Menachot

There is here, however, a difficulty for R. Johanan!1 — Tannaim [differ in this matter], for it was taught: A man may bring [as first-fruits] what [is grown] on a roof or among ruins2 and also make the recital; but what [is grown] in a plant-pot and in a ship he may not bring at all. 3 ALL [OFFERINGS] MUST BE OFFERED FROM THE CHOICEST PRODUCE etc. Johana4 and Mamre4 said to Moses, ‘Wouldst thou carry straw to Hafaraim?’5 He answered them, ‘There is a common saying. "Bring herbs to Herbtown".’6 MISHNAH. ONE MAY NOT BRING [IT]7 FROM THE PRODUCE OF A MANURED FIELD8 OR FROM AN IRRIGATED FIELD9 OR FROM A FIELD STOCKED WITH TREES;10 BUT IF ONE DID BRING IT [FROM THESE] IT WAS VALID. HOW WAS IT11 PREPARED? IN THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS BROKEN UP AND IN THE SECOND YEAR IT WAS SOWN SEVENTY DAYS BEFORE PASSOVER; THUS IT WOULD PRODUCE FINE FLOUR IN ABUNDANCE. HOW WAS IT TESTED?12 THE TEMPLE-TREASURER USED TO THRUST HIS HAND INTO IT; IF SOME DUST CAME UP IN [HIS HAND] IT WAS INVALID, UNTIL IT WAS SIFTED [ONCE MORE]. IF IT HAD BECOME MAGOTTY IT IS INVALID. GEMARA. How WAS IT PREPARED? IN THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS BROKEN UP etc. The question was raised: What is meant by this? [Does it mean that] it was broken up in the first year and in the second year it was again broken up and then sown, or that it was broken up in the first year and in the second year it was sown without having been broken up again? — Come and hear: R. Jose said, They would have brought it13 even from the wheat of Karzaim14 and of Kefar Ahim15 if only they had been nearer to Jerusalem;16 since they may bring the ‘Omer-offering only from the fields in the south,17 and which had been broken up for the purpose, for upon these fields the sun rises and upon these the sun sets.18 How was [the field] prepared? In the first year it was broken up and in the second year it was ploughed twice, and it was sown seventy days before the Passover so that it might be close upon the [increasing strength of the] sun;19 thus it would bring forth stalks one span long and ears two spans long. It was then reaped, bound into sheaves, threshed, winnowed, cleansed, ground, and sifted, and then brought to the Temple-treasurer. The Temple-treasurer would thrust his hand into it; if some dust came up in his hand he would say to him [who brought it]. ‘Go and sift it a second time’ — In the name of R. Nathan it is said, The Temple-treasurer used to smear his hand with oil and thrust it into the flour until he had brought up all the dust.20 Now it expressly stated above, ‘[And in the second year] it was ploughed twice’!21 — But even as you would have it, [is not this Baraitha in conflict with our Mishnah]? For our Mishnah does not say ‘twice’, that what is grown in the hill-country or in the valleys is not consecrated as first-fruits! is a superior growth to that grown in the hill-country or in the valley. name of Jannes and Jambres. V. J. E. VIII, p. 71. where apparently there was a plentiful supply of straw, and so it became proverbial to describe wasted efforts as ‘carrying straw to Hafaraim’. (Cf. to carry coals to Newcastle’). As Egypt was reputed to be a land of magic and sorcery these magicians thus taunted Moses when he performed his wonders before the Pharaoh. of the crops. quality. this sentence, since wheat is expressly mentioned and wheat was not offered in the ‘Omer-offering but barley. On the other hand, it might very well be that the word ‘hyhj, translated wheat, is part of the name of the place, the whole being a compound place-name ohhzrf hyhj V. Tosaf. s.v. iht. Luke X, 13). V. Neubauer Geographie p. 220. Capernaum. V. Neubauer p. 221. similar good quality in places nearer Jerusalem that must be used. second year.