Mishnayos Megillah Perek 3 Mishnah 3
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מגילה פרק ג׳ משנה ג׳
And Rabbi Yehuda said further: A synagogue that fell into ruin still may not be used for a mundane purpose. Therefore, one may not eulogize in it. And nor may one stretch out and repair ropes in it. The wide expanse of the synagogue would have been particularly suitable for this. And nor may one spread animal traps within it. And nor may one spread out produce upon its roof to dry. And nor may one make it into a shortcut. The halakha that a synagogue in disrepair still may not be used for mundane purposes is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “And I will bring desolation to your sanctuaries” (Leviticus 26:31). The fact that the word “sanctuaries” appears after the word “desolation” indicates that their sanctity remains upon them even when they are desolate. However, if grass sprang up of its own accord in the ruined synagogue, although it is not befitting its sanctity, one should not pick it, due to the anguish that it will bring to those who see it. It will remind them of the disrepair of the synagogue and the need to rebuild it.
וְעוֹד אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה, בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת שֶׁחָרַב, אֵין מַסְפִּידִין בְּתוֹכוֹ, וְאֵין מַפְשִׁילִין בְּתוֹכוֹ חֲבָלִים, וְאֵין פּוֹרְשִׂין לְתוֹכוֹ מְצוּדוֹת, וְאֵין שׁוֹטְחִין עַל גַּגּוֹ פֵרוֹת, וְאֵין עוֹשִׂין אוֹתוֹ קַפַּנְדַּרְיָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כו), וַהֲשִׁמּוֹתִי אֶת מִקְדְּשֵׁיכֶם, קְדֻשָּׁתָן אַף כְּשֶׁהֵן שׁוֹמֵמִין. עָלוּ בוֹ עֲשָׂבִים, לֹא יִתְלֹשׁ, מִפְּנֵי עָגְמַת נָפֶשׁ:
Bartenura
ואין מפשילין. גודלים ופותלים. וה״ה לכל שאר מלאכות, אלא שהפשלת חבלים צריך מקום רחב ידים, ובהכ״נ בית גדול הוא וראוי לכך והוי אורחיה:
קפנדריא. לקצר הלוכו דרך בית הכנסת. ולשון קפנדריא, אדמקיפנא דרי אעול בהא, כלומר בעוד שאני צריך להקיף שורות בתים אקצר מהלכי ואכנס דרך כאן:
מפני עגמת נפש. שיזכרו ימי בנינו ויתנו לב לבנותו אם יוכלו, או יבקשו עליו רחמים שיחזור. לפיכך אין אסור אלא ללקט עשבים ולהאכיל לבהמה או לאבדם [לגמרי], אבל ללקט ולהניחם במקומם מותר, דאיכא עגמת נפש:
ואין מפשילין – to plait and twist, and the same law [applies] for all other forms of work, but the twisting of rope requires space the width of [one’s] hands, and the synagogue is a large house and it is worthy of this and it is its custom.
קפנדריא – to shorten his walk on the way to the synagogue. And the [etymology of] the word קפנדריא/Kapandaria, is (see Talmud Berakhot 62b and Mishnah Berakhot 9:5 and the Bartenura commentary there) “in place of going around the rows of houses, I will enter this one,” that is to say, all the while that I need to go around rows of houses, I will shorten my path and enter on this path.
מפני עגמת נפש – for they remember the days of its building and give heart to [re-]build it if they are able; or, they will request mercy upon it for its reconstruction. Therefore, there is no prohibition other than to pick grass and feed it to cattle or to destroy it [completely], but to pick grass and leave them in their place, it is permitted, and there is grieving of the soul.