Study Taanit folio 16A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
one who is humiliated by others. Accordingly, ashes are placed on the heads of the leaders of the community by others, to increase the appearance of their suffering. The Talmud asks: And where exactly are the ashes placed upon their heads? R' Yitzḥak said: On the place of the tefillin of the head,
§ The Talmud provides a mnemonic device for the forthcoming statements. Square; ark; and sackcloth; ashes; ashes; cemetery; and Moriah. The Talmud asks: Why do they go out to the square? R' Ḥiyya bar Abba said: This is a symbolic action, as though to say: We cried out in private inside the synagog
Reish Lakish said that the move into the square symbolizes exile, as though they are saying: We have been exiled; may our exile atone for us. The Talmud asks: What is the practical difference between these two explanations? The Talmud answers that the practical difference between them is in a case
The Talmud asks another question concerning the meaning of the ritual. And why do they remove the ark to the city square? R' Yehoshua ben Levi said: This is done as though to say: We had a modest vessel, which was always kept concealed, but it has been publicly exposed due to our transgressions.
The Talmud further asks: And why do they cover themselves in sackcloth? R' Ḥiyya bar Abba said: This is as though to say: We are considered before You like animals, which are likewise covered with hide. And why do they place burnt ashes on top of the ark? R' Yehuda ben Pazi said: This is as thoug