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Yoma 59a

יומא נ״ט ע״א

Learn Yoma 59a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The inner-altar sprinklings of יום כיפור, the meaning of 'טהרו של מזבח', where the leftover blood is poured, and whether there is מעילה in it.

Overview

This עמוד finishes explaining how the כהן גדול sprinkled blood on the inner altar on יום כיפור, and then follows the משנה line by line. First the גמרא tries several ways to explain the מחלוקת between רבי עקיבא and רבי יוסי הגלילי. It settles on the view that they argue about whether the הקפה was done by hand or by foot. A ברייתא about two כהנים גדולים from the first בית המקדש shows this was a real disagreement, and each one had a reason. Next, the גמרא shows that רבי אליעזר's view in the משנה follows רבי יהודה's report of it. It then explains that 'טהרו של מזבח' means the cleared top of the altar. Everyone agrees the seven sprinklings go where the corner placements ended; חנניא and רבי יוסי only argue about where the entrance was. Then the גמרא explains where the leftover blood is poured: always at the base closest to the כהן. There are other views from רבי ישמעאל and רבי שמעון בן יוחאי. The עמוד ends with a ברייתא arguing whether using that leftover blood counts as מעילה.

Opening lines

וְאִי בָּעֵית אֵימָא:

And if you wish, say:

אִי סְבִירָא לַן הַקָּפָה בָּרֶגֶל

If we hold that the encircling is by foot

דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא פְּלִיגִי

everyone does not disagree

דְּיָלְפִינַן פְּנִים מִחוּץ.

that we learn the inside from the outside.

The steps (34)

  1. ResolutionNew explanation: the dispute is about going around by hand or by foot
  2. ResolutionAnother explanation: do we learn going around by hand from going around by foot
  3. ChallengeChallenge: the end of the משנה shows the first opinion holds the כהן walked
  4. ConclusionConclusion: return to the hand-versus-foot explanation
  5. ResolutionFinal explanation: is the inner altar's edge like the outer altar's, or like one corner of it
  6. ProofTwo High Priests remembered the service differently
  7. StatementThe reasons of the two High Priests
  8. QuestionWhich version of רבי אליעזר does the משנה follow?
  9. ResponseThe משנה follows רבי יהודה
  10. Proofרבי מאיר's report: downward on all corners except the diagonal one
  11. Proofרבי יהודה's report: upward on all corners except the one right in front
  12. QuestionWhat does 'טהרו' of the altar mean?
  13. ResponseFirst answer: 'טהרו' means the middle of the altar
  14. ChallengeChallenge: the sprinkling was on top of the altar
  15. ResolutionNew answer: 'טהרו' means the cleared surface of the altar
  16. StatementDispute: north side or south side?
  17. QuestionWhat is the root of their dispute?
  18. ResponseThey disagree about where the entrance was
  19. StatementShared rule: sprinkle on top where the corners ended
  20. QuestionWhy must the top sprinklings follow the last corner?
  21. ResponseSource: 'וטהרו וקדשו'
  22. StatementThe משנה's rule: leftover inner blood goes on the western base
  23. ProofWhy the west: it is the first side he reaches
  24. StatementThe משנה's rule: leftover blood of outer offerings goes on the southern base
  25. StatementA ברייתא: 'the base of the altar' means the southern base
  26. QuestionWhy not the western base?
  27. ResponseEach time, he pours at the nearest side
  28. Statementרבי ישמעאל and רבי שמעון בן יוחאי disagree
  29. Challengeרבי ישמעאל's reasoning is clear: learn the unclear from the clear
  30. ChallengeWhat is the reasoning of רבי שמעון בן יוחאי?
  31. Resolutionרב אשי: the entrance lines up with the south
  32. StatementA second version: רבי ישמעאל's school also says south
  33. StatementQuoting the משנה: the blood mixes in the canal
  34. StatementA ברייתא: is there מעילה with the blood?