Jokes, Seriously

This is not difficult; this statement, is referring to a rabbi, and that statement is referring to a student. And if you wish, say instead that this and that are referring to a rabbi, and it is not difficult. This statement is before one begins teaching; that statement is after he already began teaching halakha. The Gemara adds: That explanation is like that practice of Rabba’s. Before he began teaching halakha to the Sages, he would say some humorous comment, and the Sages would be cheered. Ultimately, he sat in trepidation and began teaching the halakha.

Rabbi Akiva was once sitting and lecturing, and the community [his students] was falling asleep. To arouse them, he said: How could Esther rule over one hundred and twenty seven provinces? It should be that Esther, a descendant of Sarah who lived to one hundred and twenty seven, to rule over one hundred and twenty seven provinces.

Torah [is acquired] by forty-eight things... By a minimum of frivolity

Rabbi Yishmael ben Satriel also testified before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: Once an egg of the bird called bar yokhani fell, and drowned sixty cities and broke three hundred cedar trees.

He said to him: These are matters of utmost importance, exalted, i.e., mitzvot or prayer, which people nonetheless treat with contempt, vileness among the sons of men.

§ Rabbi Yirmeya asked Rabbi Zeira: According to Rabbi Meir, who said that an animal in the womb of a woman is a full-fledged offspring, what is the halakha in a case where her father accepted betrothal for her? Rabbi Yirmeya elaborated: What practical difference is there? With regard to whether it is prohibited to marry her sister. The Gemara asks: Is this to say that such an offspring can live? This factor is important, as a man is prohibited from marrying his wife’s sister only during his wife’s lifetime. But doesn’t Rav Yehuda say that Rav says: Rabbi Meir said only since there are other animals of its type that can live. Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov says: Rabbi Yirmeya tried this hard to cause Rabbi Zeira to laugh, but he did not laugh. In other words, Rabbi Yirmeya was not asking his question seriously.

The Gemara discusses the matter itself. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Rabbi Meir said...

If one pressed together the openings of two wombs and a fetus exited from the womb of this animal and entered the womb of that animal, what is the halakha? Is the womb considered to have opened only by its own fetus, but a fetus that is not its own is not considered to have opened the womb? Or perhaps even a fetus that is not its own is also considered to have opened the womb? The dilemma shall stand unresolved.

§ The Gemara relates another story about the righteousness of common people. Rabbi Beroka Ḥoza’a was often found in the market of Bei Lefet, and Elijah the Prophet would often appear to him. Once Rabbi Beroka said to Elijah: Of all the people who come here, is there anyone in this market worthy of the World-to-Come? He said to him: No...

...In the meantime, two brothers came to the marketplace. Elijah said to Rabbi Beroka: These two also have a share in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Beroka went over to the men and said to them: What is your occupation? They said to him: We are jesters, and we cheer up the depressed. Alternatively, when we see two people who have a quarrel between them, we strive to make peace.

תחשים TACHASH was a kind of wild beast. It existed only at that time. It was multi-coloured and therefore it is translated in the Targum as ססגונה, because it delights (שָׂשׂ) and prides itself in its colours (גונא) (Shabbat 28).