Commentary for Sanhedrin 15:3

רבי בא רבי יסא בשם רבי יוחנן נאמר כאן עדה ונאמר להלן עד מתי לעדה הרעה מה לעדה האמורה להלן עשרה אף כאן עשרה. א"ר סימון נאמר כאן תוך ונאמר להלן תוך מה תוך שנאמר להלן עשרה אף כאן עשרה. א"ל רבי יסא בי רבי בון

Originally, whosoever wanted to remove [the ashes from] the Altar, removed [it]. At a time that they were many they would run and ascend the ramp [of the altar] and he that came first into the four cubits won [the privilege]. And if two were even, the appointed one would say to them [all]: Raise the finger(s). And what did they put forward [i.e. raise]? One or two. And [but] they do not put forth [raise] the thumb in the Temple: It happened [once] that two were even, and [they] were running and ascending the ramp. And one [of them] pushed his fellow and his foot was broken. And when the court saw that they were coming into danger, they enacted that they shall not remove [the ashes from] the altar except by lot. There were four lots there, and this [one] was the first lot. R. Manna questioned: And why did they not institute a lot for the removal of the ashes? Come and see: Slaughtering is valid with a stranger, and you say it has a lot; the removal of the ashes is prohibited [to be done] by a stranger, and you say, it has no lot? R. Manna the said again: Slaughtering is only valid by day, but the removal of the ashes is valid all night, if you say will cast a lot, even he will not arise on the doubtful [chance]. What did you see to say so? (Leviticus 6:2-3) "All the night and he shall remove [lift up]." From here [we learn] that the removal of the ashes is valid all night. A stranger [i.e. a non-priest] who removed [the ashes, what is the law]? R. Yochanan said: He is guilty [of death]. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: He is exempt. What is the reasoning of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish? (Numbers 18:7) "A service of gift", excluding this one which is [a service of] removal. What is the reasoning of Rabbi Yochanan? (Numbers 18:7) "In everything pertaining to the altar." Rabbi Yossi bei Rabbi Bun in the name of Rav: Four

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