Arachin 13a

ערכין י״ג ע״א

Arakhin 13a

Learn Arachin 13a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Arachin 13a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The dating of the two בתי מקדש and the יובל count (משמרות, רב אשי's six uncounted years, 7 years of conquest and 7 of dividing), then the משנה on minimum lambs and instruments in the מקדש

Overview

The גמרא finishes a ברייתא showing that only four משמרות came back from בבל, and that the prophets made ידעיה, not יהויריב, the head משמר of the Second בית המקדש. So the ברייתא that compares the two destructions must mean the other details. רב אשי then gives a new answer to why the Second בית המקדש fell on מוצאי שביעית: the six years from the start of building until עזרא came and sanctified the land are not counted for שמיטה. Verses in עזרא and a ברייתא prove the six years. Next the גמרא returns to the ברייתא about 17 יובלות and explains why 14 years were not counted: 7 of conquest and 7 of dividing the land. כלב's ages (40 at the spying, 78 at the ירדן, 85 at the dividing) prove the 7 years of conquest. The 7 years of dividing come either from logic or from the פסוק in יחזקאל. A new משנה then sets minimums in the מקדש: six inspected lambs, two trumpets and nine harps, but only one cymbal. The גמרא asks how six lambs could cover שבת and ראש השנה. It answers that the number refers only to the תמיד, and that the holiday phrase is just a memory aid. This explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (16)

1. ProofEach returning watch drew six lots, and ידעיה stays first
2. ConclusionThe comparison refers to the other details
3. Resolutionרב אשי: the first six years were not counted
4. ProofVerses showing when the building started and finished
5. Proofעזרא arrived the following year
6. StatementBack to the ברייתא: the count of 17 יובלות
7. QuestionHow do we know the conquest took seven years?
8. Responseכלב's words: 40 when sent, 85 now
9. ProofDoing the math: 78 at the ירדן, so 7 years of conquest
10. QuestionHow do we know the dividing took seven years?
11. ResponseFirst answer: as long as the conquest
12. ResponseSecond answer: only seven fits the פסוק in יחזקאל
13. StatementThe minimum number of inspected lambs kept ready
14. StatementThe minimum number of musical instruments in the מקדש
15. ChallengeSix lambs are not nearly enough for שבת and ראש השנה
16. ResolutionThe six lambs are only for the daily offering; the holiday phrase is a memory aid