Yoma

plaited of blue.1 And one may infer from the analogy of ‘blue’, used also in connection with the curtain, just as there [each of the materials had its threads]2 sixfold, so also sixfold here.3 But let us infer from the skirt and the pomegranates, just as there it was eightfold thus also here eightfold? — One may infer for one garment from another, but one may not infer for a garment from an adornment to a garment. On the contrary! One may infer concerning a matter from the matter itself,4 but one may not infer for a thing from something outside thereof. For that reason we said:5 One, to inform us concerning other garments in connection with which ‘shesh’ is not used. The curtain twenty-fourfold. Four [strands of material] each of sixfold [threads], there being here neither controversy nor decision.6 Whence do we know that [each twined thread of] breast-plate and apron was twenty-eightfold? Because it is written: And thou shalt make a breast-plate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue and purple, and scarlet and fine twined linen7 — four kinds of material, each sixfold, amount to twenty-four threads, and of the gold, one thread to each of the sixfold threads of the four materials, four [threads], together twenty-eightfold [twine]. Perhaps the gold too was sixfold? — R. Aha b. Jacob said: Scripture said: And they [did beat the gold into thin plates and] cut it into threads — that means four.8 R. Ashi said: Scripture states: To work it in the blue and in the purple.9 How should that be done? Shall one make [the gold] four times in twofold, that would amount to eight [fold gold threads]! Shall one make it twice twofold and twice a one single thread? — Surely the word ‘make’ indicates that all the work in connection therewith must be alike! Rehaba said in the name of R. Judah: One who makes a tear in priestly garments is to be punished with lashes, for Scripture said: That it be not rent.10 R. Aha b. Jacob demurred to this: Perhaps this is what the Divine Law Says: Make a hem lest it be torn?11 — But is it written: Lest it be torn? R. Eleazar said: One who removes the breast-plate from the apron, or who removes the staves of the ark receives the punishment of lashes, because it was said: That it be not loosed from the ephod,12 and [the staves] they shall not be removed from it.13 — To this R. Aha b. Jacob demurred: But perhaps this is what the Divine Law says: Fasten them and arrange them properly [by forcing the chords through the ring], so that they ‘be not loosed’, or that they ‘be not removed’? — Is it written: ‘that they be not loosed’ or ‘that they be not removed’? R. Jose b. Hanina pointed out a contradiction. It is written: The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it,12 and it is also written: The staves thereof shall be put into the rings.14 How is that possible? They were movable, but could not slip off.15 Thus also was it taught: ‘The staves shall be in the rings of the ark’. One might have assumed that they could not be moved from their place. Therefore the text reads: ‘And the staves thereof shall be put into the rings’. If I had this verse [to go by] one might have assumed that they could be taken out and put in again. Therefore the text says: ‘the staves shall be in the rings of the ark’. How that now? They were movable but could not slip off. R. Hama b. Hanina said: What is the meaning of the verse: [Thou shalt make the boards of the tabernacle] of acacia wood, standing up,16 i.e., they should stand up, even as they grow.17 Another interpretation: ‘Standing up — i.e., they kept up [the gold] they were overlaid with.18 Another interpretation: ‘Standing up’ — one might assume; Their hope [of restoration] is gone,19 their expectation is frustrated, therefore the text says: ‘Standing up, i.e., standing up for ever and ever. Rabbi Hama b. Hanina said: What is the meaning of the text: The plaited suggestion-four. transgressions as with any other not otherwise specified offence, incur punishment of lashes. punishment by lashing. which implies contradiction.