Halakhah for Taanit 53:12
ת"ר ארבעה משמרות עלו מן הגולה ואלו הן ידעיה [חרים] פשחור ואימר עמדו נביאים שביניהם
Another [Baraitha] taught: Moses instituted for Israel sixteen Mishmaroth, eight from [the family of] Eleazar and eight from [the family of] Ithamar; but when the descendants of Eleazar increased in number above those of Ithamar, [the Mishmaroth] were again divided and they were increased to twenty-four, as it is said, And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers' houses, and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I Chron. XXIV, 4.');"><sup>6</sup></span> And it says further, One father's house being taken for Eleazar, and proportionately for Ithamar.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. XXIV, 6.');"><sup>7</sup></span> What is the force of the additional verse cited? Should you say, that just as the descendants of Eleazar increased in number, so also those of Ithamar increased from their original four into eight. Then come and hear: 'One father's house being taken for Eleazar, and proportionately [we-ahuz ahuz] for Ithamar.' This [Baraitha] will then refute the opinion of R'Hama B'Guria<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Who said that Moses instituted only eight Mishmaroth, four each.');"><sup>8</sup></span> - R'Hama B'Guria will answer by saying: Tannaim are divided on the question and I accept the opinion of the Tanna [who says that Moses instituted only] eight Mishmaroth. Our Rabbis have taught: Four Mishmaroth returned from the [Babylonian] exile, and they were: Jedaiah, Harim, Pashhur and Immer.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Ezra II, 36-39.');"><sup>9</sup></span> The prophets amongst them
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