Mishnah 1
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1)

(a)Why would we have thought that a Kohen is forbidden to enter the Heichal merely to prostrate himself?

(b)How many Kohanim accompany the Kohen Gadol when he enters the Heichal to prostrate himself?

(c)If two of them hold him on either side, what purpose does the third one serve?

(d)What does the Memuneh do when he hears the Kohen Gadol's footsteps approaching the entrance to the Ulam after having prostrated himself?

(e)What do the other Kohanim do after the Kohen Gadol has left the Heichal?

1)

(a)We would have thought that a Kohen is forbidden to enter the Heichal merely to prostrate himself - because the Torah writes in Acharei-Mos 've'Lo Yovo b'Chol Eis El ha'Kodesh'.

(b)Three Kohanim accompany the Kohen Gadol when he enters the Heichal to prostrate himself (See Tiferes Yisrael) ...

(c)... two of them to support him on either side as he does so - the third one to hold the two onyx stones on the shoulder-straps of the Eifod.

(d)When the Memuneh hears the Kohen Gadol's footsteps (See Tiferes Yisrael) approaching the entrance to the Ulam after having prostrated himself - he raises the curtain (that serves as the entrance).

(e)After the Kohen Gadol has left the Heichal - the other Kohanim enter and prostrate themselves.

Mishnah 2
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2)

(a)Where do all the Kohanim (See Tosfos Yom Tov) now come and stand?

(b)Where do the five Kohanim who were involved in the Avodos of the Heichal stand?

(c)If three of them are holding the Teni, the Kuz and the Machtah, what are the other two holding?

(d)Which B'rachah do they now recite?

(e)If in the Medinah they recite three B'rachos ("Yevarech'cha", "Ya'er" Yisa"), why does the Mishnah refer to it as one B'rachah in the Beis ha'Mikdash?

2)

(a)All the Kohanim now come and stand - on the twelve steps leading up to the Ulam.

(b)The five Kohanim who were involved in the Avodos of the Heichal (See Tosfos Yom Tov) stand - on the south side of the steps.

(c)Three of them are holding the Teni, the Kuz and the Machtah, the other two - the Bazach and the (covered) Kaf.

(d)They now recite - Birchas Kohanim.

(e)In the Medinah they recite three B'rachos ("Yevarech'cha", "Ya'er" Yisa"), yet the Mishnah refers to it as one B'rachah in the Beis-ha'Mikdash - because one does not answer 'Amen' in the Beis-ha'Mikdash, between one Pasuk and the next.

3)

(a)What is ...

1. ... the second distinction between Birchas Kohanim in the Beis-ha'Mikdash and in the Medinah, with regard to the way they pronounce the Name of Hash-m?

2. ... the third distinction, regarding the way the Kohanim hold their hands?

(b)We learn the second distinction from the Pasuk in Yisro "be'Chol ha'Makom asher Azkir es Sh'mi, Avo eilecha u'Verachticha". How do we interpret the Pasuk to arrive at that explanation?

3)

(a)The ...

1. ... second distinction between Birchas Kohanim in the Beis-ha'Mikdash and in the Medinah is with regard to the way they pronounce the Name of Hash-m, ('Yud, Kay, Vav, Kay', the way it is written) in the Beis-ha'Mikdash, 'Alef, Daled, Nun, Yud' in the Medinah.

2. ... third distinction - is in the way the Kohanim hold their hands - above their heads in the Beis-ha'Mikdash, level with their shoulders in the Medinah.

(b)We learn the second distinction from the Pasuk in Yisro "be'Chol ha'Makom asher Azkir es Sh'mi Avo eilecha u'Verachticha"the Kohanim raise their hands above their heads - which we invert to read "be'Chol ha'Makom asher Avo eilecha u'Verachticha (in the Beis-ha'Mikdash [Sham]), Azkir es Sh'mi" (there I will allow My Name to be mentioned)".

4)

(a)The Torah writes in Shemini "va'Yisa Aharon es Yadav el ha'Am va'Yevorchem". What do we learn from the Pasuk in Parshas Shoftim "Hu (with indirect reference to Aharon) u'Vanav Kol ha'Yamim"?

(b)Why in the Beis-ha'Mikdash, do the Kohanim raise their hands above their heads?

(c)Then why, according to the Tana Kama, does the Kohen Gadol not do so?

(d)What does Rebbi Yehudah say about the Kohen Gadol raising his hands in the Beis-ha'Mikdash, based on the above Pasuk in Shemini?

(e)Like whom is the Halachah?

4)

(a)The Torah writes in Shemini "va'Yisa Aharon es Yadav el ha'Am va'Yevorchem". We learn from the Pasuk in Parshas Shoftim "Hu (with indirect reference to Aharon) u'Vanav Kol ha'Yamim" that - just as Aharon raised his hands when Duchening, so too, must all Kohanim do so.

(b)The Kohanim raise their hands above their heads in the Beis-ha'Mikdash - because they pronounce Hash-m's Name the way it is written, and the Shechinah appears on the tips of their fingers (See Tiferes Yisrael).

(c)Nevertheless, according to the Tana Kama, the Kohen Gadol does not do so - since he is not permitted to raise his hands above the Tzitz (which has the Name of Hash-m engraved on it).

(d)Based on the above Pasuk in Shemini, Rebbi Yehudah rules that - the Kohen Gadol in the Beis-ha'Mikdash too raises his hands above his head.

(e)The Halachah is - like the Tana Kama.

Mishnah 3
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5)

(a)What if the Kohen Gadol feels like bringing the limbs of the Tamid (See Tosfos Yom Tov) on the Mizbe'ach on any given day?

(b)Who stands at his right as he ascends the ramp?

(c)What else is he allowed to do whenever he pleases?

(d)What happens if, when the Kohen Gadol reaches the half-way mark, he is a little tired?

5)

(a)If the Kohen Gadol feels like bringing the limbs of the Tamid (See Tosfos Yom Tov) on the Mizbe'ach on any given day - he may do so.

(b)The S'gan (deputy Kohen Gadol) - accompanies him on his right as he ascends the ramp.

(c)He is also allowed - to take any portion from any Korban whenever he wishes.

(d)If, when the Kohen Gadol reaches the half-way mark, he is a little tired - the S'gan supports him until he reaches the top of the ramp.

6)

(a)What is the procedure once the Kohen Gadol reaches the top of the ramp?

(b)Why does he lean his hands on the limb before throwing it on to the Ma'arachah (See Tosfos Yom Tov)?

(c)And why does the second Kohen hand his limbs to the first Kohen, who hands it to the Kohen Gadol (and so all the way down the line [See Tosfos Yom Tov])?

(d)What is the second Kohen permitted to do (and the third and the fourth ... ) once he has handed his limbs to the first one?

(e)What alternative option does the Kohen have, should he so wish?

6)

(a)Once the Kohen Gadol reaches the top of the ramp - each Kohen hands him the limb of the Tamid that he carried up the ramp (the head and the leg, the two forelegs ... ), on which he leans his hands and throws on to the Ma'arachah.

(b)He leans his hands on the limb before throwing it on to the Ma'arachah (See Tosfos Yom Tov) - as a sign of Chashivus (to demonstrate that his Avodah is more Chashuv that that of the other Kohanim)).

(c)And it is for the same reason that - the second Kohen hands his limbs to the first Kohen, who hands it to the Kohen Gadol (and so all the way down the line [See Tosfos Yom Tov]).

(d)Once the second Kohen (and the third and the fourth ... ) has handed his limbs to the first one - he may leave the Azarah.

(e)Should the Kohen Gadol wish - he can lean his hands on the limb and let a Kohen throw it on to the Mizbe'ach.

7)

(a)When a Kohen Hedyot performs the Nisuch ha'Yayin, why (in spite of the principle that one always turns to the right) does he turn to the left?

(b)Then why does the Kohen Gadol who wishes to perform it turn right?

(c)What is the Kohen Gadol also permitted to do as he walks round the Mizbe'ach (even though he did not merit it via the Payas)?

(d)On what other grounds is the Kohen Gadol exclusively allowed to walk round the Mizbe'ach?

7)

(a)When a Kohen Hedyot performs the Nisuch ha'Yayin he turns to the left (in spite of the principle that one always turns to the right) - because if he were to walk round the Mizbe'ach holding the wine, the smoke would affect it adversely.

(b)The Kohen Gadol who wishes to perform it turns right - because he is not holding the wine.

(c)The Kohen Gadol is also permitted - to turn over the limbs on the Ma'arachah with a pitch-fork as he walks round the Mizbe'ach (even though he did not merit it via the Payas).

(d)The Kohen Gadol exclusively is also allowed to walk round the Mizbe'ach - just as a member of one's household walks around the house.

8)

(a)What do they hand the Kohen Gadol when he arrives at the south-western corner?

(b)Who is standing at the south-western corner awaiting the Kohen Gadol's arrival? What is he holding in his hand?

(c)Where are the two Kohanim with the silver trumpets standing?

(d)What notes do they blow?

8)

(a)When the Kohen Gadol arrives at the south-western corner, they hand him - the jar of wine (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(b)Standing at the south-western corner awaiting the Kohen Gadol's arrival is - the S'gan, cloths in hand.

(c)The two Kohanim who are holding the silver trumpets are standing - on the marble table on the south-western corner of the Kevesh, on which the Chalavim are placed ...

(d)... now blow Teki'ah, Teru'ah, Teki'ah (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

9)

(a)The Kohen Gadol and the S'gan then stand beside ben Arza, one at his right, the other, at his left. Who is ben Arza?

(b)When the Kohen Gadol bends down to pour the wine into the bowl, what reaction does it spark off involving the S'gan, ben Arza and the Levi'im?

9)

(a)The Kohen Gadol and the S'gan then stand beside ben Arza - the man who clashes the cymbals that signal the Levi'im's choir to begin singing (See Tosfos Yom Tov).

(b)When the Kohen Gadol bends down to pour the wine into the bowl - the S'gan waves the cloths, ben Arza clashes the cymbals and the Levi'im begin to sing the Shir shel Yom.

10)

(a)When the Levi'im reach the end of a paragraph (See Tosfos Yom Tov), what do ...

1. ... the two Kohanim who are holding the trumpets do?

2. ... the people do?

(b)How many times is this repeated?

(c)The Mishnah ends with the statement 'This is the arrangement of the Tamid, regarding the Avodah of the House of our G-d'. How does the Tefilah end?

10)

(a)When the Levi'im reach the end of a paragraph (See Tosfos Yom Tov) ...

1. ... the two Kohanim who are holding the trumpets - blow Teki'ah, Teru'ah, Teki'ah, at which point ...

2. ... the people (See Tosfos Yom Tov) - prostrate themselves.

(b)This is repeated - three times.

(c)The Mishnah ends with the statement 'This is the arrangement of the Tamid, regarding the Avodah of the House of our G-d - May it be Your will that it should be built speedily in our days'.

Mishnah 4
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11)

(a)Why did the Levi'im sing ...

1. ... on Sunday Kapitel 24 ("la'Hashem ha'Aretz u'Melo'ah Teivel ve'Yoshvei vah")?

2. ... on Monday Kapitel 48 ("Gadol Hash-m u'Mehulal me'od, be'Ir Elokeinu Har Kodsho")?

3. ... on Tuesday Kapitel 82 ("Elokim Nitzav ba'Adas Keil, be'Kerev Elokim Yishpot")?

(b)And why did they sing ...

1. ... on Wednesday Kapitel 94 ("Keil Nekamos Hash-m, Keil Nekamos Hofi'a")?

2. ... on Thursday "Harninu l'Elokim Uzeinu, Hari'u l'Elokei Ya'akov" (Tehilim 81)?

3. ... on Friday Kapitel 93 ("Hash-m Malach Ge'us Laveish")?

(c)Which Kapitel did they sing on Shabbos (for the Tamid shel Shachar [See Tiferes Yisrael])?

11)

(a)The Levi'im sang ...

1. ... on Sunday Kapitel 24 ("la'Hashem ha'Aretz u'Melo'ah Teivel ve'Yoshvei vah") - because it was the first day of the creation.

2. ... on Monday Kapitel 48 ("Gadol Hash-m u'Mehulal me'od, be'Ir Elokeinu Har Kodsho") - because the water was divided and the sky between the two lots of water came into existence (See also Tosfos Yom Tov).

3. ... on Tuesday Kapitel 82 ("Elokim Nitzav ba'Adas Keil, be'Kerev Elokim Yishpot") - because the dry land became visible, on which the judges carry out justice (See also Tosfos Yom Tov).

(b)And they sang ...

1. ... on Wednesday Kapitel 94 ("Keil Nekamos Hash-m, Keil Nekamos Hofi'a") - because the sun, moon and stars were created, and Hash-m will enact vengeance on those who worship them.

2. ... on Thursday "Harninu l'Elokim Uzeinu, Hari'u l'Elokei Ya'akov" (Tehilim 81) because the gamut of creatures was created on it, and whoever sees them will inevitably sing the praises of their Creator.

3. ... on Friday Kapitel 93 ("Hash-m Malach Ge'us Laveish") - because the creation was completed, including man, who acknowledges Hash-m's sovereignty.

(c)On Shabbos (for the Tamid shel Shachar [See Tiferes Yisrael]) they sang - "Mizmor Shir le'Yom ha'Shabbos (Kapitel 92).

12)

(a)What is the significance of the final sentence of the Mishnah 'Mizmor Shir le'Asid Lavo, le'Yom she'Kulo Shabbos Menuchah le'Chayei ha'Olamim (which the Levi'im did not actually sing [See Tiferes Yisrael])?

(b)What is the opinion of this Mishnah, with regard to the world's existence, based on the fact that one day in the realm of Hash-m is equivalent to a thousand years?

(c)What has this to do with the Pasuk in Yeshayah "ve'Nisgav Hash-m Levado ba'Yom ha'Hu"?

12)

(a)The final sentence of the Mishnah 'Mizor Shir le'Asid Lavo, le'Yom she'Kulo Shabbos Menuchah le'Chayei (or 'le'Chei' [See also Tosfos Yom Tov]) ha'Olamim (which the Levi'im did not actually sing [See Tiferes Yisrael) - serves as the reason that they sang that particular Kapitel on Shabbos.

(b)This Mishnah is of the opinion that (based on the fact that one day in the realm of Hash-m is equivalent to a thousand years) the world will exist for six thousand years, and during the seventh thousand, Hash-m will reign Supreme (and this is the "Yom ha'Shabbos" to which it refers [See also Tosfos Yom Tov]) ...

(c)... as hinted in the Pasuk in Yeshayah "ve'Nisgav Hash-m Levado ba'Yom ha'Hu".

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