Yoma 67a

יומא ס״ז ע״א

Learn Yoma 67a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Yoma 67a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The end of the שעיר המשתלח's journey on יום כפור: the booths and escorts, the split red strip and its history, and whether one may benefit from the goat's limbs.

Overview

This עמוד finishes the משנה about the last stage of the שעיר המשתלח on יום כפור. Booths along the 12-מיל route offered the sender food and water, and people escorted him from booth to booth. At the cliff he tied half of a red strip (לשון של זהורית) to a rock and half between the goat's horns, then pushed the goat backward off the cliff. He waited under the last booth until dark, and the משנה ends with a מחלוקת about when his clothes become טמא. The גמרא brings a ברייתא where רבי מאיר, רבי יהודה and רבי יוסי argue about the number of booths and the distance. רבי יוסי says the escorts relied on an עירוב, and the line about the last escort staying back is shown to follow רבי מאיר. The גמרא then explains several points. The food was offered only for peace of mind. The strip was split so the sender would stay focused on the goat and still be able to see the sign. Two traditions describe how the strip used to hang at the אולם, with the פסוק 'כשנים כשלג ילבינו' as a hint that red turning white means כפרה. Finally, רב and שמואל disagree about whether one may benefit from the goat's limbs, and the explanation of their reasoning continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. StatementThe distance to the cliff and the food and water at each booth
2. StatementEscorting the sender from booth to booth
3. StatementTying the red strip and pushing the goat off the cliff
4. StatementThe goat is destroyed and the sender waits until dark
5. StatementWhen the sender's clothes become impure
6. StatementA three-way dispute over the number of booths and the distance
7. StatementElazar's claim that two booths would be enough
8. QuestionWhich view matches the teaching that the last escort stays back?
9. ResponseIt follows רבי מאיר
10. StatementAt every booth they offer food and water
11. StatementNo one ever needed the food, but having it calms a person
12. StatementQuoting the משנה: he splits the red strip
13. ChallengeWhy not tie all of it to the rock?
14. ResolutionIf it whitens too early, he may forget to push the goat
15. ChallengeThen why not tie all of it to the horns?
16. ResolutionThe goat may turn its head and hide the strip
17. StatementThe history of where the red strip was tied
18. StatementA different tradition: the strip hung inside and whitened when the goat reached the wilderness
19. ProofThe verse hinting at the strip turning white
20. StatementQuoting the משנה: the goat did not reach halfway down
21. QuestionMay one benefit from the goat's limbs?
22. Responseרב and שמואל disagree
23. StatementBeginning the reasoning of the view that permits