Zevahim 62: The Ashes of Isaac, or Where to Build the Second Temple's Altar
Building the Second Temple's altar - at which point, they already knew the outline of the building itself, but they weren't quite sure about the altar. How did the know? One suggestion is that the archangel Michael told them in a vision. Alternatively, the "ashes of Isaac" -- as seen in a vision -- were seen in the same place as the altar, namely, since that was also the location of the Binding of Isaac. Alternatively, the scent at the place was that of the offerings, instead of the scent of incense that was designed to improve the overall smell of the place. Plus 3 prophets revealed the necessary details of replacing the altar -- and maybe also to use the now-classic Torah scribal script for writing a Torah scroll. Also, the ramp to the altar were separated by a gap -- which means that the offering was thrown across the gap, and the practice of doing so was derived from a verse.
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Zevahim 61: The Fire Never Left the Altar - Unless It Did?
When the Tabernacle was in Shilo, the altar seems to have been made of stones, and not the copper that Moshe made. But if that's the case, how was there unceasing use of the same altar from Moshe to Shlomo (Moses to Solomon)? The Gemara, of course, attempts to resolve that contradiction to the satisfaction of both claims (no ceasing of the fire on the altar from Moses to Solomon and the ostensibly stone altar). Also, the size of the altar in the Second Temple (long after Solomon's altar in the First Temple), based on a mishnah in Middot. Plus, why the size was increased.
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Zevahim 60: The Bloody Courtyard
Using a textual comparison to connect the outer altar of Moses with that of Ezekiel - or alternatively interpreted to connect the outer altar of Moses with that of the inner altar of Moses. This inference raises the question of how far that kind of interpretation can go - in light of the specific measurements of these altars: is the altar a "vessel," or not? Plus, the question of whether the courtyard's floor was eligible as a place for the offerings - for example, could the blood really be sprinkled on the floor?! Which raises the concern of just how bloody this process was, and all the more for the night of Pesach sacrifice. Also, questions about the meal-offerings that needed to be eaten at the time of the other offerings -- apparently next to the altar, but that view is revised to establish: not if the altar was broken. Plus, a dive into ma'aser sheni - that was to be eaten in sanctity in Jerusalem - and how that requirement of being in the holy city compared to a requirement of the Temple itself being present at the time too.
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Zevahim 59: Damage, Rejection, and Saving Face in the Temple Courtyard
If the altar is damaged, the offerings that were slaughtered there - where the damaged altar is - are invalid. Of course, the question then arises, what about the order of operations? Did the offering's slaughter take place before or after the damage to the altar? Also, what happens to an animal that has been rendered disqualified? For example, what if the altar were fixed? Would the offering become acceptable again? Note: The rejected offering is called "dichui." Also, considering how many offerings King Solomon brought on the day of inaugurating the Temple, how did they manage? Was the altar too small? Did the king sanctify the entire courtyard? Or was the phrasing just to be nicer to the altar, as it were?
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Zevahim 58: Go North!
Chapter 6! With a new mishnah - Is the status of the altar as if it's fully in the north, or only on the northerly portion of the altar itself? Keep in mind that being slaughtered in the north is essential to the sacrifice - namely, for it to be valid. At least, for the kinds of offerings that must be slaughtered in the north to be valid. One solution to the dispute, of course, is the fact that the offerings themselves had different requirements. Also, the Gemara looks for the sources for the northerly location. Plus, where the altar actually stood (not so simple), and the differences between what was relevant for the inside and outside. The details of the options of the antechamber vs. the main chamber are also essential here. All with an eye to the north.
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