This section illustrates the many Mishnah passages stated anonymously in which ritual laws are prescribed. The Mishnah includes rulings for the Temple even though it had been destroyed before the redaction of the Mishnah (ca. 200 C.E.).

1 One may borrow jars of wine and jars of oil from his neighbor on the Sabbath as long as he does not say, “Lend me.” So too, a woman may borrow loaves of bread from her neighbor. If the lender does not trust the borrower, the borrower may leave his garment with him and settle the account after the Sabbath. So too, in Jerusalem, when Passover eve is on the Sabbath, one may leave his garment with the seller of sacrificial animals and take his Passover lamb, and settle the account after the Festival.

2 One may count how many guests and how many delicacies only by mouth, but not from a written document. One may cast lots among his children and the rest of his household for the food on the table, but only as long as he has not intended to make larger and smaller portions, for that would be like gambling with dice on the Sabbath. In the Temple, lots may be cast for sacrificial meat, but not for other portions.

167. Trans. S. Berrin.