Zevachim 20b

זבחים כ׳ ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 20b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

What cancels a כהן's קידוש ידים ורגלים: staying overnight (לינה), leaving the עזרה (יציאה), and becoming טמא (טומאה).

Overview

The גמרא first tests the two readings of רבי יוחנן's statement, from אביי and from רבא, against the משנה about כהנים washing in the morning. For אביי the משנה fits רבי. For רבא it seems to fit nobody, until the גמרא explains that it speaks about new כהנים who did not serve that night. Next comes a new question: does leaving the עזרה cancel a כהן's קידוש ידים ורגלים? Several proofs are brought, from hands that went out, from washing outside, from a כהן who left for a moment, and from the פרה אדומה. Each one is pushed aside, so the question about leaving is not settled. Then the גמרא asks a second question: does becoming טמא cancel the washing? It narrows that question to a כהן whose whole body became טמא close to sunset. The amud ends as the גמרא begins a proof from the פרה אדומה, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. ChallengeFor אביי, the משנה fits רבי easily
2. ChallengeFor רבא, the משנה seems to fit nobody
3. ResolutionThe משנה is about new כהנים
4. QuestionDoes leaving the עזרה cancel the washing?
5. ProofFirst proof: hands that went out keep their holiness
6. RejectionOnly hands going out was never the question
7. ProofSecond proof: washed inside and left, the service is valid
8. RejectionMaybe 'outside' means only his hands were outside
9. ProofA ברייתא: even a short exit needs new washing
10. RejectionThe ברייתא is about going out to relieve oneself
11. ChallengeBut that rule is already taught clearly
12. ResolutionThe תנא states the rule and then explains it
13. ProofProof from the פרה אדומה
14. RejectionThe red heifer is a special case
15. ChallengeThen why wash at all for the red heifer?
16. ResolutionWashing makes it look like inside service
17. QuestionDoes becoming impure cancel the washing?
18. ProofProof: impure hands are just immersed
19. RejectionThe real question is a whole impure body
20. ChallengeA whole impure body must wait for sunset
21. ResolutionHe became impure close to sunset
22. ProofA proof attempt from washing for the red heifer