builds

Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which takes place in eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phœnix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers. Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed.

Whoever knows the truth is a free person, and the free person doesn't sin, because "whoever sins is the slave of sin." Truth is the Mother, but knowledge is the joining. Those who aren't given to sin are called "free" by the world. These who aren't given to sin are made proud by the knowledge of the truth. That's what makes them free and exalts them over everything. But "love builds up," and whoever has been made free through knowledge is a slave because of love for those who aren't yet able to attain [the] freedom of knowledge, [but] knowledge makes them able [to] become free. Love […] anything its own […] it […] its own. It never [says "…"] or "this is mine," [but "…] are yours." Spiritual love is wine with fragrance. All those who will anoint themselves with it enjoy it. While those who are anointed stay around, those who are nearby also enjoy it. If those who are anointed with ointment leave them and go, those who aren't anointed but are only nearby remain in their stench. The Samaritan didn't give anything to the wounded man except wine with oil. It wasn't anything but the ointment, and it healed the wounds, because "love covers a multitude of sins."

Or he who builds a house, if he does not roof it and complete it, can it be called a house? Tell Me that first.'

Concerning the elder who despises the bishop. If an elder despises a bishop and separates himself from him and builds for himself an altar, although no guilt is found in judgment against the bishop, and he is right in reference to the service of the Lord, let him be deposed ; for he is ambitious for office, and also all the priests who follow him, for he is a rebel. And the laymen who follow him shall be expelled. And this shall take place when the bishop shall have asked them once and a second time and a third time.

And Joshua swore at that time, saying, Cursed be the man who builds Jericho; he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates thereof.

But as it is in mockery that Celsus says we speak of “God coming down like a torturer bearing fire,” and thus compels us unseasonably to investigate words of deeper meaning, we shall make a few remarks, sufficient to enable our hearers to form an idea of the defence which disposes of the ridicule of Celsus against us, and then we shall turn to what follows. The divine word says that our God is “a consuming fire,” and that “He draws rivers of fire before Him;” nay, that He even entereth in as “a refiner’s fire, and as a fuller’s herb,” to purify His own people. But when He is said to be a “consuming fire,” we inquire what are the things which are appropriate to be consumed by God. And we assert that they are wickedness, and the works which result from it, and which, being figuratively called “wood, hay, stubble,” God consumes as a fire. The wicked man, accordingly, is said to build up on the previously-laid foundation of reason, “wood, and hay, and stubble.” If, then, any one can show that these words were differently understood by the writer, and can prove that the wicked man literally builds up “wood, or hay, or stubble,” it is evident that the fire must be understood to be material, and an object of sense. But if, on the contrary, the works of the wicked man are spoken of figuratively under the names of “wood, or hay, or stubble,” why does it not at once occur [to inquire] in what sense the word “fire” is to be taken, so that “wood” of such a kind should be consumed? for [the Scripture] says: “The fire will try each man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work be burned, he shall suffer loss.” But what work can be spoken of in these words as being “burned,” save all that results from wickedness? Therefore our God is a “consuming fire” in the sense in which we have taken the word; and thus He enters in as a “refiner’s fire,” to refine the rational nature, which has been filled with the lead of wickedness, and to free it from the other impure materials, which adulterate the natural gold or silver, so to speak, of the soul. And, in like manner, “rivers of fire” are said to be before God, who will thoroughly cleanse away the evil which is intermingled throughout the whole soul. But these remarks are sufficient in answer to the assertion, “that thus they were made to give expression to the erroneous opinion that God will come down bearing fire like a torturer.”

One who builds: how much must he build to be liable? He who builds any amount, and he who chisels, and he who strikes with a hammer or with an axe, and he who bores [a hole] of any size, is liable. This is the general principle: whoever does work and his work endures on Shabbat, he is liable. Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says: even one who strikes with a hammer on the anvil at the completion of his work is liable, because he is as one who improves his work.

One who builds: how much must he build to be liable? He who builds any amount, and he who chisels, and he who strikes with a hammer or with an axe, and he who bores [a hole] of any size, is liable. This is the general principle: whoever does work and his work endures on Shabbat, he is liable. Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says: even one who strikes with a hammer on the anvil at the completion of his work is liable, because he is as one who improves his work.

One who builds an upper room on the top of two houses, and so too in the case of viaducts, they may carry underneath them on Shabbat, the words of Rabbi Judah. But the sages prohibit this. Rabbi Judah moreover said: an eruv may be prepared for an alley that is a thoroughfare; But the sages forbid this.

The following do not return home: He who built a gatehouse, a portico or a porch; He who planted four fruit trees or five trees which are not fruit-bearing; He who took back his divorced wife. If a high priest married a widow, or an ordinary priest married a divorcee or a halutzah, or an Israelite married a mamzereth or a netinah, or the daughter of an Israelite married a mamzer or a natin, he does not return home. Rabbi Judah says: even he who builds a house upon its [original] foundations does not return home. Rabbi Eliezer says: even he who builds a brick-house in the Sharon does not return home.

The following do not return home: He who built a gatehouse, a portico or a porch; He who planted four fruit trees or five trees which are not fruit-bearing; He who took back his divorced wife. If a high priest married a widow, or an ordinary priest married a divorcee or a halutzah, or an Israelite married a mamzereth or a netinah, or the daughter of an Israelite married a mamzer or a natin, he does not return home. Rabbi Judah says: even he who builds a house upon its [original] foundations does not return home. Rabbi Eliezer says: even he who builds a brick-house in the Sharon does not return home.

If one’s wall was near his fellow’s garden and it fell down and his fellow said to him, “Clear away your stones”, and he answered, “They have become yours”, they do not listen to him. If after the other (the owner of the garden) had accepted he (the owner of the wall) said to him, “Here is your expenditures and I will take back what is mine”, they do not listen to him. If one hired a laborer to help him in his work with chopped straw and stubble, and the laborer said to him, “Give me my wages”, and he said to him, “Take as your wages that with which you have labored”, they do not listen to him. If after the other (the employee) had accepted he (the employer) said to him, “Here are your wages and I will take what is mine”, they do not listen to him. One who removes his manure into the public domain: from the time he removes it another may take it to manure [his fields]. One may not soak clay or make bricks in the public domain, but clay may be kneaded in the public domain but not bricks. One who builds in the public domain: one brings the stones and another builds (immediately). And if he causes damage, he pays what he has damaged. Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says: “He may, indeed, make preparation for his work for thirty days [in the public domain].

If one’s wall was near his fellow’s garden and it fell down and his fellow said to him, “Clear away your stones”, and he answered, “They have become yours”, they do not listen to him. If after the other (the owner of the garden) had accepted he (the owner of the wall) said to him, “Here is your expenditures and I will take back what is mine”, they do not listen to him. If one hired a laborer to help him in his work with chopped straw and stubble, and the laborer said to him, “Give me my wages”, and he said to him, “Take as your wages that with which you have labored”, they do not listen to him. If after the other (the employee) had accepted he (the employer) said to him, “Here are your wages and I will take what is mine”, they do not listen to him. One who removes his manure into the public domain: from the time he removes it another may take it to manure [his fields]. One may not soak clay or make bricks in the public domain, but clay may be kneaded in the public domain but not bricks. One who builds in the public domain: one brings the stones and another builds (immediately). And if he causes damage, he pays what he has damaged. Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says: “He may, indeed, make preparation for his work for thirty days [in the public domain].

If one’s wall was adjacent to his friend’s wall he may not build another wall adjoining it unless it is at a distance of four cubits. And [if he builds a wall opposite his friend’s] windows, whether it is higher or lower than them or level with them, it may not be within four cubits.

If one who builds in cleanliness with stones from a house that was isolated and the nega returned to the [former] house, the stones must be taken out. If it returned to the stones, the first house must be torn down, and the stones serve the second house while the signs are under observation.

Rebbi Levi said, corresponding to the 18 Divine Names written in (Ps. 29) “Give to the Eternal, o sons of the mighty.” Rebbi Ḥuna said: If it were said that they are 17, tell him the one against sectarians the Sages fixed already at Jabneh. Rebbi Eleazar ben Rebbi Yose objected before Rebbi Yose, but is it not written (Ps. 29:3) “the God of Glory thundered”? He said to him: Has it not been stated: He takes together the one against sectarians and sinners in “He Who subdues offenders”, the one for elders and proselytes in “Assurance to the righteous”, and the one for David in “He Who builds Jerusalem.” Then you have enough to have a Divine name for each one of them.

Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said: (1Kings 6:17) “That is the Temple לִפְנָי”, Inside. A Temple towards which all turn. So far when it is standing. In its destruction, from where? Rebbi Abun said (Cant. 4:4): “Built for talpiot”, a mound (תל) on which all mouths (פיות) pray, in Grace, recitation of Shema, and Amidah. In Grace, “Builder of Jerusalem”. In Amidah, “God of David Who builds Jerusalem”. In the recitation of Shema‘, “He Who spreads a hut of peace over us and His people Israel, Consoler of Zion and Builder of Jerusalem.”

Rebbi Aḥa and Rebbi Judah ben Pazy were sitting in a synagogue. One came and stood before the arc and forgot one benediction. They went and asked Rebbi Simon. Rebbi Simon said to them in the name of Rebbi Joshua ben Levi: One does not remove an emissary of the congregation who forgot two or three benedictions. They found a formulation that made a difference: One does not remove him for anything except if he did not say “He Who revives the dead”, “He Who subdues evildoers”, “He Who builds Jerusalem;” I say that he is a sectarian. Samuel Minor stood before the ark and forgot “He Who subdues evildoers.” At the end he started looking at them. They said to him, the Sages did not take you as a yardstick.

MISHNAH: One dirties saplings, ties them, clips them, builds them shelter, and waters them until the New Year. Rebbi Eleazar ben Rebbi Ẓadoq says, one may water the leaves in the Sabbatical year but not the stem. One rubs unripe figs and pricks them until the New Year. One may not rub or prick unripe figs entering the Sabbatical year, or those of the Sabbatical year leaving it. Rebbi Jehudah says, at a place where people usually rub them, one may not rub them because that is agricultural work, but in a place where one does not usually rub, he may do so. Rebbi Simeon permits it for a tree since one may work a tree.

From where about marks? Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob, in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Yose said it in the name of Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Uziel the son of Rebbi Onias from Hauran in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran (Lev. 13:45): “impure, impure, he shall call out;” the impurity itself has to call out and say to you: go away! Rebbi Hila in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman (Ez. 39:15): “The emissaries shall crisscross the land; if one sees a bone of a human he builds a sign near it.” [A bone,] from here that one makes signs for bones. A human, from here that one makes signs for spine and skull. He builds, from here that one makes signs on fixed stones. If you say on loose ones, it would move and make other places impure. Near it, on a place of purity. A sign, from here the marks.

From where about marks? Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob, in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Yose said it in the name of Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Uziel the son of Rebbi Onias from Hauran in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran (Lev. 13:45): “impure, impure, he shall call out;” the impurity itself has to call out and say to you: go away! Rebbi Hila in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman (Ez. 39:15): “The emissaries shall crisscross the land; if one sees a bone of a human he builds a sign near it.” [A bone,] from here that one makes signs for bones. A human, from here that one makes signs for spine and skull. He builds, from here that one makes signs on fixed stones. If you say on loose ones, it would move and make other places impure. Near it, on a place of purity. A sign, from here the marks.

MISHNAH: There are 39 categories of work. He who ploughs, who sows, who harvests, who binds into sheaves, who threshes, and who winnows, who selects, who grinds, and who sifts, who makes dough, and who bakes. He who shears wool, who bleaches it, who cards it, who dyes it, who spins it, who prepares the loom, who ties two threads as warp, who weaves two rows, who hits two threads, who ties, and who unties. Also who sews two stitches, who tears in order to sew two stitches. He who catches a deer, who slaughters it, who skins it, who salts it, who rubs it clean, who tans it, who cuts it, who writes two letters, and who erases in order to write two letters. He who builds, and who tears down, who extinguishes fire, and who lights fire, and who hits with a hammer, and who transports from one domain to another; these are the 39 categories of work.

All categories of work they learned from the Tabernacle. What kind of ploughing was in the Tabernacle? They ploughed to plant dyestuff. How much does one have to plough to become liable? Rebbi Mattaniah said, enough to plant a leek. Rebbi Aḥa bar Rav said, enough to plant a wheat sprout. There, we have stated: “Two green melon seeds make liable, two squash seeds, two Egyptian bean seeds.” It was stated, two Median wheat kernels. Rebbi Samuel in the name of Rebbi Zeˋira: Since wheat was so much appreciated they treated it like garden vegetables that are not eaten. For everything which improves the soil one is liable because of ploughing: One who digs, who cuts, who inserts, who deposits dung, who hoes, who fertilizes, who sweeps, who sprinkles, who splits blocks, who clears forests, who sets fire to reed thickets or palm swamps, and following Rebbi Zeˋira a water canal prepares its banks for sowing, who removes stones, who builds terraces, who fills the rifts under olive trees, and who makes depressions for vines, and for anything which improves the soil one is liable because of ploughing.

There exists a baraita which says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like a menstruating woman. Also there exists a baraita which says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like crawling animals. The one who says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like a menstruating woman, is understandable. But concerning the one who says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like crawling animals, is it not called “unwell” only for its appurtenances? You will defile the coating of your silver gods and the clothing of your molten gold. Explain it if they were engraved on its body. Rebbi Jacob of Kefar Ḥanan said, explain it if one worships the ephod itself, similar to what is written, Gideon turned it into an ephod. Our Mishnah follows him who said, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like a menstruating woman. But did we not state: “its stones, its wood, and its dust make impure like a crawling animal”? Explain it if he worshipped the house itself and then built it up. But did we not state “there are three houses”? Explain it if he worshipped the house itself and then renovated it, as Rebbi Abba, Rab Huna said in the name of Rav: One who worships a house makes it forbidden. Rebbi Zeˋira, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: If somebody dedicates a house one does commit larceny with it. Rebbi Zeˋira said, about this the rabbis disagree. For him who says that he forbade it one may commit larceny with it, but for him who says that he does not forbid it, one does not commit larceny with it? Rebbi Ḥaggai objected before Rebbi Yose, does not a Mishnah disagree with Rav? “A trough in a rock: one does not fill from it.” Because he excavated it and after that combined it. Then not if he fixed it and after that excavated it. Is this house not as if he excavated it and after that combined it? What does Rav do with it? He explains that the hewing of stones is the completion of work on them. Does this not disagree with Rebbi Joḥanan, since Rebbi Joḥanan said, an idol which was broken is forbidden. And so we are thinking to say if in the future he cannot restore it in its entirety it is permitted according to everybody. But did we not state, “there are three kinds of stones”? Explain it that he worshipped every single stone and then builds with them. Even with Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish this does not disagree, as Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish said, an idol which was broken is permitted. And so we are thinking to say if in the future he can restore it in its entirety it is forbidden according to everybody, and Rebbi Yudan, the father of Rebbi Mattaniah, said, if they remain in their place is this not as if in the future he can restore it in its entirety? And these remain at their place. Rebbi Abba in the name of Rav, one who worships a house makes it forbidden, a tree he does not make forbidden. But did we not state, “there are three kinds of Ashera”? Explain it that he worshipped a vine and then planted it.

MISHNAH: How much would a builder build to become liable? One who builds anything. One who chisels stone, and one who hits with a hammer or a hatchet, or who drills anything is liable. This is the principle: Anybody who performs work on the Sabbath and whose work has permanence is liable. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel says, also one who hits with the back of his hammer on the anvil during work is liable because he improves the work.

MISHNAH: Rebbi Simeon ben Nanas says, one spreads kid leather over a chest, a box, or a cupboard which are on fire since it is singed. One builds a wall out of vessels, whether full or empty, lest the fire cross over. Rebbi Yose forbids new clay vessels full of water since they cannot withstand the heat, spring leaks, and extinguish the fire.

MISHNAH: If somebody builds an upper floor connecting two houses, and similarly open bridges, one carries under them, the words of Rebbi Jehudah, but the Sages forbid it. In addition, Rebbi Jehudah said that one may make an eruv for open alleys but the Sages forbid it.

Rebbi Eleazar said, limbs and fat which were not consumed before the evening one builds into a pyre and burns them separately; for them one pushes aside the Sabbath. Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Abba: The Mishnah implies this: “Every day there were four arrangements.” What does one understand from here? Rebbi Mana said, “and this day five”. Rebbi Abun bar Ḥiyya asked before Rebbi Zeˋira: May something which is not obstructive push aside? He answered him, there are the witnesses for the New Moon who are not obstructive and push aside, as we have stated there: “for a distance of a night and day one desecrates the Sabbath and comes for testimony of the New Moon.”

From where about marks? Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob, in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Yose said it, Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Uziel the son of Rebbi Onias from Hauran in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran: impure, impure, he shall call out; the impurity itself has to call out and say to you: go away! Rebbi Hila in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman: The emissaries shall crisscross the land; if one sees a bone of a human he builds a sign near it. {A bone}, from here that one makes signs for bones. A human, from here that one makes signs for spine and skull. He builds, from here that one makes signs on fixed stones. If you say on loose ones, it would move and make other places impure. Near it, on a place of purity. A sign, from here the marks.

From where about marks? Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob, in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Yose said it, Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Uziel the son of Rebbi Onias from Hauran in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran: impure, impure, he shall call out; the impurity itself has to call out and say to you: go away! Rebbi Hila in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman: The emissaries shall crisscross the land; if one sees a bone of a human he builds a sign near it. {A bone}, from here that one makes signs for bones. A human, from here that one makes signs for spine and skull. He builds, from here that one makes signs on fixed stones. If you say on loose ones, it would move and make other places impure. Near it, on a place of purity. A sign, from here the marks.

MISHNAH: The excess of monies collected for kidnap victims is for kidnap victims; the excess of monies collected for a particular kidnap victim is for this kidnap victim. The excess of monies collected for the poor is for the poor; the excess of monies collected for a particular poor person is for this poor person. The excess of monies collected for the dead is for the dead; the excess of monies collected for a particular dead is for his heirs; Rebbi Meïr says, the excess of monies collected for a particular dead shall be left until Elijah comes; Rebbi Nathan says, from the excess of monies collected for a particular dead one builds a memorial on his grave.

“It was stated in the name of Rebbi Nathan: From the excess of monies collected for a particular dead he builds a memorial on his grave or perfume his bier. It was stated, one does not redeem a kidnap victim for another kidnap victim and one does not collect a stole for a stole, but one does not restrict the power of the administrators of charity in this.” It was stated, Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel says, one does not build mausoleums for the just; their words are their remembrance.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Eliezer agrees with the Sages that it is qualified if it is built on four stones or otherwise elevated from the ground at least one hand-breadth. It was stated: If one builds his sukkah like the house of the Lebanon Forest it is qualified. For whom is this needed? For Rebbi Eliezer.

Rebbi Levi said, corresponding to the eighteen Divine Names written in Give to the Eternal, sons of the mighty. Rebbi Ḥuna said: If it were said that they are seventeen, tell him the one against sectarians the Sages fixed already at Jabneh. Rebbi Eleazar ben Rebbi Yose objected before Rebbi Yose, but is it not written the God of Glory thundered? He said to him: Has it not been stated: “He takes together the one against sectarians and sinners in ‘He Who subdues offenders’, the one for elders and proselytes in ‘Assurance to the righteous’, and the one for David in ‘He Who builds Jerusalem.’” Then you have enough to have ˂a Divine Name˃ for each one of them.

The people of Bet Shean asked Rebbi Immi, may one take stones from one synagogue to build another synagogue? He said to them, it is forbidden. Rebbi Ḥelbo said, Rebbi Immi forbade it only to make them feel bad. Rebbi Gorion said, the people from Magdala asked Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish: May one take stones from one village to build in another village? He said to them, it is forbidden. Rebbi Immi instructed, even from East to West is forbidden because of the destruction of that place. May one sell a synagogue to buy a school? Rebbi Joshua ben Levi’s word implies that it is permitted. For Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said, he burned the Eternal’s House, that is the Temple, and the king’s house, that is Sedecias’s palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem, these are the 480 synagogues which were in Jerusalem. As Rebbi Phineas said in the name of Rebbi Hoshaia: There were 480 synagogues in Jerusalem, each of which had a school and a Talmud study; [the school] for Bible and the Talmud study for Mishnah. Against all of them came Vespasian. And every large house he burned in fire, that is the study of Rabban Joḥanan ben Zakkai where one was telling the great deeds of the Holy One, praise to Him, in the sense of tell please of the great deeds which Elisha accomplished. Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman in the name of Rebbi Jonathan: That you are saying about a private synagogue. But with a public synagogue it is forbidden; I am saying that one at the end of the world has part in it. But did we not state, “it happened that Rebbi Eleazar ben Rebbi Ṣadoq bought the synagogue of the Alexandrians and used it for all his needs”? The Alexandrians made it from their own. So far if it was built as a synagogue. If it was built as a court and he dedicated it, what is the rule? Let us hear from the following: “A qônam that I shall not enter this house and it was turned into a synagogue.” This implies that if it was built as a court and he dedicated it, it became sanctified. When is it sanctified, immediately [or] at the moment of use? Let us hear from the following: If one builds a chest for a scroll or makes ribands for a scroll. As long as it was not used for a scroll profane use is permitted; after it was used for the scroll private use is prohibited. Therefore, if these who were made for a scroll are not sanctified until used, this which was built as court not so much more? What is the rule for these if they were made for profane use? Since you are saying there, if it was built as a court and he dedicated it, it is sanctified, so here if they were made for profane use and he dedicated them they are sanctified.

From where about marks? Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob, in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Yose said it, Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Uziel the son of Rebbi Onias from Hauran in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran: impure, impure, he shall call out; the impurity itself has to call out and say to you: go away! Rebbi Hila in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman: The emissaries shall crisscross the land; if one sees a bone of a human he builds a sign near it A bone, from here that one makes signs for bones. A human, from here that one makes signs for spine and skull. He builds, from here that one makes signs on fixed stones. If you say on loose ones, it would move and make other places impure. Near it, on a place of purity. A sign, from here the marks. If one found a single marked stone, even though one should not keep it so, if somebody forms a tent over it he is impure; I say a marked corpse was under it. If there were two, he who forms a tent over any one of them is pure; between them he is impure. If between them was a ploughed strip they are single stones, between them the area is pure and around them impure. It was stated: “One does not mark flesh, for perhaps it will decompose.” Rebbi Justus bar Shunem asked before Rebbi Mana: Will that not cause pure food to be retroactively made impure? He said to him, it is better that these should become unusable for a limited time than that {the place} become unusable forever.

From where about marks? Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob, in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Yose said it, Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Uziel the son of Rebbi Onias from Hauran in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran: impure, impure, he shall call out; the impurity itself has to call out and say to you: go away! Rebbi Hila in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman: The emissaries shall crisscross the land; if one sees a bone of a human he builds a sign near it A bone, from here that one makes signs for bones. A human, from here that one makes signs for spine and skull. He builds, from here that one makes signs on fixed stones. If you say on loose ones, it would move and make other places impure. Near it, on a place of purity. A sign, from here the marks. If one found a single marked stone, even though one should not keep it so, if somebody forms a tent over it he is impure; I say a marked corpse was under it. If there were two, he who forms a tent over any one of them is pure; between them he is impure. If between them was a ploughed strip they are single stones, between them the area is pure and around them impure. It was stated: “One does not mark flesh, for perhaps it will decompose.” Rebbi Justus bar Shunem asked before Rebbi Mana: Will that not cause pure food to be retroactively made impure? He said to him, it is better that these should become unusable for a limited time than that {the place} become unusable forever.

MISHNAH: One may catch the mole and rats from an orchard or a white field normally on the holiday or in the Sabbatical; Rebbi Jehudah says from an orchard normally but from a white field with a change. One mends a breach on the holiday; but in the Sabbatical he builds normally.

“One mends a breach on the holiday,” stone on stone and pebble on pebble; “but in the Sabbatical he builds normally,” stone on pebble and pebble on stone. Only a breach which is not surrounded by dust. But it is forbidden to mend a breach which is surrounded by dust in the Sabbatical year. It was stated such: In the Sabbatical year it is forbidden to fence in any breach which is surrounded by dust; but it is permitted fence in any breach which is not surrounded by dust, unless it represents a danger to the public. But if it represents a danger to the public even though it is surrounded by dust it may be fenced in in the Sabbatical year. As the following: “If his wall was sloping one tears it down and rebuilds.” Could he not tear down and not build? Rebbi Ḥanania in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: They permitted the end because of the beginning. For if you tell him not to build he will not tear down and create a danger.

MISHNAH: “The policemen shall speak to the people, saying: Who is the man who built a new house and did not inaugurate it; he should go and return to his house,” etc. Not only he who builds a house, but also one who builds a barn, a cow-shed, a wood-shed, a storage facility. Not only he who builds, but also one who buys, or inherits, or who received as a gift.

MISHNAH: “The policemen shall speak to the people, saying: Who is the man who built a new house and did not inaugurate it; he should go and return to his house,” etc. Not only he who builds a house, but also one who builds a barn, a cow-shed, a wood-shed, a storage facility. Not only he who builds, but also one who buys, or inherits, or who received as a gift.

MISHNAH: “The policemen shall speak to the people, saying: Who is the man who built a new house and did not inaugurate it; he should go and return to his house,” etc. Not only he who builds a house, but also one who builds a barn, a cow-shed, a wood-shed, a storage facility. Not only he who builds, but also one who buys, or inherits, or who received as a gift.

HALAKHAH: “Who built a house”, not only who built; if he bought, inherited, or it was given to him as a gift, from where? The verse says, “the man,” “who is the man”. From where he who builds a barn, a cow-shed, a wood-shed, a storage facility, from where? The verse says, “who builds”. I could think that one who builds a portico, a covered walkway, and a verandah would return; the verse says “house”; the house is distinguished by the fact that it can be used as a dwelling. This excludes those items which cannot be dwellings. It also excludes a house which does not enclose four by four cubits. As it was stated: A house which does not enclose four by four cubits is free from the obligation of a parapet, or a mezuzah, or an erub. It also does not induce ṭevel for tithes and one does not give it four cubits in front of its door, and it is not counted as a connection to the town, and one who forswears any use of a house is permitted to sit in it, and it does not remain with the buyer in the Jubilee year, and it cannot become impure by disease, and its owner does not become exempt from the war because of it.

HALAKHAH: “Who built a house”, not only who built; if he bought, inherited, or it was given to him as a gift, from where? The verse says, “the man,” “who is the man”. From where he who builds a barn, a cow-shed, a wood-shed, a storage facility, from where? The verse says, “who builds”. I could think that one who builds a portico, a covered walkway, and a verandah would return; the verse says “house”; the house is distinguished by the fact that it can be used as a dwelling. This excludes those items which cannot be dwellings. It also excludes a house which does not enclose four by four cubits. As it was stated: A house which does not enclose four by four cubits is free from the obligation of a parapet, or a mezuzah, or an erub. It also does not induce ṭevel for tithes and one does not give it four cubits in front of its door, and it is not counted as a connection to the town, and one who forswears any use of a house is permitted to sit in it, and it does not remain with the buyer in the Jubilee year, and it cannot become impure by disease, and its owner does not become exempt from the war because of it.

HALAKHAH: “Who built a house”, not only who built; if he bought, inherited, or it was given to him as a gift, from where? The verse says, “the man,” “who is the man”. From where he who builds a barn, a cow-shed, a wood-shed, a storage facility, from where? The verse says, “who builds”. I could think that one who builds a portico, a covered walkway, and a verandah would return; the verse says “house”; the house is distinguished by the fact that it can be used as a dwelling. This excludes those items which cannot be dwellings. It also excludes a house which does not enclose four by four cubits. As it was stated: A house which does not enclose four by four cubits is free from the obligation of a parapet, or a mezuzah, or an erub. It also does not induce ṭevel for tithes and one does not give it four cubits in front of its door, and it is not counted as a connection to the town, and one who forswears any use of a house is permitted to sit in it, and it does not remain with the buyer in the Jubilee year, and it cannot become impure by disease, and its owner does not become exempt from the war because of it.

Why does the verse say, “who built”? This excludes him whose house collapsed and he rebuilt it. (Rebbi Yose said, this implies that one who remarries his divorcee does not return.) One could think that somebody who builds a house outside the Land would return; the verse said, “and he did not inaugurate it,” meaning where there is an obligation of inauguration; this excludes cases where there is no obligation of inauguration. If he received prepaid rent, it is as if he inaugurated it; if [the rent is payable] only after twelve months, it is as if he had not inaugurated it. If he locked it, if it contains valuables for which one usually stops working, it is as if he inaugurated it; otherwise, it is as if he had not inaugurated it.

MISHNAH: The following do not return: If somebody builds a portico, a covered walkway, or a verandah, or planted four fruit trees or five futile trees, or remarried his divorcee. [In the case of] a widow for the High Priest, a divorcee or one having received ḥalîṣah for an ordinary Cohen, a bastard or Gibeonite girl for an Israel, a Jewish girl for a bastard or a Gibeonite, he would not be returning. Rebbi Jehudah says, also he who rebuilt his house on its foundations would not be returning. Rebbi Eleazar said, also one who built a brick house in the Sharon would not return.

From where about marks? Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Jacob the son of the daughter of Jacob, in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Yose said it in the name of Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Uziel the son of Rebbi Onias from Hauran in the name of Rebbi Onias from Hauran (Lev. 13:45): “impure, impure, he shall call out;” the impurity itself has to call out and say to you: go away! Rebbi Hila in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman (Ez. 39:15): “The emissaries shall crisscross the land; if one sees a bone”, from here that one makes markers for bones. A human, from here that one makes markers for spine and skull. He builds, from here that one makes markers on fixed stones. If you say on loose stones, it would move and make other places impure. Near it, on a place of purity. A marker, from here the marks.

Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish provided an opening: If you had known that one who makes a vow is as if he put a neck-iron on his neck, would you have made the vow? It is as if a gang of prisoners was passing by, he saw that there was one unused neck-iron and put his head into it! “To bind a prohibition onto himself”, as you say, “he was bound with chains.” Rebbi Jonathan provided an opening: If you had known that one who makes a vow is like one who builds an idolatrous altar and one who continues in it is like one who sacrifices there, would you have made the vow? That is difficult to understand. Idolatry is a capital crime but vows are a simple prohibition; how can you say that? You have only what Rebbi Yannai said, one who listens to his urges is as if he worshipped idols. Rebbi Isaac provided an opening: If you had known that one who makes a vow is like one who takes a sword and sticks it in his heart, would you have made the vow? “Some talk bluntly like sword piercings.” Rebbi Ḥanina from Sepphoris in the name of Rebbi Phineas: It does not say “piercing” but “sword piercings”. For example, one who made a vow not to eat a loaf. Woe if he eats, woe if he does not eat. If he eats he transgresses his vow. If he does not eat he sins against himself. What can he do? He goes to a Sage who will dissolve his vow, “but the speech of Sages is healing. Rebbi Eudaimon in the name of Rebbi Isaac: Is it not enough what the Torah forbade you that you want to forbid other things for yourself? “To forbid a prohibition”.

Those bearing columns. Rebbi Ze‘ira: He tells the bottom dweller, you are obliged to support me. Rebbi La: He tells the dweller in the upper floor, the builders say that both have to build the foundations. The following supports the builders: “If his ruined building was close to the wall of his neighbor’s courtyard, he should not tell him: I am contributing to the foundations of your wall where it comes up, but he has to contribute to the foundations from the bottom and up. If it was built on top of ditches or caves, he is not obligated for anything.” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, explain it, for example those inhabitants of Bet Shean where the bottom dweller cannot build unless the builder of the upper floor builds.

MISHNAH: If the ground floor and the upper floor belonging to two different persons collapse, and the owner of the upper floor suggests to the owner of the ground floor to rebuild but himself refuses to build, then the owner of the upper floor rebuilds the ground floor and dwells in it until he pays his expenses. Rebbi Jehudah says, but he who dwells in another person’s [place] would have to pay him rent; so the owner of the (ground) floor builds ground and upper floors and makes the roof over the upper floor but dwells on the ground floor until he pays his expenses.

MISHNAH: Somebody’s wall bordering on another’s vegetable garden collapsed. That one told him, remove your stones; if he said, they are yours, one does not listen to him. If after the other had accepted, he told him: here are your expenses and I shall take what is mine, one does not listen to him. Somebody hired a worker to work on straw and chaff. When he said to him, pay me my wages, he answered, take what you worked on as your wages, one does not listen to him. If after the other had accepted, he told him: here are your wages and I shall take what is mine, one does not listen to him. If somebody brought his manure into the public domain, he who brings, brings, and he who uses it to manure, manures. One does not soak loam in the public domain nor does one form bricks; one kneads loam in the public domain but not bricks. If somebody builds in the public domain and somebody brings stones; he who brings, brings, and he who builds, builds; but if he caused damage, he pays for what he damaged. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel says, also he has to prepare his work 30 days in advance.

MISHNAH: Somebody’s wall bordering on another’s vegetable garden collapsed. That one told him, remove your stones; if he said, they are yours, one does not listen to him. If after the other had accepted, he told him: here are your expenses and I shall take what is mine, one does not listen to him. Somebody hired a worker to work on straw and chaff. When he said to him, pay me my wages, he answered, take what you worked on as your wages, one does not listen to him. If after the other had accepted, he told him: here are your wages and I shall take what is mine, one does not listen to him. If somebody brought his manure into the public domain, he who brings, brings, and he who uses it to manure, manures. One does not soak loam in the public domain nor does one form bricks; one kneads loam in the public domain but not bricks. If somebody builds in the public domain and somebody brings stones; he who brings, brings, and he who builds, builds; but if he caused damage, he pays for what he damaged. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel says, also he has to prepare his work 30 days in advance.

MISHNAH: Somebody’s wall bordering on another’s vegetable garden collapsed. That one told him, remove your stones; if he said, they are yours, one does not listen to him. If after the other had accepted, he told him: here are your expenses and I shall take what is mine, one does not listen to him. Somebody hired a worker to work on straw and chaff. When he said to him, pay me my wages, he answered, take what you worked on as your wages, one does not listen to him. If after the other had accepted, he told him: here are your wages and I shall take what is mine, one does not listen to him. If somebody brought his manure into the public domain, he who brings, brings, and he who uses it to manure, manures. One does not soak loam in the public domain nor does one form bricks; one kneads loam in the public domain but not bricks. If somebody builds in the public domain and somebody brings stones; he who brings, brings, and he who builds, builds; but if he caused damage, he pays for what he damaged. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel says, also he has to prepare his work 30 days in advance.

MISHNAH: Condominium owners who want to make a separation in the courtyard build the wall in the middle. At a place where commonly one builds with unhewn stones, or hewn stones, or half-bricks, or bricks, everything follows local custom. For unhewn stones, each partner gives three handbreadths. For hewn stones, each gives two and one half handbreadths. For half-bricks, each gives two handbreadths. For bricks, each gives one and a half handbreadths. Therefore, if the wall collapsed the place and the stones belong to both of them.

MISHNAH: Similarly for a vegetable garden; a place which customarily is fenced in, he must fence in. But in an agricultural area, a place which customarily is not fenced in, one does not obligate him. But if he wishes, he builds inside his land and makes a façade to the outside; therefore if the wall collapses both land and stones are his. But if they did it with mutual agreement they build the wall in the middle and make façades on both sides; therefore if the wall collapses both land and stones belong to both of them.

MISHNAH: One distances carcasses, and graves, and tanneries 50 cubits from the town, and one builds a tannery only to the East of a town. Rebbi Aqiba says, one may build in any direction except to the West, and distances himself by 50 cubits.

MISHNAH: One makes no hollow under the public domain, cisterns, ditches, and caves. Rebbi Eliezer permits if a cart filled with stones can pass over it. One does not build protrusions and balconies above the public domain but if he wishes he builds inside his own property and adds them. If somebody bought a courtyard and there are protrusions and balconies, that remains a right of possession.

MISHNAH: If somebody sells a plot to another to build a house, or he contracts to build him a wedding building for his son, a widow’s seat for his daughter, builds four by six cubits, the words of Rebbi Aqiba. Rebbi Ismael says, this is a cowshed. If one wants to build a cowshed, he builds four by six cubits, a small room six by eight, a large one eight by ten, a dining hall ten by ten, and its height equal to half its length and width; the reason is the Temple and its walls. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel said, a building like the Temple?

MISHNAH: If somebody sells a plot to another to build a house, or he contracts to build him a wedding building for his son, a widow’s seat for his daughter, builds four by six cubits, the words of Rebbi Aqiba. Rebbi Ismael says, this is a cowshed. If one wants to build a cowshed, he builds four by six cubits, a small room six by eight, a large one eight by ten, a dining hall ten by ten, and its height equal to half its length and width; the reason is the Temple and its walls. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel said, a building like the Temple?

HALAKHAH: “If a public way was passing through somebody’s,” etc., to the end of the Mishnah. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Joseph said, he makes them like keyholes. Rebbi Joḥanan told him, but dogs are not buried in that way! What does he do? He builds inside as if outside. Do the crossings not interfere with one another? They do not cross; he builds one higher and one lower.

HALAKHAH: “If a public way was passing through somebody’s,” etc., to the end of the Mishnah. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Joseph said, he makes them like keyholes. Rebbi Joḥanan told him, but dogs are not buried in that way! What does he do? He builds inside as if outside. Do the crossings not interfere with one another? They do not cross; he builds one higher and one lower.

Rebbi Abbahu said, Rebbi Joḥanan and Rebbi Simeon ben Laqush disagreeed. One said, one builds and afterwards one dedicates. The other one said, one dedicates and afterwards one builds. For him who says, one builds and afterwards one dedicates, one does not say that the partitions are as if built up. If one desires to add to the Temple Hall, by which means does one add? By the two loaves. Does one dedicate on a holiday? Then by the Shew Bread. Does one dedicate on the Sabbath? Then in the night. Does one dedicate in the night? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, with a baked flour offering. One understands that on their return from the diaspora they sacrificed and then dedicated. When they entered the Land, with what did they dedicate? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, with two thanksgiving sacrifices coming from Nob and Gibeon.

Rebbi Abbahu said, Rebbi Joḥanan and Rebbi Simeon ben Laqush disagreeed. One said, one builds and afterwards one dedicates. The other one said, one dedicates and afterwards one builds. For him who says, one builds and afterwards one dedicates, one does not say that the partitions are as if built up. If one desires to add to the Temple Hall, by which means does one add? By the two loaves. Does one dedicate on a holiday? Then by the Shew Bread. Does one dedicate on the Sabbath? Then in the night. Does one dedicate in the night? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, with a baked flour offering. One understands that on their return from the diaspora they sacrificed and then dedicated. When they entered the Land, with what did they dedicate? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, with two thanksgiving sacrifices coming from Nob and Gibeon.

Rebbi Abbahu said, Rebbi Joḥanan and Rebbi Simeon ben Laqush disagreeed. One said, one builds and afterwards one dedicates. The other one said, one dedicates and afterwards one builds. For him who says, one builds and afterwards one dedicates, one does not say that the partitions are as if built up. If one desires to add to the Temple Hall, by which means does one add? By the two loaves. Does one dedicate on a holiday? Then by the Shew Bread. Does one dedicate on the Sabbath? Then in the night. Does one dedicate in the night? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, with a baked flour offering. One understands that on their return from the diaspora they sacrificed and then dedicated. When they entered the Land, with what did they dedicate? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, with two thanksgiving sacrifices coming from Nob and Gibeon.

MISHNAH: One does not sell them bears and lions, or anything damaging to the public; nor does one build with them a basilica, a gallows, a stadion, or a rostrum. But one builds with them public and private baths; when they come to the cupola where an idol will be placed it is forbidden to build it.

MISHNAH: If one’s house was connected to a house of pagan worship and collapsed, it is forbidden to rebuild it. What should he do? He restricts himself to his property and builds. If it was his and the idolatry’s, it is judged half by half Its stones, its wood, and its dust make impure like a crawling animal, as it is said, you shall treat it as an abomination. Rebbi Aqiba says like a menstruating woman as it is said, you shall throw it away like feeling miserable; you will call it excrement. Since the menstruating makes impure by load, also idolatry makes impure by load.

There exists a baraita which says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like a menstruating woman. Also there exists a baraita which says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like crawling animals. The one who says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like a menstruating woman, is understandable. But the one who says, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like crawling animals, is it not called “unwell” only for its appurtenances? Explain it if they were engraved on its body. As Rebbi Jacob of Kefar Ḥanan said, explain it if one worships the ephod itself, similar to what is written, Gideon made an ephod. Our Mishnah follows him who said, idols are like a menstruating woman and its appurtenances are like a menstruating woman, and we have stated: “its stones, its wood, and its dust make impure like a crawling animal.” Explain it if he worshipped the house itself, as Rebbi Abba, Rab Huna said in the name of Rav: One who worships a house makes it forbidden. Rebbi Zeˋira, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: If somebody dedicates a house one does not commit larceny with it. And he who says, one does not commit larceny with it, can he make it forbidden? Rebbi Ḥaggai objected before Rebbi Yose, does not a Mishnah disagree with Rav? “A trough in a rock: one does not fill from it, and one does not sanctify with it, and one does not sprinkle with it, it does not have to be fastened with a tightened cover, and it does not invalidate a miqweh. If it was a vessel and he fixed it with lime, etc., up to it invalidates a miqweh.” Because he excavated it and after that combined it. Then if he fixed it and after that excavated it, what do you do with it? Explain it following Rebbi Joḥanan that the hewing of stones is the completion of work on them. Does this not disagree with Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish who said, an idol which was broken is permitted? And so we are thinking to say if in the future he can restore it to its vessel it is forbidden according to everybody. Explain it if he worships every single stone and then builds with them. Does this not disagree with Rebbi Joḥanan, as Rebbi Joḥanan said, an idol which was broken is forbidden? And so we are thinking to say if in the future he cannot restore it to its vessel it is permitted according to everybody. Explain it if he worshipped a vine and afterwards planted it.

“One builds these cities not as great fortified places or small villages but in average sizes. One only builds them around a market place. If they have no market place one creates a market place for them. One only builds them near water. If they have no water one brings water to them. If the number of households declined, one brings others there. If the number of inhabitants declined, one brings there Cohanim, Levites, and Israel.”

“One builds these cities not as great fortified places or small villages but in average sizes. One only builds them around a market place. If they have no market place one creates a market place for them. One only builds them near water. If they have no water one brings water to them. If the number of households declined, one brings others there. If the number of inhabitants declined, one brings there Cohanim, Levites, and Israel.”

“One builds these cities not as great fortified places or small villages but in average sizes. One only builds them around a market place. If they have no market place one creates a market place for them. One only builds them near water. If they have no water one brings water to them. If the number of households declined, one brings others there. If the number of inhabitants declined, one brings there Cohanim, Levites, and Israel.”

“One builds in them neither an olive press nor a wine press, the words of Rebbi Nehemiah, but the Sages permit it. One does not braid ropes there, nor does one manufacture glass, in order not to attract visitors.”

‘R. Gamaliel’? — As it has been taught: One who builds his sukkah on the top of a wagon or on the deck of a ship. R. Gamaliel declares it invalid and R. Akiba declares it valid.

‘R. Eliezer? As we have learned: One who builds his sukkah like a cone-shaped hut or if he propped it up against a wall, R. Eliezer declares it invalid, since it has no roof’, and the sages declare it valid.

GEMARA. According to whom is our Mishnah? According to R. Akiva, as it has been taught, He who builds his Sukkah on the deck of a ship, R. Gamaliel declares it invalid and R. Akiva

And a Tanna taught about this: “Building” here means festive building; “planting” means festive planting. What is festive building? This is one who builds a wedding residence for his son [on the occasion of his marriage]. What is a festive planting? This is one who plants an abarnaki such as is used by kings.

Our Rabbis have taught thus, The house of Shammai say, The heavens were created in the beginning, and afterwards the earth was created, for it is said, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. i. 1). But the house of Hillel say, The earth was created in the beginning, and afterwards the heavens, for it is said, "in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven" (Gen. ii. 4). The house of Hillel said to the house of Shammai, According to your words a man builds an upper story, and afterwards builds a house: and the heavens are the upper story, as it is said, "It is he that buildeth in the heavens his upper stories, and hath founded his vault upon the earth" (Amos ix. 6). The house of Shammai said to the house of Hillel, According to your words a man makes a footstool and afterwards makes a throne: and the heavens are a throne, as it is said, "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool" (Is. lxvi. 1). But wise men say, The one and the other were created together, as it is said, "Yea, mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together" (Is. xlviii. 13). And the others—what do they say of the word "together"? for they cannot be separated the one from the other. The passages are difficult to reconcile. Resh Lakish said, When they were created, He created the heavens, and afterwards created the earth, but when He stretched them out, He stretched out the earth, and afterwards stretched out the heavens.

Our Rabbis have taught thus, The house of Shammai say, The heavens were created in the beginning, and afterwards the earth was created, for it is said, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. i. 1). But the house of Hillel say, The earth was created in the beginning, and afterwards the heavens, for it is said, "in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven" (Gen. ii. 4). The house of Hillel said to the house of Shammai, According to your words a man builds an upper story, and afterwards builds a house: and the heavens are the upper story, as it is said, "It is he that buildeth in the heavens his upper stories, and hath founded his vault upon the earth" (Amos ix. 6). The house of Shammai said to the house of Hillel, According to your words a man makes a footstool and afterwards makes a throne: and the heavens are a throne, as it is said, "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool" (Is. lxvi. 1). But wise men say, The one and the other were created together, as it is said, "Yea, mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together" (Is. xlviii. 13). And the others—what do they say of the word "together"? for they cannot be separated the one from the other. The passages are difficult to reconcile. Resh Lakish said, When they were created, He created the heavens, and afterwards created the earth, but when He stretched them out, He stretched out the earth, and afterwards stretched out the heavens.