Commentary for Meilah 17:45

עד שתראה לבית הדשן

BUT IT APPLIES TO THE HANDFUL UNTIL ITS ASHES HAVE BEEN REMOVED TO THE PLACE OF THE ASHES. <big><b>GEMARA: </b></big>It was stated: If one has made use of the ashes of the tappuah<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'apple', 'pile'. I.e., the place upon the altar where the ashes were piled up.');">²¹</span> which was on the altar, Rab says he has not transgressed the Law of Sacrilege, and R'Johanan says he has transgressed. Both agree that before the separation of the ashes<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cf. Lev. VI, 3 and Yoma 22a.');">²²</span> the Law of Sacrilege still applies to them, they differ as to what is the case after the separation of the ashes. Rab says the Law of Sacrilege no longer applies to them, since the prescribed ceremony<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Viz., the separation of the ashes. These were then deposited outside Jerusalem.');">²³</span> has already been performed with them; but R'Johanan holds, since it is written: And the priest shall put on his linen garments. .<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. The proof is actually from the following verse: And he shall put off his garments and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place. This is taken to prove that the depositing of the ashes is: part of the ceremony. The ashes are still sacred before this is done.');">²⁴</span> as priestly garments are necessary, it proves that they [the ashes] still maintained their sacredness. We have learnt: THE LAW OF SACRILEGE APPLIES<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Apparently even after the separation of the ashes was performed they are subject to the Law of Sacrilege.');">²⁵</span> UNTIL THE ASHES HAVE BEEN REMOVED TO THE PLACE OF THE ASHES. This presents a difficulty on the view of Rab. - Rab would tell you: [The meaning is]: Until it is fit for removal to the place of the Ashes.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., until the separation of the ashes has been performed.');">²⁶</span>

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