Zevachim 51a

זבחים נ״א ע״א

Learn Zevachim 51a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Whether a derived law can teach further in קדשים, and the sources for pouring leftover blood on the base of the outer altar

Overview

This amud begins in the middle of a ברייתא the גמרא brought as a proof. The ברייתא says that slaughter purifies a kosher bird that is a טריפה, and that מליקה should do the same, while רבי יוסי limits this using the rule of דיו. The גמרא rejects the proof, because that chain of learning starts from the slaughter of חולין, and the question is only about קדשים. Next the גמרא asks whether a law learned through a בנין אב can go on to teach another law. It tries to answer from a ברייתא that learns several disqualified offerings from one another, but it then shows that the real source is the פסוק ״זאת תורת העולה״, so the comparisons are only supports. The גמרא then turns to the משנה's rule that leftover blood is poured on the western base of the outer altar, the side a כהן meets first coming out. A ברייתא reads the phrase ״אל יסוד מזבח העולה״ three times: not the inner altar's base, the inner altar has no base at all, and blood placed on the outer altar also has its leftovers poured on the base. The גמרא examines the first of these readings and begins examining the third, a discussion that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (22)

1. ProofPinching should purify a טריפה bird just like slaughter does
2. Statementרבי יוסי limits it: only slaughter purifies, not pinching
3. RejectionNo proof, because the source comes from חולין
4. QuestionNew question: can a law learned through בנין אב teach further?
5. ProofResolve at least one question: blood left overnight
6. StatementThe ברייתא continues: offerings that went out, became impure, or became פיגול
7. StatementTwo more cases in the ברייתא's list
8. ChallengeCan you learn the unfit from the fit?
9. ResolutionThe real source is ״זאת תורת העולה״
10. QuestionWhy the leftover blood goes on the western base
11. ResponseThe base you meet first is the western one
12. StatementNot the base of the inner altar
13. StatementThe inner altar has no base at all
14. StatementLeftover blood from the outer altar also goes on a base
15. QuestionMaybe the verse teaches that an עולה needs a base
16. Responseרבי ישמעאל: the עולה rule comes from a קל וחומר
17. Responseרבי עקיבא: an even stronger קל וחומר
18. ConclusionSo the verse teaches base-pouring for the outer altar's own offerings
19. StatementThe גמרא quotes the ברייתא's first derivation
20. ChallengeIsn't the phrase needed for its plain meaning?
21. ResolutionThe basic rule comes from "אשר פתח אהל מועד"
22. StatementQuoting the next line of the ברייתא about the king's sin offering