Chapter I

Eighteen Treatises from the Mishna, by D. A. Sola and M. J. Raphall, [1843], at sacred-texts.com

CHAPTER I.

§ 1. Dry land may be irrigated on the Moed, ¹ and also during the Sabbatical year, as well from a fountain that is newly sprung forth, as from one that is not newly sprung forth; but they must not irrigate it with rain-water, nor with water [drawn] from a deep well; nor may they make [dig] trenches [to hold water] round vines.

§ 2. R. Eleazar ben Azariah saith, "They must not make [dig] a fresh trench [conduit, or water course] on the Moed, or during the Sabbatical year." But the sages hold, that a fresh trench [water course] may be dug during the Sabbatical year, and that those [conduits] which are choked up, may be repaired on the Moed. They may [likewise] repair water reservoirs [which are] in the public reshuth, ² and cleanse them: They may also repair the roads [streets], the market [public] places, and the spring-baths. In short, they may do whatever the exigencies of the public [service] require. They

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may mark [whitewash] tombs, ³ and even send out [inspectors] of Kilaim. ⁴

§ 3. R. Eleazar ben Jacob saith, "They may lead water from tree to tree, provided always the whole orchard be not irrigated; plants which have not imbibed ⁵ [water] before the Moed, must not be irrigated during the Moed." ⁶ But the sages permit the one and the other.

§ 4. They may [by means of gins and pit-falls] catch moles and field-mice in orchards and fields, but they must not [do this] in the [usual] way, ⁷ both on the Moed and during the Sabbatical year. But the sages hold that in an orchard [the vermin may he caught] in the [usual] way, but that in a corn-field [it must] not [be caught] in the [usual] way. During the Moed they may pile [loose stones to stop] a gap ⁸ [in a fence], but during the Sabbatical year they repair it in the [ordinary] way.

§ 5. R. Meir saith, "Priests make the first inspection of the plague [of leprosy] in order to relieve [the patient], but not to restrict [him]." But the sages decide neither to relieve nor to restrict [in no case is such an inspection to be undertaken during the Moed]. ⁹ R. Meir [further] saith, "A man may collect the bones of his father and mother [during the Moed, to inter them], because it is a satisfaction to him [relieves his mind]." But R. José saith, "It is a grief to him [afflicts his mind]. Man is not to excite [others to mourn] over his dead, ¹⁰ nor hold a funeral oration for thirty days before the festival."

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§ 6. They must not dig graves or burial vaults on the Moed, but they may prepare [enlarge] graves [previously dug] on the Moed, and also make a washing pit during the Moed, and a coffin in the same court where the corpse lies. [This, however,] R. Jehudah prohibits, unless the boards have been [previously] provided.

§ 7. They must not espouse wives on the Moed, neither virgins nor widows; nor must they be ‏מיבם‎, ¹¹ as that [the espousal] is a cause of joy to him individually, ¹² but he may receive back his own divorced wife. A woman may prepare her ornaments on the Moed. R. Jehudah saith, "She must not apply lime [chalk as a cosmetic], because it [may] disfigure her."

§ 8. An ordinary person [who is not of the craft] may sew [make stitches] in the [regular] way; but the craftsman [whose trade it is to sew, must only do it] zigzag [during the Moed]. They may twine [the ropes in the sacking of] bedsteads. R. José saith, "[They may] only tighten [the ropes]."

§ 9. They may erect an oven, or a hearth, or a mill, on the Moed [for the use of the festival]. R. Jehudah saith, "New millstones must not be chipped." ¹³

§ 10. A railing [balustrade] may be made round a roof, or gallery [according to the] workmanship of common men, but not [according to the] workmanship of [regular] craftsmen. Rents [in the roof] may also be closed, and [then] smoothened with a roller, ¹⁴ or with hand and foot, but not with a trowel. Should the hinges of the door-frame, or the beam, or the lock [of the door], or the key [thereto], have been broken, they may be repaired on the Moed, provided always he does not intentionally put off the repairs till the Moed. All [kinds of] pickled food ¹⁵ of which he can eat during the Moed, may be pickled.

Footnotes

192:1 ‏מועד‎, The middle days of Passover and of Tabernacles.

192:2 Vide Mishna, Treatise Sabbath, Introduction.

193:3 In order that they may be distinguished, so that persons avoid contracting uncleanness.

193:4 As such inspectors were sent out at the cost of the public, it was generally done on the middle days of the festivals, because, not having any other work to do, the men hired to act as inspectors were to be had at a smaller charge than at other times of the year.

193:5 Either by rain or by the hand of man.

193:6 Any occupation, the omission of which might cause loss or injury, is permitted during the Moed. R. Eleazar thinks, that as the plants have done hitherto without water, further delay cannot injure them. The sages, however, are of a different opinion.

193:7 Some departure from the usual way of setting a gin, &c. must be adopted.

193:8 Breaches in the wall of an inhabited house may be regularly rebuilt.

193:9 R. Meir thinks the inspecting priest is at liberty to reserve his opinion, should it be unfavourable, so as not to afflict the sufferer. But the sages hold he is bound at once to pronounce his opinion.

193:10 Who have been some time deceased.

194:11 ‏יבם‎, the duty of marrying the childless widow of a deceased brother. Vide Treatise Yebamoth.

194:12 And must not interfere with the general joy arising from the festival.

194:13 Should they be too smooth, so as not to grind, they may not be chipped or sharpened during the Moed.

194:14 According to Bartenora, it must be rendered, "and then smoothened [with hand and foot as if] with a roller."

194:15 Edibles which require to be cured in salt or in vinegar, as fish, colewort, and the like.