Gemara Clarity

Yoma 44a

יומא מ״ד ע״א

Learn Yoma 44a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Yoma 44a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The ban on being present during the כהן גדול's service inside, why the verse centers on the incense, and רבי אלעזר's rule on leaving the area between the אולם and the מזבח

Overview

This amud finishes a ברייתא on the פסוק that says no one may be in the אהל מועד while the כהן גדול goes in to atone on יום כיפור (ויקרא ט״ז:י״ז). Each phrase of the verse sets the limits of the ban. It covers only the היכל, not the עזרה. It applies in the desert משכן, in שילה, and in the בית המקדש. It applies during both the incense and the blood services, from his entering until he leaves. The end of the verse teaches the order of atonement: himself, his household, the כהנים, then all of ישראל. The גמרא then explains why the verse is mainly about the incense: only the incense atones equally for everyone. It adds that incense atones for לשון הרע, because something done in secret atones for a sin done in secret. Next, רבי אלעזר limits a משנה. People leave the area between the אולם and the מזבח only for the daily incense in the היכל, not for the incense in the קודש הקדשים. The גמרא challenges him from a ברייתא of רבי יוסי and defends him by reading that ברייתא narrowly. The final answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

יָכוֹל אֲפִילּוּ בַּעֲזָרָה —

One might think the ban applies even in the Courtyard —

תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״.

therefore the verse says: 'in the Tent of Meeting.'

אֵין לִי אֶלָּא בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד שֶׁבַּמִּדְבָּר,

I only know this about the Tent of Meeting in the desert;

שִׁילֹה וּבֵית עוֹלָמִים מִנַּיִן?

from where do I know it for Shiloh and the Eternal House?

The steps (18)

  1. StatementThe ban applies in the sanctuary, not the courtyard
  2. StatementThe ban also applies in Shiloh and the Temple
  3. StatementThe ban also covers the blood sprinkling
  4. StatementThe ban lasts until he comes out
  5. StatementThe order of atonement
  6. QuestionWhy is the basic verse about the incense?
  7. ResponseOnly the incense atones for everyone equally
  8. QuestionCan incense really atone?
  9. ResponseYes, a verse shows that incense atones
  10. StatementIncense atones for לשון הרע
  11. StatementA משנה: people leave the area near the altar during incense burning
  12. Statementרבי אלעזר limits the משנה to incense burned in the היכל
  13. ChallengeObjection from רבי יוסי's ברייתא
  14. ChallengeThe ברייתא ends: the area near the altar is left only during incense burning
  15. ChallengeThe ברייתא shows people leave during the incense, so maybe even the קודש הקדשים incense
  16. ResolutionNo, the ברייתא means the daily incense in the היכל
  17. ChallengeIf so, the היכל would have two higher standards, not one
  18. ResolutionThe ברייתא already teaches that difference