Midrash · Halachah
Sifrei Devarim 169/ספרי דברים קס״ט
א(דברים יח ז) וְשֵׁרֵת בְּשֵׁם ה׳ אֱלֹהָיו, עַל גַּבֵּי הָרִצְפָּה. מִכָּן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר (זבחים פ״ב מ״א): עָרֵל, טָמֵא, יוֹשֵׁב, עוֹמֵד עַל גַּבֵּי כֵּלִים, אוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי בְּהֵמָה אוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי רַגְלֵי חֲבֵרוֹ – פָּסוּל.
1Pisqa’ 1691521. “Then he shall serve . . . like all his levitical brotherswho stand there before HASHEM” (Dt. 18:7)—that is, barefoot and directly upon the stone floor.On this basis you teach:a Priest who is uncircumsized, unclean, or seated,standing on utensils or on an animal,or standing on top of the feet of a brother Priest—is disqualified from serving.153
במִנַּיִן אַתָּה אוֹמֵר (סוכה פ״ה מ״ז) כָּל הַמִּשְׁמָרוֹת שָׁוִים בְּאֵימוּרֵי רְגָלִים וּבְחִלּוּק לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר (דברים יח ח): ״חֵלֶק כְּחֵלֶק יֹאכֵלוּ״, חֵלֶק לֶאֱכוֹל, חֵלֶק לַעֲבוֹד; חֵלֶק לָאֲכִילָה כְּחֵלֶק לָעֲבוֹדָה.
22. On what basis do you teach thatall Watches have equal claimsto the sacrificial limbs of the Pilgrimage-festivals,and to the weekly distribution of the Bread of the Presence.154The Teaching states:“Equivalent portions shall they eat” (Dt. 18:8)—one share [to each Watch] to eatand one share to serve,[with] the share for eatingequal to the share for service.
גיָכוֹל כָּל הַמִּשְׁמָרוֹת שָׁוִים בְּקָרְבְּנוֹת הָרֶגֶל הַבָּאִים שֶׁלֹּא מֵחֲמַת הָרֶגֶל? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״לְבַד מִמְכָּרָיו עַל הָאָבוֹת״. מַה מָּכְרוּ אָבוֹת זֶה לָזֶה? אַתָּה שַׁבַּתְּךָ וַאֲנִי שַׁבַּתִּי.
33. Is it possible to say thatall Watches have equal claimsto [offer] the [optional sacrifices of the] Pilgrimage-festivalsthat are not due on those Festivals[e.g., Voluntary-offerings155 and Vow-offerings]?156The Teaching states:“Excluding what has been sold-off of the patrimony of their ancestors”157 literally: “fathers.” (Dt. 18:8)—What did their ancestors sell to each other?[They would barter the weeks of their Watches, saying:]You’ll take your week’s [share in addition to mine,]and I’ll take my week’s [share in addition to yours]!