Babylonian Talmud

Rodkinson 1918 — source 1, scan section 8

cover the same subject, a single synopsis is given of the whole, including the Gemara of each one ; and where a chapter is short and has but one subject, a synopsis of the whole chapter is made, without dividing it into Mishnas. This is the best that can be done, and it is hoped that readers wiU find it satisfactory. CHAPTER I. Mishna /. Regulations concerning prohibited and permitted acts of transfer over the dividing line of adjoining premises and the area of such premises ; the classification of premises ; in which premises transfer is per- mitted ; laws of transfer of labor, when committed by the joint efforts of two persons ; transfer from and to doorsteps, 1-13 Mishna //. Whether work may be commenced at the approach of the time for afternoon prayer ; what kind of work is referred to ; how a man should pray ; what he must wear ; when he may eat his midday meal ; the xxix XXX SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECTS. informing of the bestowal of gifts ; Sabbath as a valuable gift of God and its origin ; various legends of Rabha bar Ma'hassia in the name of Rabh, 13-19 MiSHNA ///. Tailors and other artisans are not permitted to go out with their tools on Friday near eventide. Treats also on whether one may read by lamplight on the Sabbath ; the laws of visiting the sick ; what prayers may be offered for the sick, 19-22 MiSHNAS IV. TO VI. How the eighteen famous ordinances were in- stituted in the attic of Hananya ben Hyzkiyah ben Gorion, and by whom the Roll of Fasts was written. Which acts of labor may be commenced on Friday eve ; concerning labor which is accomplished without assistance of man on Sabbath ; laws concerning labor which is accomplished without assistance of man on Sabbath ; laws concerning work given to Gentiles. Narrative of R. Simeon ben Gamaliel concerning how his father's house dealt with Gentile clothes-washers. On transmission of letters and journey- ing on ships on the Sabbath. Regulations pertaining to the roasting of meats and baking of bread before the Sabbath ; the sacrifices at the Temple on the Passover. Appendix to p. 8, 22-30 CHAPTER II. MiSHNAS /. AND //. Permissible and non-permissible oils and wicks for lamps on the Sabbath and 'Hanukah (feast of Maccabbees) ; the law of the 'Hanukah lights ; 'Hanukah and the miracle ; the duration of 'Hanukah ; benedictions to be said on that festival ; the reward of those who keep the Sabbath-light commandment ; the reward of those who esteem scholarship. The second Mishna treats on : What balsams may and may not be used both for light and for the person on the Sabbath ; a narrative of a woman who hated her daughter-in-law ; who may be called a rich man, . 31-42 MiSHNAS ///. TO V. What wicks made from parts of trees may be used ; whether broken vessels may be used for fuel on a biblical feast day ; what may be done with the residue of oil left in a lamp ; practical laws of egg-shells and whether chairs may be dragged on the floor on Sabbath. The different opinions of R. Eliezer and R. Aqiba concerning the defile- ment of a piece of cloth, and if it is allowed to make a wick of it. What happened with R. Jehudah in the Hall of Beth Nitza and with Abhin of Ziphoris, who committed certain acts which were not allowed, in the presence of the sages 42-48 MiSHNA VI. Whether a light may be extinguished on Sabbath either for fear of accident or to afford rest for the sick ; the question asked R. Tan'hum of Nav and his replying sermon ; the soul being called the " Light of God " ; the intended concealment of the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes ; the Shekhina (divine presence) not resting with a man except through his joy of having performed a good deed ; Rabha's custom when commencing his lec- tures to his disciples. R. Gamaliel's sermon and answers to the disciple who derided him. The story of the three proselytes rejected by Shamai and accepted by Hillel. " What is hateful to thee, do not unto thy neighbor ; that is the law. All else is but a commentary." The six sections of the Mishna are inferred from a biblical passage. The first thing asked of a man SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECTS. xxxi when standing- before the divine judgment is, "Hast thou traded in good faith ?" The " Fear of the Lord " is the chief principle. The wicked fear death, although mentioning it every day, ..... 48-53 MiSHNAS VII. AND VIII. The sins of women are passed upon when confined in childbirth, the sins of men while in danger. A good deed is committed through the agency of a meritorious person and a bad deed through the agency of the wicked ; all who are about to die must repent of their sins ; the defenders of man before divine judgment are repentance and good deeds. A thousandth part of one defender saves a man from the clanger threatened him by a thousand accusers. The penalties imposed upon man for hating without cause ; for robbery ; for perverting or pro- crastinating justice ; for destroying the law ; for murder ; for adultery ; for idolatry; for using obscene language. The story of R. Simeon ben Johai, who remained in a cave for twelve years. The causes leading up to his concealment in the cave ; his adventures after leaving the cave. The three things to be said by a man in his house on Friday eve ; how they are to be said ; when twilight takes place ; how many signals of the horn were blown to remind the people of the advent of the Sabbath. Is there a difference between a shophar and a fife ?, 53-62 CHAPTER III. MiSHNAS / AND //. In which hearths or ovens victuals may be depos- ited on the Sabbath. The opinions of the school of Hilkl and the school of Shamai concerning the same ; the different opinions upon the teaching of the two schools. Victuals having once been taken out of an oven, would it be allowed to replace them ? The law concerning a pot of victuals which had been forgotten and was thus cooked on the Sabbath. Usages of R. Jose on his way to Zipporah, and of R. Jchudah Hanassi when travelling. A narrative of R. Ishai while in the presence of R. Hyya the Great. The differ- ence in law between an oven and a hearth ; also, difference arising from an oven or a hearth being heated with straw or with wood, etc., . 63-67 MiSHNAS ///. TO VII. Customs of the people of Tiberias relative to the heating of a pitcher of cold water. Is it allowed to place a pitcher of cold water into one filled with hot water in order to heat the water ; or, vice versa, in order to heat the water ? May one wash his body in the warm water of the Tiberius springs or in water warmed on the Sabbath eve ? May the entire body be washed at once or each member separately ? Cus- toms in a bath-house. Are sweat-baths permitted on the Sabbath ? Incidents occurring in the bath-house of the city of B'ni Brak. Why