Gemara Clarity

Pesachim 78a

פסחים ע״ח ע״א

Learn Pesachim 78a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Pesachim 78a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Whether the משנה listing offerings that come בטומאה fits רבי יוסי, and how רבי יוסי can agree with both רבי אליעזר and רבי יהושע.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing an earlier contradiction about רבי יהושע. His strict ruling about sprinkling the blood applies to a קרבן יחיד, while the משנה's lenient ruling applies to a קרבן ציבור. Next the גמרא asks whether the משנה goes against רבי יוסי, who says the ציץ does not bring forgiveness for impure parts that are eaten. It first explains that רבי יוסי holds like רבי אליעזר that the blood works without the meat. On this reading, he and רבי אליעזר argue only about פיגול and מעילה. Then רב מרי objects about the שתי הלחם, which have nothing on the מזבח for the ציץ to cover. Two answers are tried: the lambs brought with the loaves, and טומאה הותרה בציבור. Both fail, so the גמרא concludes that the משנה is not like רבי יוסי. Finally, רב פפא and אביי discuss how רבי יוסי can say he 'sees' the views of both רבי אליעזר and רבי יהושע. Several ways to split the cases are tried and rejected. The last one, ציבור versus יחיד, has its reasoning challenged at the end of the amud.

Opening lines

אֶלָּא, לָא קַשְׁיָא:

Rather, it is not difficult:

כָּאן — בְּיָחִיד,

here, it refers to an individual,

כָּאן — בְּצִיבּוּר.

here, it refers to the public.

נֵימָא מַתְנִיתִין דְּלָא כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי.

Shall we say that our mishna is not in accordance with Rabbi Yosei?

The steps (29)

  1. ResolutionThe difference is an individual's offering versus a public offering
  2. QuestionIs the משנה against רבי יוסי?
  3. ProofWhy רבי יוסי seems to agree with רבי יהושע
  4. RejectionNo, רבי יוסי holds like רבי אליעזר
  5. ChallengeThen what is left of רבי יוסי's ruling?
  6. RejectionThe same question applies to רבי אליעזר
  7. ResolutionThe real argument is about פיגול and מעילה, according to רבי אליעזר
  8. Resolutionרבי יוסי's side: none of these effects apply
  9. Challengeרב מרי sets up an objection: every offering needs something for the ציץ to cover
  10. ChallengeWhat about the two loaves?
  11. ResolutionSuggested answer: the lambs brought with them
  12. RejectionRejected: the משנה would list only four
  13. ResolutionNew answer: impurity is permitted for the community
  14. ChallengeChallenge from a baraita about sprinkling
  15. ChallengeWhy sprinkle at all if impurity is allowed?
  16. ConclusionThe משנה does not follow רבי יוסי
  17. ChallengeDoes רבי יוסי side with both parties?
  18. Proofרבי יוסי says he sees both views as right
  19. ProofWhat the two opinions actually say
  20. Resolutionרבי יוסי meant the argument applies in both areas
  21. ChallengeThe comparison only works in one direction
  22. ResolutionNew answer: impurity versus lost or burned
  23. QuestionWhy would impurity be different? Because of the ציץ
  24. Challengeרבי יוסי says the ציץ does not help for eaten parts
  25. ResolutionNew answer: public offerings versus individual offerings
  26. QuestionWhy does the public case follow רבי אליעזר?
  27. ResponseProposed reason: impurity is fully permitted for the public
  28. RejectionFirst rejection: רבי יוסי holds impurity is only pushed aside
  29. RejectionSecond rejection: why would רבי יהושע disagree about the public?