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Week 43 - Tuesday - 19 September 2000

TA'ANIT: CHAPTER 2: MISHNAH 6

The first three fasts, members of the guard fast but do not complete; and members of the father's house did not fast at all. Three second ones, members of the guard fast and complete; and members of the father's house fast and do not complete. Seven last ones, these and these fast and complete; the words of Rabbi Yehoshua. But the Sages say, The first three fasts these and these did not fast at all. Three second ones, members of the guard fast and do not complete, and members of the father's house did not fast at all. Seven last ones, members of the guard fast and complete, and members of the father's house fast and do not complete.

Kehati

As previously mentioned, the kohanim were divided into twenty-four guards (mishmarot), with each week a different guard serving in the Temple. Each guard was divided into six 'father's houses' (batei av); with each day served by a different father's house, and on Shabbat the entire guard would serve (see Men. 107b). According to some commentaries, the guard was divided into seven father's houses, corresponding to the number of days in the week, and each father's house would serve on its day (Rashi on this mishnah; Bartenura; see also Tiferet Yisrael). This mishnah informs us that the Sages were lenient with the members of the guard and members of the father's house regarding the fasts, because they were occupied with the Temple's service.

The first three fasts - that the Sages decreed for the community (see 1:5, above), members of the guard - of this week (see the introduction to the mishnah, above), fast - on these fastdays, but do not complete - the fast until the evening since if the Temple Service proves too difficult for the present number of the father's house, the assistance of additional members of the guard would be required, which would be unfeasible if they fasted the entire day. (Rashi, following the Gemara; Hameiri; Bartenura); and members of the father's house - the priests who served on the fastday in the Temple, did not fast at all - because of the labor involved in the Temple service (Hameiri). Rabbeinu Gershom interprets this as follows: "the members of the father's house" - who offer the daily sacrifice, "did not fast at all" - because they were occupied with the sacrifice. But "the members of the guard fast" - since they themselves are not occupied with the sacrifices, "and they do not complete" - since the guard is involved with the daily sacrifice, it is a holiday for them, and they therefore do not complete the fast.

Three second ones - the three second fasts decreed by the Court for the community (see 1:6, above), which are more severe than the first ones, members of the guard fast and complete - as the rest of the community; and members of the father's house fast and do not complete - the fast until the evening.

The seven last ones - fasts, which are the more severe, these and these - members of the guard and members of the father's house, fast and complete - they fast the entire day, as the rest of the community; the words of Rabbi Yehoshua.

But the Sages say, The first three fasts these and these - even the members of the guard, did not fast at all. Three second ones - second fasts, members of the guard fast and do not complete - the fast, and members of the father's house did not fast at all - because of the labor involved in the Temple service. Seven last ones - the last fasts, members of the guard fast and complete, and members of the father's house fast and do not complete - since the members of the father's house were discharging their duties in the Temple, the rabbis were lenient with them even regarding the seven last fasts. Rambam rules in accordance with the Sages (Hil. Ta'aniyot 3:2-3, 6).

TA'ANIT: CHAPTER 2: MISHNAH 7

Members of the guard are permitted to drink wine at night, but not during the day. And members of the father's house - not during the day and not at night. The members of the guard and members of the ma'amad are prohibited from cutting and from washing, and on the fifth they are permitted, because of the honor of the Shabbat.

Kehati

Incidental to the preceding mishnah, which discusses the difference between the members of the guard and members of the father's house regarding fasts, this mishnah, which discusses the differences between them every day of the year, is also taught.

Members of the guard are permitted to drink wine at night - for there is not much work during the night, and there is no reason to anticipate that the members of the father's house might require assistance from the members of the guard, but not during the day - lest the Temple service be too difficult for the members of the father's house, requiring additional members of the guard to assist them, and if they were intoxicated they would be prohibited from serving in the Temple.

And members of the father's house - are not permitted to drink wine, not during the day and not at night - for even during the night they are occupied with the Temple service (Gemara); Rashi explains that they would pick up limbs and pieces of fat which had fallen off the Altar, or if they did not complete burning them during the day, they would continue at night.

The members of the guard and the members of the ma'amad - Israelites who were the representatives of all Israel to stand (la-amod) in the Temple when the public sacrifices were offered; the Israelites also were divided into twenty-four ma'amadot, one ma'amad for each week (see 4:2-3, below; see also the explanation of Bik. 3:2), are prohibited - during the week they are on duty, from cutting - their hair, and from washing - their clothes; the Gemara explains the reason for this law: so that they would cut their hair and wash their clothes before their week of duty, and would not enter in a disheveled state, and on the fifth - the Thursday of their week of duty, they are permitted - to cut their hair and to wash their clothes, because of the honor of the Shabbat - for most people cut their hair and wash their clothes on Thursday because of their pre-occupation with Shabbat preparations on Friday, hence members of the guard and members of the ma'amad were permitted to cut their hair and wash their clothes on Thursday.

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