Einmal war ein bestimmter Priester mit seiner Arbeit beschäftigt [Würmer aus Holz entfernen. Er hatte einen Makel, und die Arbeit der unreinen Priester bestand darin, Holz für den (Altar-) Holzstapel vorzubereiten (für alles Holz, in dem Würmer gefunden werden, ist für den Altar ungeeignet)], als er eine der Bodenfliesen als anders wahrnahm die Anderen. [Es war nicht auf die anderen Kacheln ausgerichtet und er erkannte, dass es entfernt und ersetzt worden war.] Er ging, um seinen Freund darüber zu informieren, konnte aber nicht beenden, was er zu sagen hatte, bevor seine Seele ging— und sie wussten mit Sicherheit, dass die Arche dort verborgen war.
Bartenura on Mishnah Shekalim
שהיה מתעסק – in his service (see also Tractate Middot, Chapter 2, Mishnah 5) removing the wormy parts from the wood/sorting it, and he had a blemish (i.e., he was unfit for the altar, for priestly service), and the work of those with a blemish was to prepare the wood for the altar, and any wood in which was found worms was unfit/disqualified for the altar.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Shekalim
Introduction
This mishnah continues to discuss the hidden location of the Ark of the Covenant.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Bartenura on Mishnah Shekalim
שהוא משונה – the stone was not even with the other stones of the floor, and he understood it (i.e., the Holy Ark) was taken from there and then returned.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
English Explanation of Mishnah Shekalim
It once happened that a priest who was busy [there] noticed that the floor [of the wood storage area] was different from the others. He went and told it to his friend but before he had time to finish his words his soul departed. Then they knew for certain that there the Ark was hidden. In this legendary tale a priest is busy chopping wood in the wood storage area of the Temple when he notices that the floor looks a little different. He rushes off to tell his friend about what he saw but before he can get the words out of his mouth, he dies (I hope his face didn’t start to melt off. Indy should have told him to just close his eyes!). From this the other priests knew for certain that the Ark was hidden there.
