— There, subtract one text (1) for the command itself, (2) and one for the covering, (3) so three are left. Then the [Mosaic] halachah (4) comes and diminishes the third [wall], fixing it at a hand-breadth. (5) If so, [when Scripture states] Then she shall be unclean two weeks [shebu'ayim], (6) shib'im [seventy] [is actually written], (7) then [argue,] the Mikra and the Masoreth are both effective, and so she should have to spend forty-two days [in uncleanness]? (8) — There it is different, because it is written, as in her menstrual state. (9) 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, (10) on account of the analogy [which might otherwise be drawn]. (11) But surely we have an analogy to this effect: (12) blood is prescribed below [the red line], (13) and blood is prescribed above: as with the blood which is prescribed below, if one made a single application, he effects atonement; (14) 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, (15) and blood is prescribed without: as in the case of blood prescribed within, if [the priest] omits a single application his action is ineffective; (16) 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, (17) 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], (18) and let not the outer altar prove it, (19) which is not a sin-offering nor [is its blood sprinkled on the] four horns. (20) Therefore Scripture states ‘wekipper’ three times, on account of the analogy [which might otherwise be drawn], [teaching]: ‘and he shall make atonement’ even though he sprinkled [the blood] only three times; ‘and he shall make atonement’ even though he sprinkled [it] only twice; ‘and he shall make atonement’ even though he sprinkled it but once. But this is required for its own purpose? (21) Said Raba b. Adda: Mari explained it to me: Scripture says, and he shall make atonement... and he shall be forgiven: atonement and forgiveness are identical. (22) Yet say [that] ‘and he shall make atonement’ [intimates] even if he made only three applications above [the red line] and one below; and he shall make atonement’ even if he made only two applications above and two below; ‘and he shall make atonement even if he did not apply [the blood] above but only below? (23) — Said R. Adda b. Isaac: If so, you annul the law of horns. (24) But if the Divine Law has ordained [it so], let them be annulled? — Said Raba: What thing is it that requires three? Surely the horns. (25) Yet say, ‘and he shall make atonement’ [teaches] even if he made only one application above and three below? — We do not find blood [applied] half above and half below. Do we not? Surely we learnt: He sprinkled thereof (26) once above and seven below? — That was done as mazlif [one swinging a whip]. (27) What is a mazlif? — Rab Judah showed it by imitating the movements of a whipper. [Again, we learnt:] He (28) besprinkled the surface (29) of the altar seven times.

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(1). ↑ I.e., one of the five implied by the text.
(2). ↑ There must be at least one to state the law of sitting in booths.
(3). ↑ The booth must have a covering, which is governed by laws of its own.
(4). ↑ A law traditionally imputed to Moses at Sinai, but not stated in the Pentateuch.
(5). ↑ There was a Mosaic tradition that however many walls the sukkah required, one of these need be no more than a handbreadth in width.
(6). ↑ Lev. XII, 5.
(7). ↑ Though vocalized shebu'ayim.
(8). ↑ This figure is arrived at by taking a point midway between fourteen (days) and seventy.
(9). ↑ Ibid. E.V. as in her impurity. The menstrual state lasts seven days, hence the word must be understood as read, two weeks, which is fairly close to the menstrual state. But forty-two days of uncleanness bear no similarity at all to the menstrual state.
(10). ↑ In connection with the sprinkling of the blood of sin-offerings. Lev. IV, 26, 31, 35.
(11). ↑ That the omission of a single application invalidates the offering.
(12). ↑ I.e. to prove that the omission of any application does not invalidate the offering. Wherefore then is there any need of a verse to intimate this law?
(13). ↑ Which encompassed the altar at the middle of its height. — The blood of burnt-, peace- and trespass-offerings was sprinkled below it, infra 53a.
(14). ↑ As deduced supra 36b, 37a.
(15). ↑ I.e., to be sprinkled on the inner altar. Viz.: the blood of sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement, and the sacrifices brought by the High Priest and the community for having sinned through ignorance.
(16). ↑ He does not make atonement.
(17). ↑ Lit., ‘you judge without from without.’
(18). ↑ Lit., ‘you judge a sin-offering and four horns from a sin-offering and four horns.’
(19). ↑ I.e., the burnt-offering, whose blood was sprinkled on the outer altar.
(20). ↑ Consequently, by this analogy one might deduce that the omission of an application invalidates the sin-offering.
(21). ↑ Surely in each of the three cases referred to (supra p. 192, n. 14). Scripture must state ‘and he shall make atonement’ to teach that each sin is atoned for by its respective sin-offering.
(22). ↑ Hence ‘and he shall make atonement’ is superfluous.
(23). ↑ Whence then is it known that atonement is effected even if no application at all was made?
(24). ↑ Whereas Scripture states that the blood must be applied on the horns of the altar, which of course were above the red line.
(25). ↑ Each ‘we-kipper’ makes one horn less necessary. Hence the threefold repetition diminishes them by three, leaving sprinkling on one essential; for in order to render effective the application of all the four below the line four texts would be required.
(26). ↑ Of the blood of the bullock sacrificed on the Day of Atonement.
(27). ↑ He did not aim above or below, but made the movement of swinging a whip.
(28). ↑ The High Priest, during the Atonement Day Service.
(29). ↑ Lit., ‘the pure’ (golden front).