Niddah 70b — the Talmud in English

And it requires the placement on the extremities

on his right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and the big toe of his right foot, by reason of doubt, according to the stringency of a guilt-offering.

And it also requires

laying of hands, libations, waving, and the breast and thigh

by reason of doubt, according to the stringency of a peace-offering.

And it is eaten by male kohanim, for one day and one night

only, according to the stringency of a guilt-offering!

And the Sages did not concede to Rabbi Shimon

that a leper who is in doubt brings a sacrifice because of doubt and stipulates concerning it—

because he brings consecrated offerings to a place of disqualification!

For it is possible that the sacrifice is a peace-offering, and because of doubt he treats it with the stringency of a guilt-offering and eats it only for one day and one night, and not for two days and one night; and it is found that he shortens the time of its eating and burns what remains after one day and one night, even though it is permitted to eat it for one additional day.

And the Gemara answers:

Shmuel agrees with Rabbi Shimon in one matter,

that a guilt-offering does not establish [its identity].

And he disagrees with him in one matter,

and holds that one does not bring a guilt-offering conditionally.

Three aggadic statements:

a.

One verse says, “For I do not desire the death of the one who dies,” and one verse says, “For the Lord desires to put them to death”!

He said to them:

Here—

with those who repent; here—

with those who do not repent.

b.

One verse says, “For He does not show favor and does not take a bribe,” and one verse says, “May the Lord lift His face toward you”?

He said to them:

Here—

before the decree of judgment; here—

after the decree of judgment.

c.

One verse says, “For the Lord chose Zion.”

And one verse says, “For this city has been upon My anger and upon My wrath, from the day that they built it until this day”!

He said to them:

Here—

before Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter; here—

after Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter.

Three statements of boorishness:

a.

Lot’s wife,

who became a pillar of salt—

what is the law regarding whether she can impart impurity?

He said to them: A corpse imparts impurity, but a pillar of salt does not impart impurity 97 .

b.

The son of the Shunamite woman,

whom Elisha revived—

what is the law regarding whether he imparts impurity

when alive?

He said to them: A dead person imparts impurity, but a living person does not impart impurity 98 .

c.

The dead,

when they come to life

in the future—

whether

do they require sprinkling on the third and seventh days, or do they not require it?

He said to them: When they come to life—

we shall become wise concerning them.

Some say: When Moses our teacher comes with them,

he will answer this.

Three statements of proper conduct:

a.

What should a person do in order to become wise?

He said to them: Let him increase sitting [in the study hall], and let him decrease commerce.

They said: Many have done so and it did not help them!

Rather: Let them seek mercy from the One whose wisdom it is. As it is stated, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth are knowledge and understanding.”

Rabbi Hiyya taught: A parable to a flesh-and-blood king who made a feast for his servants, and sends to his beloved ones from what is before him.

So the Holy One, blessed be He, grants wisdom to His beloved ones from a special treasury and not from the place from which He grants it to other people.

And we raise a difficulty concerning this:

What is he saying to them

that they should increase sitting [in the study hall], for is the matter not dependent on the mercies of Heaven, which are dependent on a person’s prayer?

And we answer: It was necessary for both of them—

for this without that is insufficient.

b.

What should a person do in order to become wealthy?

He said to them: Let him increase commerce

100 , and let him conduct his business dealings faithfully 101 .

They said to him: Many have done so and have not succeeded!

Rather: Let him seek mercy from the One whose wealth it is. As it is stated, “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine.”

And again we raise a difficulty concerning this:

What is he saying to them

that they should increase commerce? Is the matter not dependent on the mercies of Heaven?

And we answer:

For this without that is insufficient.

c.

What should a person do so that he will have male children?