But according to R. Simeon, who does not require the sanctification of the fistful [at all], or on the view that R. Simeon does indeed require the sanctification of the fistful, yet he certainly holds that it is fit if done with the left, (1) what is the purpose of Raba's [analogy of] ‘hand’, ‘hand’? If in respect of the actual taking of the fistful, that is deduced from Rab Judah the son of R. Hiyya's [teaching]. For Rab Judah the son of R. Hiyya said, What is R. Simeon's reason? Scripture saith. It is most holy, as the sin-offering, and as the guilt-offering: (2) [this teaches:] If [the priest] comes to perform its service with his hand, he does so with the right hand, as in the case of a sin-offering; [if he comes] to perform the service with a vessel, he may do so with the left hand, as in the case of the guilt-offering? (3) — It is necessary only in respect of [a priest] who takes the fistful of a sinner's mealoffering: You might think, since R. Simeon said, [The reason is] that his sacrifice should not be adorned, (4) let it be fit too even if [the priest] takes the fistful with his left hand. Therefore [the text] informs us [that it is not so]. MISHNAH. IF THE BLOOD WAS POURED OUT ON TO THE PAVEMENT (5) AND [THE PRIEST] COLLECTED IT, IT IS FIT. GEMARA. Our Rabbis taught: And the anointed priest shall take of the blood of the bullock: (6) [this means,] of the life blood, but not of the blood of the skin or of the draining blood; (7) ‘of the blood of the bullock’ [implies,] he is to receive the blood [direct] from the bullock. (8) For if you think that ‘of the blood of the bullock’ [is meant literally] as it is written, [viz.,] of the blood [indicating] even a portion of the blood [only], Surely Rab said: He who slaughters [the sacrifice] must receive all the blood of the bullock, for it says, And all the remaining blood of the bullock shall he pour out. (9) Hence ‘from the blood of the bullock’ means, he is to receive the blood [direct] from the bullock; for [the author of this exegesis] holds: You subtract, add, and interpret. (10) The [above] text [stated]: Rab said: He who slaughters [the sacrifice] must receive all the blood of the bullock, for it says, ‘And all the remaining blood of the bullock shall he pour out’. But surely this is written of the remainder [of the blood]? (11) — Since it is inapplicable to the remainder, for all the blood is not available [at the time], (12) apply it to receiving. Rab Judah said in Samuel's name: He who slaughters must raise the knife upwards. (13) for it is said, ‘And he shall take of the blood of the bullock,’ but not of the blood of the bullock plus something else. And with what does he wipe the knife? — Said Abaye: With the edge of the bowl, (14) as it is written, Wipers [cleaners] of gold. (15) R. Hisda said in the name of R. Jeremiah b. Abba: He who slaughters must let

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(1). ↑ For it is no worse than sprinkling, and in fact corresponds to it.
(2). ↑ Lev. VI, 10.
(3). ↑ V. supra 11a.
(4). ↑ A sinner's meal-offering has no oil or incense, and R. Simeon states the reason because it is unfitting that a sinner's offering should be given the same adornment as another sacrifice.
(5). ↑ Straight from the animal's neck.
(6). ↑ Lev. IV, 5.
(7). ↑ The life blood is the first blood that gushes out; the draining blood is that which follows.
(8). ↑ And not permit it to pour on to the pavement first; if he does, it is unfit.
(9). ↑ Ibid. 7.
(10). ↑ You may subtract a letter from one word and add it to another, where the context warrants it, and then interpret the text in accordance with this alteration. Thus here the partitive מ’) of’ or ‘from’) is removed from מדם blood, and added to הפר the bullock, so that it reads: and he shall take the (not, of the) blood from the bullock.
(11). ↑ It refers to the pouring out of the remainder, and not to receiving at all.
(12). ↑ As some of it has already been sprinkled on the horns of the altar.
(13). ↑ So that none of the blood on the knife runs into the bowl.
(14). ↑ Taking care that the blood does not flow into it.
(15). ↑ Ezra 1, 10; E.V. bowls of gold. Abaye connects the Heb. kefore with kapper, to wipe away (whence its general meaning of to atone or forgive).