Priestly Observations

What did the appointed priest say to the other priests?

• Go out and observe if it is day and the time for slaughter has arrived.

• Is the entire eastern sky illuminated even to Hebron?

According to Matya ben Shmuel, how did the appointed priest phrase his question?

• Go out and observe if it is day and the time for slaughter has arrived.

• Is the entire eastern sky illuminated even to Hebron?

What does the observer say if the time for slaughter has arrived?

• There is light [barkai].

• Yes.

What is the significance of the eastern sky being illuminated even to Hebron?

• It signifies the start of a new day.

• It signifies that the time for slaughter has arrived.

What is the role of the appointed priest in the ritual?

• To observe if it is day and the time for slaughter has arrived.

• To perform the slaughter.

What does Matya ben Shmuel's phrasing of the question imply?

• That the time for slaughter is dependent on the illumination of the eastern sky.

• That the time for slaughter is arbitrary.