Gemara Clarity

Yoma 31b

יומא ל״א ע״ב

Learn Yoma 31b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The height of the טבילה room, the linen sheet, the כהן גדול's first טבילה and the morning תמיד, and the dispute between רבי מאיר and the רבנן over קידוש ידיים ורגליים

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a calculation from the previous amud. That calculation found the water of עין עיטם to be 23 אמות above the עזרה: a 20-אמה gate plus a 3-אמה מקוה on top. The גמרא asks why the ceiling and plaster were not added in. It answers that the marble layers were very thin, and anything under a full אמה is not counted. Next it explains that the modesty sheet was made of בוץ to remind the כהן גדול that the day's special service is done in linen. A new משנה then describes the כהן גדול's first טבילה, his change into בגדי זהב, and the morning תמיד, including when the קטורת is offered. It also allows warming the מקוה for an old or delicate כהן גדול. In the גמרא, רב פפא explains the dispute between רבי מאיר and the רבנן about when the קידוש ידיים ורגליים for removing garments is done. A ברייתא then shows that רבי מאיר requires a קידוש even at the first change of clothes, and רב פפא retracts. The amud ends as the גמרא begins a challenge to the רבנן about the משנה's count of קידושים, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְהָא אִיכָּא אַמָּה תִּקְרָה

But there is a cubit of ceiling

וְאַמָּה מַעֲזִיבָה!

and a cubit of plaster!

שְׁעָרִים דְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ,

The gates of the Temple,

כֵּיוָן דְּשֵׁישָׁא נִינְהוּ,

since they are marble,

The steps (17)

  1. ChallengeThe ceiling and plaster should add two more cubits
  2. ResolutionThe Temple gates were marble and built thin
  3. ChallengeEven a minimal thickness still adds something
  4. ResolutionLess than a full cubit is not counted
  5. QuestionWhy was the modesty sheet made of linen?
  6. ResponseLinen reminds him the day's service is in linen
  7. Statementמשנה: first immersion, golden garments, and the morning תמיד
  8. Statementמשנה: incense, lamps, limbs, griddle-cakes, and wine
  9. Statementמשנה: when the morning and afternoon incense is offered
  10. StatementWarming the מקוה for an old or delicate כהן גדול
  11. ChallengeThe משנה seems not to follow רבי מאיר
  12. Resolutionרב פפא: everyone agrees to two washings when changing garments
  13. Statementרבי מאיר: wash after taking off the garments
  14. StatementThe רבנן: wash while still dressed
  15. ChallengeThe Sages challenge רב פפא from a ברייתא
  16. Conclusionרב פפא accepts the ברייתא
  17. ChallengeGranted that רבי מאיר's view works