Yoma 73b

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Learn Yoma 73b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The אורים ותומים: how they answer and who may ask; the opening of פרק יום הכפורים and the law of חצי שיעור

Overview

This amud finishes the ברייתא about consulting the אורים ותומים. דוד asked out of order and was answered in order, and two questions may be asked together only in an emergency. A decree of the אורים ותומים is never reversed, and its name means its answers are clear and always come true. The גמרא defends this rule using the war at גבעת בנימין. It then records how the letters on the חושן gave the answer, either by standing out (רבי יוחנן) or by joining together (ריש לקיש). The names of the אבות and the words שבטי ישורון were added so that the whole alphabet was present. A worthy כהן with רוח הקודש was also needed, and only national leaders could ask, as רבי אבהו learns from a פסוק. After the הדרן, פרק יום הכפורים opens with the five עינויים and the amounts for eating and drinking. The גמרא explains why the משנה says 'אסור', using the מחלוקת about חצי שיעור, and begins a challenge from oaths that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (32)

1. Statementדוד asked out of order but was answered in order
2. Proofדוד realized his mistake and asked again in order
3. StatementException: an urgent matter allows two questions at once
4. StatementA decree of the אורים ותומים is never reversed
5. QuestionWhy are they called אורים ותומים?
6. Responseאורים make their words clear; תומים make them come true
7. ChallengeChallenge from the war at גבעת בנימין
8. ResolutionThey never asked whether they would win
9. ProofThe פסוק of פנחס asking about victory
10. QuestionHow did the answer actually appear?
11. ResponseLetters stand out or letters join together
12. ChallengeThe letter צ is missing
13. ResolutionThe names of the אבות were also written
14. ChallengeThe letter ט is still missing
15. ResolutionThe words שבטי ישורון were also written
16. ChallengeA ברייתא says a כהן גדול without רוח הקודש cannot be asked
17. Resolutionרוח הקודש assisted the letters
18. QuestionWhat is the source that only a king may ask?
19. Responseרבי אבהו derives it from the פסוק about אלעזר
20. ConclusionHadran — Closing פרק בא לו כהן גדול
21. StatementThe משנה lists the things forbidden on יום הכפורים
22. StatementThe משנה gives the amounts for eating and drinking
23. ChallengeWhy does the משנה say only 'forbidden' when the punishment is כרת?
24. ResolutionThe word 'forbidden' is there to cover a half-measure
25. ChallengeWhat about the view that a half-measure is allowed by Torah law?
26. StatementThe dispute about a half-measure
27. ChallengeThe challenge restated against ריש לקיש
28. Resolutionריש לקיש agrees it is rabbinically forbidden
29. ChallengeChallenge from the oath not to eat
30. ChallengeWhy should the oath take hold at all?
31. ResolutionHe included permitted foods in the oath
32. Resolutionריש לקיש: the oath was about a half-measure