Niddah 70b (ע:) — the Talmud in English

And it requires the application of the blood to the extremities

on his right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and the big toe of his right foot, due to the uncertainty, in accordance with the stringency applicable to a guilt-offering.

And it also requires

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

due to the uncertainty, in accordance with the stringency applicable to a peace-offering.

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

only, in accordance with the stringency applicable to a guilt-offering!

But the Sages did not concede to Rabbi Shimon

that a leper whose status is uncertain brings an offering due to the uncertainty and stipulates a condition regarding it—

because he is bringing sacrificial food to a place where it may become disqualified!

For it is possible that the offering is a peace-offering, yet because of the uncertainty he treats it with the stringency applicable to a guilt-offering and eats it only for one day and one night, rather than for two days and one night. Consequently, he shortens the time in which it may be eaten and burns what remains after the first day and night, even though it would have been permitted to eat it for an additional day.

And the Gemara answers:

Samuel agrees with Rabbi Shimon in one respect

—that a guilt-offering does not establish the matter conclusively.

But he disagrees with him in one respect,

maintaining that one may not bring a guilt-offering subject to a condition.

Three matters of aggada:

1.

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

He said to them:

Here,

it is referring to those who repent; here,

it is referring to those who do not repent.

2.

One verse says: “For He does not show favoritism and does not accept a bribe,” while another verse says: “May the Lord show favor to you”?

He said to them:

Here,

it is before the verdict is issued; here,

it is after the verdict is issued.

3.

One verse says: “For the Lord has chosen Zion.”

And another verse says: “For this city has been under My anger and under My wrath, from the day they built it until this day”!

He said to them:

Here,

it is before Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter; here,

it is after Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter.

Three matters of foolishness:

1.

Lot’s wife,

who became a pillar of salt—

what is the halakha: does she transmit impurity?

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

2.

The son of the Shunamite,

whom Elisha revived—

what is the halakha: does he transmit impurity

when he is alive?

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

3.

The dead,

when they will live

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 will become wise through them.

Some say: When Moses our teacher comes with them,

he will answer this question.

Three matters of proper conduct:

1.

What should a person do in order to become wise?

He said to them: Let him spend more time in the study hall and engage less in commerce.

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

Rather: Let them ask for mercy from the One to whom wisdom belongs. As it is stated: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Rabbi Hiyya taught: This is analogous to a mortal king who prepared a feast for his servants and sent his friends something from what was before him.

So too, the Holy One, blessed be He, grants His beloved ones wisdom from a special treasury, rather than from the source from which He grants it to other people.

And we raise a difficulty concerning this:

What is he saying to them

when he tells them to spend more time in the study hall? Is the matter not dependent on the mercy of Heaven, which in turn depends on a person’s prayer?

And we answer: Both are necessary—

for one without the other is insufficient.

2.

What should a person do in order to become wealthy?

He said to them: Let him engage more in commerce

100 , and conduct his business dealings faithfully 101 .

They said to him: Many have done so, but it did not help them!

Rather: Let him ask for mercy from the One to whom wealth belongs. As it is stated: “Mine is the silver, and Mine is the gold.”

And again we raise a difficulty:

What is he saying to them

when he tells them to engage more in commerce? Is the matter not dependent on the mercy of Heaven?

And we answer:

For one without the other is insufficient.

3.

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