Mishnah Meilah 1:3-4

Sugya Map

• Issue: Liability for meilah on korbanot disqualified by yotzei (leaving the azara) before zrikat hadam.
• Nafka Mina: Whether zrikat hadam performed after the korban became yotzei is effective in any capacity, influencing meilah liability and other prohibitions (piggul, notar, tumah).
• Primary Sources: Mishnah Meilah 1:3-4.

Text Snapshot

Mishnah Meilah 1:3:

בשר קדשי קדשים שיצא לחוץ לפני זריקת דמים, רבי אליעזר אומר: מועלין בו, ואין חייבין עליו משום פיגול ונותר וטמא. רבי עקיבא אומר: אין מועלין בו, וחייבין עליו משום פיגול ונותר וטמא.

Dikduk/Leshon: The Mishnah presents a clear reversal of liability between meilah and other prohibitions (like piggul) for R. Eliezer and R. Akiva. R. Eliezer finds meilah liability but no piggul, while R. Akiva finds no meilah but piggul. This hinges on the effectiveness of zrika on yotzei.

Readings

Rambam, Peirush haMishnayot Meilah 1:3

Rambam clarifies that R. Eliezer holds zrika is ineffective for yotzei, thus the meat remains kodosh and subject to meilah but not piggul (as piggul requires effective zrika). R. Akiva holds zrika is effective for yotzei, hence no meilah (as it's now permitted for Kohanim), but piggul applies. He emphasizes the tzrichuta (necessity) of both Kodshei Kodashim and Kodashim Kalim to show R. Akiva's consistent view that zrika works for yotzei for both leniency (removing meilah) and stringency (incurring piggul).¹

Tosafot Yom Tov, Meilah 1:3:1 (s.v. Amurei Kodashim Kalim)

Tosafot Yom Tov further expounds on the tzrichuta, explaining that without both cases, one might err in assuming R. Eliezer or R. Akiva's stance on zrika effectiveness for yotzei is conditional. For instance, R. Eliezer might agree zrika sh'lo ketikunah can create meilah liability in Kodashim Kalim, or R. Akiva might concede zrika sh'lo ketikunah cannot remove meilah from Kodshei Kodashim. The Mishnah's dual presentation negates these possibilities.²

Friction

The Mishnah's primary friction lies in the foundational machloket between R. Eliezer and R. Akiva regarding whether zrikat hadam can effect a korban that has become yotzei (left the designated area) prior to the zrika. This is not merely a technical dispute but delves into the very nature of zrika's power to consecrate and nullify prior disqualifications.

Intertext

The efficacy of zrika on yotzei is a recurring theme. The Gemara in Zevachim 90a directly grapples with the status of yotzei and the concept of Migo (as mentioned by Tosafot Yom Tov) in relation to zrika validating other disqualified parts of the offering.³

Psak/Practice

The halakha follows Rabbi Akiva, as explicitly stated by the Rambam.⁴ This means that zrika is effective for yotzei, thus removing meilah liability for the meat of Kodshei Kodashim but simultaneously creating liability for piggul, notar, or tumah.

Takeaway

The power of zrika is profound: even on a disqualified korban, it can transform its status, shifting liability from meilah (benefit from consecrated property) to karet-level prohibitions (consuming piggul, notar, tumah), highlighting zrika's inherent, even if limited, efficacy.

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¹ Rambam, Peirush haMishnayot, Meilah 1:3:1 s.v. Amurei Kodashim Kalim. ² Tosafot Yom Tov, Meilah 1:3:1 s.v. Amurei Kodashim Kalim. ³ Zevachim 90a. ⁴ Rambam, Peirush haMishnayot, Meilah 1:3:1 s.v. Amurei Kodashim Kalim.