Daf 98 — Menachos 98 Summary

Menachos 98 – Good Morning Raboisai Amah Measurements – Core Sugya • Main discussion: Is an Amah 6 tefachim or 5 tefachim • Pasuk in Yechezkel implies: Some parts of the Mizbeach use 5 tefachim Not the Height – Must Be Width Proof: • If height used 5 tefachim → calculation breaks • Kohen stands on the Sovev and must reach 6 tefachim below Only works if height is all 6 tefachim Conclusion: 5 tefachim refers to width (run), not height (rise) Mizbeach Height Calculation • Total height: 10 amos × 6 = 60 tefachim • Halfway (Chut HaSikra): 30 tefachim • From top to Sovev: o 4 amos × 6 = 24 tefachim Gap: 30 − 24 = 6 tefachim Problem of Inner Squares • Base = 32 × 32 • Next level should be 30 × 30 BUT: If not removing full amah (only 5 tefachim): • Inner square becomes larger than 30 → Creates inconsistencies Attempted Solution – Not Exact Suggestion: • Numbers not exact ( לא דק ) Rejected: Cannot say this when Torah gives exact numbers (e.g. inner 24 × 24) Final Solution Only TWO places use 5 tefachim: • Bottom Yesod • Top Keren All rest: Standard 6 tefachim amos Revised Height Calculation • Original: 60 tefachim • Remove 1 from top + 1 from bottom Total = 58 tefachim Halfway: 58 ÷ 2 = 29 tefachim Position of Kohen • Standing point (Sovev): 23 tefachim from top • Chut HaSikra: 29 tefachim Gap = 6 tefachim Matches halacha: • Kohen may apply blood up to 6 tefachim below Lashon of Pasuk Different terms: • “Cheik HaAmah” → height (Yesod) • “Amah Rochav” → width (Sovev) • “Gevul” → Keren Each refers to different measurement Three Types of Amah In Beis Hamikdash: 1. 5 tefachim 2. 6 tefachim 3. 6 + extra (finger measure) Measuring Sticks Two sticks: • One slightly larger • One even larger Purpose: Ensure workers give extra to Hekdesh • Stone work → stricter • Gold → more precise Shulchan Size Machlokes • Length = 2 amos Either: • 10 tefachim (5×2) • 12 tefachim (6×2) Lechem HaPanim • 12 breads total • Arranged: 2 rows of 6 Learned from multiple pesukim Placement of Aron • Poles on long side • Positioned north – south Proof: Poles pressed into Paroches Extra Keilim in Mikdash Shlomo added: • 10 Shulchanos • 10 Menoros Placement: 5 to right, 5 to left (relative to original) Position in Heichal • Depends if counting Heichal alone or with Kodesh HaKodashim Either: • Halfway point • Or one - third point Direction of Shulchan & Menorah Machlokes: • Rebbi → East – West • Rebbi Elazar / Rebbi Shimon → North – South Proof from Menorah • “Ner Ma’aravi” → western lamp Only works if Menorah is east – west Other Opinion • Menorah north – south • Wicks turned toward middle lamp Middle lamp = Ner Ma’aravi Key Takeaways • Mizbeach height = 6 tefachim amos (with 2 exceptions) • 5 tefachim applies only to Yesod & Keren • Math resolves Chut HaSikra perfectly • Exact measurements are critical (not “lo dak”) • Multiple amah systems used in Mikdash • Shulchan & Menorah placement debated • Lechem HaPanim = 2 rows of 6