Yoma

GEMARA. Whom did you hear saying that the place between Hall and altar was [considered] north?1 R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon, for it was taught: What is [considered] north? From the northern wall of the altar up to the [northern] wall of the Temple court and opposite the whole altar on the north,2 this is the opinion of R. Jose son of R. Judah. R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon adds also the space between the Hall and the altar.3 Rabbi adds also the space for the treading of the priests and the place for the treading of the Israelites within,4 and all agree that from the inside of the knives’ cell5 it was illegitimate.6 Shall we [then] say that the Mishnah is in accord with R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon, but not with Rabbi? — You can even say that it is in accord with Rabbi, for if he adds even7 to what R. Jose son of R. Judah says, will he not add to [the space defined by] R. Eleazar b. R. Simeon!8 This is what we mean: If it were in accord with Rabbi, it9 could be placed anywhere in the whole Temple court! What, then [would you maintain] that [the Mishnah] is in accord with R. Eleazar b. R. Simeon! But then it ought to be placed anywhere between altar and wall?10 You must consequently say that the reason11 is to avoid the high priest getting tired;12 thus also, on the view of Rabbi, the reason11 is to avoid the high priest getting tired. ITS HEAD TO THE SOUTH, AND ITS FACE TO THE WEST. How is that possible?- Rab answered: The priest turns its head — But let him place it straight?13 — Abaye said: We are afraid it might drop excrements. Our Rabbis taught:14 How does one press [the hands on the head of the sacrifice]?15 The sacrifice stands to the north,16 with its face to the west, and he who presses17 [the hands] stands to the east, with his face to the west, and lays his two hands between the two horns of the sacrifice, that nothing may intervene between him and the sacrifice18 — and he makes confession. With a sin-offering [he makes confession] of the sin [committed]; with a guilt-offering, of the guilt incurred; with a burnt-offering, of the transgressions in connection with gleanings,19 the forgotten sheaf,20 the corner of the field,19 and the poor tithe21 — these are the words of R. Jose the Galilean. R. Akiba said: A burnt-offering is offered up exclusively for transgression of a positive command or of a prohibition transformed into a command.22 In what do they differ? R. Jeremiah said: had to be slaughtered on the north side. Such must be the view of the Mishnah which states that the bullock was placed between the Hall and the altar for confession as well as for slaughtering purposes, v. infra 41b: ‘At the place where the confession was made there it was slaughtered’.] sacrifices of the highest grade of sanctity is legitimate, but not the space east and west of the altar, although lying to the north of the Temple court, for the biblical command states: And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the Lord. (Lev. I, 11), for though these parts are to the north of the Temple court, they are not to the north of the altar. northern wall of the altar.] ten from east to west, had twenty-four apertures where the twenty-four divisions of priests kept their knives. 20a. nearer! nothing of it remain until the morning (prohibition); But that which remaineth... you shall burn in fire (remedial action).