daf bit: Bechorot 45

[cellio]

The rabbis are very concerned with who is qualified to serve as a kohein (priest) in the temple, beyond the requirement to be of that tribe. If the kohein isn't fit for service then his offerings might not be accepted by God, after all, and if he's doing it on behalf of the whole community then everyone is affected. A mishna on today's daf says that if one has equal strength in both hands Rabbi declares him unfit but the sages declare him fit. The g'mara says the same about left-handedness, either because of extreme weakness in the right hand or extreme strength in the left: one master forbids but the sages accept. (45a mishna, 45b g'mara)

This is a rare victory (in pre-modern times) for lefties and the ambidextrous. I approve. :-)

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[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Hooray!