## Megillah Daf 23b

###### Megillah 23b:1
[Megillah 23b:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:1)

כְּנֶגְדּוֹ נָמֵי לָא בָּעֵי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**it is not necessary** to **also** add corresponding verses in the *haftara*.


###### Megillah 23b:2
[Megillah 23b:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:2)

מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רָבָא: וַהֲרֵי ״עוֹלוֹתֵיכֶם סְפוֹ״, דְּלָא הָוְיִין עֶשְׂרִין וְחַד, וְקָרֵינַן! שָׁאנֵי הָתָם, דִּסְלֵיק עִנְיָינָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rava strongly objects to this** *baraita*: **But** there is the *haftara* that begins with the words: **“Add your burnt offerings”** (Jeremiah 7:21–28), **which does not have twenty-one verses, and** nevertheless **we read it.** The Gemara answers: **There it is different, as the topic is completed** in fewer than twenty-one verses, and it is not necessary to begin another topic merely to complete the number of verses.


###### Megillah 23b:3
[Megillah 23b:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:3)

וְהֵיכָא דְּלָא סָלֵיק עִנְיָינָא לָא? וְהָאָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אַבָּא: זִמְנִין סַגִּיאִין הֲוָה קָאֵימְנָא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, וְכִי הֲוָה קָרֵינַן עֲשָׂרָה פְּסוּקֵי, אֲמַר לַן: אַפְּסִיקוֹ! מָקוֹם שֶׁיֵּשׁ תּוּרְגְּמָן שָׁאנֵי. דְּתָנֵי רַב תַּחְלִיפָא בַּר שְׁמוּאֵל: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁאֵין תּוּרְגְּמָן, אֲבָל מָקוֹם שֶׁיֵּשׁ תּוּרְגְּמָן — פּוֹסֵק.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **But** is it true that **where the topic is not completed,** we do **not** read fewer than twenty-one verses? **Didn’t Rav Shmuel bar Abba say: Many times I stood before Rabbi Yoḥanan** as a translator, **and when we had read ten verses he would say to us: Stop.** This indicates that a *haftara* need not be twenty-one verses. The Gemara answers: **In a place where there is a translator,** who translates each verse into Aramaic and adds additional explanation, **it is different.** In that case, it is not necessary for the *haftara* to consist of twenty-one verses, so as not to overburden the congregation, **as Rav Taḥalifa bar Shmuel taught: They taught** that twenty-one verses must be read from the *haftara* **only** in **a place where there is no translator; but in a place where there is a translator, one may stop** even before that.


###### Megillah 23b:4
[Megillah 23b:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:4)

**מַתְנִי׳** אֵין פּוֹרְסִין עַל שְׁמַע, וְאֵין עוֹבְרִין לִפְנֵי הַתֵּיבָה, וְאֵין נוֹשְׂאִין אֶת כַּפֵּיהֶם, וְאֵין קוֹרִין בְּתוֹרָה, וְאֵין מַפְטִירִין בַּנָּבִיא,

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**MISHNA:** **One does not recite the** introductory prayers and **blessing [*poresin*]** before ***Shema*; nor does one pass before the ark** to repeat the *Amida* prayer; **nor do the** priests **lift their hands** to recite the Priestly Benediction; **nor is the Torah read** in public; **nor does one conclude with** a reading from **the Prophets** [*haftara*] in the presence of fewer than ten men.


###### Megillah 23b:5
[Megillah 23b:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:5)

וְאֵין עוֹשִׂין מַעֲמָד וּמוֹשָׁב, וְאֵין אוֹמְרִים בִּרְכַּת אֲבֵלִים וְתַנְחוּמֵי אֲבֵלִים, וּבִרְכַּת חֲתָנִים, וְאֵין מְזַמְּנִין בְּשֵׁם — פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה. וּבְקַרְקָעוֹת — תִּשְׁעָה וְכֹהֵן, וְאָדָם כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**And one does not observe** the practice of **standing up and sitting down** for the delivery of eulogies at a funeral service; **nor does one recite the mourners’ blessing or comfort mourners** in two lines after the funeral; **or** recite the **bridegrooms’ blessing; and one does not invite** others to recite Grace after Meals, i.e., conduct a *zimmun*, **with the name** of God, **with fewer than ten** men present. If one consecrated **land** and now wishes to redeem it, the land must be assessed by **nine** men **and one priest,** for a total of ten. **And similarly,** assessing the value of **a person** who has pledged his own value to the Temple must be undertaken by ten people, one of whom must be a priest.


###### Megillah 23b:6
[Megillah 23b:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:6)

**גְּמָ׳** מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, דְּאָמַר קְרָא: ״וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״, כׇּל דָּבָר שֶׁבִּקְדוּשָּׁה לֹא יְהֵא פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**GEMARA:** The Gemara asks: **From where are these matters,** i.e., that ten people are needed in each of these cases, derived? **Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said:** It is **as the verse states: “And I shall be hallowed among the children of Israel”** (Leviticus 22:32), which indicates that **any expression of sanctity may not be** recited in a quorum of **fewer than ten** men.


###### Megillah 23b:7
[Megillah 23b:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:7)

מַאי מַשְׁמַע? דְּתָנֵי רַבִּי חִיָּיא: אָתְיָא ״תּוֹךְ״ ״תּוֹךְ״, כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״הִבָּדְלוּ מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה״,

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **From where** in the verse may this **be inferred?** The Gemara responds that it must be understood **as Rabbi Ḥiyya taught: It is inferred** by means of a verbal analogy [*gezera shava*] between the words **“among,” “among.” Here, it is written: “And I shall be hallowed among the children of Israel,” and there,** with regard to Korah’s congregation, **it is written “Separate yourselves from among this congregation”** (Numbers 16:21). Just as with regard to Korah the reference is to ten men, so too, the name of God is to be hallowed in a quorum of ten men.


###### Megillah 23b:8
[Megillah 23b:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:8)

וְאָתְיָא ״עֵדָה״ ״עֵדָה״, דִּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״עַד מָתַי לָעֵדָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת״ — מָה לְהַלָּן עֲשָׂרָה, אַף כָּאן עֲשָׂרָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The connotation of ten associated with the word “among” in the portion of Korah is, in turn, **inferred** by means of another verbal analogy between the word **“congregation”** written there and the word **“congregation”** written in reference to the ten spies who slandered Eretz Yisrael, **as it is written there: “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation?”** (Numbers 14:27). Consequently, **just as there,** in the case of the spies, it was a congregation of **ten** people, as there were twelve spies altogether, and Joshua and Caleb were not included in the evil congregation, **so too, here,** in the case of Korah, the reference is to a congregation of **ten** people. The first several items mentioned in the mishna are expressions of sanctity, and they consequently require a quorum of ten.


###### Megillah 23b:9
[Megillah 23b:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:9)

וְאֵין עוֹשִׂין מַעֲמָד וּמוֹשָׁב פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה. כֵּיוָן דְּבָעֵי לְמֵימַר: ״עִמְדוּ יְקָרִים עֲמוֹדוּ, שְׁבוּ יְקָרִים שֵׁבוּ״ — בְּצִיר מֵעֲשָׂרָה לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ We learned in the mishna: **And one does not observe** the practice of **standing up and sitting down** for the delivery of eulogies at a funeral service **with fewer than ten** men present. As this is not an expression of sanctity, it is therefore necessary to explain why a quorum is required. The Gemara explains: **Since** the leader of the funeral procession **is required to say: Stand, dear** friends, **stand; sit down, dear** friends, **sit down,** when there are **fewer than ten it is not proper conduct** to speak in such a dignified style.


###### Megillah 23b:10
[Megillah 23b:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:10)

וְאֵין אוֹמְרִים בִּרְכַּת אֲבֵלִים וּבִרְכַּת חֲתָנִים (וְכוּ׳). מַאי בִּרְכַּת אֲבֵלִים? בִּרְכַּת רְחָבָה. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בִּרְכַּת אֲבֵלִים בַּעֲשָׂרָה, וְאֵין אֲבֵלִים מִן הַמִּנְיָן. בִּרְכַּת חֲתָנִים בַּעֲשָׂרָה, וַחֲתָנִים מִן הַמִּנְיָן.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
We also learned in the mishna that **one does not recite the mourners’ blessing and the bridegrooms’ blessing** with fewer than ten men present. The Gemara asks: **What is the mourners’ blessing? The blessing** recited **in the square** next to the cemetery. Following the burial, those who participated in the funeral would assemble in the square and bless the mourners that God should comfort them, **as Rabbi Yitzḥak said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The mourners’ blessing** is recited only **with ten** men present, **and mourners** themselves **are not included in the count. The bridegrooms’ blessing** is also recited only **with ten** men present, **and bridegrooms** themselves **are included in the count.** Consequently, only nine other men are needed.


###### Megillah 23b:11
[Megillah 23b:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:11)

וְאֵין מְזַמְּנִין עַל הַמָּזוֹן בַּשֵּׁם פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה (וְכוּ׳). כֵּיוָן דְּבָעֵי לְמֵימַר ״נְבָרֵךְ לֵאלֹהֵינוּ״ — בְּצִיר מֵעֲשָׂרָה לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
We learned further in the mishna: **And one does not invite** others to recite Grace after Meals, i.e., conduct a *zimmun*, in order to thank God **for** one’s **nourishment, with the name** of God, **with fewer than ten** men present. **Since one is required to say: Let us bless our Lord,** in the presence of **fewer than ten** it is **not proper conduct** to mention the name of God.


###### Megillah 23b:12
[Megillah 23b:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:12)

וְהַקַּרְקָעוֹת תִּשְׁעָה וְכֹהֵן, וְאָדָם כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן (וְכוּ׳). מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ If one consecrated **land** and now wishes to redeem it, the land must be assessed by **nine** Israelites **and one priest,** for a total of ten. **And similarly,** assessing the value of **a person** who has pledged his own value to the Temple must be undertaken by ten people, one of whom must be a priest. The Gemara asks: **From where are these matters,** that consecrated land must be assessed by ten people, one of whom is a priest, derived?


###### Megillah 23b:13
[Megillah 23b:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:13)

אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: עֲשָׂרָה כֹּהֲנִים כְּתוּבִים בַּפָּרָשָׁה. חַד לְגוּפֵיהּ, (וְחַד לְמַעוֹטֵי,) וְאִידַּךְ הָוֵי מִיעוּט אַחַר מִיעוּט, וְאֵין מִיעוּט אַחַר מִיעוּט אֶלָּא לְרַבּוֹת. תִּשְׁעָה יִשְׂרְאֵלִים וְחַד כֹּהֵן.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Shmuel said:** The word **priest** is **written ten** times **in the** Torah **portion** that addresses the redemption of consecrated property, indicating that ten people are required to assess the value of such property (Leviticus, chapter 27). **One** instance of the word is needed **for itself,** to indicate that a priest must participate in the assessment. **And one** instance is needed **to exclude** all non-priests from fulfilling that role. **And** all **the other** instances of the word **are restrictions following** other **restrictions,** and there is a general hermeneutical principle that **one restriction after another** serves **only to amplify.** Therefore, each additional time the word priest is repeated, it extends the criteria applied to appraisers, so as to allow non-priests to participate. Consequently, the assessment may be carried out by **nine** ordinary **Israelites and one priest.**


###### Megillah 23b:14
[Megillah 23b:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:14)

וְאֵימָא: חֲמִשָּׁה כֹּהֲנִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה יִשְׂרְאֵלִים! קַשְׁיָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **And** on the basis of this principle, **say** that the first usage of the term is restrictive and requires a priest for the assessment; the second usage amplifies and allows for a non-priest; the third usage again requires a priest; the fourth usage allows for a non-priest; and so on. Consequently, the assessment must be carried out by **five priests and five** ordinary **Israelites.** The Gemara concludes: Indeed, it is **difficult,** as the derivation has not been sufficiently explained.


###### Megillah 23b:15
[Megillah 23b:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:15)

וְאָדָם כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן. אָדָם מִי קָדוֹשׁ?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
We learned in the mishna: **And similarly,** assessing the value of **a person** who has pledged his own value to the Temple must be undertaken by ten people, one of whom must be a priest. The Gemara asks: **Can a person become consecrated** and thereby require redemption?


###### Megillah 23b:16
[Megillah 23b:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:16)

אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: בְּאוֹמֵר ״דְּמֵי עָלַי״. דְּתַנְיָא: הָאוֹמֵר ״דְּמֵי עָלַי״ — שָׁמִין אוֹתוֹ כְּעֶבֶד. וְעֶבֶד אִיתַּקַּשׁ לְקַרְקָעוֹת, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּם אוֹתָם לִבְנֵיכֶם אַחֲרֵיכֶם לָרֶשֶׁת אֲחוּזָּה״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rabbi Abbahu said:** The mishna is referring **to one who says: My assessment** is incumbent **upon me,** and thereby pledges to donate a sum of money equivalent to his own monetary value to the Temple treasury, **as it is taught** in a *baraita*: With regard to **one who says: My assessment** is incumbent **upon me,** the court **assesses him as** though he were **a slave** in order to determine the amount he is obligated to donate to the Temple treasury. **And a slave is compared to land, as it is written** with regard to slaves: **“And you shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession”** (Leviticus 25:46). Consequently, the same criteria that apply to assessing consecrated land apply to assessing the monetary value of an individual.


###### Megillah 23b:17
[Megillah 23b:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Megillah/r/23b:17)

**מַתְנִי׳** הַקּוֹרֵא בְּתוֹרָה — לֹא יִפְחוֹת מִשְּׁלֹשָׁה פְּסוּקִים, וְלֹא יִקְרָא לִמְתוּרְגְּמָן יוֹתֵר מִפָּסוּק אֶחָד.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**MISHNA:** **One who reads from the Torah** in the synagogue **should not read fewer than three verses. And** when it is being translated, **he should not read to the translator more than one verse** at a time, so that the translator will not become confused.