Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Reference for Menachot 128:4

ואיבעית אימא משום דאין מעבירין על המצות:

Our Rabbis taught: When the Kings of the Hasmonean house fought one another, Hyrcanus was outside and Aristobulus within [the city wall]. Each day [those that were within] used to let down [to the other party] denars in a basket, and haul up [in return] animals for the Daily Offerings. An old man there, who was learned in Greek wisdom, spoke with them in Greek wisdom, saying. 'As long as they carry on the Temple service they will never be delivered into your hands'. On the morrow they let down denars in a basket and hauled up a pig. When it reached halfway up the wall, it stuck its claws into the wall, and the land of Israel was shaken over a distance of four hundred parasangs by four hundred parasangs. At that time they declared, 'Cursed be the man who rears pigs and cursed be the man who teaches his son Greek wisdom!' It was concerning this time [of siege] that we learnt: IT ONCE HAPPENED THAT THE 'OMER WAS BROUGHT FROM GAGGOTH ZERIFIN AND THE TWO LOAVES FROM THE PLAIN OF EN SOKER. For when the time for the 'Omer arrived they did not know from whence they could take it. They at once proclaimed the matter, whereupon a deaf-mute came forward and pointed with one hand to the roof and with the other to a cone-shaped hut. Then spake Mordecai, 'Is there anywhere a place by name Gaggoth Zerifin or Zerifin Gaggoth?' Thereupon they searched and found the place. When they should have brought the Two Loaves they did not know from whence they could take it. They at once proclaimed the matter, whereupon a deaf-mute came forward and put one hand on his eye and the other hand on the socket of the bolt. Then spake Mordecai, 'Is there anywhere a place by name En Soker or Soker En?' Thereupon they searched and found the place.

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