Hebrew Literature Part 28

"Forty sockets of silver were placed on the north, and forty sockets of silver on the south, and sixteen on the west, and four on the east. These are 100 sockets. As is said,(593) 'An hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.' " "How were the boards set up?" "Twenty boards were placed on the north, and twenty boards on the south, and eight on the west. On the east there was no board, but there were four pillars of s.h.i.+ttim-wood. Upon them the vail was hung. As is said,(594) 'thou shalt make a vail,' etc., 'and thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of s.h.i.+ttim-wood, overlaid with gold,' etc., and 'thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches.' " And the sockets were made with holes, and these were cut out in the boards below, a quarter from one side and a quarter from the other side, and there was cut out half of it in the middle, and it made two pins like two supports, and they entered into two sockets, as is said, "two sockets under one board for its two tenons."(595) The pins extended from the boards two and two, to every one which was inserted, the positive into the negative, as it is said,(596) "Set in order one against the other." The words of Rabbi Nehemiah, when Rabbi Nehemiah said, "there is no meaning in saying, 'set in order.' " "And what is meant by set in order?" "It is meant that there should be made for them rungs like an Egyptian ladder." There was cut out from the board above a finger-breadth from one side, and a finger-breadth from the other side, and they were put into the golden ring, that they should not separate one from the other, as is said, "And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring."(597) There is no meaning in saying, "unto one ring," and what is meant by saying, "unto one ring?" "The place where the bar was put in, and every board had in it two rings of gold, one above, and one below; in them were put in the bars."

And there were two upper bars, and two lower (bars) on the south side; the length of each of them was fifteen cubits. It follows that two were in length thirty cubits against twenty boards, and the middle (bar) was in length thirty cubits against twenty boards, which was inserted in the middle of the boards from east to west, as is said, "And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end."(598) As the boards were made in the south, so the boards were made in the north, but in the west they were not so; but the length of the upper bar and the lower one was six cubits against four boards, and the middle (bar), twelve cubits against eight boards. And the boards, and the bars, and the pillars, and the sockets, the place of the thickness of the boards were overlaid with gold, as is said, "And the boards thou shalt overlay with gold."(599) "The places for the bars," there is no meaning in saying, "places for the bars"; and what is the meaning of saying, "places for the bars"? "The place where the bar entered the boards." "And the bars themselves shall be overlaid with gold."(600) "How was it done?" "Two pipes of gold were introduced-the length of each of them was a cubit and a half; and they were put into the hole of the board, the place where the bars were put in."

Chapter II

"How was the tabernacle covered?" "There were provided ten curtains of blue, of purple, and scarlet, and fine-twined linen." As is said, "Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle (with) ten curtains of fine-twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet."(601) "Their threads were doubled thirty-two times," the words of Rabbi Nehemiah, when R.

Nehemiah said, "thread," _i.e._, one doubled in two, "twined," _i.e._, to four, "fine-twined," _i.e._, to eight. It follows that their threads were doubled thirty-two times. But the Sages say, "thread," _i.e._, one doubled in two, "twined," _i.e._, to three, "fine-twined," _i.e._, to six. It follows that their threads were doubled twenty-four times. They were coupled in two vails, one of five, and one of five.(602) As is said, "the five curtains shall be coupled together one to another: and (other) five curtains (shall be) coupled one to another," and they were coupled with loops of blue, as is said,(603) "And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of (another) curtain, in the coupling of the second." And they were coupled to fifty taches of gold, as is said,(604) "And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches; and it shall be one tabernacle." And the taches appeared in the tabernacle as stars in the firmament. The length of the curtains was twenty-eight cubits, as is said,(605) "the length of one curtain (shall be) eight and twenty cubits."

Take from them ten cubits for the breadth of the tabernacle, there will remain nine cubits from the one side, and nine cubits from the other side.

They hung down and covered the boards till they reached the sockets. This teaches that the sockets were one cubit high. And the breadth of the curtains was forty cubits. As is said,(606) "and the breadth of one curtain four cubits." Take from them thirty cubits from the east to the west, which were on the roof of the tabernacle, and ten cubits to the west behind the tabernacle, there are forty.

Chapter III

There were provided eleven curtains of goats' hair, and the length of every one of them was thirty cubits, as is said, "And thou shalt make curtains of goats' (hair) to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. The length of one curtain (shall be) thirty cubits."(607) And they were coupled in two vails, one of five, and one of six, as is said, "And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves,"(608) and they were coupled with fifty loops, as is said, "And he made fifty loops upon the outmost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second."(609) And the loops were coupled to fifty taches of bra.s.s, as is said, "And thou shalt make fifty taches of bra.s.s, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be one."(610) The length of the curtains was thirty cubits. Take from them ten cubits for their breadth, there will remain ten cubits from one side, and ten cubits from the other side, as they hung down and covered the boards and the sockets. The breadth of the curtains was forty-four cubits, as is said, "And the breadth of one curtain four cubits; and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure."(611) Take from them thirty cubits for the length of the tabernacle, and ten cubits behind the tabernacle-these are forty. There was left there one curtain which was doubled in front of the tent, as is said, "And thou shalt double the sixth curtain in the fore-front of the tabernacle."(612) Rabbi Judah said, "half of it was doubled in the fore-front of the tabernacle, and half of it was hanging behind the tabernacle," as is said, "And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth shall hang over the back-side of the tabernacle."(613) There was also provided one great cover of rams' skins dyed red, its length thirty cubits, and its breadth ten cubits; with it they clothed the tent upon the tabernacle from east to west, as is said, "And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers'

skins,"(614) and it was made "like patchwork," the words of Rabbi Nehemiah. Rabbi Judah said, "there were two covers-the lower one of rams'

skins dyed red, and the upper one of badgers' skins," as is said, "his covering and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it."(615)

Chapter IV

The vail was woven ten cubits square, and there were made in it four loops, and it was hung on hooks on the tops of the pillars, and it was spread in the third portion of the tabernacle, that there should be from it inward ten cubits, and from it outward twenty cubits, as is said, "And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches."(616) It follows that the place of the Holy of Holies was ten cubits square, and there were put the ark, and the pot of manna, and the pan of anointing oil, and Aaron's rod with its almonds and flowers; and there Aaron entered four times on the day of atonement. Outside the vail were placed the table and candlestick.

But the table was on the north, and opposite to it was the candlestick on the south; as is said, "And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table."(617) And as they were placed in the tent of the congregation, so were they placed in the everlasting House.(618) Now the tent of the congregation was in length thirty cubits, and in breadth ten cubits. But the everlasting House was in length sixty cubits, and in breadth twenty cubits. This teaches that the tent of the congregation was one-fourth part of the everlasting House. And as the vail was woven, so was woven the ephod and the breastplate, only in these there was an additional thread of gold; as is said, "And they did beat the gold into thin plates and cut _it into_ wires."(619) As was the weaving of the covering vail, so was the weaving of the covering for the entrance. But the vail was cunning work, as is said, "Thou shalt make the vail of blue and purple," etc.; "cunning work."(620) But the covering of the entrance was needle-work, as is said, "And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent," etc., "of needle-work."(621) The words of R. Nehemiah. R.

Nehemiah usually said, "every place where it is said cunning work (there were) two figures-in the needlework (there was) but one figure only." And the branches of the candlestick were right opposite to the breadth of the table. And the golden altar was placed in the middle of the house, and divided the house, and its half inward was right opposite to the ark; as is said, "And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony before the mercy-seat."(622) From the boards on the south to the branches of the candlestick (there were) two cubits and a half. And from the branches of the candlestick to the table (there were) five cubits. And from the table to the boards on the north (were) two cubits and a half.

This teaches that the breadth of the Holy Place (was) ten cubits. From the boards on the west to the vail (were) ten cubits. From the vail to the table were five cubits. From the table to the golden altar (were) five cubits. From the golden altar to the boards on the east (were) ten cubits.

This teaches that the length of the tabernacle was thirty cubits.

Chapter V

The court of the tabernacle was in length 100 cubits, and in breadth fifty cubits, as is said, "And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle for the south side, etc., 100 cubits,(623) and likewise for the north side an hundred cubits," as is said, "and likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of 100 cubits long."(624) And on the west fifty cubits, as is said, "On the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits."(625) And on the east fifty cubits, as is said, "On the east side eastward _shall be_ fifty cubits."(626) Take from them fifty cubits for hangings, as is said, "The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits,"(627) etc. "And for the other side," etc. From both sides the hangings on the south to the tent were twenty cubits, and the tent was ten cubits broad, and from the tent to the hangings on the north were twenty cubits. This teaches that the breadth (of the court) was fifty cubits. From the hangings on the west to the tent were twenty cubits, and the tent was thirty cubits long; and from the tent to the hangings on the east, there were fifty cubits. This teaches that its length was 100 cubits, as is said, "The length of the court shall be 100 cubits, and the breadth fifty everywhere."(628) Rabbi Jose said there is no meaning in saying "fifty everywhere," and what is meant by saying "fifty everywhere"?

"That is in front of the tent." This teaches that its length was 100 cubits, and its breadth fifty cubits. But you could not know the breadth of the hangings till you know the height of the court, as he (Moses) said, "And the height five cubits";(629) as the height was five cubits, so was the breadth five cubits. "How was the court set up?" Twenty sockets of bra.s.s were put on the north side, and twenty on the south side, and there was a pillar in every one of them. And there were beams, and a ring was fastened in their middle, and the beams were fastened with ropes and pillars; and the length of every beam was six hand-breadths, and its breadth was three (hand-breadths). And the ring was hung on the hook in the pillar; and the hanging was rolled on it like the sail of a s.h.i.+p. It follows that the hanging extended from the pillar two cubits and a half on one side, and two cubits and a half on the other side; and so with the second pillar. This teaches that between each pillar there were five cubits. The beams were coupled with ropes and pillars, and they were coupled in the pins of bra.s.s; and as there were pins to the tabernacle, so were there pins to the court, as is said, "All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of bra.s.s."(630) But you could not know how much s.p.a.ce there was from the hangings to the entrance of the court, till he said, "And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar."(631) As between the tabernacle and the altar there were ten cubits, so from the hangings to the entrance of the court there were ten cubits. But you could not know how high was the entrance of the court, till he said, "And for the gate of the court shall be a hanging of twenty cubits," in length and height. In breadth it was five cubits. "There was no meaning in saying five cubits, and what is the meaning of saying five cubits?" "To instruct thee that its length was ten cubits, and its breadth five cubits." As was the entrance of the tent, so was the entrance of the court. As was the entrance of the court, so was the entrance of the sanctuary. As was the height of the entrance of the sanctuary, so was the breadth of the entrance of the porch. "The length of the court shall be 100 cubits, and the breadth of it fifty everywhere."(632) The oral law says, "Take fifty and surround them with fifty."(633) Hence said Rabbi Jose, the son of Rabbi Judah,(634) "an enclosed s.p.a.ce which can contain two seahs (of sown grain) as the court of the tabernacle, is lawful for carrying burdens on the Sabbath day."

Chapter VI

The ark which Moses made in the desert was in length two cubits and a half, and in breadth one cubit and a half, and in height one cubit and a half, as is said, "And they shall make an ark of s.h.i.+ttim-wood, two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof."(635) R. Meier said, "with a cubit containing six hand-breadths-thus they make fifteen hand-breadths. Take from them twelve hand-breadths for the breadth of the tables, and two hand-breadths for the place where the roll of the Law lay, and half a hand-breadth from either side for the thickness of the ark. And the breadth of the ark was nine hand-breadths. Take from them six hand-breadths for the length of the tables, and for the place where the roll of the Law lay, two hand-breadths, that it should not be pressed going in and out, and half a hand-breadth on either side for the thickness of the ark." R. Judah said, "with a cubit containing five hand-breadths, thus there were twelve hand-breadths and a half, and four tables lay in it-two perfect, and two broken. And the length of each table was six hand-breadths, and their breadth six, and their thickness three. Take from them twelve hand-breadths for the breadth of the tables, and a finger-breadth on either side for the thickness of the ark." And the breadth of the ark was seven hand-breadths and a half. Take from them six hand-breadths for the length of the tables, and one hand-breadth for the place where the handles (pillars) lay; and on it the explanation of the prophets is, "King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.

He made the pillars thereof of silver."(636) And (there was) a finger-breadth on either side for the thickness of the ark, but the roll of the Law was put on the side, as is said, "And put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD."(637) And so with the Philistines, he said, "And put the jewels of gold, which ye return for a trespa.s.s-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof."(638) R. Judah, the son of Lachish, said, "there were two arks, one which abode in the encampment, and one which went forth with them to war, and in it were the broken tables," as is said, "And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went."(639) But the one with them in the encampment contained the roll of the Law. That is what is written, "Nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord; and Moses departed not out of the camp."(640) And so he said with regard to Saul, "And Saul said unto Ahiah, bring hither the ark of G.o.d."(641) And so of Uriah it is said, "The ark, and Israel, and Judah abide in tents."(642) But the ark of the covenant went not forth to war, save once only, as is said, "So the people sent to s.h.i.+loh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts."(643) R.

Judah said, "there was nothing in the ark save the tables of the covenant only," as is said, "There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone."(644)

Chapter VII

"How did Bezaleel make the ark?" "He made three boxes, two of gold and one of wood. He put the wooden one inside the golden one, and the golden one inside the wooden one, and covered the upper edge with gold; as is said, 'And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold: within and without shalt thou overlay it.' "(645) "And what is the meaning of saying, 'thou shalt overlay it'?" "It means that he covered the upper edges (with) gold." The golden mercy-seat was placed above upon it; as is said, "And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark."(646) And four rings of gold were fastened in it, two on the north and two on the south, and in them the staves were put, and they were never moved from thence; as is said, "The staves shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it."(647) Even though Solomon made the pattern of all the vessels, the pattern of the ark he did not make; as is said, "And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark."(648) The ark was placed in the midst of the House, and divided the House ten cubits by ten cubits.

And two cherubs of gold stood on their feet on the ground. From the wall to the cherub there were five cubits, and from the cherub to the wall five cubits. "Where is it mentioned, that as soon as the priests brought in the ark the staves were drawn out, and they reached to the vail, and they touched the entrance?" As is said, "And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle."(649) For that reason the doors of the Holy of Holies were never closed. "And they were not seen without."(650) It is not possible to say that they were not seen, since it was already said "they were seen."

Neither is it possible to say that they were seen, since it is already said "they were not seen." "How is it?" "They were pus.h.i.+ng out in the vail, and were seen in the sanctuary like the two paps of a woman." "And from whence (do we know) that they were drawn out from the inside?" As is said, "And they were not seen without." There we learned that they were drawn out from the inside. And from thence (we learned) that they were drawn out to the outside, as is said, "And the ends of the staves were seen." And where thou sayest that as the staves were drawn out, so were drawn out the wings of the cherubim, and they covered the ark, and overshadowed the house from above, as is said, "And the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof, above."(651) "And where was the ark concealed?" Rabbi Judah, the son of Lachish, said, "in its place in the house of the Holy of Holies, as is said, 'And there they are unto this day.' "(652) But the Sages say, "in the chamber of the wood." "And who concealed it?" Rabbi Judah the Holy said, Josiah concealed it, as it is said, "And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the Lord, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon, the son of David, King of Israel, did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders."(653) He said to them, "it shall not be carried captive with you to Babylon, that you should bear it upon your shoulders." Rabbi Eleazar said, "it went to Babylon, as is said, 'Nothing shall be left saith the Lord,'(654) nothing, not even the words in it." The house of the Holy of Holies, which Solomon made for it, had a wall, entrance, and doors, as is said, "And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors."(655) But in the latter house there was no wall, only two boards were there, and the length of each one was a cubit and a half. And two vails of gold were there, spread over them from above, and it was called the place of Part.i.tion.(656)

Chapter VIII

The table which Moses made in the wilderness was in length two cubits, and its breadth one cubit, and its height was one cubit and a half, as is said, "Thou shalt also make a table of s.h.i.+ttim-wood, two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof."(657) Rabbi Judah said, "the cubit (contained) five hand-breadths, thus there are ten hand-breadths." From thence the Sages said, "the table was in length ten hand-breadths, and in breadth five hand-breadths. And the s...o...b..ead was in length ten hand-breadths, and in breadth five. The length of the s...o...b..ead was placed against the breadth of the table. It extended over two hand-breadths and a half on either side. It follows that its length quite filled the breadth of the table." Rabbi Meier said, "the table was in length twelve hand-breadths, and in breadth six hand-breadths. And the s...o...b..ead was in length ten (hand-breadths), and in breadth five. And its length was placed against the breadth of the table. It extended over two hand-breadths on either side; and there was an opening of two hand-breadths in the middle, that the air might blow through them (the loaves)." Aba Shaul said, "they put there two cups of incense of the s...o...b..ead." The Sages said to him, "and is it not already said, 'And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row'?"(658) He replied to them, "and is it not already said, 'And by him shall be the tribe of Mana.s.seh'?"(659) Although Solomon made ten tables, and all of them were lawful for service, as is said, "He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left."(660) "If thou sayest five on the south, and five on the north, is not a table on the south worthless?" But what is the meaning of saying, "five on the right and five on the left"? "Five to the right of the table of Moses, and five to the left of the table of Moses, even though he did not arrange the s...o...b..ead, save for the table of Moses only, as is said, 'And the table whereupon the s...o...b..ead was.' "(661) Rabbi Jose, the son of Rabbi Judah, said, "all the tables were arranged for s...o...b..ead as is said, 'And the tables whereon the s...o...b..ead was set.' "(662)

Chapter IX

The candlestick which Moses made in the wilderness was wrought from gold, and required hammering, and required knops and flowers, as is said, "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold; of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same."(663) "Do I hear that he shall make separate members and join them to it?" "The teaching says, that 'they shall be of the same.' " "Whence know we that it extends to the light?"

"The teaching says, 'Thou shalt make.' " "I am of opinion that it should be extended to the bowls, knops, and flowers. The teaching says 'it,' and what dost thou see to extend it to the light, and withhold it from the bowls, the knops, and the flowers?" "Because the verse extends and withholds, (therefore) I extend (it to) the lights that they should be made with it, and I withhold the bowls, the knops, and the flowers, that they should not be made with it." "Whence know we to extend (it to) the tongs and snuff-dishes?" "The teaching says, 'thou shalt make.' " "I am of opinion to extend (it to) the snuffers, and the tweezers." "The teaching says, 'it,' and what dost thou see to extend (it to) the tongs and snuff-dishes, and to withhold (it from) the snuffers?" "Because the verse extends and withholds. I extend (it to) the tongs and snuff-dishes, since they are used with it. And I withhold (it from) the snuffers and tweezers, since they are not used with it." As it was made of gold, it required hammering; when it was not of gold it did not require hammering. When it was made of gold it required bowls, knops, and flowers; when it was not of gold it did not require bowls, knops, and flowers. When it was made of gold it required a talent; when it was not of gold it did not require a talent. Rabbi Joshua, the son of Korcha, said, "it (the candlestick) was made of a talent, but the lights, and the tongs, and the snuff-dishes, were not from the talent," as is said, "Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it."(664) "And what do I establish?" "That all these vessels were vessels of pure gold. But the trumpets which Moses made in the wilderness were made of silver only, as is said, 'Make thee two trumpets of silver.' "(665)

Chapter X

"How did Bezaleel make the candlestick?" "He made it from an ingot of gold, and it was like a beam. And above and below he made bowls, knops, and flowers, and drew out from it two branches, one on either side, and from it he drew out two other branches, one on either side, and again drew out two branches, one on either side, as is said, 'And six branches shall come out of the sides of it.' "(666) But we could not understand the hammering of the bowls, until it be said, "And in the candlesticks shall be four bowls made like unto almonds with their knops and their flowers."(667) Aisi, the son of Judah, said, "there are five expressions in the Law, and they have no fixed meaning. These are they, 'accepted,'(668) 'cursed,'(669) 'to-morrow,'(670) 'made like unto almonds,'(671) 'and will rise up.' "(672) "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" or, "thou shalt be accepted even if thou doest not well." "Cursed be their anger for it was fierce," or, "for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they houghed cursed oxen."

"To-morrow I will stand" or "go out, fight with Amalek to-morrow." "Made like unto almonds with their knops, and their flowers," or "four bowls made like unto almonds." "And this people will rise up," or, "thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, and thou shalt rise up." These are the five expressions in the Law which have no fixed meaning. Aisa, the son of Akiba, said, "it happened once to be more (than a talent by) a dinar of gold, and it was brought into the crucible eighty times." The body of the candlestick was eighteen hand-breadths, the feet and the flowers were three hand-breadths, and two hand-breadths were smooth, and one hand-breadth was for the bowl, a knop and a flower, and two hand-breadths were smooth, and one hand-breadth a knop, and two branches proceeded from it, one on either side. And two hand-breadths were smooth, and one hand-breadth a knop, and two branches proceeded from it, one on either side, and two hand-breadths were smooth, and one hand-breadth a knop, and two branches proceeded from it on either side. There remained three hand-breadths, in which were the bowls, the knops, and the flowers, as is said, "Three bowls made like unto almonds with a knop and a flower in one branch."(673) It follows that the bowls were twenty-two, and the knops eleven, and the flowers nine. "The bowls, to what were they like?" "To cups of Alexandria." "The knops, to what were they like?" "To the apples of pine-trees."(674) "The flowers, to what were they like?" "To the flowers on the pillars of the temple." It is found that you learn that there exist in the candlestick difficulty and forgetfulness more than in all the other vessels. "And whence know we that OMNIPRESENCE showed to Moses, the vessels ready, and the candlestick ready?" As it is said, "see and make them according to their patterns."(675) Although Solomon made ten candlesticks and all of them were lawful for service, as is said, "And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand and five on the left."(676) If you say, five on the south and five on the north, is not the candlestick on the north worthless? "And what is meant by saying, five on the right hand and five on the left?" "Five on the right side of the candlestick of Moses, and five on the left side of the candlestick of Moses, even though they lighted the candlestick of Moses only, as is said, 'And the candlestick of gold, with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening.' "(677) Rabbi Jose, the son of Rabbi Judah, said, "they were all lighted," as is said, "Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner, before the oracle of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs made he of gold, and that perfect gold."(678) All these completed the golden one of Moses. Those on the west and east flamed in front of the middle light, as is said, "The seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick."(679) From thence Rabbi Nathan said, "the middle one is the most honorable." The seven lamps flamed alike, and their lamps were equal, and they resembled each other. "How did they snuff it?" "They removed the snuff from the candlestick and deposited it in the tent, and rubbed it with a sponge." "It follows that many priests were busied on one lamp." The words of Rabbi Jose. But the Sages say, "they did not remove the lamps from their places; they only removed the snuff from the candlestick, as is said, 'He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick.' "(680)

Chapter XI

The altar of incense was in length a cubit, and in breadth a cubit, and in height two cubits, as is said, "And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon; of s.h.i.+ttim-wood shalt thou make it. A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof: four square shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same."(681) And it was all overlaid with gold.(682) This altar had three names, the altar of incense, the altar of gold, the inner altar.

_The altar of burnt-offerings_ was in length five cubits, and in breadth five cubits, and in height three cubits, as is said, "And he made the altar of burnt-offering of s.h.i.+ttim-wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was four-square; and three cubits the height thereof."(683) The words of Rabbi Meier. To him said Rabbi Jose, "from hearing what is said five by five do we not know that it is four-square? What is the meaning of saying four-square?" "It is superfluous, save for identification in p.r.o.nouncing with regard to it an equal decision. It is said here four-square, and there four-square." "What four-square is meant there?" "That its height is double its breadth, even the four-square mentioned here means that its height is double its breadth." Rabbi Meier said to him, "if it be according to thy words, it follows that the altar is higher than the curtains." Rabbi Jose; answered him, "and is it not already said, 'And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about.' "(684) As the tabernacle was ten cubits broad, so the altar of burnt-offerings was ten cubits broad. A painted line girdled it in the middle to divide between the blood (sprinkled) above, and the blood (sprinkled) below. The painted line and downward was five cubits. The foundation was a cubit. And three cubits was the compa.s.s, and the circuit was a cubit, and there they put the blood sprinkled below.

The painted line and upward was five cubits-a cubit the horns, and three cubits the compa.s.s, and one cubit the circuit. And there they put the blood which was sprinkled above. And the blood intended to be sprinkled on the painted line and downward, if it were put on the painted line and upward, was worthless. And the blood that was intended to be sprinkled above the painted line, if it were put on the painted line and downward, was worthless. The altar which Moses made in the wilderness was in height ten cubits, and the one which Solomon made was in height ten cubits, and the one which the children of the captivity made was in height ten cubits, and the one prepared for the Future, its height is ten cubits. The altar of burnt-offerings was placed in the midst of the court (with) its ascent on the south, with the laver on the west, with the slaughter-house on the north, and all the Israelites to the east, as is said, "And all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord."(685) This altar had three names, the altar of burnt-offering, the altar of bra.s.s, the outer altar.

Chapter XII

Moses made one LAVER, as is said, "Thou shalt also make a laver of bra.s.s."(686) Solomon made ten lavers, as is said, "He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash."(687) "There is no meaning in saying 'five on the right hand, and five on the left,' and what is the meaning of saying 'five on the right hand, and five on the left'?" "Five on the right of the laver of Moses, and five on the left of the laver of Moses." Solomon added to it when he made the sea, as is said, "And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other; it was round all about, and his height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits did compa.s.s it round about. And it was an hand-breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies, it contained two thousand baths."(688) It is not possible to say "two thousand," since before it is said "three thousand,"(689) and it is not possible to say "three thousand," since before it is said "two thousand." "How can it be?" "Two thousand liquid make three thousand dry measure." But you don't know how much is the bath until it be said, "The ephah and the bath contain one measure,"(690) "for ten baths are a homer." "Allow ten baths for every cur-there are 200 curs.

Subtract from them fifty curs, and allow fifty square, there are 150 cleansing-pools; since every pool contains forty seahs." "And from whence do we know that every pool contains forty seahs?" "As is said, 'And bathe his flesh in water,'(691) water to cover all his flesh." "And how much is it?" "A square cubit, in height three cubits." From thence the Sages judged the measure of a pool to be forty seahs. "And how can it contain 150 cleansing-pools, if thou shalt say it was all round?" "It could not contain them." "If thou shalt say it was all square?" "It therefore contained more." But the three lowest cubits were square; allow for ten cubits square, there are 100 cubits. Allow for a hundred square; there are 100 cleansing-pools. The two highest cubits were round. Allow for ten cubits square; there are seventy-five cubits. Allow for seventy-five square; there are 150. Allow for fifty square; there are fifty cleansing-pools; since the square exceeds the round by a fourth. "And whence do we know that the square exceeds the round by a fourth?" "As is said, 'Ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compa.s.s, and a line of thirty cubits did compa.s.s it round about.' "(692) This teaches that the square exceeds the round by a fourth. "And whence do we know that it was round above?" "As is said, 'And it was an hand-breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup.' " "And whence know we that it was square below?" "As is said, 'It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east.' "(693) And what is meant by saying "looking toward" four times; but that when one entered the temple he looked toward the right; when he entered into the court, he looked toward the right; when he entered the Mountain of the House, he looked toward the right; when the priest went up to the top of the altar, he looked toward the right. "And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compa.s.s it round about, ten in a cubit, compa.s.sing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen."(694) It follows that (there were) four rows of the heads of oxen, which served for the four sides, as is said, "And the similitude of oxen, two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast."(695) And it was all cast even from the feet of the ox.