## Moed Katan Daf 15a

###### Moed Katan 15a:1
[Moed Katan 15a:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:1)

מְנוּדִּין וּמְצוֹרָעִין מָה הֵן בְּתִסְפּוֹרֶת? תָּא שְׁמַע: מְנוּדִּין וּמְצוֹרָעִין אֲסוּרִין לְסַפֵּר וּלְכַבֵּס.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What** is the *halakha* governing **those who are ostracized and lepers,** with regard to **a haircut?** The Gemara answers: **Come** and **hear that which** was taught in a *baraita*: **Those who are ostracized and lepers are prohibited from cutting** their hair **and laundering** their clothes.


###### Moed Katan 15a:2
[Moed Katan 15a:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:2)

מְנוּדֶּה שֶׁמֵּת, בֵּית דִּין סוֹקְלִין אֶת אֲרוֹנוֹ. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: לֹא שֶׁיַּעֲמִידוּ עָלָיו גַּל אֲבָנִים כְּגַלּוֹ שֶׁל עָכָן, אֶלָּא בֵּית דִּין שׁוֹלְחִין וּמַנִּיחִין אֶבֶן גְּדוֹלָה עַל אֲרוֹנוֹ, לְלַמֶּדְךָ שֶׁכׇּל הַמִּתְנַדֶּה וּמֵת בְּנִידּוּיוֹ — בֵּית דִּין סוֹקְלִין אֶת אֲרוֹנוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
It was further taught there: If **one who is ostracized dies, the court** places **stones on his coffin. Rabbi Yehuda says:** This does **not** mean **that they pile up a heap of stones over him like the heap** of stones that was placed over the grave **of Achan** (see Joshua 7:26). **Rather, the court sends** its agents, **who place a large stone on his coffin** as a symbolic gesture. This comes **to teach you** that **anyone who is ostracized and dies while in his** period of **ostracism,** without seeking to be released from it, **the court** places **stones on his coffin.**


###### Moed Katan 15a:3
[Moed Katan 15a:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:3)

אָבֵל חַיָּיב בַּעֲטִיפַת הָרֹאשׁ. מִדְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא לִיחֶזְקֵאל: ״וְלֹא תַעְטֶה עַל שָׂפָם״, מִכְּלָל דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא מִיחַיְּיבִי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara continues: **A mourner is obligated to wrap** his **head** as a sign of mourning, covering his head and face. This is derived from the fact **that the Merciful One says to Ezekiel,** while he is in mourning: **“And cover not your upper lip”** (Ezekiel 24:17). God commands Ezekiel not to display outward signs of mourning, which proves **by inference that everyone** else **is obligated** to wrap their heads in this manner.


###### Moed Katan 15a:4
[Moed Katan 15a:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:4)

מְנוּדֶּה מַהוּ בַּעֲטִיפַת הָרֹאשׁ? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, תָּא שְׁמַע: וְהֵן מִתְעַטְּפִין וְיוֹשְׁבִין כִּמְנוּדִּין וְכַאֲבֵלִים עַד שֶׁיְּרַחֲמוּ עֲלֵיהֶם מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: דִּלְמָא מְנוּדֶּה לַשָּׁמַיִם שָׁאנֵי, דַּחֲמִיר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is** the *halakha* governing **a person who is ostracized,** with regard to **wrapping of the head? Rav Yosef said: Come** and **hear** that which was taught in a *baraita* about those who were fasting for rain and whose prayers were not answered: **And they wrap themselves and sit as those who are ostracized and as mourners, until they are shown mercy from Heaven.** This implies that those who are ostracized must wrap their heads like mourners. **Abaye said to him: Perhaps one who is ostracized by Heaven is different, as that is more serious** than being ostracized by an earthly court.


###### Moed Katan 15a:5
[Moed Katan 15a:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:5)

מְצוֹרָע מַהוּ בַּעֲטִיפַת הָרֹאשׁ? תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וְעַל שָׂפָם יַעְטֶה״, מִכְּלָל שֶׁחַיָּיב בַּעֲטִיפַת הָרֹאשׁ. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara continues and asks: **What is** the *halakha* in the case of **a leper** with regard to **wrapping of the head? Come** and **hear** a proof based upon the verse: **“And he shall cover his upper lip”** (Leviticus 13:45), from which it may be learned **by inference that he is obligated to wrap** his **head.** The Gemara concludes: Indeed, **learn from here** that this is the case.


###### Moed Katan 15a:6
[Moed Katan 15a:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:6)

אָבֵל אָסוּר לְהַנִּיחַ תְּפִילִּין, מִדְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא לִיחֶזְקֵאל: ״פְּאֵרְךָ חֲבוֹשׁ עָלֶיךָ״, מִכְּלָל דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא אָסוּר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara moves on to another *halakha*: **A mourner is prohibited from donning phylacteries.** This is derived from the fact **that the Merciful One says to Ezekiel,** while he is in mourning: **“Bind your headwear [*pe’er*] upon yourself”** (Ezekiel 24:17). The word *pe’er* alludes to phylacteries. Ezekiel was unique in that he was commanded to put on phylacteries while in mourning, which proves **by inference that everyone** else **is prohibited** from doing so.


###### Moed Katan 15a:7
[Moed Katan 15a:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:7)

מְנוּדֶּה מַהוּ בִּתְפִילִּין? תֵּיקוּ. מְצוֹרָע מַהוּ בִּתְפִילִּין? תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וְהַצָּרוּעַ״ — לְרַבּוֹת כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל. ״בְּגָדָיו יִהְיוּ פְרוּמִים״ — שֶׁיְּהוּ מְקוֹרָעִים, ״וְרֹאשׁוֹ יִהְיֶה פָרוּעַ״ — אֵין פְּרִיעָה אֶלָּא גִּידּוּל שֵׂעָר, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is** the *halakha* governing **one who is ostracized,** with regard to phylacteries? The dilemma **shall stand** unresolved. The Gemara proceeds to its next question: **What is** the *halakha* in the case of **a leper** with regard to phylacteries? The Gemara suggests: **Come** and **hear** a proof from the following *baraita*: The verse states: **“And the leper”** (Leviticus 13:45); as explained earlier, this comes **to include the High Priest** in all the *halakhot* of the leper. The verse states there: **“His garments shall be *perumim*,”** meaning **that they shall be rent.** The verse continues: **“And his head shall be *parua*,”** and this ***peria*** means **only growing the hair long;** this is **the statement of Rabbi Eliezer.**


###### Moed Katan 15a:8
[Moed Katan 15a:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:8)

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: נֶאֶמְרָה הֲוָיָיה בָּרֹאשׁ, וְנֶאֶמְרָה הֲוָיָיה בַּבֶּגֶד. מָה הֲוָיָיה הָאֲמוּרָה בַּבֶּגֶד — דָּבָר שֶׁחוּץ מִגּוּפוֹ. אַף הֲוָיָיה בָּרֹאשׁ דָּבָר שֶׁחוּץ מִגּוּפוֹ. מַאי לָאו, אַתְּפִילִּין!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rabbi Akiva says:** The meaning of these terms is derived through a verbal analogy. The verse **states** a form of the verb **being, with regard to** one’s **head** in the verse: “His head shall be,” teaching that a leper must perform a certain action with his head. **And the verse states** a form of the verb **being with regard to** a leper’s **garment,** in the verse: “His garment shall be.” **Just as** the term **being stated with regard to** his **garment** is referring to **an object external to his body, so too,** the term **being** used **with regard to** his **head** is referring to **an object external to his body.** The Gemara derives from this: **What, is it not** referring to **phylacteries,** and the verse teaches that it is prohibited for a leper to wear phylacteries?


###### Moed Katan 15a:9
[Moed Katan 15a:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:9)

אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: לָא, אַכּוּמְתָא וְסוּדָרָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rav Pappa said: No,** there is no proof from here, as the verse may be referring **to a cap [*kumta*] or a scarf [*sudara*],** which people wear on their heads. It is possible to explain that according to Rabbi Akiva, it is prohibited for a leper to wear such headwear because it is excessive adornment.


###### Moed Katan 15a:10
[Moed Katan 15a:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:10)

אָבֵל אָסוּר בִּשְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם. דְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא לִיחֶזְקֵאל: ״הֵאָנֵק דּוֹם״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara continues: **A mourner is prohibited from greeting** others or being greeted. This is derived from the fact **that the Merciful One says to Ezekiel: “Sigh in silence”** (Ezekiel 24:17), implying that aside from what was absolutely essential, he was prohibited from speaking.


###### Moed Katan 15a:11
[Moed Katan 15a:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:11)

מְנוּדֶּה מַהוּ בִּשְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, תָּא שְׁמַע: וּבִשְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ כִּבְנֵי אָדָם הַנְּזוּפִין לַמָּקוֹם. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: דִּלְמָא מְנוּדֶּה לַשָּׁמַיִם שָׁאנֵי, דַּחֲמִיר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is** the *halakha* governing **one who is ostracized** with regard to **greeting** others? **Rav Yosef said: Come** and **hear** a proof from a *baraita* dealing with those who were fasting for rain and whose prayers were not answered. These people were prohibited **from greeting one another, as people who are reprimanded by the Omnipresent.** This indicates that those who are ostracized must not greet each other, just as mourners may not greet each other. **Abaye said to him: Perhaps one who is ostracized by Heaven is different, as that is more serious** than being ostracized by an earthly court.


###### Moed Katan 15a:12
[Moed Katan 15a:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:12)

מְצוֹרָע מַהוּ בִּשְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם? תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וְעַל שָׂפָם יַעְטֶה״ — שֶׁיְּהוּ שִׂפְתוֹתָיו מְדוּבָּקוֹת זוֹ בָּזוֹ, שֶׁיְּהֵא כִּמְנוּדֶּה וּכְאָבֵל, וְאָסוּר בִּשְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara continues and asks: **What is** the *halakha* concerning **a leper** with regard to **greeting** others? The Gemara suggests: **Come** and **hear** a proof from the following *baraita*: The verse states: **“And he shall cover his upper lip”** (Leviticus 13:45). This means that **his lips should be stuck together, that he should be like one who is ostracized and like a mourner, and he is prohibited from greeting** others or being greeted. The Gemara concludes: Indeed, **learn from this** that this is so.


###### Moed Katan 15a:13
[Moed Katan 15a:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:13)

וְנִיפְשׁוֹט מִינַּהּ לִמְנוּדֶּה? אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר פִּנְחָס מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב יוֹסֵף: מִי קָתָנֵי שֶׁאָסוּר? שֶׁיְּהֵא כִּמְנוּדֶּה וּכְאָבֵל [קָתָנֵי] בְּמִילֵּי אַחְרָנְיָיתָא, וְאָסוּר נָמֵי בִּשְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: If this is the case, then **we should** also **resolve** the question asked above **with regard to one who is ostracized** and say that such a person is prohibited from offering greetings. **Rav Aḥa bar Pineḥas said in the name of Rav Yosef: Does it** explicitly **teach** that a leper **is prohibited** from greeting others, like one who is ostracized? **It teaches** only **that he should be** treated **like one who is ostracized and like a mourner,** i.e., he should be like them **with regard to other things, and** that **he is also prohibited from greeting** others. This being the case, no proof can be derived from here with regard to whether or not one who is ostracized may offer greetings.


###### Moed Katan 15a:14
[Moed Katan 15a:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:14)

אָבֵל אָסוּר בְּדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה, מִדְּקָאָמַר רַחֲמָנָא לִיחֶזְקֵאל: ״דֹּם״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara moves on to a new topic: **A mourner is prohibited** from studying **words of Torah.** This prohibition is derived **from** the fact **that the Merciful One says to Ezekiel:** “Sigh in **silence”** (Ezekiel 24:17). Ezekiel was commanded to be silent and not discuss even Torah matters.


###### Moed Katan 15a:15
[Moed Katan 15a:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:15)

מְנוּדֶּה מַהוּ בְּדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, תָּא שְׁמַע: מְנוּדֶּה שׁוֹנֶה וְשׁוֹנִין לוֹ, נִשְׂכָּר וְנִשְׂכָּרִין לוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is** the *halakha* concerning **one who is ostracized** with regard to speaking **words of Torah? Rav Yosef said: Come** and **hear that which** was taught in the following *baraita*: **One who is ostracized may teach** Torah to others, **and** others **may teach him** Torah. Similarly, **he may be hired** for work by others, **and** others **may be hired by him.**


###### Moed Katan 15a:16
[Moed Katan 15a:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:16)

מוּחְרָם — לֹא שׁוֹנֶה וְלֹא שׁוֹנִין לוֹ, לֹא נִשְׂכָּר וְלֹא נִשְׂכָּרִין לוֹ. אֲבָל שׁוֹנֶה הוּא לְעַצְמוֹ, שֶׁלֹּא יַפְסִיק אֶת לִמּוּדוֹ, וְעוֹשֶׂה לוֹ חֲנוּת קְטַנָּה בִּשְׁבִיל פַּרְנָסָתוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**One who has been excommunicated,** which is a more severe form of ostracism, **may not teach** Torah to others **and** others **may not teach him. He may not be hired** by others, **and** others **may not be hired by him. However, he may study by himself,** so **that he will not interrupt his study** entirely and forget everything he knows. **And he may build a small store for his livelihood,** so that he can earn enough money to cover his most basic needs, but not more.


###### Moed Katan 15a:17
[Moed Katan 15a:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:17)

וְאָמַר רַב — זַבּוֹנֵי מַיָּא בְּפַקְתָּא דַעֲרָבוֹת. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**And Rav said:** What is the small store referred to here? This is referring to **selling water in the valley of Aravot,** where no water was to be found. One selling water there could earn a small income. The Gemara concludes: Indeed, **learn from this** *baraita* that one who is ostracized is permitted to study Torah.


###### Moed Katan 15a:18
[Moed Katan 15a:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:18)

מְצוֹרָע מַהוּ בְּדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה? תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וְהוֹדַעְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנֵי בָנֶיךָ. יוֹם אֲשֶׁר עָמַדְתָּ לִפְנֵי ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּחוֹרֵב״ — מָה לְהַלָּן בְּאֵימָה וּבְיִרְאָה וּבִרְתֵת וּבְזִיעַ,

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is** the *halakha* with regard to **a leper** speaking **words of Torah?** The Gemara answers: **Come** and **hear** that which is taught in a *baraita*: It is written: **“And you shall impart them to your children and your children’s children; the day that you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb”** (Deuteronomy 4:9–10). **Just as there,** the revelation at Sinai was **in reverence, fear, and trembling,** so too, here, in every generation, Torah must be studied in a similar fashion.


###### Moed Katan 15a:19
[Moed Katan 15a:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:19)

מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: הַזָּבִין וְהַמְצוֹרָעִין וּבוֹעֲלֵי נִדּוֹת — מוּתָּרִין לִקְרוֹת בַּתּוֹרָה וּבַנְּבִיאִים וּבַכְּתוּבִים, וְלִשְׁנוֹת בַּמִּדְרָשׁ וּבַתַּלְמוּד, בַּהֲלָכוֹת וּבָאַגָּדוֹת. וּבַעֲלֵי קְרָיִין אֲסוּרִין. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**From here** the Sages **stated: *Zavim*, lepers, and those who had intercourse with menstruating women** despite their severe ritual impurity **are permitted to read the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, and to study midrash, Talmud, *halakhot*, and *aggada*. But those who experienced a seminal emission are prohibited** from doing so. The reason for this distinction is that the cases of severe impurity are caused by ailment or other circumstances beyond one’s control; as a result, they do not necessarily preclude a sense of reverence and awe as one studies Torah. However, a seminal emission usually occurs due to frivolity and a lack of reverence and awe, and it is therefore inappropriate for one who experiences a seminal emission to engage in matters of Torah. The Gemara concludes: Indeed, **learn from this** that a leper is permitted to study words of Torah.


###### Moed Katan 15a:20
[Moed Katan 15a:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:20)

אָבֵל אָסוּר בְּתִכְבּוֹסֶת, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּשְׁלַח יוֹאָב תְּקוֹעָה וַיִּקַּח מִשָּׁם אִשָּׁה חֲכָמָה וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלֶיהָ הִתְאַבְּלִי נָא וְלִבְשִׁי נָא בִגְדֵי אֵבֶל וְאַל תָּסוּכִי שֶׁמֶן וְהָיִית כְּאִשָּׁה זֶה יָמִים רַבִּים מִתְאַבֶּלֶת עַל מֵת״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara proceeds to discuss another issue: **A mourner is prohibited from laundering his clothes, as it is written: “And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched from there a wise woman, and said to her, I pray you, feign yourself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead”** (II Samuel 14:2).


###### Moed Katan 15a:21
[Moed Katan 15a:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:21)

מְנוּדִּין וּמְצוֹרָעִין מָה הֵן בְּתִכְבּוֹסֶת? תָּא שְׁמַע: מְנוּדִּין וּמְצוֹרָעִין אֲסוּרִין לְסַפֵּר וּלְכַבֵּס. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What** is the *halakha* concerning **laundering** with regard to **those who are ostracized or lepers? Come** and **hear** that which is taught in a *baraita*: **Those who are ostracized or lepers are prohibited from cutting** their hair **or laundering** their clothes. The Gemara concludes: Indeed, **learn from** here that they are prohibited from laundering their clothes.


###### Moed Katan 15a:22
[Moed Katan 15a:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:22)

אָבֵל חַיָּיב בִּקְרִיעָה, דְּקָאָמַר לְהוּ רַחֲמָנָא לִבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן: ״לֹא תִפְרוֹמוּ״, מִכְּלָל דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא מִיחַיְּיבִי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara continues: **A mourner is obligated to rend** his clothes. This is derived from the fact **that the Merciful One says to the sons of Aaron: “Neither rend** your clothes” (Leviticus 10:6), which proves **by inference that everyone** else, all other mourners, **are obligated** to rend their clothes.


###### Moed Katan 15a:23
[Moed Katan 15a:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:23)

מְנוּדֶּה מַהוּ בִּקְרִיעָה? תֵּיקוּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **What is** the *halakha* of **rending** clothes with regard to **one who is ostracized**? No answer is found, and the question **shall stand** unresolved.


###### Moed Katan 15a:24
[Moed Katan 15a:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:24)

מְצוֹרָע מַהוּ בִּקְרִיעָה? תָּא שְׁמַע: ״בְּגָדָיו יִהְיוּ פְרוּמִים״ — שֶׁיְּהוּ מְקוֹרָעִין. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara continues: **What is** the *halakha* concerning **a leper** with regard to **rending? Come** and **hear that which** is taught in the following *baraita*: The verse states: **“His garments shall be rent”** (Leviticus 13:45), meaning **that they shall be torn.** The Gemara concludes: Indeed, **learn from here** that this is the case.


###### Moed Katan 15a:25
[Moed Katan 15a:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Moed%20Katan/r/15a:25)

אָבֵל חַיָּיב בִּכְפִיַּית הַמִּטָּה, דְּתָנֵי בַּר קַפָּרָא:

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The Gemara moves to a different issue: **A mourner is obligated to overturn** his **bed,** so that he sleeps on the underside of it, **as bar Kappara taught** a *baraita* that states: