Zevachim

— There, subtract one text1 for the command itself,2 and one for the covering,3 so three are left. Then the [Mosaic] halachah4 comes and diminishes the third [wall], fixing it at a hand-breadth.5 If so, [when Scripture states] Then she shall be unclean two weeks [shebu'ayim],6 shib'im [seventy] [is actually written],7 then [argue,] the mikra and the masoreth are both effective, and so she should have to spend forty-two days [in uncleanness]?8 — There it is different, because it is written, as in her menstrual state.9 Now the Tanna [of the following Baraitha] adduces it [Beth Hillel's ruling] as follows: We-kipper [and he shall make atonement] is stated three times,10 on account of the analogy [which might otherwise be drawn].11 But surely we have an analogy to this effect:12 blood is prescribed below [the red line],13 and blood is prescribed above: as with the blood which is prescribed below, if one made a single application, he effects atonement;14 so with the blood which is prescribed above, if one makes a single application, he makes atonement. Or you may reason in this direction: Blood is prescribed within,15 and blood is prescribed without: as in the case of blood prescribed within, if [the priest] omits a single application his action is ineffective;16 so in the case of the blood prescribed without, if he omits a single application his action is null. Then let us see to which it is comparable: You can draw an analogy between sacrifices offered on the outer altar,17 but you cannot draw an analogy between [sacrifices offered on] the outer altar and [those offered on] the inner altar. Or, you might argue to the contrary: You may draw an analogy between sin-offerings whose blood is sprinkled on four horns [of the altar],18 and let not the outer altar prove it,19 which is not a sin-offering nor [is its blood sprinkled on the] four horns.20 Therefore Scripture states ‘we-kipper’ three times, on account of the analogy [which might otherwise be drawn], [teaching]: ‘and he shall make atonement’ even though he sprinkled [the blood] only three times; ‘and he shall make atonement’ even though he sprinkled [it] only twice; ‘and he shall make atonement’ even though he sprinkled it but once. But this is required for its own purpose?21 Said Raba b. Adda: Mari explained it to me: Scripture says, and he shall make atonement . . . and he shall be forgiven: atonement and forgiveness are identical.22 Yet say [that] ‘and he shall make atonement’ [intimates] even if he made only three applications above [the red line] and one below; and he shall make atonement’ even if he made only two applications above and two below; ‘and he shall make atonement even if he did not apply [the blood] above but only below?23 — Said R. Adda b. Isaac: If so, you annul the law of horns.24 But if the Divine Law has ordained [it so], let them be annulled? — Said Raba: What thing is it that requires three? Surely the horns.25 Yet say, ‘and he shall make atonement’ [teaches] even if he made only one application above and three below? — We do not find blood [applied] half above and half below. Do we not? Surely we learnt: He sprinkled thereof26 once above and seven below? — That was done as mazlif [one swinging a whip].27 What is a mazlif? — Rab Judah showed it by imitating the movements of a whipper. [Again, we learnt:] He28 besprinkled the surface29 of the altar seven times. handbreadth in width. weeks, which is fairly close to the menstrual state. But forty-two days of uncleanness bear no similarity at all to the menstrual state. of a verse to intimate this law? sprinkled below it, infra 53a. sacrifices brought by the High Priest and the community for having sinned through ignorance. atonement’ to teach that each sin is atoned for by its respective sin-offering. red line. sprinkling on one essential; for in order to render effective the application of all the four below the line four texts would be required.