Gemara Clarity

Zevachim 120b

זבחים ק״כ ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 120b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Does the time limit (זְמַן) apply to offerings on a private altar (בָּמָה קְטַנָּה)? Closing the sugya and the end of מסכת זבחים.

Overview

The גמרא is asking whether the time limit (זְמַן) that disqualifies קדשים on the main altar also applies to offerings on a small private altar (בָּמָה קְטַנָּה). First it tries a קל וחומר from bird offerings: a מום does not disqualify birds, yet time does, so time should surely disqualify a בָּמָה קְטַנָּה, where a מום does disqualify. Then it knocks that argument down. Birds are stricter in another way, because a זר may not offer them, while on a בָּמָה קְטַנָּה a זר may. Since logic fails, the גמרא brings the פסוק "וזאת תורת זבח השלמים". It teaches that the time limit on a בָּמָה קְטַנָּה is the same as on a בָּמָה גְּדוֹלָה. The amud ends with the הדרן, closing פרק פרת חטאת and the whole of מסכת זבחים.

Opening lines

מָה עוֹפוֹת,

Just as birds,

שֶׁאֵין הַמּוּם פּוֹסֵל בָּהֶן –

which a blemish does not disqualify,

זְמַן פּוֹסֵל בָּהֶן;

are still disqualified by time;

קׇדְשֵׁי בָּמָה קְטַנָּה,

then the offerings of a small altar,

The steps (4)

  1. ProofA logical proof from bird offerings
  2. RejectionBirds are stricter in another way
  3. ProofA verse makes the small altar like the great altar
  4. Conclusionהדרן — Closing פרק פרת חטאת and מסכת זבחים