Yoma

therefore we have learnt: The bigger part of an organ with a fowl, the bigger part of two organs with an animal — But since, even by Rabbinic ordinance, it would be considered not invalidated,1 why does he [the other one] have to finish it? — It is the proper thing [a command] to finish it. 2 Abaye related the order of the [daily] priestly functions in the name of tradition and in accordance with Abba Saul:3 The large pile comes before the second pile for the incense; the second pile for the incense comes before the laying in order of the two logs of wood; the laying in order of the two logs of wood precedes the removing of the ashes from the inner altar; the removing of the ashes from the inner altar precedes the trimming of the five lamps; the trimming of the five lamps precedes the blood4 of the continual offering; the blood of the continual offering precedes the trimming of the two lamps; the trimming of the two lamps precedes the incense; the incense precedes the limbs;5 the limbs come before the meal-offering; the meal-offering precedes the pancakes; the pancakes come before the drink-offerings; the drink-offerings precede the additional offerings; the additional offerings come before the [frankincense] censers, and the [frankincense] censers precede the continual afternoon-offering, as it is said: And he shall make smoke thereon the fat of the peace-offerings,6 i.e., herewith all the offerings are completed —7 The Master said: ‘The great pile precedes the second pile for the incense.’ Whence do we know that? Because it has been taught:8 This is the law of the burnt-offering: it is that which goeth up on its fire-wood upon the altar all night9 — this passage refers to the great pile. And the fire of the altar shall be kept burning thereby10 — this refers to the second pile for the incense.11 But perhaps I should reverse it?12 — It seems more logical that the great pile have preference because it brings more13 atonement — On the contrary: the second pile is of greater value, for it is introduced within [the Sanctuary].14 — Nevertheless, the one which causes more atonement is of greater value. And,if you like, say: If there be no wood found for the second pile, would one not bring it into [the Sanctuary] from the great pile? 15 ‘The second pile for the incense precedes the laying in order of the two logs of wood.’ Whence do we know that? — Because it is written: And the priest shall kindle wood16 upon it every morning,17 i.e., ‘upon it’,18 but not upon the other pile,19 hence we can infer that the other pile is arranged already. But the word ‘upon it’ has its own text meaning? — ‘Upon it’ is written twice.20 ‘The laying in order of the two logs of wood precedes the removing of the ashes from the inner altar.’ Although touching the one it is written: ‘In the morning, in the morning’21 and touching the other it is also written: ‘In the morning, in the morning’22 nevertheless that which is preparatory [to the incense burning] has preference,23 What would be preparatory [according to their reply], are the two logs of wood, but surely you said that the two logs of wood belong to the great pile!24 — R. Jeremiah said: It is the laying in order of the wood.25 — Rabina said:26 Since he started with the laying in order [of the wood], he completes it also. R. Ashi said:26 If he found no wood in the second pile, would he not bring it in from the great pile? ‘And the removal of the ashes from the inner altar precedes the trimming of the five lamps.’ Why? — Abaye said: I know it27 by tradition, but I do not know the reason. Raba said: it is in accord with Resh Lakish, for Resh Lakish said: ‘One must not forego the occasion of performing a religious command’28 smoke thereon the fat of the peace-offerings is made to mean: And he shall . . . the complete sacrifice, the conclusion of the sacrifices. incense on the golden altar; v. Tam. 29a. the ashes from the inner altar which must precede the incense offering.]