6. On the first day of the feast there were thirteen bullocks, two rams, and one goat. There then remained fourteen lambs for eight courses of priests.(275) On the first day six courses offered two lambs each, and the other (two) courses one lamb each. On the second day five courses offered two lambs each, and the remaining (four) courses one lamb each. On the third day four courses offered two lambs each, and the remaining six one lamb each. On the fourth day three courses offered two lambs each, and the remaining eight one lamb each. On the fifth day two courses offered two lambs each, and the remaining ten one lamb each. On the sixth day one course offered two lambs, and the remaining twelve one lamb each. On the seventh day they were all equal. On the eighth day they cast lots, as on other feasts. They said, “that the order which offered bullocks to-day, was not permitted to offer bullocks to-morrow.” But they changed in rotation.
7. Three times in the year all the courses shared alike in the offerings of the great feasts, and in the distribution of the showbread. In the Solemn Assembly(276) they say to each priest, “Here is unleavened bread for thee, and here is leavened for thee.” The course in regular succession offered the daily sacrifices, vows, and free-will offerings, and all the other sacrifices and services of the congregation. If a feast be next to the Sabbath, either before or after it, all the courses shared alike in the distribution of the showbread.
8. “But if a day intervene between the two?” “The course in regular succession took ten loaves, and the loiterers(277) took two.” At other times of the year, the course entering on duty took six loaves, and the course going off duty took six. R. Judah says, “the course entering took seven, and that going off took five.” Those entering shared them on the north side (of the temple court), and those going out on the south side. The course Bilgah always shared theirs on the south side. But their slaughter-ring was fastened down, and the window of their closet was shut up.(278)
Four New Years—Judgments—New Moon—Witnesses—Evidence—Samaritans—Spreading the News—Beth Yangzek—Examining Witnesses—Rabban Gamaliel’s Plan of the Phases of the Moon—Rabbi Joshua—Sanhedrin—Cornets and Trumpets—Intention—The Serpent of Brass—Jerusalem and Jamnia—Blessings—Texts of Scripture—How the Trumpets are to be Blown.