A) When performing Melikah on an *Chatas* Ha'Of, the Torah tells us "Velo *Yavdil*" (Vayikra 5:8) -- the Kohen *must* not cut through both of the Simanim, only through one. (By a normal Shechitah of a bird, the Shochet may, and even should, cut through both of the Simanim [see Insights, Daf 27:1], however if he cuts through only one it is a proper Shechitah.)

B) Our Gemara infers from various verses that when the Kohen does Melikah on an *Olas* Ha'Of, he must do *Havdalah*, or cut through both Simanim during its Melikah -- just like during the Shechitah of an animal.

C) There is an argument in the Gemara as to how much of the two Simanim are to be cut during Havdalah of an Olas Ha'Of. The Chachamim assert that the Havdalah, or severing, is to be complete. That is, both of the Simanim must be *entirely* cut through, not just mostly cut through. Rebbi Elazar B'Rebbi Shimon argues and contends that *most* of the two Simanim should be severed, and it is *not proper* to cut more than that.

D) Our Gemara quotes the sources for the Chachamim and for Rebbe Elazar B'Rebbi Shimon. Basically, Rashi (bottom of 21b, see Insights, 21:2) explains their argument as follows. A verse (V'hikrivu) tells us that an Olas ha'Of is *unlike* Chatas Ha'Of. From this we infer that it is to have the Havdalah that we are warned not to do to a Chatas Ha'Of. Havdalah means severing, so we the Chachamim understand that we are to cut the entire Simanim.

Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon brings another verse that *compares* Olas Ha'Of to Chatas Ha'Of. This contradicts the verse that we just mentioned which differentiates between the two. He ends up learning from the combination of verses that we compromise, and cut *most* of the Simanim but not *all* of the Simanim by a Olas Ha'Of.

I hope you find this helpful, Shanah Tovah!

Mordecai