Zevachim 62b

זבחים ס״ב ע״ב

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

Open Zevachim 62b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The nickname בני קטורה, the logs for the מזבח, and the position, gap and size of the כבש (ramp)

Overview

This amud opens by finishing the nickname "בני קטורה" with a short story about רבי טרפון and his quiet nephews. Next, the גמרא gives the size of the logs משה prepared for the מזבח and ties it to a ברייתא that the wood may not stick out. Then a משנה says the כבש (ramp) was on the south of the מזבח. רב הונא proves this from the 'thigh' of the מזבח being in the north, and רבא and אביי debate how to picture it. רבי יהודה gives a second proof: every turn at the מזבח is to the right, toward the east, backed by the oxen under שלמה's ים. The גמרא then shows that there is a gap of air between the כבש and the מזבח, with proofs from רבי יוסי and רב פפא. רב יהודה describes two small side ramps kept a hairbreadth from the מזבח, and the גמרא explains why the תורה needed both 'סביב' and 'רבוע'. Finally, it explains why the ramp and the מזבח together measure 62 אמות and not 64.

Opening lines

The steps (34)

1. StatementThe nickname 'בני קטורה'
2. Statementרבי טרפון tests his quiet nephews
3. ChallengeThe nephews correct the verse
4. Conclusionרבי טרפון calls them 'בני קטורה'
5. StatementThe size of the logs משה prepared
6. StatementMeasured with a shortened cubit
7. ProofA ברייתא: the wood may not stick out
8. StatementThe ramp was on the south of the altar
9. QuestionWhat is the source for this?
10. ResponseThe altar's 'thigh' faces north, its 'face' south
11. ChallengeWhy not put both the thigh and the face in the north?
12. Resolutionרבא: Picture a man lying on his face
13. Challengeאביי: Why not picture him sitting up?
14. Proofרבא: The word 'רבוע' shows lying down
15. ChallengeBut 'רבוע' is needed to teach that the מזבח is square
16. ResolutionThe פסוק did not write 'מרובע'
17. ChallengeBut the פסוק did not write 'רבוץ' either
18. Resolution'רבוע' means both things
19. Proofרבי יהודה: Every turn is to the right, toward the east
20. ChallengeWhy not a left turn toward the east?
21. ResolutionProof from the oxen under שלמה's ים
22. ChallengeThat verse is needed to describe the ים itself
23. ResolutionThe repeated word פֹּנִים is extra
24. QuestionIs there really a gap between the ramp and the altar?
25. ResponseThe meat must be thrown like the blood
26. RejectionHe could throw while standing next to the woodpile
27. ResolutionUp close he would have to throw anyway
28. Statementרב פפא: like the blood, the meat is thrown across a gap of air
29. Statementרב יהודה: two small side ramps, kept a hairbreadth from the altar
30. Statementרבי אבהו: the source is the word 'square'
31. ResolutionWhy the תורה needed both 'סביב' and 'רבוע'
32. StatementA משנה: the ramp and altar together are 62 cubits
33. ChallengeBut the numbers add up to 64
34. ResolutionThe ramp hangs over the base and the ledge