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Babylonian Talmud: Tractate KethubothBecause of accounts.1 Said Abaye to him: And are accounts of a religious nature forbidden?2 Surely R. Hisda and R. Hamnuna both said: Accounts of a religious nature, one is allowed to calculate them on Sabbath; and R. Eleazar said: One may assign charity to the poor on Sabbath; and R. Jacob said [that] R. Johanan said: One may go to synagogues and to schoolhouses to watch over public affairs3 on Sabbath; and R. Jacob the son of Idi said [that] R. Johanan said: One may do any work to save a life4 on Sabbath; and R. Samuel the son of Nahmani said [that] R. Jonathan said: One may go to theatres and circuses5 to watch over public affairs on Sabbath; and [a scholar] of the school of Menashia taught: One may negotiate about the girls to be betrothed on Sabbath6 and about a boy to teach him the book7 and to teach him a trade? — But, said R. Zera, it has been prohibited8 lest he might slaughter a fowl.9 Said Abaye to him: But if this were so, then the Day of Atonement which fell on the second day of the week should be postponed10 for fear11 lest he might slaughter a fowl?12 — There,13 that [he has to prepare only] for himself he is not troubled [so much],14 [but] here,15 that [he has to prepare] for others,16 he is troubled.17 Or: there, he has an interval,18 [but] here, he has no interval.19 Now that you have come so far,20 the eve of Sabbath21 also is prohibited22 for fear lest he might slaughter a fowl.23 The question was asked:24 [Does the Mishnah mean:] A maiden is married on the fourth day [of the week], and the intercourse takes place on the fourth day, and we are not afraid that he might be pacified?25 Or perhaps [the meaning is] a maiden is married on the fourth day [of the week], and the intercourse takes place on the fifth day26 because we are afraid that he might be pacified? — Come and hear: Bar-Kappara taught: A maiden is married on the fourth day [of the week] and the intercourse takes place on the fifth day26 because on it [the fifth day] the blessing for the fishes was pronounced.27 A widow is married on the fifth day [of the week] and the intercourse takes place on the sixth day28 because on it [the sixth day] was pronounced the blessing for man.29 [We thus see that] the reason is on account of the blessing, but as to [his] being pacified we are not afraid. If so,30 [in the case of] a widow also the intercourse should take place on the fifth day [of the week], because on it [the fifth day] was pronounced the blessing for the fishes?31 — The blessing for man is better for him.32 Or on account of 'they have watched,'33 for it has been taught: Why did they34 say [that] a widow is married on the fifth day [of the week] and the intercourse takes place on the sixth day? Because, if you will say that the intercourse should take place on the fifth day, in the morning35 he will rise and go to his work;36 therefore the Sages watched over the welfare37 of the daughters of Israel that he should rejoice with her38 three days, [namely] on the fifth day of the week,39 on the eve of Sabbath40 and [on] Sabbath.41 What is the difference between 'the blessing' and 'they have watched'?42 The difference is this:43 [in the case of] a man of leisure,44 or [in the case] when a festival falls on the eve of Sabbath.45 Bar-Kappara expounded: The work of the righteous46 is greater than the work47 of heaven and earth, for in [regard to] the creation of heaven and earth it is written, Yea, My hand hath laid the foundation, of the earth, and My right hand hath spread out the heavens,48 while in [regard to] the work of the hands of the righteous it is written, The place which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, O Lord, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.49 Replied50 one Babylonian, and R. Hiyya [was] his name: [It is written.] And the dry land his hands formed?51 — It is [to be] written, 'His hand'.52 But it is written, they formed?53 — Said R. Nahman b. Isaac: 'His fingers formed,'54 as it is written. When I behold Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast established.55 An objection was raised: [It is written,] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the work of His hands the firmament shows?56 — Thus he said:57 The handiwork58 of the righteous, who shews [it]?59 The firmament. And what is it? Rain.60 Bar-Kappara [also] expounded: What [is the meaning of what] is written. And thou shalt have a peg among thy implements?61 Do not read,62 thy implements,63 but 'upon thy ear';64 [this means to say] that if a man hears an unworthy thing65
Kethuboth 5bhe shall plug his finger1 into his ears. And this is the same that R. Eleazar said: Why do the fingers of man resemble pegs? Why?2 Shall I say because they are divided?3 [Surely] each one has been made for its own purpose!4 |
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For a Master said: This one5 [Is used for measuring] the span;6 this one7 [is used for] taking a fistful of the meal-offering,8 this one9 [is used for defining] the cubit measure,10 this one11 [is used for taking the measure of] 'a finger',12 [and] this one13 [is used for service with] the thumb!14 — But [the question is] why15 [are the fingers] pointed like pegs? [The reason is] that if a man hears an unworthy thing he shall plug his fingers into his ears. [A member] of the school of R. Ishmael taught: Why is the whole ear hard and the ear-lap soft? [So] that if a man hears an unworthy thing he shall bend the ear-lap into it.16
Our Rabbis taught: A man shall not let his ears hear idle things,17 because they are burnt first of [all] the organs.18 The question was asked: Is it allowed19 to perform the first marital act on Sabbath?20 Is the blood [in the womb] stored up,21 or is it the result of a wound?22 And if you will say23 [that] the blood is stored up [in the womb, then the question arises:] is he concerned about the blood,24 and it is allowed: or is he concerned |
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with the opening,25 and it is forbidden?26 And if you will say [that] he is concerned with the blood and the opening comes of itself, [then the question arises:] Is the halachah27 according to R. Simeon who says: A thing which is not intended28 is allowed; or is the halachah according to R. Judah who says: A thing which is not intended is forbidden?29 And if you will say [that] the halachah is according to R. Judah [then the question arises], does he do damage in regard to the opening, or does he improve in regard to the opening?30 Some say:31 And if you will say that the blood is the result of a wound [then the question arises], is he concerned about the blood and it is forbidden,32 or is he concerned with his own pleasure, and it is allowed? And if you will say [that] he is concerned with his own pleasure and the blood comes out of itself,33 [then the question arises] is the halachah according to R. Judah or is the halachah according to R. Simeon? And if you will say [that] the halachah is according to R. Judah, [then the question arises,] does he do damage by [making] the wound, or does he improve by [making] the wound? And if you will say [that] he does damage by [making] the wound, [then the question arises,] with regard to one who does damage, is the halachah according to R. Judah,
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