Zevachim 87b

זבחים פ״ז ע״ב

Learn Zevachim 87b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 87b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Whether the airspace above the מזבח counts as the מזבח, after a rejected proof about כלי שרת sanctifying disqualified blood.

Overview

This amud begins in the middle of a proof that כלי שרת make even blood received by פסולין fit to be sprinkled from the start. The proof is pushed away, because the משנה may be listing two separate cases. The גמרא then asks a new question: does the airspace above the מזבח count as the מזבח itself? It tries to prove that it does from the rule that the כבש sanctifies like the מזבח, since otherwise nothing could be lifted from the כבש to the מזבח. That proof is answered: the כהן drags the limb up, and the part over the gap follows wherever most of the limb is. From this, רמי בר חמא's question is settled: there is a חיבור for parts going up on the מזבח. רבא בר רב חנן then objects that if the airspace counts, a bird עולה could never be made unfit by intention. רב שימי בר אשי rejects this with a case of intending to take the bird down, adjusted so it works even for רבה. He then begins his own proof that the airspace does count as the מזבח, and that proof is completed on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (15)

1. ProofA proof from the line about blood received by unfit people
2. RejectionThe line may describe two separate cases
3. QuestionDoes the space above the altar count as the altar?
4. ProofQuoting the rule that the ramp sanctifies like the altar
5. ProofWithout airspace counting, nothing could move from ramp to altar
6. RejectionThe כהן drags it up the ramp
7. ChallengeThere is a gap between the ramp and the altar
8. ResolutionEach part follows where most of it is
9. ProofThis seems to settle רמי בר חמא's question
10. ConclusionYes, the question is settled
11. ChallengeChallenge from the bird burnt offering
12. RejectionA case where a wrong intention still makes the bird unfit
13. ChallengeThis case only works for רבא, not for רבה
14. ResolutionEven for רבה: taking it down before dawn
15. ProofA proof that the airspace counts as the מזבח begins