Discontinuation of the Ordeal

When murderers multiplied, the [ceremony of] breaking a heifer’s neck ceased. That was from the time of Eliezer ben Dinai, who was also called Teḥinah ben Perishah and was later renamed “son of the murderer.” When adulterers multiplied, the ceremony of the bitter waters ceased. It was Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai who discontinued it, as it is said: I will not punish their daughters for fornicating, nor their daughters-in-law for committing adultery, for they themselves [turn aside with whores and sacrifice with prostitutes] (Hosea 4:14, NJPS). When Yosi ben Yoezer of Tseredah and Yosi ben Yoḥanan of Jerusalem died, the grape clusters ceased, as it is said: There is not a cluster [of grapes] to eat, not a ripe fig I could desire. [The pious are vanished from the land, none upright are left among men . . .] (Micah 7:1–2, NJPS).

Adapted from the translation ofJoshua Kulp.