ה מתשעה כנורות וכו' וצלצל לבד: מנא הני מילי אמר רב אסי דאמר קרא (דברי הימים א טז, ה) ואסף במצלתים (להשמיע) מצלתים תרי הוו כיון דחדא עבידתא עבדי וחד גברא עביד בהו קרי להו חד:
5 Whence do we know that? - R'Ashi said: Scripture said: And Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I Chron. XVI, 5.');"><sup>6</sup></span> But 'cymbals' implies two? - Since they both perform one function and are played by one man, he [the Tanna] called them one. <big><b>MISHNAH: </b></big>THERE WERE NEVER LESS THAN TWELVE LEVltes<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To play the twelve instruments, accompanying with them their song, the song being, according to all, the essential (Tosaf.) . Maimonides holds the twelve Levites to have been the singers, as distinct from the players of the instruments.');"><sup>7</sup></span> STANDING ON THE PLATFORM<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The raised platform, on which the Levites stood whilst playing or singing.');"><sup>8</sup></span> AND THEIR NUMBER COULD BE INCREASED INTO INFINITY. NO MINOR COULD ENTER THE COURT OF THE SANCTUARY TO TAKE PART IN THE SERVICE EXCEPT WHEN THE LEVITES STOOD UP TO SING.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' According to Rashi minors were not admitted at all to any service in the Sanctuary except to join the Levites in the singing. Maimonides, however, refers this passage to the introduction of young priests and Levites to the service, who, even after having reached maturity. could enter the Sanctuary for first time participation in the service, only when the Levites, standing on the platform, were singing.');"><sup>9</sup></span>