Gemara Clarity

Menachos 10a

מנחות י׳ ע״א

Menachot 10a

Learn Menachos 10a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Menachos 10a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The מצורע's oil and the rules for when a עבודה must be done with the right hand

Overview

This amud deals with the purification of a מצורע and then with the question of when a עבודה must be done with the right hand. First the גמרא explains why the תורה names the thumb and toe for the oil: one mention allows the sides (צדדין), and the other rules out the 'sides of the sides' (צידי צדדין). It then shows that both 'on the blood of the אשם' and 'on the place of the blood of the אשם' are needed. The oil goes on that spot even if the blood was wiped off, and blood that is still there is not a חציצה. רבא says the word 'right' for the oil is extra, so it teaches three גזירות שוות: right hand for קמיצה, right foot for חליצה, and right ear for רציעה. The extra 'left' teaches that the כהן's right hand is invalid for holding the oil. The rest of the repeated words come with a פרשה that is repeated for its one new detail. Then ריש לקיש teaches that 'finger' and 'כהונה' mean the right hand. רבא explains that either word is enough. After אביי's challenge, the גמרא limits this to an act that holds back כפרה. For רבי שמעון, 'finger' works alone but 'כהונה' needs 'finger', and the mention of a כהן teaches that he must serve in his priestly state.

Opening lines

(דְּהָא כְּתִב ״עַל דַּם הָאָשָׁם״!),

After all, it is written: "On the blood of the guilt offering"!

חַד לְהַכְשִׁיר צְדָדִין,

One is to make the sides valid,

וְחַד לִפְסוֹל צִידֵּי צְדָדִין.

and one is to make the sides of the sides invalid.

״עַל דַּם הָאָשָׁם״,

"On the blood of the guilt offering"

The steps (24)

  1. ChallengeFinishing the question: the תורה already said 'on the blood of the guilt offering'
  2. ResolutionOne mention allows the sides, the other rules out the 'sides of the sides'
  3. QuestionWhy two different phrases: 'on the blood' and 'on the place of the blood'?
  4. ResponseWithout 'on the place', we would require the blood to still be there
  5. ResponseWithout 'on the blood', we would think the blood is a barrier
  6. ChallengeWhy repeat 'right' for the oil?
  7. Resolution'Hand' teaches the right hand for קמיצה
  8. Resolution'Foot' teaches חליצה, 'ear' teaches רציעה
  9. ChallengeWhy repeat 'left' for the poor מצורע?
  10. ResolutionExtra 'left' rules out the כהן's right hand
  11. ChallengeWhat about the other repeated words?
  12. ResolutionA repeated פרשה is only for its new detail
  13. Statementריש לקיש: 'finger' and 'כהונה' mean the right hand
  14. QuestionFirst reading: both words are needed
  15. Challengeקמיצה says only כהונה, yet the left hand is invalid
  16. Resolutionרבא: either finger or priesthood is enough
  17. Challengeאביי's challenge from carrying limbs to the ramp
  18. ResolutionThe rule applies only to acts that hold back atonement
  19. ChallengeChallenge from receiving the blood
  20. ResolutionThe left-hand ruling follows רבי שמעון, who needs both words
  21. ChallengeA ברייתא shows that for רבי שמעון one word is enough
  22. Resolution'Finger' works alone, but 'כהונה' needs 'finger'
  23. ChallengeThen why does the פסוק mention a כהן?
  24. ResolutionIt teaches that the כהן must be in his priestly state