Hebrew Literature
Comprising
Talmudic Treatises, Hebrew
Melodies, And The
Kabbalah Unveiled
Edited And With A Special Introduction By
Epiphanius Wilson, A.M.
Revised Edition
New York
P. F. Collier & Son
Copyright 1901
By The Colonial Press
CONTENTS
Special Introduction
Selections From The Talmud
Translator’s Introduction
On Blessings
On The Sabbatical Year
On The Sabbath
On The Passover
On The Day Of Atonement
On Tabernacles
The New Year
On Fasting
The Feast-Offering
The Sanhedrin
On Idolatry
The Fathers
The Daily Sacrifice
On Measurements
The Tabernacle
The Heifer
Hands
The Kabbalah Unveiled: The Lesser Holy Assembly
Chapter I: Which Containeth the Introduction
Chapter II: Concerning the Skull of the Ancient One, and Concerning His
Brain; and Concerning the Three Heads, and the Hair, and the
Discriminatory Paths
Chapter III: Concerning the Forehead of the Most Holy Ancient One
Chapter IV: Concerning the Eyes of the Most Holy Ancient One
Chapter V: Concerning the Nose of the Most Holy Ancient One
Chapter VI: Concerning the Beard of the Most Holy Ancient One
Chapter VII: Concerning the Brain and the Wisdom in General
Chapter VIII: Concerning the Father and the Mother in Special
Chapter IX: Concerning Microprosopus and His Bride in General
Chapter X: Concerning Microprosopus in Especial, with Certain
Digressions; and Concerning the Edomite Kings
Chapter XI: Concerning the Brain of Microprosopus and Its Connections
Chapter XII: Concerning the Hair of Microprosopus
Chapter XIII: Concerning the Forehead of Microprosopus
Chapter XIV: Concerning the Eyes of Microprosopus
Chapter XV: Concerning the Nose of Microprosopus
Chapter XVI: Concerning the Ears of Microprosopus
Chapter XVII: Concerning the Countenance of Microprosopus
Chapter XVIII: Concerning the Beard of Microprosopus
Chapter XIX: Concerning the Lips and Mouth of Microprosopus
Chapter XX: Concerning the Body of Microprosopus
Chapter XXI: Concerning the Bride of Microprosopus
Hebrew Melodies
Ode To Zion
God, Whom Shall I Compare To Thee?
Servant Of God
My King
To The Soul
Sabbath Hymn
O Sleeper! Wake, Arise!
The Land Of Peace
The Heart’s Desire
O Soul, With Storms Beset!
Sanctification
Hymn Of Praise
Passover Hymn
Morning Prayer
Judgment And Mercy
Grace After Meals
Lord Of The Universe
Hymn For The Conclusion Of The Sabbath
God And Man
Hymn For Tabernacles
Hymn For Pentecost
Hymn Of Glory
Hymn Of Unity For The Seven Days Of The Week
Penitential Prayer
The Living God We Praise
Footnotes
SPECIAL INTRODUCTION
Hebrew literature contains some of the most profound and most influential
productions of the human spirit. It constitutes a potent factor in modern
civilization, and possesses merits which place it far above most other
literatures of the world. The common salutation of the Hebrew is “Peace,”
while that of the Greeks is “Grace,” and that of the Romans, “Safety.” The
Greek sought after grace, or intellectual and bodily perfection, and the
power of artistic accomplishment. The Roman’s ideal was strength and
security of life and property. The Hebrew sought after peace, peace in the
heart, as founded on a sense of Jehovah’s good providence, and a moral
conformity in conduct to His revealed will. While the Greek in art,
literature, and even in morals, made beauty his standard, the Roman stood
for power, domination and law, and the Hebrew for religion. The Hebrew,
indeed, introduced into Europe the first clear conception of religion, as
implied in monotheism, and a rigidly defined moral law, founded upon the
will of Jehovah. The basis of morals among the Latins was political, among
the Greeks æsthetic, and among the Hebrews it was the revealed will of
Jehovah.
While the most important remains of Hebrew literature are comprised in the
Scriptures known to us as the Bible, there exists also a voluminous mass
of Hebrew writings which are not included in the sacred canon. These
writings are of supreme importance and value, and the selections which we
have made from them in the present volume give a good idea of their
interest, beauty, and subtlety of thought.
From the very beginning of their history the Hebrews were a deeply poetic
race. They were fully alive to the beauties of external nature, and no
national poetry contains more vivid descriptions of the sea, sky, and the
panorama of forest, stream and mountain, peopled by the varied activities
of animated nature. The songs of Zion glow with poetic enthusiasm, but
their principal characteristic is their intense earnestness. They are no
idle lays of love and wine or warlike triumph. They depict the joy of
existence as dependent upon the smile and favor of Jehovah, and all the
happiness, plenty, victory and success of life are attributed, without
hesitation, to nothing else but “the loving-kindness of the Lord.” Yet
this religious fervor becomes the basis of sublimity, pathos, and
picturesqueness, such as can seldom be approached even by the finest
productions of the Attic muse.
But the Hebrews were also philosophers, and if they never attained to what
we may call the _netteté et clarté_ of the Greek metaphysician, they
excelled all other thinkers in the boldness and profound spirituality of
their philosophical mysticism. In proof of this assertion we may point to
that body of writings known as the Kabbalah.
The word “Kabbalah” means “doctrine received by oral tradition,” and is
applied to these remains to distinguish them from the canonical Hebrew
Scriptures, which were written by “the Finger of Jehovah.” Hebrew
speculation attempts in the Kabbalah to give a philosophical or
theosophistic basis to Hebrew belief, while at the same time it
supplements the doctrines of the Old Testament. For instance, it is a
disputed point whether the immortality of the soul is taught in the Hebrew
canon, but in the Kabbalah it is taken for granted, and a complete and
consistent psychology is propounded, in which is included the Oriental
theory of metempsychosis. This account of the human soul, as distinct from
the human body, treats of the origin and eternal destiny of man’s immortal
part. On the other hand God and Nature, and the connection between the
Creator and the creation, are most exactly treated of in detail. God is
the _En-Soph_, the boundless One, as in modern philosophy God is the
Absolute. He manifests Himself in the ten _Sephiroth_, or intelligences.
It would be easy on this point to show Dante’s indebtedness to the
Kabbalah in his description of the various heavens of his Paradise. These
intelligences control, in groups of three, the three worlds of intellect,
of soul, and of matter. The tenth of the _Sephiroth_ is called Kingdom,
_i.e._, the personal Deity, as seen in the workings of Providence, with
which conception we may compare Dante’s description of Fortune, in the
seventh book of the “Inferno.” This last of the _Sephiroth_ is manifested
visibly in the Shekinah. This is the barest and baldest outline of the
main features in this famous system.
The rise of Kabbalism is not very clearly known as regards authorship and
date; it is in turn, by different Jewish writers, ascribed to Adam,
Abraham, Moses and Ezra; but doubtless the work is an aggregation of
successive writings, and some critics believe that it was not compiled
before the Middle Ages, _i.e._, in the centuries between the conquest of
Gaul by the Franks and the period following the death of Dante.
There can be no doubt that the Kabbalah contains the ripest fruit of
spiritual and mystical speculation which the Jewish world produced on
subjects which had hitherto been obscured by the gross anthropomorphism of
such men as Maimonides and his school. We can understand the revolt of the
devout Hebrew mind from traditions like those which represented Jehovah as
wearing a phylactery, and as descending to earth for the purpose of taking
a razor and shaving the head and beard of Sennacherib. The theory of the
_Sephiroth_ was at least a noble and truly reverent guess at the mode of
God’s immanence in nature. This conception won the favor of Christian
philosophers in the Middle Ages, and, indeed, was adopted or adapted by
the angelic Doctor Aquinas himself, the foremost of ecclesiastical and
scholastic metaphysicians. The psychology of the Kabbalah, even its
treatment of the soul’s preëxistence before union with the body, found
many advocates among Gentile and even Christian philosophers.
We are therefore led to the conclusion that the Kabbalah is by far the
most exalted, the most profound and the most interesting of all that mass
of traditional literature which comprises, among other writings, such
remains as the Targums and the Talmud.
A study of Hebrew literature would indeed be incomplete unless it included
the Talmud.
“Talmud” in Hebrew means “Doctrine,” and this strange work must be looked
upon as a practical handbook, intended for the Jews who, after the
downfall of Jerusalem and the Dispersion, found that most of the Law had
to be adjusted to new circumstances, in which the institution of
sacrifices and propitiatory offerings had been practically abolished. The
Talmud contains the decisions of Jewish doctors of many generations on
almost every single question which might puzzle the conscience of a
punctilious Jew in keeping the Law under the altered conditions of the
nation. The basis of the Talmud is the Mishna, _i.e._, an explanation of
the text of the Mosaic laws, and their application to new cases and
circumstances. The Mishna has been well described by the illustrious
Spanish Jew, Maimonides, who in the twelfth century published it at
Cordova, with a preface, in which he says: “From Moses, our teacher, to
our holy rabbi, no one has united in a single body of doctrine what was
publicly taught as the oral law; but in every generation, the chief of the
tribunal, or the prophet of his day, made memoranda of what he had heard
from his predecessors and instructors, and communicated it orally to the
people. In like manner each individual committed to writing, for his own
use and according to the degree of his ability, the oral laws and the
information he had received respecting the interpretation of the Bible,
with the various decisions that had been pronounced in every age and
sanctified by the authority of the great tribunal. Such was the form of
proceeding until the coming of our Rabbi the Holy, who first collected all
the traditions, the judgments, the sentences, and the expositions of the
law, heard by Moses, our master, and taught in each generation.”
The Mishna itself in turn became the subject of a series of comments and
elucidations, which formed what was called the Gemara. The text of the
original Hebrew scripture was abandoned, and a new crop of casuistical
quibbles, opinions and decisions rose like mushrooms upon the text of the
Mishna, and from the combination of text and Gemaraic commentary was
formed that odd, rambling, and sometimes perplexing work, “wonderful
monument of human industry, human wisdom and human folly,” which we know
as the Talmud. The book is compounded of all materials, an encyclopædia of
history, antiquities and chronology, a story book, a code of laws and
conduct, a manual of ethics, a treatise on astronomy, and a medical
handbook; sometimes indelicate, sometimes irreverent, but always
completely and persistently in earnest. Its trifling frivolity, its
curious prying into topics which were better left alone, the occasional
beauty of its spiritual and imaginative fancies, make it one of the most
remarkable books that human wit and human industry have ever compiled.
The selections which we print in this volume are from the Mishna, and form
part of the Sedarim, or orders; in them are given minute directions as to
the ceremonial practice of the Jewish religion.
The treatise on “Blessings” speaks of daily prayers and thanksgiving. It
is most minute in prescribing the position of the body, and how the voice
is to be used in prayer. It specifies the prayers to be said on seeing
signs and wonders, on building a house, on entering or leaving a city; and
how to speak the name of God in social salutations. That on the
“Sabbatical Year” is a discourse on agriculture from a religious point of
view. The Sabbatical year among the Hebrews was every seventh year, in
which the land was to be left fallow and uncultivated, and all debts were
to be remitted or outlawed. Provision is made in this section for doing
certain necessary work, such as picking and using fruits which may have
grown without cultivation during the Sabbatical year, with some notes on
manuring the fields, pruning trees and pulling down walls. Very
interesting is the section which deals with “The Sabbath Day.” The most
minute and exhaustive account is given of what may and what may not be
done on the seventh day.
The treatise on “The Day of Atonement” deals with the preparation and
deportment of the high-priest on that day. That on “The Passover” treats
of the Lamb to be sacrificed, of the search for leaven, so that none be
found in the house, and of all the details of the festival. “Measurements”
is an interesting and valuable account of the dimensions of the Temple at
Jerusalem. “The Tabernacle” deals with the ritual worship of the Jews
under the new conditions of their exile from Palestine.
All of these treatises show the vitality of Jewish religion in Europe,
under the most adverse circumstances, and illustrate the place which the
Talmud must have occupied in Jewish history, as supplying a religious
literature and a code of ritual and worship which kept Judaism united,
even when it had become banished and dissociated from Palestine,
Jerusalem, and the Temple.
SELECTIONS FROM THE TALMUD
Translated by Joseph Barclay, LL.D.
Translator’s Introduction
The Talmud (teaching) comprises the Mishna and the Gemara. The Mishna
(“learning” or “second law”) was, according to Jewish tradition, delivered
to Moses on Mount Sinai. “Rabbi Levi, the son of Chama, says, Rabbi Simon,
the son of Lakish, says, what is that which is written, ‘I will give thee
tables of stone, and a law and commandments which I have written, that
thou mayest teach them’?(1) The Tables are the ten commandments; the Law
is the written law; and the commandment is the Mishna; ‘which I have
written’ means the prophets and sacred writings; ‘that thou mayest teach
them’ means the Gemara. It teaches us that they were all given to Moses
from Mount Sinai.” From Moses the Mishna was transmitted by oral tradition
through forty “Receivers,” until the time of Rabbi Judah the Holy. These
Receivers were qualified by ordination to hand it on from generation to
generation. Abarbanel and Maimonides disagree as to the names of these
Receivers. While the Temple still stood as a centre of unity to the
nation, it was considered unlawful to reduce these traditions to writing.
But when the Temple was burned, and the Jews were dispersed among other
peoples, it was considered politic to form them into a written code, which
should serve as a bond of union, and keep alive the spirit of patriotism.
The Jewish leaders saw the effect of Constitutions and Pandects in
consolidating nations—the advantage of written laws over arbitrary
decisions. Numberless precedents of case law, answering to our common law,
were already recorded: and the teachings of the Hebrew jurisconsults, or
“_Responsa prudentium_” which were held to be binding on the people, had
been preserved from former ages.
All these traditions Rabbi Judah the Holy undertook to reduce into one
digest. And this laborious work he completed about A.D. 190, or more than
a century after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. Rabbi Judah was
born on the day that Rabbi Akibah died. Solomon is said to have foretold
the event: “One sun ariseth, and one sun goeth down.” Akibah was the
setting and Judah the rising sun. The Mishna of Rabbi Judah, afterward
revised by Abba Areka in Sura, is the text of the Babylon Talmud. The
commentaries written on this text by various Rabbis in the neighborhood of
Babylon, until the close of the fifth century, are called the Gemara
(completion), and are published in twelve folio volumes, called the
Babylon Talmud—the Talmud most esteemed by the Jews. The Jerusalem Talmud
contains commentaries written partly by Rabbis in Jamnia and partly in
Tiberias, where they were completed by Rabbi Jochanan in the beginning of
the fourth century. As now published it has only four out of the six
orders or books of the Mishna, with the treatise Niddah from the sixth. In
the time of Maimonides it contained five orders. On twenty-six treatises
it has no Gemara, though in the treatise on shekels the Gemara of
Jerusalem is used for the Babylon Talmud. The six books of the Mishna are
subdivided into sixty-three treatises, in the following manner:
Book I
This book, called Order of Seeds, contains the following treatises:
1. “Blessings,” together with prayers and thanksgivings, with the times
and places in which they are to be used.
2. “A Corner of a Field” (Lev. xxiii. 22; Deut. xxiv. 19) treats of the
corners of the field to be left for the poor to glean them—the forgotten
sheaves, olives, and grapes—and of giving alms, etc.
3. “Doubtful” treats of the doubt about the tithes being paid, as the Jews
were not allowed to use anything without its being first tithed.
4. “Diversities” (Lev. xix. 19; Deut. xxii. 9-11) treats of the unlawful
mixing or joining together things of a different nature or kind—of sowing
seeds of a different species in one bed—grafting a scion on a stock of a
different kind, suffering cattle of different kinds to come together.
5. “The Sabbatical Year” (Exod. xxiii. 11; Lev. xxv. 4) treats of the laws
which regulated the land as it lay fallow and rested.
6. “Heave Offerings” (Num. xviii. 8) treats of separating the heave
offering—who may eat it, and who may not eat of it—of its pollutions, etc.
7. “The First Tithes” (Lev. xxvii. 30; Num. xviii. 28) treats of the law
of tithes for the priests.
8. “The Second Tithes” (Deut. xiv. 22; xxvi. 14) treats of those which
were to be carried to Jerusalem and there eaten, or to be redeemed and the
money spent in Jerusalem in peace offerings.
9. “Cake of Dough” (Num. xv. 20) treats of setting apart a cake of dough
for the priests; also, from what kind of dough the cake must be separated.
10. “Uncircumcised Fruit” (Lev. xix. 23) treats of the unlawfulness of
eating the fruit of any tree till the fifth year. The first three years it
is uncircumcised; the fourth year it is holy to the Lord; the fifth year
it may be eaten.
11. “First Fruits” (Exod. xxiii. 19; Deut. xxvi. 1) treats of what fruits
were to be offered in the Temple, and in what manner; also of the baskets
in which they were to be carried.
Book II
The Order Of The Festivals:
1. “Sabbath” treats of the laws relating to the seventh day.
2. “Mixtures,” or combinations, treats of the extension of boundaries,
whereby all the inhabitants of the court, or entry, where the mixture is
made, are counted as one family inhabiting one domicile; and are therefore
allowed to carry victuals from one house to another. It also treats of the
mixtures for a Sabbath day’s journey, whereby the distance may be extended
for an additional 2,000 cubits.
3. “Passovers” treats of all rites and ceremonies relating to the Paschal
Lamb.
4. “Shekels” (Exod. xxx. 13) treats of the half shekel, which every Jew,
rich or poor, was obliged to pay every year to the daily sacrifice.
5. “Day of Atonement” treats of the solemnities peculiar to it.
6. “Tabernacles” teaches how they are to be built, and how to be used.
7. “The Egg Laid on a Festival” treats of the works which may or may not
be done on any of the festivals, which are called days of holy
convocation, on which no servile work may be done.
8. “New Year” treats of the laws and solemnities of the feast of the New
Year, as also of the feasts of the New Moons.
9. “Fasts” treats of the various fasts throughout the year.
10. “The Roll” treats of the feast of Purim, and gives instructions how
and in what manner the Book of Esther and other Lessons are to be read.
The Gemara directs Jews to get so drunk on this feast, that they cannot
discern the difference between “Blessed be Mordecai and cursed be Haman,”
and “Cursed be Mordecai and blessed be Haman.”
11. “Minor Feasts” treats of the works that may and that may not be
lawfully done on the 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6th days, when the first and
seventh are holy; these intermediate days being lesser festivals.
12. “Sacrifices on Festivals” treats of the three great festivals, when
all the males were obliged to appear before the Lord, and of the
sacrifices which they were to bring. It also lays down rules for the
dissolution of vows, which it says “are like mountains hanging on a hair,
for the text is slender and the constitutions many.”
Book III
On Women:
1. “Brother’s Widow” (Deut. xxv. 5-11) treats of the law obliging a
brother to marry the relict of his deceased brother; also, when the
obligation is to take place, and the ceremonies to be used at its
performance.
2. “Marriage Settlements” treats of dowries and women who happen to obtain
estates, either real or personal. From this tract the baptism of infant
proselytes can be proved.
3. “Vows” (Num. xxx. 4-16) shows when vows are binding and when null and
void. When a married woman makes a vow the husband can confirm or annul
it. This tract points out what vows fall under his cognizance and what do
not.
4. “The Nazarite” (Num. vi. 21) treats of the laws relating to the
different sorts of Nazarites.
5. “Trial of Jealousy” (Num. v. 11-31) treats of the mode of trial and
punishment of criminals. Men may go home to their wives from voluntary
wars, but not from wars of command. This tract shows the miserable state
of the Jews at the destruction of the second Temple, and at the future
advent of the Messiah.
6. “Divorces” treats of the laws relating to divorces, also the
formalities to be observed both before and after they are given. A man may
divorce his wife if she spoil his broth, or if he find another more
handsome.
7. “Betrothing” treats of the laws of espousals and some other previous
rites of marriage. It commands sons to be taught suitable trades. It
states that all ass-drivers are wicked, camel-drivers are honest, sailors
are pious, physicians are destined for hell, and butchers are company for
Amalek.
Book IV
On Damages:
1. “First Gate,” so called because in the East law is often administered
in the gateway of a city. It treats of all such damages as may be received
from man or beast. It assesses damages done by a beast according to the
benefit which the beast receives. If it eat a peck of dates its owner
would be fined for a peck of barley, as dates are not more nourishing for
a beast than barley.
2. “The Middle Gate” treats of laws of usury and trusts, of letting out on
hire, of landlord and tenant, etc.
3. “Last Gate” treats of the laws of commerce and co-partnership, of
buying and selling, of the laws of inheritance and the right of
succession.
4. “Sanhedrin” treats of the great national senate.
5. “Stripes” treats of false witnesses, of the law of the forty stripes
save one, of those who were bound to fly to the cities of refuge.
6. “Oaths” explains the laws for administering oaths; when an oath is to
be admitted between contending parties who are qualified to take them. In
Hilchoth Eduth. ix. 1 it is taught that ten sorts of persons are
disqualified—women, slaves, children, idiots, deaf persons, the blind, the
wicked, the despised, relations, and those interested in their evidence.
7. “Evidences” are a collection of many important decisions gathered from
the testimonies of distinguished Rabbis. It is observable that the
decisions of the School of Shammai are more rigorous than those of the
School of Hillel, from whence it is inferred that the former adhered more
closely to Scripture, the latter to tradition. The former were the
Scribes, and are now represented by the Karaites, who reject the Talmud.
8. “Idolatry,” or the worship of stars and meteors, treats of the way to
avoid this grievous sin.
9. “The Fathers” contains a history of those who handed down the Oral Law,
also many maxims and proverbs.
10. “Punishment” treats of the punishment of those disobedient to the
Sanhedrin (Deut. xvii. 8-11).
Book V
On Holy Things:
1. “Sacrifices” treats of the nature and quality of the offerings; the
time, the place, and the persons, by whom they ought to be killed,
prepared, and offered.
2. “Meat Offerings” treats of the flour, oil, and wine, and the wave
loaves.
3. “Unconsecrated Things” treats of what is clean and unclean, of not
eating the sinew that shrank, and not killing the dam and her young in one
day (Deut. xxii. 6).
4. “First Born” treats of their redemption by money, and their being
offered in sacrifice; also of the tithes of all manner of cattle.
5. “Estimations” (Lev. xxvii. 2) treats of the way in which things devoted
to the Lord are to be valued in order to be redeemed for ordinary use;
also, how a priest is to value a field which a person has sanctified.
6. “Cutting Off” treats of offenders being cut off from the Lord.
7. “Exchanges” (Lev. xxvii. 10, 33) treats of the way exchanges are to be
effected between sacred things.
8. “Trespass” (Num. v. 6, 8) treats of things partaking of the nature of
sacrilege. It asserts that if a man take away a consecrated stone or beam
he commits no trespass. If he give it to his companion he commits a
trespass, but his companion commits none. If he build it into his house he
commits no trespass till he lives in the house long enough to gain the
value of a half-farthing. If he take away a consecrated half-farthing he
commits no trespass. If he give it to his companion he commits a trespass,
but his companion commits none. If he give it to a bath-keeper he commits
a trespass though he does not bathe, because the bath-keeper says to him,
“See, the bath is open, go in and bathe.”
9. “The Daily Sacrifice” treats of the morning and evening offerings.
10. “The Measurements” treats of the measurements of the Temple.
11. “Birds’ Nests” treats of the mistakes about doves and beasts brought
into the Temple for sacrifice.
Book VI
On Purifications:
1. “Vessels” treats of those which convey uncleanness (Lev. xi. 33).
2. “Tents” (Num. xix. 14) treats of tents and houses retaining
uncleanness, how persons who enter them become unclean, and how they are
to be cleansed.
3. “Plagues of Leprosy” treats of leprosy of men, garments, or dwellings,
how their pollution is conveyed, and how they are to be purified.
4. “The Red Heifer” directs how she is to be burned, and how her ashes are
to be used in purifying.
5. “Purifications” teaches how purifications are to be effected.
6. “Pools of Water” (Num. xxxi. 23) treats of their construction, and the
quantity of water necessary for cleansing.
7. “Separation” of women.
8. “Liquors” that dispose seeds and fruits to receive pollution (Lev. xi.
38).
9. “Issues” that cause pollution.
10. “Baptism” on the day of uncleanness (Lev. xxii. 6).
11. “Hands” treats of the washing of hands before eating bread, though dry
fruits are allowed to be eaten without such washing.
12. “Stalks of Fruit which convey Uncleanness” treats of fruits growing
out of the earth, which have a stalk and no husk. They can be polluted and
can pollute, but may not be compounded with anything that was unclean
before. If they have neither stalks nor husks they neither can be polluted
nor can they pollute. It also treats of the hair and wool that grows on
some fruits, and the beards of barley, etc.
From the six books or “Orders” the Jews call the Babylon Talmud by the pet
name of “_Shas_” (six). The language in which it is written is Hebrew
intermingled with Aramaic, Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, Greek, and Latin
words. The Gemara was first begun by Rabban Judah’s two sons, Rabbi
Gamaliel and Rabbi Simeon. It was vigorously carried on by Rabbi Ashé in
Sura, a town on the Euphrates, from 365 A.D. to 425. He divided the Mishna
into its sixty-three treatises, and every half-year summoned his disciples
and assigned to them two fresh portions of the Law and two of the Mishna.
At each meeting their remarks on these portions were discussed, and if
approved were incorporated into the Gemara. Rabbis Zabid, Gebhia Rychuma,
and Semo of Pumbedaitha;(2) and Rabbis Marimer, Adda bar Abbin, Nachman
bar Huno, and Touspho, presidents of the schools of Sura, labored for its
advancement; and it was finally completed by Rabbi Abino (Rabbina), and
sealed by Rabbi José about 498 A.D. He was the last of the “Dictators.”
Those who lived after him were called “Opinionists,” as they did not
dictate any doctrines; but only deduced opinions from what had already
been settled in the canon of the Talmud. The Opinionists were succeeded by
the Sublime Doctors, who were in turn replaced by the ordinary Rabbis. In
addition to the Talmud there has been handed down a vast amount of Jewish
learning, such as the Bereitha, the Tosephtoth or appendices, the Mechilta
or traditions unknown to Rabbi Judah the Holy, and the commentaries Sifra
and Sifre. Of these the Jews regard the Bereitha as second to the Mishna.
“The mark of Bereitha is ‘the sages learned,’ or ‘it is once learned,’ or
‘it is learned in another one.’ And everything which is not disputed of
all these things is an established decision. And whatever is disputed goes
according to the concluded decision. What is disputed in the Bereitha,
which is not questioned in the Mishna, the decision is according to the
Mishna. What is disputed in the Mishna, and not questioned in the
Bereitha, is not to be decided according to the Bereitha. And thus it is
said, ‘If Rabbi Judah the Holy did not teach it, whence could Rabbi Chayya
know it?’ The exception is, that when the decision of Rabbi Eliezer, the
son of Jacob, is given, it is regarded as equal to the Mishna. In 102
questions the decision is always with him.”
The period during which both the Jerusalem and Babylon Talmuds were
compiled was a season of comparative peace for the Jews. From the death of
Rabbi Judah the Holy until Constantine ascended the throne the schools in
Tiberias were unmolested. Judah was succeeded in the Patriarchate by
Gamaliel; and he in turn gave way to Judah the second. Being inferior in
learning to some of his own Rabbis, the splendor of his Patriarchate was
eclipsed by the superior talents of Simon Ben Laches and Rabbi Jochanan.
From that time the Patriarchate gradually sank in estimation, till the
struggles for unlimited power, and the rapacity of the Rabbis, brought the
office into contempt, and caused the Emperor Honorius in one of his laws
to brand them as “Devastators.” Still, with a loyal affection to the race
of Israel, the Jews, wherever scattered in the West, looked to Tiberias as
their Zion, and willingly taxed themselves for the support of its
Rabbinical schools. The Jews in the East regarded the Prince of the
Captivity or Patriarch of Babylon as their centre and chief. He rose to
power between the abandonment of the Mesopotamian provinces by Hadrian and
the rise of the Persian kingdom. He presided over his subjects with
viceregal power and a splendid court. Rabbis were his satraps, and the
wise and learned his officers and councillors. Wealth flowed in upon his
people, who were engaged in every kind of commerce. One of his merchants
in Babylon was said to have had 1,000 vessels on sea and 1,000 cities on
shore. There was for a time a spirit of rivalry between the spiritual
courts of Tiberias and Babylon.
On one occasion there was an open schism about the calculation of the
Paschal feast. The struggle for supremacy took place when Simon, son of
Gamaliel, who claimed descent from Aaron, was Patriarch of Tiberias, and
Ahia, who claimed descent from King David, was Prince of the Captivity.
His two most learned men were Hananiah, the rector of Nahar-pakod, and
Judah, son of Bethuriah. To humble these men was the aim of Simon.
Accordingly he sent two legates with three letters to Babylon. The first
letter was given to Hananiah. It was addressed, “To your holiness.”
Flattered by the title, he politely asked the reason of their visit. “To
learn your system of instruction.” Still more gratified, he paid them
every attention. Availing themselves of their advantage, the legates used
every effort to undermine his teaching and lessen his authority. Hananiah,
enraged by their conduct, summoned an assembly, and denounced their
treachery. The people cried out, “That which thou hast built, thou canst
not so soon pull down; the hedge which thou hast planted, thou canst not
pluck up without injury to thyself.” Hananiah demanded their objections to
his teaching. They answered, “Thou hast dared to fix intercalations and
new moons, by which nonconformity has arisen between Babylon and
Palestine.” “So did Rabbi Akiba,” said Hananiah, “when in Babylon.”
“Akiba,” they replied, “left not his like in Palestine.” “Neither,” cried
Hananiah, “have I left my equal in Palestine.” The legates then produced
their second letter, in which it was written, “That which thou hast left a
kid is grown up a strong horned goat.” Hananiah was struck dumb. Rabbi
Isaac, one of the legates, ran, and mounted the reading desk. “These,”
said he, calling them out aloud, “are the holy days of God, and these the
holy days of Hananiah.”
The people began to murmur. Rabbi Nathan, the second legate, arose, and
read the verse of Isaiah, “Out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the
word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Then in a mocking voice, “Out of Babylon
shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Nahor-pakod.” The
congregation was in an uproar. “Alter not the word of God” was the
universal shout. The legates then produced the third letter, threatening
excommunication to all who would not obey their decrees. They further
said, “The learned have sent us, and commanded us to say, if he will
submit, well; if not, utter at once the Cherem.(3) Also set the choice
before our brethren in foreign parts. If they will stand by us, well; if
not, let them ascend their high places. Let Ahia build them an altar, and
Hananiah (a Levite) sing at the sacrifice, and let them at once set
themselves apart, and say, ‘We have no portion in the God of Israel.’ ”
From every side the cry arose, “Heaven preserve us from heresy; we have
still a portion in the Israel of God.” The authority of Tiberias was then
recognized as supreme. But when Babylon was afterward politically severed
from the Roman power in the West, and fell to the Persians, the Prince of
the Captivity represented the Jews of the East as their independent head.
The canon of the Talmud was closed in a season of opulence and repose.
This scene, however, speedily changed. Gloomy and dark days were followed
by a storm of persecution from the Persian kings, Yesdigird and Firuz “the
tyrant.” When their schools were closed, the Jews clung more closely to
the Talmud than before. Although never formally adopted by any general
council, all orthodox Jews embraced it as supplying a want which they
felt. And they have adhered to it through long and dreary centuries,
despite the rack and fire of the Inquisitor, and the contempt and scorn of
a hostile world. The Talmud has been periodically banned, and often
publicly burned, from the age of the Emperor Justinian till the time of
Pope Clement VIII. In the year 1569 the famous Jewish library in Cremona
was plundered, and 12,000 copies of the Talmud and other Jewish writings
were committed to the flames. The first to demand for it toleration and
free inquiry was Reuchlin. He declared that he must oppose the destruction
of “a book written by Christ’s nearest relations.” Before him, Haschim II,
Caliph of Cordova in the close of the tenth century, had ordered it to be
translated into Arabic. This was done by Rabbi Joseph, the son of Rabbi
Moses, surnamed “clad in a sack,” because he was thus meanly clad when his
great talents were discovered.
The study of the Talmud has the most fascinating influence over the Jewish
mind, and if the latter is to be comprehended, the teaching which moulds
it must be clearly understood. “Everyone,” say the Jews, “is bound to
divide the time of his study into three parts—one-third is to be devoted
to the written law, one-third to the Mishna, and one-third to Gemara.” To
understand it in accordance with the thirteen rules of interpretation, it
takes a study of seven hours a day for seven years. They also say that it
is lawful to rend a man ignorant of the Talmud “like a fish.” Israelites
are forbidden to marry the daughter of such a one, as “she is no better
than a beast.”
To obviate arguments furnished by its own statements against itself, its
adherents make a distinction between its decisions, its directions, and
its legendary or romance part,—a distinction fatal to its claim of
equality with Holy Scripture. For this legendary part some of the ancient
Rabbis had but little respect. Rabbi Joshua, son of Levi, says, “He who
writes it down will have no part in the world to come; he who explains it
will be scorched.” Maimonides also says, “If one of the many foolish
rabbis reads these histories and proverbs, he will find an explanation
unnecessary, for to a fool everything is right, and he finds no difficulty
anywhere. And if a really wise man reads them, there will be but two ways
in which he will consider them. If he takes them in their literal sense
and thinks them bad, he will say, This is foolishness, and in so doing he
says nothing at all against the foundation of the faith.” The School of
Shammai, who lived before Christ, and the School of Hillel, who lived till
eight(4) years after His birth, are brought forward as contradictory in
their decisions. Like Christian leaders in later times, they strove to
exceed each other in learning and pride. Hillel, called also the second
Ezra, was born in Babylon. His thirst for learning drove him to Jerusalem.
He was so poor he could not fee the porter of the college. So he used to
listen at the window. One bitter winter’s night he became insensible from
cold, and the snow falling fast covered him up. The darkened window called
the attention of those inside to his form without. He was then brought in,
and soon restored to life. It is said that afterward “he had eighty
scholars: thirty of them were fit that the divine glory should rest upon
them, as it did upon Moses—thirty others were worthy that the sun should
stand still for them, as it did for Joshua—and twenty were of a form
between.”
By a sort of legal fiction both schools are supposed to be of equal
authority. A Bath Kol(5) or holy echo, supplying the place of departed
Urim and Thummim, and of oracles long since silent, is related to have
established it. “There came forth a divine voice at Jabneh and said, The
words of the one and of the other are the words of the living God, but the
certain determination of the thing is according to the School of Hillel,
and whosoever transgresseth against the words of the School of Hillel
deserves death.” Both schools were Pharisees, but the School of Shammai
was the straiter sect. Seven different shades of character have been
attributed to the Pharisees of that age: there were those who served God
from selfishness—those who did it gradually—those who avoided the sight of
women—saints in office—those who asked you to name some duty which they
ought to perform—those who were pious from fear of God—and those who were
pious from love of Him. Popular opinion differed with regard to them. Some
said, “If only two men be saved, one must be a Pharisee”; while others
defined a Pharisee to be “one who wished to play the part of Zimri, and to
claim the reward of Phinehas.” The great opponents of the Pharisees were
the Sadducees, who arose B.C. 300, and were followers of Baithos and
Sadok. Their rivals on the other side were the Mehestanites, who returned
from the Captivity versed in the doctrines of Zoroaster—in astrology, and
in the influences of good and bad spirits. To these might be added the
Misraimites, who studied the Kabbala, specially in reference to the forms
of letters. The letter Koph, for example, has its curved part severed from
its stem, and thus teaches that “the door of mercy is always open to the
penitent.” The numerical value of the letters of Messiah and Nachash
(serpent) is the same, and this teaches that “the Messiah will overcome
the Serpent.”
The Kabbalists believed nothing but what they “received.” Their teachers
received from the prophets—the prophets received from angels—David from
the Angel Michael, Moses from Metatron, Isaac from Raphael, Shem from
Yophiel—and the angels themselves from God. The Metatron is the connecting
link between the Divine Spirit and the world of matter. It resembles the
Demiurgos of the Gnostics. It is the mystical expression for the Being
that forms a union between God and nature, or, as the Zohar puts it,
between the “King and the Queen.” There were also the Essenes, who
allegorized the Law; the Hellenists, who mixed it up with Greek
philosophy; the Therapeutists, who thought supreme happiness to be
meditation; the political Herodians; the Zealots; and other petty sects
who formed the great mass of the people, and held either with or against
the two great schools. The decisions of both schools are remarkable for
their concise brevity. A phrase suggests many thoughts—a single word
awakes a whole train of reasoning. A German writer has said of the Mishna,
that “it is a firmament of telescopic stars, containing many a cluster of
light, which no unaided eye has ever resolved.” Some of its sayings are of
touching beauty. Such are the words of Rabbi Tarphon, “The day is
short—the labor vast;—but the laborers are slothful, though the reward is
great, and the Master of the house presseth for despatch.” Some of its
sayings are extravagant—some are loathsome—and some are blasphemous. But
mixed up as they are together, they form an extraordinary monument of
“human industry, human wisdom, and human folly.”
The Talmud contains a system of casuistry in reference to the doctrines of
intention and legal uncleanness. It proportions responsibility to the
amount of intention, and thereby hands over tender consciences to the
control of the Rabbis. It proportions legal uncleanness to every degree of
approach to the source, or, as it is called, “the father” of uncleanness;
and this again renders necessary continual appeals to the decision of the
Rabbis.
Predestination and free will are both taught. “Everything is in the hands
of heaven, except the fear of heaven.” “All things are ordained of God,
but men’s actions are their own.” When men wish to sin they are enjoined
to go to a place where they are unknown, and to clothe themselves in black
so as not to dishonor God openly. Hereditary sin was denied by the early
Kabbalists, but the later ones allow it. They believe that all souls were
created in Adam, and therefore partake of his fall. Every kind of
philosophy known at the time of its compilation is more or less introduced
into the Talmud, and all more or less tinged with Magian superstition.
From this superstition grew the mysticism of the Jewish schools. All the
arts and sciences, under some form or other, are alluded to, and
references to historical events abound in its pages. When it is dangerous
to speak of them openly they are veiled under some figure known only to
the initiated. Some observations seem to anticipate future discoveries.
The Antipodes are hinted at. And the Jerusalem Gemara says that Alexander
the Great was represented as carrying a ball in his hand because he
believed the figure of the earth to be a sphere. Astronomy is fully
discussed. The planets are “moving stars.” Mercury is “the star”; Venus,
“splendor”; Mars, “redness”; Jupiter, “rightness”; Saturn, “the Sabbath
star.” The signs of the Zodiac have the same names as are now used. The
Galaxy is “the river of light.” Comets are “burning arrows.” And it is
said that when a comet passes through Orion it will destroy the world. A
certain Ishmaelite merchant is related to have invited Rabba to come and
see where the heavens and the earth touched. Rabba took his bread basket
and placed it on the window while he prayed. He afterward looked for it,
but it was gone. He asked the Ishmaelite, “Are there thieves here?” “No,”
he replied, “but your basket has gone up in the revolving of the
firmament. It will return if you wait till morning when the revolving of
the firmament returns where it was before.”
Astrology is treated as a science which governs the life of man. The stars
make men wise. The stars make them rich. “A man born on the first day of
the week will excel in only one quality. He that is born on the second day
will be an angry man, because on that day the waters were divided. He that
is born on the third day of the week will be rich and licentious, because
on it the herbs were created. He that is born on the fourth day will be
wise and of good memory, because on that day the lights were hung up. He
that is born on the fifth day will be charitable, because on that day the
fishes and fowls were created. He that is born on the Sabbath, on the
Sabbath he also shall die, because on his account they profaned the great
Sabbath day.” Rabba bar Shila says, “He shall be eminently holy.” Rabbi
Chanina says, “The influence of the stars makes wise, the influence of the
stars makes rich, and Israel is under the influence of the stars.” Rabbi
Jochanan says, “Israel is not under the influence of the stars. Whence is
it proved? ‘Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be
not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them’
(Jer. x. 2). The heathen, but not Israel.” “An eclipse of the sun is an
evil sign to the nations of the world; an eclipse of the moon is an evil
sign to Israel, for Israel reckons by the moon, the nations of the world
by the sun.” It is also said that Saturn and Mars are the baleful stars,
and whosoever begins a work, or walks in the way, when either of these two
is in the ascendant, will come to sorrow. Astrology naturally leads to
amulets and charms. Amulets are divided into two classes, approved and
disapproved. An approved amulet is “one that has cured three persons, or
has been made by a man who has cured three persons with other amulets.”
Charms are abundantly provided against accidents. “For bleeding of the
nose let a man be brought to a priest named Levi, and let the name Levi be
written backward. If there be not a priest, get a layman, who is to write
backward ‘Ana pipi Shila bar Sumki,’ or ‘Taam dli bemi ceseph, taam dli
bemi pagam’; or let him take a root of grass, and the cord of an old bed,
and paper, and saffron, and the red part of the inside of a palm tree, and
let him burn them together, and let him take some wool, and twist two
threads, and dip them in vinegar, and roll them in ashes, and put them
into his nose; or let him look out for a stream of water which flows from
east to west, and let him go and stand with one leg on each side of it,
and let him take with his right hand some mud from under his left foot,
and with his left hand from under his right foot, and let him twist two
threads of wool, and dip them in the mud, and put them into his nose.” If
a man be bitten by a mad dog he must die, unless some remedy be found for
him. “Abai says he must take the skin of a male adder, and write upon it,
‘I, M, the son of the woman N, upon the skin of a male adder, write
against thee, Kanti Kanti Klirus, but some say, Kandi Kandi Klurus, Lord
of Hosts. Amen. Selah.’ Let him also cast off his clothes, and bury them
in a graveyard for twelve months of a year; then let him take them up, and
burn them in a furnace, and let him strew the ashes at the parting of the
roads. And during these twelve months let him only drink out of a brass
tube, lest he see the phantom form of the demon, and he be endangered.
This was done by Abba, the son of Martha—he is Abba, the son of Manjumi.
His mother made him a tube of gold.”
Magic naturally follows from such teaching. Abba Benjamin says, “If leave
had been given to see the hurtful demons, no creature could stand before
them.” Abbai says, “They are more than we are, and stand against us, like
the trench round a garden bed.” Rav Huni says, “Everyone has a thousand on
his left hand, and ten thousand on his right hand.” Rabba says, “The want
of room at the sermon is from them, the wearing out of the Rabbis’ clothes
is from their rubbing against them, bruised legs are from them.”
“Whosoever wishes to know their existence, let him take ashes passed
through a sieve, and strew them in his bed, and in the morning he will see
the marks of a cock’s claws. Whosoever wishes to see them, let him take
the inner covering of a black cat, the kitten of a first-born black cat,
which is also the kitten of a first-born, and let him burn it in the fire,
and powder it, and fill his eyes with it, and he will see them. And let
him pour the powder into an iron tube, and seal it with an iron signet,
lest they steal any of it, and let him seal the mouth of it, lest any harm
ensue. Rav Bibi bar Abbai did thus, and he was harmed, but the Rabbis
prayed for mercy, and he was healed.” Arts of sorcery are attributed to
the Rabbis. They are represented as having the power to create both men
and melons. One of them is said to have changed a woman into an ass, and
ridden the ass to market, when another sorcerer changed the ass again into
a woman.
This sorcery is traced to Abraham, who is said (Gen. xxv. 6) to have given
his sons gifts. These gifts are stated to have been the arts of sorcery.
Legends abound everywhere throughout the Talmud. Rabbi Judah said, Rav
said, “Everything that God created in the world, He created male and
female. And thus he did with leviathan, the piercing serpent, and
leviathan the crooked serpent. He created them male and female; but if
they had been joined together they would have desolated the whole world.
What then did the Holy One do? He enervated the male leviathan, and slew
the female, and salted her for the righteous in the time to come, for it
is said, ‘And He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea’ (Isa. xxvii.
1). Likewise, with regard to behemoth upon a thousand mountains, He
created them male and female; but if they had been joined together they
would have desolated the whole world. What then did the Holy One do? He
enervated the male behemoth, and made the female barren, and preserved her
for the righteous in the time to come. That period is to be a season of
great feasting. The liquor to be drunk will be apple-wine of more than
seventy years old. The cup of David alone will hold one hundred and
twenty-one logs. It is related that a Rabbi once saw in a desert a flock
of geese so fat that their feathers fell off, and the rivers flowed in
fat. He said to them, ‘Shall we have part of you in the world to come?’
One of them lifted up a wing and another a leg, to signify the parts we
shall have. We should otherwise have had all parts of these geese, but
that their sufferings are owing to us. It is our iniquities that have
delayed the coming of the Messiah, and these geese suffer greatly by
reason of their excessive fat, which daily increases, and will increase
till the Messiah comes.”
Rabba bar Chama says that he once saw “a bird so tall, that its head
reached to the sky and its legs to the bottom of the ocean.” The water in
which it stood was so deep that a carpenter’s axe which had fallen in
seven years before had not then reached the bottom. He also saw “a frog as
large as a village containing sixty houses.” This frog was swallowed up by
a serpent, and this serpent in turn by a crow; this crow flew, and perched
upon a cedar, and this cedar was as broad as sixteen wagons abreast. There
is also an account of a fish which was killed by a worm. This fish, when
driven ashore, destroyed sixty cities, and sixty cities ate of it, and
sixty cities salted it, and with its bones the ruined cities were rebuilt.
Stories are also told of fishes with eyes like the moon, and of horned
fishes three hundred miles in length. These stories are intended to
confirm the text, “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business
in great waters; these see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the
deep” (Ps. cvii. 23, 24). To illustrate the statement of Amos (iii. 8), a
story is told of a lion which one of the Cæsars wished to see. At 400
miles distance he roared, and the walls of Rome fell. At 300 miles he
again roared, and all the people fell on their backs, and their teeth fell
out, and Cæsar fell off his throne. Cæsar then prayed for his removal to a
safer distance.
The Talmud informs us that “a young unicorn, one day old, is as large as
Mount Tabor.” Consequently Noah had great difficulty in saving an old one
alive. He could not get it into the ark, so he bound it by its horn to the
side of the ark. At the same time Og, King of Bashan (being one of the
antediluvians), was saved by riding on its back. We are further informed
that he was one of the giants who came from the intermarriage of angels
with the daughters of men. His footsteps were forty miles long, and one of
his teeth served to make a couch for Abraham. When the Israelites came
against him under the command of Moses, he inquired the size of their
camp, and hearing that it was three miles in extent he tore up a mountain
of that size, to hurl it upon them. Grasshoppers were, however, sent to
bore holes in it, so that it fell over his head on to his neck. His teeth
also grew and were entangled in the rocks, as the Psalmist says, “Thou
hast broken the teeth of the ungodly” (Ps. iii. 7). He is also said to be
identical with Eliezer the servant of Abraham, and to have been, like
Enoch, translated to Paradise. This account, however, differs widely from
the statements of the Jerusalem Targum on the Book of Numbers (xxi. 34).
The Talmud affirms that Adam was made from dust of all parts of the earth;
and that he was created with two faces, as it is written, “Thou hast beset
me behind and before” (Ps. cxxxix. 5). The Rabbis further state that he
was formed in two parts, one male and one female. His height before his
fall reached to the firmament, but after his fall God put his hand upon
him, and compressed him small. In the tenth hour after he was made, he
sinned; and in the twelfth he was driven out of Paradise. Abraham is said
to have put Sarah into a box when he brought her into Egypt, that none
should see her beauty. At the custom-house toll was demanded. Abraham said
he was ready to pay. The custom-house officers said, “Thou bringest
clothes.” He said, “I will pay for clothes.” They said, “Thou bringest
gold.” He said, “I will pay for gold.” They said, “Thou bringest silk.” He
said, “I will pay for silk.” They said, “Thou bringest pearls.” He said,
“I will pay for pearls.” They said, “Thou must open the box,” whereupon
her splendor shone over the whole land of Egypt.
Abraham, it is also said, had a precious stone hung around his throat, on
which when the sick looked they were healed. Some of the laws of Sodom are
also recorded: “Whosoever cut off the ears of another’s ass received the
ass till his ears grew again.” “Whosoever wounded another, the man wounded
was obliged to pay him for letting his blood.” When the judges of Sodom
attempted to fine Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, because another man had
wounded him, he took up a stone and flung it at the judge. He then bid the
judge to pay the fine, which was now due to him for letting his blood, to
the man who had first wounded him. There was a public bed in Sodom, and
every stranger was obliged to lie in it. If his legs were too long for it,
they were cut off; and if too short, they were racked out to the proper
length. When a traveller came, each citizen, to show his hospitality, was
obliged to give him a coin with his name written upon it. The traveller
was then deprived of bread; and when he had died of starvation, the
citizens came, and each one took back his own money. The Sodomites thus
kept up their character for liberality.
At the giving of the Law the Israelites stood at the lower part of the
mount (Exod. xix. 17). Rabbi Avidmi says, “these words teach us that the
Holy One, blessed be He, turned the mountain over them like a tub, and
said to them, ‘If ye will receive the Law, well; but if not, there shall
be your grave.’ ” Rabbi Joshua says, “As each commandment proceeded from
the mouth of the Holy One, Israel retreated twelve miles, and the
ministering angels led them back, as it is said, ‘The angels of the host
did flee apace’(6) (Ps. lxviii. 13). Do not read ‘they fled’ but ‘they
led.’ ” Rabbi Eliezer, the Modite, says, that Jethro “heard the giving of
the Law; for when the Law was given to Israel His voice went from one end
of the world to the other, and all the nations of the world were seized
with trembling in their temples, and they repeated a hymn, as it is said,
‘In His temple doth everyone speak of His glory’ ” (Ps. xxix. 9). The
question is asked, “Why are the Gentiles defiled?” “Because they did not
stand on Mount Sinai, for in the hour the serpent came to Eve he
communicated defilement, which was removed from Israel when they stood on
Mount Sinai.” Rav Acha, the son of Rabbi, said to Rav Ashai, “How then is
it with proselytes?” He answered, “Although they went not there, their
lucky star was there, as it is written, ‘With _him_ that standeth here
with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with _him_ that _is_
not here with us this day’ ” (Deut. xxix. 15).
In the hour that Moses ascended up on high the ministering angels said
before God, “O Lord of the world, what business has he that is born of
woman amongst us?” He answered, “He is come to receive the Law.” They
replied, “This desirable treasure, which has been treasured up from the
six days of creation, six hundred and seventy-four generations before the
world was created, dost Thou now wish to give it to flesh and blood? what
is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest
him? O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, Who
hast set Thy glory above the heavens.” The Holy One said to Moses, “Return
them an answer.” He said, “O Lord of the world, I fear, lest they burn me
with the breath of their mouth.” God said, “Lay hold on the throne of my
glory, and return them an answer; for it is said, ‘He that holdeth the
face of His throne, He spreadeth His cloud over him’ ” (Job xxvi. 9).
Rabbi Nahum says, “This means that the Almighty spread some of the glory
of the Shechinah and His cloud over him.” He then said, “Lord of the
world, what is written in the Law that Thou art about to give me?” “I am
the Lord thy God, that brought thee out of Egypt.” He then said, “Did ye
(angels) ever go down into Egypt and serve Pharaoh? why then should ye
have the Law?” Again, “What is written therein?” “Thou shalt have none
other God.” He then asked them, “Do ye then dwell among the uncircumcised,
that ye should commit idolatry?” Again, “What is written?” “Remember the
Sabbath day to sanctify it.” “Do ye then do any work so as to need rest?”
Again, “What is written?” “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in
vain.” “Have ye then any work that would lead to this sin?” Again, “What
is written?” “Honor thy father and mother.” “Have ye then got any father
or mother?” Again, “What is written?” “Thou shalt do no murder.” “Thou
shalt not commit adultery.” “Thou shalt not steal.” “Have ye then envy or
the principle of evil amongst you?” Immediately they praised the Holy One,
“Blessed be He.”
Wonderful stories are told of the manna. The manna is said to have fallen
from heaven, accompanied by showers of pearls and precious stones. It
tasted to everyone according to his desire. If one wished for fat fowl, so
it tasted. If another other wished for honey, so it tasted, as it is
written, “Thou hast lacked nothing” (Deut. xi. 7). The Targum of Jonathan
goes on to inform us, “At the fourth hour, when the sun had waxed hot upon
it, it melted and became streams of water, which flowed away into the
great sea, and wild animals that were clean, and cattle, came to drink of
it, and the children of Israel hunted and ate them” (Exod. xvi. 21). It is
further related that the Queen of Sheba (whom the Rabbis labor to prove to
have been the King of Sheba) wished to test the knowledge of Solomon who
had written on botany “from the cedar to the hyssop.” She once stood at a
distance from him with two exquisite wreaths of flowers—one artificial,
one natural. They were so much alike that the King looked perplexed, and
the courtiers looked melancholy. Observing a swarm of bees on the window,
he commanded it to be opened. All the bees lighted on the natural and not
one on the artificial wreath. Solomon is also said to have sent Benaiah,
the son of Jehoiada, to bind Aschmedai, the king of the devils. After
deceiving the devil with wine he made him reveal the secret of the
Schamir, or little worm, which can cleave the hardest stone. And by the
aid of this worm Solomon built the Temple. The devil afterward asked
Solomon for his signet ring, and when he had given it to him the devil
stretched one wing up to the firmament and the other to the earth, and
jerked Solomon four hundred miles away. Then assuming the aspect of
Solomon, he seated himself on his throne. After Solomon had again obtained
it, he wrote, “What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh
under the sun?” (Eccles. i. 3).
A story is told of Nebuzaradan, that he saw the blood of Zecharias
bubbling in the court of the priests. When he asked what it meant, he was
informed that it was the blood of bullocks and lambs. When he had ordered
bullocks and lambs to be slain, the blood of Zecharias still bubbled and
reeked above theirs. The priests then confessed that it was the blood of a
priest and prophet and judge, whom they had slain. He then commanded
eighty thousand priests to be put to death. The blood, however, still
continued to bubble. God then said, “Is this man, who is but flesh and
blood, filled with pity toward my children, and shall not I be much more?”
So he gave a sign to the blood, and it was swallowed up in the place. Of
the eighty thousand priests slain none was left but Joshua the son of
Jozedek, of whom it is written, “Is not this a brand plucked out of the
fire?” (Zech. iii. 2). Of Titus it is said that he was unclean in the
Temple, and with a blow of his sword rent the veil, which flowed with
blood. To punish him a gnat was sent into his brain, which grew as large
as a dove. When his skull was opened, the gnat was found to have a mouth
of copper, and claws of iron.
The Talmud teaches that evil spirits, devils, and goblins are the
offspring of Adam. They are said to fly about in all directions. They know
from eavesdropping what is to come in the future. Like men, they eat,
drink, and multiply. They are represented as playing men awkward tricks.
One is stated to have broken a vessel of wine, and to have spilled it on
the ground. The Rabbis, however, afterward compelled him to pay for it.
People are forbidden to ride oxen fresh from the stall, as Satan dances
between their horns. Men are forbidden to salute their companions by
night, lest they may turn out to be devils. It is also commanded to shake
out, before drinking, some water from the vessel, to get rid of what is
sipped by the evil spirits. It is, however, permitted to consult Satan on
week-days. He is considered identical with the Angel of Death. But he is
described as having no power over those engaged in reading the law. Many
of his devices are related in the Talmud, whereby he made learned men
leave off reading, and then he snatched away their souls. A story is told
of the attempt of Rabbi Joshua, the son of Levi, and Satan to deceive each
other about the Rabbi’s place in paradise. Finally, however, Satan managed
to take away his life, whereupon the voice of Elijah is heard shouting in
heaven, “Make room for the son of Levi,”—“Make room for the son of Levi.”
The Angel of Death is represented as standing at the head of the dying
man. He has a drawn sword in his hand, on which is a drop of gall. When
the dying man sees it, he shudders and opens his mouth. The Angel of Death
then lets it fall into his mouth. The sick man dies, corrupts, and becomes
pale. Three days the soul flies about the body, thinking to return to it,
but after it sees the appearance of the face changed, it leaves it and
goes away.
Rabbi Isaac moreover asserts, that a worm in a dead body is as painful as
a needle in a living one. The Talmud still further states that there are
three voices continually heard—the voice of the sun as he rolls in his
orbit—the voice of the multitudes of Rome—and the voice of the soul as it
leaves the body. The Rabbis, however, prayed for mercy on the soul, and
this voice has ceased. Instances are also given of men overhearing the
conversations of the dead, and receiving profit from them. A man is said
to have heard one girl tell another in the grave, that those who sowed
their crops at a particular time would find their harvests fail. So he
took care to sow at another time, and he had an abundant yield. It is also
said that every Friday evening a second soul enters into the bodies of
men, and that it remains to the end of the Sabbath, when it departs. The
evidence of this second soul is shown by an increased appetite for eating
and drinking.
Good angels are stated to be daily created out of the stream of glory
which flows from the throne of God, and they sing a new song, and vanish;
as it is said, “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness”
(Lam. iii. 23). The Rabbis also say that angels are created out of every
word which proceeds from the mouth of God; as it is said, “By the word of
the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of
His mouth” (Ps. xxxiii. 6). The following story is also told: In the hour
when Nimrod, the impious, cast Abraham into the midst of the fiery
furnace, Gabriel said before the blessed God, “Lord of the world, I will
go down and cool the flame, and deliver the righteous One from the furnace
of fire.” The blessed God said to him, “I am the ONE in this world, and he
is the one in his world. It becomes the ONE to deliver the one.” But as
the blessed God deprives no one of his reward, He said, “Thou shalt be
deemed worthy to deliver three of his posterity.” Rabbi Simon, the
Shilonite, taught, “In the hour that Nebuchadnezzar, the impious, cast
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah into the midst of the fiery furnace,
Jorkemo, the prince of hail, stood up before the blessed God, and said, ‘I
will go down and cool the flame, and deliver the righteous ones from the
furnace of fire.’ To him said Gabriel, ‘The power of the blessed One is
not so, since thou art the prince of hail, and everyone knows that waters
quench fire; but I, the prince of fire, will go down and cool inwardly,
and heat outwardly, and I will make a wonder within a wonder.’ ” To him
said the blessed God, “Go down.” In the same hour Gabriel began and said,
“And the truth of the Lord _endureth_ for ever” (Ps. cxvii. 2).
Israelites are forbidden to pray in the Syriac language, as the angels do
not understand it, and consequently cannot carry their petitions to God.
Gabriel, however, is acquainted with it, as he taught Joseph the seventy
languages. The chief of all the angels is said to be the Metatron, who
once received fiery blows from another angel called Ampiel. With regard to
heaven, the Rabbis teach that Egypt is four hundred miles long and broad,
the Morians’ land is sixty times larger than Egypt, and the world is sixty
times larger than the Morians’ land; heaven is sixty times larger than the
world, and hell is sixty times larger than heaven. It follows that the
“whole world is but a pot-lid to hell.” Yet some say that hell is
immeasurable, and some say heaven is immeasurable. It was a pearl amongst
the sayings of a Rabbi. “Heaven is not like this world, for in it there is
neither eating, nor drinking, nor marriage, nor increasing, nor
trafficking, nor hate, nor envy, nor heart-burnings; but the just shall
sit with their crowns on their heads, and enjoy the splendors of the
Shechinah.”
Hell is said to have three doors,—one in the wilderness, one in the sea,
and one in Jerusalem. In the wilderness, as it is written, “They, and all
that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit” (Num. xvi. 33). In
the sea, as it is written, “Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou
heardest my voice” (Jonah ii. 3). In Jerusalem, as it is written, “Saith
the Lord whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem” (Is. xxxi.
9). The school of Rabbi Ishmael teaches that the “fire in Zion” is hell
and “His furnace in Jerusalem” is the gate of hell. It is also taught that
the fire of hell has no power over the sinners in Israel, and that the
fire of hell has no power over the disciples of the wise. It is again,
however, stated that the Israelites who sin with their bodies, and the
Gentiles who sin with their bodies, go to hell, and are punished there
twelve months. After their body is wasted, and their soul is burned, the
wind scatters them beneath the soles of the righteous, as it is said, “And
ye shall tread down the wicked: for they shall be ashes under the soles of
your feet” (Mal. iv. 3). Heretics—deniers of the resurrection—Epicureans,
and other sinners, shall be perpetually tormented “where their worm dieth
not and their fire is not quenched.”
The doctrine of the resurrection is clearly taught in the Talmud. As for
the last judgment, the following story is told: “Said Antoninus to Rabbi,
The body and soul can free themselves from judgment. How? The body can
say, The soul sinned from the time it separated from me, while I lay as a
stone in the grave. And the soul can say, The body sinned from the time it
separated from me, while I flew in the air as a bird.” He replied, “I will
give you an example to which it is like. It is like a king of flesh and
blood, who has a beautiful garden, and in which are pleasant fruits, and
he placed two watchmen therein, of whom one was lame and the other was
blind. Said the lame to the blind, ‘I see pleasant fruits in the garden;
come, and let me sit upon thee, and let us go and eat.’ ” The lame sat
upon the blind, and they went and ate. After some days the lord of the
garden came, and said, “Where are my pleasant fruits?” The lame said, “I
have no legs to go to them.” The blind said, “I have no eyes to see them.”
What did he do? He set the lame upon the blind, and judged them as one. So
the blessed God will return the soul into the body, and judge them as one,
as it is said, “He shall call to the heavens from above and to the earth,
that he may judge his people” (Ps. iv. 4). He shall call to the heavens
from above, that is the soul; and to the earth that he may judge his
people, that is, the body. After the resurrection men will live without
work or weariness of body, their houses shall be of precious stones, and
their beds of silk, and the rivers shall run with wine and perfumed oil.
The Talmud often contradicts Holy Scripture. It says that they are in
error who believe the Bible account of the sons of Reuben, of the sons of
Eli, and of the sons of Samuel. It allows usury, and the passing of
children through the fire to Moloch. It permits deceit, and supports it
with the text, “With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure, and with the
froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory” (2 Sam. xxii. 27). The Rabbis
teach hatred of Christians and Gentiles. Instead of saying, “In the
presence of the king,” they are taught to say, “In the presence of the
dog.” A Jew who bears witness against another Jew before a Gentile is
publicly cursed. A Jew is also released from any oath he may swear to a
Gentile. It is only permitted a Jewish physician to heal Gentiles for the
sake of the fee, or for the practice of medicine, but it is not allowed to
save their lives in seasons of danger. Their marriage is no marriage; and
their butchers’ meat is only carrion. It is wrong to invite them into a
Jewish house; and it is not needful to restore what they have lost. When
the ox of a Jew gores the ox of a Gentile, the Jew is free; but if the ox
of a Gentile gores the ox of a Jew, the Gentile must pay the full cost. A
story is told of a Rabbi who sold a number of palm-trees to a Gentile, and
afterward ordered his servant to cut off some pieces from them. “For,” he
said, “the Gentile knows their number, but he does not know whether they
be thick or thin.”
The precepts binding on the sons of Noah are stated to be seven: to do
justice; to bless the name of God; to avoid idolatry; to flee from
fornication and adultery; to abstain from blood-shedding; not to rob; and
not to eat a member of a living animal. An account is given of the river
Sambation, which flows with stones all the six days of the week, but rests
on the Sabbath day. Examples are also furnished of gluttony and
drunkenness. The paunches of some Rabbis grew so big, that, when put
together, a pair of oxen might go between them. A story is also related of
one Rabbi killing another in a drunken fit, and then working a miracle
which restored him to life. In the following year he again invited the
Rabbi to drink with him, but he declined, on the ground that “miracles are
not wrought every day.” Instances are also given of the anguish of Rabbis
in the prospect of death. They express themselves as being without hope of
salvation, and as having the fear of hell before them.
Proverbs everywhere abound in the Talmud, and they are generally replete
with shrewd observation. “The world subsists through the breath of school
children. Whosoever transgresses the words of the Scribes is guilty of
death. Whosoever teaches a statute before his teachers ought to be bitten
by a serpent. There is no likeness between him who has bread in his basket
and him who has none. Rather be the head of foxes than the tail of lions.”
This, however, again appears as “Rather be the tail of lions than the head
of foxes.” “The righteous in the city is its splendor, its profit, its
glory: when he is departed, there is also departed the splendor, the
profit, and the glory.” “Licentiousness in a house is as a worm in a
pumpkin.” This reappears as “Violence in a house is as a worm in a
pumpkin.” “Thy friend has an acquaintance, and the acquaintance of thy
friend has also an acquaintance; be discreet.” The unworthy child of a
good father is called “vinegar, the son of wine.” “If the opportunity
fails the thief, he deems himself honest. The cock and owl await together
the morning dawn. Says the cock to the owl, ‘Light profits me, but how
does it profit thee?’ Youth is a crown of roses, old age a crown of
thorns. Many preach well, but do not practise well. It is the punishment
of liars, that men don’t listen to them when they speak truth. Every man
who is proud is an idolater. To slander is to murder. Whosoever humbles
himself, God exalts him; whosoever exalts himself, God humbles him. Men
see every leprosy except their own. He who daily looks after his property
finds a coin. The post does not honor the man; but the man the post. Every
man is not so lucky as to have two tables. Not what thou sayest about
thyself, but what thy companions say. The whole and broken tables of the
Law lie in the ark. The salt of money is almsgiving. He who walks four
cubits in the land of Israel is sure of being a child of the world to
come. The plague lasted seven years, and no man died before his time. Let
the drunkard only go, he will fall of himself. Be rather the one cursed
than the one cursing. The world is like an inn, but the world to come is
the real home. The child loves its mother more than its father: it fears
its father more than its mother. Repent one day before thy death. If your
God is a friend of the poor, why does He not support them? A wise man
answered, ‘Their case is left in our hands, that we may thereby acquire
merits and forgiveness of sin.’ The house that does not open to the poor
shall open to the physician. He who visits the sick takes away
one-sixtieth part of their pain. Descend a step in choosing a wife; mount
a step in choosing a friend. An old woman in a house is a treasure.
Whosoever does not persecute them that persecute him, whosoever takes an
offence in silence, whosoever does good from love, whosoever is cheerful
under his sufferings, they are friends of God, and of them says the
Scripture, ‘they shall shine forth as the sun at noonday.’ ” R. Phineas,
son of Jair, said, “Industry brings purity—purity, cleanness—cleanness,
holiness—holiness, humbleness—humbleness, fear of sin—and fear of sin,
partaking of the Holy Ghost.”
Ideas of God are gathered from the occupations which the authors of the
Talmud assign to him. “The day contains twelve hours. The first three
hours the Holy One, blessed be He, sits and studies the Law. The second
three hours He sits and judges the whole world. When He sees that the
world deserves destruction, He stands up from the throne of judgment, and
sits on the throne of mercy. The third three hours He sits and feeds all
the world, from the horns of the unicorns to the eggs of the vermin. In
the fourth three hours He sits and plays with leviathan, for it is said,
‘The leviathan, whom thou hast formed to play therein’ ” (Ps. civ. 26).
Rabbi Eliezer says, “The night has three watches, and at every watch the
Holy One, blessed be He, sits and roars like a lion; for it is said, ‘The
Lord shall roar from on high and utter His voice from His holy habitation;
He shall mightily roar upon His habitation’ ” (Jer. xxv. 30). Rabbi Isaac,
the son of Samuel, says in the name of Rav, “The night has three watches,
and at every watch the Holy One, blessed be He, sits and roars like a
lion, and says, ‘Woe is me, that I have laid desolate my house, and burned
my sanctuary, and sent my children into captivity among the nations of the
world!’ ” He is described as praying, and wearing phylacteries, and as
having a special place for weeping. “Before the destruction of the Temple
the Holy One played with leviathan, but since the destruction of the
Temple, He plays with it no more. In the hour that the Holy One remembers
His children who are dwelling with suffering among the nations, He lets
two tears fall into the Great Ocean, the noise of which is heard from one
end of the world to the other, and this is an earthquake.” It is further
said that He “braided the hair of Eve,” and “shaved the head of
Sennacherib.” He is represented as keeping school, and teaching the sages.
To this school the devils come, especially Aschmedai, the king of the
devils. In the discussions that take place, God is said to be sometimes
overcome by the wiser Rabbis.
The question of the Messiah is often brought forward. “The tradition of
the school of Elijah is, that the world is to stand six thousand years,
two thousand years confusion, two thousand years the Law, and two thousand
years the days of the Messiah.” It is further said that the time for the
coming of the Messiah is expired. “Rav says the appointed times are long
since past.” The Jerusalem Talmud relates that “it happened once to a Jew,
who was standing ploughing, that his ox lowed before him. An Arab was
passing, and heard its voice. He said ‘O Jew! O Jew! unyoke thine ox, and
loose thy ploughshare, for the Temple is desolate.’ It lowed a second
time, and he said, ‘O Jew! O Jew! yoke thine ox and bind thy ploughshare,
for King Messiah is born.’ The Jew said, ‘What is His name?’ He answered
‘Menachem.’ He asked again, ‘What is His father’s name?’ He said,
‘Hezekiah.’ He asked, ‘From whence is He?’ He replied, ‘From the royal
palace of Bethlehem Judah.’ The Jew then went and saw him; but when he
went again, the mother told him ‘that the winds had borne the child
away.’ ” The Babylon Talmud further states that “Rabbi Joshua, the son of
Levi, found Elijah standing at the door of the cave of Rabbi Simeon ben
Yochai, and said to him, ‘Shall I reach the world to come?’ He answered,
‘If the Lord will.’ Rabbi Joshua, the son of Levi, said, ‘I see two, but I
hear the voice of three.’ He also asked, ‘When will Messiah come?’ Elijah
answered, ‘Go and ask Himself.’ Rabbi Joshua then said, ‘Where does he
sit?’ ‘At the gate of Rome.’ ‘And how is he known?’ ‘He is sitting among
the poor and sick, and they open their wounds, and bind them up again all
at once: but he opens only one, and then he opens another, for he thinks,
Perhaps I may be wanted, and then I must not be delayed.’ Rabbi Joshua
went to him, and said, ‘Peace be upon thee, my Master, and my Lord.’ He
answered, ‘Peace be upon thee, son of Levi.’ The Rabbi then asked him,
‘When will my Lord come?’ He answered, ‘To-day’ ” (Ps. xcv. 7). It is said
that “the bones of those who reckon the appointed time of the Messiah must
burst asunder.” Again, however, it is said that “Elias told Rabbi Judah,
the brother of the pious Rabbi Salah, that the world would not stand less
than eighty-five years of Jubilee, and in the last year of Jubilee the son
of David will come.” It is further stated that there are first to be the
wars of the Dragon, and of Gog and Magog; and that God will not renew the
earth until seven thousand years are completed. The Rabbis also say that
when the Messiah comes to fulfil the prophecy of riding upon an ass (Zech.
ix. 9), the ass shall be one of “an hundred colors.” As for the return of
the ten tribes to their own land, the Talmud in some places asserts it,
and in some places denies it. But it is said that in the days of the
Messiah all the Gentiles shall become proselytes to the Jewish faith. The
Rabbis are divided as to the continuance of the Messiah; some say forty
years, some seventy years, some three generations, and some say that He
will continue as long as from the creation of the world or the time of
Noah “up to the present time.” Others say that the kingdom of the Messiah
will endure for thousands of years, as “when there is a good government it
is not quickly dissolved.” It is also said that He shall die, and His
kingdom descend to His son and grandson. In proof of this opinion Isaiah
xlii. 4 is quoted: “He shall not fail, nor be discouraged, till He have
set judgment in the earth.” The lives of men will be prolonged for
centuries: “He will swallow up death in victory” (Is. xxv. 8); and “the
child shall die an hundred years old” (Is. lxv. 20). The Talmud applies
the former verse to Israel, the latter verse to the Gentiles. The men of
that time will be two hundred ells high. This is said to be proved by the
word “upright” (Lev. xxvi. 13), “upright” being applied to the supposed
height of man before the fall. “Moreover the light of the moon shall be as
the light of the sun; and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the
light of seven days” (Is. xxx. 26). The land of Israel will produce cakes
and clothes of the finest wool. The wheat will grow on Lebanon as high as
palm-trees; and a wind will be sent from God to reduce it to fine flour
for the support of those who gather it; as it is said “with the fat of
kidneys of wheat” (Deut. xxxii. 14). Each kidney will be as large as “the
kidneys of the fattest oxen.” To prove that this is nothing wonderful, an
account is given of a rape seed in which a fox once brought forth young.
These young ones were weighed, and found to be as heavy as sixty pounds of
Cyprus weight. Lest these statements should be thought a contradiction of
the verse “_There_ is no new _thing_ under the sun” (Eccles. i. 9), the
Rabbis say that it is just like the growth of mushrooms, toadstools, and
the delicate mosses on the branches of trees. Grapes will also grow most
luxuriantly; and in every cluster there will be thirty jars of wine.
Jerusalem will be built three miles high; as it is written, “It shall be
lifted up” (Zech. xiv. 10). The gates of the city will be made of pearls
and precious stones, thirty ells high and thirty ells broad. A disciple of
the Rabbis once doubted whether precious stones could be found so large;
and shortly afterward, he saw an angel with similar stones, as he was out
at sea. On his return to land he related what he had seen to Rabbi
Jochanan. Whereupon the Rabbi said, “Thou fool, if thou hadst not seen,
thou hadst not believed; thou mockest the words of the wise.” He then
“lifted up his eyes upon him, and he was made an heap of bones.”
Said R. Samuel, the son of Nachman, R. Jochanan said, “Three shall be
called by the name of the Holy One; blessed be He.” And these are the
Righteous, the Messiah, and Jerusalem. The Righteous, as is said (Is.
xliii. 7). The Messiah, as it is written (Jer. xxiii. 6): “And this is His
name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jerusalem,
as it is written (Ezek. xlviii. 35): “It was round about eighteen thousand
measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be The LORD is
THERE.”
In the later editions of the Talmud the allusions to Christ and
Christianity are few and cautious, compared with the earlier or
unexpurgated copies. The last of these was published at Amsterdam in 1645.
In them our Lord and Saviour is “that one,” “such an one,” “a fool,” “the
leper,” “the deceiver of Israel,” etc. Efforts are made to prove that He
is the son of Joseph Pandira before his marriage with Mary. His miracles
are attributed to sorcery, the secret of which He brought in a slit in His
flesh out of Egypt. His teacher is said to have been Joshua, the son of
Perachiah. This Joshua is said to have afterward excommunicated him to the
blast of 400 rams’ horns, though he must have lived seventy years before
His time. Forty days before the death of Jesus a witness was summoned by
public proclamation to attest His innocence, but none appeared. He is said
to have been first stoned, and then hanged on the eve of the Passover. His
disciples are called heretics, and opprobrious names. They are accused of
immoral practices; and the New Testament is called a sinful book. The
references to these subjects manifest the most bitter aversion and hatred.
The Rabbis have laid down thirteen rules for the interpretation of the
Talmud. These rules form their system of logic. They are as follows:
(1.) “Light and heavy,” an argument from the less to the greater. An
example is furnished in the case of Miriam (Num. xii. 14). “If her father
had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be
shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in
again.” The argument is here drawn from the conduct of man, the less, to
that of God, the greater. The owner of an ox is also fined more for his
beast if it gores his neighbor’s beast than if it eats his neighbor’s
corn; since the tooth only means sustenance for the stomach, but the horn
means mischief.
(2.) “Equality,” an argument from the similarity or identity of words and
impressions. An example is furnished in Deut. xv. 12: “If thy brother, an
Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six
years, then in the seventh year thou shalt let him free from thee.” In the
18th verse, when this law is again referred to, the man only is mentioned;
but as the woman was mentioned in the former verse, it is concluded that
the law applies equally to both.
(3.) “The building of the father,” an argument from the statements in (a)
one place in the Law to other passages, which are similar. An example is
furnished in Exod. xii. 16, where servile work is forbidden during the
feast of unleavened bread, and the conclusion is drawn that servile work
is equally forbidden in all festivals of the same nature. This mode of
argument is also applied to (b) two places in the Law, where one place
refers to the general proposition, and another to particulars arising out
of it. An example is furnished in Lev. xv. 1, where a man with an issue is
unclean, but in the 4th verse this uncleanness is limited to his bed and
his seat.
(4.) “Universal and particular.” Where there is a general and a special
statement, the special binds the general. An example is furnished in Lev.
i. 2: “If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring
your offering of the cattle, even of the herd and of the flock.” Cattle
(in the Hebrew Behemah) includes both wild and tame. The special terms
“herd” and “flock” limit the offering to domesticated animals.
(5.) “Particular and universal,” or argument from the special to the
general. An example is furnished in Deut. xxii. 1: “Thou shalt not see thy
brother’s ox or his sheep go astray: thou shalt in any case bring them
again unto thy brother.” In the 3d verse, it is further commanded to
restore “all lost things of thy brother’s.” Hence it is concluded, not
only his ox or his sheep, but that everything, which he has lost is to be
restored to him.
(6.) “Universal, particular and universal.” Where there are two universal
statements with a particular statement between, the particular limits the
universals. An example is furnished in Deut. xiv. 26, where, speaking of
the application of the second tithe, it is said, “Thou shalt bestow that
money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after; for oxen, or for sheep, or
for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth.” The
special limitation, between the two universal permissions, is to
productions of the land of Canaan.
(7.) “The general that requires the special, and the special that requires
the general.” An example is furnished in Lev. xvii. 13: “Whatsoever man
... hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten, he shall
even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.” The word “cover”
or “hide” is again used in Gen. xviii. 17: “Shall I hide from Abraham that
thing which I shall do?” The conclusion is drawn, that cover is restricted
to the blood being hidden under dust, and not put in any vessel. Again
(Exod. xiii. 2): “Sanctify unto me all the first-born; whatever openeth
the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast, it is mine.”
From this verse females might be included with males. Reference is made to
Deut. xv. 19, where it is found “All the firstling males.” Still it is
obscure, when there are firstling females, about the males born afterward.
Reference is made to Exod. xxxiv. 19: “All that openeth the matrix is
mine.” Here all first-born are allowed. This, however, is too general, and
it is again restricted by the word males. And as this is too general, it
is again restricted by “all that openeth the matrix.”
(8.) “Whatsoever is taught in general and something special is
mentioned—it is mentioned to strengthen the general rule.” An example is
furnished in Lev. xx. 2, where the worship of Moloch is forbidden, and the
penalty for the sin is death. The conclusion drawn is, that such mention
of a special form of idolatry confirms the prohibition of all idolatry.
(9.) “When there is a general rule and also an exception—the exception
lightens and does not aggravate.” An example is furnished in the command
(Exod. xxi. 12), “He that smiteth a man so that he die, he shall surely be
put to death.” The exception is, “Whoso killeth his neighbor ignorantly”
(Deut. xix. 4, 5), “he can flee to one of the cities of refuge.”
(10.) “When there is a general rule, and an exception not agreeing with
the general rule, the exception both lightens and aggravates.” An example
is furnished from the plague of leprosy (Lev. xiii. 3) when the hair is
turned white. The head and beard are excepted (29th verse) lest there be
gray hairs—this lightens. But if on the head and beard there be “yellow
thin hair,” it is a dry scall—this aggravates.
(11.) “When there is an exception from a general rule to establish a new
matter—the new matter cannot be brought under the general rule again,
unless it be mentioned in the text.” An example is furnished from the
eating of holy things (Lev. xxii. 10-13). The priest, any soul bought with
his money, and he that is born in his house, may eat of it. This is the
general rule. If the priest’s daughter be married to a stranger, she may
not eat of them. This is the exception. This exception would have remained
if she continued married to a stranger, or had a child, or had not
returned to her father’s house. Therefore a new law is provided, that in
the event of none of these things happening, she may again eat of the holy
things.
(12.) “Things that teach from the subject, and things that teach from the
end.” An example is furnished from the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not
steal.” This law, if applied to man-stealing or kidnapping, implies
capital punishment. The reason given is from its following “Thou shalt do
no murder,” and “Thou shalt not commit adultery”—two laws which, if
violated, entailed death. The second part of this rule applies to things
that teach from the end. What is meant by the end is a matter of dispute.
Some say it means the final cause of logicians. Others say it means
something in the end or conclusion of the law itself. If it be the latter,
an example is furnished from the case of the leprous house (Lev. xiv. 45):
“And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber
thereof, and all the mortar of the house.” These directions teach that
houses made of mud are excepted.
(13.) “When two texts contradict each other, until a third be found to
decide between them.” An example is furnished in Gen. i. 1: “In the
beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” It is again written, Gen.
ii. 4, “In the day that the Lord made the earth and the heavens.” The
question now arises, Which did He make first? The answer is found in
Isaiah xlviii. 13: “Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth,
and My right hand hath spanned the heavens.” The conclusion is drawn that
He made both at once. Another instance is the discrepancy in the census of
Israel. In 2 Sam. xxiv. 9, the number stated is eight hundred thousand. In
1 Chron. xxi. 5, the number is said to have been “eleven hundred
thousand.” The difference of three hundred thousand is accounted for by
referring to 1 Chron. xxvii. 1, where it is said that twenty-four thousand
served the king every month. These men, when multiplied by the months,
make two hundred and eighty-eight thousand. And the twelve thousand which
waited upon the twelve captains raise the number to three hundred
thousand, the amount required to reconcile the two statements.
In reading the following tracts it should be borne in mind that the
meaning in many places is more implied than expressed.(7) Often an idea is
taken for granted, which patient continuance in reading can alone bring to
light. The subjects to which these tracts refer should first be studied in
the Bible; because after such study the restless subtlety of the Rabbis in
“binding heavy burdens on men’s shoulders” can be more fully discerned. It
is desirable to look on these writings from this point of observation;
just as on some mountain top one looks not only at the gold which the
morning sun pours on grass and flower, but also on the deep valley where
the shadows still rest, that one may the more sensibly feel how glorious
the sun is. The whole theory of this second, or Oral Law, has arisen from
inattention to the express statement of Moses: “These words (the ten
commandments) the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of
the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a
great voice: AND HE ADDED NO MORE” (Deut. v. 22). And it tends to nullify
the declaration of the Targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel, “For unto us a child
is born, unto us a son is given; and he has taken the law upon himself to
keep it” (Isaiah ix. 6).
In concluding this introduction it is perhaps well to glance briefly at
the age in which the Talmud grew to its present state. It was a period of
great activity and thought. Old systems of debasing superstition were
breaking up and passing away. A new faith had arisen to regenerate man.
The five centuries which followed the appearing of our Saviour in this
world were filled with religious and political events which still make
their vibrations felt. From the destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow
of the Jewish polity, an impulse was given to those political changes
which have since gone on without intermission among the nations of the
earth. From the overthrow of the Jewish Temple an impulse was given to
religious earnestness which, often from wrong, often from right motives,
has increased, and will increase, as the great consummation draws nigh.
While the Rabbis were laboring at their gigantic mental structure, while
generation after generation of their wisest and most patriotic men were
accumulating materials to build the tower which became a beacon to their
countrymen for all time, the Christian Church was not idle. By their
writings and eloquence the Fathers were gathering the treasures of
patristic lore which have descended to us. While Rabbis were discoursing
in the synagogues of Tiberias and Babylon, Christian orators were
preaching in the basilicas of Constantinople and Rome. They have all gone
from this mortal scene. But their thoughts are handed down, so that we may
converse with them, though they are no longer on earth. We can hear their
wisdom—we can see their errors—we can almost fancy we behold their
forms—so that, being dead, they yet speak. Since they ceased from their
labors empires have risen and fallen, countless millions of our race have
vanished into eternity, and left their bodies to moulder into dust. But
their teachings still live on, to influence immortal souls for weal or
woe. Doubtless their departures from the Word of God prepared a way and
furnished matter for the numerous heresies and lawless deeds which form a
great portion of the history of mankind. From their errors sprang at least
in part the Koran. This and kindred themes, however, open up an
interminable vista, leading us away from the Talmud itself. It is better
now to conclude this introduction. And with what more suitable words can I
close than with those drawn from the wisdom of the Fathers? “It is not
incumbent upon thee to complete the work: neither art thou free to cease
from it. If thou hast studied the law, great shall be thy reward; for the
Master of thy work is faithful to pay the reward of thy labor: but know
that the reward of the righteous is in the world to come.”
[Transcriber’s Note: What follows is actually only extracts from the
Mishna, and not the Gemara; as explained above, what is considered the
Talmud is the Mishna and the Gemara together.]
On Blessings
Recitation of the Shemah—Blessings—Rabbi Gamaliel—Exemptions from
the Recitation—Prayers—Differences Between the Schools of Shammai
and Hillel—Reverence for the Temple.
Chapter I
1. “From what time do we recite the Shemah(8) in the evening?” “From the
hour the priests(9) enter (the temple) to eat their heave offerings, until
the end of the first watch.”(10) The words of R. Eleazar; but the Sages
say “until midnight.” Rabban Gamaliel says, “until the pillar of the morn
ascend.” It happened that his sons came from a banquet. They said to him,
“we have not yet said the Shemah.” He said to them, “if the pillar of the
morn be not yet ascended, you are bound to say it; and not only this, but
all that the Sages say, ‘till midnight,’ they command till the pillar of
the morn ascend.” The burning of the fat and members they command “till
the pillar of the morn ascend.” And all offerings, which must be eaten the
same day, they command “till the pillar of the morn ascend.” If so, why do
the Sages say “until midnight”? “To withhold man from transgression.”
2. “From what time do we recite the Shemah in the morning?” When one can
discern betwixt “blue and white.” R. Eleazar says “betwixt blue and leek
green.” And it may be finished “until the sun shine forth.” R. Joshua says
“until the third hour.”(11) For such is the way of royal princes to rise
at the third hour. He who recites Shemah afterward loses nothing. He is
like a man reading the Law.
3. The school of Shammai say that in the evening all men are to recline
when they recite the Shemah; and in the morning they are to stand up; for
it is said, “when thou liest down and when thou risest up.”(12) But the
school of Hillel say, that every man is to recite it in his own way; for
it is said, “when thou walkest by the way.”(13) If so, why is it said,
“when thou liest down and when thou risest up”? “When mankind usually lie
down, and when mankind usually rise up.” R. Tarphon said, “I came on the
road, and reclined to recite the Shemah according to the words of the
school of Shammai, and I was in danger of robbers.” The Sages said to him,
“thou wast guilty against thyself, because thou didst transgress the words
of the school of Hillel.”
4. In the morning two blessings are said before (the Shemah), and one
after it; and in the evening two blessings before and two after it, one
long and one short.(14) Where the (Sages) have said to lengthen, none is
allowed to shorten; and to shorten none is allowed to lengthen: to close,
none is allowed not to close; not to close, none is allowed to close.
5. We commemorate the departure from Egypt at night; said R. Eleazar, son
of Azariah, “truly I am a son of seventy years, and was not clear that
thou shouldst say the departure from Egypt at night until the son of Zoma
expounded, ‘that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out
of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life;’(15) the days of thy life
(are) days; all the days of thy life (include) the nights.” But the Sages
say, “the days of thy life (are) this world; all the days of thy life
(include) the days of the Messiah.”
Chapter II
1. “If one who is reading in the Law when the time comes for praying
intends it in his heart?” “He is free.” “But if not?” “He is not free.”
“At the end of the sections one salutes out of respect, and responds; but
in the middle of a section he salutes from fear, and responds.” Such are
the words of R. Mair. R. Judah says, “in the middle he salutes from fear,
and responds out of respect; at the end he salutes out of respect, and
repeats peace to every man.”
2. The intervals of the sections are between the first blessing and the
second—between the second and “Hear, O Israel;” between “Hear” and “it
shall come to pass;”(16) between “and it shall come to pass” and “and he
said;”(17) between “and he said” and “it is true and certain.”(18) Said R.
Judah, “between ‘and he said’ and ‘it is true and certain,’ none is to
pause.” R. Joshua, the son of Korcha, said, “Why does the (section)
‘Hear,’ etc., precede ‘and it shall come to pass’? ‘That one may take on
himself the kingdom of heaven, before he take on himself the yoke of the
commandments.’ Why does (the section) ‘and it shall come to pass’ precede
‘and he said’? Because ‘and it shall come to pass’ may be practised by day
and by night;(19) but ‘and he said,’ etc., only by day.”(20)
3. He who recites the Shemah so as not to be audible to his own ears, is
legally free.(21) R. José says “he is not legally free.” “If he has said
it without grammar and pronunciation?” R. José says “he is legally free.”
R. Judah says “he is not legally free.” “If he said it irregularly?” “He
is not legally free.” “In recitation he mistook?” “He must recommence from
the place where he mistook.”
4. Laborers may recite the Shemah on the top of a tree, or of a wall, but
they are not allowed to do so with the prayer.(22)
5. A bridegroom is exempted from reciting the Shemah on the first night of
marriage, and, even until the expiration of the Sabbath if the marriage be
not complete. It happened that Rabban Gamaliel recited on the first night.
His disciples said to him, “hast thou not taught us, our master, that a
bridegroom is exempted from reciting Shemah on the first night?” He said
to them, “I will not hear you, to deprive myself of the yoke of the
kingdom of heaven even one hour.”
6. He (R. Gamaliel) bathed on the first night of his wife’s death. His
disciples said to him, “hast thou not taught us, our master, that a
mourner is forbidden to bathe?” He said to them, “I am not like all other
men; I am infirm.”
7. When his slave Tabbi died, he received visits of condolence. His
disciples said to him, “hast thou not taught us, our master, that visits
of condolence are not to be received for slaves?” He said to them, “my
slave Tabbi was not like all other slaves, he was upright.”
8. The bridegroom who wishes to recite the Shemah on the first night may
recite it. R. Simeon, the son of Gamaliel, said, “not every one who wishes
to affect the pious reputation can affect it.”
Chapter III
1. He whose dead lies before him is exempted from reciting the
Shemah,—from the prayer,—and from the phylacteries.(23) Those who carry
the bier, and those who relieve them, and those who relieve the
relief,—those who go before the bier, and those who follow it, who are
required for the bier, are exempted from reciting the Shemah. But those
not required for the bier are bound to recite it. Both (parties) are
exempted from the prayer.
2. When they have buried the dead, and return, if they have time to begin
and end (the Shemah) before they reach the rows (of mourners), they must
begin: if not, they must not begin. Of those standing in the rows the
inner (mourners) are exempt, but the outer ones are bound to recite the
Shemah.
3. Women, slaves, and children, are exempt from reciting the Shemah, and
also from the phylacteries; but they are bound in the prayer, the sign on
the door-post, and the blessing after food.
4. A man in his legal uncleanness is to meditate in his heart on the
(Shemah), but he is not to bless before, or after it. After his food he
blesses, but not before it. R. Judah says “he blesses both before and
after it.”
5. If one stand in prayer, and recollect that he is in his uncleanness, he
is not to pause, but to shorten (the prayer). If he has gone down into the
water (to bathe),(24) and can go up, dress, and recite the Shemah before
the sun shines forth, he is to go up, dress, and recite it. But he is not
to cover himself with foul water or with water holding matter in solution
unless he has poured clean water to it. “How far is he to keep from foul
water, or excrement?” “Four cubits.”
6. A man in his uncleanness with a running issue, a woman in her
uncleanness, during separation, and she who perceives the need of
separation, require the bath. But R. Judah “exempts them.”
Chapter IV
1. The morning prayer may be said till noon. R. Judah says “until the
fourth hour.” The afternoon prayer until the evening. R. Judah says “until
half the afternoon.” The evening prayer has no limit, and the additional
prayers may be said all day. R. Judah says “until the seventh hour.”
2. R. Nechooniah, son of Hakanah, used to pray when he entered the
lecture-room, and when he went out he said a short prayer. The (Sages)
said to him, “what occasion is there for this prayer?” He said to them,
“when I enter I pray that no cause of offence may arise through me; and
when I go out I give thanks for my lot.”
3. Rabban Gamaliel said, “one must daily say the eighteen prayers.” R.
Joshua said “a summary of the eighteen.” R. Akivah said, “if his prayer be
fluent in his mouth, he says the eighteen; if not, a summary of the
eighteen.”
4. R. Eleazar said, “if one make his prayer fixed, his prayer is not
supplications.” R. Joshua said, “if a man travel in dangerous places, let
him use this short prayer: ‘Save, O Lord, thy people, the remnant of
Israel; at every stage of their journey(25) let their wants be before
thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who hearest prayers.’ ”
5. If one ride on an ass, he must dismount: if he cannot dismount, he must
turn his face; and if he cannot turn his face, he must direct his heart
toward the Holy of Holies.
6. If one be seated in a ship, or in a carriage, or on a raft, he must
direct his mind toward the Holy of Holies.
7. R. Eleazar, the son of Azariah, said “the additional(26) prayers are
only to be said in a public congregation.” But the Sages say, “if there be
a public congregation, or no public congregation.” R. Judah said in his
name, “in every place, where there is a public congregation, individuals
are exempted from additional prayers.”
Chapter V
1. Men should not stand up to pray, except with reverential head. The
pious of ancient days used to pause one hour before they began to pray,
that they might direct their hearts to God. Though the king salute, one
must not respond; and though a serpent wind itself round his heel, one
must not pause.
2. Men should mention the heavy rain in praying for the resurrection of
the dead; and entreat for rain in the blessing for the year, and “the
distinction between the Sabbath and weekday”(27) is to be said in the
prayer “who graciously bestows knowledge.”(28) R. Akivah said, “the
distinction between the Sabbath and week-day is to be said in a fourth
prayer by itself.” R. Eleazar said, “in the thanksgivings.”
3. He who says, “Thy mercies extend to a bird’s nest,” or, “for goodness
be Thy name remembered,” or he who says, “we give thanks, we give
thanks,”(29) is to be silenced. If a man pass up to the ark (where the
rolls of the Law are kept) and make a mistake, another must pass up in his
stead; nor may he in such a moment refuse. “Where does he begin?” “From
the beginning of the prayer in which the other made the mistake.”
4. He who passes up to the ark is not to answer “Amen” after the priests,
lest his attention be distracted. If no other priest be present but
himself, he is not to lift up his hands (to bless the congregation). But
if he be confident that he can lift up his hands, and then resume, he is
at liberty.
5. If a man pray, and make a mistake, it is a bad sign for him. If he be a
representative of a congregation, it is a bad sign for his constituents,
for a man’s representative is like himself. They say of R. Hanina, son of
Dosa, that when he prayed for the sick, he used to say, “this one will
live,” or “this one will die.” The (Sages) said to him, “how do you know?”
He said to them, “if my prayer be fluent in my mouth, I know that he is
accepted; but if not, I know that he is lost.”
Chapter VI
1. “How do we bless for fruit?” “For fruit of a tree say, ‘Who createst
the fruit of the wood,’ excepting the wine. For wine say, ‘Who createst
the fruit of the vine.’ For fruits of the earth say, ‘Who createst the
fruit of the ground,’ excepting the morsel. For the morsel say, ‘Who
bringest forth bread from the earth.’ For vegetables say, ‘Who createst
the fruit of the ground.’ R. Judah says, ‘Who createst various kinds of
herbs.’ ”
2. He who blessed the fruits of the tree (thus), “Who createst the fruits
of the ground?” “He is free.” And for the fruits of ground (said), “Who
createst the fruits of the wood?” “He is not free.” But, in general, if
one say, “(Who createst) everything?” “He is free.”
3. For the thing which groweth not from the earth, say, “(Who createst)
everything.” For vinegar, unripe fruit, and locusts, say “everything.” For
milk, cheese, and eggs, say “everything.” R. Judah says, “whatever it be,
which had its origin in a curse, is not to be blessed.”
4. If a man have before him many kinds of fruits? R. Judah says, “if there
be among them of the seven(30) kinds, he is to bless them.” But the Sages
say “he may bless whichever of them he pleases.”
5. “If one blessed the wine before food?” “The blessing frees the wine
after food.” “If he blessed the titbit before food?” “It frees the titbit
after food.” “If he blessed the bread?” “It frees the titbit.” But the
blessing on the titbit does not free the bread. The school of Shammai say,
“neither does it free the cookery.”
6. “If several persons sit down to eat?” “Each blesses for himself.” “But
if they recline together?” “One blesses for all.” “If wine come to them
during food?” “Each blesses for himself.” “But if after food?” “One
blesses for all.” He also blesses for the incense, even though they have
not brought it till after the repast.
7. “If they first set salt food before a man and bread with it?” “He
blesses the salt food, which frees the bread, as the bread is only an
appendage.” The rule is, whenever there is principal and with it
appendage,—the blessing on the principal frees the appendage.
8. “If one have eaten figs, grapes, and pomegranates?” “He must say after
them three blessings.” The words of Rabban Gamaliel. But the Sages say,
“one blessing—a summary of the three.” R. Akivah says, “if one have eaten
boiled (pulse); and it is his meal, he must say after it three blessings.”
Whoever drinks water for his thirst, says, “By whose word everything is,”
etc. R. Tarphon says, “Who createst many souls,” etc.
Chapter VII
1. Three men who have eaten together are bound to bless after food. “If a
person have eaten of that which is doubtful, whether it has paid tithe or
not; or of first tithe from which the heave offering has been taken; or of
second tithe or consecrated things, which have been redeemed; also, if the
waiter have eaten the size of an olive; or a Samaritan be of the party?”
“The blessing must be said.” “But if one have eaten the untithed—or first
tithes from which the heave offering has not been taken—or consecrated
things which are unredeemed; or if the waiter have eaten less than the
size of an olive, or a stranger be of the party?” “The blessing is not to
be said.”
2. There is no blessing at food for women, slaves, and children. What
quantity is required for the blessing at food? The size of an olive. R.
Judah says “the size of an egg.”
3. “How do we bless at food?” “If there be three, one says, ‘Let us
bless,’ etc.; if three and himself, he says, ‘Bless ye,’ etc.: if ten, he
says, ‘Let us bless our God,’ etc.; if ten and himself, he says, ‘Bless
ye,’ etc.; (so) if there be ten or ten myriads. If there be an hundred, he
says, ‘Let us bless the Lord our God,’ etc.; if there be an hundred and
himself, he says, ‘Bless ye,’ etc.: if there be a thousand, he says, ‘Let
us bless the Lord our God, the God of Israel;’ if there be a thousand and
himself, he says, ‘Bless ye,’ etc.: if there be a myriad, he says, ‘Let us
bless the Lord our God, the God of Israel, the God of Hosts, who sitteth
between the Cherubim,’ etc.; if there be a myriad and himself, he says,
‘Bless ye,’ etc. As he pronounces the blessing, so they respond after him,
‘Blessed be the Lord our God, the God of Israel, the God of Hosts, who
sitteth between the Cherubim, for the food we have eaten.’ ” R. José the
Galilean says they should bless according to the number of the assembly;
for it is written, “Bless ye God in the congregations; (even) the Lord
from the fountain of Israel.”(31) Said R. Akivah, “What do we find in the
synagogue? whether many or few the minister says, ‘Bless ye the Lord,’ ”
etc. R. Ishmael says, “Bless ye the Lord, who is ever blessed.”
4. When three have eaten together, they are not permitted to separate
without blessing; nor four or five. But six may divide into two parties,
and so may any number up to ten. But ten may not separate without
blessing, nor any number less than twenty (who can divide into two
parties).
5. If two companies have eaten in one house, and some of each company be
able to see some of the other company, they may join in the blessing; but
if not, each company blesses for itself. “They should not bless the wine
till it has been mixed with water.” The words of R. Eleazar. But the Sages
say “they may bless it unmixed.”
Chapter VIII
1. These are the controversies relating to meals between the schools of
Shammai and Hillel. The school of Shammai say, “one must say the blessing
of the day, and then bless the wine;” but the school of Hillel say, “one
must say the blessing on the wine, and then bless the day.”
2. The school of Shammai say, “men must pour water on the hands, and then
mix the goblet;” but the school of Hillel say, “the goblet must be mixed,
and then water poured on the hands.”
3. The school of Shammai say, “one is to wipe his hands on the napkin, and
lay it on the table;” but the school of Hillel say, “on the cushion.”
4. The school of Shammai bless “the light, the food, the spices, and the
distinction of the day;” but the school of Hillel bless “the light, the
spices, the food, and the distinction of the day.” The school of Shammai
say, “who created the light of fire;” but the school of Hillel say,
“Creator of the lights of fire.”
6. Men must not bless light and spices of idolatrous Gentiles, nor light
and spices of corpses, nor light and spices before an idol. They must not
bless the light until they have enjoyed the light.
7. “If one have eaten, and forgotten, and not blessed?” The school of
Shammai say, “he must return to his place and bless.” But the school of
Hillel say, “he may bless in the place where he recollects.” “How long is
one obliged to bless?” “Until the food in his stomach be digested.”
8. “If wine came to the company, and there is but one goblet?” The school
of Shammai say “that one must bless the wine and then bless the food.” But
the school of Hillel say “that one must bless the food and then bless the
wine.” Men must answer “Amen” when an Israelite blesses; but they must not
answer “Amen” when a Samaritan blesses, until the whole(32) blessing be
heard.
Chapter IX
1. He who sees a place where signs were wrought for Israel, says, “Blessed
be He who wrought signs for our fathers in this place;” a place where
idolatry has been rooted out,—says, “Blessed be He who hath rooted
idolatry out of our land.”
2. On comets, earthquakes, lightnings, thunder, and tempests, say,
“Blessed be He whose strength and might fill the world.” On mountains,
hills, seas, rivers, and deserts, say, “Blessed be He who made the
creation.” R. Judah says, when a man sees the great sea he is to say,
“Blessed be He who made the great sea,”—when he sees it at intervals. On
rains, and on good news say, “Blessed be He who is good and beneficent.”
On bad news say, “Blessed be the true Judge.”
3. He who has built a new house, or bought new furniture, says, “Blessed
be He who has kept us alive,” etc. One must bless for evil the source of
good; and for good the source of evil. “He who supplicates for what is
past?” “Such prayer is vain.” “How?” His wife is pregnant, and he says,
“God grant that my wife may bring forth a male child.” Such prayer is
vain. Or if one on the road hear the voice of lamentation in the city, and
say, “God grant that it may not be my son, my house,” etc., such prayer is
vain.
4. Whoever enters a fortified town must say two prayers, one at his
entrance, and one at his departure. Ben Azai says, “four, two at his
entrance, and two at his departure; he returns thanks for the past, and
supplicates for the future.”
5. Man is bound to bless God for evil, as he is bound to bless Him for
good. For it is said, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”(33) “With all thy
heart” means, with both thy inclinations, the evil as well as the good.
“With all thy soul” means, even should He deprive thee of life; and “with
all thy might” means with all thy wealth. Another opinion is, that “with
all thy might” means whatever measure He metes out unto thee, do thou
thank Him with thy entire might. No man is to be irreverent opposite the
eastern gate of the Temple, for it is opposite the Holy of Holies. No man
is to go on the mountain of the house with his staff, shoes, or purse, nor
with dust on his feet, nor is he to make it a short cut, nor is he to spit
at all. All the seals of the blessings in the sanctuary used to say, “from
eternity.” But since the Epicureans perversely taught there is but one
world, it was directed that man should say, “from eternity to eternity.”
It was also directed that every man should greet his friend in THE NAME,
as it is said, “And behold Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the
reapers, The Lord (be) with you: and they answered him, The Lord bless
thee.”(34) And it is also said, “The Lord _is_ with thee, thou mighty man
of valor.”(35) And it is said, “Despise not thy mother when she is
old.”(36) And it is also said, “(It is) time for (thee), Lord, to work,
for they have made void thy law.”(37) R. Nathan says, “They have made void
thy law because (it is) time for (thee), Lord, to work.”
On The Sabbatical Year
Ploughing—Gardening—Dunging—Removing Stones—Sowing—Cutting Down
Trees—Fruits—Buying and Selling—Territory Included in the
Sabbatical Year—Produce Governed by Its Laws—Debts and Payments.
Chapter I
1. “How long do men plough in a field with trees on the eve of the
Sabbatical year?”(38) The school of Shammai say, “so long as it is useful
for the fruit;” but the school of Hillel say, “till Pentecost,” and the
words of the one are near to the words of the other.
2. “What is a field with trees?” “Three trees to every fifty cubits
square, if they be fit to produce a heap of figs worth sixty Italian
minas;(39) on their account men can legally plough the earth for the whole
fifty cubits square around them. Less than for these they may not legally
plough, save the extent of the gatherer of fruit with his basket outward.”
3. “Whether they be fruitless or fruitful?” “Men may regard them as though
they were fig-trees.” “If they be fit to produce a heap of figs worth
sixty Italian minas?” “On their account they may legally plough the whole
fifty cubits square around them. Less than for these they may not plough,
save what is absolutely needful.”
4. “One tree produced a heap of figs, and two trees did not produce it; or
two trees produced it, and one did not produce it?” “Men may not plough
save what is absolutely needful for them, till they be from three to nine
in number.” “If they be ten?” “On their account men may legally plough
around them the whole fifty cubits square; and also from ten trees and
upward, whether they produce or do not produce it.” As is said, “in
earing-time and in harvest thou shalt rest.”(40) There is no need to say
earing-time and harvest in the Sabbatical year, but earing-time on the eve
of the Sabbatical year, when it is just entering on the Sabbatical year;
and harvest of the Sabbatical year, which is proceeding toward the close
of the Sabbatical year. Rabbi Ishmael said, “as the earing-time (mentioned
Exod. xxxiv. 21) is voluntary, so the harvest is voluntary, except the
harvest of the (omer) sheaf.”(41)
5. “If the three trees belong to three owners?” “They are reckoned as one,
and on their account they may legally plough the whole fifty cubits square
around them.” “And how much space must be between them?” Rabban Simon, the
son of Gamaliel, said, “that a bullock with his ploughing instruments may
pass.”
6. “If there be ten saplings dispersed in the fifty cubits square?” “On
their account men may plough the whole fifty cubits square around them
till new year’s day.” “If they be placed in a row, or rounded like a
crown?” “Men may not plough save what is absolutely needful for them.”
7. The saplings and the gourds are reckoned alike in the fifty cubits
square. Rabban Simon, the son of Gamaliel, said, “for every ten cucumbers
in the fifty cubits square, men may plough the fifty cubits square around
them till new year’s day.”
8. “How long are they called saplings?” Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Azariah,
said,(42) “till they can be used.” R. Joshua said, “till the age of seven
years.” R. Akiba said, “a sapling, as commonly named.” “A tree decays and
sprouts afresh; when less than a handbreadth, it is a sapling; when more
than a handbreadth, it is a tree.” The words of Rabbi Simon.
Chapter II
1. “How long may men plough in a white(43) field on the eve of the
Sabbatical year?” “Till the productiveness ceases; so long as men usually
plough to plant cucumbers and gourds.” Said R. Simon, “thou hast put the
law in every man’s hand. But men may plough in a grain field till the
Passover, and in a field of trees till Pentecost.”
2. Men may dung and dig among cucumbers and gourds till new year’s day,
and they may also do so in a parched-up field. They may prune them, remove
their leaves, cover them with earth, and fumigate them, till new year’s
day. R. Simon said, “one may even remove the leaf from the bunch of grapes
in the Sabbatical year.”
3. Men may remove stones till new year’s day. They may gather the ears,
they may break off branches, they may cut off the withered part till new
year’s day. R. Joshua said, “as they may break off branches and cut off
the withered part of the fifth year, so also they may do it in the sixth
year.” Rabbi Simon said, “every time I am permitted to work among the
trees, I am permitted to cut off the withered part.”
4. Men may smear the saplings, and bind them, and cut them down, and make
sheds for them, and water them, till new year’s day. R. Eleazar, the son
of Zadok, said, “one may even water the top of the branch in the
Sabbatical year, but not the root.”
5. Men may anoint unripe fruits, and puncture(44) them, till new year’s
day. Unripe fruit of the eve of the Sabbatical year which is just entering
on the Sabbatical year, and unripe fruit of the Sabbatical year which is
proceeding to the close of the Sabbatical year, they may neither anoint
nor puncture. Rabbi Jehudah said, “the place where it is customary to
anoint them, they may not anoint them, because that is work. The place
where it is not customary to anoint them, they may anoint them.” R. Simon
“permitted it in trees because it is allowable in the usual culture of the
trees.”
6. Men may not plant trees, make layers, or engraft them, on the eve of
the Sabbatical year, less than thirty days before new year’s day. And if
one plant them, or make layers, or engraft them, they must be rooted out.
Rabbi Judah said, “every graft which does not cohere in three days has no
more cohesion.” Rabbi José and R. Simon said “in two weeks.”
7. Rice, and millet, and poppy, and simsim,(45) which have taken root
before new year’s day, must be tithed for the past year, and are allowed
for use in the Sabbatical year; otherwise they are forbidden in the
Sabbatical year, and must pay tithes for the following year.
8. R. Simon of Shezur said, “Egyptian beans which are sown at first for
seed are reckoned like them.” R. Simon said, “the large lentils are
reckoned like them.” R. Eliezer said, “the large lentils which put forth
pods before new year’s day are also reckoned like them.”
9. “Onions, not for seed, and Egyptian beans, from which water is withheld
thirty days before new year’s day, must pay tithes for the past year, and
they are allowed for use in the Sabbatical year. Otherwise they are
forbidden in the Sabbatical year, and must be tithed for the coming year,
and so also (the produce) of a rain-field(46) from which the water of
irrigation is withheld on two occasions.” The words of R. Maier. But the
Sages say “three.”
10. “The gourds which stand over for seed?” “If they dry up before new
year’s day and are unfit for human food, it is lawful to let them remain
on the Sabbatical year. Otherwise it is forbidden to let them stand over
on the Sabbatical year. Their buds are forbidden in the Sabbatical year.
But they may be sprinkled with white dust.”(47) The words of R. Simon.
Rabbi Eliezer, the son of Jacob, “forbade them.” Men may irrigate rice in
the Sabbatical year. Rabbi Simon said, “but they must not cut its leaves.”
Chapter III
1. “How long may men bring out dung to the heap?” “Till the time comes for
stopping work.” The words of R. Maier. R. Judah said, “till its
fertility(48) dry out.” R. José said, “till it hardens into a lump.”
2. “How much may men manure?” “As much as three times three heaps for
fifty cubits square of ten times ten ass panniers, each containing a
letech.(49) They may increase the panniers, but they must not increase the
heaps.” Rabbi Simon said, “also the heaps.”
3. A man may make for his field three times three heaps to the fifty
cubits square. “For more than these he must excavate the earth.” The words
of R. Simon. But the Sages “forbid it, till he sink the heaps three
handbreadths, or till he raise them three above the earth.” A man may keep
his manure in store. Rabbi Maier “forbade it till he sink it three
handbreadths, or till he raise it three.” If he have only a little, he may
increase it and proceed in his work. Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Azariah,
“forbade it till he sink the manure three handbreadths, or raise it three,
or till he place it on a rock.”
4. “He who stables his cattle in his field?” “He may make a pen twice
fifty cubits square. He may remove three sides and leave the middle one.
It follows that he has a stable four times fifty cubits square.” Rabbi
Simon, the son of Gamaliel, said “eight times fifty cubits square.” “If
his whole field were four times fifty square cubits?” “He should leave a
little space because of the observant eye, and he may remove the manure of
his cattle from the pen and put it into the middle of his field, as men
usually manure.”
5. A man may not open a quarry in the beginning of the Sabbatical year in
his field, unless there be already in it three heaps of stones measuring
three cubits by three cubits, and in height three cubits, counting
twenty-seven stones in each heap.
6. A fence composed of ten stones each, of weight sufficient for two men,
may be removed. “If the fence measure ten handbreadths?” “Less than this
he may clear off, but he must leave it a handbreadth high over the
ground.” These words only speak of his own field. But from his neighbor’s
field he may take away what he pleases. These words speak of the time when
one did not begin the work on the eve of the Sabbatical year. “But if one
begin on the eve of the Sabbatical year?” “He may take away what he
pleases.”
7. Stones shaken by the plough, or those covered and afterward exposed, if
there be among them two of a burden for two men, may be removed. He who
removes stones from his field may remove the upper (ones),(50) but he must
leave those touching the earth. And so also from a heap of rubbish, or a
heap of stones, one may take away the upper part, but must leave that
which touches(51) the earth. If there be beneath them a rock, or stubble,
they may be removed.
8. Men must not build terraces on the face of the hills on the eve of the
Sabbatical year, when the rains have ceased, because that is preparation
for the Sabbatical year. But one may build them in the Sabbatical year,
when the rains have ceased, because that is preparation for the close of
the Sabbatical year. And men must not strengthen them with mortar, but
they may make a slight wall. Every stone which they can reach(52) with
their hands and remove, they may remove.
9. “Shoulder stones may come from every place, and the contractor may
bring them from every place. And these are shoulder stones, every one
which cannot be carried in one hand.” The words of R. Maier. Rabbi José
said, “shoulder stones, commonly so named, all that can be carried, two,
three, upon the shoulder.”
10. He who builds a fence between his own and public property may sink it
down to the rock. “What shall he do with the dust?” “He may heap it up on
the public property, and benefit it.” The words of R. Joshua. R. Akiba
said, “as we have no right to injure public property, so we have no right
to benefit it.” “What shall he do with the dust?” “He may heap it up in
his own field like manure, and so also when he digs a well, or a cistern,
or a cave.”
Chapter IV
1. In olden times they used to say a man may gather wood, stones, and
grass in his own (field), just as he may gather that which is greater out
of his neighbor’s field. When transgressors increased, a rule was made
that this one should gather from that one, and that one from this one,
without benefit; and it is unnecessary to say that one could not promise
victuals to those who gathered.
2. A field cleared of thorns may be sown in the close of the Sabbatical
year. If it be tilled or manured by cattle, it must not be sown in the
close of the Sabbatical year. “If a field be twice ploughed?”(53) The
school of Shammai say, “its fruit must not be eaten in the Sabbatical
year.” But the school of Hillel say, “it may be eaten.” The school of
Shammai say, “they must not eat its fruit on the Sabbatical year, if (the
owner of it have) benefit therefrom.” But the school of Hillel say, “men
may eat it whether there be or be not benefit.” R. Judah said, “the words
are contrary; that which is permitted by the school of Shammai is
restricted by the school of Hillel.”
3. Men may contract for cultivated fields from Gentiles on the Sabbatical
year, but not from Israelites. And they may strengthen the hands of the
Gentiles on the Sabbatical year, but not the hands of Israelites. And in
saluting Gentiles they may ask after their peace for the sake of
peace.(54)
4. “If one thins olive trees?” The school of Shammai say, “only cut them
down,” and the school of Hillel say, “one may root them out”; but they
both agree that for smoothing the earth the trees must be cut down. “What
is meant by thinning?” “Removing one or two.” “What is meant by smoothing
the earth?” “Removing three trees each by the side of the other.” “How is
this understood?” “That one may root them out not only of his own field,
but also when smoothing down the field of his neighbor.”
5. “He who cleaves olive trees must not fill in the vacuum with earth; but
he may cover it over with stones or stubble. He who cuts down trunks of
sycamore must not fill in the vacuum with earth, but he may cover it over
with stones or stubble. Men must not cut down a young sycamore in the
Sabbatical year, because that is labor.” R. Judah said, “if as it is
usually done it is forbidden: but one may allow it to be ten handbreadths
high, or cut it just above the ground.” “He who lops off vine tendrils,
and cuts reeds?” R. José the Galilean said, “he must leave them an
handbreadth high.” Rabbi Akiba said, “he may cut them as it is usual with
an axe, or sickle, or saw, or with whatever he pleases.” “A tree that is
split?” “Men may bind it round in the Sabbatical year, not that it may
cohere, but that its fissure may not extend.”
7. “From what time may the fruits of trees in the Sabbatical year be
eaten?” “Unripe fruits, when they are becoming transparent, may be eaten
with a piece of bread in the field. When they are mellow, they may be
gathered into the house; and so also with all like them.” During the
remainder of the seven years their tithes must be paid.
8. The sour grapes in which there is juice may be eaten with a piece of
bread in the field. Before they rot they may be gathered into the house,
and so also with all like them. During the remainder of the seven years
their tithes must be paid.
9. “Olives from which men have collected the fourth of a log(55) of oil to
the seah?”(56) “They may be crushed and eaten in the field.” When men can
collect from them half a log, they may be pounded and used for anointing
in the field. When those have been collected which have attained a third
of their size they may be pounded in the field, and gathered into the
house, and so also with all like them. During the remainder of the seven
years their tithes must be paid. But for the rest of all fruits of trees,
as are their seasons for the laws of tithes, so are their seasons for the
laws of the Sabbatical year.
10. “From what time may men not cut trees in the Sabbatical year?” The
school of Shammai say, “every tree when it shoots forth.” The school of
Hillel say, “the locust trees when they put forth their curling tendrils,
and the vines when they form berries, and the olives when they flower. And
the rest of the trees when they shoot forth.” But it is permitted to cut
all trees, when they come to the season, for tithes. “How much fruit
should be in the olive tree to prevent its being cut down?” “A quarter
cab.” Rabban Gamaliel said, “the whole depends on the size.”
Chapter V
1. The Sabbatical year of white figs(57) is the second after the
Sabbatical year, because they produce in three years. Rabbi Judah said,
“The Sabbatical year of the Persian figs is the close of the Sabbatical
year, because they produce in two years.” The Sages replied to him, “they
only said white figs.”
2. “If one store eschalots in the Sabbatical year?” R. Maier said, “there
must be not less than two seahs,(58) in height three handbreadths, and
over them an handbreadth of dust.” But the Sages say, “not less than four
cabs, in height an handbreadth, and an handbreadth of dust over them, and
they must be stored in a place where men tread.”(59)
3. “Eschalots over which the Sabbatical year has passed?” Rabbi Eleazar
said, “if the poor have gathered the leaves they are theirs; but if not,
the owner must reckon with the poor.” R. Joshua said, “if the poor have
gathered the leaves, they are theirs; but if not, the poor cannot reckon
with the owner.”
4. “Eschalots of the eve of the Sabbatical year which have entered on the
Sabbatical year, and summer onions, and also dye(60) plants of the best
ground?” The school of Shammai say, “they are to be rooted out with wooden
spades.” But the school of Hillel say, “with metal axes.” But they both
agree with regard to dye plants on rocky ground, that they are to be
rooted out with metal axes.
5. “From what time is it allowed to buy eschalots on the departure of the
Sabbatical year?” R. Judah said, “off hand”; but the Sages say, “when the
new ones become plenty.”
6. These are the implements which the farmer is not permitted to sell in
the Sabbatical year—the plough with all its implements, the yoke, the
shovel, and the goad. But he may sell the hand-sickle, and the
harvest-sickle, and the wagon, with all its implements. This is the rule:
“all implements, the use of which may be misapplied for transgression, are
forbidden; but if they be (partly for things) forbidden and (partly for
things) allowed, they are permitted.”
7. The potter may sell five oil-jugs, and fifteen wine-jugs, because it is
usual to collect fruits from the free property. And if one bring more than
these, it is allowed, and he may sell them to idolaters in the land, and
to Israelites out of the land.
8. The school of Shammai say, “a man must not sell a ploughing heifer on
the Sabbatical year”; but the school of Hillel allow it, “because the
buyer may slaughter her.” He may sell fruits in the time of sowing, and
may lend another man his measure, even if he know that the other man have
a threshing-floor, and he may change money for him, even if he know that
he have laborers. But if it be openly declared, all is forbidden.
9. A woman may lend to her companion on the Sabbatical year, even when she
is suspicious, a flour-sieve or a grain-sieve, and a hand-mill and an
oven; but she is neither to pick the wheat nor grind it with her. A woman
of a special religious society may lend to the wife(61) of an ordinary man
a flour-sieve, or a grain-sieve, and may pick wheat, or grind it, or sift
it, with her. But when she (the wife of an ordinary man) pours in the
water, she (a woman of a special religious society) must not touch the
flour (to knead it) with her, lest she strengthen the hands of a
transgressor. And all these things were not said save for the sake of
peace. And we may strengthen the hands of idolaters in the Sabbatical
year, but not the hands of Israel; and in salutation we may ask after
their peace, for the sake of peace.
Chapter VI
1. Three countries (are included) in the laws of the Sabbatical year. In
all the possessions of those who returned from Babylon—from the (border)
of the land of Israel and to Cezib,(62) we may not eat cultivated fruit,
and we may not cultivate the ground. And in all the possessions of those
who came up from Egypt from Cezib, and to the river of Egypt, and to the
Amana,(63) we may eat cultivated fruits, but we may not cultivate the
ground. From the river of Egypt, and from the Amana to the interior, we
may eat the fruits and cultivate the ground.
2. Men may labor in that which is separated from the ground in Syria, but
not in that which is attached to the ground. They may thresh, and shovel,
and tread out, and make sheaves, but they must not reap the grain nor
glean the grapes, nor beat the olives. This is the rule; said Rabbi Akiba,
“all things similar to that which is allowed in the land of Israel, men
may do in Syria.”
3. “Onions upon which fell rain and they sprouted?” “If the leaves on them
be dark, they are forbidden; if green, they are allowed.” Rabbi Chanina,
the son of Antigonus, said, “if they can be pulled up by their leaves they
are forbidden; and contrariwise if it happened so in the close of the
Sabbatical year, they are allowed.”
4. “From what time may men buy greens at the close of the Sabbatical
year?” “From the time that similar young ones are produced. If the earlier
ones are prematurely ripened, than the later ones are allowed.” Rabbi(64)
allowed greens to be bought off-hand at the close of the Sabbatical year.
5. Men must not export oil(65) which is only to be burned, nor fruits of
the Sabbatical year, from the land to lands abroad. Said Rabbi Simon, “I
expressly heard that they may be exported to Syria, but that they must not
be exported to lands abroad.”
6. Men must not import a heave-offering from abroad into the land. Said
Rabbi Simon, “I expressly heard that they may import it from Syria, but
that they must not import it from lands abroad.”
Chapter VII
1. The Sages stated an important rule: “In the Sabbatical year, everything
eaten by man and eaten by beast, and a kind of dye-stuff, and whatever
cannot remain in the ground, to them the laws of the Sabbatical year
apply, and to their value the laws of the Sabbatical year apply. They are
to be cleared off from being private property, and their price is to be
cleared off from being private property.”(66) “And which are these?” “The
leaves of the deceitful scallion, and the leaves of mint, succory, and
cresses, and the leek, and the milk-flower.”(67) “And what is eaten by
beasts?” “Thorns and thistles and a kind of dye-stuff, sprouts of indigo
and madder. To them the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, and to their
price the laws of the Sabbatical year apply. They are to be cleared off
from being private property, and their price is to be cleared off from
being private property.”
2. And again, the Sages stated another rule: “All which is not eaten by
man nor eaten by beasts, and a kind of dye-stuff, and whatever remains in
the ground, to them the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, and to their
price the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, but they are not to be
cleared off from being private property, nor is their price to be cleared
off from being private property.” “And which are these?” “The root of the
deceitful scallion, and the root of the mint, and scorpion grass,(68) and
the bulbs of the milk-flower, and the spikenard, and a kind of dye-stuff,
the dye-plant, and the wormwood,—to them the laws of the Sabbatical year
apply, and to their price the laws of the Sabbatical year apply. They are
not to be cleared off from being private property, nor is their price to
be cleared off from being private property.” Rabbi Maier said, “their
prices are to be cleared off from being private property till New Year’s
Day.” The Sages said to him, “if they are not to be cleared off from being
private property, it is immaterial about their prices.”
3. “The peelings and flower of the pomegranate, the shells and kernels of
nuts?” “To them the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, and to their prices
the laws of the Sabbatical year apply.” The dyer may dye for himself, but
he must not dye for pay, because men must not trade in fruits of the
Sabbatical year, nor in the first-born, nor in heave-offerings, nor in
carcasses, nor in that which is torn, nor in abominations, nor in creeping
things. And one must not buy greens of the field and sell them in the
market. But one may gather them, and his son may sell them on his account.
He may, however, buy for himself, and he is allowed to sell what is
superfluous.
“He bought a first-born animal for a feast for his son, or for a holiday,
and has no need of it?” “He is allowed to sell it.”
4. “Hunters of wild animals—birds and fishes—who chanced to find sorts
that are unclean?” “It is allowed to sell them.” R. Judah said, “if a man
become possessed of them in his ordinary way, he may buy and sell them,
excepting that such shall not be his practice.” But the Sages “disallow
them.”
5. “The shoots of vines and of the locust-trees?” “To them the laws of the
Sabbatical year apply, and to their prices the laws of the Sabbatical year
apply.” They are to be cleared off from being private property, and their
prices are to be cleared off from being private property. “The shoots of
the oak, and the nuts,(69) and the blackberries?” “To them the laws of the
Sabbatical year apply, and to their prices the laws of the Sabbatical year
apply.” “They are not to be cleared off from being private property, and
their prices are not to be cleared off from being private property. But
their leaves must be cleared away to become public property, as they fall
down from their stems.”(70)
6. “The rose and the carnation and the balsam and the chestnut?” “To them
the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, and to their prices the laws of the
Sabbatical year apply.” R. Simon said, “there is no Sabbatical year for
the balsam, because it has no fruit.”
7. “A new Sabbatical rose which one steeped in old oil?” “One may pick out
the rose.” “But an old rose in new oil?” “One is bound to clear it off
from being private property.” “New locust fruit which one steeped in old
wine, and old (fruit) in new (wine)?” “Men are bound to clear them off
from being private property.” This is the rule: everything which produces
taste one is bound to clear off from being private property, sorts that
are different and sorts that are the same, however little they be. The
laws of the Sabbatical year disallow however little of its own sort, and
in different sorts that which produces taste.(71)
Chapter VIII
1. The Sages stated an important rule for the Sabbatical year: “Of all
that is only fit for man’s food a plaster may not be made for man, and it
is needless to say for beast. And of all that is not fit for man’s food a
plaster may be made for man, but not for beast.” And all that is not fit
either for man’s food or beast’s food, if one consider it as food for man
or food for beasts, the Sages impose on it the inconveniences of the laws
relating to man and the inconveniences of the laws relating to beast. If
one, however, consider it as wood, it is reckoned as wood; for example,
the savory and the hyssop and the laurel.
2. Produce of the Sabbatical year is given for food, for drink, and for
anointing, to eat the thing which it is usual to eat, and to anoint with
what it is usual to anoint with. One may not anoint with wine or vinegar.
But one may anoint with oil. And so is it likewise with the heave-offering
and second tithe. The laws of the Sabbatical year are more convenient for
them, because it is permitted to light a candle made from them.
3. Men must not sell the fruits of the Sabbatical year, neither by
measure, nor by weight, nor by count. Neither may they sell figs by
counting, nor greens by weight. The school of Shammai say, “nor in
bunches.” But the school of Hillel say, “that which it is usual to make in
bunches in the house men may make in bunches in the market; for example,
cresses and the milk-flower.”
4. If one said to a laborer, “Here! take this aisar(72) and gather greens
for me to-day?” “His hire is allowed.” “Gather me for it greens to-day?”
“His hire is forbidden.” If one take from the baker a cake for a
pundion(73) (saying), “when I will gather greens of the field I will bring
them to you?” “It is allowed.” “If one take bread from the baker in
silence?” “He must not pay him from money of the Sabbatical year, because
men must not pay a debt with money of the Sabbatical year.”
5. Men must not give money of the Sabbatical year to a well-digger, nor to
a bath-keeper, nor to a barber, nor to a skipper, but one may give it to a
well-digger for drink, and to all persons one may give a gratuitous
present.
6. Men may not dry figs of the Sabbatical year in the usual place, but one
may dry them in a waste place. They must not tread grapes in a wine-press,
but they may tread them in a kneading-trough. And they must not put olives
into the oil-press with the stone over them, but they may pound them and
put them into a small press. Rabbi Simon said, “one may also grind them in
the house of the oil-press and put them into the small press.”
7. Men must not boil greens of the Sabbatical year in oil of the
heave-offering, lest they take it for uses that are forbidden. R. Simon
“allowed it.” And the very last thing (in a series of exchanges) partakes
of the laws of the Sabbatical year; but the fruit itself (first exchanged)
is forbidden.
8. Men must not buy servants, ground, or an unclean beast, with money of
the Sabbatical year; but if they buy them, they must eat(74) as much as
their value. They must not bring for an offering the two pigeons of one
with an issue, or the two pigeons after childbirth bought with money of
the Sabbatical year. And if they bring them, they must eat(75) as much as
their value. They must not anoint vessels with oil of the Sabbatical year.
But if they anoint them, they must eat(76) as much as their value.
9. “A skin which one anointed with oil of the Sabbatical year?” Rabbi
Eleazar said, “it must be burned.” But the Sages say, “one must eat(77) as
much as its value.” The Sages said before Rabbi Akiba it was a saying of
Rabbi Eleazar, “a skin smeared with oil of the Sabbatical year must be
burned.” He said to them, “Hush! I cannot tell you what Rabbi Eleazar said
about it.”
10. And again, the Sages said in his presence, it was a saying of Rabbi
Eleazar,(78) “he who eats the bread of Samaritans is as one who eats
swine-flesh.” He said to them, “Hush! I cannot tell you what Rabbi Eleazar
said about it.”
11. “A bath which was heated with stubble or straw of the Sabbatical
year?” “It is allowed to wash in it.” “But if one confer honor (on the
bath)?” “He should not wash in it.”
Chapter IX
1. The rue, and the sorrel with spreading leaves, and the wild savory, the
coriander of the mountains, and the parsley of the marshes, and the rocket
of the desert, are free from tithes; and they may be bought from all men
in the Sabbatical year, because nothing like them is legally guarded.
Rabbi Judah said, “the sprouts of the mustard are allowed, because
transgressors are not suspected for taking them from a guarded place.”
Rabbi Simon said, “all vegetables that sprout again are allowed, excepting
the sprouts of cabbage, because there is not their like among the greens
of the field.” But the Sages say, “whatever sprouts again is forbidden.”
2. There are three countries to be public property in the Sabbatical year:
Judah and beyond Jordan and Galilee; and each is divided into three parts:
Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee, and the Vale. From the village of Hananiah
and upward, every part in which the sycamore tree does not grow is Upper
Galilee. And from the village of Hananiah and lower down, where any
sycamore tree grows, is Lower Galilee. And the neighborhood of Tiberias is
the Vale. And in Judah, the mountains, the plain, and the vale, and the
plain of Lydda is as the plain of the south. And its mountains are as the
King’s mountain.(79) From Bethhorn and to the sea is one province.
3. “And wherefore did the Sages say three countries?” “That men might eat
during the Sabbatical year in every one of them, till the last fruits be
finished in it.” R. Simon said, “they did not say three countries, they
said only in Judah.” And all the other countries are reckoned as the
King’s mountain; and all countries are reckoned the same for olives and
dates.
4. Men may eat so long as there is any fruit legally free, but they must
not eat of that which is legally guarded. Rabbi José “allowed it, even
when guarded.” They may eat fruit so long as it is found in birds’ nests,
and such fruit as is twice produced in each year, but they must not eat of
winter fruit. R. Judah “allowed it at all times, if it ripened before the
summer ended.”
5. “If men pressed three sorts of fruit in one barrel?” R. Eliezer said,
“they may eat of the first.” R. Joshua said, “even of the last.” Rabban
Gamaliel said, “everything, the species of which is finished growing in
the field, its species is to be removed from the barrel.”(80) Rabbi Simon
said, “all greens are reckoned as one. They are to be cleared away from
the house.” They may eat of the leeks till the teasels have ceased growing
in the valley of Beth-Netopha.
6. “He who gathers fresh herbs?” “He may use them till their sap dry out.”
“And he who binds the dry in bundles?” “He may use them till the second
rain descends.”(81) “The leaves of reeds and the leaves of vines?” “They
may be used till they fall from their stems.” “And he who binds the dry in
bundles?” “He may use them till the second rain descends.” Rabbi Akiba
said, “they may be used by all persons till the second rain descends.”
7. “Like to this rule is his case who rented a house to his neighbor till
the rains?” “This means till the second rain descends.” “He who by his vow
cannot get assistance from his neighbor till the rains?” “This means till
the second rain descends.” “When may the poor enter into the gardens?”(82)
“When the second rain descends.” “When may they use and burn the stubble
and straw of the Sabbatical year?” “When the second rain descends.”
8. “A man had fruit of the Sabbatical year, and the time came for clearing
it out from his house?” “He may divide to everyone victuals for three
meals; and the poor may eat the fruit after the clearing of it out, but
not the rich.” The words of Rabbi Judah. Rabbi José said, “the poor and
the rich are alike, they may eat it after it is cleared out.”
9. “A man had fruits of the Sabbatical year, whether they fell to him by
inheritance, or were given to him by gift?” R. Eliezer said, “let them be
given to those who may eat them.” But the Sages say, “the transgressor
must not profit, but let them be sold to those who may eat them, and let
their price be divided to every man.” “He who eats dough of the Sabbatical
year before the heave-offering be separated from it?” “He is guilty of
death.”
Chapter X
1. The Sabbatical year releases(83) a loan, whether it be with or without
a bill. The credit of a shop is not released. But if one made it as a
loan, it is released. Rabbi Judah said, “all the first credit is released,
the wages of an hireling is not released.” “But if one made it as a loan?”
“It is released.” Rabbi José said, “every work which ceases on the
Sabbatical year is released; but that which does not cease on the
Sabbatical year is not released from payment.”
2. The butcher who slaughtered a heifer (at the end of the Sabbatical
year), and divided her head (for sale on the first of the two feast days
of the new year), remains a debtor; but if he did so in an intercalary
month,(84) he is released (Deut. xv. 1). But if it be not an intercalary
month, he is not released. He who forced, or enticed, or uttered a
slander, and every act of the tribunal, have no release. “He who lent on
security, or delivered his bills to the tribunal?” “There is no release
for him.”
3. The Defence(85) (for the poor) has no release. This is one of the
things which the old Hillel ruled. When he saw that the people refrained
from mutual loans, and transgressed what is written in the law, “Beware
that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart,”(86) etc., Hillel ruled
the Defence.
4. This is the substance of the Defence, “I hand over to you judges such
and such men in such a place, that every debt which belongs to me I may
collect, whenever I please.” And the judges or witnesses sealed it below.
5. The Defence written before the Sabbatical year is valid, but afterward
it is disallowed. Bills written before the Sabbatical year are disallowed,
but afterward they are valid. He who borrows from five persons must write
a Defence for each of them. If five persons borrow from one, he writes but
one Defence for all of them.
6. Men must not write a Defence save only on ground. “If he have none?”
“The lender may present him with however little from his own field.” “If
he had a field in pledge in a city?” “He may write on it the Defence.”
Rabbi Huzpith said, “a man may write it on the property of his wife; and
for orphans on the property of their guardians.”
7. “Beehives?” R. Eliezer said, “they are as ground, and men may write on
them a Defence, and they contract no legal uncleanness in their proper
place, but he who takes honey out of them on the Sabbath is liable (for a
sin-offering). The Sages, however, say they are not as ground, and men
must not write on them a Defence, and they do contract legal defilement in
their place, and he who takes honey out of them on the Sabbath is free.”
8. “He who paid his debt on the Sabbatical year?” “The lender must say to
him, ‘I release thee.’ ” “When he said it to him?” “Even so, he may
receive it from him, as is said, and this is the manner of the
release.”(87) It is like the slayer who was banished to the city of
refuge, and the men of the city wished to honor him. He must say to them,
“I am a murderer.” They say to him, “Even so.” He may receive the honor
from them, as is said, “and this is the case of the slayer.”(88)
9. “He who pays a debt in the Sabbatical year?” “The spirit of the Sages
reposes on him.”(89) “He who borrowed from a proselyte, when his
children(90) became proselytes with him?” “He need not repay his
children.” “But if he repay them?” “The spirit of the Sages reposes on
him.” All movables become property by acquisition; but everyone who keeps
his word,
THE SPIRIT
OF THE SAGES
REPOSES
ON
HIM.
NOTE.—At the Feast of Tabernacles in the Sabbatical year, the following
portions of Scripture were appointed to be read: Deut. i. 1-6; vi. 4-8;
xi. 13-22; xiv. 22; xv. 23; xvii. 14; xxvi. 12-19; xxvii.; xxviii. These
portions were read by the king or high priest from a wooden platform
erected in the Temple. The king or the high priest usually read them
sitting. King Agrippa, however, read them standing, and when he came to
the words “Thou mayst not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy
brother” (Deut. xvii. 15), “tears dropped from his eyes.” The people then
cried out to encourage him, “Thou art our brother—thou art our brother.”
(Sotah, vii. 8).
On The Sabbath
Removals—Work to be Avoided—Discussion Between the Schools of
Shammai and Hillel as to What Constitutes Work—Work
Allowed—Lighting—Eve of the Sabbath—Cooking and Hot
Water—Retention of Heat—Burdens—Ornaments—Principal and Secondary
Work.
Chapter I
1. Removals(91) on the Sabbath are two. Of these removals four are inside
a place. And there are two other removals, of which four are outside a
place. “How?” “A beggar stands without, and the master of the house
within. The beggar reached his hand within, and gave something into the
hand of the master of the house, or took something from it and brought it
out?” “The beggar is guilty,(92) and the master of the house is free.”
“The master of the house reached his hand outside and gave something into
the hand of the beggar, or took something from it and brought it in?” “The
master of the house is guilty, but the beggar is free.” “The beggar
reached his hand within, and the master of the house took something from
it, or gave something into it, and the beggar brought it out?” “Both are
free.” “The master of the house reached his hand without, and the beggar
took something from it, or gave something into it, and the master brought
it in?” “Both are free.”
2. A man must not sit before the barber near to evening prayer,(93) until
he has prayed. He must not enter a bath, nor a tannery, nor eat, nor
judge. “But if they began?” “They need not cease.” They may cease to read
the “Hear,”(94) etc., but they must not cease to pray.
3. A tailor must not go out with his needle near dusk,(95) lest he forget
and go (afterward). Nor a scribe go out with his pen. Nor may one search
his garments. Nor shall one read at the light of the lamp. In truth they
said, “the teacher may overlook when children are reading, but he himself
shall not read.” Similar to him, one with an issue shall not eat with her
who has an issue, because of the custom of transgression.
4. And these following are from the decisions which they mentioned of the
upper chamber of Hananiah, the son of Hezekiah, the son of Gorion, when
the Sages went up to visit him. The school of Shammai was counted, and was
more numerous than the school of Hillel. And eighteen matters were
determined on that day.
5. The school of Shammai said, “they must not soak ink, nor paints, nor
vetches, unless they be sufficiently soaked while it is yet day.” But the
school of Hillel allows it.
6. The school of Shammai said, “they must not put bundles of flax inside
the oven, except it be sufficiently steamed while it is yet day, nor wool
into the boiler except it imbibe sufficient dye in the eye of day.” But
the school of Hillel allow it. The school of Shammai said, “they must not
spread nets for beasts, nor birds, nor fishes, except they be netted while
it is yet day.” But the school of Hillel allows it.
7. The school of Shammai said, “they must not sell to a stranger, and they
must not lade his ass with him, and they must not load on him, except they
have sufficient time to reach a near place before the Sabbath.” But the
school of Hillel allows it.
8. The school of Shammai said, “they must not give skins to a tanner, nor
articles to a strange laundress; except they can be sufficiently done
while it is yet day.” But all of them the school of Hillel allow “with the
sun.”
9. Said Rabbi Simon, the son of Gamaliel, “the house of my father used to
give white articles to a strange laundress three days before the Sabbath.”
But both schools agree that “they may carry(96) beams to the oil-press and
logs to the wine-press.”
10. “They must not fry flesh, onions, and eggs; except they be
sufficiently fried while it is yet day. They must not put bread in the
oven at dusk, nor a cake on coals, except its face be sufficiently crusted
while it is yet day.” Rabbi Eliezer said, “that its under side be
sufficiently crusted.”
11. “They may hang up the passover(97) offering in an oven at dusk. And
they may take a light from the wood pile in the house of burning.”(98) And
in the suburbs “when the fire has sufficiently lighted the greater part.”
Rabbi Judah says, “from the coals however little” (kindled before the
Sabbath).
Chapter II
1. “With what may they light (lamps) on the Sabbath?” “And with what may
they not light?” “They may not light with cedar moss, nor with unhackled
flax, nor with floss silk, nor with a wick of willow, nor with a wick of
nettles, nor with weeds from the surface of water, nor with pitch, nor
with wax, nor with castor oil, nor with the defiled oil of heave-offering,
nor with the tail, nor with the fat.” Nahum the Median said, “they may
light with cooked fat.” But the Sages say, “whether cooked or uncooked,
they must not light with it.”
2. They must not light with the defiled oil of the heave-offering on a
holiday. Rabbi Ishmael said, “they must not light with pitch dregs for the
honor of the Sabbath.” But the Sages allow all oils, “with sesame oil,
with nut oil, with radish oil, with fish oil, with colocynth oil, with
pitch dregs and naphtha.” Rabbi Tarphon said, “they must only light with
olive oil.”
3. “They must not light with anything that grows from wood, except flax.
And all that grows from wood does not contract the uncleanness of
tents,(99) except flax.” “A wick of cloth folded but not singed?” Rabbi
Eliezer says, “it contracts uncleanness, and they must not light it.”
Rabbi Akiba says, “it is clean, and they may light it.”
4. A man must not perforate an eggshell, and fill it with oil, and put it
on the mouth of the lamp, because it drops, even though it be of pottery.
But Rabbi Judah “allows it.” “But if the potter joined it at first?” “It
is allowed, since it is one vessel.” A man must not fill a bowl of oil,
and put it by the side of the lamp, and put the end of the wick into it
because it imbibes. But Rabbi Judah “allows it.”
5. “Whoever extinguishes the lamp because he fears the Gentiles, or
robbers, or a bad spirit, or that the sick may sleep?” “He is free.” “He
spares the lamp?” “He spares the oil?” “He spares the wick?” “He is
guilty.” But Rabbi José frees in all cases except the wick, because “it
makes coal.”
6. For three transgressions women die in the hour of childbirth: when they
neglect times, and the dough offering,(100) and lighting the Sabbath lamp.
7. Three things are necessary for a man to say in his house on the eve of
the Sabbath at dusk. “Have you taken tithes?” “Have you prepared
erub?”(101) “Light the lamp.” “It is doubtful if it be dark or not?”(102)
“They must not tithe that which is certainly untithed, and they must not
baptize vessels, and they must not light the lamps. But they may take
tithes of the doubtful heave-offering, and prepare erub, and cover up hot
water.”
Chapter III
1. “A cooking oven which was heated with stubble or brushwood?” “They may
place on it cookery.” “With oil-dregs and with wood?” “They must not place
it, till the coals are raked out, or ashes put in.” The school of Shammai
say, “hot water, but not cookery.” But the school of Hillel say, “hot
water and cookery.” The school of Shammai say, “they may take it off, but
not place it back.” But the school of Hillel say, “they may place it
back.”
2. “A cooking stove, which was heated with stubble or brushwood?” “They
must not place anything either inside or upon it.” “A bake oven, which was
heated with stubble or brushwood?” “It is as a cooking oven.” “With
oil-dregs or with wood?” “It is as a cooking stove.”
3. They must not put an egg beside a boiler, lest it be boiled. And they
must not wrap it in towels. But Rabbi José allows it. And they must not
hide it in sand, or in the dust of the roads, lest it be roasted.
4. It happened that the men of Tiberias arranged, and introduced a pipe of
cold water into a canal of the hot springs. The Sages said to them, “if it
be Sabbath, it is as if hot waters were heated on Sabbath, they are
forbidden for washing and drinking. But if on a holiday, as if hot waters
were heated on a holiday, they are forbidden for washing but allowed for
drinking.” “A skillet with attached brazier?” “If one rake out the coals
(on Friday evening), persons may drink its hot waters on Sabbath.” “A pan
with double bottom?” “Even though the coals are raked out, they must not
drink of it.”
5. “The boiler which is set aside (from the fire)?” “They must not put
into it cold water to be warmed; but they may put into it—or into a
cup—cold water to make it lukewarm.” “A saucepan or an earthen pot, which
they took off boiling?” “They must not put into it spices, but they may
put them into a bowl or into a plate.” Rabbi Judah says, “they may put
them into all vessels, excepting a thing in which there is vinegar or
fish-brine.”
6. They must not put vessels under a lamp to catch the oil. “But if they
place them, while it is still day?” “It is allowed.” But they must not use
it, because it is not purposely prepared (for Sabbath use). They may
remove a new lamp, but not an old one. Rabbi Simon says, “all lamps may be
removed, except the lamp lighted for the Sabbath.” They may put a vessel
under the lamp to catch sparks, but they must not put water into it, as it
quenches.
Chapter IV
1. “With what may they cover up (pots to retain the heat)?” “And with what
may they not cover them up?” “They may not cover them up with oil-dregs,
or dung, or salt, or lime, or sand either fresh or dry, or straw, or
grape-skins, or woollen, or herbs when they are fresh, but they may cover
up with them when they are dry. They may cover up with garments, and
fruits, with doves’ wings, with carpenters’ sawdust, and with tow of fine
flax.” Rabbi Judah forbids “fine,” but allows “coarse.”
2. They may cover up with hides, and remove them—with woollen fleeces, but
they must not remove them. “How does one do?” “He takes off the cover, and
they fall down.” Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Azariah, says “the vessel is
inclined on its side, and he takes them away.” “Perhaps he took them away
and cannot return them?”(103) But the Sages say “he may take them away,
and return them.” “He does not cover it, while it is yet day?” “He must
not cover it, when it begins to be dark.” “He covered it, and it opened?”
“It is allowed to cover it again.” A man may fill the goblet, and put it
under the pillow or under the bolster (to warm it).
Chapter V
1. “With what is a beast led forth, and with what is it not led
forth?”(104) One may lead forth the camel with a head-stall, and the
she-camel with a nose-ring, and the Lydda(105) asses with a bridle, and a
horse with a halter, and all animals that wear a halter they may lead
forth with a halter, and they are held with a halter, and, if unclean,
they may sprinkle water upon them, and baptize them in their places.
2. The ass one may lead forth with a pack-saddle when it is bound on it.
Rams go forth tied up. Ewes go forth with tails bound back, doubled down,
or put in a bag. The goats go forth bound tightly. Rabbi José “forbids
all, excepting ewes, to have their tails in a bag.” Rabbi Judah says “the
goats go forth bound tightly to dry up their udders, but not to guard the
milk.”
3. “And with what must they not go forth?” “A camel must not go forth with
a rag bound as a mark to its tail, nor fettered, nor with fore-foot tied
doubled up, and so with the rest of all beasts; a man must not bind camels
one to another, and lead them, but he may take their ropes into his hand,
and hold them, guarding that they be not twisted.”(106)
4. One must not bring forth an ass with a pack-saddle, when it is not tied
upon him before the Sabbath; nor with a bell, even though it be muffled,
nor with a ladder(107) on its throat, nor with a strap on its leg; nor may
cocks and hens be led forth with twine or straps on their legs. Nor may
rams be led forth with a gocart under their tails, nor ewes with John
wood.(108) And the calf must not be led forth with a muzzle, nor a cow
with the skin of the hedgehog,(109) nor with a strap between her horns.
The cow(110) of Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Azariah, used to go out with a
strap between her horns, but not with the will of the Sages.
Chapter VI
1. “With what may a woman go out?” And “with what may she not go out?” “A
woman may not go out with laces of wool, nor with laces of flax, nor with
straps on her head, and she cannot baptize herself in them till she
unloose them; nor with frontlets, nor temple fillets, unless sewn to her
cap, nor with a headband, into the public street, nor with a golden crown
in the form of Jerusalem, nor with a necklace, nor with nose-rings, nor
with a ring without a seal, nor with a needle without an eye; but, if she
go out, she is not guilty of a sin-offering.”
2. A man must not go out with hobnailed sandals,(111) nor with one sandal
when there is no sore on his other foot, nor with phylacteries, nor with
an amulet unless it be of an expert, nor with a coat of mail, nor with a
helmet, nor with greaves; but, if he go out, he is not guilty of a
sin-offering.
3. “A woman must not go out with an eyed needle, nor with a signet ring,
nor with a spiral head-dress, nor with a scent-box, nor with a bottle of
musk; and if she go out she is guilty of a sin-offering.” The words of
Rabbi Meier. But the Sages “absolve the scent-box and the bottle of musk.”
4. The man must not go out with sword, nor bow, nor shield, nor sling, nor
lance; and if he go out he is guilty of a sin-offering. Rabbi Eleazar
said, “they are his ornaments.” But the Sages say, “they are only for
shame, as is said, ‘And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.’ ”(112) Garters are
clean, and they may go forth in them on Sabbath. Anklets(113) contract
uncleanness, and they must not go out in them on Sabbath.
5. A woman may go out with plaits of hair whether they be her own, or her
companion’s, or a beast’s hair, with frontlets and temple fillets, when
they are sewn to her cap, with a headband or a stranger’s curl into the
courtyard, with wool in her ear, and wool in her shoe, and wool prepared
for her separation, with pepper, or with a grain of salt,(114) or with
anything which she will put inside her mouth, except that she shall not
put it in for the first time on the Sabbath, and if it fall out she must
not put it back. “A false tooth or a tooth of gold?” Rabbi “allows it.”
But the Sages “forbid it.”
6. A woman may go out with a coin on a sore foot. Little girls may go out
with plaits and even splinters in their ears. Arab women go out veiled,
and Median women with mantillas; and so may any one, but, as the Sages
have said, “according to their custom.”
7. A mantilla may be folded over a stone, or a nut, or money, save only
that it be not expressly folded for the Sabbath.
8. “The cripple may go out on his wooden leg.” The words of Rabbi Meier.
But Rabbi José forbids it. “But if it have a place for receiving rags?”
“It is unclean.” His crutches cause uncleanness by treading. But they may
go out with them on the Sabbath, and they may enter with them into the
Temple court. The chair and crutches (of a paralytic) cause uncleanness by
treading, and they must not go out with them on the Sabbath, and they must
not enter with them into the Temple court. Stilts(115) are clean, but they
must not go out with them.
9. The sons may go out with their (father’s) girdles. And sons of kings
with little bells; and so may anyone, but, as the Sages have said,
“according to their custom.”
10. “They may go out with an egg of a locust,(116) and a tooth of a
fox,(117) and a nail of one crucified, as medicine.”(118) The words of
Rabbi Meier. But the Sages say (others read the words of Rabbi José and
Rabbi Meier) “it is forbidden even on a week day, because of the ways of
the Amorites.”(119)
Chapter VII
1. The Sages laid down a great rule for the Sabbath: “Everyone who forgets
the principle of Sabbath, and did many works on many Sabbaths, is only
responsible for one sin-offering. Everyone who knows the principle of
Sabbath, and did many works on many Sabbaths, is responsible for every
Sabbath. Everyone who knows that there is Sabbath, and did many works on
many Sabbaths, is responsible for every principal work.(120) Everyone who
has done many works, springing from one principal work, is only
responsible for one sin-offering.”
2. The principal works are forty, less one—sowing, ploughing, reaping,
binding sheaves, threshing, winnowing, sifting, grinding, riddling,
kneading, baking, shearing wool, whitening, carding, dyeing, spinning,
warping, making two spools, weaving two threads, taking out two threads,
twisting, loosing, sewing two stitches, tearing thread for two sewings,
hunting the gazelle, slaughtering, skinning, salting, curing its skin,
tanning, cutting up, writing two letters, erasing to write two letters,
building, demolishing, quenching, kindling, hammering, carrying from
private to public property. Lo, these are principal works—forty, less one.
3. And another rule the Sages laid down: “All that is worthy of
reservation, and they reserve its like—if they carry it out on the
Sabbath, they are responsible for a sin-offering; and everything which is
not worthy of reservation, and they do not reserve its like—if they carry
it out on the Sabbath, none is responsible but the reserver.”
4. Whoever brings out straw—a heifer’s mouthful; hay—a camel’s mouthful;
chaff—a lamb’s mouthful; herbs—a kid’s mouthful; garlic leaves and onion
leaves—if fresh, the size of a dried fig—if dry, a kid’s mouthful; but
they must not add one with the other, for they are not equal in their
measures. Whoever carries out food the size of a dried fig, is guilty of
death. And victuals, they may add one to another as they are equal in
their measures, excepting their peels and their kernels, and their stalks
and the fine and coarse bran. Rabbi Judah says, “excepting the peels of
lentils, as they may cook them with them.”
Chapter VIII
1. One may bring out wine sufficient for the cup,(121) milk sufficient for
a gulp, honey sufficient for a bruise, oil sufficient to anoint a small
member, water sufficient to moisten the eye-salve, and the rest of all
beverages a quarter of a log, and whatever can be poured out(122) a
quarter of a log. Rabbi Simeon says, “all of them by the quarter log.” And
they did not mention these measures save for those who reserve them.
2. “Whoever brings out cord sufficient to make an ear for a tub, bulrush
sufficient to hang the sieve and the riddle?” Rabbi Judah said,
“sufficient to take from it the measure of a child’s shoe; paper
sufficient to write on it the signature of the taxgatherers; erased paper
sufficient to wrap round a small bottle of balm—is guilty” (of death).
3. Leather sufficient for an amulet; parchment polished on both sides,
sufficient to write a sign for a door-post; vellum sufficient to write on
it a small portion, which is in phylacteries, that is, “Hear, O Israel;”
ink sufficient to write two letters; kohl(123) sufficient to paint one
eye.
4. Bird-lime sufficient to put on the top of a perch; pitch or sulphur to
fill a hole; wax sufficient to fill the mouth of a small hole; brick-clay
sufficient to make a mouth of a crucible bellows for goldsmiths—Rabbi
Judah says, “sufficient to make a crucible stand;” bran sufficient to put
on the mouth of a crucible blow-pipe for goldsmiths; ointment sufficient
to anoint the little finger of girls—Rabbi Judah says, “sufficient to make
the hair grow;” Rabbi Nehemiah says, “to freshen the temple.”
5. Red earth “as the seal of merchants”—the words of R. Akiba; but the
Sages say, “as the seal of letters;” dung and fine sand, “sufficient to
manure a cabbage stalk,”—the words of Rabbi Akiba; but the Sages say,
“sufficient to manure a leek;” coarse sand sufficient to put on a full
lime-hod; a reed sufficient to make a pen. “But if it be thick or split?”
“sufficient to boil with it a hen’s egg easy (to be cooked) among eggs,
mixed with oil and put in a pan.”
6. A bone sufficient to make a spoon,—Rabbi Judah said, “sufficient to
make the ward of a key;” glass sufficient to scrape the top of a shuttle;
a lump of earth or a stone sufficient to fling at a bird; Rabbi Eliezer
said, “sufficient to fling at a beast.”
7. “A potsherd?” “Sufficient to put between two beans,”—the words of Rabbi
Judah; Rabbi Meier says, “sufficient to take away fire with it;” Rabbi
José says, “sufficient to receive in it the fourth of a log.” Said Rabbi
Meier, “Although there is no visible proof of the matter, there is an
indication of the matter, as is said, ‘there shall not be found in the
bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth.’ ”(124) Rabbi José
said to him, “thence is the visible proof, ‘or to take water out of the
pit.’ ”(125)
On The Passover
Searching for Leaven—How Leaven Is to be Put Away—Restrictions
with Regard to It—What Things Make Leaven—Leavening—Work on the
Eve of the Passover—Trades Allowed—Men of Jericho—Hezekiah—The
Daily Offering—Intention—Slaughter of Passover Offering—Mode of
Proceeding—The Passover on a Sabbath—Discussion Between R. Akiba
and R. Eleazar—Roasting the Passover—Various
Contingencies—Hindrances—Rules and Directions—How the Passover Is
to be Eaten—Praise and Thanksgiving.
Chapter I
1. On the eve of the fourteenth day of Nisan(126) men search for leaven by
candlelight. Every place where men do not bring in leaven, there is no
need of search. “And wherefore do they say, two lines of barrels in the
wine cellar?” “The place is meant into which persons bring leaven.” The
school of Shammai say, “two rows in front of the whole cellar.” But the
school of Hillel say, “the two outer lines on the top.”
2. People need not suspect, lest perchance the weasel have slipped (with
leaven) from house to house or from place to place. If so, from court to
court, from city to city, there is no end to the matter.
3. Rabbi Judah said, “men search on the eve of the fourteenth and on the
morning of the fourteenth day, and at the time of burning it.” But the
Sages say, “if one did not search on the eve of the fourteenth, he must
search on the fourteenth; if he did not search on the fourteenth, he must
search during the feast; if he did not search during the feast, he must
search after the feast; and whatever remains, he shall leave well
concealed, that there be no further need of search after it.”
4. Rabbi Meier said, “men may eat it till five o’clock,(127) and burn it
at the beginning of six.” Rabbi Judah said, “they may eat it till four,
and they are in suspense about five, but they burn it at the beginning of
six.”
5. And again said R. Judah, “two loaves of the disallowed praise-offering
were placed on the portico of the Temple inclosure; whilst they were
placed there, all the people might eat leaven. If one were taken down they
were in suspense; they neither ate nor burned it. When both were taken
down they began to burn it.” Rabban Gamaliel said, “men may eat ordinary
food till four o’clock, and the heave-offering till five o’clock, but they
burned the leaven at six o’clock.”
6. Rabbi Chanina, the deputy of the priesthood, said, “from the (first)
days of the priesthood the priests did not object to burn the flesh
rendered legally unclean(128) with the second degree of uncleanness, with
the flesh rendered legally unclean with the first degree of uncleanness.
Even though they should add legal uncleanness to legal uncleanness.” Rabbi
Akiba went further and said, “from the (first) days of the priesthood the
priests did not object to light the oil which was disallowed on the day of
a man’s baptism (who had been legally unclean), with a candle which was
unclean with the uncleanness of the dead, even though they should add
legal uncleanness to legal uncleanness.”
7. Said R. Meier, “from their words we learn that men may burn the clean
heave-offering of leaven, with that which is unclean, on account of the
passover.” To him replied Rabbi José, “this is not the conclusion.” But
Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Joshua confess “that men should burn each by
itself.” And the contention is with regard to what is doubtful, and what
is unclean. Because Rabbi Eliezer said, “thou shalt burn each by itself.”
But R. Joshua said, “both at once.”
Chapter II
1. The whole time that it is allowed to eat leaven, men may feed beasts
with it, and wild animals and fowls, and they may sell it to a stranger.
And they are allowed to enjoy it in every way. When that season has passed
over its enjoyment is disallowed, and they must not heat with it an oven
or a stove. Rabbi Judah said, “there is no riddance of leaven but by
burning.” But the Sages say, “also by powdering and scattering it to the
wind, or casting it into the sea.”
2. “The leaven of a stranger, over which the passover has passed?” “Its
enjoyment is allowed.” “But of an Israelite?” “Its enjoyment is
disallowed,” as is said,(129) “And there shall no leavened bread be seen
with thee.”
3. “The stranger who has lent money to an Israelite on his leaven?” “After
passover its enjoyment is allowed.” “And an Israelite who lent money to
the stranger on his leaven?” “Its enjoyment after passover is disallowed.”
“Leaven over which a building fell?” “It is as though it was cleared
away.” Rabban Simon, son of Gamaliel, said, “all after which the dog
cannot snuff.”
4. “He who has eaten a leavened heave-offering during the passover in
error?” “He must pay its value and a fifth more.” “In presumption?” “He is
free from the payment, and from its value even for fuel.”(130)
5. These are the things by which one can discharge his obligation to eat
unleavened bread during the passover; with cakes made of wheat, and
barley, and rye, and oats, and spelt; and they discharge their obligation
in that of which the tithing was doubtful, and in the first tithe after
the heave-offering was separated from it, and in second tithes and holy
things after their redemption. And the priests discharge their obligation
with cakes of dough-offering and heave-offering, but not with that which
owes first tithes, or before the heave-offering was separated from it, nor
with that which owes second tithes or holy things before their redemption.
“The loaves of the praise-offering and the cakes of the Nazarite?” “If
made for themselves, they do not discharge the obligation: if made for
sale in the market, they discharge the obligation.”
6. And these are the herbs with which one discharges his obligation to eat
bitter herbs in the passover: lettuce, endives, horse-radish, liquorice,
and coriander. The obligation can be discharged whether they be moist or
dry, but not if they be pickled, or much boiled, or even a little boiled.
And they may be united to form the size of an olive. And the obligation
may be discharged with their roots; and also if their tithes be in doubt;
and with their first tithing, when the heave-offering has been taken from
them; and with their second tithe, and with holy things which are
redeemed.
7. Persons must not moisten bran during the passover for chickens, but
they may scald it. A woman must not moisten bran in her hand when she goes
to the bath. But she may rub it dry on her flesh. A man should not chew
wheat and leave it on a wound during Passover, because it becomes
leavened.
8. People must not put flour into the charoseth(131) or into the mustard.
“But if one puts it?” “He must eat it off-hand.” But Rabbi Meier forbids
it. They must not boil the passover offering in liquids nor in fruit
juice. But one may smear it (after it is roasted), or dip it into them.
Water used by the baker must be poured away because it becomes leavened.
Chapter III
1. These cause transgression during passover: the Babylonian cuthack,(132)
and the Median beer, and the Edomite vinegar, and the Egyptian
zithum,(133) and the purifying dough of the dyer,(134) and the clarifying
grain of the cooks, and the paste of the bookbinders. Rabbi Eleazar said,
“even the cosmetics of women.” This is the rule. All kinds of grain
whatever may cause transgression during the passover. These are negative
commands, and they are not visited by cutting off.
2. “Dough in a split of a kneading trough?” “If there be the size of an
olive in a single place one is bound to clear it out.” Less than this is
worthless from its minuteness. And so is it with the question of
uncleanness. Particularity causes division. “But if one wish it to
remain?” “It is reckoned as the trough.” “Dough dried up?”(135) “If it be
like that which can become leavened it is forbidden.”
3. “How do persons separate the dough-offering when it becomes unclean on
a holiday?” Rabbi Eleazar said, “you cannot call it a dough-offering till
it be baked.” Rabbi Judah, the son of Bethira, said, “you must put it in
cold water.” Said R. Joshua, “it is not leaven so as to transgress the
negative command ‘It shall not be seen nor found,’(136) but it must be
separated and left till the evening. But if it become leavened it is
leavened.”
4. Rabban Gamaliel said, “three women may knead at once, and bake in one
oven, each after the other.” But the Sages say, “three women may be busied
with the dough, one kneads, and one prepares, and one bakes.” Rabbi Akiba
said, “all women, and all wood, and all ovens, are not alike.” This is the
rule. “If it ferment it must be smoothed down with cold water.”
5. Dough which begins to leaven must be burned, but he who eats it is
free. When it begins to crack it must be burned, and he who eats it must
be cut off. “What is leavening?” “Like the horns of locusts.” “Cracking?”
“When the cracks intermingle.” The words of R. Judah. But the Sages say,
“if either of them be eaten, the eater must be cut off.” “And what is
leavening?” “All which changed its appearance, as when a man’s hairs stand
on end through fright.”
6. “If the fourteenth day of Nisan happened on the Sabbath?” “They must
clear off all the leaven before the Sabbath begins.” The words of R.
Meier. But the Sages say, “in the proper season.” Rabbi Eleazar, the son
of Zaduk, said, “the heave-offering before the Sabbath, and ordinary
things in the proper season.”
7. “If one went to kill his passover, or circumcise his son, or to eat the
marriage-feast in the house of his father-in-law, and he remembered that
there was leaven in his house?” “If he can he must return and clear it
out, and return to his duties. He must return and clear it away. But if
not, he can esteem it as nothing in his heart.” “(If one went) to save a
person from the militia, or from a river, or from robbers, or from
burning, or from the fall of buildings?” “He may esteem it as nothing in
his heart.” “But if he is reposing at his ease?” “He must return
off-hand.”
8. And so also when one went forth from Jerusalem and remembered that he
had holy flesh in his hand. If he passed Zophim(137) he must burn it on
the spot. But if not he must return and burn it in front of the temple
with the wood of the altar. “And for how much flesh or leaven must men
return?” Rabbi Meier said, “both of them the size of an egg.” Rabbi Judah
said, “both the size of an olive.” But the Sages say, “Holy flesh the size
of an olive, and leaven the size of an egg.”
Chapter IV
1. “A place in which men are accustomed to do work on the eve of the
passover?” “For half a day they may work.” “A place in which they are not
accustomed to work?” “They must not work.” “If one goes from a place where
they work to a place where they do not work; or from a place where they do
not work to a place where they do work?” “The Sages put on him the
burden(138) of the place from which he went, or the burden of the place to
which he came; but a man should not change the customs of a place, as it
causes quarrels.”
2. Like to him is he who carried fruits of the Sabbatical year from a
place where they were finished growing to a place where they were not
finished growing; or from a place where they were not finished to a place
where they were finished. He is bound to remove them. Rabbi Judah said,
“they can say to him, go and bring them for yourself from the field.”(139)
3. “A place in which men are accustomed to sell small cattle to Gentiles?”
“They may sell them.” “A place in which they are not accustomed to sell
them?” “They may not sell them.” But in no place may they sell working
cattle—calves, ass-foals, either unblemished or broken down.(140) Rabbi
Judah “allowed the broken down.” The son of Bethira “allowed a horse.”
4. “A place where men are accustomed to eat roast meat on the night of the
passover?” “They may eat it.” “A place in which they are not accustomed to
eat it?” “They may not eat it.” “A place in which they are accustomed to
light a candle on the night of the Day of Atonement?” “They may light it.”
“A place in which they are not accustomed to light it?” “They may not
light it.” But men may light candles in the synagogues, and in the
schools, and in the dark streets, and for the sick.
5. “A place in which men are accustomed to do work on the ninth of
Ab;”(141) “They may work.” “A place in which they are not accustomed to
work?” “They may not work.” But everywhere the disciples of the Sages are
idle. Rabban Simon, the son of Gamaliel, said, “a man may always make
himself a disciple of the Sages.” But the Sages say, “in Judah they did
work on the eves of the passovers for half a day, and in Galilee they did
nothing.” And work in the night before the passover the school of Shammai
disallowed; but the school of Hillel “allowed it till sunrise.”
6. Rabbi Meier said, “every work which was begun before the fourteenth day
of Nisan may be finished on the fourteenth; but it must not be commenced
on the fourteenth, even though it can be finished.” And the Sages say,
“three trades can carry on business on the eves of the passovers for half
a day; and these are they—the tailors, and the barbers, and the washers.”
Rabbi José, the son of Judah, said, “also shoemakers.”
7. Persons may set hens on their nests on the fourteenth. “But if the hen
ran off?” “They may return her to her place.” “And if she died?” “They may
set another instead of her.” They may clear away from beneath the feet of
beasts on the fourteenth. But on the holiday (or middle-days) they put it
aside. They may carry to and bring vessels from the house of the trader,
even though they be not necessary for the holiday.
8. The men of Jericho did six things, in three they were prohibited, and
in three they were allowed. And these are they in which they were allowed:
they engrafted dates the whole fourteenth day of Nisan, and they shortened
the “Hear,”(142) and they reaped and stacked new corn before “the
sheaf”(143) was offered; and they were allowed. And in these they were
prohibited: they used the produce of what was consecrated, and they ate on
the Sabbath the fruit that had fallen down from the trees, and they
gave(144) (to the poor) the corners of the fields of vegetables. And the
Sages prohibited them from these things.(145)
9. BEREITHA—EXTERNAL TRADITION.—Hezekiah the king did six things; to three
the Sages consented, and to three they did not consent. He carried the
bones of his father (Ahaz) on a rope bed,(146) and they consented. He
powdered the brazen serpent,(147) and they consented. He concealed the
book of medicines,(148) and they consented. And to three they did not
consent: he cut off (the gold from) the doors of the temple(149) and sent
it to the Assyrian king, and they did not consent. He stopped the waters
of the upper Gihon,(150) and they did not consent. He introduced an
intercalary Nisan, and they did not consent.
Chapter V
1. The daily offering was slaughtered at half-past eight,(151) and offered
at half-past nine. On the eve of the passover it was slaughtered at
half-past seven and offered at half-past eight, whether the passover fell
on a week-day or on the Sabbath. When the eve of the passover began on the
eve of the Sabbath (Friday), it was slaughtered at half-past six, and
offered at half-past seven, and the passover followed after it.
2. “The passover offering, which was slaughtered without intention—and the
priest took its blood, and he went and sprinkled it without intention?” or
“with intention, and without intention?” or “without intention and with
intention?” “It is disallowed.” “How can it be with intention and without
intention?” “With intention partly for the passover, and with intention
partly for peace-offerings.” “Without intention and with intention?” “With
intention partly for peace-offerings, and with intention partly for the
passover-offering.”
3. “If he slaughtered the passover for those who may not legally eat
it—for those who are not reckoned in one company—for the uncircumcised,
and for the unclean?” “It is disallowed.” “For those who may eat, and for
those who may not eat it?” “For those who are reckoned in one company, and
for those who are not so reckoned?” “For circumcised, and for
uncircumcised?” “For unclean, and for clean?” “It is allowed.” “If he
slaughtered it before noon?” “It is disallowed.” Because it is said
“between the evenings.”(152) “If he slaughtered it before the daily
offering?” “It is allowed.” Except that one must keep stirring(153) its
blood, till the blood of the daily offering be sprinkled. “But if it be
_even_ sprinkled (before?)” “It is lawful.”
4. “He who slaughtered the passover-offering possessing leaven?” “He
transgressed a negative command.”(154) Rabbi Judah said, “this applies
even to the daily offering (of that evening).” Rabbi Simon said, “the
slaughter of the passover on the fourteenth with intention for the
passover makes (a man possessing leaven) guilty; but if it be slaughtered
without intention for the passover he is free.” “And in all other
sacrifices during the feast, whether one sacrifice with or without the
proper intention?” “He is free.” “When one thus offers in the feast itself
with proper intention?” “He is free.” “Without proper intention?” “He is
guilty.” “And in all the other sacrifices, when one possessing leaven
offers either with or without intention?” “He is guilty, only excepting
the sin-offering, which was slaughtered without intention.”
5. The passover was slaughtered(155) for three bands in succession, as is
said, “The whole assembly of the congregation of Israel”(156)—assembly,
congregation, Israel. The first band entered, the court was filled, the
doors of the court were locked. The trumpeters blew with the trumpets,
blew an alarm, and blew. The priests stood in rows, and in their hands
were bowls of silver and bowls of gold. All the silver row was entirely
silver, and all the golden row was entirely gold. They were not mingled.
And the bowls were not flat-bottomed, lest they should lay them down, and
the blood be coagulated.
6. When an Israelite slaughtered, and a priest caught the blood, he gave
it to his companion, and his companion to his companion, and he took the
full, and returned the empty bowl. The priest nearest the altar poured it
out at once in front of the foundation of the altar.
7. The first band went out, the second band entered; the second went out,
the third entered. As was the proceeding of the first, so was the
proceeding of the second and the third. They read the praise.(157) When
they finished they repeated it, and after repeating it they read it a
third time, even though they did not complete it thrice in their time. R.
Judah said, “during the time of the third band they did not reach to ‘I
love the Lord, for He hath heard,’ because the people were few.”
8. As was the proceeding in ordinary days, so was the proceeding on the
Sabbath, save that the priests washed out the court,(158) though not with
the will of the Sages. R. Judah said, “a cup was filled with mixed-up
blood,(159) and poured out at once upon the altar;” but the Sages “did not
admit it.”
9. “How did they hang up and skin the passover sacrifices?” “Iron hooks
were fixed in the walls and pillars, and on them they hung them, and
skinned them.” “And every one who had not a place to hang them up and skin
them?” “Thin smooth rods were there, and he rested one on his shoulder and
on the shoulder of his companion, and hung it up and skinned it.” Rabbi
Eliezer said, “when the fourteenth began on a Sabbath, he rested his hand
on the shoulder of his companion, and the hand of his companion on his
shoulder, and he hung it up and skinned it.”
10. He cut it open, and took out its entrails. He put them on a dish and
incensed them on the altar. The first party went out, and sat down on the
Mountain of the House. The second party were in the Chel,(160) and the
third party remained in their place. When it grew dark they went out and
roasted their passovers.
Chapter VI
1. These things in the passover abrogate the command against work on the
Sabbath: its slaughtering, and the sprinkling of its blood, and purging
its inwards, and incensing its fat. But its roasting and the rinsing of
its inwards do not abrogate the Sabbath. But to carry it, and to bring it
beyond a Sabbath day’s journey, and to cut off its wen, do not abrogate
the Sabbath. Rabbi Eleazar said, “they abrogate it.”
2. Said Rabbi Eleazar, “and is not this the teaching? when slaughtering is
work it abrogates the Sabbath. Things which are for ‘resting’ do not
abrogate the Sabbath.”(161) To him said Rabbi Joshua, “a holiday will give
the proof; the Sages permitted that which is work, and they forbade that
which is resting.” Rabbi Eleazar said to him, “what do you mean, Joshua?
what comparison is there between a command and that which is voluntary?”
Rabbi Akiba answered and said, “sprinkling(162) will give the proof,
because it is a positive command, and it is for ‘resting,’ and does not
abrogate the Sabbath; but you should not wonder at this, even though it be
a command, as it is for ‘resting,’ and does not abrogate the Sabbath.”
Rabbi Eleazar said to him, “and on that I form my judgment, when
slaughtering is work it abrogates the Sabbath; sprinkling, which is for
‘resting,’ does it not teach that it abrogates the Sabbath?” Rabbi Akiba
said to him, “on the contrary, if sprinkling, which is for ‘resting,’ does
not abrogate the Sabbath, slaughtering, which is for work, is it not the
teaching? should not abrogate the Sabbath.” Rabbi Eleazar said to him,
“Akiba, thou hast annulled what is written in the Law, ‘between the
evenings,’ ‘in its appointed time,’ whether it be a week-day or a
Sabbath.” He said to him, “My teacher, give me proof of an appointed time
for these things, like the appointed time for slaughtering the
passover-offering?” The rule is, said R. Akiba, “all work for the passover
which it is possible to do on the eve of the Sabbath does not abrogate the
Sabbath; slaughtering, which it is impossible to do on the eve of the
passover which falls on a Sabbath, abrogates the Sabbath.”
3. “When do men bring with the passover a feast-offering?” “When the
passover falls on a week-day, when those who offer it are legally clean,
and when the lamb is too small for the eaters. But when the passover falls
on a Sabbath, when the lamb is too much for the eaters, and there is legal
uncleanness, they should not bring with it a feast-offering.”
4. The feast-offering(163) came from flocks, from herds, from sheep and
goats, from rams and ewes, and it may be eaten during a period of two days
and one night.
5. “The passover which was slaughtered without the proper intention on a
Sabbath?” “The offerer of it is indebted for a sin-offering.” “And all the
other sacrifices which he slaughtered for the passover?” “If they be not
suitable for it he is guilty.” “And if they be suitable?” Rabbi Eleazar
declares him “indebted for a sin-offering.” But R. Joshua “frees him.”
Said Rabbi Eleazar, “what! if the passover which was allowed for proper
intention when the offerer changed its intention, makes him guilty; is it
not the teaching that sacrifices, which are disallowed for want of proper
intention when the offerer changed their intention, make him also guilty?”
Rabbi Joshua said to him, “no; if thou saidst in the passover when he
changed its intention it is changed to a thing disallowed, thou wilt say
in the other sacrifices when he changed their intention they are changed
to a thing allowed.” Rabbi Eleazar said to him, “the congregational
offerings will give the proof, because they are rendered lawful on the
Sabbath by intention, but whoever slaughtered (another) sacrifice with
their intention is guilty.” Rabbi Joshua said to him, “no; if thou sayest
so in the congregational offerings, which are a determined number, thou
wilt also say so in the passover sacrifice which has no determined
number.” Rabbi Meier said, “even he who slaughtered other offerings on the
Sabbath, with the intention of the congregational offerings, is free.”
6. “When one slaughtered the passover, but not for its eaters, or not for
those numbered to eat it, for uncircumcised and for unclean persons?” “He
is guilty.” “For its eaters and not for its eaters? For its reckoning and
not for its reckoning? For circumcised and uncircumcised? For clean and
unclean?” “He is free.” “He slaughtered it, and it was found blemished?”
“He is guilty.” “He slaughtered it and it was found torn in secret?” “He
is free.” “He slaughtered it, and it became known that its owners retired
from it, or died, or became legally unclean?” “He is free, because he
slaughtered it with lawful permission.”
Chapter VII
1. “How do men roast the passover?” “They bring a stick of pomegranate and
thrust it through its mouth to its tail. And they put its legs and
intestines inside it.” The words of R. José, the Galilean. Rabbi Akiba
said, “that is a kind of boiling, therefore they hang them outside of it.”
2. Men must not roast the passover on a spit or a gridiron. Said R. Zaduk,
“it happened to Rabban Gamaliel that he said to Zabi, his servant, ‘go and
roast for us the passover on the gridiron.’ ” “If it touch the side of the
oven?” “That part must be peeled off.” “If its gravy drop on the side of
the oven, and again return on it?” “That part must be taken out.” “If the
gravy drop on the fine flour?” “That part must be pulled out” (and
burned).
3. “If men anointed (basted) it with oil of the heave-offering?” “If it be
a company of priests, they may eat it.” “If it be a company of
Israelites?” “If it be raw they can wash it away.” “But if roast?” “They
must peel off the surface.” “If it was anointed with oil of the second
tithe?” “Its value in money must not be charged to the members of the
company, because they cannot redeem(164) the second tithes in Jerusalem.”
4. Five things may be brought during legal uncleanness, but they must not
be eaten in legal uncleanness: the sheaf,(165) the two wave loaves,(166)
and the shewbread,(167) sacrifices of peace-offerings of the
congregation,(168) and the kids(169) on the feast of the New Moon. The
passover which was brought during legal uncleanness, may be eaten in
uncleanness, because in the beginning the command came only for eating.
5. “If the flesh be legally unclean and the fat unpolluted?” “The priest
must not sprinkle its blood on the altar.” “If the fat be unclean and the
flesh unpolluted?” “The priest may sprinkle its blood.” But with other
holy offerings it is not so, for though their flesh be unclean, and their
fat remains unpolluted, the priest may sprinkle their blood on the altar.
6. “If the congregation be legally unclean, or its majority, or the
priests be legally unclean, and the congregation legally clean?” “The
passover may be kept in legal uncleanness.” “If the minority of the
congregation be legally unclean?” “The clean majority can keep the first,
and the unclean minority the second passover” (on the fourteenth day of
the following month).
7. When the blood of the passover-offering was poured on the altar, and it
was afterward known that it was unclean, the (golden)(170) plate of the
High Priest makes it accepted. When the body of the paschal sacrifice was
unclean, “the plate” cannot make it accepted, as they say the Nazarite and
the celebrant of the passover have the uncleanness of the blood accepted
with “the plate.” But “the plate” does not make the legal uncleanness of
the body of the paschal lamb accepted. If it be legally unclean with an
unknown uncleanness, the plate makes it accepted.
8. “If it be legally unclean in whole or in most part?” “The passover must
be burned in front of ‘the palace’(171) with the wood of the altar.” “A
little which is unclean, and that which is left over?” “The owners may
burn it in their own courts, or on their roofs with their own wood.” The
stingy ones burnt it in front of the palace, that they might use the wood
of the altar.
9. “The passover which was carried out of the city, or became unclean?”
“The owner must burn it off-hand.” “Its masters became unclean or died?”
“Let its appearance change, and let it be burned on the sixteenth.”(172)
Rabbi Jochanan, the son of Beruka, said, “even it must be burned off-hand,
because it has no one to eat it.”
10. “Bones and tendons and what is left over?” “They must be burned on the
sixteenth.” “If the sixteenth happened on a Sabbath?” “They must be burned
on the seventeenth, because they cannot abrogate either the laws of the
Sabbath or the holiday.”
11. All that is eaten in a great ox may be eaten in a tender kid, and the
tops of the shoulder-blades, and the gristle. “Whoever broke any bone in a
clean passover?” “He must receive forty stripes.” “But for what is left
over in the clean, and broken in an unclean passover?” “He does not
receive the forty”.
12. “A member partly displaced?” “One must cut in till he reach the bone,
and he must peel off the flesh till he reach the joint, and he cuts it
off. But in other holy offerings one may cleave the displaced members with
an axe, since there does not exist any (prohibition of) breaking the bone
for them.” (For example), from the door-post and inwards is inside. From
the door-post and outwards is outside. The windows and thickness of the
wall are reckoned as inside.
13. “Two companies which eat the passover in one house?” “These turn their
faces to this side and eat; and those turn their faces to that side and
eat. And the boiler(173) is between the companies. The servant stands to
mix wine. The servant must shut his mouth till he serve the other company.
He afterward turns his face till he reach his own company, and then he may
eat. And she who is newly married can turn her face aside and eat it.”
Chapter VIII
1. “The married woman, while she is in the house of her husband?” “Her
husband slaughtered on her account, and her father slaughtered on her
account?” “She must eat the passover with her husband.” “She went to spend
the first feast after her marriage in the house of her father—her father
slaughtered on her account, and her husband slaughtered on her account?”
“She may eat in the place which she wishes.” “An orphan on whose account
the guardians slaughtered?” “He may eat in the place which he wishes.” “A
slave of two partners?” “He must not eat with both.” “A slave who is half
free?” “He must not eat with his master.”
2. One said to his slave, “go and slaughter for me the passover.” “He
slaughtered a kid?” “He may eat it.” “He slaughtered a lamb?” “He may eat
it.” “He slaughtered a kid and a lamb?” “He may eat of the first.” “He
forgot what his master said to him—what shall he do?” “He must slaughter a
lamb and a kid, and shall say, ‘If my master said to me—a kid, the kid is
on his account, and the lamb is on my account; and if my master said to
me—a lamb, the lamb is for him, and the kid is for me.’ ” “If his master
forgot what he said to him?” “Both animals must go forth to the house of
burning; and they are free from keeping the second passover.”
3. One said to his sons, “I am ready to slaughter the passover for you who
shall first go up to Jerusalem.” As soon as one of them entered with his
head and the greater part of his body inside the city gate, he gained his
own share of the passover, and gained it for his brothers with him. They
may always be reckoned in one company, when each one obtains the size of
an olive. They may first be reckoned, and afterward withdraw from a
company till the passover be slaughtered. Rabbi Simon said, “until its
blood be poured out on their account.”
4. “He who reckoned others with himself in his portion of the lamb?” “The
members of the company are allowed to give to him his share, and he may
eat of it with his own guests; and they may eat their portion with their
own guests.”
5. “If one observed an issue twice?” “They may slaughter the lamb on his
account on the seventh day of the issue if it be the fourteenth day of
Nisan.” “If he observed it thrice?”(174) “They may only slaughter on his
account on the eighth day of the issue” (if it be the fourteenth day of
Nisan).
6. “The mourner and the person who opened a heap,(175) and also the person
who has the promise of release from prison, and the sick, and the aged,
who are able to eat the size of an olive?” “They may slaughter the
passover for them.” For all of them they must not slaughter the lamb on
their own account alone, lest they bring the passover into contempt,(176)
because there might happen to them some abomination. They are freed from
keeping a second passover—excepting him who in opening the heap was
unclean from the beginning.
7. “They must not slaughter the passover for one person.” The words of
Rabbi Judah; but Rabbi José “allowed it.” Even for a company of a hundred,
when they cannot eat the size of an olive, they must not slaughter the
passover; and they must not form a company of women, of slaves, and of
little ones.
8. A mourner may be baptized, and eat his passover in the evening, but not
other holy things. “He who heard of a death, or had the bones of his
relations collected?” “He may be baptized and eat holy things.” “A
stranger who was proselytized on the eve of the passover?” The school of
Shammai say, “He may be baptized and eat his passover in the evening”; but
the school of Hillel say, “he who just departed from the foreskin is as
legally unclean as he who just departs from the grave.”
Chapter IX
1. He who was legally unclean, or in a journey afar off, and did not keep
the first, must keep the second (passover). “He mistook it, or was
constrained by force, and did not keep the first?” “He must keep the
second.” “If so, why is it said unclean(177) or in a journey afar off?”
“Because such persons are free from being cut off, but those bound to
observe it are to be cut off if they neglect it.”
2. What is a “journey afar off?” “From Modiim(178) and outward; and so is
the measure from Jerusalem on every side.” The words of Rabbi Akiba; Rabbi
Eleazar said, “from the threshold of the temple-court and outward.” Said
R. José, “for this reason there is a dot on the ‘he,’ to explain not that
it is really afar off, but that one is afar off from the threshold of the
temple-court and outward.”
3. “What is the difference between the first and second passover?” “The
first passover forbids leaven to be seen or found; but the second allows
unleavened and leavened bread in one’s house.” The first passover requires
hallel(179) during eating, but the second does not require hallel during
eating. Both require hallel in their preparations, and the paschal
sacrifices must be eaten roasted on unleavened bread with bitter herbs,
and they both abrogate the Sabbath.
4. “The passover-offering which was brought during legal uncleanness?”
“The man or woman with an issue may not eat of it, nor she in separation
or in childbirth. But if they eat they are free from being cut off.” Rabbi
Eleazar “frees them even in going into the sanctuary.”
5. “What is the difference between the passover of Egypt and the passover
of succeeding generations?” “The passover of Egypt was taken on the tenth
day,(180) and required the sprinkling with a bunch of hyssop on the lintel
and the two side posts, and was eaten with haste in one night; but the
passover of succeeding generations exists the whole seven days.”
6. Said R. Joshua, “I once heard that the substitute(181) of the
passover-offering can be sacrificed, and that the substitute of the
passover-offering cannot be sacrificed, I have no one to explain.” Said R.
Akiba, “I will explain: the passover-offering, which was found (after
being lost) before the time for slaughtering its substitute, may be
pastured till it be blemished, and it can be sold, and the owner can take
for its price peace-offerings, and so also for its substitute. After the
time for slaughtering the passover-offering its substitute may be offered
for a peace-offering, and so can also its substitute.”
7. “He who set apart a ewe for his passover, or a male of two years?” “He
may pasture it till it be blemished. And he can sell it, and its price may
be used for a free-will offering.” “He who selected his passover, and
afterward died?” “His son must not offer it after him with the intention
of a passover, but he may offer it with the intention of a
peace-offering.”
8. “The passover-offering which was mixed up with other sacrifices?” “All
must be pastured till they be blemished, and they must be sold, and the
offerer must bring the price of the best of this kind and the price of the
best of that kind, and the loss he must make up from his private means.”
“The passover-offering which was mixed up with first-borns?” Rabbi Simon
said, “if there be companies of priests they may eat it.”
9. “A company(182) which lost its passover-offering, and said to someone,
‘go and seek it and slaughter it for us’; and he went and found it and
slaughtered it, and they meanwhile also took one and slaughtered it,—if
his be first slaughtered?” “He may eat of his and they may eat with him of
his.” “But if theirs be first slaughtered?” “They may eat of theirs, and
he may eat of his.” “But if it be not known which of them was first
slaughtered, or both were slaughtered at once?” “He must eat of his
passover, but they cannot eat with him, and their passover must go forth
to the house of burning; and they are freed from keeping a second
passover.” “He said to them, ‘if I be too late, go and slaughter for me’;
he went, and meanwhile found (the lost) one and slaughtered it, and they
took and also slaughtered one. If theirs be first slaughtered?” “They may
eat of theirs, and he may eat with them.” “But if his were first
slaughtered?” “He shall eat of his, and they shall eat of theirs.” “But if
it be not known which of them was first slaughtered or both of them were
slaughtered at once?” “They shall eat of theirs, but he must not eat with
them, and his lamb must go forth to the house of burning, and he is freed
from keeping a second (passover).” “If he said to them ‘slaughter for me,’
and they also said to him ‘slaughter for us?’ ” “All shall eat of that one
first slaughtered.” “But if it be not known which of them was first
slaughtered?” “Both must go forth to the house of burning.” “If he did not
say it to them, nor they say it to him?” “They are not sureties one for
the other” (and they must eat apart from each other).
10. “Two companies had their passover-offerings mixed: this company drew
out one for themselves, and that company drew out one for themselves. One
of these comes to those, and one of those comes to these, and thus they
say, ‘if this passover be ours, let our hands be withdrawn from yours and
be counted with ours; but if this passover be yours, let our hands be
withdrawn from ours and be counted with yours.’ And so with five companies
of five each, and ten of ten each, they may draw out and join one from
every company, and say so.”
11. “Two persons who had their passover-offerings mixed?” “One draws out
one for himself, and the other draws out one for himself. This one can
count with himself a person invited from the market. And that one can
count with himself a person invited from the market. This individual comes
to that one, and that one comes to this one, and so they say, ‘if this
passover be mine, let thy hands be withdrawn from thine, and be counted
with mine; and if this passover be thine, let my hands be withdrawn from
mine, and be counted with thine.’ ”
Chapter X
1. On the eves of the passovers near to the time of evening prayer a man
must not eat till it be dark. And even the poorest in Israel must not eat
till he can recline at ease, and they must not withhold from him the four
cups of wine, even though he receives the weekly alms.
2. When they mix for him the first cup of wine,(183) the school of Shammai
say, “he shall repeat the blessing for the day, and after that the
blessing for the wine.” But the school of Hillel say, “he shall repeat the
blessing for the wine, and after that the blessing for the day.”
3. The attendants bring before him greens and lettuce. He dips the lettuce
in its sauce till he come to the time for the seasoning of the bread. They
bring before him unleavened bread, and lettuce, and the fruit sauce, on
two dishes, even though the fruit sauce is not a command. Rabbi Eleazar,
the son of Zadok, said (it is) “a command, and in the time of the
sanctuary they used to bring before him the body of the passover
offering.”
4. The attendants mixed for him the second cup, and here the son asks his
father, and if the son have no knowledge his father teaches him, “in what
is this night different from all other nights?” “Because in all other
nights we eat leavened and unleavened bread. In this night all is
unleavened. Because in all other nights we eat every herb, in this night
bitter herbs. Because in all other nights we eat flesh roasted, well
boiled, and boiled. In this night all is roasted. Because in all other
nights we dip what we eat once, in this night twice” (_i.e._, in the sauce
and in the seasoning). And according to the knowledge of the son his
father teaches him. He begins in shame and he ends in praise. And he
expounds from “a Syrian ready to perish was my father,”(184) till he end
the whole passage.
5. Rabban Gamaliel used to say, “everyone who did not speak of these three
things in the passover did not discharge his duty, and these are they: the
passover, the unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. Passover, because
OMNIPRESENCE passed over the houses of our fathers in Egypt. Unleavened,
because our fathers were redeemed from Egypt. Bitter, because the
Egyptians made the lives of our fathers bitter in Egypt.” In every
generation man is bound to look to himself as though he in person went out
from Egypt, as is said,(185) “And thou shalt show thy son in that day,
saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I
came forth out of Egypt.” For this reason we are bound to acknowledge, to
thank, to praise, to glorify, to exalt, to magnify, to bless, to elevate,
without limit, HIM who has done for our fathers and us all these miracles.
He brought us from slavery to freedom, from sorrow to joy, and from
mourning to festivity, and from thick darkness to great light, and from
servitude to redemption, and let us say before Him Hallelujah.
6. “How far does he repeat?” The school of Shammai say, till “a joyful
mother of children.”(186) But the school of Hillel say, till “the flint
into a fountain of waters,”(187) and he finished with a “blessing for
redemption.” Rabbi Tarphon said, “ ‘Who redeemed us and redeemed our
fathers from Egypt,’ and he does not end with any other blessing.” Rabbi
Akiba adds, “So the Lord our God and the God of our fathers shall bring us
to holidays and other feast-days yet to come to us in peace, rejoicing in
the building of THY city, and delighting in THY service; and we shall eat
there the sacrifices and the passovers, etc., until ‘Blessed be Thou,
Lord, the Redeemer of Israel.’ ”
7. When the attendants mixed for him the third cup(188) he says the
blessing for his food, with the fourth cup he finished the hallel, and
said over it the blessing of the Song.(189) Between the first and second
cups if he wish to drink, he may drink as much as he likes. Between the
third and fourth he must not drink.
8. Persons are not free after the passover to ask for more food. “If some
fall asleep during the passover?”(190) “They may afterward eat of it.”
“All?” “They must not eat of it.” Rabbi José says, “If they dozed?” “They
may eat of it.” “If they slept?” “They must not eat of it.”
9. The passover after midnight renders hands legally unclean. False
intention and the remains of the feast render hands legally unclean.(191)
“When one repeated the passover-blessing?” “He is free from the
sacrifice-blessing, but the sacrifice-blessing does not free him from that
of the passover.” The words of R. Ishmael. Rabbi Akiba said, “this does
not free from that, nor that from this.”
On The Day Of Atonement
Preparations of the High Priest—Cleansing the Altar—Casting
Lots—Daybreak—Offerings—Dress—Prayer—The
Goats—Monobazus—Helena—Azazel—The Golden Censer—The Vail—Holy of
Holies—“Foundation”—Sprinkling the Blood—Sending Forth the Goat
into the Wilderness—High Priest Burning the Bullock and
Goat—Reading—Ceremonial—Rules and Exceptions—Repentance and
Atonement.
Chapter I
1. Seven days before the Day of Atonement the High Priest was removed from
his house to the chamber(192) Parhedrin, and the council prepared for him
another priest,(193) lest there happen to him any defilement. R. Judah
said, “they prepared also another wife, lest his wife die”; as is
said,(194) “And he shall atone for himself and for his house”; for his
house, _i.e._, for his wife. The Sages said to him, “if so, there is no
end to the matter.”
2. All these seven days, he (the high priest) sprinkled the blood, burned
the incense, and trimmed the lamps, and offered the head and the foot. On
the remainder of all the days, if he wished to offer, he offered; since
the high priest first offered part, and first took part (in the
sacrifices).
3. The elders from the elders of the great Sanhedrin delivered to him, and
read before him, the ceremonial of the day; and they said to him, “My Lord
High Priest, read with thy mouth, perchance thou hast forgotten, or
perchance thou hast not learned.”(195) On the eve of the day of atonement,
toward dawn, they placed him in the eastern gate (of the Temple), and they
caused to pass before him bullocks, rams, and lambs, that he might be
skilled and expert in his ministry.
4. All the seven days they did not withhold from him food and drink; the
eve of the day of atonement, with the beginning of darkness, they did not
permit him to eat much, since food induces sleep.
5. The elders of the great Sanhedrin delivered him to the elders of the
priesthood, who brought him to the upper chamber of the house Abtinas. And
they administered to him the oath,(196) and they left him and departed.
And they said to him, “My Lord High Priest, we are ambassadors of the
great Sanhedrin, and thou art our ambassador, and the ambassador of the
great Sanhedrin. We adjure thee by Him, whose Name dwells in this house,
that thou wilt not change aught of all which we have said to thee.” He
went apart and wept. They went apart and wept.(197)
6. If he were a learned man, he expounded; but if not, the disciples of
the learned expounded before him. If he were skilled in reading, he read;
but if not, they read before him. “And in what did they read before him?”
“In Job, and in Ezra, and in Chronicles.” Zachariah, the son of Kebutal,
said, “I often read before him in Daniel.”
7. If he desired to sleep, the young priests filliped with the first
finger(198) before him, and said to him, “My Lord High Priest, stand up
and refresh thyself(199) once on the pavement,” and they kept him
occupied(200) until the time approached for slaying (the victims).
8. Every day they cleansed the altar at cockcrow, or at its approach,
intermediate before or after it; and on the day of atonement(201) at
midnight; and in the three great feasts, at the first watch. And before
cockcrow the court was crowded with Israel.
Chapter II
1. At first everyone who wished to (cleanse) the altar, cleansed it. When
they were many, they ran and mounted the ascent, and each one, who at the
middle outstripped his companion by four cubits, won it. If two were equal
the president said to them, “lift your fingers.”(202) “And what is that?”
“They lifted one or two fingers, but no one lifted the thumb in the
Sanctuary.”
2. It happened that two were equal, and running and mounting the ascent,
one of them thrust his companion, so that he fell, and his leg was broken.
And when the great Sanhedrin saw that they were getting into danger, they
decreed that they should not cleanse the altar save by lot. There were
four lots, and this was the first lot.
3. The second lot was: Who should slay? Who sprinkle? Who should take the
ashes from the inner altar? and who should take the ashes from the
candlestick? and who should carry the members to the ascent? the head and
the right foot, and the hind feet, the tail, and the left foot, the
breast, and the throat, and the two sides, and the inwards, and the fine
flour, and the pancakes, and the wine. Thirteen priests discharged this
lot. Said Ben Asai in the presence of R. Akiba from the mouth of Rabbi
Joshua, “like to its way of motion” (when alive).
4. The third lot(203) was for new men who came to offer incense, and they
cast the lots. The fourth lot was for new men with the old, who should
carry the members from the ascent to the altar.
5. The daily offering was with nine, ten, eleven, twelve, priests; not
less and not more. “How?” “Itself with nine: at the feast of Tabernacles
in the hand of one, a glass of water there is ten. The evening offering
with eleven, itself with nine, and in the hands of two, two fagots of
wood. On Sabbath, eleven; itself with nine, and two, in their hands two
fragments of incense of the showbread. And on the Sabbath in the feast of
Tabernacles in the hand of one a glass of water.”
6. The ram was offered with eleven; the flesh with five, the inner part,
and the fine flour and the wine, to each two and two.
7. The bullock was offered with twenty-four priests. “The head and the
right foot?” “The head with one, and the foot with two.” “The chine and
the left foot?” “The tail with two, and the left foot with two.” “The
breast and the throat?” “The breast with one, and the throat with three,
the two hind feet with two, and the two sides with two, the inner parts
and the fine flour, and the wine, each with three and three.” “Of which is
that said?” “Of the offering for the whole congregation.” “But for the
offerings of an individual?” “If he wished to offer, he might offer.” “For
the skinning and cutting up?” “For these all were equal.”
Chapter III
1. The overseer said to them, “go and look if the time for slaughter is
come.” If it came, the watchman said, “it is brightening.”(204) Matthew
the son of Samuel said, “is the whole east light as far as Hebron?” and he
said “yes.”
2. “And why was that necessary?” “Because it once happened that the light
of the moon came up, and they deemed it the light from the east.” And they
slaughtered the daily offering, and they brought it to the house of
burning. And they brought down the High Priest to the house of Baptism.
This was the rule in the Sanctuary that everyone who covered his feet (was
required) to wash; and everyone retiring was required to sanctify his
hands and feet.
3. No one entered the court for service, however clean, until he washed.
The High Priest made five washings and ten purifications in this day, and
all were in the Holy place above the house of Parva,(205) with the
exception of the first one alone.
4. They made a screen of linen between him and the people. He undressed,
descended, and washed. He came up and wiped himself. They brought to him
robes of gold, and he dressed, and he sanctified his hands and feet. They
brought to him the daily offering. He cut (its throat), and another
finished the slaughter at his hand. He received the blood and sprinkled
it. He entered to offer the morning incense and to trim the lights, and to
offer the head and the members, and the things fried in the pan, and the
wine.
5. The morning incense was offered between the blood and the members. That
of the evening(206) between the members and the libations. If the High
Priest were old, or delicate, they heated for him (iron), and they put it
into the cold water, that its temperature should be changed.
6. They brought him to the house of Parva, and it was in the Sanctuary.
They divided with the screen of linen between him and the people. He
sanctified his hands and feet and undressed. R. Meier said, he undressed
and sanctified his hands and feet, he descended and washed, he came up and
he wiped himself. They brought to him white robes, he dressed and
sanctified his hands and feet.
7. “In the morning he was dressed with Pelusian linen worth twelve
minas,(207) and in the evening with Indian linen worth 800 zuz.”(208) The
words of R. Meier. But the Sages say, “that in the morning his dress was
worth eighteen minas, and in the evening twelve minas”; all these thirty
minas were from the congregation, and if he wished to add to them he might
add of himself.
8. He came to the side of his bullock, and the bullock was standing
between the porch and the altar; his head to the North, and his face to
the West; and the Priest stood in the East, and his face Westward, and he
placed both hands upon him and made confession, and thus he spake, “I
beseech thee, O Name, I have committed iniquity. I have sinned before
Thee—I, and my house—I beseech thee, O Name, pardon(209) now the
iniquities and the transgressions and the sins which I have perversely
committed, and transgressed, and sinned before thee, I, and my house, as
is written in the law of Moses thy servant, that in this day ‘He will
atone for you,’ etc. And they answered after him, ‘BLESSED BE THE NAME.
THE HONOR OF HIS KINGDOM FOREVER AND EVER.’ ”
9. He came to the east of the court to the north of the altar. The Sagan
was at his right hand, and the chief of the fathers at his left. And there
were the two goats; and the urn was there, and in it were two lots of
boxwood, and Ben Gamla made them of gold, and they commemorated him as
praiseworthy.
10. The son of Katin made twelve pipes to the laver, where before there
were but two; and also he made a wheel for the laver, lest its water
should be polluted by night. Monobazus(210) the king made all the handles
of the vessels, of gold for the day of atonement. Helena, his mother, made
a chandelier of gold near the door of the Sanctuary, and she also made a
tablet of gold upon which the section of the Sota(211) was written.
Wonders were wrought for the doors of Nicanor,(212) and they were
commemorated as praiseworthy.
11. And these were in ignominy: The family of Garmu, who were unwilling to
instruct in the preparation of the show-bread. The family of Abtinas, who
were unwilling to instruct in the preparation of incense. Hogrus, the son
of Levi, knew a tune in the chant, and was unwilling to instruct. The son
of Kamzar was unwilling to instruct in the art of writing. Concerning the
former it is said, “The memory of the just is blessed”; and concerning the
latter it is said, “but the name of the wicked shall rot” (Prov. x. 7).
Chapter IV
1. He shook the urn and brought up two lots; one was written “for the
Name,” and the other was written “for Azazel.”(213) The Sagan stood at his
right hand, and the Chief of the Fathers at his left. If “for the Name”
came up in his right hand the Sagan said to him, “My Lord High Priest,
lift up thy right hand”; and if “for the Name” came up in his left the
Chief of the Fathers said to him, “My Lord High Priest, lift up thy left
hand.” He placed them upon the two goats, and said, “for the Lord is the
sin-offering.” R. Ismael said, “it was not necessary to mention the
sin-offering” but “for the Lord.” And they answered after him, “BLESSED BE
THE NAME. THE HONOR OF HIS KINGDOM FOREVER AND EVER.”
2. He twisted a tongue(214) of brightness on the head of the goat to be
sent away, and he placed him opposite the gate from whence he should be
sent. And the one for slaughter he placed opposite the slaughter-house. He
himself came beside his bullock the second time, and laid his two hands
upon him and made confession, and thus he spake: “I beseech Thee, O Name,
I have committed iniquity, I have transgressed, I have sinned before Thee.
I, and my house, and the sons of Aaron, Thy holy people. I beseech Thee, O
Name, pardon iniquities, transgressions, and sins which I have perversely
committed, and transgressed, and sinned before Thee, I, and my house, and
the sons of Aaron, Thy holy people, as is written in the law of Moses, Thy
servant, saying, that in this day he will atone for you to purify you from
all your sins ‘Before the LORD. Ye shall be pure.’ ” And they answered
after him, “BLESSED BE THE NAME. THE HONOR OF HIS KINGDOM FOREVER AND
EVER.”
3. He slaughtered him and caught his blood in a bowl, and he gave it to
him who mixed it upon the fourth platform of the Sanctuary, that it might
not congeal. He took the censer, and went up to the top of the altar, and
raked the live coals here and there, and gathered out from the inner
embers. And went down and placed it upon the fourth platform in the court.
4. Every day he gathered out the coals with one of silver and poured them
out into one of gold, but to-day he gathered them with one of gold and he
entered with it. Every day he gathered them out with one of four cabs(215)
and poured them into one of three cabs. But to-day he gathered them out
with one of three cabs, and with it he entered. Rabbi Joseph said, “every
day he gathered out with one containing a seah,(216) and poured it into
one of three cabs. But to-day he gathered out with one of three cabs, and
with it he entered. Every day it was heavy, but to-day it was light. Every
day its handle was short, but to-day long. Every day it was green gold;
to-day red.” The words of Rabbi Menachem. “Every day he offered half a
pound in the morning, and half a pound in the evening, but to-day he added
his handful. Every day it was fine; but to-day the finest of the fine.”
5. Every day the priests went up the ascent (to the altar) in the east and
descended in the west. But to-day the High Priest went up in the middle
and descended in the middle. R. Judah said, “The High Priest ever went up
in the middle and descended in the middle.” Every day the High Priest
sanctified his hands and his feet from the laver; but to-day from the
golden basin. R. Judah said, “The High Priest ever sanctified his hands
and his feet from the golden basin.”
6. “Every day there were there four rows(217) of hearths; but to-day
five,” the words of R. Meier. Rabbi Joseph said, “every day three; but
to-day four.” Rabbi Judah said, “every day two; but to-day three.”
Chapter V
1. They brought out for him the cup and the censer, and filled his hand
full (of incense), and put it into the cup, the large according to his
largeness,(218) and the smaller according to his smallness, and so was its
measure. He took the censer in his right hand, and the spoon in his left.
He proceeded in the Sanctuary until he came between the two vails dividing
between the holy and the holy of holies, and intermediate was a cubit. R.
Joseph said, “there was one vail only,” as He said, “the vail is the
division for you between the Holy and the Holy of Holies” (Exod. xxvi.
33). Outside it was looped up southward, inside northward. He proceeded
between them till he reached the north. When he reached the north his face
was turned southward. He proceeded leftward near the vail till he came to
the ark. When he came to the ark, he put the censer between its two
staves, he heaped the incense on the live coals, and the whole house was
entirely filled with smoke. He went out, and returned by the way of his
entrance, and he offered a short prayer in the outer house, and he did not
prolong his prayer, lest he should excite terror(219) in Israel.
2. When the ark was removed, a stone was there from the days of the first
prophets, and it was called “FOUNDATION.”(220) It was three digits high
above the earth, and upon it he put the censer.
3. He took the blood from the mixer.(221) With it he entered to the place
where he entered, and stood in the place where he stood. He sprinkled of
it once on high, and seven times below, and he did not purpose to sprinkle
neither on high nor below, but unintentionally,(222) and so he counted,
“one, one and one, one and two, one and three, one and four, one and five,
one and six, one and seven.” He went out and placed it on the golden
pedestal, which was in the Sanctuary.
4. They brought to him the goat, he slaughtered it and caught his blood in
a bowl. He entered to the place where he entered, and stood in the place
where he stood, and sprinkled of it once on high and seven times below,
and he did not purpose to sprinkle neither on high nor below, but
unintentionally;(223) and so he counted, “one, one and one, one and two,”
etc. He went out, and placed it on the second pedestal, which was in the
Sanctuary. R. Judah said “there was but one pedestal only.” He took the
blood of the bullock and laid down the blood of the goat, and sprinkled of
it on the vail opposite the ark, on the outside, once on high, seven times
below, and he did not purpose, etc., and so he counted. He took the blood
of the goat and laid down the blood of the bullock, and sprinkled of it on
the vail opposite the ark, on the outside, once on high and seven times
below, etc. He poured the blood of the bullock into the blood of the goat,
and infused the full into the empty.
5. And he went out to the altar which is before the LORD. This was the
golden altar. He began cleansing it, and went down. “From what place did
he begin?” “From the Northeastern corner, the Northwestern, Southwestern,
and Southeastern, the place where he began with the sin-offering of the
outer altar, at the same place he finished upon the inner altar.” R.
Eliezer said, “he stood in his place and cleansed, and in general he
operated from below upward, excepting that which was before him, on that
he operated from above downward.”
6. He sprinkled on the middle(224) of the altar seven times, and the
remainder of the blood he poured out on the western foundation of the
outer altar, and the blood from the outer altar he poured out on the
southern foundation. This and that commingled in the channel, and flowed
out to the Kidron Valley, and they were sold to the gardeners for manure,
and they became guilty(225) in themselves.
7. All work of the day of atonement is described in order. If the High
Priest performed one before the other, he did nothing. If the blood of the
goat be sprinkled before the blood of the bullock, he must return, and
sprinkle from the blood of the goat after the blood of the bullock. And if
he had not finished the performances within, the blood was spilled. He
must bring other blood, and return to sprinkle first from within. And so
in the Sanctuary, and so in the golden altar, because all are an atonement
in themselves. R. Eleazar and R. Simon say, “from the place where he
stopped there he began.”
Chapter VI
1. Both he-goats for the day of atonement are commanded to be alike in
color, and in stature, and in price, and to be selected at the same time,
and although they be not equal, yet are they lawful. “If one be selected
to-day and the other tomorrow?” “They are lawful.” “If one of them died?”
If he died before the lot be cast, the priest shall take a pair for the
second; and if after the lot be cast he die, the priest shall fetch
another pair, and cast the lot over them anew. And he shall say, “if that
for the Name die, this over which this lot comes will be a substitute for
the Name; and if that for Azazel die, this over which this lot comes will
be a substitute for Azazel.” And the second shall go to pasture, until he
become blemished, and he shall be sold, and his price must be put into the
offertory. Since the sin-offering of the congregation dies not. R. Judah
said, “thou shalt die”;(226) and again said R. Judah, “is his blood shed?”
“The one to be sent forth shall die.” “Has the one to be sent forth died?”
“His blood shall be shed.”
2. The high priest came to the side of the goat to be sent forth, and he
placed his two hands(227) on him and made confession, and thus he spake:
“I beseech Thee, O Name, Thy people, the house of Israel, have done
perversely, have transgressed and sinned before Thee. I beseech Thee, O
Name, pardon now their perverse doings, and their transgressions, and
their sins, which they have perversely committed, and transgressed, and
sinned before thee. Thy people the house of Israel, as is written in the
law of Moses Thy servant, saying, ‘For on that day shall he make an
atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins; before the LORD ye
shall be pure.’(228) And the priests and the people who stood in the
court, on hearing the Name clearly pronounced by the mouth of the High
Priest, knelt and worshipped, and fell on their faces and said, ‘BLESSED
BE THE NAME. THE HONOR OF HIS KINGDOM FOREVER AND EVER.’ ”
3. They delivered (the goat) to his conductor. All were eligible for
conducting him. But the great priests made a rule, and they did not permit
Israel to lead him forth. Said R. Joseph, “it occurred that Arsela of
Zippori led him forth, and he was an Israelite.”
4. And they made steps(229) for him by reason of the Babylonians,(230) who
plucked off his hair and said to him, “take and go, take and go.” The
nobles of Jerusalem escorted him to the first booth. There were ten booths
from Jerusalem to Zuk,(231)—ninety stadia—seven and a half to every mile.
5. At every booth they said to him, “there is food, there is water,” and
they escorted him from booth to booth, except the last. For they came not
with him to Zuk, but stood afar off and saw his acts.
6. “What did he do?” “His conductor divided the tongue of brightness (iv.
2). Half he twisted on the rock, and half he twisted between his horns.
And he thrust him backward, and the goat rolled, and descended, and he had
not reached to the half of the mountain, till his members were made
members.(232) He returned and sat under the last booth until darkness set
in.” “And when did he render garments unclean?”(233) “From his exit from
the wall of Jerusalem.” R. Simon said, “from the time of his thrusting at
Zuk.”
7. The High Priest came beside the bullock and he-goat which were to be
burned. He cleft them, and brought out their entrails. He put them on a
dish, and caused them to smoke upon the altar. He folded them in their
skins, and caused them to be carried to the place of burning. “And when
did he render garments unclean?” “From his proceeding without the wall of
the court.” R. Simon said, “when the fire kindled on the greatest part”
(of the sacrifice).
8. They said to the High Priest, “the he-goat has arrived in the
wilderness.” “And whence knew they that the he-goat had arrived in the
wilderness?” “They set watchmen, who waved handkerchiefs, and they knew
that the he-goat had arrived in the wilderness.” Said R. Judah, “and was
not this a great sign to them? from Jerusalem to Bethhoron(234) there were
three miles. They went a mile and returned, and rested the time of a mile,
and they knew that the he-goat arrived in the desert.” R. Ishmael(235)
said, “and was there not another sign to them?” A tongue of brightness was
twisted on the door of the Sanctuary, and when the he-goat arrived in the
wilderness the tongue blanched, as is said, “Though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”(236)
Chapter VII
1. The High Priest came to read. If he wished to read in linen garments,
he read. If not, he read in his own white stole. The public Minister of
the congregation took out the roll of the Law, and delivered it to the
Chief of the congregation, and the Chief of the congregation gave it to
the Sagan, and the Sagan gave it to the High Priest. And the High Priest
stood and received it and read. He stood and read “after the death”(237)
and “also on the tenth day.”(238) And he rolled up the book of the Law,
and put it into his bosom, and said, “More than what I have read before
you is written here.” And “on the tenth”(239) in the Pentateuch of
overseers he recited, and pronounced upon it eight blessings; upon the
Law, and upon the Service, and upon the confession, and upon the
forgiveness of sins, and upon the Sanctuary separately, and upon Israel
separately, and upon Jerusalem separately, and upon the Priests
separately, and upon the remainder of the prayer.
2. He who saw the High Priest, when he read, could not see the bullock and
the he-goat, when they were burning. And he who saw the bullock and the
he-goat, when they were burning, could not see the High Priest, when he
read. Not because it was forbidden, but because the way was far, and the
work of both was proceeding at once.
3. If he read in linen garments, he sanctified his hands and his feet, he
undressed, he descended and bathed. He came up, and wiped himself. They
brought him golden garments, and he dressed, and he sanctified his hands
and his feet, and went forth and offered the ram for himself, and the ram
for the people, and seven lambs without blemish of a year old. The words
of R. Eleazar. R. Akiba said, “with the morning sacrifice they were
offered.” And the bullock of burnt-offering and the he-goat,(240) which
was prepared without, were offered with the evening sacrifice.
4. He purified his hands and his feet, and undressed, and washed, and he
came up, and wiped himself. They brought to him white garments, and he
dressed, and sanctified his hands and his feet. He entered to bring forth
the spoon and the censer, he sanctified his hands and his feet, and
undressed, and he descended, and washed. He came up, and wiped himself.
They brought to him garments of gold, and he dressed, and sanctified his
hands and his feet. And he entered to offer the evening incense, and to
trim the lights; and he sanctified his hands and his feet, and he dressed.
They brought to him his own garments, and he dressed. And they escorted
him to his house. And he made a feast-day for his friends, when he went
out in peace from the Sanctuary.
5. The High Priest ministered in eight vestments. And the ordinary priest
in four, in the tunic, and drawers, and bonnet, and girdle. To these, the
High Priest added the breast-plate, and ephod, and robe, and (golden)
plate. In these they inquired by Urim and Thummim.(241) And they did not
inquire in them for a private person; only for the King and the great
Sanhedrin, and for whomsoever the congregation is necessary.
Chapter VIII
1. On the day of atonement, food, and drink, and washing, and anointing,
and the sandal latchet,(242) and marriage duties, are restricted. “But the
king and bride are allowed to wash their face, and the woman after
childbirth may wear sandals.” The words of R. Eleazar, but the Sages
forbid them.
2. The person who eats the size of a big date and its grain, and drinks a
jawful, is liable to punishment. All edible things are united for the
measure of the date, and all drinkable things are united for the measure
of the jawful. Eating and drinking are not united.
3. He who eats and drinks unwittingly, is only liable for one
sin-offering. If he eat and work, he is liable for two sin-offerings. He
who eats what is disagreeable for food, and drinks what is disagreeable
for drinking, and he who drinks fish brine, or salt gravy, is free.
4. They do not afflict young children in the day of atonement, but they
coax them one or two years before, that they may be accustomed to the
commandments.
5. If the pregnant woman be affected by the odor, they give her food, till
her strength return. To the sick person they give food by order from the
physicians. If there be no physicians, they give him food at his own
demand until he say, “it is enough.”
6. Him who is affected with blindness, they fed even with unclean things,
till his eyes got the power of vision. Him who is bitten by a mad dog,
they fed not with the caul of his liver. But R. Mathia Ben Charash said,
“it is allowed”; and again said R. Mathia Ben Charash, “to him who had
throat complaint they administered medicine in his mouth on the Sabbath
day, since there is uncertainty of life, and all uncertainty of life
abrogates the Sabbath.”
7. “On whomsoever an old ruin falls, if there be a doubt, whether one be
under it or not; if there be doubt, whether he be alive or dead; if there
be a doubt, whether he be a foreigner or an Israelite?” “They open over
him the heap. If they find him alive, they open fully, but if dead, they
leave him.”
8. The sin-offering, and the offering for known transgression make
atonement. Death and the day of atonement with repentance make atonement.
Repentance atones for light transgressions, for commands positive and
negative. But grave offences are suspended, till the day of atonement
come, and it will atone.
9. He who said, “I will sin and repent—I will sin and repent?” “They did
not give him the opportunity of repentance.” “I will sin, and the day of
atonement shall atone?” “The day of atonement makes no atonement.”
Transgressions between man and The Place(243) the day of atonement
expiates. Transgressions between man and his neighbor, the day of
atonement does not expiate, until his companion be reconciled. This R.
Eleazar Ben Azariah explained “From all thy sins before the LORD thou
shalt be cleansed.” Transgressions between man and The Place, the day of
atonement expiated. Transgressions between man and his companion, the day
of atonement did not expiate, until his companion be reconciled. Said R.
Akiba, “Happy are ye, Israel! before whom are ye to be pure? Who will
purify you? Your Father in heaven, as is said, ‘I will sprinkle clean
water upon you, and ye shall be clean.’ ” Then said the Fountain of
Israel, the LORD, “As the fountain purifies the defiled, so the Holy One,
blessed be He, purifies Israel.”
On Tabernacles(244)
Size and Covering of Tabernacles—What Constitutes a
Tabernacle—Exemptions—Palm Branches—Myrtle
Boughs—Willows—Citrons—Reading and Blessing—Thrashing the
Altar—Rejoicings—Pouring Out of the Water—The Lighting and
Dancing—Singing and Music—Blowing the Trumpets—Offerings and
Courses—The Course Bilgah.
Chapter I
1. A booth which is above twenty cubits high is disallowed. R. Judah
allows it. One which is not ten hands high, one which has not three walls,
or which has more sun than shade, is disallowed. “An old booth?” “The
school of Shammai disallow it; but the school of Hillel allow it.” “What
is an old booth?” “One that was made thirty days before the feast; but if
it were made with intention for the feast, even from the beginning of the
year, it is allowed.”
2. “If a man make his booth beneath a tree?” “It is as though he made it
in the house.” “If one booth be above another?” “The upper one is allowed;
but the lower one is disallowed.” R. Judah says, “if they cannot inhabit
the upper one, the lower one is allowed.”
3. “If one spread a cloth over (its roof)(245) on account of the sun; or
under (its roof) on account of the falling leaves; or if one spread a
canopy over his bed?” “It is disallowed. But he may spread a cloth over
two bedposts.”
4. “If one have trained a vine, or a gourd, or ivy, and covered it over?”
“It is disallowed. But if the covering be larger than these, or if they
have been trimmed, it is allowed.” The rule is, everything which contracts
uncleanness, and does not grow from the ground, must not be used for a
covering; but everything which does not contract uncleanness, and grows
from the ground, may be used for a covering.
5. Bundles of straw, and bundles of wood, and bundles of twigs, must not
be used for covering. But all of them, if untied, are allowed. And all of
them are allowed for side walls.
6. “They may cover it with laths.” The words of R. Judah; but R. Meier
forbids it. “If one put a board four hands wide over it?” “It is allowed,
provided he do not sleep under it.”
7. “Rafters over which there is no ceiling?” R. Judah says, “the school of
Shammai say, ‘let him loosen them, and remove the middle one out of
three.’ But the school of Hillel say, ‘he may either loosen them, or
remove the middle one out of every three.’ ” R. Meier says, “he must
remove the middle one out of every three, but he need not loosen them.”
8. “If one roof in his booth with spits, or bed-boards?” “If the
intermediate spaces be equal to them, it is allowed.” “If one pile up
loose sheaves to make a booth?” “It is no booth.”
9. “If one interweave the side walls from above downwards?” “If they be
three hand-breadths high from the ground, it is disallowed.” “If from the
ground upwards they be ten hand-breadths high?” “It is allowed.” R. José
says, “even as from the ground upward ten hand-breadths (are required), so
likewise from the roof downward, ten hand-breadths (are required).” “If
the covering be three hand-breadths above the side walls?” “It is
disallowed.”
10. “If a house be unroofed and covered over?” “If there be a space of
four cubits between the wall and the covering, it is disallowed: also a
court, in which there is an enclosed passage.” “If the large booth be
enclosed with covering, which must not be used, and if there be below it a
space of four cubits?” “It is disallowed.”
11. “If one make his booth like a pyramid; or lean it against a wall?” R.
Eleazar “disallows it, because it has no roof”; but the Sages “allow it.”
“A large reed mat, which has been made for sleeping purposes?” “It
contracts uncleanness, and they must not cover with it.” “If made for
covering purposes?” “They may use it; and it contracts no uncleanness.” R.
Eleazar says, “whether large or small, if made for sleeping, it contracts
uncleanness, and must not be used for covering; but if made for covering,
they may cover with it, and it contracts no uncleanness.”
Chapter II
1. “If one sleep under a bed in the booth?” “He has not discharged his
duty.” R. Judah said, “we used to sleep under a bed before the elders, and
they said nothing to us.” R. Simon said, “it happened that Tabbi, the
slave of R. Gamaliel, used to sleep under a bed, and R. Gamaliel said to
the elders, ‘you have seen my slave Tabbi, he is a disciple of the Sages,
and knows that slaves are exempted from the booth, therefore he sleeps
under a bedstead.’ From this we in our way infer that he who sleeps under
a bed has not discharged his duty.”
2. “If a man support his booth with the posts of his bed?” “It is
allowed.” R. Judah says, “a booth which cannot stand by itself, is
disallowed.” A booth, which is unequally covered, and its shade greater
than its sunlight, is allowed. If the covering be thick like a house roof,
even though the stars are not seen through it, it is allowed.
3. “If one make his booth on the top of a wagon, or on a boat?” “It is
allowed; and he may go up to it on the festival.” “If one make it on the
top of a tree, or on the back of a camel?” “It is allowed, but he must not
go up to it on the festival.”(246) “If two sides (be formed) by a tree,
and one by the hands of man, or two by the hands of man and one by a
tree?” “The booth is allowed, but he must not go up to it on the
festival.” “If three (sides be formed) by hands of man and the fourth by a
tree?” “The booth is allowed, and he may go up to it on the festival.”
This is the rule—when, on the removal of the tree, it can stand by itself,
the booth is allowed, and one may go up to it on the festival.
4. “If one make his booth between trees, and the trees form side walls?”
“The booth is allowed.” Messengers on a pious errand are exempted from the
booth. The sick and their attendants are exempted from the booth. Persons
may occasionally eat or drink outside the booth.
5. It happened that they brought to R. Jochanan, son of Zachai, a dish to
taste, and to Rabban Gamaliel two dates and a jar of water, and they said,
“bring them to the booth.” But when they brought to R. Zadok food smaller
than an egg, he took it in the napkin(247) and ate it outside the booth,
but he did not say a blessing after it.
6. R. Eleazar says, “a man is bound to eat fourteen meals in the booth,
one by day and one by night”; but the Sages say the matter is not
determined, except on the first night of the festival. Moreover R. Eleazar
said, “he who has not taken his meal on the first night of the festival,
may complete it on the last night of the festival; but the Sages say that
he must not complete it, and for this it is said, ‘(That which is) crooked
cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting, cannot be
numbered.’ ”(248)
7. “If anyone’s head, and the greater part of his body, be in the booth,
and his table in the house?” The school of Shammai “disallow it”; but the
school of Hillel “allow it.” The school of Hillel said to the school of
Shammai, “did it not happen that the elders of the school of Shammai, and
those of the school of Hillel, went to visit R. Jochanan, son of Hachorni,
and they found him sitting with his head and the greater part of his body
in the booth while his table was in the house, and they said nothing to
him?” The school of Shammai said to them, “Is that a proof? Even the
elders did say to him, ‘if such has been thy custom, thou hast never in
thy life fulfilled the commandment of the booth.’ ”
8. Women, slaves, and children, are exempted from the booth. A boy who no
longer needs his mother is bound to the booth. It happened that the
daughter-in-law of Shammai, the elder,(249) gave birth to a son, and
Shammai removed the ceiling and covered over her bed on account of the
little one.
9. During the whole seven days a man is to make the booth his regular
dwelling, and (to use) his house only occasionally. “If rain fall, when is
it permitted to remove from it?” “When the porridge is spoiled.” The
elders illustrate this by an example: “To what is the matter like?” “It is
as if a servant pour out a cup for his master, who in return dashes a
bowlful in his face.”
Chapter III
1. A palm branch stolen or withered is disallowed. One from an idolatrous
grove, or from a city withdrawn to idolatry,(250) is disallowed. If the
point be broken off, or the leaves torn off, it is disallowed. If they be
only parted, it is allowed. R. Judah says, “it must be tied together at
the top.” Short-leaved palms from the Iron Mount(251) are allowed. A palm
branch measuring three hands, sufficient to shake it by, is allowed.
2. A myrtle bough stolen, or withered, is disallowed. One from an
idolatrous grove, or from a city withdrawn to idolatry, is disallowed. If
the point be broken off, or the leaves torn off, or if it have more
berries than leaves, it is disallowed. But if the berries be lessened it
is allowed; but they must not diminish them on the festival.
3. A willow of the brook stolen, or withered, is disallowed. One from an
idolatrous grove, or from a town withdrawn to idolatry, is disallowed. If
the point be broken off, or the leaves torn off, or if it be a mountain
willow, it is disallowed. One faded, or from which some leaves have
dropped off, or which has grown on dry ground, is allowed.
4. R. Ishmael says, “three myrtle boughs, two willows, one palm branch,
and one citron, even if two out of the three myrtle boughs have their
points broken off.” R. Tarphon says, “even if three have their points
broken off.” R. Akivah says, “even as there is one citron and one palm
branch, so there is one myrtle bough and one willow.”
5. A citron stolen or withered is disallowed. One from an idolatrous
grove, or from a city withdrawn to idolatry, is disallowed. One off an
uncircumcised tree(252) is disallowed. One from an unclean
heave-offering(253) is disallowed. From the clean heave-offering one is
not to take a citron, but if it be taken, it is allowed. “One from what is
doubtful as to payment of tithe?” The school of Shammai “disallow it,” but
the school of Hillel “allow it.” One is not to take a citron from the
second tithe in Jerusalem, but if it be taken it is allowed.
6. If a stain spread over the greater part (of the citron), if it have
lost its crown, or its rind be peeled off, or if it be split, or bored, or
if ever so little be wanting, it is disallowed. If a stain be spread over
the smaller part of it, if it have lost its stalk, or if it be bored so
that no part however small be wanting, it is allowed. A dusky citron is
disallowed. A leek green one R. Meier “allows,” but R. Judah “disallows
it.”
7. “What is the (legal) size of a small citron?” R. Meier says “like a
nut.” R. Judah says “like an egg.” “And of a large citron?” “That one can
hold two in his hand,” the words of R. Judah. But R. José says, “One if
(it must be held) in two hands.”
8. “They must only tie the palm-branch with its own kind,” the words of R.
Judah. But R. Meier says, “even with twine.” R. Meier said, “it happened
that the men of Jerusalem tied their palm-branches with gold thread.” The
Sages said to him, “underneath they tied them with their own kind.”
9. “When did they shake the palm-branch?” At the beginning and ending of
“Oh, give thanks unto the Lord,”(254) and at “Save now, I beseech Thee, O
Lord,”(255) the words of the school of Hillel. But the school of Shammai
say, “also at ‘O Lord, I beseech Thee,’ send now prosperity.”(256) R.
Akivah said, “I watched Rabban Gamaliel and R. Joshua; and when all the
people shook their palm-branches, they only shook theirs at ‘Save now, I
beseech Thee.’ ” If one be on the road, and have no palm-branch with him,
he must, when he gets home, shake it at his table. If he have not done it
in the morning, he must do it toward evening, as the whole day is allowed
for the palm-branch.
10. If the hymns(257) be read to a man by a slave, or a woman, or a
child,(258) he must repeat after them what they read, but it is a
disgrace(259) to him. If a grown-up man read it to him, he must repeat
after him, Hallelujah.
11. In a place where it is the custom to repeat,(260) a man must repeat;
to simply read, a man must simply read; to bless after the palm-branch, a
man must bless. In every case according to the custom of the country. If a
person buy a palm-branch from his neighbor during the Sabbatical year, he
must give him a citron as a gift, for it is not permitted to buy a citron
during the Sabbatical year.
12. At first the palm-branch was used in the Sanctuary seven days, and in
the country one day. But after the Sanctuary was destroyed, R. Jochanan,
the son of Zachai, decreed, “that in the country the palm-branch should be
used seven days, in memory of the Sanctuary.” He at the same time also
decreed, “that on the day of the wave-sheaf(261) it should be unlawful to
eat new grain.”
13. If the first day of the feast fall on a Sabbath, all the people are to
bring their palm-branches (beforehand) to the Synagogue. In the morning
they come early, and each man must distinguish his own palm-branch, and
take it, for the Sages say, “that a man cannot discharge his duty on the
first day of the feast by means of his neighbor’s palm-branch, but on the
other days of the feast he may discharge his duty by means of his
neighbor’s palm-branch.”
14. R. José says, “if the first day of the feast fall on the Sabbath, and
a man forget, and carry his palm-branch out on the public common, he is
absolved, because he carried it out with permission.”(262)
15. A woman may receive the palm-branch from the hand of her son, or of
her husband, and put it back into water on the Sabbath. R. Judah says, “on
the Sabbath they may put it back; on the feast they may add water; and on
the middle days they may change the water.” A child who knows how to
shake, is bound to shake the palm-branch.
Chapter IV
1. The palm-branch and the willow (were used) for six days and for seven.
The hymn, and the rejoicings, for eight days. The booth and the pouring
out of water for seven days; and the musical pipes for five and for six
days.
2. The palm-branch (was used) for seven days. “How?” “When the first day
of the feast fell on a Sabbath, the palm-branch (was used) for seven days.
Otherwise all the days were six.”
3. The willow (was used) for seven days. “How?” “When the seventh day of
the willow happened to fall on a Sabbath, the willow (was used) for seven
days. Otherwise all the days were six.”
4. “How was the command for the palm-branch when the first day of the
feast fell on a Sabbath?” “They used to bring their palm-branches to the
mountain of the House, and the inspectors received them, and arranged them
on a bench. But the elders placed theirs in a chamber. And the people were
taught to say, ‘Whoever takes my palm-branch in his hand, be it his as a
gift.’ On the morrow they came early, and the inspectors spread them
before them. And they used to snatch them and hurt each other. When the
Sanhedrin saw that persons were endangered, it was decreed that every man
should take them home.”
5. “How was the command for the willow?” “There was a place below
Jerusalem called Moza;(263) thither the people went down and gathered
drooping willow-branches. And they came and erected them at the side of
the altar, with their tops bending over the altar. They blew the trumpet,
and sounded an alarm, and blew a blast. Every day they made one circuit
round the altar, and said, ‘Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord! O Lord, I
beseech Thee, send now prosperity.’ ” Rabbi Judah said, “I and HE save
now, I beseech thee.”(264) On the day itself(265) they made seven circuits
round the altar. “As they withdrew what did they say?” “Beauty is thine, O
Altar!” “Beauty is thine, O Altar!” R. Eleazar said, “To the LORD and to
thee, O Altar!” “To the LORD, and to thee, O Altar!”
6. As they did on the week-days, so they did on the Sabbath, save that
they gathered the willow-boughs on the Sabbath-eve, and put them into
vases of gold, that they might not fade. R. Joshua, son of Beroka, says,
“they brought date-branches, and thrashed them on the ground at the sides
of the altar” (others say “on the altar”). And the day itself was called
“the day for thrashing the branches.”
7. Immediately the children threw down their palm-branches, and ate their
citrons.
8. The hymn and rejoicings were for eight days. “How?” “It is taught, that
a man is bound to the hymn, and the rejoicings in honor of the last day of
the feast, even as on its other days.” “How is the booth for seven days?”
“When a man has completed his eating, he is not to pull down his booth;
but after the evening sacrifice he may remove his furniture in honor of
the last day of the feast.”
9. “How was the pouring out of the water?” “A golden pitcher holding three
logs(266) was filled from Siloam. When they came (with it) to the
water-gate they blew the trumpet, an alarm, and a blast. The priest then
went up the ascent to the altar, and turned to his left. Two silver basins
were there.” R. Judah says, “they were of lime, but their look was dark
from the wine.” And they were bored with two narrow nostrils, one wider,
the other narrower, that both might get empty at once. “The one to the
west was for the water; the other to the east was for the wine; but if the
water was poured into the wine basin, or the wine into the water basin, it
was allowed.” R. Judah said, “they poured out one log on each of the eight
days.” To him, who poured out, they said, “lift your hand;” for once it
happened, that one poured over his feet,(267) and all the people pelted
him to death with their citrons.
10. As they did on the week-days, so they did on the Sabbath; save that on
the Sabbath eve an unconsecrated golden cask was filled from Siloam, and
placed in a chamber. If it were spilt or uncovered, it was refilled from
the laver, as water and wine which had been uncovered were disallowed on
the altar.
Chapter V
1. The musical pipes were (played) for five and (sometimes) six days. That
is to say, the pipes of the water-drawing, which supersedes neither the
Sabbath day nor the feast. The (Sages) said, “he who has not seen the
joy(268) of the water-drawing, has never seen joy in his life.”
2. With the departure of the first day of the feast, they went down into
the women’s court, and made great preparations.(269) Four golden
candlesticks were there, and four golden basins on their tops, and four
ladders to each candlestick, and four lads from the young priests, and in
their hands were jars of oil containing 120 logs, with which they
replenished each basin.
3. The cast-off breeches and belts of the priests were torn to wicks,
which they lighted. And there was not a court in Jerusalem that was not
lit up by the lights of the water-drawing.
4. Pious and experienced men danced with lighted torches in their hands,
singing hymns and lauds before them. And the Levites accompanied them with
harps, psalteries, cymbals, trumpets, and numberless musical instruments.
On the fifteen steps which went down from the court of Israel into the
women’s court, corresponding with the fifteen songs of degrees,(270) stood
the Levites with their musical instruments, and sang. And at the upper
gate, which went down from the court of Israel to the court of the women,
stood two priests with trumpets in their hands. When the cock crew, they
blew a blast, an alarm, and a blast.(271) When they reached the tenth
step, they blew a blast, an alarm, and a blast. And when they got into the
court, they blew a blast, an alarm, and a blast. They went on blowing as
they went, until they reached the gate, that leads out to the east. When
they reached the gate, that leads out to the east, they turned their faces
westward,(272) and said,
“Our fathers, who were in this place,
Turned their backs upon the Temple;
And their faces toward the east,
And worshipped the sun eastward.”(273)
R. Judah says, they repeated again and again,
“But we unto the LORD;
To the LORD are our eyes.”(274)
5. In the sanctuary they did not blow the trumpet less than twenty-one
times, nor oftener than forty-eight times. Every day they blew the trumpet
twenty-one times, thrice at opening the gates, nine times at the daily
offering of the morning, and nine times at the daily offering of the
evening. When there were additional offerings they blew nine times more.
On the eve of the Sabbath they again blew six times; thrice to interdict
the people from work, and thrice to separate the holy from the ordinary
day. But on the eve of the Sabbath during the feast they blew forty-eight
times: thrice at the opening of the gates, thrice at the upper gate,
thrice at the lower gate, thrice at the water-drawing, thrice over the
altar, nine times at the daily offering of the morning, nine times at the
daily offering of the evening, nine times at the additional offerings,
thrice to interdict the people from work, and thrice to separate the holy
from the ordinary day.
6. On the first day of the feast there were thirteen bullocks, two rams,
and one goat. There then remained fourteen lambs for eight courses of
priests.(275) On the first day six courses offered two lambs each, and the
other (two) courses one lamb each. On the second day five courses offered
two lambs each, and the remaining (four) courses one lamb each. On the
third day four courses offered two lambs each, and the remaining six one
lamb each. On the fourth day three courses offered two lambs each, and the
remaining eight one lamb each. On the fifth day two courses offered two
lambs each, and the remaining ten one lamb each. On the sixth day one
course offered two lambs, and the remaining twelve one lamb each. On the
seventh day they were all equal. On the eighth day they cast lots, as on
other feasts. They said, “that the order which offered bullocks to-day,
was not permitted to offer bullocks to-morrow.” But they changed in
rotation.
7. Three times in the year all the courses shared alike in the offerings
of the great feasts, and in the distribution of the showbread. In the
Solemn Assembly(276) they say to each priest, “Here is unleavened bread
for thee, and here is leavened for thee.” The course in regular succession
offered the daily sacrifices, vows, and free-will offerings, and all the
other sacrifices and services of the congregation. If a feast be next to
the Sabbath, either before or after it, all the courses shared alike in
the distribution of the showbread.
8. “But if a day intervene between the two?” “The course in regular
succession took ten loaves, and the loiterers(277) took two.” At other
times of the year, the course entering on duty took six loaves, and the
course going off duty took six. R. Judah says, “the course entering took
seven, and that going off took five.” Those entering shared them on the
north side (of the temple court), and those going out on the south side.
The course Bilgah always shared theirs on the south side. But their
slaughter-ring was fastened down, and the window of their closet was shut
up.(278)
The New Year
Four New Years—Judgments—New
Moon—Witnesses—Evidence—Samaritans—Spreading the News—Beth
Yangzek—Examining Witnesses—Rabban Gamaliel’s Plan of the Phases
of the Moon—Rabbi Joshua—Sanhedrin—Cornets and
Trumpets—Intention—The Serpent of Brass—Jerusalem and
Jamnia—Blessings—Texts of Scripture—How the Trumpets are to be
Blown.
Chapter I
1. There are four new years. The first of Nisan(279) is a new year for
kings and for festivals.(280) The first of Elul(281) is a new year for the
tithing of cattle; but R. Eleazar and R. Simeon say, “it is on the first
of Tishri.”(282) The first of Tishri is a new year for civil years, for
years of release, and for jubilees, also for planting of trees(283) and
herbs. The first of Sebat is a new year for (the tithing of) trees
according to the school of Shammai, but the school of Hillel say, “on its
fifteenth.”
2. The world is judged at four periods: at the passover, for the growth of
corn; at Pentecost, for the fruit of trees; at new year’s day, when all
human beings pass before Him like lambs, as is said, “He fashioneth their
hearts alike; He considereth all their works”;(284) and at the feast of
tabernacles, judgment is given for the rains.
3. Messengers went forth (from Jerusalem) in six months: in Nisan for the
passover; in Ab(285) for the fast; in Elul for the new year; in Tishri for
the regulation of the feasts; in Kislev(286) for the dedication; in
Adar(287) for the feast of lots; and also in Iyar(288) during the
existence of the Temple for the little passover.
4. For two months(289) they may profane the Sabbath, for Nisan and for
Tishri, because in them the messengers went forth to Syria, and in them
they regulated the feasts. And during the existence of the Temple they
might profane it in all the months for the regulation of the offerings.
5. If the moon(290) appeared high and clear, or did not appear high and
clear, the witnesses may profane the Sabbath on account of it. R. José
says, “if it appeared high and clear, they may not profane the Sabbath on
account of it.”
6. It happened that more than forty pairs of witnesses were passing
through, when R. Akivah detained them in Lydda. Rabban Gamaliel sent to
him, “if thou thus detainest the people, it will be a stumbling-block in
the future.”
7. When father and son have seen the new moon, they must go (before the
Sanhedrin), not that they may be combined together, but in order that,
should the evidence of either of them be disallowed, the other may be
combined with another witness. R. Simeon says, “father, and son, and
relatives in every degree, may be allowed as competent witnesses for the
new moon.” R. José says, “it happened that Tobias, the physician, his son,
and his freed slave, saw the new moon in Jerusalem, and the priests
accepted his evidence, and that of his son, but disallowed his slave; but
when they came before the Sanhedrin, they accepted him and his slave, but
disallowed his son.”
8. These witnesses are disallowed—gamblers with dice, usurers,(291)
pigeon-breeders,(292) traders in produce of the Sabbatical year, and
slaves. This is the rule: all evidence that cannot be received from a
woman cannot be received from any of these.
9. “He who has seen the new moon but cannot walk?” “They must bring him on
an ass or even in a bed.” Those afraid of being waylaid may take sticks in
their hands, and if they have a long way to go, they may take provisions.
If they must be a day and a night on the road, they may profane the
Sabbath in travelling to testify for the new moon; as is said, “These are
the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.”(293)
Chapter II
1. If a witness were unknown, another was sent to testify to him. At first
they received evidence of the new moon from anyone; but when the
heretics(294) bribed (the witnesses), they ordained that evidence should
only be received from those who were known.
2. At first high flames were lighted, but when the Samaritans mimicked
them, it was ordained that messengers should be sent forth.
3. “How were these high flames lighted?” “They brought long staves of
cedarwood, canes, and branches of the olive tree, and the tow of flax,
which was tied with twine. And one went to the top of the mountain and
lighted them, and waved the flame to and fro, up and down, till he could
perceive his companion doing so on the second mountain, and so on the
third mountain,” etc.
4. “And where were these high flames lighted?” “From the Mount of Olives
to Sartaba; from Sartaba to Grophinah; from Grophinah to Hoveran; from
Hoveran to Bethbaltin; there they did not cease to wave them to and fro,
up and down, till the whole country of the captivity(295) looked like
torches of fire.”
5. There was a large court in Jerusalem called Beth Yangzek,(296) there
all the witnesses met, and there the Sanhedrin examined them. And they
made great feasts for them, that they might come often. At first they did
not stir from thence all day.(297) Rabban Gamaliel the elder ordained,
that they might go 2,000 cubits on every side. And not only they, but the
midwife going to a birth; and they who go to rescue from fire, or from
enemies, or from inundation, or from fallen buildings. These are as
inhabitants of the place, and they have 2,000 cubits on every side.
6. “How did they examine the witnesses?” “The first pair which came were
examined first, and they brought in the eldest of them, and they said to
him, ‘Tell us how you saw the moon—(her horns) toward the sun, or away
from the sun? To the north, or to the south? What was her altitude? Toward
where her declination? And what was her breath?’ If he said ‘toward the
sun,’ he said nothing. Afterward they brought in the second and examined;
if the evidence was found to agree, the evidence stood. The remaining
pairs of witnesses were then superficially examined, not because there was
necessity for their evidence, but not to discourage them, that they might
be willing to come again.”
7. The chief of the Sanhedrin said, “(the feast) is sanctified”; and all
the people answered after him, “Sanctified, sanctified.” Whether the new
moon had been seen in its season, or not, they sanctified it. R. Eleazar,
son of Zadok, said, “if it were not seen in its season, they did not
sanctify it, for heaven had already sanctified it.”
8. Rabban Gamaliel had on a tablet and on the wall of his chamber figures
and phases of the moon which he showed to ignorant witnesses, and said,
“was it like this you saw her, or like that?” It happened once that two
witnesses came, and said, “we saw the moon in the morning in the east, and
in the evening in the west”; said R. Jochanan, son of Nourri, “they are
false witnesses,” but when they came to Jamnia, Rabban Gamaliel received
their evidence. Two other witnesses came, and said, “we saw the moon in
her season, but on the next evening of the intercalary day she was
invisible,” and R. Gamaliel received them. Said R. Dosah, son of Arkenaz,
“they are false witnesses, for how can they testify of a woman being
delivered, and on the morrow she is still pregnant?” To him said R.
Joshua, “I approve thy words.”
9. Rabban Gamaliel sent to (R. Joshua), “I order thee to come to me with
thy staff and money on the day of atonement, according to thy
reckoning.”(298) R. Akivah went to (R. Joshua), and found him sorrowing.
He said to him, “I can prove that all Rabban Gamaliel has done is well
done, for it is said, ‘These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy
convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons,’(299) or out of
their seasons; I have no other feasts but these.” R. Joshua came to R.
Dose, son of Arkenaz. He said to him, “if we are to judge the tribunal of
Rabban Gamaliel, we must also judge the tribunals which have existed from
the days of Moses till now,” for it is said, “Then went up Moses and
Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel.”(300) “And
why were not the names of the elders mentioned, but to inform us that
every three men in Israel who compose a tribunal, are as a tribunal of
Moses?” R. Joshua took his staff and money in his hand, and went to Jamnia
to Rabban Gamaliel on the day when the atonement began, according to his
reckoning. Rabban Gamaliel stood up and kissed him on his head, saying to
him, “come in peace, my master and disciple—my master in wisdom, my
disciple in obeying my words.”
Chapter III
1. “The Sanhedrin and all Israel saw (the new moon); the witnesses were
examined, but it became dark before they could say, ‘Sanctified’?” “The
month is intercalary.” “The Sanhedrin alone saw it?” “Two members must
stand up and testify before them, and they shall say, ‘Sanctified,
sanctified.’ ” “Three composing a Sanhedrin saw it?” “Two of them must
stand up, and their assessors must be seated with the single member, and
before them they shall testify, and say, ‘Sanctified, sanctified,’ because
an individual cannot be trusted by himself alone.”
2. All cornets are allowed, except (horns) of a heifer,(301) because it is
(written) horn.(302) Said Rabbi José, “are not all cornets called horn?
for it is said, ‘When they shall make a long (blast) with the ram’s
horn.’ ”(303)
3. The cornet of the New Year was a straight horn of a wild goat; and its
mouthpiece was plated with gold. And the two trumpets(304) were stationed
on each side. The cornet prolonged its note when the trumpets ceased,
because the obligation of the day was for the cornet.
4. On fast days (there were) crooked rams’ horns; and their mouthpieces
were plated with silver. And the two trumpets were stationed in the midst.
The cornet ceased, and the trumpets prolonged their notes, because the
obligation of the day was for the trumpets.
5. The jubilee is like the New Year for the sounding and the blessings. R.
Judah says, “on the New Year they sounded rams’ horns; and on the jubilee
wild goats’ horns.”
6. A cornet, which was rent and cemented, is disallowed. One cemented from
fragments of cornets is disallowed. “It had a hole, which was closed?” “If
it hinder the sound, it is disallowed; but if not, it is allowed.”
7. “If one sound the cornet within a pit, a cistern, or in an earthenware
vessel, and one (outside) hears the sound of the cornet?” “He is
free.”(305) “But if he hear the echo of the sound?” “He is not free.” And
so, if one be passing behind a synagogue, or his house adjoin the
synagogue, and he hear the sound of the cornet, or the reading of the roll
of Esther, he is legally free, provided he heard it with due attention;
but if not, he is not legally free. Although one hears as well as another,
yet one hears with hearty intention, and another without hearty intention.
8. “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand that Israel
prevailed,”(306) etc. And how could the hands of Moses make the battle, or
crush the battle? But it is written to tell thee that while Israel looked
to Heaven for aid, and subjected their hearts to their heavenly Father,
they prevailed; and when they did not do so, they were defeated. Like as
He says, “Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole, and it shall
come to pass that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall
live.”(307) And how could the serpent kill, or make alive? But when the
Israelites looked to Heaven for aid, and subjected their hearts to their
heavenly Father, they were healed; and when they did not do so, they
perished. One deaf and dumb, or an idiot, or a child, cannot, as proxies,
free others from their obligations. This is the rule: all who are not
responsible for a thing, cannot free others from their obligations.
Chapter IV
1. When the feast of New Year happened on the Sabbath, they used to sound
the cornet in the Sanctuary; but not in the provinces. After the
destruction of the Sanctuary, R. Jochanan, son of Zacai, decreed that they
should sound it in every place in which there is a tribunal of justice. R.
Eleazar says, “R. Jochanan, son of Zacai, decreed it only for Jamnia.” But
the Sages said to him, “it was all one for Jamnia, and all one for every
place in which there is a tribunal of justice.”
2. And again,(308) Jerusalem was privileged above Jamnia, because every
city which could be seen, and the sounding heard, and which was near, and
to which it was allowed to go, might sound the cornet; but in Jamnia they
could only sound it before the tribunal of justice.
3. At first the palm-branch was taken seven days in the Sanctuary, and one
day in the provinces. After the destruction of the Temple, R. Jochanan,
son of Zacai, decreed, “that the palm-branch should be taken in the
provinces for seven days, to commemorate the Sanctuary”; also “that the
whole day of the waving(309) it should be forbidden (to eat new corn).”
4. At first they received evidence of the new moon during the whole
(thirtieth) day; but once the witnesses delayed coming, and the Levites
erred in the chant. They decreed, that they should receive evidence only
till the time of the evening sacrifice; and if witnesses came after the
evening sacrifice, that and the next day were kept holy. After the
destruction of the Sanctuary Rabban Jochanan, son of Zacai, decreed, “that
they should receive evidence of the new moon during the whole day.” R.
Joshua, son of Korcha, says, “and again Rabban Jochanan, son of Zacai,
decreed that wherever the chief of the Sanhedrin might be, the witnesses
need only go to the place of its meeting.”
5. The order of blessings to be said on the New Year is, “The
Fathers,”(310) and “The Mighty,” and “Sanctification of the Name,” and
there are comprehended the “Kingdoms” without blowing the trumpet; “The
Holiness of the Day,” and he blows; “The Remembrances,” and he blows; “The
Trumpets,” and he blows. And he says, “The Service,” “The Confession,” and
“Blessing of the Priests.” The words of R. Jochanan, son of Nourri. Said
R. Akivah to him, “if the trumpet be not blown after ‘The Kingdoms,’ why
are they mentioned?” But the order is, “The Fathers,” and “The Mighty,”
and “Sanctification of the Name,” and there are comprehended “The
Kingdoms,” with sanctification of the Day, and he blows; “The
Remembrances,” and he blows; “The Trumpets,” and he blows. And he says,
“The Service,” “The Confession,” and “Blessing of the Priests.”
6. They cannot read less than ten (texts of Scripture) relating to “The
Kingdom,” ten relating to “Remembrances,” and ten to “Trumpets.”(311) R.
Jochanan, son of Nourri, says, “if three be read from all of them, the
duty is fulfilled, but they mention not the remembrance of the kingdom,
and trumpet of vengeance.(312) They must begin with the Law and end with
the Prophets.” R. José says, “if they end with the Law, the duty is
fulfilled.”
7. (The minister of the congregation) must go over to the reading-desk on
the feast of the New Year. The second minister must blow the trumpet. But
at the hour for the hymn the first must read the hymn.
8. For sounding the trumpet of the New Year they may not transgress the
Sabbatical limit, they may not remove for it a heap of stones, they may
not climb a tree, and they may not ride a beast, or swim over water. Nor
may they cut it(313) with anything that violates the Sabbatical rest, or
violates a negative command. But if one wish he may pour into it water or
wine.(314) They may not prevent children from blowing, but they may
practise in teaching them. But he who practises blowing is not freed from
his obligation, and he who listens to the practice is not freed from his
obligation.
9. The order of blowing the trumpet is, three blasts blown thrice. The
measure of the blast is as six alarms. The measure of the alarm is as
three shrieks. If one blew the first and prolonged the blast for the
second to be as two, it reckons but as one. He who has said the blessings,
and afterward a trumpet is given to him, must blow a blast, an alarm, and
a blast three times. As the minister of the congregation is bound, so is
each individual bound. R. Gamaliel says, “the minister of the congregation
releases the public from their obligations.”
On Fasting
When Rain is to be Prayed for—Proclamations for Fasting—Ceremonial
of Fasting—Prayers—Blowing of Trumpets—R. Gamaliel and R.
Meier—Sign of Famine—Partial Rain—Pestilence—Story of Hone
Hammeagal—Lifting Up of Hands—Deputies—Bringing Wood—Five Things
Happened in Tammuz and Five in Ab—Mortifications—Rejoicings.
Chapter I
1. “When do we remember in prayer the heavy rain?” Rabbi Eleazar said,
“from the first holiday of the feast (of tabernacles),” Rabbi Joshua said,
“from the last holiday of the feast.” To him said Rabbi Joshua, “when the
rain is no mark of blessing in the feast, why should one remember it?”
Said Rabbi Eleazar to him, “even I did not say to ask for it, but to
remember the blowing of the wind, and the descent of the rain in its
season.” He replied to him, “if so, one can remember it always.”
2. We ask for rain only near to the season of rains. Rabbi Judah
said,(315) “he who passes last before the ark on the last holiday of the
feast of tabernacles remembers it; the first does not remember it. On the
first holiday of the passover the first remembers it, the last does not
remember it.” How long do we ask for rain? Rabbi Judah said, “till the
passover be ended.” Rabbi Meier said, “till Nisan depart,(316) as is
said,(317) ‘And He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former
rain, and the latter rain in the first month.’ ”
3. On the third day of Marchesvan(318) we ask for the rain. Rabban
Gamaliel said, “on the seventh, fifteen days after the feast, that the
last Israelite returning home from the feast may reach the river
Euphrates.”
4. “If the seventeenth day of Marchesvan arrive, and the rain does not
come down?” “Men of eminence begin to fast for three days. They may eat
and drink by night. And they may work, and wash, and anoint themselves,
and put on their sandals, and use their couches.”
5. “If the first day of the month Chislev(319) arrive, and the rain does
not come down?” “The tribunal proclaims three fast-days(320) for the
congregation. Persons may, however, eat and drink by night. And they may
work, and wash, and anoint themselves, and put on their sandals, and use
their couches.”
6. “If these days pass over, and there be no answer?” “The tribunal
proclaims three other fast-days for the congregation. Persons may,
however, eat and drink while it is still day. But they are forbidden work,
and washing, and anointing, and putting on sandals, and the use of the
couch. And the baths are locked up.” “If these days pass over, and there
be no answer?” “The tribunal proclaims for them seven more; these are
altogether thirteen fast-days for the congregation.” “And what are these
fast-days more than the first six?” “Because during them men blow with the
trumpets and lock up their shops.” On Monday they can half open them at
dark. But on Thursday they may open them for honor to the approaching
Sabbath.
7. “If these days pass over, and there be no answer?” “People diminish
business, building, planting, betrothals and marriages, and salutations of
peace between man and his friend, as children of men ashamed before
OMNIPRESENCE.” The men of eminence have again recourse to fasting, till
Nisan be ended. If Nisan be ended, and the rain comes down, it is a mark
of cursing, as is said,(321) “Is it not wheat harvest to-day?” etc.
Chapter II
1. “What is the order of the fast-days?” “Men draw out the ark containing
the rolls of the Law to the public street of the city, and they put burnt
ashes on the top of the ark, and on the head of the prince, and on the
head of the president of the tribunal, and everyone takes and puts ashes
on his own head.” The most aged of them says before them touching words,
“Brethren, it is not said for the men of Nineveh, ‘And God saw their
sackcloth and their fasting,’(322) but ‘God saw their works, that they
returned from their evil way.’ And in the tradition (of the prophet) he
says,(323) ‘Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord
your God.’ ”
2. When they stood in prayer, they placed before the ark an aged man and
full of experience, one who had children and an unblemished house, that
his heart be not distracted in prayer, and he says before them twenty-four
blessings, the usual eighteen for every day, and he adds to them six more.
3. These are they, “remembrances,”(324) and “blowing of the
trumpets,”(325) “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard
me,”(326) “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills,”(327) “out of the depths
have I cried unto Thee, O Lord,”(328) “A prayer of the afflicted when he
is overwhelmed.”(329) Rabbi Judah says, “it was not necessary to say the
‘remembrances,’ and ‘the trumpets,’ but he said instead of them, ‘If there
be in the land famine, if there be pestilence,’ ”(330) etc. “The word of
the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.”(331) And he said
their closing benediction.
4. For the first additional prayer he said, “He who answered Abraham our
father on Mount Moriah, He shall answer you, and hear the voice of your
cry this day. Blessed be Thou, Lord, the Redeemer of Israel.” For the
second he said, “He who answered our fathers by the Red Sea, He will
answer you, and hear the voice of your cry this day. Blessed be Thou,
Lord, who rememberest those forgotten by man.” For the third he said, “He
who answered Joshua in Gilgal, He will answer you, and hear the voice of
your cry this day. Blessed be Thou, Lord, who hearest the blowing of the
trumpet.” For the fourth he said, “He who answered Samuel in Mizpah, He
will answer you, and hear the voice of your cry this day. Blessed be Thou,
Lord, who hearest the cry of distress.” For the fifth he said, “He who
answered Elijah on Mount Carmel, He will answer you, and hear the voice of
your cry this day. Blessed be Thou, Lord, who hearest prayer.” For the
sixth he said, “He who answered Jonah from the fish’s belly, He will
answer you, and hear the voice of your cry this day. Blessed be Thou,
Lord, who art ever answering prayer in the time of need.” For the seventh
he said, “He who answered David and Solomon his son in Jerusalem, He will
answer you, and will hear the voice of your cry this day. Blessed be Thou,
Lord, who hast pity on the earth.”
5. It happened in the days of Rabbi Chelpatha and R. Chanania, son of
Teradion, that a minister passed before the ark, and finished the whole
blessing, and the congregation did not answer after him, Amen. One cried
out, “Let the priests blow the trumpets”; they blew. (The minister
prayed,) “May He who answered Abraham our Father on Mount Moriah answer
you, and hear the voice of your cry this day.” (One cried out,) “Let the
sons of Aaron blow an alarm”; they blew an alarm. (The minister prayed,)
“May He who answered our fathers by the Red Sea, answer you, and hear the
voice of your cry this day.” And when the matter came before the Sages
they said it was not customary to do so, save in the Eastern gate and on
the Mountain of the House.
6. These are the first three fasts. The priests of the weekly Watch of the
Temple fasted, but not completely. And the priests of their “Father’s
House”(332) did not fast at all. In the second three fasts the men of the
Watch fasted completely. And the men of their “Father’s House” fasted, but
not completely. “In the seven last fasts both of them fasted completely.”
The words of Rabbi Joshua. But the Sages say, “in the three first fasts
neither one nor other fasted at all. In the second three fasts the priests
of the Watch fasted, but not completely. And the priests of their
‘Father’s House’ did not fast at all. In the seven last fasts the priests
of the Watch fasted completely, and the priests of their ‘Father’s House’
fasted, but not completely.”
7. The men of the Watch are allowed to drink wine by night, but not by
day, and the men who inherit the patrimony of their fathers(333) may not
drink it neither by day nor night. The men of the Watch and the
Delegates(334) are not allowed to shave, nor wash, except on Thursdays for
the honor of the approaching Sabbath.
8. That which is written in “The Roll of Fasting,”(335) “not to mourn” on
certain days—the day before them it is not allowed—the day after them it
is allowed to mourn. Rabbi José said, “both before and after the day it is
not allowed.” But when it is written, “not to fast,” both the day before
and the day after the fast, it is allowed to fast. Rabbi José said,
“before the fast it is not allowed—after the fast it is allowed.”
9. The rulers must not proclaim fasts for the congregation to begin on
Thursday, so as not to raise the market. But the three first fasts are
Monday, Thursday, and Monday. And the three second, Thursday, Monday, and
Thursday. Rabbi José said, “as the first fasts are not to begin on
Thursday, so likewise the second and the last are not to begin on that
day.”
10. “The rulers must not proclaim fasting for the congregation on the
feast of New Moon, and on the feasts of Dedication, and Purim; but if they
have already begun, they need not cease.” The words of Rabbi Gamaliel.
Said R. Meier, “even though Rabbi Gamaliel said they need not cease, he
admits that the congregation do not fast the whole day; and so also on the
ninth of Ab, the fast for the burning of the Temple, if it happen on the
eve of the Sabbath.”
Chapter III
1. The order of these fasts is said only for the first rains. But if the
sprouts wither, men blow an alarm off-hand. And if the rains cease between
rain and rain forty days, men blow an alarm off-hand. Because it is a sign
of famine.
2. If the rains came down for the sprouts, but did not come down for the
trees, for the trees, but not for the sprouts, for both these, but not for
the wells, pits, and caves, men must blow an alarm for them off-hand.
3. And so also for the city, on which the rain did not come down, as is
written,(336) “And I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to
rain upon another city; one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon
it rained not withered.”
This city fasts and blows an alarm, and all its neighboring cities fast,
but do not blow alarms. R. Akiba said, “they blow alarms, but do not
fast.”
4. And so for a city, in which there is pestilence, or falling of
buildings, that city fasts and blows an alarm, and all the neighboring
cities fast, but do not blow an alarm. Rabbi Akiba said, “they blow
alarms, but do not fast.” “What is pestilence?” “A city containing 500
men, and there go forth from it three dead in three days, one after the
other; this is pestilence, less than this is not pestilence.”
5. For these things men blow an alarm in every place—for the blasting and
for the blighting, for the locust and for the caterpillar, and for the
evil beast, and for the sword, they blow an alarm over them, because it is
a spreading wound.
6. It happened that the elders went down from Jerusalem to their cities,
and proclaimed fasting, because the blasting appeared, as much as would
fill an oven, in Askelon. And again they proclaimed a fast, because the
wolves devoured two children beyond Jordan: Rabbi José said, “not because
they devoured them, but because the wolves were seen.”
7. For these things men blow an alarm on the Sabbath—for a city,
encompassed by Gentiles, or by a flood, and for a ship tossed in the sea.
Rabbi José said, “for help, but not for a cry of distress.” Simon the
Temanite said, “also for pestilence,” but the Sages did not admit it.
8. For all distress—may it not come on the congregation—men sound an
alarm, except for too much rain. It happened that they said to Honé
Hammeagal, “pray that the rain come down”: he said to them, “go and bring
in the passover ovens, that they be not dissolved.” He prayed, but the
rain did not come down—What did he do? He dug a hole and stood in it, and
said before HIM, “Our Lord of the world, thy sons have turned toward me,
because I am a son of the House in Thy Presence. I am sworn in Thy great
Name, that I move not from hence, till Thou have pity on Thy children.”
The rain began to drop; he said, “I did not ask it thus, but rains for
wells, pits, and caves.” The rain began to descend with storm. He said, “I
did not ask it thus, but reasonable rain, with blessing and free-will.”
The showers came down as they ought, until all Israel went up from
Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives on account of the rains. They came and
said to him, “as thou hast prayed that the rains should come down, so pray
that they may depart.” He said to them, “go and see if the Stone of
Proclamation(337) be covered.” Simon the son of Shatach sent to him word,
“if thou wert not Honé, I would excommunicate thee; but what shall I do to
thee, since thou prayest before OMNIPRESENCE, and He does thy will, as a
son who plays upon his father, and he does his will? and for thee the
Scripture says, ‘Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that
bare thee shall rejoice.’ ”(338)
9. “If men were fasting and the rains came down for them before the sun
rose?” “They need not complete the day.” “If the rains came down after
sunrise?” “They must complete it.” R. Eliezer said, “before noon they need
not complete it, if after noon they must complete it.” It happened, that
the rulers proclaimed a fast in Lydda, and the rains came down in the
forenoon. Said R. Tarphon, “go and eat, and drink, and make holiday.” They
went and ate and drank, and made holiday, and they came in the evening and
read the great Thanksgiving.(339)
Chapter IV
1. Three times in the year the priests elevate their hands to bless the
people, four times a day—in the morning prayer, in the following prayer,
in the evening prayer, and at the locking of the gates. These times are
the fast days, on the fasts of the deputies, and on the day of atonement.
2. These are the Delegates, according as is said, “Command the children of
Israel, and say unto them, My offering and my bread for my sacrifices made
by fire.”(340) And how is it possible, that the offering of a man should
be sacrificed, and he does not stand by it? Therefore, the former prophets
decreed four-and-twenty Watches. For every Watch there were Delegates in
Jerusalem of priests, Levites, and Israelites. When the time approached
(for them) to go up, the priests and Levites went up to Jerusalem, and the
Israelites, who belonged to the Watch, gathered in their cities and read
in the history of Genesis.
3. And the Delegates used to fast four days in the week, from the second
day till the fifth. But they did not fast on the eve of the Sabbath, for
honor to the Sabbath. Nor on the first day, that they should not go forth
from repose and enjoyment, to toil, and fasting, and death. On the first
day they read in Genesis,(341) “and let there be a firmament.” On the
second, “let there be a firmament and let the waters be gathered
together.” On the third day, “let the waters be gathered together, and let
there be lights.” On the fourth, “let there be lights, and let the waters
bring forth abundantly.” On the fifth, “let the waters bring forth
abundantly,” and “let the earth bring forth.” On the sixth, “let the earth
bring forth,” and “the heavens were finished.” Two men read a large
portion, but a small portion was read by one. At morning prayer, at the
following prayer, at the evening prayer, they went in and read orally (by
heart), as they read the “Hear,”(342) etc. On the eve of the Sabbath they
did not go in to evening prayer for honor to the Sabbath.
4. Every day when there is praise, the Delegates are not at morning
prayer. When there is the additional offering at the following prayer,
there is not the closing prayer at the locking up of the gates. “When
there is the offering of the wood, there is not the evening prayer.” The
words of Rabbi Akiba. The son of Azai said to him, R. Joshua thus taught
it: “when there was an additional offering, the Delegates did not come to
evening prayer; when there was the offering of the wood, they did not come
to prayer at the locking up of the gates.” R. Akiba changed his opinion,
and taught as the son of Azai.
5. The times of bringing wood for the altar by priests and people were
nine. On the first of Nisan,(343) the children of Arach, son of Judah,
brought it. On the twentieth of Tammuz,(344) the children of David, the
son of Judah, brought it. On the fifth of Ab,(345) the children of
Parhush, the son of Judah, brought it. On the seventh, the children of
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, brought it. On the tenth, the children of
Sinah, the son of Benjamin, brought it. On the fifteenth, the children of
Zathva, the son of Judah, brought it, and with them the priests and
Levites and all who were ignorant of their tribe. And the children of
Gonebi Eli(346) and the children of Kozhi Kezihoth. On the twentieth, the
children of Pachath Moab, the son of Judah, brought it. On the twentieth
of Elul,(347) the children of Adin, the son of Judah, brought it. On the
first of Tebeth, the children of Parush returned the second time. On the
first of Tebeth,(348) there was no meeting of the Delegates, as there was
on it “The Praise,” and the additional offering at the following prayer,
and the offering of the wood.
6. Five things happened to our fathers on the seventeenth of Tammuz, and
five on the ninth of Ab. On the seventeenth of Tammuz the stone tables
were broken, and the daily offering ceased, and the city was broken up,
and Apostemus(349) burnt the law, and he set up an image in the Temple. On
the ninth of Ab it was proclaimed to our fathers, that they should not
enter the land, and the House was ruined for the first and second time,
and Bither was taken, and the city was ploughed up. On entering Ab we must
diminish joy.
7. The week in which the ninth of Ab comes, men are not allowed to clip
their hair, or wash their clothes; but on Thursday they are allowed, for
honor to the Sabbath. On the eve of the ninth of Ab one must not eat from
two dishes, must not eat flesh, and must not drink wine. Rabban Simon, the
son of Gamaliel, said, “one must change the style of living.” R. Judah
“enjoined to turn over the beds,” but the Sages did not approve him.
8. Said Rabban Simon, the son of Gamaliel, “there were no holidays in
Israel like the fifteenth of Ab, or like the day of atonement. Because in
them the daughters of Jerusalem promenaded in white garments borrowed,
that no one might be ashamed of her poverty. All these garments must be
baptized. And the daughters of Jerusalem promenaded and danced in the
vineyards. And what did they say? ‘Look here, young man, and see whom you
choose; look not for beauty, look for family;’ ‘Favor is deceitful, and
beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised;’
and it is said, ‘Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works
praise her in the gates,’(350) and also it is said, ‘Go forth, O ye
daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon with the crown, wherewith his
mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the
gladness of his heart.’(351) The day of his espousals, this is the gift of
the Law; and in the day of the gladness of his heart, this is the building
of the Sanctuary, and may it be speedily built in our days. Amen.”
The Feast-Offering(352)
What is a Child?—Offerings—Crooked and Straight—Remission of
Vows—Persons Unsuitable for the World—Laying on of
Hands—Baptisms—Defilements—Purity—Vessels of the Sanctuary.
Chapter I
1. All are bound to appear in the Temple, except the deaf, an idiot, and a
child, and a eunuch, and women, and slaves who are not free, and the lame,
and the blind, and the sick, and the aged, and the man who cannot go
afoot. “What is a child?” “Everyone who cannot ride on the shoulder of his
father, and go up from Jerusalem to the Mountain of the House.” The words
of the school of Shammai. But the school of Hillel say, “everyone who
cannot grasp his father’s hand, and go up from Jerusalem to the Mountain
of the House,” as is said, “three times.”(353)
2. The school of Shammai say, “the appearance in the Temple is with two
pieces of silver, and the peace-offering with a meah of silver.”(354) But
the school of Hillel say, “the appearance is with a meah of silver, and
the feast-offering with two pieces of silver.”
3. The burnt-offerings of the appointed feasts come from ordinary money;
but the peace-offering from tithes. “The offerings on the first holiday of
the passover?”(355) The school of Shammai say, “from ordinary money,” but
the school of Hillel say, “from tithes.”
4. Israelites discharge their duty with vows, with free-will offerings,
and with tithes of animals; and priests with sin-offerings, with
trespass-offerings, and with the breast and shoulder, and first-born, but
not with fowls, nor with meat-offerings.
5. “If one have a large family and small income?” “He must bring more
peace-offerings, and less burnt-offerings.” “If a small family and large
income?” “He must bring more burnt-offerings, and less peace-offerings.”
“If both be small?” “Of this they say, a silver meah, and two pieces of
silver are sufficient.” “If both be large?” “Of this it is said, every man
shall give as he is able according to the blessing of the Lord thy God
which He hath given thee.”(356)
6. When one did not bring his peace-offering on the first holiday of the
feast, he may bring it during the holidays, and even on the last day of
the feast. “If the feast passed over, and he did not bring the
peace-offering?” “He is not obliged to bring it.” For this it is said,
“that which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting
cannot be numbered.”(357)
7. Rabbi Simon, the son of Menasia, said, “if thou shalt say, a thief or a
robber, he may return and become straight.” R. Simon, the son of Jochai,
said, “we do not call one crooked, save one straight at first, and he
became afterward crooked; and this is the disciple of the wise, who
departs from the Law.”
8. The remission of vows is like flying in the air, and it has no
foundation. The decisions for the Sabbath, peace-offerings, and
trespasses, are as mountains hanging on a hair; because the verse is
small, but the decisions are many. Jurisprudence, and the Temple service,
cleanness and uncleanness, and illegal connections, have their own
foundations; they, they are the body of the law.
Chapter II
1. Men may not discourse on illegal connections with three,(358) nor on
the work of creation with two,(359) nor on the cherubs with one,(360) save
when one is wise, and comprehends it of his own knowledge. Everyone who
considers four things, it were suitable for him that he did not come into
the world. What is in the height? what is in the depth? what is before?
and what is behind? And everyone who is not anxious for the honor of his
Creator, it were suitable for him that he did not come into the world.
2. José, the son of Joezar, said that “one is not to lay his hand on the
offering.” José, the son of Jochanan, said, “he is to lay his hand on the
offering.” Joshua, the son of Perachia, said, that he “is not to lay on
his hand.” Nittai, the Arbelite, said, “he is to lay on his hand.” Judah,
the son of Tabai, said, that “he is not to lay on his hand.” Simon, the
son of Shatach, said, “he is to lay on his hand.” Shemaiah, said, “he is
to lay on his hand.” Abtalion said, “he is not to lay on his hand.” Hillel
and Menachem did not dispute. Menachem went out and Shammai entered.
Shammai said, “he is not to lay on his hand.” Hillel said, “he is to lay
on his hand.”(361) The first were Princes, and the second were Presidents
of the Tribunal.
3. The school of Shammai said, “men may bring peace-offerings during the
feast, but they are not to lay their hands on them, and they are not to
bring burnt-offerings.” But the house of Hillel say, “they may bring
peace-offerings, and burnt-offerings, and lay their hands on them.”
4. “When Pentecost happens to be on the eve of the Sabbath?” The school of
Shammai say, “the day of slaughtering the offering is after the Sabbath.”
But the school of Hillel say, “there is no day of slaughtering after the
Sabbath.”
But they both acknowledge that if it happened to be on the Sabbath, the
day of slaughter is after the Sabbath. And the high priest must not robe
in his vestments, though they are allowed in seasons of mourning and
fasting, for fear of confirming the words of those who say that “Pentecost
is after the Sabbath.”(362)
5. Men must wash their hands for ordinary eating, but for tithes and for
the heave-offering they must be baptized. And for the sin-offering, if the
hands be unclean, the body is unclean.
6. He who baptized himself for ordinary eating, and indicated it to be for
ordinary eating, he is prohibited from (eating) the tithe. “If he baptized
for the tithe, and indicated it to be for the tithe?” “He is prohibited
from eating heave-offerings.” “If he baptized for heave-offerings, and
indicated it to be for heave-offerings?” “He is prohibited from eating the
holy flesh.” “If he baptized for the holy flesh, and indicated it to be
for the holy flesh?” “He is prohibited from the sin-offering.” “If he
baptized for the weighty?” “He is permitted the light.” “If he baptized,
and did not indicate his intention?” “It is as no baptism.”
7. Treading on the garments of an ordinary man defiled the Pharisees.
Treading on the garments of the Pharisees defiled those who eat the
heave-offering. Treading on the garments of those who eat the
heave-offering defiled for the holy flesh. Treading on the garments of
those who eat the holy flesh defiles for the sin-offering. Joseph, the son
of Joezer, was the most pious of the priesthood, and treading on his cloak
defiled for the holy flesh. Jochanan, the son of Gudgada, used to eat with
the purification for the holy flesh all his life; and treading on his
cloak defiled for the sin-offering.
Chapter III
1. There are more weighty rules for holy things, than for the
heave-offering. Because vessels may be baptized in vessels for the
heave-offering, but not for holy things. The outside and inside and handle
(are reckoned separately) for the heave-offering, but not for holy things.
He who carries that which defiles by treading upon it, may carry the
heave-offering but not the holy flesh. Treading on the garments of those
who eat the heave-offering defiles for the holy flesh. The measure of the
holy flesh is not as the measure of the heave-offering. Because for the
holy flesh one must loose his garments and dry himself, and baptize and
afterward bind them up. But in the heave-offering he can bind them up and
afterward baptize himself.
2. Vessels completed in purity must be baptized for holy things, but not
for the heave-offering. A vessel unites whatever is inside to holy things,
but not to the heave-offering. The fourth degree of legal uncleanness(363)
is disallowed in holy things, and the third degree in the heave-offering.
In the heave-offering, if one of the hands be unclean, its fellow may be
clean, but in holy things one must baptize both hands; because each
renders its fellow unclean for holy things, but not for the
heave-offering.
3. Men may eat with unwashen hands the dry meat of the heave-offering, but
not the holy flesh. The first day mourner, and he who failed in atonement,
have need of baptism for the holy flesh, but not for the heave-offering.
4. There are weighty rules for the heave-offering, because in Judah men
are credited with the purity of wine and oil during the whole year. And in
the time of wine-pressing and oil-pressing (men are credited) even for the
heave-offering. When the time for wine and oil pressing has passed over,
and a barrel of wine is brought for the heave-offering, it must not be
received. But one may let it stand over for the wine-pressing next year.
But if one said, “I put into it a quarter log of holy wine,” it is
credited. “Jugs of wine and jugs of oil which are mixed?” They are
credited in the time of wine-pressing and oil-pressing, and seventy days
before that time.
5. From Modiyith(364) and inward,(365) men are credited for the purity of
earthen vessels. From Modiyith and outward they are not credited. “How?”
“The potter, when he is selling pots, comes inward from Modiyith.” One
says, “this is the potter,” and “these the pots,” and “these the
purchasers,” “it is credited.” “When he went outward?” “It is not
credited.”
6. The tax-gatherers when they enter the house, and also the tax-gatherers
when they restore the vessels, are credited in saying, “we did not touch
them.” And in Jerusalem they are credited in holy things (that they did
not defile them), and at the time of the feast they are credited even in
the heave-offering.
7. “He who opened his barrel of wine,(366) and commenced with his dough
for the use of the feast?” R. Judah said, “he may finish it” (after the
feast). But the Sages say, “he must not finish it.” When the feast was
over, the priests looked round for the purity of the Temple court. If the
feast ended on Friday, they did not look round for honor to the
approaching Sabbath. R. Judah said, “even they did not look round on
Thursday, because the priests are not then idle.”
8. “How did they look round for the purity of the court?” “The priests
baptized the vessels, which were in the Sanctuary, and used to say to the
people, ‘Watch and do not touch the table and the candlestick, lest you
render them unclean.’ ” All the vessels in the Sanctuary were double and
treble, because if the first became unclean, they could bring duplicates
instead of them. “All the vessels which were in the Sanctuary required
baptism(367) except the golden altar, and the brazen altar, because they
are as earth.” The words of R. Eliezer. But the Sages say, “because they
were overlaid.”
The Sanhedrin
Judges—Judgments—The Tribunal of Seventy-one—The Great
Sanhedrin—The Small Sanhedrin—High Priest—Funerals—King—Royal
Wives—Book of the Law—Objections to Judges—Relations—Examination
of Witnesses—Evidence—Judgments in Money and Judgments in
Souls—Form of the Sanhedrin—Appointment of Judges—Intimidation of
Witnesses—Investigation—Acquittal or
Condemnation—Stoning—Hanging—Burning—Beheading
—Strangling—Blasphemy—Idolatry—Enticing—Sorcery—A Son Stubborn and
Rebellious—Burglary—Murder—Theft—Those Who Have No Portion in the
World to Come—The Rebellious Elder—The False Prophet—The False
Witness.
Chapter I
1. “Judgments for money (require) three (judges). Robbery and beating
(require) three. Damages or half damages, double payments and payments
four or five fold (require) three.” “Constraint, and enticement, and
slander (require) three.” The words of R. Meier. But the Sages say,
“slander (requires) twenty-three judges, because there exist in it
judgments of souls.”
2. Stripes (require) three judges. In the name of Rabbi Ishmael, the Sages
say, “twenty-three.” “The intercalary month(368) requires three. The
intercalary year requires three.” The words of Rabbi Meier. Rabban Simon,
the son of Gamaliel, said, “with three judges they begin, and with five
they discuss, and they conclude with seven; and if they concluded with
three it is intercalated.”
3. “The appointment of elders, and striking off the heifer’s neck(369)
(require) three.” The words of Rabbi Simon. But Rabbi Judah said, “five.”
The loosing off the shoe,(370) and dissatisfaction in marriage (require)
three. The produce(371) of the fourth year,(372) the second tithes, of
which the value is unknown (require) three. The valuation of holy things
(requires) three. The estimation of movable things requires three. R.
Judah said, “one of them must be a priest.” Immovable things require nine
judges and a priest; and the valuation of a man (slave) is similar.
4. Judgments of souls (require) twenty-three judges. Bestiality (requires)
twenty-three, as is said, “and thou shalt slay the woman and the beast,”
and it is also said, “the beast thou shalt slay.” An ox to be stoned
(requires) twenty-three judges; as is said, “The ox shall be stoned, and
his owner also shall be put to death,”(373) as is the death of the owner,
so is the death of the ox. The wolf, and the lion, and the bear, and the
leopard, and the panther, and the serpent, are to be put to death with
twenty-three judges. R. Eliezer said, “everyone who first killed them has
gained honor.” R. Akiba said, “they are to be put to death after a
judgment with twenty-three (judges).”
5. A tribe must not be judged, nor a false prophet, nor a high priest,
save before the tribunal of seventy-one. And soldiers must not go forth to
lawful warfare, save by a decree of the tribunal of seventy-one. Men must
not add to the city or to the temple courts, save by a decision of the
tribunal of seventy-one. They must not appoint judges to the tribes, save
by a decision of the tribunal of seventy-one. A city must not be excluded,
save by the tribunal of seventy-one. And the tribunal must not exclude a
city on the border, nor exclude three cities, but only one or two.
6. The Great Sanhedrin consisted of seventy-one members, and the small one
of twenty-three. And whence know we that the great one contained
seventy-one? as is said, “Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of
Israel”,(374) and Moses over them. There are seventy-one. R. Judah said
“seventy.” And whence know we that the small one consisted of
twenty-three? as is said, “Then the congregation shall judge”;(375) “and
the congregation shall deliver.” A congregation to judge, and a
congregation to deliver, there is twenty. And whence know we that a
congregation required ten? as is said, “How long shall I bear with this
evil congregation?”(376) Joshua and Caleb were excepted. “And whence know
we to produce the other three?” From the meaning, as is said, “Thou shalt
not follow a multitude to do evil.”(377) I am hearing that “I shall be
with them for good.” If so, why is it said, “to decline after many to
wrest judgment”?(378) “Because thy inclinations to good do not equal thy
inclinations to evil. Thy inclinations to good are by the report of one.
Thy inclinations to evil are by the report of two. And a tribunal must not
be balanced. Another must be added. There are twenty-three.” “And how
populous must be the city suited for judges?” “One hundred and twenty.” R.
Nehemiah said “230 to represent twenty-three overseers of tens.”
Chapter II
1. The high-priest may judge, and be judged.(379) He may bear witness, and
witness may be borne against him. He may have his shoe loosed, and the
shoe may be loosed for his wife.(380) His brother may take his wife, but
he must not take his brother’s wife, because he is prevented from marrying
a widow. If there happened a death in his family, he must not go
immediately behind the bier. “But when the (mourners) are concealed (in a
street), then he is discovered (to the public). They are discovered to the
public, and he is concealed in a street. And he may go with them to the
entrance gate of the city.” The words of R. Meier. R. Judah said, “he must
not depart from the sanctuary”; as is said, “neither shall he go out of
the sanctuary.”(381) And when he comforts others, the fashion of all the
people is to pass one after the other, and the deputy priest puts him in
the middle between himself and the people. But when he is comforted by
others, all the people say to him, “we are thy atonement.” And he says to
them, “you shall be blessed from heaven.” And at the first meal(382) after
a funeral, all the people recline on the ground, and he sits on a stool.
2. The king neither judges, nor is he judged. He neither bears witness,
nor is witness borne against him. He does not unloose the shoe, and the
shoe is not unloosed for his wife. He does not marry his brother’s wife,
nor is his wife married by his brother. R. Judah said, “if he pleased he
may unloose the shoe, or marry his brother’s wife. He is remembered in
prayer for good.” The Sages said to him, “we do not hear him (the king)
(for unloosing the shoe) and his widow must not marry.” R. Judah said,
“the king may marry the widow of a king, as we find with David that he
married the widow of Saul”; as is said, “And I gave thee thy master’s
house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom.”(383)
3. If there happened a death in his family, he goes not out from the
entrance of his palace. R. Judah said, “if he pleases to go after the bier
he may go, as we find in David that he went after the bier of Abner”; as
is said, “And King David himself followed the bier.”(384) The Sages said
to him, “this only happened to pacify the people.” And at the first meal
after a funeral, all the people recline on the ground, and he sits on a
sofa.
4. And he may go forth to lawful warfare by order of the supreme court of
seventy-one, and he may break down a road for himself, and none can
prevent him. The road of a king is without measure, and all the people
plunder and lay it before him. And he takes part first. He must not
multiply wives beyond eighteen. R. Judah said, “he may multiply wives for
himself so long as they do not turn away his heart.” R. Simon said, “even
if one turn away his heart, he should not marry her.” If so, wherefore is
it said, “he must not multiply for himself wives, even though they be as
Abigail”? He must not multiply horses, except sufficient for his own
riding. And silver and gold he must not multiply much, only sufficient to
pay his own expenses. And he must write a book of the law for himself.
When he goes out to war, he must bring it with him. When he returns, he
must bring it with him. If he sit in judgment it is with him. When he is
seated it is before him, as is said, “And it shall be with him, and he
shall read therein all the days of his life.”(385)
5. None may ride on his horse, and none may sit on his chair, and none may
use his sceptre, and none may see him shaving, either when he is naked, or
in the bath, as is said, “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over
thee,”(386) that his dread be upon thee.
Chapter III
1. “Judgments in money matters (require) three judges. This party chooses
for himself one, and the other party chooses for himself one. And both
parties choose another.” The words of R. Meier. But the Sages say, “the
two judges choose for themselves the other.” “This one may declare the
judge of that one illegal. And that one may declare the judge of this one
illegal.” The words of R. Meier. But the Sages say, “it is only when
witness can be brought against them that they are related or unlawful.”
“But if they be righteous or experienced, they must not be declared
illegal.” “This one may declare illegal the witness of that one. And that
one may declare illegal the witness of this one.” The words of R. Meier.
But the Sages say, “it is only when witness can be brought against them
that they are related or unlawful, but if they be righteous they must not
be declared illegal.”
2. One said to the other, “I trust my father,” “I trust thy father,” “I
trust three cowherds.” R. Meier said, “he may change his mind.” But the
Sages say, “he must not change.” If he must give an oath to his companion,
and he said to him, “vow to me by the life of thy head”? R. Meier said,
“he may change his mind.” But the Sages say, “he must not change his
mind.”
3. And these are illegal (as judges or witnesses), one who played at
cards, or lent on usury, or bet on the flight of doves, or trades in the
Sabbatical year. R. Simon said, “at first they were called gatherers on
the Sabbatical year; when they were forced by Gentiles to cultivate the
ground, they changed to call them traders on the Sabbatical year.” R.
Judah said, “it is only when they have no other occupation but this one
alone: but if they have another occupation, they are allowed.”
4. And these are related, his father and his brother, and the brethren of
his father, and the brethren of his mother, and the husband of his sister,
and the husband of his father’s sister, and the husband of his mother’s
sister. And the husband of his mother and his father-in-law, and his
brother-in-law, they, their children, and their sons-in-law, and his
step-son alone. R. José said, “this was the teaching of R. Akiba; but the
first teaching was, his uncle and the son of his uncle, and all suitable
for inheritance, and everyone related to him at the present time.” “One
was related and became estranged?” “He is lawful.” R. Judah said, “even if
his daughter died, and he has children left by her, they are related.”
5. “Who is a friend? and who is an enemy?” “A friend is the bridegroom’s
best man, an enemy is everyone who has not spoken with him three days in
malice.” The Sages replied to him, “Israelites are not so suspicious.”
6. “How are witnesses examined?” “They are brought in and intimidated; and
all other men are driven out.” And the chief of the witnesses is left, and
they say to him, “tell us how do you know that this man is indebted to
that man?” If the witness said, “he told me that I am indebted to
him”—“such a man told me that he is indebted to him”—he has said nothing,
till he shall say, “he acknowledged in our presence that he owed him 200
zuz.” And afterward the second witness is brought in, and examined. If
their statements were found agreeing, the judges held a conversation. Two
of them said “he is clear,” and one said “he is indebted”? “He is
cleared.” “Two said, he is indebted, and one said, he is clear?” “He is
indebted.” “One said he is clear, and one said he is indebted? And even if
two pronounced him clear or indebted, and one said, ‘I don’t know’?” “The
judges must be increased.”
7. The matter is finished. They bring in the plaintiff and defendant. The
chief judge says, “thou, such a one, art clear; thou such a one, art
indebted.” “And whence know we that one of the judges on going out should
not say, ‘I was for clearing him, but my colleagues pronounced him
indebted, but what shall I do when my colleagues are too many for me’?”
“Of this man it is said, ‘Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer
among thy people’;(387) and it is said, ‘A tale-bearer revealeth
secrets.’ ”(388)
8. At any time the one condemned may bring evidence and annul the
judgment. The judges said to him, “bring all your evidence within thirty
days from this date.” If he brought them within thirty days, it is
annulled, if after thirty days, it is not annulled. Rabban Simon, the son
of Gamaliel, said, “what shall he do if he did not find them within thirty
days, but found them after thirty days?” “The judges said to him, ‘bring
witnesses’; and he said, ‘I have no witnesses’; they said, ‘bring
evidence’; and he said, ‘I have no evidence’; but afterward he found
evidence, and found witnesses?” “They are nothing.” Rabban Simon, the son
of Gamaliel, said, “what shall he do if he did not know that he had
witnesses, and found witnesses; he did not know that he had evidence, and
found evidence?” “They said to him, ‘bring witnesses’; he said, ‘I have no
witnesses.’ ‘Bring evidence,’ and he said, ‘I have no evidence.’ ” “He saw
that he will be pronounced indebted in judgment, and he said, ‘approach
such a one, and such a one, and bear witness for me,’ or ‘he pulled out
evidence from his pocket’?” “It is nothing.”
Chapter IV
1. Judgments in money and judgments in souls must be equally inquired into
and investigated; as is said, “Ye shall have one manner of law.”(389)
“What is the difference between judgments in money and judgments in
souls?” “Judgments in money (require) three judges, judgments in souls
twenty-three. Judgments in money open the case either for clearing or
proving indebted, but judgments of souls open the case for clearing, and
the case is not opened for condemning. Judgments in money are balanced by
one judge either for clearing or proving indebted; but judgments in souls
are balanced by one for clearing and by two for condemning. Judgments in
money may be reversed either for clearing or proving indebted; but
judgments in souls may be reversed for clearing, but must not be reversed
for condemnation. All may express an opinion on judgments in money for
clearing or proving indebted. All may express an opinion on judgments in
souls for clearing, but all must not express an opinion for condemnation.
He who has expressed an opinion on judgments in money for proving
indebted, may express an opinion for clearing, and he who has expressed an
opinion for clearing, may express an opinion for proving indebted. He who
has expressed an opinion on judgments in souls for condemnation may
express an opinion for clearing, but he who has expressed an opinion for
clearing must not reverse it to express an opinion for condemnation.
Judgments in money are conducted by day and settled by night. Judgments in
souls are conducted by day and settled by day. Judgments in money are
settled on the same day, either for clearing or proving indebted.
Judgments in souls are finished on the same day for clearing, and on the
day after it for condemnation—wherefore there can be no judgments on
Friday or on the eve of a festival.”(390)
2. Judgments in legal uncleanness and legal cleansings begin with the
Supreme (judge). Judgments in souls begin with a judge at his side. All
are eligible to pronounce judgments in money matters, but all are not
eligible to pronounce judgments in souls—only priests, Levites, and
Israelites who can intermarry into the priesthood.
3. The Sanhedrin was like half a round threshing-floor, in order that the
members might observe each other. And two scribes of the judges stood
before them—one on the right and one on the left. And they wrote the
sentence of acquittal, and the sentence of condemnation. R. Judah said,
“three; one scribe wrote the sentence of acquittal, and one wrote the
sentence of condemnation; and the third wrote both the sentence of
acquittal and the sentence of condemnation.”
4. And three rows of the disciples of the wise sat before them. And each
one knew his place. When it was necessary to appoint a judge, they
appointed one from the first row. One from the second row came instead of
him into the first, and one from the third row came instead of him into
the second, and they selected another from the congregation, and they
seated him in the third row, and he did not sit in the place of his
predecessor, but he sat in a place suitable for himself.
5. “How did the judges intimidate witnesses in the testimony for souls?”
“They introduced them, and intimidated them.” “Perhaps you are speaking
from guess? or from hearsay? witness from witness? or from a trustworthy
man we heard it?” Or, perhaps, “you don’t know that at the last we shall
proceed to inquire into your own character and investigate it.” “Have a
knowledge that the judgments of money are not as the judgments of souls.
Judgments for money, when the man pays the money he has atoned. In
judgments for souls his blood and the blood of his posterity are suspended
till the end of the world.” So we find it with Cain when he slew his
brother. It is said of him,(391) “the voice of thy brother’s bloods
crieth.” He does not say thy brother’s blood, but bloods of thy brother,
his blood and the blood of his posterity. Another thing is also meant,
that thy brother’s bloods are spattered on wood, and on stones. Therefore
man is created single, to teach thee that everyone who destroys one soul
from Israel, to him is the verse applicable, as if he destroys a full
world. And everyone who supports one soul in Israel, to him is the verse
applicable, as if he supports the full world. And it is also said, for the
peace of creation, that no man may justly say to his companion, my father
is greater than thine. And that the Epicureans should not say, that there
are more Creators in the heavens, and it is also said, to show forth the
greatness of the Holy One, blessed be He! When man stamps many coins with
one stamp, all are alike. But the King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be
He! stamped every man with the stamp of the first Adam, and no one of them
is like his companion; therefore everyone is bound to say, “for my sake
was the world created.” But, perhaps, the witnesses will say “what is this
trouble to us?” But is it not already said, “And is a witness, whether he
hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it?”(392) But perhaps the
witnesses will say, “what is it to us, to be guilty of this man’s blood?”
But is it not already said, “When the wicked perish, there is
shouting”?(393)
Chapter V
1. The witnesses were examined with seven investigations. “In what
Sabbatical year?” “In what year?” “In what month?” “What date in the
month?” “What day?” “What hour?” “What place?” R. José said, “What day?”
“What hour?” “What place?” “Did you know him?” “Did you warn him?” In a
case of idolatry, “whom did he serve?” “And with what did he serve?”
2. Every judge who extends examinations is praiseworthy. It happened that
the son of Zacchai examined (even) on the stems of figs. And what
difference is there between investigations and examinations? In
investigations if one say, “I don’t know,” their witness is worthless. In
examinations, if one say, “I don’t know,” and even two say, “we don’t
know,” their witness stands. Whether in investigations or examinations,
when they contradict each other, their witness is worthless.
3. One witness said, “on the second of the month,” and another witness
said, “the third of the month.” Their witness stands. Because one knows of
the intercalary month, and another does not know of the intercalary month.
One said, “on the third,” and another said, “on the fifth”; their witness
is worthless. One said, “at the second hour,” and another said, “at the
third hour”; their witness stands. One said, “at the third,” and another
said, “at the fifth”; their witness is worthless. R. Judah said, “it
stands.” One said, “on the fifth,” and another said, “on the seventh”;
their witness is worthless, because at the fifth (hour) the sun is in the
east, and at the seventh hour the sun is in the west.
4. And afterward they introduce the second (witness) and examine him. If
both their statements agree, they open the case with clearing. One of the
witnesses says, “I possess information to clear him.” Or one of the
disciples of the Sanhedrin says, “I possess information for condemning.”
They order him to keep silence. One of the disciples of the Sanhedrin
says, “I possess information to clear him.” They bring him up, and seat
him between the judges, and he did not go down during the whole day. If
there be substantial information, they give him a hearing. And even when
he (the accused) says, “I possess information for clearing myself,” the
judges give him a hearing; only there must be substantial information in
his words.
5. If the judges found him clear, they released him, but if not they
deferred his judgment till the morrow. They conversed in pairs, and
reduced their eating, and they drank no wine all the day, and discussed
the matter the whole night. And on the morrow they came very early to the
judgment hall. He who was for clearing said, “I was for clearing, and I am
for clearing in my place.” And he who was for condemning said, “I was for
condemning, and I am for condemning in my place.” He who pronounced for
condemning, could pronounce for clearing, but he who pronounced for
clearing, could not turn round and pronounce for condemning. If the judges
erred in a matter, the two scribes of the judges recalled it to their
memory. If they found him clear, they released him: but if not, they stood
to be counted. “Twelve cleared him, and eleven condemned?” “He is clear.”
“Twelve condemned him, and eleven cleared him, and even eleven cleared,
and eleven condemned,” and one said, “I don’t know.” And even twenty-two
cleared or condemned, and one said, “I don’t know?” “They must add
judges.” “How many do they add as judges two by two?” “Up to seventy-one.”
“Thirty-six cleared him, and thirty-five condemned him?” “He is clear.”
“Thirty-six condemned him, and thirty-five cleared him?” “They disputed
with each other until one of the condemning party acknowledged the
statement of the clearing party.”
Chapter VI
1. When the judgment was finished, they brought him forth to stone
him.(394) The place of stoning was outside the judgment-hall; as is said,
“Bring him forth that hath cursed.”(395) One stood at the door of the
judgment-hall with towels in his hand, and another man rode a horse at a
distance from him, but so that he might see him. If one said, “I have
something to tell for clearing,” this one waved the towels, and the other
galloped his horse, and stopped the accused. And even though he himself
said, “I have something to tell to clear myself,” they brought him back as
many as four or five times, only there must be substance in his words. If
they found him clear, they freed him; but if not, they took him forth to
stone him. And a herald preceded him (crying), “Such a one, the son of
such a one, is brought out for stoning, because he committed such a
transgression, and so and so are witnesses; let everyone who knows aught
for clearing him come forth and tell it.”
2. When he was ten cubits from the place of stoning, they said to him
“confess,” as it is the custom of all about to die to confess, since to
everyone who confesses there is a portion in the world to come. So we find
with Achan when Joshua said to him, “My son, give, I pray thee, glory to
the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him.”(396) And Achan
answered Joshua, and said, “Indeed, I have sinned against the Lord God of
Israel, and thus and thus I have done.” “And from whence know we that his
confession made atonement for him?” “As it is said, ‘And Joshua said, Why
hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. This day thou
art troubled, but thou shalt not be troubled in the world to come.’ ” And
if he did not know how to confess, they told him to say, “let my death be
an atonement for all my sins.” Rabbi Judah said, “if he knew that he was
falsely condemned, he said, ‘let my death be an atonement for all my sins,
except this one’;” the (Sages) said, “if so, every man will speak thus to
make themselves innocent.”
3. When he was four cubits from the place of stoning, they stripped off
his garments. “If a man, they covered him in front; if a woman, before and
behind.” The words of Rabbi Judah. But the Sages say “a man was stoned
naked, but the woman was not stoned naked.”
4. The place of stoning was two men high. One of the witnesses thrust him
down on his loins. If he turned on his heart, the witness must turn him on
his loins. If he died with that thrust it was finished; but if not, the
second (witness) took the stone, and cast it upon his heart. If he died
with that blow, the stoning was finished. But if not, he was stoned by all
Israel, as is said, “The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to
put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people.”(397) “All
who were stoned were hung up.” The words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the Sages
say, “none were hung up, save the blasphemer and the idolater.” “The man
is to be hung with his face toward the people, but the woman with her face
toward the wood.” The words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the Sages say, “the man
was hung up, but they do not hang up a woman.” Rabbi Eleazar said to them,
“and did not Simon, the son of Shatach, hang women in Askalon?” They said
to him, “he hung up eighty women (witches), and two could not be judged,
in one day.” “How did they hang him?” “They sunk a beam in the ground, and
a traverse beam proceeded from it, and they bound his hands, one over the
other, and hung him up” (by them). R. José said, “the beam was inclined
against the wall, and he was hung upon it, just as the butchers do.” And
they loosed him immediately afterward. “But if he was out all night?” “It
was a transgression of a negative command, as is said, ‘His body shall not
remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that
day (for he that is hanged is accursed of God),’ ”(398) etc. As one says,
“wherefore is this one hung?” “Because he blasphemed the NAME, and it
follows that the heavenly NAME is profaned.”
5. Rabbi Meier said, “when man is sorrowful,(399) what language does the
Shekinah(400) make him to utter?” If it be lawful so to speak, “my head
makes me ashamed, my arm makes me ashamed.” If, to speak after the manner
of men, OMNIPRESENCE is sorrowful, when the blood of the wicked is poured
out, how much more sorrowful is He for the blood of the righteous? And not
in the case of the condemned alone, but everyone who leaves his dead
overnight, is a transgressor of a negative command. If they left him for
the sake of honor, to bring a coffin and a shroud for him, there is no
transgression. But they did not bury him (the condemned) in the sepulchres
of his fathers. And there were two burial grounds prepared for the
Judgment Hall—one for the stoned and the burned, and one for those
beheaded and strangled.
6. When the flesh of the condemned was consumed, they gathered his bones
and buried them in their proper place; and his relatives came and asked
after the peace of the judges, and the peace of the witnesses, as much as
to say, “know there is nothing in our hearts against you, as your judgment
was true.” And they did not mourn, but were gloomy, since gloominess is
only in the heart.
Chapter VII
1. Four punishments were permitted to the supreme court—stoning, burning,
beheading, and strangling. R. Simon said, “burning, stoning, strangling,
and beheading.” The preceding chapter is the order of stoning.
2. The order for those burned was to be sunk in dung to their knees. And
men put a hard towel in a soft one, and encircled his neck. One pulled on
one side, and another pulled on the other side, till the condemned opened
his mouth. And one lit a wick, and cast it into his mouth, and it went
down to his bowels, and it consumed his intestines. R. Judah said, “if he
died in their hands, they did not complete in him the order of burning;
only they opened his mouth with tongs against his will, and lit the wick,
and cast it into his mouth, and it went down to his bowels and consumed
his intestines.” Said R. Eleazar the son of Zadok, “it happened with the
daughter of a priest, who was immoral, that they surrounded her with dry
branches and burned her.” The Sages replied, “because the court at that
time was unskilled.”
3. The order of those beheaded was to have their heads struck off with a
sword, as is the custom of governments. R. Judah said, “that was an abuse;
they only rested his head on a block, and hewed it off with an axe.” The
Sages replied to him, “no death is a greater abuse than that.” The order
for those strangled was, that they were sunk down in dung to their knees,
and they put a hard towel inside a soft one, and encircled his neck. One
pulled on one side, and another pulled on the other side, till his soul
departed.
4. These were stoned; ... a blasphemer, and an idolater, and he who gave
his seed to Molech, and one with a familiar spirit,(401) and a wizard, and
he who profaned the Sabbath, and he who cursed father or mother, and he
who came to a betrothed maid, and an enticer to idolatry, and a withdrawer
to idolatry, and a sorcerer, and a son stubborn and rebellious.
5. The blasphemer was not guilty till he expressed the NAME. Said R.
Joshua, the son of Korcha, every day they examined the witnesses under a
substituted (feigned) name, for example, “José shall beat José.” When the
judgment was finished, they could not execute him under the nickname, but
they withdrew all men outside, and interrogated the principal witness, and
said to him, “tell us clearly what thou hast heard?” and he said it. And
the judges stood up on their feet, and rent their garments,(402) and they
were never sewn again. And the second witness said, “even I (heard) as
he,” and the third said, “even I (heard) as he.”
6. One committed idolatry, whether he served the idol, or sacrificed to
it, or burned incense to it, or made a libation to it, or bowed down to
it, or accepted it for his god. And also, he who said to it, “thou art my
God.” But he who embraced it, and kissed it, and honored it, and dusted
it, and washed it, and anointed it, and dressed it, and put shoes on it,
transgressed a negative command. He who vowed in its name, and performed
the vow in its name, transgressed a negative command. “He exposed himself
to Baal peor?” “That is positive service.” “He cast a stone to Mercury?”
“That is positive service.”
7. He who gave his seed to Molech(403) is not guilty till he hand it to
Molech, and pass it through the fire. “If he hand it to Molech, and do not
pass it through the fire, (or if) he passed it through the fire, and did
not hand it to Molech?” “He is not guilty till he hand it to Molech, and
pass it through the fire.” One has a familiar spirit, when the Python
speaks from his arm. But the wizard speaks with his mouth. These are to be
stoned, and inquiry from them is forbidden.
8. He who profaned the Sabbath by aught which renders him guilty of
presumption is to be cut off;(404) but if he profaned the Sabbath in
error, a sin-offering (is required) from him. He who cursed father or
mother is not guilty till he curse them by the NAME. “If he curse them
with a substituted name of God?” R. Meier pronounces him “guilty”; but the
Sages “free him.”
9. “If one came to a betrothed maid?” “He is not guilty, except she be a
virgin, and betrothed, and in the house of her father.” “If two came to
her?” “The first is to be stoned and the second strangled.”
10. “The enticer to idolatry?” “This ordinary man enticed an ordinary man;
he said to him, ‘there is an object of fear in such a place, so it eats,
so it drinks, so it does good, so it does evil.’ ” Of all who are guilty
of death in the law, we are not to set witnesses in concealment to convict
them, except in this case of an enticer to idolatry. When he has spoken of
his idolatry to two persons, they as witnesses bring him to the
judgment-hall, and stone him. If he spoke thus to one, this one replies,
“I have companions who desire to hear so and so.” “If he be cunning, and
he does not speak before them?” “Witnesses are concealed behind a wall,
and he says to the idolater, ‘tell me what thou saidst to me alone,’ and
the idolater told him. And he replied to him, ‘how can we leave our God,
who is in heaven, and go and serve wood and stone?’ ” “If the idolater
returned from his sin, it is well; but if he said, ‘so is our duty, and so
it is excellent for us,’ they who stood behind the wall bring him to the
judgment-hall, and stone him; if he said, ‘I shall serve, I shall go and
serve, let us go and serve; I will sacrifice, I will go and sacrifice, let
us go and sacrifice; I will burn incense, I will go and burn incense, let
us go and burn incense; I will pour a libation, I will go and pour a
libation, let us go and pour a libation; I will bow down, I will go and
bow down, let us go and bow down’—the withdrawer is he who says, ‘let us
go and serve idols.’ ”
11. The sorcerer, who has done the act, is guilty of death, but he is not
guilty who merely deludes the eyes. R. Akiba said in the name of R.
Joshua, “two sorcerers can gather cucumbers—one gathers them and is free,
but another gathers them and is guilty. He who has performed the act is
guilty. He who has merely deluded the eyes is free.”
Chapter VIII
1. A son stubborn and rebellious.(405) “From what time is he decidedly a
son stubborn and rebellious?” “From the time the two hairs have come, and
up to the time the beard has sprouted; but the Sages spoke in modest
language. As is usually said, when a man has a son—a son, but not a
daughter; a son, but not a man; a child as yet free from coming under the
rule of the commandments.”
2. “From what time is he guilty?” “From the time he ate three-quarters of
a pound of flesh, and drank half a log of Italian wine.” R. José said, “a
pound of flesh and a log of wine.” “He ate it in an appointed feast; he
ate it in the intercalary month; he ate it during the second tithes in
Jerusalem; he ate of a carcass and of things torn, abominable things and
creeping things; he ate of that which had not paid tithes, and the first
tithes before the heave-offering was separated from them and the second
tithes and holy things which were not redeemed; he ate of a thing which is
commanded, and of a thing which is a transgression; he ate every kind of
meat, but he did not eat flesh; he drank every kind of fluid, but he did
not drink wine?” “He is not a son stubborn and rebellious till he eat
flesh and drink wine,” as is said, “A glutton and a drunkard”;(406) and
even though there is no conclusive evidence, there is a memorial to the
matter, as is said, “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of
flesh.”(407)
3. “If he steal it from his father, and eat it (with permission) on the
property of his father; from others, and eat it on the property of others;
from others, and eat it on the property of his father?” “He is not a son
stubborn and rebellious till he steal it from his father and eat it on the
property of others.” R. José, the son of R. Judah, said, “till he steal it
from his father and from his mother.”
4. “If his father desires (his punishment), and his mother does not desire
it; his father does not desire it, and his mother does desire it?” “He is
not declared a son stubborn and rebellious until both of them desire it.”
R. Judah said, “if his mother was not suitable for his father, he is not
declared a son stubborn and rebellious.” “One of them was broken-handed,
or lame, or dumb, or blind, or deaf?” “He is not declared a son stubborn
and rebellious,” as is said, “ ‘Then shall his father and his mother lay
hold on him,’(408) which is impossible if they be broken-handed; ‘and
bring him out,’ which is impossible if they be lame; ‘and they shall say,’
which is impossible if they be dumb; ‘this our son,’ which is impossible
if they be blind; ‘he will not obey our voice,’ which is impossible if
they be deaf. They must warn him before three judges, and then flog him.”
“He returned to his bad habits?” “He is to be judged before twenty-three
judges, but he is not to be stoned till the three first (judges) are
present, as is said, ‘this our son’ who was flogged before you.” “He ran
away before his judgment was finished, and afterward came to puberty?” “He
is free.” “But if he ran away after the decision and then came to
puberty?” “He is guilty.”
5. A son stubborn and rebellious is judged for the sake of his future
prospects. The law says, “better die when he is innocent, and not die when
he is guilty.” The death of the wicked is pleasant for them, and pleasant
for the world; but the death of the righteous is evil for them, and evil
for the world. Wine and sleep are pleasant to the wicked, and pleasant to
the world; but for the righteous, it is evil for them, and evil for the
world. Separation for the wicked is pleasant for them, and pleasant for
the world; but for the righteous, it is evil for them, and evil for the
world. Union for the wicked is evil for them, and evil for the world; but
for the righteous, it is pleasant for them, and pleasant for the world.
Rest for the wicked is evil for them, and evil for the world; but for the
righteous, it is pleasant for them, and pleasant for the world.
6. If one engaged in burglary, he is judged for the sake of his future
prospects. “He engaged in burglary and broke a barrel?” “If the owner
might not kill him, he must pay for the barrel; but if the owner might
kill him, he is freed from paying for the barrel.”
7. These are they who are rescued(409) with their souls—he who pursued
after his companion to kill him, and one after a betrothed girl. But one
about to profane the Sabbath, and one about to serve idols, such cannot be
saved with their souls.(410)
Chapter IX
1. And these are to be beheaded. The murderer and the men of a city
withdrawn to idolatry. “The murderer who smote his neighbor with a stone
or iron, and he pressed him down in the midst of the water, or in the
midst of fire, and he could not come out from thence, and he died?” “He is
guilty.” “He pushed him into the midst of water, or into the midst of
fire, and he could come out, but he died?” “He is free.” “He encouraged a
dog against him, he encouraged a serpent against him?” “He is free.” “He
caused a serpent to bite him?” Rabbi Judah declared him “guilty,” but the
Sages “freed him.” “He smote his companion either with a stone or his
fist, and he was counted for dead, and he became lighter, and afterward
became heavier, and died?” “He is guilty.” R. Nehemiah said, “he is free,
because there are extenuating circumstances in the matter.”
2. “His intention was to kill a beast, and he killed a man—a foreigner,
and he killed an Israelite—a premature birth, and he killed a timely
child?” “He is free.” “His intention was to smite his loins, and there was
not sufficient force in the blow to cause death in his loins, and it
passed to his heart, and there was sufficient force in the blow to cause
death in his heart, and he died?” “He is free.” “His intention was to
smite him on his heart, and there was sufficient force in the blow to
cause death on his heart, and it passed on to his loins, and there was not
sufficient force in the blow to cause death on his loins, but he died?”
“He is free.” “His intention was to smite an adult, and there was not
sufficient force in the blow to cause death to an adult, and it passed off
to a child, and there was sufficient force to kill the child, and he
died?” “He is free.” “His intention was to smite a child, and there was
sufficient force in the blow to cause death to a child, and it passed to
an adult, and there was not sufficient force to cause death to the adult,
but he died?” “He is free.” “But his intention was to smite him on his
loins, and there was sufficient force in the blow to cause death on his
loins, and it passed to his heart, and he died?” “He is guilty.” “His
intention was to smite an adult, and there was sufficient force in the
blow to cause the death of the adult, and it passed to a child, and he
died?” “He is guilty.” R. Simon said, “even if his intention be to kill
this one, and he killed that one, he is free.”
3. “A murderer, who is mingled with others?” “All are to be freed.” R.
Judah said, “they are to be collected in a prison.” “Several condemned to
(different) deaths are promiscuously mingled?” “They are all to be
adjudged the lightest punishment.” “Those condemned to stoning with those
condemned to burning?” R. Simon said, “they are to be condemned to
stoning, because burning is more grievous,” but the Sages say, “they are
to be condemned to burning, because stoning is more grievous.” To them
replied R. Simon, “if burning were not more grievous, it would not have
been assigned to the daughter of a priest who was immoral.” They replied
to him, “if stoning were not more grievous, it would not have been
assigned to the blasphemer, and the idolater.” “Those condemned to
beheading, mingled with those condemned to strangling?” R. Simon said,
“they are to be put to death with the sword,” but the Sages say, “with
strangling.”
4. “He who is found guilty of two deaths by the judges?” “He is condemned
to the more grievous punishment.” “He committed a transgression, which
made him deserve two deaths?” “He is condemned to the more grievous.” R.
José said, “he is condemned for the first deed which he committed.”
5. “He who is flogged once and again?” “The judges commit him to prison,
and they give him barley to eat till his belly bursts.” “He who killed a
person without witnesses?” “They commit him to prison, and they give him
to eat the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction.”(411)
6. “A thief who stole a sacred vessel, and he who cursed in necromancy,
and the paramour of an Aramæan?” “The avengers may at once fall upon him.”
“The priest who served in legal uncleanness?” “His brother priests have no
need to bring him to the tribunal, but the young priests drag him outside
of the court, and dash out his brains with fagots of wood.” “A stranger
who served in the sanctuary?” R. Akiba said, he is to be killed “with
strangling,” but the Sages say, “by the visitation of heaven.”
Chapter X
1. All Israel have a portion in the world to come, as is said, “Thy people
also shall be all righteous,”(412) etc. And these are they who have no
portion in the world to come: he who says there is no resurrection of the
dead in the law, and that there is no revealed law from heaven, and the
Epicurean. R. Akiba said, “even he who reads in forbidden(413) books, and
he who mutters over a wound”; and he said, “I will put none of these
diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the
Lord that healeth thee.”(414) Aba Shaul said, “even to meditate the
NAME(415) in its letters.”
2. Three kings and four ordinary persons have no portion in the world to
come. Three kings, Jeroboam, Ahab, and Manasseh. R. Judah said, “Manasseh
had a portion in the world to come,” as is said, “And prayed unto him, and
he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again
to Jerusalem into his kingdom.”(416) The Sages said to him, “He brought
him back to his kingdom, but He did not bring him back to life in the
world to come.” Four ordinary persons, Balaam, and Doeg, and Ahitophel,
and Gehazi, have no portion in the world to come.
3. The generation of the deluge has no portion in the world to come, and
they stand not in judgment, as is said, “My Spirit shall not always strive
with man.”(417) (They have) neither judgment nor spirit. The generation of
the dispersion has no portion in the world to come, as is said, “So the
Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the
earth.”(418) And the Lord scattered them in this world, and from thence
the Lord scattered them in the world to come. The men of Sodom have no
portion in the world to come, as is said, “But the men of Sodom were
wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly,”(419) wicked in this
world, and sinners in the world to come. But they will stand in judgment.
R. Nehemiah said, “neither one nor other will stand in judgment,” as is
said, “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners
in the congregation of the righteous.”(420) “Therefore the wicked shall
not stand in judgment;” this is the generation of the deluge: “Nor sinners
in the congregation of the righteous;” these are the men of Sodom. The
(Sages) said to him, “they do not stand in the congregation of the
righteous, but they stand in the congregation of the wicked.” The spies
have no portion in the world to come, as is said, “Even those men that did
bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the
Lord.”(421) And they died in this world. They also died in the plague in
the world to come. “The generation of the wilderness has no portion in the
world to come, and they will not stand in judgment, as is said, ‘In this
wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.’ ”(422) The
words of R. Akiba. R. Eliezer said, “of them He said, ‘Gather my saints
together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by
sacrifice.’ ”(423) “The congregation of Korah will not come up, as is
said, ‘And the earth closed upon them’(424) in this world. ‘And they
perished from among the congregation’ in the world to come.” The words of
R. Akiba. R. Eliezer said, “of them he said, ‘The Lord killeth and maketh
alive; he bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up.’ ”(425) “The ten
tribes will not return, as is said, ‘And cast them into another land, as
it is this day’;(426) as the day departs and does not return, so they
depart and do not return.” The words of R. Akiba. R. Eliezer said, “as the
day darkens and brightens, so will it be with the ten tribes; as it was
dark for them, so will it be bright for them.”
4. The men of a city withdrawn to idolatry have no portion in the world to
come, as is said, “Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from
among you and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city,”(427) and they
are not to be killed till the withdrawers be from the city itself and from
the tribe itself, and till it withdraw the majority, and till the
withdrawers be men. If the withdrawers be women, or children, or the
minority be withdrawn, or the withdrawers be outside it, they are to be
treated singly, and they need two witnesses, and a warning to each one of
them. It is more grievous for individuals than for the multitude, because
individuals must be stoned, though for that reason their money is safe for
their heirs; but the multitude are cut off with the sword, and for that
reason their money is lost.
5. “Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city,”(428) etc. A
caravan of asses or camels passing from place to place are delivered, as
is said, “Destroying it utterly and all that is therein,” etc. From thence
they said, “the property of the righteous in it is lost, out of the city
it is safe. But that of the wicked, whether inside or outside, is lost.”
6. “And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street
thereof.”(429) If it have no street, they must make a street for it. If
there be a street outside of it, they bring it inside. “And shalt burn
with fire the city and all the spoil thereof,” its spoil but not the spoil
of heaven. From thence they say, the holy things therein are to be
redeemed, and the heave-offerings suffered to decay. The second tithes and
holy writings are to be concealed. “Every whit for the Lord thy God.” Said
R. Simon, “The Holy One, Blessed be He, said, If you execute judgment on
the withdrawn city, I count it for you as though you brought a
burnt-offering wholly before me.” “And it shall be a heap forever; it
shall not be built again.” “Thou shalt not make of it even gardens or
parks.” The words of R. José, the Galilean. R. Akiba said, “it shall not
be builded again. It must not be built as it was before, but it may be
made (into) gardens and parks.” “And there shall cleave naught of the
cursed thing to thine hand.”(430) Whilst the wicked are in the world,
wrath is in the world. When the wicked are destroyed from the world, wrath
retires from the world.
Chapter XI
1. These are to be strangled—he who beats his father or his mother, and he
who steals a soul from Israel, and an “elder” who is rebellious against
the judges, and a false prophet, and he who prophesies in the name of
idolatry, and false witnesses proved to be perjured against a priest’s
daughter and her paramour. He who beats father or mother is not guilty
till he make a bruise in them. It is more grievous to curse them than to
beat them. Because if he cursed them after their death, he is guilty; but
if he beat them after their death, he is free. He who stole a soul from
Israel is not guilty till he bring him on his property. R. Judah said,
“till he bring him on his property and obtain service by him,” as is said,
“And maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him.”(431) “If he steal his own
son?” R. Ishmael, the son of R. Jochanan, the son of Beroka, pronounces
him “guilty,” but the sages pronounce him “free.” “If he stole one, half a
servant and half free?” R. Judah pronounces him “guilty,” but the Sages
pronounce him “free.”
2. The elder rebellious against the decision of the judges? as it is said,
“If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment,”(432) etc. There
were three places of judgment. One place was by the door of the Mountain
of the House; and one was by the door of the court; and one was in the
chamber of hewn stone. The witnesses against the rebellious elder came to
the one by the door of the Mountain of the House, and each one said, “so I
expounded, and so my companions expounded; so I taught, and so my
companions taught.” If the judges listened to them, they told them: but if
not, they went to those at the door of the court, and each one said, “so I
expounded, and so my companions expounded; so I taught, and so my
companions taught.” If they listened to them, they told them; but if not,
both parties went to the supreme court in the chamber of hewn stone,
because from it the Law proceeded forth to all Israel, as is said, “Of
that place which the Lord shall choose.”(433) “If the rebellious elder
returned to his city, and taught as before?” “He is free.” “But if he
decided to practise false teaching?” “He is guilty,” as is said, “And the
man that will do presumptuously.”(434) He is not guilty till he decide to
practise his false teaching. A disciple who decided to practise false
teaching is free. It follows that what is a grave offence in the one is a
light offence in the other.
3. The burden in the words of the scribes is greater than the burden in
the words of the law. He who said, “There are no phylacteries, so as to
transgress the words of the law?” “He is free.” He who said, “There are
five frontlets, so as to add to the words of the scribes?” “He is guilty.”
4. “The judges do not put such an offender to death in the tribunal of his
city, nor in the tribunal of Jabneh,(435) but they bring him up to the
supreme court in Jerusalem, and they guard him till a holiday; and they
put him to death on a holiday, as is said, ‘And all the people shall hear
and fear, and do no more presumptuously.’ ”(436) The words of R. Akiba. R.
Judah said, “they do not cause him anguish in delaying his judgment, but
they execute him off-hand.” And they write and send messengers to all
places, “Such a man, the son of such a man, is condemned to death by the
tribunal.”
5. A false prophet, who prophesied what he did not hear, and what was not
told to him, is put to death by the hands of man. But he who suppressed
his prophecy, and he who added to the words of a prophet, and a prophet
who transgressed his own words, is put to death by the visitation of
heaven, as is said, “I will require it of him.”(437)
6. And he who prophesied in the name of idolatry and said, “so the idol
said,” even though its decision was exactly to pronounce unclean the
unclean, and to pronounce cleansed the clean, is to be strangled. And so
also the false witnesses against a priest’s daughter. Because all false
witnesses are condemned to the same death which they had intended (for the
accused), except false witnesses against the daughter of a priest, and
they are to be strangled.
On Idolatry(438)
Dealings with Idolaters—Idolatrous Feasts—Things Not to be Sold to
Idolaters—Labor with Idolaters—The Letting Out of Houses and
Fields—Precautions—Things Forbidden and Things Allowed—Idols and
Fragments of Idols—Hills and Groves—Houses Joined to an Idol
Temple—Idolatrous Trees—Image of Mercury—Annulling Idolatry—Pagan
Argument for Idolatry—Answer—Treading—Pressing—Baking—Wine of
Libation—Culinary Utensils.
Chapter I
1. Three days before the feasts of the idolaters it is forbidden to deal
with them, to lend articles to them, or to take a loan of articles from
them; to make a loan of money to them, or to borrow money from them; to
repay them, or to take payment from them. Rabbi Judah said, “it is allowed
to take payment from them, since it is unsatisfactory to the idolater.”
The (Sages) answered him, “though it is unpleasant to him now, he rejoices
afterward.”
2. R. Ishmael said, “three days before and three days after their feasts
it is forbidden.” But the Sages say, “before their feasts it is forbidden,
after their feasts it is allowed.”
3. “And these are the feasts of the idolaters—the Kalends, and the
Saturnalia, and the Quartesima, and the coronation day of their kings, and
the day of their birth, and the day of their death.” The words of R.
Meier. But the Sages say, “every death anniversary in which there is
burning of incense,(439) there is in it the worship of idols. But if there
be no burning of incense there is no worship of idols.” “The day of
shaving his beard and cutting his hair, the day of his disembarking from
the sea, and the day of his release from prison, and the day when the
heathen makes a feast for his son?” “It is not forbidden to deal with them
save on this day of his feast, and with this man who keeps the feast
only.”
4. “The city in which there exists idolatry outside the city?” “It is
allowed to deal with the idolaters.” “If the idolatry be outside?” “Inside
it is allowed.” “How is it with going there?” “When the road directly
leads to the place itself, it is forbidden; but if it be possible to go by
it to another place, it is allowed.”
5. “If in the city in which there exists idolatry there be shops, some
decorated with idolatrous crowns, and some without decoration?” This was
the case in Bethshan; and the Sages say, “the decorated ones are forbidden
for dealing, and those not decorated are allowed.”
6. These things are forbidden to be sold to idolaters—fir-cones, and the
best figs, with their clusters, and incense, and the white cock. R. Judah
said, “it is allowable to sell a white cock among many others. But when a
man has only one, he must cut its claw before he sell it, since the
heathen do not offer that which is blemished in idol worship.” And all
other things for ordinary uses are allowed—but if they be declared to be
for idolatry, they are forbidden. R. Meier said, “even the fine dates, and
the date sap,(440) and the Jericho dates, are forbidden for sale to
idolaters.”
7. Where they are accustomed to sell small cattle to idolaters, they may
sell them. Where they are unaccustomed to sell them, they must not sell
them. And everywhere they must not sell to them the large cattle, calves,
ass foals, unblemished or blemished. R. Judah allowed the broken-boned;
and Benbethira allowed even horses.
8. Men must not sell to them bears or lions, or anything in which there is
peril to the multitude. They must not build with them royal halls,(441)
judgment-seats, and stadiums,(442) and bemas.(443) But men may build with
them altars and baths. When they reach to the arching in which they place
their idol, it is forbidden to build farther.
9. And Israelites must not make decorations for idols, necklaces, and
nose-rings, and rings. R. Eleazar said, “for pay it is allowed.” Men must
not sell to them what is fastened to the ground. But one may sell it after
it is cut down. R. Judah said, “one may sell it to a heathen on condition
that he cuts it down.”
10. “Men must not let to them buildings(444) in the Land of Israel, and it
is needless to say fields. But in Syria they may let to them buildings,
but not fields. But out of the Land they may sell to them buildings, and
may rent to them fields.” The words of R. Meier. R. José said, “in the
Land of Israel men may let to them buildings, but not fields. But in Syria
they may sell buildings and rent fields to them, and out of the Land they
may sell both.” However, where they said to let, they did not say a
dwelling-house; since a heathen can bring inside of it an idol, as it is
said, “Thou shalt not bring in abomination into thy house.”(445) And
everywhere a man must not hire to a heathen his bath, because it is called
by his name.
Chapter II
1. Israelites must not put cattle in the stables of idolaters, because of
their evil habits. And a woman must not be alone with them, because of
their evil habits. And no man should be alone with them, because they are
apt to shed blood.
2. A daughter of Israel must not attend an idolatrous woman, because she
helps the birth of a child for idolatry. But an idolatress may attend a
daughter of Israel. A daughter of Israel must not suckle a child of an
idolatress; but an idolatress may suckle a child of a daughter of Israel,
under her observation.
3. “Israelites may take from them medicine to cure property; but not to
cure persons. And they are not to be shaved by them anywhere.” The words
of R. Meier. But the Sages say, “under public observation it is allowed,
but not entirely alone.”
4. These things of the idolaters are forbidden, and every use of them is
strictly forbidden; wine, and vinegar of the heathen which was at first
wine, and Hadrian’s mixture(446) with its fragments, and hides of animals
with their hearts(447) (torn out). Rabbi Simon, the son of Gamaliel, said,
“when the rent is round, it is forbidden, when lengthwise, it is allowed.”
“The flesh brought in for idolatry is allowed; but that which is brought
out is forbidden, because it is the sacrifice for the dead.” The words of
R. Akiba. It is forbidden to do business with those who go to worship the
Penates; but with those who return from them it is allowed. “The
skin-bottles of the idolaters and their jugs into which Jewish wine is
poured, are forbidden, and every use of them is strictly forbidden.” The
words of R. Meier. But the Sages say, “every use of them is not
forbidden.” “Grape-stones and grape-skins of the idolaters are forbidden,
and every use of them is strictly forbidden.” The words of R. Meier. But
the Sages say, “when moist, they are forbidden; but when dry, they are
allowed.” “Fish-brine and the cheese from Bethuniki,(448) a village of the
idolaters, are forbidden, and every use of them strictly forbidden.” The
words of R. Meier. But the Sages say, “every use of them is not
forbidden.” R. Judah related, that R. Ishmael asked R. Joshua, as they
were journeying along the road—he said to him, “why do they forbid the
cheese of idolaters?” He replied to him, “because they cause it to ferment
with the stomach of a carcass.” R. Ishmael said to him, “and is not the
stomach of a burnt-offering of more importance than the stomach of a
carcass,” and it was said, “the priest who was so minded supped the milk
that was in it,” but the Sages did not agree with him, and they said, “the
priests do not use it, and they are not guilty.” He changed the
conversation, and said to him, “because they ferment it with the stomach
of a calf (devoted) to idolatry.” He said to him, “if so, why do they not
forbid it for every use?” He turned to another subject, and said to him,
“brother Ishmael, how do you read, ‘For thy love is better than
wine,’(449) or ‘For thy love is good’?” He replied to him, “For thy love
is good.” He said to him, “it is not so, since the next verse explains it,
‘Because of the savor of thy good ointments.’ ”
5. These things of the idolaters are forbidden, but every use of them is
not strictly forbidden; milk which a heathen milked, and an Israelite did
not see it. “Their bread and oil?” “Rabbi and his colleagues allowed oil.”
But the cookery, and the gravy into which they are wont to put wine and
vinegar, and shred thunny fish, and the sauce in which the fish chalbith
is not swimming, and the herring, and the essence of assafœtida, and
spiced salt, are forbidden; but every use of them is not strictly
forbidden.
6. These things are allowed for eating—milk which an idolater milked, and
an Israelite saw, and honey and honeycomb, even if they are dropping, as
they do not contain the effect of liquor,(450) and gravy into which they
are not wont to put wine and vinegar, and shred thunny fish, and sauce in
which there is the fish chalbith, and the leaf of the assafœtida, and
olives crushed into round cakes. R. José said, “the kernels detached from
the olives are forbidden.” The locusts which they bring from their
baskets(451) are forbidden; but those brought from their magazines are
allowed. And even so is the decision for their heave-offerings.
Chapter III
1. “All images are forbidden, because they are worshipped once a year.”
The words of R. Meier. But the Sages say, “only those are forbidden which
have in their hand a staff, or bird, or ball.” R. Simon, the son of
Gamaliel, said, “all images which have in their hand anything whatever.”
2. “If one find the broken pieces of images?” “They are allowed (for
useful purposes).” “If one find the figure of a hand, or the figure of a
foot?” “They are forbidden, because such as they are worshipped.”
3. “(If one find) vessels on which is the form of the sun-disk, the form
of the moon, the form of a dragon?” “They are to be carried into the Salt
Sea.”(452) R. Simon, the son of Gamaliel, said, “when such forms are on
precious (vessels) they are forbidden, when they are on insignificant
(ones) they are allowed.”
4. R. José said, “one must grind the image to powder and scatter it to the
wind, or cast it into the sea.” The Sages said to him, “then it will make
dung,” and it is said, “And there shall not cleave to thy hand aught of
the accursed thing.”(453)
5. Proclus, the son of a philosopher, asked R. Gamaliel, in Acho,(454) as
he was bathing in the bath of Venus, and said to him, “it is written in
thy law, ‘and there shall not cleave to thy hand aught of the accursed
thing’; why dost thou bathe in the bath of Venus?” He said to him, “men do
not give replies in the bath”; and when he came out he said to him, “I
came not within its district; it came into my district.” They did not say,
“let us make a bath to the honor of Venus, but they said, let us make
Venus an honor to the bath.” Another thing: “if they gave thee money
wouldst thou enter naked before thy idol, or wouldst thou do aught
disgraceful in its presence? yet if it stands on a canal everyone
dishonors it.” It is not said, save for their heathen gods, “that which is
customary from its being a god, is forbidden, that which is not customary
from its being a god, is allowed.”
6. Though idolaters worship the mountains and the hills, the mountains and
the hills are allowed, but what is upon them is forbidden; as is said,
“Thou shalt not covet the silver and the gold upon them to take
them.”(455) R. José, the Galilean, said, “their gods of the mountains, but
not the mountains their gods; their gods of the hills, but not the hills
their gods.” “But why are the groves forbidden?” “Because they are
prepared by man’s hands, and every object of idolatry which is prepared by
man’s hands is forbidden.” Said R. Akiba, “I will consider and decide
before thee; every place in which you find a high mountain, and an
elevated hill, and a flourishing tree, know that there is idolatry.”
7. “He who had a house joined to an idol, and it fell down?” “It is
forbidden to rebuild it.” “What shall he do?” “He must first reduce the
size of the house by four cubits, and then rebuild it.” “If the house be
in common between him and the idol?” “It is decided to leave the four
cubits unoccupied, as its stones, wood, and dust cause defilement like a
worm, ‘Thou shalt utterly detest it.’ ”(456)
8. There are three sorts of buildings. The house originally built for
idolatry is forbidden. “If the idolater whitewashed, and painted, and
repaired it for the idol?” “He must take down his repairs.” “If he brought
in and afterward took out the idol?” “It is allowed.”
9. There are three sorts of stones. The stone originally hewn for a
pedestal to the idol is forbidden. “If the idolater whitewashed, and
painted, and repaired it to honor an idol?” “He must take down his
repairs.” “If he placed his idol upon it, and afterward took it away?” “It
is allowed.”
10. There are three sorts of groves. The tree originally planted to honor
an idol is forbidden. “If the idolater cut it, and hewed it, and made
changes to honor an idol?” “He must take down his changes.” “If he placed
an idol beneath it and abused it?” “It is allowed.”
11. “What is a grove?” “That in which there is an idol.” R. Simon said,
“everything that is worshipped, as it happened in Zidon at the tree where
they worshipped, and they found beneath it a heap. Said R. Simon to them,
‘examine this heap.’ And they examined it and found in it an image. He
said to them, ‘as the object of service is the image, we shall allow the
tree to you.’ ”
12. One must not sit in the shadow of an idolatrous grove, and though he
sit, he is legally clean. And one must not pass underneath it; even if one
pass he is defiled. “If it occupy the public thoroughfare and one pass
beneath it?” “He is clean.”
13. One may sow underneath it vegetables in winter, but not in summer. But
lettuce(457) must not be sown either in summer or winter. R. José said,
“not even vegetables in winter, since the leaves would fall upon them and
serve them for dung.”
14. “Has one taken wood from it?” “Its wood is forbidden for every use.”
“Has one heated an oven with it?” “If the oven be new it must be broken
down, and if old it must be cooled down.” “Has one baked bread in it?”
“The use of the bread is forbidden.” “Are the loaves mixed with other
loaves, and these again with others?” “The use of all the loaves is
forbidden.” R. Eliezer said, “its value is to be cast into the Salt Sea.”
The Sages replied to him, “there is no redemption for idolatry.” “Has one
made out of such a tree a weaver’s shuttle?” “Its use is forbidden.” “Has
one woven a garment with it?” “The use of the garment is forbidden.” “Is
the garment mixed with other garments, and these again with others?” “The
use of all the garments is forbidden.” Rabbi Eleazar said, “its value is
to be cast into the Salt Sea.” The Sages replied to him, “there is no
redemption for idolatry.”
15. “How is the tree to be desecrated?” “Has the idolater broken off dry
bark, or green boughs; has he taken from it a staff, or a twig, or even a
leaf—it is desecrated.” “Has he trimmed it for the sake of the tree?” “It
is forbidden.” “Has he trimmed it, but not for the sake of the tree?” “It
is allowed.”
Chapter IV
1. Rabbi Ishmael said, “three stones(458) beside each other at the side of
the image of Mercury are forbidden, but two are allowed.” But the Sages
say, “when they are within his view they are forbidden, but when they are
not within his view they are allowed.”
2. “Has one found money on his head, a garment, or implements which are
not offerings?” “They are allowed.” Festoons of grapes, wreaths of ears of
corn, and wines, and oils, and fine flour, and everything similar offered
on his altar are forbidden.
3. A garden or a bath for idolatry is permitted for use when it is
gratuitous. But neither is to be used if a present for the worship of the
idol be expected. If it be in partnership with others that are not so
employed, either can be used, whether it be with the expectation of a
present or gratuitous. The idol of idolaters is at once forbidden, but the
idol of Israel is not forbidden until it be served.
4. An idolater may desecrate his own idol, or the idol of his companion.
But Israel must not desecrate the idol of an idolater. In desecrating the
idol he desecrates what appertains to it. “Has he desecrated what
appertains to it?” “What appertains to it is allowed, but the idol itself
is forbidden.”
5. “How is it to be desecrated?” “He cuts off the lobe of its ear, the tip
of its nose, the end of its finger—he deforms even though he does not
diminish it—it is desecrated.” “He spits before it, he drags it, and
throws dirt upon it?” “It is not desecrated.” “Has he sold it or pledged
it?” Rabbi says, “it is desecrated.” But the Sages say, “it is not
desecrated.”
6. The idol, the service of which is abandoned in the time of peace, is
allowed. “But if its service be abandoned in time of war?” “It is
forbidden.”(459) The royal pedestals(460) are forbidden, because they are
erected at the time when kings are travelling.
7. The elders were asked in Rome, “If God has no pleasure in idolatry, why
does He not destroy it?” They replied to the Romans, “If the idolaters
were serving a thing which was not necessary to the world, He would
destroy it, but they serve the sun-disk, and the moon, and the stars, and
the signs of the zodiac. Shall he destroy his world on account of the
fools?” They replied to them, “If so He can destroy the object which is
not wanted for the world, and leave that which the world wants.” They
replied to them, “even we should be strengthening the hands of the
worshippers of such objects; they would say, there is a proof that they
are gods, because they are not destroyed.”
8. One may buy a wine-press pressed by an idolater, even though he take
_grapes_ with his hand and lay them on the heap of grapes, as it is not
made the wine of idolatrous libation till it runs into the vat. “Has it
run into the vat?” “That which is in the vat is forbidden, but the
remainder is allowed.” One may tread with an idolater in the wine-press,
but one must not gather grapes with him. One must not tread or gather
grapes with an Israelite who works in a state of defilement. But one may
carry with him empty barrels to the press and bring them away with him
from the press. One must not knead nor prepare with the baker who works in
(a state of) legal defilement, but one may carry the bread with him to the
dealer in bread.
9. “If an idolater be found standing by the side of a wine vat, and if he
have any loan upon it?” “It is forbidden.” “If he have no loan on it?” “It
is allowed.” “Has he fallen into the vat and come out again, or measured
it with a cane; has he driven away a hornet with a cane; or has he given a
slap to the fermentation on the top of the barrel?” All these things once
happened, and the (Sages) decided, “Let it be sold.” But R. Simon “allowed
it.” He took the barrel and flung it in a rage into the vat. This once
happened, and the Sages allowed it.
10. “Has one made the wine of an idolater without legal defilement, and
left it in his possession in a house open to public concourse—in a city in
which there are idolaters and Israelites?” “It is allowed.” “In a city in
which all are idolaters?” “It is forbidden till he leave a watchman, and
it is not needful that the watchman sit and watch. Even though he goes in
and out it is allowed.” R. Simon, the son of Eleazar, said, “all
possession of wine by idolaters is alike.” “Has one made the wine of a
heathen without legal defilement, and left it in his possession, and the
idolater afterward wrote to him, I have received from you the money for
the wine?” “It is allowed.” “But if the Israelite wish to withdraw it, and
the idolater do not permit him, till he shall give him his money for it?”
This once happened in Bethshan, and the Sages “forbade it.”
Chapter V
1. “Has an idolater hired an Israelite to make with him wine of idolatrous
libation?” “His wages are forbidden.” “But if he hired him to do with him
another work, even though he say to him, ‘carry for me a barrel of wine of
libation from place to place?’ ” “His wages are allowed.” “Has one hired
an ass to bring on him wine of idolatrous libation?” “The hire is not
allowed.” “Has one hired out the ass for riding, even though the idolater
put his wine flask upon him?” “The hire is allowed.”
2. Wine of idolatrous libation which fell on grapes must be cleansed away,
and they are allowed. But if the grapes be crushed, they are forbidden.
“Has the idolatrous wine fallen on figs or on dates?” “If it convey to
them a taste, they are forbidden.” It happened once with Baithus, son of
Zonan, that he brought dried figs in a boat, and a barrel of wine of
idolatrous libation was broken, and it fell upon them, and he consulted
the Sages and they allowed them. This is the rule: In every use where the
taste is conveyed, it is forbidden. But where in its use no taste is
conveyed, it is allowed. It is like vinegar which has fallen on peas.
3. “An idolater who was carrying with an Israelite pitchers of wine from
place to place?” “If it be certain that the idolater is watched, it is
allowed.” “If the Israelite let him know that he is departing—if there be
time to bore, to close, and to seal the pitcher?” R. Simon, son of
Gamaliel, said, “it is not allowed if there be time to open, to cork, and
to seal it again.” “And an Israelite put his wine into a carriage, or into
a boat, and he has gone a near cut—he entered the city and washed?” “It is
allowed.” “But if he let the idolater know that he is departing, if there
be time to bore, and cork, and seal it again?” R. Simon, son of Gamaliel,
said, “it is not allowed if there be time to open the barrel and cork and
seal it again.” “If he leave the idolater in the wine-shop, even though he
go in and out?” “It is allowed.” “But if he let the idolater know that he
departs, if there be time to bore, and cork, and seal it again?” R. Simon
ben Gamaliel said, “it is not allowed if there be time to open, and to
cork, and to seal it again.” “Did he dine with the idolater at table, and
he left a flask on the table, and a flask on the sideboard, and he left
them and went out?” “That one which is on the table is forbidden, but that
one on the sideboard is allowed.” “But if he said to him, ‘you may mix and
drink wine, even that one on the sideboard is forbidden?’ ”(461) “Open
barrels are forbidden, also sealed ones, when there is time to open, and
cork, and seal them up again.”
4. If foreign banditti have entered into a city in time of peace, open
barrels are forbidden—closed ones are allowed. If the banditti have
entered in time of war, both are equally allowed, because there is no time
for idolatrous libation.
5. When an idolater has sent to workmen of Israel a barrel of wine of
idolatrous libation for wages, it is allowed to say, “give us its value.”
“But if it has come into their possession?” “It is forbidden.”
6. “Has one sold wine to an idolater?” “If he agreed for the price before
it is measured, its payment is allowed.” “Has he measured it before he
agreed for the price?” “Its payment is forbidden.”
7. “Has one taken a funnel and measured wine into the bottle of an
idolater, and he then turned round and measured wine into the bottle of an
Israelite?” “If the funnel retain a drop of the wine of the idolater, the
wine is forbidden.” “Has one poured the wine from vessel to vessel?” “That
vessel from which he poured it is allowed, and that one into which he
poured it is forbidden.”
8. Wine of idolatrous libation is forbidden, and even a little of it
renders forbidden—wine in wine, and water in water—how much soever they
be, and wine in water, and water in wine, in giving a taste. This is the
rule: If both be of one sort, however little; if they be of different
sorts, in giving a taste.
9. These things are forbidden, and even a little of them renders other
things forbidden. Wine of idolatrous libation, and idols, and skins of
beasts with the hearts torn out, and an ox that was stoned,(462) and a
heifer that is beheaded,(463) and the birds from the leprosy, and the hair
of the Nazarite,(464) and the first-born of the ass, and flesh in milk,
and the scapegoat, and the profane animals(465) which were slaughtered in
the Temple court. These are forbidden to be mixed with other things; and
if so mixed, even a little of them renders other things forbidden.
10. “Wine of idolatrous libation which has fallen into a vat?” “All its
use is forbidden.” R. Simon ben Gamaliel said, “it may all be sold to
heathens, excepting the value of the wine of idolatrous libation which is
in it.”
11. “A stone-press which an idolater has prepared with pitch?” “It must be
cleansed, and it is clean.” “And if of wood?” Rabbi said, “it should be
cleansed”; and the Sages said, “one must peel off the pitch; but if it be
made of earthenware, even though one peel off the pitch, it is forbidden.”
12. “If one buy culinary utensils from an idolater?” “That which it is
usual to dip (in water), one must dip; to scour, one must scour; to whiten
in the fire, one must whiten in fire. The spit and the fork, one must
whiten in the fire;(466) and the knife must be rubbed down, and it is
clean.”
The Fathers
The Oral Law—Its Transmission—Names of the
“Receivers”—Maxims—Apothegms—Wisdom of the Wise.
Chapter I
1. Moses received the Oral Law from Sinai and delivered it to Joshua, and
Joshua delivered it to the elders, and the elders to the prophets, and the
prophets to the men of the great synagogue.(467) They said three things,
“be deliberate in judgment, raise up many disciples, and make a fence for
the law.”
2. Simon the Just was one of the last of the men of the great synagogue.
He used to say that the world stood on three things—“on the law, the
service, and the acts of the pious.”
3. Antigonus of Soco received (the law) from Simon the Just. He used to
say, “be not as servants, who serve their master for the sake of receiving
a reward, but be like servants who serve their master without the view of
receiving a reward; and let the fear of heaven be upon you.”
4. José, son of Joezer of Zeredah, and José, son of Jochanan of Jerusalem,
received (the oral law) from him. José, son of Joezer of Zeredah, said,
“let thy house be a house of assembly for the wise, and dust thyself with
the dust of their feet, and drink their words in thirstiness.”
5. José, son of Jochanan of Jerusalem, said, “let thy house be wide open,
and let the poor be thy children. Discourse not much with women, not even
with thy wife, much less with thy neighbor’s wife.” Hence the wise men
say, “whoever converses much with women brings evil on himself, neglects
the study of the law, and at last will inherit hell.”
6. Joshua, son of Perechiah, and Natai the Arbelite received the oral law
from them. Joshua, son of Perechiah, said, “get thyself a master, and
obtain a companion, and judge all mankind with favor.”
7. Natai the Arbelite said, “withdraw from an evil neighbor, and associate
not with the wicked, neither flatter thyself to escape punishment.”
8. Judah, son of Tabai, and Simon, son of Shetach, received it of them.
Judah, son of Tabai, said, “consider not thyself as the arranger of the
law, and when the parties are before thee in judgment, consider them as
guilty; but when they are departed from thee, consider them as innocent,
when they have acquiesced in the sentence.”
9. Simon, son of Shetach, said, “be extremely careful in the examination
of witnesses, and be cautious in thy words, lest they from thence should
learn to utter a falsehood.”
10. Shemaiah and Abtalyon(468) received it from them. Shemaiah said, “love
thy business and hate dominion, and be unknown to government.”
11. Abtalyon said, “ye Sages, be cautious of your words, lest ye be doomed
to captivity, and carried captive to a place of bad waters, and the
disciples who follow you should drink of them, by which means the name of
God may be profaned.”
12. Hillel and Shammai received it of them. Hillel said, “be thou of the
disciples of Aaron, who loved peace, and pursued peace, so that thou love
mankind, and allure them to the study of the law.”
13. He used to say, “whoever aggrandizes his name, destroys his name, and
he who does not increase his knowledge in the law, shall be cut off, and
he who does not study the law, is deserving of death, and he who serves
himself with the crown of the law, will perish.”
14. He also said, “if I perform not good works myself, who can do them for
me?” and “when I consider myself, what am I?” and “if not now, when shall
I?”
15. Shammai said, “let thy study of the law be fixed, say little and do
much, and receive all men with an open, pleasant face.”
16. Rabban Gamaliel said, “procure thyself an instructor, that thou mayest
not be in doubt, and accustom not thyself to give tithes by conjecture.”
17. Simon, his son, said, “I have all my life been brought up among wise
men, and never found anything so good for the body as silence, neither is
the study of the law the principal thing, but its practice,” and “whoever
multiplies words causes sin.”
18. Rabban Simon, son of Gamaliel, said the duration of the world depends
on three things, justice, truth, and peace, as is said, “judge truth, and
justice, and peace in your gates.”
Chapter II
1. Rabbi Judah said, “which are the most eligible paths for man to choose?
All such as are an ornament to those who tread therein; and get them honor
from man. Be also as careful of the observance of a light precept, as of a
weighty one; because thou knowest not the due reward of the precepts, and
balance the loss sustained by the omission of a precept against its
recompense, and the reward of sin against its loss of happiness. Consider
also three things, and thou wilt not transgress. Understand what is above
thee: an All-seeing Eye and a Hearing Ear; and that all thy actions are
written in a Book.”
2. Rabban Gamaliel, the son of Rabban Judah the Prince, said, “that the
study of the law and intercourse with the world are commendable together,
as the joining of these two annihilates sin; and all the study of the law,
that is not supported by business, will become of none effect, and will be
the cause of sin; and whoever is engaged in the service of the
congregation, ought to act for God’s sake, then will the merit of their
ancestors support them, and their charitable deeds exist to eternity; and
I (God) shall account you deserving of a great recompense, as if ye had
actually done it.”
3. “Be ye warned of following princes, as they only bestow favors on men
for their own interest. They show themselves as friends while men are
useful to them; but they will not support a man in time of need.”
4. He used to say, “do His will as if it were thine own will, that He may
accomplish thy will as if it were His will; abolish thy will for the sake
of His will, that He may abolish the will of others for the sake of thy
will.” Hillel said, “separate not thyself from the congregation, nor have
confidence in thyself, until the day of thy death. Judge not thy neighbor
till thou art in his situation, neither utter a sentence as if it were
incomprehensible, that afterward may be comprehended, nor say, when I
shall have leisure I shall study; mayhap thou wilt not have leisure.”
5. He also said, “a boor cannot be fearful of sin, nor can a rustic be a
saint; the bashful will not become learned, nor the passionate man a
teacher; neither will he, who is much engaged in traffic, become wise; and
where there are no men, strive thou to be a man.”
6. He having also seen a skull floating on the water, said, “because thou
didst make others float, have they floated thee! and the end of those who
made thee float will be that they will float.”
7. He also said, “he who increases flesh, increases worms; he who
increases riches, increases care; he who increases wives, increases
witchcraft; he who increases female servants, increases lewdness; he who
increases men servants, increases robbery; but he who increases his
knowledge of the law, increases life; he who increases his study in
college, increases wisdom; he who increases counsel, increases prudence;
he who increases justice, increases peace; if a man have gained a good
name, he has gained it for himself; if he have gained the words of the
law, he has gained for himself everlasting life in the world to come.”
8. Rabbi Jochanan, son of Zaccai, received the oral law from Hillel and
Shammai. He used to say, “if thou hast spent much time in the study of the
law, yet pride not thyself thereon, because for that wast thou created.”
Rabbi Jochanan, son of Zaccai, had five disciples, and these are they:
Rabbi Eleazar, son of Hyrcanus, Rabbi Joshua, son of Chananya, Rabbi José
the priest, Rabbi Simon, son of Nathanael, Rabbi Eleazar, son of Arach. He
used thus to estimate their merits: “R. Eleazar, son of Hyrcanus, is as a
well-plastered cistern which loses not a drop; Joshua, son of Chananya,
happy are his parents; José the priest is a saint; Simon, son of
Nathanael, fears sin; Eleazar, son of Arach, is a mighty spring.” He used
to say, “if all the Sages of Israel were in one scale of the balance, and
R. Eleazar, son of Hyrcanus, in the other, he would outweigh them all.”
Abba Saul said in his name, “if all the Sages of Israel were in one scale,
and even R. Eleazar, son of Hyrcanus, with them, and R. Eleazar, son of
Arach, in the other, he would outweigh them all.”
9. He also said to them, “go forth and consider which is the good path for
man to cleave to?” To this R. Eleazar answered, “a good eye.” R. Joshua
said, “a good companion.” R. José said, “a good neighbor.” R. Simon said,
“he who foresees the future.” R. Eleazar said, “a good heart.” He then
said to them, “I prefer the words of R. Eleazar, son of Arach, above
yours, as his words include yours.” He also said to them, “go forth and
consider which is the bad way that man should shun”; to which R. Eleazar
said, “a bad eye.” R. Joshua said, “a bad companion.” R. José said, “a bad
neighbor.” R. Simon said, “he who borrows and pays not; for when one
borrows from man, it is as if he borrows from God, as is said, ‘The wicked
borroweth and payeth not again; but the righteous showeth mercy and
giveth.’ ”(469) R. Eleazar said, “a bad heart.” He then said to them, “I
prefer the words of R. Eleazar, son of Arach, above yours, as his words
include yours.”
10. They also said three things. R. Eleazar said, “let the honor of thy
companion be as dear to thee as thine own; and be not easily moved to
anger; and repent one day before thy death; and warm thyself by the fire
of the Sages, and be careful that their coal does not burn thee, for their
bite is as a bite of a fox, and their sting is as the sting of a scorpion,
and their burn is the burn of a fiery serpent, and all their words are as
fiery coals.”
11. R. Joshua said, “the bad eye, the bad thought, and envy of companions,
cause the death of man.”
12. R. José said, “let thy companion’s property be as dear to thee as
thine own; and prepare thyself to study the law, as it cometh not to thee
by inheritance; and let all thine actions be in the name of God.”
13. R. Simon said, “be careful of reading the ‘Hear,’(470) etc., and the
other prayers; and when thou art praying consider not thy prayer as fixed,
but as supplicating mercy in the presence of the Supreme, as is said, ‘For
He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and
repenteth Him of the evil’;(471) and be not impious in thine own sight.”
14. R. Eleazar said, “be diligent to study the law, that thou mayest know
how to confute the Epicurean; consider also in whose presence thou art
laboring, for the Master of thy work is faithful to pay thee the reward of
thy labor.”
15. R. Tarphon said, “the day is short, the labor vast, but the laborers
are slothful, though the reward is great, and the Master of the house
presseth for despatch.”
16. He used to say, “it is not incumbent upon thee to complete the work,
neither art thou free to cease from it. If thou hast studied the law,
great shall be thy reward; for the Master of thy work is faithful to pay
the reward of thy labor; but know that the reward of the righteous is in
the world to come.”
Chapter III
1. Akabia, son of Mahallalel, said, “ponder on three things, and thou wilt
not be led to the commission of sin; consider from whence thou comest, and
whither thou goest; and in whose presence thou must in futurity stand to
account in judgment. From whence comest thou? from a foul drop. And
whither goest thou? to a place of dust—worms—and reptiles; and in whose
presence art thou in future to account in judgment? even before the King
Who is King of kings, and the HOLY ONE, blessed be He.”
2. Rabbi Chanina, suffragan of the priests, said, “pray for the peace of
the kingdom, for, were it not for its fear, men would swallow each other
alive.” Rabbi Chanina, son of Theradion, said, “two who are sitting
together and speak not of the law are an assembly of scorners; as is said,
‘Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.’ ”(472) But two who sit
together, and speak of the law, the DIVINE PRESENCE (Shechinah) rests
between them; as is said, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one
to another; and the LORD hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance
was written before him for them that feared the Lord; and for them that
thought upon His name.”(473) This refers to two; but whence may we infer,
that if but one sits engaged in the study of the law the Holy One, blessed
be He, will appoint him a reward? Because it is said, “He sitteth alone
and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.”(474)
3. Rabbi Simon said, “three who have eaten at one table and have not
spoken of the law, are to be considered as if they had eaten of the
sacrifices of the dead, for it is said, ‘For all tables are full of vomit
and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.’(475) But three who have
eaten at one table and have spoken of the law, are considered as if they
had eaten at GOD’S table, as is said, ‘And he said unto me, This is the
table that is before the LORD.’ ”(476)
4. R. Chanina, son of Chanina, said, “he who wakes in the night and
travels in the road alone, and turns his heart to vanity, is guilty of the
death of his own soul.”
5. R. Nechunya, son of Hakana, said, “whoever lays on himself the yoke of
the law is relieved from the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of the
custom of the world, and whoever breaks off the yoke of the law, imposes
on himself the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of the custom of the
world.”
6. R. Chalaphta of the village of Chananya said, “ten men who assemble
together and study the law, the Shechinah rests among them, as is said,
‘God standeth in the congregation of the mighty.’ ”(477) And hence it is
inferred that it is also so with five, because it is said, “and hath
founded his troop in the earth.”(478) And hence it is inferred that it is
likewise so with three, because it is said, “He judgeth among the
gods.”(479) And hence it is inferred that it is also thus with two,
because it is said, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to
another, and the Lord hearkened and heard, etc.”(480) And hence it is
inferred that it is likewise so with one, because it is said, “In all
places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless
thee.”(481)
7. R. Eleazar of Barthota said, “give unto Him of His own, for thou and
all that thou hast are His.” And thus said David, “For all things come of
Thee, and of thine own have we given Thee.”(482) R. Simon said, “he who
journeys on the road, meditating on the law, and ceases therefrom to
admire this beautiful tree or that beautiful fallow ground, is considered
in Scripture as endangering his life.”
8. R. Dosthai, the son of Jonai, in the name of R. Meier, said, “whoever
forgetteth anything of what he had obtained by study, is considered in
Scripture as having endangered his life”; as is said, “Only take heed to
thyself and guard thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which
thine eyes have seen.”(483) “Perhaps his study has been too powerful for
him?” “But it is said, ‘And lest they depart from thy heart all the days
of thy life.’ ”(484) Hence he endangers not his life, till he deliberately
removes them from his heart.
9. Rabbi Chanina, son of Dose, said, “whosoever’s fear of sin precedes his
wisdom, his wisdom will remain; but whosoever’s wisdom precedes his fear
of sin, his wisdom will not remain.” He used to say, “whosoever’s good
deeds exceed his wisdom, his wisdom will remain; but whosoever’s wisdom
exceeds his good deeds, his wisdom will not remain.”
10. He also used to say, “with whomsoever the spirit of his companions is
gratified, the Spirit of God is gratified; but with whomsoever the spirit
of his companions is not gratified, the Spirit of God is not gratified.”
R. José, son of Harchinas, said, “that morning sleep, noontide wine,
childish conversation, and the assembly of the ignorant, take man out of
the world.”
11. R. Eleazar Hamodai said, “he who profanes the holy offerings, despises
the solemn feasts, puts his neighbor to shame in public, makes void the
covenant of our father Abraham, and expounds the law contrary to its true
sense, although he be well learned in the law and possessed of good deeds,
yet has he no share in the world to come.”
12. R. Ishmael said, “be humble to thy superior, and affable to thy
inferior, and receive all mankind with joy.”
13. R. Akiba said, “laughter and levity accustom mankind to lewdness,
tradition is a fence to the law, tithes are a fence to riches, vows are a
fence to abstinence, the fence to wisdom is silence.”
14. He used to say, “man is beloved as he was created in the image of God,
but an additional love was shown to him that he was created in the image
of God, as is said, ‘In the image of God he made man.’(485) Beloved are
Israel in that they are called the children of God, but an additional love
was shown to them in that they are called the children of God, as is said,
‘Ye are the children of the Lord your God.’(486) Beloved are Israel, to
whom was given the desirable vessel wherewith the world was created, but
an additional love was shown unto them, that the desirable vessel
wherewith the world was created was given unto them, as is said, ‘For I
give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.’ ”(487)
15. “Everything is seen by God, though freedom of choice is given unto
man; the world is judged in goodness, though all is according to the
greatness of the work.”
16. He used to say, “everything is given to man on pledge, and a net is
spread over all living; the shop is open, and the merchant credits; the
ledger is open, and the hand records, and whosoever chooses to borrow may
come and borrow, as the collectors are daily coming round and getting
payment of man, whether with his consent or without it, for they have good
authority to support them, and the judgment is true justice, and all
things are ready for the feast.”
17. R. Eleazar, son of Azariah, said, “if there be no law, there is no
morality, and if there be no morality, there is no law; if there be no
wisdom, there is no reverence, and if there be no reverence, there is no
wisdom; if there be no understanding, there is no knowledge, and if there
be no knowledge, there is no understanding; if there be no meal, there can
be no study of the law, and if there be no law, there will be no meal.” He
used to say, “to what may he be likened whose wisdom exceeds his goods
deeds? To a tree whose branches are many and his roots few, so that the
wind comes and plucks it up and overturns it, as is said, ‘For he shall be
like the heath in the desert, and he shall not see when good cometh, but
shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness in a salt land and not
inhabited.’(488) But to what is he like whose good deeds exceed his
wisdom? To a tree whose branches are few and its roots many, so that if
all the winds in the world come and assail it, they cannot move it from
its place, as is said, ‘For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat
cometh, but her leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the year
of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ ”(489)
18. R. Eleazar, son of Chisma, said, “sacrifices of doves and observance
of times are important constitutions. Astronomy and geometry are the
ornaments of wisdom.”
Chapter IV
1. The son of Zoma said, “Who is wise? He who is willing to receive
instruction from all men, as is said, ‘Than all my teachers.’(490) Who is
mighty? He who subdues his evil imagination, as is said, ‘He that is slow
to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he
that taketh a city.’(491) Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot, as is
said, ‘For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands, happy shalt thou be
and it shall be well with thee’;(492) happy shalt thou be in this world,
and it shall be well with thee in the world to come. Who is honorable? He
who honors mankind, as is said, ‘For them that honor me I will honor, and
they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’ ”(493)
2. Ben Asai said, “run to the performance of a slight precept as though it
were a grave one, and flee from transgression, for the performance of a
precept causes another precept, and transgression causes transgression, as
the reward of a commandment is a commandment, and the reward of
transgression is transgression.”
3. He used to say, “despise not all men, nor oppose all things, for there
is no man who has not his hour, neither is there anything that has not its
place.”
4. Rabbi Levitas of Jabneh said, “be very humble of spirit, as all the
hope of man is to be food for worms.” Rabbi Johanan, son of Beroka, said,
“whosoever profanes God’s name in secret will be punished publicly,
whether it be done ignorantly or presumptuously, it is all one in the
profanation of God’s name.”
5. Rabbi Ishmael, his son, said, “he who learns that he may be able to
teach others, will be enabled to study and to teach others; but he who
studies in order to perform the precepts, will be enabled to study, teach,
observe, and do the commandments.” Rabbi Zadok said, “make not the study
of the law subservient to thy aggrandizement, neither make a hatchet
thereof to hew therewith.” And thus said Hillel, “whosoever receiveth any
emolument from the words of the law deprives himself of life.”
6. Rabbi José said, “he who honors the law, his person shall be honored by
mankind; and he who profanes the law, his person shall be dishonored by
mankind.”
7. Rabbi Ishmael, his son, said, “he who avoids being a judge, delivers
himself from enmity, robbery, and false swearing; but he who is arrogant
in judging, is a proud wicked fool.”
8. He used to say, “judge not alone, for none ought to judge alone save
ONE; neither say, receive ye my opinion, for they are at liberty to accept
it, but thou canst not compel them.”
9. Rabbi Jonathan said, “whosoever performs the law in poverty, shall in
the end perform it in riches; but he who neglects the law for riches, will
in the end neglect it for poverty.”
10. Rabbi Meier said, “diminish your worldly affairs and engage in the
study of the law, and be humble in spirit before all men; and if thou
neglect the law, there are many hinderances to oppose thee, but if thou
hast labored in the study of the law, there is much reward to be given
thee.”
11. Rabbi Eliezer, the son of Jacob, said, “he who performs but one
precept gains for himself an advocate; and he who commits a single sin,
gains for himself an accuser; repentance and good deeds are a shield
before the divine punishment.” Rabbi Johannan Hasandelar said, “every
congregation formed for God will be permanent, but that which is not for
God will not be permanent.”
12. Rabbi Eliezer, son of Shamua, said, “let the honor of thy disciple be
as dear to thee as thine own, and the honor of thy companion as the fear
of thy master, and the fear of thy master as the fear of God.”
13. Rabbi Judah said, “be careful in doctrine, for an error in doctrine is
presumptuous sin.” Rabbi Simon said, “there are three crowns—the crown of
the law, the crown of the priesthood, and the crown of monarchy, but the
crown of a good name is better than all of them.”
14. Rabbi Nehorai said, “flee to a place where the law is studied, and do
not say that it will follow thee, for thy companions will establish it for
thee, and lean not to thine own understanding.”
15. Rabbi Janai said, “the prosperity of the wicked and the chastisements
of the righteous are not in our hands.” Rabbi Mathia, son of Charash,
said, “be forward to greet all men, and be rather as the tail of the lion,
than as the head of the foxes.”
16. Rabbi Jacob said, “this world may be likened to a courtyard before the
world to come, therefore prepare thyself in the hall, to enter into the
dining-room.”
17. He used to say, “one hour employed in repentance and good deeds in
this world is better than the whole life in the world to come; and one
hour’s refreshment of spirit in the world to come is better than the whole
life in this world.”
18. Rabbi Simon, son of Eleazar, said, “try not to pacify your neighbor in
the moment of his anger, and do not console him while his dead lies before
him; inquire not of him in the moment of his vowing, nor desire to see him
in the time of his calamity.”
19. The younger Samuel used to say, “rejoice not when thine enemy falls,
and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and
it be evil in His sight, and He turn His wrath from him.”
20. Elisha, son of Abuya, said, “he who teaches a child, is like to one
who writes on clean paper; but he who teaches old people, is like to one
who writes on blotted paper.” Rabbi José, the son of Judah, of a village
near Babylon, said, “to what may he who learns the law from little
children be likened? To one who eats unripe grapes and drinks new wine.
And to what may he who learns the law from old men be likened? To one who
eats ripe grapes and drinks old wine.” Rabbi Meier said, “look not at the
flask, but that which is therein, for there are new flasks full of old
wine, and old flasks which have not even new wine in them.”
21. Rabbi Eleazer Hakapher said, “envy, lust, and ambition take men out of
the world.”
22. He used to say, “those who are born are doomed to die, the dead to
live, and the quick to be judged, to make us know, understand, and be
informed that He is God. He is the Former, Creator, Omniscient, Judge,
Witness, and Claimant, and He will judge thee hereafter, blessed be He;
for in His presence there is no unrighteousness, forgetfulness, respect of
persons, or acceptance of a bribe, for everything is His. Know also that
everything is done according to the account, and let not thine evil
imagination persuade thee that the grave is a place of refuge for thee,
for against thy will wast thou formed, and against thy will wast thou
born, and against thy will dost thou live, and against thy will shalt thou
die, and against thy will must thou hereafter render an account and
receive judgment in the presence of the King of kings, the Holy God,
blessed be He.”
Chapter V
1. With ten expressions(494) the world was created. “But wherefore is this
taught, since God could have created it with one expression?” “This is to
punish the wicked, who destroy the world that was created with ten
expressions, and to reward the righteous who establish the world created
with ten expressions.”
2. There were ten generations from Adam to Noah, to let us know that God
is long-suffering, as all those generations provoked him before he brought
the deluge upon them. There were ten generations from Noah to Abraham, to
let us know that God is long-suffering, as all those generations provoked
him, until Abraham our father came and took the reward of them all.
3. Our father Abraham was proved with ten trials, and in all of them he
stood firm; to let us know how great was the love of our father Abraham to
God.
4. Ten miracles were wrought for our fathers in Egypt, and ten at the Red
Sea. Ten plagues did the blessed God send on the Egyptians in Egypt, and
ten at the Red Sea. Ten times did our fathers tempt the blessed God in the
wilderness, as is said, “And have tempted me now these ten times, and have
not hearkened to my voice.”(495)
5. Ten miracles were wrought for our fathers in the holy temple—no woman
miscarried from the scent of the flesh of the sacrifices; nor did the
flesh of the sacrifices ever stink; nor was a fly seen in the slaughter
house; nor did legal uncleanness happen to the high priest on the day of
atonement; nor did the rain extinguish the fire of the wood arranged on
the altar; nor did the wind prevent the straight ascension of the pillar
of smoke; nor was any defect found in the omer, the two loaves, and the
showbread; and though the people stood close together, yet when they
worshipped there was room enough for all; nor did a serpent or scorpion
injure a person in Jerusalem; nor did a man say to his neighbor, I have
not room to lodge in Jerusalem.
6. Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath in the twilight, and
these are they—the mouth of the earth; the mouth of the well; the mouth of
the ass; the rainbow; the manna; the rod of Moses; the shameer;(496) the
letters; writing; and the tables of stone. And some say also the demons;
and the grave of our lawgiver Moses; and the ram of our father Abraham;
and some say the tongs, the model of the tongs.
7. Seven things are to be met with in a rude person, and seven in a wise
man. The wise man will not speak before one who excels him in wisdom and
years; nor will he interrupt his companion in his discourse; nor is he in
haste to answer; he inquires according to the subject, and answers
according to the decision, and he will answer the first proposition first,
and the last proposition last; and what he has not heard he will
acknowledge he has not heard it; and he confesses the truth. But the
opposites of these are to be met with in a rude person.
8. Seven kinds of punishment are brought on the world for seven important
sins; for when a part of the people give tithes and the others do not, a
scarcity and a dearth ensue, so that some are filled and others suffer
hunger; but when the whole agree not to give tithes, a famine of dearth
and confusion ensues. If they offer not up the “cake,”(497) confusion and
fire ensue. Pestilence comes into the world for the commission of sins
said to be punished with death in the law, but which are not recognized by
our judges; and for not observing the law concerning the fruits of the
Sabbatical year. The sword enters the world on account of the delay of
justice and its perversion; and on account of those who explain the law
contrary to its true sense.
9. Evil beasts come into the world on account of false swearing, and the
profanation of God’s name. Captivity enters the world on account of
idolatry, immorality, bloodshed, and not suffering the land to rest on the
Sabbatical year. At four seasons the pestilence is prevalent—in the fourth
year, the seventh, and the end of the seventh, and the end of the feast of
tabernacles in every year. In the fourth year, for not giving the poor’s
tithe of the third year; in the seventh, for withholding the poor’s tithe
of the sixth year; and at the end of the seventh, on account of the fruits
of the Sabbatical year; and at the end of the feast of tabernacles yearly,
on account of robbing the poor of the gifts due to them.
10. There are four sorts of men: He who says, that which is mine is mine,
and that which is thine is thine, is a passable custom, and some say this
was the custom of Sodom. He who says, what is thine is mine, and what is
mine is thine, is the custom of the ignorant. He who says, what is mine is
thine, and what is thine is also thine, is the custom of the pious. He who
says, what is mine is mine, and what is thine is mine, is the custom of
the wicked.
11. There are four sorts of passionate men: He who is easily provoked and
easily pacified loses more than he gains; he whom it is difficult to
provoke and difficult to pacify gains more than he loses; he whom it is
difficult to provoke and easy to pacify is pious; but he who is easily
provoked and with difficulty pacified is wicked.
12. There are four sorts of disciples: He who is quick to hear and quick
to forget loses more than he gains; he who is slow to hear and slow to
forget gains more than he loses; he who is quick to hear and slow to
forget is wise; he who is slow to hear and quick to forget has an evil
portion.
13. There are four sorts in those who bestow charity: He who is willing to
give but does not wish that others should give, has an envious eye toward
others; he who likes to see others give but will not give, has an evil eye
toward himself; he who is willing to give and that others should also
give, acts piously; he who will not give and likes not that others should
give, acts wickedly.
14. There are four sorts in those who go to college: He who goes but does
not study, has only the reward of going; he who studies and does not go,
has the reward of action; he who goes and studies, is pious; he who
neither goes nor studies, is wicked.
15. There are four sorts in those who sit before the Sages: Those who act
as a sponge, a funnel, a strainer, and a sieve; as a sponge which sucks up
all, as a funnel which receives at one end and lets out at the other, as a
strainer which lets the wine pass through, but retains the lees, and as a
sieve which lets the bran pass through but retains the fine flour.
16. Every affection that depends on some carnal cause, if that cause
ceases the affection ceases, but that which does not depend on such a
cause will never cease. Where do we meet with an affection dependent on a
carnal cause? Such was the love of Ammon to Tamar; but that which does not
depend on such a cause was the love of David and Jonathan.
17. Every dispute that is carried on for God’s sake, will in the end be
established; but that which is not for God’s sake, will not be
established. “What may be considered a dispute for God’s sake?” “Such as
the disputes of Hillel and Shammai; but that which was not for God’s sake
was the contention of Korah and all his company.”
18. He who by his conduct justifies the public, no sin will be caused
through his means, and whosoever causes the public to sin is not suffered
to repent. Moses acted justly and caused the public to obtain merit: the
merit of the public was attributed to him, as is said, “He executed the
justice of the Lord and his judgments with Israel.”(498) Jeroboam, the son
of Nebat, sinned, and caused Israel to sin: the sin of the public was
attributed to him, as is said, “Because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did
sin, and who made Israel to sin.”(499)
19. He who possesses these three virtues is of the disciples of our father
Abraham, and he who is possessed of the three opposites is of the
disciples of the wicked Balaam. The disciples of our father Abraham
possess a benevolent eye, a humble spirit, and a contented mind. The
disciples of Balaam have an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a narrow mind.
“What is the difference between the disciples of our father Abraham and
the disciples of the wicked Balaam?” “The disciples of our father Abraham
eat of the fruit of their good works in this world, and inherit the future
one, for it is said, ‘That I may cause those that love me to inherit
substance, and I will fill their treasures.’(500) But the disciples of the
wicked Balaam inherit hell and descend to the pit of destruction, as is
said, ‘But Thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction;
bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will
trust in Thee.’ ”(501)
20. Judah, son of Tamai, said, “be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle,
swift as a roe, and strong as a lion, to do the will of Thy Father, who is
in heaven.” He used to say, “the impudent are for hell and the modest for
paradise. May it be acceptable in Thy presence, O Lord our God! that Thy
city may speedily be rebuilt in our days, and let our portion be in Thy
law.”
21. He also said, “at five years of age a child should study the Bible; at
ten he should study the Mishna; at thirteen he should observe the
precepts; at fifteen he should study the Gemara; at eighteen he should get
married; at twenty he should study the law; at thirty he is arrived at
full strength; at forty he is arrived at understanding; at fifty he is
able to give counsel; at sixty he is accounted aged; at seventy he is
hoary; at eighty he may still be accounted strong; at ninety he is only
fit for the pit;(502) at 100 he is as if already dead and forgotten from
the world.”
22. The son of Bagbag said, “ponder the law again and again, for all
things are in it; contemplate it always, and depart not from it, for there
is nothing to be preferred to it.”
23. The son of Haha said, “the reward is proportioned to the labor.”
Chapter VI
1. The Sages studied in the language of the Mishna; blessed be He who made
choice of them and their learning. R. Meier said, “he who is engaged in
the study of the law for its own sake merits many things, and not only so,
but the whole world is under the greatest obligation to him; he is called
a dear friend, dear to God and dear to mankind; he rejoices God and
rejoices His creatures. It clothes him with meekness and the fear of God,
and directs him to become just, pious, righteous, and faithful; it removes
him from sin, and brings him near to merit, and the world is benefited by
his counsel, sound wisdom, understanding, and strength; as is said,
‘Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have
strength.’(503) It also bestows on him empire, dominion, and perception in
judgment. It reveals the secrets of the law to him, and he shall be an
increasing fountain, and a never-failing river; and it will cause him to
be modest, slow to anger, and ready to pardon an injury done to him; and
it will magnify and exalt him above all things.”
2. R. Joshua, son of Levi, said, “every day a Divine voice (_bath kol_)
proceeds from Mount Horeb, which proclaims and says, ‘Woe be to those who
contemn the law; for whoever is not engaged in the study of the law may be
considered as excommunicate’; for it is said, ‘as a jewel of gold in a
swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion’;(504) and
it is said, ‘And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the
writing of God, graven upon the tables.’(505) Read not graven but freedom;
for who are counted free but those engaged in the study of the law, and
whoever is engaged in the study of the law is exalted; as it is said, ‘And
from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth.’ ”(506)
3. He who learns from his companion one chapter, sentence, verse, or
expression, ought to behave toward him with respect; for thus we find by
David, King of Israel, who having learned only two things from Ahitophel,
called him his teacher, guide, and acquaintance, as is said, “But it was
thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.”(507) Hence it
may be deduced that if David, King of Israel, who having learned only two
things from Ahitophel, called him his “teacher, guide, and acquaintance,”
how much more ought he who learns from his companion a single chapter,
sentence, verse, or expression, to show him the utmost respect? And there
is no glory but the knowledge of the law; as is said, “The wise shall
inherit glory”;(508) and the perfect shall inherit the good; but nothing
is really good but the law, as is said, “For I give you good doctrine,
forsake ye not my law.”(509)
4. Thus is the law to be observed: Thou shalt eat bread and salt, and
water by measure shalt thou drink; on the earth shalt thou sleep, and a
life of trouble shalt thou live; and thou shalt labor in the study of the
law. If thou doest thus, thou shalt be happy, and it shall be well with
thee; thou shalt be happy in this world, and it shall be well with thee in
the world to come.
5. Seek not grandeur for thyself, neither covet more honor than thy
learning merits. Crave not after the tables of kings; for thy table is
greater than their table, and thy crown is greater than their crown; and
the Master who employs thee is faithful to pay thee the reward of thy
labor.
6. The law is more excellent than the priesthood and royalty; for royalty
is acquired by thirty properties, and the priesthood by twenty-four; but
the law is acquired by forty-eight things, and these are they—with study,
attention, eloquence; an understanding heart, an intelligent heart; with
dread and meekness, fear and joy; with attendance on the Sages, the
acuteness of companions, and disputations of the disciples; with
sedateness, the study of the Bible, and the Mishna; in purity, in taking
little sleep, in using little discourse, in being little engaged in
traffic, in taking little sport, in enjoying little delight and little
worldly manners; in being slow to anger, in having a good heart, in having
faith in the Sages, and in bearing chastisements; in being sensible of his
situation, and rejoicing in his portion; in being circumspect in his
language, in not pretending to pre-eminence, in sincerely loving God, and
loving His creatures; in loving admonition, and that which is right; in
avoiding honor, and in not priding himself on his acquired knowledge; not
rejoicing in pronouncing sentence, in bearing the burden equally with his
companion, and inclining him to merit, and confirming him in the truth and
in peace; is sedate in his study, inquires according to the subject, and
answers according to the constitution; is attentive to study, and extends
it; learns it with a view to the teaching of others, and also with a view
to perform the precepts; increases his teacher’s knowledge, and is
attentive to his instruction, and reports everything in the name of the
person who said it; hence it is inferred that whoever reports anything in
the name of the person who said it, procures redemption for the world, as
is said, “And Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.”(510)
7. Great is the law, which bestows life on the doers of it, both in this
world and in the world to come; as is said, “For they are life unto those
that find them, and health to all their flesh.”(511) And it is said, “It
shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”(512) And it is
said, “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is
everyone that retaineth her.”(513) And it is said, “For they shall be an
ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”(514) And it
is said, “She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of
glory shall she deliver to thee.”(515) And it is said, “Length of days is
in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor.”(516) And it is
said, “For length of days and long life, and peace shall they add to
thee.”(517)
8. Rabbi Simeon, son of Judah, in the name of Rabbi Simeon, son of Jochai,
said, “beauty, strength, riches, honor, wisdom, age, hoariness, and many
children, are suitable for the righteous, and suitable for the world; as
is said, ‘The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of
righteousness.’(518) And it is said, ‘Children’s children are the crown of
old men, and the glory of children are their fathers.’(519) And it is
said, ‘Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the
Lord of Hosts shall reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his
ancients gloriously.’ ”(520)
9. Rabbi Simeon, son of Manasya, said, “those seven qualities which the
Sages counted as proper for the righteous, were all established in the
Rabbi (Judah) and his children.” Rabbi José, son of Kishma, said, “I was
once travelling along the road and met a certain person, who saluted me
with peace, and I returned his salutation. He then said to me, ‘Rabbi,
whence art thou?’ I answered him, ‘from a great city abounding in sages
and scribes:’ said he to me, ‘if thou be willing to dwell with us in our
city, then will I give thee a thousand thousand golden dinars, and
precious stones and pearls.’ To this I answered, ‘if thou wouldst give me
all the silver and gold, and precious stones and pearls in the world, I
would only dwell in a place where the law is studied; because at the time
of man’s departure from this world he is not accompanied either with
silver and gold, and precious stones and pearls, but with the law and good
deeds alone, as is said, “When thou goest it shall lead thee: when thou
sleepest it shall keep thee: and when thou awakest it shall talk with
thee.” ’ ”(521) “When thou goest it shall lead thee,” that is in this
world. “When thou sleepest it shall keep thee,” in the grave; “and when
thou awakest it shall talk with thee,” in the world to come. And thus it
is written in the book of Psalms by the hand of David, King of Israel,
“The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and
silver.”(522) And it is said, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,
saith the Lord of Hosts.”(523)
10. Five possessions hath the Holy One, blessed be He, obtained in this
world, and these are they—the law is one possession; heaven and earth
another; Abraham another; Israel another; and the holy Temple another. Now
whence is it to be proved that the law is one possession? Because it is
written, “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of His way before His
works of old.”(524) And whence is it proved that heaven and earth is
another possession? Because it is said, “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven
is my throne and the earth is my footstool; where is the house that ye
build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?”(525) And it is said, “O
Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all; the
earth is full of thy riches.”(526) Whence is it proved that Abraham is one
possession? Because it is written, “And he blessed him, and said blessed
be Abraham of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.”(527)
Whence is it proved that Israel is one possession? Because it is written,
“Till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou
hast purchased.”(528) And it is said, “But to the saints that are in the
earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.”(529) Whence can
it be proved that the holy temple is one possession? Because it is said,
“The sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.”(530) And it is
said, “And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this
mountain which his right hand hath purchased.”(531) Everything which God
created, he created but for his glory; as is said, “Everyone that is
called by my name; for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him;
yea, I have made him.”(532) And the Lord will reign forever and ever. R.
Chanina, son of Akasea, said, “the Holy One, Blessed be He, wished to
purify Israel, wherefore He magnified for them the Law and the
Commandments, as is said, ‘The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’
sake; he will magnify the law and make it honorable.’ ”(533)
The Daily Sacrifice
Guarding the Temple at Night—Taking the Ashes Off the
Altar—Casting Lots—Opening the Temple in the Morning—Arranging the
Fire on the Altar—The Wood-Kindling—Allotting Services—Examination
of the Daily Sacrifice—Slaughter-house—Sounds Heard at
Jericho—Snuffing the Candlestick—Position of the Lamb when
Slain—Pouring Out its Blood—Preparations for Burning—Order of
Carrying the Members to the Altar—Blessings—Cleansing the Vessels
of the Holy Place—The High Priest on the Altar—Music and
Psalm-Singing.
Chapter I
1. The Priests guarded the sanctuary in three places(534)—in the House
Abtinas, in the House Nitzus, and in the House Moked. The House Abtinas
and the House Nitzus had upper chambers, and the young priests guarded
there. The House Moked was arched, and its large chamber was surrounded
with stone divans, and the elders of the House of the Fathers slept there,
with the keys of the court in their hands; and the younger priests also
slept there, each with his cushion on the ground. They did not sleep in
the holy garments, but they undressed, and folded them, and put them under
their heads, and they covered themselves with their own dresses. If legal
defilement happened to one of them, he went out, and proceeded in the
circuit that went under the Temple, and candles flamed on either side,
until he arrived in the house of baptism. And the fire pile was there, and
the place of the seat of honor; and this was its honor, when he found it
closed, he knew that someone was there; when he found it open he knew that
no one was there. He descended and washed; he came up and wiped himself,
and warmed himself before the fire pile. He came and sat beside his
brethren the priests, till the doors were opened; then he went out on his
own way.
2. He who wished to take the ashes from the altar, rose up early and
bathed before the Captain of the Temple came. And in what hour did the
Captain come? All times were not equal; sometimes he came at cockcrow, or
near to it, before or after it. The Captain came, and knocked for them,
and they opened to him. He said to them, “let whoever is washed, come, and
cast lots.” They cast lots, and he gained who gained.
3. He took the key and opened the wicket door, and entered from the House
Moked to the court, and the priests went after him with two lighted
torches in their hands. And they divided themselves into two parties.
These went in the gallery eastward, and those went in the gallery
westward. They observed everything as they walked till they approached the
place of the pancake-makers. They arrived. Both parties said, peace! all
peace! The pancake-makers began to make pancakes.
4. He who gained the lot to take the ashes from the altar, took them; and
they said to him, “be careful that thou touch not the vessels, till thou
dost sanctify thy hands and thy feet from the laver.” And the ash dish was
placed in the corner between the ascent to the altar and the west of the
ascent. No man entered with the priest, and there was no candle in his
hand, but he walked toward the light of the fire on the altar. They did
not see him, and they did not hear his voice, till they heard the creaking
of the wheel, which the son of Kattin made for the laver, and they said,
“the time has come to sanctify his hands and feet from the laver.” He took
the silver ash dish, and he went up to the top of the altar, and he turned
the live coals on one side, and he piled up those that were well burned
inward, and he descended, and came on the pavement of the altar. He turned
his face northward, and went eastward of the ascent about ten cubits. He
packed the coals on the pavement three hand-breadths distant from the
ascent, at the place where they put the crops of the fowls, and the ashes
of the inner altar, and of the candlestick.
Chapter II
1. His brethren saw him come down, and they came running to him. They
hastened and sanctified their hands and their feet from the laver. They
took the brushes and the forks, and went up to the top of the altar. The
members and the cauls(535) (of the sacrifices) which were not consumed
over night, they moved to the side of the altar. If the sides could not
contain them, they laid them out in a closet at the ascent.
2. They commenced to bring up the ashes to the top of the heap,(536) and
the heap was on the middle of the altar. Sometimes there was on it about
300 cors;(537) but in the holidays they did not clear away the ashes,
since they were an honor for the altar. Never was the priest lazy in
removing the ashes.
3. The priests began bringing up the fagots to arrange the fire of
preparation on the altar. “Was, then, all wood allowed for preparation?”
“Yes, all wood was allowed for the fire of preparation, except that of the
olive and that of the vine. But these they preferred—branches of the
fig-tree, of the nut, and of the pine.”
4. The priests arranged the great fire of preparation eastward, and then
made an opening eastward, so that the heads of the inward fagots touched
the heap on the altar. And there was a division between the fagots, that
the priests might kindle the chips there.
5. The priest chose from the fagots the best figwood to arrange the second
fire of preparation for the incense opposite the western horn southward.
He prolonged it from the horn toward the north four cubits, reckoning for
five seahs(538) of live coals, and on the Sabbath he reckoned for eight
seahs of live coals. As they placed there the two cups of frankincense of
the showbread. The members and cauls (of the sacrifices) which were not
consumed by the fire overnight, were returned again by the priests to the
great fire of preparation. And they kindled both the preparations with
fire; and they came down, and entered into the chamber of hewn stone.(539)
Chapter III
1. The Captain of the Temple said to the priests, “come and cast lots.”
“Who is to slaughter?” “Who is to sprinkle?” “Who is to take the ashes
from the inner altar?” “Who is to take the ashes from the candlestick?”
“Who is to bring up the members to the ascent, the head and the right
foot, and the two hind feet, the chine, and the left foot, the breast, and
the throat, and the two sides, the inwards, and the fine flour, and the
pancakes and the wine?” They cast lots, and he gained who gained.
2. The Captain said to them, “go and see if the time for slaughter
approaches?” If it approached, the watchman said, “it brightens.” Matthia,
son of Samuel, said, “is it light in the whole east, even to Hebron?” and
he said, “yes.”
3. He said to them, “go and bring the lamb from the lamb-chamber.” The
lamb-chamber was in the northwest corner of the court, and there were four
chambers there, one the lamb-chamber, one the seal-chamber,(540) and one
chamber for the burning materials, and one chamber where they made
showbread.
4. The priests entered the chamber for the vessels, and they brought out
ninety-three vessels of silver and gold. They made the daily sacrifice
drink in a golden cup. Even though he was examined the night before, they
examined him again by torch-light.
5. He who gained the lot for the daily sacrifice, led the lamb to the
slaughter-house, and those who gained the lots for the members, went after
him. The slaughter-house was to the north of the altar, and in it were
eight dwarf pillars, and beams of cedar-wood were fastened upon them, and
iron hooks were fastened in them. And there were three rows of hooks to
each of them. Upon them the priests hung the sacrifices, and skinned them,
near the marble tables between the pillars.
6. Those who gained the lot for the removal of the ashes from the inner
altar, and the ashes from the candlestick, advanced with four vessels in
their hands, a flagon(541) and a cup(542) and two keys. The flagon
resembled a great golden measure containing two cabs and a half. And the
cup resembled a great golden jug. And the two keys to the sanctuary. One
key entered the lock up to the shoulder of the priest, and one opened
quickly.
7. The priest came to the wicket on the north, and there were two wickets
in the great gate, one in the north and one in the south. Through that in
the south man never entered, and Ezekiel explains it. “Then said the Lord
unto me: This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall
enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by
it, therefore it shall be shut.”(543) He took the key and opened the
wicket; he entered the chamber, and he went from the chamber into the
sanctuary, until he came to the great gate. When he came to the great
gate, he took down the bar and the bolts and opened it. The slaughterer
did not slaughter till he heard the noise of the opening of the great
gate.
8. From Jericho(544) people heard the opening of the great gate. From
Jericho they heard the noise of the shovel.(545) From Jericho they heard
the noise of the wooden wheel which the son of Kattin made for the laver.
From Jericho they heard the voice of Gabini the herald. From Jericho they
heard the sound of the cornet. From Jericho they heard the sound of the
cymbal. From Jericho they heard the voice of the song. From Jericho they
heard the clang of the horn, and some say even the voice of the High
Priest at the time when he mentioned the Name on the Day of Atonement.
From Jericho they smelled the odor of the preparation of incense. Said R.
Eleazar, the son of Daglai, “the family of Aba had goats on the mountains
of Mikvor,(546) and they used to sneeze from the odor of the preparation
of the incense.”
9. The priest who gained the lot for removing the ashes from the inner
altar entered, and took the flagon and laid it before him, and he took
handfuls of ashes and filled them into the flagon, and at last he brushed
the remainder into it. And he left it and went out (of the holy place). He
who gained the lot for removing the snuff from the candlestick, entered
and found the two eastern lights burning. He snuffed the rest, and left
these burning in their place. If he found them extinguished, he snuffed
them, and lighted them again from those still burning, and afterward he
snuffed the rest. And there was a stone before the candlestick, and in it
were three steps, on which the priest stood and trimmed the lights. And he
placed the cup with the snuff on the second step, and went out.
Chapter IV
1. The priests did not tie the four feet of the lamb together, but they
bound its fore and hind feet. He who gained the lot for carrying the
members, held it; and thus was it bound, its head southward, and its face
westward. The slaughterer stood in the east with his face westward. The
morning sacrifice was slaughtered at the northwestern corner on the second
ring. The evening sacrifice was slaughtered at the northeastern corner on
the second ring. The slaughterer slaughtered, and the receiver caught (the
blood). The priest came to the northeastern corner of the altar, and he
sprinkled the blood northeast. He came to the southwest, and sprinkled the
blood southwest:(547) the remainder of the blood he poured out on the
southern altar-base.
2. The priest did not break its leg, but he made a hole in the midst of
its side, and by that it was hung up. He skinned it downward till he came
to the breast. When he came to the breast, he cut off the head, and gave
it to him who had gained (its lot). He cut off the two hind feet, and gave
them to him who had gained them for his lot. He finished the skinning; he
tore out the heart, that the blood should come out. He cut off the two
fore feet, and gave them to him who had gained them for his lot. He came
to the right leg; he cut it off, and gave it to him who had gained it for
his lot. He cleft the body, and it became all open before him. He took out
the caul, and put it on the place of slaughter, with the head on the top
of it. He took out the intestines and gave them to him who had gained them
for his lot to cleanse them. And the belly they cleansed in the house of
the washers, as much as was needful. And the intestines were cleansed
three times at least, upon the marble tables between the pillars.
3. The priest took the knife and separated the lungs from the liver, and
the finger of the liver from the liver, but he did not remove it from its
place. He made a hole in the breast, and gave it to him who gained it for
his lot. He came to the right side, and he cut it downward to the
backbone, but he did not touch the backbone, till he came to the two
tender ribs. He cut it off and gave it to him who gained it for his lot,
with the liver hanging upon it. He came to the neck, and left the two side
bones on both sides. He cut it off and gave it to him who had gained it
for his lot, with the windpipe and the heart and the lungs hanging upon
it. He came to the left side, and left on it the two tender ribs, above
and below, and so he left it on the corresponding side. It follows that he
left on the two sides, two and two ribs above, and two and two ribs below.
He cut it off, and gave it to him who gained it for his lot, the backbone
with it, and the spleen hanging upon it. And it was large, but the right
side is called large, as the liver hangs upon it. He came to the tail; he
cut it off and gave it to him who gained it for his lot, and the fat, and
the finger of the liver, and the two kidneys with it. He took the left
hind leg, and gave it to him who gained it for his lot. It follows that
all the priests stood in one row with the members in their hands. The
first priest with the head and hind foot, the head in his right hand with
the nose toward his arm, and the horns between his fingers, and the place
of slaughter upward, and the caul placed on it; and the right hind foot in
his left hand with the skin outside. The second priest stood with the two
fore legs, the right in his right hand, and the left in his left hand, and
the skin outside. The third priest stood with the tail and the hind foot;
the tail in his right hand, and the fat wrapped between his fingers, and
the finger of the liver and the two kidneys with it; the left foot was in
his left hand with the skin outward. The fourth priest stood with the
breast and the throat. The breast was in his right hand, and the throat in
his left, and its side bones between his fingers. The fifth priest stood
with the two sides, the right side in his right hand, and the left side in
his left hand, and the skinny side outward. The sixth priest stood with
the intestines placed in a pan, and the legs over them. The seventh priest
stood with the fine flour. The eighth priest stood with the pancakes. The
ninth priest stood with the wine. They then proceeded and deposited the
members on the lower half of the ascent westward, and they salted them,
and descended, and came to the chamber of the hewn stone to read the
“Hear,”(548) etc.
Chapter V
1. The Captain of the Watch said, “give one blessing,” and the priests
blessed and read the ten commandments, “Hear,”(549) etc. “And it shall
come to pass if ye shall hearken,”(550) etc. And “He spake,”(551) etc.
They then gave the three blessings to the people, “Truth and Sureness,”
and “the Service,” and “the Blessing of the Priests.” And on the Sabbath
they added one blessing for the outgoing Temple-guard.
2. He said to them, “novices(552) to the incense, come and cast lots.”
They cast lots. He gained who gained. He said to them, “novices with old
men come and cast lots, who shall bring up the members of the lamb from
the ascent to the altar.” R. Eliezer, the son of Jacob, said, “those
priests who brought the members to the ascent must also bring them to the
top of the altar.”
3. He handed the priests over to the sextons. They divested them of their
dresses, leaving them their breeches only, and there were windows there,
and over them was written, “used for vestments.”(553)
4. He who gained the lot for the incense, took the spoon; and the spoon
resembled a great measure of gold containing three cabs. And the pan was
heaped full of incense; and it had a covering like a kind of weight upon
it.
5. He who gained the lot for the censer, took the silver censer, and went
up to the top of the altar, and he turned the live coals here and there,
and he put them into the censer. He descended, and poured them into a
censer of gold. There was dispersed from them about a cab of live coals,
and he brushed them into the channel for refuse. On the Sabbath he put
over them a cover. And the cover was a great vessel containing a
letech.(554) And there were two chains to it, one by which the priest drew
it down, and one by which he held it from above, that it should not be
rolled about; and it was useful for three purposes, as a covering over the
live coals, and as a covering over the reptile on the Sabbath, and it was
also used to carry down the ashes from the altar.
6. The priests arrived between the porch and the altar. One of them took
the shovel,(555) and flung it between the porch and the altar. No one
could hear the voice of his neighbor in Jerusalem from the rattling of the
shovel. And it was useful for three purposes: when the priest heard its
rattle, he knew that his brother priests were entering to worship, and he
came running; and the Levite, when he heard its rattle, knew that his
brother Levites were entering to chant, and he came running; and the chief
of the Delegates(556) compelled the defiled men to stand in the eastern
gate of the Temple.
Chapter VI
1. The priests began ascending the steps of the porch. They who gained the
lot for the removal of ashes from the inner altar and from the
candlestick, proceeded in front. He who gained the lot for the removal of
ashes from the inner altar, entered the Holy Place, and took the flagon,
and he bowed down and went out. He who gained the lot for the removal of
snuff from the candlestick, entered the Holy Place, and found the two
eastern lamps burning; he removed the snuff from the eastern one and left
the western one burning, and from it he lighted the candlestick in the
evening. If he found it extinguished, he removed the snuff, and lit it
from the altar of burnt offerings. He took the cup from the second step,
and he bowed down, and went out.
2. He who gained the lot for the censer, gathered the live coals on the
top of the altar of incense; and he smoothed them with the bottom of the
censer, and he bowed down, and went out.
3. He who gained the lot for the incense, took the pan from the cup, and
gave it to his friend or to his neighbor. When the incense was dispersed
in it, he supplied it to him in handfuls. And he instructed him, “be
careful and do not begin too near yourself, lest you be burned.” He
smoothed it and went out. The offerer could not offer the incense, till
the Captain said to him, “offer incense.” If the offerer were the high
priest, the captain said, “My Lord, High Priest, offer the incense.” The
people dispersed, and he offered the incense, and he bowed down and went
out from the Holy Place.
Chapter VII
1. When the High Priest entered to worship, three priests had hold of him,
one on his right hand, one on his left hand, and one by the jewels on his
breast-plate. And so soon as the Captain of the Temple heard the sound of
the footsteps of the High Priest as he proceeded on his way, he lifted the
veil for him. He entered the holy place, bowed himself, and went out. And
his brethren the priests entered, and bowed down, and went out.
2. The priests came and stood on the steps of the porch. The first came
and stood to the south of his brother priests. And they had five vessels
in their hands—the flagon in the hand of one, and the cup in the hand of
one, and the censer in the hand of one, and the pan in the hand of one,
and the spoon with its cover in the hand of one. They blessed the people
once. In the city they said the service in three blessings, but in the
sanctuary they said it in one blessing. In the sanctuary they pronounced
the Name(557) as it is written, but in the city they pronounced it by its
substitute.(558) In the city the priests raised their hands (in blessing)
opposite their shoulders, but in the sanctuary they raised them above
their heads, excepting the High Priest, who could not lift his hands above
the golden plate. R. Judah said, “even the High Priest could lift his
hands above the golden plate, as is said, ‘Aaron lifted up his hand toward
the people and blessed them.’ ”(559)
3. When the High Priest desired to offer incense he went up on the ascent
to the altar, and the Sagan (Suffragan) was on his right. When he reached
the half of the ascent, the Sagan took him by his right hand and helped
him up. The first (priest) reached to him the head and hind foot of the
lamb, and he laid his hand on them, and then pushed them away. The second
priest reached out to the first one the two fore-legs, and he handed them
to the High Priest, and he laid his hands upon them, and then pushed them
away; the second priest was dismissed, and he departed, and so they
reached out to him all the members of the lamb, and he laid his hands upon
them and pushed them away; but when he desired, he merely laid his hands
on them, and others pushed them away. He next came to make a circuit of
the altar. “From what place did he begin?” “From the southeastern corner,
northeastern, northwestern, southwestern.” They gave to him the wine for
libation. The Sagan stood by the corner of the altar with the banners in
his hand, and two priests stood by the table of the fat with two silver
trumpets in their hands: They sounded a blast, they blew an alarm, and
again they sounded the trumpets. They came and took their position beside
the son of Arza.(560) One stood on his right hand and one stood on his
left. The High Priest bowed down to make the libation, and the Sagan waved
the banners, and the son of Arza clanged the cymbals, and the Levites
intoned the chant. When they came to a full stop, the trumpets sounded,
and the people bowed themselves. At every full stop there was a blast, and
at every blast there was bowing down. This is the order of the daily
offering for the service of the House of our God. May it be His will to
build it speedily in our days. Amen.
4. The chant which the Levites intoned in the sanctuary on the first day
of the week was, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof; the
world, and they that dwell therein.”(561) On the second day they said,
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in
the mountain of his holiness.”(562) On the third day they said, “God
standeth in the congregation of the mighty: He judgeth among the
gods.”(563) On the fourth day they said, “O Lord God, to whom vengeance
belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself.”(564) On the
fifth day they said, “Sing aloud unto God our strength, make a joyful
noise unto the God of Jacob.”(565) On the sixth day they said, “The Lord
reigneth, he is clothed with majesty,”(566) etc. On the Sabbath they said
the chant composed for the Sabbath day, the chant composed for the future,
for the day to come, when all will be rest and repose for life
everlasting.
On Measurements
Priests and Levites Guarding the Temple—Officer of the
Watch—Gates—Chambers—Keys—Manner of Entering the
House—Nicanor—Steps—Altar—Place of Slaughter—The Laver—The
Porch—The Sanctuary—Repairing the Holy of
Holies—Measurements—Judging the Priesthood.
Chapter I
1. The priests guarded the sanctuary in three places, in the House
Abtinas,(567) in the House Nitzus,(568) and in the House Moked;(569) and
the Levites in twenty-one places, five at the five gates of the Mountain
of the House, four at its four corners inside, five at the five gates of
the Court, four at its four corners outside, and one in the chamber of the
Offering, and one in the chamber of the Vail, and one behind the House of
Atonement.
2. The Captain of the Mountain of the House went round to every Watch in
succession with torches flaming before him, and to every guard who did not
stand forth, the Captain said, “Peace be to thee.” If it appeared that he
slept, he beat him with his staff; and he had permission to set fire to
his cushion.(570) And they said, “what is the voice in the Court?” “It is
the voice of the Levite being beaten, and his garments burned, because he
slept on his guard.”(571) Rabbi Eliezer, the son of Jacob, said, “once
they found the brother of my mother asleep, and they burned his cushion.”
3. There were five gates to the Mountain of the House, two Huldah gates in
the south which served for going in and out, Kipunus in the west served
for going in and out; Tadi(572) in the north served for no (ordinary)
purpose. Upon the east gate was portrayed the city Shushan. Through it one
could see the High Priest who burned the heifer, and all his assistants
going out to the Mount of Olives.
4. In the court were seven gates—three in the north, and three in the
south, and one in the east. That in the south was called the gate of
Flaming, the second after it, the gate of Offering; the third after it the
Water-gate. That in the east was called the gate Nicanor. And this gate
had two chambers, one on the right, and one on the left; one the chamber
of Phineas, the vestment keeper, and the other the chamber of the pancake
maker.
5. And at the gate Nitzus on the north was a kind of cloister with a room
built over it, where the priests kept ward above, and the Levites below;
and it had a door into the Chel.(573) Second to it was the gate of the
offering. Third the House Moked.
6. In the House Moked were four chambers opening as small apartments into
a saloon—two in the Holy place, and two in the Unconsecrated place; and
pointed rails separated between the Holy and the Unconsecrated. And what
was their use? The southwest chamber was the chamber for offering. The
southeast was the chamber for the showbread. In the northeast chamber the
children of the Asmoneans deposited the stones of the altar which the
Greek Kings had defiled.(574) In the northwest chamber they descended to
the house of baptism.
7. To the House Moked were two doors; one open to the Chel, and one open
to the court. Said Rabbi Judah, “the one open to the court had a wicket,
through which they went in to sweep the court.”
8. The House Moked was arched, and spacious, and surrounded with stone
divans, and the elders of the Courses slept there with the keys of the
court in their hands; and also the young priests each with his pillow on
the ground.
9. And there was a place a cubit square with a tablet of marble, and to it
was fastened a ring, and a chain upon which the keys were suspended. When
the time approached for locking the gates, the priest lifted up the tablet
by the ring, and took the keys from the chain and locked inside, and the
Levites slept outside. When he had finished locking, he returned the keys
to the chain, and the tablet to its place, laid his pillow over it, and
fell asleep. If sudden defilement happened, he rose and went out in the
gallery that ran under the arch, and candles flamed on either side, until
he came to the house of baptism. Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Jacob, says,
“in the gallery that went under the Chel, he passed out through Tadi.”
OUR BEAUTY BE UPON THEE IN THREE PLACES.
Chapter II
1. The Mountain of the House was 500 cubits square. The largest space was
on the south, the second on the east, the third on the north, and the
least westward. In the place largest in measurement was held most service.
2. All who entered the Mountain of the House entered on the right-hand
side, and went round, and passed out on the left: except to whomsoever an
accident occurred, he turned to the left. “Why do you go to the left?” “I
am in mourning.” “He that dwelleth in this House comfort thee.” “I am
excommunicate.” “He that dwelleth in this House put in thy heart
(repentance), and they shall receive thee.” The words of Rabbi Meier. To
him said Rabbi José, “thou hast acted as though they had transgressed
against him in judgment; but, ‘may He that dwelleth in this House put it
in thy heart that thou hearken to the words of thy neighbors, and they
shall receive thee.’ ”
3. Inside of the (Mountain of the House) was a reticulated wall, ten
hand-breadths high; and in it were thirteen breaches, broken down by the
Greek kings. The (Jews) restored, and fenced them, and decreed before them
thirteen acts of obeisance. Inside of it was the Chel, ten cubits broad,
and twelve steps were there. The height of each step was half a cubit, and
the breadth half a cubit. All the steps there were in height half a cubit,
and in breadth half a cubit, except those of the porch. All the doors
there were in height twenty cubits, and in breadth ten cubits, except that
of the porch. All the gateways there had doors, except that of the porch.
All the gates there had lintels, except Tadi; there two stones inclined
one upon the other. All the gates there were transformed into gold, except
the gate Nicanor,(575) because to it happened a wonder, though some said
“because its brass glittered like gold.”
4. And all the walls there were high, except the eastern wall, that the
priest who burned the heifer, might stand on the top of the Mount of
Olives, and look straight into the door of the Sanctuary when he sprinkled
the blood.
5. The Court of the women was 135 cubits in length, by 135 in breadth. And
in its four corners were four chambers, each forty cubits square, and they
had no roofs; and so they will be in future, as is said, “Then he brought
me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners
of the court; and, behold, in every corner of the court there was a
court.”(576) In the four corners of the court there were courts smoking,
yet not smoking, since they were roofless. And what was their use? The
southeast one was the chamber of the Nazarites, for there the Nazarites
cooked their peace-offerings, and polled their hair, and cast it under the
pot. The northeast was the chamber for the wood, and there the priests
with blemishes gathered out the worm-eaten wood. And every stick in which
a worm was found, was unlawful for the altar. The northwest was the
chamber for the lepers. The southwest? Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Jacob,
said, “I forget for what it served.” Abashaul said, “there they put wine,
and oil.” It was called the chamber of the house of oil. And it was open
at first and surrounded with lattice-work, that the women might see from
above and the men from beneath, lest they should be mixed. And fifteen
steps corresponding to the fifteen steps in the Psalms, ascended from it
to the court of Israel; upon them the Levites chanted. They were not
angular, but deflected like the half of a round threshing-floor.
6. And under the court of Israel were chambers open to the court of the
women. There the Levites deposited their harps, and psalteries, and
cymbals, and all instruments of music. The court of Israel was 135 cubits
long, and eleven broad; and likewise the court of the priests was 135
cubits long, and eleven broad. And pointed rails separated the court of
Israel from the court of the priests. Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Jacob,
said, “there was a step a cubit high, and a dais placed over it. And in it
were three steps each half a cubit in height.” We find that the priests’
court was two and a half cubits higher than the court of Israel. The whole
court was 187 cubits in length, and 135 cubits in breadth, and the
thirteen places for bowing were there. Abajose, the son of Chanan, said,
“in front of the thirteen gates.” In the south near to the west were the
upper gate, the gate of flaming, the gate of the first-born, the water
gate. And why is it called the water gate? Because through it they bring
bottles of water for pouring out during the feast of Tabernacles. Rabbi
Eleazar, the son of Jacob, said, “through it the water returned out, and
in future it will issue from under the threshold of the house.” And there
were opposite to them in the north, near to the west, the gate of
Jochania, the gate of the offering, the gate of the women, the gate of
music. And “why was it called the gate of Jochania?” “Because through it
Jochania went out in his captivity.” In the east was the gate Nicanor, and
in it were two wickets, one on the right, and one on the left, and two in
the west which were nameless.
OUR BEAUTY BE UPON THEE, O MOUNTAIN OF THE HOUSE.
Chapter III
1. The altar was thirty-two cubits square. It ascended a cubit and receded
a cubit. This was the foundation. It remains thirty cubits square. It
ascended five cubits, and receded one cubit. This is the circumference. It
remains twenty-eight cubits square. The place for the horns was a cubit on
each side. It remains twenty-six cubits square. The place of the path for
the feet of the priests was a cubit on each side. The hearth remains
twenty-four cubits square. Rabbi José said, “at first it was only
twenty-eight cubits square.” It receded and ascended until the hearth
remained twenty cubits square; but when the children of the captivity came
up, they added to it four cubits on the north, and four cubits on the
west, like a gamma it is said; and the altar was twelve cubits long by
twelve broad, being a square. One might say it was only “a square of
twelve,”(577) as is said. Upon its four sides we learn that it measured
from the middle twelve cubits to every side. And a line of red paint
girdled it in the midst to separate the blood sprinkled above from the
blood sprinkled below. And the foundation was a perfect walk along on the
north side; and all along on the west, but it wanted in the south one
cubit, and in the east one cubit.(578)
2. And in the southwestern corner were two holes as two thin nostrils,
that the blood poured upon the western and southern foundation should run
into them; and it commingled in a canal and flowed out into the Kidron.
3. Below in the plaster in the same corner there was a place a cubit
square, with a marble tablet, and a ring fastened in it. Through it they
descended to the sewer and cleansed it. And there was a sloping
ascent(579) to the south of the altar, thirty-two cubits long by sixteen
broad. In its western side was a closet, where they put the birds unmeet
for the sin-offering.
4. Either the stones of the sloping ascent, or the stones of the altar
were from the valley of Bethcerem.(580) And they digged deeper than virgin
soil, and brought from thence perfect stones over which iron(581) was not
waved. For the iron defiles by touching. And a scratch defiles everything.
In any of them a scratch defiled, but the others were lawful. And they
whitewashed them twice in the year; once at the passover, and once at the
feast of Tabernacles. And the Sanctuary (was whitewashed) once at the
passover. The Rabbi said, “every Friday evening they whitewashed them with
a mop on account of the blood.” They did not plaster it with an iron
trowel, “mayhap it will touch and defile.” Since iron is made to shorten
the days of man, and the altar is made to lengthen the days of man, it is
not lawful, that what shortens should be waved over what lengthens.
5. And there were rings to the northern side of the altar, six rows of
four each: though some say four rows of six each. Upon them the priests
slaughtered the holy beasts. The slaughter-house was at the north side of
the altar. And in it were eight dwarf pillars with a beam of cedar-wood
over them. And in them were fastened iron hooks—three rows to each pillar.
Upon them they hung up (the bodies), and skinned them upon marble tables
between the pillars.
6. The laver was between the porch and the altar, but inclined more to the
south. Between the porch and the altar were twenty-two cubits, and there
were twelve steps. The height of each step was half a cubit, and its
breadth a cubit—a cubit—a cubit—a landing three cubits—a cubit—a cubit and
a landing three cubits. And the upper one a cubit—a cubit, and the landing
four cubits. Rabbi Jehudah said, “the upper one a cubit—a cubit, and the
landing five cubits.”
7. The doorway of the porch was forty cubits high, and twenty broad. Over
it were five carved oak beams. The lower one extended beyond the doorway a
cubit on either side. The one over it extended a cubit on either side. It
follows that the uppermost was thirty cubits; and between each one there
was a row of stones.
8. And stone buttresses were joined from the wall of the sanctuary to the
wall of the porch, lest it should bulge. And in the roof of the porch were
fastened golden chains, upon which the young priests climbed up, and saw
the crowns. As it is said, “And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to
Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen, the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial
in the temple of the Lord.”(582) And over the doorway of the sanctuary was
a golden vine supported upon the buttresses. Everyone who vowed a leaf, or
a berry, or a cluster, he brought it and hung it upon it. Said Rabbi
Eleazar, the son of Zadok, “it is a fact, and there were numbered 300
priests to keep it bright.”
OUR BEAUTY BE UPON THEE, O ALTAR.
Chapter IV
1. The doorway of the Sanctuary(583) was twenty cubits in height, and ten
in breadth. And it had four doors, two within and two without, as is said,
“Two doors to the temple and the holy place.”(584) The outside (doors)
opened into the doorway to cover the thickness of the wall, and the inside
doors opened into the Sanctuary to cover (the space) behind the doors,
because the whole house was overlaid with gold excepting behind the doors.
Rabbi Judah said, “they stood in the middle of the doorway, and like a
pivot these folded behind them two cubits and a half; and those two cubits
and a half, half a cubit and a jamb on this side, and half a cubit and a
jamb on the other side.” It is said, “two doors to two doors folding back,
two leaves to one door and two leaves to the other.”(585)
2. And the great gate had two wickets, one in the north, and one in the
south. Through the one in the south no man ever entered. And with regard
to it Ezekiel declared, as is said, “The Lord said unto me; this gate
shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it;
because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it
shall be shut.”(586) The priest took the key, and opened the wicket, and
went into the little chamber, and from the chamber to the Sanctuary. Rabbi
Judah said, “he went in the thickness of the wall, until he found himself
standing between the two gates, and he opened the outside gates from
inside, and the inside from outside.”
3. And there were thirty-eight little chambers, fifteen in the north,
fifteen in the south, and eight in the west. The northern and southern
ones were (placed) five over five, and five over them; and in the west
three over three, and two over them. To each were three doors: one to the
little chamber on the right, one to the little chamber on the left, and
one to the little chamber over it. And in the northeastern corner were
five gates: one to the little chamber on the right, and one to the little
chamber over, and one to the gallery, and one to the wicket, and one to
the Sanctuary.
4. The lowest row was five cubits, and the roofing six cubits, and the
middle row six, and the roofing seven, and the upper was seven, as is
said, “the nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle six
cubits broad, and the third seven cubits broad.”(587)
5. And a gallery ascended from the northeastern corner to the southwestern
corner. Through it they went up to the roofs of the little chambers. One
went up in the gallery with his face to the west. So he proceeded all
along the northern side, till he reached the west. On reaching the west,
he turned his face southward, going along the west side, till he reached
the south. On reaching the south, with his face to the east, he went along
the south side till he arrived at the door of the upper story, because the
door of the upper story opened in the south side. And at the door of the
upper story were two cedar beams. By them they went up to the roof of the
upper story, and on its summit rails separated between the Holy and the
Holy of Holies. And in the attic, trap-doors opened to the Holy of Holies.
Through them they let down the workmen in boxes, lest they should feast
their eyes in the Holy of Holies.
6. The Sanctuary was a square of 100 cubits, and its height 100. The
foundation six cubits, and the height (of the wall) forty cubits, and the
string course(588) one cubit, and the rain channel two cubits, and the
beams one cubit, and the covering plaster one cubit; and the height of the
upper story was forty cubits, and the string course one cubit, and the
rain channel two cubits, and the beams one cubit, and the covering plaster
one cubit, and the battlement three cubits, and the scarecrow one cubit.
Rabbi Judah said, “the scarecrow was not counted in the measurement; but
the battlement was four cubits.”
7. From east to west there were 100 cubits, the wall of the porch five,
and the porch eleven, and the wall of the Sanctuary six, and the interior
forty, and the partition space (between the Vails) one, and the Holy of
Holies twenty cubits. The wall of the Sanctuary was six, and the little
chamber six, and the wall of the little chamber five. From north to south
there were seventy (cubits). The wall of the gallery five, the gallery
three, the wall of the little chamber five, the little chamber six, the
wall of the Sanctuary six, its interior twenty, the wall of the Sanctuary
six, the little chamber six, the wall of the little chamber five, the
place of the descent of the water three, and the wall five cubits. The
porch was extended beyond it fifteen cubits in the north, and fifteen in
the south; and this space was called, “the house of the instruments of
slaughter,” because the knives were there deposited. And the Sanctuary was
narrow behind and broad in the front, and it was like a lion, as is said,
“Ho! Ariel, the city where David dwelt,(589) as a lion is narrow behind
and broad in front, so the Sanctuary is narrow behind and broad in front.”
OUR BEAUTY BE UPON THEE, DOOR OF THE SANCTUARY.
Chapter V
1. The length of the whole court(590) was 187 cubits. The breadth 135.
From east to west 187. The place for the tread of the feet of Israel was
eleven cubits. The place for the tread of the priests eleven cubits. The
altar thirty-two. Between the porch and the altar twenty-two cubits. The
temple 100 cubits; and eleven cubits behind the House of Atonement.
2. From north to south there were 135 cubits. From the sloping ascent to
the altar sixty-two. From the altar to the rings eight cubits. The space
for the rings twenty-four. From the rings to the tables four. From the
tables to the pillars four. From the pillars to the wall of the court
eight cubits. And the remainder lay between the sloping ascent and the
wall and the place of the pillars.
3. In the court were six chambers, three in the north, and three in the
south. In the north, the chamber of salt, the chamber of parva, the
chamber of washers. In the chamber of salt they added salt to the
offerings. In the chamber of parva they salted the skins of the offerings;
and upon its roof was the house of baptism for the High Priest on the day
of atonement. In the chamber of washers they cleansed the inwards of the
offerings; and from thence a gallery extended up to the top of the house
of parva.
4. In the south were the chamber of wood, the chamber of the captivity,
and the chamber of hewn stone. The chamber of wood, said Rabbi Eleazar,
the son of Jacob, “I forget for what it served.” Abashaul said, “the
chamber of the High Priest was behind them both, and the roof of the three
chambers was even. In the chamber of the captivity was sunk the well with
the wheel attached to it, and from thence water was supplied to the whole
court. In the chamber of Hewn Stone the great Sanhedrin of Israel sat, and
judged the priesthood, and the priest in whom defilement was discovered,
clothed in black, and vailed in black, went out and departed; and when no
defilement was found in him, clothed in white, and vailed in white, he
went in and served with his brethren the priests. And they made a
feast-day, because no defilement was found in the seed of Aaron the
Priest, and thus they said, ‘Blessed be the Place. Blessed be He, since no
defilement is found in the seed of Aaron. And blessed be He who has chosen
Aaron and his sons to stand and minister(591) before the Lord in the House
of the Holy of Holies.’ ”
OUR BEAUTY BE UPON THEE, WHOLE COURT;
AND COMPLETION TO THEE, TRACT
MEASUREMENTS.
The Tabernacle
Heave-offerings—Dimensions of the Tabernacle—Boards—Bars—Rings of
Gold—Overlaying with Gold—Pipes of
Gold—Curtains—Threads—Coupling—Taches—Sockets—Vail—Holy of
Holies—Holy Place—Sacred Vessels—Cunning
Work—Court—Bars—Pins—Hangings—The Ark—The Tables of the Law both
Whole and Broken—The Staves—The Table of Showbread—The
Candlestick—Indefinite Expressions—The Altar of Incense—The Altar
of Burnt-offerings—The Line for the Sprinkling of Blood—The
Laver—Guards—Encampment—Standards—Preparations—Blowing the
Trumpet—The March—Signs for Encamping—The Pillar of Cloud—The
Shechinah.
Chapter I
Rabbi Judah the Holy, said, there were ten heave-offerings, the
heave-offering of the Lord, and the heave-offering of the tithes, of the
dough, and of the first-fruits; and the heave-offering of the Nazarite,
and the heave-offering of thanksgiving, and the heave-offering of the
land, and the heave-offering of Israelites dwelling in Midian, and the
heave-offering of the shekels, and the heave-offering of the tabernacle.
The heave-offering of the Lord, and the heave-offering of the tithes, and
of the dough, and of the first-fruits, and the heave-offering of the
Nazarite, and the heave-offering of thanksgiving, were for the priests.
The heave-offering of the land was for the priests, the Levites, and the
Nethinim,(592) and the Sanctuary and Jerusalem. The heave-offering of
Midian was for Eleazar the priest, the heave-offering of shekels was for
the sockets of the tabernacle, the heave-offering of the tabernacle
furnished the material of the tabernacle, and the oil for lighting, and
the sweet incense, and the garments of the priests, and the garments of
the High Priest. The length of the tabernacle was thirty cubits, and its
breadth was ten cubits, and its height was ten cubits. Rabbi José said,
“its length was thirty-one cubits.” “How was the tabernacle set up?”
“Forty sockets of silver were placed on the north, and forty sockets of
silver on the south, and sixteen on the west, and four on the east. These
are 100 sockets. As is said,(593) ‘An hundred sockets of the hundred
talents, a talent for a socket.’ ” “How were the boards set up?” “Twenty
boards were placed on the north, and twenty boards on the south, and eight
on the west. On the east there was no board, but there were four pillars
of shittim-wood. Upon them the vail was hung. As is said,(594) ‘thou shalt
make a vail,’ etc., ‘and thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of
shittim-wood, overlaid with gold,’ etc., and ‘thou shalt hang up the vail
under the taches.’ ” And the sockets were made with holes, and these were
cut out in the boards below, a quarter from one side and a quarter from
the other side, and there was cut out half of it in the middle, and it
made two pins like two supports, and they entered into two sockets, as is
said, “two sockets under one board for its two tenons.”(595) The pins
extended from the boards two and two, to every one which was inserted, the
positive into the negative, as it is said,(596) “Set in order one against
the other.” The words of Rabbi Nehemiah, when Rabbi Nehemiah said, “there
is no meaning in saying, ‘set in order.’ ” “And what is meant by set in
order?” “It is meant that there should be made for them rungs like an
Egyptian ladder.” There was cut out from the board above a finger-breadth
from one side, and a finger-breadth from the other side, and they were put
into the golden ring, that they should not separate one from the other, as
is said, “And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be
coupled together above the head of it unto one ring.”(597) There is no
meaning in saying, “unto one ring,” and what is meant by saying, “unto one
ring?” “The place where the bar was put in, and every board had in it two
rings of gold, one above, and one below; in them were put in the bars.”
And there were two upper bars, and two lower (bars) on the south side; the
length of each of them was fifteen cubits. It follows that two were in
length thirty cubits against twenty boards, and the middle (bar) was in
length thirty cubits against twenty boards, which was inserted in the
middle of the boards from east to west, as is said, “And the middle bar in
the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.”(598) As the boards
were made in the south, so the boards were made in the north, but in the
west they were not so; but the length of the upper bar and the lower one
was six cubits against four boards, and the middle (bar), twelve cubits
against eight boards. And the boards, and the bars, and the pillars, and
the sockets, the place of the thickness of the boards were overlaid with
gold, as is said, “And the boards thou shalt overlay with gold.”(599) “The
places for the bars,” there is no meaning in saying, “places for the
bars”; and what is the meaning of saying, “places for the bars”? “The
place where the bar entered the boards.” “And the bars themselves shall be
overlaid with gold.”(600) “How was it done?” “Two pipes of gold were
introduced—the length of each of them was a cubit and a half; and they
were put into the hole of the board, the place where the bars were put
in.”
Chapter II
“How was the tabernacle covered?” “There were provided ten curtains of
blue, of purple, and scarlet, and fine-twined linen.” As is said,
“Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle (with) ten curtains of
fine-twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet.”(601) “Their threads
were doubled thirty-two times,” the words of Rabbi Nehemiah, when R.
Nehemiah said, “thread,” _i.e._, one doubled in two, “twined,” _i.e._, to
four, “fine-twined,” _i.e._, to eight. It follows that their threads were
doubled thirty-two times. But the Sages say, “thread,” _i.e._, one doubled
in two, “twined,” _i.e._, to three, “fine-twined,” _i.e._, to six. It
follows that their threads were doubled twenty-four times. They were
coupled in two vails, one of five, and one of five.(602) As is said, “the
five curtains shall be coupled together one to another: and (other) five
curtains (shall be) coupled one to another,” and they were coupled with
loops of blue, as is said,(603) “And thou shalt make loops of blue upon
the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and
likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of (another) curtain, in
the coupling of the second.” And they were coupled to fifty taches of
gold, as is said,(604) “And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and
couple the curtains together with the taches; and it shall be one
tabernacle.” And the taches appeared in the tabernacle as stars in the
firmament. The length of the curtains was twenty-eight cubits, as is
said,(605) “the length of one curtain (shall be) eight and twenty cubits.”
Take from them ten cubits for the breadth of the tabernacle, there will
remain nine cubits from the one side, and nine cubits from the other side.
They hung down and covered the boards till they reached the sockets. This
teaches that the sockets were one cubit high. And the breadth of the
curtains was forty cubits. As is said,(606) “and the breadth of one
curtain four cubits.” Take from them thirty cubits from the east to the
west, which were on the roof of the tabernacle, and ten cubits to the west
behind the tabernacle, there are forty.
Chapter III
There were provided eleven curtains of goats’ hair, and the length of
every one of them was thirty cubits, as is said, “And thou shalt make
curtains of goats’ (hair) to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven
curtains shalt thou make. The length of one curtain (shall be) thirty
cubits.”(607) And they were coupled in two vails, one of five, and one of
six, as is said, “And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and
six curtains by themselves,”(608) and they were coupled with fifty loops,
as is said, “And he made fifty loops upon the outmost edge of the curtain
in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain
which coupleth the second.”(609) And the loops were coupled to fifty
taches of brass, as is said, “And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass,
and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together that it
may be one.”(610) The length of the curtains was thirty cubits. Take from
them ten cubits for their breadth, there will remain ten cubits from one
side, and ten cubits from the other side, as they hung down and covered
the boards and the sockets. The breadth of the curtains was forty-four
cubits, as is said, “And the breadth of one curtain four cubits; and the
eleven curtains shall be all of one measure.”(611) Take from them thirty
cubits for the length of the tabernacle, and ten cubits behind the
tabernacle—these are forty. There was left there one curtain which was
doubled in front of the tent, as is said, “And thou shalt double the sixth
curtain in the fore-front of the tabernacle.”(612) Rabbi Judah said, “half
of it was doubled in the fore-front of the tabernacle, and half of it was
hanging behind the tabernacle,” as is said, “And the remnant that
remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth
shall hang over the back-side of the tabernacle.”(613) There was also
provided one great cover of rams’ skins dyed red, its length thirty
cubits, and its breadth ten cubits; with it they clothed the tent upon the
tabernacle from east to west, as is said, “And thou shalt make a covering
for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’
skins,”(614) and it was made “like patchwork,” the words of Rabbi
Nehemiah. Rabbi Judah said, “there were two covers—the lower one of rams’
skins dyed red, and the upper one of badgers’ skins,” as is said, “his
covering and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is above upon
it.”(615)
Chapter IV
The vail was woven ten cubits square, and there were made in it four
loops, and it was hung on hooks on the tops of the pillars, and it was
spread in the third portion of the tabernacle, that there should be from
it inward ten cubits, and from it outward twenty cubits, as is said, “And
thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches.”(616) It follows that the
place of the Holy of Holies was ten cubits square, and there were put the
ark, and the pot of manna, and the pan of anointing oil, and Aaron’s rod
with its almonds and flowers; and there Aaron entered four times on the
day of atonement. Outside the vail were placed the table and candlestick.
But the table was on the north, and opposite to it was the candlestick on
the south; as is said, “And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and
the candlestick over against the table.”(617) And as they were placed in
the tent of the congregation, so were they placed in the everlasting
House.(618) Now the tent of the congregation was in length thirty cubits,
and in breadth ten cubits. But the everlasting House was in length sixty
cubits, and in breadth twenty cubits. This teaches that the tent of the
congregation was one-fourth part of the everlasting House. And as the vail
was woven, so was woven the ephod and the breastplate, only in these there
was an additional thread of gold; as is said, “And they did beat the gold
into thin plates and cut _it into_ wires.”(619) As was the weaving of the
covering vail, so was the weaving of the covering for the entrance. But
the vail was cunning work, as is said, “Thou shalt make the vail of blue
and purple,” etc.; “cunning work.”(620) But the covering of the entrance
was needle-work, as is said, “And thou shalt make an hanging for the door
of the tent,” etc., “of needle-work.”(621) The words of R. Nehemiah. R.
Nehemiah usually said, “every place where it is said cunning work (there
were) two figures—in the needlework (there was) but one figure only.” And
the branches of the candlestick were right opposite to the breadth of the
table. And the golden altar was placed in the middle of the house, and
divided the house, and its half inward was right opposite to the ark; as
is said, “And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the
testimony before the mercy-seat.”(622) From the boards on the south to the
branches of the candlestick (there were) two cubits and a half. And from
the branches of the candlestick to the table (there were) five cubits. And
from the table to the boards on the north (were) two cubits and a half.
This teaches that the breadth of the Holy Place (was) ten cubits. From the
boards on the west to the vail (were) ten cubits. From the vail to the
table were five cubits. From the table to the golden altar (were) five
cubits. From the golden altar to the boards on the east (were) ten cubits.
This teaches that the length of the tabernacle was thirty cubits.
Chapter V
The court of the tabernacle was in length 100 cubits, and in breadth fifty
cubits, as is said, “And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle for
the south side, etc., 100 cubits,(623) and likewise for the north side an
hundred cubits,” as is said, “and likewise for the north side in length
there shall be hangings of 100 cubits long.”(624) And on the west fifty
cubits, as is said, “On the west side shall be hangings of fifty
cubits.”(625) And on the east fifty cubits, as is said, “On the east side
eastward _shall be_ fifty cubits.”(626) Take from them fifty cubits for
hangings, as is said, “The hangings of one side of the gate shall be
fifteen cubits,”(627) etc. “And for the other side,” etc. From both sides
the hangings on the south to the tent were twenty cubits, and the tent was
ten cubits broad, and from the tent to the hangings on the north were
twenty cubits. This teaches that the breadth (of the court) was fifty
cubits. From the hangings on the west to the tent were twenty cubits, and
the tent was thirty cubits long; and from the tent to the hangings on the
east, there were fifty cubits. This teaches that its length was 100
cubits, as is said, “The length of the court shall be 100 cubits, and the
breadth fifty everywhere.”(628) Rabbi José said there is no meaning in
saying “fifty everywhere,” and what is meant by saying “fifty everywhere”?
“That is in front of the tent.” This teaches that its length was 100
cubits, and its breadth fifty cubits. But you could not know the breadth
of the hangings till you know the height of the court, as he (Moses) said,
“And the height five cubits”;(629) as the height was five cubits, so was
the breadth five cubits. “How was the court set up?” Twenty sockets of
brass were put on the north side, and twenty on the south side, and there
was a pillar in every one of them. And there were beams, and a ring was
fastened in their middle, and the beams were fastened with ropes and
pillars; and the length of every beam was six hand-breadths, and its
breadth was three (hand-breadths). And the ring was hung on the hook in
the pillar; and the hanging was rolled on it like the sail of a ship. It
follows that the hanging extended from the pillar two cubits and a half on
one side, and two cubits and a half on the other side; and so with the
second pillar. This teaches that between each pillar there were five
cubits. The beams were coupled with ropes and pillars, and they were
coupled in the pins of brass; and as there were pins to the tabernacle, so
were there pins to the court, as is said, “All the vessels of the
tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all
the pins of the court, shall be of brass.”(630) But you could not know how
much space there was from the hangings to the entrance of the court, till
he said, “And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of
the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar.”(631)
As between the tabernacle and the altar there were ten cubits, so from the
hangings to the entrance of the court there were ten cubits. But you could
not know how high was the entrance of the court, till he said, “And for
the gate of the court shall be a hanging of twenty cubits,” in length and
height. In breadth it was five cubits. “There was no meaning in saying
five cubits, and what is the meaning of saying five cubits?” “To instruct
thee that its length was ten cubits, and its breadth five cubits.” As was
the entrance of the tent, so was the entrance of the court. As was the
entrance of the court, so was the entrance of the sanctuary. As was the
height of the entrance of the sanctuary, so was the breadth of the
entrance of the porch. “The length of the court shall be 100 cubits, and
the breadth of it fifty everywhere.”(632) The oral law says, “Take fifty
and surround them with fifty.”(633) Hence said Rabbi José, the son of
Rabbi Judah,(634) “an enclosed space which can contain two seahs (of sown
grain) as the court of the tabernacle, is lawful for carrying burdens on
the Sabbath day.”
Chapter VI
The ark which Moses made in the desert was in length two cubits and a
half, and in breadth one cubit and a half, and in height one cubit and a
half, as is said, “And they shall make an ark of shittim-wood, two cubits
and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth
thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.”(635) R. Meier said,
“with a cubit containing six hand-breadths—thus they make fifteen
hand-breadths. Take from them twelve hand-breadths for the breadth of the
tables, and two hand-breadths for the place where the roll of the Law lay,
and half a hand-breadth from either side for the thickness of the ark. And
the breadth of the ark was nine hand-breadths. Take from them six
hand-breadths for the length of the tables, and for the place where the
roll of the Law lay, two hand-breadths, that it should not be pressed
going in and out, and half a hand-breadth on either side for the thickness
of the ark.” R. Judah said, “with a cubit containing five hand-breadths,
thus there were twelve hand-breadths and a half, and four tables lay in
it—two perfect, and two broken. And the length of each table was six
hand-breadths, and their breadth six, and their thickness three. Take from
them twelve hand-breadths for the breadth of the tables, and a
finger-breadth on either side for the thickness of the ark.” And the
breadth of the ark was seven hand-breadths and a half. Take from them six
hand-breadths for the length of the tables, and one hand-breadth for the
place where the handles (pillars) lay; and on it the explanation of the
prophets is, “King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
He made the pillars thereof of silver.”(636) And (there was) a
finger-breadth on either side for the thickness of the ark, but the roll
of the Law was put on the side, as is said, “And put it in the side of the
ark of the covenant of the LORD.”(637) And so with the Philistines, he
said, “And put the jewels of gold, which ye return for a
trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof.”(638) R. Judah, the
son of Lachish, said, “there were two arks, one which abode in the
encampment, and one which went forth with them to war, and in it were the
broken tables,” as is said, “And the ark of the covenant of the Lord
went.”(639) But the one with them in the encampment contained the roll of
the Law. That is what is written, “Nevertheless the ark of the covenant of
the Lord; and Moses departed not out of the camp.”(640) And so he said
with regard to Saul, “And Saul said unto Ahiah, bring hither the ark of
God.”(641) And so of Uriah it is said, “The ark, and Israel, and Judah
abide in tents.”(642) But the ark of the covenant went not forth to war,
save once only, as is said, “So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might
bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts.”(643) R.
Judah said, “there was nothing in the ark save the tables of the covenant
only,” as is said, “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of
stone.”(644)
Chapter VII
“How did Bezaleel make the ark?” “He made three boxes, two of gold and one
of wood. He put the wooden one inside the golden one, and the golden one
inside the wooden one, and covered the upper edge with gold; as is said,
‘And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold: within and without shalt thou
overlay it.’ ”(645) “And what is the meaning of saying, ‘thou shalt
overlay it’?” “It means that he covered the upper edges (with) gold.” The
golden mercy-seat was placed above upon it; as is said, “And thou shalt
put the mercy-seat above upon the ark.”(646) And four rings of gold were
fastened in it, two on the north and two on the south, and in them the
staves were put, and they were never moved from thence; as is said, “The
staves shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from
it.”(647) Even though Solomon made the pattern of all the vessels, the
pattern of the ark he did not make; as is said, “And all the elders of
Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.”(648) The ark was placed in
the midst of the House, and divided the House ten cubits by ten cubits.
And two cherubs of gold stood on their feet on the ground. From the wall
to the cherub there were five cubits, and from the cherub to the wall five
cubits. “Where is it mentioned, that as soon as the priests brought in the
ark the staves were drawn out, and they reached to the vail, and they
touched the entrance?” As is said, “And they drew out the staves, that the
ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the
oracle.”(649) For that reason the doors of the Holy of Holies were never
closed. “And they were not seen without.”(650) It is not possible to say
that they were not seen, since it was already said “they were seen.”
Neither is it possible to say that they were seen, since it is already
said “they were not seen.” “How is it?” “They were pushing out in the
vail, and were seen in the sanctuary like the two paps of a woman.” “And
from whence (do we know) that they were drawn out from the inside?” As is
said, “And they were not seen without.” There we learned that they were
drawn out from the inside. And from thence (we learned) that they were
drawn out to the outside, as is said, “And the ends of the staves were
seen.” And where thou sayest that as the staves were drawn out, so were
drawn out the wings of the cherubim, and they covered the ark, and
overshadowed the house from above, as is said, “And the cherubims covered
the ark and the staves thereof, above.”(651) “And where was the ark
concealed?” Rabbi Judah, the son of Lachish, said, “in its place in the
house of the Holy of Holies, as is said, ‘And there they are unto this
day.’ ”(652) But the Sages say, “in the chamber of the wood.” “And who
concealed it?” Rabbi Judah the Holy said, Josiah concealed it, as it is
said, “And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy
unto the Lord, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon, the son of
David, King of Israel, did build; it shall not be a burden upon your
shoulders.”(653) He said to them, “it shall not be carried captive with
you to Babylon, that you should bear it upon your shoulders.” Rabbi
Eleazar said, “it went to Babylon, as is said, ‘Nothing shall be left
saith the Lord,’(654) nothing, not even the words in it.” The house of the
Holy of Holies, which Solomon made for it, had a wall, entrance, and
doors, as is said, “And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors.”(655)
But in the latter house there was no wall, only two boards were there, and
the length of each one was a cubit and a half. And two vails of gold were
there, spread over them from above, and it was called the place of
Partition.(656)
Chapter VIII
The table which Moses made in the wilderness was in length two cubits, and
its breadth one cubit, and its height was one cubit and a half, as is
said, “Thou shalt also make a table of shittim-wood, two cubits shall be
the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a
half the height thereof.”(657) Rabbi Judah said, “the cubit (contained)
five hand-breadths, thus there are ten hand-breadths.” From thence the
Sages said, “the table was in length ten hand-breadths, and in breadth
five hand-breadths. And the showbread was in length ten hand-breadths, and
in breadth five. The length of the showbread was placed against the
breadth of the table. It extended over two hand-breadths and a half on
either side. It follows that its length quite filled the breadth of the
table.” Rabbi Meier said, “the table was in length twelve hand-breadths,
and in breadth six hand-breadths. And the showbread was in length ten
(hand-breadths), and in breadth five. And its length was placed against
the breadth of the table. It extended over two hand-breadths on either
side; and there was an opening of two hand-breadths in the middle, that
the air might blow through them (the loaves).” Aba Shaul said, “they put
there two cups of incense of the showbread.” The Sages said to him, “and
is it not already said, ‘And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each
row’?”(658) He replied to them, “and is it not already said, ‘And by him
shall be the tribe of Manasseh’?”(659) Although Solomon made ten tables,
and all of them were lawful for service, as is said, “He made also ten
tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on
the left.”(660) “If thou sayest five on the south, and five on the north,
is not a table on the south worthless?” But what is the meaning of saying,
“five on the right and five on the left”? “Five to the right of the table
of Moses, and five to the left of the table of Moses, even though he did
not arrange the showbread, save for the table of Moses only, as is said,
‘And the table whereupon the showbread was.’ ”(661) Rabbi José, the son of
Rabbi Judah, said, “all the tables were arranged for showbread as is said,
‘And the tables whereon the showbread was set.’ ”(662)
Chapter IX
The candlestick which Moses made in the wilderness was wrought from gold,
and required hammering, and required knops and flowers, as is said, “And
thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold; of beaten work shall the
candlestick be made: his shaft and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and
his flowers, shall be of the same.”(663) “Do I hear that he shall make
separate members and join them to it?” “The teaching says, that ‘they
shall be of the same.’ ” “Whence know we that it extends to the light?”
“The teaching says, ‘Thou shalt make.’ ” “I am of opinion that it should
be extended to the bowls, knops, and flowers. The teaching says ‘it,’ and
what dost thou see to extend it to the light, and withhold it from the
bowls, the knops, and the flowers?” “Because the verse extends and
withholds, (therefore) I extend (it to) the lights that they should be
made with it, and I withhold the bowls, the knops, and the flowers, that
they should not be made with it.” “Whence know we to extend (it to) the
tongs and snuff-dishes?” “The teaching says, ‘thou shalt make.’ ” “I am of
opinion to extend (it to) the snuffers, and the tweezers.” “The teaching
says, ‘it,’ and what dost thou see to extend (it to) the tongs and
snuff-dishes, and to withhold (it from) the snuffers?” “Because the verse
extends and withholds. I extend (it to) the tongs and snuff-dishes, since
they are used with it. And I withhold (it from) the snuffers and tweezers,
since they are not used with it.” As it was made of gold, it required
hammering; when it was not of gold it did not require hammering. When it
was made of gold it required bowls, knops, and flowers; when it was not of
gold it did not require bowls, knops, and flowers. When it was made of
gold it required a talent; when it was not of gold it did not require a
talent. Rabbi Joshua, the son of Korcha, said, “it (the candlestick) was
made of a talent, but the lights, and the tongs, and the snuff-dishes,
were not from the talent,” as is said, “Of a talent of pure gold shall he
make it.”(664) “And what do I establish?” “That all these vessels were
vessels of pure gold. But the trumpets which Moses made in the wilderness
were made of silver only, as is said, ‘Make thee two trumpets of
silver.’ ”(665)
Chapter X
“How did Bezaleel make the candlestick?” “He made it from an ingot of
gold, and it was like a beam. And above and below he made bowls, knops,
and flowers, and drew out from it two branches, one on either side, and
from it he drew out two other branches, one on either side, and again drew
out two branches, one on either side, as is said, ‘And six branches shall
come out of the sides of it.’ ”(666) But we could not understand the
hammering of the bowls, until it be said, “And in the candlesticks shall
be four bowls made like unto almonds with their knops and their
flowers.”(667) Aisi, the son of Judah, said, “there are five expressions
in the Law, and they have no fixed meaning. These are they,
‘accepted,’(668) ‘cursed,’(669) ‘to-morrow,’(670) ‘made like unto
almonds,’(671) ‘and will rise up.’ ”(672) “If thou doest well, shalt thou
not be accepted?” or, “thou shalt be accepted even if thou doest not
well.” “Cursed be their anger for it was fierce,” or, “for in their anger
they slew a man, and in their self-will they houghed cursed oxen.”
“To-morrow I will stand” or “go out, fight with Amalek to-morrow.” “Made
like unto almonds with their knops, and their flowers,” or “four bowls
made like unto almonds.” “And this people will rise up,” or, “thou shalt
sleep with thy fathers, and thou shalt rise up.” These are the five
expressions in the Law which have no fixed meaning. Aisa, the son of
Akiba, said, “it happened once to be more (than a talent by) a dinar of
gold, and it was brought into the crucible eighty times.” The body of the
candlestick was eighteen hand-breadths, the feet and the flowers were
three hand-breadths, and two hand-breadths were smooth, and one
hand-breadth was for the bowl, a knop and a flower, and two hand-breadths
were smooth, and one hand-breadth a knop, and two branches proceeded from
it, one on either side. And two hand-breadths were smooth, and one
hand-breadth a knop, and two branches proceeded from it, one on either
side, and two hand-breadths were smooth, and one hand-breadth a knop, and
two branches proceeded from it on either side. There remained three
hand-breadths, in which were the bowls, the knops, and the flowers, as is
said, “Three bowls made like unto almonds with a knop and a flower in one
branch.”(673) It follows that the bowls were twenty-two, and the knops
eleven, and the flowers nine. “The bowls, to what were they like?” “To
cups of Alexandria.” “The knops, to what were they like?” “To the apples
of pine-trees.”(674) “The flowers, to what were they like?” “To the
flowers on the pillars of the temple.” It is found that you learn that
there exist in the candlestick difficulty and forgetfulness more than in
all the other vessels. “And whence know we that OMNIPRESENCE showed to
Moses, the vessels ready, and the candlestick ready?” As it is said, “see
and make them according to their patterns.”(675) Although Solomon made ten
candlesticks and all of them were lawful for service, as is said, “And he
made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the
temple, five on the right hand and five on the left.”(676) If you say,
five on the south and five on the north, is not the candlestick on the
north worthless? “And what is meant by saying, five on the right hand and
five on the left?” “Five on the right side of the candlestick of Moses,
and five on the left side of the candlestick of Moses, even though they
lighted the candlestick of Moses only, as is said, ‘And the candlestick of
gold, with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening.’ ”(677) Rabbi José,
the son of Rabbi Judah, said, “they were all lighted,” as is said,
“Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after
the manner, before the oracle of pure gold; and the flowers, and the
lamps, and the tongs made he of gold, and that perfect gold.”(678) All
these completed the golden one of Moses. Those on the west and east flamed
in front of the middle light, as is said, “The seven lamps shall give
light over against the candlestick.”(679) From thence Rabbi Nathan said,
“the middle one is the most honorable.” The seven lamps flamed alike, and
their lamps were equal, and they resembled each other. “How did they snuff
it?” “They removed the snuff from the candlestick and deposited it in the
tent, and rubbed it with a sponge.” “It follows that many priests were
busied on one lamp.” The words of Rabbi José. But the Sages say, “they did
not remove the lamps from their places; they only removed the snuff from
the candlestick, as is said, ‘He shall order the lamps upon the pure
candlestick.’ ”(680)
Chapter XI
The altar of incense was in length a cubit, and in breadth a cubit, and in
height two cubits, as is said, “And thou shalt make an altar to burn
incense upon; of shittim-wood shalt thou make it. A cubit shall be the
length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof: four square shall it be:
and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of
the same.”(681) And it was all overlaid with gold.(682) This altar had
three names, the altar of incense, the altar of gold, the inner altar.
_The altar of burnt-offerings_ was in length five cubits, and in breadth
five cubits, and in height three cubits, as is said, “And he made the
altar of burnt-offering of shittim-wood: five cubits was the length
thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was four-square; and
three cubits the height thereof.”(683) The words of Rabbi Meier. To him
said Rabbi José, “from hearing what is said five by five do we not know
that it is four-square? What is the meaning of saying four-square?” “It is
superfluous, save for identification in pronouncing with regard to it an
equal decision. It is said here four-square, and there four-square.” “What
four-square is meant there?” “That its height is double its breadth, even
the four-square mentioned here means that its height is double its
breadth.” Rabbi Meier said to him, “if it be according to thy words, it
follows that the altar is higher than the curtains.” Rabbi José; answered
him, “and is it not already said, ‘And the hangings of the court, and the
hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle,
and by the altar round about.’ ”(684) As the tabernacle was ten cubits
broad, so the altar of burnt-offerings was ten cubits broad. A painted
line girdled it in the middle to divide between the blood (sprinkled)
above, and the blood (sprinkled) below. The painted line and downward was
five cubits. The foundation was a cubit. And three cubits was the compass,
and the circuit was a cubit, and there they put the blood sprinkled below.
The painted line and upward was five cubits—a cubit the horns, and three
cubits the compass, and one cubit the circuit. And there they put the
blood which was sprinkled above. And the blood intended to be sprinkled on
the painted line and downward, if it were put on the painted line and
upward, was worthless. And the blood that was intended to be sprinkled
above the painted line, if it were put on the painted line and downward,
was worthless. The altar which Moses made in the wilderness was in height
ten cubits, and the one which Solomon made was in height ten cubits, and
the one which the children of the captivity made was in height ten cubits,
and the one prepared for the Future, its height is ten cubits. The altar
of burnt-offerings was placed in the midst of the court (with) its ascent
on the south, with the laver on the west, with the slaughter-house on the
north, and all the Israelites to the east, as is said, “And all the
congregation drew near and stood before the Lord.”(685) This altar had
three names, the altar of burnt-offering, the altar of brass, the outer
altar.
Chapter XII
Moses made one LAVER, as is said, “Thou shalt also make a laver of
brass.”(686) Solomon made ten lavers, as is said, “He made also ten
lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to
wash.”(687) “There is no meaning in saying ‘five on the right hand, and
five on the left,’ and what is the meaning of saying ‘five on the right
hand, and five on the left’?” “Five on the right of the laver of Moses,
and five on the left of the laver of Moses.” Solomon added to it when he
made the sea, as is said, “And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the
one brim to the other; it was round all about, and his height was five
cubits; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. And it was
an hand-breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a
cup, with flowers of lilies, it contained two thousand baths.”(688) It is
not possible to say “two thousand,” since before it is said “three
thousand,”(689) and it is not possible to say “three thousand,” since
before it is said “two thousand.” “How can it be?” “Two thousand liquid
make three thousand dry measure.” But you don’t know how much is the bath
until it be said, “The ephah and the bath contain one measure,”(690) “for
ten baths are a homer.” “Allow ten baths for every cur—there are 200 curs.
Subtract from them fifty curs, and allow fifty square, there are 150
cleansing-pools; since every pool contains forty seahs.” “And from whence
do we know that every pool contains forty seahs?” “As is said, ‘And bathe
his flesh in water,’(691) water to cover all his flesh.” “And how much is
it?” “A square cubit, in height three cubits.” From thence the Sages
judged the measure of a pool to be forty seahs. “And how can it contain
150 cleansing-pools, if thou shalt say it was all round?” “It could not
contain them.” “If thou shalt say it was all square?” “It therefore
contained more.” But the three lowest cubits were square; allow for ten
cubits square, there are 100 cubits. Allow for a hundred square; there are
100 cleansing-pools. The two highest cubits were round. Allow for ten
cubits square; there are seventy-five cubits. Allow for seventy-five
square; there are 150. Allow for fifty square; there are fifty
cleansing-pools; since the square exceeds the round by a fourth. “And
whence do we know that the square exceeds the round by a fourth?” “As is
said, ‘Ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and a line of
thirty cubits did compass it round about.’ ”(692) This teaches that the
square exceeds the round by a fourth. “And whence do we know that it was
round above?” “As is said, ‘And it was an hand-breadth thick, and the brim
thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup.’ ” “And whence know we that it
was square below?” “As is said, ‘It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking
toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking
toward the south, and three looking toward the east.’ ”(693) And what is
meant by saying “looking toward” four times; but that when one entered the
temple he looked toward the right; when he entered into the court, he
looked toward the right; when he entered the Mountain of the House, he
looked toward the right; when the priest went up to the top of the altar,
he looked toward the right. “And under it was the similitude of oxen,
which did compass it round about, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round
about. Two rows of oxen.”(694) It follows that (there were) four rows of
the heads of oxen, which served for the four sides, as is said, “And the
similitude of oxen, two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast.”(695) And
it was all cast even from the feet of the ox.
Chapter XIII
“How did the Levites guard the tabernacle?” “The family of Kohath watched
on the south, as is said, ‘The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch
on the side of the tabernacle southward.’(696) And they were overseers of
the vessels of the ark, as is said, ‘And their charge shall be the ark,
and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the
sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging and all the service
thereof.’(697) Outside of them were the three tribes of Reuben, Simeon,
Levi. The family of Gershon watched in the west, as is said, ‘The families
of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.’(698) And
they were intrusted with all the vessels of the tabernacle, as is said,
‘And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of
the congregation.’(699) Outside of them were the three tribes of Ephraim,
and Manasseh, and Benjamin. The family of Merari watched on the north, as
is said, ‘And the chief of the house of the father of the families of
Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the
tabernacle northward.’(700) And they were intrusted with the taches, and
boards, and bars, and pillars, and the sockets of the tabernacle, as is
said, ‘And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the
boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof,
and the sockets thereof.’(701) And outside of them were the three tribes
of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. On the east were Moses, Aaron, and their
families, as is said, ‘But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward
the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall
be Moses and Aaron and his sons.’(702) And outside of them were the three
tribes of Judah, Yissachar, and Zebulon. The whole encampment of Israel
was twelve miles. The standard of Judah was four miles, and the encampment
of the Levites, and the encampment of the SHECHINAH, four miles. The
standard of Reuben was four miles. The standard of Ephraim was four miles.
The encampment of the Levites and the encampment of the SHECHINAH was four
miles. And the encampment of Dan was four miles. It follows _that_ the
four corners of the tabernacle were four encampments for service on every
side, as is said, ‘Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set
forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp; as they
encamp so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their
standards.’(703) So soon as Israel set forward, the pillar of cloud which
was standing still rolled up and spread out over the children of Judah
like a kind of beam. The (trumpet) sounded, and blew an alarm, and
sounded, and the standard of Judah moved forward first, as is said, ‘In
the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah
according to their armies.’(704) At once Aaron and his sons entered (the
Tabernacle) and took down the vail, and with it they covered the ark, as
is said, ‘And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come and his
sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of
testimony with it.’(705) The (trumpet) sounded, and blew an alarm, and
sounded, and the standard of the encampment of Reuben set forward. At once
the sons of Gershon, and the sons of Merari entered, and took down the
tabernacle, and loaded it on the wagon. And they set up the tabernacle
before the sons of Kohath came, as is said, ‘And the Kohathites set
forward, bearing the sanctuary; and the other did set up the tabernacle
against they came.’(706) And the trumpet sounded, and blew an alarm, and
sounded, and the standard of Ephraim moved forward; the children of Kohath
entered and took down the holy vessels, and loaded them on their
shoulders, as is said, ‘And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of
covering the sanctuary and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp
is to set forward; after that the sons of Kohath shall come to bear
it.’(707) The (trumpet) sounded, and blew an alarm, and sounded. And the
standard of Dan moved forward, as is said, ‘And the standard of the camp
of the children of Dan set forward.’(708) It follows that two standards
were in front, and two standards were in the rear, and the encampment of
the Levites, and the encampment of the SHECHINAH was in the middle, as is
said, ‘Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the
camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp.’(709) And as they encamped,
so they set forward, as is said, ‘As they encamp, so shall they set
forward.’ Israel set forward by three commands, by command of the HOLY
BLESSED ONE, by command of Moses, and by command of the trumpets.” “Whence
know we the command of the HOLY BLESSED ONE?” “As is said, ‘At the
commandment of the Lord, the children of Israel journeyed, and at the
commandment of the Lord they pitched,’ ”(710) etc. “By the commandment of
the Lord by the hand of Moses.”(711) “By commandment of Moses—how?” “Moses
said in the evening, ‘early in the morning you must go forward.’ ” At once
the Israelites began to gather their cattle, and prepared their furniture
for the march. “By commandment of the trumpets whence know we it?” “As is
said, ‘Make thee two trumpets of silver, etc., that thou mayest use them
for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the
camps.’ ”(712) “How?” “The trumpets sounded, blew an alarm, and sounded
three blasts for every standard.” Rabbi Judah said, “there were three
blasts for every tribe.”
Chapter XIV
When Israel was to encamp, the pillar of cloud rose up and spread out over
the children of Judah like a kind of booth, and it covered the tent
outward, and filled the tabernacle inward; as is said, “Then a cloud
covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle.”(713) And this was one of the clouds of glory, which served
the Israelites in the wilderness forty years. One on the right hand, and
one on the left, and one before them, and one behind them. And one over
them, and a cloud dwelling in their midst (and the cloud, the SHECHINAH
which was in the Tent), and the pillar of cloud which moved before them,
making low before them the high (places), and making high before them the
low (places), and killing serpents and scorpions, and burning thorns and
briers, and guiding them in a straight way. Rabbi Simon, the son of José,
said, “during the forty years, when the Israelites were in the wilderness,
none of them had need of the light of the sun by day, nor the light of the
moon by night. When it became reddish they knew that the sun had set, and
when it became whitish they knew that the sun rose. And when one looked
into a barrel, he knew what was in it; and into a pitcher, and he knew
what was in it, by reason of the cloud, the SHECHINAH in their midst,” as
is said, “For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and
fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel
throughout all their journey.”(714) And so it is prepared to come in the
future: as is said, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of
the Lord is risen upon thee.” “The sun shall be no more thy light by day;
neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord
shall be unto thee an everlasting light.” “Thy sun shall no more go down;
neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine
everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.”(715)
“From whence did the SHECHINAH speak with Moses?” Rabbi Nathan said, “from
the altar of incense,” as is said, “And thou shalt put it before the vail
that is by the ark of the testimony, etc.,
WHERE I WILL MEET WITH THEE.”(716)
Rabbi Simon, the son of Yochai, said, “beside the altar of incense,” as is
said, “And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the
testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation,
WHERE I WILL MEET WITH THEE.”(717)
The disciples of Rabbi Ishmael said, “beside the altar of burnt-offering,”
as is said, “This shall be a continual burnt-offering throughout your
generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the
Lord,
WHERE I WILL MEET YOU.”(718)
The Heifer(719)
The Heifer’s Age—Ages of Other Offerings—Places From Which the Red
Heifer May Come—Blemishes—Black Hairs—Separation of the Priest for
Burning the Red Heifer—Sprinkling—Lads who Drew Water from
Siloam—Number of Red Heifers—Bridge to the Mount of
Olives—Procession of Heifer and Attendants—Pile for
Burning—Position of the Heifer—Position of the Priest—Slaughter of
the Heifer—Sprinkling the Blood—Kindling the Pile—Gathering the
Ashes—Doctrine of Intention—Vessels—Pumpkin Bottles—A Hollow
Reed—Purifications—Cases of Casuistry—Seas—Wells—Reptiles—A Clean
Place—Hyssop—Sprinkling.
Chapter I
1. Rabbi Eliezer said, “the red heifer must be a calf of a year old or a
heifer of two years.” But the Sages say, “a calf of two years and a heifer
of three years or of four years.” Rabbi Meier said, “even of five years
she is allowed, or older. But they are not to wait (longer) for her, lest
she turn black and be disallowed.” Rabbi Joshua said, “I only heard,
third.” They said to him, “what is the meaning of ‘third’?” He said to
them, “thus I heard it, without explanation.” The son of Azai said, “I
will explain it, if you say ‘third,’ that is to others in counting; but if
you say ‘one of three,’ that is, of three years.” As when they say, “a
fourth vineyard.” They said to him, “what means ‘fourth’?” He said to
them, “thus I heard it, without explanation.” Said the son of Azai, “I
will explain. If you say ‘fourth,’ that is, to others in counting. But as
you say ‘one of four,’ that is, of four years. As when they say, he who
eats in a leprous house a half-loaf,(720) of three loaves to the cab of
flour.” They say to him, “say eighteen loaves to the seah of flour.” He
said to them, “Thus I heard it, without explanation.” Said the son of
Azai, “I will explain. If you say, ‘three to the cab,’ there is no
dough-offering. But if you say, ‘eighteen to the seah,’ the dough-offering
diminishes it.”
2. R. José the Galilean said, “the cleansing of the Levites required
bullocks of two years old,” as is said, “And another young bullock shalt
thou take for a sin-offering.”(721) But the Sages say, “even of three
years.” R. Meier said, “bullocks even of four and five years are allowed,
but old ones are not brought, for honor’s sake.”
3. Sacrifices required lambs of a year old and rams of two years old, and
all (are reckoned) from day to day.(722) If they be thirteen months old,
neither ram nor lamb is allowed. R. Tarphon called it, “half and between.”
The son of Azai called it, “pointed out.” R. Ishmael called it, “recalled
coin.” If the ram be brought for offering, and the libation of the ram be
brought with him, it does not pass for his offering, except he be thirteen
months and one day old. That is the law for the ram.
4. The sin-offering of the congregation and their burnt-offerings, the
sin-offering of an individual and the trespass-offering of the Nazarite
and the trespass-offering of the leper are allowed for thirty days and
upward, and even on the thirtieth day. And if they are brought on the
eighth day, they are allowed; vows, freewill-offerings, the first-born,
and the tithe and the passover are allowed from the eighth day and upward,
and even on the eighth day.
Chapter II
1. Rabbi Eliezer said, “a heifer for a sin-offering is allowed even in
pregnancy.” But the Sages disallow her. R. Eliezer said, “she is not to be
taken from foreigners.” But the Sages allow her. And not only she, but all
the offerings of the congregation, and of the individual, may come from
the Land (of Israel), or from outside the land, from the fresh harvest and
from the old harvest, except the omer,(723) and the two loaves,(724) which
may only come from the fresh harvest, and from the Land.
2. A heifer whose horns and hoofs are black should have them cut away. The
pupil of the eye and the teeth and the tongue cause no blemish in the
heifer. If she be diminutive, she is allowed. “Had she a wen which was cut
away?” R. Judah “disallowed her.” Rabbi Simon said, “every place which was
cut down, and no red hair sprang up in its place, renders her blemished.”
3. A heifer produced from the side or from the hire of immorality or
exchanged for a dog is disallowed. R. Eliezer allowed it, “as is said,
‘Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore or the price of a dog into the
house of the Lord thy God.’(725) But she did not come into the house.” All
blemishes which are disallowed in holy things are disallowed in the
heifer. If one rode on her or leaned on her or hung something on her tail
or crossed a river on her or doubled the rope over her or put his garment
on her, she is disallowed. But if one bound her with a rope or made a shoe
to prevent her slipping or spread his garment over her because of the
flies, she is allowed. This is the rule: Everything which was necessary
for her is allowed; if there be any use of her for another’s benefit, she
is disallowed.
4. If a bird rested on her, she is allowed. If the male came to her, she
is disallowed. R. Judah said, “if he were brought, she is disallowed, but
if he came of himself, she is allowed.”
5. If she had two black or white hairs in one cavity, she is disallowed.
R. Judah said, “even in one pore.” “If they be in two pores and they prove
united?” “She is disallowed.” Rabbi Akiba said, “even four or five, if
they be scattered, may be plucked out.” Rabbi Eleazar said, “even fifty.”
R. Joshua, son of Bathira, said, “if there be even one in her head and one
in her tail, she is disallowed.” “If there be two hairs, their roots black
and their tops red, their roots red and their tops black?” “All follows
after the appearance,” the words of Rabbi Meier. But the Sages say, “after
the root.”
Chapter III
1. Seven days before the burning of the heifer, the priest who burned the
heifer was removed from his house to the chamber in front of the Temple
Palace toward the northeast;(726) and it was called the Stone House. And
he was sprinkled during all the seven days from all the ashes of red
heifers which were there. R. José said, “they did not sprinkle him save on
the third and seventh days only.” R. Hananiah, the deputy high-priest,
said, “on the priest who burned the heifer they sprinkled during all the
seven days, but on him who took service on the Day of Atonement they did
not sprinkle save on the third and seventh days only.”
2. There were courts in Jerusalem built of stone, and beneath they were
hollow,(727) through fear of an unseen grave. And pregnant women were
brought, and they were delivered there. And there they reared their sons,
and oxen were brought with doors on their backs, and the lads were seated
on them with stone cups in their hands. They came to Siloam, they
dismounted, and filled them. They remounted, and returned on the backs of
the oxen. R. José said, “from their seats on the backs of the oxen they
let down (the cups) and filled them (with water).”
3. The lads came back to the Mountain of the House and dismounted. The
Mountain of the House and its courts were hollow below, through fear of an
unseen grave. And at the door of the court there were prepared the ashes
of the red heifers; and they brought a ram from the sheep, and they
twisted a rope between his horns, and they twisted a stick and stuck it
into the end of the rope, and it was dipped into the ashes, and the ram
got a blow, and he skipped backward, and took them, and caused them to
appear on the surface of the water. R. José said, “you should not give an
opportunity to the Sadducees for scoffing: but (the lad) took and prepared
the ashes.”
4. They did not make use of (what pertained) to one red heifer for a
second one, nor did they use another lad for(728) his (prepared)
companion. “And the lads themselves were in need of sprinkling,” the words
of Rabbi José the Galilean. R. Akiba said, “they had no need of
sprinkling.”
5. If they did not find (ashes) of seven red heifers, six were sufficient,
five, four, three, two, one. “And who made them?” “Moses made the first,
and Ezra the second, and (there were) five from Ezra and afterward,” the
words of Rabbi Meier. But the Sages say, “seven from Ezra and afterward.”
“And who made them?” “Simon the Just, and John the High-priest made each
two. Elihueni, son of Hakuf, and Hanamel the Egyptian, and Ishmael, son of
Piani, made one each.”
6. And a causeway was made from the Mountain of the House to the Mount of
Olives, with arches over arches. And there was an arch in front of the
last pillar for fear of an unseen grave. Over it the priest who burned the
heifer, and the heifer with all her attendants, proceeded to the Mount of
Olives.
7. If the heifer were unwilling to go, they did not bring with her a black
one, lest it be said, “they slaughtered a black one” nor a red one, lest
it be said, “they slaughtered two.” R. José said, this was not the reason,
but because it is only said, “That he may bring her forth.”(729) And the
elders of Israel preceded her on foot to the Mount of Olives. And a house
for washing was there. And the priest who burned the heifer was rendered
unclean because of the Sadducees,(730) lest they should say, “it is
needful for sunset to pass over him.”(731)
8. The elders put their hands on the priest and said, “my Lord
High-priest, wash once.” He descended and washed, and he came up and wiped
himself. And wood was set in order there, cedar and ash and cypress and
fig-wood smoothed. And it was made like a tower, and windows were opened
in it, and their direction was westward.
9. The red heifer was bound with a rope of bulrushes and she was put on
the place of preparation, with her head southward and with her face
westward. The priest stood in the east with his face westward. He
slaughtered the heifer with his right hand, and received (the blood) in
his left hand. R. Judah said, “he received it in his right hand and put it
into his left, and sprinkled it with his right hand.” He dipped his hand,
and sprinkled the blood seven times in front of the House of the Holy of
Holies. For every sprinkling of blood he dipped his hand. When he finished
sprinkling the blood he wiped his hand on the body of the heifer. He went
down and kindled the fire with chips. Rabbi Akiba said, “with
palm-branches.”
10. She burst and moved from her place. He took cedar-wood and hyssop and
scarlet (wool). He said to them, “is this cedar-wood, is this cedar-wood?”
“is this hyssop, is this hyssop?” “is this scarlet, is this scarlet?”
three times for each thing. And they said to him, “yes,” “yes,” three
times for each thing.
11. He wrapped them in the remainder(732) of the tongue of scarlet wool,
and cast them into the midst of the burning. When the fire was burned
down, the ashes were beaten with sticks and sifted with sieves. R. Ishmael
said, “with stone hammers, and the work was finished with stone sieves.” A
black piece in which there are ashes must be pulverized, and that which
has no ashes is left. Bones with or without ashes were pulverized. And
they were divided into three parts. One part was put in the Chel, and one
was put on the Mount of Olives, and one was divided for all the
guards(733) (_i.e._, the representatives of all Israel).
Chapter IV
1. “The heifer which was slaughtered without the proper intention, (the
priest) caught the blood and sprinkled it without the proper intention, or
with the proper intention and afterward without the proper intention, or
without the proper intention and (afterward) with the proper intention?”
“She is disallowed.” R. Eliezer “allowed her.” “And if the priest did not
wash his hands and his feet?” “She is disallowed.” R. Eliezer “allowed
her.” “If she was not slaughtered by the High-priest?” “She is
disallowed.” R. Judah “allowed her.” “If any of his garments were
wanting?” “She is disallowed.” And the rites were performed in white
vestments.
2. “If the priest burned her out of her prepared place, or in two places,
or burned two in one place?” “She is disallowed.” “If he sprinkled her
blood but not straight in front of the DOOR?” “She is disallowed.” “If he
sprinkled her blood the sixth time for the seventh—he then turned and
sprinkled the seventh?” “She is disallowed.” “If the priest sprinkled the
seventh time for the eighth—he then turned and sprinkled the eighth?” “She
is allowed.”
3. “If the priest burned the red heifer without wood, or with every sort
of wood, even with stubble and dung?”(734) “She is allowed.” “If he
skinned and cut her?” “She is allowed.” “If he slaughtered her on
condition of eating from her flesh and drinking from her blood?” “She is
allowed.” Rabbi Eliezer said, “intention does not disallow the heifer.”
4. All who are busied about the heifer from the beginning to the end
render their garments legally unclean. And any work gained from her
renders her disallowed. If any illegality happened during her slaughter,
she does not render their garments unclean. If it happened during the
sprinkling of her blood, everyone busied before her disallowance renders
his garments unclean. After her disallowance he does not render his
garments unclean. It follows that her difficulty is his convenience. They
who are busied about her are always liable for a trespass-offering. They
may add wood to her during her burning. And her business is done in the
day and by a priest. Every work for gain with her causes her disallowance
until she be reduced to ashes. And work for gain causes disallowance in
the water also, until the ashes be strewn upon it.
Chapter V
1. He who brings earthen vessels for the ashes of the heifer must wash
them, and place them in the furnace over night. Rabbi Judah said, “even if
he bring them from his house they are allowed. Since everyone is trusted
about the heifer. But in the heave-offering he opens the furnace and takes
out the vessels.” R. Simon said, “from the second(735) row.” R. José said,
“from the third row.”
2. He who washes vessels for the ashes of the red heifer, in water
unsuitable for purification, must dry them. If he wash them in water
suitable for purification, it is not necessary to dry them. If he add
therein water for purification, whether of one sort or the other sort of
water, he must dry them.
3. A pumpkin bottle which is washed in water unsuitable for purification,
may be used for purification, till it becomes legally unclean. When it is
unclean, they may no longer purify in it. R. Joshua said, “if one purify
in it at first, one may purify in it to the last; if it cannot purify at
last, it cannot purify at first.” Whether it be clean or unclean, one must
not add therein water for purification.
4. “A hollow reed cut for the ashes of the red heifer?” R. Eliezer said,
“it must be washed at once.” R. Joshua said, “it must be rendered legally
unclean, and afterward washed.” Everyone is suitable for purifying
excepting a deaf person, an idiot, and a child. R. Judah “allows a child,
but disallows a woman and a neuter.”
5. Water may be prepared for purification in every vessel, even in vessels
of dung, in vessels of stone and vessels of clay and in a boat. Water must
not be prepared for purification in the sides of vessels nor in the bottom
of a vase nor in the cork of a barrel nor in one’s fists, since they are
not used for filling water, and they must not purify with them. And the
water of the ashes of the heifer is not sprinkled without a vessel. There
is no safety from defilement in the covering(736) bound except in proper
vessels—there is no safety from the defilement of earthen vessels except
in proper vessels.
6. An egg-shaped vessel of the potters is allowed for the purifying water.
R. José “disallows it.” “The egg (shell) of a hen?” R. Meier and R. Judah
“allow it,” but the Sages “disallow it.”
7. “A trough in a rock?” “They do not fill water with it, they do not
purify in it, and they do not sprinkle from it, and it does not need the
covering bound, and it does not disallow(737) the purifying-pool.” “If
there were a vessel united (to it) with lime?” “They may fill water with
it, they may purify in it, and sprinkle from it, and it needs a covering
bound, and (if it becomes legally unclean) it disallows the purifying
pool.” “It had a hole in the bottom, and it was stuffed with a rag?” “The
water in it is disallowed, because it is not (entirely) surrounded with
the vessel.” “If the hole were in the side, and it was stuffed with a
rag?” “The water within it is allowed, because it is surrounded with the
vessel.” “If a rim of mud was made for it, and the water rose up to it?”
“It is disallowed.” “If it were so strong that the vessel could be lifted
by it?” “It is allowed.”
8. “There are two troughs in one stone. One of them is legally purified.
The water in the second is not purified. There are holes from one trough
to the other like the pipe of a bottle, or water overflowed from above
only as much as the peeling of a garlic, and the owner had purified one of
them?” “The water in the second can also purify.”
9. “Two stones which are placed near to each other, and one made of them a
(drinking-) trough, and also two kneading-troughs, and also a
drinking-trough, which was divided?” “The water, which is between them,
does not purify.” “If one connected them with lime or gypsum, and they can
be lifted at once?” “The water, which is between them, can purify.”
Chapter VI
1. “When one wishes to purify, and the ashes of purification have fallen
on his hand or upon the side (of the vessel), and they afterward fell on a
drinking-trough?” “They are disallowed.” “If water of purification fell
from a pipe on the trough?” “It is disallowed.” “He took the water of
purification out of the pipe, and covered the pipe or shut the door with
it?” “The ashes of purification are allowed, but the water is disallowed.”
“He laid it on the ground?” “It is disallowed.” “He laid it in his hand?”
“It is allowed, because it is not otherwise possible.”
2. “If the ashes swam on the surface of the water?” R. Meier and Rabbi
Simon said, “one may take them and purify”; but the Sages say, “all ashes
which have once touched water, cannot purify.” “If one have sprinkled the
water, and the ashes be found at the bottom?” R. Meier and R. Simon said,
“He may dry them and purify”; but the Sages say, “all ashes which have
(once) touched water, cannot purify.”
3. “If one prepare water for purification in a trough, and there be a jug
in it?” “Though its mouth be ever so narrow, the water therein can
purify.” “If there be a sponge?” “The water in it is disallowed.” “How is
one to act?” “He is to sprinkle till he come to the sponge. When he has
touched the sponge, even if the water swim over it ever so little, it is
disallowed.”
4. “One has put in his hand or his foot, or leaves of vegetables, so that
the water of purification has run over to another vessel?” “It is
disallowed.” If they were leaves of reeds or leaves of nuts, they are
allowed. This is the rule: The thing which contracts uncleanness is
disallowed; and the thing which does not contract uncleanness is allowed.
5. “If one divert a well into a vat-shaped pool or into a marsh?” “The
water in them is disallowed for issues and leprosies, or to purify with it
as with the water of the ashes of the heifer, since it is not filled in a
vessel.”
Chapter VII
1. “When five persons filled five barrels with water of purification, to
purify five persons requiring purification, and they changed their mind
for one purification, or they prepared for one purification, and they
changed their mind for five?” “They are all allowed.” “One person who
filled five barrels to purify five persons requiring purification, and
changed his mind for one purification?” “None is allowed but the last.”
“Or he made ready for one purification, and changed his mind for five
purifications?” “None is allowed but the first purification.” “If he said
to one, ‘purify all those for thee?’ ” “None is allowed but the first.”
“Purify all those for me?” “They are all allowed.”
2. “He who fills (water of purification) with one hand, and does work with
the other hand, if he fill for himself or for another person, or if he
fill for both at once?” “Both are disallowed, since work disallows in
filling (water of purification) whether for himself or for another.”
3. “He who puts in ashes with one hand, and does work with the other
hand?” “If it be for himself, it is disallowed; but if it be for another
person, it is allowed.” “He who while doing work puts in ashes for himself
and for another?” “His own is disallowed, and the other’s is allowed.” “He
who puts in ashes for two persons at once?” “Both are allowed.”
4. “Put in ashes for me; and I will put in ashes for thee?” “The first
case is allowed.” “Fill water for me; and I will fill water for thee?”
“The latter case is allowed.” “Put in ashes for me, and I will fill water
for thee?” “Both cases are allowed.” “Fill water for me; and I will put in
ashes for thee?” “Both cases are disallowed.”
5. “A person filled water for his own use, and (also) for purification?”
“He fills first for himself and binds it on the shoulder-pole; and
afterward he fills that for purification.” “And if he fill that for
purification first, and afterward fill for himself?” “It is disallowed.”
He must put his own water behind him, and the water for purification
before him. “And if he put that for purification behind him?” “It is
disallowed.” “Both are water for purification, he put one in front and one
behind him?” “It is allowed, because it is not otherwise possible.”
6. “If one carry a rope in his hand?”(738) “If he go in the (straight)
way, it is allowed.” “If he go out of his way?” “It is disallowed.” One
went to Jabneth(739) during three feasts, about this matter, and in the
third feast it was allowed to him as a decision for the time.
7. “If one rolled the rope round his hand?” “It is allowed; but if he
rolled it after (drawing the water), it is disallowed.” Said R. José,
“this act they allowed as a decision for the time.”
8. “If one put aside the barrel lest it be broken, or turned it on its
mouth for the purpose of drying it, intending to fill it with water?” “It
is allowed.” “But if he did so to carry in it ashes?” “It is disallowed.”
If one turned out potsherds from the trough, that it might contain more
water, it is allowed; but if they would be no hindrance to him in the time
of sprinkling, it is disallowed.
9. “One who had water on his shoulder, and he taught a decision in the law
or he showed the way to others or he killed a serpent or a scorpion or he
took food to put it aside?” “It is disallowed.” “The food was for eating?”
“It is allowed.” “The serpent or scorpion hindered him?” “It is allowed.”
Said Rabbi Judah, “this is the rule: An act for work, whether a man stood
or did not stand, is disallowed; and an act which is not for work, if he
stood, is disallowed; but if he did not stand, it is allowed.”
10. “He who handed over his water of purification to an unclean (person)?”
“It is disallowed.” “But if he handed it to a legally clean person?” “It
is allowed.” R. Eleazar said, “even to a (person legally) unclean it is
allowed, if its owner did no work.”
11. “Two persons drew water for purification, and each helped the other,
or each took a thorn from the other?” “For one purification it is allowed,
for two purifications, it is disallowed.” R. José said, “even for two
purifications it is allowed, if it were made a condition between them.”
12. “He who has broken (something) during drawing water for purification
with the view of preparing it afterward?” “The water is allowed.” “But if
he prepared it?” “The water is disallowed.”(740) “He ate with the view of
drying the remainder of his food?” “The water is allowed.” “But if he
dried it?” “The water is disallowed.” “He ate and left some, and he threw
away what was left in his hand under a fig-tree, or into the place of
drying, that it might not be lost?” “The water is disallowed.”
Chapter VIII
1. “Two persons watched a trough containing water for purification; one of
them becomes legally unclean?” “It is allowed, because it was in the
safe-keeping of the second.” “He became clean and the second unclean?” “It
is allowed, because it was in the safe-keeping of the first.” “Both became
unclean at once?” “It is disallowed.” “One of them did work?” “It is
allowed, because it was in the safe-keeping of the second.” “He stood
still, and the second did work?” “It is allowed, because it was in the
safe-keeping of the first.” “Both worked at once.” “It is disallowed.”
2. If one put ashes in the water for purification, he must not put on his
sandal, for if the water fall on the sandal, it becomes legally unclean,
and renders him legally unclean. This is the proverb, “What makes thee
unclean, cannot make me unclean, but thou canst make me unclean.” “If
water fall on his flesh?” “He is clean.” “If it fall on his garment?” “It
becomes unclean, and renders him unclean.” This is the proverb, “What
makes thee unclean, cannot make me unclean, but thou canst make me
unclean.”
3. He who burned the red heifer and the bullocks,(741) and he who sent
forth the scapegoat, render garments unclean. The heifer and the bullocks,
and the scapegoat which was sent forth, cannot of themselves render
garments unclean. This is the proverb: “What makes thee unclean, cannot
make me unclean, but thou canst make me unclean.”
4. If one eat from the carcass of a clean bird, as it is in his throat, it
renders garments unclean. The carcass itself does not render garments
unclean. This is the proverb: “What makes thee unclean, cannot make me
unclean, but thou canst make me unclean.”
5. Every(742) secondary uncleanness does not render vessels unclean, but
fluid does so. If fluid become unclean, it renders vessels unclean. This
is the proverb, “What makes thee unclean, cannot make me unclean, but thou
canst make me unclean.”
6. Earthen vessels cannot render each other unclean, but fluid does so. If
fluid becomes unclean, it renders vessels unclean. This is the proverb,
“What makes thee unclean, cannot make me unclean, but thou canst make me
unclean.”
7. Everything(743) which disallows the heave-offering renders the fluid
unclean so as to be a primary uncleanness, for rendering a person unclean,
and disallowing him, except he was one who washed by day.(744) This is the
proverb, “What makes thee unclean, cannot make me unclean, but thou canst
make me unclean.”
8. All seas are reckoned for a pool of purification, as is said, “And the
gathering together of the waters called He seas,”(745) the words of R.
Meier. R. Judah said, “the great sea is as a purifying-pool; it is not
said seas, but there is in it many kinds of seas.” R. José said, “all seas
may purify in flowing, but they are disallowed for issues, and leprosies,
and for purifying with them the water of the ashes of the red heifer.”
9. Waters with a nickname are disallowed. These are the nicknames—“salt”
and “lukewarm.” Deceitful(746) waters are disallowed. These are deceitful
waters—they failed once in seven years, they failed during war and during
famine—yet they are allowed. R. Judah “disallows them.”
10. The waters of Kirmion (Kishon?), and the waters of Pygah (Belus?) are
disallowed, because they are the waters of marshes. The waters of the
Jordan and the waters of Jarmuk(747) are disallowed, because they are
mixed. And these are mixed waters, one allowed and one disallowed are
mixed. Two which are allowed and mixed, are allowed. R. Judah “disallows
them.”
11. “The well of Ahab(748) and the cave of Panias(749) are allowed. Water
which changed, but changed of itself, is allowed. A well of water which
came from a distance is allowed, only it must be watched, that no man
check it.” R. Judah said, “it is taken for granted and allowed.” “A well
into which earth or clay fell?” “One must wait till it clear,” the words
of R. Ishmael. R. Akiba said, “there is no need of waiting.”
Chapter IX
1. “A pan full of the water of purification into which ordinary water,
however little, has fallen?” R. Eliezer said, “one must sprinkle twice
with it.” But the Sages “disallow it.” “If dew fell into it?” R. Eliezer
said, “let him leave it in the sun, and the dew evaporates.” But the Sages
“disallow it.” “If fluid has fallen into it, or fruit juice?” “Let him
pour it out, and it is necessary to dry it.” Ink, gum, and vitriol, and
everything which can be remarked, must be poured out, and there is no
necessity to dry it.
2. “If insects and worms have fallen in and burst or changed their
appearance?” “The water is disallowed.” A black beetle, though not burst
nor changed, disallows it, since it is like a pipe. Rabbi Simon and R.
Eliezer, the son of Jacob, said, “the wheat-worm and the grain-worm are
allowed, because there is no matter in them.”
3. “If a beast or animal drink of it?” “They disallow it.” All fowls
disallow it, excepting the dove, because it sucks. All creeping animals do
not disallow it, excepting the weasel, because it laps. Rabban Gamaliel
said, “also the serpent, because it spews.” R. Eliezer said, “also the
mouse.”
4. “If one think to drink the water of purification?” R. Eliezer said, “it
is disallowed.” R. Joshua said, “when he drew it (toward him).” R. José
said, “of what are they talking, of water in which there are no ashes.”
“But of water in which there are ashes?” R. Eliezer said, “when he drew it
(toward him).” R. Joshua said, “when he drinks.” But if it be poured into
his throat, it is allowed.
5. Water of purification which is disallowed, must not be kneaded in
mortar, lest it bring misfortune to others. R. Judah said, “it is
worthless.” “A cow which drank water of purification?” “Her flesh is
unclean for twenty-four hours.”(750) R. Judah said, “it becomes worthless
in her intestines.”
6. The water of purification and the ashes of purification must not be
passed over a river even in a boat, nor may they be floated on the surface
of water. Nor may one stand on one side and throw them to the other side.
But one may pass with them through water, which is up to his neck. He who
is cleansed for purification, may pass over water with empty vessels in
his hand cleansed for purification, and with water in which there are no
ashes.
7. “Ashes which are allowed for purification, when they are mixed in
ordinary ashes?” “We must follow the majority(751) (in reference to
uncleanness) and they do not purify with them.” Rabbi Eleazar said, “they
may purify with them all.”
8. Water intended for purification which was disallowed, renders unclean
(him who was) cleansed for the heave-offering in his hands and body, but
it does not render unclean him who was cleansed for purification, either
in his hands or in his body. “If it were rendered unclean?” “It renders
unclean (him who was) cleansed for the heave-offering in his hands and in
his body, but (him who was) cleansed for purification it renders unclean,
in his hands, but not in his body.”
9. Ashes which are allowed when put on the surface of water, which is
unsuitable for purification, render unclean him who was cleansed for the
heave-offering in his hands and body, but it does not render unclean him
who was cleansed for purification, either in his hands or in his body.
Chapter X
1. Everything suited for causing legal uncleanness in that which is
trodden must be expelled from the ceremony of purification, whether it be
unclean or clean, and man likewise. “Everything suited for producing
defilement of the dead, whether it be unclean or clean?” R. Eliezer said,
“it is not expelled.” R. Joshua said, “it is expelled.” But the Sages say,
“if unclean it is expelled, but the clean thing is not expelled.”
2. He who is cleansed for purification, when he touches that which is
expelled, is unclean. A jug for purification, when it touches that which
is expelled, is unclean. He who is cleansed for purification, when he
touches eatable or drinkable things with his hand, is unclean. “But with
his foot?” “He is clean.” “The thing was moved with his hand?” R. Joshua
pronounces him “unclean”; but the Sages pronounce him “clean.”
3. “An earthen vessel for purification, which touched a creeping thing?”
“It is clean.” “It was placed upon it?” R. Eleazar pronounces it “clean”;
but the Sages pronounce it “unclean.” “It touched eatable or drinkable
things or holy writings?” “It is clean.” “It was placed upon them?” R.
José pronounced it “clean”; but the Sages pronounced it “unclean.”
4. “When he who was cleansed for purification touched a fireplace(752)
with his hand?” “He is unclean.” “But with his foot?” “He is clean.” “He
stood on the fireplace, and stretched his hand with the jug, and the water
and ashes in it beyond the fireplace, and also the shoulder-pole, which he
placed over the fireplace, and on it were two earthen vessels, one on
either side?” R. Akiba pronounces him “clean”;(753) but the Sages
pronounce him “unclean.”
5. “He stood outside the fireplace, and stretched his hand to the window,
and took the jug (with water and ashes) and passed it over the fireplace?”
R. Akiba pronounces him “unclean,” but the Sages pronounce him “clean.”
But he who was cleansed for purification, may stand over the fireplace,
and in his hand an empty vessel cleansed for purification or (one) with
water without ashes.
6. “When a jug for purification touched (one) in which there were holy
things, or one in which there was a heave-offering?” “The one for
purification is unclean; but those of the holy things and the
heave-offering are clean.” “If both be in his two hands?” “Both are
unclean.” “If both be in two papers?” “Both are clean.” “If the one for
purification be in paper, and the one for the heave-offering be in his
hand?” “Both are unclean.” “If the one for the heave-offering be in paper,
and the one for purification be in his hand?” “Both are clean.” R. Joshua
said, “the one for the purification is unclean.” “They were placed on the
ground and one touched them?” “The one for purification is unclean, the
one containing the holy things, and the one with the heave-offering are
clean.” “He moved them?” R. Joshua pronounces them “unclean,” but the
Sages pronounce them “clean.”
Chapter XI
1. “A pan for purification which one left open, and he found it covered?”
“It is disallowed.” “He left it open and found a covering on it?” “If a
weasel could drink of it, or a serpent, according to the words of Rabban
Gamaliel, or there fell in it dew by night, it is disallowed.” Water with
ashes cannot be saved (from legal impurity) by the covering(754) bound
upon it. And water in which there are no ashes, is saved by the covering
bound upon it.
2. Every doubt implies cleanness in the heave-offering and cleanness in
purification. Every reason for suspense in the heave-offering causes
pouring away of the water in purification. If acts requiring legal
cleanness be afterward performed, they are in suspense. Shallow water(755)
is clean for holy things, and the heave-offering and purification. R.
Eleazar said, “trickling water(756) is unclean for purification.”
3. “A dried fig of the heave-offering which has fallen into water for
purification, and one has taken it out and eaten it?” “If it be the size
of an egg, whether it be unclean or clean, the water is unclean, and he
who ate it is guilty of death.” R. José said, “if it be clean the water is
clean.” He who was cleansed for the sin-offering, and afterward put his
head and the greater part of his body into water of purification, is
unclean.
4. Everyone charged by the words of the Law to enter water, renders
unclean holy things, and the heave-offering and ordinary things and the
tithe, and is prevented from entering the temple. “After entering (the
water) he renders unclean holy things, and disallows the heave-offering,”
the words of R. Meier, but the Sages say, “he disallows holy things and
the heave-offering, but he is permitted in ordinary things and tithes, and
if he came to the temple, whether before or after entering (water), he is
a debtor (to the Law).”
5. “Everyone charged by the words of the Scribes to enter water, renders
unclean holy things, and disallows the heave-offering, but allows ordinary
things and the tithes,” the words of R. Meier; but the Sages “disallow him
in tithes.” After his entering (water) he is permitted in all these. And
if he come to the temple whether before or after entering water, he is
free.
6. Everyone charged to enter water, whether by the words of the Law or the
words of the Scribes, renders unclean the water for purification and the
ashes for purification, and the sprinkler of the water of purification, by
touching or lifting. “The hyssop, and the water without ashes, and empty
vessels cleansed for purification (render unclean), by touching or
lifting,” the words of R. Meier; but the Sages say, “by touching, but not
by lifting.”
7. All hyssop which has a distinctive name is forbidden, simple hyssop is
allowed; Grecian hyssop, colored hyssop, Roman hyssop, desert hyssop, are
forbidden, and that of the unclean heave-offering is forbidden, but if it
were of the clean (heave-offering) one should not sprinkle with it, but if
one sprinkled with it, it is allowed. Men must not sprinkle with the
sprouts or the berries of hyssop. When sprinkled with the sprouts, they
are not prevented from entering the temple. R. Eliezer said, “not even
with the berries.” These are sprouts—stalks which have not ripened.
8. Hyssop used for sprinkling is allowed to cleanse the leper. “If one
gathered it for wood, and fluid fell on it?” “He may dry it, and it is
allowed.” “If one gathered it for food, and fluid fell on it?” “Even
though he dried it, it is disallowed.” “If one gathered it for
purification?” “It is reckoned as food,” the words of R. Meier. R. Judah
and R. José and R. Simon say, “it is reckoned as wood.”
9. The order of the hyssop (requires) three roots, and in them three
stalks. R. Judah said, “to every root three stalks.” Hyssop which has
three roots is to be separated and bound; if separated and not bound, if
bound and not separated, if neither separated nor bound, it is allowed. R.
José said, “the order of the hyssop is three roots and in them three
stalks, and if there remain over from sprinkling two, and their fibres
however small, they are allowed.”
Chapter XII
1. Short hyssop is made sufficient for sprinkling with a thread and
spindle, and it is dipped and lifted, and one holds the hyssop and
sprinkles. R. Judah and R. Simon say, “as is the rule for sprinkling with
the hyssop, so is the dipping with the hyssop” (_i.e._, in holding it).
2. “If one sprinkled and there is a doubt if the water with ashes came
from the thread, or a doubt if it came from the spindle, or a doubt if it
came from the stalk?” “His sprinkling is disallowed.” “If he sprinkled on
two vessels, there is a doubt; if he sprinkled on both, there is a doubt
that the sprinkling splashed from one to the other?” “His sprinkling is
disallowed.” “A needle is placed on a potsherd, and he sprinkled it, there
is a doubt if he sprinkled on the needle, there is a doubt if the
sprinkling splashed from the potsherd upon it?” “His sprinkling is
disallowed.” “A pan for purification with a narrow mouth?” “He is to dip
the hyssop in and lift it out as usual.” R. Judah says, “the first
sprinkling (is allowed).” “The water of purification which became
diminished?” “One may dip in even the tops of the stalks and sprinkle,
except that he should not dry up the vessel.” “His intention(757) was to
sprinkle before him, and he sprinkled behind him; to sprinkle behind him,
and he sprinkled before him?” “His sprinkling is disallowed.” “Before him,
and he sprinkled sidewise in front?” “His sprinkling is allowed.” He may
sprinkle a man whether he be aware of it or not. He may sprinkle a man, or
vessels, even should they be 100.
3. “His intention was to sprinkle on anything which can receive
defilement, and he sprinkled on a thing which cannot receive defilement?”
“If there remain (water) in the hyssop he must not repeat it.” “His
intention was to sprinkle on something which does not receive defilement,
and he sprinkled on something which does receive defilement?” “If there
remain (water) in the hyssop, he may repeat it.” “If upon man, and he
sprinkled on a beast?” “If there remain (water) in the hyssop, he must not
repeat it.” “Upon beast and he sprinkled on man?” “If there be (water) in
the hyssop he may repeat it.” Water which has dropped from the hyssop is
allowed, because it renders everything unclean like the water of
purification.(758)
4. He who sprinkled from a public window and entered the sanctuary, and
the water was afterward found (to be) disallowed, is free. He who
sprinkled from a private window and entered the sanctuary, and the water
was afterward found (to be) disallowed, is a debtor. But the high-priest,
whether he sprinkled from a private, or from a public window, is free,
since no high-priest is indebted (for an offering) on his entering the
sanctuary. Persons were slipping in water of purification before a public
window, and treading in it and were not hindered, because the (Sages) say,
“the water of purification, which has done its duty, causes no
uncleanness.”
5. A clean man who took the axe of one legally unclean by the handle,(759)
and sprinkled it, even though there be so much water upon it as is
sufficient for sprinkling, is clean. “How much water is sufficient for
sprinkling?” “Sufficient that the tops of the stalks of hyssop be dipped
and sprinkled.” R. Judah said, “we regard them as though the hyssop were
copper.”
6. “He who sprinkled with unclean hyssop?” “If it be the size of an egg,
the water is disallowed, and the sprinkling is disallowed.” “If it be not
the size of an egg?” “The water is allowed, but the sprinkling is
disallowed, and he who is sprinkled renders his companion unclean, and he
again his companion, even though there be 100.”
7. He who was cleansed for purification, if his hands became unclean, his
body is unclean, and he renders his companion unclean, and he again his
companion, even though there be 100.
8. A jug for purification, which became unclean on the outside, becomes
unclean inside, and renders unclean the one next to it, and it again the
next one, even though they be 100. The bell and its clapper are reckoned
as one. The spindle for bulrushes is not to be sprinkled either on the
spindle or on the ring. But if it be sprinkled, it is sprinkled. If it be
a spindle for flax, its parts are all reckoned as one. The skin which
covers a couch which is joined to rings, is reckoned as one with it. The
canopy is neither reckoned for uncleanness or cleanness. All handles of
vessels which enter them are reckoned as one with them. Rabbi Jochanan,
the son of Nuri, said, “even if they be only attached.”
9. The panniers of an ass, and the staff of the threshing-wagon, and the
pole of a bier, and the horn vessels of travellers, and a chain for keys,
and the stitch-hooks of washers, and a garment sewed with a mixture of
wool and linen, are reckoned as one for uncleanness, but not reckoned as
one for sprinkling.
10. “The cover of a kettle which is bound by a chain?” The school of
Shammai say, “it is reckoned as one for uncleanness, but not reckoned as
one for sprinkling.” The school of Hillel say, “he sprinkled the kettle,
he sprinkled the cover; he sprinkled the cover, he did not sprinkle the
kettle.” All are permitted to sprinkle, except a neuter and a woman, and a
child without understanding. A woman may help a man when he sprinkles, and
she may hold for him the water. And he dips the hyssop and sprinkles. If
she take hold of his hand even in the moment of sprinkling, it is
disallowed.
11. “One dipped the hyssop by day and sprinkled by day?” “It is allowed.”
“He dipped the hyssop by day and sprinkled by night, by night and
sprinkled by day?” “It is disallowed.” “By day, and sprinkled on the day
following?” “It is disallowed.” But he himself washed by night, and
sprinkled by day, since we do not sprinkle till the sun rise; and
everything done in sprinkling when the pillar of the morn ascends, is
allowed.
Hands
Pouring Water—Vessels—Water—Who May Pour—How It Is to Be
Poured—Hindrances to Cleanness—Doubting—Primary
Uncleanness—Secondary Uncleanness—Derived Uncleanness—Rabban
Simeon, Son of Gamaliel—Straps of Phylacteries—Rolls of the
Law—Holy Scriptures—Canticles and Ecclesiastes—Foot-baths—Ammon
and Moab—Discussion between Rabbis Eleazar, Ishmael, and
Tarphon—Weeping of R. Eleazar—An Ammonite Proselyte—Chaldee
Writing—Assyrian Writing—The Sadducees—The Books of Homer—The
Pharisees—Writing the Name.
Chapter I
1. A quarter-log(760) of water is poured on the hands of one person; also
on the hands of two persons. Half a log on three or four. From a log for
five, ten, or even 100 (persons). R. José says, “provided there be not
less for the last than a quarter-log.” Men may add (water) for the second
washing,(761) but they must not add it for the first.
2. They may put water for hands in all vessels, even in vessels of dung or
vessels of stone or vessels of earth. But they must not pour it on hands
out of the (broken) sides of vessels or the bottom of a tub or the bung of
a cask. Nor may one give it to his neighbor out of the hollow of his hand:
because they must not draw or consecrate, or sprinkle the water of
purification, or put it on hands, except it be in a vessel. They can only
preserve vessels by the covering bound(762) upon them. Nor can they
preserve from uncleanness water in open earthen vessels,(763) only in
(covered) vessels.
3. Water which is unfit for animals to drink, is unfit (for washing) in
vessels; but on the ground it is fit. If ink, gum, or vitriol black drop
into it, and its color be changed, it is unfit. If one made use of it, or
soaked his bread in it, it is unfit. Simeon the Temanite said, “even if he
intended to soak it in one vessel and it dropped into another, it is fit.”
4. If one rinsed vessels in it, or rinsed out measures, it is unfit. If
one rinsed in it vessels already washed, or new ones, it is fit. R. José
“disallows it for new vessels.”
5. Water in which the baker had dipped rolls, is unfit; but if he only
dipped in his hands, it is fit. All are allowed to pour water on hands,
even one deaf, an idiot, or a minor. A man may rest a cask between his
knees and pour it. He may incline the barrel on its side and pour it. An
ape may pour water on hands. R. José “disallows these two cases.”
Chapter II
1. “If one poured on his hand one gush?” “His hand is clean.” “If on both
hands one gush?” R. Meier pronounces them “unclean, until one poured out
of a quarter-log (vessel) upon them.” “If a heave-loaf fall (on the
water)?” “It is clean.” R. José “pronounces it unclean.”
2. “If one poured out his first (ablution) in one place, and his second in
another place, and a heave-loaf fall on the first?” “It is unclean.” “If
on the second?” “It is clean.” “If one poured out both the first and
second (ablutions) into one place, and a heave-loaf fall on them?” “It is
unclean.” “If one poured out his first ablution, and find on his hand a
splinter or small stone?” “His hands are unclean, as the second water only
purifies the first washing on the hand.”(764) R. Simon, the son of
Gamaliel, says, “whatsoever is a creation of the water is clean.”
3. The hands become legally unclean, or legally clean up to the wrist.
“How?” “If one poured the first (ablution) up to the wrist, and the second
above the wrist, and the water ran back into the hand?” “It is clean.” “If
one poured the first and second (ablutions) above the wrist, and the water
ran back into the hand?” “It is unclean.” “If one poured the first
(ablution) over one hand, and afterward the second over both hands?” “They
are unclean.” “If one poured the first (ablution) over both hands, and
afterward the second over one hand?” “His hand is clean.” “If one poured
water on one hand and then rubbed it against its fellow?” “It is unclean.”
“If he rubbed it against his head, or against the wall?” “It is clean.”
Men may pour water over four or five persons alongside of each other, or
above each other, provided they be separated, so that the water can come
on them.
4. “There is a doubt if the water has been used, there is a doubt if it
has not been used; there is a doubt if it be the prescribed quantity,
there is a doubt if it be not the prescribed quantity: there is a doubt if
it be (legally) unclean, there is a doubt if it be (legally) clean?” “In
doubting he is clean,” because the Sages said, “if there be a doubt of his
hands being unclean, or imparting uncleanness, or being clean, he is
clean.” R. José said, “if there be a doubt of cleanness it is
uncleanness.” “How?” “His hands are clean, and before him are two unclean
loaves, it is doubtful if he touched them, it is doubtful if he did not
touch them: his hands are unclean, and before him are two clean loaves, it
is doubtful if he touched them, it is doubtful if he did not touch them?”
“His hands are one unclean and one clean.” “And before him are two clean
loaves: he touched one of them, it is doubtful if he touched the unclean,
it is doubtful if he touched the clean?” “His hands are clean.” “And
before him are two loaves, one unclean and one clean, he touched one of
them, it is doubtful if he touched the unclean, it is doubtful if he
touched the clean?” “His hands are one unclean and one clean.” “And before
him are two loaves, one unclean and one clean, he touched both of them, it
is doubtful if it were the unclean (loaf) with the unclean (hand), or the
clean (loaf) with the clean (hand), or the clean loaf with the unclean
(hand), or the unclean loaf with the clean hand?” “The hands remain as
they were, and the loaves as they were.”(765)
Chapter III
1. “Whosoever puts his hands into a house smitten with leprosy?” “His
hands are unclean in a primary degree.”(766) The words of R. Akiba. But
the Sages say, “his hands are unclean in a secondary degree.”(767)
“Whatever renders garments unclean at the time of contact, renders hands
unclean in a primary degree.” The words of R. Akiba. But the Sages say,
“in a secondary degree.” They said to R. Akiba, “where do we find the
hands (unclean) in a primary degree?” “Everywhere,” he said to them; “and
how is it possible for them to be unclean in a primary degree, unless his
body is unclean, excepting this.”(768) “Victuals, and vessels which are
unclean through liquids, render hands unclean in a secondary degree.” The
words of R. Joshua. But the Sages say, “that which is unclean through a
source of uncleanness,(769) renders the hands unclean; but derived
uncleanness(770) does not render the hands unclean.” Rabban Simeon, the
son of Gamaliel, said, “it happened that a woman came before my father.
She said to him, ‘my hands entered into the hollow of an earthen vessel.’
He said to her, ‘my daughter, from what was its uncleanness?’ But I did
not hear what she said to him.” The Sages said, “the thing is clear, that
which is unclean through a source of uncleanness renders the hands
unclean; but derived uncleanness does not render the hands unclean.”
2. “Whatever disallows the heave-offering, renders the hands unclean in a
secondary degree. One hand can render the other hand unclean.” The words
of R. Joshua. But the Sages say, “a secondary cannot make a
secondary.”(771) He said to them, “and are not Holy Scriptures
secondaries, and they render the hands unclean?” They said to him, “we
cannot judge the words of the Law from the words of the scribes, nor the
words of the scribes from the words of the Law, nor the words of the
scribes from other words of the scribes.”
3. Straps of phylacteries with the phylacteries, render the hands unclean.
R. Simeon says, “the straps of phylacteries do not render the hands
unclean.”
4. The margin in a book of the Law, at the top and bottom, at the
beginning and end, renders the hands unclean. R. José says, “in the end it
does not render the hands unclean, until the roller be attached.”
5. A book of the Law which is erased, but in which there remain
eighty-five letters like the portion, “And it came to pass when the Ark
set forward,”(772) renders the hands unclean. Any roll in which there are
written eighty-five letters like the portion, “And it came to pass when
the Ark set forward,” renders the hands unclean. All sacred Scriptures
render the hands unclean. The Canticles and Ecclesiastes render the hands
unclean. R. Judah says, “Canticles render the hands unclean, but
Ecclesiastes is in dispute.” R. José says, “Ecclesiastes does not render
the hands unclean, but the Canticles are in dispute.” R. Simeon says,
“Ecclesiastes is one in which the school of Shammai is less strict, and
the school of Hillel more rigid.” R. Simeon, the son of Azai, said, “I
received by tradition from the mouths of the seventy-two elders, on the
day they inducted R. Eleazar, the son of Azariah, into the president’s
seat, that Canticles and Ecclesiastes render the hands unclean.” R. Akiba
said, “God forbid! no man in Israel ever questioned that the Canticles
render the hands unclean, as the whole world is not equal to the day on
which the Canticles were given to Israel; for all the Scriptures are holy,
but the Canticles are Holy of Holies. They only disputed in reference to
Ecclesiastes.” R. Jochanan, the son of Joshua, the son of R. Akiba’s
father-in-law, said, “according to the words of the son of Azai, thus they
disputed, and thus they decided.”
Chapter IV
1. On that day(773) they voted and decided, “that a foot-bath containing
from two logs to nine cabs,(774) which was split,(775) may become unclean
from pressure,”(776) although R. Akiba says, “that a foot-bath is as its
name.”(777)
2. On that day they said, “that all sacrifices offered without due
intention are allowed, but they do not absolve the owners from their
obligation, except the passover-offering, and the sin-offering—the
passover-offering in its time, and the sin-offering at all times.” R.
Eleazar says, “also the trespass-offering, the passover-offering in its
time, and the sin or trespass-offering at all times.” R. Simeon, the son
of Azai, said, “I received it by tradition from the mouth of the
seventy-two elders, on the day they inducted R. Eleazar, the son of
Azariah, into the president’s seat, that all sacrifices offered without
due intention, are allowed, but they do not absolve the owners from their
obligation, except the passover-offering, and the sin-offering.” The son
of Azai only added the burnt-offering, but the Sages did not agree with
him.
3. On that day they said, “how is it with Ammon and Moab(778) in the
Sabbatical year?” R. Tarphon decided “they must pay tithes for the
poor”;(779) but R. Eleazar, son of Azariah, decided “second tithes.”(780)
R. Ishmael then said, “Eleazar, son of Azariah, it behoves thee to prove
it, for thou addest to the burden (of the Law); and whoever adds to the
burden (of the Law) it behoves him to prove it.” R. Eleazar, son of
Azariah, said to him, “Ishmael, my brother, I have not changed from the
order of the years,(781) but my brother Tarphon has changed, therefore it
behoves him to prove it.” R. Tarphon replied, “Egypt is out of the land,
and Ammon and Moab are out of the land: as Egypt pays tithes for the poor
in the Sabbatical year, so Ammon and Moab pay tithes for the poor in the
Sabbatical year.” R. Eleazar, son of Azariah, replied: “Babylon is out of
the land, and Ammon and Moab are out of the land; even as Babylon pays
second tithes in the Sabbatical year, so Ammon and Moab pay second tithes
in the Sabbatical year.” R. Tarphon replied, “Egypt being near, is subject
to tithes for the poor, in order that the poor in Israel may be supported
in the Sabbatical year; so Ammon and Moab, which are near, must also be
subject to tithes for the poor, in order that the poor in Israel may be
supported in the Sabbatical year.” R. Eleazar, the son of Azariah,
replied, “thou seekest to increase money, but thou only losest souls;
wouldest thou be the cause that heaven should neither send down dew nor
rain, as is said, ‘Will a man rob God?’ Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say,
Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”(782) R. Joshua
said, “Behold I will answer for my brother Tarphon, but not according to
the sense of his words—Egypt is a new arrangement, Babylon is an old
arrangement; the judgment before us is a new arrangement. Let the new
arrangement be judged from the new arrangement, but let not a new
arrangement be judged from an old arrangement. Egypt is an arrangement by
the elders (of the Sanhedrin), but Babylon is an arrangement by the
prophets—the judgment before us is an arrangement by the elders. Let
therefore the arrangement by the elders be judged from an arrangement by
the elders; but let not an arrangement by the elders be judged from an
arrangement by prophets.” They voted and decided “that Ammon and Moab must
pay tithes for the poor in the Sabbatical year.” When R. José, son of
Dormiskith, came to R. Eleazar at Lydda, he said to him, “what had you new
in the college to-day?” He answered, “they voted and decided that Ammon
and Moab must pay tithes in the Sabbatical year.” R. Eleazar wept and
said, “ ‘The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and He will
show them His covenant.’(783) Go and tell them, be not anxious about your
vote, for I received it by tradition from Rabban Jochanan, the son of
Zachai, who heard it from his teacher, up to the decision of Moses from
Sinai, that Ammon and Moab must pay tithes to the poor, in the Sabbatical
year.”
3. On that day came Judah, an Ammonitish proselyte, and stood before them
in the college. He said to them, “How am I to come into the congregation?”
Rabban Gamaliel said to him, “thou art forbidden.” R. Joshua said to him,
“thou art allowed.” Rabban Gamaliel said, “the Scripture says, ‘An
Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD;
even to their tenth generation, etc.’ ”(784) To him said R. Joshua, “Are
then the Ammonites or Moabites still in their own land? Sennacherib, King
of Assyria, aforetime came up, and commingled the nations, as is said,
‘And I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their
treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant
(_man_).’ ”(785) Rabban Gamaliel said to him, “the Scripture says, ‘And
afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon’;(786)
and they are already returned.” To him said R. Joshua, “the Scripture
says, ‘And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel,(787)
and Judah.’ But they are not yet returned.” And they allowed him to come
into the congregation.
4. The Chaldee passages in Ezra and Daniel render the hands unclean.
Chaldee written in Hebrew, and Hebrew written in Chaldee, or in
Hebrew,(788) do not render the hands unclean. In no case do they cause
uncleanness, unless the writing be Assyrian, on parchment with ink.
5. The Sadducees said, “we blame you Pharisees, because you say sacred
Scriptures render the hands unclean, but the books Hameram(789) do not
render the hands unclean.” Rabban Jochanan, the son of Zachai, said, “and
have we nothing else against the Pharisees but this? Behold they say,
‘that the bones of an ass are clean, but the bones of Jochanan the
high-priest are unclean.’ ” They said to him, “according to their value is
their uncleanness, so that no one may make the bones of his father and
mother into spoons.” He said to them, “so (are) the sacred Scriptures:
according to their value is their uncleanness. The books Hameram, which
are not valued, do not render the hands unclean.”
6. The Sadducees said, “we blame you Pharisees, that you declare the
stream flowing (from a clean into an unclean vessel) to be clean.” The
Pharisees said, “we blame you Sadducees, that you declare a stream of
water flowing from a graveyard to be clean.” The Sadducees said, “we blame
you Pharisees, because you say, if my ox or my ass cause damage, we are
responsible; but if my slave or my bondwoman cause damage, we are free.
What! if I be responsible for my ox and my ass, for which I have no
obligation, I am bound for my slave or bondwoman for whom I have
obligation. It is just that I should be bound for their damages.” They
said to them “no! if you speak of my ox and my ass which have no
knowledge, as you speak of my slave and bondwoman who have knowledge:
then, if I offend them, they may go and set fire to the stacks of corn of
another, and I should be bound to pay.”
7. A Galilean Sadducee said, “I blame you Pharisees, because you write the
name of the reigning sovereign in the letter of divorce with Moses.” The
Pharisees said, “we blame you Galilean Sadducee, that you write the
sovereign on the same page with the NAME, and not only so, but you write
the sovereign above, and the name below, as is said, ‘And Pharaoh said,
“Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?” ’ ”(790)
But when he was punished, what did he say? “The LORD is righteous.”(791)
THE KABBALAH UNVEILED: THE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY
Translated by S. L. Macgregor Mathers
Chapter I: Which Containeth the Introduction
Tradition.—On that day on which the Companions were assembled together in
the house of Rabbi Schimeon, and on which he had arranged his affairs
because he was about to depart from the world, before him were Rabbi
Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba, and the rest of the Companions; and the
house was full.
Therefore lifting up his eyes, Rabbi Schimeon saw that the house was full.
And Rabbi Schimeon wept, saying: “The second time when I was sick, and
Rabbi Benchas Ben Yair was in my presence, and until I had chosen my
place, life hath been prolonged unto me even until now.
“When I was restored, fire surrounded (my habitation) which hitherto hath
never ceased, neither did any man enter in unto me without permission.
“But now I see that it is taken away, and that the house is filled.”
While they were sitting down, Rabbi Schimeon, opening his eyes, beheld a
certain vision, and lo! fire surrounded the house!
Therefore all (the others) went forth, and Rabbi Eleazar his son, and
Rabbi Abba remained; but the other Companions sat without.
Rabbi Schimeon said unto Rabbi Eleazar his son: “Go forth, and see whether
Rabbi Yitzchaq be present for whom I have made myself surety.
“And say thou unto him that he dispose his affairs, and that he may sit
down with me. Blessed is his portion.”
Rabbi Schimeon arose and again sat down; and he laughed aloud, and
rejoicing said, “Where are the companions?”
Rabbi Eleazar arose and introduced them, and they sat down in his
presence.
Rabbi Schimeon lifted up his hands and prayed a prayer, and was joyful.
And he said, “Let those Companions who were in the former Conclave(792)
assembled here.”
Therefore, all the others having gone forth, there remained Rabbi Eleazar
his son, and Rabbi Abba, and Rabbi Yehudah, and Rabbi Yosi Bar Yoqeb, and
Rabbi Chiya.
In the meantime Rabbi Yitzchaq entered, to whom Rabbi Schimeon said: “How
excellent is thy lot! How much joy is this day stored up for thee!”
Rabbi Abba sat down behind his (_i.e._, Rabbi Schimeon’s) back, and Rabbi
Eleazar before him (_i.e._, Rabbi Schimeon).
Rabbi Schimeon spake and said: “Surely now is the time of benevolence, and
I desire to enter without confusion into the world to come.
“And verily these sacred things, which hereunto have never been revealed,
I desire to reveal before the Schekhinah;
“Lest they should say that I have kept back anything, and that I have been
taken away from the world; for even until now these things have been
concealed in my heart, so that having entered into these very matters I
may be with them in the world to come.
“But this is my arrangement of you; let Rabbi Abba write, and let Rabbi
Eleazar my son speak openly; but let the rest of the Companions in silence
meditate in their heart.”
Rabbi Abba arose from his seat behind him, and Rabbi Eleazar his son sat
down.
He said unto him, “Arise, O my son, for another shall sit in that seat”;
and Rabbi Eleazar arose.
Rabbi Schimeon covered himself and sat down; and he commenced, and said,
Ps. cxv. 17: “ ‘The dead shall not praise IH, _Yah_, nor all they who go
down into silence!’
“ ‘The dead shall not praise Yah;’ so it is certain that it is assuredly
those who are called dead; for He, God, the most Holy One—may He be
blessed!—is called the Living One, and is Himself commemorated among those
who are called living, and not with those who are called dead.
“And the end of this text runneth thus: ‘Nor all they who go down into
silence;’ for all they who go down into silence remain in Gehenna.
“There is another reason appertaining to those who are called living, for
God the most Holy One—may He be blessed!—desireth their glory.”
Rabbi Schimeon said: “How different is this occasion from that of the
former conclave! For into a certain conclave(793) came He, the most Holy
and Blessed God, and His Chariot.
“Now verily He, the Holy One, is here—may He be blessed—and He hath
approached with those Just who are in the Garden of Eden,(794) which did
not occur in the former conclave.
“And God, the Most Holy One—may He be blessed—more promoteth the glory of
the Just than His own glory.
“As it is written concerning Jeroboam, who sacrificed unto and served
other gods, and yet God, the Most Holy One—may He be blessed!—waited for
him.
“But because he stretched forth his hand against Iddo the prophet, his
hand became withered.
“For it is written, 1 Kings xiii. 4, ‘And his hand became withered, etc.’
Here it is not written that it was because he served other gods, but
because he extended his hand against Iddo the prophet, etc.
“Now, therefore, God the Most Holy One—may He be blessed!—promoteth their
glory (_i.e._, that of the Just), and they all come with Him.”
He said, “Verily, Rav Hamenuna the elder is here, and around him are
seventy Just represented in his circle, of whom certain shine with the
splendor of the Ancient and Most Holy One, the Concealed with all
Concealments.
“He, I say, cometh, in order that with joy he may hear those words which I
shall speak.”(795)
And when he had sat down he said: “Assuredly here a seat hath been set
aside for Rabbi Benchas Ben Yair.”
The companions who were there trembled greatly, and they arose, and sat
down in the lowest part of the house; but Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Abba
(still sat) before Rabbi Schimeon.
Rabbi Schimeon said: “In the former Assembly we acted thus; namely, that
all the companions spoke, and I also with them, by turns.
“Now I shall speak alone, and let all hear my words, superiors and
inferiors; blessed be my portion this day!”
Rabbi Schimeon commenced, and said, Cant. vii. 10: “ ‘I am my beloved’s,
and his desire is toward me.’
“As long as I have been bound unto this world in one link with God, the
Most Holy One—may He be blessed!—have I been bound, and therefore now is
His desire toward me.
“For He Himself and His whole holy company come, so that with joy they may
hear the concealed words, and the praise of Him, the Most Holy Ancient
One, the Concealed with all Concealments.
“And He separateth Himself ever more and more; He is separated from all
things, neither yet doth He altogether separate Himself, seeing that unto
Himself all things adhere, and that He Himself adhereth unto all; HVA,
_Hoa_, He Himself is all; He the Most Holy Ancient of all Ancients, the
Concealed with all Concealments.
“He hath been formed, and yet as it were He hath not been formed. He hath
been conformed, so that He may sustain all things; yet is He not formed,
seeing that He is not discovered.
“When He is conformed He produceth nine Lights, which shine forth from
Him, from His conformation.
“And from Himself those Lights shine forth, and they emit flames, and they
rush forth and are extended on every side, like as from an elevated
lantern the rays of light stream down on every side.
“And those rays of light,(796) which are extended, when anyone draweth
near unto them, so that they may be examined, are not found, and there is
only the lantern alone.
“So also is He the Most Holy and Ancient One: He is that highest Light
concealed with all concealments, and He is not found; those rays(797)
(proceeding from Him) being excepted, which are extended, which are
revealed, and which are hidden.
“And they are called the Holy Name, and therefore are all things One.
“Which truly our companions have said in former books, that certain paths
have been created by the Most Holy Ancient One, who is revealed through
them collectively and severally; since they are the conformations of the
Most Holy Ancient One, concerning them now there is not time for
examination.
“I have spoken concerning them in the Holy Assembly, and I have beheld
that which before I did not understand in such a manner, and I have hidden
the matter in my heart.
“But now I alone will describe these things before the Holy King, and all
those assuredly just men who have assembled to hear these words.”