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Yoma 37

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Summary

Today’s daf is sponsored by Michelle and Laurence Berkowitz in memory of Joy Rochwarger Balsam z”l on her 17th yahrzeit, Joy was a pioneer in women’s learning and taught many students in many parts of the world. Joy wanted to teach Torah to anybody who wanted to learn, from Poland to Russia to her many students from Midreshet Moriah. Joy would have been so proud of Hadran Daf Yomi and Rabbanit Farber and to all else involved in this great endeavor. Because as Joy did, Hadran spreads Torah to anybody who wants to learn anywhere. Joy was immensely involved in all that went on in Israel as she lived here for many years. During these difficult times, may Joy’s neshama be a Meilitzat Yosher to bring peace and security to the people of Israel in the State of Israel.

The gemara explains the language of the confession on the bull – why is the word ‘ana’ (please) used and why is God’s name mentioned? Where did the kohen stand when he did the lottery on the goats? Who stood beside him? In what formation did they stand? The mishna describes different people who designed beautiful or more useful items for the Temple. What were they and who was credited with each one?

Yoma 37

וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּ״אָנָּא״? נֶאֱמַר כָּאן ״כַּפָּרָה״, וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן בְּחוֹרֵב ״כַּפָּרָה״. מָה לְהַלָּן בְּ״אָנָּא״, אַף כָּאן בְּ״אָנָּא״. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁבַּ״שֵּׁם״? נֶאֱמַר כָּאן ״כַּפָּרָה״, וְנֶאֶמְרָה בְּעֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה ״כַּפָּרָה״. מָה לְהַלָּן בַּ״שֵּׁם״, אַף כָּאן בַּ״שֵּׁם״.

And from where is it derived that the confession must begin with the word please? It is stated here: Atonement, and it is stated there, just before Moses’s plea following the sin of the Golden Calf at Horeb: “Perhaps I may secure atonement for your sin” (Exodus 32:30). Just as there, the prayer includes: “Please, this people is guilty of a great sin” (Exodus 32:31), so too here, the term please should be used. And from where is it derived that the Yom Kippur confession includes the name of God? It is stated here: Atonement, and it is stated with regard to the heifer whose neck is broken: “Atone, O God, for Your nation of Israel whom You redeemed, and do not let guilt for the blood of the innocent remain among Your people Israel, and they will be atoned of bloodguilt” (Deuteronomy 21:8). Just as there, with regard to the heifer, the name of God is mentioned, so too here, the name of God is mentioned.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בִּשְׁלָמָא חוֹרֵב מֵעֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה לָא יָלֵיף — מַאי דַהֲוָה הֲוָה. אֶלָּא עֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה תֵּילַיף מֵחוֹרֵב? וְכִי תֵּימָא הָכִי נָמֵי, וְהָתְנַן: ״הַכֹּהֲנִים אוֹמְרִים: כַּפֵּר לְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל״, וְאִילּוּ בְּ״אָנָּא״ לָא קָא אָמַר. קַשְׁיָא.

Abaye said: Granted, the obligation to include the name of God in the confession at Horeb cannot be derived from the heifer whose neck is broken, since what was, was. The sin of the Golden Calf predated the mitzva of the heifer. However, you should derive that the confession in the ritual of the heifer whose neck is broken requires use of the term: Please, from Horeb, where Moses employed that term. And if you say that is so, and the term: Please, should be employed, didn’t we learn in a mishna that the priests say: “Atone, O God, for Your nation, Israel (Deuteronomy 21:8), while the mishna does not state the term please. Apparently, the formula of confession during the ritual of the heifer is not derived from Horeb. The Gemara says: It is indeed difficult why that is not derived.

וְהֵן עוֹנִין אַחֲרָיו. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: ״כִּי שֵׁם ה׳ אֶקְרָא הָבוּ גוֹדֶל לֵאלֹהֵינוּ״, אָמַר לָהֶם מֹשֶׁה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאֲנִי מַזְכִּיר שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אַתֶּם הָבוּ גּוֹדֶל. חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן אֲחִי רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: ״זֵכֶר צַדִּיק לִבְרָכָה״, אָמַר לָהֶם נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאֲנִי מַזְכִּיר צַדִּיק עוֹלָמִים, אַתֶּם תְּנוּ בְּרָכָה.

§ The mishna continues: And the priests and the people who were in the courtyard respond after he recites the name of God: Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and all time. It was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says the following with regard to the verse: “When I call out the name of the Lord, give glory to our God” (Deuteronomy 32:3). Moses said to the Jewish people: When I mention the name of the Holy One, Blessed be He, you give Him glory and recite praises in his honor. Ḥananya, son of the brother of Rabbi Yehoshua, says that proof for the practice is from a different source: “The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing” (Proverbs 10:7). The prophet, Solomon, said to the Jewish people: When I mention the Righteous One of all worlds, you accord Him a blessing.

מַתְנִי׳ בָּא לוֹ לְמִזְרַח הָעֲזָרָה לִצְפוֹן הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, הַסְּגָן מִימִינוֹ וְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב מִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ. וְשָׁם שְׁנֵי שְׂעִירִים, וְקַלְפִּי הָיְתָה שָׁם, וּבָהּ שְׁנֵי גוֹרָלוֹת, שֶׁל אֶשְׁכְּרוֹעַ הָיוּ, וַעֲשָׂאָן בֶּן גַּמְלָא שֶׁל זָהָב, וְהָיוּ מַזְכִּירִים אוֹתוֹ לְשֶׁבַח.

MISHNA: The priest then came to the eastern side of the Temple courtyard, farthest from the Holy of Holies, to the north of the altar. The deputy was to his right, and the head of the patrilineal family belonging to the priestly watch that was assigned to serve in the Temple that week was to his left. And they arranged two goats there, and there was a lottery receptacle there, and in it were two lots. These were originally made of boxwood, and the High Priest Yehoshua ben Gamla fashioned them of gold, and the people would mention him favorably for what he did.

בֶּן קָטִין עָשָׂה שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר דַּד לַכִּיּוֹר, שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה לוֹ אֶלָּא שְׁנַיִם. וְאַף הוּא עָשָׂה מוּכְנִי לַכִּיּוֹר, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ מֵימָיו נִפְסָלִין בְּלִינָה.

Since the mishna mentions an item designed to enhance the Temple service, it also lists other such items: The High Priest ben Katin made twelve spigots for the basin so that several priests could sanctify their hands and feet at once, as previously the basin had only two. He also made a machine [mukheni] for sinking the basin into flowing water during the night so that its water would not be disqualified by remaining overnight. Had the water remained in the basin overnight, it would have been necessary to pour it out the following morning. By immersing the basin in flowing water, the water inside remained fit for use the next morning.

מוֹנְבַּז הַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה עוֹשֶׂה כָּל יְדוֹת הַכֵּלִים שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים שֶׁל זָהָב. הֵילֶנִי אִמּוֹ עָשְׂתָה נִבְרֶשֶׁת שֶׁל זָהָב עַל פֶּתַח הֵיכָל, וְאַף הִיא עָשְׂתָה טַבְלָא שֶׁל זָהָב שֶׁפָּרָשַׁת סוֹטָה כְּתוּבָה עָלֶיהָ. נִקָנוֹר נַעֲשׂוּ נִסִּים לְדַלְתוֹתָיו, וְהָיוּ מַזְכִּירִין אוֹתָן לְשֶׁבַח.

King Munbaz would contribute the funds required to make the handles of all the Yom Kippur vessels of gold. Queen Helene, his mother, fashioned a decorative gold chandelier above the entrance of the Sanctuary. She also fashioned a golden tablet [tavla] on which the Torah portion relating to sota was written. The tablet could be utilized to copy this Torah portion, so that a Torah scroll need not be taken out for that purpose. With regard to Nicanor, miracles were performed to his doors, the doors in the gate of the Temple named for him, the Gate of Nicanor. And the people would mention all of those whose contributions were listed favorably.

גְּמָ׳ מִדְּקָאָמַר לִצְפוֹן הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, מִכְּלָל דְּמִזְבֵּחַ לָאו בְּצָפוֹן קָאֵי. מַנִּי? רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא: ״צָפוֹנָה לִפְנֵי ה׳״, שֶׁיְּהֵא צָפוֹן כּוּלּוֹ פָּנוּי, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב

GEMARA: From the fact that it says in the mishna that the priest comes to the north of the altar, it can be learned by inference that the altar itself does not stand in the north but in the south of the courtyard. The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion is the mishna? The Gemara answers: It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov, as it was taught in a baraita that from the verse: “And he shall slaughter it on the side of the altar northward before God” (Leviticus 1:11), it is derived that the entire north side should be vacant. The altar is in the south, and the north is vacant. This is the statement of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov.

וְהָא רֵישָׁא אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא! כּוּלַּהּ רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב הִיא, וּתְנִי בְּבֵין הָאוּלָם וְלַמִּזְבֵּחַ.

The Gemara asks: But isn’t the first clause, the previous mishna, as explained above, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, who holds that the altar was partially in the north? The Gemara rejects this assertion: The entire mishna, including the first clause, is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov. Emend the previous mishna and teach it as referring to the space adjacent to the area between the Entrance Hall and the altar and not actually the space between them, north of the altar, where everyone agrees that it is the north.

הַסְּגָן בִּימִינוֹ, וְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: הַמְהַלֵּךְ לִימִין רַבּוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה בּוּר. תְּנַן: הַסְּגָן בִּימִינוֹ, וְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ!

§ The mishna states that the deputy High Priest stands to the right of the High Priest, and the head of the patrilineal family is to his left. Rav Yehuda said with regard to the laws of etiquette: One who walks to the right of his teacher is a boor, in that he hasn’t the slightest notion of good manners. The Gemara asks: Didn’t we learn in the mishna that the deputy, who is like a student to the High Priest, is to the right of the High Priest, and the head of the patrilineal priestly family responsible for the Temple service that day is to his left?

וְעוֹד, תַּנְיָא: שְׁלֹשָׁה שֶׁהָיוּ מְהַלְּכִין בַּדֶּרֶךְ — הָרַב בָּאֶמְצַע, גָּדוֹל בִּימִינוֹ, וְקָטָן מִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ. וְכֵן מָצִינוּ בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת שֶׁבָּאוּ אֵצֶל אַבְרָהָם, מִיכָאֵל בָּאֶמְצַע, גַּבְרִיאֵל בִּימִינוֹ, וּרְפָאֵל בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ.

And furthermore, it was taught in a baraita: Three people who were walking on the road should not walk in single file but should walk with the teacher in the middle, the greater of the students on his right, and the lesser of them to his left. And so too do we find with the three ministering angels who came to Abraham: Michael, the greatest of the three, was in the middle, Gabriel was to his right, and Raphael was to his left. Apparently, a student walks to the right of his teacher.

תַּרְגְּמַהּ רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר פָּפָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב אַדָּא: כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְכַּסֶּה בּוֹ רַבּוֹ. וְהָתַנְיָא: הַמְהַלֵּךְ כְּנֶגֶד רַבּוֹ — הֲרֵי זֶה בּוּר, אֲחוֹרֵי רַבּוֹ — הֲרֵי זֶה מִגַּסֵּי הָרוּחַ! דְּמַצְדֵּד אַצְדּוֹדֵי.

Rav Shmuel bar Pappa interpreted it before Rav Adda: He does not walk next to his teacher as an equal, but walks slightly behind him so that he is slightly obscured by his teacher. The Gemara asks: But wasn’t it taught in a baraita: One who walks next to his teacher is a boor; one who walks behind his teacher, allowing his teacher to walk before him, is among the arrogant. The Gemara answers: He does not walk directly beside him but slightly to his side and slightly behind his teacher.

וְקַלְפִּי הָיְתָה שָׁם וּבָהּ שְׁנֵי גוֹרָלוֹת. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וְנָתַן אַהֲרֹן עַל שְׁנֵי הַשְּׂעִירִם גּוֹרָלוֹת״, [גּוֹרָלוֹת] שֶׁל כׇּל דָּבָר.

§ The mishna continues: And there was a lottery receptacle in the east of the courtyard there, and in it were two lots. The Sages taught the following in a baraita with regard to the verse: “And Aaron shall place lots on the two goats, one lot for God and one lot for Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8). Lots is a general term; they may be fashioned from any material, as the Torah does not specify the material of which they are made.

יָכוֹל יִתֵּן שְׁנַיִם עַל זֶה וּשְׁנַיִם עַל זֶה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״גּוֹרָל אֶחָד לַה׳ וְגוֹרָל אֶחָד לַעֲזָאזֵל״ — אֵין כָּאן לַשֵּׁם אֶלָּא גּוֹרָל אֶחָד, וְאֵין כָּאן לַעֲזָאזֵל אֶלָּא אֶחָד. יָכוֹל יִתֵּן שֶׁל שֵׁם וְשֶׁל עֲזָאזֵל עַל זֶה וְשֶׁל שֵׁם וְשֶׁל עֲזָאזֵל עַל זֶה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״גּוֹרָל אֶחָד [לַה׳״ — אֵין כָּאן לַה׳ אֶלָּא אֶחָד, וְאֵין כָּאן לַעֲזָאזֵל אֶלָּא אֶחָד]. אִם כֵּן, מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״גּוֹרָלוֹת״ — שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שָׁוִין, שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲשֶׂה אֶחָד שֶׁל זָהָב וְאֶחָד שֶׁל כֶּסֶף, אֶחָד גָּדוֹל וְאֶחָד קָטָן.

One might have thought that he should place two lots on this goat and two lots on that goat; therefore, the verse states: “One lot for God and one lot for Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8), meaning there is only one lot here for God, and there is only one lot here for Azazel. Likewise, one might have thought he should place the lot of God and the lot of Azazel on this goat, and the lot of God and the lot of Azazel on that goat; therefore, the verse states: One lot for God, i.e., there is only one lot here for God, and there is only one lot here for Azazel. If so, what is the meaning when the verse states lots, in the plural, since each of the two goats has one lot not two? It is to teach that the two lots should be identical; that he should not make one of gold and one of silver, or one big and one small.

גּוֹרָלוֹת שֶׁל כׇּל דָּבָר: פְּשִׁיטָא! לָא צְרִיכָא, לְכִדְתַנְיָא: לְפִי שֶׁמָּצִינוּ בַּצִּיץ שֶׁהַשֵּׁם כָּתוּב עָלָיו וְהוּא שֶׁל זָהָב, יָכוֹל אַף זֶה כֵּן — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״גּוֹרָל״ ״גּוֹרָל״ רִיבָּה, רִיבָּה שֶׁל זַיִת, רִיבָּה שֶׁל אֱגוֹז, רִיבָּה שֶׁל אֶשְׁכְּרוֹעַ.

It was taught in the baraita that the lots may be fashioned from any material. The Gemara asks: This is obvious, considering that the Torah does not designate a particular material. The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary only due to that which was taught in a baraita: Because we find with regard to the High Priest’s frontplate that the name of God was written upon it and it was made of gold, one might have thought that this lot, too, should be made of gold since it has God’s name on it. Therefore, the verse states: Lot, lot, twice to include other materials and not exclusively gold. It includes lots made of olive wood, and includes lots made of walnut wood, and includes lots made of boxwood.

בֶּן קָטִין עָשָׂה שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר דַּד לַכִּיּוֹר וְכוּ׳. תָּנָא כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר אֶחָיו הַכֹּהֲנִים הָעֲסוּקִין בְּתָמִיד מְקַדְּשִׁין יְדֵיהֶן וְרַגְלֵיהֶן בְּבַת אַחַת. תָּנָא: שַׁחֲרִית בְּמִילּוּאוֹ — מְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו מִן הָעֶלְיוֹן, עַרְבִית בִּירִידָתוֹ — מְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו מִן הַתַּחְתּוֹן.

§ The mishna continues: The High Priest ben Katin made twelve spigots for the basin. It was taught: Ben Katin did this so that twelve of his fellow priests, who are occupied with sacrificing the daily offering as explained above, could sanctify their hands and their feet simultaneously. It was taught: In the morning, when the basin is full, one sanctifies his hands and his feet from the spigots fixed at the top of the basin because the water level is high. And in the afternoon, when the water level is low, he sanctifies his hands and his feet from the spigots fixed at the bottom.

וְאַף הוּא עָשָׂה מוּכְנִי לַכִּיּוֹר וְכוּ׳. מַאי מוּכְנִי? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: גִּילְגְּלָא דַּהֲוָה מְשַׁקְּעָא לֵיהּ.

The mishna continues with regard to ben Katin: He also made a machine for sinking the basin. The Gemara asks: What is this machine? Abaye said: It is a wheel with which he lowered the basin into the pit.

מוֹנְבַּז הַמֶּלֶךְ עָשָׂה כָּל יְדוֹת הַכֵּלִים וְכוּ׳. נַעְבְּדִינְהוּ לְדִידְהוּ דְּזָהָב!

The mishna continues: King Munbaz would contribute the funds required to make the handles of all the Yom Kippur vessels of gold. The Gemara asks: If he wanted to donate money to beautify the Temple, he should have made the vessels themselves of gold, not just the handles.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בִּידוֹת סַכִּינִין. מֵיתִיבִי: אַף הוּא עָשָׂה כַּנֵּי כֵלִים, וְאוֹגְנֵי כֵלִים, וִידוֹת כֵּלִים, וִידוֹת סַכִּינִין שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים שֶׁל זָהָב. תַּרְגְּמַהּ אַבָּיֵי: בְּקַתָּתָא דְּנַרְגֵי וַחֲצִינֵי.

Abaye said: Although gold is not suitable for knife blades, as it is too soft for use in slaughter, the mishna is referring to knife handles. The Gemara raises an objection from a different baraita: King Munbaz also made the bases of vessels, the grips of vessels, the handles of vessels, and the handles of knives of Yom Kippur of gold. Apparently, knives are not categorized as vessels; therefore, the handles of the Yom Kippur vessels that Munbaz donated were not knife handles. The Gemara answers: Abaye interpreted that Munbaz donated gold for the handles of axes and hatchets. The blades of these implements cannot be made of gold; rather, like knives, they require stronger material.

הֵילֶנִי אִמּוֹ עָשְׂתָה נִבְרֶשֶׁת שֶׁל זָהָב וְכוּ׳. תָּנָא: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַחַמָּה זוֹרַחַת נִיצוֹצוֹת יוֹצְאִין מִמֶּנָּה, וְהַכֹּל יוֹדְעִין שֶׁהִגִּיעַ זְמַן קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע.

§ The mishna continues: Queen Helene, his mother, fashioned a decorative gold chandelier above the entrance of the Sanctuary. It was taught in a mishna: When the sun rose, sparks of light would emanate from the chandelier, which was polished, and everyone knew that the time to recite Shema had arrived. The ideal time to recite Shema is at the moment of sunrise.

מֵיתִיבִי: הַקּוֹרֵא אֶת שְׁמַע שַׁחֲרִית עִם אַנְשֵׁי מִשְׁמָר, וְאַנְשֵׁי מַעֲמָד — לֹא יָצָא, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאַנְשֵׁי מִשְׁמָר מַשְׁכִּימִין וְאַנְשֵׁי מַעֲמָד מֵאֲחֵרִים! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לִשְׁאָר עַמָּא דְּבִירוּשְׁלֶם.

The Gemara raises an objection: One who recites Shema in the morning with the men of the priestly watch, who served in the Temple during a given week, or with the men of the non-priestly watch, designated groups of Israelites who accompanied the priestly watch to Jerusalem that week, did not fulfill his obligation. That is because the men of the priestly watch recite Shema too early so that they will have sufficient time to perform the Temple service, and the men of the non-priestly watch, who recite lengthy prayers and stand over the daily morning offering when it is sacrificed, postpone reciting Shema. For whom, then, did the emanating sparks signal the time to recite Shema? Abaye said: It was an indicator for the rest of the people in Jerusalem, who recited Shema at the appropriate time to recite Shema.

וְאַף הִיא עָשְׂתָה טַבְלָא. שָׁמְעַתְּ מִינַּהּ כּוֹתְבִין מְגִילָּה לְתִינוֹק לְהִתְלַמֵּד בָּהּ. אֲמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יַנַּאי: בְּאָלֶף בֵּית.

§ The mishna relates: Queen Helene also fashioned a golden tablet on which the sota Torah portion was written. The Gemara comments: You learn from this that one may write a scroll that contains only several portions of the Torah, from which a child may be taught. The Sages disputed whether it is permitted to do so even for the purpose of education. Reish Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Yannai: There is no proof from this mishna, as the tablet prepared by Queen Helene consisted of the letters of the alefbeit, i.e., only the first letter of each word was written on the tablet, representing the word.

מֵיתִיבִי: כְּשֶׁהוּא כּוֹתֵב רוֹאֶה וְכוֹתֵב מָה שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא! אֵימָא: רוֹאֶה וְכוֹתֵב כְּמָה שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא.

The Gemara raises an objection from the halakhot of sota: When the scribe writes the sota scroll, he looks and writes that which is written on the tablet. Apparently, the full text of the passage was written on the tablet. The Gemara rejects this: Emend the baraita and say: He looks and writes like that which is written on the tablet. The tablet aids the scribe in remembering the text that must be written.

מֵיתִיבִי: כְּשֶׁהוּא כּוֹתֵב — רוֹאֶה וְכוֹתֵב מָה שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא, וּמָה כָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא — ״אִם שָׁכַב אִישׁ אוֹתָךְ״ [״וְאִם לֹא שָׁכַב״], ״אִם שָׂטִית״ ״אִם לֹא שָׂטִית״! הָתָם

The Gemara raises an objection from a different baraita: When he writes, he looks and writes that which is written on the tablet. And what is written on the tablet? If a man lay with you…and if he did not lay with you; if you strayed…if you did not stray (see Numbers 5:19–20). Apparently, the full text of the passage was written on the tablet. The Gemara answers: There, it was written

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I began my journey with Rabbanit Michelle more than five years ago. My friend came up with a great idea for about 15 of us to learn the daf and one of us would summarize weekly what we learned.
It was fun but after 2-3 months people began to leave. I have continued. Since the cycle began Again I have joined the Teaneck women.. I find it most rewarding in so many ways. Thank you

Dena Heller
Dena Heller

New Jersey, United States

When I started studying Hebrew at Brown University’s Hillel, I had no idea that almost 38 years later, I’m doing Daf Yomi. My Shabbat haburah is led by Rabbanit Leah Sarna. The women are a hoot. I’m tracking the completion of each tractate by reading Ilana Kurshan’s memoir, If All the Seas Were Ink.

Hannah Lee
Hannah Lee

Pennsylvania, United States

I began to learn this cycle of Daf Yomi after my husband passed away 2 1/2 years ago. It seemed a good way to connect to him. Even though I don’t know whether he would have encouraged women learning Gemara, it would have opened wonderful conversations. It also gives me more depth for understanding my frum children and grandchildren. Thank you Hadran and Rabbanit Michelle Farber!!

Harriet Hartman
Harriet Hartman

Tzur Hadassah, Israel

I started learning after the siyum hashas for women and my daily learning has been a constant over the last two years. It grounded me during the chaos of Corona while providing me with a community of fellow learners. The Daf can be challenging but it’s filled with life’s lessons, struggles and hope for a better world. It’s not about the destination but rather about the journey. Thank you Hadran!

Dena Lehrman
Dena Lehrman

אפרת, Israel

3 years ago, I joined Rabbanit Michelle to organize the unprecedented Siyum HaShas event in Jerusalem for thousands of women. The whole experience was so inspiring that I decided then to start learning the daf and see how I would go…. and I’m still at it. I often listen to the Daf on my bike in mornings, surrounded by both the external & the internal beauty of Eretz Yisrael & Am Yisrael!

Lisa Kolodny
Lisa Kolodny

Raanana, Israel

Shortly after the death of my father, David Malik z”l, I made the commitment to Daf Yomi. While riding to Ben Gurion airport in January, Siyum HaShas was playing on the radio; that was the nudge I needed to get started. The “everyday-ness” of the Daf has been a meaningful spiritual practice, especial after COVID began & I was temporarily unable to say Kaddish at daily in-person minyanim.

Lisa S. Malik
Lisa S. Malik

Wynnewood, United States

Ive been learning Gmara since 5th grade and always loved it. Have always wanted to do Daf Yomi and now with Michelle Farber’s online classes it made it much easier to do! Really enjoying the experience thank you!!

Lisa Lawrence
Lisa Lawrence

Neve Daniel, Israel

It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.

Janice Block
Janice Block

Beit Shemesh, Israel

When the new cycle began, I thought, If not now, when? I’d just turned 72. I feel like a tourist on a tour bus passing astonishing scenery each day. Rabbanit Michelle is my beloved tour guide. When the cycle ends, I’ll be 80. I pray that I’ll have strength and mind to continue the journey to glimpse a little more. My grandchildren think having a daf-learning savta is cool!

Wendy Dickstein
Wendy Dickstein

Jerusalem, Israel

I had no formal learning in Talmud until I began my studies in the Joint Program where in 1976 I was one of the few, if not the only, woman talmud major. It was superior training for law school and enabled me to approach my legal studies with a foundation . In 2018, I began daf yomi listening to Rabbanit MIchelle’s pod cast and my daily talmud studies are one of the highlights of my life.

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Terri Krivosha

Minneapolis, United States

I tried Daf Yomi in the middle of the last cycle after realizing I could listen to Michelle’s shiurim online. It lasted all of 2 days! Then the new cycle started just days before my father’s first yahrzeit and my youngest daughter’s bat mitzvah. It seemed the right time for a new beginning. My family, friends, colleagues are immensely supportive!

Catriella-Freedman-jpeg
Catriella Freedman

Zichron Yaakov, Israel

Ive been learning Gmara since 5th grade and always loved it. Have always wanted to do Daf Yomi and now with Michelle Farber’s online classes it made it much easier to do! Really enjoying the experience thank you!!

Lisa Lawrence
Lisa Lawrence

Neve Daniel, Israel

Having never learned Talmud before, I started Daf Yomi in hopes of connecting to the Rabbinic tradition, sharing a daily idea on Instagram (@dafyomiadventures). With Hadran and Sefaria, I slowly gained confidence in my skills and understanding. Now, part of the Pardes Jewish Educators Program, I can’t wait to bring this love of learning with me as I continue to pass it on to my future students.

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Hannah Greenberg

Pennsylvania, United States

I learned Talmud as a student in Yeshivat Ramaz and felt at the time that Talmud wasn’t for me. After reading Ilana Kurshan’s book I was intrigued and after watching the great siyum in Yerushalayim it ignited the spark to begin this journey. It has been a transformative life experience for me as a wife, mother, Savta and member of Klal Yisrael.
Elana Storch
Elana Storch

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

I saw an elderly man at the shul kiddush in early March 2020, celebrating the siyyum of masechet brachot which he had been learning with a young yeshiva student. I thought, if he can do it, I can do it! I began to learn masechet Shabbat the next day, Making up masechet brachot myself, which I had missed. I haven’t missed a day since, thanks to the ease of listening to Hadran’s podcast!
Judith Shapiro
Judith Shapiro

Minnesota, United States

I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!

Khaya Eisenberg
Khaya Eisenberg

Jerusalem, Israel

I began Daf Yomi with the last cycle. I was inspired by the Hadran Siyum in Yerushalayim to continue with this cycle. I have learned Daf Yomi with Rabanit Michelle in over 25 countries on 6 continents ( missing Australia)

Barbara-Goldschlag
Barbara Goldschlag

Silver Spring, MD, United States

I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!

Caroline Levison
Caroline Levison

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.

Vitti Kones
Vitti Kones

מיתר, ישראל

Margo
I started my Talmud journey in 7th grade at Akiba Jewish Day School in Chicago. I started my Daf Yomi journey after hearing Erica Brown speak at the Hadran Siyum about marking the passage of time through Daf Yomi.

Carolyn
I started my Talmud journey post-college in NY with a few classes. I started my Daf Yomi journey after the Hadran Siyum, which inspired both my son and myself.

Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal
Carolyn Hochstadter and Margo Kossoff Shizgal

Merion Station,  USA

Beit Shemesh, Israel

Yoma 37

וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּ״אָנָּא״? נֶאֱמַר כָּאן ״כַּפָּרָה״, וְנֶאֱמַר לְהַלָּן בְּחוֹרֵב ״כַּפָּרָה״. מָה לְהַלָּן בְּ״אָנָּא״, אַף כָּאן בְּ״אָנָּא״. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁבַּ״שֵּׁם״? נֶאֱמַר כָּאן ״כַּפָּרָה״, וְנֶאֶמְרָה בְּעֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה ״כַּפָּרָה״. מָה לְהַלָּן בַּ״שֵּׁם״, אַף כָּאן בַּ״שֵּׁם״.

And from where is it derived that the confession must begin with the word please? It is stated here: Atonement, and it is stated there, just before Moses’s plea following the sin of the Golden Calf at Horeb: “Perhaps I may secure atonement for your sin” (Exodus 32:30). Just as there, the prayer includes: “Please, this people is guilty of a great sin” (Exodus 32:31), so too here, the term please should be used. And from where is it derived that the Yom Kippur confession includes the name of God? It is stated here: Atonement, and it is stated with regard to the heifer whose neck is broken: “Atone, O God, for Your nation of Israel whom You redeemed, and do not let guilt for the blood of the innocent remain among Your people Israel, and they will be atoned of bloodguilt” (Deuteronomy 21:8). Just as there, with regard to the heifer, the name of God is mentioned, so too here, the name of God is mentioned.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בִּשְׁלָמָא חוֹרֵב מֵעֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה לָא יָלֵיף — מַאי דַהֲוָה הֲוָה. אֶלָּא עֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה תֵּילַיף מֵחוֹרֵב? וְכִי תֵּימָא הָכִי נָמֵי, וְהָתְנַן: ״הַכֹּהֲנִים אוֹמְרִים: כַּפֵּר לְעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל״, וְאִילּוּ בְּ״אָנָּא״ לָא קָא אָמַר. קַשְׁיָא.

Abaye said: Granted, the obligation to include the name of God in the confession at Horeb cannot be derived from the heifer whose neck is broken, since what was, was. The sin of the Golden Calf predated the mitzva of the heifer. However, you should derive that the confession in the ritual of the heifer whose neck is broken requires use of the term: Please, from Horeb, where Moses employed that term. And if you say that is so, and the term: Please, should be employed, didn’t we learn in a mishna that the priests say: “Atone, O God, for Your nation, Israel (Deuteronomy 21:8), while the mishna does not state the term please. Apparently, the formula of confession during the ritual of the heifer is not derived from Horeb. The Gemara says: It is indeed difficult why that is not derived.

וְהֵן עוֹנִין אַחֲרָיו. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: ״כִּי שֵׁם ה׳ אֶקְרָא הָבוּ גוֹדֶל לֵאלֹהֵינוּ״, אָמַר לָהֶם מֹשֶׁה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאֲנִי מַזְכִּיר שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אַתֶּם הָבוּ גּוֹדֶל. חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן אֲחִי רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: ״זֵכֶר צַדִּיק לִבְרָכָה״, אָמַר לָהֶם נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאֲנִי מַזְכִּיר צַדִּיק עוֹלָמִים, אַתֶּם תְּנוּ בְּרָכָה.

§ The mishna continues: And the priests and the people who were in the courtyard respond after he recites the name of God: Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and all time. It was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says the following with regard to the verse: “When I call out the name of the Lord, give glory to our God” (Deuteronomy 32:3). Moses said to the Jewish people: When I mention the name of the Holy One, Blessed be He, you give Him glory and recite praises in his honor. Ḥananya, son of the brother of Rabbi Yehoshua, says that proof for the practice is from a different source: “The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing” (Proverbs 10:7). The prophet, Solomon, said to the Jewish people: When I mention the Righteous One of all worlds, you accord Him a blessing.

מַתְנִי׳ בָּא לוֹ לְמִזְרַח הָעֲזָרָה לִצְפוֹן הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, הַסְּגָן מִימִינוֹ וְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב מִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ. וְשָׁם שְׁנֵי שְׂעִירִים, וְקַלְפִּי הָיְתָה שָׁם, וּבָהּ שְׁנֵי גוֹרָלוֹת, שֶׁל אֶשְׁכְּרוֹעַ הָיוּ, וַעֲשָׂאָן בֶּן גַּמְלָא שֶׁל זָהָב, וְהָיוּ מַזְכִּירִים אוֹתוֹ לְשֶׁבַח.

MISHNA: The priest then came to the eastern side of the Temple courtyard, farthest from the Holy of Holies, to the north of the altar. The deputy was to his right, and the head of the patrilineal family belonging to the priestly watch that was assigned to serve in the Temple that week was to his left. And they arranged two goats there, and there was a lottery receptacle there, and in it were two lots. These were originally made of boxwood, and the High Priest Yehoshua ben Gamla fashioned them of gold, and the people would mention him favorably for what he did.

בֶּן קָטִין עָשָׂה שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר דַּד לַכִּיּוֹר, שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה לוֹ אֶלָּא שְׁנַיִם. וְאַף הוּא עָשָׂה מוּכְנִי לַכִּיּוֹר, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ מֵימָיו נִפְסָלִין בְּלִינָה.

Since the mishna mentions an item designed to enhance the Temple service, it also lists other such items: The High Priest ben Katin made twelve spigots for the basin so that several priests could sanctify their hands and feet at once, as previously the basin had only two. He also made a machine [mukheni] for sinking the basin into flowing water during the night so that its water would not be disqualified by remaining overnight. Had the water remained in the basin overnight, it would have been necessary to pour it out the following morning. By immersing the basin in flowing water, the water inside remained fit for use the next morning.

מוֹנְבַּז הַמֶּלֶךְ הָיָה עוֹשֶׂה כָּל יְדוֹת הַכֵּלִים שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים שֶׁל זָהָב. הֵילֶנִי אִמּוֹ עָשְׂתָה נִבְרֶשֶׁת שֶׁל זָהָב עַל פֶּתַח הֵיכָל, וְאַף הִיא עָשְׂתָה טַבְלָא שֶׁל זָהָב שֶׁפָּרָשַׁת סוֹטָה כְּתוּבָה עָלֶיהָ. נִקָנוֹר נַעֲשׂוּ נִסִּים לְדַלְתוֹתָיו, וְהָיוּ מַזְכִּירִין אוֹתָן לְשֶׁבַח.

King Munbaz would contribute the funds required to make the handles of all the Yom Kippur vessels of gold. Queen Helene, his mother, fashioned a decorative gold chandelier above the entrance of the Sanctuary. She also fashioned a golden tablet [tavla] on which the Torah portion relating to sota was written. The tablet could be utilized to copy this Torah portion, so that a Torah scroll need not be taken out for that purpose. With regard to Nicanor, miracles were performed to his doors, the doors in the gate of the Temple named for him, the Gate of Nicanor. And the people would mention all of those whose contributions were listed favorably.

גְּמָ׳ מִדְּקָאָמַר לִצְפוֹן הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, מִכְּלָל דְּמִזְבֵּחַ לָאו בְּצָפוֹן קָאֵי. מַנִּי? רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא: ״צָפוֹנָה לִפְנֵי ה׳״, שֶׁיְּהֵא צָפוֹן כּוּלּוֹ פָּנוּי, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב

GEMARA: From the fact that it says in the mishna that the priest comes to the north of the altar, it can be learned by inference that the altar itself does not stand in the north but in the south of the courtyard. The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion is the mishna? The Gemara answers: It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov, as it was taught in a baraita that from the verse: “And he shall slaughter it on the side of the altar northward before God” (Leviticus 1:11), it is derived that the entire north side should be vacant. The altar is in the south, and the north is vacant. This is the statement of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov.

וְהָא רֵישָׁא אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא! כּוּלַּהּ רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב הִיא, וּתְנִי בְּבֵין הָאוּלָם וְלַמִּזְבֵּחַ.

The Gemara asks: But isn’t the first clause, the previous mishna, as explained above, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, who holds that the altar was partially in the north? The Gemara rejects this assertion: The entire mishna, including the first clause, is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov. Emend the previous mishna and teach it as referring to the space adjacent to the area between the Entrance Hall and the altar and not actually the space between them, north of the altar, where everyone agrees that it is the north.

הַסְּגָן בִּימִינוֹ, וְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: הַמְהַלֵּךְ לִימִין רַבּוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה בּוּר. תְּנַן: הַסְּגָן בִּימִינוֹ, וְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אָב בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ!

§ The mishna states that the deputy High Priest stands to the right of the High Priest, and the head of the patrilineal family is to his left. Rav Yehuda said with regard to the laws of etiquette: One who walks to the right of his teacher is a boor, in that he hasn’t the slightest notion of good manners. The Gemara asks: Didn’t we learn in the mishna that the deputy, who is like a student to the High Priest, is to the right of the High Priest, and the head of the patrilineal priestly family responsible for the Temple service that day is to his left?

וְעוֹד, תַּנְיָא: שְׁלֹשָׁה שֶׁהָיוּ מְהַלְּכִין בַּדֶּרֶךְ — הָרַב בָּאֶמְצַע, גָּדוֹל בִּימִינוֹ, וְקָטָן מִשְּׂמֹאלוֹ. וְכֵן מָצִינוּ בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת שֶׁבָּאוּ אֵצֶל אַבְרָהָם, מִיכָאֵל בָּאֶמְצַע, גַּבְרִיאֵל בִּימִינוֹ, וּרְפָאֵל בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ.

And furthermore, it was taught in a baraita: Three people who were walking on the road should not walk in single file but should walk with the teacher in the middle, the greater of the students on his right, and the lesser of them to his left. And so too do we find with the three ministering angels who came to Abraham: Michael, the greatest of the three, was in the middle, Gabriel was to his right, and Raphael was to his left. Apparently, a student walks to the right of his teacher.

תַּרְגְּמַהּ רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר פָּפָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב אַדָּא: כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְכַּסֶּה בּוֹ רַבּוֹ. וְהָתַנְיָא: הַמְהַלֵּךְ כְּנֶגֶד רַבּוֹ — הֲרֵי זֶה בּוּר, אֲחוֹרֵי רַבּוֹ — הֲרֵי זֶה מִגַּסֵּי הָרוּחַ! דְּמַצְדֵּד אַצְדּוֹדֵי.

Rav Shmuel bar Pappa interpreted it before Rav Adda: He does not walk next to his teacher as an equal, but walks slightly behind him so that he is slightly obscured by his teacher. The Gemara asks: But wasn’t it taught in a baraita: One who walks next to his teacher is a boor; one who walks behind his teacher, allowing his teacher to walk before him, is among the arrogant. The Gemara answers: He does not walk directly beside him but slightly to his side and slightly behind his teacher.

וְקַלְפִּי הָיְתָה שָׁם וּבָהּ שְׁנֵי גוֹרָלוֹת. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וְנָתַן אַהֲרֹן עַל שְׁנֵי הַשְּׂעִירִם גּוֹרָלוֹת״, [גּוֹרָלוֹת] שֶׁל כׇּל דָּבָר.

§ The mishna continues: And there was a lottery receptacle in the east of the courtyard there, and in it were two lots. The Sages taught the following in a baraita with regard to the verse: “And Aaron shall place lots on the two goats, one lot for God and one lot for Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8). Lots is a general term; they may be fashioned from any material, as the Torah does not specify the material of which they are made.

יָכוֹל יִתֵּן שְׁנַיִם עַל זֶה וּשְׁנַיִם עַל זֶה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״גּוֹרָל אֶחָד לַה׳ וְגוֹרָל אֶחָד לַעֲזָאזֵל״ — אֵין כָּאן לַשֵּׁם אֶלָּא גּוֹרָל אֶחָד, וְאֵין כָּאן לַעֲזָאזֵל אֶלָּא אֶחָד. יָכוֹל יִתֵּן שֶׁל שֵׁם וְשֶׁל עֲזָאזֵל עַל זֶה וְשֶׁל שֵׁם וְשֶׁל עֲזָאזֵל עַל זֶה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״גּוֹרָל אֶחָד [לַה׳״ — אֵין כָּאן לַה׳ אֶלָּא אֶחָד, וְאֵין כָּאן לַעֲזָאזֵל אֶלָּא אֶחָד]. אִם כֵּן, מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״גּוֹרָלוֹת״ — שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שָׁוִין, שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲשֶׂה אֶחָד שֶׁל זָהָב וְאֶחָד שֶׁל כֶּסֶף, אֶחָד גָּדוֹל וְאֶחָד קָטָן.

One might have thought that he should place two lots on this goat and two lots on that goat; therefore, the verse states: “One lot for God and one lot for Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8), meaning there is only one lot here for God, and there is only one lot here for Azazel. Likewise, one might have thought he should place the lot of God and the lot of Azazel on this goat, and the lot of God and the lot of Azazel on that goat; therefore, the verse states: One lot for God, i.e., there is only one lot here for God, and there is only one lot here for Azazel. If so, what is the meaning when the verse states lots, in the plural, since each of the two goats has one lot not two? It is to teach that the two lots should be identical; that he should not make one of gold and one of silver, or one big and one small.

גּוֹרָלוֹת שֶׁל כׇּל דָּבָר: פְּשִׁיטָא! לָא צְרִיכָא, לְכִדְתַנְיָא: לְפִי שֶׁמָּצִינוּ בַּצִּיץ שֶׁהַשֵּׁם כָּתוּב עָלָיו וְהוּא שֶׁל זָהָב, יָכוֹל אַף זֶה כֵּן — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״גּוֹרָל״ ״גּוֹרָל״ רִיבָּה, רִיבָּה שֶׁל זַיִת, רִיבָּה שֶׁל אֱגוֹז, רִיבָּה שֶׁל אֶשְׁכְּרוֹעַ.

It was taught in the baraita that the lots may be fashioned from any material. The Gemara asks: This is obvious, considering that the Torah does not designate a particular material. The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary only due to that which was taught in a baraita: Because we find with regard to the High Priest’s frontplate that the name of God was written upon it and it was made of gold, one might have thought that this lot, too, should be made of gold since it has God’s name on it. Therefore, the verse states: Lot, lot, twice to include other materials and not exclusively gold. It includes lots made of olive wood, and includes lots made of walnut wood, and includes lots made of boxwood.

בֶּן קָטִין עָשָׂה שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר דַּד לַכִּיּוֹר וְכוּ׳. תָּנָא כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר אֶחָיו הַכֹּהֲנִים הָעֲסוּקִין בְּתָמִיד מְקַדְּשִׁין יְדֵיהֶן וְרַגְלֵיהֶן בְּבַת אַחַת. תָּנָא: שַׁחֲרִית בְּמִילּוּאוֹ — מְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו מִן הָעֶלְיוֹן, עַרְבִית בִּירִידָתוֹ — מְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו מִן הַתַּחְתּוֹן.

§ The mishna continues: The High Priest ben Katin made twelve spigots for the basin. It was taught: Ben Katin did this so that twelve of his fellow priests, who are occupied with sacrificing the daily offering as explained above, could sanctify their hands and their feet simultaneously. It was taught: In the morning, when the basin is full, one sanctifies his hands and his feet from the spigots fixed at the top of the basin because the water level is high. And in the afternoon, when the water level is low, he sanctifies his hands and his feet from the spigots fixed at the bottom.

וְאַף הוּא עָשָׂה מוּכְנִי לַכִּיּוֹר וְכוּ׳. מַאי מוּכְנִי? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: גִּילְגְּלָא דַּהֲוָה מְשַׁקְּעָא לֵיהּ.

The mishna continues with regard to ben Katin: He also made a machine for sinking the basin. The Gemara asks: What is this machine? Abaye said: It is a wheel with which he lowered the basin into the pit.

מוֹנְבַּז הַמֶּלֶךְ עָשָׂה כָּל יְדוֹת הַכֵּלִים וְכוּ׳. נַעְבְּדִינְהוּ לְדִידְהוּ דְּזָהָב!

The mishna continues: King Munbaz would contribute the funds required to make the handles of all the Yom Kippur vessels of gold. The Gemara asks: If he wanted to donate money to beautify the Temple, he should have made the vessels themselves of gold, not just the handles.

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בִּידוֹת סַכִּינִין. מֵיתִיבִי: אַף הוּא עָשָׂה כַּנֵּי כֵלִים, וְאוֹגְנֵי כֵלִים, וִידוֹת כֵּלִים, וִידוֹת סַכִּינִין שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים שֶׁל זָהָב. תַּרְגְּמַהּ אַבָּיֵי: בְּקַתָּתָא דְּנַרְגֵי וַחֲצִינֵי.

Abaye said: Although gold is not suitable for knife blades, as it is too soft for use in slaughter, the mishna is referring to knife handles. The Gemara raises an objection from a different baraita: King Munbaz also made the bases of vessels, the grips of vessels, the handles of vessels, and the handles of knives of Yom Kippur of gold. Apparently, knives are not categorized as vessels; therefore, the handles of the Yom Kippur vessels that Munbaz donated were not knife handles. The Gemara answers: Abaye interpreted that Munbaz donated gold for the handles of axes and hatchets. The blades of these implements cannot be made of gold; rather, like knives, they require stronger material.

הֵילֶנִי אִמּוֹ עָשְׂתָה נִבְרֶשֶׁת שֶׁל זָהָב וְכוּ׳. תָּנָא: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַחַמָּה זוֹרַחַת נִיצוֹצוֹת יוֹצְאִין מִמֶּנָּה, וְהַכֹּל יוֹדְעִין שֶׁהִגִּיעַ זְמַן קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע.

§ The mishna continues: Queen Helene, his mother, fashioned a decorative gold chandelier above the entrance of the Sanctuary. It was taught in a mishna: When the sun rose, sparks of light would emanate from the chandelier, which was polished, and everyone knew that the time to recite Shema had arrived. The ideal time to recite Shema is at the moment of sunrise.

מֵיתִיבִי: הַקּוֹרֵא אֶת שְׁמַע שַׁחֲרִית עִם אַנְשֵׁי מִשְׁמָר, וְאַנְשֵׁי מַעֲמָד — לֹא יָצָא, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאַנְשֵׁי מִשְׁמָר מַשְׁכִּימִין וְאַנְשֵׁי מַעֲמָד מֵאֲחֵרִים! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לִשְׁאָר עַמָּא דְּבִירוּשְׁלֶם.

The Gemara raises an objection: One who recites Shema in the morning with the men of the priestly watch, who served in the Temple during a given week, or with the men of the non-priestly watch, designated groups of Israelites who accompanied the priestly watch to Jerusalem that week, did not fulfill his obligation. That is because the men of the priestly watch recite Shema too early so that they will have sufficient time to perform the Temple service, and the men of the non-priestly watch, who recite lengthy prayers and stand over the daily morning offering when it is sacrificed, postpone reciting Shema. For whom, then, did the emanating sparks signal the time to recite Shema? Abaye said: It was an indicator for the rest of the people in Jerusalem, who recited Shema at the appropriate time to recite Shema.

וְאַף הִיא עָשְׂתָה טַבְלָא. שָׁמְעַתְּ מִינַּהּ כּוֹתְבִין מְגִילָּה לְתִינוֹק לְהִתְלַמֵּד בָּהּ. אֲמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יַנַּאי: בְּאָלֶף בֵּית.

§ The mishna relates: Queen Helene also fashioned a golden tablet on which the sota Torah portion was written. The Gemara comments: You learn from this that one may write a scroll that contains only several portions of the Torah, from which a child may be taught. The Sages disputed whether it is permitted to do so even for the purpose of education. Reish Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Yannai: There is no proof from this mishna, as the tablet prepared by Queen Helene consisted of the letters of the alefbeit, i.e., only the first letter of each word was written on the tablet, representing the word.

מֵיתִיבִי: כְּשֶׁהוּא כּוֹתֵב רוֹאֶה וְכוֹתֵב מָה שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא! אֵימָא: רוֹאֶה וְכוֹתֵב כְּמָה שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא.

The Gemara raises an objection from the halakhot of sota: When the scribe writes the sota scroll, he looks and writes that which is written on the tablet. Apparently, the full text of the passage was written on the tablet. The Gemara rejects this: Emend the baraita and say: He looks and writes like that which is written on the tablet. The tablet aids the scribe in remembering the text that must be written.

מֵיתִיבִי: כְּשֶׁהוּא כּוֹתֵב — רוֹאֶה וְכוֹתֵב מָה שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא, וּמָה כָּתוּב בַּטַּבְלָא — ״אִם שָׁכַב אִישׁ אוֹתָךְ״ [״וְאִם לֹא שָׁכַב״], ״אִם שָׂטִית״ ״אִם לֹא שָׂטִית״! הָתָם

The Gemara raises an objection from a different baraita: When he writes, he looks and writes that which is written on the tablet. And what is written on the tablet? If a man lay with you…and if he did not lay with you; if you strayed…if you did not stray (see Numbers 5:19–20). Apparently, the full text of the passage was written on the tablet. The Gemara answers: There, it was written

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