Zevachim 12a

זבחים י״ב ע״א

Learn Zevachim 12a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 12a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

How בן בתירא views a פסח slaughtered on the morning of the fourteenth, when an offering counts as 'too early', and whether living animals can be pushed off forever.

Overview

The גמרא is discussing בן בתירא's view of a פסח slaughtered on the morning of the fourteenth of ניסן. First it tries reading בן בתירא as holding that ״בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם״ allows the whole day. It defends that reading: the ״בָּעָרֶב״ in the פסח verse only teaches that the פסח comes after the afternoon תמיד, just as מנחה is prayed before a late מוסף. But two challenges knock this reading down. The words ״בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם״ by the קטורת and the נרות would be extra, and רבי describes the fourteenth as only 'partly' fit. So רבי יוחנן explains that בן בתירא disqualifies a morning slaughter either way. רבי אבהו asks how a valid פסח could then ever exist. Three answers follow: an animal set aside after midday (רבי אבהו), even in the morning (אביי), or even the night before (רב פפא), with support from מעשר בהמה and רבי אפטוריקי. Finally, רבי זירא asks whether רבי יוחנן holds that living animals can be pushed off forever. רבי אבהו proves that he does from the case of a partners' animal, and the גמרא begins drawing three lessons from it, which continue on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (21)

1. ResolutionThe incense is in the afternoon because it is linked to the lamps
2. ChallengeThe Passover verse also says 'in the evening'
3. Resolution'In the evening' teaches the order of offerings
4. ProofA ברייתא proves the order rule
5. ChallengeCan the morning be its time while the afternoon requires delay?
6. ResolutionYes: מנחה comes before מוסף
7. ChallengeWhy the words are needed for the incense and the lamps
8. Challengeרבי's answer to רבי יהושע for בן בתירא
9. ChallengeIf so, the whole day should be fit
10. Resolutionרבי יוחנן's New Explanation of בן בתירא
11. Challengeרבי אבהו Asks How a Valid פסח Is Ever Possible
12. Resolutionרבי אבהו: A פסח Set Aside After Midday
13. Resolutionאביי: Even One Set Aside in the Morning Works
14. Resolutionרב פפא: Even the night before is not too early
15. ProofProof from tithing an animal on the night before its eighth day
16. Proofרבי אפטוריקי's contradiction between two parts of a פסוק
17. ResolutionNight for becoming holy, day for being offered
18. Questionרבי זירא asks: Does רבי יוחנן hold living animals are pushed off forever?
19. ResponseYes: the case of the partners' animal
20. StatementThe partners' animal can still make a substitute
21. ConclusionThree lessons from רבי יוחנן's ruling