Nunca había menos de doce levitas parados en la plataforma y su número podía incrementarse indefinidamente. Ningún menor podía entrar al patio [del Templo] para participar en el servicio, excepto cuando los levitas se levantaban para cantar. Tampoco [los menores] se unieron al canto con arpa y lira, sino solo con la boca, para agregar sabor a la música. El rabino Eliezer ben Jacob dijo: no contaron en el número requerido, ni se pararon en la plataforma. Más bien se pararían en el suelo, de modo que sus cabezas estuvieran entre los pies de los levitas. Y fueron llamados "la juventud de los levitas".
Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
אין פוחתין משנים עשר לוים – nine [Levites] for the nine lutes/citherns and two [Levites] for the two lyres and one for the cymbals.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Arakhin
There were never less than twelve levites standing on the platform and their number could be increased into infinity. There always needed to be twelve Levites standing on the platform in the Temple singing. This would mean one for every lyre (nine), one for every harp (two) and one for the cymbals. This number is also referred to in I Chronicles 25:9.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
דוכן – a kind of balcony/portico that the Levites stand upon it.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Arakhin
No minor could enter the court of the sanctuary to take part in the service except when the Levites stood up to sing. Minor Levites would go into the courtyard while the Levites were singing in order to aid them. However, they could only go in while the Levites were singing.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
אין קטן נכנס – no minor Levite enters into the Temple courtyard for any Divine service, as for example, to sweep the Temple courtyard or to close the doors.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Arakhin
Nor did they join in the singing with harp and lyre, but with the mouth alone, to add flavor to the music. The minors only sang. They did not play the harp and lyre.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
אלא בשעה שהלוים עומדים – on the Dukhan in song or the minor Levites enter to sing with them.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Arakhin
Rabbi Eliezer ben Jacob said: they did not count in the required number, nor did they stand on the platform. Rather they would stand on the ground, so that their heads were between the feet of the levites. And they were called the youth of the Levites. There are two versions of this section. The version I have quoted here is one that Albeck seems to prefer. Rabbi Eliezer ben Jacob is referring to the youth mentioned in sections 1-2. The other version, found in the Rambam’s commentary reads, “trouble-makers of the Levites.” The Rambam explains that this refers to the musicians, those playing the instruments, for they would drown out the beautiful voices of the Levites.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
ולא היו – those minors sing with a lyre and lute/cithern, but only by mouth.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
כדי ליתן תבל – to give spices to the chanting of the Levites, because the voice of the children is thin and clear and spices up the voice of the adults.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
לא עולין – those minors. למנין – of the twelve Levites that are need for the Dukhan.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
ואין עולין – on the balcony/portico that is prepared for the Dukhan. But rather they stand on the ground.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Arakhin
וצוערי הלוים היו נקראים – that they cause pain to the adult Levites, for they are not able to make fragrant and to sweeten their voices like they can.
