Sheep and Judaism

(3) And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. (4) And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering; (5) but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (6) And the LORD said unto Cain: ‘Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? (7) If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee is its desire, but thou mayest rule over it.’ (8) And Cain spoke unto Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

(1) The prohibition of kilayim [in clothing material] applies only to [sheep's] wool and linen, and only wool and linen can become unclean by negaim [diseased patches on skin, clothes, or houses that create impurity]. The priests, while in the service in the Temple only wear [garments] of wool and linen. Camel's wool and sheep's wool that have been mixed together, if the majority [of the wool] is from the camel, it is permitted [to mix them with linen, since the minority is annuled by the majority]. If the majority is from the sheep, it is forbidden [to mix them with linen]. If they are half and half [equal amounts], they are forbidden. The same [rule] applies to hemp and flax that have been mixed together.

(2) Shirayim [type of silk that resembles flax] and kolach [a type of silk that resembles wool], are not subject to the laws of kilayim, but are [nevertheless] forbidden due to their appearances. Mattresses and pillows are not subject to the laws of kilayim [by laying on them], provided one's flesh do not touch them. There is no [exemption for the] temporary wearing of kilayim and one may not wear kilayim even on top of ten [other garments], even if it only to evade paying customs.

(3) Hand towels, scroll covers and bath towels, are not subject to the laws of kilayim. Rabbi Eliezer prohibits them. Barbers' towels are subject to the laws of kilayim.

(4) Shrouds for the dead, and the pack-saddle of a donkey, are not subject to the laws of kilayim. One may not put a pack-saddle on his shoulder even to carry out dung in it.

(5) Clothing salesmen [who display their wares by wearing them] may sell [kilayim clothing] in their usual manner [of sale], provided they have no intention [to protect themselves] against the sun in the sun and against the rain in the rain. The [particularly] observant [salesmen] will suspend them [the clothing] over a stick [behind them and not wear them].

(6) Tailors [who use kilayim threads] may sew the clothes in their usual way [placing the garment on their laps], provided they have no intention [of protecting themselves] against the sun in the sun and ahainst the rain in the rain. The [particularly] observant [tailors] will place the garment on the ground [to sew it].

(7) ‏Birsin [a kind of blanket or cloak made of woolen cloth], Bardosin [a kind of blanket or cloak made of thick woolen cloth], Dalmatikon [long undergarments of Dalmation wool], and felt shoes may not be worn until they have been inspected [to see if they contain kilayim]. Rabbi Yosi says, Those [woolen garments] that come from the seacoast or from overseas do not require inspection, for we can assume that they are made of hemp. Cloth-lined shoes [made for warmth] are not subject to the law of kilayim.

(8) Only that which is spun or woven is prohibited under the laws of kilayim, for it is written "you shall not wear Sha'atnez (Devarim 22:11), [The word Sha'atnez is composed of the words] Shua combed, Tavui spun and nuz woven. Rabbi Shimon ben Eleazar says, [The word Sha'atnez suggests, that whoever wears Sha'atnez], naluz [is estranged] and umeiliz [he estranges] his father in heaven against him.

(10) And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. (11) And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said: ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ And he said: ‘Here am I.’ (12) And he said: ‘Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou art a God-fearing man, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.’ (13) And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son.

(1) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul; He guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

(1) The [law of giving] the first sheared fleece applies in the land [of Israel] and outside of the land, at the time of the Temple and not at the time of the Temple, for chulin [produce or food permitted for general consumption], but not for mukdashim [animals or food which are holy and not available for general consumption]. The stringency of [giving gifts of] the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach over the first sheared fleece is that the shoulder, the cheeks and the stomach apply for cattle and for flock, for many or a for a few. But the first sheared fleece only applies for sheep, and only applies for many.

(2) And how many is "many?" Beit Shammai says, "Two sheep, as it says, 'A man will raise a calf and two sheep,' (Isaiah 7:21)." And Beit Hillel says, "Five, as it says, 'Five prepared sheep,' (2 Samuel 25:18)." Rabbi Dosa ben Hurkinos says, "Five sheep, [from which] their fleece is a maneh [a specific unit of weight] and a half, are obligated in the first shearing." But the Sages say, "Five sheep of any amount [of fleece]." And how much do we give to him [the kohen]? The weight of five sela'im [a specific unit of weight] in Judah - which are ten sela'im in the Galilee - whitened and not dirty, in order to make from it a small garment. As it says, "give to him," (Deuteronomy 18:4), that there will be [enough] in it for a gift [the words for "gift" and "give" coming from the same root]. [If] one did not succeed to give it to him by the time one colored it, one is exempt. If one whitened it and did not color it, one is obligated. One who purchases the fleece of a sheep of a non-Jews is exempt from [the law] of first sheared fleece. One who purchases the shearing of a sheep of his fellow, if [the seller] keeps some, the seller is obligated [for the first shearing]. [If the seller] did not keep some, the buyer is obligated. [If] one had two types, gray and white, and sold to another gray but not white [fleece], [or] male but not female, this one gives for himself and this one gives for himself.