Chapter XIV

Eighteen Treatises from the Mishna, by D. A. Sola and M. J. Raphall, [1843], at sacred-texts.com

CHAPTER XIV.

§ 1. The eight kinds of vermin mentioned in the law ¹—whoever catches or wounds one of them, is guilty. As to all other kinds of reptiles, or worms, whoever wounds [bruises] them is absolved; whoever catches them, if for use, is guilty; if not for use, is absolved. Whoever catches animals, or birds, that are [already] in his possession, is absolved; whoever wounds [bruises] them is guilty.

§ 2. Man must not make [prepare] brine on the Sabbath; but he may make [mix] salt and water wherein to dip his bread, and to put into his food, to season it. R. José observed, "And is not this [mixture] brine, whether it be more or less salted? The [only mixture of] salt and water which is permitted [on the Sabbath], is that in which oil has been previously put, either to the salt or to the water."

§ 3. It is unlawful to eat Greek hyssop on the Sabbath, because it is not food [fit] for healthy [people]; but man may eat wild-rosemary, and drink ‏אבוב רועה‎; ² man may eat of any [kind of] food as medicine, and drink any kind of beverage, except water of ‏דקלים‎, ³ and ‏כוס עקרים‎, ⁴ as these are [only remedies] for the jaundice; but a man may drink the water of Dekalim for thirst, and may anoint himself with the oil of Ikkarim, but not as a remedy.

§ 4. He who has the toothache must not rinse his teeth with vinegar, but he may wash them as usual [dip something in vinegar and rub them], and if he does get cured, he does get cured. He who has pains in his loins, must not rub them with wine or vinegar; he may [however] anoint them with [any kind of] oil, except rose

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oil. Princes may anoint [dress] their wounds with rose oil, as they are in the habit of so anointing [themselves] on week-days. R. Simeon saith, "All Israelites are [to be considered as] princes [in this respect]."

Footnotes

57:1 Lev. xi. 29.

57:2 "Bloom of the herds;" it is said to be a plant which grows on a single stem, and is an antidote against all pernicious liquids.

57:3 "Water of trees;" the Talmud explains this designation, by relating that in Palestine there is a spring between two trees, the waters of which have the effect that the first goblet promotes digestion, the second acts as a laxative, and the third as an emetic.

57:4 A mucilage, or ointment, composed of certain pulverised herbs and gum, mixed together in wine.