About the Pilgramige Festivals

[IluvYeshua]

John,

I hope you are doing well, I've been praying for your job search.

I've checked the forums and haven't found an answer to my question so I'll ask. Of the three pilgramige festivals, was there a provision or exemption at the time of the diaspora for the Jews who were far away and couldn't get to Jerusalem? Obviously I'm speaking of the time prior to 70 AD.

Specifically I'm thinking about Paul being a Torah Observant Jew but there were obvious periods of years in his life when he didn't go up to Jerusalem to observe the feasts.

Thank you.

[admin]

The baraita and Talmud both look at the term שלוש רגלים (shalosh regalim) and focus on the idea that רגלים ("feet") tends to suggest that those who are lame or otherwise medically incapacitated were exempt from the requirement to go to Jerusalem for the festivals. The J. Talmud also notes that those who have depression on account of illness were exempt, based on the requirement to rejoice at the festival (Deut. 16:14), since they are not in the state of mind to rejoice.... There is some discussion if females were required as well, since the requirement is stated as intended for males. There is also discussion as to whether a male who is considered tamei (unclean) is required to be "visible" at the festival nonetheless.

I hope that helps....