Ketubot

Because of accounts.  Said Abaye to him: And are accounts of a religious nature forbidden?  Surely R. Hisda and R. Hamnuna both said: Accounts of a religious nature, one is allowed to calculate them on Sabbath; and R. Eleazar said: One may assign charity to the poor on Sabbath; and R. Jacob said [that] R. Johanan said: One may go to synagogues and to schoolhouses to watch over public affairs  on Sabbath; and R. Jacob the son of Idi said [that] R. Johanan said: One may do any work to save a life  on Sabbath; and R. Samuel the son of Nahmani said [that] R. Jonathan said: One may go to theatres and circuses  to watch over public affairs on Sabbath; and [a scholar] of the school of Menashia taught: One may negotiate about the girls to be betrothed on Sabbath  and about a boy to teach him the book  and to teach him a trade? — But, said R. Zera, it has been prohibited  lest he might slaughter a fowl.  Said Abaye to him: But if this were so, then the Day of Atonement which fell on the second day of the week should be postponed  for fear  lest he might slaughter a fowl?  — There,  that [he has to prepare only] for himself he is not troubled [so much],  [but] here,  that [he has to prepare] for others,  he is troubled.  Or: there, he has an interval,  [but] here, he has no interval.  Now that you have come so far,  the eve of Sabbath  also is prohibited  for fear lest he might slaughter a fowl. The question was asked:  [Does the Mishnah mean:] A maiden is married on the fourth day [of the week], and the intercourse takes place on the fourth day, and we are not afraid that he might be pacified?  Or perhaps [the meaning is] a maiden is married on the fourth day [of the week], and the intercourse takes place on the fifth day  because we are afraid that he might be pacified? — Come and hear: Bar-Kappara taught: A maiden is married on the fourth day [of the week] and the intercourse takes place on the fifth day  because on it [the fifth day] the blessing for the fishes was pronounced.  A widow is married on the fifth day [of the week] and the intercourse takes place on the sixth day  because on it [the sixth day] was pronounced the blessing for man.  [We thus see that] the reason is on account of the blessing, but as to [his] being pacified we are not afraid. If so,  [in the case of] a widow also the intercourse should take place on the fifth day [of the week], because on it [the fifth day] was pronounced the blessing for the fishes?  — The blessing for man is better for him.  Or on account of 'they have watched,'  for it has been taught: Why did they  say [that] a widow is married on the fifth day [of the week] and the intercourse takes place on the sixth day? Because, if you will say that the intercourse should take place on the fifth day, in the morning  he will rise and go to his work;  therefore the Sages watched over the welfare  of the daughters of Israel that he should rejoice with her  three days, [namely] on the fifth day of the week,  on the eve of Sabbath  and [on] Sabbath.  What is the difference between 'the blessing' and 'they have watched'?  The difference is this:  [in the case of] a man of leisure,  or [in the case] when a festival falls on the eve of Sabbath. Bar-Kappara expounded: The work of the righteous  is greater than the work  of heaven and earth, for in [regard to] the creation of heaven and earth it is written, Yea, My hand hath laid the foundation, of the earth, and My right hand hath spread out the heavens,  while in [regard to] the work of the hands of the righteous it is written, The place which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, O Lord, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.  Replied  one Babylonian, and R. Hiyya [was] his name: [It is written.] And the dry land his hands formed?  — It is [to be] written, 'His hand'.  But it is written, they formed?  — Said R. Nahman b. Isaac: 'His fingers formed,'  as it is written. When I behold Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast established. An objection was raised: [It is written,] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the work of His hands the firmament shows?  — Thus he said:  The handiwork  of the righteous, who shews [it]?  The firmament. And what is it? Rain. Bar-Kappara [also] expounded: What [is the meaning of what] is written. And thou shalt have a peg among thy implements?  Do not read,  thy implements,  but 'upon thy ear';  [this means to say] that if a man hears an unworthy thing