[Avodah] Farfetched Ukimtas

[Marty Bluke]

A while ago we had a discussion about farfetched ukimtas. In yesterday's
daf (Zevachim 15) the Gemara made a very startling statement about
farfetched ukimtas. The Gemara has a question about whether Holachah
without walking is Pasul or not. The Gemara brought a proof from a braisa
If blood fell from the Keli on the floor and it was gathered, it is Kosher
(even though when it spills, some if it spreads out towards the Mizbeach,
i.e. Holachah without walking). The Gemara answered that none of the blood
spread towards the Mizbeach.The Gemara then asked, surely, it spreads in
all directions! The Gemara gave 3 answers

1: It fell on an incline.

2: It fell in a crevice.

3: The blood was very thick, and almost congealed. It did not spread at all.

Then the Gemara made the following startling statement to reject these
answers: It is UNREASONABLE to say that the Tana taught about such unusual
cases

The question is why specifically here does the Gemara object to farfetched
ukimtas? There are far fetched ukimtas all over shas and yet for some
reason this ukimta was considered so farfetched that it was rejected. What
does this say about far fetched ukimtas elsewhere? Does the Gemara anywhere
else reject a farfetched ukimta like this? I brought an example from Bava
Basra 19-20 which had at least as farfetched ukimtas and yet the Gemara
didn't think they were unreasonable. Here is the example that I quoted from
Bava Basra

A Baraisa states that the following block Tumah, grass that was detached
and placed in a window, or grew there by itself; rags smaller than three
fingers by three fingers; a dangling limb or flesh of an animal; a bird
that rested there; a Nochri who sat there, a (i.e. stillborn) baby born in
the eighth month; salt; earthenware Kelim; and a Sefer Torah. The Gemara
then proceeds to ask questions on each one that it is only there
temporarily and the Gemara gives ukimtas, qualifications, for each thing to
explain why it is not there temporarily.
1. Grass
The grass is poisonous.
The wall is ruined (so the grass will not destory it)
The grass is 3 tefachim from the wall and does not harm the wall but bends
into the window
2. Rags
The material is too thick to be used for a patch
It's sackcloth which is rough and would scratch the skin.
It's not sackcloth, it's just rough like sacklocth
3. Dangling limb of an animal
The animal is tied up and can't move.
It's a non-kosher animal.
It's a weak animal.
3. Bird
The bird is tied down.
It's a non-kosher bird.
It's a Kalanisa (a very lean bird).
It's not really a kalanisa, it's just lean like a kalanisa.
4. A non-Jew
He is tied up.
He is a מצורע.
He is a prisoner of the king
5. Salt
The salt is bitter.
There are thorns in it.
It's resting on earthernware so it does not harm the wall.
5. Sefer Torah
It's worn out.
It's burial will be in the window.
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