Chagigah

You have made it right for his master,1 but you have not made it right for himself2 He may not marry a bondwoman, nor may he marry a freewoman.3 Should he abstain [from marriage]? But then was not the world created only for propagation?4 as it is said:5 ‘He created it not a waste, He formed it to be inhabited’. For the sake of the social order,6 therefore, his master must be compelled to set him free, and the latter must give him a bond for the half of his value. Thereupon Beth Hillel retracted and gave their ruling in accordance with the view of Beth Shammai. EXCEPT A DEAF MAN [HERESH], AN IMBECILE AND A MINOR etc. [Our Mishnah] speaks of HERESH similarly as of the IMBECILE and MINOR: just as the IMBECILE and MINOR lack understanding, so HERESH [means] one that lacks understanding. This teaches us in accordance with that which we have learnt:7 ‘Wherever the Sages speak of HERESH,8 [it means] one who can neither hear nor speak.9 This [would imply] that he who can speak but not hear,10 hear but not speak is obligated.11 We have [thus] learnt that which our Rabbis taught.12 One who can speak but not hear is termed HERESH: one who can hear but not speak is termed Illem [dumb]; both of these are deemed sensible in all that relates to them. And whence [is it deduced] that one who can speak but not hear is termed Heresh, and one who can hear but not speak is termed ‘Illem? — For it is written: But I am as Heresh [a deaf man], I hear not,’ and I am as Illem [a dumb man] that openeth not his mouth.13 Alternatively, I could explain: As people say, 14 His words have been taken away.15 ‘One that can speak but not hear, hear but not speak is obligated’. But surely it is taught: One that can speak but not hear, hear but not speak is exempt!16 — Said Rabina, and according to others, Raba: [Our Mishnah] is defective and should read thus: All are bound to appear [at the Temple] and to rejoice,17 except a Heresh that can speak but not hear, [or] hear but not speak, who is exempt from appearing [at the Temple];18 but though he is exempt from appearing, he is bound to rejoice. One, however, that can neither hear nor speak,19 an imbecile and a minor are exempt even from rejoicing, since they are exempt from all the precepts stated in the Torah,20 Likewise it is also taught: All are bound to appear [at the Temple] and to rejoice, except a Heresh that can speak but not hear, [or] hear but not speak, who is exempt from appearing; but though he is exempt from appearing right at all for his master’; because the latter loses any possible share of the offspring. XXIII, 18 and Targum Onkelos a.l. precaution for the general good’. implication, with our Mishnah, which puts only a deaf-mute in the same category as an imbecile. 109a. Heresh that can either speak or hear, who must ‘rejoice’, though he is exempt from visiting the Temple; (b) the complete Heresh, who is exempt from both. entire range of Jewish teaching, both study and practice.