Shabbat 59: Social Status Defined by Jewelry and Stating One's Opinion

The rabbis continue their conversation about using a bell as a vessel and how that item's status might might change.  Amud (b) is devoted to another topic introduced in our last Mishna, that of a "city of gold".  Rabba bar bar Chana says that Rabbi Yochanan said that this refers to a Jerusalem of Gold, which is a gold tiara engraved with a depiction of the city of Jerusalem.  These are made as copies of the one that Rabbi Akiva made for his wife.

These tiaras were not to be worn in the public domain on Shabbat.  Is this because it is a burden and not an ornament, as said by Rabbi Meir?  Rabbi Eliezer says that a woman may wear a city of gold ornament from the start.  The rabbis say that it is an ornament.  They do not want it worn into the public domain in case a woman removes it to show it to others. Rabbi Eliezer argues that only "important women" would wear such ornaments, and they would not remove those ornaments to show them to others.

What about other ornaments, like a kelila, an ornament like a tiara but made of fabric that might include metal.  The Gemara says that it is agreed that it is prohibited to be in teh public domain.  They only disagree in that Rav believes that the metal is the primary element in a kelila, and Shmuel says that the woven fabric is the primary element and thus it is permitted.  Rav Ashi teaches this with leniency and so it is permitted to wear a kelila in the public domain.  

The Gemara then tells us a story said to Rav.  A bit and tall man who had a limp came to Neharde'a.  He taught that it is permitted to go into the public domain with a kelila.  Rav deduces that this must be Levi.  Thus Rabbi Afes must have passed away and Rabbi Chanina sat at the head of the yeshiva in Ha'Aretz.  If Rabbi Chanina had died, Levi would have been under the authority of Rabbi Afes.  Thus Levi stayed outside of the study hall in deference to Rabbi Chanina.   Levi taught in Neharde'a that twenty-four women from Neharde'a and eighteen women from Mechoza went into the public domain wearing the kelila.  Many women in Neharde'a and Mechoza could afford these ornaments.

Perhaps there is a belt that is similar to a kelila; made of woven fabric andin laid with gold.  A belt might be made out of metal only.  Kings' belts were permitted to be worn in the public domain on Shabbat and they were pure gold.  The rabbis discuss other belts, straps, and even a katla, a small bib hung from the neck.  Nezamim, nose rings, and katla are both said to be prohibited to wear out on Shabbat.  Our daf ends with the beginning of a conversation about the seal on a ring.