Commentary for Zevachim 75:3

שאני התם דכתי' (ויקרא יב, ה) כנדתה

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, on account of the analogy [which might otherwise be drawn]. But surely we have an analogy to this effect: blood is prescribed below [the red line], and blood is prescribed above: as with the blood which is prescribed below, if one made a single application, he effects atonement; 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, and blood is prescribed without: as in the case of blood prescribed within, if [the priest] omits a single application his action is ineffective; 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, 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], and let not the outer altar prove it, which is not a sin-offering nor [is its blood sprinkled on the] four horns. Therefore Scripture states 'we-kipper'

Explore commentary for Zevachim 75:3. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.