Ketubot

May vessels of ministry  be procured  with the offerings consecrated to Temple repair? Are these [a part of] the equipment  of the altar and were, therefore,  purchased  with the offerings consecrated to Temple repair, or are they rather among the requirements of the sacrifices and were, therefore, procured  with the Temple funds? — 'They'. the other  replied, 'may be procured  with the Temple funds only'. He raised an objection against him; And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money  before the King and Jehoiada,  whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels wherewith to minister  etc. — The other  replied: He that taught you the Hagiographa did not teach you the Prophets: But there were not made for the hose of the Lord cups  etc. for they gave that to them that did the work.  But if so, is there not a contradiction between the two Scriptural texts? — There is really no contradiction. The former is a case  where after the collections were made [for Temple repair] there remained a balance,  while the latter  is a case where no balance remained.  But even if there was a balance after the Collection had been made, what of it?  R. Abbahu replied: Beth din make a mental  Stipulation that if they  be required they should be utilized for their original purpose  and that if [they would] not [be required] they should be [spent] on vessels of ministry. A Tanna of the school of R. Ishmael taught: Vessels of ministry were provided  from the Temple funds; for it is said in Scriptures The rest of the money,  now what funds shewed a balance?  Obviously  the Temple funds.  But might it not be suggested that only the balance itself [could be spent on the vessels of ministry]?  — As Raba said,  The burnt-offering  implies the first burnt-offering,  so must the money  imply the first money.  An objection was raised: The incense and all congregational sacrifices were provided  from the Temple funds; the golden altar,  the frankincense  and the vessels of ministry were provided from the residue of the drink-offerings;  the altar for the burnt-offerings,  the chambers and the courts were provided from the funds that were dedicated for Temple repair, [and whatever was situated] outside the court walls  was provided out of the surplus of the Temple funds;  and it is this that [explains what] we learned: The city wall and its towers and all other requirements of the city were provided from the surplus of the Temple funds?  — This [point  is in fact a question at issue between] Tannaim. For we learned: What were they doing  with the surplus of the offerings [for the Temple funds]?  Beaten gold [plates that served as] a covering for [the walls and floor]  of the Holy of Holies. R. Ishmael said: The surplus of the fruit  [was spent on the purchase of sacrifices] for the dry season  of the altar, while the surplus of the offerings [for the Temple funds] was spent upon vessels of ministry. R. Akiba said: The surplus of the offerings [for the Temple funds was spent on sacrifices] for the dry season of the altar while the surplus of the drink-offerings  was used for [the purchase of] the vessels of ministry. R. Hanina, the deputy High Priest, said: The surplus of the drink-offerings [was spent on sacrifices] for the dry season of the altar, while the surplus of the offerings [for the Temple funds was spent] on vessels of ministry. And neither the one nor the other  admitted that [there ever was a surplus] in the [proceeds of the] fruit. What is [meant by] 'fruit'?  — It was taught: What were they doing with the surplus of the offering [to the Temple funds]?  They bought fruit at a low price and sold it at a higher price, and with the profits sacrifices were purchased for the dry season of the altar; and it is this that [explains what] we learned: The surplus of the fruits was spent on sacrifices for the dry season of the altar. What is meant by 'neither the one nor the other admitted that [there ever was a surplus] in [proceeds of the] fruit'?  — [The following of] which we learned: What were they doing with the surplus  of the Temple funds? They purchased therewith wines, oils and various kinds of fine flour, and the profit [resulting was credited] to the sacred funds; so R. Ishmael. R. Akiba said: No sale for profit is made with the sacred funds nor out of those of the poor.  Why [may no sales for profit be made] with sacred funds? — There must be no poverty where there is wealth. Why [is] no [sale for profit made] with the poor funds? — Because a poor man might come unexpectedly and there would be nothing to give him. IF A MAN WENT TO A COUNTRY BEYOND THE SEA. It was stated: Rab ruled,