The Parah stood between the Ulam and the Mizbe'ach.

Its head was to the South, and it was facing West.

The Kohen stood facing West when he did Semichah and Vidui.

The text of his Vidui was 'Avisi, Pashati, Chatasi... '

When the people heard the Name, they (bowed and) responded with 'Baruch Shem... '

Question: Who called this region North?

Answer: R. Elazar b'R. Shimon in the Beraisa:

R. Yosi b'R. Yehudah- from the Mizbe'ach to the North wall is considered North.

R. Elazar b'R. Shimon adds between the Ulam and the Mizbe'ach as part of North.

Rebbi adds the Northeastern side of the Mizbe'ach.

All agree not to include the far Northwestern side (by the Ulam-Beis ha'Chalifos).

Question: Must our Mishnah only follow R. Elazar b'R. Shimon and not Rebbi?

Answer: Surely Rebbi adds to R. Elazar b'R. Shimon!

Question: We meant to ask why, according to Rebbi, do we only locate the Parah between the Ulam and the Mizbe'ach?

Answer: Just as you will admit for R. Elazar b'R. Shimon that we minimize the exertion of the Kohen, so, too, we will say for Rebbi.

Question: How can this be so (body N-S yet its head West)?

Answer: He tilted its head to the West.

Question: Then stand the Parah facing West?!

Answer: We are concerned for the honor of the Mizbe'ach if its tail is to the East.

Beraisa (Question): How is Semichah done on Kodshei Kodshim?

(Answer): The animal is in the North, facing West, as is the Somech.

He places both hands between its horns and there must not be anything intervening between him and the animal.

For a Chatas and an Asham he confesses the Avon.

For an Olah:

(R. Yosi ha'Gelili): He confesses transgressing Leket, Shikchah and Pe'ah.

(R. Akiva): No, he confesses over an Olah an Asei or a Lav which is tied to an Asei.

Question: What is their dispute?

Answer (R. Yirmiyah): Whether the Lav regarding Neveilah is a regular Lav (R. Akiva) or not a regular Lav (R. Yosi ha'Gelili) since there is also an Asei relating to it.

Answer (Abaye): Whether "Ta'azov" means only before the Aveirah (R. Akiva) or is it an instruction even for after the offense is committed (R. Yosi ha'Gelili).

(R. Meir): The order is as in our Mishnah, based on the Pasuk by the Sa'ir ha'Mishtale'ach as well as in the 13 Midos which Moshe confessed.

(Chachamim): The order is 'Chatasi, Avisi, Pashati' since the other order has him confessing lighter transgressions later.

Question: But what of the order in Moshe's plea?

Answer: He asked that Hash-m consider Zedonos as Shegagos when the people do Teshuvah.

(Rabah b. Shmuel citing Rav): The Halachah follows the Chachamim.

Question: That is obvious (Yachid ve'Rabim)?!

Answer: We might have been in doubt seeing that R. Meir finds support from the Pasuk.

In the reported incident, Rabah corrected the Sh'liach Tzibur who followed R. Meir, however the Sh'liach Tzibur insisted on following R. Meir.

This Kaparah is with words (Vidui).

A Gezeirah Shavah to Sa'ir ha'Mishtale'ach shows me that it cannot mean with the blood (but must be words).

And if you insist, I will demonstrate from 16:10 that the Kaparah is referenced even before the Shechitah!

Question: What is this 'If you insist'?

Answer: If you would wish to learn from the Sa'ir of a Chatas that Kaparah means its blood (which is sprinkled), I'll demonstrate from the Par itself.