The Aramaic Bible: Targums in their Historical Context

234 The Aramaic Bible: The Targums in their Historical Context
In all of the above cases, Onqelos reflects the Halakha, sometimes
subtly while at other times explicitly, even though the passages were
directed to T'3 who knew the Halakha.
Passages
Onq.) 20
(MT)
In the latter two instances, Onqelos renders a completely literal
translation of the Hebrew when a Halakha is involved which he
ignores, although the masses do not know of it, and consequently
would not perceive the intended meaning of the verse. Adler therefore
'What did the ancestors sell to each other? They made, as it were, an agreement of
sale saying: I take [the ordinary priestly dues during] my week, and you take [them
during] your week.' They agreed that each group would get its own weeks of
service, in addition to the festival offerings themselves, i.e. as the division of the
service is equal for all (the mishmarot), so is the division of the food. Each mishmar
shall officiate for one week in rotation. Thus it is only the sacrifices that are specially
prescribed for the festival that all the mishmarot have an equal share. Cf. also Sifre
CLXIX, p. 217.
19. Cf. b. Yeb. 70a:
Sifra CITQK V.3, 4, p. 97b):
20. Cf. b. Pes. 16a:
'What does "shall be clean" mean? From his uncleanness'. The verse refers
to one who is unclean, and states that if he immerses himself in a ritual bath in the
water of a fountain or a pit, he shall be clean. But it does not refer to the cleanness of
the water itself, as does Onqelos's translation.