Yoma 42b

יומא מ״ב ע״ב

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Topic

פרה אדומה: היסח הדעת, whether a זר may do the שחיטה, and עולא's rules for reading the פרה passage

Overview

This amud first finishes a discussion about which stages of the פרה אדומה are ruined by היסח הדעת. The גמרא concludes that the exception is throwing in the cedar, hyssop, and crimson wool, because they are not part of the cow itself. Next, the אמוראים argue whether the שחיטה of the פרה by a זר is valid. רבי יהושע בר אבא quotes a ברייתא in support of רב, who says it is invalid. The ברייתא says the main stages, including the שחיטה, are invalid by a woman and must be done by day, just like the sprinkling of the waters. The גמרא asks how this proves anything about a זר. אביי answers that the word 'אלעזר' excludes both a woman and a זר. Then עולא gives a key for reading the whole פרה אדומה passage, and the גמרא shows examples. Only the first heifer needed אלעזר. Later generations need either a כהן גדול, learned from יום הכפורים, or just any כהן. Another example is that the heifer must be taken out alone. The amud ends as the גמרא begins to explain the practical difference between רבי and רבי שמעון on that rule, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. RejectionThe verse 'for a keeping' rejects the earlier suggestion
2. ResolutionThe exclusion is the casting of cedar, hyssop, and crimson wool
3. StatementDispute: is slaughtering the red heifer by a non-כהן valid?
4. ChallengeAn objection begins with a ברייתא about sprinkling the waters
5. ProofThe word 'תורה' includes slaughter and the other main stages
6. StatementThe word 'זאת' limits the rule and leaves out the later stages
7. QuestionWhy include these stages and exclude those?
8. ResponseStages invalid by a woman also require daytime
9. ResponseStages valid by a woman are valid at night too
10. ChallengeHow does this ברייתא disprove those who allow a זר?
11. Resolutionאביי: the word 'אלעזר' excludes both a woman and a זר
12. Statementעולא's reading rule for the whole פרה אדומה passage
13. StatementOnly the first heifer had to be given to אלעזר
14. StatementWho performs the heifer in later generations
15. QuestionWhere does the כהן גדול opinion get its source?
16. ResponseA גזירה שוה of 'חוקה' from יום הכפורים
17. StatementNo other animal may be taken out with her
18. ProofThe משנה: no black cow and no second red cow
19. Statementרבי: the reason is the word 'אותה'
20. ChallengeDoesn't the first opinion know the verse says 'her'?
21. ResolutionThe first opinion is רבי שמעון, who explains the reasons behind verses
22. QuestionWhat is the practical difference between them?
23. ResponseThe answer begins: there is a difference