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Menachot 86

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Summary

From where was the oil brought for the menora and the meal offerings? Which olives could be used? How were they prepared? There is a difference between the oil that needed to be used for the menora and the one that could be used for meal offerings. From where were the grapes for the wine libations brought?

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Menachot 86

ואם הביא פסול (והתניא ואם הביא כשר) מפני שהוא שרף

but if one did bring a meal offering made of such oil, it is not valid. But isn’t it taught in a baraita that if one did bring it, it is valid, because it is regarded merely as sap and not as oil? This contradicts this mishna, which assumes that it is regarded as oil.

אמר רב יוסף לא קשיא הא ר’ חייא הא ר’ שמעון בר רבי דר’ חייא זריק ליה ור’ שמעון בר רבי מטבל [ביה] (ליה) וסימניך עשירים מקמצין:

Rav Yosef said: It is not difficult to resolve this contradiction. This baraita expresses the opinion of Rabbi Ḥiyya, and that mishna expresses the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. As Rabbi Ḥiyya would toss such oil away, as he did not consider it to be oil, and Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, would dip his food into it, as he considered it to be oil. The Gemara concludes: And your mnemonic by which to remember their respective opinions is: The wealthy are parsimonious, i.e., Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, was wealthy, and he did not toss the oil away.

(אסתר ב, יב) ששה חדשים בשמן המור מאי שמן המור רב הונא בר חייא אמר סטכתא ר’ ירמיה בר אבא אמר שמן זית שלא הביא שליש:

§ The Gemara digresses to discuss oil of myrrh: In describing the treatments provided to the women in preparation for their meeting with King Ahasuerus, the verse states: “For so were the days of their anointing accomplished: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with other ointments of the women” (Esther 2:12). The Gemara asks: What is “oil of myrrh”? Rav Huna bar Ḥiyya says: It is the aromatic oil called setakhta. Rav Yirmeya bar Abba says: It is an oil derived from olives that have not yet reached one-third of their growth; the acidic oil is effective as a depilatory.

תניא (נמי הכי) רבי יהודה אומר אנפקנון שמן זית שלא הביא שליש למה סכין אותו שמשיר את השיער ומעדן את הבשר:

The Gemara notes: This explanation of Rav Yirmeya bar Abba is also taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yehuda says: The term anpikanon is referring to olive oil produced from olives that have not yet reached one-third of their growth. And why do women spread it on their bodies? They do so because it removes the hair and pampers the skin.

אין מביאין מן הגרגרין שנשרו במים תנו רבנן שמן זית כבוש שלוק שרוי ושל שמרים ושל ריח רע לא יביא ואם הביא פסול

§ The mishna teaches: One may not bring meal offerings containing oil from olives that were soaked in water, nor from pickled olives, nor from boiled olives, and even if one did bring it, it is not valid. The Sages taught in a baraita: Olive oil produced from pickled olives, boiled olives, or olives soaked in water, and oil made from olive sediment, and oil with a foul odor may not be brought as part of a meal offering, and even if one did bring it, it is not valid.

בעי רבה הקדישו מהו שילקה עליו משום בעל מום כיון דפסול כבעל מום דמי או דלמא אין בעל מום אלא בבהמה תיקו:

Rava asks: If one consecrated one of these unfit oils for use in meal offerings, what is the halakha with regard to whether he should be flogged for consecrating it due to the prohibition against consecrating a flawed item as an offering? Does one say that since it is unfit, it is comparable to a blemished animal? Or perhaps the prohibition against consecrating a flawed item applies only to an animal. The Gemara concludes: The dilemma shall stand unresolved.

מתני׳ שלשה זיתים הן ובהן שלשה שלשה שמנים

MISHNA: There are three harvests of olives each year, and in each of them, three different grades of oils are produced.

הזית הראשון מגרגרו בראש הזית וכותש ונותן לתוך הסל ר’ יהודה אומר סביבות הסל זה ראשון

How is the first olive harvest processed? One picks the ripe olives at the top of the olive tree, as those are the first to ripen, and crushes them in a mortar and places them inside the bottom of a wicker basket that has many small holes in it. The oil will then drip from the olives through those holes into a vessel placed underneath the basket. Rabbi Yehuda says: One positions the olives on the walls, surrounding the basket. This produces more refined oil, as the dregs stick to the walls of the basket. This is the first grade of oil produced from the first harvest.

[חזר] וטוען בקורה ר’ יהודה אומר באבנים זה שני

After the oil ceases to seep from the crushed olives, one then presses down with a wooden beam upon them, causing additional oil to flow from the basket into the vessel. Rabbi Yehuda says: The excessive pressure produced by pressing down with a beam would cause some of the flesh of the olives to get mixed in with the oil, compromising its quality. Rather, one applies pressure by placing stones upon the olives. This is the second grade of oil.

חזר וטחן וטען זה שלישי

One then ground the olives with a millstone and pressed down with a beam on those olives to extract any remaining oil; this is the third grade of oil.

הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות

The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, which requires: “Refined olive oil” (Leviticus 24:2), and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

השני מגרגרו בראש הגג וכותש ונותן לתוך הסל רבי יהודה אומר סביבות הסל זה ראשון

How is the second olive harvest processed? One picks the crop of olives that is accessible while one is standing on the rooftop. This was the second lot of olives to ripen. And one crushes it in a mortar and places those olives into a wicker basket, allowing the oil to drip through the holes into a vessel underneath. Rabbi Yehuda says: One positions the olives on the walls, surrounding the basket. This is the first grade of oil from the second harvest.

טוען בקורה ורבי יהודה אומר באבנים זה שני

One then presses down upon those olives with a wooden beam, thereby producing more oil. And Rabbi Yehuda says: One applies pressure only by placing stones upon them. This is the second grade of oil.

חזר וטחן וטען זה שלישי

One then ground the olives with a millstone and pressed down upon them with a beam, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this is the third grade of oil.

הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות

The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

שלישי עוטנו בבית הבד עד שילקה ומעלהו ומנגבו בראש הגג כותש ונותן לתוך הסל רבי יהודה אומר סביבות הסל זה ראשון

How is the third olive harvest processed? This harvest consists of all the olives that still remain on trees. One packs it into a vat [oteno] in the building that houses the olive press [beit habbad] where it remains until it softens, and then one raises it up to the roof and dries it on the rooftop to remove the foul-smelling liquid secreted from the olives while in the vat. Then, one crushes the olives in a mortar and places them into a wicker basket, allowing the oil to drip through the holes into a vessel underneath. Rabbi Yehuda says: One positions them on the walls, surrounding the basket. This is the first grade of oil.

טוען בקורה רבי יהודה אומר באבנים זה שני

One then presses down on those olives with a wooden beam, thereby producing more oil. And Rabbi Yehuda says: One applies pressure only by placing stones upon them. This is the second grade of oil.

חזר וטחן וטען זה שלישי

One would then grind the olives with a millstone and press down upon them with a beam, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this is the third grade of oil.

הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות:

The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

גמ׳ איבעיא להו מגרגרו תנן או מגלגלו תנן

GEMARA: A dilemma was raised before the Sages: What is the correct text of the mishna? Do we learn that one picks the olives at the top [megargero], i.e., one selects those that are ripe, or do we learn that one allows all the olives to ripen [megalgelo], and then picks them all?

תא שמע דתניא שמן זית מזיתו מכאן אמרו זית ראשון מגלגלו בראש הזית וכונסו לבית הבד וטוחנו בריחים ונותנו בסלין שמן היוצא ממנו זה היה ראשון

The Gemara answers: Come and hear the resolution to this dilemma from that which is taught in a baraita. The verse states that the olive oil used for the kindling of the Candelabrum is to be: “Refined oil of an olive” (Exodus 27:20), which is interpreted to mean that the olives should be so ripe that the oil drips from them while they are still hanging on their olive tree, without them needing to be pressed. From here the Sages said that for the first olive harvest, one allows all the olives to ripen [megalgelo], picks the entire crop and brings it into the olive press, and he grinds it with a millstone and places it in wicker baskets, and this oil that would flow from it would be the first grade of oil.

טען בקורה שמן היוצא ממנו זה היה שני וחזר ופרק טחן וטען זה היה שלישי הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות וכן זית שני

The baraita continues: Then one presses down upon the olives with a wooden beam. As for the oil that flows from it, this would be the second grade of oil. And then one would remove the crushed olives from the baskets and grind them, and press down upon them with a beam or stones, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this would be the third grade of oil. The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings. And the same process was similarly used for the second olive harvest.

וזית שלישי עוטנו בבית הבד עד שילקה ומעלה לראש הגג ועושה אותו כמין תמרה עד שיזובו מימיו וכונסו לבית הבד וטוחנו בריחים ונותנו בסלין ושמן היוצא ממנו זה היה ראשון

The baraita continues: And for the third olive harvest, the entire crop is packed into a vat in the building that houses the olive press, where it remains until it softens, and then one raises it up to the roof and makes it into a sort of heap, wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, and leaves it there until the fluid it produced while in the vat flows away. And then one brings it to the olive press and grinds it with a millstone and places it into wicker baskets. As for the oil that would then flow from it, this would be the first grade of oil.

טען בקורה שמן היוצא ממנו זה היה שני פרק חזר וטחן וטען זה היה שלישי הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות

Then one presses down upon it with a wooden beam. As for the oil that would then flow from it, this would be the second grade of oil. And then one would remove the crushed olives from the baskets and grind them, and press down upon them with a beam or stones, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this would be the third grade of oil. The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

רבי יהודה אומר לא היה טוחנו בריחים אלא כותשו במכתשת ולא היה טוען בקורה אלא באבנים ולא היה נותנו בסלין אלא לתוך סביבות הסל

The baraita concludes: Rabbi Yehuda disagrees with the Rabbis and says: One does not grind the crop of olives with a millstone; rather, one crushes it in a mortar. And one does not press down upon the olives with a wooden beam; rather, one presses on them with stones. And one does not place the olives into the bottom of the wicker baskets; rather, one positions them on the inner walls of the basket, all around the basket. In this baraita, the term: One allows all the olives to ripen [megalgelo], is used.

הא גופא קשיא כותש מני רבי יהודה היא תוך הסל אתאן לרבנן

Having resolved the dilemma based on the baraita, the Gemara now clarifies the ruling of the mishna in light of it. The Gemara asks: This mishna itself is difficult, as the first tanna teaches that the olives should be crushed. From the baraita it is evident that whose opinion is it that the olives are crushed? It is the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. Yet, when the first tanna states that the olives are placed inside the bottom of the basket, and not on its walls, we arrive at the opinion of the Rabbis who disagree with Rabbi Yehuda in the baraita.

האי תנא סבר לה כותיה בחדא ופליג עליה בחדא:

The Gemara explains: This tanna of the mishna holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda with regard to one issue, i.e., the need to crush the olives, but disagrees with him with regard to another issue, i.e., he holds that the olives should be placed inside the basket, not on its walls.

מתני׳ הראשון שבראשון אין למעלה הימנו השני שבראשון והראשון שבשני שוין השלישי שבראשון והשני שבשני והראשון שבשלישי שוין השלישי שבשני והשני שבשלישי שוין השלישי שבשלישי אין למטה הימנו

MISHNA: Having enumerated the nine grades of oils in the previous mishna, this mishna proceeds to rank them by their quality: As for the first grade of oil that is produced from the first harvest, there is none superior to it. The second grade of oil that is produced from the first harvest and the first grade of oil that is produced from the second harvest are of equal quality; there is no reason to choose one over the other. The third grade of oil that is produced from the first harvest and the second grade of oil that is produced from the second harvest and the first grade of oil that is produced from the third harvest are of equal quality. The third grade of oil that is produced from the second harvest and the second grade of oil that is produced from the third harvest are of equal quality. As for the third grade of oil that is produced from the third harvest, there is none inferior to it.

אף כל המנחות היו בדין שיטענו שמן זית זך מה מנורה שאינה לאכילה טעונה שמן זית זך מנחות שהן לאכילה אינו דין שיטענו שמן זית זך תלמוד לאמר (שמות כז, כ) זך כתית למאור ואין זך כתית למנחות

Also, with regard to all the meal offerings, it was logical that they should require the highest quality of refined olive oil, just like the Candelabrum. Because if the Candelabrum, whose oil is not to be consumed on the altar, requires refined olive oil, then meal offerings, which are to be consumed on the altar, is it not logical that they should require refined olive oil? To dispel this notion, the verse states: “Refined pounded olive oil for illumination” (Leviticus 24:2), which indicates that the high-quality, refined, pounded oil is required for the Candelabrum, but there is no need for refined pounded olive oil for meal offerings.

גמ׳ שוין והא אמרת ראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות אמר רב נחמן בר יצחק מאי שוין שוין למנחות:

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: How can the mishna state that the second grade of the first harvest and the first grade of the second harvest are of equal quality? But didn’t you say that the first grade of each harvest is fit for kindling the Candelabrum and the rest are fit only for use in meal offerings? It would appear then that the first grade in any harvest is actually superior to the second grade of other harvests. To resolve this, Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: What does the mishna mean when it states that they are of equal quality? It means that they are equal with regard to meal offerings, and there is no reason to choose one over the other.

אף [כל] המנחות היו בדין [וכו’]: תנו רבנן (שמות כז, כ) זך אין זך אלא נקי רבי יהודה אומר כתית אין כתית אלא כתוש

§ The mishna teaches: Also with regard to all the meal offerings, it was logical that they should require refined olive oil. To dispel this notion, the verse states: “Refined pounded olive oil for illumination” (Leviticus 24:2). The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to the verse cited in the mishna: The word “refined” means nothing other than clean oil, which flows by itself from the olives without applying any pressure. Rabbi Yehuda says that the word “pounded” means nothing other than olives crushed with a mortar, but not with a millstone.

יכול יהא זך כתית פסול למנחות תלמוד לאמר (שמות כט, מ) ועשרון סולת בלול בשמן כתית אם כן מה תלמוד לאמר למאור אלא מפני החיסכון

One might have thought that refined, pounded oil is unfit for meal offerings, since the verse specifies that this oil is to be used for illumination. To dispel this notion, the verse states with regard to the meal offering brought with the daily offering: “And a tenth of fine flour, thoroughly mixed with a quarter of a hin of pounded oil” (Exodus 29:40). This indicates that pounded oil is fit to be used in meal offerings. If so, what is the meaning when the verse states that the refined pounded oil is “for illumination”? Rather, the Torah requires the use of refined pounded oil only for the Candelabrum, due to the sparing [haḥisakhon] of money, as the highest-quality oil is very expensive.

מאי חיסכון אמר רבי אלעזר התורה חסה על ממונן של ישראל

The Gemara asks: What is the reason for being sparing? Rabbi Elazar says: The intention is that the Torah spared the money of the Jewish people and did not require that the highest-quality oil be used for the meal offerings.

(ויקרא כד, ב) צו את בני ישראל ויקחו אליך שמן זית זך אמר רבי שמואל בר נחמני אליך ולא לי לא לאורה אני צריך:

§ The Gemara discusses the Candelabrum and other aspects of the Temple. The verse states: “Command the children of Israel, and they shall take for yourself refined pounded olive oil for illumination, to kindle the lamps continually” (Leviticus 24:2). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says: God tells the Jewish people that the oil should be taken “for yourself,” to indicate that it is for their benefit and not for My benefit, as I do not need its light.

שלחן בצפון ומנורה בדרום אמר ר’ זריקא אמר ר’ אלעזר לא לאכילה אני צריך ולא לאורה אני צריך

Similarly, with regard to the Table of the shewbread, located in the north of the Sanctuary, and the Candelabrum, located in the south of the Sanctuary, Rabbi Zerika says that Rabbi Elazar says: God said to the Jewish people: I do not require the Table for eating, nor do I require the Candelabrum for its illumination. In evidence of this, the Candelabrum was not positioned close to the Table, as is done by one who sets a table with food in order to eat there.

(מלכים א ו, ד) ויעש לבית חלוני שקופים אטומים תנא שקופין [מבפנים] ואטומים [מבחוץ] לא לאורה אני צריך

With regard the Temple built by King Solomon, the verse states: “And he made for the House, windows narrow and broad” (I Kings 6:4). The Sages taught in a baraita: Typically, windows are constructed to widen toward the inside in order that the light from the outside would be dispersed throughout the room. For the Temple, God said: Make the windows narrow within and broad without, as I do not require its illumination. On the contrary, the light of the Temple is to be radiated outward.

(ויקרא כד, ג) מחוץ לפרכת העדות באהל מועד עדות הוא לכל באי עולם שהשכינה שורה בישראל

God instructed Aaron to kindle the Candelabrum: “Outside the Curtain of the testimony in the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 24:3). The dividing curtain is referred to here as: The Curtain of the testimony, to indicate that the illumination of the Candelabrum is testimony to all of humanity that the Divine Presence rests among the Jewish people.

ואם תאמר לאורה אני צריך והלא כל ארבעים שנה שהלכו ישראל במדבר לא הלכו אלא לאורו אלא עדות הוא לכל באי עולם שהשכינה שורה בישראל

And if you question this and say: How is this testimony; perhaps the Candelabrum is lit for illumination? To this God would respond: Do I need its light? But isn’t it so that for all forty years that the Jewish people walked in the wilderness of Sinai until they entered Eretz Yisrael, they walked exclusively by His light, i.e., from the pillar of fire that guided them at night. If God provides light for others, he certainly does not need it Himself. Rather, evidently, the illumination of the Candelabrum is testimony to all of humanity that the Divine Presence rests among the Jewish people.

מאי עדותה אמר רבא זה נר מערבי שנותנין בה שמן כנגד חברותיה וממנה היה מדליק ובה היה מסיים:

What provides its testimony? Rava says: The testimony is provided by the westernmost lamp of the Candelabrum, in which they place a quantity of oil equivalent to that placed in the other lamps, and nevertheless it continues to burn longer than any of the other lamps. It burns so long that every evening, from it the priest would kindle the Candelabrum, i.e., he lit that westernmost lamp first, and the following morning, with it he would conclude the preparation of the lamps for the following evening’s lighting, because it remained alight longer than any of the other lamps. This perpetual miracle was testimony to God’s continuous presence among His people.

מתני׳ מאין היו מביאין את היין קדוחים ועטולין אלפא ליין שניה להן בית רימה ובית לבן בהר וכפר סיגנא בבקעה כל ארצות היו כשרות אלא מיכן היו מביאין

MISHNA: From where would they bring the wine for libations? Keduḥim and Attulin are the primary sources for wine. Secondary to them is Beit Rima and Beit Lavan, located in the mountain, and the village of Signa, located in the valley. All the regions were valid sources for wine; but it was from here, i.e., the aforementioned locations, that they would bring the wine.

אין מביאין לא מבית הזבלים ולא מבית השלחים ולא ממה שנזרע ביניהן ואם הביא כשר אין מביאין הליסטיון ואם הביא כשר אין מביאין ישן דברי רבי וחכמים מכשירין אין מביאין לא מתוק ולא מעושן ולא מבושל ואם הביא פסול ואין מביאין מן הדליות אלא מן הרגליות ומן הכרמים העבודין

One may not bring libations of wine that come from a fertilized vineyard, or from an irrigated vineyard, or from a vineyard in which grain was sown between the vines. But if one did bring a libation from such wine, it is valid. One may not bring libations from sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes [hilyasteyon], but if one did bring a libation from such wine, it is valid. One may not bring wine aged for one year; this is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, but the Rabbis deem it valid. One may not bring libations from sweet wine, nor from wine produced from smoked grapes, nor libations from boiled wine, and if one did bring a libation from such wine, it is not valid. And one may not bring wine produced from grapes suspended on stakes or trees; rather, one brings it from grapes at foot height, i.e., that rest on the ground, which are superior-quality grapes, and from vineyards that are cultivated, i.e., where one hoes beneath the vines twice a year.

ולא כונסין אותו בחצבין גדולים אלא בחביות קטנות ואינו ממלא את החבית עד פיה כדי שיהא ריחו נודף

And when producing wine for libations, one should not collect the wine into large barrels, as it causes the wine to spoil; rather, it should be placed in small casks. And one does not fill up the cask until its mouth; rather, one leaves some empty space so that its fragrance will collect there and diffuse when the lid is opened.

אינו מביא מפיה מפני

One should not bring libations from wine that rests at the mouth of the cask due to

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The Hadran Women’s Tapestry

Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories. 

I’ve been wanting to do Daf Yomi for years, but always wanted to start at the beginning and not in the middle of things. When the opportunity came in 2020, I decided: “this is now the time!” I’ve been posting my journey daily on social media, tracking my progress (#DafYomi); now it’s fully integrated into my daily routines. I’ve also inspired my partner to join, too!

Joséphine Altzman
Joséphine Altzman

Teaneck, United States

At almost 70 I am just beginning my journey with Talmud and Hadran. I began not late, but right when I was called to learn. It is never too late to begin! The understanding patience of staff and participants with more experience and knowledge has been fabulous. The joy of learning never stops and for me. It is a new life, a new light, a new depth of love of The Holy One, Blessed be He.
Deborah Hoffman-Wade
Deborah Hoffman-Wade

Richmond, CA, United States

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
Shira Eliaser

Skokie, IL, United States

I am grateful for the structure of the Daf Yomi. When I am freer to learn to my heart’s content, I learn other passages in addition. But even in times of difficulty, I always know that I can rely on the structure and social support of Daf Yomi learners all over the world.

I am also grateful for this forum. It is very helpful to learn with a group of enthusiastic and committed women.

Janice Block-2
Janice Block

Beit Shemesh, Israel

I am a Reform rabbi and took Talmud courses in rabbinical school, but I knew there was so much more to learn. It felt inauthentic to serve as a rabbi without having read the entire Talmud, so when the opportunity arose to start Daf Yomi in 2020, I dove in! Thanks to Hadran, Daf Yomi has enriched my understanding of rabbinic Judaism and deepened my love of Jewish text & tradition. Todah rabbah!

Rabbi Nicki Greninger
Rabbi Nicki Greninger

California, United States

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

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 began learning Daf Yomi at the beginning of the current cycle, I was preparing for an upcoming surgery and thought that learning the Daf would be something positive I could do each day during my recovery, even if I accomplished nothing else. I had no idea what a lifeline learning the Daf would turn out to be in so many ways.

Laura Shechter
Laura Shechter

Lexington, MA, United States

I started last year after completing the Pesach Sugiyot class. Masechet Yoma might seem like a difficult set of topics, but for me made Yom Kippur and the Beit HaMikdash come alive. Liturgy I’d always had trouble connecting with took on new meaning as I gained a sense of real people moving through specific spaces in particular ways. It was the perfect introduction; I am so grateful for Hadran!

Debbie Engelen-Eigles
Debbie Engelen-Eigles

Minnesota, 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
Meryll Page

Minneapolis, MN, United States

With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!

Sharon Mink
Sharon Mink

Haifa, Israel

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

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.

Krivosha_Terri_Bio
Terri Krivosha

Minneapolis, United States

In January 2020, my teaching partner at IDC suggested we do daf yomi. Thanks to her challenge, I started learning daily from Rabbanit Michelle. It’s a joy to be part of the Hadran community. (It’s also a tikkun: in 7th grade, my best friend and I tied for first place in a citywide gemara exam, but we weren’t invited to the celebration because girls weren’t supposed to be learning gemara).

Sara-Averick-photo-scaled
Sara Averick

Jerusalem, Israel

I started learning at the beginning of the cycle after a friend persuaded me that it would be right up my alley. I was lucky enough to learn at Rabbanit Michelle’s house before it started on zoom and it was quickly part of my daily routine. I find it so important to see for myself where halachot were derived, where stories were told and to get more insight into how the Rabbis interacted.

Deborah Dickson
Deborah Dickson

Ra’anana, Israel

When we heard that R. Michelle was starting daf yomi, my 11-year-old suggested that I go. Little did she know that she would lose me every morning from then on. I remember standing at the Farbers’ door, almost too shy to enter. After that first class, I said that I would come the next day but couldn’t commit to more. A decade later, I still look forward to learning from R. Michelle every morning.

Ruth Leah Kahan
Ruth Leah Kahan

Ra’anana, Israel

I learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!

Shoshana Ruerup
Shoshana Ruerup

Berlin, Germany

I have joined the community of daf yomi learners at the start of this cycle. I have studied in different ways – by reading the page, translating the page, attending a local shiur and listening to Rabbanit Farber’s podcasts, depending on circumstances and where I was at the time. The reactions have been positive throughout – with no exception!

Silke Goldberg
Silke Goldberg

Guildford, United Kingdom

I started learning Gemara at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. And I resumed ‘ברוך ה decades later with Rabbanit Michele at Hadran. I started from Brachot and have had an exciting, rewarding experience throughout seder Moed!

Anne Mirsky (1)
Anne Mirsky

Maale Adumim, Israel

After enthusing to my friend Ruth Kahan about how much I had enjoyed remote Jewish learning during the earlier part of the pandemic, she challenged me to join her in learning the daf yomi cycle. I had always wanted to do daf yomi but now had no excuse. The beginning was particularly hard as I had never studied Talmud but has become easier, as I have gained some familiarity with it.

Susan-Vishner-Hadran-photo-scaled
Susan Vishner

Brookline, United States

Menachot 86

ואם הביא פסול (והתניא ואם הביא כשר) מפני שהוא שרף

but if one did bring a meal offering made of such oil, it is not valid. But isn’t it taught in a baraita that if one did bring it, it is valid, because it is regarded merely as sap and not as oil? This contradicts this mishna, which assumes that it is regarded as oil.

אמר רב יוסף לא קשיא הא ר’ חייא הא ר’ שמעון בר רבי דר’ חייא זריק ליה ור’ שמעון בר רבי מטבל [ביה] (ליה) וסימניך עשירים מקמצין:

Rav Yosef said: It is not difficult to resolve this contradiction. This baraita expresses the opinion of Rabbi Ḥiyya, and that mishna expresses the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. As Rabbi Ḥiyya would toss such oil away, as he did not consider it to be oil, and Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, would dip his food into it, as he considered it to be oil. The Gemara concludes: And your mnemonic by which to remember their respective opinions is: The wealthy are parsimonious, i.e., Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, was wealthy, and he did not toss the oil away.

(אסתר ב, יב) ששה חדשים בשמן המור מאי שמן המור רב הונא בר חייא אמר סטכתא ר’ ירמיה בר אבא אמר שמן זית שלא הביא שליש:

§ The Gemara digresses to discuss oil of myrrh: In describing the treatments provided to the women in preparation for their meeting with King Ahasuerus, the verse states: “For so were the days of their anointing accomplished: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with other ointments of the women” (Esther 2:12). The Gemara asks: What is “oil of myrrh”? Rav Huna bar Ḥiyya says: It is the aromatic oil called setakhta. Rav Yirmeya bar Abba says: It is an oil derived from olives that have not yet reached one-third of their growth; the acidic oil is effective as a depilatory.

תניא (נמי הכי) רבי יהודה אומר אנפקנון שמן זית שלא הביא שליש למה סכין אותו שמשיר את השיער ומעדן את הבשר:

The Gemara notes: This explanation of Rav Yirmeya bar Abba is also taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yehuda says: The term anpikanon is referring to olive oil produced from olives that have not yet reached one-third of their growth. And why do women spread it on their bodies? They do so because it removes the hair and pampers the skin.

אין מביאין מן הגרגרין שנשרו במים תנו רבנן שמן זית כבוש שלוק שרוי ושל שמרים ושל ריח רע לא יביא ואם הביא פסול

§ The mishna teaches: One may not bring meal offerings containing oil from olives that were soaked in water, nor from pickled olives, nor from boiled olives, and even if one did bring it, it is not valid. The Sages taught in a baraita: Olive oil produced from pickled olives, boiled olives, or olives soaked in water, and oil made from olive sediment, and oil with a foul odor may not be brought as part of a meal offering, and even if one did bring it, it is not valid.

בעי רבה הקדישו מהו שילקה עליו משום בעל מום כיון דפסול כבעל מום דמי או דלמא אין בעל מום אלא בבהמה תיקו:

Rava asks: If one consecrated one of these unfit oils for use in meal offerings, what is the halakha with regard to whether he should be flogged for consecrating it due to the prohibition against consecrating a flawed item as an offering? Does one say that since it is unfit, it is comparable to a blemished animal? Or perhaps the prohibition against consecrating a flawed item applies only to an animal. The Gemara concludes: The dilemma shall stand unresolved.

מתני׳ שלשה זיתים הן ובהן שלשה שלשה שמנים

MISHNA: There are three harvests of olives each year, and in each of them, three different grades of oils are produced.

הזית הראשון מגרגרו בראש הזית וכותש ונותן לתוך הסל ר’ יהודה אומר סביבות הסל זה ראשון

How is the first olive harvest processed? One picks the ripe olives at the top of the olive tree, as those are the first to ripen, and crushes them in a mortar and places them inside the bottom of a wicker basket that has many small holes in it. The oil will then drip from the olives through those holes into a vessel placed underneath the basket. Rabbi Yehuda says: One positions the olives on the walls, surrounding the basket. This produces more refined oil, as the dregs stick to the walls of the basket. This is the first grade of oil produced from the first harvest.

[חזר] וטוען בקורה ר’ יהודה אומר באבנים זה שני

After the oil ceases to seep from the crushed olives, one then presses down with a wooden beam upon them, causing additional oil to flow from the basket into the vessel. Rabbi Yehuda says: The excessive pressure produced by pressing down with a beam would cause some of the flesh of the olives to get mixed in with the oil, compromising its quality. Rather, one applies pressure by placing stones upon the olives. This is the second grade of oil.

חזר וטחן וטען זה שלישי

One then ground the olives with a millstone and pressed down with a beam on those olives to extract any remaining oil; this is the third grade of oil.

הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות

The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, which requires: “Refined olive oil” (Leviticus 24:2), and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

השני מגרגרו בראש הגג וכותש ונותן לתוך הסל רבי יהודה אומר סביבות הסל זה ראשון

How is the second olive harvest processed? One picks the crop of olives that is accessible while one is standing on the rooftop. This was the second lot of olives to ripen. And one crushes it in a mortar and places those olives into a wicker basket, allowing the oil to drip through the holes into a vessel underneath. Rabbi Yehuda says: One positions the olives on the walls, surrounding the basket. This is the first grade of oil from the second harvest.

טוען בקורה ורבי יהודה אומר באבנים זה שני

One then presses down upon those olives with a wooden beam, thereby producing more oil. And Rabbi Yehuda says: One applies pressure only by placing stones upon them. This is the second grade of oil.

חזר וטחן וטען זה שלישי

One then ground the olives with a millstone and pressed down upon them with a beam, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this is the third grade of oil.

הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות

The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

שלישי עוטנו בבית הבד עד שילקה ומעלהו ומנגבו בראש הגג כותש ונותן לתוך הסל רבי יהודה אומר סביבות הסל זה ראשון

How is the third olive harvest processed? This harvest consists of all the olives that still remain on trees. One packs it into a vat [oteno] in the building that houses the olive press [beit habbad] where it remains until it softens, and then one raises it up to the roof and dries it on the rooftop to remove the foul-smelling liquid secreted from the olives while in the vat. Then, one crushes the olives in a mortar and places them into a wicker basket, allowing the oil to drip through the holes into a vessel underneath. Rabbi Yehuda says: One positions them on the walls, surrounding the basket. This is the first grade of oil.

טוען בקורה רבי יהודה אומר באבנים זה שני

One then presses down on those olives with a wooden beam, thereby producing more oil. And Rabbi Yehuda says: One applies pressure only by placing stones upon them. This is the second grade of oil.

חזר וטחן וטען זה שלישי

One would then grind the olives with a millstone and press down upon them with a beam, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this is the third grade of oil.

הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות:

The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

גמ׳ איבעיא להו מגרגרו תנן או מגלגלו תנן

GEMARA: A dilemma was raised before the Sages: What is the correct text of the mishna? Do we learn that one picks the olives at the top [megargero], i.e., one selects those that are ripe, or do we learn that one allows all the olives to ripen [megalgelo], and then picks them all?

תא שמע דתניא שמן זית מזיתו מכאן אמרו זית ראשון מגלגלו בראש הזית וכונסו לבית הבד וטוחנו בריחים ונותנו בסלין שמן היוצא ממנו זה היה ראשון

The Gemara answers: Come and hear the resolution to this dilemma from that which is taught in a baraita. The verse states that the olive oil used for the kindling of the Candelabrum is to be: “Refined oil of an olive” (Exodus 27:20), which is interpreted to mean that the olives should be so ripe that the oil drips from them while they are still hanging on their olive tree, without them needing to be pressed. From here the Sages said that for the first olive harvest, one allows all the olives to ripen [megalgelo], picks the entire crop and brings it into the olive press, and he grinds it with a millstone and places it in wicker baskets, and this oil that would flow from it would be the first grade of oil.

טען בקורה שמן היוצא ממנו זה היה שני וחזר ופרק טחן וטען זה היה שלישי הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות וכן זית שני

The baraita continues: Then one presses down upon the olives with a wooden beam. As for the oil that flows from it, this would be the second grade of oil. And then one would remove the crushed olives from the baskets and grind them, and press down upon them with a beam or stones, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this would be the third grade of oil. The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings. And the same process was similarly used for the second olive harvest.

וזית שלישי עוטנו בבית הבד עד שילקה ומעלה לראש הגג ועושה אותו כמין תמרה עד שיזובו מימיו וכונסו לבית הבד וטוחנו בריחים ונותנו בסלין ושמן היוצא ממנו זה היה ראשון

The baraita continues: And for the third olive harvest, the entire crop is packed into a vat in the building that houses the olive press, where it remains until it softens, and then one raises it up to the roof and makes it into a sort of heap, wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, and leaves it there until the fluid it produced while in the vat flows away. And then one brings it to the olive press and grinds it with a millstone and places it into wicker baskets. As for the oil that would then flow from it, this would be the first grade of oil.

טען בקורה שמן היוצא ממנו זה היה שני פרק חזר וטחן וטען זה היה שלישי הראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות

Then one presses down upon it with a wooden beam. As for the oil that would then flow from it, this would be the second grade of oil. And then one would remove the crushed olives from the baskets and grind them, and press down upon them with a beam or stones, thereby extracting any remaining oil; this would be the third grade of oil. The first grade is fit for kindling the Candelabrum, and the rest are fit for use in meal offerings.

רבי יהודה אומר לא היה טוחנו בריחים אלא כותשו במכתשת ולא היה טוען בקורה אלא באבנים ולא היה נותנו בסלין אלא לתוך סביבות הסל

The baraita concludes: Rabbi Yehuda disagrees with the Rabbis and says: One does not grind the crop of olives with a millstone; rather, one crushes it in a mortar. And one does not press down upon the olives with a wooden beam; rather, one presses on them with stones. And one does not place the olives into the bottom of the wicker baskets; rather, one positions them on the inner walls of the basket, all around the basket. In this baraita, the term: One allows all the olives to ripen [megalgelo], is used.

הא גופא קשיא כותש מני רבי יהודה היא תוך הסל אתאן לרבנן

Having resolved the dilemma based on the baraita, the Gemara now clarifies the ruling of the mishna in light of it. The Gemara asks: This mishna itself is difficult, as the first tanna teaches that the olives should be crushed. From the baraita it is evident that whose opinion is it that the olives are crushed? It is the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. Yet, when the first tanna states that the olives are placed inside the bottom of the basket, and not on its walls, we arrive at the opinion of the Rabbis who disagree with Rabbi Yehuda in the baraita.

האי תנא סבר לה כותיה בחדא ופליג עליה בחדא:

The Gemara explains: This tanna of the mishna holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda with regard to one issue, i.e., the need to crush the olives, but disagrees with him with regard to another issue, i.e., he holds that the olives should be placed inside the basket, not on its walls.

מתני׳ הראשון שבראשון אין למעלה הימנו השני שבראשון והראשון שבשני שוין השלישי שבראשון והשני שבשני והראשון שבשלישי שוין השלישי שבשני והשני שבשלישי שוין השלישי שבשלישי אין למטה הימנו

MISHNA: Having enumerated the nine grades of oils in the previous mishna, this mishna proceeds to rank them by their quality: As for the first grade of oil that is produced from the first harvest, there is none superior to it. The second grade of oil that is produced from the first harvest and the first grade of oil that is produced from the second harvest are of equal quality; there is no reason to choose one over the other. The third grade of oil that is produced from the first harvest and the second grade of oil that is produced from the second harvest and the first grade of oil that is produced from the third harvest are of equal quality. The third grade of oil that is produced from the second harvest and the second grade of oil that is produced from the third harvest are of equal quality. As for the third grade of oil that is produced from the third harvest, there is none inferior to it.

אף כל המנחות היו בדין שיטענו שמן זית זך מה מנורה שאינה לאכילה טעונה שמן זית זך מנחות שהן לאכילה אינו דין שיטענו שמן זית זך תלמוד לאמר (שמות כז, כ) זך כתית למאור ואין זך כתית למנחות

Also, with regard to all the meal offerings, it was logical that they should require the highest quality of refined olive oil, just like the Candelabrum. Because if the Candelabrum, whose oil is not to be consumed on the altar, requires refined olive oil, then meal offerings, which are to be consumed on the altar, is it not logical that they should require refined olive oil? To dispel this notion, the verse states: “Refined pounded olive oil for illumination” (Leviticus 24:2), which indicates that the high-quality, refined, pounded oil is required for the Candelabrum, but there is no need for refined pounded olive oil for meal offerings.

גמ׳ שוין והא אמרת ראשון למנורה והשאר למנחות אמר רב נחמן בר יצחק מאי שוין שוין למנחות:

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: How can the mishna state that the second grade of the first harvest and the first grade of the second harvest are of equal quality? But didn’t you say that the first grade of each harvest is fit for kindling the Candelabrum and the rest are fit only for use in meal offerings? It would appear then that the first grade in any harvest is actually superior to the second grade of other harvests. To resolve this, Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: What does the mishna mean when it states that they are of equal quality? It means that they are equal with regard to meal offerings, and there is no reason to choose one over the other.

אף [כל] המנחות היו בדין [וכו’]: תנו רבנן (שמות כז, כ) זך אין זך אלא נקי רבי יהודה אומר כתית אין כתית אלא כתוש

§ The mishna teaches: Also with regard to all the meal offerings, it was logical that they should require refined olive oil. To dispel this notion, the verse states: “Refined pounded olive oil for illumination” (Leviticus 24:2). The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to the verse cited in the mishna: The word “refined” means nothing other than clean oil, which flows by itself from the olives without applying any pressure. Rabbi Yehuda says that the word “pounded” means nothing other than olives crushed with a mortar, but not with a millstone.

יכול יהא זך כתית פסול למנחות תלמוד לאמר (שמות כט, מ) ועשרון סולת בלול בשמן כתית אם כן מה תלמוד לאמר למאור אלא מפני החיסכון

One might have thought that refined, pounded oil is unfit for meal offerings, since the verse specifies that this oil is to be used for illumination. To dispel this notion, the verse states with regard to the meal offering brought with the daily offering: “And a tenth of fine flour, thoroughly mixed with a quarter of a hin of pounded oil” (Exodus 29:40). This indicates that pounded oil is fit to be used in meal offerings. If so, what is the meaning when the verse states that the refined pounded oil is “for illumination”? Rather, the Torah requires the use of refined pounded oil only for the Candelabrum, due to the sparing [haḥisakhon] of money, as the highest-quality oil is very expensive.

מאי חיסכון אמר רבי אלעזר התורה חסה על ממונן של ישראל

The Gemara asks: What is the reason for being sparing? Rabbi Elazar says: The intention is that the Torah spared the money of the Jewish people and did not require that the highest-quality oil be used for the meal offerings.

(ויקרא כד, ב) צו את בני ישראל ויקחו אליך שמן זית זך אמר רבי שמואל בר נחמני אליך ולא לי לא לאורה אני צריך:

§ The Gemara discusses the Candelabrum and other aspects of the Temple. The verse states: “Command the children of Israel, and they shall take for yourself refined pounded olive oil for illumination, to kindle the lamps continually” (Leviticus 24:2). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says: God tells the Jewish people that the oil should be taken “for yourself,” to indicate that it is for their benefit and not for My benefit, as I do not need its light.

שלחן בצפון ומנורה בדרום אמר ר’ זריקא אמר ר’ אלעזר לא לאכילה אני צריך ולא לאורה אני צריך

Similarly, with regard to the Table of the shewbread, located in the north of the Sanctuary, and the Candelabrum, located in the south of the Sanctuary, Rabbi Zerika says that Rabbi Elazar says: God said to the Jewish people: I do not require the Table for eating, nor do I require the Candelabrum for its illumination. In evidence of this, the Candelabrum was not positioned close to the Table, as is done by one who sets a table with food in order to eat there.

(מלכים א ו, ד) ויעש לבית חלוני שקופים אטומים תנא שקופין [מבפנים] ואטומים [מבחוץ] לא לאורה אני צריך

With regard the Temple built by King Solomon, the verse states: “And he made for the House, windows narrow and broad” (I Kings 6:4). The Sages taught in a baraita: Typically, windows are constructed to widen toward the inside in order that the light from the outside would be dispersed throughout the room. For the Temple, God said: Make the windows narrow within and broad without, as I do not require its illumination. On the contrary, the light of the Temple is to be radiated outward.

(ויקרא כד, ג) מחוץ לפרכת העדות באהל מועד עדות הוא לכל באי עולם שהשכינה שורה בישראל

God instructed Aaron to kindle the Candelabrum: “Outside the Curtain of the testimony in the Tent of Meeting” (Leviticus 24:3). The dividing curtain is referred to here as: The Curtain of the testimony, to indicate that the illumination of the Candelabrum is testimony to all of humanity that the Divine Presence rests among the Jewish people.

ואם תאמר לאורה אני צריך והלא כל ארבעים שנה שהלכו ישראל במדבר לא הלכו אלא לאורו אלא עדות הוא לכל באי עולם שהשכינה שורה בישראל

And if you question this and say: How is this testimony; perhaps the Candelabrum is lit for illumination? To this God would respond: Do I need its light? But isn’t it so that for all forty years that the Jewish people walked in the wilderness of Sinai until they entered Eretz Yisrael, they walked exclusively by His light, i.e., from the pillar of fire that guided them at night. If God provides light for others, he certainly does not need it Himself. Rather, evidently, the illumination of the Candelabrum is testimony to all of humanity that the Divine Presence rests among the Jewish people.

מאי עדותה אמר רבא זה נר מערבי שנותנין בה שמן כנגד חברותיה וממנה היה מדליק ובה היה מסיים:

What provides its testimony? Rava says: The testimony is provided by the westernmost lamp of the Candelabrum, in which they place a quantity of oil equivalent to that placed in the other lamps, and nevertheless it continues to burn longer than any of the other lamps. It burns so long that every evening, from it the priest would kindle the Candelabrum, i.e., he lit that westernmost lamp first, and the following morning, with it he would conclude the preparation of the lamps for the following evening’s lighting, because it remained alight longer than any of the other lamps. This perpetual miracle was testimony to God’s continuous presence among His people.

מתני׳ מאין היו מביאין את היין קדוחים ועטולין אלפא ליין שניה להן בית רימה ובית לבן בהר וכפר סיגנא בבקעה כל ארצות היו כשרות אלא מיכן היו מביאין

MISHNA: From where would they bring the wine for libations? Keduḥim and Attulin are the primary sources for wine. Secondary to them is Beit Rima and Beit Lavan, located in the mountain, and the village of Signa, located in the valley. All the regions were valid sources for wine; but it was from here, i.e., the aforementioned locations, that they would bring the wine.

אין מביאין לא מבית הזבלים ולא מבית השלחים ולא ממה שנזרע ביניהן ואם הביא כשר אין מביאין הליסטיון ואם הביא כשר אין מביאין ישן דברי רבי וחכמים מכשירין אין מביאין לא מתוק ולא מעושן ולא מבושל ואם הביא פסול ואין מביאין מן הדליות אלא מן הרגליות ומן הכרמים העבודין

One may not bring libations of wine that come from a fertilized vineyard, or from an irrigated vineyard, or from a vineyard in which grain was sown between the vines. But if one did bring a libation from such wine, it is valid. One may not bring libations from sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes [hilyasteyon], but if one did bring a libation from such wine, it is valid. One may not bring wine aged for one year; this is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, but the Rabbis deem it valid. One may not bring libations from sweet wine, nor from wine produced from smoked grapes, nor libations from boiled wine, and if one did bring a libation from such wine, it is not valid. And one may not bring wine produced from grapes suspended on stakes or trees; rather, one brings it from grapes at foot height, i.e., that rest on the ground, which are superior-quality grapes, and from vineyards that are cultivated, i.e., where one hoes beneath the vines twice a year.

ולא כונסין אותו בחצבין גדולים אלא בחביות קטנות ואינו ממלא את החבית עד פיה כדי שיהא ריחו נודף

And when producing wine for libations, one should not collect the wine into large barrels, as it causes the wine to spoil; rather, it should be placed in small casks. And one does not fill up the cask until its mouth; rather, one leaves some empty space so that its fragrance will collect there and diffuse when the lid is opened.

אינו מביא מפיה מפני

One should not bring libations from wine that rests at the mouth of the cask due to

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