Zevachim 72b

זבחים ע״ב ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 72b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 72b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Counted items that cannot be cancelled: the משנה in ערלה, the argument between רבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש over רבי מאיר's wording, and how רבי יוחנן explains the ruling about a forbidden animal

Overview

The גמרא quotes the end of a משנה about forbidden crops, such as ערלה and כלאי הכרם, that got mixed into permitted ones. רבי מאיר says that anything usually sold by count is too important to be cancelled out (בטל), so the whole mixture must be burned. The חכמים say only six special items are that important, and רבי עקיבא adds a seventh. Anything else is cancelled out in 201. The משנה then sorts the items: tree fruits forbid as ערלה, and vegetables forbid as כלאי הכרם. רבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש argue whether רבי מאיר's rule reads 'את שדרכו למנות' (only things always counted) or 'כל שדרכו למנות' (anything sometimes counted). The גמרא then repeats its earlier question: our משנה rules that a forbidden animal is not cancelled, which fits ריש לקיש but seems hard for רבי יוחנן. רב פפא answers that, for רבי יוחנן, this ruling follows the תנא of the ליטרא of dried figs, whose words are quoted on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (6)

1. StatementMixed bundles: רבי מאיר says burn all, the חכמים say cancelled in 201
2. StatementWhy רבי מאיר forbids: items that are counted cannot be cancelled
3. StatementWhich items forbid as ערלה and which as כלאי הכרם
4. Statementרבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש argue: 'את' or 'כל' in רבי מאיר's rule
5. ChallengeThe animal ruling fits ריש לקיש, but what about רבי יוחנן?
6. Resolutionרב פפא: this ruling follows the תנא of the ליטרא of dried figs