Commentary for Avodah Zarah 92:7
א"ל רב פפא לרבא וכל היכא דאיכא קולא וחומרא לקולא לא פרכינן והא הזאה דפסח דפליגי ר' אליעזר ור"ע דר' אליעזר סבר לחומרא וקא מחייב ליה לגברא ור"ע לקולא ופטר וקא פריך ר"ע לקולא
R. Papa said to Rava: But is it true that where it is possible to reason to both a lenient and a stringent position, we do not reason to a lenient position? Behold there is the example of the sprinkling on Pesah over which R. Eliezer and R. Akiva dispute; for R. Eliezer holds the strict view and makes the man liable [to bring the pesach sacrifice] and R. Akiva holds the lenient view and exempts him. And R. Akiva argues for the lenient conclusion;
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
R. Papa locates a case in Mishnah Pesachim 6:2 where R. Eliezer and R. Akiva argue and still R. Akiva uses logic to arrive at a lenient view. The issue is whether one is allowed to sprinkle the ashes of the red heifer on someone on Shabbat in order to purify him so that he may bring the pesah sacrifice. R. Eliezer is strict (in a sense) and allows the sprinkling and thereby makes him liable to bring the pesah. R. Akiva is lenient and exempts him, and offers an inference to back up his leniency. For a full interpretation of this mishnah see my commentary in Mishnah Yomit on Pesahim 6:2.
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