Pesachim 62a

פסחים ס״ב ע״א

Learn Pesachim 62a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

רבה and רב חסדא on a ערל and the principle of הואיל, and a ברייתא comparing ערלה to טומאה in the קרבן פסח.

Overview

The גמרא explains that רבה and רב חסדא disagree about the verse "לכפר עליו". The verse teaches that an offering atones for its owner and not for someone else (חבירו). רבה says a ערל is not eligible for כפרה, so having him in mind does not disqualify the קרבן פסח. רב חסדא says a ערל still counts, הואיל (since) he could circumcise himself. The גמרא then notes that in the case of baking on יום טוב for a weekday, the two seem to reverse their views on הואיל. רבה is reconciled: הואיל does not work when an action (מילה) is still missing. רב חסדא is reconciled: he uses הואיל only to be strict, not to be lenient. Next, מר זוטרא asks רבינא about a ברייתא that learns partial ערלה from partial טומאה. The גמרא works out whether that טומאה means impure meat or impure people, and gives two answers. It then starts a new challenge from another clause of the ברייתא, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (19)

1. StatementThe verse at the root of the dispute
2. Statementרבה: the "fellow" must be someone who could get atonement
3. Statementרב חסדא: the uncircumcised man still counts, since he could fix himself
4. ChallengeDoes רב חסדא really accept "since"? The baking case
5. ChallengeSpelling out the baking dispute: רבה uses "since", רב חסדא rejects it
6. Resolutionרבה does not contradict himself
7. ChallengeBut רב חסדא seems to contradict himself
8. Resolutionרב חסדא uses הואיל only to be strict
9. Statementמר זוטרא quotes a ברייתא comparing ערלה to טומאה
10. QuestionWhich kind of impurity? First suggestion: impure people
11. RejectionImpure people can't be meant, since ערלים in a group are already clearly fine
12. ResponseIt means impurity of the meat
13. ChallengeThe second half of the ברייתא does not fit 'impure meat'
14. ChallengeSo the second half must mean impure people, and the two halves no longer match
15. ResolutionYes, the ברייתא argues from the general name 'טומאה'
16. ResolutionSecond answer: the second half is also about impure meat
17. ResolutionWith a פסח, the meat must stay pure for the blood to be sprinkled
18. ChallengeChallenge from the last clause: impurity was permitted from its rule
19. QuestionWhich kind of impurity does this clause mean?