Zevachim 39b

זבחים ל״ט ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 39b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The ברייתא on ויקרא 4:20 (פר העלם דבר של ציבור): which offerings are done the same way, and which parts of the service are required for the offering to work.

Overview

This amud continues a ברייתא that explains the words of ויקרא 4:20, about the bull brought when the community sins by mistake because of a wrong ruling. First the verse is used to include two other offerings done the same way: the פר כהן משיח and the שעירי עבודה זרה. Then the word 'לו' leaves out the שעירי הרגלים and the שעירי ראשי חדשים. The ברייתא asks why one group is included and the other left out. The answer is that we include offerings that atone for breaking a known מצוה, just like the community's bull. Next, the words 'וכפר' and 'ונסלח' teach that the atonement still works even without סמיכה or the שירים. Finally the ברייתא asks why the הזאות are required while סמיכה and שירים are not. The answer is that הזאות hold up the offering everywhere, while סמיכה and שירים never hold it up anywhere.

Opening lines

The steps (7)

1. StatementIncluding the anointed priest's bull and the idol-worship goats
2. StatementExcluding the Festival and New Moon goats
3. QuestionWhy include one group and exclude the other?
4. ResponseWe include offerings that atone for a known sin
5. StatementAtonement works even without סמיכה or שירים
6. QuestionWhy are the sprinklings required but not סמיכה and שירים?
7. ResponseSprinklings are always required, hand-placing and leftover blood are not