TRACT YOMAH (DAY OF ATONEMENT).
CHAPTER I.
Concerning the high-priest's preparations for the service of the Day of Atonement (when the Temple was in existence).
MISHNA: Seven days before the Day of Atonement the high-priest is to be removed from his house to the Palhedrin Chamber (παρεδρων), and another high-priest is appointed to substitute him in case he becomes unfit for the service by becoming unclean. R. Jedudah says another wife is to be appointed for him also, in case his own wife dies, whereas it is said [Lev. xvii. 11], "and shall make atonement for himself and for his house"; "his house"—that is, his wife. But it was objected that in this manner there will be no end to the matter. (The other wife may die too.)
GEMARA: We have learned in a Mishna (Tract Parah, III., 1): "Seven days before the red cow[1] was to be burned, the priest who had to perform this ceremony was removed from his house to the northeastern chamber of the Temple," etc. "Whence do we deduce this?" said R. Miniumi bar Heiviah in the name of Mahassia b. Iddi, quoting R. Johanan: "It is written [Lev. viii. 34]: 'As they have done this day, so hat the Lord commanded to do farther, to make an atonement for you.' 'To do farther' signifies the red cow; 'to make an atonement for you' signifies the Day of Atonement." But perhaps it signifies the atonement of sacrifices generally? Could we know, in this case,
- ↑ Some translators say [Numbers xix. 2] "red heifer"; but this would not be proper, according to the teaching of the Mishna that the red cow must not be younger than three years and is fit even from four to five years, for which the term heifer cannot be correctly used.
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