Takkanah - Takkanot of Johanan Ben Zakkai

Takkanot of Johanan Ben Zakkai

Most of the ordinances of Johanan b. Zakkai were promulgated before the time of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and were consequently modified after the year 70.

Frankel enumerates eleven of these decrees in his "Hodegetica," although Bloch lists nine only (comp. R. H. 31b), which are as follows:

1. the New Moon witnesses must go to the place where the court assembles (R. H. 31b)
2. the testimony of such witnesses to be received at any time during the day (ib. 30b)
3. they may not desecrate the Sabbath by traveling, except in Nisan and Tishri, the most important two months (ib. 21b)
4. the shofar to be blown even on the Sabbath (R. H. 29b)
5. the lulav to be swung on all the seven days of the festival (ib. 30a)
6. the consumption of new grain is forbidden during the entire day of the waving of the Omer (ib.)
7. priests may not wear sandals when they ascend the "dukan," or platform, to pronounce the benediction (Sotah 40a; R. H. 31b)
8. a proselyte must deposit a quarter-shekel in the treasury to be able to bring his sacrifice when the Temple shall be rebuilt(this was repealed by Johanan b. Zakkai himself; Ker. 9a; R. H. 31b)
9. abolition of the ritual governing trials for adultery (Sotah 47a).