(Numb. 6:22–23:) THEN THE LORD SPOKE [UNTO MOSES, SAYING: SPEAK UNTO AARON AND UNTO HIS CHILDREN, SAYING:] THUS SHALL YOU BLESS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. Let our master instruct us: In the case of priest with a blemish, it is right for him to raise his hands (in the priestly blessing)?⁵⁵., 2:8. Thus have our masters taught (in Meg. 4:7): A PRIEST WHOSE HANDS ARE BLEMISHED MAY NOT RAISE HIS HANDS, but Rabbi taught: A priest whose has any blemishes at all may not raise his hands. (Ibid., cont.:) R. JUDAH SAYS: ALSO WHOEVER HAS HIS HANDS STAINED WITH WOAD,⁵⁶ to satis, and the translation follows his emendation. On satis, see the Gk. and Lat. word, isatis, which denotes a plant producing a deep blue dye. MADDER, OR RUBIA MAY NOT RAISE HIS HANDS. Why? (Ibid., cont.:) BECAUSE IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR PEOPLE TO BE LOOKING AT HIM. R. Joshua the Great taught: If the majority of the men in the town are in that business (i.e., of dying cloth), he is permitted to raise his hands.⁵⁷. 24b.

footnotes: ⁵⁵ Tanh ⁵⁶ Buber’s note suggests emending satim ⁵⁷ Cf. Meg

(Numb. 6:23:) THUS SHALL YOU BLESS. The Holy One said: From the beginning I have blessed my people; from now on the blessings are transmitted to you. You were to bless my children; therefore the Holy One told Moses to caution Aaron and his children to bless Israel. {Thus it is stated} [From where is it shown? From what they have read on the matter] (in Numb. 6:23): SPEAK UNTO AARON AND UNTO HIS CHILDREN, SAYING:] THUS SHALL YOU BLESS.