Various Authors Various Authors - Talmud

MISHNAS I., II., and III. Concerning the bringing of the knife for circumcision on Sabbath. When it should be brought publicly and when concealed; when it should be concealed before witnesses. Public carrying of the knife as a proof of the love of the commandment. Commandments accepted by Israelites with joy are even now carried out joyfully; those received with protest are now reluctantly carried out. Story of Elisha, "the man of wings." The Sabbath may be violated on account of preparations for circumcision. Concerning the sucking out of the blood, and bandages necessary for circumcision. What Abayi's mother told him. Rabh's experience with the physicians of Me'huzza. Children who have imperfect circulation should not be circumcised until in perfect health. What happened to Nathan of Babylon. How a child should be bathed on Sabbath. The law concerning hermaphrodites. Concerning a child born at twilight and a child born without a foreskin. The story of the child of R. Ada bar Ahabha, who was carried to thirteen circumcisers. Whether the Sabbath may be violated on account of a child that had been delivered from the side of the mother (with instruments). When a child is called a miscarriage. If a child was to a certainty regularly born, it must in the event of its death be mourned in the regular manner, 288-305

MISHNAS IV., V., and VI. Concerning one who had two children to be circumcised. Under what circumstances a child may be circumcised after the eighth day and until the twelfth. The benedictions pronounced by the circumciser, the father of the child, and the assembled guests after the circumcision, 305-308

MISHNAS I. to V. Concerning wine-filters. Laws concerning folding-beds, folding-chairs, etc. Question put by R. Kahana to Rabh. Rabh's reply and the explanation of same by the Gemara. The assertion that the Law will be forgotten by Israel, and R. Simeon's ben Jochai explanation of same. The advisability of investigating amongst the judges in Israel in times of trouble. Corrupt judges the hindrance to the resting of the Lord's Shekhina among the children of Israel. Zion's redemption must come through justice. The story of the young scholar who was accused before R. Ashi. The story told by R. Joseph concerning the goblet of wine served him by Mar Uqba. Concerning the soaking of laserpitium on Sabbath, Indisposition of R. A'ha bar Joseph, who was cured by laserpitium. Several sayings of R. Hisda, giving advice. How animals must be fed. Concerning straw on a bed. Concerning customary and unusual handling of things. Small men should not wear large shoes nor women torn shoes, 309-321

MISHNAS I. to III. Concerning the lifting of a child in connection with things held by the child, and the lifting of a corpse in connection with other things. Concerning a base to a prohibited thing. Concerning a stone at the opening of a barrel or on a cushion. Concerning the removal of husks and bones from the table. The decision of Abayi that the school of Hillel is always in conformity with R. Simeon's opinion, that the law of Muktza has no foundation, 322-327

MISHNA I. How much may be saved from a broken cask. Concerning fruit which is pressed in order to extract the juice. Bunches of grapes may be pressed into the cooking pot direct, but not into a bowl. According to biblical law one is not culpable for pressing any fruit, with the exception of grapes and olives. Witnesses testifying from hearsay are not accredited, 328-331

MISHNA II. Concerning eatables that are dressed with hot water. The three questions propounded by R. Hyya bar Aba: "Why are the fowls of Babylon so fat? Why are the Babylonians so merry during the festivals? Why are the scholars of Babylon so well dressed?" The answers of R. Johanan: "If a thing is as certain to thee as the fact that thou canst not marry thy own sister, then say it. Otherwise, say it not!" 331, 332

MISHNAS III. and IV. Concerning the breaking open of a cask and eating its contents. Rabh shows his respect for his pupils R. Kahana and R. Ashi by refusing to sit on a bolster when they sat on the ground. Concerning the depositing of victuals in a cave. Concerning the dusting of clothes on Sabbath. R. Shesha's, the son of Idi, tasteful arrangement of his cloak. The narrative of R. Dimi in the name of and regarding Rabbi, 332-338

MISHNA V. Concerning bathing in a cavern or in the hot springs of Tiberias. How the wine of Purgaitha and the water of Deumseth robbed the Israelites of ten tribes. How R. Jehudah had a pledge taken from Rabba bar bar Hanna to insure the latter's appearance at his college, and the advantage gained by R. Jehudah in learning a new Halakha, 338-341

MISHNAS I. and II. Concerning borrowing and lending. Such acts as must be performed on festivals should be performed in as different a manner to what they are performed on week-days as possible. Concerning the counting of guests and dishes. Casting lots at meals. A man on whose account another is punished is not admitted into the abode of the Lord, 342-346

MISHNAS III., IV., and V. Concerning the hiring of laborers on Sabbath. The rule laid down by Abba Saul. Concerning the transaction of the affairs of a community on Sabbath. The betrothal of children on the Sabbath. The miracle which occurred to a man who would not mend a fence of his field on Sabbath. Concerning waiting at the techoom on account of a bride or a corpse. Concerning the performance of all necessities for a corpse on Sabbath, 346-353

MISHNA VI. Closing the eyes of a corpse on Sabbath. Concerning the closing of the eyes of a dying person on a week-day. On account of a living child, only one day old, the Sabbath may be violated; but not even for David, King of Israel, if he be dead, may this be done. A living child one day old need not be guarded from the attacks of rats, but even the dead body of Og, King of Bashan, must be guarded from such attacks. Practise charity when the opportunity presents itself and when it is within thy reach. Poverty is compared to a wheel constantly turning. He who pities living creatures is pitied also in Heaven. The explanation of many verses in Ecclesiastes regarding the human body. Why R. Hanina did not weep over the death of his daughter. There are six kinds of tears which are shed: three good and three bad. The dispute of Joshua ben Kar'ha with the eunuch. Why Barzillai was a liar. Worms are as annoying to a corpse as a needle is to excrescences on the flesh. The soul of a man mourns for the body seven days. The narrative relating to R. Jehudah and his actions towards a stranger who died in his vicinity. "Return thy soul as clean as it was given thee," and the parable connected with the statement. The conversation between R. Na'hman and the dead body of R. Ahai ben Yashi. The bones of a man who had no jealousy in his heart will not rot. The souls of the righteous are ensconced underneath the throne of honor a twelvemonth after leaving the body. "Make my funeral sermon impressive, for I shall be present." To repent one day before death means to repent every day, lest the morrow bring death. "At all times let thy garments be white," and the parable connected with it, 353-362

MISHNA I. Concerning one who was overtaken by dusk on the eve of Sabbath while on the road. The Sabbath rest must be kept inviolate as far as one's animal is concerned, but one is not responsible for the Sabbath rest of a Gentile. An additional statement concerning the Sabbath rest, which the sages would not reveal. On the day the eighteen precautionary ordinances were instituted, according to the opinion of some, the measure of laws was made heaping full, while, according to others, it was not filled enough. The examples connected with this statement. Why R. Gamaliel allowed his ass to drop dead under a load, 363-367