daf bit: Zevachim 8
New tractate, which so far has been all about korbanot (sacrifices) and which
ones count for what.
The rabbis taught: the Pesach offering in its season, if slaughtered in its own name (that is, for that specific purpose, after being set aside for that purpose), is a valid offering, but if it was set aside and is then slaughtered for some other reason, it is invalid. During the rest of the year, however, if slaughtered in its name it is invalid, but if slaughtered for another reason it is valid. (8b)
Since a Pesach sacrifice isn't valid at other times of year it makes sense that it would be invalid if so designated, but the talmud here seems to be saying that if you set aside an animal for Pesach and then didn't use it, you can "reuse" it for another purpose if you wait until after Pesach. (That's how I read the footnote in Soncino, anyway.) Normally, as I understand it, if you designate something for a particular (holy) usage you can only use it for that purpose. But the conversation here is kind of confusing and I could be wrong; anyone who can clarify, please do so.
The rabbis taught: the Pesach offering in its season, if slaughtered in its own name (that is, for that specific purpose, after being set aside for that purpose), is a valid offering, but if it was set aside and is then slaughtered for some other reason, it is invalid. During the rest of the year, however, if slaughtered in its name it is invalid, but if slaughtered for another reason it is valid. (8b)
Since a Pesach sacrifice isn't valid at other times of year it makes sense that it would be invalid if so designated, but the talmud here seems to be saying that if you set aside an animal for Pesach and then didn't use it, you can "reuse" it for another purpose if you wait until after Pesach. (That's how I read the footnote in Soncino, anyway.) Normally, as I understand it, if you designate something for a particular (holy) usage you can only use it for that purpose. But the conversation here is kind of confusing and I could be wrong; anyone who can clarify, please do so.