Zevachim 38 – Is Written or Pronounced Word More Important?

Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel argue about how many blood applications are necessary for a sin offering. All agree that four applications are required, but Beit Shammai say that the offering is already valid after two such applications, while Beit Hillel maintain that even one is sufficient.

Beit Shammai rely on the phrase “on the horns” repeated three times. Since the minimum of the plural “horns” is two, altogether this counts as six. Four of these six teach the prescribed procedure, and the remaining two tell how many are absolutely necessary. Beit Shammai rely on the pronounced form of the word “horns”. 

Beit Hillel point out that the written form for two of the three “horns” can be read as “one horn”. Beit Hillel attach more importance to the written form of the word. This gives them four “horns”, three for the prescribed after the first application, and one that is necessary for atonement. But Beit Hillel's count is inconsistent, they should use all four for the prescribed application, with none necessary to achieve atonement! They answer that we don't nowhere do we find atonement for nothing.

Art: Moretto Da Brescia - St Justina With The Unicorn