use of Ikkarim (a preventive against pregnancy), 225-229
CHAPTER XV.
MISHNAS I., II., and III. Concerning the tieing and untieing of knots on Sabbath. The poverty of R. Jehudah, the brother of Sallah the Pious, and the manner he and his shared the use of one pair of sandals, 230--233
MISHNA IV. Concerning the folding of clothes and the making of beds on the Sabbath. Laws concerning a Sabbath that is concurrent with the Day of Atonement. Distinction of attire on Sabbath from that on week-days. R. Johanan's statement in reference to clothes. Rules for walking on the Sabbath. Inferences drawn from the biblical passage: "Give unto the wise, and he will become wiser." Boaz's object in marrying Ruth. The mention made in the Thorah concerning change of attire. The necessity for a scholar of keeping his attire immaculate. The degree of trustworthiness required of a scholar in order that he may recover a lost article without identification. The degree of worth required of a scholar to allow of his eligibility to the presidency of a congregation. Rules concerning the cleansing of food on the afternoon of the Day of Atonement, 233-238
CHAPTER XVI.
MISHNAS I. and II. Concerning the saving of sacred scrolls from a conflagration on Sabbath. What is the law concerning such scrolls if written in Aramaic, Coptic, Median, old Hebrew, Elamite, and Greek? What happened to Aba Halafta on his visit to R. Gamaliel the Great in Tiberias, while sitting at the table of Johanan the Nazuph. Aba Halafta's reminiscence of R. Gamaliel's grandfather, in reference to the book of Job, written in Aramaic. The law concerning the saving of written benedictions and amulets from a conflagration. One who writes benedictions is regarded as one who burns the Law. What happened to men of Sidon, who wrote benedictions, which fact became known to R. Ishmael. Why are the two verses (Numbers x. 35 and 36) marked by signs? What is the law concerning the saving of the Gilyonim and the books of the Sadducees from a conflagration? R. Tarphon's dictum in this matter. Ema Shalom, R. Eliezer's wife's, and her brother R. Gamaliel's experience with a philosopher, who was also a judge. The law concerning covers of books, and to which place they may be taken in case of fire, 239-257
MISHNA III. How much food may be saved from a conflagration on Sabbath? How should bread be cut on the Sabbath? The number of meals to be eaten on Sabbath. The amount of property a poor man may own and still not be debarred from accepting charitable gifts. What should be given to an itinerant beggar, The reward of those who observe the eating of three meals on the Sabbath. The reward of one who maketh the Sabbath a delight. By what means we may make the Sabbath a delight. The good deeds related by several Tanaim and Amoraim, to have been especially taken care of by them. The different kinds of work performed by each one of the Amoraim personally in honor of the Sabbath. Anecdote told of Joseph, who honored the Sabbath, and his rich Gentile neighbor. The eventual impoverishment of the Gentile through the purchase of a pearl which was swallowed by a fish, and the sudden wealth of Joseph, who bought the fish and found the pearl. Experience of R. Hyya bar Aba while the guest of a rich man in the city of Ludkai. How must the Day of Atonement be honored? What the two angels who accompany man at the close of Sabbath say to one who had honored the Sabbath and to one who had not. The story of R. Abuha and his calf. Different opinions concerning the cause of the destruction of Jerusalem, 257, 258
MISHNAS IV., V., VI., and VII. How many loaves of bread maybe saved in a basket from a conflagration. It is allowed to cover a chest with a goatskin to keep it from burning. Partitions to be made with vessels filled with water. Concerning a candle that had fallen on the table. Concerning Gentiles and minors at the extinguishing of a fire on Sabbath. The miracle occurring for Joseph ben Simai. What dangerous animals may be killed on Sabbath. The dissatisfaction of the pious with those who kill on the Sabbath, and the dissatisfaction of the sages with the pious. Aba bar Minyumi at the house of the Exilarch. The story of R. Gamaliel on board of a ship, and of Samuel, in whose presence a Gentile lit a candle for his own use, 258-265
CHAPTER XVII.
MISHNAS I. to VI. Concerning vessels which may be handled on the Sabbath. Vessels which may be removed for lack of space, also from sunshine into the shade; whether fragments of the vessels may be moved with them, and other such matters. The questions put to Rabh by Mari bar Rachel, and Rabh's replies. Concerning window-blinds and covers of vessels, 266-275
CHAPTER XVIII.
MISHNA I. How much straw may be removed for the accommodation of guests on Sabbath. The reward for hospitality. Different opinions concerning the merits of hospitality. The six things of which the interest is paid to man on earth and the principal in the world to come. The four additional things which include the previous six. Concerning one who judges his neighbor charitably, and his reward above. The story of the man who was hired by the father of Hyrcanos for three years, and who was not paid at the end of the term. The story of the pious man who ransomed a maiden from captivity. The story of R. Jehoshua and the Roman matron, and his disciples. Whether salt meat and salt fish may be handled, 276-281
MISHNA II. Concerning a basket set down for chickens to climb. Concerning a woman carrying her child. What may be done in the event of an animal falling into the water on Sabbath, 281, 282
MISHNA III. Concerning animals about to calve on a festival. What assistance may be given a woman about to give birth to child on a Sabbath. For how long a period may the Sabbath be violated on account of a woman lying-in? From what time is she considered to be lying-in? Where life is at stake, the ordinances may be put. to the most lenient construction. Every thing necessary for a sick person, where the illness is not dangerous, should be performed by a Gentile. Concerning bleeding. Meals after being bled. The duty of drinking wine after being bled, and advice to one who has no wine, On what days one should be bled and on what days one should not. Everything mentioned in Ezekiel xvi. 4 may be done for a woman lying-in on Sabbath, 282-287
CHAPTER XIX.
MISHNAS I., II., and III. Concerning the bringing of the knife for circumcision on Sabbath. When it should be brought publicly and when concealed; when it should be concealed before witnesses. Public carrying of the knife as a proof of the love of the commandment. Commandments accepted by Israelites with joy are even now carried out joyfully; those received with protest are now reluctantly carried out. Story of Elisha, "the man of wings." The Sabbath may be violated on account of preparations for circumcision. Concerning the sucking out of the blood, and bandages necessary for circumcision. What Abayi's mother told him. Rabh's experience with the physicians of Me'huzza. Children who have imperfect circulation should not be circumcised until in perfect health. What happened to Nathan of Babylon. How a child should be bathed on Sabbath. The law concerning hermaphrodites. Concerning a child born at twilight and a child born without a foreskin. The story of the child of R. Ada bar Ahabha, who was carried to thirteen circumcisers. Whether the Sabbath may be violated on account of a child that had been delivered from the side of the mother (with instruments). When a child is called a miscarriage. If a child was to a certainty regularly born, it must in the event of its death be mourned in the regular manner, 288-305
MISHNAS IV., V., and VI. Concerning one who had two children to be circumcised. Under what circumstances a child may be circumcised after the eighth day and until the twelfth. The benedictions pronounced by the circumciser, the father of the child, and the assembled guests after the circumcision, 305-308
CHAPTER XX.
MISHNAS I. to V. Concerning wine-filters. Laws concerning folding-beds, folding-chairs, etc. Question put by R. Kahana to Rabh. Rabh's reply and the explanation of same by the Gemara. The assertion that the Law will be forgotten by Israel, and R. Simeon's ben Jochai explanation of same. The advisability of investigating amongst the judges in Israel in times of trouble. Corrupt judges the hindrance to the resting of the Lord's Shekhina among the children of Israel. Zion's redemption must come through justice. The story of the young scholar who was accused before R. Ashi. The story told by R. Joseph concerning the goblet of wine served him by Mar Uqba. Concerning the soaking of laserpitium on Sabbath, Indisposition of R. A'ha bar Joseph, who was cured by laserpitium. Several sayings of R. Hisda,