Zevachim 109b

זבחים ק״ט ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 109b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 109b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Liability for offering מזבח items outside the עזרה, and how much קטורת counts as a real הקטרה

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a ברייתא of רבי יהושע about how much of an animal offering must remain for its blood to be sprinkled. A כזית of meat or of חלב is enough, but half-and-half does not combine, except by an עולה. A מנחה never counts, and רב פפא explains this means the מנחת נסכים that comes with the animal. Then a new משנה teaches that offering even a כזית of the קומץ, לבונה, קטורת or certain מנחות outside the עזרה makes a person חייב. רבי אליעזר disagrees and requires the whole item. The משנה adds that an item missing even a little brings no liability, and that offering meat together with אימורים outside does. The גמרא quotes a ברייתא that burning half a פרס of קטורת inside leaves the community פטור, meaning it has fulfilled its obligation. רבי זירא asks how רבי אליעזר could agree to this. רבה, אביי and רבא each try to explain where רבי אליעזר and the חכמים really argue, and the first two answers are rejected. רבא's own answer begins at the end of the amud and continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (23)

1. ProofA כזית of fat is enough, but half meat and half fat is not
2. StatementBy an עולה the halves combine, but a מנחה never counts
3. QuestionWhat does a meal offering have to do with sprinkling blood?
4. ResponseIt means the מנחת נסכים that comes with an animal offering
5. StatementNew משנה: offering a כזית of these items outside makes one liable
6. Statementרבי אליעזר: not liable unless he offers all of it
7. StatementEveryone agrees: offering the leftover כזית outside makes one liable
8. StatementAn item that is missing even a little brings no liability outside
9. StatementOffering meat together with the altar portions outside
10. StatementA ברייתא about burning קטורת outside and inside
11. ChallengeAssuming 'exempt' means a non-priest is exempt, and challenging it
12. ResolutionExempt means the community has fulfilled its obligation
13. ChallengeHow can רבי אליעזר agree to this?
14. ResolutionEveryone agrees about the incense of the היכל
15. ResolutionThe argument is about the inner incense and 'his handful'
16. Challengeאביי objects: the word 'statute' is written about the inner incense
17. Resolutionאביי's new approach: everyone agrees about burning inside
18. ResolutionThe real dispute: burning the inner incense outside
19. Challengeרבא: the רבנן do not even learn outer from outer
20. QuestionWhich source is רבא pointing to?
21. ResponseThe ברייתא: no liability for an incomplete offering outside
22. ProofProof: the רבנן do not learn outer from outer
23. Resolutionרבא begins a new explanation: two half-פרס portions