Zevachim 40
Share this shiur:
Masechet Zevachim
Masechet Zevachim is sponsored by Esther Kremer in loving memory of her father, Manny Gross on his third yahrzeit. “He exemplified a path of holiness and purity, living with kedushah in his everyday life.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Jonathan Loring in honor of his wife, Leah Ackner and their children Zev and Meira. “From the first day I met my wife in Hebrew class at JTS to watching her show kindness when we volunteered together to help those in need and even when I had to wait 9 years for a first date, my wife has always been an inspiration to me and everyone she meets. Thank you for these 20 years and B’Ezrat Hashem to many more! I love you wifesy.”
This month’s learning is dedicated for a refuah shleima for Pesha Etel bat Sarah
This week’s learning is sponsored by Sarah Zahavi for the continued health and good outcome for Talia Nechama bat Chana.
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
Summary
The Gemara cites a braita to locate the source for the halakha that all placements of the sin-offering blood performed in the inner sanctuary are essential. The braita’s author treats the seven sprinklings as essential because they are treated as essential elsewhere – this statement is explained as referring to seven sprinklings in the rituals of the red heifer and the purification of a leper.
The ruling that the four placements are essential is derived from the phrase “and as such he should do.” Why not derive them from the phrase “and he should do like he did,” which is used to teach the seven sprinklings – why can’t both be derived from the same verse? Rabbi Yirmiya and Abaye offer different answers.
The braita explains that the word “bull” mentioned first in Vayikra 4:20 refers to the bull of Yom Kippur. Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak teaches from this that the blood placements are essential. Rav Papa, however, maintains that the essential nature can be derived from the verses of Yom Kippur and therefore understands the verse as teaching three specific laws about dipping the finger in the blood, laws drawn from the sin offering of the kohen gadol. A braita is brought in support of Rav Papa’s position.
Rabbi Yishmael held that the laws for the bull of Yom Kippur could be derived by kal v’chomer reasoning and therefore understood the “bull” in the verse to be referring to the communal sin offering.
Today’s daily daf tools:
Masechet Zevachim
Masechet Zevachim is sponsored by Esther Kremer in loving memory of her father, Manny Gross on his third yahrzeit. “He exemplified a path of holiness and purity, living with kedushah in his everyday life.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Jonathan Loring in honor of his wife, Leah Ackner and their children Zev and Meira. “From the first day I met my wife in Hebrew class at JTS to watching her show kindness when we volunteered together to help those in need and even when I had to wait 9 years for a first date, my wife has always been an inspiration to me and everyone she meets. Thank you for these 20 years and B’Ezrat Hashem to many more! I love you wifesy.”
This month’s learning is dedicated for a refuah shleima for Pesha Etel bat Sarah
This week’s learning is sponsored by Sarah Zahavi for the continued health and good outcome for Talia Nechama bat Chana.
Zevachim 40
אָמַר מָר: אֵין לִי אֶלָּא מַתַּן שֶׁבַע שֶׁמְּעַכְּבוֹת בְּכׇל מָקוֹם. הֵיכָא? אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: בְּפָרָה וּבִנְגָעִים.
The Gemara analyzes the baraita in detail. The Master said in the baraita: I have a derivation only with regard to the seven placements on the Curtain separating between the Sanctuary and Holy of Holies, that they are indispensable, as these seven are indispensable in all cases. The Gemara asks: Where are the seven indispensable? Rav Pappa says: In the case of the red heifer (see Numbers 19:2–4), and in the purification process of one afflicted with leprous marks (see Leviticus 14:16).
מַתַּן אַרְבַּע מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כֵּן יַעֲשֶׂה״. מַאי שְׁנָא מַתַּן שֶׁבַע – דִּכְתִיבָן וּכְפִילָן, מַתַּן אַרְבַּע נָמֵי – כְּתִיבָן וּכְפִילָן!
The baraita continues: From where is it derived that the same applies to the four placements on the inner altar? The verse states: “So shall he do” (Leviticus 4:20). The Gemara asks: What is different about seven placements, that they should be indispensable? If you say that the reason is that the seven placements are written and repeated, by means of the terms “And he shall do…as he did,” which teaches that they are indispensable, I can say that the four placements as well are written and repeated. Why then should their halakha be any different?
אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: לֹא נִצְרְכָא אֶלָּא לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן. דְּתַנְיָא, לְמַעְלָה אוֹמֵר: ״קֶרֶן״–״קַרְנוֹת״ – שְׁתַּיִם; לְמַטָּה הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״קֶרֶן״–״קַרְנוֹת״ – אַרְבַּע. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן.
Rabbi Yirmeya says: This is necessary only according to the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, who maintains that only two placements are written in this chapter, while the other two are derived through a juxtaposition. Consequently, a specific derivation is required for these. As it is taught in a baraita with regard to the placements on the inner altar: Above, in the case of the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, the verse states corner in the plural form of corners (see Leviticus 4:7), i.e., it says “corners [karnot],” in the plural, where it could have written corner, in the singular. These are two corners. And below, with regard to the bull for an unwitting communal sin, it again states corner in the plural form of corners (see Leviticus 4:18). Together these amount to four corners. This is the statement of Rabbi Shimon.
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ; הֲרֵי הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״ – עַל כׇּל הָאָמוּר בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, ״כֵּן יֵעָשֶׂה״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ?
Rabbi Yehuda says: This derivation is not necessary, as it states in these same verses: “And he shall put of the blood upon the corners of the altar which is before the Lord, which is in the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 4:18). The superfluous expression “in the Tent of Meeting” teaches that the blood must be placed on all the corners of the altar that are stated with regard to the Tent of Meeting, i.e., on all four corners. The Gemara asks: And Rabbi Yehuda, what does he do with the phrase “so shall he do,” which Rabbi Shimon interprets as referring to the four placements?
מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְכִדְתַנְיָא: לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא לָמַדְנוּ לְפַר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לִסְמִיכָה. וּשְׁיָרֵי הַדָּם מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כֵּן יַעֲשֶׂה״.
The Gemara answers that Rabbi Yehuda requires this verse for that which is taught in a baraita: As we did not learn with regard to the bull of Yom Kippur that placing hands is required, i.e., that the High Priest must place his hands on this animal before it is slaughtered, and likewise it is not stated that the remainder of its blood must be poured on the base of the altar. From where is it derived that these actions must be performed? The verse states: “So shall he do.”
וּלְפַר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לֹא לָמַדְנוּ? הָא אָמַרְתָּ: ״לַפָּר״ – זֶה יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים!
The Gemara asks: And did we not learn with regard to the bull of Yom Kippur that these requirements apply? But you said earlier in the baraita: “With the bull” (Leviticus 4:20); this alludes to the bull of Yom Kippur, which indicates that all the rites performed in connection with the bull for an unwitting communal sin apply also to the bull of Yom Kippur.
אִיצְטְרִיךְ; סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי – עֲבוֹדָה דִּמְעַכְּבָא כַּפָּרָה, אֲבָל עֲבוֹדָה דְּלָא מְעַכְּבָא כַּפָּרָה – אֵימָא לָא; קָמַשְׁמַע לַן.
The Gemara answers: The derivation from the phrase “so shall he do” was necessary, as it could enter your mind to say that this matter, the comparison between the bull for an unwitting communal sin and the bull of Yom Kippur, applies only to a service that is indispensable for atonement, e.g., the sprinkling of the blood. But with regard to a service that is not indispensable for atonement, such as placing hands on the head of the animal or pouring out the remainder of the blood, one might say that these actions need not be performed. Therefore, the verse teaches us: “So shall he do,” i.e., these services, too, must be performed with the bull of Yom Kippur.
וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, הַאי ״בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ? ״בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״ מִבְּעֵי לֵיהּ שֶׁאִם נִפְחֲתָה תִּקְרָה שֶׁל הֵיכָל, לֹא הָיָה מַזֶּה. וְאִידַּךְ – מֵ״אֲשֶׁר״. וְאִידַּךְ – ״אֲשֶׁר״ לָא דָּרֵישׁ.
The Gemara asks: And Rabbi Shimon, what does he do with this phrase: “In the Tent of Meeting,” from which Rabbi Yehuda derives that the blood must be placed on all four corners of the altar? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Shimon requires the phrase “in the Tent of Meeting” to teach that if the roof of the Sanctuary was breached by a hole, the priest would not sprinkle the blood, as it would no longer be called the Tent of Meeting. The Gemara asks: And the other tanna, Rabbi Yehuda, from where does he derive this halakha? The Gemara explains that Rabbi Yehuda derives it from the superfluous term “which is in the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 4:7, 18). The Gemara asks: And the other tanna, Rabbi Shimon? He does not interpret the term “which is” as he maintains that this expression is not significant enough to serve as the source of a halakha.
אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה נָמֵי אִיצְטְרִיךְ; סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: מִידֵּי דְּהָוֵה אַסְּמִיכָה וּשְׁיָרֵי הַדָּם – דְּאַף עַל גַּב דִּכְתִיבָן וּכְפִילָן לָא מְעַכְּבָא, מַתַּן אַרְבַּע נָמֵי לָא תִּתְעַכַּב; קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
Abaye said: According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda as well, it was necessary to learn from the phrase “so shall he do” that the four placements are indispensable. As it might enter your mind to say that just as it is with regard to placing hands and the remainder of the blood, that even though they are written and repeated they are not indispensable, so too, the four placements of blood should not be indispensable. Therefore, the phrase “so shall he do” teaches us that this is not the case, and the four sprinklings are indeed indispensable.
״לַפָּר״ – זֶה פַּר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. לְמַאי הִילְכְתָא? אִי לְעַכֵּב – פְּשִׁיטָא, ״חֻקָּה״ כְּתִיבָה בֵּיהּ!
§ The baraita teaches: “With the bull” (Leviticus 4:20), this alludes to the bull of Yom Kippur. To what halakha does this statement relate? If it serves to teach that all matters stated with regard to the bull of Yom Kippur are indispensable, this is obvious, since the word “statute” is written concerning it: “And this shall be an everlasting statute to you” (Leviticus 16:29), and there is a principle that halakhot described as statutes are indispensable.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: לֹא נִצְרְכָא אֶלָּא לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, דְּאָמַר: כִּי כְּתִיבָה ״חֻקָּה״ – אַדְּבָרִים הַנַּעֲשִׂים בְּבִגְדֵי לָבָן בִּפְנִים, שֶׁאִם הִקְדִּים מַעֲשֶׂה לַחֲבֵירוֹ – לֹא עָשָׂה וְלֹא כְלוּם;
Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: This statement is necessary only according to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who says: When the term “statute” is written concerning the Yom Kippur service, indicating that no details may be altered, it is written only with regard to actions performed in white garments inside the Holy of Holies, e.g., burning the incense and sprinkling the blood, which are the essential services of the day, and it teaches that if the High Priest performed one of the actions before another, i.e., not in the proper order, he has done nothing.
אֲבָל דְּבָרִים הַנַּעֲשִׂים בְּבִגְדֵי לָבָן בַּחוּץ, הִקְדִּים מַעֲשֶׂה לַחֲבֵירוֹ – מַה שֶּׁעָשָׂה עָשׂוּי; אֵימָא מִדִּכְסִידְרָן לָא מְעַכְּבִי, הַזָּאוֹת נָמֵי לָא מְעַכְּבִי; קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
But with regard to those actions performed in white garments outside, in the Sanctuary, if he performed one action before another, what he did is done and he is not required to repeat the rite. Consequently, one might say that from the fact that their order is not indispensable, it may be derived that the sprinklings, i.e., placements, themselves are also not indispensable. Therefore, the term “with the bull” teaches us that the placements are indeed indispensable.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַב פָּפָּא: וּמִי מָצֵית אָמְרַתְּ הָכִי?! וְהָתַנְיָא: ״וְכִלָּה מִכַּפֵּר אֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ״ – אִם כִּיפֵּר כִּילָּה, וְאִם לֹא כִּיפֵּר לֹא כִּילָּה. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא.
Rav Pappa objects to this: And how can you say this, that Rabbi Yehuda derives from here that the placements are indispensable? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: The verse discussing the Yom Kippur service states: “And when he has finished atoning for the Sanctuary” (Leviticus 16:20). This indicates that if he performed the atonement, i.e., the sprinklings, inside the Sanctuary, he has finished the order of the service, even though he has not poured the remainder of the blood on the base of the altar; and if he did not perform the atonement, he has not finished; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva.
אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוּדָה, מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא נֹאמַר: אִם כִּילָּה כִּיפֵּר, וְאִם לֹא כִּילָּה לֹא כִּיפֵּר?
Rabbi Yehuda said to him: For what reason do we not say: If he finished the entire service, which includes sprinkling the blood in the Sanctuary and pouring the remainder of the blood onto the base of the altar, he has facilitated atonement; and if he did not finish, he has not facilitated atonement? This indicates that Rabbi Yehuda derives from this verse the halakha that the sprinklings in the Sanctuary are indispensable.
אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: לֹא נִצְרְכָא אֶלָּא לְאֶת (דם) [בְּדָם] וּבִטְבִילָה. ״אֶת״ – אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: לֹא נִצְרְכָא לְהַכְשִׁיר
Rav Pappa says: This reference to the bull of Yom Kippur in the term “with the bull,” is necessary only to apply to the bull of Yom Kippur three halakhot that are derived from that which is stated with regard to the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest: “And the priest shall immerse his finger [et etzba’o] in the blood” (Leviticus 4:6). These halakhot can be summarized in the shortened form: Et, blood, and with immersion. The Gemara elaborates: With regard to the word et, Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov says: This word is necessary only to render fit
אַמִּין שֶׁבָּאֶצְבַּע. ״בַּדָּם״ – שֶׁיְּהֵא בַּדָּם שִׁיעוּר טְבִילָה מֵעִיקָּרָא. ״וְטָבַל״ – וְלֹא מְסַפֵּג.
service performed by a priest who has a wart or blister on his finger. These are not considered an interposition between his finger and the blood. With regard to the term “in the blood” (Leviticus 4:6), this teaches that the blood in the service vessel must be of a sufficient measure for immersion from the outset. The priest must initially collect in the vessel enough blood for all the sprinklings, rather than adding blood to the vessel for each sprinkling. Finally, the term “and the priest shall immerse his finger in the blood” indicates that there must be enough blood in the vessel such that the priest can immerse his finger in it and not have to wipe the sides of the utensil to collect blood for sprinkling.
וְאִיצְטְרִיךְ לְמִכְתַּב ״בַּדָּם״, דְּאִי כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״וְטָבַל״ – הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: אַף עַל גַּב דְּלֵיכָּא שִׁיעוּר טְבִילָה מֵעִיקָּרָא; כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״בַּדָּם״.
The Gemara explains: And it was necessary for the verse to state both these last two terms. It had to write “in the blood,” as had the Merciful One written only “and the priest shall immerse,” I would say that the sprinklings are valid even if there was not a sufficient measure of blood for immersion from the outset, but only enough for a single sprinkling, provided that the priest then added more blood to the vessel for each sprinkling. Therefore, the Merciful One writes “in the blood” to teach that from the outset there must be enough blood in the vessel for all the sprinklings.
וְאִי כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״בַּדָּם״ – הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: אֲפִילּוּ מְסַפֵּג; כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא: ״וְטָבַל״.
And conversely, had the Merciful One written only “in the blood,” I would say that even if there was enough blood in the vessel at the outset it is not necessary that there be enough blood for immersion for the last sprinklings, as the priest can wipe the sides of the utensil to collect blood for sprinkling. Therefore, the Merciful One writes “and the priest shall immerse.”
״מִזְבַּח קְטֹרֶת סַמִּים״ לְמָה לִי? שֶׁאִם לֹא נִתְחַנֵּךְ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ בִּקְטוֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים – לֹא הָיָה מַזֶּה.
The Gemara addresses another apparently superfluous phrase in the same chapter: “And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the corners of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord” (Leviticus 4:7). Why do I need the verse to mention the sweet incense? It would have been enough to identify the altar as being “before the Lord” and one would have understood that the reference is to the inner altar. Rather, this serves to teach that if the altar had not been inaugurated with sweet incense, the priest would not sprinkle blood on it.
תַּנְיָא כְּוָותֵיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא: ״וְעָשָׂה… כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה״ – מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״לַפָּר״? לְרַבּוֹת פַּר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לְכׇל מַה שֶּׁאָמוּר בָּעִנְיָן. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי.
The Gemara comments: It is taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rav Pappa that the superfluous phrase in the passage discussing the bull for an unwitting communal sin alludes to the bull of Yom Kippur in order to teach the three halakhot of et, in the blood, and immersion, from the case of the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, which is also alluded to in that verse. The baraita states: “And he shall do with the bull, as he did with the bull for a sin offering” (Leviticus 4:20). What is the meaning when the verse states “with the bull”? This serves to include the bull of Yom Kippur for all that is stated in this matter, i.e., in the passage concerning the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, specifically the halakhot of et, in the blood, and immersion. This is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.
אָמַר רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: קַל וָחוֹמֶר! וּמָה בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא הוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – הִשְׁוָה מַעֲשִׂים לְמַעֲשִׂים; מָקוֹם שֶׁהִשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיַּשְׁוֶה מַעֲשֶׂה לְמַעֲשֶׂה?!
Rabbi Yishmael said: This inclusion is unnecessary, as these halakhot can be derived via an a fortiori inference: Just as in a case in which one offering is not equated with another offering of a different type of animal, the Torah equated the actions of sprinkling the blood in one offering with the actions of the blood in the other offering, as will be explained, in a case in which the Torah equated one offering with another offering, i.e., the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest and the bull of Yom Kippur, isn’t it logical that the Torah should equate the actions of sprinkling the blood in the one offering with the actions of the blood in the other offering? Therefore, the derivation by way of a special inclusion is not necessary.
אֶלָּא מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״לַפָּר״ – זֶה פַּר הֶעְלֵם דָּבָר שֶׁל צִבּוּר. ״לְפַר״ – זֶה פַּר כֹּהֵן מָשִׁיחַ.
Rather, what is the meaning when the verse states: “And he shall do with the bull, as he did with the bull for a sin offering”? With regard to the first instance of “with the bull,” this is the bull for an unwitting communal sin. And with regard to the second instance of “with the bull,” this is the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest. And the verse serves to teach that just as in the first case, if the priest omitted one of the sprinklings, he has done nothing, the same is true in the second case.
אָמַר מָר: וּמָה בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא הוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן. מַאי לֹא הוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן?
The Gemara clarifies the baraita. The Master said above: Just as in a case in which one offering is not equated with another offering. What is the meaning of the expression: One offering is not equated with another offering? Which offerings are not brought from the same type of animal, but nevertheless the halakhot governing the sprinkling of their blood are the same?
אִילֵּימָא פַּר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים וּשְׂעִיר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים – אִיכָּא לְמִיפְרַךְ: מָה לְהָנָךְ, שֶׁכֵּן נִכְנָס דָּמָם לִפְנַיי וְלִפְנִים!
If we say that Rabbi Yishmael is referring to the bull of Yom Kippur and the goat of Yom Kippur, and from them he derives by way of an a fortiori inference that the actions concerning the bull of Yom Kippur are the same as those concerning the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, which are the same animal, this can be refuted as follows: What is notable about these offerings, the bull and the goat of Yom Kippur? They are notable in that their blood enters the innermost sanctum, the Holy of Holies. This is not so of the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, the blood of which is sprinkled only in the outer area of the Sanctuary.
אֶלָּא פַּר הֶעְלֵם דָּבָר שֶׁל צִבּוּר וּשְׂעִירֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה – אִיכָּא לְמִיפְרַךְ: מָה לְהָנָךְ, שֶׁכֵּן מְכַפְּרִין עַל עֲבֵירוֹת מִצְוָה יְדוּעָה!
Rather, say that the reference here is to the bull for an unwitting communal sin and the goats for an unwitting communal sin of idol worship. But once again this claim can be refuted: What is notable about these offerings? They are notable in that they both atone for the known transgressions of a mitzva, whereas the bull of Yom Kippur atones for unknown transgressions (see Shevuot 2a).
אֶלָּא פַּר הֶעְלֵם דָּבָר שֶׁל צִבּוּר וְשָׂעִיר שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. וְהָכִי קָאָמַר: וּמָה בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא הוּשְׁווּ קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – דְּהַאי פַּר וְהַאי שָׂעִיר, הוּשְׁווּ מַעֲשִׂים לְמַעֲשִׂים – לְמַאי דִּכְתַב בְּהוּ; מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – דְּהַאי פַּר וְהַאי פַּר, אֵינוֹ דִּין
Rather, the reference here is to the bull for an unwitting communal sin and the goat of Yom Kippur, and this is what Rabbi Yishmael is saying: Just as in a case in which one offering is not equated with another offering, as this is a bull and that is a goat, nevertheless the actions of sprinkling the blood in one offering are equated with the actions of the blood in the other offering with regard to that which is written concerning it, in a case in which one offering is equated with another offering, i.e., the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest and the bull of Yom Kippur, as this is a bull and that is a bull, isn’t it logical
Today’s daily daf tools:
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
Zevachim Daf 39-45 – Daf Yomi: One Week at a Time
New to Talmud?
Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you.
The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
It happened without intent (so am I yotzei?!) – I watched the women’s siyum live and was so moved by it that the next morning, I tuned in to Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur, and here I am, still learning every day, over 2 years later. Some days it all goes over my head, but others I grasp onto an idea or a story, and I ‘get it’ and that’s the best feeling in the world. So proud to be a Hadran learner.
Zichron Yaakov, Israel
I never thought I’d be able to do Daf Yomi till I saw the video of Hadran’s Siyum HaShas. Now, 2 years later, I’m about to participate in Siyum Seder Mo’ed with my Hadran community. It has been an incredible privilege to learn with Rabbanit Michelle and to get to know so many caring, talented and knowledgeable women. I look forward with great anticipation and excitement to learning Seder Nashim.
Karmiel, Israel
I started learning Gemara at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. And I resumed ‘ברוך ה decades later with Rabbanit Michele at Hadran. I started from Brachot and have had an exciting, rewarding experience throughout seder Moed!
Maale Adumim, Israel
In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Attending the Siyyum in Jerusalem 26 months ago inspired me to become part of this community of learners. So many aspects of Jewish life have been illuminated by what we have learned in Seder Moed. My day is not complete without daf Yomi. I am so grateful to Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran Community.
Newton, United States
I started learning after the siyum hashas for women and my daily learning has been a constant over the last two years. It grounded me during the chaos of Corona while providing me with a community of fellow learners. The Daf can be challenging but it’s filled with life’s lessons, struggles and hope for a better world. It’s not about the destination but rather about the journey. Thank you Hadran!
אפרת, Israel
I began learning the daf in January 2022. I initially “flew under the radar,” sharing my journey with my husband and a few close friends. I was apprehensive – who, me? Gemara? Now, 2 years in, I feel changed. The rigor of a daily commitment frames my days. The intellectual engagement enhances my knowledge. And the virtual community of learners has become a new family, weaving a glorious tapestry.
Far Rockaway, United States
I heard the new Daf Yomi cycle was starting and I was curious, so I searched online for a women’s class and was pleasently surprised to find Rabanit Michelle’s great class reviews in many online articles. It has been a splendid journey. It is a way to fill my days with Torah, learning so many amazing things I have never heard before during my Tanach learning at High School. Thanks so much .
Panama, Panama
I LOVE learning the Daf. I started with Shabbat. I join the morning Zoom with Reb Michelle and it totally grounds my day. When Corona hit us in Israel, I decided that I would use the Daf to keep myself sane, especially during the days when we could not venture out more than 300 m from our home. Now my husband and I have so much new material to talk about! It really is the best part of my day!
Hashmonaim, Israel
When I was working and taking care of my children, learning was never on the list. Now that I have more time I have two different Gemora classes and the nach yomi as well as the mishna yomi daily.
Jerusalem, Israel
I never thought I’d be able to do Daf Yomi till I saw the video of Hadran’s Siyum HaShas. Now, 2 years later, I’m about to participate in Siyum Seder Mo’ed with my Hadran community. It has been an incredible privilege to learn with Rabbanit Michelle and to get to know so many caring, talented and knowledgeable women. I look forward with great anticipation and excitement to learning Seder Nashim.
Karmiel, Israel
Ontario, Canada
I’ve been learning since January 2020, and in June I started drawing a phrase from each daf. Sometimes it’s easy (e.g. plants), sometimes it’s very hard (e.g. korbanot), and sometimes it’s loads of fun (e.g. bird racing) to find something to draw. I upload my pictures from each masechet to #DafYomiArt. I am enjoying every step of the journey.
Ashdod, Israel
I had dreamed of doing daf yomi since I had my first serious Talmud class 18 years ago at Pardes with Rahel Berkovitz, and then a couple of summers with Leah Rosenthal. There is no way I would be able to do it without another wonderful teacher, Michelle, and the Hadran organization. I wake up and am excited to start each day with the next daf.
Irvine, United States
I learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!
Berlin, Germany
Years ago, I attended the local Siyum HaShas with my high school class. It was inspiring! Through that cycle and the next one, I studied masekhtot on my own and then did “daf yomi practice.” The amazing Hadran Siyum HaShas event firmed my resolve to “really do” Daf Yomi this time. It has become a family goal. We’ve supported each other through challenges, and now we’re at the Siyum of Seder Moed!
Jerusalem, Israel
I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!
Borehamwood, United Kingdom
After experiences over the years of asking to join gemara shiurim for men and either being refused by the maggid shiur or being the only women there, sometimes behind a mechitza, I found out about Hadran sometime during the tail end of Masechet Shabbat, I think. Life has been much better since then.
London, United Kingdom
After enthusing to my friend Ruth Kahan about how much I had enjoyed remote Jewish learning during the earlier part of the pandemic, she challenged me to join her in learning the daf yomi cycle. I had always wanted to do daf yomi but now had no excuse. The beginning was particularly hard as I had never studied Talmud but has become easier, as I have gained some familiarity with it.
Brookline, United States
I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.
בית שמש, Israel
Zevachim 40
אָמַר מָר: אֵין לִי אֶלָּא מַתַּן שֶׁבַע שֶׁמְּעַכְּבוֹת בְּכׇל מָקוֹם. הֵיכָא? אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: בְּפָרָה וּבִנְגָעִים.
The Gemara analyzes the baraita in detail. The Master said in the baraita: I have a derivation only with regard to the seven placements on the Curtain separating between the Sanctuary and Holy of Holies, that they are indispensable, as these seven are indispensable in all cases. The Gemara asks: Where are the seven indispensable? Rav Pappa says: In the case of the red heifer (see Numbers 19:2–4), and in the purification process of one afflicted with leprous marks (see Leviticus 14:16).
מַתַּן אַרְבַּע מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כֵּן יַעֲשֶׂה״. מַאי שְׁנָא מַתַּן שֶׁבַע – דִּכְתִיבָן וּכְפִילָן, מַתַּן אַרְבַּע נָמֵי – כְּתִיבָן וּכְפִילָן!
The baraita continues: From where is it derived that the same applies to the four placements on the inner altar? The verse states: “So shall he do” (Leviticus 4:20). The Gemara asks: What is different about seven placements, that they should be indispensable? If you say that the reason is that the seven placements are written and repeated, by means of the terms “And he shall do…as he did,” which teaches that they are indispensable, I can say that the four placements as well are written and repeated. Why then should their halakha be any different?
אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: לֹא נִצְרְכָא אֶלָּא לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן. דְּתַנְיָא, לְמַעְלָה אוֹמֵר: ״קֶרֶן״–״קַרְנוֹת״ – שְׁתַּיִם; לְמַטָּה הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״קֶרֶן״–״קַרְנוֹת״ – אַרְבַּע. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן.
Rabbi Yirmeya says: This is necessary only according to the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, who maintains that only two placements are written in this chapter, while the other two are derived through a juxtaposition. Consequently, a specific derivation is required for these. As it is taught in a baraita with regard to the placements on the inner altar: Above, in the case of the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, the verse states corner in the plural form of corners (see Leviticus 4:7), i.e., it says “corners [karnot],” in the plural, where it could have written corner, in the singular. These are two corners. And below, with regard to the bull for an unwitting communal sin, it again states corner in the plural form of corners (see Leviticus 4:18). Together these amount to four corners. This is the statement of Rabbi Shimon.
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ; הֲרֵי הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״ – עַל כׇּל הָאָמוּר בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד. וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, ״כֵּן יֵעָשֶׂה״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ?
Rabbi Yehuda says: This derivation is not necessary, as it states in these same verses: “And he shall put of the blood upon the corners of the altar which is before the Lord, which is in the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 4:18). The superfluous expression “in the Tent of Meeting” teaches that the blood must be placed on all the corners of the altar that are stated with regard to the Tent of Meeting, i.e., on all four corners. The Gemara asks: And Rabbi Yehuda, what does he do with the phrase “so shall he do,” which Rabbi Shimon interprets as referring to the four placements?
מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְכִדְתַנְיָא: לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא לָמַדְנוּ לְפַר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לִסְמִיכָה. וּשְׁיָרֵי הַדָּם מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כֵּן יַעֲשֶׂה״.
The Gemara answers that Rabbi Yehuda requires this verse for that which is taught in a baraita: As we did not learn with regard to the bull of Yom Kippur that placing hands is required, i.e., that the High Priest must place his hands on this animal before it is slaughtered, and likewise it is not stated that the remainder of its blood must be poured on the base of the altar. From where is it derived that these actions must be performed? The verse states: “So shall he do.”
וּלְפַר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לֹא לָמַדְנוּ? הָא אָמַרְתָּ: ״לַפָּר״ – זֶה יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים!
The Gemara asks: And did we not learn with regard to the bull of Yom Kippur that these requirements apply? But you said earlier in the baraita: “With the bull” (Leviticus 4:20); this alludes to the bull of Yom Kippur, which indicates that all the rites performed in connection with the bull for an unwitting communal sin apply also to the bull of Yom Kippur.
אִיצְטְרִיךְ; סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי – עֲבוֹדָה דִּמְעַכְּבָא כַּפָּרָה, אֲבָל עֲבוֹדָה דְּלָא מְעַכְּבָא כַּפָּרָה – אֵימָא לָא; קָמַשְׁמַע לַן.
The Gemara answers: The derivation from the phrase “so shall he do” was necessary, as it could enter your mind to say that this matter, the comparison between the bull for an unwitting communal sin and the bull of Yom Kippur, applies only to a service that is indispensable for atonement, e.g., the sprinkling of the blood. But with regard to a service that is not indispensable for atonement, such as placing hands on the head of the animal or pouring out the remainder of the blood, one might say that these actions need not be performed. Therefore, the verse teaches us: “So shall he do,” i.e., these services, too, must be performed with the bull of Yom Kippur.
וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, הַאי ״בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ? ״בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״ מִבְּעֵי לֵיהּ שֶׁאִם נִפְחֲתָה תִּקְרָה שֶׁל הֵיכָל, לֹא הָיָה מַזֶּה. וְאִידַּךְ – מֵ״אֲשֶׁר״. וְאִידַּךְ – ״אֲשֶׁר״ לָא דָּרֵישׁ.
The Gemara asks: And Rabbi Shimon, what does he do with this phrase: “In the Tent of Meeting,” from which Rabbi Yehuda derives that the blood must be placed on all four corners of the altar? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Shimon requires the phrase “in the Tent of Meeting” to teach that if the roof of the Sanctuary was breached by a hole, the priest would not sprinkle the blood, as it would no longer be called the Tent of Meeting. The Gemara asks: And the other tanna, Rabbi Yehuda, from where does he derive this halakha? The Gemara explains that Rabbi Yehuda derives it from the superfluous term “which is in the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 4:7, 18). The Gemara asks: And the other tanna, Rabbi Shimon? He does not interpret the term “which is” as he maintains that this expression is not significant enough to serve as the source of a halakha.
אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה נָמֵי אִיצְטְרִיךְ; סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: מִידֵּי דְּהָוֵה אַסְּמִיכָה וּשְׁיָרֵי הַדָּם – דְּאַף עַל גַּב דִּכְתִיבָן וּכְפִילָן לָא מְעַכְּבָא, מַתַּן אַרְבַּע נָמֵי לָא תִּתְעַכַּב; קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
Abaye said: According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda as well, it was necessary to learn from the phrase “so shall he do” that the four placements are indispensable. As it might enter your mind to say that just as it is with regard to placing hands and the remainder of the blood, that even though they are written and repeated they are not indispensable, so too, the four placements of blood should not be indispensable. Therefore, the phrase “so shall he do” teaches us that this is not the case, and the four sprinklings are indeed indispensable.
״לַפָּר״ – זֶה פַּר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. לְמַאי הִילְכְתָא? אִי לְעַכֵּב – פְּשִׁיטָא, ״חֻקָּה״ כְּתִיבָה בֵּיהּ!
§ The baraita teaches: “With the bull” (Leviticus 4:20), this alludes to the bull of Yom Kippur. To what halakha does this statement relate? If it serves to teach that all matters stated with regard to the bull of Yom Kippur are indispensable, this is obvious, since the word “statute” is written concerning it: “And this shall be an everlasting statute to you” (Leviticus 16:29), and there is a principle that halakhot described as statutes are indispensable.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: לֹא נִצְרְכָא אֶלָּא לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, דְּאָמַר: כִּי כְּתִיבָה ״חֻקָּה״ – אַדְּבָרִים הַנַּעֲשִׂים בְּבִגְדֵי לָבָן בִּפְנִים, שֶׁאִם הִקְדִּים מַעֲשֶׂה לַחֲבֵירוֹ – לֹא עָשָׂה וְלֹא כְלוּם;
Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: This statement is necessary only according to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who says: When the term “statute” is written concerning the Yom Kippur service, indicating that no details may be altered, it is written only with regard to actions performed in white garments inside the Holy of Holies, e.g., burning the incense and sprinkling the blood, which are the essential services of the day, and it teaches that if the High Priest performed one of the actions before another, i.e., not in the proper order, he has done nothing.
אֲבָל דְּבָרִים הַנַּעֲשִׂים בְּבִגְדֵי לָבָן בַּחוּץ, הִקְדִּים מַעֲשֶׂה לַחֲבֵירוֹ – מַה שֶּׁעָשָׂה עָשׂוּי; אֵימָא מִדִּכְסִידְרָן לָא מְעַכְּבִי, הַזָּאוֹת נָמֵי לָא מְעַכְּבִי; קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
But with regard to those actions performed in white garments outside, in the Sanctuary, if he performed one action before another, what he did is done and he is not required to repeat the rite. Consequently, one might say that from the fact that their order is not indispensable, it may be derived that the sprinklings, i.e., placements, themselves are also not indispensable. Therefore, the term “with the bull” teaches us that the placements are indeed indispensable.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַב פָּפָּא: וּמִי מָצֵית אָמְרַתְּ הָכִי?! וְהָתַנְיָא: ״וְכִלָּה מִכַּפֵּר אֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ״ – אִם כִּיפֵּר כִּילָּה, וְאִם לֹא כִּיפֵּר לֹא כִּילָּה. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא.
Rav Pappa objects to this: And how can you say this, that Rabbi Yehuda derives from here that the placements are indispensable? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: The verse discussing the Yom Kippur service states: “And when he has finished atoning for the Sanctuary” (Leviticus 16:20). This indicates that if he performed the atonement, i.e., the sprinklings, inside the Sanctuary, he has finished the order of the service, even though he has not poured the remainder of the blood on the base of the altar; and if he did not perform the atonement, he has not finished; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva.
אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוּדָה, מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא נֹאמַר: אִם כִּילָּה כִּיפֵּר, וְאִם לֹא כִּילָּה לֹא כִּיפֵּר?
Rabbi Yehuda said to him: For what reason do we not say: If he finished the entire service, which includes sprinkling the blood in the Sanctuary and pouring the remainder of the blood onto the base of the altar, he has facilitated atonement; and if he did not finish, he has not facilitated atonement? This indicates that Rabbi Yehuda derives from this verse the halakha that the sprinklings in the Sanctuary are indispensable.
אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: לֹא נִצְרְכָא אֶלָּא לְאֶת (דם) [בְּדָם] וּבִטְבִילָה. ״אֶת״ – אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: לֹא נִצְרְכָא לְהַכְשִׁיר
Rav Pappa says: This reference to the bull of Yom Kippur in the term “with the bull,” is necessary only to apply to the bull of Yom Kippur three halakhot that are derived from that which is stated with regard to the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest: “And the priest shall immerse his finger [et etzba’o] in the blood” (Leviticus 4:6). These halakhot can be summarized in the shortened form: Et, blood, and with immersion. The Gemara elaborates: With regard to the word et, Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov says: This word is necessary only to render fit
אַמִּין שֶׁבָּאֶצְבַּע. ״בַּדָּם״ – שֶׁיְּהֵא בַּדָּם שִׁיעוּר טְבִילָה מֵעִיקָּרָא. ״וְטָבַל״ – וְלֹא מְסַפֵּג.
service performed by a priest who has a wart or blister on his finger. These are not considered an interposition between his finger and the blood. With regard to the term “in the blood” (Leviticus 4:6), this teaches that the blood in the service vessel must be of a sufficient measure for immersion from the outset. The priest must initially collect in the vessel enough blood for all the sprinklings, rather than adding blood to the vessel for each sprinkling. Finally, the term “and the priest shall immerse his finger in the blood” indicates that there must be enough blood in the vessel such that the priest can immerse his finger in it and not have to wipe the sides of the utensil to collect blood for sprinkling.
וְאִיצְטְרִיךְ לְמִכְתַּב ״בַּדָּם״, דְּאִי כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״וְטָבַל״ – הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: אַף עַל גַּב דְּלֵיכָּא שִׁיעוּר טְבִילָה מֵעִיקָּרָא; כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״בַּדָּם״.
The Gemara explains: And it was necessary for the verse to state both these last two terms. It had to write “in the blood,” as had the Merciful One written only “and the priest shall immerse,” I would say that the sprinklings are valid even if there was not a sufficient measure of blood for immersion from the outset, but only enough for a single sprinkling, provided that the priest then added more blood to the vessel for each sprinkling. Therefore, the Merciful One writes “in the blood” to teach that from the outset there must be enough blood in the vessel for all the sprinklings.
וְאִי כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא ״בַּדָּם״ – הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: אֲפִילּוּ מְסַפֵּג; כְּתַב רַחֲמָנָא: ״וְטָבַל״.
And conversely, had the Merciful One written only “in the blood,” I would say that even if there was enough blood in the vessel at the outset it is not necessary that there be enough blood for immersion for the last sprinklings, as the priest can wipe the sides of the utensil to collect blood for sprinkling. Therefore, the Merciful One writes “and the priest shall immerse.”
״מִזְבַּח קְטֹרֶת סַמִּים״ לְמָה לִי? שֶׁאִם לֹא נִתְחַנֵּךְ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ בִּקְטוֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים – לֹא הָיָה מַזֶּה.
The Gemara addresses another apparently superfluous phrase in the same chapter: “And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the corners of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord” (Leviticus 4:7). Why do I need the verse to mention the sweet incense? It would have been enough to identify the altar as being “before the Lord” and one would have understood that the reference is to the inner altar. Rather, this serves to teach that if the altar had not been inaugurated with sweet incense, the priest would not sprinkle blood on it.
תַּנְיָא כְּוָותֵיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא: ״וְעָשָׂה… כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה״ – מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״לַפָּר״? לְרַבּוֹת פַּר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לְכׇל מַה שֶּׁאָמוּר בָּעִנְיָן. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי.
The Gemara comments: It is taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rav Pappa that the superfluous phrase in the passage discussing the bull for an unwitting communal sin alludes to the bull of Yom Kippur in order to teach the three halakhot of et, in the blood, and immersion, from the case of the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, which is also alluded to in that verse. The baraita states: “And he shall do with the bull, as he did with the bull for a sin offering” (Leviticus 4:20). What is the meaning when the verse states “with the bull”? This serves to include the bull of Yom Kippur for all that is stated in this matter, i.e., in the passage concerning the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, specifically the halakhot of et, in the blood, and immersion. This is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.
אָמַר רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: קַל וָחוֹמֶר! וּמָה בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא הוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – הִשְׁוָה מַעֲשִׂים לְמַעֲשִׂים; מָקוֹם שֶׁהִשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיַּשְׁוֶה מַעֲשֶׂה לְמַעֲשֶׂה?!
Rabbi Yishmael said: This inclusion is unnecessary, as these halakhot can be derived via an a fortiori inference: Just as in a case in which one offering is not equated with another offering of a different type of animal, the Torah equated the actions of sprinkling the blood in one offering with the actions of the blood in the other offering, as will be explained, in a case in which the Torah equated one offering with another offering, i.e., the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest and the bull of Yom Kippur, isn’t it logical that the Torah should equate the actions of sprinkling the blood in the one offering with the actions of the blood in the other offering? Therefore, the derivation by way of a special inclusion is not necessary.
אֶלָּא מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״לַפָּר״ – זֶה פַּר הֶעְלֵם דָּבָר שֶׁל צִבּוּר. ״לְפַר״ – זֶה פַּר כֹּהֵן מָשִׁיחַ.
Rather, what is the meaning when the verse states: “And he shall do with the bull, as he did with the bull for a sin offering”? With regard to the first instance of “with the bull,” this is the bull for an unwitting communal sin. And with regard to the second instance of “with the bull,” this is the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest. And the verse serves to teach that just as in the first case, if the priest omitted one of the sprinklings, he has done nothing, the same is true in the second case.
אָמַר מָר: וּמָה בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא הוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן. מַאי לֹא הוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן?
The Gemara clarifies the baraita. The Master said above: Just as in a case in which one offering is not equated with another offering. What is the meaning of the expression: One offering is not equated with another offering? Which offerings are not brought from the same type of animal, but nevertheless the halakhot governing the sprinkling of their blood are the same?
אִילֵּימָא פַּר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים וּשְׂעִיר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים – אִיכָּא לְמִיפְרַךְ: מָה לְהָנָךְ, שֶׁכֵּן נִכְנָס דָּמָם לִפְנַיי וְלִפְנִים!
If we say that Rabbi Yishmael is referring to the bull of Yom Kippur and the goat of Yom Kippur, and from them he derives by way of an a fortiori inference that the actions concerning the bull of Yom Kippur are the same as those concerning the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, which are the same animal, this can be refuted as follows: What is notable about these offerings, the bull and the goat of Yom Kippur? They are notable in that their blood enters the innermost sanctum, the Holy of Holies. This is not so of the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, the blood of which is sprinkled only in the outer area of the Sanctuary.
אֶלָּא פַּר הֶעְלֵם דָּבָר שֶׁל צִבּוּר וּשְׂעִירֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה – אִיכָּא לְמִיפְרַךְ: מָה לְהָנָךְ, שֶׁכֵּן מְכַפְּרִין עַל עֲבֵירוֹת מִצְוָה יְדוּעָה!
Rather, say that the reference here is to the bull for an unwitting communal sin and the goats for an unwitting communal sin of idol worship. But once again this claim can be refuted: What is notable about these offerings? They are notable in that they both atone for the known transgressions of a mitzva, whereas the bull of Yom Kippur atones for unknown transgressions (see Shevuot 2a).
אֶלָּא פַּר הֶעְלֵם דָּבָר שֶׁל צִבּוּר וְשָׂעִיר שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. וְהָכִי קָאָמַר: וּמָה בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא הוּשְׁווּ קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – דְּהַאי פַּר וְהַאי שָׂעִיר, הוּשְׁווּ מַעֲשִׂים לְמַעֲשִׂים – לְמַאי דִּכְתַב בְּהוּ; מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּשְׁוָה קׇרְבָּן לְקׇרְבָּן – דְּהַאי פַּר וְהַאי פַּר, אֵינוֹ דִּין
Rather, the reference here is to the bull for an unwitting communal sin and the goat of Yom Kippur, and this is what Rabbi Yishmael is saying: Just as in a case in which one offering is not equated with another offering, as this is a bull and that is a goat, nevertheless the actions of sprinkling the blood in one offering are equated with the actions of the blood in the other offering with regard to that which is written concerning it, in a case in which one offering is equated with another offering, i.e., the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest and the bull of Yom Kippur, as this is a bull and that is a bull, isn’t it logical
