Hebrew Literature Part 58

etc.

19 Deut. xi. 19.

20 Because it says, "that ye may look upon it," _i.e._, the fringe.

Num. xv. 39.

21 When the expressions "free" or "not free" are used, they refer to the decisions of the Levitical Law. So also is it with the expressions "clean" or "unclean."

_ 22 I.e._, the eighteen blessings called "Amidah."

23 Phylacteries consist of texts of Scripture (Exod. xiii. 2-10, 11-17; Deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22) written on parchment and inclosed in a leather box. They are bound by thongs round the left arm and forehead.

24 Lev. xv. 16.

25 Or transgression.

26 Called Musaph.

27 Prayer called "Habdelah."

28 Called "Chonen hada'ath."

29 As if there were two G.o.ds.

30 Mentioned Deut. viii. 8. The Jews make a distinction between Biccurim, the fruits of the soil in their natural state, and Therumoth, the fruits in a prepared state, such as oil, flour, and wine. The first fruits were always brought to Jerusalem with great pomp and display. The Talmud says that all the cities which were of the same course of priests gathered together into one of the cities which was a priestly station, and they lodged in the streets. In the morning he who was chief among them said, "Arise, let us go up to Zion to the House of the Lord our G.o.d." An ox went before them with gilded horns, and an olive crown was on his head. This ox was intended for a peace offering to be eaten by the priests in the court of the sanctuary. The pipe played before the procession until it approached Jerusalem. When they drew near to the holy city, the first fruits were "crowned" and exposed to view with great ostentation. Then the chief men and the high officers and the treasurers of the temple came out to meet them and receive them with honor. And all the workmen in Jerusalem rose up in their shops, and thus they saluted them: "O our brethren, inhabitants of such a city, ye are welcome." The pipe played before them till they came to the Temple Mount. Everyone, even King Agrippa himself, took his basket upon his shoulder, and went forward till he came to the court. Then the Levites sang, "I will exalt thee, O Lord, because thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me." (Ps.

x.x.x. 1). While the basket is still on his shoulder, he says, "I profess this day to the Lord my G.o.d." And when he repeats the pa.s.sage, "A Syrian ready to perish was my father" (Deut. xxvi. 3-5), he casts the basket down from his shoulder, and keeps silent while the priest waves it hither and thither at the southwest corner of the altar. The whole pa.s.sage of Scripture being then recited as far as the tenth verse, he places the basket before the altar-he worships-and goes out. The baskets of the rich were of gold or silver. The baskets of the poor were of peeled willow. These latter, together with their contents, were presented to the priests in service. The more valuable baskets were returned to their owners.

They used to hang turtle doves and young pigeons round their baskets, which were adorned with flowers. These were sacrificed for burnt offerings. The parties who brought the first fruits were obliged to lodge in Jerusalem all the night after they brought them, and the next morning they were allowed to return home. The first fruits were forbidden to be offered before the feast of Pentecost, and after the feast of Dedication.

31 Ps. lxviii. 26.

32 Lest it be a blessing used on Mount Gerizim.

33 Deut. vi. 5.

34 Ruth ii. 4.

35 Judges vi. 12.

36 Prov. xxiii. 22.

37 Psalm cxix. 126.

38 It has been a subject of dispute when the Sabbatical year began-whether in Nisan or Tishri. The weight of evidence is, however, in favor of the civil New Year's Day, which fell in Tishri (September).

39 An Italian mina perhaps; a denarius. If so, the heap would be worth about 1 17s. 6d.

40 Exod. x.x.xiv. 21.

41 Lev. xxiii. 10. The omer or "wave sheaf" at the Pa.s.sover, and the two wave loaves, at Pentecost, were to be made from grain grown in the field during the Sabbatical year. It was also allowed to till sufficient land to pay taxes.

42 Lev. xix. 23-25.

43 Grain or corn field.

44 With a pointed instrument covered with oil.

45 Linseed.

46 Rain-field means a field irrigated with rain water.

47 Some suppose the meaning to be, the permission to sprinkle with water a "white" or corn field in which the gourds are growing.

48 The word translated "fertility" means literally "sweetness." Some apply these words to the dung out of which the moisture has "dried out," and it is then only reckoned as earth. Others apply them to the ground which has lost its fertility (sweetness) for want of rain (Job xxi. 33). The meaning is that no advantage must be gained from it in the approaching Sabbatical year.

49 About thirty-six and one-half gallons.

_ 50 I.e._, Stones lying on the top of other stones.

51 The removal of stones "touching" the earth might loosen it, and become a kind of cultivation.

_ 52 I.e._, From the outside of the boundary wall, as in like manner his ears of corn might be plucked. An answer to envious remarks that he was preparing for cultivation (Jer. Tal.).

53 Twice ploughed implies the payment of tribute when the land was under foreign rule. Its cultivation was allowed for this purpose during the Sabbatical year. So long as a foe could be resisted, it was not cultivated (1 Mac. vi. 49).

54 Jer. xxix. 7.

55 A log held the contents of six eggsh.e.l.ls.

56 A seah held about the third of a bushel.

57 Literally, "daughters of the pit." "Adam's apples," (Jer. Tal.).

Supposed to be the fruit which tempted Eve. The decision in the text a.s.sumes that the trees began to bud in the Sabbatical year, and that the fruit would not be ripe for three years.

58 Twelve cabs.

59 To prevent their growth.

60 "Puah, for dyeing red"(?).

61 This permission has reference to certain laws with regard to legal cleanness.

62 Achzib; Ecdippa, near Acca.

63 Some consider this to be the Abana: others read Amnum, and try to identify it with Mount Hor.

64 Rabbi Judah the Holy, called only Rabbi by way of eminence.

_ 65 I.e._, Defiled oil of the heave-offering, etc.