Yoma 20a

יומא כ׳ ע״א

Learn Yoma 20a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Yoma 20a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Satan's lack of power on יום הכפורים, the times for תרומת הדשן, and רב's midnight division of the night, which רב כהנא challenges

Overview

This amud finishes the אגדה in which אליהו explains to רב יהודה why people sin even on יום הכפורים: sin is always crouching at the door. רב יהודה then asks what השטן says about these sins. אליהו answers that השטן has no permission to accuse on יום הכפורים. רמי בר חמא proves this with גימטריא: השטן adds up to 364, so he has power on 364 days but not on the one remaining day. Next, a new משנה lists when the כהנים did תרומת הדשן. On a normal day it was done around the rooster's call, on יום הכפורים from midnight, and on the רגלים from the end of the first watch. The גמרא then quotes a משנה in זבחים: limbs that fall off the מזבח before midnight are put back, but after midnight they are treated as ashes. רב explains this midnight line by dividing the night, with the first half for burning and the second half for removing ashes. רב כהנא begins an objection from our משנה, since on the רגלים the ashes were removed before midnight; the challenge continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (11)

1. ResponseSin crouches at the door
2. QuestionWhat does השטן say about it?
3. Responseהשטן has no permission to accuse on יום הכפורים
4. Proofגימטריא proof that השטן rules only 364 days
5. StatementDaily ash removal at the rooster's call
6. StatementEarlier times on יום הכפורים and the רגלים
7. StatementThe courtyard was full before the rooster's call
8. StatementLimbs that fell off the altar: before or after midnight
9. QuestionWhat is the source for the midnight line?
10. Responseרב divides the night in half
11. Challengeרב כהנא quotes a משנה about when ashes were removed