1)

(a)Bearing in mind that the Torah has already written "Ve'asah la'Par ka'asher Asah le'Par ha'Chatas", the Tana of the Beraisa learns from the Pasuk in Vayikra "Vesaraf Oso ka'asher Saraf es ha'Par ha'Rishon" that - the Par of the Kohen Gadol must take precedence over that of the Tzibur.

(b)Another Beraisa ascribes this precedence to the fact that - it is essential for the one who is atoning to atone for himself before atoning for others ...

(c)... as we learn from the Pasuk (in connection with Aharon's Par on Yom Kipur) "Ve'chiper Ba'ado u've'ad Beiso ... ".

2)

(a)The Beraisa gives the Par He'elam Davar shel Tzibur precedence over the Par shel Avodas-Kochavim - based on the principle that generally gives a Chatas precedence over an Olah.

(b)In connection with the two birds of a Korban Oleh ve'Yored, the Torah has already written in Vayikra "ve'es ha'Sheini Ya'aseh Olah ka'Mishpat". It nevertheless adds "Vehikriv es asher la'Chatas Rishonah" to teach us that - a Chatas precedes an Olah ...

(c)... even in a case where someone is Chayav a Chatas ha'Of and an Olas Beheimas.

(d)The problem with the Tana's ruing that the Par Avodas-Kochavim takes precedence over the Sa'ir Avodas-Kochavim lies in the fact that - the Par is an Olah whereas the Sa'ir is a Chatas (clashing with the principle that we just learned).

3)

(a)To answer the kashya, the Gemara cites Rabah bar Mari. They learned in Eretz Yisrael in the name of Rabah bar Mari from the fact that the word "Chatas" by the Sa'ir Avodas-Kochavim is missing an 'Alef' that - the Par le'Olah takes precedence (in spite of the principle).

(b)Rava answers the Kashya by citing the word "ka'Mishpat" written in connection with Avodas-Kochavim - implying that the Korbanos mentioned there must be brought in the order that they are mentioned (and the Torah mentions the Par first).

(c)The Sa'ir ...

1. ... Avodas-Kochavim take precedence over the Sa'ir of the Nasi - because a Tzibur takes precedence over a Yachid.

2. ... of the Nasi take precedence over the Se'irah of a Yachid - because a king takes precedence over a Yachid.

4)

(a)One Beraisa gives the Se'irah of a Yachid precedence over a Kisbah - whereas another Beraisa gives precedence to the Kisbah.

(b)Abaye presents this as a Machlokes Tana'im. The basis for giving precedence to the ...

1. ... Se'irah lies in the fact that it (and not a Kisbah) is brought for Avodas-Kochavim.

2. ... Kisbah - lies in the fact that it incorporates a fat-tail (which a Se'irah does not possess).

(c)The Beraisa rules that - the Omer (on Pesach) and the Sh'tei ha'Lechem (on Shavu'os) take precedence over the Korbanos that accompany them ...

(d)... because the Omer and the Sh'tei ha'Lechem constitute the order of the day, whereas the Korbanos come only because of the bread, and the order of the day always takes precedence.

5)

(a)Our Mishnah gives precedence to a man over a woman, with regard to saving his life and returning his lost articles - and to a woman over a man regarding clothes and redeeming from captivity (because both are connected with Tzeni'us [modesty], which affects a woman more deeply than it does a man.

(b)A male captive takes precedence however - if he will be subjected to homosexuality (because of the unnatural circumstances of the sin).

(c)If Reuven, his mother, his father and his Rebbe are all captives (assuming that Reuven, has sufficient funds to redeem one, two or three of them) - the order of precedence given by the Beraisa is - in exactly the reverse order (1. himself first, 2. his mother, as we explained in our Mishnah, 3. his Rebbe, who brings him to Olam ha'Ba [as we learned in Bava Metzi'a], and only then his father, who brought him into this world).

(d)The Tana give precedence to a Chacham with regard to redemption, over a king - because a king who dies is replaceable, whereas a Chacham is unique.

6)

(a)We learn from the Pasuk in Melachim, where David Hamelech said ..

1. ... to Tzadok ha'Kohen "K'chu imachem es Avdei Adoneichem" that - a king takes precedence over a Kohen Gadol (since 'Adoneichem' referred to himself).

2. ... "u'Mashach oso Sham Tzadok ha'Kohen ve'Nasan ha'Navi" that - a Kohen Gadol takes precedence over a Navi.

(b)And we learn from the Pasuk in Zecharyah ...

1. .... "Sh'ma Na Yehoshua ha'Kohen ha'Gadol Atah ve'Re'echa ... " - exactly the same thing (seeing as the friends of Yehoshua Kohen Gadol were Nevi'im, which we learn from the Pasuk ...

2. ... "Ki Anshei Mofeis heimah" (just as the Torah writes in Shoftim [in connection with a Navi] "Ve'nasan eilecha Os O Mofeis").

(c)The order of precedence in which the Beraisa places S'gan (the deputy Kohen Gadol), Mashu'ach Milchamah, Kohen she'Avar Machmas Mumo, Kohen she'Avar Machmas Kiryo, Merubeh Begadim and Kohen Mashi'ach is - once again precisely in the reverse order.

(d)At the lower end of the scale, the order reads S'gan, Amarkol, Gizbar, Rosh Mishmar, Rosh Beis Av and Kohen Hedyot. The Amarkol - as his name suggests ('Amar Kula'), is the officer in charge of all the affairs of the Beis-Hamikdash. His word in all matters concerning it, is final.

7)

(a)They asked what the Din will be if a S'gan and a Mashu'ach Milchamah came upon a Meis Mitzvah (which one of the above is obligated to bury it and render himself Tamei). Mar Zutra b'rei de'Rav Nachman, citing a Beraisa, places the onus on the Mashu'ach Milchamah - because should the Kohen Gadol become Pasul, it is the S'gan who has to perform the Avodah in his place.

(b)He reconciles this ruling with another Beraisa, which gives precedence to the Mashu'ach Milchamah - by establishing it with regard to sustaining them, where he takes precedence ...

(c)... because the Tzibur need him to go to battle more than they need the S'gan (or because his Kedushah is higher, as we just learned).

8)

(a)A Kohen, Levi, Yisrael and Mamzer follow this order of precedence. And similarly, our Mishnah places an Eved Meshuchrar (an Eved who has been set free), a Ger, a Nasin (from the Giv'onim, whom Yehoshua appointed wood-choppers and water-drawers) and a Mamzer - in the reverse order.

(b)A Mamzer has priority over a Kohen Gadol however - if he is also a Talmid-Chacham (and the Kohen Gadol is an Am ha'Aretz).

(c)We learn from the Pasuk ...

1. ... in Divrei Hayamim "B'nei Amram, Aharon u'Moshe, Vayavdel Aharon ... " that - a Kohen takes precedence over a Levi.

2. ... in Eikev "be'Eis ha'Hi Hivdil Hash-m es Sheivet ha'Levi" that - a Levi takes precedence over a Yisrael.

(d)The Tana gives priority to ...

1. ... a Yisrael over a Mamzer - because he has Yichus (pedigree).

2. ... a Mamzer over a Nasin - because he is born to Jewish parents.

3. ... a Nasin over a Ger - because he has lived among us for a longer period of time.

4. ... a Ger over an Eved Meshuchrar - because he has not been subject to the curse "Eved Avadim Yih'yeh le'Echav".

9)

(a)Rav Acha b'Rebbi Chanina learns from the Pasuk in Mishlei "Yekarah Hi mi'Peninim" that Torah is more precious even than a Kohen Gadol who goes inside the Kodesh Kodshim ...

(b)... because "P'ninim" is the acronym of 'Lifnai ve'Lifnim', hinting at the Kohen Gadol, who enters the Kodesh Kodshim on Yom Kipur (the source for the ruling in our Mishnah that a Mamzer Kohen Gadol takes precedence over a Kohen Gadol Am-ha'Aretz).

(c)We just explained that a Ger takes precedence over an Eved Meshuchrar due to the curse of 'Eved Avadim ... ". Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai in a Beraisa explains that if not for that, an Eved Meshuchrar would take precedence - because he has lived among us for a longer period of time (as we explained by Nasin).

(d)Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Tzadok uses the same curse to explain - why people are generally happy to marry a Giyores, but shun a Meshuchreres.

(e)Alternatively, he explains, it is due to the fact that - the latter is likely to be more promiscuous than the former, either because she is used to that sort of life as a Shifchah, or because, unlike the Giyores, who guarded her chastity (in anticipation of her conversion), she would not have known that her master intended to set her free.

10)

(a)When Rebbi Elazar's Talmidim asked him ...

1. ... why a cat does not acknowledge its Creator, even though a dog does, he replied that - this is because seeing that people who eat food that has merely been bitten by a mouse, forgets his learning ('Kashah le'Shikchah'), how much more so a cat, who eats the mice themselves.

2. ... why people tend to chase mice relentlessly - he attributed it to the evil nature of the mice, who, unlike most creatures (which only bite the food that they want to eat because they are hungry), bite and spoil anything, whether they are hungry or not (much like the difference between a Mumar le'Te'avon and a Mumar le'Hach'is [someone who sins for his personal pleasure and someone who sins to anger Hash-m]).

(b)Rava gave as an example, the fact that they even bite clothes. Rav Papa gave the example of - the handle of a spade.

11)

(a)The Beraisa states that - eating something that a mouse or cat ate from, the heart of an animal or olives (regularly) - causes people to forget what they have learned.

(b)The Tana includes in this list - drinking the remains of the bath-water, and washing one foot on top of the other.

(c)According to others - using one's clothes as a pillow will have the same affect.

12)

(a)On the other hand, the Tana adds that - eating bread baked on coal, the coal itself or a boiled egg without salt - has the opposite affect of enabling one to remember what he has learned.

(b)The Tana adds someone who drinks olive oil regularly, someone who drinks from the leftovers water used for kneading dough - and someone who regularly drinks wine and smells spices ...

(c)... whereas thers add - someone who dips his finger in salt and eats it (the salt).

(d)The inclusion of olive-oil and wine and spices in the list remind us of statements made by Rebbi Yochanan ...

1. ... that - just as olives cause one to forget one's learning, so too, does olive-oil cause one to remember it, and ...

2. ... Rava, who said that - it was the wine and spices that he constantly used when he was young that turned him into the wise man that he became.

13)

(a)According to Resh Lakish, when Yesh Omrim added to the list dipping one's finger in salt and eating it, he meant specifically one finger and no more. This is also the opinion of Rebbi Yehudah in another Beraisa. Rebbi Yossi says - two fingers but not three.

(b)The Kemitzah (the index finger) will help us to remember this Machlokes - because if one bends it, one is left with one finger on one side and two, on the other (not counting the thumb, which is not in line with the other fingers anyway).

(c)The Beraisa states that someone who ...

1. ... walks under the bridle of a camel or the camel itself makes learning difficult (because they cause a Timtum ha'Leiv), and the same applies to someone who ...

2. ... passes between two camels or two women, or two men between whom a woman passes.

(d)The Tana adds someone who inhales the repugnant smell of a carcass. He uses the expression 'ha'Over Tachas ... ' in that connection" - because smells tend to rise, so that ultimately, one is standing underneath them.

14)

(a)The Tana also adds someone who stands underneath a bridge or who eats bread or meat. He is referring to ...

1. ... a bridge - through which water has not flowed for forty days ...

2. ... bread - that is only partially baked, and ...

3. ... meat - that one served with a ladle which is used to move the scum to the side of the pot.

(b)One of the two final items that the Tana lists are someone who drinks from a stream that runs through a Beis-ha'Kevaros; the other is - someone who looks (intently) at the face of a dead person.

(c)Others add - someone who reads the script on a grave.

15)

(a)The Beraisa discusses the procedure that is followed when the various sages enter the Beis-Hamedrash. When the Nasi enters, everyone is obligated to rise from their seats, and when the Av Beis-Din enters, they all rise and form two rows, between which he passes. They are permitted to sit - when the former permits them to do so, and when the latter has sat down.

(b)The Din of sitting down regarding a Chacham, is equivalent to that of an Av Beis-Din. When he enters however - each person stands as he walks past him.

(c)The sons of the Chachamim and their Tamidim are permitted to ...

1. ... 'pass over the heads' of the people when they enter a full Beis-Ha'Midrash - provided the community needs them (see Chok Nasan).

2. ... return to their seats once they have left - provided they left because they needed to.

(d)The distinction the Tana Kama draws between the children of the community leaders who are able to understand the D'rashah and those who are not is that - the former sit in the 'Mizrach' facing their fathers, whereas the latter sit facing the people (according to others, they sit behind their fathers rather than in front of them).

(e)Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Tzadok extends this latter Halachah beyond the precincts of the Beis-Ha'Midrash - to the banquet-hall, where one places the sons of the community leaders besides the elders (in deference to their fathers).

16)

(a)We just learned that the sons of the Chachamim and their Tamidim are permitted to return once they leave provided they left because they needed to. Rav Papa qualifies this - by confining it to where they left in order to urinate (but not in order to relieve themselves [for Gedolim]).

(b)His reason is based on a statement of Rav Yehudah, who said in the name of Rav that - a person should make a point of relieving himself early in the morning and late at night, in order to avoid having to travel out of town in the middle of the day to do so. Consequently, someone who does not do so is considered negligent.

(c)This distinction no longer applies today however - due to our weaker dispositions.

(d)Rava qualifies Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Tzadok's ruling (regarding placing the sons of the community leaders besides the elders in the banquet-hall) - to where their fathers are still alive, but not to seating them at the top table after they have already died.

17)

(a)The current Beraisa was learned in the days of Raban Shimon ben Gamliel. He changed the original Minhag - whereby the Av Beis-Din received the same Kavod as the Nasi, because he considered it correct for a Nasi to receive more Kavod than an Av Beis-Din and a Chacham.

(b)Rebbi Meir - a Chacham, and Rebbi Nasan - Av Beis-Din were not in the Beis-ha'Midrash that day.

(c)When they discovered why the people no longer stood up for them in the way that they used to - they decided, that to teach Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel a lesson, they would ask him to teach them Maseches Uktzin, which they knew he had not learned thoroughly.

(d)When they quoted the Pasuk "Mi Yemalel Gevuros Hash-m, Yashmi'a Kol Tehilaso" they meant that - it is not befitting for someone who does not know the whole Torah to be the teacher of K'lal Yisrael.

(e)By planning this coup - they intended Rebbi Nasan to take over the Nesi'us and Rebbi Meir to become the Av Beis-Din.

18)

(a)Rebbi Ya'akov ben Karshi overheard them plotting. He intervened on the part of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel - to spare him from being embarrassed in public.

(b)To do that - he sat at the back of his attic, and began to recite Uktzin over and over again, until Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel realizing that something was afoot, took his cue from him and perfected his knowledge of the Masechta (on that one night).

(c)Initially, he penalized Rebbi Meir and Rebbi Nasan by sending them out of the Beis-Hamedrash.

(d)He changed his mind however - when they began sending questions into the Beis-Ha'Midrash, some of which only they were able to answer. And it was when Rebbi Yossi pointed out that although they (the other Chachamim) were in the Beis-Ha'Midrash, Torah was outside, that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel recalled them.

(e)He switched the punishment - by giving them impersonal names from then on. He called Rebbi Meir 'Acherim' and Rebbi Nasan 'Yesh Omrim'.