Zevachim 94

·1 hr 1 min·5 clips

The Rambam introduces a novel view that a hide needs washing even if it requires processing to become impure, unlike Rashi and Tosafos.

The episode begins with Rabbi Aharon Sorcher teaching Mesechet Zevachim, dedicated to Rabbi Chil Michal ben Revisrel Yehuda Karfunkel. The Mishnah discusses the halacha of kibus (washing) when blood from a chatas sacrifice sprays onto a garment or hide. A key question arises: if the blood lands on a hide still attached to the animal, it does not need washing, but once skinned, it does according to the Sages, while Rabbi Eliezer disagrees. The Gemara explains the debate hinges on whether the hide must be 'dumya de beged' (comparable to a garment). Rabbi Yehuda holds it must be potentially mekabel tumah (susceptible to impurity), while Rabbi Eliezer requires it to be actually mekabel tumah. The Gemara presents three cases to illustrate this, such as a small rag or an unfinished garment. Rashi and Tosafos interpret that potential susceptibility through intent suffices, but the Rambam introduces a different approach, arguing that even if processing is needed, it counts as potential. This leads to a discussion on whether a small cloth less than three by three handbreadths can become impure through intent alone, with Rashi supporting it and Tosafos in Sukkah and the Rambam offering limitations. The episode also covers the din of greira (scraping) for non-washable items, the laws of breaking earthenware pots used for chatas, and the application of these washing laws to Sabbath prohibitions, distinguishing between soft and hard leather. Various commentators like the Rif, Rosh, and Shulchan Aruch are cited, showing divergent rulings. The shiur concludes with practical halachic considerations and a call to support Shas Illuminated.

As heard by us

A precise shiur on when leather becomes a halachic beged for kibus.

Rabbi Aaron Sorcher's shiur follows the washing of dam chatas from a garment into a narrower halachic question: when animal hide is treated as a beged or keli for kibus.

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Want a shiur that turns chatas blood on hide into a question about what counts as a beged?

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