Study Makkot folio 21A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
קסבר רבי יוסי: שריטה וגדידה אחת היא, וכתיב התם ״למת״.
The Talmud answers: R' Yosei derives that halakha from a different source, as R' Yosei holds that an incision over the dead and a laceration over the dead are one transgression, and it is written there, with regard to laceration: “You should neither lacerate yourselves, nor place a bald spot between your eyes for the dead” (Deuteronomy 14:1), indicating that one is liable for cutting oneself in mourning only over a dead person. Therefore he can derive from the term “for the soul” that one is liable for each and every soul over whom he cut the incision.
אמר שמואל: המשרט בכלי – חייב. מיתיבי: שריטה וגדידה אחת היא, אלא ששריטה ביד וגדידה בכלי! הוא דאמר כרבי יוסי.
On a related note, the Talmud cites that which Shmuel says: One who cuts [mesaret] his flesh with a utensil in mourning over the dead is liable. The Talmud raises an objection from a baraita: An incision [serita] and a laceration are one transgression, as they are both performed over the dead; but the difference is that an incision is cut by hand, i.e., with one’s fingernails, while a laceration is cut with a utensil. Apparently, cutting an incision is not accomplished with a utensil. The Talmud answers: Shmuel stated his opinion in accordance with the opinion of R' Yosei, who holds that an incision and a laceration are synonymous in every sense.
תני תנא קמיה דרבי יוחנן: על מת, בין ביד בין בכלי – חייב, על עבודה זרה, ביד – חייב, בכלי – פטור. והא איפכא כתיב: ״ויתגדדו כמשפטם בחרבות וברמחים״! אלא אימא: ביד – פטור, בכלי – חייב.
The Talmud relates: A tanna taught a baraita before R' Yoḥanan: One who cuts an incision over a dead person, whether he did so by hand or with a utensil, is liable. Concerning one who cuts an incision for idolatry, if he does so by hand, he is liable, but if he does so with a utensil, he is exempt. R' Yoḥanan was puzzled by this baraita: But isn’t the reverse written with regard to the priests of Baal: “And they lacerated themselves in accordance with their custom, with swords and lances” (I Kings 18:28), indicating that customarily laceration is with a utensil? R' Yoḥanan instructed the tanna: Rather, emend the baraita and say: Concerning one who cuts an incision for idolatry, if he does so by hand, he is exempt; but if he does so with a utensil, he is liable.