Gemara Clarity

Yoma 12a

יומא י״ב ע״א

Learn Yoma 12a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Yoma 12a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Which buildings become impure through נגעים (synagogues, ירושלים), and how a replacement כהן גדול is installed on יום כיפור

Overview

This amud continues a contradiction between two ברייתות about whether a בית כנסת can become impure with נגעי בתים. The גמרא first suggests that a big-city synagogue is public property and exempt, while a village synagogue belongs to the locals and can become impure. A challenge from רבי יהודה's view on ירושלים is answered by re-reading his words as 'מקום מקודש', meaning any holy place. The גמרא then explains that the תנא קמא and רבי יהודה disagree about whether ירושלים was divided among the שבטים. It brings a ברייתא on how the מקדש was split between יהודה and בנימין, and another ברייתא saying houses in ירושלים may not be rented out because they belong to everyone. From that second ברייתא, אביי learns that a guest should leave his jug and hide for his host. The גמרא then shows that a village synagogue also has no single identified owner, so it drops the city/village idea and returns to its original answers. Finally, it turns to the משנה's backup כהן גדול and asks how he is installed after the morning תמיד. רב אדא בר אהבה answers with the belt, and אביי answers with the eight garments and turning a limb with a fork. רב פפא's answer begins and continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְהָא — דִּכְרַכִּים,

And this one is about synagogues of large cities,

וְהָא — דִּכְפָרִים.

and that one is about synagogues of villages.

וְדִכְרַכִּים אֵין מִטַּמֵּא בִּנְגָעִים?

And do synagogues of large cities not become impure with נגעים?

וְהָתַנְיָא: ״אֲחוּזַּתְכֶם״,

But it was taught in a ברייתא: 'your possession',

The steps (19)

  1. ResolutionCity synagogues versus village synagogues
  2. ChallengeChallenge from רבי יהודה's view on Jerusalem
  3. ResolutionRe-reading רבי יהודה as 'a holy place'
  4. QuestionWhat is the root of their dispute?
  5. ResponseWas ירושלים divided among the tribes?
  6. ProofLinking to a ברייתא on the tribal division of the מקדש
  7. StatementThe strip of land and the מזבח
  8. ProofVerses show בנימין hosted the Divine Presence
  9. ProofA תנא who holds ירושלים was never divided
  10. Statementאביי: Guests should leave their jug and hide for the host
  11. ChallengeChallenge: Can village synagogues really become impure?
  12. ProofThe פסוק requires a house designated to one owner
  13. ConclusionConclusion: The original answer stands
  14. QuestionHow do we install the replacement if the disqualification happens after the morning offering?
  15. ResponseThe belt shows that he is the כהן גדול
  16. ChallengeThe belt answer only works according to one view
  17. ResolutionHe wears the eight garments and turns a limb with a fork
  18. ProofTurning a limb with a fork counts as real service
  19. Resolutionרב פפא begins a different answer