Skip to main content

450-550Babylonian Talmud

 

Sayings of the rabbis in the tractates of the Babylonian Talmud (Pesachim, Chullin, Horayot). Babylonian Talmud was written between about 450 - 550 in present-day Iraq (formerly Babylonia). The rabbis discuss the presence of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in different animals, its location, role, distal attachment area, and the possibility of damage. See our commentary at the link: 450-550BabylonianTalmud [Rus].

Quote 1.

[Heb]

Pesachim 22a4

(original source: sefaria.org)

Pesachim 22a5

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 2.

[Heb]

Pesachim 83b5

(original source: sefaria.org)

Pesachim 83b6

(original source: sefaria.org)

Pesachim 83b7

(original source: sefaria.org)

Pesachim 83b8

(original source: sefaria.org)

Pesachim 83b9

(original source: sefaria.org)

Pesachim 83b10

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 3.

[Heb]

Chullin 54b3

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 4.

[Heb]

Chullin 89b3

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 5.

[Heb]

Chullin 91a2

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 91a12

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 91a13

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 6.

[Heb]

Chullin 92b2

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 7.

Chullin 93b9

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 93b10

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 93b11

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 8.

[Heb]

Chullin 96a5

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96a11

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 9.

[Heb]

Chullin 96b2

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96b3

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96b4

(original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96b5

(original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 10.

[Heb]

Horayot 12a:16

(original source: sefaria.org)


Translation

Quote 1.

[Eng]

Passover Festivals 22a4

The Gemara rejects this: Rabbi Abbahu holds that when it was permitted by the Torah to derive benefit from an animal carcass, it, its fats, and its sinews, such as the sciatic nerve, were all permitted. Therefore, the sciatic nerve is included in this exception and one may benefit from it. The Gemara challenges: It works out well according to the one who said that sinews give flavor, meaning that they have the taste of meat and therefore have the legal status of meat of an animal carcass. However, according to the one who says that sinews do not give flavor and are not categorized as meat, what can be said? If they are not considered to be meat, why are they included in the exception made for an animal carcass? (original source: sefaria.org)

Passover Festivals 22a5

The Gemara answers: Whom did you hear that said that sinews do not give flavor? It is Rabbi Shimon, as it was taught in a baraita: With regard to one who eats the sciatic nerve from a non-kosher domesticated animal, Rabbi Yehuda deems him liable to receive two sets of lashes: One for eating the sciatic nerve and one for eating the meat of a non-kosher animal. And Rabbi Shimon exempts him entirely, since according to his opinion the prohibition to eat the sciatic nerve applies only to a kosher animal. In addition, one violates the prohibition of eating from a non-kosher animal only when it has the flavor of meat. (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 2.

[Eng]

Passover Festivals 83b5

Granted, if you say they are meat, due to that they require burning; but if you say they are not meat, why do they require burning? One should simply discard them like other waste. Rav Ḥisda said: The mishna’s mention of sinews is necessary only for the sciatic nerve, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. (original source: sefaria.org)

Passover Festivals 83b6

As it was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda said: The prohibition to eat the sciatic nerve according to Torah law applies only to the sciatic nerve in one of the animal’s thighs, and not to both, and logic dictates that it is the right thigh. However, since there is no absolute proof that this is correct, the sciatic nerve must be removed from both sides. Although in theory the forbidden sciatic nerve may be discarded and the permitted one may be eaten, since there is uncertainty as to which one is permitted, neither of them may be eaten. Both must be burned. (original source: sefaria.org)

Passover Festivals 83b7

The Gemara asks: Shall we then conclude that Rabbi Yehuda was uncertain about which sciatic nerve is forbidden? The Sages were unsure whether Rabbi Yehuda was absolutely convinced that it is the sciatic nerve from the right side that is forbidden, or if he was saying that this would seem likely to be the case, but he was not certain. As, if it were clear to him that it is the sciatic nerve from the right thigh that is forbidden, the proper procedure would be different: The one that is permitted we should eat, and the one that is forbidden we should discard. Why should he require burning? (original source: sefaria.org)

Passover Festivals 83b8

Rav Ika bar Ḥinnana said, in response to this attempted proof: The mishna addresses a case where the two sciatic nerves were known, but in the end became mixed together. In other words, at first it was known which was the forbidden right nerve and which was the permitted left nerve. However, they were then mixed together and can no longer be identified. Therefore, due to the uncertainty, they must both be burned. (original source: sefaria.org)

Passover Festivals 83b9

Rav Ashi said: The mishna’s ruling that the sinews must be burned is necessary only with regard to the fat of the sciatic nerve, as it was taught in a baraita: The fat around the sciatic nerve is permitted according to Torah law, but the Jewish people are holy and treat it as forbidden. Since it is permitted according to Torah law, it has the status of meat and may not be simply discarded. However, since the Jewish people treat it as forbidden, they do not eat it even from the Paschal lamb. Therefore, it is left until after the time when the meat may be eaten and burned in accordance with the general halakha of leftover. (original source: sefaria.org)

Passover Festivals 83b10

Ravina said: This discussion pertains to the outer nerve, and it is in accordance with that which Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said, as Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: There are two sinews in the sciatic nerve: The inner sinew that is next to the bone is forbidden according to Torah law, and one is liable to be flogged for eating it. The outer sinew that is next to the meat is forbidden by rabbinic law, and therefore one is not liable to be flogged for eating it. Since the outer sinew is permitted according to Torah law, it attains the status of leftover when it is not eaten. (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 3.

[Eng]

Chullin 54b3

The Gemara addresses the matter itself: Rav Mattana says: This head of the femur that was completely dislocated renders the animal a tereifa. And Rava said: The animal is kosher, but if its sinew holding the bone in place is cut, it is a tereifa. The Gemara concludes: And the halakha is: Even if the sinew is cut, the animal is still kosher, unless the sinew decomposed, in which case the animal is a tereifa. (original source: sefaria.org)

REFERENCE: «I.—Trnsf. the sinews connecting the hip-bone with its socket. Ḥull. 54ᵇ איפסוק ניביה (some ed. איפסיק) its sinews are severed». [sefaria.org]


Quote 4.

[Heb]

Chullin 89b3

MISHNA: The prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve applies both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Eretz Yisrael, in the presence of, i.e., the time of, the Temple and not in the presence of the Temple, and with regard to non-sacred animals and with regard to sacrificial animals. And it applies to domesticated animals and to undomesticated animals, to the thigh of the right leg and to the thigh of the left leg. But it does not apply to a bird, due to the fact that the verse makes reference to the sciatic nerve as being “upon the spoon of the thigh” (Genesis 32:33), and a bird has no spoon of the thigh. (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 5.

[Eng]

Chullin 91a2

Ravina said: The mishna’s statement is necessary only with regard to the outer nerve, and it is in accordance with that which Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said. As Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: There are two nerves included in the prohibition of the sciatic nerve. The inner nerve that is next to the bone is forbidden by Torah law, and one is liable to be flogged for eating it. The outer nerve that is next to the flesh is forbidden by rabbinic law, and therefore one is not liable to be flogged for eating it. In the case of a Paschal offering, since the outer nerve is permitted by Torah law, it assumes the status of leftover sacrificial meat when it is not eaten. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 91a12

The Gemara asks: And what is the reason that Rabbi Yehuda holds that only the sciatic nerve of the right thigh is forbidden by Torah law? Rava said that it is because the verse states: “Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sciatic nerve that is upon the spoon of the thigh” (Genesis 32:33). The definite article indicates that this is referring to the most important thigh. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 91a13

And the Rabbis, who hold that the sciatic nerves of both the right and left thighs are forbidden by Torah law, explain the definite article as teaching that the prohibition applies to the one whose prohibition spreads through the entire thigh, i.e., the inner nerve. This serves to exclude the outer nerve, which is not prohibited by Torah law. (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 6.

[Heb]

Chullin 92b2

§ The mishna teaches (89b) that the prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve does not apply to a bird due to the fact that the verse is referring to the sciatic nerve as being “upon the spoon of the thigh” (Genesis 32:33), and a bird has no spoon of the thigh. The Gemara challenges: But we see that it does have a protrusion of flesh on its thigh. The Gemara answers: It has a protrusion, but that protrusion is not rounded. (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 7.

[Eng]

Chullin 93b9

§ The Gemara returns to the prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve. Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: There are two nerves included in the prohibition of the sciatic nerve. The inner nerve, which is next to the bone, is forbidden by Torah law, and one is liable to be flogged for eating it. The outer nerve, which is next to the flesh, is forbidden by rabbinic law, and therefore one is not liable to be flogged for eating it. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 93b10

The Gemara asks: But isn’t it taught in a baraita that the inner nerve, which is forbidden by Torah law, is next to the flesh? The Gemara answers: Rav Aḥa said that Rav Kahana said: The inner nerve is next to the bone, but it bores into the flesh as well. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 93b11

The Gemara challenges: But isn’t it taught in a baraita: The outer nerve is next to the bone? The Gemara answers: Rav Yehuda said: This is referring to the spot where the butchers cut the leg open and reveal the nerve, and at that point in the leg the outer nerve is closest to the bone. (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 8.

[Eng]

Chullin 96a5

MISHNA: One who removes the sciatic nerve must scrape away the flesh in the area surrounding the nerve to ensure that he will remove all of it. Rabbi Yehuda says: Scraping is not required; it is sufficient to excise it from the area above the rounded protrusion in order to thereby fulfill the mitzva of removal of the sciatic nerve. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96a11

§ The mishna teaches: One who eats an olive-bulk of the sciatic nerve incurs forty lashes. Shmuel says: The Torah prohibits only the part of the sciatic nerve that is on the rounded protrusion of flesh shaped like a spoon that is near the end of the femur. This is as it is stated in the verse: “Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sciatic nerve that is upon the spoon of the thigh” (Genesis 32:33). (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 9.

[Eng]

Chullin 96b2

And according to Rabbi Yehuda, from where is it derived that one is liable for eating one olive-bulk of a larger sciatic nerve? He holds that it is derived from the phrase “that is upon the spoon of the thigh,” which indicates that even if one eats only the part of the sciatic nerve that is upon the spoon of the thigh, rather than the entire sciatic nerve, he is liable. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96b3

And how do the Rabbis interpret that phrase? That phrase is necessary to teach the halakha stated by Shmuel, as Shmuel said: The Torah prohibits only the part of the sciatic nerve that is on the rounded protrusion of flesh shaped like a spoon. And what does Rabbi Yehuda hold with regard to the halakha stated by Shmuel? He derives from the fact that it is written: “The spoon of the thigh,” that the sciatic nerve of the entire thigh is forbidden, not just the part that is on the rounded protrusion of flesh shaped like a spoon. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96b4

And how do the Rabbis interpret “the spoon of the thigh”? According to the Rabbis, this expression indicates that the prohibition of the sciatic nerve applies to the nerve that extends throughout the entire thigh, i.e., the inner nerve, which serves to exclude the outer nerve, which is not forbidden by Torah law; but in fact, only the part of the inner nerve that is on the protrusion of flesh shaped like a spoon is forbidden, not the entire inner nerve. (original source: sefaria.org)

Chullin 96b5

The Gemara objects: But this term “spoon” is required to exclude the sciatic nerve of a bird, which does not have a rounded protrusion on its thigh bone that can be described as the spoon of the thigh, as taught in the mishna (89b). The Gemara explains: There are two usages of the term “spoon” written in the verse, and therefore two separate halakhot can be derived from this term. (original source: sefaria.org)


Quote 10.

[Eng]

Decisions 12a:16

16. The Gemara asks: From where is this inferred? The Gemara answers: It is as Rava said with regard to the term “the thigh” in the verse: “The sciatic nerve that is on the hollow of the thigh” (Genesis 32:33); the reference is to the stronger of the thighs. Here too, where the verse states: “The anointed,” the reference is to the most distinguished of those anointed, i.e., the High Priest. (original source: sefaria.org)


External links

Babylonian Talmud. Pesachim (The William Davidson Edition). 450-550. [sefaria.org]

Babylonian Talmud. Chullin (The William Davidson Edition). 450-550. [sefaria.org]

Babylonian Talmud. Horayot (The William Davidson Edition). 450-550. [sefaria.org]

Babylonian Talmud. Tract. Pesachim (Passover). Trans. M.L. Rodkinson, Vol. 5. Boston: The Talmud Society, 1918. [archive.org]

Babylonian Talmud. Tract. Abuda zara and Horioth. Trans. M.L. Rodkinson Vol. 18. Boston: The Talmud Society, 1918. [archive.org]

Authors & Affiliations

Babylonian Talmud was written between about 450 - 550 in present-day Iraq (formerly Babylonia). [sefaria.org]

Keywords

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, Bible, Torah, animals, damage, attachment, anatomy, role, synonym

                                                                     

NB! Fair practice / use: copied for the purposes of criticism, review, comment, research and private study in accordance with Copyright Laws of the US: 17 U.S.C. §107; Copyright Law of the EU: Dir. 2001/29/EC, art.5/3a,d; Copyright Law of the RU: ГК РФ ст.1274/1.1-2,7

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dating and authorship of the Book of Genesis

  An original perspective on the dating and authorship of the Book of Genesis. This approach can reconcile all faiths, including atheists and scientists. English version of the article: https://roundligament.blogspot.com/2026/02/great-compilation-introduction.html   Abstract The Book of Genesis (Bereshith) was composed in Egypt during the 17th century BCE and reached its definitive protographic form following the Minoan eruption of Thera. This study argues that the work was the result of a collaboration between an Egyptian polymath and a distinguished scribe of Asiatic descent. By analyzing ancient texts, anatomical descriptions, archaeological data, Bronze Age cultural history, and climatic markers, this article demonstrates that the book emerged from the work of a high-ranking socio-political committee within the Egyptian House of Life. We argue that the inclusion of precise anatomical data, such as the ligamentum capitis femoris, serves as a diagnostic marker of this Egypti...

MEDICAL RECORD. Notes

  Book manuscript: Arkhipov S.V. Medical Record: The Contribution of a Middle Bronze Age Egyptian Physician to the Book of Genesis. Kyrö: Author’s Edition, 2026. – 312 pp. – 2 tables. – Bibliographical references: 856 entries.  play.google.com , books.google.com NB! Notes CONTENT [i] Notes [ii] About the Book and Author [iii] Navigation [ iv] Application [i] Notes · Kyrö is an idyllic settlement situated in the upper reaches of the Finnish Aurochs River (the Tarvasjoki). · The bibliographic referencing system has been adapted by the author. In-text citations emphasize the publication date and the senior author, who typically acts as the principal investigator of the research team. The end-of-text references are based on the international APA (American Psychological Association) citation style and are tailored to reduce character count. This approach curtails typesetting costs, limits publication space requirements, and decreases paper and toner consumption during pri...

LCF in 2026 (September)

  LCF in 2026 (September )  (Quotes from articles and books published in September   2026 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris)   Goetz, J. E., Hockman, J., & Willey, M. C. (2026). Rabbit models of hip dysplasia: a narrative review. Laboratory animal research , 42 (1), 32.   [i]   link.springer.com   Kahana-Rojkind, A. H., Strok, M. J., Walsh, E. G., Quesada-Jimenez, R., Kuhns, B. D., & Domb, B. G. (2026). Factors Associated With Return to Sport at Minimum 10-Year Follow-up in Athletes With Borderline Hip Dysplasia Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy With Capsular Plication. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine , 14 (9), 23259671261451218.   [ii]   journals.sagepub.com   Stanard, I., Almhanna, H., Al-Mahmodi, A. M. M., Kilroy, D., & Kumar, A. H. (2026). Comparative Analysis of Vascular Density in the Femoral Head Ligament of the Dog, Sheep, and Goat.  [iii]   oajr.org , researchgate.net   Hirt, J., Roshardt, ...

MEDICAL RECORD. Chapter 9

  Book manuscript: Arkhipov S.V. Medical Record: The Contribution of a Middle Bronze Age Egyptian Physician to the Book o f Genesis. Kyrö: Author’s Edition, 2026. – 312 pp. – 2 tables. – Bibliographical references: 856 entries.  play.google.com , books.google.com Life History Chapter 9 Epidemiological and Sanitary-Hygienic HISTORY CONTENT [i]   Epidemiological History [ii] Sanitary-Hygienic History [iii] Navigation [ iv] Application [i] Epidemiological History     In general, Jacob's epidemiological history should be characterized as "unremarkable". No mass infection or deaths are described in his immediate environment. Our attention was drawn only to the account of the consecutive deaths of two young men. First, Jacob's grandson Er, the firstborn son of Judah, died (Gen. 38:6–7). Shortly thereafter, the younger brother of the deceased, Onan, passed away (Gen. 38:8, 10). No symptoms of disease are indicated for the deceased, nor is there any information r...

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

  MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ( Erroneous and folkloric beliefs, folk and traditional stories...)  LCF in English Bibles   The first written mention of the LCF in humans is found in the  ancient Hebrew book – Bereshit (Genesis). In English translations of the Bible, LCF is denoted by various terms, often not explicitly referring to the «ligament».  The Shortest Comments on Genesis, Chap. XXXII-XXXIII  In the selected excerpt, the symptoms, mechanism, and differential diagnostic test for the injury to LCF are provided, along with details about the circumstances, time, and place of the biblical trauma.  1609-1583bcProtoBereshit  Hypothesis: in the work of fiction, an unknown physician-encyclopedist for the first time pointed out damage to the LCF as a cause of gait disturbance.  922-722bcElohist  A variant of the oldest description of damage to the LCF and the cause of lameness in Hebrew, dating from 922-722 BC.  8cent.bcHomer   The...

18c.JoubertJ

  Joubert J, painting – Jacob's struggle with God in the form of an angel (17-18th cent.).  Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis: 25 And Ja cob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  26 And when he saw that he could not pre vail against him, he struck against the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he was wrestling with him. … 33 Therefore do the children of Israel not eat the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he struck against the hollow of Jacob's thigh on the sinew that shrank.  ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work:  Ninth month, eleventh day  ( 2024АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ). Jean Joubert –  Jacob's struggle with God in the form of an angel  (17-18th ce...

MEDICAL RECORD. Chapter 1

  Book manuscript: Arkhipov S.V. Medical Record: The Contribution of a Middle Bronze Age Egyptian Physician to the Book of Genesis. Kyrö: Author’s Edition, 2026. – 312 pp. – 2 tables. – Bibliographical references: 856 entries.  play.google.com , books.google.com Introduction Chapter 1 Preamble to the Medical Record CONTENT [i] Text [ii] Navigation [iii] Application [i] Text A unique feature of the Book of Genesis is the abundance of information regarding human physiology and ancient medicine. A striking example is the detailed description in the 32nd chapter of a hip joint injury and its consequences. This knowledge, seamlessly woven into the narrative, is as old as the literary monument itself. How long ago it was composed remains not definitively known, but according to the currently dominant view, it dates back to the late 6th or 5th century BCE (2017OliverS). With the intention of clarifying the aforementioned question and for dating the natural-scientific facts con...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 5

  Short retelling of chapter 5 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian]  Chapter 5.  ADAM AND EVE The Book of Genesis narrates the story of a tribe founded by Adam and Eve, described as the "mother of all living." From a genetic perspective, they are depicted as siblings, with an age difference of 18–25 years. According to the biblical epic, they formed humanity’s first family, sustaining themselves on pre-existing fruits and seeds. Their initial home was the "garden in Eden," located "in the east" relative to the narrator. The text identifies geographic markers for Eden’s location: lands like "Asshur," "Cush," and "Havilah," and rivers named "Pishon," "Gihon," "Hiddekel," and "Phrath." The narrator also notes the region’s economic value, mentioning "gold," ...

The First Conservative Treatment

  Conservative treatment of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) pathology is, without exaggeration, a highly complex subject. We understand how to repair LCF surgically, although we have not yet achieved significant success in this (2024). Methods of drug therapy for changes in LCF are not even discussed today. The first attempt at treating post-traumatic changes in LCF with recurrent hip dislocations was made by Galen of Pergamon (129-210/217 AD) over 19 centuries ago. In Hippocratis de articulis liber et Galeni in eum commentarius quatus (IV, 40) , he wrote: « And when mucus builds up in the joint, then the ligament [LCF] softens and weakens as a result. And it does not matter whether you call it a ligament ( σύνδεσμον ) or a connecting sinew ( νεῦρον συνδετικόν ). For those ligaments that have a rounded shape like tendons are usually called connecting sinews by anatomists. And we have already cured this kind of hip dislocation twice, and it did not dislocate again. Drying medica...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 7

  Short retelling of chapter 7 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian]  Chapter 7. ABEL AND CAIN A pivotal moment in the saga of early humanity was the departure from the "Garden of Eden" to cultivate fields, with a focus on growing grains, as "bread" is mentioned earlier in Genesis. The text does not specify where Adam and Eve settled after leaving Eden, but we can infer it was a warm region with ample water for crops and livestock. This is evidenced by their sons’ occupations: Cain as a "tiller of the ground" and Abel as a "keeper of sheep." Over time, Cain and his family moved "east of Eden" to the land of "Nod," where he founded a "city"—a settlement with permanent dwellings. His descendants developed sophisticated skills: some mastered music, playing the stringed "lyre" and the ...