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Zevachim 21b

זבחים כ״א ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 21b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Sinking the כיור overnight, בן קטין's machine, and the minimum water for the כיור

Overview

The גמרא first says that the difference between two views on the כיור's water is the rabbinic decree to keep it sunk all night. It then challenges this from רבי יוחנן's rule that a כהן who washed for תרומת הדשן before dawn need not wash again the next day. That causes no problem for רבא, but for אביי it seems to make רבי contradict himself. The answer is that the כיור is lifted out for the washing and then sunk again before dawn, so its water stays fit. That answer makes רבי יוחנן sound like רב חסדא, and the גמרא explains that they differ only on whether keeping the כיור sunk all night is a מצוה. A משנה about the sound of בן קטין's machine is brought against רב חסדא. The גמרא answers that the sound came from lowering the כיור with a wheel in the morning, which served as a signal alongside גביני the crier. Finally, the גמרא turns to רבי יוסי ברבי חנינא's rule that a כיור must hold enough water for four כהנים, and begins a challenge from a ברייתא that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ

There is a difference between them:

גְּזֵירַת שִׁיקּוּעַ.

the decree of sinking.

וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן:

But didn't Rabbi Yochanan say:

קִידֵּשׁ יָדָיו לִתְרוּמַת הַדֶּשֶׁן –

if he sanctified his hands for the removal of the ashes,

The steps (18)

  1. ResponseThe difference is the decree to sink the basin
  2. ChallengeChallenge from washing for the ash removal
  3. ChallengeNo problem according to רבא
  4. ChallengeFor אביי, רבי contradicts himself
  5. ResolutionThe Basin is lifted and then sunk again
  6. ChallengeThen why can't he wash again the next day?
  7. ResolutionHe doesn't need to, but he may
  8. ChallengeIsn't this just רב חסדא's view?
  9. ResolutionThey differ on a מצוה to keep it sunk
  10. ChallengeThe noise of בן קטין's machine suggests the כיור was sunk all night
  11. ResolutionThe noise was from lowering the כיור, not raising it
  12. ChallengeWould lowering the כיור make any noise?
  13. ResolutionHe lowered it with a wheel
  14. ResolutionAnother version: the wheel was used on purpose as a signal
  15. ChallengeWhy need a noise signal if גביני the crier called them?
  16. ResolutionThere were two signals, and either one brought the כהנים
  17. StatementA כיור must hold enough water for four כהנים
  18. ChallengeA ברייתא says any vessel may be used for washing