— They disagree as to a preventive measure in respect of sinking [the laver]. (1) But surely R. Johanan said: If [the priest] sanctified his hands for the removal of the ashes, he need not sanctify [them again] on the morrow, because he has already sanctified [them] at the beginning of the service. (2) According to Raba who explains that this agrees with R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon, it is well: this [the present ruling] agrees with Rabbi. (3) But according to Abaye who explains that it agrees with Rabbi, Rabbi is selfcontradictory, [for] why must he lower it there, (4) whereas here he must not lower it? — It means that he raises it (5) and then lowers it again. (6) If so, ‘on the morrow he does not sanctify’ — why so? (7) [The meaning is] that he need not sanctify, (8) which is to say that [the previous sanctification] is indeed fit for the mattirin. Then it is the same as R. Hisda[‘s ruling]? (9) — They disagree in respect of the regulation of lowering. (10) An objection is raised: They neither saw him nor heard him until they heard the sound of the wood of the machine which Ben Kattin made for the laver, and then they exclaimed. ‘It is time to sanctify hands and feet at the laver’ (11) Surely it means that he raised it, (12) and which proves that it was sunk [earlier]? — No: it means that he lowered it [now]. (13) If he lowered it, would the sound be heard? (14) — He lowered it by the wheel. (15) Another version: He lowered it by means of its stone, (16) in order that the sound of it should be heard, so that they [the priests] might hear it and come. But there was Gebini the crier? (17) — They made two alarms; some heard the one and came, whilst others heard the other and came. The [above] text [stated]: ‘R. Jose son of R. Hanina said: You may not wash in a laver which does not contain sufficient [water] for the sanctification of four priests. for it says. That Moses and Aaron and his sons wash their hands and their feet thereat’. (18) An objection is raised: All vessels sanctify. (19) whether they contain a rebi'ith (20)

---

(1). ↑ When R. Johanan rules that the laver must not be brought up for a service the following day, it is not because its water is unfit if it is not in the pit during any part of the night, but as a preventive measure, lest it is not lowered again before dawn, which would disqualify it. Hence R. Johanan does not say that the water is unfit, but merely that the laver must not be brought up.
(2). ↑ V. supra 20a. Thus the laver is drawn up before dawn, and R. Johanan does not add that it must be lowered again immediately before dawn.
(3). ↑ Who maintains that the passing of the night nullifies the previous sanctification, and all the more will it disqualify the water of the laver itself.
(4). ↑ I.e., why does he fear there that if he brings it up he will not lower it again.
(5). ↑ In the morning for the removal of the ashes.
(6). ↑ Although R. Johanan does not mention it, that is merely because he is discussing the sanctification of hands and not the regulations of the laver.
(7). ↑ Now that you explain that according to R. Johanan the night does not disqualify, why cannot he sanctify his hands on the morrow?
(8). ↑ Because he has already sanctified his hands for the night service. Thus he informs us that the passing of the night does not nullify the sanctification, this being in agreement with R. Eleazar.
(9). ↑ Now that you say that he does not bring it up because dawn is a disqualification, but that the night itself does not disqualify. R. Johanan's view is identical with R. Hisda's.
(10). ↑ In R. Johanan's opinion it must be done in the evening, so that when the priest comes to clean the ashes in the morning he will find it so, and thus remember to lower it again immediately before dawn. But R. Hisda holds that this is unnecessary, and it is sufficient to lower it just before dawn.
(11). ↑ When the priest who was to remove the ashes entered the Temple court to sanctify his hands and feet, he did not carry a light with him, but walked by the light of the altar fire. His fellow-priests in the adjoining chamber therefore neither saw nor heard him, until they heard the sound of the machine drawing up the laver from the pit, and then they knew that they themselves must prepare for the next service.
(12). ↑ From the pit. Hence until then it was in the pit, which contradicts R. Hisda's view that it was not lowered until dawn.
(13). ↑ They heard the sound of it being lowered.
(14). ↑ The wheel was unnecessary for this, as one could simply unfasten the rope by which it was held up, whereupon it would fall automatically.
(15). ↑ Though it was unnecessary, precisely in order that he might be heard.
(16). ↑ A stone used as a wheel or pulley.
(17). ↑ Who apprised the priests and others every morning when it was time for them to get up; v. Yoma 19b.
(18). ↑ V. supra 19b.
(19). ↑ The water placed in them, so that this water can be used by the priests for sanctifying their hands and feet.
(20). ↑ V. Glos.