תלמוד על מגילה 3:1

Isaac the trader asked Rebbi Isaac: What does one read on a New Moon that falls on Ḥanukkah? He said to him: Three for the New Moon and one for Ḥanukkah. Rebbi Phineas, Rebbi Simon, Rebbi Abba bar Zamina brought it in the name of Rebbi Eudaimon of Haifa: Three read of Ḥanukka and one of the New Moon, to tell you that the fourth one comes only because of the New Moon⁵⁵Mishna Megillah 3:6.. Bar Shelemiah the scribe asked Rebbi Mana: Think of it, if the New Moon of Ḥanukkah falls on a Sabbath, do not seven read? How can you say, to tell you that the fourth one comes only because of the New Moon? He said to him: That is a true question of a scribe⁵⁶Usually on Ḥanukkah only three people read from the Torah since it is a regular workday. On the day of the New Moon, four persons read since it is a day with a Musaf sacrifice in the Temple. On the Sabbath, seven read (and the maftir reads one additional portion). Hence, it seems impossible that the fourth person should read about Ḥanukkah..

(As)⁵⁰It seems that the additional ד is a scribal error since this paragraph has no connection with the previous one. we have stated there⁵¹Mishnah Megillah 3:3. R. Meïr holds that a synagogue can be sold only with a clause that would let the community reacquire the building if it so chooses. The Sages permit the sale to be absolute as long as the building is not used for undignified purposes. (According to a popular tradition, the Altneuschul synagogue in Prague is Al-Tnai-Schul, a synagogue built on condition that on the arrival of the Messiah it could be sold without restrictions.}: “One sells a synagogue only conditionally”. ⁵²From here on, the text is from Megillah 3:1 (73b 1. 38). So far if it was built as a synagogue. How is the situation if the building was first built for profane use and then dedicated? Let us hear from the following: “A qônām that I shall not enter this house and it was turned into a synagogue.” That implies that if it was built as a courtyard and afterwards was dedicated that it becomes holy. How? When does it become holy, immediately or when it is used? Let us hear from the following⁵³Tosephta Megillah 2:13.: “If somebody makes a chest for a Torah scroll, or wrappings for a Torah scroll, before they were used for a Torah scroll they may be used for private use; after they were used for a Torah scroll they may not be used for private use.” Since these were made for holy use but became holy only when used, that which was built as a courtyard not so much more⁵⁴The same conclusion in the Babli, Megillah 26b.? What is the status of those if they were made for profane use and then dedicated? They become holy⁵⁵The text of Megillah is very much condensed here..

Rebbi Joḥanan, it does not apply⁷⁷Mishnah 3 and Mishnah 2 contradict one another; if Mishnah 2 is confirmed then Mishnah 3 cannot apply. Mishnah 2 prohibits selling public property in a way which reduces its sanctity; the Mishnah 3 cannot permit selling it when its sanctity is certainly diminished, even if the buyers are not individuals. Not even R. Meïr’s prescription conforms with Mishnah 2. The answer must be that Mishnah 2 does not apply to real estate, only to the contents of public buildings, including the Torah scrolls.. Where do we hold? If following Rebbi Meïr, one may sell a synagogue only conditionally. If following the rabbis, one may sell it permanently except for four things! Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, explain it for a Torah scroll.