Study Sukkah folio 51A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
This dispute is parallel to another dispute between tanna’im, as it is taught in a Mishnah in tractate Arakhin: The Temple musicians were slaves of priests; this is the statement of R' Meir. R' Yosei says: The musicians were not slaves; they were Israelites from the family of the House of Happegar
R' Ḥanina ben Antigonus says: They were Levites. What, is it not that they disagree with regard to this; that the one who said that the musicians were slaves holds that the primary essence of song is singing with the mouth. Since the instrumental music is mere accompaniment, it could be performed b
The Talmud asks: And how can you understand the Mishnah that way? According to that explanation, what does R' Yosei hold? If he holds that the primary essence of song is singing with the mouth, then even slaves can also play the instruments. Why then does he require that the musicians be from Israe
Rather, the explanation of the dispute is that everyone agrees that the primary essence of song is singing with the mouth and the musical instruments are merely for accompaniment. And it is with regard to this that they disagree: It is that one Sage holds that the event took place in this manner,
The Talmud asks: What practical halakhic difference is there whether one group or another played the instruments? The Talmud answers: It is with regard to whether one elevates a Levite from the platform to the presumptive status of distinguished lineage and eligibility to receive tithes that they di