PASSAGES RELATING TO JESUS
59
literal meaning of the phrase
` burns his food' in
this disputed Mishnah, may be added that Rashi and
other Jewish commentators interpret it quite literally,
and give not the slightest hint of a figurative mean-
ing. Also the fact that, whatever Hillel may have
meant, Aqiba's dictum is evidently literal,' so that
it is unlikely that Hillel's words were figurative.
But while this is quite true, it is also true that the
literal meaning of the phrase will not apply in all
cases
where it occurs. When it is said, as in the
extract from b. Sanh. 1038, under consideration, and
also in b. Ber. 17b, "that there may not be a son or
a disciple who burns his food in public," something
much more serious must be intended than a literal
burning of food.' The clue to this figurative
meaning is given in the Talmud itself, b. Berach. 348.
The Gemara in this place is commenting on the
following words of the Mishnah : 11 He who says
`The good shall bless thee,' lo, this is the way of
heresy. He who goes before the Ark, if he makes
a mistake, another shall go in his stead, and let there
be no refusal at such a time." To ' go before the
Ark' is to stand at the lectern to recite the prayers
in the Synagogue. And the Mishnah has just
remarked that some liturgical phrases are signs of
heresy in the reader. Therefore the Mishnah directs
what is to be done when a reader makes a mistake.
Another man is to take his place and there must be
no refusal on the part of the second man. That is
the Mishnah. The Gemara says : " Our Rabbis have
taught 'He who goes before the Ark ought [at first]
'
See Edersheim, " L. and T. of J. the M.," ii.
333 n2, where he success-
fully proves the literalness of the phrase in Gitt. ix. 10.
 |  |  |