Yoma

But perhaps say that [the word] ziwwah1 [he commanded] has reference to [the word] ziwwah which occurs in connection with the Day of Atonement,2 since the verse reads,3 And he did as the Lord ziwwah [commanded] Moses?4 — One may infer from [the word] ziwwah used before conformity5 for another case in which ziwwah is used also before conformity,6 but one may not infer ziwwah is used before conformity5 for ziwwah used after conformity.7 Perhaps ziwwah1 has reference to sacrifices,8 for it is written, On the day when the Lord zawwotho9 [commanded] the children of Israel?10 — One may fitly infer ziwwah6 from ziwwah,5 but one may not infer zawwotho11 from ziwwah.12 But what does it matter? Did not the school of R. Ishmael teach that [in the verse], The priest shall return or the priest shall come in,13 ‘returning’ and ‘coming in’ mean one and the same thing?14 — These words [of the school of R. Ishmael] apply only when there is no identical word,15 but where such a similar word is used, the inference may be made only on the basis of absolute identity of expression. — [We stated above that the word] ‘lekapper’ [to atone] has reference to the Day of Atonement. May it not refer [also]16 to the atonement resulting from a sacrifice?17 — How could we know which priest would happen to perform the sacrifice so that he would have to be removed [from his house]?18 But why should we not really have to postulate such separation for the whole priestly division?19 — It is proper to make inference from something for which a definite time is appointed20 for something which similarly is fixed for a definite time.21 That excludes any inference [from the consecration of the priest, an annual event] to sacrifices which are offered up every day.22 Perhaps [the reference is to] the [three] festivals?23 — One may infer something which takes place but once a year24 from something else which took place but once a year, but inference for these festivals is excluded since they do not take place but once a year. Perhaps [the reference is] to one festival.25 And if you would answer [by saying], We would not know to which [it has reference], [it would be] either the festival of Passover, which Scripture always mentions26 [as the first of the three], or the feast of Sukkoth, because a great number of commandments apply to it!27 -The point is, however, that you may infer the [law of the priest's] removal [from his house] for seven days before the service which he is to perform on one day28 from [another case in which the priest is] removed also for seven days for the service of one day;29 but one may not fitly infer that [a priest must be] removed for seven days for the service of seven30 days from the fact that a law exists obliging [the priest's] removal for seven days for the service of one day.29 Yet perhaps [the reference is to] the Eighth Day31 because there would be a service of only one day? — One may infer [laws concerning] a day which is not immediately preceded by another [festival] sanctity28 from another day,29 which similarly is not preceded by other [festival] sanctity,29 but one may not infer for a day preceded by [festival] Sanctity32 from a day unpreceded by such. But [even if the inference by analogy be unjustified] is there no legitimate conclusion a minori ad majus, viz., if a day unpreceded by another [festival] sanctity requires [for the officiating priest] a seven day removal [from his family], how much more should a day preceded by another [festival] sanctity require it!33 — R. Mesharsheya answered: Scripture expressly states this day,34 that means on a day like this.35 R. Ashi said:36 Could there be any festival the major37 part of which would require no removal [of the priest], while its attachment38 would require it. And even according to the one who holds that the eighth day is [not a mere attachment to Sukkoth, but] an independent festival day, that applies only to differentiation between ziwwah and zawwotho is not justified. applies also to the atonement of a sacrifice, cf. n. 3. which the consecration was held.] libation, etc. Booths (Sukkoth), in which case the inference would appear legitimate.