Zevachim 88a

זבחים פ״ח ע״א

Learn Zevachim 88a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Zevachim 88a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Whether the air above the מזבח counts as the מזבח, and the משנה on when כלי שרת sanctify their contents, with related rules about damaged vessels and בגדי כהונה.

Overview

The amud opens by trying to prove that the air above the מזבח counts as the מזבח, since otherwise a כהן could never sprinkle blood from disqualified offerings without it 'coming down.' The idea that he presses the blood onto the wall is rejected, because that would be squeezing or pouring, not proper sprinkling. רב אשי limits the question to items hung over the מזבח on a pole, and that case ends in תיקו. A new משנה then teaches that liquid vessels sanctify only liquids, dry measures sanctify only dry items, vessels with a hole still work if they can do their usual job, and all vessels sanctify only in the עזרה. שמואל says מזרקות sanctify dry items too, and he lists conditions: vessels sanctify only when whole, full, and from inside. רבי יוחנן adds that if the כהן plans to add more, each amount becomes holy right away. רב explains that a liquid vessel makes dry items holy enough to become פסול, though not fit to offer. The amud ends with ברייתות about not repairing damaged vessels and knives and about making and washing בגדי כהונה, and אביי's explanation continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (25)

1. ProofProof from sprinkling the blood of disqualified offerings
2. RejectionMaybe he presses the blood right against the wall
3. ChallengePressing is not sprinkling or throwing
4. ChallengeAnd besides, that is not how it is done
5. Resolutionרב אשי: the question is only about hanging on a pole
6. ConclusionThe question stays unresolved
7. StatementLiquid vessels sanctify liquids, dry measures sanctify dry items
8. StatementVessels with holes, and sanctifying only in the holy area
9. Statementשמואל: the rule is only about measuring vessels, since cups sanctify dry flour
10. ChallengeBut a מנחה is a liquid
11. ResolutionThe פסוק is for the dry part of the מנחה
12. ResolutionCompared to blood, a מנחה counts as dry
13. Statementשמואל: vessels sanctify only when whole, full, and from inside
14. StatementAnother version of שמואל's statement
15. QuestionWhat is the difference between the two versions?
16. ResponseThe difference is heaped-up measures
17. StatementA ברייתא lists four conditions
18. StatementIf he plans to add more, each amount becomes holy
19. ProofA ברייתא from רבי יוסי supports רבי יוחנן
20. StatementLiquid vessels make dry items holy enough to become פסול
21. StatementAnother version: רב's rule is about offerings brought from a mixture
22. StatementDamaged holy vessels and knives may not be repaired
23. StatementPriestly clothing must be woven, and dirty clothing is not washed with soap
24. ChallengeDoes this mean dirty clothes may be washed with plain water?
25. Resolutionאביי: lightly dirty clothes may be washed even with soap