Parallel
מנחות 40:1
Soncino English Talmud · Berean Standard Bible
Our Rabbis taught: A linen garment is, according to Beth Shammai, exempt from zizith; but Beth Hillel declare it liable. The halachah is in accordance with Beth Hillel. R. Eliezer son of R. Zadok said, Is it not a fact that any one in Jerusalem who attaches blue threads [to his linen garment] causes amazement? Rabbi said, If that is so, why did they forbid it? Because people are not versed in the law. Raba son of R. Hanan said to Raba, Then let ten people insert it and let them go about in the market place and so the law will be made known to all! People will wonder at it all the more. Then let it be announced at the public lecture! — It is to be feared that people will use imitation blue. But it is no worse than if it were white! — Since one could use threads of the same material [as the garment], it is not [allowed to do otherwise]; this being in accordance with Resh Lakish's view, for Resh Lakish said, Wherever you find a positive precept and a negative precept [in opposition], if you can possibly observe both, well and good, otherwise let the positive precept come and override the negative one. But it can be examined, can it not? — Rather we apprehend that it may have been used for testing. But it can be announced on public notices, can it not? — And are we to rely upon public notices? Whereupon Raba said, If
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