IMMEDIATE ACTION
וסמך ידו על ראש העלה ונרצה לו לכפר עליו: ושחט את בן הבקר לפני ה' והקריבו בני אהרן הכהנים את הדם וזרקו את הדם על המזבח סביב אשר פתח אהל מועד (ויקרא א, ד-ה)
The law of סמיכה (laying of hands on one’s sacrifice) is followed in the verses by שחיטה (ritual slaughter of the sacrifice); this teaches that תיכף לסמיכה שחיטה (the ritual slaughtering must occur immediately after the laying of the hands, without interruption). (Menachos 93b)
(Berachos 42a) Rabbi Chiya bar Ashi said three תכיפות exist (when the first action is done, the second action must take place immediately without interruption:
- תיכף לסמיכה שחיטה (ritual slaughtering of the sacrifice immediately after laying of the hands)
- תיכף לגאולה תפילה (silent amidah immediately after the blessing of Go’al Yisrael)
- תיכף לנטילת ידים ברכה (the blessing bircas hamazon immediately after mayim achronim)
We do have a fourth case תיכף לנטילת ידים ברכת המוציא (the blessing on the bread immediately after the first washing). A distinction is made between the first three cases and this one. The first three cases the second action must occur immediately without any interruption, even an interruption of sitting and doing nothing. However, this case involving washing prior to making a blessing on the bread one does not violate the concept of immediate action by sitting and doing nothing; one only violates the concept by doing a non-involved action (such as talking, or washing dishes, etc.)
How much time is allowed to occur between the first action till the second action and still optimally fulfill the concept of immediacy without interruption?
The Gemara (Zevachim 33a) cites the case of a Metzora that needs to bring their sacrifices and lay their hands upon the animal. However, the Metzora remains tamei until after the sacrifice (and sprinkling of its blood on the Altar and onto the Metzora’s right thumb and big toe). Until these blood applications the Metzora is forbidden to enter the Temple courtyard, where the “laying of the hands” on the animal is performed. Therefore, the Metzora would only go as far as the Gate of Nikanor (a lesser sanctity) and perform semicah upon the animal there, after which the animal would be lead back to the courtyard and slaughtered.
Kodshei Kodashim offerings (including the Metzora’s asham) had to be slaughtered in the northern half of the Temple courtyard directly opposite the Altar. One opinion indicates that only includes the area directly north of the Altar (A on the diagram below). Thus, that area was at minimum 22 amos from the Gate of Nikanor (b). Therefore, the allowed time between the two actions (semicah and schechting) was the amount of time to directly walk those 22 amos (12-15 seconds). This same law is applied to the other three cases of immediate action cited above.
(southern half) (northern half)
SANCTUARY
TEMPLE COURTYARD
RAMP ALTAR A
(22 amos width)
Gate of Nikanor (B)
(Refer to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim siman 166 for the actual halacha. Do not relay on this aid.)
Washing hands should lead to making the blessing on the bread without interruption.
This time period begins with the drying the hands.
Possible acceptable interruptions: Kiddush (if making on bread); items needed for the cutting of the bread (knife, salt); sitting without speaking; words of Torah.
