammoraim who had the Guts to argue with Tanaim:

Rabbi Yochanan Kiddushin 9b who argues with Rebbi about wedlock through consumation:

ובביאה:
מנא לן אמר ר' אבהו א"ר יוחנן דאמר קרא (דברים כב, כב) בעולת בעל מלמד שנעשה לה בעל על ידי בעילה א"ל ר' זירא לר' אבהו ואמרי לה ר"ל לרבי יוחנן כעורה זו ששנה רבי (דברים כד, א) ובעלה מלמד שנקנית בביאה

Shmuel in Megilla 7a who argues where we know the Megilat Ester was written with Ruach Hakodesh (Divine inspiration)

תניא ר' אליעזר אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ו, ו) ויאמר המן בלבו ר' עקיבא אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, טו) ותהי אסתר נשאת חן בעיני כל רואיה ר"מ אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, כב) ויודע הדבר למרדכי רבי יוסי בן דורמסקית אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ט, י) ובבזה לא שלחו את ידם אמר שמואל אי הואי התם הוה אמינא מלתא דעדיפא מכולהו שנאמר קימו וקבלו קימו למעלה מה שקיבלו למטה אמר רבא לכולהו אית להו פירכא לבר מדשמואל דלית ליה פירכא

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

2,013337

I heard in the name of Rav Elchonon Vasserman Kovetz Shiurim on Bava Basra (# 633) that really an Amora could argue with a Tanna if he has the Guts to, but they simply wouldn't since they were so sure that whatever the Tanna says is correct they would automatically rescind their opinion in face of the Tanna who was much greater than them. But since Rav was so old and in the time of the Tanaim (see Gittin 58b-59a, where Rav discusses his time in Rebbi’s court) he more often than other Amoraim argued with Tanaim since he understood them personally.

Examples of other Ammoraim who had the Guts to argue with Tanaim:

Rabbi Yochanan Kiddushin 9b who argues with Rebbi about wedlock through consumation:

ובביאה:
מנא לן אמר ר' אבהו א"ר יוחנן דאמר קרא (דברים כב, כב) בעולת בעל מלמד שנעשה לה בעל על ידי בעילה א"ל ר' זירא לר' אבהו ואמרי לה ר"ל לרבי יוחנן כעורה זו ששנה רבי (דברים כד, א) ובעלה מלמד שנקנית בביאה

Shmuel in Megilla 7a who argues where we know the Megilat Ester was written with Ruach Hakodesh (Divine inspiration)

תניא ר' אליעזר אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ו, ו) ויאמר המן בלבו ר' עקיבא אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, טו) ותהי אסתר נשאת חן בעיני כל רואיה ר"מ אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ב, כב) ויודע הדבר למרדכי רבי יוסי בן דורמסקית אומר אסתר ברוח הקודש נאמרה שנאמר (אסתר ט, י) ובבזה לא שלחו את ידם אמר שמואל אי הואי התם הוה אמינא מלתא דעדיפא מכולהו שנאמר קימו וקבלו קימו למעלה מה שקיבלו למטה אמר רבא לכולהו אית להו פירכא לבר מדשמואל דלית ליה פירכא

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

2,013337

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

edited Aug 15 at 12:15

Joel K

7,0901459

7,0901459

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

2,013337

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

2,013337

answered Aug 14 at 21:42

user15464

2,013337

2,013337

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't think this really answers the question. You don't address why the case in Berachos is different from other cases. Also, your examples of other amoraim disagreeing with tannaim are both non-halachic. In such instances, even rishonim and acharonim argue with tannaim and amoraim.
  – Alex
  Aug 14 at 22:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @alex can Rav Elchanan not argue with you ? Do you have to down vote anything which is contrary to your opinion? The answer says even Rav would not always argue with a Tanna in a situation where he did not feel comfortable and instead deferred to the opinion of the Tanna just like Rav Yochanan and Shmuel. It happens to be Rav argues more often with Tanaim than Shmuel and Rav Yochanan
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:00
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There's a Machlokes (Meiri vs Tosfos) if Rabbi Yochanan considered himself a Tanna. Shmuel definitely isn't a Tanna (he argued in an Aggadata sugya, where a Tanna (and even Rishonim)) can argue on a Tanna
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:11
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Alex The Meiri does hold that Rabbi Yochanan is a Tanna (in the first chapter of Yevamos (the Chatzer HaChadasha Braisa))
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  But, as Alex says, this doesn't answer the question. For if Rav would argue with a Tanna, why would the Gemara say Tyuvta when it can say "Rav Tanna hu u Palig"?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:14
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 6 more comments

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I don't think this really answers the question. You don't address why the case in Berachos is different from other cases. Also, your examples of other amoraim disagreeing with tannaim are both non-halachic. In such instances, even rishonim and acharonim argue with tannaim and amoraim.
  – Alex
  Aug 14 at 22:08
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @alex can Rav Elchanan not argue with you ? Do you have to down vote anything which is contrary to your opinion? The answer says even Rav would not always argue with a Tanna in a situation where he did not feel comfortable and instead deferred to the opinion of the Tanna just like Rav Yochanan and Shmuel. It happens to be Rav argues more often with Tanaim than Shmuel and Rav Yochanan
  – yosefkorn
  Aug 14 at 23:00
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  There's a Machlokes (Meiri vs Tosfos) if Rabbi Yochanan considered himself a Tanna. Shmuel definitely isn't a Tanna (he argued in an Aggadata sugya, where a Tanna (and even Rishonim)) can argue on a Tanna
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:11
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Alex The Meiri does hold that Rabbi Yochanan is a Tanna (in the first chapter of Yevamos (the Chatzer HaChadasha Braisa))
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:12
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  But, as Alex says, this doesn't answer the question. For if Rav would argue with a Tanna, why would the Gemara say Tyuvta when it can say "Rav Tanna hu u Palig"?
  – Shmuel Brin
  Aug 14 at 23:14
  

  
  
  
  

3

3

I don't think this really answers the question. You don't address why the case in Berachos is different from other cases. Also, your examples of other amoraim disagreeing with tannaim are both non-halachic. In such instances, even rishonim and acharonim argue with tannaim and amoraim.
– Alex
Aug 14 at 22:08

I don't think this really answers the question. You don't address why the case in Berachos is different from other cases. Also, your examples of other amoraim disagreeing with tannaim are both non-halachic. In such instances, even rishonim and acharonim argue with tannaim and amoraim.
– Alex
Aug 14 at 22:08

@alex can Rav Elchanan not argue with you ? Do you have to down vote anything which is contrary to your opinion? The answer says even Rav would not always argue with a Tanna in a situation where he did not feel comfortable and instead deferred to the opinion of the Tanna just like Rav Yochanan and Shmuel. It happens to be Rav argues more often with Tanaim than Shmuel and Rav Yochanan
– yosefkorn
Aug 14 at 23:00

@alex can Rav Elchanan not argue with you ? Do you have to down vote anything which is contrary to your opinion? The answer says even Rav would not always argue with a Tanna in a situation where he did not feel comfortable and instead deferred to the opinion of the Tanna just like Rav Yochanan and Shmuel. It happens to be Rav argues more often with Tanaim than Shmuel and Rav Yochanan
– yosefkorn
Aug 14 at 23:00

There's a Machlokes (Meiri vs Tosfos) if Rabbi Yochanan considered himself a Tanna. Shmuel definitely isn't a Tanna (he argued in an Aggadata sugya, where a Tanna (and even Rishonim)) can argue on a Tanna
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 23:11

There's a Machlokes (Meiri vs Tosfos) if Rabbi Yochanan considered himself a Tanna. Shmuel definitely isn't a Tanna (he argued in an Aggadata sugya, where a Tanna (and even Rishonim)) can argue on a Tanna
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 23:11

@Alex The Meiri does hold that Rabbi Yochanan is a Tanna (in the first chapter of Yevamos (the Chatzer HaChadasha Braisa))
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 23:12

@Alex The Meiri does hold that Rabbi Yochanan is a Tanna (in the first chapter of Yevamos (the Chatzer HaChadasha Braisa))
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 23:12

But, as Alex says, this doesn't answer the question. For if Rav would argue with a Tanna, why would the Gemara say Tyuvta when it can say "Rav Tanna hu u Palig"?
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 23:14

But, as Alex says, this doesn't answer the question. For if Rav would argue with a Tanna, why would the Gemara say Tyuvta when it can say "Rav Tanna hu u Palig"?
– Shmuel Brin
Aug 14 at 23:14

 | 
show 6 more comments