>>The TESHUVOS CHASAM SOFER (OC 1:40) does not agree with the Chavos Ya'ir's understanding of the Gemara here, or with his understanding of the Gemara in Zevachim. Why does the Gemara here need to ask what the difference is between the two opinions, when the difference between them seems obvious? Moreover, why does the Gemara not say that the difference is simply whether a person must bring wood when he brings a Korban?<<
I do not understand the last sentence. Neither opinion says that one should bring wood from his house!
It might be possible to say that according to Rebbi Elazar ben Shamua, one should bring the wood from one's house.
How do we see this in the Teshuvos Chasam Sofer? The relevant words there (Teshuvos Chasam Sofer, Orach Chayim #40, DH v'Gam mi'Sugya) are as follows: "v'Od Mai Ta'ama Meshani Chadati Ika Beinaihu v'Lo Amar Nami Tzibur Ika Beinaihu" -- "In addition, why does the Gemara answer that the difference between Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon and Rebbi Elazar ben Shamua is whether one requires new wood, and it does not say that the difference between them is whether one brings wood belonging to the community?"
We see that according to the question of the Chasam Sofer, it could be that according to Rebbi Elazar ben Shamua one does not bring wood of the community. However, the Chasam Sofer does reject this possibilty immediately, which is what we then wrote in the Insights, that "there is no argument about whether the wood is brought from public funds."
Dovid Bloom