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Zevachim 65b

זבחים ס״ה ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 65b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Tearing a bird עולה by hand, and why רבי אלעזר ברבי שמעון allows separating the head of a חטאת העוף

Overview

The גמרא explains several lines of the משנה about bird offerings. First, a ברייתא proves from the פסוק about שמשון that the 'tearing' (שיסוע) of a bird עולה is done by hand. Next, the גמרא notes that the משנה, which says separating the head of a חטאת העוף makes it פסול, does not follow רבי אלעזר ברבי שמעון, who heard that one may separate it. Three אמוראים explain what they really argue about. רב חסדא says it is whether squeezing the blood (מיצוי) is essential. רבא says it is whether pausing (שהייה) at the second סימן ruins an עולת העוף. אביי says it is whether cutting most of the flesh (רוב בשר) is essential. The גמרא adds that רבא's and אביי's explanations match an earlier argument between רבי זירא and רבי שמואל בר רב יצחק. It also proves from a ברייתא that רוב בשר is cut from the start. Finally, רבי ירמיה quotes a fuller tradition in which רבי אלעזר ברבי שמעון goes on to explain the פסוק 'לא יבדיל', and that explanation comes on the next amud.

Opening lines

שִׁיסַּע וְלֹא הִבְדִּיל.

He tore and did not separate.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וְשִׁסַּע״ –

The Rabbis taught: "And he shall tear" —

אֵין שִׁיסַּע אֶלָּא בַּיָּד,

tearing is only by hand,

וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר:

and so it says:

The steps (13)

  1. StatementTearing the bird is done by hand
  2. StatementThe משנה does not follow רבי אלעזר son of רבי שמעון
  3. QuestionWhat is the root of their disagreement?
  4. Responseרב חסדא: they argue whether squeezing the blood is essential
  5. Responseרבי אלעזר son of רבי שמעון: squeezing is not essential
  6. Responseרבא's explanation: pausing before the second cut, and the first Tanna's side
  7. Responseרבא's explanation: רבי אלעזר's side
  8. Responseאביי's explanation: is cutting most of the flesh required
  9. StatementThe same two explanations were argued by רבי זירא and רבי שמואל בר רב יצחק
  10. QuestionDoes everyone agree that most of the flesh must be cut from the start?
  11. ProofYes, and a ברייתא shows how מליקה is done
  12. Challengeרבי ירמיה cites a tradition that the head may be separated
  13. QuestionWhat does 'he shall not separate' mean then?