More Discussions for this daf
1. Rav Ashi's proof 2. Chatas Mesa
DAF DISCUSSIONS - YOMA 50

Howard Schiffmiller asked:

Hi

This is my understanding of the top of the daf: Rav Ashi wants to bring a proof that when the Torah says "Par" it doesn't necessarily mean a live par but means its blood. The proof is that the Pasuk says "Bzot yavo Aharon el Hakodesh - B'phar ben bakar l'chatat" -- and of course Aharon did not drag in a live cow into the Holy Places - but rather its blood. The Gemara rejects this by saying you can interpret the pasuk as being an introductory clause - how will the Kohen Gadol do the Avodah on Yom Kippur? One of the necessary ingredients to effect Kaparah is a par.

If this understanding is correct - I have a question on Rav Ashi's proof. We learned in 32a that all the psukim of the Avodah in Achrei Mot are in order except for "u'va Aharon el Ohel Moed" (taking out the Kaf U'Machta). According to Rav Ashi's explanation it would seem that "Bzot Yavo Aharon el HaKodesh" is also out of place. Because the proof seems to interpret the pasuk that "Aharon must come inside with the blood of a par" - meaning that this a commandment - and not an introduction. (The Pasuk could be interpreted as an introduction to the Avodah - but then we have no proof that par means blood as the Gemara answers). If this is a commandment then this Pasuk is clearly out of place as Aharon only comes in with the blood much later.

As always, thanks in advance for your help

Howie Schiffmiller

The Kollel replies:

Perhaps I can offer a slightly different understanding of the Gemara, and thereby answer your question. Everyone agrees that the posuk of "Bzos Yavo Aharon" is an introduction to the seder Ha'Avodos of Yom Kippur, R' Ashi, however learns, the end of the posuk "B'par ben bakar" to be referring specifically to what Aharon would go in to the kodesh with (when he would go in). This, R' Ashi says, must mean the blood of the par and not the par itself. R' Ashi therefore reads the posuk of "B'zos" as follows. "This is how Aharon enters into the Kodesh, with the blood of the par for the Chatas"

The Gemara rejects R' Ashi's understanding of the introductory posuk and offers an alternative explanation. "What must Aharon do to enable him to be permitted to enter into the Kodesh? He must bring a par into the Azarah."

According to this explanation, even R' Ashi holds that the posuk of B'zos" is introductory and therefore there is no problem of the pesukim being out of order.

D. Schloss