Yoma

Don't [you agree] that this refers to those who had obtained part in the day's services by the count?1 — R. Shesheth said: No, it refers to those who had not obtained part in the day's service by the count.2 Thus also does it appear provable by logic. For, if it were to refer to those who were allotted part in the service by count, how could it be stated that they left them the breeches only; surely it has been taught: Whence do we know that nothing may be put on before the breeches? To teach us that it says:3 And breeches of linen shall be on his flesh.4 — And the other?5 — This is no difficulty: This is what it teaches: Whilst they still wore the common clothes, they put on the holy breeches, after that they removed the common clothes and left them with the [holy] breeches. Said R. Shesheth: Whence do I hold my view? From what has been taught: The Cell of the Hewn Stone6 was [built] in the style of a large basilica. The count took place in the eastern side, with the elder7 sitting in the west, and the priests in the form of a spiral figure. The officer came and took the mitre from the head of one of them. One would know then that the count would start from him.8 Now, if the thought should arise that the priests [came to the count] in common garment — is there a mitre in common dress? — Yes, there is, as Rab Judah or, as some say, R. Samuel b. Judah reported: A priest for whom his mother made a tunic, could officiate therein at an individual [not community] service.9 Abaye said: We can infer from this the Cell of Hewn Stone was [situated] half on holy ground, half on non-holy ground; that the Cell had two doors, one opening on holy ground, the other opening on non — holy ground. For, if the thought should arise in you that the whole of it was on holy ground — how could the elder sit to the west; has not a Master10 said: Nobody could sit in the Temple Court except the kings of the House of David.11 Furthermore, if you could think that the whole cell was outside holy ground, how could the count take place on its eastern side, is it not required: ‘In the house of God we walked with the throng’12 and this would not be [the house of God]! Hence [the inference is valid]: It is half on holy ground, half on non-holy ground. And if the thought should arise in you that the Cell has but one door opening on holy ground, how could the elder sit to the west, and we have learnt: If the cells are built on non-holy ground and open on holy ground the space within them is holy.13 And if the thought should arise in you that it opened into unholy ground how could the count take place in the eastern part [of the Cell];14 have we not learnt: If they are built on holy ground and open out on non-holy ground, their space within is non-holy, hence you must needs say: the Cell had two doors, one opening on holy ground, the other on non-holy ground. MISHNAH. THE SECOND COUNT:15 WHO SHOULD SLAUGHTER [THE DAILY REGULAR OFFERING],16 WHO SHOULD SPRINKLE THE BLOOD, WHO SHOULD REMOVE THE ASHES FROM THE INNER ALTAR,17 WHO SHOULD REMOVE THE ASHES FROM THE CANDLESTICK,18 WHO SHOULD TAKE UP TO THE RAMP THE LIMBS [OF THE OFFERING], THE HEAD AND THE [RIGHT]19 HIND-LEG, THE TWO FORELEGS, THE TAIL AND THE [LEFT]19 HIND-LEG, THE BREAST AND THE THROAT,20 THE TWO FLANKS,21 THE INWARDS, FINE FLOUR,22 THE CAKES23 AND THE WINE.24 ALTOGETHER THIRTEEN PRIESTS OBTAINED A TASK.25 BEN AZZAI SAID BEFORE R. AKIBA IN THE NAME OF JOSHUA: IT [THE DAILY OFFERING] WAS OFFERED UP IN THE WAY IT WALKS.26 GEMARA. The question was asked: When they take the count, do they do so for one service or for each individual task? — Come and hear: Four counts were there.27 Now if the thought should arise in you that there was a separate count for each task, there would be need of many counts! — R. Nahman b. Isaac said: This is what [the Mishnah] means: Four times they went in for counting, and on each occasion there were many counts. xystus’ on the western border of the Temple mount. For the refutation of this view, V. Krauss. J.E. XII, 576.] against which II Sam. VII, 18: Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord. task, his neighbour's right hand neighbour the third, etc. obtained from the outer altar. The ashes which remained were removed next day. They could be removed by a common priest even on the Day of Atonement. regular sacrifice. Lev. VI, 13; Shek. VII, 6. and inwards, three, taking up the flour and wine-offerings. and right hind-leg, then breast and neck, then the two fore-legs, then the two flanks, the tail and the left hind-leg.