Abstract
Watts Belser J (2019) Priestly Aesthetics: Disability and Bodily Difference in Leviticus 21. Interpretation, 73: 355—366.
The text from Bavli Megilah 24b on page 364 and 365 is set in such a way that it changes the meaning of the text. The phrases “Rav Huna said,” and “Rabbi Yohanan said,” and “Likewise it was taught” should not be set off from the rest of the text but should be part of the text (Rav Huna and Rav Yohanan do not say the entire section, just the first statements).
The correct formatting appears below:
Rav Ḥuna said: A man with bleary eyes shall not lift up his hands.
But there was a man like this in Rav Ḥuna’s neighborhood—and he spread his hands! He was familiar in his town. Likewise it was taught: A man with bleary eyes shall not lift up his hands, but if he is familiar in his town it is permitted.
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: A man who is blind in one eye may not lift up his hands.
But there was a man like this in Rabbi Yoḥanan’s neighborhood—and he spread his hands! He was familiar in his town.
Likewise it was taught: A man who is blind in one eye may not lift up his hands, but if he is familiar in his town it is permitted. Rabbi Yehudah said: He whose hands have stains shall not lift up his hands. It was taught: If most of the people of the town work in that way, it is permitted.