Gemara Clarity

Zevachim 77b

זבחים ע״ז ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 77b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 77b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Mixtures of fit and blemished limbs: רבי אליעזר's source in 'מום בם', the dispute in the משנה about offering the remaining limbs, and the start of the משנה on blood mixed with other liquids.

Overview

The amud opens by asking why רבי אליעזר lets limbs of a בעל מום that got mixed with fit limbs go on the מזבח. רב הונא says it is a tiny eye blemish, following רבי עקיבא. That fails, because רבי עקיבא allowed it only after the fact. רב פפא's attempt to save it with the כבש also fails. So the גמרא gives a new reason from the פסוק 'מום בם': a blemish hidden in a mixture does not reject the animal. The רבנן learn a different rule from those words, that a healed blemish is accepted. רבי אליעזר learns that rule from 'בם' versus 'בהם'. רבי אליעזר's words 'I view it as wood' turn out to be an argument aimed at the רבנן. The רבנן reply that blemished flesh is repulsive, unlike חטאת flesh. A new משנה follows about fit limbs mixed with blemished ones. רבי אלעזר says רבי אליעזר allows the remaining limbs only in pairs, and 'one' in the משנה means one pair. Finally, a new משנה begins on sacred blood mixed with water, wine, or ordinary blood.

Opening lines

אָמַר רַב הוּנָא:

Rav Huna said:

בְּדוּקִּין שֶׁבָּעַיִן,

It is talking about small blemishes on the eye,

וְאַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא –

and it follows the opinion of Rabbi Akiva,

דְּאָמַר: אִם עָלוּ לֹא יֵרְדוּ.

who said: if they went up, they do not come down.

The steps (15)

  1. Resolutionרב הונא: it is a small eye blemish, following רבי עקיבא
  2. Challengeרבי עקיבא only allowed it after the fact
  3. Resolutionרב פפא: the limbs were already brought up the ramp
  4. ChallengeThen even unmixed limbs should be offered
  5. ResolutionNew reason: the verse says the blemish must be 'in them'
  6. ResponseHow the רבנן read the same פסוק
  7. Responseרבי אליעזר learns the healed-blemish rule from בם versus בהם
  8. ChallengeWhy say 'I view it as wood' if the תורה already permits it?
  9. Resolutionרבי אליעזר was arguing from the רבנן's own view
  10. ResponseThe רבנן: blemished flesh is repulsive
  11. StatementNew משנה: fit limbs mixed with blemished limbs
  12. Statementרבי אלעזר: only two at a time
  13. Challengeרבי ירמיה: the משנה talks about one last limb
  14. ResolutionOne means one pair
  15. StatementSacred blood mixed with water, wine, or animal blood