Shekalim 5:1-2

Shekalim 5:1

The following were officers appointed to Temple positions: Yochanan ben Pinchas supervised the seals (as in “signed and sealed,” not the animal); Achiya supervised the libations; Matisya ben Shmuel supervised the lots (as in “drawing lots”); Pesachya supervised the bird offerings. Pesachya was actually named Mordechai but they called him Pesachya (meaning “to open”) because he could open up obscure topics and clarify them, and he spoke 70 languages. Ben Achiya treated kohanim who developed upset stomachs; Nechunya supervised digging wells and cisterns for water; Gevini gave the morning call to order; Ben Gever supervised locking the gates; Ben Beivai supervised the wicks for the Menorah; Ben Arza supervised the cymbals used to signal the Levites; Hugras ben Levi supervised the singing; the house of Garmu supervised preparing the showbread; the house of Avtinas supervised making the incense; Elazar supervised the curtains and Pinchas supervised the garments.

Shekalim 5:2

There were no fewer than three treasurers and seven supervisors. Similarly, no fewer than two people are to handle community funds. The only exceptions to this rule were Ben Achiya (who treated the kohanim) and Elazar (who oversaw the curtains) because the majority of the community accepted them to handle transactions unilaterally.