7. Rabbi Simon, the son of Menasia, said, “if thou shalt say, a thief or a robber, he may return and become straight.” R. Simon, the son of Jochai, said, “we do not call one crooked, save one straight at first, and he became afterward crooked; and this is the disciple of the wise, who departs from the Law.”
8. The remission of vows is like flying in the air, and it has no foundation. The decisions for the Sabbath, peace-offerings, and trespasses, are as mountains hanging on a hair; because the verse is small, but the decisions are many. Jurisprudence, and the Temple service, cleanness and uncleanness, and illegal connections, have their own foundations; they, they are the body of the law.
1. Men may not discourse on illegal connections with three,(358) nor on the work of creation with two,(359) nor on the cherubs with one,(360) save when one is wise, and comprehends it of his own knowledge. Everyone who considers four things, it were suitable for him that he did not come into the world. What is in the height? what is in the depth? what is before? and what is behind? And everyone who is not anxious for the honor of his Creator, it were suitable for him that he did not come into the world.
2. José, the son of Joezar, said that “one is not to lay his hand on the offering.” José, the son of Jochanan, said, “he is to lay his hand on the offering.” Joshua, the son of Perachia, said, that he “is not to lay on his hand.” Nittai, the Arbelite, said, “he is to lay on his hand.” Judah, the son of Tabai, said, that “he is not to lay on his hand.” Simon, the son of Shatach, said, “he is to lay on his hand.” Shemaiah, said, “he is to lay on his hand.” Abtalion said, “he is not to lay on his hand.” Hillel and Menachem did not dispute. Menachem went out and Shammai entered. Shammai said, “he is not to lay on his hand.” Hillel said, “he is to lay on his hand.”(361) The first were Princes, and the second were Presidents of the Tribunal.
3. The school of Shammai said, “men may bring peace-offerings during the feast, but they are not to lay their hands on them, and they are not to bring burnt-offerings.” But the house of Hillel say, “they may bring peace-offerings, and burnt-offerings, and lay their hands on them.”