English of Core Text: What is “shamayim”? Rabbi Yose bar Chanina said: “sham mayim” — there is water. It was taught in a baraita: Shamayim — fire and water; this teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, brought them and mixed them together and made from them the firmament.
On the daf / in context: The sugya enumerates the ten things created on the first day. In the course of explaining the components of creation it offers midrashic etymologies of “shamayim.” The passuk is the source for the creation of heaven itself on day one.
Type of Learning: Custom (etymology / notarikon of shamayim)
What Is Learned: The word “shamayim” is read as “there is water” or as a compound of fire and water, indicating the composition of the firmament.