Where did the levites guard – how many were there? Did the priests really sleep with their clothes under their heads? Is there a problem of benefiting from the clothing or from shaatnez? IS it forbidden to wear them outside the temple – if so, in the story regarding the event that happened on Yom Har Grizim, when the Shomronim enlisted Alexander Mokdon to allow them to destroy the Temple, Shimon HaTzadik wore his priestly garments to go out to meet him and saved the Temple from being destroyed. A story is brought regarding Rav Safra who allowed Rabbi abba to enter the bathroom while he was in their. In light of the mishna (describing the lock on the bathroom), how could he have done that. Since there are germophobes, people should wask their cups before and after drinking, esp. a rabbi in case his student will want to not disrepect his rabbi by washing out his cup and will refrain from drikning (as happened once and the student dieed of thirst). From this story, a few laws are dervied regarding student/rabii relationships.
Siyum Masechet Avodah Zarah
Siyum Masechet Avodah Zarah is dedicated with love and pride to Terri Krivosha from her husband, Rabbi Hayim Herring, her children, Tamar, Avi and Shaina, and her grandchildren, Noam, Liba, and Orly, for completing her first Daf Yomi cycle. You embody the words of Micah 6:8, and “do justice, love goodness, and walk modestly with HaShem.”
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:


Siyum Masechet Avodah Zarah
Siyum Masechet Avodah Zarah is dedicated with love and pride to Terri Krivosha from her husband, Rabbi Hayim Herring, her children, Tamar, Avi and Shaina, and her grandchildren, Noam, Liba, and Orly, for completing her first Daf Yomi cycle. You embody the words of Micah 6:8, and “do justice, love goodness, and walk modestly with HaShem.”
New to Talmud?
Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you.
The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
Tamid 27
Χ΄Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΌΦΈΧΧ΄? ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ: ΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ’Φ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χ Χ’Φ²ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ β Χ§ΦΈΧ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ Χ΄Χ¨ΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧΧ΄, ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ’Φ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χ Χ’Φ²ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ β Χ§ΦΈΧ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ Χ΄Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ΄.
the young men of the priesthood [pirαΈ₯ei khehunna]? Is there a distinction between these different terms? The Sages say: Yes, there is a distinction. There, with regard to the priests who keep watch in the Chamber of Avtinas and in the Chamber of the Spark, the mishna is referring to priests who have not reached the age at which they are eligible to perform the Temple service, and therefore the tanna calls them young priests. The older priests would not keep watch, as they preferred to perform the Temple service. Here, with regard to the priests who sleep in the Chamber of the Hearth in order to be ready to perform the morning rites, the mishna is referring to priests who have reached the age at which they are eligible to perform the Temple service, and consequently the tanna calls them the young men of the priesthood.
ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ Φ·Χ ΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ§ΧΦΉΧΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ§Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©Χ: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ‘, ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ¦ΧΦΉΧ₯, ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ§Φ΅Χ.
Β§ We learned in a mishna elsewhere (Middot 1:1): The priests would keep watch in three places in the Temple courtyard: In the Chamber of Avtinas, and in the Chamber of the Spark, and in the Chamber of the Hearth.
ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ§ΧΦΉΧΧΦΉΧͺ: ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄Χͺ. ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’ Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ ΦΌΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ€Φ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ. ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ. ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’ Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ ΦΌΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧΦΌΧ₯. ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χͺ ΧΦ·Χ§ΦΌΧΧ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χͺ ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉΧΦΆΧͺ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ β ΧΦ²ΧΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΆΧͺ.
And the Levites would keep watch in twenty-one places, as follows: Five upon the five gates of the Temple Mount; four upon the four corners of the Temple Mount, within the wall surrounding the Temple Mount; five upon the five gates of the Temple courtyard, and four upon the four corners of the Temple courtyard outside the courtyard wall, surrounding the Temple courtyard. One watch is observed in the Chamber of the Offering, where animals that had been checked for blemishes were held in readiness for sacrifice; one watch is kept in the Chamber of the Curtain, where the Curtain separating the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies was woven; and finally, one watch is kept behind the Chamber of the Ark Cover, in the area between the Holy of Holies and the western wall of the Temple Mount.
ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧΦΈΧ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ? ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ‘ΦΌΧΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧͺΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦΈΧ€ΧΦΉΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ²Χ‘Φ»Χ€ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ‘Φ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨Χ΄.
With regard to these twenty-one places where the Levites keep watch, the Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? Rav Yehuda of Sura said, and some say that it was taught in a baraita: This is derived as it is written with regard to the Levites assigned by David to serve as gatekeepers upon the future construction of the Temple: Eastward were six Levites, northward four Levites, southward four Levites, and for the Asuppim two and two. For the Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at the Parbar (see IΒ Chronicles 26:17β18).
ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ: ΧΦΈΧ Φ΅Χ Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ! ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦΈΧΦ΄Χ Χ§ΦΈΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧΦΈΧΦ²Χ‘Φ»Χ€ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ β Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ (Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ).
The Sages say that if these verses are the source for the twenty-one places in which the Levites keep watch, that is difficult, as these watches enumerated in the verse are twenty-four in total. Abaye said: This is what the verse is saying: βFor the Asuppim two,β and they are always only two. It is not uncommon for a verse to repeat a word for emphasis in this manner, especially at the end of a verse.
ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ, Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧͺΦ°Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ! ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΦ° ΧΦΌΦ°Χ€Φ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ β ΧΦ·Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¦Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧͺΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ β ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨Φ·ΧΧ.
The Gemara objects: Even if two locations are removed from the list, according to the verse there are still twenty-two watches, rather than twenty-one. The Gemara explains: That watch, which was situated at the Parbar, was composed of only one watchman, and as for the other Levite mentioned in the verse, it was merely to serve as company that he went and sat with the watchman, due to the fact that the Parbar was situated on the outer side and was isolated from the other watches.
ΧΦ·ΧΧ Χ΄ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨Χ΄? ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨Χ΄.
The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the term βat the Parbar [laParbar]β (IΒ Chronicles 26:18)? Rabba bar Rav Sheila said: This term is a contraction of two Aramaic words, and it is like one who says: Toward the outside [kelapei bar].
ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦ°Χ’ΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ. ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΉΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ β ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ.
The Gemara presents an alternative answer to the question with regard to the verse: And if you wish, say instead that actually there are twenty-four watches, and the verse may be interpreted literally as it is written. Three of them are the watches kept by the priests, and the remaining twenty-one are the watches kept by the Levites.
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ! ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ»Χ’Φ· ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄Χ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ»Χ’Φ· ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄Χ: ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ§ΧΦΉΧΧΦΉΧͺ Χ Φ΄Χ§Φ°Χ¨Φ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ β Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ Χ¦ΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ§Χ΄.
The Gemara asks: But isnβt it written here in the verse that all twenty-four watches are kept by the Levites? The Gemara answers: This interpretation is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, as Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: In twenty-four places in the Bible the priests are called Levites, and this is one of them: βBut the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of My Sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near to Me to serve Meβ (Ezekiel 44:15).
ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄Χͺ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ ΦΌΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧΧΦΉ. ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ ΦΌΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧΦΌΧ₯. ΧΦ·ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄Χͺ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧΧΦΉ, ΧΦΌΧΦ·ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧΦΌΧ₯?
The mishna (Middot 1:1) teaches that five watches are kept upon the five gates of the Temple Mount, and four watches are kept upon the four corners of the Temple Mount within the Temple Mount wall. Five watches are kept upon the five gates of the Temple courtyard, and four are kept upon the four corners of the Temple courtyard outside the courtyard wall, on the Temple Mount. The Gemara asks: What is different with regard to the Temple Mount that we perform the watch within the walls, and what is different with regard to the Temple courtyard that we perform the watch outside its walls?
ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ: ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄Χͺ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ’Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺΦ·Χ β ΧΦΈΧͺΦ΅ΧΧ, ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧΧΦΉ. Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ’Φ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺΦ·Χ β ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧ¦Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧͺΦ΅ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΈΧ¨: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ, ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧΦΌΧ₯.
The Sages say: With regard to the watches on the Temple Mount, if the watchman tires and wants to sit down, he may sit down, as it is permitted to sit on the Temple Mount. Therefore, we say that the watch is kept within the Temple Mount. By contrast, if a watch is observed in the Temple courtyard, even if the watchman tires and wants to sit down, he may not sit down, as the Master said: Sitting in the Temple courtyard is permitted only for kings of the house of David. Therefore, we say that the watch is kept outside the walls of the Temple courtyard, so that the watchman may sit down if he wishes.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΈΧ¨: ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ. ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ?! ΧΦΌΧ¨Φ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ°ΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦΈΧ€ΧΦΉΧ, ΧΦΌΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ!
The Master said above that five watches are kept upon the five gates of the Temple courtyard. The Gemara asks: But was it only five gates that were constructed in the walls of the Temple courtyard? And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a mishna (Middot 1:4): There were seven gates in the Temple courtyard: Three in the north, and three in the south, and one in the east.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΅Χ: ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΈΧ Χ¦Φ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ¨. Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ. ΧΦΌΦ°ΧͺΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ²ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦΈΧ Χ’ΦΈΧ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ. Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ ΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ²ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦΈΧ Χ’ΦΈΧ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦΈΧ Χ’ΦΈΧ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ Χ©ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ. ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄Χͺ β Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ. ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ.
Abaye said: Although there were seven gates, two of them, the gate to the Chamber of the Spark and the gate to the Chamber of the Hearth, did not require a watch of the Levites, as the priests kept watch there. Rava said: The number of gates is a dispute between tannaβim, as it is taught in a baraita: There must be no fewer than thirteen treasurers and seven trustees appointed over the Temple administration. Rabbi Natan says: There must be no fewer than thirteen treasurers, corresponding to the thirteen gates. Remove from the total of thirteen gates the five gates of the Temple Mount, and there remain eight gates to the Temple courtyard. Evidently, there is a tanna who said that there were eight gates, and there is a tanna who said that there were seven gates, and there is also a tanna who said that there were five gates.
ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ Χ§ΦΉΧΦΆΧ©Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ³. Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌΧΦ° β ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ. Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ’Φ·ΧͺΦΌΦ° ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ: ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ!
Β§ The mishna (25b) teaches that the priests would not sleep dressed in the sacred vestments; rather, they would remove them and place them beneath their heads. The Gemara infers from here that it is only sleep that is not permitted while a priest is dressed in the sacred vestments, lest he pass wind during his sleep. But with regard to wearing such vestments while the priests are awake and engaged in various activities, e.g., walking, they may walk about dressed in the vestments, even when they do not need to wear them for the Temple service. You may therefore conclude from the mishna that it is permitted to derive benefit from priestly vestments.
ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ: ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌΧΦ° Χ ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ Φ΅Χ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ Φ΄ΧΧ β ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ Χ‘Φ΅ΧΧ€ΦΈΧ: ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ§Φ·Χ€ΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ·Χͺ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ, Χ§ΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ Φ΅Χ Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©ΧΦΈΧ Χ ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ: ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ Φ΄ΧΧ.
The Sages say that this inference is incorrect. The same is true of walking, as even walking while wearing the vestments is not permitted, and the reason that the tanna teaches specifically that the priests would not sleep dressed in the vestments is due to the fact that the tanna wanted to teach the latter clause: Rather, they would remove them and fold them, and then they would place them beneath their heads. Since the latter clause is referring specifically to sleeping, the tanna teaches in the former clause as well that the priests would not sleep dressed in the vestments.
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ€Φ·ΧΦΌ Χ§ΦΈΧ Χ§Φ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ·Χͺ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ β Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ! ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ.
The Gemara objects: But according to this interpretation, the mishna itself is difficult, as the mishna states: And they would place the priestly vestments beneath their heads, as a cushion. One may conclude from this statement that it is permitted to derive benefit from priestly vestments. The Gemara rejects this interpretation: Say that the mishna means that they would place the vestments next to their heads, not literally beneath them.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ€ΦΌΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ: ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦ·Χ β Χ©ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ°ΧΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ€Φ΅ΧΧ Χ’Φ²ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΧΦΌ.
Rav Pappa said: One may conclude from this interpretation of the mishna that if one places phylacteries by the side of his head while he sleeps, they are in a permitted place. And we are not concerned that perhaps he will roll over in his sleep and fall upon them, which would degrade the phylacteries.
ΧΦΈΧΦ΄Χ Χ ΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΄Χ‘Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧͺΦΌΦ° ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ·Χͺ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ, Χ Φ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ, ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧ§ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ‘ΦΌΧΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ!
The Gemara comments: So too, it is reasonable to say that the mishna permits the vestments to be placed only next to their heads. As, if you say that the mishna permits the vestments to be placed literally beneath their heads, this is difficult. Granted that it is permitted to derive benefit from them, but one could derive that it is prohibited to sleep upon them due to the prohibition of diverse kinds of wool and linen. The priestly vestments contain both wool and linen, which is a prohibited mixture in every other context. The Torah specifically permits the priests to wear them while they are performing the Temple service, but this does not extend to using the vestments as a cushion while sleeping.
ΧΦΈΧ Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅ΧΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΆΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅ΧΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ. ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅ΧΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΆΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΆΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅ΧΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ·Χ¨?
The Gemara explains the difficulty: If one maintains that the mishna permits the priests to place the vestments beneath their heads, this works out well according to the one who said that the belt of the High Priest is not the same as the belt of an ordinary priest. Although the belt of the High Priest was made of both wool and linen, the belt of ordinary priests, like the rest of their vestments, were made entirely of linen and did not contain diverse kinds. But according to the one who said that the belt of an ordinary priest is the same as the belt of the High Priest, what is there to say? Since the belt contained diverse kinds, how could the mishna possibly permit the priests to sleep upon their vestments?
ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ‘ΧΦΌΧ¨, ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ·ΧΦ° ΧͺΦΌΧΦΌΧͺΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ©ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ¨ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ: Χ΄ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦΆΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΆΧΧΦΈΧ΄ β ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ’ΧΦΉ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦΆΧΧΦΈ. ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ: ΧΦΈΧ‘ΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨Φ΅ΧΦ° Χ Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ·Χͺ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉ.
And if you would say that with regard to diverse kinds it is only placing the garment upon oneself or wearing it that is prohibited, but as for spreading it beneath you, it is permitted, this explanation is difficult. But isnβt it taught in a baraita: The verse states: βNeither shall there come upon you a garment of diverse kindsβ (Leviticus 19:19). One should infer as follows: But you may spread a garment of diverse kinds beneath you, in order to lie upon it. The baraita continues: This is the halakha by Torah law, but the Sages said that it is prohibited to do so, lest a single fiber wrap itself upon his flesh, which would cause him to be in transgression of the Torah prohibition. Accordingly, the priests should not be permitted to place vestments made of diverse kinds beneath their heads.
ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ€Φ°Χ‘Φ΅ΧΧ§ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΧΦΉΧ, ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ»Χ’Φ· ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄Χ, ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧ‘Φ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦΆΧ Χ©ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ Χ§Φ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ Χ§Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ©ΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧ©ΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ: ΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦΆΧ¨ ΧΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦΈΧ’ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΧΦΉ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΧΧΦΉ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦΈΧ‘ΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©ΧΦ·Χ Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ. ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ, Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧ Χ¨ΦΈΧΧ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΆΧ.
And if you would say that the priests could place the vestments beneath their heads in such a manner that something separates between their flesh and the vestments, as the fibers could not wrap themselves upon their flesh, such conduct would still be prohibited. Doesnβt Rabbi Shimon say that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says that Rabbi Yosei ben Shaul says in the name of the holy community in Jerusalem: Even if there are ten mattresses piled one atop the other and a garment of diverse kinds is placed beneath all of them, it is prohibited to sleep upon them? This is because the rabbinic decree applies equally to all cases, irrespective of whether the concern that motivated the decree exists. Rather, one may conclude from here that the mishna permits the vestments to be placed only next to their heads.
ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ. Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ§ΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ»Χ’Φ·: ΧΦΈΧ Χ Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ Φ·Χ¨ΦΆΧ©Χ β Χ©ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧ.
The Gemara suggests alternative solutions: And if you wish, say instead that the mishna does permit the priests to place the vestments beneath their heads, as it is referring to those vestments that do not contain diverse kinds. Rav Ashi says: The mishna permits the priests to place even the belt that contains diverse kinds beneath their heads. This is because the priestly vestments, and specifically the belt, are stiff, and therefore it is not prohibited to lie on them. As Rav Huna, son of Rabbi Yehoshua, said: This stiff felt [namta], which is manufactured in the city of Neresh and is made of diverse kinds, is permitted. The prohibition of diverse kinds applies only to items that are similar to garments, which one derives pleasure from wearing. A stiff garment does not provide warmth, and is therefore not included in this prohibition.
ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’: ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ, ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ¦Φ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ β ΧΦΈΧ‘ΧΦΌΧ¨. ΧΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ§Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©Χ, ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ’Φ·Χͺ Χ’Φ²ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ’Φ·Χͺ Χ’Φ²ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ β ΧΧΦΌΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ¨. ΧΦ΄Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ. Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌ.
The Gemara returns to discuss the earlier dilemma, of whether it is permitted to derive benefit from priestly vestments. Come and hear a baraita: With regard to the priestly vestments, the act of one who leaves the Temple dressed in them and goes out to the country, i.e., outside the Temple, is prohibited. But in the Temple, both at the time of the Temple service and not at the time of the service, wearing the vestments is permitted, as it is permitted to derive benefit from the priestly vestments. The Gemara concludes: One may conclude from the baraita that it is permitted to derive benefit from the priestly vestments.
ΧΦΌΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧ? ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦΉ β ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ‘Φ°Χ€ΦΌΦ·Χ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ Χ€ΦΌΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ§ Χ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦΌΦΉΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ Χ§ΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ³Χ΄?!
According to the baraita, the priestly vestments may not be worn outside the Temple. The Gemara asks: And is it not permitted to wear the priestly vestments in the rest of the country, outside the Temple? But isnβt it taught in a baraita, in connection with a date mentioned in Megillat Taβanit: On the twenty-first of Tevet, this is the day of Mount Gerizim, which was established as a festive day, and therefore it is not permitted to eulogize. This date was established as a festive day because the Temple was saved from destruction on that day, due to the actions of Shimon HaTzaddik, the High Priest, as it is related in tractate Yoma (69a), in the seventh chapter, which begins: The High Priest came close to read the Torah.
Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: Χ¨Φ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ.
The baraita relates that Shimon HaTzaddik went to greet Alexander the Macedonian wearing the priestly vestments. The Gemara in Yoma cites the complete baraita, up to the Gemaraβs explanation as to why Shimon HaTzaddik wore the priestly vestments outside the Temple: If you wish, say that Shimon HaTzaddik did not wear consecrated priestly vestments. Rather, he wore garments that were fit to be priestly vestments, i.e., they were made of the same material and design.
ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: Χ΄Χ’Φ΅Χͺ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΧ³ ΧΦ΅Χ€Φ΅Χ¨ΧΦΌ ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧͺΦΆΧΦΈΧ΄.
And if you wish, say instead that he did in fact wear consecrated priestly vestments. Although this is usually prohibited, in this instance it was permitted due to the principle: βIt is time to act for the Lord; they have nullified Your Torahβ (Psalms 119:126). In times of great need, such as when one seeks to prevent the destruction of the Temple, it is permitted to violate the halakha for the sake of Heaven, and the actions of Shimon HaTzaddik indeed averted the destruction.
ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨Φ·Χ’ Χ§ΦΆΧ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ [ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ³].
Β§ The mishna teaches (25b): If a seminal emission befell one of the priests and rendered him ritually impure, he would leave the Chamber of the Hearth and he would walk through the circuitous passage that extended beneath the Temple, as he could not pass through the Temple courtyard, due to his impurity.
ΧΦ°Χ‘Φ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΧ’ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΉΧ Χ Φ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ§Φ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌ. ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ·Χ Χ§ΦΆΧ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΦ· ΧΧΦΌΧ₯ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ ΧΦΉΧͺ.
The Gemara notes that this mishna supports the opinion of Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan, who says: The tunnels beneath the Temple Mount were not sanctified, neither with the sanctity of the Temple courtyard nor with the sanctity of the Temple Mount. The Gemara cites a related statement of Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan: A man who experienced a seminal emission is sent outside of two camps, the camp of the Divine Presence and the camp of the Levites. Accordingly, he may not remain in the Temple courtyard, which has the status of the camp of the Divine Presence, nor on the Temple Mount, which has the status of the camp of the Levites.
ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦ΅Χ¨ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ§Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ³. Χ¨Φ·Χ Χ‘ΦΈΧ€Φ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧͺΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ‘ΦΌΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ²ΧͺΦΈΧ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Χ Φ°ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ. ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ’ΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΈΧ¨!
The mishna teaches: And the lamps were burning on this side and on that side of the passageβ¦and there was a bathroom of honor in the Chamber of Immersion. This was its honor: If one found the door closed, he would know that there was a person there, and he would wait for him to exit before entering. The Gemara relates: Rav Safra was sitting in the bathroom when Rabbi Abba came along. Since there was no door, Rabbi Abba coughed outside to alert anyone within of his presence and thereby inquire whether he could enter. Rav Safra said to Rabbi Abba: Enter, Master, and Rabbi Abba therefore entered the bathroom.
ΧΦΌΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ€Φ΅ΧΧ§, ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ: Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΈΧ Χ‘Φ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ§Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ° ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ¨, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ° ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ¨?! ΧΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ Φ·Χ: ΧΦ°Χ¦ΦΈΧΧΦΉ Χ ΦΈΧ’ΧΦΌΧ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ’Φ· Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΅Χ©Χ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ! ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ’Φ·Χ!
When he came out, Rabbi Abba said to Rav Safra: Until now, although you have traveled widely, you have never entered Seir, the land of the Edomites, who behave immodestly. Nevertheless, you have learned the ways of Seir. Didnβt we learn this in the mishna: If one found the door closed, it was known that there was a person there, and one would wait for him to exit before entering. This serves to say that a person should not enter the bathroom while another person is inside. Therefore, Rav Safra should not have told Rabbi Abba to enter.
ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·Χ Χ‘ΦΈΧ€Φ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ Χ‘ΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ‘ΧΦΌΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΌΧ. ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ, Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨: Χ’Φ·ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ·ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ β ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ§ΦΈΧ, Χ‘Φ΄ΧΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ β ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΅Χ¨ΦΈΧ§ΧΦΉΧ.
The Gemara explains that Rav Safra told Rabbi Abba to enter because he thought: Perhaps Rabbi Abba is in danger. Rav Safra was concerned that if Rabbi Abba waited for him to exit, Rabbi Abba might jeopardize his health, as it was taught in a baraita that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: A column of feces that is held back, because one refrains from relieving himself, causes a person to suffer from edema [hidrokan]. A stream of urine that is held back causes a person to suffer from jaundice [yerakon].
ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ°, ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ Χ Φ·Χ€Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ°, ΧΦΌΧ§Φ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ. ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ Χ Φ·Χ€Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ° β ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ·Χ§. ΧͺΦΌΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ. ΧΦΌΦ·Χ‘ΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°Χ§ΧΦΌΧ.
Rav said to his son αΈ€iyya, and likewise Rav Huna said to his son Rabba: Relieve yourself when it gets dark, and relieve yourself before daybreak, even if you have no particular need to do so. The reason is that the streets are mostly empty at these times, and one can relieve himself near his home without concern that he might be seen. This is important, so that you will not have to relieve yourself during the day, when the streets are full, and you will be compelled to retain your feces while you distance yourself, which is liable to jeopardize your health. Furthermore, when relieving yourself, you should behave modestly. Sit down first and only then uncover yourself; afterward, cover yourself first and only then stand up.
Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ£ ΧΦΌΧ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄Χ. [Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ£] ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ. ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧͺΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ β Χ©ΧΦ°Χ€ΧΦΉΧΦ° ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ° ΧͺΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΆΧΦΈ.
With regard to drinking, these amoraβim instructed their sons: When you drink wine, rinse the cup first and only then drink from it; after you drink, rinse the cup and only then set it back in its place. But when you drink water, it is not necessary to rinse the cup afterward; rather, pour out some of the water to rinse the rim of the cup, and afterward you may give the cup to your student, if he wants to drink.
ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·Χ Φ°ΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ, ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ€Φ·ΧΦ° ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ. ΧΦΌΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ€Φ·ΧΦ° ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ, ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ, ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧͺΧΦΉ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ‘Φ°ΧΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ‘ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ Χ¨ΦΈΧ¦ΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧͺ, ΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χͺ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦΈΧΦΈΧ. ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧΦΌ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌ: ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΧΦΉ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ€Φ·ΧΦ° ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ. Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ°, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ€Φ΅ΧΧΦ° Χ§Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ β ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺ ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ·Χ€Φ°Χ§Φ΄ΧΧ¨ΧΦΌΧͺΦΈΧ.
As it is taught in a baraita: A person should not drink water and give the remaining water to his student, unless he first poured some of it out. And there was an incident involving a certain individual who drank water and did not pour some of it out, and he gave the cup to his student. And that student was a delicate person [istenis], and due to his sensitivity he did not want to drink from the cup, and he died of thirst. At that time, the Sages said: A person should not drink water and give the remaining water to his student unless he first poured some of it out. Rav Ashi said: Therefore, in the case of this student who pours water from the cup that his teacher drank from first, even if he does so in the presence of his teacher, his actions are not prohibited due to disrespect [afkiruta].
ΧΦΌΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ€Φ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ°, ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΄Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧ‘ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ€Φ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌ.
With regard to eating, these amoraβim instructed their sons: In the case of anything that you are eating, if the food causes you to salivate and you need to spit out the saliva, do not spit it out in the presence of your teacher, as it is disrespectful, except in the case of a dish of gourd or porridge. If one is eating gourds or porridge he may spit out the saliva even in the presence of his teacher, as the saliva generated by these items is like a molten bar of lead, and refraining from spitting it out would be dangerous.
ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ Φ·Χ ΧΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ: ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄Χͺ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ¨ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦΌΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨, ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΧΦΌΧ§ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ§ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦ°Χ€ΦΈΧ ΦΈΧΧ. ΧΦ°ΧΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΉ Χ’ΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΧΦΉ: Χ΄ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄Χͺ
Β§ We learned in a mishna elsewhere (Middot 1:2): The man [ish] in charge of overseeing the watches of the Temple Mount would circulate nightly among each and every watch post, to ascertain that the watchmen were awake and performing their duty properly. And there were lit torches carried before him, so that the watchmen would see him approaching. And at every watch post where the watchman would not stand up, the man would test whether the watchman was sleeping; and the man of the Temple Mount would say to him: