Gemara Clarity

Yoma 72b

יומא ע״ב ע״ב

Learn Yoma 72b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

בגדי השרד, the ארון and its crown, the lessons about learning תורה with יראת שמים, and the garments of the משוח מלחמה

Overview

The amud opens by finishing the explanations of the name בגדי השרד. One explanation says the בגדי כהונה leave a שריד of ישראל through their כפרה. A second says the garments are woven whole on the loom, with only a small part left over. ריש לקיש says that leftover part is needlework, and אביי limits it to attaching the sleeves. Next, רב יהודה teaches that בצלאל made three nested ארונות, and the גמרא explains the ark's height and its זיר (crown). From the זיר, רבי יוחנן teaches about the three crowns: כהונה, מלכות, and תורה, which is open to anyone. This leads to a series of teachings that תורה must be learned sincerely, with יראת שמים and purity: for the worthy it is a potion of life, and for the unworthy a potion of death. The גמרא then explains the משכן terms רוקם and חושב. Finally it returns to the משנה: רב דימי says the משוח מלחמה wears the כהן גדול's garments, and a challenge from a ברייתא begins that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

אִלְמָלֵא בִּגְדֵי כְהוּנָּה,

Were it not for the priestly garments,

לֹא נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מִשּׂוֹנְאֵיהֶן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל

there would not remain, of the 'haters of Israel' (i.e., Israel itself),

שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט.

a remnant or a survivor.

רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר:

Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said:

The steps (38)

  1. StatementThe priestly garments keep the Jewish people alive
  2. StatementA second explanation: garments woven whole on the loom
  3. QuestionWhat is the leftover part?
  4. Responseריש לקיש: the leftover part is needlework
  5. ChallengeChallenge: priestly garments may not be made with needlework
  6. Resolutionאביי: needlework is only for the sleeves
  7. ProofA ברייתא supports אביי about the sleeves
  8. Statementבצלאל made three nested ארונות
  9. ChallengeA ברייתא gives a different height for the outer ark
  10. ResolutionThe two numbers follow two opinions about the ark's thickness
  11. QuestionWhat is the 'bit'?
  12. ResponseThe 'bit' is the crown
  13. StatementThe three crowns: altar, table, and ark
  14. ProofThe crown of תורה is the greatest
  15. ChallengeWritten זר but read זיר
  16. ResolutionWorthy: a crown; unworthy: a stranger
  17. ChallengeWho made the ark: משה alone or everyone?
  18. ResolutionA town must do a תלמיד חכם's work for him
  19. StatementThe ark is covered inside and out, and so must a scholar be
  20. StatementSuch a person is called loathsome
  21. StatementWoe to those who learn Torah without fear of Heaven
  22. StatementA gate with no courtyard
  23. Statementרבא warns the scholars not to inherit two גיהנם
  24. StatementThe תורה is a potion of life or a potion of death
  25. Statementרבא says the same idea in his own words
  26. ChallengeTwo verses seem to contradict: gladdening versus refining
  27. ResolutionIt depends on the person: joy for the worthy, refining for the unworthy
  28. Resolutionריש לקיש: both outcomes come from the refining verse itself
  29. StatementPure fear of ה׳ means learning תורה in purity
  30. QuestionWhat does learning in purity mean?
  31. ResponseFirst marry, then learn
  32. StatementThe Torah testifies about those who learn it
  33. ResolutionEmbroidery done on top of a design
  34. ResolutionNeedlework has one face, weaving has two
  35. StatementQuoting the משנה on the אורים ותומים
  36. StatementThe משוח מלחמה wears the כהן גדול's garments
  37. ProofSource: 'for his sons after him' means the next in greatness
  38. ChallengeOpening an objection: does the son of the משוח מלחמה inherit his father's position?