Conclusion

The rabbis taught: How was the incense prepared? It weighed 368 manehs, 365 corresponding to the number of days in a solar year, a maneh for each day, half to be offered in the morning and half in the afternoon, and three additional manehs from which the High Priest took two handfuls on Yom Kippur. These were put back into the mortar on the day before Yom Kippur and ground again very thoroughly so as to be extremely fine. The incense contained eleven kinds of spices: balsam, onycha, galbanum and frankincense, each weighing seventy manehs; myrrh, cassia, spikenard and saffron, each weighing sixteen manehs; twelve manehs of costus, three of aromatic bark; nine of cinnamon; nine kabs of Carsina lye; three seahs and three kabs of Cyprus wine. If Cyprus wine was not available, old white wine might be used. A quarter of a kab of Sodom salt, and a minute amount of a smoke-raising herb. Rabbi Nathan the Babylonian says: also a minute amount of Jordan amber. If one added honey to the mixture, he rendered it unfit for sacred use. If he omitted any one of its ingredients, he is guilty of a capital offense. Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel says: “Balsam” refers to the sap that drips from the balsam tree. The Carsina lye was used for bleaching the onycha to improve it. The Cyprus wine was used to soak the onycha in it to make it pungent. Though urine is suitable for this purpose, it is not brought into the Temple out of respect. It was taught, Rabbi Nathan says: While it was being ground, another would say, “Grind well, well grind,” because the [rhythmic] sound is good for spices. If it was mixed in half-quantities, it is fit for use, but we have not heard whether this applies to a third or a quarter. Rabbi Judah said: The general rule is that if it was made in the correct proportions, it is fit for use even if made in half-quantity, but if he omitted any one of its ingredients, he is guilty of a capital offense. It was taught, Bar Kappara says: Once every sixty or seventy years, the accumulated surpluses amounted to half the yearly quantity. Bar Kappara also taught: If a minute quantity of honey had been mixed into the incense, no one could have resisted the scent. Why did they not put honey into it? Because the Torah says, “For you are not to burn any leaven or honey in a fire-offering made to the LORD.”

The following three verses are each said three times: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold, Selah. Lord of hosts, happy is the one who trusts in You. LORD, save! May the King answer us on the day we call. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from distress and surround me with songs of salvation, Selah. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

It was taught in the Academy of Elijah: Whoever studies laws every day is assured that he will be destined for the World to Come, as it is said, "The ways of the world are His" - read not, "ways" but "laws."

Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Hanina: The disciples of the sages increase peace in the world, as it is said, "And all your children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children." Read not banayikh, "your children," but bonayikh, "your builders." Those who love Your Torah have great peace; there is no stumbling block for them. May there be peace within your ramparts, prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I shall say, "Peace be within you." For the sake of the House of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. May the LORD grant strength to His people; may the LORD bless His people with peace.