How many shofar blasts were in the mikdash? How many musical instruments? What days do we say full Hallel – why specifically on those days? Stories are told of instruments that they tried to glorify or fix but it distorted the sound and they returned them to their orginal state.
This month’s learning is sponsored by Beth Balkany in honor of their granddaughter, Devorah Chana Serach Eichel. “May she grow up to be a lifelong learner.”
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This month’s learning is sponsored by Beth Balkany in honor of their granddaughter, Devorah Chana Serach Eichel. “May she grow up to be a lifelong learner.”
Arakhin 10
וְעִיבּוּר שָׁנָה שְׁלֹשִׁים (אישתקד) [וְאִישְׁתָּקַד] עָשִׂינוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם מְלֵאִין, דַּל תְּלָתָא לְבַהֲדֵי תְּלָתָא וְקָם לֵיהּ בְּדוּכְתֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: נֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל! כֵּן הָוֵה.
and the month that was intercalated, added for the leap year, was thirty days, and last year we turned two months that are generally deficient into full months, which meant that it had eight full months instead of the usual six. Consequently, remove from consideration the three months that were made deficient this year corresponding to the three extra months that were made full last year, and the moon is restored to its place, i.e., it is properly aligned with the months. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: Lamp of Israel! Indeed, so it was.
מַתְנִי׳ אֵין פּוֹחֲתִין מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַחַת תְּקִיעוֹת בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, וְלֹא מוֹסִיפִין עַל אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמֹנֶה.
MISHNA: No fewer than twenty-one trumpet blasts are sounded daily in the Temple, as each day three blasts were sounded for the opening of the gates in the morning, nine for the daily morning offering, and nine for the daily afternoon offering, totaling twenty-one. And no more than forty-eight are ever sounded on a single day. This would occur on the Friday of Sukkot, when they would sound an additional twelve blasts during the ritual of drawing the water for the water libation; nine for the additional offerings; three to signal the population to cease their work before Shabbat; and three more to mark the beginning of Shabbat.
אֵין פּוֹחֲתִין מִשְּׁנֵי נְבָלִים, וְלֹא מוֹסִיפִין עַל שִׁשָּׁה. אֵין פּוֹחֲתִין מִשְּׁנֵי חֲלִילִין, וְלֹא מוֹסִיפִין עַל שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, וּבִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר יוֹם בַּשָּׁנָה הֶחָלִיל מַכֶּה לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ: בִּשְׁחִיטַת פֶּסַח רִאשׁוֹן, וּבִשְׁחִיטַת פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי, וְיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל פֶּסַח, וּבְיוֹם טוֹב שֶׁל עֲצֶרֶת, וּבִשְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי הֶחָג. וְלֹא הָיָה מַכֶּה בְּאַבּוּב שֶׁל נְחֹשֶׁת, אֶלָּא בְּאַבּוּב שֶׁל קָנֶה, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁקּוֹלוֹ עָרֵב; וְלֹא הָיָה מְחַלֵּק אֶלָּא בְּאַבּוּב יְחִידִי, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מְחַלֵּיק יָפֶה.
When accompanying their song with instruments, the Levites do not use fewer than two lyres and do not use more than six. When flutes are played, they do not use fewer than two flutes and do not use more than twelve. And there are twelve days during the year when the flute plays before the altar: At the time of the slaughter of the first Paschal offering, on the fourteenth of Nisan; and at the time of the slaughter of the second Paschal offering, on the fourteenth of Iyyar; and on the first festival day of Passover; and on the festival of Shavuot; and on all eight days of the festival of Sukkot. And one would not play with a copper flute; rather, one would play with a flute of reed, because its sound is more pleasant. And one would conclude the music only with a single flute, because it concludes the music nicely.
וְעַבְדֵי כֹּהֲנִים הָיוּ, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר; רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: מִשְׁפַּחַת בֵּית פְּגָרִים וּבֵית צִיפְּרָא מֵעֶמָּאוּם הָיוּ מַשִּׂיאִין לַכְּהוּנָּה; רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אוֹמֵר: לְוִיִּם הָיוּ.
The Temple musicians were slaves of priests; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yosei says: The musicians were not slaves, but Israelites from the family of the house of Pegarim and the family of the house of Tzippara from the city of Emaum, and their lineage was sufficiently pure that they would marry their daughters to members of the priesthood. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus says: They were Levites.
גּמ׳: מַתְנִיתִין דְּלָא כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: לֹא יִפְחוֹת מִשֶּׁבַע, וְלֹא יוֹסִיף עַל שֵׁשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה.
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that no fewer than twenty-one trumpet blasts are sounded daily in the Temple and no more than forty-eight. The Gemara notes: The mishna is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda says: One may not blow fewer than seven blasts, and one may not blow more than sixteen blasts.
בְּמַאי קָמִיפַּלְגִי? רַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: תְּקִיעָה תְּרוּעָה וּתְקִיעָה חֲדָא הִיא, וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: תְּקִיעָה לְחוּד, וּתְרוּעָה לְחוּד, וּתְקִיעָה לְחוּד.
The Gemara asks: With regard to what principle do the tanna of the mishna and Rabbi Yehuda disagree? The Gemara explains that Rabbi Yehuda holds: A series of blasts consisting of tekia, terua, tekia is counted as one unit. And the Rabbis hold: A tekia is counted as a discrete unit and a terua is also counted as a discrete unit, and the final tekia is again counted as a discrete unit. They agree with regard to the sequence and the number of the blasts; their disgreement is only with regard to how the blasts are tallied.
מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה? כְּתִיב ״וּתְקַעְתֶּם תְּרוּעָה״, וּכְתִיב ״תְּרוּעָה יִתְקְעוּ״ (לָכֶם), שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: תְּקִיעָה תְּרוּעָה וּתְקִיעָה — חֲדָא הִיא. וְרַבָּנַן? הַהוּא לִפְשׁוּטָה לְפָנֶיהָ וּפְשׁוּטָה לְאַחֲרֶיהָ הוּא דַּאֲתָא.
The Gemara asks: What is the reasoning of Rabbi Yehuda? As it is written in the verse: “And you shall sound [utkatem] a terua” (Numbers 10:5), and it is written: “A terua they will sound [yitke’u]” (Numbers 10:6). Conclude from the fact that the Torah uses a verb from the root tekia when referring to a terua that a tekia, terua, and tekia together constitute one unit. And how do the Rabbis interpret these verses? They explain that these verses come to teach that each terua blast is accompanied by a plain blast, a tekia, preceding it and another plain blast following it.
וְרַבָּנַן מַאי טַעְמָא? דִּכְתִיב: ״וּבְהַקְהִיל אֶת הַקָּהָל תִּתְקְעוּ וְלֹא תָרִיעוּ״, וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ תְּקִיעָה תְּרוּעָה וּתְקִיעָה חֲדָא הִיא, אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא עֲבֵיד פַּלְגָא דְּמִצְוָה? וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה — סִימָנָא בְּעָלְמָא הוּא.
The Gemara asks: And what is the reasoning of the Rabbis? As it is written: “And when congregating the people you shall sound a tekia and shall not sound a terua” (Numbers 10:7). And if it enters your mind that a series of tekia, terua, and tekia are considered one unit, would the Merciful One say to perform only half a mitzva? Rather, each sound constitutes a separate mitzva. The Gemara asks: And how does Rabbi Yehuda explain this verse? The Gemara answers: That single tekia mentioned in the context of congregating the people was blown merely as a signal to the people to assemble, not for the purpose of fulfilling a mitzva, which, in Rabbi Yehuda’s opinion, always comes in units of three sounds.
כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּאָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: אֵין בֵּין תְּקִיעָה לִתְרוּעָה וְלֹא כְּלוּם? כְּמַאן? כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה. פְּשִׁיטָא!
The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion is that which Rav Kahana said? As Rav Kahana said: There is to be no pause between a tekia and a terua at all, but rather they are sounded in one continuous series of blasts. In accordance with whose opinion is this statement? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. The Gemara asks: Isn’t that obvious? Why was it necessary to point this out?
מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא: אֲפִילּוּ כְּרַבָּנַן אָתְיָא, וּלְאַפּוֹקֵי מִדְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן דְּאָמַר: שָׁמַע תֵּשַׁע תְּקִיעוֹת בְּתֵשַׁע שָׁעוֹת בַּיּוֹם — יָצָא. קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
The Gemara answers: It is not obvious that Rav Kahana’s statement is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. Lest you say that Rav Kahana comes to teach his halakha even in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and that he is coming to exclude only the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan, who says: If one heard nine blasts in nine different hours on the day of Rosh HaShana, despite the considerable gap between them, he has fulfilled his obligation. One might have thought that Rav Kahana meant only that there should not be such long gaps between the sounds. Therefore, the Gemara teaches us that Rav Kahana’s ruling is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, as he does not allow any pause at all between the shofar blasts.
וְאֵימָא הָכִי נָמֵי! אִם כֵּן, מַאי ״וְלֹא כְּלוּם״?
The Gemara asks: And how do you know that this was Rav Kahana’s intent? One can say it is indeed so, that Rav Kahana holds in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis and he merely excludes the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan. The Gemara answers that if so, what is the meaning of the phrase “at all” when Rav Kahana said that there is no pause between a tekia and a terua at all? This phrase indicates that Rav Kahana does not allow even a slight pause between blasts, which is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda.
שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר יוֹם בַּשָּׁנָה מַכֶּה בֶּחָלִיל וְכוּ׳. מַאי שְׁנָא הָנֵי? הוֹאִיל וְיָחִיד גּוֹמֵר בָּהֶן אֶת הַהַלֵּל.
§ The mishna teaches that there are twelve days during the year when the flute plays before the altar, and it proceeds to list them. The Gemara asks: What is different about these days enumerated in the mishna that the flute is played before the altar specifically on those occasions? The Gemara answers: They are unique, since these are the days on which the individual completes the full hallel.
דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוֹצָדָק: שְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר יָמִים שֶׁהַיָּחִיד גּוֹמֵר בָּהֶן אֶת הַהַלֵּל: שְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי הַחַג, וּשְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי חֲנוּכָּה, וְיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל פֶּסַח, וְיוֹם טוֹב (הָרִאשׁוֹן) שֶׁל עֲצֶרֶת; וּבַגּוֹלָה עֶשְׂרִים וְאֶחָד: תִּשְׁעָה יְמֵי הַחַג, וּשְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי חֲנוּכָּה, וּשְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל פֶּסַח, וּשְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל עֲצֶרֶת.
As Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yehotzadak: There are eighteen days a year on which the individual completes the full hallel: The eight days of the festival of Sukkot, including the Eighth Day of Assembly; and the eight days of Hanukkah; and the first festival day of Passover; and the festival day of Assembly, i.e., Shavuot. And in the Diaspora, where a second day is added to each Festival due to uncertainty over the precise date, there are twenty-one days: The nine days of the festival of Sukkot; and the eight days of Hanukkah; and the first two festival days of Passover; and the two festival days of Assembly, i.e., Shavuot.
מַאי שְׁנָא בְּחַג דְּאָמְרִינַן כֹּל יוֹמָא, וּמַאי שְׁנָא בְּפֶסַח דְּלָא אָמְרִינַן
The Gemara asks: What is different about the festival of Sukkot, that we say hallel every day, and what is different about Passover, that we do not say hallel
כֹּל יוֹמָא? דְּחַג חֲלוּקִין בְּקׇרְבְּנוֹתֵיהֶן, דְּפֶסַח אֵין חֲלוּקִין בְּקׇרְבְּנוֹתֵיהֶן.
every day, but only on the first day? The Gemara answers: The days of the festival of Sukkot are distinct from one another with regard to their additional offerings, as the number of bulls offered changes each day of Sukkot (see Numbers 29:12–38). Since each day is unique, the full hallel is recited on each day. By contrast, the days of Passover are not distinct from one another with regard to their additional offerings (see Numbers 28:24), and therefore the full hallel is recited only on the first day, which is the first day on which the additional offerings for a Festival are sacrificed.
שַׁבָּת דַּחֲלוּקָה בְּקָרְבְּנוֹתֶיהָ, לֵימָא! לָא אִיקְּרִי ״מוֹעֵד״.
The Gemara objects: On Shabbat, which is also distinct from the other days of the week with regard to its additional offerings, let us say hallel. The Gemara explains: Shabbat is not called an appointed day in the Torah, and hallel is recited only on days that are referred to in the Torah as appointed days (see Leviticus 23:4), which are days of rejoicing.
רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ דְּאִיקְּרִי ״מוֹעֵד״, לֵימָא! לָא אִיקַּדַּישׁ בַּעֲשִׂיַּית מְלָאכָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״הַשִּׁיר יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כְּלֵיל הִתְקַדֶּשׁ חָג״ — לַיְלָה הַמְקוּדָּשׁ לֶחָג טָעוּן שִׁירָה, וְשֶׁאֵין מְקוּדָּשׁ לֶחָג אֵין טָעוּן שִׁירָה.
The Gemara objects: On the New Moon, which is called an appointed day, let us say hallel. The Gemara explains: The New Moon is not sanctified with regard to the prohibition against the performance of labor, and hallel is recited only on a day that is sanctified, as it is written: “You shall have a song as in the night when a festival is sanctified” (Isaiah 30:29), which indicates that a night that is sanctified as a Festival, which includes a prohibition of labor, requires song, but one that is not sanctified as a Festival does not require song.
רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְיוֹם הַכִּיפּוּרִים, דְּאִיקְּרוֹ ״מוֹעֵד״, וְאִיקַּדּוּשׁ בַּעֲשִׂיַּית מְלָאכָה, לֵימָא! מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ.
The Gemara objects: On Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, which are called an appointed day and also are sanctified with regard to the prohibition against the performance of labor, let us say hallel. The Gemara explains: Hallel is not recited on those days due to the statement of Rabbi Abbahu.
דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ, אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מִפְּנֵי מָה אֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה לְפָנֶיךָ בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וּבְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים? אָמַר לָהֶן: אֶפְשָׁר, מֶלֶךְ יוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא הַדִּין, וְסִפְרֵי חַיִּים וְסִפְרֵי מֵתִים פְּתוּחִין לְפָנָיו, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה לְפָנַי?
As Rabbi Abbahu said that the ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, for what reason do the Jewish people not recite songs of praise, i.e., hallel, before You on Rosh HaShana and on Yom Kippur? He said to them: Is it possible that while the King is sitting on the throne of judgment and the books of life and the books of death are open before Him, the Jewish people would be reciting joyous songs of praise before Me? Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are somber days of judgment whose mood is incompatible with the recitation of hallel.
וְהָא חֲנוּכָּה דְּלָא הָכִי וְלָא הָכִי, וְקָאָמַר! מִשּׁוּם נִיסָּא. פּוּרִים דְּאִיכָּא נִיסָּא, לֵימָא! אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: לְפִי שֶׁאֵין אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה עַל נֵס שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ.
The Gemara objects: But what about Hanukkah, which has neither this or that, i.e., there is no special offering on it, nor is labor prohibited, and yet one says hallel. The Gemara explains: Hallel is recited on Hanukkah not because of its status as a Festival, but because of the miracle that occurred on those days. The Gemara objects: If so, on Purim, when there is also this factor, i.e., a miracle occurred on that day, let us say hallel. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Hallel is not recited on Purim because one does not recite a song of praise for a miracle that occurred outside of Eretz Yisrael.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: וַהֲרֵי יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם, דְּנֵס שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ הוּא, וְאָמְרִינַן הַלֵּל! כִּדְתַנְיָא: עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִכְנְסוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָאָרֶץ — הוּכְשְׁרוּ כׇּל הָאֲרָצוֹת לוֹמַר שִׁירָה, מִשֶּׁנִּכְנְסוּ לְאָרֶץ — לֹא הוּכְשְׁרוּ כׇּל אֲרָצוֹת לוֹמַר שִׁירָה.
Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak objects to this explanation: But there is the exodus from Egypt, which was a miracle that took place outside of Eretz Yisrael, and yet we say hallel on Passover night in commemoration of it? The Gemara responds that this is as it is taught in a baraita: Until the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael, all lands were deemed fit for songs of praise to be recited for miracles performed within their borders, as all lands were treated equally. But once the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael, that land became endowed with greater sanctity, and all the other lands were no longer deemed fit for songs of praise to be recited for miracles performed within them.
רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר: קְרִיָּיתָהּ זוֹ הִיא הַלֵּילָאּ. רָבָא אָמַר: בִּשְׁלָמָא הָתָם ״הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי ה׳״ — וְלֹא עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה, הָכָא ״הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי ה׳״ — וְלֹא עַבְדֵי אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ? אַכַּתִּי עַבְדֵי אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ אֲנַן!
Rav Naḥman says an alternative answer as to why hallel is not recited on Purim: The reading of the Megilla, i.e., the Scroll of Esther, is equivalent to reciting hallel. Rava says a third reason: Granted, hallel is said there, when recalling the exodus from Egypt, as after that salvation one can recite the phrase in hallel: “Give praise, O servants of the Lord” (Psalms 113:1), since after the Israelites’ servitude to Pharaoh ended with their salvation, they were truly servants of the Lord and not servants of Pharaoh. But can it be said here, after the salvation commemorated on Purim: “Give praise, O servants of the Lord,” which would indicate that after the salvation the Jewish people were only servants of the Lord and not servants of Ahasuerus? Not so, as even after the miracle of Purim, we are still the servants of Ahasuerus, since the Jews remained in exile under Persian rule.
וּלְרַב נַחְמָן דְּאָמַר: קְרִיָּיתָהּ זוֹ הִיא הַלֵּילָאּ, הָתַנְיָא: מִשֶּׁנִּכְנְסוּ לְאָרֶץ לֹא הוּכְשְׁרוּ כׇּל אֲרָצוֹת לוֹמַר שִׁירָה, כֵּיוָן שֶׁגָּלוּ חָזְרוּ לְהֶיתֵּירָן הָרִאשׁוֹן.
The Gemara objects: And according to the opinion of Rav Naḥman, who says that the reading of the Megilla itself is an act of reciting hallel, there is a difficulty: Isn’t it taught in a baraita: Once the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael, that land became endowed with greater sanctity, and all the other lands were no longer deemed fit for songs of praise to be recited for miracles performed within them. How, then, may one recite a form of hallel by reading the Megilla? The Gemara answers: He maintains that once the people were exiled from Eretz Yisrael, the other lands returned to their initial suitability, and were once again deemed fit for reciting hallel, in commemoration of miracles performed within them.
לֹא הָיָה מַכֶּה בְּאַבּוּב שֶׁל נְחוֹשֶׁת וְכוּ׳. פָּתַח בְּחָלִיל וּמְסַיֵּים בְּאַבּוּב. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ חָלִיל הַיְינוּ אַבּוּב, וְאַמַּאי קָרֵי לֵיהּ ״חָלִיל״? דַּחֲלֵי קָלֵיהּ.
§ The mishna teaches: And one would not play a copper flute [abuv]; rather, one would play a flute [abuv] of reed, because its sound is pleasant. The Gemara asks: The mishna opens by referring to flutes and calls them ḥalil and then concludes by referring to playing an abuv. Rav Pappa said: A ḥalil is the same as an abuv. Its original name was abuv; and why does the mishna call it a ḥalil? The reason is that its sound is sweet [ḥali].
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אַבּוּב הָיָה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, חָלָק הָיָה, דַּק הָיָה, שֶׁל קָנֶה הָיָה, וּמִימוֹת מֹשֶׁה הָיָה. צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ וְצִיפּוּהוּ זָהָב, וְלֹא הָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב, נָטְלוּ אֶת צִפּוּיוֹ וְהָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב כְּמוֹת שֶׁהָיָה. צִלְצוֹל הָיָה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁל נְחוֹשֶׁת הָיָה, וְהָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב, וְנִפְגַּם, וְשָׁלְחוּ חֲכָמִים וְהֵבִיאוּ אוּמָּנִין מֵאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם וְתִקְּנוּהוּ, וְלֹא הָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב, נָטְלוּ אֶת תִּיקּוּנוֹ וְהָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב כְּמוֹת שֶׁהָיָה.
The Sages taught in a baraita: There was a flute in the Temple; it was smooth and it was thin, i.e., its sides were thin; it was made from reed, and it was in existence from the days of Moses. The king issued a command and they plated the flute with gold, but then its sound was not as pleasant as it was previously. They therefore removed its plating and its sound was then as pleasant as it was before. Similarly, there was a cymbal in the Temple; it was made from copper and its sound was pleasant. It became damaged and the Sages sent for and brought artisans from Alexandria in Egypt and they repaired it, but its sound was not as pleasant as before. They removed the materials with which the cymbal had been repaired and its sound was then as pleasant as it had been before the repair.
מַכְתֶּשֶׁת הָיְתָה בְּמִקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁל נְחוֹשֶׁת הָיְתָה, וּמִימוֹת מֹשֶׁה הָיְתָה, וְהָיְתָה מְפַטֶּמֶת אֶת הַבְּשָׂמִים, נִתְפַּגְּמָה וְהֵבִיאוּ אוּמָּנִין מֵאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם וְתִיקְנוּהָ, וְלֹא הָיְתָה מְפַטֶּמֶת כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה, נָטְלוּ אֶת תִּיקּוּנָהּ וְהָיְתָה מְפַטֶּמֶת כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה.
There was a mortar in the Temple; it was made of copper and it was from the days of Moses, and it was used to compound the spices for the incense. It became damaged and they brought artisans from Alexandria in Egypt and they repaired it, but it did not compound the spices as well as it had before. They removed the materials with which the mortar had been repaired and it then compounded the spices as it had before it was repaired.
אֵלּוּ שְׁנֵי כֵלִים נִשְׁתַּיְּירוּ מִמִּקְדָּשׁ רִאשׁוֹן, וְנִתְפַּגְּמוּ וְלֹא הָיָה לָהֶם אֲרוּכָה, וַעֲלֵיהֶם אָמַר דָּוִד: ״נְחוֹשֶׁת מְמוֹרָט״, ״נְחוֹשֶׁת מְמוֹרָק״, וַעֲלֵיהֶם הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וּכְלֵי נְחֹשֶׁת מוּצְהָב שְׁנַיִם חֲמוּדוֹת מִזָּהָב״.
The baraita concludes: These two copper vessels, the cymbal and the mortar, were remnants from the First Temple and they were damaged and they could not be repaired in an effective manner. And it was with regard to the copper vessels constructed for the First Temple that David said: “All these vessels, which Hiram made for King Solomon, in the House of the Lord, were of burnished brass” (I Kings 7:45), and, in a parallel verse, “bright brass” (II Chronicles 4:16). And with regard to these two items it states in the verse describing the vessels that Ezra brought to Jerusalem: “And vessels of fine golden brass, two, precious as gold” (Ezra 8:27).
רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל, חַד אָמַר: כׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד שָׁקוּל כִּשְׁנַיִם שֶׁל זָהָב, וְחַד אָמַר: שְׁנֵיהֶם שְׁקוּלִין כְּאֶחָד שֶׁל זָהָב. תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: שְׁנֵיהֶם שְׁקוּלִין כְּאֶחָד שֶׁל זָהָב.
Rav and Shmuel disagree as to the meaning of the phrase: Two, precious as gold. One said: Each and every one of these brass vessels was as valuable as two vessels made from gold. And the other one said: The two of them together were as valuable as one vessel made from gold. Similarly, Rav Yosef teaches the following explanation found in a baraita: The two of them together were as valuable as one vessel made from gold.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: שְׁנִיִּים הָיוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שְׁנַיִם״, אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״שְׁנַיִם״ אֶלָּא ״שְׁנִיִּים״.
The Gemara cites another explanation of the verse in Ezra. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Natan says: The cymbals and mortars were pairs, i.e., there were two cymbals and two mortars, as it is stated in the aforementioned verse “two”; do not read it as two [shenayim], but as pairs [sheniyyim].
תָּנֵי רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: שִׁילוֹחַ הָיָה מְקַלֵּחַ מַיִם בִּכְאִיסָּר, צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ וְהִרְחִיבוּהוּ כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְרַבּוּ מֵימָיו, וְנִתְמַעֲטוּ, וְחָזְרוּ וּמִיעֲטוּהוּ וְהָיָה מְקַלֵּחַ מַיִם, לְקַיֵּים מַה שֶּׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַל יִתְהַלֵּל חָכָם בְּחׇכְמָתוֹ וְאַל יִתְהַלֵּל גִּבּוֹר בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ״.
§ Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel teaches in a baraita: The Siloam pool used to spurt forth water through an opening with a diameter like that of an issar coin.The king issued a command and they widened the opening so that its waters would increase, but the waters actually decreased. And they subsequently decreased the size of the opening again and it once again spurted forth water as it had before. All this serves to uphold that which is stated in the verse: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might” (Jeremiah 9:22), i.e., man should not think that he can accomplish anything he wishes.
וְכֵן הָיָה רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: הִרְדַּוְלִים לֹא הָיָה בְּמִקְדָּשׁ. מַאי הִרְדַּוְלִים? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: טַבְלָא גּוּרְגְּדָנָא, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁקּוֹלוֹ עָרֵב וּמְעַרְבֵּב אֶת הַנְּעִימָה.
And likewise Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel would say, with regard to the musical instruments in the Temple: There was no hirdolim in the Temple. The Gemara asks: What is a hirdolim? Abaye said: It is a hydraulic organ. It was not used in the Temple because its sound is pleasant but it disrupts the melody.
אָמַר רָבָא בַּר שֵׁילָא אָמַר רַב מַתְנָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַגְרֵיפָה הָיְתָה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ,
Rava bar Sheila said that Rav Mattana said that Shmuel said: There was an instrument called magreifa in the Temple.
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In my Shana bet at Migdal Oz I attended the Hadran siyum hash”as. Witnessing so many women so passionate about their Torah learning and connection to God, I knew I had to begin with the coming cycle. My wedding (June 24) was two weeks before the siyum of mesechet yoma so I went a little ahead and was able to make a speech and siyum at my kiseh kallah on my wedding day!
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Givat Shmuel, Israel
I started learning Talmud with R’ Haramati in Yeshivah of Flatbush. But after a respite of 60 years, Rabbanit Michelle lit my fire – after attending the last three world siyumim in Miami Beach, Meadowlands and Boca Raton, and now that I’m retired, I decided – “I can do this!” It has been an incredible journey so far, and I look forward to learning Daf everyday – Mazal Tov to everyone!
Roslyn Jaffe
Florida, United States
While vacationing in San Diego, Rabbi Leah Herz asked if I’d be interested in being in hevruta with her to learn Daf Yomi through Hadran. Why not? I had loved learning Gemara in college in 1971 but hadn’t returned. With the onset of covid, Daf Yomi and Rabbanit Michelle centered me each day. Thank-you for helping me grow and enter this amazing world of learning.
Meryll Page
Minneapolis, MN, United States
I started learning daf yomi at the beginning of this cycle. As the pandemic evolved, it’s been so helpful to me to have this discipline every morning to listen to the daf podcast after I’ve read the daf; learning about the relationships between the rabbis and the ways they were constructing our Jewish religion after the destruction of the Temple. I’m grateful to be on this journey!
Mona Fishbane
Teaneck NJ, United States
I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.
Medinah Korn
בית שמש, Israel
After reading the book, “ If All The Seas Were Ink “ by Ileana Kurshan I started studying Talmud. I searched and studied with several teachers until I found Michelle Farber. I have been studying with her for two years. I look forward every day to learn from her.
Janine Rubens
Virginia, United States
I started Daf during the pandemic. I listened to a number of podcasts by various Rebbeim until one day, I discovered Rabbanit Farbers podcast. Subsequently I joined the Hadran family in Eruvin. Not the easiest place to begin, Rabbanit Farber made it all understandable and fun. The online live group has bonded together and have really become a supportive, encouraging family.
Leah Goldford
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I began learning with Rabbanit Michelle’s wonderful Talmud Skills class on Pesachim, which really enriched my Pesach seder, and I have been learning Daf Yomi off and on over the past year. Because I’m relatively new at this, there is a “chiddush” for me every time I learn, and the knowledge and insights of the group members add so much to my experience. I feel very lucky to be a part of this.
Julie Landau
Karmiel, Israel
I had dreamed of doing daf yomi since I had my first serious Talmud class 18 years ago at Pardes with Rahel Berkovitz, and then a couple of summers with Leah Rosenthal. There is no way I would be able to do it without another wonderful teacher, Michelle, and the Hadran organization. I wake up and am excited to start each day with the next daf.
Beth Elster
Irvine, United States
A friend mentioned that she was starting Daf Yomi in January 2020. I had heard of it and thought, why not? I decided to try it – go day by day and not think about the seven plus year commitment.
Fast forward today, over two years in and I can’t imagine my life without Daf Yomi. It’s part of my morning ritual. If I have a busy day ahead of me I set my alarm to get up early to finish the day’s daf
Debbie Fitzerman
Ontario, Canada
I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.
Miriam Pollack
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
I went to day school in Toronto but really began to learn when I attended Brovenders back in the early 1980’s. Last year after talking to my sister who was learning Daf Yomi, inspired, I looked on the computer and the Hadran site came up. I have been listening to each days shiur in the morning as I work. I emphasis listening since I am not sitting with a Gamara. I listen while I work in my studio.
Rachel Rotenberg
Tekoa, 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.
Hannah Greenberg
Pennsylvania, United States
Last cycle, I listened to parts of various מסכתות. When the הדרן סיום was advertised, I listened to Michelle on נידה. I knew that בע”ה with the next cycle I was in (ב”נ). As I entered the סיום (early), I saw the signs and was overcome with emotion. I was randomly seated in the front row, and I cried many times that night. My choice to learn דף יומי was affirmed. It is one of the best I have made!
Miriam Tannenbaum
אפרת, Israel
I started learning daf yomi at the beginning of this cycle. As the pandemic evolved, it’s been so helpful to me to have this discipline every morning to listen to the daf podcast after I’ve read the daf; learning about the relationships between the rabbis and the ways they were constructing our Jewish religion after the destruction of the Temple. I’m grateful to be on this journey!
Mona Fishbane
Teaneck NJ, United States
Michelle has been an inspiration for years, but I only really started this cycle after the moving and uplifting siyum in Jerusalem. It’s been an wonderful to learn and relearn the tenets of our religion and to understand how the extraordinary efforts of a band of people to preserve Judaism after the fall of the beit hamikdash is still bearing fruits today. I’m proud to be part of the chain!
Judith Weil
Raanana, Israel
I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.
Medinah Korn
בית שמש, Israel
I started at the beginning of this cycle. No 1 reason, but here’s 5.
In 2019 I read about the upcoming siyum hashas.
There was a sermon at shul about how anyone can learn Talmud.
Talmud references come up when I am studying. I wanted to know more.
Yentl was on telly. Not a great movie but it’s about studying Talmud.
I went to the Hadran website: A new cycle is starting. I’m gonna do this
Denise Neapolitan
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Shira Eliaser
Skokie, IL, United States
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
Silver Spring, MD, United States
Arakhin 10
וְעִיבּוּר שָׁנָה שְׁלֹשִׁים (אישתקד) [וְאִישְׁתָּקַד] עָשִׂינוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם מְלֵאִין, דַּל תְּלָתָא לְבַהֲדֵי תְּלָתָא וְקָם לֵיהּ בְּדוּכְתֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: נֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל! כֵּן הָוֵה.
and the month that was intercalated, added for the leap year, was thirty days, and last year we turned two months that are generally deficient into full months, which meant that it had eight full months instead of the usual six. Consequently, remove from consideration the three months that were made deficient this year corresponding to the three extra months that were made full last year, and the moon is restored to its place, i.e., it is properly aligned with the months. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: Lamp of Israel! Indeed, so it was.
מַתְנִי׳ אֵין פּוֹחֲתִין מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַחַת תְּקִיעוֹת בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, וְלֹא מוֹסִיפִין עַל אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמֹנֶה.
MISHNA: No fewer than twenty-one trumpet blasts are sounded daily in the Temple, as each day three blasts were sounded for the opening of the gates in the morning, nine for the daily morning offering, and nine for the daily afternoon offering, totaling twenty-one. And no more than forty-eight are ever sounded on a single day. This would occur on the Friday of Sukkot, when they would sound an additional twelve blasts during the ritual of drawing the water for the water libation; nine for the additional offerings; three to signal the population to cease their work before Shabbat; and three more to mark the beginning of Shabbat.
אֵין פּוֹחֲתִין מִשְּׁנֵי נְבָלִים, וְלֹא מוֹסִיפִין עַל שִׁשָּׁה. אֵין פּוֹחֲתִין מִשְּׁנֵי חֲלִילִין, וְלֹא מוֹסִיפִין עַל שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, וּבִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר יוֹם בַּשָּׁנָה הֶחָלִיל מַכֶּה לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ: בִּשְׁחִיטַת פֶּסַח רִאשׁוֹן, וּבִשְׁחִיטַת פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי, וְיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל פֶּסַח, וּבְיוֹם טוֹב שֶׁל עֲצֶרֶת, וּבִשְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי הֶחָג. וְלֹא הָיָה מַכֶּה בְּאַבּוּב שֶׁל נְחֹשֶׁת, אֶלָּא בְּאַבּוּב שֶׁל קָנֶה, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁקּוֹלוֹ עָרֵב; וְלֹא הָיָה מְחַלֵּק אֶלָּא בְּאַבּוּב יְחִידִי, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מְחַלֵּיק יָפֶה.
When accompanying their song with instruments, the Levites do not use fewer than two lyres and do not use more than six. When flutes are played, they do not use fewer than two flutes and do not use more than twelve. And there are twelve days during the year when the flute plays before the altar: At the time of the slaughter of the first Paschal offering, on the fourteenth of Nisan; and at the time of the slaughter of the second Paschal offering, on the fourteenth of Iyyar; and on the first festival day of Passover; and on the festival of Shavuot; and on all eight days of the festival of Sukkot. And one would not play with a copper flute; rather, one would play with a flute of reed, because its sound is more pleasant. And one would conclude the music only with a single flute, because it concludes the music nicely.
וְעַבְדֵי כֹּהֲנִים הָיוּ, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר; רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: מִשְׁפַּחַת בֵּית פְּגָרִים וּבֵית צִיפְּרָא מֵעֶמָּאוּם הָיוּ מַשִּׂיאִין לַכְּהוּנָּה; רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אוֹמֵר: לְוִיִּם הָיוּ.
The Temple musicians were slaves of priests; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yosei says: The musicians were not slaves, but Israelites from the family of the house of Pegarim and the family of the house of Tzippara from the city of Emaum, and their lineage was sufficiently pure that they would marry their daughters to members of the priesthood. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus says: They were Levites.
גּמ׳: מַתְנִיתִין דְּלָא כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: לֹא יִפְחוֹת מִשֶּׁבַע, וְלֹא יוֹסִיף עַל שֵׁשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה.
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that no fewer than twenty-one trumpet blasts are sounded daily in the Temple and no more than forty-eight. The Gemara notes: The mishna is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda says: One may not blow fewer than seven blasts, and one may not blow more than sixteen blasts.
בְּמַאי קָמִיפַּלְגִי? רַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: תְּקִיעָה תְּרוּעָה וּתְקִיעָה חֲדָא הִיא, וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: תְּקִיעָה לְחוּד, וּתְרוּעָה לְחוּד, וּתְקִיעָה לְחוּד.
The Gemara asks: With regard to what principle do the tanna of the mishna and Rabbi Yehuda disagree? The Gemara explains that Rabbi Yehuda holds: A series of blasts consisting of tekia, terua, tekia is counted as one unit. And the Rabbis hold: A tekia is counted as a discrete unit and a terua is also counted as a discrete unit, and the final tekia is again counted as a discrete unit. They agree with regard to the sequence and the number of the blasts; their disgreement is only with regard to how the blasts are tallied.
מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה? כְּתִיב ״וּתְקַעְתֶּם תְּרוּעָה״, וּכְתִיב ״תְּרוּעָה יִתְקְעוּ״ (לָכֶם), שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: תְּקִיעָה תְּרוּעָה וּתְקִיעָה — חֲדָא הִיא. וְרַבָּנַן? הַהוּא לִפְשׁוּטָה לְפָנֶיהָ וּפְשׁוּטָה לְאַחֲרֶיהָ הוּא דַּאֲתָא.
The Gemara asks: What is the reasoning of Rabbi Yehuda? As it is written in the verse: “And you shall sound [utkatem] a terua” (Numbers 10:5), and it is written: “A terua they will sound [yitke’u]” (Numbers 10:6). Conclude from the fact that the Torah uses a verb from the root tekia when referring to a terua that a tekia, terua, and tekia together constitute one unit. And how do the Rabbis interpret these verses? They explain that these verses come to teach that each terua blast is accompanied by a plain blast, a tekia, preceding it and another plain blast following it.
וְרַבָּנַן מַאי טַעְמָא? דִּכְתִיב: ״וּבְהַקְהִיל אֶת הַקָּהָל תִּתְקְעוּ וְלֹא תָרִיעוּ״, וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ תְּקִיעָה תְּרוּעָה וּתְקִיעָה חֲדָא הִיא, אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא עֲבֵיד פַּלְגָא דְּמִצְוָה? וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה — סִימָנָא בְּעָלְמָא הוּא.
The Gemara asks: And what is the reasoning of the Rabbis? As it is written: “And when congregating the people you shall sound a tekia and shall not sound a terua” (Numbers 10:7). And if it enters your mind that a series of tekia, terua, and tekia are considered one unit, would the Merciful One say to perform only half a mitzva? Rather, each sound constitutes a separate mitzva. The Gemara asks: And how does Rabbi Yehuda explain this verse? The Gemara answers: That single tekia mentioned in the context of congregating the people was blown merely as a signal to the people to assemble, not for the purpose of fulfilling a mitzva, which, in Rabbi Yehuda’s opinion, always comes in units of three sounds.
כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּאָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: אֵין בֵּין תְּקִיעָה לִתְרוּעָה וְלֹא כְּלוּם? כְּמַאן? כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה. פְּשִׁיטָא!
The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion is that which Rav Kahana said? As Rav Kahana said: There is to be no pause between a tekia and a terua at all, but rather they are sounded in one continuous series of blasts. In accordance with whose opinion is this statement? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. The Gemara asks: Isn’t that obvious? Why was it necessary to point this out?
מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא: אֲפִילּוּ כְּרַבָּנַן אָתְיָא, וּלְאַפּוֹקֵי מִדְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן דְּאָמַר: שָׁמַע תֵּשַׁע תְּקִיעוֹת בְּתֵשַׁע שָׁעוֹת בַּיּוֹם — יָצָא. קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.
The Gemara answers: It is not obvious that Rav Kahana’s statement is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. Lest you say that Rav Kahana comes to teach his halakha even in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and that he is coming to exclude only the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan, who says: If one heard nine blasts in nine different hours on the day of Rosh HaShana, despite the considerable gap between them, he has fulfilled his obligation. One might have thought that Rav Kahana meant only that there should not be such long gaps between the sounds. Therefore, the Gemara teaches us that Rav Kahana’s ruling is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, as he does not allow any pause at all between the shofar blasts.
וְאֵימָא הָכִי נָמֵי! אִם כֵּן, מַאי ״וְלֹא כְּלוּם״?
The Gemara asks: And how do you know that this was Rav Kahana’s intent? One can say it is indeed so, that Rav Kahana holds in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis and he merely excludes the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan. The Gemara answers that if so, what is the meaning of the phrase “at all” when Rav Kahana said that there is no pause between a tekia and a terua at all? This phrase indicates that Rav Kahana does not allow even a slight pause between blasts, which is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda.
שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר יוֹם בַּשָּׁנָה מַכֶּה בֶּחָלִיל וְכוּ׳. מַאי שְׁנָא הָנֵי? הוֹאִיל וְיָחִיד גּוֹמֵר בָּהֶן אֶת הַהַלֵּל.
§ The mishna teaches that there are twelve days during the year when the flute plays before the altar, and it proceeds to list them. The Gemara asks: What is different about these days enumerated in the mishna that the flute is played before the altar specifically on those occasions? The Gemara answers: They are unique, since these are the days on which the individual completes the full hallel.
דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוֹצָדָק: שְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר יָמִים שֶׁהַיָּחִיד גּוֹמֵר בָּהֶן אֶת הַהַלֵּל: שְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי הַחַג, וּשְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי חֲנוּכָּה, וְיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁל פֶּסַח, וְיוֹם טוֹב (הָרִאשׁוֹן) שֶׁל עֲצֶרֶת; וּבַגּוֹלָה עֶשְׂרִים וְאֶחָד: תִּשְׁעָה יְמֵי הַחַג, וּשְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי חֲנוּכָּה, וּשְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל פֶּסַח, וּשְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל עֲצֶרֶת.
As Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yehotzadak: There are eighteen days a year on which the individual completes the full hallel: The eight days of the festival of Sukkot, including the Eighth Day of Assembly; and the eight days of Hanukkah; and the first festival day of Passover; and the festival day of Assembly, i.e., Shavuot. And in the Diaspora, where a second day is added to each Festival due to uncertainty over the precise date, there are twenty-one days: The nine days of the festival of Sukkot; and the eight days of Hanukkah; and the first two festival days of Passover; and the two festival days of Assembly, i.e., Shavuot.
מַאי שְׁנָא בְּחַג דְּאָמְרִינַן כֹּל יוֹמָא, וּמַאי שְׁנָא בְּפֶסַח דְּלָא אָמְרִינַן
The Gemara asks: What is different about the festival of Sukkot, that we say hallel every day, and what is different about Passover, that we do not say hallel
כֹּל יוֹמָא? דְּחַג חֲלוּקִין בְּקׇרְבְּנוֹתֵיהֶן, דְּפֶסַח אֵין חֲלוּקִין בְּקׇרְבְּנוֹתֵיהֶן.
every day, but only on the first day? The Gemara answers: The days of the festival of Sukkot are distinct from one another with regard to their additional offerings, as the number of bulls offered changes each day of Sukkot (see Numbers 29:12–38). Since each day is unique, the full hallel is recited on each day. By contrast, the days of Passover are not distinct from one another with regard to their additional offerings (see Numbers 28:24), and therefore the full hallel is recited only on the first day, which is the first day on which the additional offerings for a Festival are sacrificed.
שַׁבָּת דַּחֲלוּקָה בְּקָרְבְּנוֹתֶיהָ, לֵימָא! לָא אִיקְּרִי ״מוֹעֵד״.
The Gemara objects: On Shabbat, which is also distinct from the other days of the week with regard to its additional offerings, let us say hallel. The Gemara explains: Shabbat is not called an appointed day in the Torah, and hallel is recited only on days that are referred to in the Torah as appointed days (see Leviticus 23:4), which are days of rejoicing.
רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ דְּאִיקְּרִי ״מוֹעֵד״, לֵימָא! לָא אִיקַּדַּישׁ בַּעֲשִׂיַּית מְלָאכָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״הַשִּׁיר יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כְּלֵיל הִתְקַדֶּשׁ חָג״ — לַיְלָה הַמְקוּדָּשׁ לֶחָג טָעוּן שִׁירָה, וְשֶׁאֵין מְקוּדָּשׁ לֶחָג אֵין טָעוּן שִׁירָה.
The Gemara objects: On the New Moon, which is called an appointed day, let us say hallel. The Gemara explains: The New Moon is not sanctified with regard to the prohibition against the performance of labor, and hallel is recited only on a day that is sanctified, as it is written: “You shall have a song as in the night when a festival is sanctified” (Isaiah 30:29), which indicates that a night that is sanctified as a Festival, which includes a prohibition of labor, requires song, but one that is not sanctified as a Festival does not require song.
רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְיוֹם הַכִּיפּוּרִים, דְּאִיקְּרוֹ ״מוֹעֵד״, וְאִיקַּדּוּשׁ בַּעֲשִׂיַּית מְלָאכָה, לֵימָא! מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ.
The Gemara objects: On Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, which are called an appointed day and also are sanctified with regard to the prohibition against the performance of labor, let us say hallel. The Gemara explains: Hallel is not recited on those days due to the statement of Rabbi Abbahu.
דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ, אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מִפְּנֵי מָה אֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה לְפָנֶיךָ בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וּבְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים? אָמַר לָהֶן: אֶפְשָׁר, מֶלֶךְ יוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא הַדִּין, וְסִפְרֵי חַיִּים וְסִפְרֵי מֵתִים פְּתוּחִין לְפָנָיו, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה לְפָנַי?
As Rabbi Abbahu said that the ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, for what reason do the Jewish people not recite songs of praise, i.e., hallel, before You on Rosh HaShana and on Yom Kippur? He said to them: Is it possible that while the King is sitting on the throne of judgment and the books of life and the books of death are open before Him, the Jewish people would be reciting joyous songs of praise before Me? Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are somber days of judgment whose mood is incompatible with the recitation of hallel.
וְהָא חֲנוּכָּה דְּלָא הָכִי וְלָא הָכִי, וְקָאָמַר! מִשּׁוּם נִיסָּא. פּוּרִים דְּאִיכָּא נִיסָּא, לֵימָא! אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: לְפִי שֶׁאֵין אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה עַל נֵס שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ.
The Gemara objects: But what about Hanukkah, which has neither this or that, i.e., there is no special offering on it, nor is labor prohibited, and yet one says hallel. The Gemara explains: Hallel is recited on Hanukkah not because of its status as a Festival, but because of the miracle that occurred on those days. The Gemara objects: If so, on Purim, when there is also this factor, i.e., a miracle occurred on that day, let us say hallel. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Hallel is not recited on Purim because one does not recite a song of praise for a miracle that occurred outside of Eretz Yisrael.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: וַהֲרֵי יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם, דְּנֵס שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ הוּא, וְאָמְרִינַן הַלֵּל! כִּדְתַנְיָא: עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִכְנְסוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָאָרֶץ — הוּכְשְׁרוּ כׇּל הָאֲרָצוֹת לוֹמַר שִׁירָה, מִשֶּׁנִּכְנְסוּ לְאָרֶץ — לֹא הוּכְשְׁרוּ כׇּל אֲרָצוֹת לוֹמַר שִׁירָה.
Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak objects to this explanation: But there is the exodus from Egypt, which was a miracle that took place outside of Eretz Yisrael, and yet we say hallel on Passover night in commemoration of it? The Gemara responds that this is as it is taught in a baraita: Until the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael, all lands were deemed fit for songs of praise to be recited for miracles performed within their borders, as all lands were treated equally. But once the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael, that land became endowed with greater sanctity, and all the other lands were no longer deemed fit for songs of praise to be recited for miracles performed within them.
רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר: קְרִיָּיתָהּ זוֹ הִיא הַלֵּילָאּ. רָבָא אָמַר: בִּשְׁלָמָא הָתָם ״הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי ה׳״ — וְלֹא עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה, הָכָא ״הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי ה׳״ — וְלֹא עַבְדֵי אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ? אַכַּתִּי עַבְדֵי אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ אֲנַן!
Rav Naḥman says an alternative answer as to why hallel is not recited on Purim: The reading of the Megilla, i.e., the Scroll of Esther, is equivalent to reciting hallel. Rava says a third reason: Granted, hallel is said there, when recalling the exodus from Egypt, as after that salvation one can recite the phrase in hallel: “Give praise, O servants of the Lord” (Psalms 113:1), since after the Israelites’ servitude to Pharaoh ended with their salvation, they were truly servants of the Lord and not servants of Pharaoh. But can it be said here, after the salvation commemorated on Purim: “Give praise, O servants of the Lord,” which would indicate that after the salvation the Jewish people were only servants of the Lord and not servants of Ahasuerus? Not so, as even after the miracle of Purim, we are still the servants of Ahasuerus, since the Jews remained in exile under Persian rule.
וּלְרַב נַחְמָן דְּאָמַר: קְרִיָּיתָהּ זוֹ הִיא הַלֵּילָאּ, הָתַנְיָא: מִשֶּׁנִּכְנְסוּ לְאָרֶץ לֹא הוּכְשְׁרוּ כׇּל אֲרָצוֹת לוֹמַר שִׁירָה, כֵּיוָן שֶׁגָּלוּ חָזְרוּ לְהֶיתֵּירָן הָרִאשׁוֹן.
The Gemara objects: And according to the opinion of Rav Naḥman, who says that the reading of the Megilla itself is an act of reciting hallel, there is a difficulty: Isn’t it taught in a baraita: Once the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael, that land became endowed with greater sanctity, and all the other lands were no longer deemed fit for songs of praise to be recited for miracles performed within them. How, then, may one recite a form of hallel by reading the Megilla? The Gemara answers: He maintains that once the people were exiled from Eretz Yisrael, the other lands returned to their initial suitability, and were once again deemed fit for reciting hallel, in commemoration of miracles performed within them.
לֹא הָיָה מַכֶּה בְּאַבּוּב שֶׁל נְחוֹשֶׁת וְכוּ׳. פָּתַח בְּחָלִיל וּמְסַיֵּים בְּאַבּוּב. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ חָלִיל הַיְינוּ אַבּוּב, וְאַמַּאי קָרֵי לֵיהּ ״חָלִיל״? דַּחֲלֵי קָלֵיהּ.
§ The mishna teaches: And one would not play a copper flute [abuv]; rather, one would play a flute [abuv] of reed, because its sound is pleasant. The Gemara asks: The mishna opens by referring to flutes and calls them ḥalil and then concludes by referring to playing an abuv. Rav Pappa said: A ḥalil is the same as an abuv. Its original name was abuv; and why does the mishna call it a ḥalil? The reason is that its sound is sweet [ḥali].
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אַבּוּב הָיָה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, חָלָק הָיָה, דַּק הָיָה, שֶׁל קָנֶה הָיָה, וּמִימוֹת מֹשֶׁה הָיָה. צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ וְצִיפּוּהוּ זָהָב, וְלֹא הָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב, נָטְלוּ אֶת צִפּוּיוֹ וְהָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב כְּמוֹת שֶׁהָיָה. צִלְצוֹל הָיָה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁל נְחוֹשֶׁת הָיָה, וְהָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב, וְנִפְגַּם, וְשָׁלְחוּ חֲכָמִים וְהֵבִיאוּ אוּמָּנִין מֵאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם וְתִקְּנוּהוּ, וְלֹא הָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב, נָטְלוּ אֶת תִּיקּוּנוֹ וְהָיָה קוֹלוֹ עָרֵב כְּמוֹת שֶׁהָיָה.
The Sages taught in a baraita: There was a flute in the Temple; it was smooth and it was thin, i.e., its sides were thin; it was made from reed, and it was in existence from the days of Moses. The king issued a command and they plated the flute with gold, but then its sound was not as pleasant as it was previously. They therefore removed its plating and its sound was then as pleasant as it was before. Similarly, there was a cymbal in the Temple; it was made from copper and its sound was pleasant. It became damaged and the Sages sent for and brought artisans from Alexandria in Egypt and they repaired it, but its sound was not as pleasant as before. They removed the materials with which the cymbal had been repaired and its sound was then as pleasant as it had been before the repair.
מַכְתֶּשֶׁת הָיְתָה בְּמִקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁל נְחוֹשֶׁת הָיְתָה, וּמִימוֹת מֹשֶׁה הָיְתָה, וְהָיְתָה מְפַטֶּמֶת אֶת הַבְּשָׂמִים, נִתְפַּגְּמָה וְהֵבִיאוּ אוּמָּנִין מֵאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם וְתִיקְנוּהָ, וְלֹא הָיְתָה מְפַטֶּמֶת כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה, נָטְלוּ אֶת תִּיקּוּנָהּ וְהָיְתָה מְפַטֶּמֶת כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה.
There was a mortar in the Temple; it was made of copper and it was from the days of Moses, and it was used to compound the spices for the incense. It became damaged and they brought artisans from Alexandria in Egypt and they repaired it, but it did not compound the spices as well as it had before. They removed the materials with which the mortar had been repaired and it then compounded the spices as it had before it was repaired.
אֵלּוּ שְׁנֵי כֵלִים נִשְׁתַּיְּירוּ מִמִּקְדָּשׁ רִאשׁוֹן, וְנִתְפַּגְּמוּ וְלֹא הָיָה לָהֶם אֲרוּכָה, וַעֲלֵיהֶם אָמַר דָּוִד: ״נְחוֹשֶׁת מְמוֹרָט״, ״נְחוֹשֶׁת מְמוֹרָק״, וַעֲלֵיהֶם הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וּכְלֵי נְחֹשֶׁת מוּצְהָב שְׁנַיִם חֲמוּדוֹת מִזָּהָב״.
The baraita concludes: These two copper vessels, the cymbal and the mortar, were remnants from the First Temple and they were damaged and they could not be repaired in an effective manner. And it was with regard to the copper vessels constructed for the First Temple that David said: “All these vessels, which Hiram made for King Solomon, in the House of the Lord, were of burnished brass” (I Kings 7:45), and, in a parallel verse, “bright brass” (II Chronicles 4:16). And with regard to these two items it states in the verse describing the vessels that Ezra brought to Jerusalem: “And vessels of fine golden brass, two, precious as gold” (Ezra 8:27).
רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל, חַד אָמַר: כׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד שָׁקוּל כִּשְׁנַיִם שֶׁל זָהָב, וְחַד אָמַר: שְׁנֵיהֶם שְׁקוּלִין כְּאֶחָד שֶׁל זָהָב. תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: שְׁנֵיהֶם שְׁקוּלִין כְּאֶחָד שֶׁל זָהָב.
Rav and Shmuel disagree as to the meaning of the phrase: Two, precious as gold. One said: Each and every one of these brass vessels was as valuable as two vessels made from gold. And the other one said: The two of them together were as valuable as one vessel made from gold. Similarly, Rav Yosef teaches the following explanation found in a baraita: The two of them together were as valuable as one vessel made from gold.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: שְׁנִיִּים הָיוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שְׁנַיִם״, אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״שְׁנַיִם״ אֶלָּא ״שְׁנִיִּים״.
The Gemara cites another explanation of the verse in Ezra. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Natan says: The cymbals and mortars were pairs, i.e., there were two cymbals and two mortars, as it is stated in the aforementioned verse “two”; do not read it as two [shenayim], but as pairs [sheniyyim].
תָּנֵי רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: שִׁילוֹחַ הָיָה מְקַלֵּחַ מַיִם בִּכְאִיסָּר, צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ וְהִרְחִיבוּהוּ כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְרַבּוּ מֵימָיו, וְנִתְמַעֲטוּ, וְחָזְרוּ וּמִיעֲטוּהוּ וְהָיָה מְקַלֵּחַ מַיִם, לְקַיֵּים מַה שֶּׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַל יִתְהַלֵּל חָכָם בְּחׇכְמָתוֹ וְאַל יִתְהַלֵּל גִּבּוֹר בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ״.
§ Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel teaches in a baraita: The Siloam pool used to spurt forth water through an opening with a diameter like that of an issar coin.The king issued a command and they widened the opening so that its waters would increase, but the waters actually decreased. And they subsequently decreased the size of the opening again and it once again spurted forth water as it had before. All this serves to uphold that which is stated in the verse: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might” (Jeremiah 9:22), i.e., man should not think that he can accomplish anything he wishes.
וְכֵן הָיָה רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: הִרְדַּוְלִים לֹא הָיָה בְּמִקְדָּשׁ. מַאי הִרְדַּוְלִים? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: טַבְלָא גּוּרְגְּדָנָא, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁקּוֹלוֹ עָרֵב וּמְעַרְבֵּב אֶת הַנְּעִימָה.
And likewise Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel would say, with regard to the musical instruments in the Temple: There was no hirdolim in the Temple. The Gemara asks: What is a hirdolim? Abaye said: It is a hydraulic organ. It was not used in the Temple because its sound is pleasant but it disrupts the melody.
אָמַר רָבָא בַּר שֵׁילָא אָמַר רַב מַתְנָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַגְרֵיפָה הָיְתָה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ,
Rava bar Sheila said that Rav Mattana said that Shmuel said: There was an instrument called magreifa in the Temple.
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