Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

A wide-ranging commentary on the daily page of Talmud.

Peeter Franchoys - Ruby on the Fingernail

Zevachim 19: שָׁאנֵי צִילְצוֹל קָטָן, דַּחֲשִׁיב

jyungar October 3, 2025

For the source text click/tap here: Zevachim 19

To download, click/tap here: PDF

The Mishna states there (in Eiruvin 103b): If a Kohen was wounded in his finger, he can wrap reed-grass on it on Shabbos when he is in the Temple (as it is unseemly for his wound to be exposed during the service), but not when he is in the city (for the Rabbis forbade healing in order that people won’t grind herbs). If he intends to squeeze blood out of this wound when doing so, it is forbidden in the Temple as well (for this act constitutes making a wound, which is Biblically forbidden).

Rabbi Yochanan argues: Additional garments are only a concern when the extra garment is being worn on a place where the priestly garments are usually worn. Being that this is on the finger, it is not regarded as an additional garment.

The Gemora asks: Why isn’t this considered a chatzitzah (interposition) between his hand and whatever service he is performing? [He is required to perform the service without having anything between his hand and the items upon which the service is being performed.]

We explore the Halacha of chatztizta.

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Julian Ungar-Sargon

This is Julian Ungar-Sargon's personal website. It contains poems, essays, and podcasts for the spiritual seeker and interdisciplinary aficionado.​