Gemara Clarity

Zevachim 32a

זבחים ל״ב ע״א

Learn Zevachim 32a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 32a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Fixing mistakes with the blood in the משנה, and whether unfit and טמא people may slaughter a קרבן לכתחילה

Overview

The משנה finishes its list of mistakes with the blood of a קרבן. If an unfit person collected the blood, or it was placed in the wrong spot, a fit כהן collects again, as long as דם הנפש is still flowing. This holds even if the unfit person collected with intent of חוץ לזמנו or חוץ למקומו, since the intent of someone unfit for the עבודה does not disqualify. If the blood only ended up in the wrong hand, person or vessel, it is simply put back. The גמרא then reads the past-tense word ששחטו and infers that unfit people should not slaughter לכתחילה. A ברייתא shows that a זר may slaughter even לכתחילה, so the גמרא explains that the past tense is only because of טמאים, who are kept away by a rabbinic גזירה so they do not touch the meat. Another ברייתא learns from סמיכה that שחיטה needs a טהור. The גמרא says this is only מדרבנן: a טמא can slaughter from outside the עזרה with a long knife, but he cannot do סמיכה, because putting his hands into the עזרה counts as entering. Finally, רב חסדא teaches the comparison the other way, and the גמרא begins to examine his version, a discussion that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְכוּלָּן שֶׁקִּיבְּלוּ אֶת הַדָּם

And all of them who collected the blood

חוּץ לִזְמַנּוֹ וְחוּץ לִמְקוֹמוֹ –

with intent of beyond its time or outside its place,

אִם יֵשׁ דַּם הַנֶּפֶשׁ,

if there is lifeblood still in the animal,

יַחְזוֹר הַכָּשֵׁר וִיקַבֵּל.

the fit one should go back and collect.

The steps (16)

  1. StatementCollection that did not count can be redone
  2. StatementBlood that ended up in the wrong place can be brought back
  3. StatementBlood placed in the wrong spot: collect again
  4. StatementInference: unfit people should not slaughter in the first place
  5. ChallengeA ברייתא says slaughter by non-priests is valid
  6. QuestionThe ברייתא asks whether slaughter might be limited to priests
  7. ResponseThe verse shows the priests' job starts at collecting the blood
  8. ResolutionNon-priests may slaughter from the start; the past tense is because of impure people
  9. ChallengeIs an impure person's slaughter really valid?
  10. ResolutionThe requirement is only rabbinic
  11. ChallengeBoth say 'before ה׳', so why the difference?
  12. ResolutionA long knife from outside
  13. ChallengeCouldn't he just reach his hands in for סמיכה?
  14. ResolutionPartial entry counts as entry
  15. Statementרב חסדא teaches the comparison the other way
  16. QuestionWhy does שחיטה need a pure person in רב חסדא's version?