Kiddushin 152

מוקים לה בלויה ובת ישראל אלא מתניתא נימא פליגא לא מאי עוד אחת זוג אחת

he may relate it [his teaching] to the daughter of a Levite or an Israelite.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As stated in the MISHNAH:');">¹</span> But must we say that the Baraitha disagrees [with the Mishnah]? - No: What is meant by ONE MORE? one more pair.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A mother and grandmother, which gives sixteen.');">²</span> Rab Judah said in Rab's name: This [sc. the Mishnah] is R'Meir's view.

אמר רב יהודה א"ר זו דברי ר' מאיר אבל חכמים אומרים כל משפחות בחזקת כשרות הן עומדות איני והאמר רב חמא בר גוריא אמר רב משנתינו כשקורא עליו ערער מאן דמתני הא לא מתני הא

But the Sages maintain: All families stand in the presumption of fitness.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Without investigation.');">³</span> But that is not so, for R'Hama B'Guria said in Rab's name: Our Mishnah refers to where it<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The bride's pedigree.');">⁴</span> is contested!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Two witnesses testify that it is rumoured that her descent is blemished, in which even the Rabbis would agree that investigation is required; why then does Rab ascribe the Mishnah only to R. Meir?');">⁵</span> - The one who recited the former [in Rab's name] did not recite the latter.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If the Mishnah is assumed to reflect R. Meir's view, it means even if her purity is uncontested; if it is assumed to mean only where it is contested, it agrees even with the Rabbis.');">⁶</span>

איכא דאמרי אמר רב יהודה אמר רב זו דברי ר' מאיר אבל חכמים אומרים כל משפחות בחזקת כשרות הן עומדות אמר רב חמא בר גוריא אמר רב אם קורא עליו ערער צריך לבדוק אחריה

Others state, Rab Judah said in Rab's name: This is R'Meir's view. But the Sages maintain: All families stand in the presumption of fitness. R'Hama B'Guria said in Rab's name: If it is contested, he must investigate her descent.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Even in the view of the Rabbis.');">⁷</span> WE MAKE NO INVESTIGATION FROM THE ALTAR AND UPWARDs.

אין בודקין מן המזבח ולמעלה מאי טעמא אי לאו דבדקוה לא הוו מסקי ליה ולא מן הדוכן ולמעלה מאי טעמא דאמר מר ששם היו יושבים מייחסי כהונה ומייחסי לויה

What is the reason? - Had she<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The mother of the priest who served at the altar.');">⁸</span> not been examined, he would not have been promoted [to that dignity]. NOR FROM THE DAIS AND UPWARDS. What is the reason? - Because a Master said: For there sat those who certified the genealogy of the priestly and the Levitical families.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And priests or Levites of impure descent were not permitted to sing in the Temple service or pronounce the priestly blessing. - Rashi states that this took place in the Hall of Hewn Stones, and the examiners were the Sanhedrin. Weiss, Dor p. 175, n. 2. inclines to the view that a special priestly court was set up for this purpose (Cf. 'the priestly court' mentioned in Keth. 12a) , which sat in a place behind the veil. Wilna Gaon takes an intermediate position: this special court made the investigations, but the actual verdict was pronounced by the Sanhedrin.');">⁹</span>

ולא מסנהדרין ולמעלה מאי טעמא דתני רב יוסף כשם שבית דין מנוקין בצדק כך מנוקין מכל מום אמר מרימר מאי קראה (שיר השירים ד, ז) כולך יפה רעיתי ומום אין בך

NOR FROM THE SANHEDRIN AND UPWARDS. What is the reason? - For R'Joseph learnt: Just as the court must be pure in righteousness, so must it be pure from any [genealogical] blemish.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This refers to the larger or smaller Sanhedrin (v. Sanh. 2a) , but not to an ordinary court.');">¹⁰</span> Said Meremar: What verse teaches this?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'what is its verse?'');">¹¹</span> Thou art all fair, my love; and there is no blemish in thee.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Cant. IV, 7.');">¹²</span>

אימא מומא ממש אמר רב אחא בר יעקב אמר קרא (במדבר יא, טז) והתיצבו שם עמך עמך בדומים לך

Perhaps a literal blemish [is meant]? - Said R'Aha B'Jacob: Scripture saith, that they may stand there with thee:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Num. XI, 16: this refers to the seventy elders, who, together with Moses, were traditionally regarded as the first great Sanhedrin of seventy one.');">¹³</span> 'with thee' [implies,] like unto thee.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Of pure descent.');">¹⁴</span> Yet perhaps that was on account of the Shechinah?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The Divine Presence. For these were endowed with the power of prophecy (v. 25) ; yet subsequent Sanhedrins may not require unstained birth?');">¹⁵</span> But<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' So the reading in Sanh. 36b, and as required here.');">¹⁶</span>

ודלמא משום שכינה אמר רב נחמן אמר קרא (שמות יח, כב) והקל מעליך ונשאו אתך בדומים לך

said R'Nahman: Scripture saith, so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ex. XVIII, 22. This likewise refers to the setting up of courts, and no mention is made of prophecy.');">¹⁷</span> 'with thee' [implies,] like unto thee. ALL WHOSE PARENTS WERE NOT ESTABLISHED TO HAVE BEEN AMONG THE PUBLIC OFFICERS. Are we to say that [judges] were not appointed of [genealogically] unfit persons?

כל מי שהוחזקו אבותיו משוטרי הרבים למימרא דלא מוקמינן מפסולים ורמינהו הכל כשרים לדון דיני ממונות ואין הכל כשרים לדון דיני נפשות והוינן בה הכל לאיתויי מאי ואמר רב יהודה לאיתויי ממזר אמר אביי בירושלים וכן תני רב שמעון בר זירא בקידושי דבי לוי בירושלים

But the following contradicts it: All are fit to adjudicate in civil matters, but not all are eligible to judge capital cases. Now pondered thereon: What does 'all' include? And Rab Judah said: It includes mamzer. - Said Abaye: In Jerusalem.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Our Mishnah refers to Jerusalem, where only men of unsullied birth were permitted to be judges.');">¹⁸</span>

וגבאי צדקה משיאים מאי טעמא כיון דמנצו בהדי אינשי דאמר מר ממשכנים על הצדקה ואפילו בערב שבת ואם איתא דאיכא אית ליה קלא

And so did R'Simeon B'Zera recite in Kiddushin of the School of Levi:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., in Levi's Baraitha on the Tractate Kiddushin. Z. Frankel, Darke ha'Mishnah, p. 313, and Weiss, Dor, II. 191-2 maintain that this was in opposition to Rabbi's Mishnah; Halevi, Doroth, II. 119-121 proves that it was not opposed but explanatory of and complementary to Rabbi's compilation.');">¹⁹</span> In Jerusalem. OR CHARITY OVERSEERS, ARE PERMITTED TO MARRY [INTO THE PRIESTHOOD]. What is the reason? - Since they quarrel with people, for a Master said: Pledges are taken for charity, even on Sabbath eve,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Charity was compulsory, and if one failed to pay his quota a pledge was forcibly taken from him; this naturally led to quarrels with the overseer.');">²⁰</span>

אושפזיכניה דרב אדא בר אהבה גיורא הוה והוה קא מנצי איהו ורב ביבי מר אמר אנא עבידנא סררותא דמתא ומר אמר אנא עבידנא סררותא דמתא אתו לקמיה דרב יוסף אמר להו תנינא (דברים יז, טו) שום תשים עליך מלך מקרב אחיך כל משימות שאתה משים לא יהיה אלא מקרב אחיך

if there were [a blemish in his family], it would be known. R'Adda B'Ahabah's host was a proselyte, and he and R'Bibi were at variance, each claiming, I must carry on the administration of the town. So they went before R'Joseph. Said he to them, We learn it: One from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XVII, 55.');">²¹</span>

אמר ליה רב אדא בר אהבה ואפילו אמו מישראל אמר ליה אמו מישראל מקרב אחיך קרינא ביה הלכך רב ביבי דגברא רבא הוא ליעיין במילי דשמיא ומר ליעיין במילי דמתא אמר אביי הלכך מאן דמשרי צורבא מדרבנן באושפיזיכניה לאשרי כרב אדא בר אהבה דידע למהפיך ליה בזכותיה

all appointments<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'settings.'');">²²</span> which thou makest must be only from the midst of thy brethren. Said R'Adda B'Ahabah to him: Even if his mother is a Jewess? - If his mother is a Jewess, he replied, we apply to<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'read of.'');">²³</span> him, 'from the midst of thy brethren'.

רבי זירא מטפל בהו רבה בר אבוה מטפל בהו במערבא אפילו ריש כורי לא מוקמי מינייהו בנהרדעא אפי' ריש גרגותא לא מוקמי מינייהו

Therefore let R'Bibi, who is a great man, give his attention to Heavenly matters,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Rashi: the charity collections and distribution, synagogue administration.');">²⁴</span> and do you, Sir, pay attention to affairs of the town.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' E.g., taxation etc.');">²⁵</span> Said Abaye: Therefore, when one provides a scholar with residence in his boarding house, let him provide it for one like R'Adda B'Ahabah, who is able<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'knows'.');">²⁶</span> to argue<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'turn (things) about.'');">²⁷</span>

רבי יוסי אומר אף מי שהיה וכו' מאי טעמא דייקי ומחתמי

in his favour. R'Zera took trouble over them [sc. proselytes]; Rabbah B'Abbuhah took trouble over them. In the west [Palestine] not even an Inspector of Measures<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Kori fr. kor, a measure.');">²⁸</span> was appointed of them.

רבי חנינא בן אנטיגנוס וכו' אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל בחיילות של בית דוד אמר רב יוסף מאי קרא (דברי הימים א ז, מ) והתיחשם בצבא במלחמה וטעמא מאי אמר רב יהודה אמר רב כדי שתהא זכותן וזכות אבותם מסייעתן

In Nehardea, not even an irrigation superintendent was appointed of them. R'JOSE SAID: EVEN ONE WHO WAS etc. What is the reason? They [first] investigated, and then allowed them to attest. R'HANINA B. ANTIGONUS etc. Rab Judah said in Samuel's name: [This refers to the officers] in the armies of the House of David.

והאיכא (שמואל ב כג, לז) צלק העמוני מאי לאו דאתי מעמון לא דיתיב בעמון והאיכא (שמואל ב כג, לט) אוריה החתי מאי לאו דאתי מחת לא דיתיב בחת

Said R'Joseph: What verse teaches this?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'what is its verse?'');">²⁹</span> And they who were reckoned by genealogy for service in war.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I Chron. VII, 40.');">³⁰</span> And what is the reason?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Why insist on pure birth?');">³¹</span> - Said Rab Judah in Rab's name: In order that their own merit and the merit of their fathers might aid them.

והאיכא (שמואל ב טו, יט) אתי הגיתי וכי תימא הכי נמי דיתיב בגת והא אמר רב נחמן אתי הגיתי בא ובטלה

But there was Zelek the Ammonite;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' II Sam. XXIII, 37.');">³²</span> surely that means that he was descended from Ammon? - No: that he dwelt in Ammon. But there was Uriah the Hittite;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' II Sam. XXIII, 39.');">³³</span> surely that means that he was descended from Heth? - No: that he dwelt among the Hittites.

ועוד אמר רב יהודה אמר רב ארבע מאות ילדים היו לו לדוד וכולם בני יפת תואר היו וכולם מסתפרים קומי ומגדלים בלורית היו וכולם יושבים בקרוניות של זהב והיו מהלכים בראשי גייסות והן הן בעלי אגרופים של בית דוד דאזלי לבעותי עלמא

But there was Ittai the Gittite.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. XV, 19.');">³⁴</span> And should you answer, here too it means that he dwelt in Gath, - but R'Nahman said: Ittai the Gittite came and destroyed it.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. Milcom, the idol of the Ammonites, and the whole point of R. Nahman's dictum is that he did this as a heathen. V. 'A. Z. 44a.');">³⁵</span> Moreover, Rab Judah said in Rab's name, David had four hundred children, all the offsprings of 'beautiful women,'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Captured in war; v. Deut. XXI, 10-14.');">³⁶</span> all with hair trimmed in front<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In Roman fashion, with a fringe on the forehead and curls hanging down on the temples.');">³⁷</span> and locks growing long;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [Belurith (etym. obscure) a heathen fashion of growing locks from the crown of the head, hanging down in plaits at the back, v. Krauss, T.A. I 645.]');">³⁸</span> and all sat in golden chariots and went at the head of armies, and they were the strong men<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., men of fists.'');">³⁹</span> of the House of David! - They merely went to terrorise [the opposing armies].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' But did not actually fight.');">⁴⁰</span>