Gemara Clarity

Yoma 16b

יומא ט״ז ע״ב

Learn Yoma 16b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Is the משנה in מסכת מדות following רבי יהודה? Testing it against רבי יהודה's view that the מזבח stood in the middle of the עזרה.

Overview

This amud opens with the end of רבי יהודה's ברייתא. The 32-אמה-wide מזבח was lined up exactly with the היכל and its walls: 10 אמות faced the opening and 11 stuck out on each side. רבי יהודה also holds that the מזבח stood in the middle of the עזרה. The גמרא asks whether מסכת מדות can follow רבי יהודה. It quotes the full measurements of the עזרה from מדות, first the length from east to west (187 אמות), then the width from south to north (135 אמות). On the north side of the מזבח was a large slaughtering area, with the rings, tables and pillars. The ramp, and the leftover space, lay to the south. The גמרא ends with a sharp קשיא: by these numbers, most of the מזבח stands in the south, not in the middle. So מדות does not seem to match רבי יהודה.

Opening lines

עֶשֶׂר אַמּוֹת כְּנֶגֶד פִּתְחוֹ שֶׁל הֵיכָל,

Ten cubits were opposite the entrance of the Sanctuary,

אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה לַצָּפוֹן,

eleven cubits to the north,

וְאַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה לַדָּרוֹם,

and eleven cubits to the south.

נִמְצָא מִזְבֵּחַ מְכֻוּוֹן

It turns out that the altar was lined up

The steps (5)

  1. StatementThe altar lined up exactly with the Sanctuary
  2. ChallengeDoes the altar stand in the middle of the courtyard in מדות?
  3. Proofמדות measurements of the courtyard from east to west
  4. Proofמדות measurements of the courtyard from south to north
  5. ChallengeMost of the altar stands in the south