Shabbat

also, the clasps in the loops  looked like stars [set] in the sky. Our Rabbis taught: The lower curtains [were made] of blue [wool], purple [wool]. crimson thread and fine linen,  whilst the upper ones were of goats' [hair] manufacture; and greater wisdom [skill] is mentioned in connection with the upper than in connection with the lower. For whereas of the lower ones it is written, And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands;  in reference to the upper ones it is written, And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats;  and it was taught in R. Nehemiah's name: It was washed [direct] on the goats and spun on the goats. IF THERE ARE TWO BALCONIES, etc. Rab said in R. Hiyya's name: As for the waggons, beneath them, between them, and at their sides it was public ground. Abaye said: Between one waggon and another [as its side] there was [the space of] a full waggon. length. And how much was a waggon-length? five cubits. Why was it [this length] necessary: four and a half would have sufficed?  — So that the boards should not press [against each other]. Raba said: The sides of the waggon  equalled the fit [internal] breadth of the waggon, and how much was the [internal] breadth of the waggon? Two cubits and a half.  Why was this necessary: a cubit and a half would have sufficed?  — In order that the boards should not jump about.  Then as to what we have as an established fact that the path [width] of public ground must be sixteen cubits: since we learn it from the Tabernacle,  surely [the public ground] of the Tabernacle was [only] fifteen? — There was an additional cubit where a Levite stood, so that if the boards slipped he would support them. MISHNAH. AS FOR THE BANK OF A CISTERN,  AND A ROCK, WHICH ARE TEN [HANDBREADTHS] HIGH AND FOUR IN BREATH,  IF ONE REMOVES [AUGHT] FROM THEM OR PLACES [AUGHT] UPON THEM, HIS IS CULPABLE;  IF LESS THAN THIS, HE IS NOT CULPABLE. GEMARA. Why state, THE BANK OF A CISTERN, AND A ROCK: let him [the Tanna] state, 'A cistern and a rock'?  [Hence] this supports R. Johanan, who said: A cistern together with the bank thereof combine to [give a height of] ten [handbreadths].  It was taught likewise: As for a cistern In public ground ten [handbreadths] deep and four broad [square]. We may not draw [water] from it on the Sabbath,