Menachot 95: Preparing the Loaves

The rabbis continue to discuss the rules regarding the shtei halechem, the two loaves brought on Shavuot, and the lechem hapanim, twelve loaves placed on the table in the Temple.  Their traditions are similar.  At the end of today's daf, a new Mishna teaches about their preparation:

• The Tanna Kamma: they are kneaded and arranged outside of the Temple area but baked in the Temple courtyard
• Rabbi Yehuda: all preparations are done in the Temple area
• Rabbi Shimon: preparation and baking can be done in or out of the Temple grounds, in Beit Pagi

We learn about the sources for these different views.  The Tanna Kamma teaches that the loaves do not become consecrated until they are baked and thus preparation need not take place on Temple grounds.  Rabbi Yehuda said that the loaves are meal offerings.  Meal offerings become holy as soon as ingredients are measured into a Temple vessel - and so preparation must be done in the Temple courtyard.   Rabbi Shimon says that the baking may be done outside of the courtyard, for the two loaves of Shavuot only becomes sanctified when the accompanying sacrifices are slaughtered.  Further, the twelve loaves become sanctified when they are placed on the Temple's table.