Question (Abaye): How far does Bavel extend on the other side of the Pras?

Answer (Rav Yosef): Do you ask about Biram? The best lineages of Pumbadisa marry people of Biram!

(Rav Papa): The argument about the boundaries of Bavel for lineage is just like the argument for divorce (a Shali'ach to give a Get in Bavel need not testify that it was written and signed in front of him).

(Rav Yosef): The argument is only for lineage. For divorce, all agree that that Bavel extends until the second swamp of willows past the bridge.

(Rami bar Aba): The epitome of lineage of Bavel is Chavil Yama. Shunya and Guvya are the epitome of lineage of Chavil Yama.

(Ravina): Tzitzora is also the epitome.

Support (Beraisa - Chanan ben Pinchas): The epitome of lineage of Bavel is Chavil Yama. Shunya, Guvya and Tzitzora are the epitome of Chavil Yama.

Objection (Rav Papa): Kusim intermarried with them! (R. Meir disqualified their conversion, and ruled that Kusim are like Nochrim!)

Answer: This is wrong. A Kusi requested to marry among them, but they refused.

(Abaye): Between the rivers is like Pumbedisa (regarding lineage).

(R, Ika bar Avin, citing Rav Chananel): The Nihavand river is like Pumbedisa.

Abaye: We cannot rely on this. R. Ika is biased, for a girl from there fell to him to Yibum.

R. Ika: I heard this from Rav Chananel! (Rav Chananel confirmed this.)

(R. Aba bar Kahana): "(Sancheriv exiled Yisrael)... they rested in Chalach, Chavor, the Gozan river and the cities of Madai" - Chalach is Chalazon Nihavand.

(Shmuel): The cities of Madai are the metropolises of Mushchi, Huski; and Romki.

(R. Yochanan): All the places in the verse have bad lineage.

Question: R. Chiya bar Avin said in the name of Shmuel that Mushchani is like Pumbedisa!

Answer: Mushchi and Mushchani are not the same.

(Rav Yosef): "A second animal resembling a bear (in Nevuchadnetzar's dream)" refers to Persians, who resemble bears in their eating, drinking, obesity, hairiness, and restlessness.

(Levi): Chachamim of Bavel resemble angels.

When Rebbi was dying, he revealed certain cities in Bavel with lineage problems. One was full of converts from Amon (the men may not marry Benos Yisrael). Another was full of Mamzerim. One has brothers who swap wives (which makes Mamzerim);

Rebbi said that that very day, residents of a certain city were desecrating Shabbos.

The ponds were filled with fish, and the people were hunting them.

R. Acha bar Yoshiyah excommunicated them. They became heretics.

Rebbi: Rav Ada bar Ahavah (in Bavel) will be circumcised today. (Alternatively, he will die today. This is not the Rav Ada bar Ahavah who lived in the days of the Amora'im.) Rav Yehudah will be born today in Bavel.

Rebbi was born when R. Akiva died. Rav Yehudah was born when Rebbi died. Rava was born when Rav Yehudah died. Rav Ashi was born when Rava died.

"The sun shone¸ the sun set" - before a Tzadik dies, a Tzadik like him is born.

"The lamp of Hash-m did not yet go out; Shmuel was lying..." - Shmuel started to rise before Eli died.

"When I prophesized that Platyahu ben Benayah died, I fell on my face and cried" - Rav and Shmuel argued about whether Yechezkel considered him to be a Tzadik or Rasha.

One opinion holds that was a Tzadik. Nevuchadnetzar used to send some of his captives to his father-in-law in Meishan. The latter complained that he never received Yisre'elim.

Platyahu (to Nevuchadnetzar): We are distinguished, we should stay to serve you! You can send slaves to your father-in-law.

(This was good for Yisrael, lest Yisrael be slaves to slaves (of Nevuchadnetzar).) Yechezkel regretted that Platyahu died so young.

One opinion holds that he was a Rasha. It says "at the gate (of the Mikdash)... 25 men, among them... Platyahu", and it says "twenty-five men, their backs to the Heichal, they were facing east".

Question: If they were facing east, we know that their backs were (to the Heichal) to the west!

Answer: The verse teaches that they exposed themselves and excreted in front of Hash-m.

Yechezkel regretted that such a Rasha died peacefully on his bed.

Suggestion: Shmuel must hold that he was a Rasha (for he holds that there are no slaves in Meishan)!

(R. Chiya bar Avin citing Shmuel): Mushchani is like Pumbedisa. There is no concern lest people of Meishan are slaves or Mamzerim. The only concern is for Kohanim who married divorcees (their children are Chalalim).

Rejection: Really, Shmuel can hold he was a Tzadik!

Question (Shmuel): Does "any slave of a man" exclude the slave of a woman?!

Answer (Shmuel): Rather, it teaches that only a slave with a master over him is considered a slave. If a master makes his slave Hefker, the slave is free and does not need a Get of freedom. (Surely the masters of the slaves sent to Meishan despaired, so the slaves became free. Therefore, there is no concern lest people of Meishan are slaves.)

(Rav Yehudah citing Shmuel): Only R. Meir holds that all lands are like dough compared to Eretz Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael is like dough compared to Bavel. Chachamim hold that all lands have a Chazakah of good lineage.

Ameimar allowed Rav Huna bar Nasan to marry a girl from Mechuzaisa (a city outside of Bavel).

Rav Ashi: Do you rely on Rav Yehudah's teaching? Rav Kahana, Rav Papa and Rav Zevid said differently (in the name of Shmuel)!

Ameimar did not retract, for he heard from Rav Zevid of Neharda'a (like Rav Yehudah reported).

(Beraisa - Rebbi Yosi): In the future, Mamzerim and Nesinim will be permitted;

R. Meir says, they will not.

Rebbi Yosi: It says "I will throw Tahor water on you, and you will become Tehorim!"

R. Meir: That refers to Taharah from Tum'ah and abominations, not from Mamzerus.

Rebbi Yosi: "I will be Metaher you" includes even from Mamzerus.

Question: According to R. Meir, we understand "a Mamzer will dwell in Ashdod";

This refutes Rebbi Yosi!

Answer: He explains like Rav Yosef translates the verse, Beis Yisrael will dwell in the land, from which they were estranged like a Mamzer until now.

(Rav Yehudah): The Halachah follows Rebbi Yosi.

(Rav Yosef): Had Rav Yehudah not ruled like Rebbi Yosi, Eliyahu (in the future) would have separated many groups (of Mamzerim) from Yisrael.

(Beraisa - Rebbi Yosi): A convert may marry a Mamzeres;

Rebbi Yehudah says, he may not.

Converts, freed slaves and Chalalim may all marry a Bas Kohen.