mishnah

Rav Ḥuna in the name of Rav, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: Sancta given for the upkeep of the Temple which were redeemed unblemished become profane. A Mishnah says so, “their offspring and their milk are permitted after their redemption.” Rebbi Ḥizqiah in the name of Rav Ḥisda: Explain it if they were redeemed unblemished and then became defective. Rebbi Yose in the name of Rav Ḥisda: Does the Mishnah say so? “Their offspring and their milk are forbidden after their redemption.” Rebbi Ḥizqiah in the name of Rebbi Yose: Sancta given for the upkeep of the Temple which were redeemed unblemished become profane. If you are saying they did not become profane, how could the sanctity of the altar fall on sancta given for the upkeep of the Temple?

MISHNAH: Once every thirty days one sets the prices for the office. Anyone who accepts to supply fine flour at a rate of four, if the going rate goes up to three he has to supply at the rate of four; if at the rate of three and the going rate went down to four he has to supply at four since the hand of the sanctuary is privileged. If the flour turned out worm-infected, it was infected in his possession; and if the wine turned into vinegar it was vinegar in his possession. He is not paid until the altar did atone.

MISHNAH: These are the appointees who were in the Sanctuary: Joḥanan ben Phineas of the seals, Aḥiyya of the libations, Mathew ben Samuel of the lotteries, Petaḥiah of the nests. Petaḥiah is Mordecai. Why was he called Petaḥiah? For he had original ideas and explained them, and he knew seventy languages. Ben Aḥiyyah for indigestion; Onias the digger of ditches, Gabinius the herald, Ben Gever for locking the doors, Ben Bevai for the oakum. Ben Arza for the cymbal, Hugdas ben Levi for the song. The family Garmu for the shew-bread, the family Eutinos for producing the incense. Eleazar for the gobelins, and Phineas the clothier.

MISHNAH: One does not appoint less than seven overseers and three treasurers, and one does not appoint less than two persons to an executive office spending money, except Ben Aḥiyyah for indigestion and Eleazar for the gobelins, for these the public accepted.

MISHNAH: Four stamps were in the Temple; on them was written calf, ram, lamb, sinner. Ben Azzai says, there were five, and Aramaic was written on them, calf, ram, lamb, poor sinner, rich sinner. “Calf” serves for the libations of cattle, large or small, male or female. “Lamb” serves for the libations of sheep and goats, large or small, male or female, except for rams. “Ram” only serves for the libations with a ram. “Sinner” serves for the three animals of the sufferer from skin disease. If somebody needs libations he goes to Joḥanan who is overseeing the stamps, gives him the money, and receives a ticket from him. He goes to Aḥiyya who is overseeing the libations, gives him the ticket, and receives the libations from him. In the evening they come together, Aḥiyya produces the tickets and receives money correspondingly. If there was a deficit, it is his deficit and Joḥanan has to pay from his own. But if there was excess it belongs to the Temple since the hand of the Temple is privileged. If somebody lost his ticket, one lets him wait until the evening. If they find for him corresponding to his ticket one gives to him; otherwise one does not give to him. The date was written on it because of the tricksters.

MISHNAH: Two lodges were in the Temple, one the silence lodge and one the vessel lodge. The silence lodge: Silently did sin-fearing people contribute there and poor people from good families were supported from there in silence. The vessel lodge: Anybody who vowed a vessel throws it in there. Once in 30 days the treasurers open it. Any vessel which they deem is needed for the upkeep of the Temple they keep, but the remainder is sold and their proceeds belong to the lodge of upkeep of the Temple.

It was stated: Altar sancta take what is appropriate for them from sancta of upkeep of the Temple. Sancta of upkeep of the Temple do not take what is appropriate for them from altar sancta. But did we not state, “any vessel which they deem is needed for the upkeep of the Temple they keep, but the remainder is sold and their proceeds fall into the lodge of upkeep of the Temple”? Rebbi Ḥizqiah said, so is the Mishnah: in case of need from the lodge of upkeep of the Temple.

MISHNAH: Thirteen horns, thirteen tables, and thirteen prostrations were in the Temple. The family of Rabban Gamliel and of Rebbi Ḥanania the Second in Command of the priests were prostrating themselves fourteen times. And where was the additional one? In front of the storage room of the wood since they had a tradition from their forefathers that there the Ark was hidden. It happened that a Cohen was occupied when he saw that a floor tile was different from the others. He went to tell it to a comrade but could not finish speaking before his soul left him; then they knew with certainty the the Ark was hidden there.

MISHNAH: Where were these prostrations? Four in the North, four in the South, three in the East, and two in the West, corresponding to the thirteen gates. The Southern gates close to the West: the Upper Gate, the Fuel Gate, the Firstborns’ Gate, the Water gate. And why was it called Water Gate? For there they bring in the phial of water for the water libation on Tabernacles. Rebbi Eliezer ben Jacob said, the water will drizzle in the future from under the threshold Opposite them in the North, close to the West, the Jechoniah gate, the Sacrifice gate, the Women’s gate, the Song’s gate. And why was it called the Jechoniah gate? For through it Jechoniah left in his deportation. In the East the Nikanor gate, which had two small entrances, one to the right and one to the left. And two in the West which had no names.

HALAKHAH: The Mishnah is Abba Yose ben Ḥanin’s, since Abba Yose ben Ḥanin said, corresponding to the thirteen gates. But according to the Rabbis there were seven gates. In the Rabbis’ opinion, where were the thirteen prostrations? As we have stated there, “There were thirteen breaches, were the Greek kings breached it; they came back and closed them and decided correspondingly thirteen prostrations.”

MISHNAH: There were thirteen tables in the Temple. Eight marble ones in the slaughterhouse on which one was soaking the intestines. Two West of the ramp, one of marble and one of silver. On the marble one they put the limbs, on the silver one the vessels of service. And two in the vestibule inside, near the entrance to the Temple Hall, one of marble and one of gold. On the marble one they put the shew-bread when it was brought in, and on the golden one when it was brought out, for one increases in holiness and does not decrease. And a golden one inside on which the shew-bread was permanently.

MISHNAH: Thirteen horns were in the Temple, and it was written on them: New sheqalim, and old sheqalim, nests, young birds for elevation sacrifices, wood, and incense, gold for the cover, and six for voluntary gifts. New sheqalim for the current year, and old ones, one who did not bring the past year, gives it for the next one. “Nests” are turtle doves and “young birds as elevation offerings” are pigeons, all for elevation offerings, the words of Rebbi Jehudah. But the Sages say, of “nests” one is a purification offering and one an elevation offering; “young birds as elevation offerings” are all elevation offerings. If one says, “I am obligated for wood logs”, he may not give less than for two logs; “incense”, he may not give less than for a fistful; “gold”, he may not give less than for a gold denar. “Six for voluntary gifts.” What did they do with this? One buys with it elevation offerings; the flesh is for the Eternal and the skins are for the Cohanim. This explanation did Jehoyada the High Priest explain: It is a reparation offering, repairing, a reparation offering for the Eternal; this is the principle: Elevation offerings should be bought from anything coming because of sin or reparation; the flesh is for the Eternal and the skins are for the Cohanim. It turns out that both parts of the verse are fulfilled, a reparation offering for the Eternal and reparation for the Cohanim. And it says, money for reparation offerings and money for purification offerings are not to be brought to the Eternal’s House, it shall be for the Cohanim.

Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, Rebbi Abba bar Mamal asked: If he said, I am obligated [to offer] a log, does he bring one log? Rebbi Eleazar said, a Mishnah says that each one is a separate sacrifice, as we have stated, “two, holding in their hands two wooden logs.” This adds single logs.

MISHNAH: Coins which are found between the sheqalim and the voluntary gifts, if closer to sheqalim they have to be given to sheqalim, closer to voluntary gifts to voluntary gifts; in the middle they have to be given to voluntary gifts. Between wood and incense, if closer to wood they have to be given to wood, closer to incense to incense; in the middle they have to be given to incense. Between nests and young birds for elevation sacrifices, if closer to nests they have to be given to nests, closer to young birds for elevation sacrifices to young birds for elevation sacrifices; in the middle they have to be given to young birds for elevation sacrifices. Between profane money and Second Tithe\4, if closer to profane money they have to be given to profane money, closer to Second Tithe to Second Tithe; in the middle they have to be given to Second Tithe. This is the principle: one follows proximity; in the middle one is stringent.

MISHNAH: Coins found near vendors of animals always are Tithe money. On the Temple Mount, profane. In Jerusalem, during the remainder of the year they are profane, during the holidays everything is Second Tithe. Of meat found in the Temple courtyard, limbs are elevation sacrifices and cuts purification sacrifices; in Jerusalem well-being sacrifices. In either case it has to lose its shape and be taken out to be disposed of by burning. If it was found in the countryside, limbs are carrion, cuts are permitted. On holidays, when meat is abundant, even limbs are permitted.

Rebbi Eleazar in the name of Rebbi Hoshaia: Diversion of attention requires {loss of} shape. Rav Hoshaia said, the Mishnah says so, “it has to lose its shape and be taken out to be disposed of by burning.” Rebbi Yose says, this is correct. You may not eat it for maybe its shape already is lost. <you may not burn it for maybe its shape is not lost> Therefore it had to say, “it has to lose its shape and be taken out to be disposed of by burning”.

Rebbi Crispus in the name of Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Ḥanina: One flogs for carrion limbs because of carrion; and the Mishnah says so: “limbs are carrion, cuts are permitted.” Are cuts not really permitted? And similarly, one flogs for carrion limbs because of carrion.

MISHNAH: If it was found in the countryside, limbs are carrion, cuts are permitted. On holidays, when meat is abundant, even limbs are permitted. Rebbi Simeon said, the Court stipulated seven things, and this was one of them: If a Gentile sent his elevation offering from overseas also sent its libations, they are brought from his property; otherwise they are brought from public money. Similarly, if a proselyte died and the estate includes well-being offerings; if he also has flour offerings they are brought from his property; otherwise they are brought from public money. It is a stipulation of the Court that the flour offering of a deceased High Priest be brought from public money; Rebbi Jehudah says, from his heirs, and it was brought whole. About salt and wood that the Cohanim may use them, and about the Cow that one does not commit larceny with its ashes. And about disqualified nests that they be charged to the public; Rebbi Yose says, he who provides the nests provides the disqualified ones.

The tenth of an ephah from the High Priest. [Rebbi Joḥanan said,] he splits it and then dedicates. Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish said, he dedicates and afterwards splits it. A Mishnah disagrees with Rebbi Joḥanan: “He brings half of it; the other half is lost.” He explains it, because even the money has to be brought to the Dead Sea. A Mishnah disagrees with Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish: “It turns out that two halves are brought and two halves are lost.” And it was stated on this: “If the first one’s, the second half should lose its shape and be brought to the place of burning.” He explains it following Rebbi Ismael, for Rebbi Ismael said, the issaron dedicates. “If a Cohen comes first to serve, he brings his Tenth and officiates himself.” The officiating of both a High Priest and a common priest who officiated before they brought their tenth of an ephah is valid. Rebbi Mana wanted to say, if on that very day he was appointed High Priest he brings two, one for his initiation and one as daily obligation.

The tenth of an ephah from the High Priest. [Rebbi Joḥanan said,] he splits it and then dedicates. Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish said, he dedicates and afterwards splits it. A Mishnah disagrees with Rebbi Joḥanan: “He brings half of it; the other half is lost.” He explains it, because even the money has to be brought to the Dead Sea. A Mishnah disagrees with Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish: “It turns out that two halves are brought and two halves are lost.” And it was stated on this: “If the first one’s, the second half should lose its shape and be brought to the place of burning.” He explains it following Rebbi Ismael, for Rebbi Ismael said, the issaron dedicates. “If a Cohen comes first to serve, he brings his Tenth and officiates himself.” The officiating of both a High Priest and a common priest who officiated before they brought their tenth of an ephah is valid. Rebbi Mana wanted to say, if on that very day he was appointed High Priest he brings two, one for his initiation and one as daily obligation.

MISHNAH: All spittle found in Jerusalem is pure except on the Upper Market, the words of Rebbi Meïr. Rebbi Yose says, on all other days of the year, those in the middle of the road are impure, and those on the sides pure. On holidays, those in the middle of the road are pure and those on the sides impure since the minority will remove themselves to the sides. All implements which are found in Jerusalem on the road descending to the place of immersion are impure, on the way ascending they are pure since they were brought down on a way different from that on which they were brought up, the words of Rebbi Meïr. Rebbi Yose says, all are pure except the bag and the rake set apart for graves. If a knife was found on the Fourteenth, one may slaughter with it immediately; on the Thirteenth one has to repeat and immerse. A dagger in either case one has to repeat and immerse. If the Fourteenth falls on a Sabbath, one may slaughter with it immediately; on the Fifteenth one may slaughter with it immediately. If it was tied to a knife its status is that of the knife.

MISHNAH: If a gobelin became impure by derivative impurity, one immersed it inside and brought it back immediately. But if by original impurity, one immersed it outside and spread it out in the ante-court because it requires sundown. If it was new, one spreads it out on the roof of the stoa so the people could see its workmanship, which was beautiful. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel says in the name of Rebbi Simeon, the son of the Executive Officer of the Temple: The thickness of a gobelin was a hand-width. It was woven on 72 strings and each string was composed of 24 threads. Its length 40 cubits and its width 20 cubits; it was made for 820’000 {denar}. Two were made every year and 300 Cohanim were immersing it.

MISHNAH: Flesh of most holy sacrifices which became impure either by original impurity or by derivative impurity, whether inside or outside, the House of Shammai are saying that everything has to be burned inside except what became impure outside by original impurity. The House of Hillel are saying that everything has to be burned outside except what became impure inside by derivative impurity. Rebbi Eliezer says, what became impure by original impurity, whether inside or outside, shall be burned outside. But what became impure by derivative impurity, whether inside or outside, shall be burned inside. Rebbi Aqiba said, the place of its impurity is the place of its burning.

MISHNAH: The limbs of the daily sacrifice are deposited on the lower part of the ramp to the West, those of the musaf sacrifices on the lower part of the altar. Those of the days of the New Moon on the rim on the top of the altar. Sheqalim and First Fruits apply only if there is a Temple, but tithes of grain, and tithes of animals, and firstlings, apply whether there is a Temple or there is no Temple. If somebody dedicates sheqalim or First Fruits, they are sanctified. Rebbi Simeon says, even if somebody designates First Fruits as holy, they are not holy.

MISHNAH: A sukkah which is higher than twenty cubits is disqualified; Rebbi Jehudah qualifies it. It is disqualified if it is not ten hand-breadths high, or does not have three walls, or where the sunshine is larger than the shade.

Rav Hoshaia asked: If he brought a plank and put it protruding on top of a pillar. It is obvious that if he measures from the plank there are twenty cubits, if he measures from the ground it is not twenty cubits. How do you treat this? As disqualified space, as disqualified thatching? If you are treating it as disqualified space, it disqualifies by three hand-breadths. If you are treating it as disqualified thatching, it only disqualifies by four cubits. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun in the name of Ḥizqiah: Disqualified thatching only disqualifies by four cubits, since it serves only to permit the sukkah. Rebbi Miasha said, I am wondering what was Rav Hoshaia’s problem? Why does he not infer from the statement of Rebbi Abba bar Mamal, since we stated there: “If one makes the wall hanging from top to bottom, if it is more than three hand-breadths higher than the ground it is disqualified;” and Rebbi Abba bar Mamal said, if he does not sit and eats in the shade of the walls, but if he was sitting and eating in the shade of the walls it is qualified. Rebbi Yose said, that of Rebbi Abba bar Mamal is not an inference since Rebbi Abba bar Mamal learned it from another Mishnah, as we have stated there: “From a balcony above the sea one may not draw water on the Sabbath unless one made a partition ten hand-breadths high either above or below.” And Rebbi Ze`ira said, Rav Jehudah in the name of Rav: Only if the partition is lowered into the water the full length of a pail. But one cannot compare it. The sea is karmelit, neither private nor public domain. But here the Torah said, in sukkot you shall dwell. From the floor of the sukkah you measure twenty cubits.

Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish in the name of Rebbi Yose ben Ḥaninah: If one put in four poles at the four corners of a vineyard and connected them with a bast string on top, this saves as a symbolic fence. Rebbi Joḥanan said, the rules of separation walls for the Sabbath are the rules for kilaim. Rebbi Joḥanan said, it happened that Rebbi Joshua ben Qorḥah went to Rebbi Joḥanan ben Nuri at Nagnigar; he showed him a field called Bet Rata whose wall had parts torn down more than ten [cubits] wide. He took wood to insert, forked poles to insert, until he reduced to less than ten. He said, just like that is a dividing wall for the Sabbath. Rebbi Ze`ira said, Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish agrees that on the Sabbath, a symbolic fence does not save more than ten. Rebbi Ḥaggai said, the Mishnah says so: “One may surround by three ropes one higher than the other.” If you say that the string saves, one rope would be sufficient.

MISHNAH: The House of Shammai disqualify an old sukkah, but the House of Hillel qualify it. What is an old sukkah? Any which he made thirty days before the holiday. But if he made it for the holiday it is qualified even from the beginning of the year.

MISHNAH: If one makes his sukkah under a tree it is as if he made it in the house. One sukkah on top of the other, the upper one is qualified and the lower one disqualified. Rebbi Jehudah says, if there are no dwellers in the upper one the lower is qualified.

MISHNAH: If he spread a sheet over it because of the sun, or under it because of fallen leaves, or if he spread it over the posts of a four-post bed, it is disqualified. But one may spread it over single posts of the bed.

MISHNAH: If he drew over it a vine, or squash, or ivy, and used it as roofing, it is disqualified. But if the roofing was more than these or he cut them off from their roots it is qualified. This is the principle: One does not thatch with anything which may become impure or is not grown from the earth. But with anything which may not become impure and is grown from the earth one does thatch.

MISHNAH: One does not thatch with bundles of straw, and bundles of wood, and bundles of shoots; but all of them are qualified if untied. All of them are qualified as walls.

MISHNAH: One may use planks as roofing, the words of Rebbi Jehudah, but Rebbi Meïr forbids. If he put there a plank four hand-breadths wide it is qualified on condition that he not sleep under it.

MISHNAH: A roof without insulation, Rebbi Jehudah says in the name of the House of Hillel either he moves or he lifts one in the middle, but the House of Shammai say, he moves and lifts one in the middle. Rebbi Meïr says, he lifts one in the middle and does not need to move.

MISHNAH: If one is roofing his sukkah with spits or with girders from the bed frame, if the distance between them is equal to their diameter it is qualified. If somebody hollows out a grain stack for a sukkah, it is no sukkah.

MISHNAH: If one drops walls down from top to bottom, if they remain higher than three hand-breadths it is disqualified. From bottom to top, if it reaches ten hand-breadths it is qualified. Rebbi Yose said, just as from bottom to top ten hand-breadths so from top to bottom ten hand-breadths. If the roofing is three hand-breadths distant from the walls it is disqualified.

MISHNAH: If a house partially collapsed and he thatched over it, it is disqualified if from the walls to the thatching it is four cubits. The same holds for a courtyard which is surrounded by a walkway. A large sukkah is disqualified if it was surrounded by material which cannot be used for thatching covering four cubits.

MISHNAH: If one makes his sukkah as a shed or that he supported it on a wall, Rebbi Eliezer disqualifies because it has no roof but the Sages qualify it. A large reed mat made to lie on is susceptible to impurity and one may not use it as roofing; if made as roofing it is not susceptible to impurity and one may use it as roofing. Rebbi Eliezer says either large or small if made to lie on it is susceptible to impurity and one may not use it as roofing; if made as roofing one may use it as roofing and it is not susceptible to impurity.

MISHNAH: One who sleeps under the bed did not fulfill his duty. Rebbi Jehudah said, we used to sleep under the beds in the presence of the Elders and they did not say a word. Rebbi Simeon said, it happened that Tabi, Rabban Gamliel’s slave, slept under the bed. Rabban Gamliel said to the Elders, did you see my slave Tabi, who is learned and knows that slaves are free from the obligation of sukkah, and is sleeping under the bed. According to our method we infer that one who sleeps under the bed did not fulfill his duty.

MISHNAH: If one supports his sukkah by the frame of the couch it is qualified. Rebbi Jehudah says, if it cannot stand by itself it is disqualified.

MISHNAH: A wilted sukkah whose shade is more than its sunshine is qualified. A stiff one like a house, even though the stars are not visible from inside, is qualified.

MISHNAH: One who made his sukkah on top of a cart or a ship is qualified and one may enter it on the holiday; on top of a tree or on a camel is qualified but one may not enter it on the holiday. Two human-made {walls}and one a tree, or two by trees and one human-made are qualified but one may not enter it on the holiday. Three human-made and one a tree is qualified and one may enter it on the holiday. This is the principle: In any case where it can stand by itself when the tree is removed, it is qualified and one may enter it on the holiday.

MISHNAH: If one makes his sukkah between trees it is qualified. Agents for meritorious deeds are not liable in matters of sukkah. Sick persons and their caregivers are not liable in matters of sukkah. One eats and drinks casually outside the sukkah.

MISHNAH: It happened that one brought Rabban Joḥanan ben Zakkai a dish to taste, and Rabban Gamliel two dates and a pail of water and they said, bring them to the sukkah. But when one gave Rebbi Ṣadoq food in the volume of less than an egg he took it with a napkin, ate it outside of the sukkah, and did not recite a benediction afterwards.

MISHNAH: Rebbi Eliezer said, a person is obligated to eat fourteen meals in the sukkah, one during daytime and one in the night. But the Sages are saying, there is no fixed amount except only for the night of the first day of the holiday. In addition, Rebbi Eliezer said, one who did not eat on the first day of the holiday makes it up in the night of the last day of the holiday. But the Sages are saying, this cannot be made up, and on this it was said, what is distorted cannot be fixed, and a deficiency cannot be filled.

MISHNAH: If a person’s head and most of his body was in the sukkah but his table inside the house, the House of Shammai declare it disqualified but the House of Hillel qualified. The House of Hillel said to the House of Shammai, it happened that the elders of the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel went to visit Joḥanan from Hauran and found him with his head and most of his body in the sukkah but his table inside the house. The House of Shammai answered them, is this a proof? They said to him, if you are used to do this, you never in your life did fulfill the obligation of sukkah.

Rebbi Yudan bar Pazi and Rebbi Ayvo bar Naggari were sitting and saying: We did state “after they conceded“; who conceded to whom? The House of Shammai to the House of Hillel or the House of Hillel to the House of Shammai? They said, let us go out and study. The went out and heard Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Jehudah ben Levi. We never find the House of (Hillel) [Shammai] conceding to the House of (Shammai) [Hillel] except in this matter. Rebbi Ḥunah in the name of Rav Abbaia: The Mishnah says so. “If someone pours from vessel to vessel and a ṭevul yom touches it, it should be lifted by 101.” If you say that the House of Hillel conceded to the House of Shammai that it cannot be lifted, who is the Tanna here, neither the House of Shammai nor the House of Hillel! Rebbi Idi said, we might say that the House of Hillel stated this before they conceded. Rebbi Yose said, the Mishnah said so: “After they conceded, Rebbi Eliezer said it should be lifted and burned,” and is Rebbi Eliezer not a follower of Shammai? Rebbi Ḥinena said, the Mishnah said so, after they conceded one to another that it should be lifted, the House of Shammai recused themselves and the others agree with us. Rebbi Abun says, there is another answer, following what Rebbi Hoshaia stated: Since pure {heave}, which for outsiders is forbidden as deadly sin, can be lifted, certainly also impure {heave} which is {prohibited} as positive commandment for Cohanim.

Rebbi Yudan bar Pazi and Rebbi Ayvo bar Naggari were sitting and saying: We did state “after they conceded“; who conceded to whom? The House of Shammai to the House of Hillel or the House of Hillel to the House of Shammai? They said, let us go out and study. The went out and heard Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Jehudah ben Levi. We never find the House of (Hillel) [Shammai] conceding to the House of (Shammai) [Hillel] except in this matter. Rebbi Ḥunah in the name of Rav Abbaia: The Mishnah says so. “If someone pours from vessel to vessel and a ṭevul yom touches it, it should be lifted by 101.” If you say that the House of Hillel conceded to the House of Shammai that it cannot be lifted, who is the Tanna here, neither the House of Shammai nor the House of Hillel! Rebbi Idi said, we might say that the House of Hillel stated this before they conceded. Rebbi Yose said, the Mishnah said so: “After they conceded, Rebbi Eliezer said it should be lifted and burned,” and is Rebbi Eliezer not a follower of Shammai? Rebbi Ḥinena said, the Mishnah said so, after they conceded one to another that it should be lifted, the House of Shammai recused themselves and the others agree with us. Rebbi Abun says, there is another answer, following what Rebbi Hoshaia stated: Since pure {heave}, which for outsiders is forbidden as deadly sin, can be lifted, certainly also impure {heave} which is {prohibited} as positive commandment for Cohanim.

Rebbi Yudan bar Pazi and Rebbi Ayvo bar Naggari were sitting and saying: We did state “after they conceded“; who conceded to whom? The House of Shammai to the House of Hillel or the House of Hillel to the House of Shammai? They said, let us go out and study. The went out and heard Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Jehudah ben Levi. We never find the House of (Hillel) [Shammai] conceding to the House of (Shammai) [Hillel] except in this matter. Rebbi Ḥunah in the name of Rav Abbaia: The Mishnah says so. “If someone pours from vessel to vessel and a ṭevul yom touches it, it should be lifted by 101.” If you say that the House of Hillel conceded to the House of Shammai that it cannot be lifted, who is the Tanna here, neither the House of Shammai nor the House of Hillel! Rebbi Idi said, we might say that the House of Hillel stated this before they conceded. Rebbi Yose said, the Mishnah said so: “After they conceded, Rebbi Eliezer said it should be lifted and burned,” and is Rebbi Eliezer not a follower of Shammai? Rebbi Ḥinena said, the Mishnah said so, after they conceded one to another that it should be lifted, the House of Shammai recused themselves and the others agree with us. Rebbi Abun says, there is another answer, following what Rebbi Hoshaia stated: Since pure {heave}, which for outsiders is forbidden as deadly sin, can be lifted, certainly also impure {heave} which is {prohibited} as positive commandment for Cohanim.

MISHNAH: Women, slaves, and minors are not obligated for the sukkah. Any minor who does not need his mother is obligated for the sukkah. It happened that the Elder Shammai’s daughter-in-law gave birth and he removed the roof insulation and thatched the roof over the bed for the minor.

MISHNAH: All seven days a person makes his sukkah permanent and his house casual. If it started to rain when is one permitted to leave? When the cereal becomes smelly. One has for this a parable, to what does this compare? To a slave who comes to mix a cup for his owner and the latter throws the pitcher in his face.

MISHNAH: A robbed or dried up lulav is disqualified. Of an ashera or a seduced city, it is disqualified. If it was truncated, its leaves broken out, it is disqualified. If its leaves were spread out, it is qualified; Rebbi Jehudah says, he shall tie them at the top. The stone palms of Iron Mountain are qualified. Any lulav three hand-breadths long to shake it is qualified.

Rebbi Simeon bar Abba in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan. So is the Mishnah: If one can shake it, it is qualified. It was stated: Myrtle and willow twig three, and lulav four. It was stated, by the cubit of five {hand-breadths}, the words of Rebbi Tarphon, but the Sages are saying, by the cubit of six. For Rebbi Tarphon, large hand-breadths; in the opinion of the Sages, thin hand-breadths. Rebbi Jonah and Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish in the name of Rebbi Jehudah the Patriarch: The lulav a hand-breadth. Rebbi Simon in the name of Rebbi Joshua ben Levi: the hyssop a hand-breadth. Rebbi Ze`ira asked, the lulav a hand-breadth, the hyssop a hand-breadth? Rebbi Yose said, Rebbi Simon confirmed it. Rebbi Ḥinena, Rebbi Simon in the name of Rebbi Joshua ben Levi: the lulav a hand-breadth, the hyssop a hand-breadth, the ram’s horn a hand-breadth, the placenta a hand-breadth, and some are saying, also the third wall a hand-breadth. Rebbi Ze`ira asked, the lulav a hand-breadth except the spine? The hyssop a hand-breadth except for the stalk? Rebbi Yose, Rebbi Tabi in the name of Rav; Rebbi Ḥinena, Rebbi Parnakh, Rav Mattanah, Yose bar Manisha in the name of Rav: The lulav a hand-breadth except for the spine; the hyssop a hand-breadth except for its stalks.

MISHNAH: A robbed or dried up myrtle is disqualified. Of an ashera or a seduced city, it is disqualified. If it was truncated, its leaves broken out, or its berries more than its leaves, it is disqualified; if one reduced their number it is qualified but one may not reduce on the holiday.

MISHNAH: A robbed or dried up willow twig is disqualified. Of an ashera or a seduced city, it is disqualified. If it was truncated, its leaves broken out, or the osier are disqualified. Wilted, and of which part of the leaves have fallen off, and from an unirrigated place, are qualified.

MISHNAH: Rebbi Ismael says, three myrtle branches and two willow twigs, one lulav and one etrog; even two truncated and one not chopped off. Rebbi Tarphon says, even all three truncated. Rebbi Aqiba says, just as there is one lulav and one etrog so there is one myrtle branch and one willow twig.

MISHNAH: A robbed or dried up etrog is disqualified. Of an ashera or a seduced city, it is disqualified. Of `orlah, it is disqualified. Of impure heave, it is disqualified; of pure one should not take but if he took it is qualified. Of demay, the House of Shammai disqualify but the House of Hillel qualify; of Second Tithe in Jerusalem one should not take but if he took it is qualified.

Rebbi Jacob the Southerner asked, is our Mishnah not following the House of Shammai? As we have stated, “of demay, the House of Shammai disqualify but the House of Hillel qualify. Of Second Tithe in Jerusalem one should not take but if he took it is valid.”

MISHNAH: If scabs covered most of it, or its protuberance was removed, or it was perforated, or peeled, or cracked, if anything was missing it is disqualified. If scabs covered a smaller part, or the stem was removed, or it was perforated but nothing was missing, it is qualified. A black etrog is disqualified, and the green like leeks Rebbi Meïr qualifies but Rebbi Jehudah disqualifies.

MISHNAH: The measure of a small etrog, Rebbi Meïr says, like a walnut, Rebbi Jehudah says, like an egg. And a large one, so that he is able to hold the two of them in one hand, the words of Rebbi Jehudah; Rebbi Yose says, even one in both of his hands.

MISHNAH: One ties the lulav only with its own kind, the words of Rebbi Jehudah. Rebbi Meïr says, even with a string. Rebbi Meïr said, it happened that the people of Jerusalem did tie their lulavim with golden jewels. They told him, under these they tied it with its own kind. Where did they move? At thank the Eternal beginning and end, and also at please, Eternal, please save, following the words of the House of Hillel. The House of Shammai say, also at please, Eternal, please give success. Rebbi Aqiba said, I was watching Rabban Gamliel and Rebbi Joshua, when all the people were shaking their lulavim but they moved them only at please, Eternal, please save. If somebody returns from a trip where he had no lulav, when he enters his house he can take it at his table. If he did not take it in the morning he may take it in the afternoon since the entire day is qualified for the lulav.

MISHNAH: 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. If a male adult reads for him, he answers halleluja after him.

MISHNAH: At a place where there is the custom to repeat, one repeats, to recite a blessing afterwards, one recites a blessing afterwards; everything follows local custom. If one buys a lulav from another in the Sabbatical year he has to give him the etrog as a gift since one is not permitted to buy it in the Sabbatical year.

MISHNAH: Originally the lulav was taken in the Temple for seven {days} and in the country one day. After the destruction of the Temple, Rabban Joḥanan ben Zakkai instituted that the lulav be taken in the country for seven {days} as remembrance of the Temple, and that the day of waving be entirely forbidden. If the first day of Tabernacles is a Sabbath, everybody brings their lulav to the synagogue. The next day they come in the morning and everybody recognizes his own and takes it, since they said that nobody can fulfill his obligation with another person’s lulav on the first day of Tabernacles; but on the other days of the holiday a person can fulfill his obligation with another person’s lulav. Rebbi Yose says, if somebody forgot and took the lulav into the public domain on the first day of Tabernacles which is a Sabbath he is not liable since he took it out with permission.

MISHNAH: A woman may receive from her son’s hand or her husband’s hand and return it to the water on the Sabbath. Rebbi Jehudah says, on the Sabbath one returns, on the holiday one adds, on the intermediate days one exchanges. A minor who knows how to move is obligated for the lulav.

MISHNAH: Lulav and willow six and seven; Hallel and joy eight. Sukkah and water libation seven, and the fife five and six. When is the lulav seven? If the first day of Tabernacles falls on a Sabbath, the lulav is taken seven times; on all other days six. How the willow seven? If the seventh day of willow falls on a Sabbath, the willow is seven {days}, on all other days six.

MISHNAH: How is the order of the lulav? Everybody brings their lulav to the Temple Mount; the beadles accept from them and arrange them on the roof of the stoa; but the Elders deposit theirs in the lodge. One teaches them to say, it should be a gift to anybody into whose hands my lulav will come. They come early and the beadles throw them before them, and they grab and hit one another. When the Court saw that it involves danger they instituted that each person should take it in his house.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Jacob the Southerner asked, does the Mishnah contradict Rebbi Dosa? For “Rebbi Dosa said, in the morning a person has to say, everything which the poor will collect today between the sheaves is ownerless property. Rebbi Jehudah says, in the evening. But the Sages say, a declaration of abandonment under duress is not an abandonment, because we are not responsible for cheaters.” There you are saying, a declaration of abandonment under duress is not an abandonment, but here you are saying, a declaration of abandonment under duress is abandonment. Rebbi Eleazar said, there he declares ownerless by his own will, here he declares ownerless against his own will. Rebbi Ḥananiah the son of Rebbi Hillel said, this is correct. You have to know that this is so since already his replacement is in his hand.

MISHNAH: How is the order of the willow? There was a place below Jerusalem called Moṣa. They descended there to collect willow branches, and come and erect them on the sides of the altar, their heads bent on the altar. They trumpeted straight, treble, and straight. Every day they surround the altar once and say, please, Eternal, please save; please, Eternal, please let succed. Rebbi Jehudah says, Ani wahu please save, ani wahu please save. On that day they surround the altar seven times. What are they saying when taking leave? Beauty for you, altar, beauty for you, altar. Rebbi Eliezer says, to the Eternal and you, altar, to the Eternal and you, altar.

Bar Qappara said, they are eleven cubits high. Rebbi Yose said, the Mishnah says so, “their heads bent on the altar.” Rebbi Ze`ira sent asking Rebbi Daniel ben Rav Qatina, did you hear from your father that it needs a benediction, is taken alone, and has a minimum? Rebbi Ayvi bar Nagari came in the name of Rav Huna and said with reason that it needs a benediction and is taken alone. Whether it has a minimum I did not hear. There, they are saying Rav Sheshet and Rav Naḥman bar Jacob. One says, three leafed branches. But the other said, even one branch.

Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: So is the Mishnah, אֲנִי וָהוּ please save. [Ani wahu please save.]

MISHNAH: As one does it on a weekday one does it on the Sabbath, only that one collected them on Sabbath Eve and keeps them in golden vats so they should not wilt. Rebbi Joḥanan ben Beroqa says, they brought palm branches and struck them on top of the altar; the day was called “day of striking palm branches.” Immediately the children untie their lulavim and eat their etrogim.

MISHNAH: How Hallel and joy eight? This shows that a person is obligated to honor the last day of the festival like all other days of the festival. How the sukkah seven? If he finished eating one may not undo his sukkah but one removes his vessels after afternoon prayers in honor of the last day of the festival.

MISHNAH: How was the water libation seven days? He was filling a golden flask holding three log from the Siloam. When they reached the Water Gate they blew the trumpet straight, treble, and straight. He ascended the ramp and turned to his left. There were two silver bowls there; Rebbi Jehudah said that they were of lime but were darkened because of the wine. They had holes like two nostrils, one wide and one narrow so that both should finish at the same time. The Western one for the water, and the Eastern one for the wine. If he poured the water into that for the wine or wine into that for the water, he accomplished his duty. Rebbi Jehudah says, one log he was pouring all eight days. One says to the one pouring, lift your hand, since once he poured on his feet and all the people stoned him with their etrogim.

MISHNAH: As it was done on a weekday it was done on the Sabbath, except that on Friday he filled a non-sanctified barrel from the Siloam and deposited it in the lodge. If it was spilled or became uncovered he filled from the basin since water or wine which remained uncovered are disqualified from being put on the altar.

MISHNAH: The fife five and six; this is the fife of the water-drawing festivity which supersedes neither the Sabbath nor the holiday. There is a saying that one who did not see the joy of the water-drawing festivity did never see real joy.

HALAKHAH: “The fife five and six,” etc. Therefore the one of sacrifices supersedes. The Mishnah is Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Jehudah’s, as it was stated: The fife accompanying the sacrifices supersedes the Sabbath, the words of Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Jehudah, but the Sages say, it supersedes neither the Sabbath nor the holiday. There we have stated: “On twelve days in the year the fife beats the time before the altar, at the sacrifice of the First Pesaḥ, the sacrifice of the Second Pesaḥ, on the first day of Passover, on the day of Pentecost, and on the eight days of Tabernacles.” Are there eight days without a Sabbath? Rebbi Yose said it anonymously, Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: It is Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Jehudah’s. In the opinion of those rabbis why does it not supersede? Because it is not clear. But is it not written, and the people blew fifes? That is written for Solomon’s festivity. Rebbi Jonah in the name of Rebbi Abba bar Mamal: And heartfelt joy like one marching with a fife. Any time one uses a fife one recites the Hallel. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Abba bar Mamal: Why does one recite Hallel all seven days of Tabernacles? Corresponding to the lulav which is renewed all seven days. And why a fife for all these things? We have stated, for one is at stated times and the other is at stated times; this is beloved and that is beloved. They attached the beloved to the beloved. “On Pentecost one says to him, here you have maṣsah, here you have leavened.” There are Tannaim who state, here you have leavened, [here you have maṣsah.] He who said, here you have maṣsah, because it is beloved; he who said, here you have leavened, because it is frequent.

MISHNAH: After the end of the first day of Tabernacles they descended to the women’s courtyard and instituted there a great alteration. Golden candelabra were there with golden bowls on top and four ladders for each candelabrum. Four children of the young Cohanim, in their hands oil carafes of 120 log, filled each bowl.

MISHNAH: They tore apart the worn-out trousers of the Cohanim and their belts, and from these were lighting. No courtyard was in Jerusalem which was not illuminated by the light of the water-drawing festivity.

MISHNAH: The pious ones and people of good deeds were dancing in public with torches and reciting words of praise. And the Levites with lutes, with harps, and with cymbals and all kinds of innumerable musical instruments on the fifteen steps which descend from the courtyard of Israel to the women’s courtyard corresponding to the fifteen songs of ascent in Psalms on which the Levites were standing for song.

MISHNAH: Two Cohanim were standing in the upper gate which leads from the courtyard of Israel to the courtyard of women with two trumpets in their hands. At the rooster’s call they blew straight, modulated, and straight. When they arrived at the tenth step they blew straight, modulated, and straight. When they arrived in the courtyard they blew straight, modulated, and straight. They continued blowing until they arrived at the gate which was the exit to the East. When they arrived at the gate which was the exit to the East they turned their faces to the West and said, our forefathers who were at this place, their backs to the Eternal’s Temple and their faces to the East,prostrating themselves eastwards to the sun, but we, to Yah are our eyes. Rebbi Jehudah says, they were repeating and saying, “we are to Yah; and to Yah are our eyes.”

MISHNAH: There are no less than 21 fanfares in the Temple and one does not exceed 48. Every day there were 21 fanfares, three at the opening of the gates, nine at the daily morning sacrifice, nine for the daily evening sacrifice, and for musaf sacrifices they added another nine. On Friday afternoon one adds another six, three to make people leave work and three to distinguish between holy and profane. Friday afternoon during Tabernacles there were 48: three at the opening of the gates, three at the upper gate, three at the lower gate, three at the drawing of water, three on the altar, nine at the daily morning sacrifice, and nine for the daily evening sacrifice, nine for musaf sacrifices, three to make people leave work, and three to distinguish between holy and profane.

MISHNAH: On the first holiday of Tabernacles there were thirteen bulls, and two rams, and one goat. There remained there fourteen sheep for eight watches. On the first day, six were sacrificing two each, and the remaining, one each. On the second day, five were sacrificing two each, and the remaining, one each. On the third day, four were sacrificing two each, and the remaining, one each. On the fourth day, three were sacrificing two each, and the remaining, one each. On the fifth day, two were sacrificing two each, and the remaining, one each. On the sixth day, one was sacrificing two, and the remaining, one each. On the seventh day, all were equal. On the eighth day they returned to the lottery as on holidays. They said, he who sacrificed today may not sacrifice bulls the next day, but they were taking turns.

HALAKHAH: It was stated: All watches in the Temple doubled and tripled with bulls, except for the two last ones who doubled but did not triple. Rebbi Eleazar asked, would one start with them on the next holiday? Rebbi Yose said, the Mishnah says this, “on the eighth day they returned to the lottery as on holidays.” It only is a problem following what was stated in the name of Rebbi Nathan: On the eighth day there was no lottery. In Rebbi Nathan’s opinion, would one start with them on the next holiday?

Rebbi Joḥanan said, it was stated so that the eighth day was a separate holiday, a separate lottery, a separate benediction, a separate sacrifice. Holiday, as Rebbi Abbin said in the name of Rebbi Aḥa, for all of them is written and on day, but here is written on day, to teach you that it is a separate holiday. Lottery, Rebbi Yose said, the Mishnah says this, “on the eighth day they returned to the lottery as on holidays.” Benediction, Illa said, time. Sacrifice, one bull and one ram.

MISHNAH: On three occasions in a year were all watches equal in the parts of the holiday and in the distribution of the shew-bread; on Pentecost one says to him, here you have maṣsah, here you have leavened. The watch whose time is fixed brings daily sacrifices, vows and voluntary gifts, and all sacrifices of the public, and sacrifices everything. If the holiday is next to the Sabbath either before or after, all watches were equal in the distribution of the shew-bread. If one day fell between them, the watch whose time is fixed takes ten loaves and the one remaining takes two. On all other days of the year the incoming one takes six; Rebbi Jehudah says that the incoming takes seven and the outgoing takes five. The incoming ones distribute in the North and the outgoing in the South. Bilgah always distributes in the South; its ring was fixed and its window closed.

Rebbi Levi said, all watches were given in the South. Rebbi Yose said, the Mishnah says so, “if one day fell between them.” Rebbi Judah ben Titus in the name of Rebbi Aḥa, the verse supports this Tanna: and now what do you have ready, give in my hands five breads or what is available. But was Aḥimelekh from the outgoing watch?

MISHNAH: There are four New Year’s Days. On the first of Nisan is New Year for kings and for holidays. On the first of Elul is New Year for animal tithe; Rebbi Eleazar and Rebbi Simeon say, on the first of Tishre.

MISHNAH: On the first of Tishre is New Year for years, and remission of debts, and Jubilee periods, and for planting, and vegetables On the first of Shevaṭ is New Year for trees following the House of Shammai; the House of Hillel say, on the fifteenth of it.

MISHNAH: On four times the world is judged. On Passover about grain, on Pentecost on tree fruits, and on New Year’s Day all in the world pass before Him like bene maron, as it is said, Who creates together their hearts, Who understands all their deeds. And on Tabernacles they are judged about water.

HALAKHAH: There are Tannaim who state, all is judged on New Year’s Day and judgment is passed for every item on New Year’s Day. There are Tannaim who state, all is judged on New Year’s Day and judgment is passed for every item on the Day of Atonement. There are Tannaim who state, all is judged on New Year’s Day and judgment is passed for every item on its proper time. There are Tannaim who state, every item is judged on its proper time and judgment is passed for every item on its proper time. Our Mishnah follows him who said, all is judged on New Year’s Day and judgment is passed for every item on its proper time, as we have stated: “and on Tabernacles they are judged about water.” The words of Rav imply that all is judged on New Year’s Day and judgment is passed for every item on New Year’s Day, since it is stated in the blowing prayer of Rav: “This is the day, the beginning of Your works, remembrance of the First Day, for it is a decree for Israel, a law for the God of Jacob. On it will be proclaimed for countries which one will be for war, and which one for peace, which one for famine, and which one for plenty. And creatures will be counted on it, to remember them for life or for death.” This does not follow Rebbi Yose, since Rebbi Yose said, an individual is judged every moment. What is the reason? You are counting him in the mornings; in moments You are examining him. You are counting him in the mornings, this refers to his provisions; in moments You are examining him, this refers to his food. The Elder Rebbi Isaac in the name of Rebbi: King and public are judged every day. What is the reason? To look after the right of His servant and of His people Israel; each day’s affairs on each day. Rebbi Levi said, He will judge the dry land in equity, will pass judgment over peoples in straightness. The Holy One, praise to Him, judges Israel during daytime when they are occupied earning merit, and the nations during the night, when they are resting from evil deeds. Samuel said, as He judges Israel so he judges the nations. How does Samuel confirm that He will pass judgment over peoples in straightness? He judges them according to the qualified among them; He remembers for them the deeds of Jethro, he remembers for them the deeds of Raḥab the prostitute.

“And on Tabernacles they are judged about water.” The Mishnah is Rebbi Aqiba’s, since Rebbi Aqiba said the pouring of water is a word of the Torah: On the second day and their libations. On the sixth say, and its libations. On the seventh day, and its rules. מ י מ “water”. The Torah said, bring first-fruit barley on Passover that your grain be blessed; bring first-fruit wheat on Pentecost that your tree fruits be blessed. Therefore say, water libation on Tabernacles that your water be blessed. Rebbi Simeon ben Yoḥai stated: If Israel were acceptable on New Year’s Day and ample rain was decided for them, but in the end they sinned. To reduce it is impossible [since the decision had been rendered.] What does the Holy One, praise to Him, do? He disperses it into oceans, deserts, and rivers, so that the earth have no benefit from it. What is the reason? To let rain on manless earth, desert no human in it. If Israel were not acceptable on New Year’s Day and scarce rain was decided for them, but in the end they repented. To augment it is impossible [since the decision had been rendered.] What does the Holy One, praise to Him, do? He brings it down appropriately for the land and blows dew and winds so that the earth benefit from it. What is the reason? Its furrows make fertile, bring down its bundles, make it fat by soft rains, bless its growth. Aridity, also heat, will steal the snow waters; they sinned to the pit. The sins which they committed during the summer robbed them of the snow waters. It is written: Always the eyes of the Eternal, your God, are on it, from the start of the year. Cahana said, it is written “from poverty.” He lets it suffer at the beginning and gives it a good future at the end.

MISHNAH: For six months messengers are going out. For Nisan because of Passover, and for Av because of the fast day, and for Elul because of New Year’s Day, and for Tishre to fix the holidays, and for Kislew because of Ḥanukkah, and for Adar because of Purim. And when the Temple existed they also went for Iyar because of the minor Pesaḥ.

MISHNAH: For two months one desecrates the Sabbath, for Nisan and for Tishre, when messengers go out into Syria and which fix the holidays. When the Temple existed one did desecrate for all of them because of the regulation of the sacrifice. Whether it was seen clearly or not seen clearly one desecrates the Sabbath for it. Rebbi Yose said, if it was seen clearly one does not desecrate the Sabbath for it. It happened that more than 40 couples passed by and Rebbi Aqiba held them back in Lydda. Rabban Gamliel sent to him, if you hinder the public you will make them stumble in the future.

MISHNAH: A father and son who saw the new moon should go; not that they could combine one with the other but that if one of them should be found disqualified the second one could team up with another person. Rebbi Simeon says, a father and his son and all relatives are qualified for the testimony of the new moon. Rebbi Yose said, it happened that that Tobias the healer saw the new moon in Jerusalem, he and his son and his freed slave. The Cohanim accepted him and his son and disqualified his slave; but when he came to the Court they accepted him and his slave but disqualified his son.

MISHNAH: The following are disqualified: The dice-player, the lender on interest, participants in pigeon contests, dealers in sabbatical produce, and slaves. This is the principle: any testimony for which a woman is not qualified, they are not qualified.

MISHNAH: If one who cannot walk saw the new moon one transports him on a donkey, even on a litter. If they are fearful, they take sticks with them. If the distance was great they take with them food, for on a distance of walking a night and a day one desecrates the Sabbath and goes for testimony of the new moon, as it is said, these are the festive times of the Eternal, proclaimed as holy.

MISHNAH: If they do not know him, one sends another one with him to testify about him. Originally one accepted testimony about the new moon from anybody. After the sectarians spoiled they instituted that one would accept only from known persons. Originally they were lighting beacons. After the Samaritans spoiled they instituted that messengers went out.

HALAKHAH: “If they do not know him,” etc. Rebbi Jonah said, so should the Mishnah be stated: Originally one accepted testimony about the new moon from everybody. If they do not know him, one sends another one with him to testify about him. Rebbi Yose said, even as in the Mishnah it is acceptable: If they do not know him, one sends another one with him to testify about him. Why? Because originally one accepted testimony about the new moon from anybody. May a single witness be believed? They gave you from your own. It should be logical that no witnesses should be needed. But they said that witnesses were needed, and they said that a single witness may be believed.

HALAKHAH: “If they do not know him,” etc. Rebbi Jonah said, so should the Mishnah be stated: Originally one accepted testimony about the new moon from everybody. If they do not know him, one sends another one with him to testify about him. Rebbi Yose said, even as in the Mishnah it is acceptable: If they do not know him, one sends another one with him to testify about him. Why? Because originally one accepted testimony about the new moon from anybody. May a single witness be believed? They gave you from your own. It should be logical that no witnesses should be needed. But they said that witnesses were needed, and they said that a single witness may be believed.