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Zevachim 62a

זבחים ס״ב ע״א

Learn Zevachim 62a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The second מזבח's size and location, and which features of the מזבח are required

Overview

This amud opens with the last words of a ברייתא: the מזבח may not be built over tunnels. Next, רב יוסף explains why the מזבח of the second בית המקדש was bigger. In the end he says that the builders found a פסוק comparing the מזבח to the sixty-אמה בית. Three אמוראים then explain how the builders knew the exact spot of the מזבח. רבי יוחנן and a ברייתא add that three נביאים came back from the גולה to guide them. A new ברייתא teaches that the קרן, כבש, יסוד and square shape are required, but the exact measurements are not. רב הונא learns this from the word "הַמִּזְבֵּחַ", which leads to a discussion of the כרכוב, and רב נחמן בר יצחק explains that there were two of them. Finally, רבי מני says the מזבח may not be smaller than משה's. רב יוסף's answer of "one אמה" is explained by אביי as the space left for the wood pile, and רב יוסף begins answering his mockers on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְלֹא עַל גַּבֵּי מְחִילּוֹת.

And not on top of tunnels.

אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף,

Rav Yosef said:

לָאו הַיְינוּ דְּתַנְיָא:

Isn't this what was taught in a ברייתא:

״וַיָּכִינוּ אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ עַל מְכוֹנָתוֹ״ –

"And they set the altar upon its bases"

The steps (25)

  1. StatementThe altar may not be built over tunnels
  2. Proofרב יוסף: only the second altar reached full size
  3. ChallengeBut the first Temple was built from God's own plan
  4. Resolutionרב יוסף's new answer: a verse allowed enlarging the altar to sixty cubits
  5. QuestionHow did they know where the altar stood?
  6. ResponseThree signs that showed them the spot of the altar
  7. StatementThree prophets came up from exile, according to רבי יוחנן
  8. StatementA different list of the three prophets
  9. StatementWhich parts of the altar are required
  10. QuestionWhere do we learn this from?
  11. ResponseThe word "the altar" makes it required
  12. ChallengeShould the כרכוב also be required?
  13. ResolutionYes, the surrounding ledge is required too
  14. StatementA ברייתא defines the כרכוב
  15. ChallengeDid the כהנים really walk between the corners?
  16. ResolutionTwo separate cubits
  17. ChallengeA פסוק puts the כרכוב halfway down
  18. ResolutionThere were two כרכובים
  19. StatementThe altar's exact measurements are not required
  20. Statementרבי מני: not smaller than משה's altar
  21. QuestionHow big was משה's altar?
  22. Responseרב יוסף: one cubit
  23. ChallengeThey laughed: the verse says five by five
  24. Resolutionאביי: he meant the space for the wood pile
  25. Conclusionרב יוסף confirms and turns to his mockers