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Zevachim 73b

זבחים ע״ג ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 73b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Why animals from a fixed mixture may not be offered (רבא's גזירה), and whether one offered anyway still counts

Overview

The גמרא asks why a forbidden animal mixed into a group of permitted קרבנות is not simply cancelled by the majority. The first answer is that the animals are קבוע (fixed in place), and anything fixed counts as a 50/50 doubt. The גמרא then suggests pushing the animals so they move, so that each one that wanders off follows the majority. רבא answers that חכמים made a גזירה against this. His first reason, that ten כהנים might offer them all at once, is challenged with the מגיסא. His second reason, that ten כהנים might take them at once, is rejected as unrealistic. His final reason is that the גזירה protects the rule of קבוע. רבא then rules that if someone offered one of these animals anyway, it does not count (לא מרצי). רב הונא בר יהודה challenges this from a משנה in קנים, where mixed bird offerings still partly count after the fact. The גמרא answers that the two sources follow opposite views on whether בעלי חיים נדחין. It then begins a new challenge: slaughtered offerings are נדחין according to everyone, and this continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְכׇל קָבוּעַ כְּמֶחֱצָה עַל מֶחֱצָה דָּמֵי!

And anything fixed is considered like half and half!

אֶלָּא נִיכְבְּשִׁינְהוּ (דְּנָיְידִי) [דְּנִינַיְידָּן],

Rather, let us push them so that they move,

וְנֵימָא: כֹּל דְּפָרֵישׁ – מֵרוּבָּא פָּרֵישׁ!

and let us say: whatever separates, separates from the majority!

אָמַר רָבָא:

Rava said:

The steps (11)

  1. RejectionThe animals are fixed, so the majority rule does not work
  2. ChallengeSuggestion: make the animals move so the majority rule applies
  3. Resolutionרבא: a גזירה in case ten כהנים offer them all at once
  4. ChallengeA scholar asks: would the מגיסא then become forbidden?
  5. Resolutionרבא: the worry is ten כהנים taking them all at once
  6. ChallengeThe גמרא asks: could ten כהנים really take them all at once?
  7. Resolutionרבא's final reason: a גזירה because of קבוע
  8. StatementIf one offered from the mixture anyway, it does not count
  9. ChallengeChallenge from mixed-up bird offerings in קנים
  10. ResolutionIt depends on whether living animals become permanently pushed off
  11. ChallengeKilled offerings are pushed off according to everyone