Poultices, Knots, and Recitations

[Hebrew] R. Yosi ben R. Bun in the name of R. Yosi: In the case of a wound that has healed, one may put on it [some sort of] poultice [on the Sabbath], because it serves only to protect it. R. Abun in the name of rabbis from over there [in Babylonia]: They may put such a thing on a wound on the Sabbath, because it serves only to protect the wound. R. Tanḥuma stated: The exception is grape leaves, which [promote] healing.

[Aramaic] R. Ḥuna said: As to one [type of] madder, the root is very good for healing, when it has five or seven nodes, and even better with nine nodes, as long as one does not put water on it [on the Sabbath].

[Hebrew] One may not recite a verse [of scripture] over a wound on the Sabbath. And that formula which they recite over [the plant] yavruḥa’ [likely, mandrake] is prohibited. If someone says: “Come and recite this verse over my son, because he is suffering!” “Put a [Torah] scroll on him!” “Put tefillin on him so that he will be able to sleep!”—it is forbidden [on the Sabbath].

Translated by Markham J. Geller and Lennart Lehmhaus.