THE PHARISEES AFFIRM AVIV / NISAN 16

Talmud: Menachot 65a

MISHNAH. What was the procedure? The messengers of the Beth Din used to go out on the day before the festival and tie the unreaped corn in bunches to make it the easier to reap. All the inhabitants of the towns near by assembled there, so that it might be reaped with much display. As soon as it became dark he called out, ‘has the sun set’? And they answered. ‘Yes.’ Has the sun set’? And they answered, ‘Yes.’ With this sickle’? and they answered, ‘Yes’. ‘With this sickle’? And they answered, Yes’. ‘Into this basket’? And they answered, ‘Yes’. Into this basket’? And they answered. ‘Yes’. On the sabbath he called out further, on this sabbath’? And they answered. ‘Yes’. ‘On this sabbath’? And they answered. ‘Yes’.