Talmud zu Jeschijahu 1:18

MISHNAH: From where that one⁸Human semen is impure (Lev. 15:16–17 and sexual intercourse makes impure, v. 18. Semen which no longer can fertilize is not impure. The question is how long after intercourse must one suspect that semen released by the female still produces impurity? The answer which is given here states that semen may stay alive inside the woman’s body for three days. who loses semen on the third day is impure? For it is said⁹Ex. 19:15., be prepared for three days, do not touch a woman. From where that one washes¹⁰A male baby on the third day after circumcision with warm water, heated for the purpose even on the Sabbath, because it is a medical necessity. The entire series of deductions from Scripture is introduced here because of this rule of the Sabbath. a baby on the third day if it falls on a Sabbath? For it is said¹¹Gen. 34:25., it was on the third day when they hurt. From where that one ties a crimson band to the head of the scapegoat¹²Mishnah Yoma 4:2 requires that a crimson band be tied to the horns of the goat sent to the cliff.? For it is said¹³Is. 1:18., if your sins were like scarlet they will be snow white, etc.

It is written¹³Is. 1:18., let us go and argue, says the Eternal, etc. It was stated, Rebbi Eliezer said, If your sins were like years¹²⁰The plural שָׁנִים is derived from שָׁנָה “year”, not from שָׁנִי “scarlet”. For the other occurrence in Prov. 31:21, Midrash Mishle (ed. S. Buber, p. 110, Note ל) reads the word as שְׁנַיִם “two, double”. The only rabbinic source which recognizes שָׁנִים as “scarlet” is in Midrash Mishle (loc. cit. p. 112)., etc., like the years from Heaven to Earth¹²¹The numbers given by RR. Eliezer and R. Joshua are identical, 500. Cf. Berakhot 1:1, Note 83., they will be snow white; more than that, they shall be like wool. Rebbi Joshua said, if your sins were like years, like the years of the patriarchs, they will be snow white; more than that, they shall be like wool. Rebbi Yudan bar Pazi said, If your sins were like years they will be snow white, the first time, if they were like purple they shall be like wool, the second time. But the rabbis said, If the sins of a person are like his years, they will be snow white; more than that, they shall be like wool. Rebbi Yudan Antordiyya said, at a time when a person’s sins are light, they will be snow white; at a time when they are serious, they shall be like wool.

It is written⁹⁷Is. 1:18., let us go and argue, etc. It was stated, Rebbi Eliezer said, If your sins were like years⁹⁸Reading שָׁנִים as “years”, not “purple wool”. Both the distance of Heaven from Earth and the combined lifetime of the patriarchs were 500 years, cf. Berakhot 1:1, Note 83., etc., like the years from Heaven to Earth, they will be snow white; more than that, they shall be like wool. Rebbi Joshua said, if your sins were like years, like the years of the patriarchs, they will be snow white; more than that, they shall be like wool. Rebbi Yuda bar Pazi said, if your sins were like years they will be snow white, the first time, if they were like purple they shall be like wool, the second time. But the rabbis said, If the sins of a person are like his years, they will be snow white.]