Yoma 21b

יומא כ״א ע״ב

Learn Yoma 21b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The miracles of the בית המקדש, the fire and smoke of the מערכה, and the end of פרק שבעת ימים

Overview

This amud finishes the discussion of the miracles in the בית המקדש. First, the גמרא explains that the שולחן could become impure because it was lifted to show the עולי רגלים that the לחם הפנים stayed warm all week. Next, it asks why the golden trees of שלמה are missing from the list of miracles. It answers that permanent miracles are not counted, which also explains why the ארון and כרובים are missing. The גמרא then asks how the list can mention smoke from the מערכה when a ברייתא says the fire made no smoke. It answers that the smoke came from the fire the כהנים brought, not from the heavenly fire. It also explains that the heavenly fire looked like a lion in the מקדש ראשון and like a dog in the מקדש שני, where it was present but did not help burn. A ברייתא then lists six kinds of fire. Finally, the גמרא explains that wind made the smoke sway without scattering it, and it resolves a contradiction about east and west winds before the הדרן closes פרק שבעת ימים.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. ChallengeWhy would the table ever need to be declared pure?
2. ResolutionThe table was lifted to show the pilgrims the warm bread
3. ChallengeWhat about the golden trees of שלמה?
4. ResolutionPermanent miracles are not counted
5. ResolutionThis also explains why the ארון and כרובים are missing
6. StatementQuoting the smoke of the woodpile from the list
7. ChallengeBut the altar fire gave off no smoke!
8. ResolutionThe smoke came from the fire the כהנים brought
9. StatementQuoting the next miracle: the fire crouched like a lion
10. ChallengeAn eyewitness says the fire looked like a dog
11. ResolutionLion in the first מקדש, dog in the second
12. ChallengeWas there heavenly fire in the second מקדש at all?
13. ResolutionThe fire was there, but it did not help burn
14. StatementA ברייתא listing six kinds of fire
15. StatementFour fires: eating, drinking, both, and burning wet like dry
16. StatementTwo more fires: fire that pushes away fire, and fire that eats fire
17. ChallengePeople watched which way the smoke leaned, so the wind must move it
18. ResolutionThe smoke swayed like a palm tree but never broke apart
19. ChallengeEast and west winds: a clash with another teaching
20. StatementA memory aid: the שלחן in the north, the מנורה in the south
21. ResolutionOne source speaks of בבל, the other of ארץ ישראל
22. Conclusionהדרן — Closing the chapter שבעת ימים