On the kohen gadol's sin-offering - to what extent us it a communal offering and to what extent is it his own? With implications for whether temurah would work, among others. Also, a piece of architecture that defines and divides the Temples from each other and the Mishkan. Namely, there was an amah-wide space between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies. Which raises the question of the degree of sanctity of that spot, whether it follows the inner or outer kedushah.
Jun 01, 2021•17 min•Season 6Ep. 51
Sin-offerings that could not be offered as sacrifices, and therefore were left to die: 5 cases. A more brutal death, surely, than simply putting it to death.... Also: the korban of "par he'elem davar shel tzibur" (What's What). These sin-offerings, both individual and communal, attest to the need for sin-offerings... Namely, that people sin. Plus, a focus on Temurah - the exchange or substitution of a specific animal - here, comparing the stringencies of the original korban to the substitute, an...
May 31, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 50
What if a replacement kohen gadol is needed, whether because of death, Impurity, or anything else? Can the initial scooping done by the first kohen gadol count towards the second kohen gadol's completion of this avodah? Or does that not work? (Isn't the amount of incense taken specific to each kohen gadol's hands?!). Also, how the kohen gadol actually maneuvered all the movable parts - spoon, incense, coals... One of the most difficult rites in the Beit HaMikdash....
May 30, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 49
More on the incense. What happens if things go wrong with the basic incense plan? When is the incense invalid? When is it fine? (Shouldn't they know the answers here easily? But they don't). Also, the 4 aspects of the avodah with blood, with each animal, including moving the blood over, as here - with his left hand. So doing some of the avodah with his left hand seems to be fine... Or will it invalidate the service?
May 29, 2021•18 min•Season 6Ep. 48
Note: Audio issues in the first 2 minutes, but then it settles down. ||. Chapter 5 - a new chapter, with a focus on the avodah that is done by the kohen gadol in preparation for, and then in the kodesh kodashim, hidden from the eyes of all. Beginning with the kohen gadol taking the amount of incense according to his own physical measurement. With a focus on right-handedness. Also, the story of Yishmael ben Kimchit, who was the kohen gadol, and had very large hands. He also ended up interrupting ...
May 28, 2021•26 min•Season 6Ep. 47
On the different fires in the Temple. With a focus on R. Huna's position, on the conflation of issues between Yom Kippur and Shabbat. Plus, the override clause. To what extent, do we need to extrapolate? Also, the fire is never supposed to go out the mizbeach. What happens if/when it does? Who is responsible...?
May 27, 2021•23 min•Season 6Ep. 46
Gold! 7 different kinds, or maybe 5, ranging in quality, and shade, and origin. Including the red gold for Yom Kippur, which reflected the red of the blood of the korbanot. Also, the fire of the altar, and the inner/outer issue - entailing careful analysis of the biblical text (on a vav and a hey, plus, mi-lifnei).
May 26, 2021•22 min•Season 6Ep. 45
On the incense as a mechanism of atonement. Specifically for lashon hara, evil speech. Which aligns neatly, in terms of the scent and spread of it atoning for the spread of lashon hara. Plus, it's more comfortable for modern sensibilities that have a hard time with animal sacrifice. Also, on separating between the antechamber and the altar, the blood of korbanot vs. that of idolatry. But is this d'Oraita or deRabbanan? What confusion is this, where people can wander into the prohibited area, bet...
May 25, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 44
The need to read the parah adumah verses very carefully, in terms of establishing what the halakhah is, and all of the details pertaining to the parah adumah, in its classic status as a "chok." Noting that the Amoraim remain puzzled... Plus, a new and very long mishnah... Comparing the kohen gadol's actions on Yom Kippur to "every day." Including some differences to ease the strain on the kohen gadol on Yom Kippur.
May 24, 2021•18 min•Season 6Ep. 43
A dispute between Rav and Shmuel - who are Amoraim! - on whether the slaughter of the Yom Kippur Korban or the parah adumah can be done by a non-kohen. Namely, forgetting. Also, a zoom in on the slaughter of the parah adumah if done by a non-kohen. With a spotlight on the logic of how the non-kohen came to be excluded - just as a woman would have been excluded (it works, but also a little odd). They are working on the midrash halakhah that get them to the halakhic conclusion that they already kn...
May 23, 2021•16 min•Season 6Ep. 42
A parallel to the lots selecting the goats - birds! Including Sotah. But also if one choose bird korbanot because of the expense. And then what happens to the birds... which seems to have different parameters from the goats of Yom Kippur, in any case. Also, with regard to the goats - the kohen gadol ties the red string on the head of the goat going to Azazel. He positions the goats, and then utters his confession. The Gemara's focus shifts to the wool used for the red string. Including the conne...
May 22, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 41
On whether the lottery is necessary as an element of the Yom Kippur device. Which leads to a dispute between R. Shimon and R. Yehudah,on the role of the Vidui, the confession, and atonement. Note that the dispute is about interpretation of biblical verses, and not about philosophy, per se, or so it seems. Also, a question for R. Akiva about switching hands after choosing the lots, and the risk of maligning the halakhic system. Plus, a comment on the generations of heretics.
May 21, 2021•17 min•Season 6Ep. 40
The mishnah describes the procedure of the kohen gadol choosing the lots to determine which goat is to go God as a korban, and which to Azazel. The lottery receptacle had certain defining factors, including the fact that it wasn't large enough for more than the kohen gadol's two hands at one time, including the fact that it was unconsecrated, as it was made from wood. Also, Shimon HaTzadik (Who's Who, and then some), and stories about his tenure. Plus, whether the lottery receptacle selection is...
May 20, 2021•26 min•Season 6Ep. 39
The Gates of Nikanor - when they brought back the big heavy doors for the gate, there was a terrible storm, so they tossed one door to alleviate the effects of the storm, but Nikanor wouldn't let them throw the second one in too. What devotion he had to the Beit HaMikdash! Though the timeline is puzzling. Also, another account (parallel to the one in Shekalim) on the families that didn't want to share their trade secrets for the shewbread and the incense. Here, we have 2 more skilled individuals...
May 19, 2021•22 min•Season 6Ep. 38
How the Vidui is based on biblical verses. Also, the mishnah on the ordering of the kohanim, as well as the lottery to decide which goat goes to God as a korban, and which is sent to Azazel. Plus the gold accoutrements, under King Monobaz. Wherein the Gemara neatly follows the topics of this mishnah. Plus a focus on the goats.
May 18, 2021•15 min•Season 6Ep. 37
Where and how the kohen sets up the animal for the korban of Yom Kippur, including semichat yadaim and the vidui confession, an element of Yom Kippur that lasts to this very day. Plus discussion of when a Korban is necessary, what the laying on of hands accomplishes, as per a dispute between R. Yosi HaGalili and R. Akiva, on the various sins and atonement. Plus, the Vidui itself, in much of its serious detail. Note: We apologize for the audio quality - we're not sure why it's so soft.
May 17, 2021•22 min•Season 6Ep. 36
Beit HaParvah - what is this? Why is it called this, when Parvah seems to have been a sorcerer? How would a chamber of the Beit HaMikdash be named after a sorcerer?! And isn't this term anachronistic to begin with? Also, dedicating of one's own goods to the Temple - or that tunic that his mother made! A few different examples of this are introduced. Plus, various stories of functioning through poverty... And the famous story of Hillel, frozen in his spying.... The context of which is key, to not...
May 16, 2021•22 min•Season 6Ep. 35
Procedural details about the day that is Yom Kippur: havitin, nisakhin, and more, based on the close read of the biblical verses. Also: When the kohen gadol is an "istanis," and the water for immersion is very cold, and it can be heated for this consideration - testimony to the sages' awareness of psychology and the phenomenon of what we call "highly sensitive people" today. How does this connect to intention? Namely, doing something that is prohibited unintentionally. As applied to brit milah a...
May 15, 2021•21 min•Season 6Ep. 34
What was the daily avodah (not the Yom Kippur part of the day)? Aligning the procedure with the biblical text that orders it, and ordering the day, at least as per the Amoraim. For example, cleaning out the ash (terumat ha-deshen) takes place before cleaning out the menorah's lamps. Which leads to the key point that we do not pass over an opportunity to do mitzvot. This aligns with the order of operations as compared to what task happens first, based on what you encounter first. This plays out i...
May 14, 2021•12 min•Season 6Ep. 33
Why does the Gemara take so much time and space for the 5 immersions and 10 sanctifications of hand and feet washing in Yom Kippur? Interspersed, he changes his garments from white linen to gold to white to gold to white. What pageantry! What a way to establish the tempo of the day! Plus: What is the source of these 15 various washings? Is it from the Torah's account of Aaron's conduct ? Or is it a logical inference? And is this difference of approach and ambiguity the reason for the ongoing dis...
May 13, 2021•18 min•Season 6Ep. 32
Closing the debate between Ben Zoma and R. Yehudah, not wholly satisfactorily. The washing sanctification and the immersing was all done in a holy chamber near the kohen's chamber -- except for the first immersion of the day, which took place outside, in the water that arrived to the Temple via an aqueduct higher than the courtyard of the Temple. Also, a new mishnah! Continuing with the procedures of the day. Beginning with the kohen gadol's wardrobe change, more washing, and the Korban Tamid of...
May 12, 2021•15 min•Season 6Ep. 31
A new mishnah focused in the kohen's washing of hands and feet, and immersing in the mikveh (10 and 5 times, respectively). With measures in place to preserve his modesty, of course. Which brings us to a dispute between Ben Zoma and R. Yehudah, with regard to how close to a risk of incurring later this washing avoids. What are they actually disagreeing about? Whether the washing (or lack thereof) invalidates the service itself. And how it increases the kedushah of his activity. Plus a distinctio...
May 11, 2021•17 min•Season 6Ep. 30
In memory of Yardaena's father, Dr. Michael Osband, z"l, whose yahrzeit is today. || Some "wise statements"... And accompanying reminders, as it were, to help remember the wise statements. For example, planning a sin is worse than a sin itself. And the mnemonic? The smell of a meat. Which needs some unpacking, of course. Also, the part we're skipping (explicit handling of Esther and Achashverosh's dynamic). Instead: the connection of Esther to the dawn. Should the megillah be part of the canon? ...
May 10, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 29
Why the non-kohen subject to death for setting up the logs. Is this activity its own separate act? Plus, this smacks of the Second Temple. And - the new chapter, with the mishnah beginning to account for the activities of the day of Yom Kippur, which are the activities that apply to every day, as it happens. Checking for daybreak. Bringing the kohen gadol to cleanse himself. Plus, connecting the Torah to the biblical Avraham - why doing so is legitimate and also important. Even to the presentati...
May 09, 2021•27 min•Season 6Ep. 28
Arranging the wood for the fire - if a non-kohen does this, he is subject to death. If he did it, he should disassemble and reassemble it (which latter part makes no sense!). The kohen needs to step in and participate. But some nighttime activities are permitted to non-kohanim. Until it seems clear that everything is lined up with the daytime! Also, shouldn't the fact that a non-kohen could be put to death for this, isn't it enough of an activity to warrant a lottery? But it IS part of the lotte...
May 08, 2021•17 min•Season 6Ep. 27
Lotteries #3 and #4, per day in the Beit HaMikdash! For the ketoret, incense, only those who had never done it before were eligible. A blessing of prosperity reaches those who have done it, so once seems to be enough. But the kohanim weren't eligible to do it very often to begin with, so the extra motivation to limit it to once ever may have other factors as well. Plus, the tribes that produce Torah scholars: Levi and Yissachar. But it's not clear how accurate that was (what about Yehudah?? What...
May 07, 2021•17 min•Season 6Ep. 26
The second lottery... A whole slew of tasks, and a question whether there's a new lottery for each task. Also, the details of every step of the way, and different details, per different opinions on what should be done. Note that this daf is heavy on the animal parts.
May 06, 2021•20 min•Season 6Ep. 25
On the 4 services that if a non-kohen did them, he'd be deserving of a death sentence. Is terumat ha-deshen one of these 4? The dispute here is between Rav and Levi... And the discussion revolves around a k'lal u-f'rat u-kh'lal form of logic - the general and specific, as present in the biblical verse. What is the nature of this service, and its connection to the parokhet (vs. courtyard). Applying the rules of inference depend on the understanding of the verse. "Every thing pertaining to the alt...
May 05, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 24
Follow up on why the thumb, and only one finger was acceptable for the lottery to be chosen to do terumat ha-deshen. Also, Revenge and holding a grudge are good, nay, necessary (!) for a Torah scholar. But that contradicts the verses in Leviticus, so the Gemara has to resolve this surprising statement. Including the Gemara's definitions of revenge and holding a grudge. Recognizing that people have different personalities and relate to this differently... There may be a difference between the def...
May 04, 2021•23 min•Season 6Ep. 23
The basics of every day for the kohanim in the Beit HaMikdash, beginning with clearing out the ashes from the previous day. They chose who did what by racing for it! That wasn't the best plan, so the started a lottery, to choose who got the job more safely. Also, the question of who would get up early was real. Plus, counting fingers or shards of pottery instead of counting people, to not violate the statement in Hosea on not counting Bnei Yisrael. Also, investigating King David and his punishme...
May 03, 2021•22 min•Season 6Ep. 22
