Bekhorot — Daf 17b

וחייב במתנות ורבי יוסי פוטר מת אחד מהן ר"ט אומר יחלוקו ר"ע אומר המוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה זכר ונקבה אין כאן לכהן כלום:

גמ׳ אמרי דבי רבי ינאי לרבי יוסי הגלילי שמעינן ליה דאמר אפשר לצמצם בידי שמים וכ"ש בידי אדם ורבנן בידי שמים אי אפשר לצמצם בידי אדם מאי

ת"ש חוט של סיקרא חוגרו באמצע להבדיל בין דמים העליונים ובין דמים התחתונים ואי אמרת אי אפשר לצמצם בידי אדם זימנין דקא יהיב עליונים למטה ותחתונים למעלה דמרווח בה פורתא

תא שמע ממדת כלים ממדת מזבח שאני התם דרחמנא אמר עביד ובכל היכי דמצית למיעבד ניחא ליה (דברי הימים א כח, יט) הכל בכתב מיד ה' עלי השכיל

אמר רב קטינא ת"ש חלקו לשנים והן שוין שניהן טמאים לפי שאי אפשר לצמצם אמר רב כהנא שאני כלי חרס הואיל ויש בו גומות

ת"ש נמצא מכוון בין שתי עיירות שתיהן מביאות שתי עגלות דברי ר"א מ"ט

לאו משום דקסבר בידי אדם אפשר לצמצם וקרובה ואפילו קרובות

לא ר' אליעזר

THE OWNER IS LIABLE FOR THE [PRIEST'S] GIFTS,1 WHEREAS R. JOSE EXEMPTS HIM.2 IF ONE OF THEM DIED, R. TARFON SAYS: THEY DIVIDE [THE LIVING ONE]. R. AKIBA SAYS: THE CLAIMANT MUST PRODUCE THE EVIDENCE. IF IT GAVE BIRTH TO A MALE AND A FEMALE, THE PRIEST RECEIVES NOTHING [IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES].3 GEMARA. The School of Jannai said: Of R. Jose the Galilean we have heard that he said: It is possible to ascertain [simultaneity] in natural processes,4 and, therefore, how much more so is it possible to ascertain exactly in human actions. The Rabbis [we know] hold that it is impossible to ascertain simultaneity in natural processes. What is their view with reference to human actions? — Come and hear: A red line went round the altar in order to divide between the blood to be sprinkled above and the blood to be sprinkled below.5 Now if you say that it is impossible to be exact in human actions, sometimes the priest might put the blood which should be above, below the [middle of] the altar?6 — The line is made somewhat wide.7 Come and hear. [Proof can be adduced] from the measurements of the furniture [of the Sanctuary] and from the measurements of the altar!8 — It is different there, since the Divine Law said: Do it, and in whatever manner you are able to do it, it will be satisfactory, as David said: All this the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me.9 Said R. Kattina: Come and hear: [If an unclean oven] is divided into two and the parts are equal, both are unclean, for it is impossible to be exact!10 — R. Kahana replied: An earthen vessel is different because it has holes.11 Come and hear: If [a slain body is] found at exactly the same distance between two cities, both bring two heifers.12 These are the words of R. Eliezer. What is the reason? Is it not because he holds that it is possible to be exact in human actions13 and the words [the city] which is nearest14 imply [even the cities] which are nearest? — No. R. Eliezer which circumstances the latter is exempt. receives nothing and the animals pasture until blemished and are then eaten. Tosaf. adds that even if the two heads came forth simultaneously, since there is a female, the priest cannot make any claim. we are intent on ascertaining the exact measurement or size of any object. the blood for the upper half of the altar is sprinkled above the line, it may still be really in the lower half. Again. if the line is marked higher than the middle of the altar, then when the blood to be sprinkled below is sprinkled lower than the line, it may still be in the upper half. and therefore there could be no fear of the blood for the upper part being sprinkled below and vice trio, as above the line was certainly the upper portion of the altar, and below the line was certainly the lower part. of the oven remains it is unclean; v. Hul. 28b. distance from two cities, then two heifers can be brought.