Zevachim 19a

זבחים י״ט ע״א

Learn Zevachim 19a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The כהן's belt, and what counts as extra garments or a barrier (חציצה) between a כהן's body and his priestly garments, including תפילין

Overview

The amud opens by finishing the previous discussion: the כהנים wore the אבנט at elbow height. רב אשי then tells how a Persian king straightened הונא בר נתן's belt because the Jews are 'a kingdom of כהנים', and אמימר calls this a fulfillment of ישעיהו's promise. Next the גמרא quotes a משנה from עירובין: a כהן with a hurt finger may wrap it with a reed in the מקדש on שבת. רבי יהודה בריה דרבי חייא and רבי יוחנן argue over whether a small cloth wrap is allowed, given in two versions: one about יתור בגדים (extra garments) and one about חציצה (a barrier), with רבא's rule in the name of רב חסדא about a three-by-three size. The גמרא then lists many questions about what blocks the garment from being 'on his flesh': wind, a louse, fine dust, the armpit, his own hand, a dangling thread and his hair. רבי זירא asks whether תפילין block, and רבי אמי answers from a settled tradition that they do. After challenges from ברייתות, the גמרא concludes that hand תפילין block and head תפילין do not. It begins explaining why the head is different, and that explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (42)

1. StatementThe belt is worn at elbow level
2. StatementA Persian king fixes a Jew's belt
3. Statementאמימר: kings shall serve you
4. StatementA כהן with an injured finger
5. StatementOnly a reed, not a cloth bandage
6. StatementExtra garments only where garments are worn
7. ChallengeWhy not forbid the cloth because it blocks the hand?
8. ResolutionThe wound is on the left hand or off the serving spot
9. Statementרבא's rule: one thread on the garments, 3×3 elsewhere
10. QuestionDoes רבא also argue with רבי יהודה בריה דרבי חייא?
11. ResponseA small finger wrap is different because it is important
12. StatementSecond version: רבי יהודה says only a reed is allowed
13. StatementSecond version: רבי יוחנן's size rule matches רב חסדא
14. QuestionDoes this argue with רבי יהודה?
15. ResponseA small sash is important
16. ChallengeWhy did the משנה choose a reed?
17. ResolutionThe משנה teaches that a reed heals
18. QuestionWhat if wind lifts the garment off his body?
19. QuestionDoes a louse under the garment count as a barrier?
20. QuestionThe question is only about a live louse
21. QuestionDoes dirt count as a barrier?
22. ChallengeDirt is obviously a barrier
23. ResolutionThe real question is about fine dust
24. QuestionDoes the gap at the armpit count as a barrier?
25. QuestionHis hand tucked inside his garment
26. QuestionA thread under the garment
27. ChallengeA thread obviously blocks
28. ResolutionThe question is about a dangling thread
29. QuestionHis hair inside his garment
30. QuestionDo תפילין count as a barrier?
31. ResponseNo question if night is not a time for תפילין
32. QuestionThe real question: does a מצוה on the body block?
33. Responseרבי אמי: we have a clear tradition that תפילין block
34. ChallengeA ברייתא suggests כהנים are only 'exempt' from תפילין
35. ResolutionNo: even so, if worn they block
36. ChallengeThen it should have said 'forbidden'
37. Resolution'Exempt' was chosen to fit לוים and ישראלים too
38. ChallengeAnother ברייתא says outright: they do not block
39. ResolutionHand תפילין block; head תפילין do not
40. QuestionWhy are the hand תפילין different?
41. ChallengeThe head has a similar פסוק
42. ResolutionThe hair showed between the ציץ and the מצנפת