Megillah, Daf Gimmel, Part 5
Introduction
In today’s section Rava makes a series of statements concerning which mitzvah takes precedence over which other which other mitzvah when two mitzvoth come into conflict.
אמר רבא: פשיטא לי: עבודה ומקרא מגילה – מקרא מגילה עדיף, מדרבי יוסי בר חנינא. תלמוד תורה ומקרא מגילה – מקרא מגילה עדיף, מדסמכו של בית רבי.
Rava said: There is no question in my mind that, as between the Temple service and the reading of the Megillah, the reading of the Megillah takes priority, for the reason given by R. Yose b. Hanina. As between the study of the Torah and the reading of the Megillah, the reading of the Megillah takes priority, since the members of the house of Rabbi based themselves [on the statement of R. Yose].
Here Rava makes reference to what we learned yesterday—hearing the Megillah takes precedence over both Temple service and the study of Torah.
תלמוד תורה ומת מצוה – מת מצוה עדיף, מדתניא: מבטלין תלמוד תורה להוצאת מת ולהכנסת כלה.
As between the study of the Torah and attending to a met mitzvah, attending to a met mitzvah takes precedence, since it has been taught: The study of the Torah may be neglected in order to take out a dead body or to bring a bride to the canopy.
A "met mitzvah" is a body that is found and there is no one to bring it to a proper burial. Taking care of a "met mitzvah" is an extremely important mitzvah in Judaism, and it takes precedence even over the study of Torah. A Torah scholar who is walking on his way, learning Torah and encounters a met mitzvah, must immediately stop learning Torah to bring the body to burial.
The same is true for helping a bride enter a canopy, meaning attending a wedding. Helping the bride and groom rejoice at their wedding also takes precedence over the study of Torah.
עבודה ומת מצוה – מת מצוה עדיף, +במדבר ו’+ מולאחתו דתניא: ולאחותו מה תלמוד לומר? הרי שהיה הולך לשחוט את פסחו ולמול את בנו, ושמע שמת לו מת, יכול יטמא – אמרת: לא יטמא. יכול כשם שאינו מיטמא לאחותו כך אינו מיטמא למת מצוה – תלמוד לומר ולאחתו: לאחותו הוא דאינו מיטמא, אבל מיטמא למת מצוה.
As between the Temple service and attending to a met mitzvah, attending to a met mitzvah takes precedence, as we learn from (the verse) "or for his sister" as it has been taught: "Or for his sister" (Numbers 6:7). What is Scripture saying? Suppose he was on his way to slaughter his pesah sacrifice or to circumcise his son, and he heard that a near relative had died, shall I assume that he should defile himself? You should say, he should not defile himself. Shall I assume then that, just as he does not defile himself for his sister, so he should not defile himself for a met mitzvah? It says, "or for his sister," it is for his sister that he may not defile himself, but he may defile himself for a met mitzvah.
The issue here is whether one may defile oneself ritually by taking care of a met mitzvah even if this will prevent him from offering a pesah sacrifice. The answer is derived from a midrash on the word "or for his sister" stated in the context of the prohibitions of a nazirite. A nazirite may not defile himself no matter who dies, even if it is a close relative. So why then does the verse need to specifically mention his sister? The midrash uses this superfluity to teach that one does not defile himself to take care of his dead sister even if he is on the way to offer the pesah sacrifice or circumcise his son, both mitzvoth that must be taken care of immediately. I think the assumption is that someone else can take care of burying his sister. However, if a met mitzvah lies before him, he does defile himself, even if this means missing the opportunity to offer the pesah or to circumcise his son at the proper time.
בעי רבא: מקרא מגילה ומת מצוה הי מינייהו עדיף? מקרא מגילה עדיף משום פרסומי ניסא, או דלמא מת מצוה עדיף – משום כבוד הבריות?
בתר דבעיא הדר פשטה: מת מצוה עדיף. דאמר מר: גדול כבוד הבריות שדוחה את לא תעשה שבתורה.
Rava asked: As between the reading of the Megillah and [attending to] a met mitzvah, which takes precedence? Shall I say that the reading of the Megillah takes precedence in order to publicize the miracle, or does perhaps [the burying of] the met mitzvah take precedence because of the respect due to human beings?
After he asked the question, he himself answered it saying, [Burying] the met mitzvah takes precedence, since a Master has said: Great is the [obligation to pay due] respect to human beings, since it overrides a negative precept of the Torah.
When it comes to the conflict between reading the Megillah and burying a met mitzvah, the latter takes precedence. Respect for human beings overrides even negative commandments, and even the reading of the Megillah, which itself takes precedence over the study of Torah and Temple service.