Babylonian Talmud

Rodkinson 1918 — source 8, scan section 3

and milk. To what the day of rain is equal in importance. The different explanations of the interpretation of the passage Eccles. x. 10. Come and see how great are the men who have faith (see footnote, pp. 18, 19). When there are famine and pestilence what shall be prayed for ? The explanation of the passage " thou shalt truly tithe." When Aaron died the pillar of cloud left, etc. What happened to the disciples of Rabha when he died ? About the measurements of the Gehenna and the Garden of Eden, . 7-24 MiSHNAS III. to V. From what time in fall must rain be prayed and fasted for if it has not descended ? The punishment of one who leaves the congregation when the latter is in trouble, in order to avoid it. What means the " God of truth." Who is called a sinner when he fasteth ? Is a fast of hours considered ? Until what time may food be partaken of on the day preceding the fast ? If fast-days pass without answer, what shall be done ? What would the elders do when they assembled in the morning ? The query to Rabbi by the inhabitants of Nineveh. Not every one has a right to rend his clothes (when praying) 24-35 CHAPTER II. Mishna I. What is the order of procedure on the fast-days ? What has happened to Halaphta and Hanina b. Teradion ? About the days that are mentioned in the "Roll of Fasts." On what days of the week the order of fasts may begin. Why do they congregate in an open place ? Why are ashes strewn on the heads of all ? Who has a right to address the congre- * See introduction to synopsis in Tract Sabbath, Vol. I., p. xxix.; also note at end of synopsis in Vol. V. xlv SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECTS. gation ? What the reader has to say to each benediction. The strife carried on between the Pharisees and Bathusees concerning the continual daily offering (see footnote, p. 44). Has one to complete his fast if rain de- scends ? 36-46 CHAPTER III. MlSHNA I. On what fast-days an alarm must be sounded. What hap- pened to Honi Hama'gel and what message Simeon b. Shetah sent to him. What is considered a plague causing death ? What price must grain reach in order to arrange a fast ? The legend of Nakdimon b. Gurion when he borrowed water from a heathen. For the sake of Moses, Joshua, and Nakdi- mon the sun shone. The good things that R. Huna did, and what Rabha had to say to this. Concerning the sickness of Shaibatha. The legend of Hilpha and Johanan when they studied together, and what they heard of the angels. What happened to Na'hum of Gimzo, and the legend about it. The men who have a share in the world to come, who were pointed out by Elijah (the prophet) to Beroka of Huzaah. An alarm should be sounded over attacks of wild beasts, etc. For a pest an alarm should be sounded even on a Sabbath. What is meant by the passage Levit. xxvi. 4. The legend about Honi Hama'gel at length, and how he slept seventy years. The legend about Abba Helkyah, his grandson, and also of Hanan the Hidden, who was a grandson of his daughter. How the Amoraim of Palestine prayed for rain and how those of Babylon did. What happened to Oshiya, the youngest of the college, with the Nasi when he had ordered a fast-day. The merits of the men who have prayed for rain in the presence of Rabbi and Rabh (at different places) and were answered at once. Legends about different Amoraim who have prayed for rain that were or were not answered. The legend at length of Hanina b. Dosa, his wife, etc. How much rain should fall in order that the congregation should stop fasting? What happened with Samuel the Little when he ordered a fast, .... 46-77 CHAPTER IV. MlSHNA I. The periods of the year at which the priests shall raise their hands for prayer. When the standing men used to fast. The days when Hal- lel was sung. The five calamities that happened on the seventeenth of Tamuz and those on the ninth of Ab. What is prohibited during the week of the ninth of Ab. The festivals of the fifteenth of Ab and the Day of Atone- ment. The twenty-four watches which were in the land of Israel. How many watches were established by Moses, and how many by David. What did the men of the watches pray for ? Who were the Gonebe Eli and Kotze Ketzioth (see note, p. 84)? Who were the family of Pa'hath Moab ben Jehudah, etc. ? Whence do we know that the five calamities have happened on the seventeenth of Tamuz ? Whence do we know that the second Temple was also burned on the ninth of Ab ? Also that the city of Bethar was con- quered on that day ? What is allowed to eat on the afternoon of the eve of the ninth of Ab ? Which ordinance of mourning is applicable to the ninth of Ab? The custom of Jehudah bar Ilai on the night preceding the ninth ot Ab. What occurrence makes the fifteenth of Ab a festival ? What Elazar has to say about the ring of righteousness that the Holy One, blessed be He, will make in the future in the Garden of Eden, . . . 78-92 TRACT TAANITH (FASTING). CHAPTER I. REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE TIME WHEN MENTION IS MADE OF RAIN IN THE DAILY PRAYER, WHEN RAIN IS TO BE PRAYED FOR, WHEN FAST-DAYS ARE ORDERED ON WHICH TO PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR RAIN, AND THE CHARACTER OF SUCH DAYS OF MOURNING. MISHNA: From what time should the power manifested in the descent of rain be commenced to be mentioned (in the daily prayer)? R. Eliezer said : " From the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles." R. Jehoshua, however, said : " From the last day of that festival." " For," said he to R. Eliezer, " since rain on the Feast of Tabernacles is considered unpropitious, why should it be mentioned in the prayers?" And R. Eliezer answered: " I do not mean to say that rain should be prayed for, but only that it should be mentioned with the words, ' He causeth the wind to blow, and the rain to descend in its proper time.' " " If so," rejoined R. Jehoshua, " such mention might be made at all seasons of the year." Prayers for rain should not be said sooner than shortly before the commencement of the rainy season. R. Jehudah said : " The last of the ministers of the congregation who on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles officiates at the reading-desk should mention the rain, but not he who officiates first. On the first day of Passover, the minister who officiates first (at the morning prayer) should still mention it, but not he who officiates last (at the Additional Service)." GEMARA : Whence does the Tana of this Mishna adduce that the rain must be mentioned or prayed for at all (in the daily prayer), that he commences by saying : " From what time should it be mentioned " ? He adduces this from the Mishna in Tract Rosh-Hashana (New Year) where he has learned that on the Feast of Tabernacles judgment is passed concerning rain, and 2 THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD.