Kreuzberg Kollel 4.15

ByJeremy Borovitz

Kreuzberg Kollel Semester 4 Talmud

Hey friends! The penultimate class! Get psyched!

We will start with a bit of review from the Mishnah. Don't spend so much time on it! It importantly outlines the three overarching categories which will be discussed today:

-New Moon situations

-The watches

-Blessings and curses

מגילה ל׳ ב:י׳-ל״א א:ג׳

בַּחֲנוּכָּה בַּנְּשִׂיאִים בַּפּוּרִים וַיָּבֹא עֲמָלֵק בְּרָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים וּבְרָאשֵׁי חׇדְשֵׁיכֶם בְּמַעֲמָדוֹת בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית בְּתַעֲנִיּוֹת בְּרָכוֹת וּקְלָלוֹת אֵין מַפְסִיקִין בִּקְלָלוֹת אֶלָּא אֶחָד קוֹרֵא אֶת כּוּלָּן בְּשֵׁנִי וּבַחֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת בַּמִּנְחָה קוֹרִין כְּסִדְרָן וְאֵין עוֹלִים לָהֶם מִן הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶת מוֹעֲדֵי ה׳ אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִצְוָתָן שֶׁיְּהוּ קוֹרִין כׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד בִּזְמַנּוֹ:

Megillah 30b:10-31a:3

On Purim they read the portion of “And Amalek came” (Exodus 17:8–16). On the New Moon they read the portion of “And in the beginnings of your months” (Numbers 28:11–15). And in the non-priestly watches they read the act of Creation (Genesis 1:1–2:3). The Jewish people were divided into twenty-four watches. Each week, it would be the turn of a different watch to send representatives to Jerusalem to be present in the Temple to witness the sacrificial service. Those remaining behind would fast during the week, from Monday to Thursday, offer special prayers, and read the account of Creation from the Torah. On fast days, they read the portion of blessings and curses (Leviticus, chapter 26). One should not interrupt the reading of the curses by having two different people read them. Rather, one person reads all of them.

First we will go back to where we ended last week. There are special readings for the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) and also for the day before the New Moon (Erev Rosh Chodesh) when it falls on Shabbat

מגילה ל״א א:י״ח

בַּפּוּרִים וַיָּבֹא עֲמָלֵק בְּרָאשֵׁי חֳדָשִׁים וּבְרָאשֵׁי חׇדְשֵׁיכֶם רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת מַפְטִירִין וְהָיָה מִדֵּי חֹדֶשׁ בְּחׇדְשׁוֹ חָל לִהְיוֹת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת מֵאֶתְמוֹל מַפְטִירִין וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ יְהוֹנָתָן מָחָר חֹדֶשׁ

Megillah 31a:18

The baraita continues: On Purim they read the portion of “And Amalek came” (Exodus 17:8–16). On the New Moon they read the portion of “And in the beginnings of your month” (Numbers 28:11–15). When the New Moon occurs on Shabbat, they read as the haftara the portion that concludes with “And it shall come to pass that every New Moon, and every Shabbat, shall all flesh come to bow down on the ground before Me” (Isaiah 66), as it mentions both Shabbat and the New Moon. When the New Moon occurs on Sunday, on the previous day, i.e., Shabbat, they read as the haftara the portion of “And Jonathan said to him: Tomorrow is the New Moon” (I Samuel 20:18–42), which describes events that took place on the eve of the New Moon.

Now we are going to be introduced to a specific case by Rav Huna. What about when Rosh Chodesh Av falls on Shabbat? Av is a sad month, where we remember the destruction of the Temple on the 9th day. It's a fast day, a day of penitence and mourning.

What about the readings they are suggesting fit in with the combination of the sadness and the month and ALSO that it is Rosh Chodesh? Why would THIS be the relevant Torah Reading?

If it is helpful, you can look up the references either by clicking on the text box or looking them up in another tab.

מגילה ל״א א:י״ט-ל״א ב:ב׳

אָמַר רַב הוּנָא רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ אָב שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת מַפְטִירִין חׇדְשֵׁיכֶם וּמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם שָׂנְאָה נַפְשִׁי הָיוּ עָלַי לָטוֹרַח מַאי הָיוּ עָלַי לָטוֹרַח אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לֹא דַּיָּין לָהֶם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁחוֹטְאִין לְפָנַי אֶלָּא שֶׁמַּטְרִיחִין אוֹתִי לֵידַע אֵיזוֹ גְּזֵירָה קָשָׁה אָבִיא עֲלֵיהֶם בְּתִשְׁעָה בְּאָב גּוּפֵיהּ מַאי מַפְטְרִינַן אָמַר רַב אֵיכָה הָיְתָה לְזוֹנָה מִקְרָא מַאי תַּנְיָא אֲחֵרִים אוֹמְרִים וְאִם לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ לִי רַבִּי נָתָן בַּר יוֹסֵף אוֹמֵר עַד אָנָה יְנַאֲצוּנִי הָעָם הַזֶּה וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים עַד מָתַי לָעֵדָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת אָמַר אַבָּיֵי הָאִידָּנָא נְהוּג עָלְמָא לְמִיקְרֵי כִּי תוֹלִיד בָּנִים וּמַפְטִירִין אָסוֹף אֲסִיפֵם:

Megillah 31a:19-31b:2

Rav Huna said: When the New Moon of Av occurs on Shabbat, they read as the haftara the portion that includes the verse “Your New Moons and your Festivals, My soul hated; they were a burden to Me” (Isaiah 1:14). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of: “They were a burden to Me”? The Gemara explains: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: It is not enough for the Jewish people that they sin before Me, but in addition, they burden Me to reconsider what harsh decree I shall bring upon them, for they are petitioning Me to annul those decrees. The Gemara asks: On the Ninth of Av itself, what do we read as the haftara? Rav said: The portion containing the verse “How did the faithful city become a harlot?” (Isaiah 1:21). The Gemara asks: What Torah portion do they read? It is taught in a baraita that others say: They read the portion containing the verse “But if you will not hearken to me” (Leviticus 26:14). Rabbi Natan bar Yosef said: They read the portion containing the verse: “How long will this people provoke me?” (Numbers 14:11). And some say: They read the portion containing the verse: “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation?” (Numbers 14:27). The Gemara comments that Abaye said: Nowadays, everyone is accustomed to read the portion of “When you shall beget children” (Deuteronomy 4:25–40), and they read as the haftara the portion of “I will utterly consume them” (Jeremiah 8:13–9:23).

Now we're going to read a section on the Priestly watches! I've first included some pictures from Rav Steinsaltz's Reference Guide to the Talmud about the watches and, more importantly, the 'ma'amad', or the divisions, which are being referenced here. The Talmud will then get into a fascinating conversation about what we read on the day when a new division comes to Jerusalem---they have a special Torah reading just for them!

There is a big idea here: What is the role of sacrifices in our relationship with God? And what happens when, in a post-Temple age, sacrifices are no longer possible.

מגילה ל״א ב:ג׳-ה׳

[בְּמַעֲמָדוֹת] בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית וְכוּ׳ מְנָהָנֵי מִילֵּי אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי אִלְמָלֵא מַעֲמָדוֹת לֹא נִתְקַיְּימוּ שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר אִם לֹא בְרִיתִי יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה חוּקּוֹת שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ לֹא שָׂמְתִּי וּכְתִיב וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אֱלֹהִים בַּמָּה אֵדַע כִּי אִירָשֶׁנָּה אָמַר אַבְרָהָם לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם שֶׁמָּא חַס וְשָׁלוֹם יִשְׂרָאֵל חוֹטְאִים לְפָנֶיךָ וְאַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה לָהֶם כְּדוֹר הַמַּבּוּל וּכְדוֹר הַפְּלַגָּה אָמַר לוֹ לָאו אָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם בַּמֶּה אֵדַע אָמַר לוֹ קְחָה לִי עֶגְלָה מְשׁוּלֶּשֶׁת וְגוֹ׳ אָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם תִּינַח בִּזְמַן שֶׁבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּים בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֵין בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּים מָה תְּהֵא עֲלֵיהֶם אָמַר לוֹ כְּבָר תִּקַּנְתִּי לָהֶם סֵדֶר קׇרְבָּנוֹת כׇּל זְמַן שֶׁקּוֹרְאִין בָּהֶן מַעֲלֶה אֲנִי עֲלֵיהֶן כְּאִילּוּ מַקְרִיבִין לְפָנַי קׇרְבָּן וּמוֹחֵל אֲנִי עַל כׇּל עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם:

Megillah 31b:3-5

§ The mishna states: In the non-priestly watches they read the act of Creation. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived, i.e., why do they read the account of Creation? Rabbi Ami said: To allude to the fact that were it not for the non-priestly watches, heaven and earth would not endure, as it is stated: “Were it not for My covenant day and night, I would not have set the statutes of heaven and earth” (Jeremiah 33:25). God’s covenant is referring to the offerings sacrificed in the Temple, which sustain the world. And with regard to Abraham it is written: “And he said, O Lord God, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it?” (Genesis 15:8). Abraham said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, perhaps, Heaven forbid, the Jewish people will sin before You, and You will do to them as You did to the generation of the Flood and as You did to the generation of the Dispersion, i.e., You will completely destroy them? God said to him: No, I will not do that. Abraham then said before Him: Master of the Universe: “By what shall I know this?” God said to him: “Take Me a heifer of three years old” (Genesis 15:9). With this, God intimated to Abraham that even if his descendants will sin, they will be able to achieve atonement through sacrificing offerings. Abraham said before Him: Master of the Universe, this works out well when the Temple is standing and offerings can be brought to achieve atonement, but when the Temple will no longer be standing, what will become of them? God said to him: I have already established for them the order of offerings, i.e., the verses of the Torah pertaining to the halakhot of the offerings. Whenever they read those portions, I will deem it as if they sacrificed an offering before Me, and I will pardon them for all of their iniquities.

We're now coming to the final section of today---on blessings and curses! There will be a debate in the Talmud below about which section of blessings and curses we read. Because there are two! One from Leviticus, one from Deuteronomy. Check out the excerpts below. How are they different?

ויקרא כ״ו:ט׳-כ׳

(ט) וּפָנִ֣יתִי אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם וְהִפְרֵיתִ֣י אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֖י אֶתְכֶ֑ם וַהֲקִימֹתִ֥י אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֖י אִתְּכֶֽם׃ (י) וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֥ם יָשָׁ֖ן נוֹשָׁ֑ן וְיָשָׁ֕ן מִפְּנֵ֥י חָדָ֖שׁ תּוֹצִֽיאוּ׃ (יא) וְנָתַתִּ֥י מִשְׁכָּנִ֖י בְּתוֹכְכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תִגְעַ֥ל נַפְשִׁ֖י אֶתְכֶֽם׃ (יב) וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים וְאַתֶּ֖ם תִּהְיוּ־לִ֥י לְעָֽם׃ (יג) אֲנִ֞י יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מִֽהְיֹ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם עֲבָדִ֑ים וָאֶשְׁבֹּר֙ מֹטֹ֣ת עֻלְּכֶ֔ם וָאוֹלֵ֥ךְ אֶתְכֶ֖ם קֽוֹמְמִיּֽוּת׃ {פ}
(יד) וְאִם־לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וְלֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּ אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הַמִּצְוֺ֖ת הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (טו) וְאִם־בְּחֻקֹּתַ֣י תִּמְאָ֔סוּ וְאִ֥ם אֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֖י תִּגְעַ֣ל נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם לְבִלְתִּ֤י עֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺתַ֔י לְהַפְרְכֶ֖ם אֶת־בְּרִיתִֽי׃ (טז) אַף־אֲנִ֞י אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־זֹּ֣את לָכֶ֗ם וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם בֶּֽהָלָה֙ אֶת־הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶת וְאֶת־הַקַּדַּ֔חַת מְכַלּ֥וֹת עֵינַ֖יִם וּמְדִיבֹ֣ת נָ֑פֶשׁ וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם לָרִיק֙ זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וַאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם׃ (יז) וְנָתַתִּ֤י פָנַי֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וְנִגַּפְתֶּ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם וְרָד֤וּ בָכֶם֙ שֹֽׂנְאֵיכֶ֔ם וְנַסְתֶּ֖ם וְאֵין־רֹדֵ֥ף אֶתְכֶֽם׃ (יח) וְאִ֨ם־עַד־אֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וְיָסַפְתִּי֙ לְיַסְּרָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם שֶׁ֖בַע עַל־חַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽם׃ (יט) וְשָׁבַרְתִּ֖י אֶת־גְּא֣וֹן עֻזְּכֶ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת־שְׁמֵיכֶם֙ כַּבַּרְזֶ֔ל וְאֶֽת־אַרְצְכֶ֖ם כַּנְּחֻשָֽׁה׃ (כ) וְתַ֥ם לָרִ֖יק כֹּחֲכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תִתֵּ֤ן אַרְצְכֶם֙ אֶת־יְבוּלָ֔הּ וְעֵ֣ץ הָאָ֔רֶץ לֹ֥א יִתֵּ֖ן פִּרְיֽוֹ׃

Leviticus 26:9-20

(9) I will look with favor upon you, and make you fertile and multiply you; and I will maintain My covenant with you. (10) You shall eat old grain long stored, and you shall have to clear out the old to make room for the new. (11) I will establish My abode in your midst, and I will not spurn you. (12) I will be ever present in your midst: I will be your God, and you shall be My people. (13) I the LORD am your God who brought you out from the land of the Egyptians to be their slaves no more, who broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. (14) But if you do not obey Me and do not observe all these commandments, (15) if you reject My laws and spurn My rules, so that you do not observe all My commandments and you break My covenant, (16) I in turn will do this to you: I will wreak misery upon you—consumption and fever, which cause the eyes to pine and the body to languish; you shall sow your seed to no purpose, for your enemies shall eat it. (17) I will set My face against you: you shall be routed by your enemies, and your foes shall dominate you. You shall flee though none pursues. (18) And if, for all that, you do not obey Me, I will go on to discipline you sevenfold for your sins, (19) and I will break your proud glory. I will make your skies like iron and your earth like copper, (20) so that your strength shall be spent to no purpose. Your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit.

דברים כ״ח:י״ג-כ״ב

(יג) וּנְתָֽנְךָ֨ יְהֹוָ֤ה לְרֹאשׁ֙ וְלֹ֣א לְזָנָ֔ב וְהָיִ֙יתָ֙ רַ֣ק לְמַ֔עְלָה וְלֹ֥א תִהְיֶ֖ה לְמָ֑טָּה כִּֽי־תִשְׁמַ֞ע אֶל־מִצְוֺ֣ת ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם לִשְׁמֹ֥ר וְלַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ (יד) וְלֹ֣א תָס֗וּר מִכׇּל־הַדְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֜י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֛ם הַיּ֖וֹם יָמִ֣ין וּשְׂמֹ֑אול לָלֶ֗כֶת אַחֲרֵ֛י אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים לְעׇבְדָֽם׃ {פ}
(טו) וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־לֹ֤א תִשְׁמַע֙ בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺתָ֣יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם וּבָ֧אוּ עָלֶ֛יךָ כׇּל־הַקְּלָל֥וֹת הָאֵ֖לֶּה וְהִשִּׂיגֽוּךָ׃ (טז) אָר֥וּר אַתָּ֖ה בָּעִ֑יר וְאָר֥וּר אַתָּ֖ה בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃ (יז) אָר֥וּר טַנְאֲךָ֖ וּמִשְׁאַרְתֶּֽךָ׃ (יח) אָר֥וּר פְּרִֽי־בִטְנְךָ֖ וּפְרִ֣י אַדְמָתֶ֑ךָ שְׁגַ֥ר אֲלָפֶ֖יךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֥ת צֹאנֶֽךָ׃ (יט) אָר֥וּר אַתָּ֖ה בְּבֹאֶ֑ךָ וְאָר֥וּר אַתָּ֖ה בְּצֵאתֶֽךָ׃ (כ) יְשַׁלַּ֣ח יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ בְּ֠ךָ֠ אֶת־הַמְּאֵרָ֤ה אֶת־הַמְּהוּמָה֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּגְעֶ֔רֶת בְּכׇל־מִשְׁלַ֥ח יָדְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשֶׂ֑ה עַ֣ד הִשָּׁמֶדְךָ֤ וְעַד־אֲבׇדְךָ֙ מַהֵ֔ר מִפְּנֵ֛י רֹ֥עַ מַֽעֲלָלֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲזַבְתָּֽנִי׃ (כא) יַדְבֵּ֧ק יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּךָ֖ אֶת־הַדָּ֑בֶר עַ֚ד כַּלֹּת֣וֹ אֹֽתְךָ֔ מֵעַל֙ הָאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ (כב) יַכְּכָ֣ה יְ֠הֹוָ֠ה בַּשַּׁחֶ֨פֶת וּבַקַּדַּ֜חַת וּבַדַּלֶּ֗קֶת וּבַֽחַרְחֻר֙ וּבַחֶ֔רֶב וּבַשִּׁדָּפ֖וֹן וּבַיֵּרָק֑וֹן וּרְדָפ֖וּךָ עַ֥ד אׇבְדֶֽךָ׃

Deuteronomy 28:13-22

(13) The LORD will make you the head, not the tail; you will always be at the top and never at the bottom—if only you obey and faithfully observe the commandments of the LORD your God that I enjoin upon you this day, (14) and do not deviate to the right or to the left from any of the commandments that I enjoin upon you this day and turn to the worship of other gods. (15) But if you do not obey the LORD your God to observe faithfully all His commandments and laws which I enjoin upon you this day, all these curses shall come upon you and take effect: (16) Cursed shall you be in the city and cursed shall you be in the country. (17) Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. (18) Cursed shall be the issue of your womb and the produce of your soil, the calving of your herd and the lambing of your flock. (19) Cursed shall you be in your comings and cursed shall you be in your goings. (20) The LORD will let loose against you calamity, panic, and frustration in all the enterprises you undertake, so that you shall soon be utterly wiped out because of your evildoing in forsaking Me. (21) The LORD will make pestilence cling to you, until He has put an end to you in the land that you are entering to possess. (22) The LORD will strike you with consumption, fever, and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew; they shall hound you until you perish.

Cool! Now we're going to get into the Gemara. Try and understand:

-What are they saying about HOW we read this section, and why?

-What are they saying about the difference between the two sections?

-What are they saying about WHEN we read these respective sections, and why?

מגילה ל״א ב:ו׳-ט׳

בְּתַעֲנִיּוֹת בְּרָכוֹת וּקְלָלוֹת וְאֵין מַפְסִיקִין בַּקְּלָלוֹת מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר גַּמָּדָא אָמַר רַבִּי אַסִּי דְּאָמַר קְרָא מוּסַר ה׳ בְּנִי אַל תִּמְאָס רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר לְפִי שֶׁאֵין אוֹמְרִים בְּרָכָה עַל הַפּוּרְעָנוּת אֶלָּא הֵיכִי עָבֵיד תָּנָא כְּשֶׁהוּא מַתְחִיל מַתְחִיל בַּפָּסוּק שֶׁלִּפְנֵיהֶם וּכְשֶׁהוּא מְסַיֵּים מְסַיֵּים בַּפָּסוּק שֶׁלְּאַחֲרֵיהֶן אָמַר אַבָּיֵי לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בִּקְלָלוֹת שֶׁבְּתוֹרַת כֹּהֲנִים אֲבָל קְלָלוֹת שֶׁבְּמִשְׁנֵה תוֹרָה פּוֹסֵק מַאי טַעְמָא הַלָּלוּ בִּלְשׁוֹן רַבִּים אֲמוּרוֹת וּמֹשֶׁה מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה אֲמָרָן וְהַלָּלוּ בִּלְשׁוֹן יָחִיד אֲמוּרוֹת וּמֹשֶׁה מִפִּי עַצְמוֹ אֲמָרָן לֵוִי בַּר בּוּטֵי הֲוָה קָרֵי וְקָא מְגַמְגֵּם קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב הוּנָא בַּאֲרוּרֵי אָמַר לוֹ אַכְּנַפְשָׁךְ לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא קְלָלוֹת שֶׁבְּתוֹרַת כֹּהֲנִים אֲבָל שֶׁבְּמִשְׁנֵה תוֹרָה פּוֹסֵק

Megillah 31b:6-9

§ The mishna states: On fast days the congregation reads the portion of blessings and curses n, and one may not interrupt the reading of the curses by having two different people read them. Rather, one person reads all of them. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? Why does one not interrupt the reading of the curses? Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Gamda said that Rabbi Asi said: For the verse states: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be weary of His correction” (Proverbs 3:11). If one makes a break in the middle of the curses, it appears as if he loathes rebuke. Reish Lakish said a different answer: It is because one does not say a blessing over a calamity. If a second person were to begin to read in the middle of the portion of the curses, the blessing upon his reading would be considered a blessing over a calamity. Rather, what does one do? It is taught in a baraita: When one begins the reading, one begins with the verse before the curses, and when one concludes the reading, one concludes with the verse after them. In this way, neither the blessing before the reading nor after it relates directly to verses of calamity. Abaye said: They taught this only with regard to the curses that are recorded in Leviticus, but with regard to the curses that are recorded in Deuteronomy, one may interrupt them by having two different people read them. What is the reason for this distinction? These curses in Leviticus are stated in the plural, and Moses pronounced them from the mouth of the Almighty. As such, they are more severe. However, these curses in Deuteronomy are stated in the singular, and Moses said them on his own, like the rest of the book of Deuteronomy. They are therefore less harsh and may be interrupted. It was related that Levi bar Buti was once reading the portion of the curses before Rav Huna, and he was stammering in his reading, as it was difficult for him to utter such harsh pronouncements. Rav Huna said to him: If you wish, you may stop where you are and a different reader will continue, for they taught one may not have two people read the curses only with regard to the curses that are recorded in Leviticus. But with regard to the curses that are recorded in Deuteronomy, one may interrupt them by having two different people read them.

מגילה ל״א ב:י׳-י״א

תַּנְיָא רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר עֶזְרָא תִּיקֵּן לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁיְּהוּ קוֹרִין קְלָלוֹת שֶׁבְּתוֹרַת כֹּהֲנִים קוֹדֶם עֲצֶרֶת וְשֶׁבְּמִשְׁנֵה תוֹרָה קוֹדֶם רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה מַאי טַעְמָא אָמַר אַבָּיֵי וְאִיתֵּימָא רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּכְלֶה הַשָּׁנָה וְקִלְלוֹתֶיהָ בִּשְׁלָמָא שֶׁבְּמִשְׁנֵה תוֹרָה אִיכָּא כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּכְלֶה שָׁנָה וְקִלְלוֹתֶיהָ אֶלָּא שֶׁבְּתוֹרַת כֹּהֲנִים אַטּוּ עֲצֶרֶת רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הִיא אִין עֲצֶרֶת נָמֵי רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הִיא דִּתְנַן וּבַעֲצֶרֶת עַל פֵּירוֹת הָאִילָן

Megillah 31b:10-11

It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar said: Ezra enacted for the Jewish people that they should read the portion of the curses that are recorded in Leviticus before Shavuot and the portion of the curses that are recorded in Deuteronomy before Rosh HaShana. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for this? Abaye said, and some say that it was Reish Lakish who said: In order that the year may conclude together with its curses, and the new year may begin without the ominous reading of the curses. The Gemara asks: Granted, with regard to the curses that are recorded in Deuteronomy, there is relevance to the reason: In order that the year may conclude together with its curses, for Rosh HaShana is clearly the beginning of a new year. However, with regard to the curses that are recorded in Leviticus, what relevance does that reason have? Is that to say Shavuot is a new year? The Gemara answers: Yes, indeed, Shavuot is also a new year, as we learned in a mishna (Rosh HaShana 16a): And on Shavuot, divine judgment is made concerning the fruit of the trees, which indicates that Shavuot also has the status of a new year.

This last section is just blowing my mind, and I think we will talk about it ad naseum!

מגילה ל״א ב:י״ב

תַּנְיָא רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר אִם יֹאמְרוּ לָךְ זְקֵנִים סְתוֹר וִילָדִים בְּנֵה סְתוֹר וְאַל תִּבְנֶה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁסְּתִירַת זְקֵנִים בִּנְיָן וּבִנְיַן נְעָרִים סְתִירָה וְסִימָן לַדָּבָר רְחַבְעָם בֶּן שְׁלֹמֹה

Megillah 31b:12

It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: If old men say to you: Demolish, and children say to you: Build, then demolish and do not build, because the demolishing of old men is ultimately as constructive as building, despite the fact that it appears destructive, and the building of children is as destructive as demolishing. An indication of this matter is Rehoboam, son of Solomon.

מלכים א י״א:מ״ג

(מג) וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב שְׁלֹמֹה֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּ֨קָּבֵ֔ר בְּעִ֖יר דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ רְחַבְעָ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {ס}

I Kings 11:43

(43) Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David; and his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king.

מלכים א י״ב:א׳-ז׳

(א) וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֖ם שְׁכֶ֑ם כִּ֥י שְׁכֶ֛ם בָּ֥א כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְהַמְלִ֥יךְ אֹתֽוֹ׃ (ב) וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ ׀ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֗ט וְהוּא֙ עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ בְמִצְרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּרַ֔ח מִפְּנֵ֖י הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יָרׇבְעָ֖ם בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃ (ג) וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ וַיִּקְרְאוּ־ל֔וֹ (ויבאו) [וַיָּבֹ֥א] יָרׇבְעָ֖ם וְכׇל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּ אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ (ד) אָבִ֖יךָ הִקְשָׁ֣ה אֶת־עֻלֵּ֑נוּ וְאַתָּ֡ה עַתָּ֣ה הָקֵל֩ מֵעֲבֹדַ֨ת אָבִ֜יךָ הַקָּשָׁ֗ה וּמֵעֻלּ֧וֹ הַכָּבֵ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן עָלֵ֖ינוּ וְנַעַבְדֶֽךָּ׃ (ה) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם לְכוּ־עֹ֛ד שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וְשׁ֣וּבוּ אֵלָ֑י וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ הָעָֽם׃ (ו) וַיִּוָּעַ֞ץ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם אֶת־הַזְּקֵנִים֙ אֲשֶׁר־הָי֣וּ עֹמְדִ֗ים אֶת־פְּנֵי֙ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה אָבִ֔יו בִּֽהְיֹת֥וֹ חַ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר אֵ֚יךְ אַתֶּ֣ם נוֹעָצִ֔ים לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֶת־הָעָם־הַזֶּ֖ה דָּבָֽר׃ (ז) (וידבר) [וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ] אֵלָ֜יו לֵאמֹ֗ר אִם־הַ֠יּ֠וֹם תִּֽהְיֶה־עֶ֜בֶד לָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ וַעֲבַדְתָּ֔ם וַעֲנִיתָ֕ם וְדִבַּרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם דְּבָרִ֣ים טוֹבִ֑ים וְהָי֥וּ לְךָ֛ עֲבָדִ֖ים כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃

I Kings 12:1-7

(1) Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to acclaim him as king. (2) Jeroboam son of Nebat learned of it while he was still in Egypt; for Jeroboam had fled from King Solomon, and had settled in Egypt.^-a (3) They sent for him; and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam as follows: (4) “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke which your father laid on us, and we will serve you.” (5) He answered them, “Go away for three days and then come back to me.” So the people went away. (6) King Rehoboam took counsel with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. He said, “What answer do you advise [me] to give to this people?” (7) They answered him, “If you will be a servant to those people today and serve them, and if you respond to them with kind words, they will be your servants always.”

מלכים א י״ב:ח׳-י״א

(ח) וַֽיַּעֲזֹ֛ב אֶת־עֲצַ֥ת הַזְּקֵנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְעָצֻ֑הוּ וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ אֶת־הַיְלָדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר גָּדְל֣וּ אִתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָעֹמְדִ֖ים לְפָנָֽיו׃ (ט) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם מָ֚ה אַתֶּ֣ם נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים וְנָשִׁ֥יב דָּבָ֖ר אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבְּר֤וּ אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הָקֵל֙ מִן־הָעֹ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן אָבִ֖יךָ עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (י) וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו הַיְלָדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר גָּדְל֣וּ אִתּוֹ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ כֹּה־תֹאמַ֣ר לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֡ה אֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבְּר֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ לֵאמֹ֗ר אָבִ֙יךָ֙ הִכְבִּ֣יד אֶת־עֻלֵּ֔נוּ וְאַתָּ֖ה הָקֵ֣ל מֵעָלֵ֑ינוּ כֹּ֚ה תְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם קׇטׇנִּ֥י עָבָ֖ה מִמׇּתְנֵ֥י אָבִֽי׃ (יא) וְעַתָּ֗ה אָבִי֙ הֶעְמִ֤יס עֲלֵיכֶם֙ עֹ֣ל כָּבֵ֔ד וַאֲנִ֖י אוֹסִ֣יף עַֽל־עֻלְּכֶ֑ם אָבִ֗י יִסַּ֤ר אֶתְכֶם֙ בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים וַאֲנִ֕י אֲיַסֵּ֥ר אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃

I Kings 12:8-11

(8) But he ignored the advice that the elders gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. (9) “What,” he asked, “do you advise that we reply to the people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father placed upon us’?” (10) And the young men who had grown up with him answered, “Speak thus to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us.’ Say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins. (11) My father imposed a heavy yoke on you, and I will add to your yoke; my father flogged you with whips, but I will flog you with scorpions.’”

מלכים א י״ב:י״ח-כ״ד

(יח) וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם אֶת־אֲדֹרָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַמַּ֔ס וַיִּרְגְּמ֨וּ כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל בּ֛וֹ אֶ֖בֶן וַיָּמֹ֑ת וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם הִתְאַמֵּץ֙ לַעֲל֣וֹת בַּמֶּרְכָּבָ֔ה לָנ֖וּס יְרֽוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ (יט) וַיִּפְשְׁע֤וּ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּבֵ֣ית דָּוִ֔ד עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {ס} (כ) וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ כִּֽי־שָׁ֣ב יָרׇבְעָ֔ם וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֗וּ וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ אֶל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ אֹת֖וֹ עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לֹ֤א הָיָה֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י בֵית־דָּוִ֔ד זוּלָתִ֥י שֵׁבֶט־יְהוּדָ֖ה לְבַדּֽוֹ׃ (כא) (ויבאו) [וַיָּבֹ֣א] רְחַבְעָם֮ יְרוּשָׁלַ֒͏ִם֒ וַיַּקְהֵל֩ אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֨ית יְהוּדָ֜ה וְאֶת־שֵׁ֣בֶט בִּנְיָמִ֗ן מֵאָ֨ה וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף בָּח֖וּר עֹשֵׂ֣ה מִלְחָמָ֑ה לְהִלָּחֵם֙ עִם־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְהָשִׁיב֙ אֶת־הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה לִרְחַבְעָ֖ם בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ {פ}
(כב) וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַ֣ר הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֥ה אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים לֵאמֹֽר׃ (כג) אֱמֹ֗ר אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֤ם בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹה֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה וְאֶל־כׇּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָ֖ה וּבִנְיָמִ֑ין וְיֶ֥תֶר הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ (כד) כֹּ֣ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֡ה לֹא־תַעֲלוּ֩ וְלֹא־תִלָּ֨חֲמ֜וּן עִם־אֲחֵיכֶ֣ם בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שׁ֚וּבוּ אִ֣ישׁ לְבֵית֔וֹ כִּ֧י מֵאִתִּ֛י נִֽהְיָ֖ה הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיָּשֻׁ֥בוּ לָלֶ֖כֶת כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}

I Kings 12:18-24

(18) King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel pelted him to death with stones. Thereupon King Rehoboam hurriedly mounted his chariot and fled to Jerusalem. (19) Thus Israel revolted against the House of David, as is still the case. (20) When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent messengers and summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the House of David. (21) On his return to Jerusalem, Rehoboam mustered all the House of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 picked warriors, to fight against the House of Israel, in order to restore the kingship to Rehoboam son of Solomon. (22) But the word of God came to Shemaiah, the man of God: (23) “Say to King Rehoboam son of Solomon of Judah, and to all the House of Judah and Benjamin and the rest of the people: (24) Thus said the LORD: You shall not set out to make war on your kinsmen the Israelites. Let every man return to his home, for this thing has been brought about by Me.” They heeded the word of the LORD and turned back, in accordance with the word of the LORD.

אברבנאל על מלכים א י״ב:ח׳:א׳

והנה במה שאמר הכתוב ויעזוב את עצת הזקנים אשר יעצוהו ויועץ את הילדים, למדנו שמיד אחרי ששמע רחבעם עצת הזקנים עזב אותה ולא ישרה בעיניו גם קודם שישאל לנערים, כי לא שמע מפה ומפה לבחור בטוב, אבל מיד אחרי ששמע דברי הזקנים עזבם ולא נכנסו באזניו, ולכן נתיעץ עם הילדים, לא להיותם אנשים חכמים ונבונים להשען על דבריהם, כי אם לפי שגדלו עמו ולפי שהיו עומדים לפניו, ומזה הצד נמשך אחריהם לא לידיעתם ושלמותם. ויורה על מה שאמרתי שאתה תראה שרחבעם לא ספר לילדים עצת הזקנים, כי כן היה מהראוי לספר אליהם מה שיעצו הזקנים ואולי יהיו דבריהם טובים בעיניהם, כי כן עשה אבשלום עם חושי הארכי על עצת אחיתופל, אבל לפי שעזבם רחבעם לא רצה לזכרם ולא להעלותם על שפתיו:

Abarbanel on I Kings 12:8:1

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