Sanhedrin 75 - March 2, 2 Adar

The Gemara tells of a man who was dangerously ill due to his unfulfilled sexual desires with a particular woman. The doctors determined he would die unless these desires were satisfied. When consulted, the rabbis ruled that even allowing the man to merely be in the presence of the woman he desired was forbidden. The Gemara discusses whether this woman was married or single, and examines why the rabbis took such a strict position in this life-threatening situation. The Gemara then discusses which relatives are liable to the punishment of death by burning. It examines which of these forbidden relationships are explicitly stated in the Torah and which are derived through interpretation. A debate between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yishmael centers on whether the prohibition against relations with one's grandmother-in-law (punishable by burning) is explicitly stated in the Torah or derived through rabbinic interpretation. A braita is presented that lists three categories of forbidden relationships, all derived from the case of relations with a mother-in-law. Due to the braita's complex language, the Gemara carefully analyzes each section, clarifying its meaning and specifying which forbidden relationships fall under each category. The Gemara raises a logical challenge based on the second category of the braita: if relations with one's grandmother-in-law are forbidden, shouldn't relations with one's own grandmother be forbidden as well? However, it is established that relations with one's grandmother are not prohibited. Both Abaye and Rava offer explanations for why this logical extension does not apply and why one cannot derive a prohibition against relations with one's grandmother from this case.