Study Zevachim folio 24B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
במקרא נדרש לפניו ולאחריו קמיפלגי.
They disagree with regard to whether a verse is interpreted based on juxtaposition to the language preceding it and to the language following it. According to R' Shimon, a verse is interpreted only based on the language following it. Therefore, when the verse states: “And the priest should take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it upon the corners of the altar,” the word “finger” is referring only to the placing of the blood and not its collection. The Rabbis hold that the verse is also interpreted based on the language preceding it. Accordingly, they require that both rites be performed with the right hand.
אמר אביי: הא דרבי אלעזר ברבי שמעון – מפקא מדאבוה, ומפקא מדרבנן. דתניא, רבי אלעזר ברבי שמעון אומר: כל מקום שנאמר אצבע בקבלה – שינה בקבלה, פסול; בנתינה, כשר. וכל מקום שנאמר אצבע בנתינה – שינה בנתינה, פסול; בקבלה, כשר.
Abaye says: This statement of R' Elazar, son of R' Shimon, diverges from the opinion of his father, and it diverges from the opinion of the Rabbis: As it is taught in a baraita: R' Elazar, son of R' Shimon, says: In every instance in the Torah that the word “finger” is stated with regard to collection of the blood and not with regard to placing of the blood on the altar, if the priest deviated from the proper method of collection and performed it with the left hand, the offering is disqualified, but if he deviated from the proper method of placing the blood, the offering remains fit. And in every instance that the word “finger” is stated only with regard to placing the blood, if the priest deviated from the proper method of placing, the offering is disqualified, but if he deviated from the proper method of collection, the offering remains fit.