Please forgive the simple nature of my question. I leanr with your work, The Art Scroll and the Daf Yomi Tapes. My question: If I'm told on 13b that the halachah cannot be fixed according to R. Meir, and this is a general rule, why on 46b do I need to be told that in a dispute with R. Yehudah and R.Meir the halachah follows R. Yehudah. Don't I already know this?
james Falkin, NY, NY
The Gemara on Daf 46b presents a series of principles, one of them, that whenever Rebbi Meir argues with Rebbi Yehudah, we follow the opinion of Rebbi Yehudah (it is important to bear in mind that every principle has exceptions).
The Gemara on 13b, merely provides the basis of this ruling. As the Gemara says there, it is not due to the fact that Rebbi Yehudah was greater than Rebbi Meir, but because he was too profound for his contemporaries (suggesting that the opposite is true).
Another point is that on Daf 13, the Gemara is discussing only Rebbi Meir, whereas on Daf 46, it is discussing a number of principles incorporating various Tana'im, in which case it would be appropriate even to repeat what it said earlier.
Be'Virchas Kol Tuv
Eliezer Chrysler.
P.S. There is nothing to forgive. We appreciate your questions and enjoy answering them.