Zevachim 97: Positive/Negative Mitzvot, Absorption of Taste and of Rules

Brief notes on today's daf:

• when one item absorbs the taste of another item, it then takes on the laws of that sacrifice (Vayikra 6:20)
• if a sanctified item comes into contact with a sacrifice, it becomes limited by the same things as the sacrificed
• thus if the sacrifice becomes disqualified, the item is also disqualified
• thus if the sacrifice is valid, the item can only be eaten when/where the sacrifice can be eaten
• the Gemara asks what to do if the prohibition to eat the item is a mitzvah lo ta'aseh, a negative commandment, but eating the item is a mitzvah aseh, a positive commandment
• should we apply the principal aseh docheh lo ta'aseh, performing a positive mitzvah pushes aside a negative mitzvah
• Rava says that this does not apply in the times of the Temple
• there are punishments for transgressions but no punishments for neglecting to perform a mitzvah
• Rabbi Nassim Ga'on says that this rule automatically applies in prohibitions but not when a positive mitzvah is blocking it
• Ramban says that performing positive mitzvot is based on the love of G-d while negative mitzvot are based on the fear of G-d, and love is greater than fear
• no one explained  why this rule would not apply in the Temple; it is assumed that the Temple service was restrictive and limits more lenient rules