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Avodah Zarah 47
1) [line 6] DASHA HU (D'ACHIZA) [D'ACHIDA] B'ANPAH - it is merely a door
(the currently closed birth canal) that is closed in its face
2) [line 13] KI SIBA'I LACH ALIBA D'RABANAN - the question applies [only]
according to the opinion of the Rabbanan (who rule that a tree that was not
originally planted to be worshipped as Avodah Zarah is not prohibited, even
if someone bows down to it)
3) [line 15] B'ASHEIRAH SHE'BITLAH - [the question was asked] regarding an
Asheirah tree (see Background to Avodah Zarah 45:5) that was annulled
4) [line 16] YESH DICHUY ETZEL MITZVOS O EIN DICHUY ETZEL MITZVOS - once a
Mitzvah is suspended, is it forever suspended or not?
(a) The concept of Dichuy applies to many Halachos in the Torah where a
certain object is required for a Mitzvah or Korban. Some examples are limbs
and blood of the Korbanos, blood of Kosher birds and wild animals that must
be covered with dirt, live animals for Korbanos and objects used to perform
Mitzvos.
(b) The question of Dichuy with regard to objects used to perform Mitzvos
applies in two instances: 1. the object was only fit for use *after* the
time that the Mitzvah first applied ("Dichuy me'Ikara"); and 2. the object w
as fit for use at the time that the Mitzvah first applied, later became
unfit, and afterwards became fit again ("Nir'eh v'Nidcheh"). In the latter
case the Dichuy is stronger.
(c) In our Gemara, Rav Dimi explains that Reish Lakish asked his question
regarding an Asheirah tree that was annulled. He ponders whether or not we
rule that once an object is unfit for a Mitzvah (Dichuy me'Ikara) it is
forever suspended from being used for that Mitzvah. For example, the Lulav
is unfit for use because it comes from an Ashirah tree. After annulment, is
the Lulav now fit for use or not?
5) [line 18] KISAHU V'NISGALEH (KISUY HA'DAM)
There is a Mitzvah to cover the blood of all birds and wild animals (Chayos)
that are slaughtered, as it states in Vayikra (17:13) "v'Ish Ish... Asher
Yatzud Tzeid Chayah O Of Asher Ye'achel, v'Shafach Es Damo v'Chisahu
b'Afar." The blood must be covered from above and below with earth or any
similar granular substance.
6) [line 18] KISAHU HA'RU'ACH - if the wind covered it (the blood)
7) [line 21] V'HAVINAN BAH - and we ask about it
8a) [line 30] TECHELES L'CHOHANIM (BIGDEI KEHUNAH: TECHELES)
(a) The Kohen Gadol must wear the eight vestments of the Kohen Gadol when he
performs the Avodah in the Beis ha'Mikdash. The eight vestments are 1. Tzitz
(forehead-plate), 2. Efod (apron), 3. Choshen (breastplate), 4. Me'il
(robe), 5. Kutones (long shirt), 6. Michnasayim (breeches), 7. Avnet (belt),
8. Mitznefes (flat turban). Four of these, the Eford, Choshen, Me'il and the
Avnet contain wool dyed the color Techeles, a greenish-blue dye that is
obtained from the Chilazon, the underwater snail murex trunculus. (RAMBAM
Hilchos Klei ha'Mikdash 4:12-13; 8:16-10:4).
(b) An ordinary Kohen must wear the four vestments of the ordinary Kohen
when he performs the Avodah in the Beis ha'Mikdash. The four vestments are
1. Kutones (long shirt), 2. Michnasayim (breeches), 3. Avnet (belt), 4.
Migba'as (pointed turban) (RAMBAM ibid.). There is an argument as to whether
the Avnet of the ordinary Kohen is made only of linen (like the other three
vestments) or of four colors (white linen and three colors of wool), one of
them being Techeles (Yoma 6a, 12a, 69a).
b) [line 31] TECHELES L'TZITZIS (TZITZIS: TECHELES)
(a) There is a Mitzvah to wear Tzitzis (fringes) on four-cornered garments,
as it states in the Torah (Devarim 22:12). Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel argue
(Menachos 41b) whether one must double over three strings through each hole
of the garment (Beis Hillel), or whether one must double over four strings
(Beis Shamai).
(b) Techeles is a greenish-blue dye used to dye some of the woolen strings
used for Tzitzis. The dye is obtained from the Chilazon, the underwater
snail murex trunculus. The "Pesil Techeles" - the "string of Techeles"
(Bamidbar 15:38) is the most important part of a four-cornered garment since
through it one is able to completely fulfill the Mitzvah of Tzitzis. The
exact process for obtaining the Techeles dye is not known today (see
Insights to Shabbos 75:1).
9) [line 33] MISHUM D'IKA MILEI ACHARANAISA - since there were other things
that he also asked at the same time
10) [line 34] KERANEHA - its horns
11) [line 34] CHATZOTZROS - horns (not the horns mentioned in Bamidbar 10:2,
which were made of silver and blown by the Kohanim, but horns that were
among the musical instruments used by the Leviyim in the Divine Service of
the Beis ha'Mikdash -- TOSFOS DH Keraneha)
12) [line 35] SHOKEHA - [the bones of] its thighs
13) [line 35] CHALILIN - flutes that were among the musical instruments used
by the Leviyim in the Divine Service of the Beis ha'Mikdash
14) [line 35] BENEI ME'EHA - its intestines
15) [line 35] PE'EROS - (lit. ornaments) strings for the Kinoros, the lutes,
that were among the musical instruments used by the Leviyim in the Divine
Service of the Beis ha'Mikdash (According to the Girsa of RABEINU CHANANEL,
"BENEI ME'EHA MAHU *L'CHINOROS*?" - "... for the lutes?")
16) [line 36] IKAR SHIRAH BI'CHELI / IKAR SHIRAH B'FEH - the essential
aspect of the songs of the Beis ha'Mikdash is the musical instruments / the
singing
(a) Wine libations were brought with many of the Korbanos, as it states in
Bamidbar 15:5-10. One of the appointments of the Levi'im in the Beis
ha'Mikdash was to sing Tehilim and play musical instruments at the time that
the wine libations were poured into special pipes at the top of the
Mizbe'ach ha'Olah.
(b) There is a Machlokes as to whether the musical instruments are an
essential aspect of the songs in the Beis ha'Mikdash. Those who hold that
"Ikar Shirah b'Feh" - "the main aspect is the singing," rule that the
musical instruments are not necessary, and that instruments may be played by
those who are not Leviyim as well as by Leviyim.
17) [line 38] BESUMEI KOLA B'ALMA HU - it is merely an adornment for the
singing (lit. to sweeten the sound [of the voices of the Leviyim])
18) [line 40] MA'AYAN - a wellspring
19) [line 41] NESACHIM (NISUCH HA'MAYIM)
(a) One of the ceremonies of the holiday of Sukos in the Beis ha'Mikdash was
the Nisuch ha'Mayim (water libation) ceremony, in which water was poured on
the Mizbe'ach as a libation instead of wine. Tana'im argue as to whether
this ceremony was performed all seven days of Sukos, or only six days (days
2-7) or two days (days 6 and 7). Another opinion holds that it was performed
*eight* days, the seven days of Sukos and Shmini Atzeres (Sukah 3a; however
see Hagahos Didukei Sofrim ad loc. #3, who suggests that no opinion holds
that it was done for only two or six days).
(b) The Nisuch itself was done as follows. Water was drawn at daybreak from
the Shilo'ach spring that is located to the south of the Temple Mount and
was brought to the Azarah in a joyous procession. When the morning Tamid
sacrifice was brought, a Kohen poured the water into one of the "Sefalim" at
the top of the Mizbe'ach (the silver libation pipes located in the southwest
corner of the Mizbe'ach).
(c) This ceremony was associated with much rejoicing. On the nights
preceding the Nisuch ha'Mayim, people gathered in the Azaros of the Beis
ha'Mikdash to rejoice and sing praises to HaSh-m until the morning, when it
was time to draw the water. The Leviyim played more musical instruments than
usual and the greatest Talmidei Chachamim danced and juggled exultantly. So
many torches and lamps were lit in the Mikdash area to provide light for the
celebrants that the streets of the nearby city of Yerushalayim were
illuminated as bright as day. The Mishnah, describing the Simchas Beis
ha'Sho'evah (Sukah 51a), states that anyone who has not seen the rejoicing
of the Simchas Beis ha'Sho'evah has not seen rejoicing in his life.
20) [line 42] L'BAVU'AH KA SAGID - he bows down to his image [that is
reflected in the water]
21) [line 43] SAFEL - [the water in] a [common] cup
22a) [line 44] L'MAYA D'KAMEI KA SAGID - does he bow down to the water that
is presently in front of him,
b) [line 45] V'KAMA'EI KAMA'EI AZDU - and that first [quantity of water]
flows away
23) [line 45] DAVRONA D'MAYA - the source of the water, i.e. the entire
watercourse leading to the spring
24) [line 48] D'KA NAV'EI ME'AR'A - it flows directly from the ground
(without collecting into a pit or well. Had it done so, it would have become
"Mayim Shel Rabim," which is never prohibited -- TOSFOS DH Lo Tzericha)
25) [line 50] KONES B'SOCH SHELO ARBA AMOS U'VONEH - he moves [the location
of his wall] four Amos in, onto his property [rather than on the property
line]
47b---------------------------------------47b
26) [line 1] NIDON MECHETZAH AL MECHETAZAH - [if the Jew had a wall in
common with a house of Avodah Zarah,] he begins to measure the four Amos
from the center of the fallen wall (lit. it is judged half and half, i.e.
half for the Jew and half for the Avodah Zarah).
27) [line 2] SHERETZ (TUM'AS SHERETZ)
A Sheretz (a crawling pest -- see Background to Shabbos 107:5), even if it
or a part of it is only the size of an Adashah (lentil bean), is an Av
ha'Tum'ah (Vayikra 11:29-38, Chagigah 11a). It makes a person or object
Tamei through Maga (contact), whether the Sheretz was touched willingly or
unwillingly. The person who becomes Tamei by touching a Sheretz may not eat
Terumah or Kodshim or enter the Azarah of the Beis Ha'Mikdash. However, he
can immediately immerse in a Mikvah. After nightfall he becomes Tahor and
may eat Terumah or Kodshim or enter the Azarah.
28) [line 2] "[V'LO SAVI SO'EVAH EL BEISECHA, V'HAYISAH CHEREM KAMOHU;]
SHAKETZ TESHAKTZENU [V'SA'EV TESA'AVENU, KI CHEREM HU.]" - "[You shall not
bring an abomination (an item of Avodah Zarah) into your house, lest you
will become shunned like it, rather,] you shall utterly detest it, [and
loathe it; for it is a cursed thing.]" (Devarim 7:26)
29) [line 3] NIDAH
By Torah Law, a woman who has her period is a Nidah for seven days. It makes
no difference whether she saw blood only one time or for the entire seven
days. At the end of seven days, after nightfall, she immerses in a Mikvah to
become Tehorah.
(The current practice is to consider all women who have a show of blood to
be a Zavah and therefore they must have seven clean days before they go to
the Mikvah.
(a) A Nidah, like a Zav (see Background to Bava Kama 24:5 and to Bava Metzia
105:30), Zavah (see Background to Sanhedrin 87:6c) or Yoledes (see
Background to Shevuos 8:5), can cause objects (other than Klei Cheres -
earthenware objects) that are *under* her to become Avos ha'Tum'ah, whether
she touches them or not. The objects become Tamei Midras (lit. an object
that is treaded upon), otherwise known as Mishkav or Moshav ha'Nidah,
ha'Zav, etc. (or the *Tachton*, of a Nidah, etc.). An object that is under
these people becomes a Midras only if it was made for lying, sitting, or
leaning upon.
(b) A person who *touches* (Maga) or *carries* (Masa) either a Midras or the
Nidah herself gets the status of Rishon l'Tum'ah, and so do the clothes he
is wearing and other utensils (except for earthenware utensils) that he is
touching at the time.
(c) Utensils or clothes that lie *above* the Nidah also get the status of a
Rishon l'Tum'ah, whether she touches them or not. These are called the
*Elyon* of a Nidah.
30) [line 3] "... TIZREM KEMO DAVAH, TZE TOMAR LO." - "[You shall also
defile the silver plating of your carved idols, and the golden ornaments of
your molten images;] you shall cast them away as a menstrual thing, you
shall say to it, 'Get out of here!'" (Yeshayah 30:22) - The prophet
describes the process of repentance that will take place among the Jews. All
of their idols will be defiled and cast away.
31) [line 4] MASA
One of the actions through which Tum'ah is transferred is called Masa
(carrying). A person who carries an object that is an Av ha'Tum'ah (unles it
is a Sheretz) becomes a Rishon l'Tum'ah. In addition, any clothes he is
wearing, or objects (except for earthenware utensils) he is touching, while
carrying the Av ha'Tum'ah, become a Rishon l'Tum'ah.
32) [line 9] HA'NIFNEH - one who defecates
33) [line 11] D'GADIR LEI B'HIZMEI V'HIGEI - he sets up a partition of
prickly shrubs or trees (O.F. ronce), and prickly bushes
34a) [line 14] SIYEDO - he plastered it
b) [line 14] KIYEDO - he decorated it
35a) [line 17] ALMA KASAVAR TALUSH ULEVA'SOF CHIBRO K'TALUSH DAMI - it
follows that Rav rules that detached, movable objects (such as the stones of
a house) that one combines and attaches to the ground, are still considered
detached (with regard to the Halachah that they can be prohibited as Avodah
Zarah if the owner bows down to it)
b) [line 18] V'HA ANAN BENA'O TENAN - but we (in our Mishnah) teach, "If
one *builds* [a house with the intention of serving it as Avodah Zarah]"
(i.e. worshipping it alone is not enough to prohibit it)
36) [line 23] CHATZAVAH - that was hewn
37) [line 23] BIMUS - a stone pedestal for Avodah Zarah, which becomes one
unit with the object that is worshipped
38) [line 30] BEINEI URBEI - between the bricks
39) [line 30] D'SHI'A V'HADAR SHIYE'EI - that [the house] was already
plastered and he plastered it [anew]
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