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Zevachim 24a

זבחים כ״ד ע״א

Learn Zevachim 24a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 24a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Things that block a כהן from the floor, loose floor stones, and רבי שמעון's view that collecting blood with the left hand is valid

Overview

The amud opens by finishing an earlier discussion. When two verses state the same death penalty, we cannot extend it to other cases. Even according to the opinion that two verses can teach, the verse about שתויי יין makes three, and everyone agrees three cannot teach. Next, the גמרא learns from the school of רבי ישמעאל that a כהן standing on vessels, an animal, or another person's feet is פסול. The floor makes him fit to serve just like his garments do, so nothing may block between him and the floor. The גמרא explains why the משנה needed all three examples. It then brings רבי אליעזר's test for a כהן with one foot on the floor and one on a vessel or stone. After that come רבי אמי's questions about a loose or missing floor stone, which end in a תיקו. Finally, the גמרא turns to collecting blood with the left hand. רבי שמעון rules it valid, and the גמרא works hard to explain his reasoning: רב יהודה's answer is rejected, רבא's answer is challenged by רב סמא, and אביי begins a new explanation that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְכׇל שְׁנֵי כְתוּבִים

And any two verses

הַבָּאִין כְּאֶחָד –

that come as one

אֵין מְלַמְּדִין.

do not teach.

וּלְמַאן דְּאָמַר מְלַמְּדִין –

And according to the one who says they do teach –

The steps (23)

  1. ResolutionTwo verses that say the same thing cannot teach other cases
  2. ResolutionEven the lenient opinion agrees, because there are three verses
  3. QuestionA כהן standing on something is פסול: what is the source?
  4. ResponseThe floor is like the priestly garments: nothing may block
  5. ResolutionWhy the משנה needed all three examples
  6. StatementOne foot on a vessel or stone, one foot on the floor
  7. QuestionA loose floor stone
  8. QuestionNarrowing the question: he plans to reattach it
  9. QuestionAnother version: standing where a stone was removed
  10. QuestionHow deep did דוד's holiness go?
  11. ChallengeThen why not ask about the whole courtyard?
  12. ResolutionThe real question is whether this is a normal way to serve
  13. ConclusionThe question stays unresolved
  14. StatementThe משנה: collecting blood with the left hand
  15. ProofThe source that collecting and placing need the right hand
  16. Rejectionרבי שמעון: no hand is mentioned for collecting
  17. ChallengeEither way, רבי שמעון's reasoning seems not to work
  18. Resolutionרב יהודה: רבי שמעון does not accept the verbal analogy
  19. Challengeרבה: Then placing should also be valid with the left hand
  20. Challengeרבה: A ברייתא shows רבי שמעון does use the verbal analogy
  21. Resolutionרבא: רבי שמעון uses the analogy, but 'finger' cannot mean collecting
  22. Challengeרב סמא: A bowl with a handle could be held with a finger
  23. Resolutionאביי begins a new explanation