Zevachim 88: Limits on Sanctifying Vessels; How the Priests' Vestments Atone

A new Mishna teaches us more about the service vessels which sanctify the items that are placed in them.  Those used for liquids sanctify only liquids used in the service.  Those used for dry items sanctify only dry items.  These vessels do not sanctify items which are not intended for them.  If these vessels are broken in some way, they will continue to sanctify items that they hold as long as they are still in use.  If not, they do not hold that power any longer.  All sanctification via vessel is valid only if done in the Temple courtyard.

The Gemara includes questions based on this Mishna including:

• How cups sanctify with greater leniency
• Regarding whole/broken items, the intention must be to add
• What should be a disqualified item (like wine from a mixed vineyard) are sanctified so that they can be disqualified
• Woven garments or items cannot be washed with soap or neter, natron, likely sodium carbonate that is made through wetting the extracted ash of algae
• In discussing the priest's garments, we learn about the atonement of the priest's clothing:
• the tunic atones for bloodshed, as proven by the goat killed to atone for the sin of Joseph's brothers (Genesis 37:31)
• the trousers atone for sexual relations, as proven by the covering of nakedness (Exodus 28:42)
• the mitre atones for the arrogant, because it is elevated on the priest's head just like the heart can be elevated
• the belt atones for thought of the heart because it is placed over the heart
• the breastplate atones for improper judgments (Exodus 28:15)
• the ephod atones for idol worship, for the sin of idol worship is found when there is no ephod (Hosea 3:4)
• the robe atones for malicious sound
• the frontplate atones for brazenness

• The rabbis wonder whether or not these items can actually atone for sins
• They suggest different prooftexts regarding atonement