halakhah

HALAKHAH: They wanted to say that they do not disagree. It was found stated , Rebbi Yose qualifies one from cattle but the Sages disqualify. What is the reason (of the rabbis) [of Rebbi Yose]? It will be when the ram’s horn sounds. What is the reason (of Rebbi Yose) [of the rabbis]? Better than a cattle bull, sporting a horn, split-hoofed. It is written “of horn”. And the rabbis? All shofarot are called horn and are called shofar except from cattle which is called horn but is not called shofar. They objected, there is that from mountain goat which is called neither horn nor shofar! What about it? Following what Rebbi Levi said, there is a difference because no accuser becomes a defense attorney.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Jonah said, so they should straighten out their thoughts in repentance.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Jonah said, so they should bend their thoughts in prayer.

HALAKHAH: I am the Eternal, your God, these are Malkhiot. Remembrance of trumpet sounds, these are Zikhronot. The shofar of trumpet sound, these are Shofarot. So far New Year’s Day. “The Jubilee? You shall convey the shofar of sounds in the seventh month, on the tenth of the month, on the Day of Atonement. The verse did not have to say, in the seventh month. Why did the verse say, in the seventh month? Only that everything you are doing on New Year’s Day do on the Tenth of the Month. Since here there are Malkhiot, Zikhronot, and Shofarot, also there are Malkhiot, Zikhronot, and Shofarot.”

HALAKHAH: “A shofar which was split and glued together is disqualified.” For whom is this needed? For Rebbi Nathan. “If one glued together pieces of shofarot it is disqualified.” This also is Rebbi Nathan’s. “If it was pierced and he plugged it,” Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, it is Rebbi Nathan’s, as it was stated, if it was pierced and then repaired, whether with its own kind or another kind, if it obstructs blowing it is disqualified, otherwise it is qualified; Rebbi Nathan says, with its own kind it is qualified, not with its own kind it is disqualified. Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: so is the Mishnah: “if it was obstructing blowing it is disqualified, otherwise it is qualified.” Rebbi Abba bar Zemina in the name of Rebbi Ze`ira: Only if he plugged it. But if he did not plug it it is qualified since all sounds of a shofar are qualified.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Yose ben Ḥanina said, it only said “somebody was passing by.” Therefore if he stood still, the presumption is that he listened purposefully. “If he put one shofar inside another shofar(,we shall say) [and blew], if one heard the sound of the inner one, he has fulfilled his obligation, if one heard the sound of the outer one, he has not fulfilled his obligation.” Rebbi Abinna asked, what if he turned it inside out? Let us hear from the following: “If he scratched it inside it is disqualified, outside it is qualified.” He only said, he scratched; therefore if he turned it inside out it is disqualified. What is the difference between the two? One eliminated the inner space, the other did not eliminate the inner space.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said, Amaleq was a sorcerer. What did he do? He put people up on their birthday, implying that no man easily falls on his birthday. What did Moses do? He mixed planets. That is what is written, sun, moon stood in the sky, etc. And it is written, the abyss sounded, the elevated lifted his hands. Since the elevated lifted his hands, the abyss sounded. Samuel said, and the host will be given against the daily sacrifice by vice, the vice of the Torah. And truth will be thrown to the ground; anytime that Israel throws the words of the Torah to the ground, this evil government decides and succeeds. What is the reason? It threw truth to the ground, did, and succeeded. And there is no truth like Torah, as you are saying, buy truth and do not sell, wisdom, ethics, and insight. Rebbi Jehudah bar Pazi said, Israel has neglected the good, an enemy will pursue it, and there is no good but the Torah, as you are saying, for a good acquisition I gave to you, do not abandon my Torah.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Yasa said, in four places it is said “make for yourself.” In three it is explicit, one is not explicit. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make yourself two silver trumpets. Make yourself flintstone knives. Make yourself a poisonous snake He did not make explicit. Moses said, is its root not nḥš? Therefore, Moses made a brass snake. From there, Rebbi Meïr interpreted names. There was a man called Kidor. Rebbi Meïr told them, guard yourselves from him, he is a bad person; for a generation of perverts they are.

HALAKHAH: It is stated: “In truth, they said a woman may say Grace for her husband, a slave for his master, and a (son) [minor] for his father. [One understands a woman for her husband, a slave for his master. A minor for his father?] Did not Rebbi Aḥa say in the name of Rebbi Yose ben Nahorai: All they said about a minor is for the latter’s education? Explain it that he recites after him (Amen), as we stated there: “A person to whom a slave, or a woman, or a minor, read for him, repeats after them what they say, and it should be a curse for him.” There should be a curse on the man of twenty years who needs the child of ten.

HALAKHAH: “If the holiday of the New Year,” etc. Rebbi Abba bar Pappos said, Rebbi Joḥanan and Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish were sitting and questioning. They said, we have stated: “if the holiday of the New Year falls on a Sabbath, at the Temple they were blowing but not in the countryside.” If it is a word of the Torah, in the countryside it also should push aside; if it is not a word of the Torah also in the Temple it should not push aside. Cahana passed by. They said, this is a [an important] man whom we may ask. They went and asked him. He said to them, one verse says, a day of sounding; another verse says, a remembrance of sounding. How is that? If it falls on a weekday, a day of sounding. If it falls on a Sabbath, a remembrance of sounding, one mentions it but does not blow. Rebbi Ze`ira told the colleagues to go and listen to Rebbi Levi preaching since it would be impossible that he would let a weekly reading go by without enlightenment. He came and said before them, one verse says, a day of sounding; another verse says, a remembrance of sounding. How is that? If it falls on a weekday, a day of sounding. If it falls on a Sabbath, a remembrance of sounding, one mentions it but does not blow. Then also in the Temple it should not push aside. It was stated, on the first of the month. Then also anywhere they know that it is the first of the month it should push aside. Rebbi Simeon ben Yoḥai stated, and you shall sacrifice, at the place where the sacrifices are offered. The colleagues said before Rebbi Jonah. Is it not written, you shall convey a sounding shofar in the seventh month, etc? He said to them, this one you convey in all your Land, therefore not another one. They said to him, or we might say, this one you convey in your Land, therefore another one both in your Land and outside the Land. Rebbi Jonah said, if it were written “convey a shofar in your Land”, I would have said that here he restricted and at another place he extended. But in all your Land, here he extended and at another place he restricted.

HALAKHAH: But only if all conditions are satisfied. It sees but does not hear; for example Jerusalem up high and it below. Hears but does not see; a mountain interrupts. Sees and hears but cannot come; outside the Sabbath domain. Sees, and hears, and is near, but is unable to come; a river separates. Rebbi Jonah asked, if it were able to come by an eruv? Just as you are saying in Jerusalem, that one blows in any village which sees, and hears, and is near, and is able to come, should we not say the same at Jabneh? Jerusalem is by word of the Torah and the nearby villages by word of the Torah, and Rabban Joḥanan would institute according to the words of the Torah. Jabneh is by their words, and the close by villages would be by their words, and Rabban Joḥanan ben Zakkai would institute by their words. Does there exist institution after institution?

HALAKHAH: It is written: and you shall enjoy before the Eternal, your God, for seven days. There are Tannaim who state, the verse speaks of the enjoyment of well-being sacrifices. There are Tannaim who state, the verse speaks of the enjoyment of the lulav. For him who is saying, the verse speaks of the enjoyment of well-being sacrifices, the first day is from a word of the Torah and the other days are from a word of the Torah, and Rabban Joḥanan ben Zakkai instituted on the basis of a word from the Torah. For him who is saying, the verse speaks of the enjoyment of lulav, the first day is from a word of the Torah and the other days are from their words, and Rabban Joḥanan ben Zakkai instituted on the basis of their words. But is there institution after institution?

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman said, because of what had happened. Once there was a rumor in the city that Saracens had come and took them, and the Levites spoiled the song. Rebbi Aḥa bar Pappus said before Rebbi Ze`ira that the colleagues asked before Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman, in whose name does the rabbi say this? He said to them, that is like you who have many teachers! In the name of Rebbi Joshua ben Levi did he say it. But Rebbi La brought the reason for the practice, as it was stated: They were saying the song of Thursday, shout with joy for our mighty God. But on New Year’s Day they were saying, I removed his shoulder from hardship. If the holiday fell on Thursday, in the morning they did say, shout with joy for our mighty God. In the afternoon they did say, I removed his shoulder from hardship; if they came after the afternoon prayers, they would say, shout with joy for our mighty God. Would they not say the song twice?

HALAKHAH: So is the Mishnah: To the seat of the Calendar Council.

HALAKHAH: In Judea one used to follow Rebbi Aqiba and in Galilee Rebbi Joḥanan ben Nuri. If he changed and in Judea acted as in Galilee or in Galilee as in Judea he discharged his obligation.

HALAKHAH: “One does not reduce to less than ten verses of Kingdom,” corresponding to the ten praises which David formulated, Hallelujah, praise God in his Sanctuary, praise Him in His mighty heaven, etc., up to every soul praise Jah, hallelujah. Ten verses of Remembrance, corresponding to the ten confessions formulated by Isaiah, wash, cleanse, remove, etc.,learn to do good, seek justice, etc. What is written after this? Come and let us argue, says the Eternal, etc. Ten verses of Shofar, corresponding to the seven sheep, one ox, one ram, and one goat.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: Because of what had happened. Once they blew early and the haters thought that maybe they want to go against us, they attacked them and killed them. Since they are seeing that they read the shema`, and pray, and read in the Torah, and pray while blowing, they are saying, they are occupied with their secret rites.

HALAKHAH: So is the Mishnah: What is forbidden rabbinically and biblically.

HALAKHAH: If he said them in one breath? It was found stated, if he said them in one breath he fulfilled his obligation. But did we not state, “the order of shofar blowing is three times three each”? That he do not less. Rebbi Ze`ira, Rebbi Abba bar Ilai in the name of Rav: One has to blow the modulation continuing the straight one. Rebbi Abba in the name of Abba bar Rav Ḥuna: One does not have to blow the modulation continuing the straight one. What is the modulated? Rebbi Ḥanania and Rebbi Mana, One said, [trembling]. But the other one said, three short ones. Rebbi Ḥanania was concerned about that of Rebbi Mana and ours

HALAKHAH: “An egg was laid on a holiday,” etc. What is the reason of the House of Shammai? It is prepared in its mother’s body. What is the reason of the House of Hillel? It is like muqṣeh which dried without him realizing it, and is muqṣeh which dried without him realizing it not forbidden? But was it not stated, “if one slaughters a chicken and found eggs inside it, even if they are complete they are permitted”? Rebbi Ḥananiah and Rebbi Mana. One said, its taste when eaten from its inside is not comparable to its taste when eaten from the outside. But the other said, it is not completed for a chick until it comes outside. What are they with milk? Let us say, if they are connected to blood vessels they are forbidden, otherwise permitted.

HALAKHAH: [Halakhah 2]. Rebbi Zeriqan in the name of Rebbi Yose ben Ḥanina: They stated this only for its elimination, but for eating the volume of an olive. Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, whether for elimination or eating, the volume of an olive. Rebbi Mana was standing with Rebbi Ḥizqiah; he said to him, from where did the rabbi hear this?. He told him, from Rebbi Abbahu. He answered, we also are saying, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, whether for elimination or eating, the volume of an olive, for otherwise one would have to state “37 extirpations in the Torah”.

HALAKHAH: [Halakhah 2]. Rebbi Zeriqan in the name of Rebbi Yose ben Ḥanina: They stated this only for its elimination, but for eating the volume of an olive. Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, whether for elimination or eating, the volume of an olive. Rebbi Mana was standing with Rebbi Ḥizqiah; he said to him, from where did the rabbi hear this?. He told him, from Rebbi Abbahu. He answered, we also are saying, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, whether for elimination or eating, the volume of an olive, for otherwise one would have to state “37 extirpations in the Torah”.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: He who cooks carcass meat on a holiday is not flogged, because the category of cooking is permitted on a holiday. Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish said, he is flogged, for the category of cooking is permitted only for food. Rebbi Abba bar Mamal objected to this {statement} by Rebbi Joḥanan. Then one who ploughs on a holiday should not be flogged since actions of the category of ploughing are permitted on a holiday. Rebbi Yose in the name of Rebbi Ila: ordinary ploughing was not permitted. Rebbi Shammai said before Rebbi Yose: Rebbi Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Ila, this is Rebbi Simeon’s, for Rebbi Simeon said, only if he needs the essence of the matter. Rebbi Yose met Rebbi Aḥa. He said to him, did you say this? But did not Rebbi Joḥanan say, the words of Rebbi Meïr are that in 24 matters the House of Shammai are lenient and the House of Hillel restrictive, and this is one of them. Should we say 23? But Rebbi Meïr and Rebbi Simeon both said the same. But were we not of the opinion that Rebbi Yose and Rebbi Simeon both said the same? Should we say, Rebbi Meïr, Rebbi Yose, and Rebbi Simeon all three said the same? But matters which are problematic for the rabbis are obvious for you; are those which are obvious for the rabbis problematic for you? If one harvested for grasses he is liable for harvesting but is not liable for improving the soil. There is only the problem if he harvested in order to improve the soil. Is he liable for harvesting and for improving the soil? Even if you say it follows Rebbi Simeon, but for the rabbis in any case he ploughed, in any case he harvested. Rebbi Mana said, the words of the rabbis support my teacher Rebbi Yose, for Rebbi Ḥiyya said in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, if one compressed a fish, if for its body he is not liable, but if to produce fish sauce he is liable. Even if you say that he said this following Rebbi Simeon, but for the rabbis in any case he compressed, in any case he produced fish sauce.

HALAKHAH: Jehudah the son of Rebbi Ḥiyya went out. They asked him, what are the rules for a ladder to the upper floor? He told them, it is permitted. When he returned to his father, he asked him, what case came to your hands? He said, I permitted them the ladder to the upper floor. He appointed his Tanna before him, who stated, “when was this said, about a ladder for a dovecote. But a ladder for the upper floor is forbidden.” What is the difference between a ladder for a dovecote and a ladder for the upper floor? Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa said, a ladder for a dovecote if he had used it the day before for work it would be weak; a ladder for the upper floor may be used for work the day before. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, on the ladder for a dovecote he may stand and use it for his purpose; on the ladder for the upper floor he may not stand and use it for his purpose. A ladder for a dovecote even if it is used to climb to the upper floor; a ladder for the upper floor even if it used to climb to the dovecote.

HALAKHAH: [5]: The Mishnah is Rebbi’s, as it was stated: “200 and he found a mina, (the mina was taken away) [a mina was deposited and a mina taken away], the words of Rebbi. But the Sages are saying, it is profane.” There, we have stated: “If somebody said to his son, ‘Second Tithe is in that corner’ but he found it in another corner, that is profane.” Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Assi, this is Rebbi’s, as we have stated: “Two hundred and he found a talent, a talent was taken, the word of Rebbi, but the Sages say, it is profane.” He turned around and said, this is everybody’s opinion since pigeon chicks usually start to fly. But did not Rebbi Ḥalaphta ben Shaul state, the same rule applies to pigeon chicks and to eggs? Therefore, it is Rebbi’s. There, his father put it there and he found, here, his he put it there and he found it. Rebbi Abba bar Cohen said before Rebbi Yose in the name of Rebbi Aḥa: Rebbi Abba bar Zavda instructed according to Rebbi for Second Tithe.

HALAKHAH: [“The House of Shammai say that one may not take the pestle to cut meat on it, but the House of Hillel permit.”] Therefore, not to cut meat on it is forbidden. This is what Rebbi (Abba,) Ḥinena bar Shelemiah in the name of Rav said: The Sages agree with Rebbi Neḥemiah about the press, the plank, and the mace; the press with which he presses, the plank on which one beats them, the mace with which he smashes them.

HALAKHAH: Therefore not an adult? Rebbi Samuel, the son of Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, even an adult is permitted. For what purpose was stated “a small child”? It comes to inform you of the strength of the House of Shammai, how far they are restrictive. Samuel was carried from bed to bed. Rebbi Ze`ira said before Rebbi Yasa, let us say that he was asthenic. He told him, he was healthier than I and you. It was stated, Rebbi Ismael ben Rebbi <yose> says, the stones on which we sat on in our youth make war against us in our old age. Rebbi Jonah ordered the colleagues, do not sit on the [outside] stone benches of the assembly of Bar Ulla because they are cold. Rav commanded his students, do not sit on the outside table of the assembly of Issy because it is cold. Rebbi Abba went down to bathe in the public baths of Tiberias, leaning on two Goths. They fell down and he lifted them up, they fell down and he lifted them up. One asked him, what is this? He said to them, I preserved my strength for my old age. Rav Huna did not come to the house of assembly. Rav Qatina asked, was it not stated that one carries the asthenics?

HALAKHAH: It was stated: “Rebbi Jehudah said, the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel did not disagree that one may bring parts which were separated on the holiday, as well as parts which were separated before the start of the holiday with parts separated on the holiday. Where did they disagree? About parts which were separated before the start of the holiday by themselves, where the House of Shammai forbid and the House of Hillel permit.”

HALAKHAH: Could he not pound the day before? The colleagues in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, because they taste bitter; Rebbi Ze`ira in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, because they lose their taste.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Jonah asked, if he did this on the Sabbath, in the opinion of the House of Shammai would he be liable? Rebbi Yose said to him, why not? If he did it on the Sabbath would he not be liable according to the House of Hillel? And here he is liable. Rebbi Mana said, my father Rebbi Jonah said it correctly. It is a problem only for the House of Shammai. Why? Because the category of selecting was permitted on the holiday, nothing of the category of selecting was permitted on the Sabbath.

HALAKHAH: It is difficult for the House of Shammai. A large thigh one is permitted to send, a small kid goat one is not permitted to send. Rebbi Yudan said, it only is understood if he carries it. But if he draws it and it walks, what is the difference if he draws it to deliver it or he draws it to let it drink? The Great Rebbi Hoshaia asked Rebbi Jehudah the Prince, did you hear from your father whether one is permitted to move a chicken? Certainly if it was ready for slaughter it is permitted, otherwise it is forbidden. But are not all chickens ready for slaughter? The question is, maybe even if it is not ready. He told him in a whisper. He asked him, why are you telling me in a whisper? He said to him, just I heard it in a whisper, so I am telling you in a whisper.

HALAKHAH: So is the Mishnah: Because it needs the shoe-maker’s form. Is the Mishnah Rebbi Eliezer’s? As we have stated there, “the shoe on the shoe-maker’s last, Rebbi Eliezer declares pure but the Sages declare impure.” It is the opinion of everybody. It is different here since he is like finishing an implement on the holiday. It was stated: One does not dismantle a shoe from the last on the holiday, but one dismantles a shoe from the last on the intermediate days of the holiday.

HALAKHAH: “If the holiday falls on a Friday,” etc. It is written, what you baked bake, and what you cooked cook. Rebbi Eliezer says, one bakes on the basis of the baked, and one cooks on the basis of the cooked. Rebbi Joshua says, one bakes and cooks on the basis of the cooked. What is the reason of Rebbi Eliezer? What you baked bake, and what you cooked cook. What is the reason of Rebbi Joshua? What you will bake and what you will cook cook. Rebbi Eliezer said, this follows him who said that the Sabbath was given at Mara. But following him who said that at Alush the Sabbath was given, they are at Alush and the warning is given at Alush. Come and look, from the Torah it is forbidden and an eruv tavshilin makes it permitted? Rebbi Abbahu said, it would be logical that one should bake and cook on the holiday for the Sabbath. If you would say so, one would bake and cook on the holiday for a weekday. Come and look, one makes the beds on the holiday for the Sabbath, but one does not bake and cook on the holiday for the Sabbath. Rebbi Ila said, why may one make the beds on the holiday for the Sabbath? Since one may make the beds on Friday night for the Sabbath day. Could one bake and cook on the holiday for the Sabbath? One may not bake and cook on the night of the Sabbath for the Sabbath day.

HALAKHAH: The Mishnah is about large implements, but for small implements one may use a trick and immerse them. Rebbi Hoshaya stated, a person may fill am impure vessel from the cistern, and be tricky about it and immerse it. If his pail fell into the cistern, his vessel fell into the cistern, he may be tricky about it and immerse it. Two Amoraim, one said about implements impure in original purity; the other said, about implements impure in derivative impurity. The one who said impure in derivative impurity objected to the one who said impure in original purity, even on a weekday would it not need sundown? He said to him, about one who wants to eat his profane food in purity.

HALAKHAH: The Mishnah does not follow Rebbi, as it was stated: “One does not immerse from stage to stage on the holiday and one does not let the water touch in a stone vessel to purify it on the Sabbath, the word of Rebbi. But the Sages say one immerses from stage to stage on the holiday and one lets the water touch in a stone vessel in purity on the Sabbath.” It only said, in a stone vessel. Therefore not in a wooden vessel.

HALAKHAH: The House of Shammai say, irregular leaning-on was permitted. But the House of Hillel say, irregular leaning-on was not permitted. What is irregular leaning-on? From the day before. Rebbi Ze`ira said, everybody agrees that he did not fulfill his obligation regarding the reparation offering of a sufferer from skin disease if he leaned on the day before; he fulfilled his obligation with voluntary well-being offerings for which he leaned on the day before. Where do they disagree? The festival well-being offerings. The House of Shammai treat them like voluntary well-being offerings; the House of Hillel treat them like the reparation offering of a sufferer from skin disease. Rebbi Yasa said, that what you are saying, he did not fulfill his obligation regarding the reparation offering of a sufferer from skin disease if he leaned on the day before, {only} on time. If its time has passed it becomes like voluntary well-being offerings.

HALAKHAH: One explains this by two explanations: in the opinion of the House of Shammai if he drank from it; in the opinion of the House of Hillel if it is drinkable.

HALAKHAH: Abba bar Rav Huna said, [this is] if he did not make an eruv tavshilin for himself. But if he made an eruv tavshilin for himself it is permitted. What is the difference between a dish and hot water? From a dish one usually eats, from hot water one usually does not drink.

HALAKHAH: “In Rabban Gamliel’s house one used to sweep between the couches. Rebbi Eleazar ben Rebbi Ṣadoq said, I ate many times at Rabban Gamliel’s and they did not sweep between the couches, but they had spread sheets on the ground and when the guest left they were folding them. They said to him, this he is permitted to do even on the Sabbath. In Rabban Gamliel’s house one used to put down incense in a barrel. Rebbi Eleazar ben Rebbi Ṣadoq said, I ate many times at Rabban Gamliel’s and they did not put down incense in a barrel, but they were burning incense in chests on holiday eve, and when the guests arrived they were opening them. They said to him, this he is permitted to do even on the Sabbath.”

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Abba: Both Rav and Samuel are saying, the words of the Sages are that even pulling her with them is forbidden. Rebbi Abba in the name of Samuel: If its horns were drilling it is permitted. Rebbi Yose said, I pointed out the difficulty before Rebbi Abba and he said, we only stated: “the female camel with a nose ring.” Rebbi Ze`ira in the name of Samuel: A badly behaved ox goes out with his bridle; our teachers in the Diaspora do this. Rebbi Aḥa, Rebbi Jacob bar Idi in the name of Rebbi Jonathan, Rebbi Tanḥum bar Ḥiyya: A badly behaved donkey goes out with his bridle. Rebbi Illa, Rav Jehudah in the name of Rebbi Simeon ben Rebbi Ḥiyya: A dog goes out with his muzzle. If to punish him it is forbidden, if so he should not eat his bridle it is permitted.

HALAKHAH: The lowest part as container, the uppermost as metal vessel, and the middle part as sieve.

HALAKHAH: We have stated: “A person may not drag a bed, or a chair, or a footstool, or a fauteuil, because he makes a groove, but Rebbi Simeon permits.” Rebbi Abba in the name of Rav Ḥuna, Rebbi Ḥaggai in the name of Rebbi Ze`ira, Rebbi Yose in the name of Rebbi Ila: The Sages admit to Rebbi Simeon that a chair whose legs are stuck in mud one is permitted to move on the Sabbath. Similarly it is permitted to return it. Rebbi Yose said, we also have stated: “and they may be removed on the Sabbath.” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, this is Rebbi Simeon’s. Rebbi Yose said, a Mishnah says so, “one may not drag any implement except a carriage because it compresses.”

HALAKHAH: “One does not catch fish,” etc. Rebbi Ḥinena said, our Mishnah does not follow Rebbi Jehudah, as we have stated there: “ one who catches a bird for a cage or a deer for a house is liable;” therefore for a garden or a vivarium he is not liable. The argument of Rebbi Jehudah is inverted since we have stated: “one does not catch fish from vivaria and one does not feed them,” therefore for a garden or a vivarium he is not liable? The argument of the rabbis is inverted, as we have stated there: “but the Sages say, a bird for a cage and a deer for a garden, or a courtyard, or a vivarium,” and we have stated, “but one catches wild animals and fowl from vivaria and feeds them,” therefore not for a garden or a vivarium? One for a covered courtyard, the other for a courtyard which is not covered. But did we not state “a garden”? Can you say a covered garden? But here a large one, there a small one. Rebbi Ulla said, they asked before Rebbi Aḥa, how should one state? In any case where catching is still missing one is liable, but if catching is not missing one is not liable? He answered them, do we not deal with the case that he corrals them into it? But “in any case where catching is still missing it is forbidden, but if catching is not missing it is permitted”. Rebbi Samuel, Rebbi Berekhiah’s brother, said: any which needs nets needs catching, what does not need nets does not need catching.

HALAKHAH: Who informs? If the trap was sprung, it is certain that they were caught when it still was daytime. But if the trap was not sprung, it is certain that they were not caught when it still was daytime. And even if the trap was sprung, in worry one may say that they were not caught when it still was day. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, if it was set in a forest. You should know that it is so since we have stated “fish”. Are fish not there where they are found? Also here at a place where game and birds are found.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Abba in the name of the rabbis there: If he slaughtered it and wolves ate its intestines it is qualified, for the presumption of intestines is qualification. Should one not worry that maybe they were punctured? The presumption of intestines is that they are qualified. It was stated: But one may bring it on its hide. What does he do? He leaves one limb on it and brings it together with it.

HALAKHAH: The argument of Rebbi Jehudah seems inverted since we stated there, “Rebbi Jehudah says, if it was not a cadaver before the Sabbath it is forbidden since it is not prepared.” And here he says so? Rebbi Jehudah follows his own opinion since Rebbi Jehudah said, the expert is not from the Torah. Rebbi Ḥuna in the name of Rebbi Abba: It is Rebbi Jehudah’s since Rebbi Jehudah gives the same rules for inspecting a firstling as inspecting ṭerefah. As you are saying there, one inspects for ṭerefah on a holiday, similarly one inspects a firstling on the holiday. Rebbi Yudan asked: Demay is from their words. and inspecting for terefah is from their words. Since you are saying that one inspects for ṭerefah on a holiday, does one separate demay on a holiday? Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Yose ben Ḥanina: Any whose defect was visible on the eve of a holiday but the expert permitted it only on the holiday is not prepared. But was it not stated, a [firstling] calf which was born from a terefah animal on the holiday is permitted. Rav Ḥisda said, explain it if the expert transgressed and saw it. There came a case before Rebbi Immi who wanted to say, between Rebbi Jehudah and Rebbi Simeon, practice follows Rebbi Jehudah. Rav Hoshaia brought a baraita of Bar Qappara from the South and stated: But the Sages say, any whose defect was visible on the eve of a holiday but the expert permitted it only on the holiday is not prepared. He changed his opinion.

HALAKHAH: Samuel said, the five Elders who instructed Rebbi Tarphon in Lydda erred. Rav Mattanah said, the case concerned a firstling Rebbi Abbin said, the Mishnah says so: “about this and about ḥallah which became impure.” Since that one was holy, so also this one was holy. They asked before Levi, may one inspect a torn animal in a dark house? He said, bring it outside. Rebbi Immi asked, we heard that one does not inspect cases of skin disease in a dark house. Did we hear that one does not inspect a torn animal in a dark house? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, it is not because of this reason, but lest it would be found ṭerefah and be forbidden to be moved. It turns out that Rav Mattanah follows Samuel, and Levi Rav. Rebbi Abba, Rav Jehudah in the name of Samuel said, practice follows Rebbi Jehudah.

HALAKHAH: Therefore adding one adds. If there were five they could be turned into ten.

HALAKHAH: “One does not sharpen the knife on the holiday but he cleanses it on another.” Rav Ḥisda said, this is Rebbi Jehudah’s. Rav Jehudah in the name of Samuel said, it is everybody’s opinion, to remove the fat on it.

HALAKHAH: Rav Huna said, either less or more. Rebbi Eleazar said to Zeura bar Ḥama, fill me this vessel and tomorrow we shall measure it.

HALAKHAH: It was stated: A person may say to another, give me a kelah of spices since it is the way of private persons to give a kelah of spices into his dish.

HALAKHAH: “He who transports wine jugs,” etc. Rebbi Ḥanin bar Levi said, the Mishnah is about these little flasks of which one carries two or three in a hand. If it is one big one, in front of him it is usual, on the back it is usual. Just as you are saying, he brings it with its hide, similarly he brings it with its jar. Just as you are saying, he brings it limb by limb, similarly he brings it vial by vial.

HALAKHAH: “One does not take wood from a hut but only from what is leaning on it.” Samuel said, if he did not intend to fortify it. But if he intended to fortify it it is forbidden, unless he stipulated about it. Therefore if he stipulated it is permitted. Rav Naḥman bar Jacob asked, may a person stipulate to tear down tents? One said before Samuel, if it was pasted on it, and Rav Naḥman bar Jacob was wondering about it.

HALAKHAH: “One does not split logs nor a log which broke.” That is, a log which broke on the holiday. But a log which broke on the eve of a holiday is permitted if it cannot be called an implement. But if it can be called an implement even if it broke on the eve of a holiday it is forbidden.

HALAKHAH: It was stated: Closed pans, if he made them before the holiday he may not open them on the holiday since he would be like one who makes a vessel usable on the holiday.

HALAKHAH: The sausage maker cannot do it on the holiday since he is cutting bast.

HALAKHAH: What is between them? To make a heap. In Rebbi Eliezer’s opinion one may make a heap, in the rabbis’ opinion one may not make a heap.

HALAKHAH: “One does not heat tiles to fry on them.” There are Tannaim who state, one may heat. [And there are Tannaim who state, one may not heat.] Rav Ḥisda said, he who said one may heat, by those already checked out. And he who said one may not heat, by those not checked out.

HALAKHAH: “One lowers produce through a skylight on the holiday,” etc. The Mishnah is about this roof, but from another roof it is forbidden if it is not equal. But if it was equal it is permitted. It was stated: If there was a window, one lowers through the window.

HALAKHAH: Sabbath rest which is voluntary, and obligation which is meritorious. What is Sabbath rest which is voluntary? One does not climb on a tree, nor rides on an animal, nor sail on water, [nor clap his hands in anger, nor clap his hands in joy, nor dance.] What is obligation which is meritorious? One does not judge, nor contract preliminary marriage, nor give ḥaliṣah, nor enter levirate marriage.

HALAKHAH: The Mishnah if he handed it over on the holiday; but if he handed it over to him on holiday eve it is like the shepherd’s feet. If there is there one shepherd, but if there is not one shepherd there, like the feet of the cow hand. And it was stated thus: “If he hands his animal to the cow hand even though he did not inform the cow hand it is like the cow hand’s feet.”

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Abba said, for eruv they went according to the logical rule. You should know that this is so since they say there in the name of Rav Ḥisda, but they do not know whether from a tradition or a Mishnah, ‘even logs.’ Did we want to say that logs have no stability?

HALAKHAH: “Five things were said about burning charcoal and five about the flame. One commits larceny with the burning charcoal of the Temple; one may not use its flame but one cannot commit larceny with the latter. Burning charcoal of idolatry is forbidden, its flame is allowed. He who makes a vow not to use anything of another person may not use his burning charcoal but is allowed his flame. He who carries burning charcoal into the public domain is liable but for the flame he is free of punishment. One makes the benediction over the flame but not over glowing charcoal.” Rav Ḥiyya bar Ashi in the name of Rav: If the charcoal was crackling one makes the benediction. Rebbi Joḥanan from Karṣion in the name of Rebbi Naḥum bar Simai: Only if {the flame} is jumping off.

HALAKHAH: [A well] between two Sabbath domains. Rebbi Joḥanan said, one makes an iron wall for it. Rebbi Yose ben Ḥanina said, even a partition made of reeds, on condition that the water not flow in both directions. Rebbi Yudan said, they were more strict with their words than with words of the Torah. Rebbi Ḥanina said, is it not {mixture of} kind in its own kind? But they were strict with their words as with words of the Torah.

HALAKHAH: Rav and Samuel: one says, like the feet of the depositor. The other one says, they are like the feet of him they are deposited with. The Mishnah disagrees with him who says, they are like the feet of him they are deposited with. As we have stated, “If somebody had produce in another village and the people of that village made an eruv to come to him, they should not bring him his produce” If you would say, they are like the feet of him they are deposited with, they should bring him his produce. Rebbi Yudan said, explain it if the key was in the hands of the owner, or that he did not concede his powers to them before the start of the holiday. And what says this? “If he invited guests they may not carry away their parts unless through another person he gave them the right to their parts on the eve of the holiday”. Are they not like the feet of him they are deposited with from the moment that he gave them the rights to their parts.

HALAKHAH: “The following are the prairie animals, those who leave on Passover and return with the rains. The following are the domestic ones, those who stay in the village overnight. Rebbi says, it is permitted to slaughter these and those which entered the Sabbath domain after dark. What are prairie animals? Those who grow up in the dust.” Rebbi Ze`ira said, this implies, it is permitted to move a vessel which entered the Sabbath domain from outside the Sabbath domain. Rebbi Simeon bar Karsana in the name of Rebbi Aḥa: But only within four cubits. As this, a Saracen honored Gamliel the Twin with truffles. He came and asked Rebbi Mana who said to him, receive them in your kitchen and eat them within four cubits.

HALAKHAH: “From when does one mention the Power of rains,” etc. The reason of Rebbi Eliezer, because these four kinds grow on water, they become attorneys for water. Another explanation, when the slave serves all his master’s needs he asks for his reward from him. Rebbi Joshua said to him, is it not that when the slave has served all his master’s needs and his master is satisfied with him that he asks his [sustenance] from him? Another explanation. The slave asks for his reward only close to the time when his reward is due. It was stated: Rebbi Eliezer says, from the time one takes the lulav; Rebbi Joshua says, from the time he puts it down. In the opinion of the latter Tanna, the opinion of Rebbi Eliezer in the first is his opinion in the latter. The argument of Rebbi Joshua is inverted. There, he says from the concluding holiday, but here he says, from the time he puts it down. Rebbi Mana says, because the entire day is qualified to take the lulav. Should he not mention in the evening? Not everybody is there. Then he should mention it in the morning. He would think that maybe they mentioned in the evening and he will mention. Since he sees that they do not mention in the first {prayer} but mention in the later {prayer}, he understands that they did not mention in the evening. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Marius said to him, so was your father Rebbi Jonah arguing it.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Joḥanan said, practice follows Rebbi Jehudah who said in the name of Rebbi Jehudah ben Bathyra. Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: The reason of Rebbi Jehudah, that all holidays end with dew since dew is a good sign for the world.

HALAKHAH: The Mishnah is Rebbi Meïr’s, as it was stated, “what is the time of rainfall? Rebbi Meïr says, the early one on the Third, the average one on the Seventh, and the late one on the Seventeenth. Rebbi Jehudah says, the early one on the Seventh, the average on on the Seventeenth, and the late one on the Twenty-third. Rebbi Yose said, the early one on the Seventeenth, the average one on the Twenty-third, and the late one on the Thirtieth day, since we find that particular people only start to fast on the New Moon of Kislev.” Rebbi Abbamari, the brother of Rebbi Yose, said: everybody agrees that the Seventeenth is the time for the pleiads to disappear, since on it the Deluge came over the world. What is the reason? On this day all sources of the deep abyss were opened. Rebbi Abba bar Zamina, Rebbi Eleazar in the name of Rebbi Hoshaia: Practice follows him who says, “on the Third of Marḥeshwan one prays for rain”. And why did he not say, following Rebbi Meïr? There are Tannaim who switch.

HALAKHAH: These are the particular people, those who were appointed overseers over the public. Because he was appointed overseer over the public he will be heard when he prays? But since he was appointed overseer over the public and found to be honest, he is worthy to pray and be heard.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Joḥanan said, pregnant and nursing women do not fast on any fast-day for which the Court decides to interrupt. Rebbi Samuel bar Rav Isaac said, this seems reasonable if they originally decided not to interrupt, but if they directly decided to interrupt, pregnant and nursing women have to fast. It was stated thus: “Pregnant and nursing women fast regularly on the Ninth of Av [and the Day of Atonement] and on the first and the second groups of fast-days. But on the seven last ones they do not fast; nevertheless they should not spoil themselves but eat and drink for the necessities of the child.” Does this not refer to the case that they decided originally not to interrupt? Rebbi Abba bar Zavda, Rebbi Isaac bar Tevlai came in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: Even if they directly decided to interrupt, pregnant and nursing women do not fast.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Ze`ira in the name of Rav Jeremiah: He who does work on a public fast-day is like one who does work on the Day of Atonement. What is the reason? Sanctify a fast-day, call an assembly. But was it not stated, the night is permitted but the day forbidden? Rebbi Ze`ira said, Abba bar Jeremiah confirmed it; assemble the people, at the time of the popular assembly.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Yudan son of Rebbi Ḥama of Kefar Teḥamin, like the forty which Moses spent on the Mountain. Rebbi Yose said, because one does not excessively impose on the community. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said, for if there were two causes, for example a lack of rain and locusts, one blows for both. And why for these two occasions? Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, for these two cause prices to increase.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said, that is a building of enjoyment. But if his wall was inclined, he tears it down and rebuilds it. Samuel said, the wall were he sleeps.

(Greetings) [Halakhah 9:] Was it not stated: “One does not greet fellows on the Ninth of Av, but one answers common people in a soft manner“? It is needed for the days in between.

HALAKHAH: “How is the order of the fast days,” etc. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said, why does one move to the town plaza? To say, we are considered as if exiled before You. Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said, because they prayed in privacy and were not answered; therefore they went public and were publicized. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said, why does one bring the Ark to the town plaza? To say that we had one precious vessel and our sins caused it to become debased. The Elder Rebbi Ḥuna of Sepphoris said, our forefathers covered it with gold and we covered it with ashes. Rebbi Jacob the Southerner said, why does one blow horns? To say, we are considered as if bellowing like animals before You. Rebbi Levi said, and why does one visit graves? To say, we are considered like dead before You. Rebbi Tanḥuma says, all of this is included. If we are guilty to die there are the dead, if exile there is exile, if hunger there is hunger.

HALAKHAH: It was stated: “And modest, easy on youth, used to study, used to preaching and owner of house and field.” We have stated, “but his house is empty”, and you are saying so? If nobody is available one may place anybody one wants.

HALAKHAH: All benedictions after their seals; one does not say a verse as [after a] benediction. Rebbi Isaac (bar) <ben rebbi> Eleazar objected before Rebbi Yose: Because you say after their seals, one does not say a verse as benediction? They said, (that young man is intelligent,) [so is the matter] because he thinks what is the meaning of “after their seals”? It is that when he was standing in the morning prayer and mentioned the text of evening prayers but he caught himself and finished with the text of morning prayers, then he did his duty. Rebbi Aḥa said, all benedictions in the kind of their seals. But those who say: Jubilate and sing, inhabitant of Zion, for great is in your midst the Holy One of Israel do not violate the rule that no benediction is a verse.

HALAKHAH: But was not Isaac redeemed? Since Isaac was redeemed it is as if all of Israel was redeemed. Rebbi Bevai Abba in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: Abraham said before the Holy One, praise to Him: Master of the worlds, it is open and known before You that when You said to me to sacrifice my son Isaac I could have answered and said before You, yesterday You said to me, for in Isaac will your descendants be named, and now You are saying, sacrifice him as elevation offering. Heaven forbid that I should have done this, to the contrary I suppressed my inclination and did Your will. So may it be Your pleasure, Eternal, my God, that when my son Isaac’s descendants will be in trouble and nobody will speak in their defense, that You will speak in their defense. The Eternal will see. You will remember for them the binding of Isaac and be filled with mercy for them. What is written afterwards? Abraham lifted his eyes and saw a ram, after, etc. What means “after”? Rebbi Judah ben Rebbi Simon said, after all generations in the future your sons will be gripped by sins and involved in troubles but at the end they will be redeemed by the horns of this ram, [as it is said], and the Eternal, God, will blow the horn and go in Southern storms.

HALAKHAH: Our forefathers formed four factions on the Sea. One said, let us fall into the Sea. And another said, let us return to Egypt. And another said, let us fight with them. And another said, let us shout against them. To the one who said, let us fall into the Sea, Moses said, stay firm and see the help of the Eternal, etc. And to the one who said, let us return to Egypt, Moses said, for as you are seeing Egypt today, etc. And to the one who said, l let us fight with them, Moses said, the Eternal will fight for you. And to the one who said, let us shout against them, Moses said, and you be silent.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish in the name of Rebbi Yannai: The Holy One, praise to Him, associated His great Name with Israel. {A parable} of a king who had the small key of a jewelry box. The king said, if I leave it as it is, it is apt to be lost. Therefore I shall put in on a chain. Then if it were lost the key would prove where it is. So the Holy One, praise to Him, said, if I leave Israel as they are, they would be absorbed by the nations. Therefore I shall associate My great Name with them and they will survive. What is the reason? The Canaanites and all inhabitants of the Land will hear, and encircle us, and eradicate our Name from the Land; then what would You do for Your great Name?[Immediately], the Eternal said to Joshua, get up. Rise for what You mentioned.

HALAKHAH: It is written: They assembled at Miṣpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Eternal. Did they pour out water? But it teaches that they poured out their heart like water. (They said there)[Samuel said] we sinned before the Eternal. Rebbi Samuel bar Rav Isaac said, Samuel wore the robe of all of Israel. He said before Him: Master of the worlds, do You not judge a person only if he says before You, “I did not sin”? I shall sit in judgment over you because you said, I did not sin. But those said before You “we sinned”.

HALAKHAH: It is written: At the approach of the afternoon sacrifice, Elijah the prophet stepped up and said, Eternal, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today may it be known<that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant.> And Elijah sacrifices when local altars are forbidden? Rebbi Simlai said, the Word He said to him: I acted on Your saying. I acted following Your Word. Answer me, Eternal, Answer me. Answer me for my merit, answer me for the merit of my student <the students.>

HALAKHAH: It is written: He said, I called on the Eternal in my trouble and he answered me. Would not David and Solomon have to precede Elijah and Jonah? Only to conclude with “Who shows mercy for the Land.”

HALAKHAH: It was stated: “One does not answer ‘Amen’ in the Temple. What did they say? ‘Praised be the glory of His Kingdom forever and ever.’ And from where that one does not answer ‘Amen’ in the Temple? The verse says, Arise, praise the Eternal, your God, forever and ever. From where for every single benediction? The verse says, and exalted over all praise and glory.”

HALAKHAH: Why are the bystanders <men of the watch> permitted to drink water <wine> during the night but not during the day? For if the service would be too much for the men of the watch <bystanders> the bystanders <men of the watch> would join them. “The people of the clan neither by day nor by night,” since they are permanently in service.

HALAKHAH: The Mishnah is Rebbi Meïr’s, since Rebbi Meïr said, “not to eulogize” one is forbidden to fast, “not to fast” one is permitted to eulogize. “Not to” unspecified is as “not to fast.” Rebbi Jonah said, “these are the days not to eulogize <fast> on them, and partially not to fast <eulogize> on them.” Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel said, why does it say “on them” twice? To teach that the night is permitted but the day forbidden. As it was stated, “therefore a person who takes it on himself has to forbid himself in prayer.” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, that he must mention it on the preceding evening. This comes following what Rebbi Ze`ira said in the name of Rav Huna: Similar to Friday night and Sabbath day.

HALAKHAH: Simeon bar Abba said, there came a case before Rebbi Joḥanan and he instructed following Rebbi Yose. Rebbi Eleazar was sorry about this; he said, does one disregard the anonymous {Mishnah} and follow an isolated opinion? He found that Rebbi Ḥiyya stated this in the name of Rebbi Meïr. When he understood that Rebbi Ḥiyya stated this in the name of Rebbi Meïr., he said, the old man understands his chapters well. Rebbi Mana asked before Rebbi Yudan: Did not Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Abbahu say in the name of Rebbi Eleazar, every place where Rebbi taught a disagreement and afterwards taught it anonymously, practice follows the anonymous statement. He said to him, and if not Rebbi, maybe somebody else. How is this? If it is found that Rebbi taught a disagreement and afterwards taught it anonymously, then practice follows the anonymous statement. In a case where Rebbi did not teach a disagreement but others taught it in disagreement and Rebbi taught it anonymously, certainly practice has to follow the anonymous text. There come Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa, Rebbi Simeon bar Abba, in the name of Rebbi Eleazar, every place where Rebbi taught a disagreement and afterwards taught it anonymously, practice follows the anonymous statement. Why does he instruct here following the isolated opinion? Rebbi Samuel bar Ina in the name of Rebbi Aḥa: That is, if no disagreement is stated together with the anonymous opinion. But if a disagreement is stated together with the anonymous opinion, practice does not follow the anonymous opinion. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Aḥa: that is if an individual disagrees with an individual. But in the case of an individual following the {anonymous} Sages, practice does not follow the anonymous text.

HALAKHAH: How much is “started”? Rebbi Abba said, once. Rebbi Yose said, twice. It was acted on following Rebbi Abba. And what does one read? Rebbi Yose said, one reads “blessings and curses.” Rebbi Mana said to him, since they know it is a fast day they are falling on their bellies, do they not know that it is a fast day? He said to him, to tell you that one reads “blessings and curses.” Rebbi Yudan from Kappadokia said before Rebbi Yose in the name of Rebbi Jehudah bar Pazi, one reads about the New Moon. Rebbi Yose met Rebbi Jehudah bar Pazi; he said to him, did you hear this from your father? He said to him, my father said this only about Eintab. Since they know that it is the New Moon, they are reading about the New Moon. At all other places they are reading “blessings and curses.”

HALAKHAH: “The order of these fast-days was said,” etc. What is their “immediately”? Rav said, Monday, Thursday, and Monday. If it became abnormal on Monday, what about sounding the alarm on Thursday? Rebbi Ze`ira understood it from the following: He said to me, do not fear, Daniel, since from the first day when you intended to fast before the Eternal, your God, your words were heard. Already your words were heard. And here, since the Court were determined to do it is as if they did.

HALAKHAH: “If they descended on produce but not on trees,” little by little, “on trees but not on produce,” only heavy downpours, “on both but not on cisterns, ditches, or caves, one sounds the alarm immediately.” It was stated: “One sounds the alarm about trees half a month before Passover, about cisterns, ditches and caves half a month before Pentecost.” Then even later? Later it would be a miracle, and one does not sound the alarm expecting miracles.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Simon said, it is written: I shall give rain on one town and on another town I shall not give rain; one parcel will receive rain but the leaves of a parcel which does not receive rain will wilt. The merit of the field does it.

HALAKHAH: There was an epidemic in Sepphoris but it did not touch the avenue where Rebbi Ḥanina was dwelling. The Sepphoreans were saying, why is this old man amongst us sitting in peace while the neighborhood and the town is ruined? He came to preach and said before them: There was one Zimry in his generation but 24’000 fell of Israel. But we, how many Zimry are in our generation and you are complaining?

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Levi said, it is written: The Eternal will stick to you the epidemic. {A parable} of a woman who sticks three loaves together. How is this acted on? Is it not that larger it needs another rate? Let us hear it from the following: Even a city large as Antiochia, and there were brought out three dead persons during three consecutive days. This implies that larger it needs another rate. The houses about which they spoke, healthy but not shaky. And similarly, young people but not old ones. It was stated: Diphtheria any; two by plague and one by diphtheria. Come and see, “diphtheria any” and you are saying so? It is needed for the case that they blew the shofar about diphtheria and it went away and after that two died of a plague and one of diphtheria.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Ḥama bar Uqba in the name of Rebbi Yose ben Ḥanina: One blows the shofar for the failure of the flax crop. What is the reason? Horrible and execrable things happened in the land. Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman in the name of Rebbi Jonathan: One blows the shofar about hot East wind. What is the reason? I went black without sun, I rose in the assembly to pray. Rebbi Eleazar said, honor your healer before you need him. What is the reason? If your prayer had preceded your need, and all efforts of power. Rebbi Joḥanan and Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish. Rebbi Joḥanan said, [if you prayed, no one up high will begrudge you, but all will reinforce your power, and all efforts of power. Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish said, if you prayed,] do not keep your mouth narrow, but open your mouth and I shall fill it.

HALAKHAH: That is, if collected. But dispersed even less than that. Rebbi Mana said, if the are seen one pursues them. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, they were seen at a place inappropriate for them.

HALAKHAH: Rav said, answer me, Eternal, answer me. The Mishnah disagrees with Rav: “Rebbi Yose said, to help but not to vociferation.” Therefore the first Tanna holds even for vociferation.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Jonah, Simeon bar Abba in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: The thing about which it is impossible to say “enough”, that is blessing. Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Ḥelbo, Rav Abba bar Ilay in the name of Rav: Until your lips will wear out saying, we have enough blessings, we have enough blessings.

HALAKHAH: “Simeon ben Shataḥ sent to him and told him, you should be excommunicated.” For if there had been a decision made as it was decided in the days of Elijah, would you not have caused a desecration of the Name in public? And everybody who causes a public desecration of the Name must be excommunicated. [There, we have stated: Rabban Gamliel sent to him, if you hinder the public you will cause a deluge. Would you not hinder the public from performing a meritorious act? And any who would hinder the public from performing a meritorious act must be excommunicated.] He answered him, but does not the Holy One, praise to Him, cancel His decision because of the decision of a just person? He said to him, [yes]. The Holy One, praise to Him, may cancel His decision because of the decision of a just person, but He will not cancel the decision of one just person because of the decision of his just colleague.

HALAKHAH: “If they were fasting and it rained before sunrise, they do not finish,” as it is said, before they will call I shall answer. “After sunrise they finish,” still they are talking and I shall hear. Or may be the other way around? Rebbi Tanḥuma said, it was stated so: there is no answer but close to calling, and no calling but close to answering. In the days of Rebbi Yudan they decided on a fast; then rain fell in the night. Rebbi Mana went up to him; he said to him: since I am thirsty, may I drink? He said to him, wait. Maybe they will take counsel to finish.