You call that a handful? TB Yoma 47

With today’s daf TB Yoma 47 we begin the fifth chapter of our massekhet. This chapter begins to discuss in detail the Avodah service that takes place in the Holy of Holies. After the high Priest sacrifices his bull, he brings the coals and the incense in the Holy of Holies. The first Mishna discusses what turns out to be the inexact amount of incense required. “They brought out the spoon and the coal pan to the High Priest so he may perform the service of the incense. He scoops his handfuls from the incense and places it into the spoon. The High Priest with large hands fills the spoon with incense in an amount corresponding to the large size of his hands, and the High Priest with small hands fills the spoon with incense in an amount corresponding to the small size of his hands. And this was the measure of the spoon, i.e., it was made to correspond to the size of his hands.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The Gemara gives an example of a High Priest who had extremely large hands. “They said about Yishmael ben Kimḥit that his hands were so large that he would scoop up four kav, which he would hold by his handfuls…” (Sefaria.org translation). Kimḥit was his mother’s name. His father’s name was Piavi (פיאבי). The Gemara records “When R. Yishmael ben Piabi died the splendor of the priesthood ceased.” (Mishna, TB Sotah 9:15) He is called here by his mother’s name because he reached his position as High Priest because of his mother’s merits. In fact she had seven sons and each one became a High Priest. In fact twice her son Yishmael became ritually unready and each time a different brother took his place for the day. Kimḥit must’ve been one proud mother because she witnessed two of her sons serve as the High Priest in a single day! One of her outstanding qualities that contributed to her success in raising children worthy to become High Priests was her modesty. Today’s daf does not elaborate her other qualities.

If you had to select other qualities that led to her success, which ones would you choose?

If you’re wondering how a priest scooped up a handful of incense or the flour of the minkha offering, we learn how today. “The Sages taught: “His handfuls” (Leviticus 2:2). I might have thought it should be overflowing from the handful, and therefore the verse states: “His handful” (Leviticus 6:8), which indicates a precise amount. If the halakha is based solely on the phrase “his handful,” I might have thought the priest may pinch a small amount even with just his fingertips, not with his entire finger. Therefore, the verse states: “His handfuls” (Leviticus 2:2), meaning as people usually take a handful, i.e., with their whole hand. How should he perform this service? He scoops by closing his three fingers over the palm of his hand, and takes a handful from the flour of the meal-offering.” (Sefaria.org translation)