Menahot 97: What's a Cubit? An Imprecise Mishnah

About this episode

The episode discusses the concept of cubits and their varying measurements as referenced in the Temple's descriptions.

All of the mention of "amot," the measure of a forearm, that are mentioned in the Temple are "medium-sized" cubits -- which was 5 or 6 handbreadths, depending on what was being measured. Also, the application of those amot of different lengths, as concluded from the description of the Temple's measurements in Ezekiel.

Topics covered

• Cubit
• Mishnah
• Temple measurements
• Amot

Keywords

• measurements
• Ezekiel
• handbreadths

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Ezekiel

More episodes of Talking Talmud

• Menahot 102: Consecration, Impurity, and Unfulfilled Vows · April 23, 2026 · 16 min
• Menahot 101: Redeeming the Impure and the Pure · April 22, 2026 · 13 min
• Menahot 100: The Impact of Shabbat on the Breads · April 21, 2026 · 22 min
• Menahot 99: On Honoring Torah and the Influence of the Sages' Own Experiences · April 20, 2026 · 21 min
• Menahot 98: When King Solomon Furnished the Temple · April 19, 2026 · 18 min
• Menahot 96: All the Technical Details You Ever Wanted about the Shewbread · April 17, 2026 · 20 min