Keritot

as a dessert for his meal. It was said that as long as he lived never was there nothar1 in the Temple. The third cry: Lift up your heads, O ye gates. and let Elishama the son of Pikai,2 the disciple of Phinehas,3 enter and serve in the [office of the] High Priesthood. The fourth cry: Open, O ye gates, and cause Issachar of Kefar Barkai to depart hence, for he honours himself and treats with contempt the Divine sacrifices. What used he to do? He used to wrap silk over his hands and thus perform the service.4 What was his fate?5 Once king Jannai and his queen were sitting [at a meal]. The king said, ‘Goat's flesh is best’, but the queen said, ‘Lamb is best’. They said, ‘Let us ask Issachar of Kefar Barkai, who is the High Priest and offers sacrifices daily; so he ought to know’.6 They [called him and] asked him; whereupon he replied. ‘If goat's flesh were best let it be offered for the daily sacrifice’.7 As he spoke he waved his hand [in contempt]. Then said the king, ‘Since he waved his hand [in contempt of our royal persons] let his right hand be cut off’. He, however, gave a bribe and they cut off his left hand. When the king heard this he said, ‘Cut off his right hand too’. Rab Joseph said: Blessed be the Merciful One who paid out to Issachar of Kefar Barkai his due [in this world]! Rab Ashi said: He8 had not studied the Mishnah, for we have learnt: LAMBS COME BEFORE GOATS IN ALL PLACES. YOU MIGHT THINK THAT IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE CHOICER, THEREFORE SCRIPTURE STATED, AND IF HE BRING A LAMB AS HIS SIN-OFFERING, TO TEACH THAT BOTH ARE EQUAL. Rabina said: He had not studied even Scripture, for it is written, If [he brings] a lamb ... And if [his offering be] a goat.9 R. Eleazar said in the name of R. Hanina:10 The disciples of the Sages increase peace in the world, as it is said, And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children11 . Read not ‘thy children’ [banayik], but ‘thy builders’12 [bonayik]. showed contempt for the Divine sacrifices. whole passage see Pes. (Sonc. ed) pp. 285-6 and notes. preserve the peace of the world.