abbath, 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)

The New Year

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.

Chapter I

1. There are four new years. The first of Nisan(279) is a new year for
kings and for festivals.(280) The first of Elul(281) is a new year for the
tithing of cattle; but R. Eleazar and R. Simeon say, "it is on the first
of Tishri."(282) The first of Tishri is a new year for civil years, for
years of release, and for jubilees, also for planting of trees(283) and
herbs. The first of Sebat is a new year for (the tithing of) trees
according to the school of Shammai, but the school of Hillel say, "on its
fifteenth."

2. The world is judged at four periods: at the passover, for the growth of
corn; at Pentecost, for the fruit of trees; at new year's day, when all
human beings pass before Him like lambs, as is said, "He fashioneth their
hearts alike; He considereth all their works";(284) and at the feast of
tabernacles, judgment is given for the rains.

3. Messengers went forth (from Jerusalem) in six months: in Nisan for the
passover; in Ab(285) for the fast; in Elul for the new year; in Tishri for
the regulation of the feasts; in Kislev(286) for the dedication; in
Adar(287) for the feast of lots; and also in Iyar(288) during the
existence of the Temple for the little passover.

4. For two months(289) they may profane the Sabbath, for Nisan and for
Tishri, because in them the messengers went forth to Syria, and in them
they regulated the feasts