Talmud sur Berakhot 8:9

MISHNAH: Within three days before Gentile holidays one is forbidden to trade with them, to lend them and to borrow from them, to give them loans and to ask them for loans, to pay debts to them and to accept payment from them¹It is forbidden to buy from an idolator or repay one’s debt because this provides him with money for his idolatrous celebration. It is forbidden to sell to him because he will buy things for his celebration. One may not lend him vessels or animals for he will use them for his celebration. One may not borrow from him because this will make him feel important.. Rebbi Jehudah says, one may accept payment from them because this hurts him. They told him, even though it hurts him now he will enjoy it later²The feeling that he got rid of his debts will make his idolatrous celebration more happy.. Rebbi Ismael says, three days before and three days afterwards are forbidden but the Sages say, before their holidays it is forbidden, after their holidays it is permitted.

Rebbi Abba, Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Joshua ben Levi: Nothing is clear except the seven fluids⁴¹The 7 fluids enumerated in Mishnah Makhširin 6:4: Dew, water, wine, oil, blood, milk, bee’s honey.. Rebbi Yose asked: Was this said for ḥallah⁴²Does R. Joshua ben Levi disagree with the Mishnah and hold that only dough kneaded with one of the 7 fluids is subject to ḥallah? or for impurity? If you say for ḥallah, so much more for impurity. If you say for impurity, then not for ḥallah. It is obvious for Rebbi Jonah that it had been said for ḥallah, so much more for impurity. Rebbi Jonah sticks to his opinion, for Rebbi Jonah stated from Rebbi Simeon ben Ioḥai; Rebbi Joshua ben Levi stated in Rebbi Simeon ben Ioḥai’s name, as Rebbi Simeon ben Ioḥai stated: Rebbi Ṭarphon said, it is stated here⁴³Num. 15:20. ḥallah, and it is stated there⁴⁴Lev. 8:26. About the theory of invariable meaning of words, cf. Kilaim8, Note 4., a ḥallah of oil cake. Since the ḥallah mentioned there is prepared with oil, so the ḥallah prepared here must be prepared with oil. And oil is one of the seven fluids.

A Cohen and a Levite, the Levite shall defile himself⁴⁶Since a Levite is not forbidden to defile himself.. A Levite and an Israel, the Israel shall defile himself. No, is not the Levite like the Israel⁴⁷In matters of impurity, the Levite has no more obligations than the Israel.? Rebbi Abin said, it was taught in the time of the platform⁴⁸The platform in the Temple for the levitic singers. If the Levite was engaged in the Temple service, he must be careful not to become disabled by impurity.. The Sages agree with Rebbi Eliezer that between a High Priest and a nazir, the nazir shall defile himself but not the High Priest⁴⁹This is the position of the Sages in the Mishnah.. Rebbi Eliezer agrees with the Sages that between a High Priest and a nazir, the nazir shall defile himself but not the High Priest⁵⁰R. Eliezer holds to his position in the Mishnah only for a common priest, not the High Priest.. Think of it, if his father sanctified him from birth⁵¹Like Samson or Samuel. The reference is to the argument of the Sages that the nazir has to defile himself because his holiness is temporary. If the nazir is nazir from birth, that argument does not hold but the formulation of the Sages in the first sentence of the Mishnah does not admit of any exception.. The one⁵²The holiness of the Cohen. is from the Torah, the other is not from the Torah⁵³The possibility of a nazir from birth is only given in the Prophets.. Rebbi Huna in the name of Rav Joseph: Rebbi Eliezer parallels the House of Shammai. As the House of Shammai say, between holy and frequent the holy has precedence⁵⁴In Mishnah Berakhot 8:1, the House of Shammai require that on Friday nights, the benediction for the Sanctification of the Sabbath (the holy) precede the benediction for the wine (the frequent)., so Rebbi Eliezer says, between holy and frequent the holy has precedence⁵⁵For him, the nazir who must bring a sacrifice for his defilement is holier than the Cohen who brings no sacrifice.. A nazir for 30 days and a nazir for 100, the nazir for 30 days shall defile himself. A nazir for 100 days and a nazir forever, the nazir for 100 days shall defile himself. A nazir forever⁵⁶He cuts his hair (but does not shave it off) once a year and brings three sacrifices; Halakhah 1:2., and a nazir of neziriot⁵⁷Similar to one described in Mishnah 1:4; from the argument it seems that the nazir referred to here has vowed many periods of more than one year., some Tannaïm state, the nazir forever shall defile himself; but some Tannaïm state, the nazir of neziriot shall defile himself. He who says, the nazir forever shall defile himself but not the nazir of neziriot, since he⁵⁸The nazir forever shall defile himself since he never shaves. shaves more frequently. He who says, the nazir of neziriot shall defile himself but not the nazir forever, since he brings more sacrifices⁵⁹If the basic period of the nazir of neziriot is more than one year, the nazir forever brings more sacrifices.. If he switched, it should be as Rebbi Immi said in the name of Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish: He transgressed “do not defile your land⁴⁵Deut. 21:23..” Here it is the same.

⁷⁶Babli 8a. Rav said, Adam, the first man, instituted Calendas. When he saw that the night was getting longer, he said, woe to me, maybe this is what is written for, he shall smite your head, you will sneak to his heel⁷⁷Gen.3:15., maybe it will come to bite me. I said, but darkness will smite me⁷⁸Ps.139.11. Psalm 139, ascribed in the book of Psalms to David, is in aggadic tradition at least partially ascribed to Adam (cf. Midrash Tehillim, Ps. 139, the suthor’s The Scholar’s Haggadah p. 220).. When he saw that days were getting longer, he said calendas, καλόνdies⁷⁹“A beautiful day,” mixed Greek (καλόν “beautiful”, accusative) and Latin (dies“day”, nominative) perhaps to indicate the popular language of the unlettered.. This follows him who said that the world was created in Tishre⁸⁰This is the opinion of R. Eliezer. R. Joshua holds that the world was created on the 15th of Nisan. Cf. Babli Roš Haššanah27a and the author’s Seder Olam(Northvale NJ 1998) pp. 47–48 (Note 3).. But following him who said that the world was created in Nisan, he would have known. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, who thinks that the world was created in Tishre? Rav! As we have stated in the composition for shofar blowing from the House of Rav⁸¹Rav’s composition for the extended musaf prayer on New Year’s Day. The sentence is found in the middle section.: “This is the day of the beginning of Your works, a remembrance of the first day.” This implies that the world was created on New Year’s Day.

MISHNAH: A burning charcoal is like the feet of its owner but a flame may be everywhere¹⁰⁷A person who made an eruv may light his candle on a fire belonging to another person having made a different eruv. The vessel containing the burning flame still can be moved in the entire Sabbath domain of its owner.. One does not commit larceny with burning charcoals of the Temple; one may not use its flame but one does not commit larceny¹⁰⁸Using anything valuable from the Sanctuary triggers the obligation of a reparation sacrifice and restitution of 125% of the value used (Lev. 5:15–16). Therefore with all other sources of the Mishnah one has to read: “one commits”. But the flame has no monetary value and using it does not require restitution and therefore not a sacrifice. But it still is illicit use and forbidden..

HALAKHAH: Is hand-washing required for profane food¹⁶²This is a discussion of impurity imparted by unwashed hands. The basic observation is that an impure person or object which touches anything susceptible to impurity imparts impurity of one degree lower. (However, the majority opinion is that fluids do not touch but merge, and therefore transmit impurity of the same degree as the acting material.) There are three stages of biblical impurity, “grandfather of impurity”, a corpse or a house in which there is a corpse, “original impurity”, anything touched by a corpse or (with a few exceptions) found in a house containing a corpse, and any other impurity described in the Torah, and “impurity in the first degree”, biblically imparted by contact with original impurity or rabbinically by contact with any impure fluid. The other stages are rabbinical; persons or food impure in stage n by touch impart impurity of stage n+1. The technical term is “impure” for anything able to impart impurity and “disqualified” for matters unusable because of impurity but not imparting impurity to others. Profane food may be impure in stage 1, it becomes disqualified (cannot be dedicated for any sacred use) in stage 2. Heave and Second Tithe (sacra not connected with the Temple) are impure in stages 1,2 and disqualified in stage 3. Temple sacra are impure in stages 1,2,3 and disqualified in stage 4.? But it must follow Rebbi Simeon ben Eleazar, since Rebbi Simeon ben Eleazar says, hand-washing is required for profane food. It is everybody’s opinion, so he should separate from heave¹⁶³Since unwashed hands rabbinically are considered impure in stage two, handling heave with unwashed hands disqualifies it.. Rebbi Simeon ben Eleazar stated in the name of Rebbi Meïr, hands are first degree impure for profane food and second degree impure for heave¹⁶⁴Touching with unwashed hands always disqualifies. Babli Ḥulin 33b; differently Tosephta Taharot 1:6.. Does Rebbi Simeon ben Eleazar follow Rebbi Aqiba, as we have stated there¹⁶⁵Mishnah Yadaim 3:1., “if somebody puts his hands into a leprous house¹⁶⁶As described in Lev. 14:33–54. Bodily entrance into the house causes biblical impurity (vv. 46,47), standing outside and reaching into the house only causes rabbinic impurity., his hands are impure in the first degree, the words of Rebbi Aqiba, but the Sages are saying, his hands are impure in the second degree”? There, it follows the rabbis; what is their reason here? Since you tell him that his hands are impure in the second degree, he will separate from heave. But did they not decide about them because of fluids; then they should be impure in the first degree¹⁶⁷Since unwashed hands touching any fluid make the fluid rabbinically impure in the first degree, it would be reasonable to consider unwashed hands as impure in the first degree.? It is an argument de minore ad majus. Since the Tevul Yom, which is a word from the Torah, only disqualifies¹⁶⁸An impure person can qualify to eat sancta by first immersing himself in a miqweh, to remove his impurity, and then waiting until sundown, when he becomes pure (Lev. 22:6–7). The intermediate stage, no longer impure but not yet pure, is called Tevul Yom, “immersed during daytime”. Since the verse prohibits him to consume sacred food it is inferred that he also may not handle it. Since he is no longer impure, his touch cannot make impure. It is inferred that his touch disqualifies., impure hands, which are from their words, not so much more? Another explanation: Did they not decide about hands only that he should separate from heave? Since you tell him that his hands are impure in the second degree, he will separate from heave.

HALAKHAH: Who is the Tanna of “majority”¹²³Discussion of the statement in the Mishnah, that Pesaḥ is celebrated in impurity if most (50%+1) of the people are impure. The following is an extended version of Halakhah 1:6 in Horaiot, where the problem is what is called “community”.? Rebbi Meïr¹²⁴He holds that everywhere 50%+1 represent “all”; Babli Horaiot 5b., as it was stated: Either half of the tribes or half of each tribe, if only it be a majority¹²⁵In order to trigger the ceremony required if all the community acts in error(Lev. 4:14), by following an erroneous ruling either of the High Court at the central sanctuary or of a majority of tribal High Courts.. Rebbi Jehudah says, half of each tribe, but only a majority of entire tribes¹²⁶The language is somewhat self-contradictory. He also requires that a majority of Israel follow the erroneous ruling but in addition he demands that in a majority of tribes a majority follow the ruling. Babli Horaiot 5b.. One tribe drags all tribes¹²⁷If one tribe has more members than all the others together, the action of one tribe triggers the obligation of all of them. He does not hold that the law about erroneous rulings of the High Court became moot with the exile of the Ten Tribes. Even later, when the tribe of Jehudah represented the overwhelming majority of Israel, a majority of the people can be considered a majority of all twelve tribes and the majority of Judeans triggers the obligation for all tribes.. Rebbi Meïr says, all tribes are called “the public”¹²⁸The purification sacrifice for an erroneous ruling by the Court has to be brought by “the public” (Lev. 4:14). The difference of opinions in the Mishnah is traced to different interpretations of this notion. R. Meïr holds that only the entire people of Israel qualify as “public”; RR. Jehudah and Simeon consider each tribe as a separate public. (Babli Horaiot 5b, Pesaḥim 80a, Menaḥot15a).. Rebbi Jehudah says, each single tribe is called “public”. What is between them? Dragging. Rebbi Meïr says, a single tribe does not drag all tribes¹²⁹Therefore he requires a separate sacrifice for the people of Israel in their entirety., but Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes. And Rebbi Jehudah follows Rebbi Simeon. Just as Rebbi Simeon said, one tribe drags all tribes¹³⁰In Horaiot, the opposite is asserted, that in this particular R. Simeon sides with R. Meïr; this also is required by the later statements in this Halakhah. R. Simeon agrees that each single tribe is called “public”., so Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes. Even though Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes, he agrees that only if the ruling came from the ashlar hall¹³¹Even though each tribe has to bring its own sacrifice, the ruling of a tribal High Court cannot trigger an obligation of any other tribe; only the Court sitting at the central sanctuary has this power.. Rebbi Yose said, the reason of that Tanna: From this place which the Eternal will choose¹³²Deut. 17:10.. What is the reason of Rebbi Jehudah? The entire community of the Children of Israel will be forgiven¹³³Num. 15:26. R. Jehudah argues that the verse promises forgiveness for all of Israel even if only one tribe followed an erroneous ruling; this proves that “one tribe drags all the other tribes.” R. Simeon disagrees since the last clause in the verse states that the entire people have to be in error; only a majority of the tribes triggers the obligation.. What is the reason of Rebbi Simeon? Since the entire people acted in error¹³³Num. 15:26. R. Jehudah argues that the verse promises forgiveness for all of Israel even if only one tribe followed an erroneous ruling; this proves that “one tribe drags all the other tribes.” R. Simeon disagrees since the last clause in the verse states that the entire people have to be in error; only a majority of the tribes triggers the obligation.. How does Rebbi Simeon uphold Rebbi Jehudah’s reason, the entire community of the Children of Israel will be forgiven? Except women and children¹³⁴Not that they will not be forgiven but they are not counted in determining what is a majority.. How does Rebbi Jehudah uphold Rebbi Simeon’s reason, since the entire people acted in error? Except if the beginning was criminal and the conclusion in error. Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Benjamin bar Levi: The verse supports him who said that each tribe is called “public”, as it is written¹³⁷Gen. 35:11, said to Jacob after the birth of 11 sons. Babli Horaiot 5b.: A people and a public of peoples will come from you, and Benjamin was not yet born. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said, just as they differ here, so they differ about impurity, as it was stated: If the public was half pure and half impure; pure [people] celebrate the first [Pesaḥ] and impure the second, the words of Rebbi Meïr. Rebbi Jehudah says, the pure ones celebrate for themselves, and the impure ones celebrate for themselves¹³⁸Both offer their sacrifices in the Temple, in separate groups. For this to happen, the number of pure people in Jerusalem on the 14^th of Nisan must be exactly equal to the number of impure ones. Tosephta 6:2 in the name of R. Simeon. This latter attribution seems to be correct since in the paragraph after the next the Amoraim explain that R. Jehudah never considers this case but requires that the number of pure people present be diminished.. They told him, there is no split Passover; either all celebrate in purity or all celebrate in impurity. Who is “they told him”? Rebbi Meïr. The argument of Rebbi Jehudah seems inverted, as we have stated there¹³⁹Mishnah Menaḥot2:2.
The Mishnah refers to the two public cereal offerings which have to be baked, viz., the weekly show-bread and the two leavened loaves presented at Pentecost. The 12 show-breads were presented in two rows, here called “orders” (Lev. 24:6).: “If one of the loaves or one of the orders became impure, Rebbi Jehudah said, both have to be brought to be burned¹⁴⁰Outside the Temple precinct. for a public offering cannot be split¹⁴¹Cf. Babli 79a.. But the Sages say, the impure in its impurity, and the pure shall be eaten¹⁴²By the officiating priests..” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: who is “they told him”? The Sages who argue like Rebbi Meïr¹⁴³In Horaiot: R. Jehudah. In any case, the question should not arise since the objecting Sages, while adopting the point of view of one of the protagonists, are not bound to follow him in all details..

HALAKHAH: But needs profane food intention¹⁹⁵Since profane food does not require pure bodies there should be no requirement for immersion and therefore no possibility of intention. Babli 19a.? He is informing you of more: even if he immersed himself for profane food and considers himself pure for profane food he is prohibited tithe. Did not Rebbi Eleazar say, the count for profane food is the count for tithe¹⁹⁶Profane food only can become impure in the first degree and disqualify in the second. The same holds for Second Tithe.? Here it is for eating, there for touching¹⁹⁷Eating Second Tithe needs a body pure by intention but not handling it.. He who immerses himself without specification is pure for all of them¹⁹⁸Tosephta 3:2; Babli 19a. For R. Joḥanan if at the moment of immersion it was impossible for the person to eat tithe, heave, or sancta, the immersion cannot be valid for one of these.. Rebbi Joḥanan said, if he had relationship with all of them. As long as his feet are in the water, he may consider himself pure for any stage he chooses¹⁹⁹Since water is considered one body, the person standing in the water in this respect is like one immersed and still has the choice of the degree of impurity imparted by the immersion..

Rebbi Ze`ira asked before Rebbi Abbahu: He told him, (as it comes in the mouth before you) [Rebbi Abba is on top before you.]<sup>125</sup>The scribe’s text, supported by the text in Megillah, is the only one which makes sense. One may answer either hallelu yah or hallelujah. Rebbi Jonah answered both ways. Rebbi Eliezer<sup>126</sup>With the text in Megillah read: Eleazar. did not answer any way<sup>127</sup>Here is a sentence missing, which is found in the origin in Megillah:“As it was stated: if he heard but did not answer he fulfilled his obligation, if he answered but did not hear he did not fulfill his obligation.”. Rav in the name of Rav Abba bar Ḥana <sup>128</sup>Again a clause missing from the parallel sources: {Some say, Rav Abba bar Ḥama} in the name of Rav. Both statements are possible; the authors were cousins. Here starts a parallel in Berakhot8:9, Notes 177–182,ב. Babli 38b. in the name of Rav: Only if he answered at the start of the Chapters. Rebbi Ze`ira asked, what are the starts of Chapters? Hallelujah, praise, servants of the Eternal, praise the Name of the Eternal¹²⁹Ps. 113:1. In Yemenite prayer books the instructions for the recitation are, with the responses added in brackets: Hallelujah [hallelujah], praise, servants of the Eternal, [hallelujah], praise the Name of the Eternal [hallelujah]. Babli 38b.. They asked before Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba: From where that he who heard but did not answer has fulfilled his obligation? He told them, since we are seeing great rabbis standing among the public when these say praised be he who comes and the others say in the name of the Eternal¹³⁰Ps. 118:26. Approved in the Babli 38b. Yerushalmi Berakhot8:9 Note 178., and both have fulfilled their obligation.