When the Temple was destroyed, the number of Nazitites was increased, who would neither drink wine nor eat any meat. Rabbi Yehoshua went to them and asked why. They said: "How can we eat flesh now that the Temple is destroyed ? It was the Temple that made flesh holy through sacrifices to God. And how can we drink wine, seeing that wine was used as a part of the Temple ceremony?"
Rabbi Yehoshua replied, "In that case how can you eat bread, seeing that the Temple's meal offerings are no more?"
They said: "Perhaps we shall live on fruit."
Yehoshua replied, "In that case we cannot eat fruit, for the offerings of the first fruit [on Shavuout] are no more."
They replied, "Perhaps we can manage of fruits that were not used in the Temple ritual."
Rabbi Yehoshua then said, "Still, you may drink no water, for water was used as a part of the Temple service."
Then they were silent.
But then Rabbi Yehoshua added, "Not to mourn at all is impossible for us [as the Temple lies in ruins] but to mourn overmuch is also not possible for us. No religious duty is placed upon a community which the majority of the community cannot endure." -Talmud, Baba Batra 60b
Rabbi Yehoshua replied, "In that case how can you eat bread, seeing that the Temple's meal offerings are no more?"
They said: "Perhaps we shall live on fruit."
Yehoshua replied, "In that case we cannot eat fruit, for the offerings of the first fruit [on Shavuout] are no more."
They replied, "Perhaps we can manage of fruits that were not used in the Temple ritual."
Rabbi Yehoshua then said, "Still, you may drink no water, for water was used as a part of the Temple service."
Then they were silent.
But then Rabbi Yehoshua added, "Not to mourn at all is impossible for us [as the Temple lies in ruins] but to mourn overmuch is also not possible for us. No religious duty is placed upon a community which the majority of the community cannot endure." -Talmud, Baba Batra 60b
Comments