. And during the existence of the Temple they
might profane it in all the months for the regulation of the offerings.

5. If the moon(290) appeared high and clear, or did not appear high and
clear, the witnesses may profane the Sabbath on account of it. R. Jose
says, "if it appeared high and clear, they may not profane the Sabbath on
account of it."

6. It happened that more than forty pairs of witnesses were passing
through, when R. Akivah detained them in Lydda. Rabban Gamaliel sent to
him, "if thou thus detainest the people, it will be a stumbling-block in
the future."

7. When father and son have seen the new moon, they must go (before the
Sanhedrin), not that they may be combined together, but in order that,
should the evidence of either of them be disallowed, the other may be
combined with another witness. R. Simeon says, "father, and son, and
relatives in every degree, may be allowed as competent witnesses for the
new moon." R. Jose says, "it happened that Tobias, the physician, his son,
and his freed slave, saw the new moon in Jerusalem, and the priests
accepted his evidence, and that of his son, but disallowed his slave; but
when they came before the Sanhedrin, they accepted him and his slave, but
disallowed his son."

8. These witnesses are disallowed--gamblers with dice, usurers,(291)
pigeon-breeders,(292) traders in produce of the Sabbatical year, and
slaves. This is the rule: all evidence that cannot be received from a
woman cannot be received from any of these.

9. "He who has seen the new moon but cannot walk?" "They must bring him on
an ass or even in a bed." Those afraid of being waylaid may take sticks in
their hands, and if they have a long way to go, they may take provisions.
If they must be a day and a night on the road, they may profane the
Sabbath in travelling to testify for the new moon; as is said, "These are
the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons."(293)

Chapter II

1. If a witness were unknown, another was sent to testify to him. At first
they received evidence of the new moon from anyone; but when the
heretics(294) bribed (the witnesses), they ordained that evidence should
only be received from those who were known.

2. At first high flames were lighted, but when the Samaritans mimicked
them, it was ordained that messengers should be sent forth.

3. "How were these high flames lighted?" "They brought long staves of
cedarwood, canes, and branches of t