Talmud Tips

For the week ending 9 November 2013 / 6 Kislev 5774

Yoma 2 - 8

by Rabbi Moshe Newman
Become a Supporter Library Library

“When the Beit Hamikdash will be rebuilt in the future, Aharon and his sons, and Moshe Rabbeinu will come with them, and tell them how (in what order) to dress themselves with the special garments for the Kohanim.”

Originally the gemara on our daf asked how Moshe dressed the Kohanim during the days of dedication (Milu’im) for the Mishkan Sanctuary in the desert. The gemara responded with, “What was – was!” The Torah is not a history book — rather, it is the timeless Law, with eternal teachings and this question of how they once dressed is not one that should be asked by our Talmudic Sages. However, the gemara explains that the question is indeed important for the future dedication of the Temple, so that the dedication service in the future will be as it was the very first time. Despite this explanation the gemara states that this question of how the dressing was done in the Mishkan is not one that needs answering now, since Moshe Rabbeinu will return in the future and once again teach the procedure.

Nevertheless, the gemara justifies the relevance of the question regarding the order of putting on these garments. The verses in the Torah that command making and wearing these garments pose an apparent contradiction, and therefore the gemara asks how they were in fact worn and how we are to correctly understand the relevant verses in a way that resolves any apparent inconsistency.

  • Yoma 5b

“In a place of joy, there should be trembling.”

With these words Rav Ada bar Ahava explains on our daf the contrary traits of “joy” (gila) and “trembling” (ra’ada) in the verse in Tehillim 2:11.

He teaches that the Torah and the giving of the Torah — which bring true happiness to our hearts —should be accompanied by our great awe for the Giver of the Torah (Rashi).

  • Yoma 4b

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at ohr@ohr.edu and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

« Back to Talmud Tips

Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.