אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: רַבִּי, וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן רוֹעֵץ, וּבֵית שַׁמַּאי, וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, וְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא – כּוּלְּהוּ סְבִירָא לְהוּ יֵשׁ אֵם לַמִּקְרָא.
§ The dispute between Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the Sages is explained as an example of the more general question of whether the written consonantal text or the vocalization of the Torah is authoritative. As Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Yosei says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: With regard to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, Rabbi Yehuda ben Roetz, Beit Shammai, Rabbi Shimon, and Rabbi Akiva, they all hold that the vocalization of the Torah is authoritative, and that the halakha is therefore decided based on the meaning of the word as pronounced, and not on possible alternative readings of the written text.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: מִי אִיכָּא דְּלֵית לֵיהּ ״יֵשׁ אֵם לַמִּקְרָא״? וְהָתַנְיָא: ״בַּחֲלֵב אִמּוֹ״ – יָכוֹל ״בְּחֵלֶב״?
Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov objects to Rabbi Yoḥanan’s assertion that all of the above disputes are based on the question of whether the traditional consonantal text or the vocalized text of the Torah is authoritative: Is there a Sage who does not accept the principle that the vocalization of the Torah is authoritative? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: The verse states: “You shall not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk [baḥalev]” (Exodus 23:19). One might have thought the verse should be read as prohibiting the cooking of the young goat in the fat [beḥelev] of the mother, and there is no prohibition against cooking the meat with milk.
אָמַרְתָּ: יֵשׁ אֵם לַמִּקְרָא. אֶלָּא, דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא יֵשׁ אֵם לַמִּקְרָא, וְרַבִּי וְרַבָּנַן בְּהָא קָמִיפַּלְגִי: רַבִּי סָבַר ״יַרְשִׁיעֻן אֱלֹהִים״ – אַחֲרִינֵי, וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי ״יַרְשִׁיעֻן״ – דְּהַאיְךְ וְהַאי.
You therefore say in response: The vocalization of the Torah is authoritative, and the verse prohibits cooking the young goat in its mother’s milk. Rather, everyone agrees that the vocalization of the Torah is authoritative. But in actuality, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the Rabbis disagree with regard to this: Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi holds that the phrase “the court shall condemn” is referring to other judges, in addition to the three that were derived from the earlier verse, leading to a total of five, whereas the Rabbis hold that the term “shall condemn” means these judges, i.e., those who have already been mentioned, and therefore there are only three.
וּדְכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא יֵשׁ אֵם לַמִּקְרָא? וְהָתַנְיָא: ״לְטוֹטֶפֶת״, ״לְטֹטֶפֶת״, ״לְטוֹטָפוֹת״ – הֲרֵי כָּאן אַרְבַּע, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ, טַט בְּכַתְפִּי שְׁתַּיִם, פַּת בְּאַפְרִיקִי שְׁתַּיִם. אֶלָּא, לְעוֹלָם פְּלִיגִי. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי כִּי פְּלִיגִי – הֵיכָא דְּשָׁנֵי קְרָא מִמָּסוֹרֶת. אֲבָל הַאי ״חֵלֶב״ וַ״חֲלֵב״ דְּכִי הֲדָדֵי נִינְהוּ, יֵשׁ אֵם לַמִּקְרָא.
The Gemara asks: And does everyone actually hold that the vocalization of the Torah is authoritative? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: With regard to the number of compartments in the phylacteries of the head, the verse states: “It shall be for a sign upon your hand, and for totafot between your eyes” (Exodus 13:16), with the word totafot spelled deficient, without a second vav, in a way that can be read as singular; and again: “They shall be for totafot between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 6:8), spelled as a singular word; and again: “They shall be for totafot between your eyes” (11:18), this time spelled plene, with a second vav, in a manner that must be plural? There are four mentions of totafot here, as the third one is written in the plural and therefore counts as two. Consequently, it is derived that the phylacteries of the head must have four compartments. This is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Akiva says: There is no need for this proof, as the requirement of four compartments can be derived from the word totafot itself: The word tat in the language of the Katfei means two, and the word pat in the language of Afriki also means two, and therefore totafot can be understood as a compound word meaning: Four. The baraita therefore indicates that Rabbi Yishmael holds that not the vocalization but rather the tradition of the manner in which the verses in the Torah are written is authoritative. Rather, the explanation that everyone holds that the vocalization of the Torah is authoritative must be rejected, and it must be explained that the Sages actually do disagree whether it is the vocalization of the Torah or the tradition of the manner in which the verses in the Torah are written that is authoritative. And in order to explain the unresolved problem with regard to the baraita about the prohibition of cooking a young goat in its mother’s milk, the explanation is that this statement, that they disagree as to whether the vocalization or the tradition is authoritative, applies where the vocalization of the word differs from the tradition of the manner in which the word is written. But in this case the words milk [ḥalev] and fat [ḥelev] are written in an identical manner, as there is no difference in the writing at all, only in the way they are vocalized. Therefore, all agree that the vocalization of the Torah is authoritative.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: דִּינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה, וְאִם הָיָה מוּמְחֶה לְרַבִּים, דָּן אֲפִילּוּ יְחִידִי. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: כְּגוֹן אֲנָא דָּן דִּינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת בִּיחִידִי. וְכֵן אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא: כְּגוֹן אֲנָא דָּן דִּינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת בִּיחִידִי. אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: כְּגוֹן אֲנָא דִּגְמִירְנָא וּסְבִירְנָא וּנְקִיטְנָא רְשׁוּתָא, אֲבָל לָא נְקִיט רְשׁוּתָא – דִּינֵיהּ לָא דִּינָא? אוֹ דִילְמָא: אַף עַל גַּב דְּלָא נָקֵיט רְשׁוּתָא – דִּינֵיהּ דִּינָא? תָּא שְׁמַע: דְּמָר זוּטְרָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן דָּן דִּינָא וּטְעָה, אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב יוֹסֵף. אָמַר לוֹ: אִם קִיבְּלוּךְ עֲלַיְיהוּ – לָא תְּשַׁלֵּם, וְאִי לָא – זִיל שַׁלֵּים. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: כִּי לָא נָקֵיט רְשׁוּתָא – דִּינֵיהּ דִּינָא. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita: Cases of monetary law are adjudicated by three judges. But if one was a judge accepted as an expert for the public, then he may judge cases even as the lone judge. Rav Naḥman said: One such as I may judge cases of monetary law as the lone judge. And similarly, Rabbi Ḥiyya said: One such as I may judge cases of monetary law as the lone judge. A dilemma was raised before the Sages: What is the meaning of: Such as I, in the statements of these Rabbis? Did they intend to say: Such as I, in that I have studied and have the skills to extrapolate and derive new rulings on the basis of earlier decisions, and have also received permission to judge as the lone judge? But accordingly, if one has not received permission to judge as the lone judge, his judgment is not a valid judgment? Or perhaps this is not the correct reading of the statements, and the halakha is that even though he did not receive permission to judge as the lone judge, his judgment is nevertheless a valid judgment? The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a solution to this dilemma from the following case: Mar Zutra, son of Rav Naḥman, once adjudicated a certain case and erred in his ruling. Upon recognizing his error, he came before Rav Yosef to ask what he should do. Rav Yosef said to him: If the litigants accepted you upon themselves as the lone judge, and both had agreed that they would accept your ruling, you are not liable to pay restitution to the party who lost the case due to your erroneous ruling. But if they did not accept you on themselves, but were rather compelled to be judged before you, you must go and pay restitution. And learn from it that even in a case where one did not receive permission to judge as the lone judge, his ruling is a valid judgment. The Gemara affirms: Learn from it that this is the case.
אָמַר רַב: הַאי מַאן דְּבָעֵי לְמֵידַן דִּינָא, וְאִי טְעָה מִיבְעֵי לְמִיפְּטַר – לִישְׁקוֹל רְשׁוּתָא מִבֵּי רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא. וְכֵן אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לִשְׁקוֹל רְשׁוּתָא מִבֵּי רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא. פְּשִׁיטָא: מֵהָכָא לְהָכָא, וּמֵהָתָם לְהָתָם – מַהֲנֵי. וּמֵהָכָא לְהָתָם נָמֵי מַהֲנֵי, דְּהָכָא שֵׁבֶט וְהָתָם מְחוֹקֵק. כִּדְתַנְיָא: ״לֹא יָסוּר שֵׁבֶט מִיהוּדָה״ – אֵלּוּ רָאשֵׁי גָלִיּוֹת שֶׁבְּבָבֶל, שֶׁרוֹדִין אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּשֵׁבֶט. ״וּמְחֹקֵק מִבֵּין רַגְלָיו״ – אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי בָּנָיו שֶׁל הִלֵּל, שֶׁמְּלַמְּדִין תּוֹרָה בָּרַבִּים. מֵהָתָם לְהָכָא מַאי? תָּא שְׁמַע: דְּרַבָּה בַּר חָנָה דָּן דִּינָא וּטְעָה. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי קִיבְּלוּךְ עֲלַיְיהוּ – לָא תְּשַׁלֵּם, וְאִי לָא – זִיל שַׁלֵּים. וְהָא רַבָּה בַּר חָנָה רְשׁוּתָא הֲוָה נְקִיט! שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: מֵהָתָם לְהָכָא לָא מַהֲנֵי. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ. וְלָא מַהֲנֵי? וְהָא רַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא, כִּי הֲוָה מִינְּצֵי בַּהֲדֵי דְּבֵי רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא, אָמַר: לָאו מִינַּיְיכוּ נְקִיטְנָא רְשׁוּתָא, נְקִיטְנָא רְשׁוּתָא מֵאַבָּא מָרִי, וְאַבָּא מָרִי מֵרַב, וְרַב מֵרַבִּי חִיָּיא, וְרַבִּי חִיָּיא מֵרַבִּי! בְּמִילְּתָא דְעָלְמָא הוּא דְּאוֹקֵים לְהוּ. וְכִי מֵאַחַר דְּלָא מַהֲנֵי, רַבָּה בַּר חָנָה רְשׁוּתָא דִּנְקַט לְמָה לִי? לָעֲיָירוֹת הָעוֹמְדִים עַל הַגְּבוּלִין.
§ Rav says: One who wants to adjudicate a case and wants to be exempt from payment of restitution if he errs in his judgment must receive permission from the Exilarch to judge cases. And similarly, Shmuel says: In such a case he must receive permission from the Exilarch. Once he receives permission, even an erroneous decision carries halakhic force and therefore it is as if he did not err. Since the Gemara mentioned the importance of a judge receiving authorization from the Exilarch, it now discusses the scope of this authority. It is obvious that from here to here, meaning relying on permission granted by the Exilarch in Babylonia in order to adjudicate cases within Babylonia, and from there to there, relying on permission granted by the Nasi in Eretz Yisrael in order to adjudicate cases within Eretz Yisrael, the authorization is effective. And it is also obvious that from here to there, relying on permission granted by the Exilarch to adjudicate cases within Eretz Yisrael, it is also effective, as the authority of the Exilarch is greater than that of the Nasi. This is so since the Exilarch here in Babylonia may be termed a scepter, i.e., a ruler with actual power of governance, and the Nasi there in Eretz Yisrael is only a staff, i.e., a legislator with limited power. This is as it is taught in a baraita: The verse states: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until Shiloh comes” (Genesis 49:10). The term “Shiloh” is understood as a reference to the Messiah, and therefore the verse is interpreted as delineating the authority of Jewish rulers during the exile, before the Messiah comes. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah”; these are the Exilarchs in Babylonia, who are empowered by the government and consequently subjugate the Jewish people as with a scepter. “Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet”; These are the grandchildren of Hillel the Elder who hold the position of Nasi and teach Torah in public, but do not have authority to actually enforce their judgments. If one has permission from there, from the Nasi, and wants to adjudicate cases here in Babylonia, what is the halakha? The Gemara suggests: Come and hear an incident that occurred: Rabba bar Ḥana adjudicated a case in Babylonia and erred. He came before Rabbi Ḥiyya to ask what he should do. Rabbi Ḥiyya said to him: If the litigants accepted you upon themselves, you are not liable to pay restitution to the party who unjustly lost the case, but if not, go and pay. But Rabba bar Ḥana received permission from the Nasi in Eretz Yisrael; therefore, learn from this incident that permission from there to adjudicate cases here is not effective. The Gemara affirms: Learn from it that this is the case. The Gemara asks: And is this permission not effective? But when Rabba bar Rav Huna was involved in a dispute with the members of the house of the Exilarch he said: It is not from you that I received permission to judge cases. I received permission from my father, my master, i.e., Rav Huna, and my father, my master, received permission from Rav, and Rav from Rabbi Ḥiyya, and Rabbi Ḥiyya from Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi in Eretz Yisrael. Therefore, it seems that permission received in Eretz Yisrael is in fact effective in Babylonia. The Gemara rejects this proof: He was merely standing up to them with words alone, but there was no halakhic validity to his statement. The Gemara asks: But since permission to judge received in Eretz Yisrael is not effective in Babylonia, why did Rabba bar Ḥana need to receive permission when he left for Babylonia? What was the value of that permission? The Gemara answers: The permission is effective for the cities that stand on the borders of Babylonia, which are not entirely in the jurisdiction of Babylonia, so permission from Eretz Yisrael is effective there.
וְכִי מֵאַחַר דְּלָא מַהֲנֵי, רַבָּה בַּר חָנָה רְשׁוּתָא דִּנְקַט לְמָה לִי? לָעֲיָירוֹת הָעוֹמְדִים עַל הַגְּבוּלִין. מַאי רְשׁוּתָא? כִּי הֲוָה נָחֵית רַבָּה בַּר חָנָה לְבָבֶל, אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי חִיָּיא לְרַבִּי: בֶּן אָחִי יוֹרֵד לְבָבֶל. ״יוֹרֶה?״ ״יוֹרֶה!״, ״יָדִין?״ ״יָדִין!״, ״יַתִּיר בְּכוֹרוֹת?״ ״יַתִּיר!״. כִּי הֲוָה נָחֵית רַב לְבָבֶל, אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי חִיָּיא לְרַבִּי: בֶּן אֲחוֹתִי יוֹרֵד לְבָבֶל. ״יוֹרֶה?״ ״יוֹרֶה!״, ״יָדִין?״ ״יָדִין!״, ״יַתִּיר בְּכוֹרוֹת?״ ״אַל יַתִּיר!״.
The Gemara asks: But since permission to judge received in Eretz Yisrael is not effective in Babylonia, why did Rabba bar Ḥana need to receive permission when he left for Babylonia? What was the value of that permission? The Gemara answers: The permission is effective for the cities that stand on the borders of Babylonia, which are not entirely in the jurisdiction of Babylonia, so permission from Eretz Yisrael is effective there. § What is the specific nature of this permission? The Gemara relates: When Rabba bar Ḥana descended to Babylonia, his uncle Rabbi Ḥiyya said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: My brother’s son is descending to Babylonia. May he teach people and issue rulings with regard to what is prohibited and what is permitted? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: He may teach. Rabbi Ḥiyya then asked: May he also adjudicate cases of monetary law, and be absolved from payment if he errs? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: He may adjudicate. Rabbi Ḥiyya continued: May he declare a firstborn animal permitted? The male firstborn of a kosher animal may not be eaten, as it is supposed to be offered in the Temple. But if it acquires a permanent blemish it is unfit for an offering, and it may be eaten. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: He may declare such an animal permitted. Similarly, when Rav, who was also Rabbi Ḥiyya’s nephew, descended to Babylonia, Rabbi Ḥiyya said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: My sister’s son is descending to Babylonia. May he teach people and issue rulings with regard to what is prohibited and what is permitted? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: He may teach. Rabbi Ḥiyya then asked: May he also adjudicate cases of monetary law, and be absolved from payment if he errs? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi responded: He may adjudicate. Rabbi Ḥiyya continued: May he declare a firstborn animal permitted? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: He may not declare such an animal permitted.
יַתִּיר בְּכוֹרוֹת? אַל יַתִּיר. מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא חַכִּים, הָא קָא אָמְרִינַן דְּחַכִּים טוּבָא! אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא בְּקִיעַ בְּמוּמֵי. וְהָאָמַר רַב: שְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר חֳדָשִׁים גָּדַלְתִּי אֵצֶל רוֹעֵה בְהֵמָה, לֵידַע אֵיזֶה מוּם קָבוּעַ וְאֵיזֶה מוּם עוֹבֵר? אֶלָּא, לְחַלֵּק לוֹ כָּבוֹד לְרַבָּה בַּר חָנָה. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: מִשּׁוּם הָא גּוּפֵיהּ, דְּרַב בְּקִיעַ בְּמוּמֵי טְפֵי, וְשָׁרֵי מוּמֵי דְּלָא יָדְעִי אִינָשֵׁי. וְאָמְרִי: ״כִּי הַאי גַוְונָא שְׁרָא רַב״, וְאָתוּ לְמִשְׁרֵי מוּם עוֹבֵר. יוֹרֶה, יוֹרֶה. אִי גְּמִיר, רְשׁוּתָא לְמָה לִי לְמִישְׁקַל? מִשּׁוּם מַעֲשֶׂה שֶׁהָיָה. דְּתַנְיָא: פַּעַם אַחַת הָלַךְ רַבִּי לְמָקוֹם אֶחָד, וְרָאָה בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁמְּגַבְּלִין עִיסּוֹתֵיהֶם בְּטוּמְאָה. אָמַר לָהֶם: מִפְּנֵי מָה אַתֶּם מְגַבְּלִין עִיסּוֹתֵיכֶם בְּטוּמְאָה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: תַּלְמִיד אֶחָד בָּא לְכָאן וְהוֹרָה לָנוּ: מֵי בְצָעִים אֵין מַכְשִׁירִין. וְהוּא מֵי בֵיצִים דְּרַשׁ לְהוּ, וְאִינְהוּ סְבוּר מֵי בְצָעִים קָאָמַר. וְטָעוּ נָמֵי בְּהָא: מֵי קֵרַמְיוֹן וּמֵי פֵיגָה פְּסוּלִין, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן מֵי בְצָעִים. וְאִינְהוּ סְבוּר: מִדִּלְגַבֵּי חַטָּאת פְּסִילִי – אַכְשׁוֹרֵי נָמֵי לָא מַכְשְׁרִי. וְלָא הִיא: הָתָם, לְעִנְיַן חַטָּאת, בָּעֵינַן מַיִם חַיִּים; הָכָא, אַכְשׁוֹרֵי כָּל דְּהוּ מַכְשְׁרִי. תָּנָא, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה גָּזְרוּ: תַּלְמִיד אַל יוֹרֶה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נוֹטֵל רְשׁוּת מֵרַבּוֹ.
The Gemara had related that Rabbi Ḥiyya asked Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: May Rav declare a firstborn animal permitted, and that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi had responded: He may not declare such an animal permitted. The Gemara asks: What is the reason that he denied him this permission? If we say that it was because Rav was not sufficiently wise and learned, but that is difficult, as we already said that he was exceedingly wise. Rather, it must be that it was because, although he was quite knowledgeable about the halakha, he was not an expert with regard to blemishes, meaning that he lacked the practical expertise to apply the halakha to actual cases. The Gemara rejects this answer. But didn’t Rav say: I apprenticed with a shepherd for eighteen months in order to be able to know which blemish is a permanent blemish, and which is a temporary blemish? Evidently, he had a high level of practical expertise in this matter. The Gemara explains: Rather, it was in order to bestow honor upon Rabba bar Ḥana. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi wanted to ensure that Rabba bar Ḥana would be treated with respect, so he made sure that there was an area of halakha with regard to which the people would not be able to consult with Rav and would need to consult with Rabba bar Ḥana instead. And if you wish, say instead: It is due to this fact itself: Since Rav was a great expert with regard to blemishes, he would permit blemishes that average people do not know about. And as a result, they would erroneously say with regard to a different blemish: In a case like this Rav declared the animal permitted, and in this way they would come to erroneously permit an animal with a temporary blemish, believing it to be identical to the blemish that Rav had declared permitted. Due to this concern, Rav was denied the authority to declare firstborn animals permitted on the basis of a blemish. With regard to the permission granted to Rabba bar Ḥana and Rav, the Gemara had related that Rabbi Ḥiyya asked Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: May he teach people and issue rulings concerning what is prohibited and what is permitted? And Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi responded: He may teach. The Gemara asks: If he had studied and mastered the relevant halakhot, why do I need him to receive permission? The need for formal authority is understandable when it comes to serving on a court to judge cases of monetary law, but any knowledgeable person should be qualified to answer questions about ritual law. The Gemara explains: The need for such permission is due to an incident that took place. As it is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi once went to a certain place, and he saw people there kneading dough while they were in a state of ritual impurity, and they believed that nevertheless, the dough remained ritually pure. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to them: For what reason are you kneading your dough in a state of ritual impurity? They said to him: A certain Torah scholar came here and taught us that water from swamps [mei betza’im] does not render food susceptible to contract ritual impurity. Therefore, they would take water from swamps and knead dough with it, in the mistaken belief that such dough would not be susceptible to ritual impurity. But in reality, what he taught them was that water of eggs [mei beitzim], i.e., the albumin of eggs, does not render food susceptible to impurity, as it is not considered water. But they thought he said: Water from swamps. And the residents of that same place erred also with regard to this: It was taught in a mishna (Para 8:10): The waters of the Keramiyyon River and the waters of the Piga River are not fit for mixing with ashes of the red heifer to use as water of purification, since they are water from swamps. And they erroneously thought: Since this water is not fit for use as water of purification, this means it is not considered water, and therefore it also does not render food susceptible to contracting impurity. But it is not so, as there, with regard to water of purification, we need: “Running water” (see Numbers 19:17), and water from swamps is not running water. But here, with regard to rendering food susceptible to impurity, any water renders food susceptible. It was taught: At that time, when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi discovered the consequences resulting from a Torah scholar who was not precise with his terminology, the Sages decreed: A Torah scholar may not teach halakha unless he receives permission from his teacher to do so. The teacher should not grant him this permission if he does not know how to express himself in a clear manner.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהַדִּין בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה, כָּךְ בִּיצּוּעַ בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה. נִגְמַר הַדִּין, אִי אַתָּה רַשַּׁאי לִבְצוֹעַ. סרמ״ש בנק״ש סִימָן. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּנוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: אָסוּר לִבְצוֹעַ, וְכׇל הַבּוֹצֵעַ – הֲרֵי זֶה חוֹטֵא, וְכׇל הַמְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַבּוֹצֵעַ – הֲרֵי זֶה מְנָאֵץ. וְעַל זֶה נֶאֱמַר: ״בֹּצֵעַ בֵּרֵךְ נִאֵץ ה׳״. אֶלָּא יִקּוֹב הַדִּין אֶת הָהָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי הַמִּשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהִים הוּא״. וְכֵן מֹשֶׁה הָיָה אוֹמֵר: יִקּוֹב הַדִּין אֶת הָהָר. אֲבָל אַהֲרֹן אוֹהֵב שָׁלוֹם וְרוֹדֵף שָׁלוֹם, וּמֵשִׂים שָׁלוֹם בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵירוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת הָיְתָה בְּפִיהוּ וְעַוְלָה לֹא נִמְצָא בִשְׂפָתָיו בְּשָׁלוֹם וּבְמִישׁוֹר הָלַךְ אִתִּי וְרַבִּים הֵשִׁיב מֵעָוֹן״.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta 1:2–8): Just as judgment is performed by three judges, so too, mediation is performed by three judges. Once the verdict of the judgment has been issued, it is not permitted for you to mediate a dispute. The Gemara presents a mnemonic device alluding to the names of tanna’im in the coming discussion: Samekh, reish, mem, shin; beit, nun, kuf, shin. The Tosefta cites several statements of tanna’im related to compromise and the term botze’a. Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, says: It is prohibited to mediate a dispute; and anyone who mediates [habotze’a] a dispute is a sinner; and anyone who blesses the mediator is cursing God. And of this, it is stated: “And the covetous [botze’a] blesses himself, though he despises the Lord” (Psalms 10:3). Rather, the judge must assure that the true judgment will prevail at all costs and metaphorically pierce the mountain, as it is stated: “For the judgment is God’s” (Deuteronomy 1:17). And similarly, Moses would say: Let the judgment pierce the mountain. But by contrast, Aaron, whose role was not that of a judge, was a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace, and he would apply peace between one person and the other, as it is stated: “The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity” (Malachi 2:6).
רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה אוֹמֵר: מִצְוָה לִבְצוֹעַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱמֶת וּמִשְׁפַּט שָׁלוֹם שִׁפְטוּ בְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶם״. וַהֲלֹא בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁיֵּשׁ מִשְׁפָּט – אֵין שָׁלוֹם, וּבִמְקוֹם שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם – אֵין מִשְׁפָּט? אֶלָּא אֵיזֶהוּ מִשְׁפָּט שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ שָׁלוֹם? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זֶה בִּיצּוּעַ.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa says: It is a mitzva to mediate a dispute, as it is stated: “Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates” (Zechariah 8:16). Is it not that in the place where there is strict judgment there is no true peace, and in a place where there is true peace, there is no strict judgment? Rather, which is the judgment that has peace within it? You must say: This is mediation, as both sides are satisfied with the result.
רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִין לְתַלְמִיד שֶׁיּוֹשֵׁב לִפְנֵי רַבּוֹ וְרָאָה זְכוּת לֶעָנִי וְחוֹבָה לֶעָשִׁיר, מִנַּיִין שֶׁלֹּא יִשְׁתּוֹק? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תָגוּרוּ מִפְּנֵי אִישׁ״. רַבִּי חָנִין אוֹמֵר: לֹא תַּכְנִיס דְּבָרֶיךָ מִפְּנֵי אִישׁ. וִיהוּ עֵדִים יוֹדְעִים אֶת מִי הֵן מְעִידִין, וְלִפְנֵי מִי הֵן מְעִידִין, וּמִי עָתִיד לִיפָּרַע מֵהֶן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעָמְדוּ שְׁנֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם הָרִיב לִפְנֵי ה׳״.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa says: From where is it derived that a student who is sitting before his teacher and he sees a point of merit for a poor person or liability for a wealthy person, from where is it derived that he should not be silent? As it is stated: “You shall not be afraid before any man”; he should fear neither his teacher nor the wealthy litigant. Rabbi Ḥanin says: The verse intimates: Do not suppress your statement before any man. And the witnesses should know about whom they are testifying, and before Whom they are testifying, and Who will ultimately exact payment from them, as it is stated: “Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord” (Deuteronomy 19:17).
וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַבִּי תַּנְחוּם בַּר חֲנִילַאי, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם בַּר חֲנִילַאי: לֹא נֶאֱמַר מִקְרָא זֶה אֶלָּא כְּנֶגֶד מַעֲשֵׂה הָעֵגֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּרְא אַהֲרֹן וַיִּבֶן מִזְבֵּחַ לְפָנָיו״. מָה רָאָה? אָמַר רַבִּי בִּנְיָמִין בַּר יֶפֶת אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: רָאָה חוּר שֶׁזָּבוּחַ לְפָנָיו. אָמַר: אִי לָא שָׁמַעְנָא לְהוּ הַשְׁתָּא, עָבְדוּ לִי כְּדַעֲבַדוּ בְּחוּר, וּמִיקַּיַים בִּי ״אִם יֵהָרֵג בְּמִקְדַּשׁ ה׳ כֹּהֵן וְנָבִיא״, וְלָא הָוְיָא לְהוּ תַּקַּנְתָּא לְעוֹלָם. מוּטָב דְּלִיעְבְּדוּ לְעֵגֶל, אֶפְשָׁר הָוְיָא לְהוּ תַּקַּנְתָּא בִּתְשׁוּבָה. וְהָנֵי תַּנָּאֵי ״פּוֹטֵר מַיִם רֵאשִׁית מָדוֹן״, מַאי דָּרְשִׁי בֵּיהּ? כִּדְרַב הַמְנוּנָא, דְּאָמַר רַב הַמְנוּנָא: אֵין תְּחִילַּת דִּינוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם נִידּוֹן אֶלָּא עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״פּוֹטֵר מַיִם רֵאשִׁית מָדוֹן״. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: הַאי תִּיגְרָא דָּמְיָא לְצִינּוֹרָא דְּבִידְקָא (דְּמַיָּא), כֵּיוָן דְּרָוַוח – רָוַוח. אַבָּיֵי קַשִּׁישָׁא אָמַר: דָּמֵי לְגוּדָּא דְּגַמְלָא, כֵּיוָן דְּקָם – קָם. שִׁמְעִי וּשְׁתֵּי שֶׁבַע זְמִירוֹת הוּא, סִימָן.
§ And the various Sages who offered interpretations of the verse: “And the covetous blesses himself, though he despises the Lord” (Psalms 10:3), disagree with the explanation of Rabbi Tanḥum bar Ḥanilai. As Rabbi Tanḥum bar Ḥanilai says: This verse was stated only with regard to the incident of the Golden Calf, as it is stated: “And Aaron saw this, and he built [vayyiven] an altar [mizbe’aḥ] before it…and said: Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord” (Exodus 32:5). What did Aaron see? Rabbi Binyamin bar Yefet says that Rabbi Elazar says: He saw Hur, who had been appointed together with Aaron by Moses to lead the people during Moses’ absence (see Exodus 24:14), slaughtered before him, as he had protested the plan to fashion a calf and had been murdered by the people as a result. The verse is therefore interpreted not as: Aaron built an altar before the calf, but rather: He understood [vayyaven] from the slaughter [mizavuaḥ] before his own eyes; and he then called for a feast. Aaron said to himself: If I do not listen to them now, they will do to me as they did to Hur, and the verse: “Shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?” (Lamentations 2:20), will be fulfilled through me, and they will never have a remedy for such a sin. It is better for them to worship the calf, as it is possible they will have a remedy through repentance. Nevertheless, according to Rabbi Tanḥum bar Ḥanilai, whoever praises Aaron for this compromise is provoking God. And with regard to those tanna’im who did not interpret the verse: “The beginning of strife is as when one releases water” (Proverbs 17:14), with regard to compromise, what do they derive from this verse? They understand the verse in accordance with the opinion of Rav Hamnuna, as Rav Hamnuna says: The beginning of a person’s judgment after he dies is that he is judged only concerning matters of Torah, as it is stated: “The beginning of strife is as when one releases water.” Based on this verse, Rav Huna says: This quarrel between people is comparable to a split in a hose caused by a burst of water, emptying into a field; once the split in the hose widens, it widens even more and can no longer be repaired. To save the field, the hose must be repaired as soon as it splits. The same is true with regard to a quarrel; it must be stopped as soon as it begins. Abaye the Elder makes a similar point with a different metaphor, and says: A quarrel is comparable to a board in a wooden bridge. Once it has stood in its place and been stabilized, it continues to stand and becomes ever more rigid and stable. Consequently, the best time to address and end the dispute is at the very beginning. § Apropos the previous discussion, the Gemara recounts several incidents in which passersby recited popular proverbs. Shimi ushti, sheva zemirot hu is a mnemonic device for these incidents.
אֱמֶת מָמוֹן יִרְאָה סִימָן. אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: כׇּל דַּיָּין שֶׁדָּן דִּין אֱמֶת לַאֲמִיתּוֹ, מַשְׁרֶה שְׁכִינָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱלֹהִים נִצָּב בַּעֲדַת אֵל בְּקֶרֶב אֱלֹהִים יִשְׁפֹּט״. וְכׇל דַּיָּין שֶׁאֵינוֹ דָּן דִּין אֱמֶת לַאֲמִיתּוֹ, גּוֹרֵם לִשְׁכִינָה שֶׁתִּסְתַּלֵּק מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִשֹּׁד עֲנִיִּים מֵאַנְקַת אֶבְיוֹנִים עַתָּה אָקוּם יֹאמַר ה׳ וְגוֹ׳״.
§ The Gemara provides a mnemonic device indicating the following series of statements about judges and their functions: Emet mamon yireh. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: Any judge who judges a judgment according to absolute truth [emet] causes the Divine Presence to rest among Israel, as it is stated: “God stands in the congregation of God; in the midst of the judges He judges” (Psalms 82:1), indicating that the Divine Presence is in the midst of the court. And every judge who does not judge a judgment according to absolute truth causes the Divine Presence to withdraw from Israel, as it is stated: “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the Lord” (Psalms 12:6). God will arise and leave the people as a result of oppression.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: לְעוֹלָם יִרְאֶה דַּיָּין עַצְמוֹ כְּאִילּוּ חֶרֶב מוּנַּחַת לוֹ בֵּין יַרְכוֹתָיו, וְגֵיהִנָּם פְּתוּחָה לוֹ מִתַּחְתָּיו. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הִנֵּה מִטָּתוֹ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה שִׁשִּׁים גִּבֹּרִים סָבִיב לָהּ מִגִּבֹּרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כֻּלָּם אֲחֻזֵי חֶרֶב מְלֻמְּדֵי מִלְחָמָה אִישׁ חַרְבּוֹ עַל יְרֵכוֹ מִפַּחַד בַּלֵּילוֹת״. מִפַּחְדָּהּ שֶׁל גֵּיהִנָּם, שֶׁדּוֹמָה לְלַיְלָה.
And Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: A judge should always view [yireh] himself as if a sword is placed between his thighs, so that if he leans to the right or to the left he will be injured, and as if Gehenna is opened up beneath him, as it is stated: “Behold, it is the bed of Solomon; sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel. They all handle the sword, and are expert in war; every man has his sword upon his thigh due to dread in the night” (Song of Songs 3:7–8). The words “due to dread in the night” mean due to the dread of Gehenna, which is similar to the night. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani interprets this verse as referring to judges, who are called: Mighty men of Israel, as they preside in the Temple, which is termed: The bed of God. In this verse, God is referred to as: Solomon [Shlomo], the King to Whom peace [shalom] belongs.
וְאָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: ״פְּלוֹנִי רְבָעוֹ לְאוֹנְסוֹ״ – הוּא וְאַחֵר מִצְטָרְפִין לְהׇרְגוֹ. ״לִרְצוֹנוֹ״ – רָשָׁע הוּא, וְהַתּוֹרָה אָמְרָה: ״אַל תָּשֶׁת רָשָׁע עֵד״. רָבָא אָמַר: אָדָם קָרוֹב אֵצֶל עַצְמוֹ, וְאֵין אָדָם מֵשִׂים עַצְמוֹ רָשָׁע. אָמַר רָבָא: ״פְּלוֹנִי בָּא עַל אִשְׁתִּי״, הוּא וְאַחֵר מִצְטָרְפִין לְהוֹרְגוֹ, אֲבָל לֹא לְהוֹרְגָהּ.
And Rav Yosef also says, with regard to distinguishing between the different aspects of a single testimony: If a man testifies that so-and-so sodomized him against his will, he and another witness may combine as a valid pair of witnesses to kill the defendant for the sin of homosexual sodomy (see Leviticus 18:22). But if the one who was sodomized testified that the accused sodomized him with his consent, he is testifying that he himself is wicked, having been complicit in the forbidden act, and the Torah said: “Do not put your hand with a wicked person to be an unrighteous witness” (Exodus 23:1). Therefore, the testimony is rejected. Rava says: A person is his own relative and therefore may not testify about himself. Therefore, a person cannot render himself wicked by his own testimony. As a result, he is deemed credible with regard to the sodomizer, but not with regard to himself. He remains a valid witness to convict the sodomizer in combination with another. And similarly, Rava says: If someone testifies: So-and-so engaged in intercourse with my wife, he and another may combine to execute him, the accused man, with his testimony, but the woman’s husband is not accepted as a witness to execute her. A person cannot testify concerning his wife or any other close relative.
אֵין מוֹצִיאִין וְכוּ׳. מְנָהָנֵי מִילֵּי? אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: דְּאָמַר קְרָא ״וְלִפְנֵי אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן יַעֲמֹד״. הוּא – זֶה מֶלֶךְ, ״וְכׇל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אִתּוֹ״ – זֶה מְשׁוּחַ מִלְחָמָה, ״וְכׇל הָעֵדָה״ – זֶה סַנְהֶדְרֵי. וְדִילְמָא לְסַנְהֶדְרֵי הוּא דְּקָאָמַר לְהוּ רַחֲמָנָא, דְּלִישַׁיְּילוּ בְּאוּרִים וְתוּמִּים? אֶלָּא, כִּי הָא דְּאָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר בִּיזְנָא אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן חֲסִידָא: כִּנּוֹר הָיָה תָּלוּי לְמַעְלָה מִמִּטָּתוֹ שֶׁל דָּוִד. כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ חֲצוֹת לַיְלָה, רוּחַ צְפוֹנִית מְנַשֶּׁבֶת בּוֹ וְהָיָה מְנַגֵּן מֵאֵלָיו. מִיָּד הָיָה דָּוִד עוֹמֵד וְעוֹסֵק בְּתוֹרָה עַד שֶׁעָלָה עַמּוּד הַשַּׁחַר. כֵּיוָן שֶׁעָלָה עַמּוּד הַשַּׁחַר, נִכְנְסוּ חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶצְלוֹ. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֲדוֹנֵינוּ הַמֶּלֶךְ, עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל צְרִיכִין לְפַרְנָסָה. אָמַר לָהֶן: לְכוּ וְהִתְפַּרְנְסוּ זֶה מִזֶּה. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֵין הַקּוֹמֶץ מַשְׂבִּיעַ אֶת הָאֲרִי, וְאֵין הַבּוֹר מִתְמַלֵּא מֵחוּלְיָיתוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶם: לְכוּ פִּשְׁטוּ יְדֵיכֶם בִּגְדוּד. מִיָּד יוֹעֲצִין בַּאֲחִיתוֹפֶל, וְנִמְלָכִין בְּסַנְהֶדְרִין, וְשׁוֹאֲלִין בְּאוּרִים וְתוּמִּים. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: מַאי קְרָא? ״וְאַחֲרֵי אֲחִיתֹפֶל בְּנָיָהוּ בֶּן יְהוֹיָדָע וְאֶבְיָתָר וְשַׂר צָבָא לַמֶּלֶךְ יוֹאָב״. ״אֲחִיתוֹפֶל״ – זֶה יוֹעֵץ, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וַעֲצַת אֲחִיתֹפֶל אֲשֶׁר יָעַץ וְגוֹ׳״. וּ״בְנָיָהוּ בֶּן יְהוֹיָדָע״ – זוֹ סַנְהֶדְרִין. ״אֶבְיָתָר״ – אֵלּוּ אוּרִים וְתוּמִּים. וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וּבְנָיָהוּ בֶּן יְהוֹיָדָע עַל הַכְּרֵתִי וְעַל הַפְּלֵתִי״. וְלָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמָן כְּרֵתִי וּפְלֵתִי? כְּרֵתִי – שֶׁכּוֹרְתִין דִּבְרֵיהֶן, וּפְלֵתִי – שֶׁמּוּפְלָאִין מַעֲשֵׂיהֶן. וְאַחַר כָּךְ ״שַׂר הַצָּבָא לַמֶּלֶךְ יוֹאָב״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב אַדָּא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק בַּר אֲבוּדִימִי: מַאי קְרָא? ״עוּרָה כְבוֹדִי עוּרָה הַנֵּבֶל וְכִנּוֹר אָעִירָה שָּׁחַר״. וְאֵין מוֹסִיפִין עַל הָעִיר. מְנָהָנֵי מִילֵּי? אָמַר רַב שִׁימִי בַּר חִיָּיא, אָמַר קְרָא: ״כְּכׇל אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מַרְאֶה אוֹתְךָ אֵת תַּבְנִית הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְכֵן תַּעֲשׂוּ״ – לְדוֹרוֹת הַבָּאִין.
§ The mishna teaches that the king may bring the nation out to an optional war only on the basis of a court of seventy-one judges, i.e., the Great Sanhedrin. The Gemara asks: From where is this matter derived? Rabbi Abbahu says: It is as the verse states with regard to the appointment of Joshua: “And he shall stand before Elazar the priest, and he shall ask counsel of the Urim before the Lord; by his word they shall go out, and by his word they shall come in, he and all of the children of Israel with him and all of the congregation” (Numbers 27:21). Rabbi Abbahu analyzes the end of the verse. With regard to the word “he,” this is the king, referring to Joshua and to any other leader who brings the nation out to war. With regard to the word “him” in the verse “And all of the children of Israel with him,” this is the priest anointed for war, who was anointed specially to stand and instruct the people before the war (see Deuteronomy 20:2). “And all of the congregation”; this is the Sanhedrin. Consequently, the king can embark on an optional war only if the Great Sanhedrin is present and grants authority to him. The Gemara challenges: But perhaps this mention of the Sanhedrin simply means that the Merciful One says that the Sanhedrin may ask a question of the Urim VeTummim, as may the king or the priest anointed for war, as opposed to an ordinary person; but with regard to the decision to go to war, perhaps the king may do so without the agreement of the Sanhedrin. Rather, the proof is like that which Rav Aḥa bar Bizna says that Rabbi Shimon Ḥasida says: A lyre hung above David’s bed, and once midnight arrived, the northern midnight wind would blow on it and cause the lyre to play on its own. David would immediately rise from his bed and study Torah until the dawn arrived. Once dawn arrived, the Sages of Israel would enter to advise him with regard to the various concerns of the nation and the economy. One time they said to him: Our master the king, your nation, Israel, requires sustenance. King David said to them: Go and sustain one another, i.e., provide each other with whatever is lacking. The Sages said to him in response, citing a parable: A single handful [hakometz] of food does not satisfy a lion, and a cistern will not be filled merely from the rain that falls directly into its mouth, but other water must be channeled in. So too, the nation cannot sustain itself using its own resources. King David then told them: Go and take up arms with the troops in battle in order to expand our borders and provide our people with the opportunity to earn a livelihood. The Sages immediately sought advice from Ahithophel to determine whether or not it was appropriate to go to war at that time and how they should conduct themselves; and they consulted the Sanhedrin in order to receive the requisite permission to wage a war under those circumstances; and they asked the Urim VeTummim whether or not they should go to war, and whether or not they would be successful. Rav Yosef says: What is the verse from which this aggada is derived? It is: And after Ahithophel was Benaiah, son of Jehoiada; and Ebiathar; and the general of the king’s army, Yoav (see I Chronicles 27:34). The individuals named in this verse correspond to the roles in the aggada as follows: Ahithophel is the advisor whose counsel they sought first with regard to going to war, and so it says: “Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he counseled in those days, was like that of a man who inquires of the word of God; so was the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom” (II Samuel 16:23). And Benaiah, son of Jehoiada corresponds to the Sanhedrin, since he was the head of the Sanhedrin, and Ebiathar corresponds to the Urim VeTummim, as Ebiathar, son of Ahimelech the priest would oversee inquiries directed to the Urim VeTummim (see I Samuel 23:9). And so it says with regard to the position of Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, as head of the Sanhedrin: “And Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was over the Kereti and over the Peleti” (II Samuel 20:23). And why was the Sanhedrin called Kereti and Peleti? It was called Kereti because they were decisive [shekoretin] in their pronouncements. It was called Peleti because their actions and wisdom were wondrous [shemufla’in], as Peleti and mufla’in share the same root. According to the order of the verse, upon being instructed by King David to go to war, the Sages first consulted with Ahithophel, then with the Sanhedrin, and then they would ask the Urim VeTummim; and only thereafter was the general of the king’s army, Yoav, given the command to ready the army for battle. Rabbi Yitzḥak, son of Rav Adda, and some say Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Avudimi, said: What is the verse from which it is derived that David’s lyre would awaken him at midnight? “Awake, my glory; awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn” (Psalms 57:9). This means that the self-playing lyre has already awoken, and now I must engage in Torah study until dawn. § The mishna teaches: They may extend the city of Jerusalem or the courtyards of the Temple only on the basis of a court of seventy-one judges. The Gemara asks: From where is this matter derived? Rav Shimi bar Ḥiyya says: The verse states: “According to all that I show you, the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of all its vessels, and so shall you do” (Exodus 25:9). “And so shall you do” means for future generations; just as the Tabernacle was fashioned in all of its details according to Moses’ instructions, so too later, the Temple is fashioned according to the instructions of the Great Sanhedrin, whose members stand in place of Moses.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וַיִּשָּׁאֲרוּ שְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים בַּמַּחֲנֶה״. יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: בַּקַּלְפִּי נִשְׁתַּיְּירוּ. שֶׁבְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה: ״אֶסְפָה לִּי שִׁבְעִים אִישׁ מִזִּקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״, אָמַר מֹשֶׁה: כֵּיצַד אֶעֱשֶׂה? אֶבְרוֹר שִׁשָּׁה מִכׇּל שֵׁבֶט וְשֵׁבֶט – נִמְצְאוּ שְׁנַיִם יְתֵירִים. אֶבְרוֹר חֲמִשָּׁה חֲמִשָּׁה מִכׇּל שֵׁבֶט וְשֵׁבֶט – נִמְצְאוּ עֲשָׂרָה חֲסֵרִים. אֶבְרוֹר שִׁשָּׁה מִשֵּׁבֶט זֶה וַחֲמִשָּׁה מִשֵּׁבֶט זֶה – הֲרֵינִי מֵטִיל קִנְאָה בֵּין הַשְּׁבָטִים. מָה עָשָׂה? בֵּירַר שִׁשָּׁה שִׁשָּׁה, וְהֵבִיא שִׁבְעִים וּשְׁנַיִם פִּיתְקִין. עַל שִׁבְעִים כָּתַב ״זָקֵן״, וּשְׁנַיִם הִנִּיחַ חָלָק. בְּלָלָן וּנְתָנָן בְּקַלְפִּי. אָמַר לָהֶם: בּוֹאוּ וּטְלוּ פִּיתְקֵיכֶם! כׇּל מִי שֶׁעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ ״זָקֵן״, אָמַר: כְּבָר קִידֶּשְׁךָ שָׁמַיִם. מִי שֶׁעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ חָלָק, אָמַר: הַמָּקוֹם לֹא חָפֵץ בְּךָ, אֲנִי מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָךְ? כְּיוֹצֵא בַּדָּבָר אַתָּה אוֹמֵר: ״וְלָקַחְתָּ חֲמֵשֶׁת חֲמֵשֶׁת שְׁקָלִים לַגֻּלְגֹּלֶת״. אָמַר מֹשֶׁה: כֵּיצַד אֶעֱשֶׂה לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל? אִם אוֹמַר לוֹ: תֵּן לִי פִּדְיוֹנְךָ וָצֵא, יֹאמַר לִי: כְּבָר פְּדָאַנִי בֶּן לֵוִי. מָה עָשָׂה? הֵבִיא עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁנַיִם אֲלָפִים פִּיתְקִין, וְכָתַב עֲלֵיהֶן ״בֶּן לֵוִי״, וְעַל שְׁלֹשָׁה וְשִׁבְעִים וּמָאתַיִם כָּתַב עֲלֵיהֶן ״חֲמִשָּׁה שְׁקָלִים״. בְּלָלָן וּנְתָנָן בְּקַלְפִּי. אָמַר לָהֶן: טְלוּ פִּיתְקֵיכֶם. מִי שֶׁעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ ״בֶּן לֵוִי״, אָמַר לוֹ: כְּבָר פְּדָאֲךָ בֶּן לֵוִי. מִי שֶׁעָלָה בְּיָדוֹ ״חֲמֵשֶׁת שְׁקָלִים״, אָמַר לוֹ: תֵּן פִּדְיוֹנְךָ וָצֵא. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: בַּמַּחֲנֶה נִשְׁתַּיְּירוּ. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה ״אֶסְפָה לִּי שִׁבְעִים אִישׁ״, אָמְרוּ אֶלְדָּד וּמֵידָד: אֵין אָנוּ רְאוּיִין לְאוֹתָהּ גְּדוּלָּה. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הוֹאִיל וּמִיעַטְתֶּם עַצְמְכֶם, הֲרֵינִי מוֹסִיף גְּדוּלָּה עַל גְּדוּלַּתְכֶם. וּמָה גְּדוּלָּה הוֹסִיף לָהֶם? שֶׁהַנְּבִיאִים כּוּלָּן נִתְנַבְּאוּ וּפָסְקוּ, וְהֵם נִתְנַבְּאוּ וְלֹא פָּסְקוּ. וּמָה נְבוּאָה נִתְנַבְּאוּ? אָמְרוּ: מֹשֶׁה מֵת, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ מַכְנִיס אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לָאָרֶץ. אַבָּא חָנִין אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: עַל עִסְקֵי שְׂלָיו הֵן מִתְנַבְּאִים: עֲלִי שְׂלָיו, עֲלִי שְׂלָיו. רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר: עַל עִסְקֵי גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג הָיוּ מִתְנַבְּאִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ אֱלֹהִים הַאַתָּה הוּא אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי בְּיָמִים קַדְמוֹנִים בְּיַד עֲבָדַי נְבִיאֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַנִּבְּאִים בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם שָׁנִים לְהָבִיא אֹתְךָ עֲלֵיהֶם וְגוֹ׳״. אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״שָׁנִים״ אֶלָּא ״שְׁנַיִם״. אֵילּוּ הֵן שְׁנַיִם נְבִיאִים שֶׁנִּתְנַבְּאוּ בְּפֶרֶק אֶחָד נְבוּאָה אַחַת? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: אֶלְדָּד וּמֵידָד. אָמַר מָר: כׇּל הַנְּבִיאִים כּוּלָּן נִתְנַבְּאוּ וּפָסְקוּ, וְהֵן נִתְנַבְּאוּ וְלֹא פָּסְקוּ. מְנָא לַן דְּפָסְקוּ? אִילֵּימָא מִדִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּתְנַבְּאוּ וְלֹא יָסָפוּ״? אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה: ״קוֹל גָּדוֹל וְלֹא יָסָף״ – הָכִי נָמֵי דְּלָא אוֹסֵיף הוּא? אֶלָּא דְּלָא פְּסַק הוּא! אֶלָּא, הָכָא כְּתִיב: ״וַיִּתְנַבְּאוּ״, הָתָם כְּתִיב: ״מִתְנַבְּאִים״. עֲדַיִין מִתְנַבְּאִים וְהוֹלְכִים. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מֹשֶׁה מֵת, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב ״אֲדֹנִי מֹשֶׁה כְּלָאֵם״. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר הָנָךְ תַּרְתֵּי, מַאי ״אֲדֹנִי מֹשֶׁה כְּלָאֵם״? דְּלָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא, דְּהָוֵה לֵיהּ כְּתַלְמִיד הַמּוֹרֶה הֲלָכָה לִפְנֵי רַבּוֹ. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר הָנָךְ תַּרְתֵּי, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״מִי יִתֵּן״. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מֹשֶׁה מֵת, מֵינָח הֲוָה נִיחָא לֵיהּ? לָא סַיְּימוּהָ קַמֵּיהּ. מַאי ״כְּלָאֵם״? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַטֵּל עֲלֵיהֶן צׇרְכֵי צִיבּוּר, וְהֵן כָּלִין מֵאֵילֵיהֶן. מִנַּיִין לְהָבִיא עוֹד שְׁלֹשָׁה?
§ Apropos the appointment of the Elders by Moses, the Gemara discusses additional aspects of that event. There were seventy-two candidates for Elder but only seventy were needed. They were chosen by lots with their names put into a box. The Sages taught: The verse states: “And there remained two men in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad, and the spirit rested upon them, and they were among those who were written but who did not go out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp” (Numbers 11:26). Where did they remain? Some say this means they, i.e., their names, remained excluded from those selected from the lots in the box. The baraita explains: At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: “Gather for Me seventy men of the Elders of Israel” (Numbers 11:16), Moses said: How shall I do it? If I select six from each and every tribe, there will be a total of seventy-two, which will be two extra. But if I select five from each and every tribe, there will be a total of sixty, lacking ten. And if I select six from this tribe and five from that tribe, I will bring about envy between the tribes, as those with fewer representatives will resent the others. What did he do? He selected six from every tribe and he brought seventy-two slips [pitakin]. On seventy of them he wrote: Elder, and he left two of them blank. He mixed them and placed them in the box. He then said to the seventy-two chosen candidates: Come and draw your slips. Everyone whose hand drew up a slip that said: Elder, he said to him: Heaven has already sanctified you. And everyone whose hand drew up a blank slip, he said to him: The Omnipresent does not desire you; what can I do for you? The Gemara comments: You can say something similar to this to explain the verse about the redemption of the firstborn by the Levites: “Take the Levites in place of all of the firstborn of the children of Israel…and as for the redemption of the 273 of the firstborn of the children of Israel who are in excess over the number of the Levites…you shall take five shekels per head” (Numbers 3:45–47). It can be explained that Moses said: How shall I do this for the Jews? If I say to one of the firstborns: Give me money for your redemption and you may leave, as you are among the 273 extra firstborns, he will say to me: A Levite already redeemed me; what is the reason you think that I am among those who were not redeemed? What did he do? He brought 22,000 slips (see Numbers 3:39), and he wrote on them: Levite, and on 273 additional ones he wrote: Five shekels. He mixed them up and placed them in a box. He said to them: Draw your slips. Everyone whose hand drew up a slip that said: Levite, he said to him: A Levite already redeemed you. Everyone whose hand drew up a slip that said: Five shekels, he said to him: Pay your redemption money and you may leave. Rabbi Shimon says: Eldad and Medad remained in the camp, as they did not want to come to the lottery for the Elders. At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Gather for me seventy Elders, Eldad and Medad said: We are not fitting for that level of greatness; we are not worthy of being appointed among the Elders. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Since you have made yourselves humble, I will add greatness to your greatness. And what is the greatness that he added to them? It was that all of the prophets, meaning the other Elders, who were given prophecy, prophesied for a time and then stopped prophesying, but they prophesied and did not stop. Apropos Eldad and Medad being prophets, the Gemara asks: And what prophecy did they prophesy? They said: Moses will die, and Joshua will bring the Jewish people into Eretz Yisrael. Abba Ḥanin says in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: They prophesied about the matter of the quail that came afterward (Numbers 11:31–33), saying: Arise quail, arise quail, and then the quail came. Rav Naḥman says: They were prophesying about the matter of Gog and Magog, as it is stated with regard to Gog and Magog: “So says the Lord God: Are you the one of whom I spoke in ancient days, through my servants, the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years [shanim] that I would bring you against them?” (Ezekiel 38:17). Do not read it as: “Years [shanim]”; rather, read it as: Two [shenayim]. And who are the two prophets who prophesied the same prophecy at the same time? You must say: Eldad and Medad. The Master says: The baraita said: All of the prophets prophesied and then stopped, but Eldad and Medad prophesied and did not stop. The Gemara asks: From where do we derive that the other prophets stopped prophesying? If we say it is from that which is written about them: “And they prophesied but they did so no more [velo yasafu]” (Numbers 11:25), that is difficult: But if that is so, then concerning that which is stated in relation to the giving of the Torah: “These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly…with a great voice, and it went on no more [velo yasaf]” (Deuteronomy 5:19), so too shall it be understood that the great voice did not continue? Rather, the intention there is that it did not stop, interpreting the word yasafu as related to sof, meaning: End. Consequently, with regard to the seventy Elders as well, the word can be interpreted to mean that they did not stop prophesying. Rather, the proof is as follows: It is written here with regard to the seventy Elders: “They prophesied” (Numbers 11:25), and it is written there: “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp” (Numbers 11:27), from which it can be derived that they were continuously prophesying. With regard to the content of Eldad and Medad’s prophecy, the Gemara asks: Granted, according to the one who says their prophecy was that Moses will die, this is the reason for that which is written there: “And Joshua, son of Nun, the servant of Moses from his youth, answered and said: My master Moses, imprison them” (Numbers 11:28), as their prophecy appeared to be a rebellion against Moses. But according to the one who says those other two opinions with regard to the content of the prophecy, according to which their prophecy had no connection to Moses, what is the reason that Joshua said: “My master Moses, imprison them”? The Gemara answers: He said this because it is not proper conduct for them to prophesy publicly in close proximity to Moses, as by doing so they are like a student who teaches a halakha in his teacher’s presence, which is inappropriate. The Gemara asks: Granted, according to the one who says those other two opinions, this is the reason for that which is written: “And Moses said to him: Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all of the Lord’s people were prophets” (Numbers 11:29). But according to the one who says that Eldad and Medad prophesied that Moses will die and Joshua will bring Israel into the land, would it have been satisfactory to Moses that all of the people of God would utter similar prophecies? The Gemara answers: They did not conclude it before him. Moses was not aware of what they had said, but only that they were prophesying. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of: “Imprison them [kela’em]”? The Gemara answers: Joshua said to him: Place responsibility for the needs of the public upon them, so that they will be occupied like the other Elders of Israel and they will cease [kalin] prophesying, on their own. Due to the burden of public responsibility they would not be able to be prophets. § The mishna derives the halakha that there are twenty-three judges on a lesser Sanhedrin from the verses: “And the congregation shall judge,” and: “And the congregation shall save” (Numbers 35:24–25). The mishna understands that the term “congregation” is referring to ten judges, so that the two congregations, one in each verse, total twenty judges. The mishna then asks: From where is it derived to bring three more judges to the court? The mishna answers: The implication of the verse: “You shall not follow a multitude to convict” (Exodus 23:2), is that your inclination after a majority to exonerate is not like your inclination after a majority to convict, and a conviction must be by a majority of two.
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֵין מוֹשִׁיבִין בְּסַנְהֶדְרִי אֶלָּא בַּעֲלֵי קוֹמָה, וּבַעֲלֵי חׇכְמָה, וּבַעֲלֵי מַרְאֶה, וּבַעֲלֵי זִקְנָה, וּבַעֲלֵי כְשָׁפִים, וְיוֹדְעִים בְּשִׁבְעִים לָשׁוֹן – שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא סַנְהֶדְרִי שׁוֹמַעַת מִפִּי הַמְתוּרְגְּמָן. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אֵין מוֹשִׁיבִין בְּסַנְהֶדְרִין אֶלָּא מִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ לְטַהֵר אֶת הַשֶּׁרֶץ מִן הַתּוֹרָה. אָמַר רַב: אֲנִי אָדוּן וַאֲטַהֲרֶנּוּ. וּמָה נָחָשׁ שֶׁמֵּמִית וּמַרְבֶּה טוּמְאָה, טָהוֹר; שֶׁרֶץ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מֵמִית וּמַרְבֶּה טוּמְאָה, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיְּהֵא טָהוֹר? וְלָא הִיא, מִידֵּי דְּהָוֵה אַקּוֹץ בְּעָלְמָא.
§ Rabbi Yoḥanan says: They place on the Great Sanhedrin only men of high stature, and of wisdom, and of pleasant appearance, and of suitable age so that they will be respected. And they must also be masters of sorcery, i.e., they know the nature of sorcery, so that they can judge sorcerers, and they must know all seventy languages in order that the Sanhedrin will not need to hear testimony from the mouth of a translator in a case where a witness speaks a different language. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: They place on the Sanhedrin only one who knows how to render a carcass of a creeping animal pure by Torah law. The judges on the Sanhedrin must be so skilled at logical reasoning that they could even produce a convincing argument that creeping animals, which the Torah states explicitly are ritually impure, are actually pure. Rav said: I will discuss the halakha of the creeping animal and render it pure, i.e., I am able to demonstrate how it is possible to construct such a proof: If a snake, which kills other creatures whose carcasses are impure and thereby increases impurity in the world, is itself nevertheless pure, as it is not included in the list of impure creeping animals, then concerning a creeping animal that does not kill and does not increase impurity, isn’t it logical that it should be pure? This argument is rejected: But it is not so; the logic of the halakha of a creeping animal is just as it is concerning the halakha with regard to an ordinary thorn, which can injure people or animals and can even kill and thereby increase impurity, but is nevertheless pure. It is therefore apparent that this consideration is not relevant to the halakhot of impurity....
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: כׇּל עִיר שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ שְׁנַיִם לְדַבֵּר וְאֶחָד לִשְׁמוֹעַ, אֵין מוֹשִׁיבִין בָּהּ סַנְהֶדְרִי. וּבְבֵיתֵּר הֲווֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה, וּבְיַבְנֶה אַרְבָּעָה: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא, וְשִׁמְעוֹן הַתִּימְנִי דָּן לִפְנֵיהֶם בַּקַּרְקַע. מֵיתִיבִי: שְׁלִישִׁית – חֲכָמָה, רְבִיעִית – אֵין לְמַעְלָה הֵימֶנָּה. הוּא דְּאָמַר כִּי הַאי תַּנָּא, דְּתַנְיָא: שְׁנִיָּה – חֲכָמָה, שְׁלִישִׁית – אֵין לְמַעְלָה הֵימֶנָּה.
§ Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: With regard to any city that does not have among its residents two men who are able to speak all seventy languages and one additional man who is able to listen to and understand statements made in all the languages, even if he cannot speak all of them, they do not place a lesser Sanhedrin there. The members of the Sanhedrin do not all need to know all of the languages, but there must be at least this minimum number. And in Beitar there were three individuals who were able to speak all seventy languages, and in Yavne there were four, and they were: Rabbi Eliezer, and Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Akiva, and Shimon HaTimni, who was not an ordained Sage, and he would therefore deliberate before the other judges while seated on the ground, not among the rows of Sages. The Gemara raises an objection to this from a baraita: A third, i.e., a Sanhedrin that has three individuals who can speak all seventy languages, is a wise Sanhedrin, and if it also has a fourth such person, there is no court above it, meaning that there is no need for additional language experts. Apparently the minimum requirement is three people who can speak the languages, not two. The Gemara answers: Rav states his opinion in accordance with the opinion of the following tanna, as it is taught in a baraita: A Sanhedrin that has a second language expert is wise; and if it also has a third, there is no court above it....
וְתַנְיָא: כׇּל עִיר שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים הַלָּלוּ אֵין תַּלְמִיד חָכָם רַשַּׁאי לָדוּר בְּתוֹכָהּ: בֵּית דִּין מַכִּין וְעוֹנְשִׁין, וְקוּפָּה שֶׁל צְדָקָה נִגְבֵּית בִּשְׁנַיִם וּמִתְחַלֶּקֶת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה, וּבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת, וּבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ, וּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא, רוֹפֵא, וְאוּמָּן, וְלַבְלָר, וְטַבָּח, וּמְלַמֵּד תִּינוֹקוֹת. מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אָמְרוּ: אַף מִינֵי פֵירָא, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּינֵי פֵירָא מְאִירִין אֶת הָעֵינַיִם.
And it is taught in a baraita: A Torah scholar is not permitted to reside in any city that does not have these ten things: A court that has the authority to flog and punish transgressors; and a charity fund for which monies are collected by two people and distributed by three, as required by halakha. This leads to a requirement for another three people in the city. And a synagogue; and a bathhouse; and a public bathroom; a doctor; and a bloodletter; and a scribe [velavlar] to write sacred scrolls and necessary documents; and a ritual slaughterer; and a teacher of young children. With these additional requirements there are a minimum of 120 men who must be residents of the city. They said in the name of Rabbi Akiva: The city must also have varieties of fruit, because varieties of fruit illuminate the eyes.
וְתַנְיָא: כׇּל עִיר שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים הַלָּלוּ אֵין תַּלְמִיד חָכָם רַשַּׁאי לָדוּר בְּתוֹכָהּ: בֵּית דִּין מַכִּין וְעוֹנְשִׁין, וְקוּפָּה שֶׁל צְדָקָה נִגְבֵּית בִּשְׁנַיִם וּמִתְחַלֶּקֶת בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה, וּבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת, וּבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ, וּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא, רוֹפֵא, וְאוּמָּן, וְלַבְלָר, וְטַבָּח, וּמְלַמֵּד תִּינוֹקוֹת. מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אָמְרוּ: אַף מִינֵי פֵירָא, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּינֵי פֵירָא מְאִירִין אֶת הָעֵינַיִם.
And it is taught in a baraita: A Torah scholar is not permitted to reside in any city that does not have these ten things: A court that has the authority to flog and punish transgressors; and a charity fund for which monies are collected by two people and distributed by three, as required by halakha. This leads to a requirement for another three people in the city. And a synagogue; and a bathhouse; and a public bathroom; a doctor; and a bloodletter; and a scribe [velavlar] to write sacred scrolls and necessary documents; and a ritual slaughterer; and a teacher of young children. With these additional requirements there are a minimum of 120 men who must be residents of the city. They said in the name of Rabbi Akiva: The city must also have varieties of fruit, because varieties of fruit illuminate the eyes.
אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: כׇּל הַמְלַמֵּד בֶּן חֲבֵירוֹ תּוֹרָה, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ יְלָדוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת אַהֲרֹן וּמֹשֶׁה״, וּכְתִיב: ״וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן״. לוֹמַר לָךְ: אַהֲרֹן יָלַד וּמֹשֶׁה לִימֵּד, לְפִיכָךְ נִקְרְאוּ עַל שְׁמוֹ.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: Anyone who teaches another person’s son Torah, the verse ascribes him credit as if he sired him, as it is stated: “Now these are the generations of Aaron and Moses” (Numbers 3:1), and it is written immediately afterward: “And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadav the firstborn and Avihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar” (Numbers 3:2), but it does not mention the names of Moses’ children. This serves to say to you that Aaron sired his children, but Moses taught them Torah. Therefore, the children were also called by his name.
אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: בַּתְּחִילָּה מָלַךְ שְׁלֹמֹה עַל הָעֶלְיוֹנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֵּשֶׁב שְׁלֹמֹה עַל כִּסֵּא ה׳״, וּלְבַסּוֹף מָלַךְ עַל הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי הוּא רֹדֶה בְּכׇל עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר מִתִּפְסַח וְעַד עַזָּה״. רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל: חַד אָמַר, ״תִּפְסַח בְּסוֹף הָעוֹלָם וְעַזָּה בְּסוֹף הָעוֹלָם״, וְחַד אָמַר, ״תִּפְסַח וְעַזָּה בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי הֲווֹ יָתְבִי״, וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁמָּלַךְ עַל תִּפְסַח וְעַל עַזָּה כָּךְ מָלַךְ עַל כׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ. וּלְבַסּוֹף לֹא מָלַךְ אֶלָּא עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲנִי קֹהֶלֶת הָיִיתִי מֶלֶךְ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגוֹ׳״. וּלְבַסּוֹף לֹא מָלַךְ אֶלָּא עַל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״דִּבְרֵי קֹהֶלֶת בֶּן דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָים״. וּלְבַסּוֹף, לֹא מָלַךְ אֶלָּא עַל מִטָּתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הִנֵּה מִטָּתוֹ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה וְגוֹ׳״. וּלְבַסּוֹף לֹא מָלַךְ אֶלָּא עַל מַקְלוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״זֶה הָיָה חֶלְקִי מִכׇּל עֲמָלִי״. רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל: חַד אָמַר מַקְלוֹ, וְחַד אָמַר גּוּנְדּוֹ. הֲדַר אוֹ לָא הֲדַר? רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל: חַד אָמַר הֲדַר, וְחַד אָמַר לָא הֲדַר. מַאן דְּאָמַר לָא הֲדַר – מֶלֶךְ וְהֶדְיוֹט, וּמַאן דְּאָמַר הֲדַר – מֶלֶךְ וְהֶדְיוֹט וָמֶלֶךְ.
§ The Gemara cites another tradition about Solomon’s kingdom. Reish Lakish says: Initially, Solomon ruled even over the supernal worlds, as it is stated: “Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord” (I Chronicles 29:23), indicating that his kingdom was like the Lord’s kingdom, reigning over all worlds. But ultimately, after he married foreign wives, he ruled over only the lower worlds, as it is stated: “For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the river, from Tiphsah even to Gaza” (I Kings 5:4). Rav and Shmuel disagreed with regard to the meaning of this verse: One says that Tiphsah is a name of a place at the end of the world, at one end of Solomon’s kingdom, and Gaza is at the other end of the world. And one says that Tiphsah and Gaza sat next to each other, and the verse serves to teach that just as he ruled over Tiphsah and over Gaza, so he ruled over the whole world. Reish Lakish continues: And ultimately, Solomon declined further still in that he ruled only over Israel, as it is stated: “I, Koheleth, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:12). And ultimately, he ruled over only Jerusalem, as it is stated: “The words of Koheleth, the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). And ultimately, he ruled over only his bed, as it is stated: “Behold, it is the bed of Solomon; threescore mighty men are about it, of the mighty men of Israel” (Song of Songs 3:7). And ultimately, he declined so much that he ruled over only his staff, as it is stated: “And this was my portion from all of my labor” (Ecclesiastes 2:10). Rav and Shmuel disagreed with regard to the meaning of this latter verse as well. One says that the term “this” is a reference to his staff, and one says that it is a reference to his cloak. The Gemara asks: Did he return to reign over the whole world, or did he ultimately not return? Rav and Shmuel disagreed about this: One says that he returned, and one says that he did not return. The one who says that he did not return reasons that Solomon was first a king and then an ordinary person [hedyot] and did not return to his reign; and the one who says that he returned reasons that Solomon was first a king and then an ordinary person and ultimately returned to be a king.
מַתְנִי׳ ״לֹא יַרְבֶּה לּוֹ סוּסִים״, אֶלָּא כְּדֵי מֶרְכַּבְתּוֹ. ״וְכֶסֶף וְזָהָב לֹא יַרְבֶּה לּוֹ מְאֹד״, אֶלָּא כְּדֵי לִיתֵּן אַפְסַנְיָא. וְכוֹתֵב לוֹ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה לִשְׁמוֹ. יוֹצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה – מוֹצִיאָהּ עִמּוֹ, נִכְנָס – הוּא מַכְנִיסָהּ עִמּוֹ, יוֹשֵׁב בַּדִּין – הִיא עִמּוֹ, מֵיסֵב – הִיא כְּנֶגְדּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהָיְתָה עִמּוֹ וְקָרָא בוֹ כׇּל יְמֵי חַיָּיו״.
MISHNA: The king “shall not accumulate many horses for himself” (Deuteronomy 17:16), but only enough for his chariot in war and in peace. “Neither shall he greatly accumulate silver and gold for himself” (Deuteronomy 17:17), but only enough to provide his soldiers’ sustenance [aspanya]. And the king writes himself a Torah scroll for his sake, as stipulated in Deuteronomy 17:18. When he goes out to war, he brings it out with him. When he comes in from war, he brings it in with him. When he sits in judgment, it is with him. When he reclines to eat, it is opposite him, as it is stated: “And it shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life” (Deuteronomy 17:19).
אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנָּשָׂא שְׁלֹמֹה אֶת בַּת פַּרְעֹה, יָרַד גַּבְרִיאֵל וְנָעַץ קָנֶה בַּיָּם, וְהֶעֱלָה שִׂירְטוֹן, וְעָלָיו נִבְנָה כְּרַךְ גָּדוֹל שֶׁבְּרוֹמִי.
Rabbi Yitzḥak says: When Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, the angel Gabriel descended from Heaven and implanted a pole in the sea. And it gradually raised up a sandbar [sirton] around it, creating new, dry land, and on it the great city of Rome was built. This shows that the beginning of the Jewish people’s downfall to Rome came with Solomon’s marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא נִתְגַּלּוּ טַעֲמֵי תּוֹרָה? שֶׁהֲרֵי שְׁתֵּי מִקְרָאוֹת נִתְגַּלּוּ טַעְמָן, וְנִכְשַׁל בָּהֶן גְּדוֹל הָעוֹלָם. כְּתִיב: ״לֹא יַרְבֶּה לוֹ נָשִׁים״. אָמַר שְׁלֹמֹה: ״אֲנִי אַרְבֶּה וְלֹא אָסוּר״. וּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי לְעֵת זִקְנַת שְׁלֹמֹה נָשָׁיו הִטּוּ אֶת לְבָבוֹ״. וּכְתִיב: ״לֹא יַרְבֶּה לּוֹ סוּסִים״, וְאָמַר שְׁלֹמֹה: ״אֲנִי אַרְבֶּה וְלֹא אָשִׁיב״. וּכְתִיב: ״וַתֵּצֵא מֶרְכָּבָה מִמִּצְרַיִם בְּשֵׁשׁ וְגוֹ׳״.
And Rabbi Yitzḥak says: For what reason were the rationales of Torah commandments not revealed? It was because the rationales of two verses were revealed, and the greatest in the world, King Solomon, failed in those matters. It is written with regard to a king: “He shall not add many wives for himself, that his heart should not turn away” (Deuteronomy 17:17). Solomon said: I will add many, but I will not turn away, as he thought that it is permitted to have many wives if one is otherwise meticulous not to stray. And later, it is written: “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (I Kings 11:4). ...
וְכוֹתֵב סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה לִשְׁמוֹ. תְּנָא: וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִתְנָאֶה בְּשֶׁל אֲבוֹתָיו. אָמַר רָבָא: אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהִנִּיחוּ לוֹ אֲבוֹתָיו לְאָדָם סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, מִצְוָה לִכְתּוֹב מִשֶּׁלּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעַתָּה כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת הַשִּׁירָה״. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: וְכוֹתֵב לוֹ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה לִשְׁמוֹ, שֶׁלֹּא יִתְנָאֶה בְּשֶׁל אֲחֵרִים. מֶלֶךְ – אִין, הֶדְיוֹט – לֹא! לָא, צְרִיכָא לִשְׁתֵּי תּוֹרוֹת, וְכִדְתַנְיָא: ״וְכָתַב לוֹ אֶת מִשְׁנֵה וְגוֹ׳״ – כּוֹתֵב לִשְׁמוֹ שְׁתֵּי תּוֹרוֹת: אַחַת שֶׁהִיא יוֹצְאָה וְנִכְנֶסֶת עִמּוֹ, וְאַחַת שֶׁמּוּנַּחַת לוֹ בְּבֵית גְּנָזָיו. אוֹתָהּ שֶׁיּוֹצְאָה וְנִכְנֶסֶת עִמּוֹ, עוֹשֶׂה אוֹתָהּ כְּמִין קָמֵיעַ וְתוֹלָהּ בִּזְרוֹעוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שִׁוִּיתִי ה׳ לְנֶגְדִּי תָמִיד כִּי מִימִינִי בַּל אֶמּוֹט״. אֵינוֹ נִכְנָס בָּהּ לֹא לְבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ וְלֹא לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהָיְתָה עִמּוֹ וְקָרָא בוֹ״ – מָקוֹם הָרָאוּי לִקְרוֹת בּוֹ.
§ The mishna teaches that the king writes a Torah scroll for his sake. The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta 4:4): The king fulfills the mitzva provided that he does not beautify himself with the Torah scroll of his ancestors for this purpose, i.e., he must write his own scroll. Rava says: With regard to the mitzva for every Jew to write himself a Torah scroll, even if a person’s ancestors left him a Torah scroll, it is a mitzva to write a scroll of one’s own, as it is stated: “Now, therefore, write for yourselves this song and teach it to the children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 31:19). Abaye raised an objection to him from a baraita concerning the king’s Torah scroll: And he writes himself a Torah scroll for his sake, so that he does not beautify himself with the Torah scroll of others. Read precisely, this indicates that a king, yes, he is included in the halakha not to have a scroll inherited from his ancestors suffice, but an ordinary person is not. The Gemara dismisses Abaye’s objection: No, the ruling of that baraita is necessary to teach that the king is commanded to write two Torah scrolls; he writes one scroll as does any Jew, and he writes an additional scroll because he is king. And this is as it is taught in a baraita: The verse states: “That he shall write for himself a second Torah in a scroll, out of that which is before the priests the Levites” (Deuteronomy 17:18). This teaches that he writes for his sake two Torah scrolls, one that goes out and comes in with him at all times, and one that is placed in his treasury. The baraita continues: With regard to the one that goes out and comes in with him, he makes it very small, like an amulet, and he hangs it on his arm, as it is stated: “I have set the Lord always before me; He is at my right hand, that I shall not be moved” (Psalms 16:8). This alludes to the small Torah scroll that is always on his right hand. He does not go into the bathhouse with it, nor into the bathroom, as it is stated: “And it shall be with him and he shall read from it” (Deuteronomy 17:19), meaning, it shall remain in a place that is appropriate for reading from it....
אָמַר מָר זוּטְרָא, וְאִיתֵּימָא מָר עוּקְבָא: בַּתְּחִלָּה נִיתְּנָה תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בִּכְתָב עִבְרִי וּלְשׁוֹן הַקּוֹדֶשׁ. חָזְרָה וְנִיתְּנָה לָהֶם בִּימֵי עֶזְרָא בִּכְתָב אַשּׁוּרִי וּלְשׁוֹן אֲרַמִּי. בֵּירְרוּ לָהֶן יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּתָב אַשּׁוּרִי וּלְשׁוֹן הַקּוֹדֶשׁ, וְהִנִּיחוּ לַהֶדְיוֹטוֹת כְּתָב עִבְרִית וּלְשׁוֹן אֲרַמִּי. מַאן הֶדְיוֹטוֹת? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: כּוּתָאֵי. מַאי כְּתָב עִבְרִית? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: כְּתָב לִיבּוֹנָאָה. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: רָאוּי הָיָה עֶזְרָא שֶׁתִּינָּתֵן תּוֹרָה עַל יָדוֹ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, אִילְמָלֵא לֹא קְדָמוֹ מֹשֶׁה. בְּמֹשֶׁה הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וּמֹשֶׁה עָלָה אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים״, בְּעֶזְרָא הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״הוּא עֶזְרָא עָלָה מִבָּבֶל״. מָה עֲלִיָּיה הָאֲמוּרָה כָּאן – תּוֹרָה, אַף עֲלִיָּיה הָאֲמוּרָה לְהַלָּן – תּוֹרָה. בְּמֹשֶׁה הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וְאֹתִי צִוָּה ה׳ בָּעֵת הַהִיא לְלַמֵּד אֶתְכֶם חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים״. בְּעֶזְרָא הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״כִּי עֶזְרָא הֵכִין לְבָבוֹ לִדְרֹשׁ אֶת תּוֹרַת ה׳ אֱלֹהָיו וְלַעֲשֹׂת וּלְלַמֵּד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל חֹק וּמִשְׁפָּט״. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נִיתְּנָה תּוֹרָה עַל יָדוֹ, נִשְׁתַּנָּה עַל יָדוֹ הַכְּתָב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּכְתָב הַנִּשְׁתְּוָן כָּתוּב אֲרָמִית וּמְתֻרְגָּם אֲרַמִּית״. וּכְתִיב: ״לָא כָהֲלִין כְּתָבָא לְמִקְרֵא וּפִשְׁרֵהּ לְהוֹדָעָה לְמַלְכָּא״. [מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם נִיתַּן] וּכְתִיב: ״וְכָתַב אֶת מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת״ – כְּתָב הָרָאוּי לְהִשְׁתַּנּוֹת. לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמוֹ אַשּׁוּרִי? שֶׁעָלָה עִמָּהֶם מֵאַשּׁוּר. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: בַּתְּחִלָּה בִּכְתָב זֶה נִיתְּנָה תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. כֵּיוָן שֶׁחָטְאוּ, נֶהְפַּךְ לָהֶן לְרוֹעֵץ. כֵּיוָן שֶׁחָזְרוּ בָּהֶן, הֶחְזִירוֹ לָהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שׁוּבוּ לְבִצָּרוֹן אֲסִירֵי הַתִּקְוָה גַּם הַיּוֹם מַגִּיד מִשְׁנֶה אָשִׁיב לָךְ״. לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמוֹ אַשּׁוּרִי? שֶׁמְּאוּשָּׁר בִּכְתָבוֹ. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן פַּרְטָא, שֶׁאָמַר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר הַמּוֹדָעִי: כְּתָב זֶה לֹא נִשְׁתַּנָּה כׇּל עִיקָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וָוֵי הָעַמּוּדִים״. מָה עַמּוּדִים לֹא נִשְׁתַּנּוּ, אַף וָוִים לֹא נִשְׁתַּנּוּ. וְאוֹמֵר: ״וְאֶל הַיְּהוּדִים כִּכְתָבָם וְכִלְשׁוֹנָם״ – מָה לְשׁוֹנָם לֹא נִשְׁתַּנָּה, אַף כְּתָבָם לֹא נִשְׁתַּנָּה. אֶלָּא מָה אֲנִי מְקַיֵּים ״אֶת מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת״? לִשְׁתֵּי תּוֹרוֹת: אַחַת שֶׁיּוֹצְאָה וְנִכְנֶסֶת עִמּוֹ, וְאַחַת שֶׁמּוּנַּחַת לוֹ בְּבֵית גְּנָזָיו. אוֹתָהּ שֶׁיּוֹצְאָה וְנִכְנֶסֶת עִמּוֹ – עוֹשֶׂה אוֹתָהּ כְּמִין קָמֵיעַ וְתוֹלָהּ בִּזְרוֹעוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שִׁוִּיתִי ה׳ לְנֶגְדִּי תָּמִיד״. וְאִידַּךְ, הַאי ״שִׁוִּיתִי״ מַאי דָּרֵישׁ בֵּיהּ? הָהוּא מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ כִּדְרַב חָנָה בַּר בִּיזְנָא, דְּאָמַר רַב חָנָה בַּר בִּיזְנָא אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן חֲסִידָא: הַמִּתְפַּלֵּל צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּרְאֶה עַצְמוֹ כְּאִילּוּ שְׁכִינָה כְּנֶגְדּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שִׁוִּיתִי ה׳ לְנֶגְדִּי תָמִיד״. לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, דְּאָמַר: ״כְּתָב זֶה לֹא נִשְׁתַּנָּה״, מַאי ״לָא כָהֲלִין כְּתָבָא לְמִקְרֵא״? אָמַר רַב: בְּגִימַטְרִיָּא אִיכְּתִיב לְהוֹן ״יטת יטת אדך פוגחמט״. מַאי פָּרֵישׁ לְהוּ? ״מְנֵא מְנֵא תְּקֵל וּפַרְסִין״. ״מְנֵא״ – מְנָא אֱלָהָא מַלְכוּתָךְ וְהַשְׁלְמַהּ לָךְ. ״תְּקֵל״ – תְּקִילְתָּא בְמֹאזַנְיָא וְהִשְׁתְּכַחַתְּ חַסִּיר. ״פַּרְסִין״ – פְּרִיסַת מַלְכוּתָךְ וִיהִיבַת לְמָדַי וּפָרָס. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: ״ממתוס ננקפי אאלרן״. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: ״אנם אנם לקת ניסרפו״. רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: ״נמא נמא קתל פורסין״.
§ Mar Zutra says, and some say that it is Mar Ukva who says: Initially, the Torah was given to the Jewish people in Ivrit script, the original form of the written language, and the sacred tongue, Hebrew. It was given to them again in the days of Ezra in Ashurit script and the Aramaic tongue. The Jewish people selected Ashurit script and the sacred tongue for the Torah scroll and left Ivrit script and the Aramaic tongue for the commoners. The Gemara asks: Who are these commoners? Rav Ḥisda said: The Samaritans [Kutim]. The Gemara asks: What is Ivrit script? Rav Ḥisda says: Libona’a script. It is taught in a baraita (Tosefta 4:5): Rabbi Yosei says: Ezra was suitable, given his greatness, for the Torah to be given by him to the Jewish people, had Moses not come first and received the Torah already. With regard to Moses the verse states: “And Moses went up to God” (Exodus 19:3), and with regard to Ezra the verse states: “This Ezra went up from Babylon and he was a ready scribe in the Torah of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given” (Ezra 7:6). Just as the going up stated here, with regard to Moses, is for the Torah, which he received from God and transmitted to the Jewish people, so too, the going up stated there, with regard to Ezra, is for the Torah, as he taught Torah to the Jewish people and was suitable to have originally merited to give it. The baraita continues: With regard to Moses the verse states: “And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and ordinances” (Deuteronomy 4:14), and with regard to Ezra the verse states: “For Ezra had set his heart to seek the Torah of the Lord his God and to do it and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances” (Ezra 7:10). And even though the Torah was not given literally by him, the script of the Torah was changed by him, as it is stated: “And the writing of the letter [hannishtevan] was written in the Aramaic script, and set forth in the Aramaic tongue” (Ezra 4:7). The term “hannishtevan” is similar to the word nishtana, meaning changed, alluding to the fact that the script had been changed. And it is written with regard to the writing on the wall of Belshazzar’s palace: “Then came in all the king’s wise men. But they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation” (Daniel 5:8), and the reason they could not read it is that it was written in the new script that Ezra would transmit. And it is written: “That he shall write for himself a second [mishne] Torah” (Deuteronomy 17:18), where “second [mishne]” teaches that it is written in a script that is apt to be changed [lehishtannot]. The baraita continues: Why is this script called Ashurit? Because it ascended with the Jewish people from Ashur when they returned from their exile in Babylonia. It is taught in a baraita (Tosefta 4:5): Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: Initially, the Torah was given to the Jewish people in this script, Ashurit, which is in use today. Once the Jewish people sinned, it turned into an impairment for them and they began writing with a different script, Libona’a. Once they repented, the first script was returned to them, and they resumed writing with Ashurit script, as it is stated: “Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will render double [mishne] unto you” (Zechariah 9:12), meaning that God restored to the Jewish people this script that had been changed [nishtanna]. The baraita continues: If this script predates the exile to Babylonia, why is it called Ashurit? Because it is meusheret, beautiful and straight, in script. The baraita continues: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says in the name of Rabbi Eliezer ben Perata, who said in the name of Rabbi Elazar HaModa’i: This script did not change at all, as it is stated with regard to the construction of the Tabernacle: “The hooks of [vavei] the poles” (Exodus 27:10). This teaches that just as the poles were not changed, so too, the hooks [vavim] were not changed. The letter vav in Ashurit script has the shape of a hook. Evidently, this is why the term for hook in the Torah is vav. And the verse states: “And to the Jews according to their script and according to their language” (Esther 8:9). This teaches that just as their language was not changed over the generations but remained Hebrew, so too, their script was not changed. The baraita continues: But if the script was in fact not changed, how do I realize the meaning of the phrase “a second [mishne] Torah” (Deuteronomy 17:18)? This serves to teach the halakha concerning the two Torah scrolls that the king writes, one that goes out and comes in with him, and one that is placed in his treasury. With regard to the one that goes out and comes in with him, he makes it very small, like an amulet, and he hangs it on his arm. As it is stated by King David: “I have set the Lord always before me; He is at my right hand, that I shall not be moved” (Psalms 16:8). This verse alludes to the two Torah scrolls, one that is before him and one that is in his right hand. The Gemara asks: And with regard to the other Sage, i.e., Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, who does not hold that the king must write and affix the second scroll to his arm, what does he expound from that verse: “I have set” (Psalms 16:8)? The Gemara responds: He requires that verse in accordance with the statement of Rav Ḥana bar Bizna, as Rav Ḥana bar Bizna says that Rabbi Shimon Ḥasida says: One who prays needs to see himself as if the Divine Presence is opposite him, as it is stated: “I have set the Lord always before me” (Psalms 16:8). The Gemara asks: According to Rabbi Shimon, who says that this script was not changed at all, what is the reason “they could not read the writing” (Daniel 5:8)? Rav says: Because it was written for them in the obscure code of gimatriyya. It was written: Yod, tet, tav; yod, tet, tav; alef, yod, dalet, khaf; peh, vav, gimmel, ḥet, mem, tet. These letters correspond with: Mem, nun, alef; mem, nun, alef; tav, kuf, lamed; vav, peh, reish, samekh, yod, nun; this is based on the exchange of letters known as at bash, or the exchanging of a letter with its counterpart in the opposite place in the alphabet, e.g., alef, the first letter, for tav, the last letter. What did Daniel explain to them? The letters stand for the terms: “Mene mene tekel ufarsin” (Daniel 5:25). He then explained the meaning: “Mene”: God has numbered [mena] the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. “Tekel”: You are weighed [tekilta] on the scale and are found lacking. “Parsin”: Your kingdom is divided [perisat] and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:26–28). And Shmuel says: The writing used the correct letters for those terms, but instead of being written in order, the four words, mene mene tekel ufarsin were written vertically and were therefore meant to be read from the top down. If read in the usual way, from right to left, it says: “Mamtos nankafei a’alran.” And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Each word was written backward, so that read right to left, they spelled, Anem anem leket nisrapu. Rav Ashi says: They were written with the first two letters of each word reversed: Nema nema ketal pursin....
אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: כׇּל הַמְגָרֵשׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ רִאשׁוֹנָה, אֲפִילּוּ מִזְבֵּחַ מוֹרִיד עָלָיו דְּמָעוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְזֹאת שֵׁנִית תַּעֲשׂוּ כַּסּוֹת דִּמְעָה אֶת מִזְבַּח ה׳ בְּכִי וַאֲנָקָה מֵאֵין עוֹד פְּנוֹת אֶל הַמִּנְחָה וְלָקַחַת רָצוֹן מִיֶּדְכֶם״, וּכְתִיב: ״וַאֲמַרְתֶּם עַל מָה עַל כִּי ה׳ הֵעִיד בֵּינְךָ וּבֵין אֵשֶׁת נְעוּרֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה בָּגַדְתָּה בָּהּ וְהִיא חֲבֶרְתְּךָ וְאֵשֶׁת בְּרִיתֶךָ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: אֵין אִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם מֵתָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן מְבַקְּשִׁין מִמֶּנּוּ מָמוֹן וְאֵין לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאִם אֵין לְךָ לְשַׁלֵּם לָמָּה יִקַּח מִשְׁכָּבְךָ מִתַּחְתֶּיךָ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁמֵּתָה אִשְׁתּוֹ רִאשׁוֹנָה, כְּאִילּוּ חָרַב בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ בְּיָמָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בֶּן אָדָם הִנְנִי לֹקֵחַ מִמְּךָ אֶת מַחְמַד עֵינֶיךָ בְּמַגֵּפָה לֹא תִסְפֹּד וְלֹא תִבְכֶּה וְלֹא תָבוֹא דִּמְעָתֶךָ״. וּכְתִיב: ״וָאֲדַבֵּר אֶל הָעָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַתָּמׇת אִשְׁתִּי בָּעָרֶב״. וּכְתִיב: ״הִנְנִי מְחַלֵּל אֶת מִקְדָּשִׁי גְּאוֹן עֻזְּכֶם מַחְמַד עֵינֵיכֶם״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִי: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁמֵּתָה אִשְׁתּוֹ בְּיָמָיו, עוֹלָם חָשַׁךְ בַּעֲדוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אוֹר חָשַׁךְ בְּאׇהֳלוֹ וְנֵרוֹ עָלָיו יִדְעָךְ״. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר חֲנִינָא אָמַר: פְּסִיעוֹתָיו מִתְקַצְּרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יֵצְרוּ צַעֲדֵי אוֹנוֹ״. רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אָמַר: עֲצָתוֹ נוֹפֶלֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְתַשְׁלִיכֵהוּ עֲצָתוֹ״. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: קָשֶׁה לְזַוְּוגָם כִּקְרִיעַת יַם סוּף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱלֹהִים מוֹשִׁיב יְחִידִים בַּיְתָה מוֹצִיא אֲסִירִים בַּכּוֹשָׁרוֹת״. אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״מוֹצִיא אֲסִירִים״ אֶלָּא ״כְּמוֹצִיא אֲסִירִים״, אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״בַּכּוֹשָׁרוֹת״ אֶלָּא ״בְּכִי וְשִׁירוֹת״. אִינִי? וְהָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם קוֹדֶם יְצִירַת הַוָּלָד, בַּת קוֹל יוֹצֵאת וְאוֹמֶרֶת ״בַּת פְּלוֹנִי לִפְלוֹנִי״! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא בְּזִוּוּג רִאשׁוֹן, הָא בְּזִוּוּג שֵׁנִי. אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָן: לַכֹּל יֵשׁ תְּמוּרָה, חוּץ מֵאֵשֶׁת נְעוּרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֵשֶׁת נְעוּרִים כִּי תִמָּאֵס״. מַתְנֵי לַהּ רַב יְהוּדָה לְרַב יִצְחָק בְּרֵיהּ: אֵין אָדָם מוֹצֵא קוֹרַת רוּחַ אֶלָּא מֵאִשְׁתּוֹ רִאשׁוֹנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יְהִי מְקוֹרְךָ בָרוּךְ וּשְׂמַח מֵאֵשֶׁת נְעוּרֶיךָ״. אָמַר לוֹ: כְּגוֹן מַאן? אָמַר לוֹ: כְּגוֹן אִמָּךְ. אִינִי? וְהָא מַקְרֵי לֵיהּ רַב יְהוּדָה לְרַב יִצְחָק בְּרֵיהּ: ״וּמוֹצֶא אֲנִי מָר מִמָּוֶת אֶת הָאִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר הִיא מְצוֹדִים וַחֲרָמִים״. וְאָמַר לוֹ: כְּגוֹן מַאן? וְאָמַר לוֹ: כְּגוֹן אִמָּךְ. מִיתְקָף תַּקִּיפָא, עַיבּוֹרֵי מְעַבְּרָא בְּמִלַּהּ. אָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אוּנְיָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: אִשָּׁה גּוֹלֶם הִיא, וְאֵינָהּ כּוֹרֶתֶת בְּרִית אֶלָּא לְמִי שֶׁעֲשָׂאָהּ כְּלִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי בֹעֲלַיִךְ עֹשַׂיִךְ ה׳ צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ״. תָּנָא: אֵין אִישׁ מֵת אֶלָּא לְאִשְׁתּוֹ, וְאֵין אִשָּׁה מֵתָה אֶלָּא לְבַעְלָהּ. אֵין אִישׁ מֵת אֶלָּא לְאִשְׁתּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּמָת אֱלִימֶלֶךְ אִישׁ נׇעֳמִי״. וְאֵין אִשָּׁה מֵתָה אֶלָּא לְבַעְלָהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַאֲנִי בְּבֹאִי מִפַּדָּן מֵתָה עָלַי רָחֵל״. אֵין רוֹאִין אוֹתוֹ כּוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מֶלֶךְ מִסְתַּפֵּר בְּכׇל יוֹם, כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת לְעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, כֹּהֵן הֶדְיוֹט אֶחָד לִשְׁלשִׁים יוֹם.
§ Rabbi Eliezer says: Concerning anyone who divorces his first wife, even the altar sheds tears about him, as it is stated: “And further, this you should do: Cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and sighing, from His no longer showing regard to the offering, nor receiving it with goodwill from your hand” (Malachi 2:13), and it is written: “Yet you say: Why? Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant” (Malachi 2:14). Rabbi Yoḥanan, and some say Rabbi Elazar, says: A man’s wife does not die unless his creditors ask him for money that he owes and he does not have it, as it is stated: “If you do not have with what to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?” (Proverbs 22:27). The bed mentioned in the verse alludes to one’s wife. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For any man whose first wife dies, it is as if the Temple were destroyed in his days, as it is stated: “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke; yet neither shall you make lamentation nor weep, neither shall your tears run down” (Ezekiel 24:16). And it is written: “So I spoke to the people in the morning and in the evening my wife died” (Ezekiel 24:18). And it is written in the continuation of the same passage: “Behold I will profane My Sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes” (Ezekiel 24:21), illustrating that a man’s wife is as precious to him as the Temple is for the entire Jewish nation. Rabbi Alexandri says: For any man whose wife dies in his days, the world is dark for him, as it is stated: “The light shall be dark in his tent and his lamp over him shall be put out” (Job 18:6), since the word tent is commonly employed as a metonym for a wife. Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina says: His steps get shorter, as it is stated: “The steps of his strength shall be constrained” (Job 18:7). Rabbi Abbahu says: His counsel falls, as it is stated: “And his own counsel shall cast him down” (Job 18:7). Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is as difficult to match a couple as the splitting of the Red Sea, as it is stated: “God makes the solitary dwell in a house; He brings out prisoners into prosperity” (Psalms 68:7). Do not read the verse as “brings out prisoners”; rather, read it as: Like bringing out prisoners. Accordingly, the act described in the first clause of the verse, God’s causing the solitary to dwell in a house, i.e., to marry, is compared to the act described in the next clause in the verse, i.e., bringing out prisoners. And do not read the verse as “into prosperity [bakkosharot]”; rather, read it as: Crying and singing [bekhi veshirot], which alludes to the splitting of the Red Sea, when there was both crying and singing. The Gemara asks: Is that so that it is this difficult to find a match? But doesn’t Rav Yehuda say that Rav says: Forty days before the formation of the fetus a Divine Voice emerges and states: The daughter of so-and-so shall be the wife of so-and-so? Why should matching them be so difficult, since they are prepared for this from before their birth? The Gemara responds: This is not difficult. This latter statement, about predestined matches, is stated with regard to the first match; that former statement, about the difficulty of matchmaking, is stated with regard to the second match. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman says: For everything that is lost there is a substitute, except for one’s wife from youth who dies, as it is stated: “And a wife from youth, can she be rejected?” (Isaiah 54:6). Rav Yehuda taught Rav Yitzḥak, his son: A man finds calmness of spirit only from his first wife, as it is stated: “Let your fountain be blessed and have joy with the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18). Rav Yitzḥak, his son, said to him: Such as whom? Rav Yehuda said to him: Such as your mother. The Gemara wonders: Is that so? But didn’t Rav Yehuda once read to Rav Yitzḥak, his son, from the verse: “And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets” (Ecclesiastes 7:26)? And Rav Yitzḥak said to him: Such as whom? And Rav Yehuda said to him: Such as your mother. The Gemara responds: This is not a contradiction. Granted, she is difficult and angry, but afterward she is conciliatory, so she is both more bitter than death and a source of calmness and joy for him, at different times. Rav Shmuel bar Unya says in the name of Rav: A woman is raw material, like a vessel that has not been completed, and makes a covenant, becoming truly connected, only to the one who made her a vessel through her first act of sexual intercourse, as it is stated: “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name” (Isaiah 54:5). It is taught in a baraita: A man dies only to his wife, i.e., it is primarily she who suffers the pain and sadness resulting from his death, and a woman dies only to her husband. A man dies only to his wife, as it is stated: “And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died” (Ruth 1:3), and a woman dies only to her husband, as it is stated in Jacob’s parting words to Joseph: “And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died on me” (Genesis 48:7). ...
אֵין רוֹאִין אוֹתוֹ כּוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מֶלֶךְ מִסְתַּפֵּר בְּכׇל יוֹם, כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת לְעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, כֹּהֵן הֶדְיוֹט אֶחָד לִשְׁלשִׁים יוֹם. מֶלֶךְ מִסְתַּפֵּר בְּכׇל יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מֶלֶךְ בְּיׇפְיוֹ תֶּחֱזֶינָה עֵינֶיךָ״. כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל מֵעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, אָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הוֹאִיל וּמִשְׁמָרוֹת מִתְחַדְּשׁוֹת. כֹּהֵן הֶדְיוֹט אֶחָד לִשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְרֹאשָׁם לֹא יְגַלֵּחוּ וּפֶרַע לֹא יְשַׁלֵּחוּ כָּסוֹם יִכְסְמוּ אֶת רָאשֵׁיהֶם״, וְיָלֵיף פֶּרַע פֶּרַע מִנָּזִיר. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״פֶּרַע לֹא יְשַׁלֵּחוּ״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״גַּדֵּל פֶּרַע שְׂעַר רֹאשׁוֹ״. מָה לְהַלָּן שְׁלֹשִׁים, אַף כָּאן שְׁלֹשִׁים. וּתְנַן נָמֵי: סְתַם נְזִירוּת שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם. וְהָתָם מְנָא לַן? אָמַר רַב מַתְנָה: דְּאָמַר קְרָא ״קָדֹשׁ יִהְיֶה״, בְּגִימַטְרִיָּא תְּלָתִין הָווּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְאַבָּיֵי: אֵימָא לָא לִירַבּוֹ כְּלָל! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי כְּתִיב ״לֹא יְשַׁלֵּחוּ פֶּרַע״ – כִּדְקָאָמְרַתְּ, הַשְׁתָּא דִּכְתִיב ״וּפֶרַע [לֹא יְשַׁלֵּחוּ]״ – פֶּרַע לֶיהֱוֵי, שַׁלּוֹחֵי לָא לִשַׁלְּחוּ. אִי הָכִי, הָאִידָּנָא נָמֵי? דּוּמְיָא דְּיַיִן: מָה יַיִן, בִּזְמַן בִּיאָה הוּא דְּאָסוּר, שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַן בִּיאָה שְׁרֵי – אַף פְּרוּעֵי רֹאשׁ, בִּזְמַן בִּיאָה אָסוּר, שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַן בִּיאָה שְׁרֵי. וְיַיִן שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַן בִּיאָה שְׁרֵי? וְהָתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אוֹמֵר, אוֹמֵר אֲנִי: כֹּהֲנִים אֲסוּרִין לִשְׁתּוֹת יַיִן לְעוֹלָם, אֲבָל מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה שֶׁתַּקָּנָתוֹ קַלְקָלָתוֹ. וְאָמַר אַבָּיֵי: כְּמַאן שָׁתוּ כָּהֲנֵי חַמְרָא הָאִידָּנָא? כְּרַבִּי. מִכְּלָל דְּרַבָּנַן אָסְרִי.
§ The mishna teaches: One may not see the king when he is having his hair cut. The Sages taught in a baraita: A king has his hair cut every day. A High Priest waits from the eve of Shabbat to the eve of Shabbat between haircuts. An ordinary priest has his hair cut once every thirty days. The Gemara explains: A king has his hair cut every day, as it is stated: “Your eyes should see the king in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17), so his beauty must be tended to daily. A High Priest waits from the eve of Shabbat to the eve of Shabbat, as Rav Shmuel bar Naḥman says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Since new priestly watches begin every week on the eve of Shabbat, the High Priest must have his hair cut in order to look his best when the new watch arrives. The Gemara continues its explanation of the baraita: An ordinary priest has his hair cut once every thirty days, as it is written with regard to the priests: “They shall not shave their heads, and long hair they shall not grow out; they shall trim only their heads” (Ezekiel 44:20), and derive by verbal analogy “long hair” in this verse from “long hair” in the verse written with regard to the nazirite. It is written here, with regard to the priests: “And long hair they shall not grow out,” and it is written there, with regard to the nazirite: “Long hair growing on his head” (Numbers 6:5). Just as there, nazirite hair growth is at least thirty days, so too here, it is thirty days, and the priest must cut his hair before it is called long. And we also learn in a mishna (Nazir 5a): A term of naziriteship of unspecified length is thirty days. The Gemara asks: And there, in the verse about the nazirite, from where do we derive that thirty days is the minimum length of a term? Rav Mattana says: As the verse states: “He shall be [yihye] holy” (Numbers 6:5): The word “yihye” has the numerical value of thirty. Rav Pappa said to Abaye: Say that the priests should not grow their hair at all, but shave their heads instead. Abaye said to him: Had it been written: They shall not grow long hair, it would be as you said, but now that it is written: “And long hair” (Ezekiel 44:20), it can be somewhat long hair, but they should not grow it out very long. The Gemara asks: If so, that the restriction on priests growing long hair is a mitzva by Torah law and not just a regulation for its time, now too, after the destruction of the Temple, priests should be required to have their hair cut every thirty days. The Gemara responds: The prohibition against priests growing long hair is similar to the prohibition against their drinking wine. Just as with regard to wine, only at the time of their entering the Temple is it forbidden to the priests, but when it is not the time of their entering the Temple it is permitted, so too, with regard to those with long hair, at the time of their entering the Temple, growing their hair long is prohibited, but when it is not the time of their entering the Temple, it is permitted. ...
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: פֶּה קָדוֹשׁ יֹאמַר דָּבָר זֶה? תְּנִי: ״עֵדוֹ״. אִינִי? וְהָאָמַר עוּלָּא: הָרוֹאֶה אֶת רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ בְּבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ, כְּאִילּוּ עוֹקֵר הָרִים וְטוֹחֲנָן זֶה בָּזֶה. אָמַר רָבִינָא: וַהֲלֹא כׇּל הָרוֹאֶה רַבִּי מֵאִיר בְּבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ, כְּאִילּוּ עוֹקֵר הָרֵי הָרִים וְטוֹחֲנָן זֶה בָּזֶה! הָכִי קָאָמַר: בָּא וּרְאֵה כַּמָּה מְחַבְּבִין זֶה אֶת זֶה. כִּי הָא דְּיָתֵיב רַבִּי וְקָאָמַר: אָסוּר לְהַטְמִין אֶת הַצּוֹנֵן. אָמַר לְפָנָיו רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי: אַבָּא הִתִּיר לְהַטְמִין אֶת הַצּוֹנֵן. אָמַר לָהֶם: כְּבָר הוֹרָה זָקֵן. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: בֹּא וּרְאֵה כַּמָּה מְחַבְּבִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, דְּאִילּוּ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי קַיָּים הָיָה, כָּפוּף וְיוֹשֵׁב לִפְנֵי רַבִּי. דְּהָא רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי מְמַלֵּא מְקוֹם אֲבוֹתָיו הֲוָה, וְהָיָה כָּפוּף וְיוֹשֵׁב לִפְנֵי רַבִּי, וְקָא אָמַר: כְּבָר הוֹרָה זָקֵן. אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וָאֶקַּח לִי אֶת שְׁנֵי מַקְלוֹת לְאַחַד קָרָאתִי נוֹעַם וּלְאַחַד קָרָאתִי חוֹבְלִים״? ״נוֹעַם״ – אֵלּוּ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁמַּנְעִימִין זֶה לָזֶה בַּהֲלָכָה. ״חוֹבְלִים״ – אֵלּוּ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁבְּבָבֶל, שֶׁמְּחַבְּלִים זֶה לָזֶה בַּהֲלָכָה. ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי אֵלֶּה [שְׁנֵי] בְנֵי הַיִּצְהָר הָעֹמְדִים וְגוֹ׳ וּשְׁנַיִם זֵיתִים עָלֶיהָ״. ״יִצְהָר״ – אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֵלּוּ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנּוֹחִין זֶה לָזֶה בַּהֲלָכָה כְּשֶׁמֶן זַיִת. ״וּשְׁנַיִם זֵיתִים עָלֶיהָ״ – אֵלּוּ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁבְּבָבֶל, שֶׁמְּרוֹרִין זֶה לָזֶה בַּהֲלָכָה כְּזַיִת. ״וָאֶשָּׂא עֵינַי וָאֵרֶא וְהִנֵּה שְׁתַּיִם נָשִׁים יוֹצְאוֹת וְרוּחַ בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם וְלָהֵנָּה כְנָפַיִם כְּכַנְפֵי הַחֲסִידָה וַתִּשֶּׂאנָה הָאֵיפָה בֵּין הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבֵין הָאָרֶץ. וָאֹמַר אֶל הַמַּלְאָךְ הַדֹּבֵר בִּי אָנָה הֵמָּה מוֹלִכוֹת אֶת הָאֵיפָה. וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי לִבְנוֹת לָה בַיִת בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַאי: זוֹ חֲנוּפָּה וְגַסּוּת הָרוּחַ שֶׁיָּרְדוּ לְבָבֶל. וְגַסּוּת הָרוּחַ לְבָבֶל נְחִית? וְהָאָמַר מָר: עֲשָׂרָה קַבִּין גַּסּוּת יָרְדוּ לְעוֹלָם, תִּשְׁעָה נָטְלָה עֵילָם וְאַחַת כׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ! אִין, לְבָבֶל נְחִית, וְאִישְׁתַּרְבּוֹבֵי [הוּא] דְּאִישְׁתַּרְבַּב לְעֵילָם. דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, דִּכְתִיב: ״לִבְנוֹת לָה בַיִת בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר״. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ. וְהָאָמַר מָר: סִימָן לְגַסּוּת הָרוּחַ – עֲנִיּוּת, וַעֲנִיּוּת לְבָבֶל נְחִית! מַאי עֲנִיּוּת? עֲנִיּוּת תּוֹרָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״אָחוֹת לָנוּ קְטַנָּה וְשָׁדַיִם אֵין לָהּ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: זוֹ עֵילָם, שֶׁזָּכְתָה לִלְמוֹד וְלֹא זָכְתָה לְלַמֵּד. מַאי בָּבֶל? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בְּלוּלָה בַּמִּקְרָא, בְּלוּלָה בַּמִּשְׁנָה, בְּלוּלָה בַּתַּלְמוּד. ״בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּים הוֹשִׁיבַנִי כְּמֵתֵי עוֹלָם״ – אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: זֶה תַּלְמוּדָהּ שֶׁל בָּבֶל.
§ The Gemara returns to discuss the matter itself: Reish Lakish says: Would a holy mouth, i.e., that of Rabbi Meir, say this strange statement, that a litigant can prevent a witness from testifying against him? Rather, emend the text of the mishna and teach: His witness, in the singular, meaning that a litigant can disqualify only a witness who testifies alone. The Gemara asks: Is that so? Was it in character for Reish Lakish to speak of Rabbi Meir with such reverence when disagreeing with his ruling? But doesn’t Ulla say: When one sees Reish Lakish studying Torah in the study hall it is as though he is uprooting mountains and grinding them into each other? Reish Lakish was evidently very sharp in his analyses. Ravina said in response: What is the difficulty? But is it not so that when anyone sees Rabbi Meir studying Torah in the study hall, it is as though he is uprooting the highest of mountains and grinding them into each other? Rabbi Meir was a greater scholar than Reish Lakish, so it was fitting for Reish Lakish to speak of him with reverence. The Gemara answers: The question: Is that so, was not stated to raise a difficulty; rather, this is what he is saying, i.e., this is what the Gemara was noting: Come and see how much the Sages love each other. Although Reish Lakish was himself very sharp and a great Torah scholar, he spoke of Rabbi Meir with reverence. The Gemara cites another example of Torah scholars who spoke of each other with reverence. It is like that incident where Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi sat and said: It is prohibited to insulate cold food on Shabbat to keep it cold, as this may lead one to insulate hot food on Shabbat to keep it hot. Rabbi Yishmael, son of Rabbi Yosei, said before him: My father ruled that it is permitted to insulate cold food on Shabbat. There is no concern that this will lead one to insulate hot food on Shabbat. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi subsequently said to those who asked him about this issue: I retract my previous statement; the elder, Rabbi Yosei, has already issued a ruling on this topic, and I defer to his ruling. Rav Pappa says: Come and see how much they loved each other. As, had Rabbi Yosei still been alive, he would have been subordinate to and sitting before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi as his student, as Rabbi Yishmael, son of Rabbi Yosei, was his fathers’ replacement, i.e., he was as great a Torah scholar as his forebears, and he was subordinate to and sitting before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi as his student. And, nevertheless, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: The elder has already issued a ruling on this topic, and he deferred to Rabbi Yosei’s ruling. This demonstrates what Rabbi Oshaya says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And I took for myself two staves; the one I called Graciousness, and the other I called Binders” (Zechariah 11:7)? “Graciousness”; these are the Torah scholars in Eretz Yisrael, who are gracious to one another in discussions of halakha. They treat each other with honor and love, as demonstrated in the statements of Reish Lakish and Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. “Binders [ḥovelim]”; these are the Torah scholars in Babylonia, who injure [shemeḥabbelim] each other in discussions of halakha, i.e., they speak harshly to each other when they disagree. Similarly, it is stated: “Then he said to me: These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:14), and it is stated: “And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon its left side” (Zechariah 4:3). With regard to the expression “anointed ones,” Rabbi Yitzḥak says: These are the Torah scholars in Eretz Yisrael, who are pleasant to each other in discussions of halakha like olive oil, which is not bitter. The verse “and two olive trees by it” should be interpreted as follows: These are the Torah scholars in Babylonia, who are bitter to each other in discussions of halakha like an olive. The Gemara interprets another verse in Zechariah: “Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold there came forth two women, and the wind was in their wings, for they had wings like the wings of a stork. And they lifted up the measure between the earth and the heaven. Then I said to the angel that spoke with me: To where do they take the measure? And he said to me: To build her a house in the land of Shinar” (Zechariah 5:9–11). Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: This measure refers to flattery and arrogance that descended to Babylonia, i.e., Shinar. The Gemara asks: And did arrogance descend to Babylonia? But doesn’t the Master say: Ten kav of arrogance descended to the world; Eilam took nine and all the rest of the world in its entirety took one? The Gemara answers: Yes, it descended to Babylonia, and it made its way to Eilam. The language of the verse is also precise, as it is written: “To build her a house in the land of Shinar,” which indicates that the original intention was to build a house in Babylonia, but it was not built there. The Gemara comments: Conclude from it that arrogance did not remain in Babylonia. The Gemara asks: But doesn’t the Master say: A sign of arrogance is poverty? And poverty descended to Babylonia, not to Eilam. The Gemara answers: To what kind of poverty is this referring? It is poverty with regard to Torah, which was characteristic of Eilam. As it is written: “We have a little sister, and she has no breasts” (Song of Songs 8:8), and Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This refers to Eilam, whose inhabitants merited to learn Torah but did not merit to teach it. They did not produce Torah scholars capable of imparting their wisdom to others. The Gemara asks: What is the homiletic interpretation of the word Babylonia? Rabbi Yoḥanan says, as a tribute to the Jewish community of Babylonia and its Torah scholars: It means mixed with Bible, mixed with Mishna, and mixed with Talmud. Other Sages had a different opinion of the Torah in Babylonia: With regard to the verse: “He has made me dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead” (Lamentations 3:6), Rabbi Yirmeya says: This is the Talmud of Babylonia, which is not as clear as the Talmud of Eretz Yisrael....
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: אוֹכְלֵי דָּבָר אַחֵר פְּסוּלִין לְעֵדוּת. הָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא, אֲבָל בְּצִינְעָה לָא. וּבְפַרְהֶסְיָא נָמֵי לָא אֲמַרַן אֶלָּא דְּאֶפְשָׁר לֵיהּ לְאִיתְּזוֹנֵי בְּצִינְעָה, וְקָא מְבַזֵּי נַפְשֵׁיהּ בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא. אֲבָל לָא אֶפְשָׁר לֵיהּ – חַיּוּתֵיהּ הוּא.
Rav Naḥman says: Those who eat something else, a euphemism for pork, are disqualified from bearing witness. This is referring to those who accept charity from gentiles, thereby causing a desecration of God’s name. They are tantamount to wicked people guilty of monetary transgressions, as they are willing to desecrate God’s name for monetary gain. The Gemara comments: This statement applies with regard to taking charity from gentiles in public [befarhesya], but if one takes it in private he is not disqualified. And even if he takes it in public, we said that he is disqualified only in a case where he can sustain himself by accepting charity from gentiles in private and despite this he disgraces himself by taking it in public. But if he cannot support himself in any other manner, he is not disqualified, as it is his livelihood.
אֶלָּא, הָכָא קָא סָתַם לַן תְּנָא, דִּתְנַן: אֵלּוּ הֵן הַפְּסוּלִים – הַמְשַׂחֵק בְּקוּבְיָא, וּמַלְוֵי בְּרִבִּית, וּמַפְרִיחֵי יוֹנִים, וְסוֹחֲרֵי שְׁבִיעִית, וְהָעֲבָדִים. זֶה הַכְּלָל: כׇּל עֵדוּת שֶׁאֵין הָאִשָּׁה כְּשֵׁירָה לָהּ, אַף הֵן אֵין כְּשֵׁירִין לָהּ.
Rather, the tanna taught us an unattributed mishna here, as we learned in a mishna (Rosh HaShana 22a): These people are disqualified from bearing witness, as they are considered wicked and guilty of monetary transgressions: One who plays with dice, and those who lend money with interest, and those who fly pigeons, and merchants who trade in produce of the Sabbatical Year. And Canaanite slaves are also disqualified. This is the principle: For any testimony for which a woman is not fit, these too are not fit. Although in certain cases a woman’s testimony is accepted, e.g., testimony concerning the death of someone’s husband, in most cases her testimony is not valid.
הָאוֹהֵב וְהַשּׂוֹנֵא. אוֹהֵב – זֶה שׁוֹשְׁבִינוֹ. שׂוֹנֵא – כֹּל שֶׁלֹּא דִּבֵּר עִמּוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים בְּאֵיבָה. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: לֹא נֶחְשְׁדוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל כָּךְ.
One who loves or one who hates one of the litigants is also disqualified. With regard to one who loves one of the litigants, this is referring to his groomsman. One who hates is referring to anyone who, out of enmity, did not speak with the litigant for three days. The Rabbis said to Rabbi Yehuda: The Jewish people are not suspected of bearing false witness due to love or hate.
גְּמָ׳ מְנָהָנֵי מִילֵּי? דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״לֹא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים״. מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר? אִם לְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת בַּעֲוֹן בָּנִים וּבָנִים בַּעֲוֹן אָבוֹת, הֲרֵי כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר: ״אִישׁ בְּחֶטְאוֹ יוּמָתוּ״. אֶלָּא, ״לֹא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים״ – בְּעֵדוּת בָּנִים, ״וּבָנִים לֹא יוּמְתוּ עַל אָבוֹת״ – בְּעֵדוּת אָבוֹת. וּבָנִים בַּעֲוֹן אָבוֹת לָא? וְהָכְתִיב: ״פֹּקֵד עֲוֹן אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים״! הָתָם, כְּשֶׁאוֹחֲזִין מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹתֵיהֶן בִּידֵיהֶן. כִּדְתַנְיָא: ״וְאַף בַּעֲוֹנֹת אֲבֹתָם אִתָּם יִמָּקּוּ״ – כְּשֶׁאוֹחֲזִין מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם בִּידֵיהֶם. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר כְּשֶׁאוֹחֲזִין, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא כְּשֶׁאֵין אוֹחֲזִין? כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר ״אִישׁ בְּחֶטְאוֹ יוּמָתוּ״, הֲרֵי כְּשֶׁאוֹחֲזִין מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹתֵיהֶן בִּידֵיהֶן. וְלָא? וְהָכְתִיב: ״וְכָשְׁלוּ אִישׁ בְּאָחִיו״ – אִישׁ בַּעֲוֹן אָחִיו, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכּוּלָּן עֲרֵבִים זֶה בָּזֶה. הָתָם, שֶׁהָיָה בְּיָדָם לִמְחוֹת וְלֹא מִיחוּ.
GEMARA: From where is this matter, that relatives are disqualified from bearing witness, derived? The Gemara answers: It is as the Sages taught in a baraita: “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers; every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16). Why must the verse state this first clause? If it is to teach that the fathers shall not be put to death for the sin of the children, nor shall the children be put to death for the sin of the fathers, this is unnecessary, as it is in any event stated: “Every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” Rather, the statement “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children” should be interpreted to mean that they shall not be put to death by the testimony of the children, and the statement “Neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers” should be interpreted to mean that they shall not be put to death by the testimony of the fathers. The Gemara asks: And are children not put to death for the sin of the fathers? But isn’t it written: “Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and unto the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7)? The Gemara answers: There, the verse is referring to a situation where the children adopt the actions of their ancestors as their own. If they do not behave like their ancestors they are not punished for their ancestors’ sins. This is as it is taught in a baraita: The verse: “And also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them” (Leviticus 26:39), is referring to a case where they adopt the actions of their ancestors as their own. Do you say that it is referring specifically to a case where they adopt the actions of their ancestors, or perhaps it applies even where they do not adopt their ancestors’ actions? When the verse states: “Every man shall be put to death for his own sin,” the Torah explicates that one is not put to death if he did not sin. Therefore, the verse in Leviticus is clearly referring to a case where they adopt the actions of their ancestors as their own. The Gemara asks: And are descendants not punished for the sins of their ancestors unless they adopt their behavior? But isn’t it written: “And they shall stumble one upon another” (Leviticus 26:37)? This verse is homiletically interpreted to mean that the Jewish people shall stumble, one due to the iniquity of another, i.e., they are punished for each other’s sins, which teaches that all Jews are considered guarantors, i.e., responsible, for one another. The Gemara answers: There, in the verse in Leviticus, the reference is to a case where others had the ability to protest the sin but they did not protest. Consequently, they are punished for not protesting, regardless of any familial relationship they may have with the sinner.
אִידַּךְ, כִּדְתַנְיָא: אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, ״וְהוּא לֹא אוֹיֵב לוֹ וְלֹא מְבַקֵּשׁ רָעָתוֹ״ – מִכָּאן לִשְׁנֵי תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁשּׂוֹנְאִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, שֶׁאֵין יוֹשְׁבִין בַּדִּין כְּאֶחָד.
The other part of the verse is interpreted in accordance with that which is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, says: With regard to the verse “And he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm,” it is derived from here that two Torah scholars who hate each other cannot sit in judgment together as one. Because of their hatred they will come to contradict each other’s rulings unjustly.
רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְיָקִים הֲוָה מִשְׁתְּקִיד עֲלֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא לְמִסְמְכֵיהּ, וְלָא קָא מִיסְתַּיַּיע מִילְּתָא. יוֹמָא חַד הֲוָה יָתֵיב קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, אֲמַר לְהוּ: מִי אִיכָּא דְּיָדַע הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה, אוֹ לָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְיָקִים: דֵּין יָדַע. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לֵימָא אֵיזוֹ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לִיסְמְכֵיהּ מָר בְּרֵישָׁא. סַמְכֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בְּנִי, אֱמוֹר לִי כֵּיצַד שָׁמַעְתָּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כָּךְ שָׁמַעְתִּי, שֶׁמּוֹדֶה רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה לְרַבִּי נָתָן. אָמַר: לָזֶה הוּצְרַכְתִּי?! הַשְׁתָּא, וּמָה עִיקַּר רְאִיָּה בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה ״לָא בָּעֵינַן״, הַגָּדָה מִיבַּעְיָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הוֹאִיל וְעָלִיתָ, לֹא תֵּרֵד. אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ, גַּבְרָא רַבָּה, כֵּיוָן דְּאִיסְתְּמִיךְ – אִיסְתְּמִיךְ.
The Gemara relates: Rabbi Shimon ben Elyakim was striving to ordain Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, and was not successful in his attempts. One day, Rabbi Shimon ben Elyakim was sitting before Rabbi Yoḥanan among Rabbi Yoḥanan’s other students. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to his students: Is there anyone who knows whether the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa, or not? Rabbi Shimon ben Elyakim said to him: This one, Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, knows. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: If so, let him say. Rabbi Shimon ben Elyakim said to him: Let the Master ordain him first; since we are all in need of his wisdom, he is fit for ordination. Rabbi Yoḥanan then ordained Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: My son, tell me what you heard. Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said to him: This is what I heard: That Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa concedes to the opinion of Rabbi Natan that it is unnecessary for the witnesses to testify together. Rabbi Yoḥanan was disappointed, and said: For this I needed to ordain him? Now that with regard to the main element of testimony, i.e., observing the incident, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa says we do not need both witnesses to see it together, with regard to their statement in court, is it necessary to explicate that there is no requirement that they testify together? Although the statement of Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, was unnecessary, Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: Since you ascended, i.e., you were ordained, you will not descend, even though it was in error. Rabbi Zeira said: Conclude from it that with regard to a great man, once he is ordained, even if it was due to mistaken judgment, he is ordained. The ordination is not canceled.
וּצְרִיכָא, דְּאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן גֵּר – דְּרָאוּי לָבֹא בַּקָּהָל, אֲבָל מַמְזֵר אֵימָא לָא. וְאִי אַשְׁמְעִינַן מַמְזֵר – דְּבָא מִטִּיפָּה כְּשֵׁרָה, אֲבָל גֵּר דְּלֹא בָּא מִטִּיפָּה כְּשֵׁרָה אֵימָא לָא. צְרִיכָא. וְאֵין הַכֹּל כְּשֵׁרִין לָדוּן דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת. מַאי טַעְמָא? דְּתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: כְּשֵׁם שֶׁבֵּית דִּין מְנוּקִּין בְּצֶדֶק, כָּךְ מְנוּקִּין מִכׇּל מוּם. אָמַר אַמֵּימָר, מַאי קְרָא: ״כֻּלָּךְ יָפָה רַעְיָתִי וּמוּם אֵין בָּךְ״. וְדִילְמָא מוּם מַמָּשׁ? אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: אָמַר קְרָא, ״וְהִתְיַצְּבוּ שָׁם עִמָּךְ״ – עִמָּךְ בְּדוֹמִין לָךְ. וְדִילְמָא הָתָם מִשּׁוּם שְׁכִינָה? אֶלָּא, אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: אָמַר קְרָא ״וְנָשְׂאוּ אִתָּךְ״ – אִתָּךְ בְּדוֹמִין לָךְ לֶיהֱוֵי.
The Gemara comments: And both the mishna and baraita are necessary, as the halakha taught by one source cannot be derived from the halakha taught by the other source. As, if the tanna taught us the fitness to judge cases of monetary law only with regard to a convert, one could say that a convert is like a born Jew concerning this, since he is fit to enter into the congregation, i.e., marry a Jew of fit lineage, but with regard to a mamzer, who is not fit to enter into the congregation, say that he cannot serve as a judge. And if the tanna taught us the fitness to judge cases of monetary law only with regard to a mamzer, one could say that a mamzer is fit to judge, as he came from seed of unflawed lineage, but with regard to a convert, who does not come from seed of unflawed lineage, say that he cannot serve as a judge. Therefore, both sources are necessary. § The mishna teaches: But not all are fit to judge cases of capital law; the judges may be only priests, Levites, or Israelites who are of sufficiently fit lineage to marry their daughters to members of the priesthood. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for this? The Gemara explains: As Rav Yosef taught: Just as the court is clean in justice, so too, it is clean of any blemish, i.e., it does not include anyone of flawed lineage. Ameimar says: What is the verse from which it is derived? It states: “You are all fair, my love; and there is no blemish in you” (Song of Songs 4:7). The Gemara asks: But perhaps you should say that this is referring to an actual blemish, and is teaching that one who has a physical blemish cannot be appointed to the Sanhedrin. Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov says: It is not necessary to learn from this verse the halakha that one who has a physical blemish cannot be appointed to the Sanhedrin, as the verse states in connection with the transfer of the Divine Spirit from Moses to the Elders: “That they may stand there with you” (Numbers 11:16). The term “with you” is explained to mean: With similarity to you, teaching that the members of the Sanhedrin must be whole in body, like Moses. The Gemara rejects this proof: But perhaps there, those who were with Moses had to be free of any blemish due to the Divine Presence, which was going to rest upon them, but this is not a requirement for judges to serve on the Sanhedrin. Rather, Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: The verse states: “So shall they make it easier for you and bear the burden with you” (Exodus 18:22). The term “with you” is explained to mean: They shall be similar to you, without blemish. This verse is referring to the appointment of regular judges, upon whom the Divine Presence does not rest, and teaches that all members of the Sanhedrin must be whole in body, and the verse from Song of Songs teaches that they must have unflawed lineage as well.
גְּמָ׳ מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? אָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא: דְּאָמַר קְרָא ״שׇׁרְרֵךְ אַגַּן הַסַּהַר אַל יֶחְסַר הַמָּזֶג וְגוֹ׳״. ״שׇׁרְרֵךְ״ – זוֹ סַנְהֶדְרִין. לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמָהּ ״שׇׁרְרֵךְ״? שֶׁהִיא יוֹשֶׁבֶת בְּטִיבּוּרוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם. ״אַגַּן״ – שֶׁהִיא מְגִינָּה עַל כׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ. ״הַסַּהַר״ – שֶׁהִיא דּוֹמָה לַסַּהַר. ״אַל יֶחְסַר הַמָּזֶג״ – שֶׁאִם הוּצְרַךְ אֶחָד מֵהֶם לָצֵאת, רוֹאִין: אִם יֵשׁ עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה, כְּנֶגֶד סַנְהֶדְרִי קְטַנָּה – יוֹצֵא, וְאִם לָאו – אֵינוֹ יוֹצֵא. ״בִּטְנְךָ עֲרֵמַת חִטִּים״ – מָה עֲרֵימַת חִטִּים הַכֹּל נֶהֱנִין מִמֶּנָּה, אַף סַנְהֶדְרִין הַכֹּל נֶהֱנִין מִטַּעֲמֵיהֶן. ״סוּגָה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים״ – שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ כְּסוּגָה שֶׁל שׁוֹשַׁנִּים לֹא יִפְרְצוּ בָּהֶן פְּרָצוֹת. וְהַיְינוּ דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַב כָּהֲנָא: אָמְרִיתוּ נִדָּה שְׁרֵי לְיַיחוֹדֵי בַּהֲדֵי גַּבְרָא. אֶפְשָׁר אֵשׁ בִּנְעוֹרֶת וְאֵינָהּ מְהַבְהֶבֶת? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַתּוֹרָה הֵעִידָה עָלֵינוּ ״סוּגָה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים״, שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ כְּסוּגָה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים לֹא יִפְרְצוּ בָּהֶן פְּרָצוֹת. רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר: מֵהָכָא, ״כְּפֶלַח הָרִמּוֹן רַקָּתֵךְ״ – אֲפִילּוּ רֵיקָנִין שֶׁבָּךְ מְלֵאִין מִצְוֹת כְּרִמּוֹן. רַבִּי זֵירָא אָמַר: מֵהָכָא, ״וַיָּרַח אֶת רֵיחַ בְּגָדָיו״. אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״בְּגָדָיו״ אֶלָּא ״בּוֹגְדָיו״. הָנְהוּ בִּרְיוֹנֵי דַּהֲווֹ בְּשִׁיבָבוּתֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי זֵירָא, דַּהֲוָה מְקָרֵב לְהוּ כִּי הֵיכִי דְּנֶיהְדְּרוּ לְהוּ בִּתְיוּבְתָּא, וַהֲווֹ קָפְדִי רַבָּנַן. כִּי נָח נַפְשֵׁיהּ דְּרַבִּי זֵירָא, אָמְרִי: עַד הָאִידָּנָא הֲוָה חֲרִיכָא קַטִּין שָׁקֵיהּ דַּהֲוָה בָּעֵי עֲלַן רַחֲמֵי, הַשְׁתָּא מַאן בָּעֵי עֲלַן רַחֲמֵי? הַרְהֲרוּ בְּלִבַּיְיהוּ וַעֲבַדוּ תְּשׁוּבָה.
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that the Sanhedrin would sit in a semicircle. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? Rabbi Aḥa bar Ḥanina says: As the verse states: “Your navel is like a round goblet, let no mingled wine be wanting; your belly is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies” (Song of Songs 7:3). This verse is interpreted as referring to the members of the Sanhedrin, who sit in a semicircle. “Your navel”; this is an allusion to the Sanhedrin. And why is it called by way of allusion “your navel”? It is because it sits in the navel of the world, in the Temple. “Goblet [aggan]”; this teaches that the Sanhedrin protects [meginna] the entire world with its merit. “Round [hassahar]”; this teaches that the Sanhedrin is similar to the moon [sahar]. The court sits in a semicircle, like the shape of the moon. “Let no mingled wine be wanting”; this compares the Sanhedrin to wine mixed with water, which typically involved mixing two parts water with one part wine. This teaches that if one member of the Great Sanhedrin needed to leave, they see: If there are still present in the Chamber of Hewn Stone twenty-three members, i.e., a third of the judges, corresponding to the number of a lesser Sanhedrin, he may leave, but if not, he may not leave. The phrase “your belly is like a heap of wheat” teaches that just as with regard to a heap of wheat, all derive benefit from it, so too, with regard to the Sanhedrin, all derive benefit from their explanations of the Torah. The phrase “set about with lilies” is said in praise of the Jewish people, as they do not breach even a fence made of lilies, since the Jewish people observe both Torah law as well as rabbinic ordinances and decrees. And this is like an incident involving Rav Kahana, as a certain heretic said to Rav Kahana: You say that it is permitted for a menstruating woman to seclude herself with a man, i.e., her husband. Is it possible to set fire to chips of kindling and not have them blaze and burn? How can the couple be relied upon not to engage in sexual intercourse? Rav Kahana said to him: The Torah testifies concerning us that we are “set about with lilies,” as the Jewish people do not breach even a fence made of lilies. Reish Lakish says that the source to rely on them not to transgress is from here: “Your temples [rakkatekh] are like a pomegranate split open” (Song of Songs 6:7), which teaches that even the empty people [reikanin] among you are as full of mitzvot as the pomegranate is full of seeds. Rabbi Zeira says that the source is from here: The verse states concerning the occasion when Isaac blessed Jacob: “And he smelled the smell of his garments, and blessed him, and said: See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed” (Genesis 27:27). Do not read “his garments [begadav]”; rather, read: His traitors [bogedav], meaning that even traitors and sinners among the Jewish people have qualities “as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed.” The Gemara relates: There were certain hooligans [biryonei] who were living in the neighborhood of Rabbi Zeira. He brought them close, i.e., treated them with friendship, in order to cause them to repent of their sins, but the other Sages disapproved of his actions. When Rabbi Zeira died, those hooligans said: Until now, there was the short one with singed legs, i.e., Rabbi Zeira, who would pray for compassion for us. Who will pray for compassion for us now? They thought about this in their hearts and repented. Ultimately, Rabbi Zeira’s actions were proven correct, as they repented.
מַתְנִי׳ כֵּיצַד מְאַיְּימִין אֶת הָעֵדִים עַל עֵידֵי נְפָשׁוֹת? הָיוּ מַכְנִיסִין אוֹתָן וּמְאַיְּימִין עֲלֵיהֶן: שֶׁמָּא תֹּאמְרוּ מֵאוֹמֶד וּמִשְּׁמוּעָה, עֵד מִפִּי עֵד וּמִפִּי אָדָם נֶאֱמָן, שֶׁמָּא אִי אַתֶּם יוֹדְעִין שֶׁסּוֹפֵנוּ לִבְדּוֹק אֶתְכֶם בִּדְרִישָׁה וּבַחֲקִירָה. הֲווֹ יוֹדְעִין, שֶׁלֹּא כְּדִינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת. דִּינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת – אָדָם נוֹתֵן מָמוֹן וּמִתְכַּפֵּר לוֹ. דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת – דָּמוֹ וְדַם זַרְעִיּוֹתָיו תְּלוּיִין בּוֹ עַד סוֹף הָעוֹלָם. שֶׁכֵּן מָצִינוּ בְּקַיִן שֶׁהָרַג אֶת אָחִיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ צֹעֲקִים״. אֵינוֹ אוֹמֵר ״דַּם אָחִיךָ״ אֶלָּא ״דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ״ – דָּמוֹ וְדַם זַרְעִיּוֹתָיו. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ״ – שֶׁהָיָה דָּמוֹ מוּשְׁלָךְ עַל הָעֵצִים וְעַל הָאֲבָנִים. לְפִיכָךְ נִבְרָא אָדָם יְחִידִי, לְלַמֶּדְךָ שֶׁכׇּל הַמְאַבֵּד נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ אִיבֵּד עוֹלָם מָלֵא. וְכׇל הַמְקַיֵּים נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ קִיֵּים עוֹלָם מָלֵא. וּמִפְּנֵי שְׁלוֹם הַבְּרִיּוֹת, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמַר אָדָם לַחֲבֵירוֹ: ״אַבָּא גָּדוֹל מֵאָבִיךָ״, וְשֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ הַמִּינִים אוֹמְרִים: ״הַרְבֵּה רְשׁוּיוֹת בַּשָּׁמַיִם״. וּלְהַגִּיד גְּדוּלָּתוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁאָדָם טוֹבֵעַ כַּמָּה מַטְבְּעוֹת בְּחוֹתָם אֶחָד – כּוּלָּן דּוֹמִין זֶה לָזֶה, וּמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא טָבַע כׇּל אָדָם בְּחוֹתָמוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, וְאֵין אֶחָד מֵהֶן דּוֹמֶה לַחֲבֵירוֹ. לְפִיכָךְ כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד חַיָּיב לוֹמַר: בִּשְׁבִילִי נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם. וְשֶׁמָּא תֹּאמְרוּ: מָה לָנוּ וְלַצָּרָה הַזֹּאת? וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר: ״וְהוּא עֵד אוֹ רָאָה אוֹ יָדָע אִם לוֹא יַגִּיד וְגוֹ׳״. וְשֶׁמָּא תֹּאמְרוּ: מָה לָנוּ לָחוּב בְּדָמוֹ שֶׁל זֶה? וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר: ״בַּאֲבֹד רְשָׁעִים רִנָּה״.
MISHNA: How does the court intimidate the witnesses in giving testimony for cases of capital law? They would bring the witnesses in and intimidate them by saying to them: Perhaps what you say in your testimony is based on conjecture, or perhaps it is based on a rumor, perhaps it is testimony based on hearsay, e.g., you heard a witness testify to this in a different court, or perhaps it is based on the statement of a trusted person. Perhaps you do not know that ultimately we examine you with inquiry and interrogation, and if you are lying, your lie will be discovered. The court tells them: You should know that cases of capital law are not like cases of monetary law. In cases of monetary law, a person who testifies falsely, causing money to be given to the wrong party, can give the money to the proper owner and his sin is atoned for. In cases of capital law, if one testifies falsely, the blood of the accused and the blood of his offspring that he did not merit to produce are ascribed to the witness’s testimony until eternity. The proof for this is as we found with Cain, who killed his brother, as it is stated concerning him: “The voice of your brother’s blood [demei] cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). The verse does not state: Your brother’s blood [dam], in the singular, but rather: “Your brother’s blood [demei],” in the plural. This serves to teach that the loss of both his brother’s blood and the blood of his brother’s offspring are ascribed to Cain. The mishna notes: Alternatively, the phrase “your brother’s blood [demei],” written in the plural, teaches that that his blood was not gathered in one place but was splattered on the trees and on the stones. The court tells the witnesses: Therefore, Adam the first man was created alone, to teach you that with regard to anyone who destroys one soul from the Jewish people, i.e., kills one Jew, the verse ascribes him blame as if he destroyed an entire world, as Adam was one person, from whom the population of an entire world came forth. And conversely, anyone who sustains one soul from the Jewish people, the verse ascribes him credit as if he sustained an entire world. The mishna cites another reason Adam the first man was created alone: And this was done due to the importance of maintaining peace among people, so that one person will not say to another: My father, i.e., progenitor, is greater than your father. And it was also so that the heretics who believe in multiple gods will not say: There are many authorities in Heaven, and each created a different person. And this serves to tell of the greatness of the Holy One, Blessed be He, as when a person stamps several coins with one seal, they are all similar to each other. But the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He, stamped all people with the seal of Adam the first man, as all of them are his offspring, and not one of them is similar to another. Therefore, since all humanity descends from one person, each and every person is obligated to say: The world was created for me, as one person can be the source of all humanity, and recognize the significance of his actions. The court says to the witnesses: And perhaps you will say: Why would we want this trouble? Perhaps it would be better not to testify at all. But be aware, as is it not already stated: “And he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he does not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 5:1)? It is a transgression not to testify when one can do so. And perhaps you will say: Why would we want to be responsible for the blood of this person? But be aware, as is it not already stated: “When the wicked perish, there is song” (Proverbs 11:10)?
וְהַאי בַּר נָחָשׁ הוּא? וְהָאָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, וְכֵן תָּנֵי דְּבֵי חִזְקִיָּה: מִיּוֹם שֶׁחָרַב בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁבָּטְלָה סַנְהֶדְרִי, אַרְבַּע מִיתוֹת לֹא בָּטְלוּ. לֹא בָּטְלוּ? וְהָא בָּטְלוּ! אֶלָּא, דִּין אַרְבַּע מִיתוֹת לֹא בָּטְלוּ. מִי שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּיב סְקִילָה – אוֹ נוֹפֵל מִן הַגָּג, אוֹ חַיָּה דּוֹרַסְתּוֹ. מִי שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּיב שְׂרֵיפָה – אוֹ נוֹפֵל בִּדְלֵיקָה, אוֹ נָחָשׁ מַכִּישׁוֹ. מִי שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּיב הֲרִיגָה – אוֹ נִמְסָר לַמַּלְכוּת, אוֹ לִיסְטִין בָּאִין עָלָיו. מִי שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּיב חֶנֶק – אוֹ טוֹבֵעַ בַּנָּהָר, אוֹ מֵת בִּסְרוֹנְכֵי. אָמְרִי: הָהוּא חֵטְא אַחֲרִיתִי הֲוָה בֵּיהּ, דְּאָמַר מָר: מִי שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּיב שְׁתֵּי מִיתוֹת בֵּית דִּין – נִידּוֹן בַּחֲמוּרָה.
The Gemara questions this account: But was this murderer fit to die by being bitten by a snake? But doesn’t Rav Yosef say, and so the school of Ḥizkiyya also taught: From the day that the Temple was destroyed, although the Sanhedrin ceased to be extant, the four types of court-imposed capital punishment have not ceased. The Gemara asks: Have they really not ceased? But they have ceased, as court-imposed capital punishment is no longer given. Rather, the intention is that the halakha of the four types of court-imposed capital punishment has not ceased to be applicable. The Gemara explains: How so? For one who would be liable to be executed by stoning, either he falls from a roof or an animal mauls him and breaks his bones. This death is similar to death by stoning, in which the one liable to be executed is pushed from a platform and his bones break from the impact of the fall. For one who would be liable to be executed by burning, either he falls into a fire and is burned or a snake bites him, as a snakebite causes a burning sensation. For one who would be liable to be executed by slaying through decapitation by the sword, either he is turned over to the authorities and they execute him with a sword, or robbers come upon him and murder him. One who would be liable to be executed by strangling either drowns in a river and is choked by the water or dies of diphtheria [bisronekhi], which causes his breathing to become constricted. According to this, a murderer, whose verdict in court would be death by slaying, should not be bitten by a snake. The Sages say in explanation: That murderer had another sin for which he deserved execution by burning, and as the Master says: One who is found liable by the court to receive two types of court-imposed capital punishment is sentenced to the harsher of the two, and burning is considered a harsher death than slaying (see 50a).
הֱווּ יוֹדְעִים כּוּ׳. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁעָשָׂה קַיִן בְּהֶבֶל אָחִיו חַבּוּרוֹת חַבּוּרוֹת, פְּצִיעוֹת פְּצִיעוֹת, שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה יוֹדֵעַ מֵהֵיכָן נְשָׁמָה יוֹצְאָה, עַד שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְצַוָּארוֹ. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא: מִיּוֹם שֶׁפָּתְחָה הָאָרֶץ אֶת פִּיהָ וְקִיבְּלַתּוּ לְדָמוֹ שֶׁל הֶבֶל, שׁוּב לֹא פָּתְחָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִכְּנַף הָאָרֶץ זְמִרֹת שָׁמַעְנוּ צְבִי לַצַּדִּיק״ – מִכְּנַף הָאָרֶץ וְלֹא מִפִּי הָאָרֶץ. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ חִזְקִיָּה אָחִיו: ״וַתִּפְתַּח הָאָרֶץ אֶת פִּיהָ״! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לְרָעָה פָּתְחָה, לְטוֹבָה לֹא פָּתְחָה. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא: גָּלוּת מְכַפֶּרֶת עָוֹן מֶחֱצָה. מֵעִיקָּרָא כְּתִיב: ״וְהָיִיתִי נָע וְנָד״, וּלְבַסּוֹף כְּתִיב: ״וַיֵּשֶׁב בְּאֶרֶץ נוֹד״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: גָּלוּת מְכַפֶּרֶת שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ וְגוֹ׳ הַיֹּשֵׁב בָּעִיר הַזֹּאת יָמוּת בַּחֶרֶב בָּרָעָב וּבַדָּבֶר וְהַיּוֹצֵא וְנָפַל עַל הַכַּשְׂדִּים הַצָּרִים עֲלֵיכֶם וְחָיָה וְהָיְתָה לּוֹ נַפְשׁוֹ לְשָׁלָל״.
§ The mishna teaches that the court would say: You should know that cases of capital law are not like cases of monetary law, and would reference the murder of Abel by Cain. Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, says: By employing the plural term for blood, “The voice of your brother’s blood [demei] cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10), the verse teaches that Cain caused multiple wounds and multiple injuries to his brother Abel. As Cain did not know from where the soul departs, he struck him multiple times. This continued until he came to his neck and struck him there, whereupon Abel died. And Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, says: From the day the earth opened its mouth and received the blood of Abel, its mouth has not opened again, as it is stated: “From the corner of the earth have we heard songs: Glory to the righteous” (Isaiah 24:16): One can infer that the songs are heard “from the corner of the earth,” but not from the mouth of the earth, as the earth never again opened its mouth. Ḥizkiyya, Rav Yehuda’s brother, raised an objection to Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya: The verse states concerning Korah and his assembly: “And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods” (Numbers 16:32). Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, said to him: It opened again for a deleterious purpose; it did not open again for a constructive purpose. And Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, says: Exile atones for half of a sin. As initially it is written in the verse concerning Cain that he said: “And I shall be a fugitive [na] and a wanderer [vanad ] in the earth” (Genesis 4:14), and ultimately it is written: “And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod” (Genesis 4:16). Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, equates “Nod” with “nad,” and understands that Cain was given only the punishment of being a wanderer. Exile atoned for half his sin, thereby negating the punishment of being a fugitive. Rav Yehuda says: Exile atones for three matters, i.e., three types of death, as it is stated: “So says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. He that abides in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; but he that goes out, and falls away to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall survive, and his life shall be for him for a prey” (Jeremiah 21:8–9), indicating that exile from Jerusalem will save one from those three deaths.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: גָּלוּת מְכַפֶּרֶת שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ וְגוֹ׳ הַיֹּשֵׁב בָּעִיר הַזֹּאת יָמוּת בַּחֶרֶב בָּרָעָב וּבַדָּבֶר וְהַיּוֹצֵא וְנָפַל עַל הַכַּשְׂדִּים הַצָּרִים עֲלֵיכֶם וְחָיָה וְהָיְתָה לּוֹ נַפְשׁוֹ לְשָׁלָל״. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: גָּלוּת מְכַפֶּרֶת עַל הַכֹּל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ כִּתְבוּ אֶת הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה עֲרִירִי גֶּבֶר לֹא יִצְלַח בְּיָמָיו כִּי לֹא יִצְלַח מִזַּרְעוֹ אִישׁ יֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא דָוִד וּמֹשֵׁל עוֹד בִּיהוּדָה״. וּבָתַר דִּגְלָה כְּתִיב: ״וּבְנֵי יְכָנְיָה אַסִּר (בְּנוֹ) שַׁלְתִּיאֵל בְּנוֹ״. אַסִּר – שֶׁעִיבְּרַתּוּ אִמּוֹ בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִין. שַׁלְתִּיאֵל – שֶׁשְּׁתָלוֹ אֵל שֶׁלֹּא כְּדֶרֶךְ הַנִּשְׁתָּלִין: גְּמִירִי שֶׁאֵין הָאִשָּׁה מִתְעַבֶּרֶת מְעוּמָּד, וְהִיא נִתְעַבְּרָה מְעוּמָּד. דָּבָר אַחֵר: שַׁלְתִּיאֵל – שֶׁנִּשְׁאַל עַל אָלָתוֹ אֵל. זְרוּבָּבֶל – שֶׁנִּזְרַע בְּבָבֶל. וּמָה שְׁמוֹ? נְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה שְׁמוֹ. יְהוּדָה וְחִזְקִיָּה בְּנֵי רַבִּי חִיָּיא הֲווֹ יָתְבִי בִּסְעוּדְתָּא קַמֵּי רַבִּי, וְלָא הֲווֹ קָא אָמְרִי וְלָא מִידֵּי. אֲמַר לְהוּ: אַגְבַּרוּ חַמְרָא אַדַּרְדְּקֵי כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלֵימְרוּ מִילְּתָא. כֵּיוָן דְּאִיבַּסּוּם, פָּתְחוּ וַאֲמַרוּ: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁיִּכְלוּ שְׁנֵי בָּתֵּי אָבוֹת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: רֹאשׁ גּוֹלָה שֶׁבְּבָבֶל וְנָשִׂיא שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהָיָה לְמִקְדָּשׁ וּלְאֶבֶן נֶגֶף וּלְצוּר מִכְשׁוֹל לִשְׁנֵי בָתֵּי יִשְׂרָאֵל״. אָמַר לָהֶם: בָּנַיי, קוֹצִים אַתֶּם מְטִילִין לִי בְּעֵינַיי? אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי חִיָּיא: רַבִּי, אַל יֵרַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ. ״יַיִן״ נִיתַּן בְּשִׁבְעִים אוֹתִיּוֹת, וְ״סוֹד״ נִיתַּן בְּשִׁבְעִים אוֹתִיּוֹת. נִכְנַס יַיִן – יָצָא סוֹד. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: דָּרֵשׁ מָרִי בַּר מָר, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּשְׁקֹד ה׳ עַל הָרָעָה וַיְבִיאֶהָ עָלֵינוּ כִּי צַדִּיק ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ״? מִשּׁוּם דְּצַדִּיק ה׳ – ״וַיִּשְׁקֹד ה׳ עַל הָרָעָה וַיְבִיאֶהָ עָלֵינוּ״? אִין, צְדָקָה עָשָׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁהִקְדִּים גָּלוּת צִדְקִיָּהוּ וְעוֹד גָּלוּת יְכׇנְיָה קַיֶּימֶת.
Rav Yehuda says: Exile atones for three matters, i.e., three types of death, as it is stated: “So says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. He that abides in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; but he that goes out, and falls away to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall survive, and his life shall be for him for a prey” (Jeremiah 21:8–9), indicating that exile from Jerusalem will save one from those three deaths. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Exile atones for all transgressions and renders a sinner like a new person, as it is stated concerning the king Jeconiah, a descendant of King David: “So says the Lord: Write you this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling anymore in Judah” (Jeremiah 22:30). And after Jeconiah was exiled it is written: “And the sons of Jeconiah, the same is Assir, Shealtiel his son” (I Chronicles 3:17). The verse employs the plural “sons of” although he had only one son, Shealtiel. “Assir,” literally, prisoner, teaches that his mother conceived him in prison. “Shealtiel,” literally, planted by God, teaches that God planted him in a way atypical of most plants [hanishtalin], i.e., people. It is learned as a tradition that a woman does not conceive when she is standing during sexual intercourse, and the mother of Shealtiel conceived while standing. Alternatively, “Shealtiel” is interpreted as meaning that God [El ] requested [nishal ] dissolution of His oath, as it were, and allowed Jeconiah to father a child. In the continuation of that passage in Chronicles, where the verse refers to the grandson of Jeconiah, Zerubbabel [Zerubavel ], the Gemara interprets that his name teaches that he was sown [nizra], i.e., conceived, in Babylonia [Bavel]. And what was his true name? Nehemiah, son of Hachaliah, was his true name. Having mentioned the sons of Rabbi Ḥiyya, the Gemara relates: Yehuda and Ḥizkiyya, sons of Rabbi Ḥiyya, were sitting at a meal before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, and they were not saying anything. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to his servants: Add more wine for the young men, so that they will say something. Once they were inebriated, they loosened their tongues and said: The son of David, i.e., the Messiah, will not come until two fathers’ houses are destroyed from Israel, as those two families are preventing the redemption. And they are the head of the exile who is in Babylonia, i.e., the family of the Exilarch, and the Nasi who is in Eretz Yisrael, i.e., the family of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi (see 5a), as it is stated in reference to the Messiah: “And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel” (Isaiah 8:14). Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to them: My children, do you throw thorns in my eyes? How can you say this in the presence of the Nasi himself? Rabbi Ḥiyya said to him: My teacher, do not view their behavior in a negative light. Wine [yayin] is given in letters of seventy, i.e., the numerical value of the letters in the word yayin is seventy, and secret [sod ] is given in letters of seventy, i.e., the numerical value of the letters in the word sod is seventy. When wine enters, secrets emerge. Apropos the discussion of exile, Rav Ḥisda says that Mar Ukva says, and some say that Rav Ḥisda says that Mari bar Mar taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And so the Lord has hastened the evil, and brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteous in all His works He has done” (Daniel 9:14)? Is it because “the Lord our God is righteous” that “the Lord has hastened the evil, and brought it upon us”? He explains: Yes, because it was a righteous act that the Holy One, Blessed be He, performed for the Jewish people by hastening the exile of Zedekiah while the Jews who had been exiled in the exile of Jeconiah, which preceded it, were still alive, as the wise people among those exiled with Jeconiah were able to instruct those exiled with Zedekiah.
לְפִיכָךְ כּוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אָדָם יְחִידִי נִבְרָא, וּמִפְּנֵי מָה? שֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ מִינִים אוֹמְרִין ״הַרְבֵּה רְשׁוּיוֹת בַּשָּׁמַיִם״. דָּבָר אַחֵר: מִפְּנֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים וּמִפְּנֵי הָרְשָׁעִים, שֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים אוֹמְרִים ״אָנוּ בְּנֵי צַדִּיק״, וּרְשָׁעִים אוֹמְרִים ״אָנוּ בְּנֵי רָשָׁע״. דָּבָר אַחֵר: מִפְּנֵי הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת, שֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ מִשְׁפָּחוֹת מִתְגָּרוֹת זוֹ בָּזוֹ. וּמָה עַכְשָׁיו שֶׁנִּבְרָא יָחִיד מִתְגָּרוֹת, נִבְרְאוּ שְׁנַיִם – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה! דָּבָר אַחֵר: מִפְּנֵי הַגַּזְלָנִין וּמִפְּנֵי הַחַמְסָנִין. וּמָה עַכְשָׁו שֶׁנִּבְרָא יְחִידִי גּוֹזְלִין וְחוֹמְסִין, נִבְרְאוּ שְׁנַיִם – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה! וּלְהַגִּיד גְּדוּלָּתוֹ כּוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, לְהַגִּיד גְּדוּלָּתוֹ שֶׁל מֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁאָדָם טוֹבֵעַ כַּמָּה מַטְבְּעוֹת בְּחוֹתָם אֶחָד וְכוּלָּן דּוֹמִין זֶה לְזֶה, אֲבָל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא טוֹבֵעַ כׇּל אָדָם בְּחוֹתָמוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן וְאֵין אֶחָד מֵהֶן דּוֹמֶה לַחֲבֵירוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תִּתְהַפֵּךְ כְּחֹמֶר חוֹתָם וְיִתְיַצְּבוּ כְּמוֹ לְבוּשׁ״. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה אֵין פַּרְצוּפֵיהֶן דּוֹמִין זֶה לָזֶה? שֶׁלֹּא יִרְאֶה אָדָם דִּירָה נָאָה וְאִשָּׁה נָאָה וְיֹאמַר: ״שֶׁלִּי הִיא״. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְיִמָּנַע מֵרְשָׁעִים אוֹרָם וּזְרוֹעַ רָמָה תִּשָּׁבֵר״.
§ The mishna teaches: Therefore, Adam the first man was created alone. The Sages taught in a baraita: Adam was created alone, and for what reason? So that the heretics will not say: There are many authorities in Heaven, and each created a different person. Alternatively, Adam was created alone due to the righteous and due to the wicked. It was so that the righteous will not say: We are the children of the righteous, and righteousness is natural for us, so there is no need for us to exert ourselves to be righteous, and so that the wicked will not say: We are the children of the wicked and cannot change our ways. The baraita continues: Alternatively, he was created alone due to the families, so that the families will not quarrel with each other, each one boasting of the heritage of their progenitor. And if now that Adam was created alone, families still quarrel and each family claims superiority, if there were two people created initially, all the more so would they do this. Alternatively, he was created alone due to the robbers and due to those who take by force that which is not theirs, as the feeling of fraternity among all people, having descended from the same forefather, will limit crime. And if now that Adam was created alone, criminals still rob and take by force that which is not theirs, if there were two people created initially, all the more so would this be the case. The mishna teaches: And this serves to tell of the greatness of the Holy One, Blessed be He, as when a person stamps several coins with one seal, they are all similar to each other. But the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He, stamped all people with the seal of Adam the first man, as all are his offspring, and not one of them is similar to another. The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta 8:5): The fact that Adam the first man was created alone serves to declare the greatness of the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He, as a person stamps several coins with one seal, and they are all similar to each other. But the Holy One, Blessed be He, stamps all people with the seal of Adam the first man, and not one of them is similar to another. As it is stated: “It is changed like clay under the seal and they stand as a garment” (Job 38:14). The verse describes people as being created “under the seal,” but their external appearance is different, just as garments can differ in appearance. The baraita asks: And for what reason are their faces not similar to one another? The baraita answers: It is so that a man will not see a beautiful home or a beautiful woman and say: She is mine. If all people looked the same, no one could contradict him. As it is stated in the following verse: “And from the wicked their light is withheld and the high arm shall be broken” (Job 38:15), indicating that the reason people look different from one another is to prevent the wicked from succeeding in their plans.
תַּנְיָא, הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים אָדָם מִשְׁתַּנֶּה מֵחֲבֵירוֹ: בְּקוֹל, בְּמַרְאֶה, וּבְדַעַת. בְּקוֹל וּבְמַרְאֶה – מִשּׁוּם עֶרְוָה, וּבְדַעַת – מִפְּנֵי הַגַּזְלָנִין וְהַחַמְסָנִין.
It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Meir would say: One person is different from another in three ways: In voice, in appearance, and in thought. The differences in voice and appearance are due to a woman forbidden to him, so that people will not exchange spouses one with another. And the differences in thought are due to the robbers and those who take by force that which is not theirs, as, if everyone thought in a similar way, criminals could take advantage of others because they would understand where they keep their valuables.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אָדָם נִבְרָא בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, וּמִפְּנֵי מָה? שֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ מִינִים אוֹמְרִים: שׁוּתָּף הָיָה לוֹ לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. דָּבָר אַחֵר: שֶׁאִם תָּזוּחַ דַּעְתּוֹ עָלָיו, אוֹמֵר לוֹ: יַתּוּשׁ קְדָמְךָ בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. דָּבָר אַחֵר: כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּכָּנֵס לַמִּצְוָה מִיָּד. דָּבָר אַחֵר: כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּכָּנֵס לַסְּעוּדָה מִיָּד. מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁבְּנָהּ פַּלְטֵרִין וְשִׁיכְלְלָן, וְהִתְקִין סְעוּדָה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ הִכְנִיס אוֹרְחִין. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״חׇכְמוֹת בָּנְתָה בֵיתָהּ חָצְבָה עַמּוּדֶיהָ שִׁבְעָה. טָבְחָה טִבְחָהּ מָסְכָה יֵינָהּ אַף עָרְכָה שֻׁלְחָנָהּ. שָׁלְחָה נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ תִקְרָא עַל גַּפֵּי מְרֹמֵי קָרֶת.״ ״חׇכְמוֹת בָּנְתָה בֵיתָהּ״ – זוֹ מִידָּתוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁבָּרָא אֶת כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ בְּחׇכְמָה. ״חָצְבָה עַמּוּדֶיהָ שִׁבְעָה״ – אֵלּוּ שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית. ״טָבְחָה טִבְחָהּ מָסְכָה יֵינָהּ אַף עָרְכָה שֻׁלְחָנָהּ״ – אֵלּוּ יַמִּים וּנְהָרוֹת וְכׇל צוֹרְכֵי עוֹלָם. ״שָׁלְחָה נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ תִקְרָא״ – זֶה אָדָם וְחַוָּה. ״עַל גַּפֵּי מְרֹמֵי קָרֶת״ – רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״עַל גַּפֵּי״, וּכְתִיב ״עַל כִּסֵּא״. בַּתְּחִלָּה – עַל גַּפֵּי, וּלְבַסּוֹף – עַל כִּסֵּא. ״מִי פֶתִי יָסֻר הֵנָּה חֲסַר לֵב אָמְרָה לּוֹ״. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: מִי פִּיתָּהוּ לָזֶה? אִשָּׁה אָמְרָה לוֹ. דִּכְתִיב: ״נֹאֵף אִשָּׁה חֲסַר לֵב״.
The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta 8:7): Adam the first man was created on Shabbat eve at the close of the six days of Creation. And for what reason was this so? So that the heretics will not be able to say that the Holy One, Blessed be He, had a partner, i.e., Adam, in the acts of Creation. Alternatively, he was created on Shabbat eve so that if a person becomes haughty, God can say to him: The mosquito preceded you in the acts of Creation, as you were created last. Alternatively, he was created on Shabbat eve in order that he enter into the mitzva of observing Shabbat immediately. Alternatively, he was created on Shabbat eve, after all of the other creations, in order that he enter into a feast immediately, as the whole world was prepared for him. This is comparable to a king of flesh and blood, who first built palaces [palterin] and improved them, and prepared a feast and afterward brought in his guests. As it is stated: “Wisdom has built her house, and she has hewn out her seven pillars. She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table. She has sent forth her maidens; she calls upon the top of the highest places of the city” (Proverbs 9:1–3). The baraita explains: “Wisdom has built her house”; this is referring to the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, Who created the entire world with wisdom. “She has hewn out her seven pillars”; these pillars are referring to the seven days of Creation, in which the world was established. “She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table”; these are referring to the seas and rivers and all the necessities of the world that were created. “She has sent forth her maidens; she calls”; this is referring to Adam and Eve, who were created at the end of Creation. The verses continue: “Upon the top of the highest places of the city.” Rabba bar bar Ḥana raises a contradiction: It is written: “Upon the top of the highest places,” and it is written afterward: “For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city” (Proverbs 9:14). Is she at the top or on a seat? He explains: Initially, Adam was alone upon the top of a high place, and ultimately, Adam was on a seat that is set for a bridegroom, when Eve was paired with him. The verse states in that passage: “Whoever is thoughtless, let him turn in here; as for him that lacks understanding, she tells him” (Proverbs 9:4). The Gemara explains: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Who lured this man to sin? The woman told him to sin. An allusion to the interpretation that one who is lured to sin by a woman is called one “that lacks understanding” is as it is written: “He who commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding” (Proverbs 6:32).
תַּנְיָא, הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִכׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ הוּצְבַּר עֲפָרוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״גׇּלְמִי רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ״, וּכְתִיב: ״כִּי ה׳ עֵינָיו מְשֹׁטְטוֹת בְּכׇל הָאָרֶץ״. אָמַר רַב אוֹשַׁעְיָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן גּוּפוֹ מִבָּבֶל, וְרֹאשׁוֹ מֵאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאֵבָרָיו מִשְּׁאָר אֲרָצוֹת. עַגְבוֹתָיו, אָמַר רַב אַחָא: מֵאַקְרָא דְאַגְמָא. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בַּר חֲנִינָא: שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁעוֹת הָוֵי הַיּוֹם. שָׁעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה – הוּצְבַּר עֲפָרוֹ, שְׁנִיָּה – נַעֲשָׂה גּוֹלֶם, שְׁלִישִׁית – נִמְתְּחוּ אֵבָרָיו, רְבִיעִית – נִזְרְקָה בּוֹ נְשָׁמָה, חֲמִישִׁית – עָמַד עַל רַגְלָיו, שִׁשִּׁית – קָרָא שֵׁמוֹת, שְׁבִיעִית – נִזְדַּוְּוגָה לוֹ חַוָּה, שְׁמִינִית – עָלוּ לַמִּטָּה שְׁנַיִם וְיָרְדוּ אַרְבָּעָה, תְּשִׁיעִית – נִצְטַוָּוה שֶׁלֹּא לֶאֱכוֹל מִן הָאִילָן, עֲשִׂירִית – סָרַח, אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה – נִידּוֹן, שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה – נִטְרַד וְהָלַךְ לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָדָם בִּיקָר בַּל יָלִין״. אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא: אֵין חַיָּה רָעָה שׁוֹלֶטֶת בְּאָדָם אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נִדְמָה לוֹ כִּבְהֵמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נִמְשַׁל כַּבְּהֵמוֹת נִדְמוּ״.
It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Meir would say: The dust that served to form Adam the first man was gathered from the entire world, as it is stated: “When I was made in secret and wrought in the lowest places of the earth, Your eyes did see my unshaped flesh” (Psalms 139:15–16), and it is written: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth” (II Chronicles 16:9), indicating that this figure was formed from the whole earth, the place within the view of the Lord’s eyes. Rav Oshaya says in the name of Rav: With regard to Adam the first man, his torso was fashioned from dust taken from Babylonia, and his head was fashioned from dust taken from Eretz Yisrael, the most important land, and his limbs were fashioned from dust taken from the rest of the lands in the world. With regard to his buttocks, Rav Aḥa says: They were fashioned from dust taken from Akra De’agma, on the outskirts of Babylonia. Rabbi Yoḥanan bar Ḥanina says: Daytime is twelve hours long, and the day Adam the first man was created was divided as follows: In the first hour of the day, his dust was gathered. In the second, an undefined figure was fashioned. In the third, his limbs were extended. In the fourth, a soul was cast into him. In the fifth, he stood on his legs. In the sixth, he called the creatures by the names he gave them. In the seventh, Eve was paired with him. In the eighth, they arose to the bed two, and descended four, i.e., Cain and Abel were immediately born. In the ninth, he was commanded not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge. In the tenth, he sinned. In the eleventh, he was judged. In the twelfth, he was expelled and left the Garden of Eden, as it is stated: “But man abides not in honor; he is like the beasts that perish” (Psalms 49:13). Adam did not abide, i.e., sleep, in a place of honor for even one night. Rami bar Ḥama says in explanation of the end of that verse: A wild animal does not have power over a person unless that person seems to the wild animal like an animal, as it is stated: “He is like the beasts that perish.”
(שָׁעָה, בַּסּוֹף, אֲרַמִּי – סִימָן.) אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבִּקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִבְראוֹת אֶת הָאָדָם, בָּרָא כַּת אַחַת שֶׁל מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת. אָמַר לָהֶם: רְצוֹנְכֶם נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ? אָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָה מַעֲשָׂיו? אָמַר לָהֶן: כָּךְ וְכָךְ מַעֲשָׂיו. אָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, ״מָה אֱנוֹשׁ כִּי תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ וּבֶן אָדָם כִּי תִפְקְדֶנּוּ״? הוֹשִׁיט אֶצְבָּעוֹ קְטַנָּה בֵּינֵיהֶן וּשְׂרָפָם. וְכֵן כַּת שְׁנִיָּה. כַּת שְׁלִישִׁית אָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, רִאשׁוֹנִים שֶׁאָמְרוּ לְפָנֶיךָ מָה הוֹעִילוּ? כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ שֶׁלְּךָ הוּא. כׇּל מָה שֶׁאַתָּה רוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת בְּעוֹלָמְךָ – עֲשֵׂה. כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְאַנְשֵׁי דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל וְאַנְשֵׁי דּוֹר הַפְּלַגָּה שֶׁמַּעֲשֵׂיהֶן מְקוּלְקָלִין, אָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, לֹא יָפֶה אָמְרוּ רִאשׁוֹנִים לְפָנֶיךָ? אָמַר לָהֶן: ״וְעַד זִקְנָה אֲנִי הוּא וְעַד שֵׂיבָה אֲנִי אֶסְבֹּל וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִסּוֹף הָעוֹלָם וְעַד סוֹפוֹ הָיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לְמִן הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אָדָם עַל הָאָרֶץ וּלְמִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם וְעַד קְצֵה הַשָּׁמָיִם״. כֵּיוָן שֶׁסָּרַח, הִנִּיחַ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יָדוֹ עָלָיו וּמִיעֲטוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָחוֹר וָקֶדֶם צַרְתָּנִי וַתָּשֶׁת עָלַי כַּפֶּכָה״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִן הָאָרֶץ עַד לָרָקִיעַ הָיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לְמִן הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אָדָם עַל הָאָרֶץ וּלְמִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם עַד קְצֵה הַשָּׁמָיִם״. כֵּיוָן שֶׁסָּרַח, הִנִּיחַ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יָדוֹ עָלָיו וּמִיעֲטוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָחוֹר וָקֶדֶם צַרְתָּנִי וְגוֹ׳״. קָשׁוּ קְרָאֵי אַהֲדָדֵי? אִידֵּי וְאִידֵּי חֲדָא מִידָּה הִיא. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן בְּלָשׁוֹן אֲרַמִּי סִפֵּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלִי מַה יָּקְרוּ רֵעֶיךָ אֵל״. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״זֶה סֵפֶר תּוֹלְדֹת אָדָם״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֶרְאָהוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא דּוֹר דּוֹר וְדוֹרְשָׁיו, דּוֹר דּוֹר וַחֲכָמָיו. כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְדוֹרוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא, שָׂמַח בְּתוֹרָתוֹ וְנִתְעַצֵּב בְּמִיתָתוֹ. אָמַר: ״וְלִי מַה יָּקְרוּ רֵעֶיךָ אֵל״. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִין הָיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּקְרָא ה׳ אֱלֹהִים אֶל הָאָדָם וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה״ – אָן נָטָה לִבֶּךָ? רַבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר: מוֹשֵׁךְ בְּעׇרְלָתוֹ הָיָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וְהֵמָּה כְּאָדָם עָבְרוּ בְרִית״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״אֶת בְּרִיתִי הֵפַר״.
The Gemara presents a mnemonic for the statements that follow: At the time, to the end, Aramaic. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to create a person, He created one group of ministering angels. He said to them: If you agree, let us fashion a person in our image. The angels said before him: Master of the Universe, what are the actions of this person You suggest to create? God said to them: His actions are such and such, according to human nature. The angels said before him: Master of the Universe: “What is man that You are mindful of him? And the son of man that You think of him?” (Psalms 8:5), i.e., a creature such as this is not worth creating. God outstretched His small finger among them and burned them with fire. And the same occurred with a second group of angels. The third group of angels that He asked said before Him: Master of the Universe, the first two groups who spoke their mind before You, what did they accomplish? The entire world is Yours; whatever You wish to do in Your world, do. God then created the first person. When history arrived at the time of the people of the generation of the flood and the people of the generation of the dispersion, i.e., the Tower of Babel, whose actions were ruinous, the angels said before God: Master of the Universe, didn’t the first set of angels speak appropriately before You, that human beings are not worthy of having been created? God said to them concerning humanity: “Even to your old age I am the same; and even to hoar hairs will I suffer you; I have made and I will bear; and I will carry, and I will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4), i.e., having created people, I will even suffer their flaws. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Adam the first man spanned from one end of the world until the other, as it is stated: “Since the day that God created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other” (Deuteronomy 4:32), meaning that on the day Adam was created he spanned from one end of the heavens until the other. Once Adam sinned, the Holy One, Blessed be He, placed His hand on him and diminished him, as it is stated: “Behind and before You have created me and laid Your hand upon me” (Psalms 139:5), that at first Adam spanned “behind and before,” meaning everywhere, and then God laid His hand on him and diminished him. Rabbi Elazar says: The height of Adam the first man was from the ground until the firmament, as it is stated: “Since the day that God created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other.” Adam stood “upon the earth” and rose to the end of the heavens. Once Adam sinned, the Holy One, Blessed be He, placed His hand on him and diminished him, as it is stated: “Behind and before You have created me and laid Your hand upon me.” The Gemara asks: The interpretations of the verses contradict each other. The first interpretation is that his size was from one end of the world to the other, and the second interpretation is that it was from the earth until the heavens. The Gemara answers: This and that, from one end of the world to another and from the earth until the heavens, are one measure, i.e., the same distance. And Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Adam the first man spoke in the language of Aramaic, as it is stated in the chapter of Psalms speaking in the voice of Adam: “How weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God” (Psalms 139:17). And this, i.e., that the verse in Psalms is stated by Adam, is what Reish Lakish says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “This is the book of the generations of Adam” (Genesis 5:1)? This verse teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, showed Adam every generation and its Torah interpreters, every generation and its wise ones. When he arrived at his vision of the generation of Rabbi Akiva, Adam was gladdened by his Torah, and saddened by his manner of death. He said: “How weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God,” i.e., how it weighs upon me that a man as great as Rabbi Akiva should suffer. And Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Adam the first man was a heretic, as it is stated: “And the Lord called to the man and said to him: Where are you”? (Genesis 3:9), meaning, to where has your heart turned, indicating that Adam turned from the path of truth. Rabbi Yitzḥak says: He was one who drew his foreskin forward, so as to remove any indication that he was circumcised. It is written here: “And they like men [adam] have transgressed the covenant” (Hosea 6:7), and it is written there: “And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant” (Genesis 17:14).
וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִין הָיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּקְרָא ה׳ אֱלֹהִים אֶל הָאָדָם וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אַיֶּכָּה״ – אָן נָטָה לִבֶּךָ? רַבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר: מוֹשֵׁךְ בְּעׇרְלָתוֹ הָיָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וְהֵמָּה כְּאָדָם עָבְרוּ בְרִית״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״אֶת בְּרִיתִי הֵפַר״. רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר: כּוֹפֵר בָּעִיקָּר הָיָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״עָבְרוּ בְרִית״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״אֶת בְּרִיתִי הֵפַר״, וְאָמְרוּ: ״עַל אֲשֶׁר עָזְבוּ אֶת בְּרִית ה׳ אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתָם״. תְּנַן הָתָם, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: הֱוֵי שָׁקוּד לִלְמוֹד תּוֹרָה, וְדַע מָה שֶׁתָּשִׁיב לָאֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס נׇכְרִי, אֲבָל אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס יִשְׂרָאֵל – כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן דְּפָקַר טְפֵי.
And Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Adam the first man was a heretic, as it is stated: “And the Lord called to the man and said to him: Where are you”? (Genesis 3:9), meaning, to where has your heart turned, indicating that Adam turned from the path of truth. Rabbi Yitzḥak says: He was one who drew his foreskin forward, so as to remove any indication that he was circumcised. It is written here: “And they like men [adam] have transgressed the covenant” (Hosea 6:7), and it is written there: “And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant” (Genesis 17:14). Rav Naḥman says: He was a denier of the fundamental principle of belief in God. It is written here: “And they like men [adam] have transgressed the covenant,” and it is written there: “He has broken My covenant,” and it is written in a third verse: “And then they shall answer: Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God and worshipped other gods and served them” (Jeremiah 22:9). § We learned in a mishna there (Avot 2:14): Rabbi Eliezer says: Be persistent to learn Torah, and know what to respond to the heretic [la’apikoros]. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This was taught only with regard to a gentile heretic, but not with regard to a Jewish heretic, as one should not respond to him. All the more so, if one does respond he will become more heretical. His heresy is assumed to be intentional, and any attempt to rebut it will only cause him to reinforce his position.
תְּנַן הָתָם, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: הֱוֵי שָׁקוּד לִלְמוֹד תּוֹרָה, וְדַע מָה שֶׁתָּשִׁיב לָאֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס נׇכְרִי, אֲבָל אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס יִשְׂרָאֵל – כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן דְּפָקַר טְפֵי. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁפָּקְרוּ הַמִּינִים, תְּשׁוּבָתָן בְּצִידָּן. ״נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ״, וְאוֹמֵר: ״וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ״. ״הָבָה נֵרְדָה וְנָבְלָה שָׁם שְׂפָתָם״ – ״וַיֵּרֶד ה׳ לִרְאֹת אֶת הָעִיר וְאֶת הַמִּגְדָּל״. ״כִּי שָׁם נִגְלוּ אֵלָיו הָאֱלֹהִים״ – ״לָאֵל הָעֹנֶה אֹתִי בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי״. ״כִּי מִי גוֹי גָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ אֱלֹהִים קְרֹבִים אֵלָיו כַּה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּכׇל קׇרְאֵנוּ אֵלָיו״. ״וּמִי כְעַמְּךָ כְּיִשְׂרָאֵל גּוֹי אֶחָד בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר הָלְכוּ אֱלֹהִים לִפְדּוֹת לוֹ לְעָם״. ״עַד דִּי כׇרְסָוָן רְמִיו, וְעַתִּיק יוֹמִין יְתִיב״. הָנָךְ לְמָה לִי? כִּדְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה דָּבָר אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נִמְלָךְ בְּפָמַלְיָא שֶׁל מַעְלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״בִּגְזֵרַת עִירִין פִּתְגָמָא וּבְמֵאמַר קַדִּישִׁין שְׁאֵלְתָא״. הָתִינַח כּוּלְּהִי, ״עַד דִּי כׇרְסָוָן רְמִיו״ מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? אֶחָד לוֹ וְאֶחָד לְדָוִד, דְּתַנְיָא: אֶחָד לוֹ וְאֶחָד לְדָוִד, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עֲקִיבָא, עַד מָתַי אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה שְׁכִינָה חוֹל? אֶלָּא אֶחָד לְדִין וְאֶחָד לִצְדָקָה. קַבְּלַהּ מִינֵּיהּ אוֹ לָא קַבְּלַהּ מִינֵּיהּ? תָּא שְׁמַע, דְּתַנְיָא: אֶחָד לְדִין וְאֶחָד לִצְדָקָה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה: עֲקִיבָא, מָה לְךָ אֵצֶל הַגָּדָה? כְּלָךְ אֵצֶל נְגָעִים וְאֹהָלוֹת! אֶלָּא, אֶחָד לְכִסֵּא וְאֶחָד לִשְׁרַפְרַף: כִּסֵּא לֵישֵׁב עָלָיו, שְׁרַפְרַף לַהֲדוֹם רַגְלָיו. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: הַאי מַאן דְּיָדַע לְאַהְדּוֹרֵי לְמִינֵי כְּרַב אִידִית – לַיהְדַּר, וְאִי לָא – לָא לַיהְדַּר. אָמַר הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַב אִידִית, כְּתִיב: ״וְאֶל מֹשֶׁה אָמַר עֲלֵה אֶל ה׳״. ״עֲלֵה אֵלַי״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: זֶהוּ מְטַטְרוֹן שֶׁשְּׁמוֹ כְּשֵׁם רַבּוֹ, דִּכְתִיב ״כִּי שְׁמִי בְּקִרְבּוֹ״. אִי הָכִי, נִיפְלְחוּ לֵיהּ! כְּתִיב: ״אַל תַּמֵּר בּוֹ״ – אַל תְּמִירֵנִי בּוֹ. אִם כֵּן, ״לֹא יִשָּׂא לְפִשְׁעֲכֶם״ לְמָה לִּי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֵימָנוּתָא בִּידַן, דַּאֲפִילּוּ בְּפַרְוָונְקָא נָמֵי לָא קַבֵּילְנֵיהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אִם אֵין פָּנֶיךָ הֹלְכִים וְגוֹ׳״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי: כְּתִיב ״וַה׳ הִמְטִיר עַל סְדֹם וְעַל עֲמֹרָה גׇּפְרִית וָאֵשׁ מֵאֵת ה׳״, ״מֵאִתּוֹ״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא כּוֹבֵס: שִׁבְקֵיהּ, אֲנָא מַהְדַּרְנָא לֵיהּ. דִּכְתִיב ״וַיֹּאמֶר לֶמֶךְ לְנָשָׁיו עָדָה וְצִלָּה שְׁמַעַן קוֹלִי נְשֵׁי לֶמֶךְ״, נָשַׁיי מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! אֶלָּא מִשְׁתַּעֵי קְרָא הָכִי, הָכָא נָמֵי מִשְׁתַּעֵי קְרָא הָכִי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מְנָא לָךְ הָא? מִפִּירְקֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר שְׁמִיעַ לִי. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כִּי הֲוָה דָּרֵישׁ רַבִּי מֵאִיר בְּפִירְקֵיהּ, הֲוָה דָּרֵישׁ תִּילְתָּא שְׁמַעְתָּא, תִּילְתָּא אַגָּדְתָּא, תִּילְתָּא מַתְלֵי. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שָׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת מִשְׁלוֹת שׁוּעָלִים הָיוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר, וְאָנוּ אֵין לָנוּ אֶלָּא שָׁלֹשׁ.
§ We learned in a mishna there (Avot 2:14): Rabbi Eliezer says: Be persistent to learn Torah, and know what to respond to the heretic [la’apikoros]. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This was taught only with regard to a gentile heretic, but not with regard to a Jewish heretic, as one should not respond to him. All the more so, if one does respond he will become more heretical. His heresy is assumed to be intentional, and any attempt to rebut it will only cause him to reinforce his position. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Any place in the Bible from where the heretics attempt to prove their heresy, i.e., that there is more than one god, the response to their claim is alongside them, i.e., in the immediate vicinity of the verses they cite. The verse states that God said: “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26), employing the plural, but it then states: “And God created man in His image” (Genesis 1:27), employing the singular. The verse states that God said: “Come, let us go down and there confound their language” (Genesis 11:7), but it also states: “And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower” (Genesis 11:5). The verse states in the plural: “There God was revealed [niglu] to him when he fled from the face of his brother” (Genesis 35:7), but it also states in the singular: “To God Who answers [haoneh] me in the day of my distress” (Genesis 35:3). Rabbi Yoḥanan cites several examples where the counterclaim is in the same verse as the claim of the heretics. The verse states: “For what nation is there so great that has God so near to them as the Lord our God is whenever we call upon Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7), where the term “near” is written in plural, kerovim, but the term “upon Him” is written in singular. Another verse states: “And who is like Your people, like Israel, a nation one in the earth, whom God went to redeem unto Himself for a people?” (II Samuel 7:23), where the term “went” is written in plural, halekhu, but the term “Himself” is written in singular. Another verse states: “I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit” (Daniel 7:9); where the term “thrones” is written in plural, kharsavan, but the term “sit” is written in singular. The Gemara asks: Why do I need these instances of plural words? Why does the verse employ the plural at all when referring to God? The Gemara explains: This is in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Yoḥanan, as Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, does not act unless He consults with the entourage of Above, i.e., the angels, as it is stated: “The matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones” (Daniel 4:14). The Gemara clarifies: This works out well for almost all the verses, as they describe an action taken by God, but what is there to say concerning the verse: “I beheld till thrones were placed”? The Gemara answers: One throne is for Him and one throne is for David, i.e., the messiah, as it is taught in a baraita: One throne is for Him and one throne is for David; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Yosei said to him: Akiva! Until when will you desacralize the Divine Presence by equating God with a person? Rather, the correct interpretation is that both thrones are for God, as one throne is for judgment and one throne is for righteousness. The Gemara asks: Did Rabbi Akiva accept this explanation from Rabbi Yosei or did he not accept it from him? The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof to the matter from what was taught in another baraita, as it is taught in a baraita: One throne is for judgment and one throne is for righteousness; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya said to him: Akiva! What are you doing near, i.e., discussing, matters of aggada? Go near tractates Nega’im and Oholot, which examine the complex halakhot of ritual purity, where your knowledge is unparalleled. Rather, the correct interpretation is that while both thrones are for God, one is for a throne and one is for a stool. There is a throne for God to sit upon, and a stool that serves as His footstool. Rav Naḥman says: This one, i.e., any person, who knows how to respond to the heretics as effectively as Rav Idit should respond to them, but if he does not know, he should not respond to them. The Gemara relates: A certain heretic said to Rav Idit: It is written in the verse concerning God: “And to Moses He said: Come up to the Lord” (Exodus 24:1). The heretic raised a question: It should have stated: Come up to Me. Rav Idit said to him: This term, “the Lord,” in that verse is referring to the angel Metatron, whose name is like the name of his Master, as it is written: “Behold I send an angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Take heed of him and obey his voice; do not defy him; for he will not pardon your transgression, for My name is in him” (Exodus 23:20–21). The heretic said to him: If so, if this angel is equated with God, we should worship him as we worship God. Rav Idit said to him: It is written: “Do not defy [tammer] him,” which alludes to: Do not replace Me [temireni] with him. The heretic said to him: If so, why do I need the clause “For he will not pardon your transgression”? Rav Idit said to him: We believe that we did not accept the angel even as a guide [befarvanka] for the journey, as it is written: “And he said to him: If Your Presence go not with me raise us not up from here” (Exodus 33:15). Moses told God that if God Himself does not accompany the Jewish people they do not want to travel to Eretz Yisrael. The Gemara relates: A certain heretic said to Rabbi Yishmael, son of Rabbi Yosei: It is written: “And the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven” (Genesis 19:24). The heretic raised the question: It should have stated: From Him out of heaven. A certain launderer said to Rabbi Yishmael: Leave him be; I will respond to him. This is as it is written: “And Lemech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lemech, hearken to my speech” (Genesis 4:23). One can raise the question: It should have been written: My wives, and not: “Wives of Lemech.” Rather, it is the style of the verse to speak in this manner. Here too, it is the style of the verse to speak in this manner. Rabbi Yishmael said to the launderer: From where did you hear this interpretation? The launderer said to him: I heard it at the lecture of Rabbi Meir. The Gemara comments: This is as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: When Rabbi Meir would teach his lecture he would expound one-third halakha, one-third aggada, and one-third parables. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Rabbi Meir had, i.e., taught, three hundred parables of foxes, and we have only three.
דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כִּי הֲוָה דָּרֵישׁ רַבִּי מֵאִיר בְּפִירְקֵיהּ, הֲוָה דָּרֵישׁ תִּילְתָּא שְׁמַעְתָּא, תִּילְתָּא אַגָּדְתָּא, תִּילְתָּא מַתְלֵי. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שָׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת מִשְׁלוֹת שׁוּעָלִים הָיוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר, וְאָנוּ אֵין לָנוּ אֶלָּא שָׁלֹשׁ. ״אָבוֹת יֹאכְלוּ בֹסֶר וְשִׁנֵּי בָנִים תִּקְהֶינָה״, ״מֹאזְנֵי צֶדֶק אַבְנֵי צֶדֶק״, ״צַדִּיק מִצָּרָה נֶחֱלָץ וַיָּבֹא רָשָׁע תַּחְתָּיו״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אֱלֹהֵיכֶם גַּנָּב הוּא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּפֵּל ה׳ אֱלֹהִים תַּרְדֵּמָה עַל הָאָדָם וַיִּישָׁן״. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ בְּרַתֵּיה: שִׁבְקֵיהּ, דַּאֲנָא מַהְדַּרְנָא לֵיהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: תְּנוּ לִי דּוּכּוֹס אֶחָד. אֲמַר לַהּ: לְמָה לִיךְ? לִיסְטִין בָּאוּ עָלֵינוּ הַלַּיְלָה וְנָטְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ קִיתוֹן שֶׁל כֶּסֶף וְהִנִּיחוּ לָנוּ קִיתוֹן שֶׁל זָהָב. אָמַר לָהּ: וּלְוַואי שֶׁיָּבֹאוּ עָלֵינוּ בְּכׇל יוֹם. וְלֹא יָפֶה הָיָה לוֹ לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁנָּטְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ צֵלָע אַחַת וְנָתְנוּ לוֹ שִׁפְחָה לְשַׁמְּשׁוֹ?
The Gemara comments: This is as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: When Rabbi Meir would teach his lecture he would expound one-third halakha, one-third aggada, and one-third parables. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Rabbi Meir had, i.e., taught, three hundred parables of foxes, and we have only three. And they are the parables concerning the following verses: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (Ezekiel 18:2); “Just balances, just weights…shall you have” (Leviticus 19:36); and “The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead” (Proverbs 11:8). § The Roman emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: Your God is a thief, as it is written: “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man and he slept; and He took one of his sides, and closed up the place with flesh instead” (Genesis 2:21). The daughter of the emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: Leave him, as I will respond to him. She said to her father: Provide one commander [dukhus] for me to avenge someone’s wrongdoing. The emperor said to her: Why do you need him? She said to him: Armed bandits came to us this past night, and took a silver jug [kiton] from us, and left a golden jug for us. The emperor said to her: If so, would it be that armed bandits such as these would come to us every day. She said to him: And was it not similarly good for Adam the first man that God took a side from him and gave him a maidservant to serve him?
אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אֱלֹהֵיכֶם גַּנָּב הוּא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּפֵּל ה׳ אֱלֹהִים תַּרְדֵּמָה עַל הָאָדָם וַיִּישָׁן״. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ בְּרַתֵּיה: שִׁבְקֵיהּ, דַּאֲנָא מַהְדַּרְנָא לֵיהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: תְּנוּ לִי דּוּכּוֹס אֶחָד. אֲמַר לַהּ: לְמָה לִיךְ? לִיסְטִין בָּאוּ עָלֵינוּ הַלַּיְלָה וְנָטְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ קִיתוֹן שֶׁל כֶּסֶף וְהִנִּיחוּ לָנוּ קִיתוֹן שֶׁל זָהָב. אָמַר לָהּ: וּלְוַואי שֶׁיָּבֹאוּ עָלֵינוּ בְּכׇל יוֹם. וְלֹא יָפֶה הָיָה לוֹ לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁנָּטְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ צֵלָע אַחַת וְנָתְנוּ לוֹ שִׁפְחָה לְשַׁמְּשׁוֹ? אֲמַר לַהּ: הָכִי קָאָמֵינָא, אֶלָּא לִשְׁקְלַיהּ בְּהֶדְיָא? אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: אַיְיתוֹ לִי אוּמְצָא דְּבִישְׂרָא. אַיְיתוֹ לַהּ. אוֹתְבַהּ תּוּתֵי בַּחְשָׁא, אַפִּיקְתַּהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: אֱכוֹל (מֵהַאי). אֲמַר לַהּ: מְאִיסָא לִי. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: וְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן נָמֵי, אִי הֲוָת שְׁקִילָה בְּהֶדְיָא, הֲוָה מְאִיסָא לֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: יָדַעְנָא אֱלָהַיְיכוּ מַאי קָא עָבֵיד וְהֵיכָן יָתֵיב. אִיתְנְגִיד וְאִיתְּנַח. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בֵּן אֶחָד יֵשׁ לִי בִּכְרַכֵּי הַיָּם וְיֵשׁ לִי גִּיעֲגוּעִים עָלָיו. בָּעֵינָא דְּמַחְוֵית לֵיהּ נִיהֲלִי. אָמַר: מִי יָדַעְנָא הֵיכָא נִיהוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: דְּאִיכָּא בְּאַרְעָא לָא יָדְעַתְּ, דְּאִיכָּא בִּשְׁמַיָּא יָדְעַתְּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: כְּתִיב ״מוֹנֶה מִסְפָּר לַכּוֹכָבִים״, מַאי רְבוּתֵיהּ? אֲנָא מָצֵינָא לְמִימְנֵי כּוֹכְבֵי! אַיְיתִי חֲבוּשֵׁי, שְׁדִינְהוּ בְּאַרְבֵּילָא, וְקָא מְהַדַּר לְהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מְנִינְהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אוֹקְמִינְהוּ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: רָקִיעַ נָמֵי הָכִי הָדְרָא. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, הָכִי אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מְנִי לִי כּוֹכְבֵי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵימָא לִי כַּכָּיךְ וְשִׁינָּיךְ כַּמָּה הָוֵי? שְׁדָא יְדֵיהּ לְפוּמֵּיהּ וְקָא מָנֵי לְהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: דְּאִיכָּא בְּפוּמָּיךְ לָא יָדְעַתְּ, דְּאִיכָּא בִּרְקִיעָא יָדְעַתְּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: מִי שֶׁבָּרָא הָרִים לֹא בָּרָא רוּחַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כִּי הִנֵּה יוֹצֵר הָרִים וּבֹרֵא רוּחַ״. אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, גַּבֵּי אָדָם דִּכְתִיב ״וַיִּבְרָא״ ״וַיִּיצֶר״, הָכִי נָמֵי מִי שֶׁבָּרָא זֶה לֹא בָּרָא זֶה? טֶפַח עַל טֶפַח יֵשׁ בּוֹ בָּאָדָם, וּשְׁנֵי נְקָבִים יֵשׁ בּוֹ. מִי שֶׁבָּרָא זֶה לֹא בָּרָא זֶה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הֲנֹטַע אֹזֶן הֲלֹא יִשְׁמָע וְאִם יֹצֵר עַיִן הֲלֹא יַבִּיט״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וּבִשְׁעַת מִיתָה כּוּלָּן נִתְפַּיְּיסוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא אַמְגּוּשָׁא לְאַמֵּימָר: מִפַּלְגָךְ לְעִילַּאי דְּהוֹרְמִיז, מִפַּלְגָךְ לְתַתַּאי דְּאַהוֹרְמִיז. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִם כֵּן, הֵיכִי שָׁבֵיק לֵיהּ אַהוֹרְמִיז לְהוֹרְמִיז לְעַבּוֹרֵי מַיָּא בְּאַרְעֵיהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבִּי תַּנְחוּם: תָּא לִיהְווֹ כּוּלָּן לְעַמָּא חַד. אֲמַר: לְחַיֵּי, אֲנַן דְּמָהֲלִינַן לָא מָצֵינַן מִיהְוֵי כְּוָותַיְיכוּ. אַתּוּן מָהֲלִיתוּ וֶהֱווֹ כְּוָותַן! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵימָר שַׁפִּיר קָאָמְרַתְּ, מִיהוּ כֹּל דְּזָכֵי לְמַלְכָּא לִשְׁדְּיוּהּ לְבֵיבָר. שַׁדְיוּהּ לְבֵיבָר וְלָא אַכְלוּהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא: הַאי דְּלָא אַכְלוּהּ מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא כְּפוּן הוּא. שַׁדְיוּהּ לֵיהּ לְדִידֵיהּ וְאַכְלוּהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אָמְרִיתוּ כֹּל בֵּי עַשְׂרָה שְׁכִינְתָּא שָׁרְיָא, כַּמָּה שְׁכִינְתָּא אִיכָּא? קַרְיֵיהּ לְשַׁמָּעֵיהּ, מְחָא בֵּיהּ בְּאַפָּתְקָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי עָל שִׁמְשָׁא בְּבֵיתֵיהּ דְּקֵיסָר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שִׁמְשָׁא אַכּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא נָיְחָא. וּמָה שִׁמְשָׁא דְּחַד מִן אֶלֶף אַלְפֵי רִבּוֹא שַׁמָּשֵׁי דְּקַמֵּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא נָיְחָא אַכּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא, שְׁכִינְתָּא דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: אֱלֹהֵיכֶם גַּחֲכָן הוּא, דְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ לִיחֶזְקֵאל ״שְׁכַב עַל צִדְּךָ הַשְּׂמָאלִי״, וּכְתִיב ״וְשָׁכַבְתָּ עַל צִדְּךָ הַיְמָנִי״! אֲתָא הָהוּא תַּלְמִידָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא דִּשְׁבִיעֲתָא? אֲמַר לְהוּ: הַשְׁתָּא אָמֵינָא לְכוּ מִילְּתָא דְּשָׁוְיָא לְתַרְוַיְיכוּ. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: זִרְעוּ שֵׁשׁ וְהַשְׁמִיטוּ שֶׁבַע, כְּדֵי שֶׁתֵּדְעוּ שֶׁהָאָרֶץ שֶׁלִּי הִיא. וְהֵן לֹא עָשׂוּ כֵּן, אֶלָּא חָטְאוּ וְגָלוּ. מִנְהָגוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם: מֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁסָּרְחָה עָלָיו מְדִינָה – אִם אַכְזָרִי הוּא, הוֹרֵג אֶת כּוּלָּן; אִם רַחְמָן הוּא, הוֹרֵג חֶצְיָם; אִם רַחְמָן מָלֵא רַחֲמִים הוּא, מְיַיסֵּר הַגְּדוֹלִים שֶׁבָּהֶן בְּיִסּוּרִין. אַף כָּךְ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְיַיסֵּר אֶת יְחֶזְקֵאל כְּדֵי לְמָרֵק עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: אֱלֹהֵיכֶם כֹּהֵן הוּא, דִּכְתִיב ״וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה״. כִּי קַבְרֵיהּ לְמֹשֶׁה, בְּמַאי טְבֵיל? וְכִי תֵּימָא בְּמַיָּא, וְהָכְתִיב ״מִי מָדַד בְּשׇׁעֳלוֹ מַיִם״? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בְּנוּרָא טְבֵיל, דִּכְתִיב ״כִּי הִנֵּה ה׳ בָּאֵשׁ יָבוֹא״. וּמִי סָלְקָא טְבִילוּתָא בְּנוּרָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַדְּרַבָּה, עִיקַּר טְבִילוּתָא בְּנוּרָא הוּא, דִּכְתִיב ״וְכׇל אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָבֹא בָּאֵשׁ תַּעֲבִירוּ בַמָּיִם״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַבִּי אֲבִינָא: כְּתִיב ״וּמִי כְעַמְּךָ כְּיִשְׂרָאֵל גּוֹי אֶחָד בָּאָרֶץ״, מַאי רְבוּתַיְיהוּ? אַתּוּן נָמֵי עָרְבִיתוּ בַּהֲדַן, דִּכְתִיב ״כׇּל הַגּוֹיִם כְּאַיִן נֶגְדּוֹ״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִדִּידְכוּ אַסְהִידוּ עֲלַן, דִּכְתִיב ״וּבַגּוֹיִם לֹא יִתְחַשָּׁב״. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״טוֹב ה׳ לַכֹּל״, וּכְתִיב ״טוֹב ה׳ לְקֹוָויו״. מָשָׁל לְאָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ פַּרְדֵּס: כְּשֶׁהוּא מַשְׁקֶה – מַשְׁקֶה אֶת כּוּלּוֹ, כְּשֶׁהוּא עוֹדֵר – אֵינוֹ עוֹדֵר אֶלָּא טוֹבִים שֶׁבָּהֶם.
§ The Roman emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: Your God is a thief, as it is written: “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man and he slept; and He took one of his sides, and closed up the place with flesh instead” (Genesis 2:21). The daughter of the emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: Leave him, as I will respond to him. She said to her father: Provide one commander [dukhus] for me to avenge someone’s wrongdoing. The emperor said to her: Why do you need him? She said to him: Armed bandits came to us this past night, and took a silver jug [kiton] from us, and left a golden jug for us. The emperor said to her: If so, would it be that armed bandits such as these would come to us every day. She said to him: And was it not similarly good for Adam the first man that God took a side from him and gave him a maidservant to serve him? The emperor said to her: This is what I was saying: But if it is good for Adam, let God take his side from him in the open, not during the time of his deep sleep, like a thief. She said to him: Bring me a slice of raw meat. They brought it to her. She placed it under the embers, and removed it after it was roasted. She said to him: Eat from this meat. The emperor said to her: It is repulsive to me. Although he knew that this is how meat is prepared, seeing the raw meat made it repulsive to him. She said to him: With regard to Adam the first man as well, had God taken her from him in the open, she would have been repulsive to him. Therefore God acted while Adam was asleep. The emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: I know your God, what He does and where He sits. Meanwhile, the emperor was moaning and groaning. Rabban Gamliel said to him: What is this? Why are you in distress? The emperor said to him: I have one son in the cities overseas and I miss him. Rabban Gamliel said to him: I want you to show him to me. The emperor said: Do I know where he is? Rabban Gamliel said to him: If you do not know that which is on earth, is it possible that you do know that which is in the heavens? The emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: It is written in praise of the Lord: “He counts the number of the stars; He gives them all their names” (Psalms 147:4). What is His greatness? I can also count the stars. Rabban Gamliel brought quinces, put them in a sieve, and spun them. He said to the emperor: Count them. The emperor said to him: Stand them still so that I can count them. Rabban Gamliel said to him: The firmament also revolves like this, therefore you cannot count the stars in it. Some say that this is what the emperor said to him: I have counted the stars. Rabban Gamliel said to him: Tell me how many teeth and incisors you have. The emperor put his hand in his mouth and was counting them. Rabban Gamliel said to him: You do not know what is in your mouth, but you do know what is in the firmament? The emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: He Who created mountains did not create wind, rather two separate gods created them, as it is stated: “For, lo, He forms mountains and creates wind” (Amos 4:13); one is described with the verb “forms,” and the other with the verb “creates.” Rabban Gamliel said to him: If that is so, then with regard to Adam, as it is written concerning him: “And God created” (Genesis 1:27), and also: “And the Lord God formed” (Genesis 2:7), so too should one say that He who created this did not create that? If you will claim that different gods created different parts of Adam, that will not suffice. A person has one handbreadth by one handbreadth of facial countenance, with two types of orifices in it, eyes and ears. Should one say that He who created this did not create that; as it is stated: “He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see?” (Psalms 94:9)? The verse employs two verbs for the eyes and ears alone. The emperor said to him: Yes, different gods created different parts of the face. Rabban Gamliel said to him: And at the moment of death, are they all appeased? Do all these gods agree as one that the time arrived for the person to die? The Gemara relates: A certain magus said to Ameimar: From your midpoint and up is in the domain of Hurmiz, the god of good, who created the significant and important parts of the body, and from your midpoint and down is in the domain of Ahurmiz, the god of bad. Ameimar said to him: If so, how does Ahurmiz allow Hurmiz to urinate in his territory? A person drinks with his mouth, which is in his upper half, and urinates from below. The Gemara relates: The emperor said to Rabbi Tanḥum: Come, let us all be one people. Rabbi Tanḥum said: Very well. But we, who are circumcised, cannot become uncircumcised as you are; you all circumcise yourselves and become like us. The emperor said to Rabbi Tanḥum: In terms of the logic of your statement, you are saying well, but anyone who bests the king in a debate is thrown to the enclosure [labeivar] of wild animals. They threw him to the enclosure but the animals did not eat him, as God protected him. A certain heretic said to the emperor: This incident, that they did not eat him, happened because they are not hungry. They then threw the heretic into the enclosure and the animals ate him. The emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: You say that the Divine Presence dwells in any place where there are ten adult male Jews. He asked, sarcastically: How many Divine Presences are there? Rabban Gamliel summoned the servant of the emperor and hit him on his neck [be’appatka]. Rabban Gamliel said to him: Why did you allow the sun to enter the house of the emperor? The emperor said to him: The sun rests upon all the world; no one can prevent it from shining. Rabban Gamliel said to him: And if the sun, which is one of ten thousand attendants that are before the Holy One, Blessed be He, rests upon all the world, the Divine Presence of the Holy One, Blessed be He, all the more so rests upon the world. A certain heretic said to Rabbi Abbahu: Your God is a jester, as He said to Ezekiel the prophet: “Lie on your left side” (Ezekiel 4:4), and it is also written: “Lie on your right side” (Ezekiel 4:6); God had Ezekiel turn from side to side, apparently for comic effect. In the meantime, a certain student came before Rabbi Abbahu and said to him: What is the reason for the mitzva of the Sabbatical Year? Rabbi Abbahu said to them: Now I will tell you something that is fit for the two of you. Rabbi Abbahu continued: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people: Sow for six years, and withhold sowing during the seventh year, so that that you will know that the land is Mine. But the Jewish people did not do so; rather, they sinned and were consequently exiled. The manner of the world is that in the case of a flesh-and-blood king whose province sinned against him, if he is cruel, he kills them all; if he is compassionate, he kills only half of them; and if he is compassionate and is full of compassion, he afflicts the leaders among them with suffering. Rabbi Abbahu continues: So too in this case, the Holy One, Blessed be He, afflicts Ezekiel in order to cleanse the sins of the Jewish people. God instructed him to lie down and suffer the same number of days as the number of years that the Jewish people did not observe the halakhot of the Sabbatical Year. A certain heretic said to Rabbi Abbahu: Your God is a priest, as it is written: “That they take for Me an offering [teruma]” (Exodus 25:2), and teruma is given to the priests. He asked, sarcastically: When He buried Moses, in what ritual bath did He immerse? A priest who contracts impurity from a corpse must immerse in order to be able to partake of teruma. And if you would say that He immersed in water, but isn’t it written: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand” (Isaiah 40:12), that all waters of the world fit in the palm of God, so He could not immerse in them. Rabbi Abbahu said to him: He immersed in fire, as it is written: “For, behold, the Lord will come in fire” (Isaiah 66:15). The heretic said to him: But is immersion in fire effective? Rabbi Abbahu said to him: On the contrary, the main form of immersion is in fire, as it is written with regard to the removal of non-kosher substances absorbed in a vessel: “And all that abides not the fire you shall make to go through the water” (Numbers 31:23), indicating that fire purifies more than water does. A certain heretic said to Rabbi Avina: It is written: “And who is like Your people, Israel, one nation in the earth” (II Samuel 7:23). The heretic asked: What is your greatness? You are also mixed together with us, as it is written: “All nations before Him are as nothing; they are counted by Him less than nothing and vanity” (Isaiah 40:17). Rabbi Avina said to him: One of yours, the gentile prophet Balaam, has already testified for us, as it is written: “It is a people that shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9), teaching that where the verse mentions “the nations,” the Jewish people are not included. The Gemara cites a related statement: Rabbi Elazar raises a contradiction: It is written in one verse: “The Lord is good to all and His compassion is over all His works” (Psalms 145:9), and it is written in a different verse: “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25). He explains: This can be compared to a person who has an orchard. When he waters it, he waters all of it. Perforce, the water reaches all parts of the orchard, and he cannot discriminate between trees. This is the meaning of the verse: “The Lord is good to all.” By contrast, when he hoes around the trees, he hoes only around the good trees among them. Similarly, when God bestows goodness to the world, all receive it. When He protects people from harm, not all are protected.
לְפִיכָךְ כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד כּוּ׳. ״וַיַּעֲבֹר הָרִנָּה בַּמַּחֲנֶה״. אָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא: ״בַּאֲבֹד רְשָׁעִים רִנָּה״ – בַּאֲבוֹד אַחְאָב בֶּן עָמְרִי רִנָּה. וּמִי חָדֵי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בְּמַפַּלְתָּן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים? הָכְתִיב: ״בְּצֵאת לִפְנֵי הֶחָלוּץ וְאֹמְרִים הוֹדוּ לַה׳ כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא נֶאֱמַר בְּהוֹדָאָה זוֹ ״כִּי טוֹב״? לְפִי שֶׁאֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שָׂמֵחַ בְּמַפַּלְתָּן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וְלֹא קָרַב זֶה אֶל זֶה כׇּל הַלָּיְלָה״? בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה בִּקְּשׁוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לוֹמַר שִׁירָה לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא. אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: מַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי טוֹבְעִין בַּיָּם וְאַתֶּם אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה לְפָנַי? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר חֲנִינָא: הוּא אֵינוֹ שָׂשׂ, אֲבָל אֲחֵרִים מֵשִׂישׂ. דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, דִּכְתִיב ״יָשִׂישׂ״ וְלָא כְּתִיב ״יָשׂוּשׂ״. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.
§ The mishna teaches: Therefore, since all humanity descends from one person, each and every person is obligated to say: The world was created for me. The mishna then teaches that the court says to the witnesses: And perhaps you will say: Why would we want to be responsible for the blood of this person? But be aware, as is it not already stated: “When the wicked perish, there is song” (Proverbs 11:10)? The Gemara teaches: A separate verse relates that after the evil king Ahab was killed: “And the song went throughout the camp” (I Kings 22:36). Rabbi Aḥa bar Ḥanina says: The fact that the verse states “the song,” and not a song, indicates that it is referring to a song mentioned elsewhere. Accordingly, the verse: “When the wicked perish, there is song,” alludes to this episode: When Ahab ben Omri perished, there was song. The Gemara asks: But is the Holy One, Blessed be He, gladdened by the downfall of the wicked? Isn’t it written in the verse describing the victory of the Jewish people in battle: “He appointed them that should sing unto the Lord, and praise in the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and say: Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever” (II Chronicles 20:21). And Rabbi Yonatan says: For what reason is it not stated in this praise: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever,” as is stated elsewhere, e.g., Psalms 118:1? This is because the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not gladdened by the downfall of the wicked. The Gemara comments: As Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman says that Rabbi Yonatan says: What is the meaning of that which is written in the passage describing the splitting of the Red Sea: “And the one came not near the other all the night” (Exodus 14:20)? At that time the ministering angels desired to recite a song before the Holy One, Blessed be He. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: My handiwork, i.e., the Egyptians, are drowning in the sea, and you are reciting a song before Me? Apparently, God is not gladdened by the downfall of the wicked. Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina says: He, i.e., God, does not rejoice in their downfall, but He does cause others to feel joy. The Gemara comments: Accordingly, the language of the verse is also precise, as it is written: “And it shall come to pass, that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the Lord will cause rejoicing [yasis] over you to cause you to perish” (Deuteronomy 28:63), and it is not written: Will have joy [yasus]. The term “yasis” connotes causing joy to others, not that God will experience joy Himself. The Gemara affirms: Conclude from this inference that it is so.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא אָמַר רַבִּי אַסִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַמְבָרֵךְ עַל הַחֹדֶשׁ בִּזְמַנּוֹ כְּאִילּוּ מְקַבֵּל פְּנֵי שְׁכִינָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא ״הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם ״זֶה אֵלִי וְאַנְוֵהוּ״. תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: אִילְמָלֵא לֹא זָכוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶלָּא לְהַקְבִּיל פְּנֵי אֲבִיהֶן שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם כָּל חֹדֶשׁ וָחֹדֶשׁ, דַּיָּים. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: הִלְכָּךְ נֵימְרִינְהוּ מְעוּמָּד. מָרִימָר וּמָר זוּטְרָא מְכַתְּפִי אַהֲדָדֵי וּמְבָרְכִי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: בְּמַעְרְבָא מְבָרְכִי ״בָּרוּךְ מְחַדֵּשׁ חֳדָשִׁים״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַאי נְשֵׁי דִּידַן נָמֵי מְבָרְכִי. אֶלָּא כִּדְרַב יְהוּדָה, דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: ״בָּרוּךְ [וְכוּ׳] אֲשֶׁר בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ בָּרָא שְׁחָקֵים, וּבְרוּחַ פִּיו כׇּל צְבָאָם. חֹק וּזְמַן נָתַן לָהֶם שֶׁלֹּא יְשַׁנּוּ אֶת תַּפְקִידָם, שָׂשִׂים וּשְׂמֵחִים לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹן קוֹנָם. פּוֹעֲלֵי אֱמֶת שֶׁפְּעוּלָּתָן אֱמֶת. וְלַלְּבָנָה אָמַר שֶׁתִּתְחַדֵּשׁ עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאֶרֶת לַעֲמוּסֵי בָטֶן, שֶׁהֵן עֲתִידִין לְהִתְחַדֵּשׁ כְּמוֹתָהּ וּלְפָאֵר לְיוֹצְרָם עַל שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ מְחַדֵּשׁ חֳדָשִׁים״. כִּי בְתַחְבֻּלוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה לְּךָ מִלְחָמָה. אָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא אָמַר רַבִּי אַסִּי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בְּמִי אַתָּה מוֹצֵא מִלְחַמְתָּהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה? בְּמִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּיָדוֹ חֲבִילוֹת שֶׁל מִשְׁנָה. קָרֵי רַב יוֹסֵף אַנַּפְשֵׁיהּ: ״וְרׇב תְּבוּאוֹת בְּכֹחַ שׁוֹר״.
And Rabbi Aḥa bar Ḥanina says that Rabbi Asi says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: With regard to anyone who blesses the new month in its proper time, it is as if he greets the Face of the Divine Presence. Alluding to this, it is written here concerning the sanctification of the new month: “This month shall be for you the beginning of months” (Exodus 12:2), and it is written there, where the Jewish people encountered the Divine Presence at the splitting of the sea: “This is my God and I will glorify Him” (Exodus 15:2). The term “this” is employed in both verses. The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: If the Jewish people merited to greet the Face of their Father in Heaven only one time each and every month, it would suffice for them, since in the blessing of the moon there is an aspect of greeting the Divine Presence. Abaye said: Therefore, we will say the blessing while standing, in honor of the Divine Presence. The Gemara relates: Mareimar and Mar Zutra would lean on one another’s shoulders and recite the blessing. Rav Aḥa said to Rav Ashi: In the West, Eretz Yisrael, they recite the following blessing on the moon: Blessed is He Who renews the months. Rav Ashi said to him: Our women also recite that blessing, meaning that this is an abridged version for the unlettered. Rather, the full version of the blessing is the version of Rav Yehuda. As Rav Yehuda says: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who by His word created the heavens, and by the breath of his mouth all their hosts. He set for them a law and a time, that they should not deviate from their task. And they are joyous and glad to perform the will of their Owner; they are workers of truth whose work is truth. And to the moon He said that it should renew itself as a crown of beauty for those He carried from the womb, as they are destined to be renewed like it, and to praise their Creator for the name of His glorious kingdom. Blessed are You the Lord, Who renews the months. The Gemara presents another statement, citing Rabbi Aḥa, citing Rabbi Asi, citing Rabbi Yoḥanan. The verse states: “For by wise advice you shall make your war” (Proverbs 24:6). Rabbi Aḥa bar Ḥanina says that Rabbi Asi says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In whom do you find the war, i.e., the ability to engage in disputes, of Torah? In one who has in his possession bundles, i.e., vast knowledge, of Mishna. One must first learn the primary sources before engaging in disputes of Torah. Rav Yosef would read concerning himself the verse: “And much produce comes by the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4), i.e., one with great strength can bring a large yield. Rav Yosef was known to be particularly well-versed in tannaitic statements.
״וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ קוּם לָךְ״. דָּרֵישׁ רַבִּי שֵׁילָא: אָמַר לֵיהּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: שֶׁלְּךָ קָשָׁה מִשֶּׁלָּהֶם. אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי ״וְהָיָה בְּעׇבְרְכֶם אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן תָּקִימוּ״, וְאַתֶּם רִיחַקְתֶּם שִׁשִּׁים מִיל. בָּתַר דִּנְפַק, אוֹקֵים רַב אָמוֹרָא עֲלֵיהּ וּדְרַשׁ: ״כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה׳ אֶת מֹשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ כֵּן צִוָּה מֹשֶׁה אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְכֵן עָשָׂה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לֹא הֵסִיר דָּבָר מִכׇּל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה׳ אֶת מֹשֶׁה״. אִם כֵּן, מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״קוּם לָךְ״? אָמַר לוֹ: אַתָּה גָּרַמְתָּ לָהֶם. וְהַיְינוּ דְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ בְּעַי: ״וְעָשִׂיתָ לָעַי וּלְמַלְכָּהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ לִירִיחוֹ וּלְמַלְכָּהּ וְגוֹ׳״. ״וַיְהִי בִּהְיוֹת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּירִיחוֹ וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְגוֹ׳ וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא כִּי אֲנִי שַׂר צְבָא ה׳ עַתָּה בָאתִי [וַיִּפֹּל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אֶל פָּנָיו אַרְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ]״. הֵיכִי עָבֵיד הָכִי? וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָסוּר לוֹ לְאָדָם שֶׁיִּתֵּן שָׁלוֹם לַחֲבֵירוֹ בַּלַּיְלָה, חָיְישִׁינַן שֶׁמָּא שֵׁד הוּא! שָׁאנֵי הָתָם, דְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ: ״אֲנִי שַׂר צְבָא ה׳ עַתָּה בָאתִי וְגוֹ׳״. וְדִילְמָא מְשַׁקְּרִי? גְּמִירִי דְּלָא מַפְּקִי שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם לְבַטָּלָה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֶמֶשׁ בִּיטַּלְתֶּם תָּמִיד שֶׁל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, וְעַכְשָׁיו בִּיטַּלְתֶּם תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה. עַל אֵיזֶה מֵהֶן בָּאתָ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״עַתָּה בָּאתִי״. מִיָּד ״וַיָּלֶן יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא בְּתוֹךְ הָעֵמֶק״, וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלָּן בְּעוּמְקָהּ שֶׁל הֲלָכָה. אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אִינְיָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: גָּדוֹל תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה יוֹתֵר מֵהַקְרָבַת תְּמִידִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַתָּה בָאתִי״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב דִּימִי: הַאי קְרָא בְּמַעְרְבָא בְּמַאי מוֹקְמִיתוּ לֵיהּ: ״אַל תֵּצֵא לָרִיב מַהֵר פֶּן מַה תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּאַחֲרִיתָהּ בְּהַכְלִים אֹתְךָ רֵעֶךָ. רִיבְךָ רִיב אֶת רֵעֶךָ וְסוֹד אַחֵר אַל תְּגָל״?
§ With regard to the verse that states: “And the Lord said to Joshua: Get you up; why do you lie this way on your face?” (Joshua 7:10), Rabbi Sheila taught in a public lecture: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Joshua: Your own sin is even worse than that of the other Jews who sinned, as I said to the Jewish people: “And it shall be when you have gone over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones” (Deuteronomy 27:4), and you have already distanced yourselves sixty mil from the Jordan River, and you have yet to fulfill the mitzva. After Rav Sheila finished his lecture and went out, Rav, who had been present but remained silent, placed an interpreter alongside him, who would repeat his lecture in a loud voice so that the public could hear it, and he taught: The verse states: “As the Lord commanded Moses His servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses” (Joshua 11:15). This indicates that Joshua could not have been guilty of a grave offense such as delaying in setting up the stones. If so, what is the meaning when the verse states: “Get you up,” hinting that Joshua was in fact responsible for some transgression? The matter should be understood as follows: God said to Joshua: You caused the Jewish people to sin, as had you not dedicated all the spoils of Jericho to the Tabernacle treasury, the entire incident of Achan taking the spoils improperly would not have occurred. And this is what God said to him at Ai: “And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king; only its spoil and its cattle shall you take for a prey to yourselves” (Joshua 8:2), instructing Joshua that the Jewish people should keep the spoils. The verse states: “And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, a man stood over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: And Joshua went to him and said to him, Are you for us or for our adversaries? And he said: No, but I am captain of the host of the Lord; I have now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down” (Joshua 5:13–14). The Gemara asks: How could Joshua do so, bowing down to a stranger at night? But doesn’t Rabbi Yoḥanan say: It is prohibited for a person to greet another whom he does not recognize at night, as we are concerned that perhaps the one he doesn’t recognize is a demon? Why was Joshua not concerned about this possibility? The Gemara answers: It is different there, as the stranger said to Joshua: “I am captain of the host of the Lord; I have now come.” The Gemara asks: But perhaps he was in fact a demon and he was lying? The Gemara answers: It is learned as a tradition that demons do not utter the name of Heaven in vain, and since this figure mentioned the name of Heaven, he must have been speaking the truth. The Gemara understands the words of the angel that Joshua encountered as a rebuke for some offense Joshua committed: The angel said to Joshua: Yesterday, in the afternoon, you neglected sacrificing the daily afternoon offering because you were engaged in warfare, and now, when it is dark, you neglected Torah study. Joshua asked him: For which of these sins have you come to reprove me? The angel said to him: “I have now come,” i.e., the fact that I did not come before, but waited until now, when it is dark, indicates that the sin of neglecting Torah study is the more severe one. Joshua immediately acted to rectify the matter by deciding that he must devote more time to Torah study, as it is stated: “And Joshua lodged that night” (Joshua 8:9) “into the midst of the valley [ha’emek]” (Joshua 8:13). And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This teaches that he lodged all night in the depth [be’omekah] of halakha, thereby atoning for his previous neglect of Torah study. Shmuel bar Unya says in the name of Rav: Torah study is greater than the sacrificing of the daily offerings, as it is stated: “I have now come,” demonstrating that the neglect of Torah study is a more serious offense than the neglect of the daily offerings. § Abaye said to Rav Dimi, who descended to Babylonia from Eretz Yisrael: How do you explain this verse in the West, Eretz Yisrael: “Do not proceed hastily to litigation, lest you know not what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame. Debate your cause with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another” (Proverbs 25:8–9)?
אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב דִּימִי: הַאי קְרָא בְּמַעְרְבָא בְּמַאי מוֹקְמִיתוּ לֵיהּ: ״אַל תֵּצֵא לָרִיב מַהֵר פֶּן מַה תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּאַחֲרִיתָהּ בְּהַכְלִים אֹתְךָ רֵעֶךָ. רִיבְךָ רִיב אֶת רֵעֶךָ וְסוֹד אַחֵר אַל תְּגָל״? בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִיחֶזְקֵאל: לֵךְ אֱמוֹר לָהֶם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל ״אָבִיךְ הָאֱמֹרִי וְאִמֵּךְ חִתִּית״, אָמְרָה רוּחַ פִּסְקוֹנִית לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אִם יָבוֹאוּ אַבְרָהָם וְשָׂרָה וְיַעַמְדוּ לְפָנֶיךָ, אַתָּה אוֹמֵר לָהֶם וּמַכְלִים אוֹתָם? ״רִיבְךָ רִיב אֶת רֵעֶךָ וְסוֹד אַחֵר אַל תְּגָל״! וּמִי אִית לֵיהּ רְשׁוּתָא כּוּלֵּי הַאי? אִין, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: שָׁלֹשׁ שֵׁמוֹת יֵשׁ לוֹ – פִּיסְקוֹן, אִיטְמוֹן, סִיגְרוֹן. פִּיסְקוֹן – שֶׁפּוֹסֵק דְּבָרִים כְּלַפֵּי מַעְלָה, אִיטְמוֹן – שֶׁאוֹטֵם עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל, סִיגְרוֹן – כֵּיוָן שֶׁסּוֹגֵר שׁוּב אֵינוֹ פּוֹתֵחַ. ״הֲיַעֲרֹךְ שׁוּעֲךָ לֹא בְצָר״, אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: לְעוֹלָם יַקְדִּים אָדָם תְּפִלָּה לַצָּרָה, שֶׁאִילְמָלֵא לֹא הִקְדִּים אַבְרָהָם תְּפִלָּה לַצָּרָה בֵּין בֵּית אֵל וּבֵין הָעַי, לֹא נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מִשּׂוֹנְאֵיהֶן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט. רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר: כׇּל הַמְאַמֵּץ עַצְמוֹ בִּתְפִלָּה מִלְּמַטָּה, אֵין לוֹ צָרִים מִלְּמַעְלָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: לְעוֹלָם יְבַקֵּשׁ אָדָם רַחֲמִים שֶׁיְּהוּ הַכֹּל מְאַמְּצִין אֶת כֹּחוֹ, וְאַל יְהוּ לוֹ צָרִים מִלְּמַעְלָה.
§ Abaye said to Rav Dimi, who descended to Babylonia from Eretz Yisrael: How do you explain this verse in the West, Eretz Yisrael: “Do not proceed hastily to litigation, lest you know not what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame. Debate your cause with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another” (Proverbs 25:8–9)? Rav Dimi explained as follows: At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Ezekiel: Go say to Israel: “Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite” (Ezekiel 16:3), the spirit Paskonit, which is another name for the angel Gabriel, said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, were the patriarch Abraham and the matriarch Sarah to come now and stand before You, would you speak to them in such a manner and put them to shame? Is it not stated: “Debate your cause with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another”? The Gemara asks: But does the angel Gabriel have so much authority that he can reprove God in such a manner? The Gemara answers: Yes, as Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: He, the angel Gabriel, has three names: Piskon, Itmon, and Sigron. He is called Piskon because he splits [sheposek] words and argues with God on High. He is called Itmon because he conceals [she’otem] the sins of the Jewish people. And he is called Sigron because once he closes [shesoger] his arguments on behalf of the Jewish people, no one reopens the discussion. The verse states: “Had you prepared your prayers, before your troubles came” (Job 36:19). Rabbi Elazar says: A person should always offer up prayer before trouble actually arrives, as had the patriarch Abraham not anticipated the trouble at Ai with the prayer he offered between Bethel and Ai, there would have been no remnant or refugee remaining among the enemies of Israel, a euphemism for Israel itself, as Israel suffered a defeat at Ai from which there is ordinarily no recovery. Reish Lakish says: The verse should be understood as follows: Anyone who concentrates himself and his energy in prayer in the world below will have no enemies in Heaven above causing him trouble. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The verse should be understood in a slightly different manner: A person should always pray for mercy that all heavenly beings should strengthen his power of prayer, and that he should have no enemies causing him trouble in Heaven above.
וְכִי הָדְרִי בְּהוּ, מַאי הָוֵי? כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיד, שׁוּב אֵינוֹ חוֹזֵר וּמַגִּיד! לָא צְרִיכָא, דְּאַף עַל גַּב דְּקָא יָהֲבִי טַעְמָא לְמִילְּתַיְיהוּ, כִּי הָהוּא מַעֲשֶׂה דְּבַעְיָא מֹכְסָא. מַתְנִי׳ הָיָה רָחוֹק מִבֵּית הַסְּקִילָה אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת, מַפְשִׁיטִין אוֹתוֹ אֶת בְּגָדָיו. הָאִישׁ מְכַסִּין אוֹתוֹ מִלְּפָנָיו, וְהָאִשָּׁה מִלְּפָנֶיהָ וּמֵאַחֲרֶיהָ, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יְהוּדָה. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: הָאִישׁ נִסְקָל עָרוֹם, וְאֵין הָאִשָּׁה נִסְקֶלֶת עֲרוּמָּה. גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הָאִישׁ מְכַסִּין אוֹתוֹ פֶּרֶק אֶחָד מִלְּפָנָיו, וְאִשָּׁה שְׁנֵי פְּרָקִים – בֵּין מִלְּפָנֶיהָ בֵּין מִלְּאַחֲרֶיהָ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁכּוּלָּהּ עֶרְוָה. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יְהוּדָה. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: הָאִישׁ נִסְקָל עָרוֹם, וְאֵין הָאִשָּׁה נִסְקֶלֶת עֲרוּמָּה. מַאי טַעְמַיְיהוּ דְּרַבָּנַן? אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְרָגְמוּ אֹתוֹ״. מַאי ״אוֹתוֹ״? אִילֵּימָא אוֹתוֹ וְלֹא אוֹתָהּ, וְהָכְתִיב: ״וְהוֹצֵאתָ אֶת הָאִישׁ הַהוּא אוֹ אֶת הָאִשָּׁה הָהִיא״? אֶלָּא מַאי ״אוֹתוֹ״? אוֹתוֹ בְּלֹא כְּסוּתוֹ, הָא אוֹתָהּ בִּכְסוּתָהּ. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אוֹתוֹ בְּלֹא כְּסוּתוֹ, לָא שְׁנָא אִישׁ וְלָא שְׁנָא אִשָּׁה. לְמֵימְרָא דְּרַבָּנַן חָיְישִׁי לְהִרְהוּרָא, וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה לָא חָיֵישׁ לְהִרְהוּרָא? וְהָא אִיפְּכָא שְׁמַעְנָא לְהוּ, דִּתְנַן: הַכֹּהֵן אוֹחֵז בִּבְגָדֶיהָ – אִם נִקְרְעוּ נִקְרְעוּ, וְאִם נִפְרְמוּ נִפְרְמוּ, עַד שֶׁמְּגַלֶּה אֶת לִבָּהּ וְסוֹתֵר אֶת שְׂעָרָהּ. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: אִם הָיָה לִבָּהּ נָאֶה לֹא הָיָה מְגַלֵּהוּ, וְאִם הָיָה שְׂעָרָהּ נָאֶה לֹא הָיָה סוֹתְרוֹ. אָמַר רַבָּה: הָתָם הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא, שֶׁמָּא תֵּצֵא מִבֵּית דִּין זַכָּאָה וְיִתְגָּרוּ בָּהּ פִּירְחֵי כְּהוּנָּה. הָכָא הָא מִקַּטְלָא. וְכִי תֵּימָא: אָתֵי לְאִיתְגָּרוֹיֵי בְּאַחְרָנְיָיתָא? אָמַר רַבָּה: גְּמִירִי, אֵין יֵצֶר הָרָע שׁוֹלֵט אֶלָּא בְּמִי שֶׁעֵינָיו רוֹאוֹת. אָמַר רָבָא: דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה אַדְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה קַשְׁיָא, דְּרַבָּנַן אַדְּרַבָּנַן לָא קַשְׁיָא? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: דְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה אַדְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה לָא קַשְׁיָא, כִּדְשַׁנִּין. דְּרַבָּנַן אַדְּרַבָּנַן נָמֵי לָא קַשְׁיָא. אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְנִוַּסְּרוּ כׇּל הַנָּשִׁים וְלֹא תַעֲשֶׂינָה כְּזִמַּתְכֶנָה״. הָכָא, אֵין לְךָ יִיסּוּר גָּדוֹל מִזֶּה. וְכִי תֵּימָא: לֶיעְבֵּיד בַּהּ תַּרְתֵּי? אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: אָמַר קְרָא ״וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ״ – בְּרוֹר לוֹ מִיתָה יָפָה. לֵימָא: דְּרַב נַחְמָן תַּנָּאֵי הִיא? לָא, דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא אִית לְהוּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן, וְהָכָא בְּהָא קָמִיפַּלְגִי: מָר סָבַר בִּזְיוֹנֵי דְאִינִישׁ עֲדִיף לֵיהּ טְפֵי מִנְּיָחָא דְגוּפֵיהּ, וּמָר סָבַר נְיָחָא דְגוּפֵיהּ עֲדִיף מִבִּזְיוֹנֵיהּ.
The Gemara asks: Even if the witnesses retracted their testimony, what of it? It is still clear that the condemned man is to be executed, as the halakha is that once a witness has stated his testimony, he may not then state a revision of that testimony. In other words, a witness’s retraction of his testimony has no validity. The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to state that the condemned man is executed even when the witnesses retracted their testimony and gave an explanation for having lied in their initial statement. This is like that incident involving Ba’aya the tax collector, where it was discovered that witnesses had falsely accused the son of Rabbi Shimon ben Shataḥ in revenge for the son’s having sentenced to death for sorcery the witnesses’ relatives. MISHNA: When the condemned man is at a distance of four cubits from the place of stoning, they take off his clothes. They cover a man’s genitals in the front, and a woman is covered both in the front and in the back; this is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda. But the Rabbis say: A man is stoned naked, i.e., wearing only that cloth covering, but a woman is not stoned naked, but is stoned while clothed. GEMARA: The mishna teaches that a man is stoned naked but a woman is not stoned naked. With regard to this matter the Sages taught a related baraita: They cover a man’s genitals with one piece of cloth in the front, and a woman is covered with two pieces of cloth, both in the front and in the back, because all of that area is nakedness, which may not be viewed. This is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda. But the Rabbis say: A man is stoned naked, but a woman is not stoned naked. The Gemara asks: What is the reasoning behind the opinion of the Rabbis, who say that a man is stoned naked, but a woman is not? The Gemara answers: The verse states: “And all the congregation shall stone him” (Leviticus 24:14). What does the verse intend to teach when it emphasizes that they stone “him”? If we say that this serves to teach that they stone only him, the man, but not her, i.e., women are not punished with stoning, there is a difficulty. As isn’t it written explicitly: “And you shall bring forth that man or that woman…and stone them with stones until they die” (Deuteronomy 17:5)? Rather, what does the verse mean to teach when it stresses that they stone “him”? If he is a man, they stone just him, without his clothes, but if the condemned party is a woman, they stone her with her clothing. Rabbi Yehuda says: The emphasis on the word “him” teaches that they stone him alone, i.e., without his clothes, but as is the case with all other punishments stated in the Torah, there is no difference for a man and no difference for a woman, meaning the same halakha applies to both men and women. The Gemara asks: Is this to say that the Rabbis are concerned that the sight of a naked woman will arouse sexual thoughts among the onlookers, and Rabbi Yehuda is not concerned about such sexual thoughts? But didn’t we hear them say just the opposite, as we learned in a mishna (Sota 7a) with regard to a sota, a woman suspected of adultery by her husband, and who was made to undergo the ordeal of the bitter waters: And the priest grabs hold of her clothing and pulls it, without concern about what happens to it. If the clothes are torn, they are torn; if the stitches come apart, they come apart. And he pulls her clothing until he reveals her heart, i.e., her chest. And then he unbraids her hair. Rabbi Yehuda says: If her heart was attractive he would not reveal it, and if her hair was attractive he would not unbraid it. This seems to indicate that it is Rabbi Yehuda who is concerned about the sexual thoughts of the onlookers. Rabba said: There, in the case of a sota, this is the reason that Rabbi Yehuda says that the priest does not reveal the woman’s chest or unbraid her hair: Perhaps the sota will leave the court having been proven innocent, and the young priests in the Temple who saw her partially naked will become provoked by the sight of her. Here, in the case of a woman who is stoned, she is killed by being stoned, and there is no concern about the onlookers’ becoming provoked after her death. The Gemara comments: And if you would say that the fact that she is killed is irrelevant to their having sexual thoughts because the onlookers will be provoked with regard to other women, this is not a concern, as Rabba says: It is learned as a tradition that the evil inclination controls only that which one’s eyes see. Rava says: Is the contradiction between one statement of Rabbi Yehuda and the other statement of Rabbi Yehuda difficult, while the contradiction between one statement of the Rabbis and the other statement of the Rabbis is not difficult? There is also an apparent contradiction between the two rulings of the Rabbis, as with regard to a sota, they are not concerned about sexual thoughts, but with regard to a woman who is stoned they are concerned. Rather, Rava says: The contradiction between one statement of Rabbi Yehuda and the other statement of Rabbi Yehuda is not difficult, as we answered above. Rava continues: The contradiction between one ruling of the Rabbis and the other ruling of the Rabbis is not difficult either. With regard to a sota, the verse states that other women should be warned: “Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be chastened not to do like your lewdness” (Ezekiel 23:48). In order to serve as an example and warning to other women, a woman suspected of adultery must undergo public disgrace, and therefore the concern about the sexual thoughts that her partially naked body might arouse is disregarded. Here, with regard to stoning, you have no chastening greater than seeing this stoning itself. And if you would say that two forms of chastening, both stoning and humiliation, should be done to her, Rav Naḥman says that Rabba bar Avuh says: The verse states: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), teaching that even with regard to a condemned prisoner, select a good, i.e., a compassionate, death for him. Therefore, when putting a woman to death by stoning, she should not be humiliated in the process. The Gemara suggests: Let us say that whether one rules in accordance with the statement of Rav Naḥman is a dispute between tanna’im, and according to Rabbi Yehuda there is no mitzva to select a compassionate death. The Gemara refutes this: No, it may be that everyone agrees with the opinion of Rav Naḥman, and here they disagree about this: One Sage, i.e., the Rabbis, holds: Minimizing one’s degradation is better for him than seeing to his physical comfort, i.e., than minimizing his physical pain. Therefore, the Rabbis view the more compassionate death as one without degradation, even if wearing clothes will increase the pain of the one being executed, as the clothes will absorb the blow and prolong his death. And one Sage, Rabbi Yehuda, holds that one’s physical comfort is better for him than minimizing his degradation, and therefore the one being executed prefers to be stoned unclothed, without any chance of the clothing prolonging his death, even though this increases his degradation.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנָא: וְקוֹמָה שֶׁלּוֹ, הֲרֵי כָּאן שָׁלֹשׁ. וּמִי בָּעֵינַן כּוּלֵּי הַאי? וּרְמִינְהוּ: מָה בּוֹר שֶׁהוּא כְּדֵי לְהָמִית – עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים, אַף כֹּל כְּדֵי לְהָמִית – עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: אָמַר קְרָא ״וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ״, בְּרוֹר לוֹ מִיתָה יָפָה. אִי הָכִי, לַיגְבְּהֵיהּ טְפֵי! מִשּׁוּם דְּמִינַּוַּל.
GEMARA: A tanna taught in a baraita: Adding together the height of the platform, which is twice the height of an ordinary person, and the condemned man’s own height, it turns out that there is a height here three times the height of an ordinary person. The Gemara asks: Do we really need all that height to kill him? The Gemara raises a contradiction to the baraita from what was taught in a mishna (Bava Kamma 50b) when discussing the halakhot of damage caused by a pit: Why does the Torah specify a pit when one is liable for the damage caused by any type of excavation that he digs into the ground? This teaches that just as a pit that is of sufficient depth to cause one’s death from falling into it is at least ten handbreadths deep, so too, any other excavations that are of sufficient depth to cause one’s death may be no less than ten handbreadths. If a fall of ten handbreadths is sufficient to kill a person, why must the platform from which the condemned man is pushed be twice the height of an ordinary person? Rav Naḥman says that Rabba bar Avuh says: The verse states: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), teaching that even with regard to a condemned man, select a good, i.e., a compassionate, death for him. Therefore, even though the one being executed is likely to die from a fall from a lesser height, a platform is built that is twice the height of an ordinary person in order to ensure a quick and relatively painless death. The Gemara challenges: If so, they should raise the platform even higher. The Gemara answers: This is not done, because if the condemned man were pushed from a higher platform, he would become seriously disfigured, and this would no longer be considered a compassionate form of death.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: שָׁמַעְתִּי שֶׁבֵּית דִּין מַכִּין וְעוֹנְשִׁין שֶׁלֹּא מִן הַתּוֹרָה, וְלֹא לַעֲבוֹר עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה, אֶלָּא כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת סְיָיג לַתּוֹרָה. וּמַעֲשֶׂה בְּאֶחָד שֶׁרָכַב עַל סוּס בְּשַׁבָּת בִּימֵי יְוָנִים, וֶהֱבִיאוּהוּ לְבֵית דִּין וּסְקָלוּהוּ, לֹא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁרָאוּי לְכָךְ, אֶלָּא שֶׁהַשָּׁעָה צְרִיכָה לְכָךְ. שׁוּב מַעֲשֶׂה בְּאָדָם אֶחָד שֶׁהֵטִיחַ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ תַּחַת הַתְּאֵנָה, וֶהֱבִיאוּהוּ לְבֵית דִּין וְהִלְקוּהוּ, לֹא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁרָאוּי לְכָךְ, אֶלָּא שֶׁהַשָּׁעָה צְרִיכָה לְכָךְ.
It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says: I heard that the court may administer lashes and capital punishment, even when not required by Torah law. And they may not administer these punishments with the intention of violating the statement of the Torah, i.e., to disregard the punishment stated in the Torah and administer another punishment; rather, they may administer these punishments to erect a fence around the Torah, so that people will fear sinning. And an incident occurred involving one who rode a horse on Shabbat during the days of the Greeks, and they brought him to court and stoned him, not because he deserved that punishment, as riding a horse on Shabbat is forbidden only by rabbinic decree, but because the hour required it, as people had become lax in their observance of Shabbat and therefore it became necessary to impose the severe punishment for a relatively minor offense. Another incident occurred involving a man who engaged in intercourse with his wife in public under a fig tree, and they brought him to court and flogged him, not because that punishment was fitting for him, as such conduct is not forbidden by the Torah, but because the hour required it. People had become remiss in matters of modesty; therefore, stringent measures had to be taken to rectify the situation....
מַתְנִי׳ כֵּיצַד תּוֹלִין אוֹתוֹ? מְשַׁקְּעִין אֶת הַקּוֹרָה בָּאָרֶץ, וְהָעֵץ יוֹצֵא וּמַקִּיף שְׁתֵּי יָדָיו זוֹ עַל גַּב זוֹ, וְתוֹלֶה אוֹתוֹ. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: הַקּוֹרָה מוּטָּה עַל הַכּוֹתֶל, וְתוֹלֶה אוֹתוֹ כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהַטַּבָּחִין עוֹשִׂין. וּמַתִּירִין אוֹתוֹ מִיָּד, וְאִם לָן – עוֹבֵר עָלָיו בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תָלִין נִבְלָתוֹ עַל הָעֵץ כִּי קָבוֹר תִּקְבְּרֶנּוּ כִּי קִלְלַת אֱלֹהִים תָּלוּי וְגוֹ׳״. כְּלוֹמַר, מִפְּנֵי מָה זֶה תָּלוּי? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁבֵּירַךְ אֶת הַשֵּׁם, וְנִמְצָא שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם מִתְחַלֵּל. אָמַר רַבִּי מֵאִיר: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָדָם מִצְטַעֵר, שְׁכִינָה מָה לָשׁוֹן אוֹמֶרֶת? ״קַלַּנִי מֵרֹאשִׁי, קַלַּנִי מִזְּרוֹעִי״. אִם כֵּן הַמָּקוֹם מִצְטַעֵר עַל דָּמָן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים שֶׁנִּשְׁפָּךְ, קַל וְחוֹמֶר עַל דָּמָן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים. וְלֹא זוֹ בִּלְבַד אָמְרוּ, אֶלָּא כָּל הַמֵּלִין אֶת מֵתוֹ עוֹבֵר בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה. הֱלִינוֹ לִכְבוֹדוֹ, לְהָבִיא לוֹ אָרוֹן וְתַכְרִיכִים – אֵינוֹ עוֹבֵר עָלָיו. וְלֹא הָיוּ קוֹבְרִין אוֹתוֹ בְּקִבְרוֹת אֲבוֹתָיו, אֶלָּא שְׁתֵּי בָּתֵּי קְבָרוֹת הָיוּ מְתוּקָּנִין לְבֵית דִּין: אַחַת לַנֶּהֱרָגִין וְלַנֶּחְנָקִין, וְאַחַת לַנִּסְקָלִין וְלַנִּשְׂרָפִין. נִתְעַכֵּל הַבָּשָׂר, מְלַקְּטִין אֶת הָעֲצָמוֹת וְקוֹבְרִין אוֹתָן בִּמְקוֹמָן. וְהַקְּרוֹבִים בָּאִים וְשׁוֹאֲלִים בִּשְׁלוֹם הַדַּיָּינִין וּבִשְׁלוֹם הָעֵדִים, כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁאֵין בְּלִבֵּנוּ עֲלֵיכֶם שֶׁדִּין אֱמֶת דַּנְתֶּם. וְלֹא הָיוּ מִתְאַבְּלִין, אֲבָל אוֹנְנִין, שֶׁאֵין אֲנִינוּת אֶלָּא בַּלֵּב. גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אִילּוּ נֶאֱמַר ״חֵטְא וְתָלִיתָ״, הָיִיתִי אוֹמֵר תּוֹלִין אוֹתוֹ וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְמִיתִין אוֹתוֹ, כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהַמַּלְכוּת עוֹשָׂה. תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וְהוּמָת וְתָלִיתָ״ – מְמִיתִין אוֹתוֹ וְאַחַר כָּךְ תּוֹלִין אוֹתוֹ. הָא כֵּיצַד? מְשַׁהִין אוֹתוֹ עַד סָמוּךְ לִשְׁקִיעַת הַחַמָּה, וְגוֹמְרִין אֶת דִּינוֹ, וּמְמִיתִין אוֹתוֹ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ תּוֹלִין אוֹתוֹ. אֶחָד קוֹשֵׁר וְאֶחָד מַתִּיר, כְּדֵי לְקַיֵּים מִצְוַת תְּלִיָּיה.
MISHNA: How do they hang the corpse of one who was put to death by stoning? They sink a post into the earth with a piece of wood jutting out, forming a T-shaped structure. And the court appointee then places the dead man’s two hands one upon the other, ties them, and hangs him by his hands. Rabbi Yosei says: The post is not sunk into the ground; rather, it leans against a wall, and he hangs the corpse on it the way that butchers do with meat. The dead man hangs there for only a very short time, and then they immediately untie him. And if he was left hanging overnight, a prohibition is transgressed, as it is stated: “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him that day, for he that is hung is a curse of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23). That is to say: Were the corpse left hanging on the tree overnight, people would ask: For what reason was this one hung after he was put to death? They would be answered: Because he blessed God, a euphemism for blasphemy. And therefore the name of Heaven would be desecrated were the dead man’s corpse to remain hanging, reminding everybody of his transgression. Rabbi Meir said: The phrase “for he that is hung is a curse [kilelat] of God” should be understood as follows: When a man suffers in the wake of his sin, what expression does the Divine Presence use? I am distressed [kallani] about My head, I am distressed about My arm, meaning, I, too, suffer when the wicked are punished. From here it is derived: If God suffers such distress over the blood of the wicked that is spilled, even though they justly deserved their punishment, it can be inferred a fortiori that He suffers distress over the blood of the righteous. And the Sages said not only this, that an executed transgressor must be buried on the same day that he is killed, but they said that anyone who leaves his deceased relative overnight with-out burying him transgresses a prohibition. But if he left the deceased overnight for the sake of the deceased’s honor, e.g., to bring a coffin or shrouds for his burial, he does not transgress the prohibition against leaving him unburied overnight. After the executed transgressor is taken down he is buried, and they would not bury him in his ancestral burial plot. Rather, two graveyards were established for the burial of those executed by the court: One for those who were killed by decapitation or strangled, and one for those who were stoned or burned. Once the flesh of the deceased had decomposed, they would gather his bones and bury them in their proper place in his ancestral burial plot. And soon after the execution, the relatives of the executed transgressor would come and inquire about the welfare of the judges and about the welfare of the witnesses, as if to say: We hold no grudges against you, as you judged a true judgment. And the relatives of the executed man would not mourn him with the observance of the usual mourning rites, so that his unmourned death would atone for his transgression; but they would grieve over his passing, since grief is felt only in the heart. ...
אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: הֶסְפֵּידָא, יְקָרָא דְּחָיֵי הָוֵי אוֹ יְקָרָא דְּשָׁכְבֵי הָוֵי? לְמַאי נָפְקָא מִינַּהּ? דְּאָמַר: לָא תִּסְפְּדוּהּ לְהָהוּא גַּבְרָא. אִי נָמֵי, לְאַפּוֹקֵי מִיּוֹרְשִׁין. תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וַיָּבֹא אַבְרָהָם לִסְפֹּד לְשָׂרָה וְלִבְכֹּתָהּ״. וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ מִשּׁוּם יְקָרָא דְּחַיֵּי הוּא, מִשּׁוּם יְקָרָא דְּאַבְרָהָם מְשַׁהוּ לַהּ לְשָׂרָה? שָׂרָה גּוּפַהּ נִיחָא לָהּ, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּמִיַּיקַּר בַּהּ אַבְרָהָם. תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וְסָפְדוּ לוֹ כׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְקָבְרוּ אֹתוֹ״. וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ מִשּׁוּם יְקָרָא דְּחַיֵּי הוּא, הָנָךְ בְּנֵי יְקָרָא נִינְהוּ? נִיחָא לְהוּ לְצַדִּיקַיָּא דְּמִיַּיקְּרִי בְּהוּ אִינָשֵׁי. תָּא שְׁמַע: ״לֹא יִסָּפְדוּ וְלֹא יִקָּבֵרוּ״. לָא נִיחָא לְצַדִּיקַיָּא דְּמִיַּיקְּרִי בַּרְשִׁיעִיָּיא. תָּא שְׁמַע: ״בְּשָׁלוֹם תָּמוּת וּבְמִשְׂרְפוֹת אֲבוֹתֶיךָ הַמְּלָכִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ לְפָנֶיךָ כֵּן יִשְׂרְפוּ לָךְ וְהוֹי אָדוֹן יִסְפְּדוּ לָךְ״. וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ מִשּׁוּם יְקָרָא דְּחָיֵי הוּא, מַאי נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִינֵּיהּ? הָכִי קָאָמַר לֵיהּ: לִיַּיקְּרוּ בָּיךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי הֵיכִי דְּמִתְיַיקְּרִי בַּאֲבָהָתָךְ. תָּא שְׁמַע: ״נִבְזֶה בְּעֵינָיו נִמְאָס״ – זֶה חִזְקִיָּהוּ מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה, שֶׁגֵּירַר עַצְמוֹת אָבִיו עַל מִטָּה שֶׁל חֲבָלִים. וְאִי מִשּׁוּם יְקָרָא דְחַיֵּי הוּא, מַאי טַעְמָא? כִּי הֵיכִי דְּתִיהְוֵי לֵיהּ כַּפָּרָה לַאֲבוּהּ, וּמִשּׁוּם כַּפָּרָה דַּאֲבוּהּ מְשַׁהוּ לֵיהּ לִיקָרָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל? יִשְׂרָאֵל גּוּפַיְיהוּ נִיחָא לְהוּ דְּמַחֲלִי יְקָרַיְיהוּ לְגַבֵּיהּ. תָּא שְׁמַע, אָמַר לָהֶן: אַל תִּסְפְּדוּנִי בָּעֲיָירוֹת. וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ יְקָרָא דְחַיֵּי, מַאי נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִינַּהּ? קָסָבַר: לִיתְיַיקְּרוּ בֵּיהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל טְפֵי. תָּא שְׁמַע: הֱלִינוֹ לִכְבוֹדוֹ, לְהָבִיא לוֹ אָרוֹן וְתַכְרִיכִין – אֵינוֹ עוֹבֵר עָלָיו. מַאי לָאו לִכְבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל מֵת? לֹא, לִכְבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל חַי. וּמִשּׁוּם כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל חַי מֵבִית לֵיהּ לְמֵת? אִין, כִּי אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא: ״לֹא תָלִין נִבְלָתוֹ עַל הָעֵץ״, דּוּמְיָא דְּתָלוּי דְּאִית בֵּיהּ בִּזָּיוֹן. אֲבָל הָכָא, כֵּיוָן דְּלֵית בֵּיהּ בִּזָּיוֹן – לָא. תָּא שְׁמַע: הֱלִינוֹ לִכְבוֹדוֹ, לְשַׁמֵּעַ עָלָיו עֲיָירוֹת, לְהָבִיא לוֹ מְקוֹנְנוֹת, לְהָבִיא לוֹ אָרוֹן וְתַכְרִיכִין – אֵינוֹ עוֹבֵר עָלָיו, שֶׁכׇּל הָעוֹשֶׂה אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא לִכְבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל מֵת. הָכִי קָאָמַר: כׇּל הָעוֹשֶׂה לִכְבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל חַי, אֵין בּוֹ בִּזָּיוֹן לַמֵּת. תָּא שְׁמַע, רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: סִימָן יָפֶה לַמֵּת שֶׁנִּפְרָעִין מִמֶּנּוּ לְאַחַר מִיתָה. מֵת שֶׁלֹּא נִסְפַּד וְלֹא נִקְבַּר, אוֹ שֶׁחַיָּה גּוֹרַרְתּוֹ, אוֹ שֶׁהָיוּ גְּשָׁמִים מְזַלְּפִין עַל מִטָּתוֹ – זֶהוּ סִימָן יָפֶה לַמֵּת. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: יְקָרָא דְשָׁכְבֵי הוּא. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ.
§ A dilemma was raised before the Sages: Is the eulogy delivered for the honor of the living relatives of the deceased, or is it delivered for the honor of the dead? The Gemara asks: What is the practical difference between the two possible reasons? The Gemara answers: There is a difference in a case where one said before he died: Do not eulogize that man, i.e., myself. If the eulogy is delivered to honor the deceased, he is able to forgo this honor, but if it is delivered to honor the living, he is not, as it is not in the power of one individual to forgo the honor of others. Alternately, the difference is with regard to whether it is possible to collect the eulogist’s fee from the heirs. If the eulogy is to honor the dead, it is possible to collect this fee from the heirs, even against their will, but if it is to honor the living, they are able to forgo this honor. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from the verse that states: “And Abraham came to eulogize Sarah and weep over her” (Genesis 23:2), indicating that Sarah’s funeral was delayed until Abraham returned from Beersheba to Hebron to eulogize her. And if you say that a eulogy is delivered due to the honor of the living, would they have unduly delayed burying Sarah due to Abraham’s honor? The Gemara rejects this argument: It was satisfactory to Sarah herself that her funeral was delayed so that Abraham could be honored by eulogizing her. Since Sarah herself would prefer that Abraham eulogize her, there was no disgrace in waiting for Abraham to arrive. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a different resolution of this dilemma from the verse referring to Abijah, son of Jeroboam: “And all Israel shall eulogize him and bury him” (I Kings 14:13). And if you say that a eulogy is delivered due to the honor of the living, are these people, Jeroboam’s surviving family, worthy of this honor? The Gemara answers: It is satisfactory to the righteous when other people are honored through them. Since that is their wish, they are eulogized even if their wicked relatives are honored as a result. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from the curse pronounced by Jeremiah upon the wicked: “They shall not be eulogized, nor shall they be buried” (Jeremiah 16:4). If you say that a eulogy is delivered due to the honor of the living, why should the wicked not be eulogized, as perhaps they are survived by righteous people who are worthy of this honor? The Gemara answers: It is not satisfactory to the righteous when they are honored through the wicked, and therefore they prefer that a eulogy not be delivered for their wicked relatives. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a resolution of this dilemma from what Jeremiah said to Zedekiah: “You shall die in peace; and with the burnings of your fathers, the former kings that were before you, so shall they make a burning for you; and they will eulogize you, saying: Ah, master” (Jeremiah 34:5). And if you say that a eulogy is delivered due to the honor of the living relatives of the deceased, what difference does it make to him if he is eulogized? The Gemara answers: It is possible that a eulogy is to honor the living, and this is what Jeremiah is saying to Zedekiah: Enjoy the thought that Israel shall be honored through you at your funeral just as they were honored through your ancestors at their funerals. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from what was taught with regard to the verse: “In his eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors them that fear the Lord” (Psalms 15:4). This is referring to Hezekiah, king of Judea, who dragged the bones of his father, Ahaz, on a bier made of ropes, and he did not bury Ahaz in a manner befitting a king in order to disgrace him for his sinful conduct. And if the eulogy and other funeral rites are meant to honor the living, what is the reason that he acted this way, in a manner that brought disgrace upon himself and all of the Jewish people? The Gemara answers: Hezekiah did this so that his father would achieve atonement for his sins through his disgrace. The Gemara asks: Can it be that for his father’s atonement they would defer the honor of all of Israel, who would have been honored by a proper eulogy for their late king? The Gemara answers: It was satisfactory to the people of Israel themselves to forgo their honor for him in order that their former king achieve atonement for his sins. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from a baraita: Before he died, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to his disciples: Do not eulogize me in the small towns that you pass as you take my body out for burial, but eulogize me only in the larger cities. And if you say that a eulogy is delivered in honor of the living, what difference does it make to him if he is eulogized also in the smaller towns? The Gemara answers: He thought that the people of Israel would be more greatly honored through him if they gathered together for the eulogies in the larger cities. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from the mishna: If one left his deceased relative unburied overnight for the sake of his honor, e.g., in order to bring him a coffin or shrouds, he does not transgress the prohibition of “his body shall not remain all night.” What, is it not referring to the honor of the deceased? The Gemara answers: No, it is referring to the honor of the living relatives of the deceased. The Gemara asks: But can it be that due to the honor of the living, they allow the deceased to remain unburied overnight? The Gemara answers: Yes, as when the Merciful One states: “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him that day” (Deuteronomy 21:23), it teaches that the prohibition applies only to cases similar to that of a person whose body is hung after his death, who suffers degradation when his corpse is left hanging overnight. But here, since the deceased does not suffer degradation when the funeral is delayed, as the delay is in order that the burial will be performed with greater dignity, there is no violation of the prohibition, and he may be left unburied overnight. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from a baraita: If one left his deceased relative unburied overnight for the sake of his honor, for example, in order to assemble the people from the neighboring towns for the funeral, or to bring him professional lamenters, or to bring him a coffin or shrouds, he does not transgress the prohibition of “his body shall not remain all night,” as anyone who acts in such a manner does so only for the sake of honoring the dead. This indicates that the eulogy and other funeral rites are performed to honor the deceased. The Gemara rejects this argument: This is what the baraita is saying: Anyone who acts in such a manner for the sake of honoring the living does not transgress the prohibition, as there is no degradation of the dead. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from a baraita: Rabbi Natan says: It is a good sign for the deceased when he is punished after his death and does not receive an honorable burial or eulogy, as his lack of honor brings him atonement for his sins. For example, if the deceased was not eulogized, or if he was not buried, or if a wild animal dragged his corpse, or if rain fell on his bier, this is a good sign for the deceased. Learn from the baraita that a eulogy is delivered for the honor of the dead, so that when he is deprived of this honor, he achieves atonement for his sins. The Gemara affirms: Learn from the baraita that this is so....
רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: אֲבֵילוּת מֵאֵימָתַי קָא מַתְחֲלָא? מִסְּתִימַת הַגּוֹלֵל. כַּפָּרָה מֵאֵימָתַי קָא הָוְיָא? מִכִּי חָזוּ צַעֲרָא דְקִבְרָא פּוּרְתָּא. הִלְכָּךְ, הוֹאִיל וְנִדְחוּ יִדָּחוּ. אִי הָכִי, לְמָה לִי עִיכּוּל בָּשָׂר? מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא אֶפְשָׁר. קִבְרֵיהּ דְּרַב הֲווֹ שָׁקְלִי מִינֵּיהּ עַפְרָא לְאִישָּׁתָא בַּת יוֹמָא. אֲתוֹ אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ לִשְׁמוּאֵל. אֲמַר לְהוּ: יָאוּת עָבְדִין, קַרְקַע עוֹלָם הוּא, וְקַרְקַע עוֹלָם אֵינָהּ נֶאֱסֶרֶת, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אֶת עֲפָרָהּ עַל קֶבֶר בְּנֵי הָעָם״, מַקִּישׁ קֶבֶר בְּנֵי הָעָם לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. מָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בִּמְחוּבָּר לָא מִיתַּסְרָא, דִּכְתִיב: ״אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יֹרְשִׁים אֹתָם אֶת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם עַל הֶהָרִים הָרָמִים״. עַל הֶהָרִים אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, וְלֹא הֶהָרִים אֱלֹהֵיהֶם. הָכָא נָמֵי, בִּמְחוּבָּר לָא מִיתְּסַר. מֵיתִיבִי: הַחוֹצֵב קֶבֶר לְאָבִיו, וְהָלַךְ וּקְבָרוֹ בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר – הֲרֵי זֶה לֹא יִקָּבֵר בּוֹ עוֹלָמִית. הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? בְּקֶבֶר בִּנְיָן.
Rav Ashi says that an alternative resolution of the objection raised by Rav Adda bar Ahava may be suggested: When does the obligation of mourning a deceased relative commence? It begins from the time of the sealing of the grave with the grave cover. And when is atonement achieved? Atonement is achieved when the deceased begins to see and experience a bit of the anguish of the grave. Consequently, since the mourning rites were set aside at the time that they should have begun, they remain permanently set aside, even after the executed transgressor has in fact achieved atonement. The Gemara asks: If so, that the executed transgressor achieves atonement as soon as he experiences a bit of the anguish of burial, why do I need decomposition of his flesh to occur before he can be reburied in his ancestral burial plot? The Gemara answers: Because it is impossible to move a partly decomposed body in a respectful manner, and therefore they wait until the body is fully decomposed. § It was related that people would take dirt from the grave of Rav as a cure for a one-day fever. A number of people came and told Shmuel about this practice, thinking that perhaps the dirt should be forbidden, as one may not derive benefit from a corpse. Shmuel said to them: They are acting properly, as the dirt in the grave is natural ground, and natural ground does not become forbidden in any situation, as it is written: “And he brought out the ashera from the house of the Lord…and beat it into dust, and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people” (II Kings 23:6). This verse juxtaposes the graves of the common people to objects of idol worship. This teaches that just as objects of idol worship are not forbidden when attached to the ground; the Gemara interjects by teaching the source of this halakha: As it is written: “You shall utterly destroy all the places, in which the nations whom you are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree. And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire” (Deuteronomy 12:2–3); i.e., there is an obligation to destroy their gods that are upon the mountains, but there is no obligation to destroy the mountains that are themselves their gods, meaning that if people worshipped the mountain itself as a god, there is no need to destroy it, as anything that is attached to the ground does not become forbidden. The Gemara resumes the comparison: Here too, with regard to the prohibition against deriving benefit from a corpse, the dirt in the grave that is attached to the ground does not become forbidden. ...
סְקִילָה חֲמוּרָה מִסַּיִיף, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתְּנָה לִמְגַדֵּף וּלְעוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? כְּדַאֲמַרַן. אַדְּרַבָּה: סַיִיף חָמוּר, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתַּן לְאַנְשֵׁי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? שֶׁכֵּן מָמוֹנָן אָבֵד. אָמַרְתָּ: אֵיזֶה כֹּחַ מְרוּבֶּה, כֹּחַ הַמַּדִּיחַ אוֹ כֹּחַ הַנִּידָּח? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: כֹּחַ הַמַּדִּיחַ. וְתַנְיָא: מַדִּיחֵי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת – בִּסְקִילָה. סְקִילָה חֲמוּרָה מֵחֶנֶק, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתַּן לִמְגַדֵּף וּלְעוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? כְּדַאֲמַרַן. אַדְּרַבָּה: חֶנֶק חָמוּר – שֶׁכֵּן נִיתַּן לְמַכֵּה אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? שֶׁכֵּן הוּקַּשׁ כְּבוֹדָן לִכְבוֹד הַמָּקוֹם. מִדְּאַפְּקֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא לַאֲרוּסָה בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכְּלַל נְשׂוּאָה בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵחֶנֶק לִסְקִילָה, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: סְקִילָה חֲמוּרָה. שְׂרֵיפָה חֲמוּרָה מִסַּיִיף, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתְּנָה לְבַת כֹּהֵן שֶׁזִּינְּתָה. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? שֶׁכֵּן מְחַלֶּלֶת אֶת אָבִיהָ. אַדְּרַבָּה: סַיִיף חָמוּר, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתַּן לְאַנְשֵׁי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? שֶׁכֵּן מָמוֹנָן אָבֵד. נֶאֱמַר ״אָבִיהָ״ בִּסְקִילָה, וְנֶאֱמַר ״אָבִיהָ״ בִּשְׂרֵיפָה. מָה ״אָבִיהָ״ הָאָמוּר בִּסְקִילָה – סְקִילָה חֲמוּרָה מִסַּיִיף, אַף ״אָבִיהָ״ הָאָמוּר בִּשְׂרֵיפָה – שְׂרֵיפָה חֲמוּרָה מִסַּיִיף. שְׂרֵיפָה חֲמוּרָה מֵחֶנֶק, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתְּנָה לְבַת כֹּהֵן שֶׁזִּינְּתָה. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? כְּדַאֲמַרַן. אַדְּרַבָּה: חֶנֶק חָמוּר, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתַּן לְמַכֵּה אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? שֶׁכֵּן הוּקַּשׁ כְּבוֹדָן לִכְבוֹד הַמָּקוֹם. מִדְּאַפְּקֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא לִנְשׂוּאָה בַּת כֹּהֵן מִכְּלַל נְשׂוּאָה בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵחֶנֶק לִשְׂרֵיפָה, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: שְׂרֵיפָה חֲמוּרָה. סַיִיף חָמוּר מֵחֶנֶק, שֶׁכֵּן נִיתַּן לְאַנְשֵׁי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? שֶׁכֵּן מָמוֹנָם אָבֵד. אַדְּרַבָּה: חֶנֶק חָמוּר שֶׁכֵּן נִיתַּן לְמַכֵּה אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ. וּמַאי חוּמְרָא? שֶׁכֵּן הוּקַּשׁ כּוּ׳. אֲפִילּוּ הָכִי, פּוֹשֵׁט יָדוֹ בָּעִיקָּר עָדִיף.
Stoning is considered more severe than decapitation by the sword, as it is meted out to one who blasphemes and to one who worships idols. And for what reason is the severity of these transgressions considered greater than others? As we said, it is because the transgressors undermine the fundamental tenets of Judaism. The Gemara raises an objection: On the contrary; decapitation by the sword would appear to be more severe than stoning, as it is meted out to the people of an idolatrous city, who also undermine the fundamental tenets of Judaism. And for what reason is the severity of this case of an idolatrous city considered greater than others? Because the transgressors are not only executed, their property is destroyed as well. The Gemara answers: In response to this objection, you should say: The severity of which transgression is greater: The severity of the transgression of the one who subverts the city, inciting them to sin, or the severity of the transgression of the subverted? You must say that the severity of the transgression of the subverter is greater. And it is taught in a baraita: The subverters of an idolatrous city are executed by stoning. Evidently, stoning is a more severe type of execution than decapitation. Stoning is considered more severe than strangulation, as it is meted out to one who blasphemes and to one who worships idols. And for what reason is the severity of these transgressions considered greater? As we said, it is because the transgressors undermine the fundamental tenets of Judaism. The Gemara raises an objection: On the contrary; strangulation is more severe, as it is meted out to one who wounds his father or his mother. And for what reason is the severity of this transgression considered greater? Because the honor of one’s parents is compared to the honor of the Omnipresent (see Kiddushin 30b). The Gemara answers: Since the Merciful One singles out the case of a betrothed Jewish woman from the category of a married Jewish woman, changing the punishment of a betrothed Jewish woman who committed adultery from strangulation to stoning, conclude from it that stoning is more severe. Burning is considered more severe than decapitation by the sword, as it is meted out to a priest’s daughter who committed adultery. And for what reason is the severity of this transgression considered greater than others? Because she profanes both herself and her father. The Gemara raises an objection: On the contrary; decapitation by the sword is more severe, as it is meted out to the people of an idolatrous city. And for what reason is the severity of this case considered greater? Because the transgressors are not only executed, their property is destroyed as well. The Gemara answers: The severity of burning is derived by means of a verbal analogy. The term “her father” is stated with regard to stoning, in the verse: “And the men of her city shall stone her with stones and she shall die, because she has done a depraved thing in Israel, to play the harlot in the house of her father” (Deuteronomy 22:21), and the term “her father” is stated with regard to burning, in the verse: “And the daughter of a priest, when she profanes herself by playing the harlot, she profanes her father; she shall be burned with fire” (Leviticus 21:9). Therefore, just as concerning the term “her father” that is stated with regard to stoning it is established that stoning is more severe than decapitation by the sword, so too, concerning the term “her father” that is stated with regard to burning, it may be established that burning is more severe than decapitation by the sword. Burning is considered more severe than strangulation, as it is meted out to a priest’s daughter who committed adultery. And for what reason is the severity of this transgression considered greater? As we said, because she profanes both herself and her father. The Gemara raises an objection: On the contrary; strangulation is more severe, as it is meted out to one who wounds his father or his mother. And for what reason is the severity of this transgression considered greater? Because the honor of one’s parents is compared to the honor of the Omnipresent. The Gemara answers: Since the Merciful One singles out the case of the married daughter of a priest from the category of a married Jewish woman, changing the punishment of the married daughter of a priest who committed adultery from strangulation to burning, conclude from it that burning is more severe than strangulation. Decapitation by the sword is considered more severe than strangulation, as it is meted out to the people of an idolatrous city. And for what reason is the severity of this case considered greater? Because their property is destroyed as well. The Gemara raises an objection: On the contrary; strangulation is more severe, as it is meted out to one who wounds his father or his mother. And for what reason is the severity of this transgression considered greater? Because the honor of one’s parents is compared to the honor of the Omnipresent. The Gemara answers: Nevertheless, the transgression of one who undermines the fundamental tenets of Judaism is more severe, as he defiles the honor of the Omnipresent Himself, so his punishment must certainly be the most severe....
וּכְבָר הָיוּ מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן מְהַלְּכִין בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וְנָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא מְהַלְּכִין אַחֲרֵיהֶן, וְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵיהֶן. אָמַר לוֹ נָדָב לַאֲבִיהוּא: אֵימָתַי יָמוּתוּ שְׁנֵי זְקֵנִים הַלָּלוּ וַאֲנִי וְאַתָּה נַנְהִיג אֶת הַדּוֹר? אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הֲנִרְאֶה מִי קוֹבֵר אֶת מִי. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא, הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: נְפִישֵׁי גַּמְלֵי סָבֵי דִּטְעִינִי מַשְׁכֵי דְהוּגְנֵי. אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: לְמָה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם דּוֹמֶה לִפְנֵי עַם הָאָרֶץ? בַּתְּחִלָּה, דּוֹמֶה לְקִיתוֹן שֶׁל זָהָב. סִיפֵּר הֵימֶנּוּ, דּוֹמֶה לְקִיתוֹן שֶׁל כֶּסֶף. נֶהֱנָה מִמֶּנּוּ, דּוֹמֶה לְקִיתוֹן שֶׁל חֶרֶשׂ. כֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּר, שׁוּב אֵין לוֹ תַּקָּנָה. אִימַּרְתָּא בַּת טָלֵי, בַּת כֹּהֵן שֶׁזִּינְּתָה הֲוַאי. אַקְּפַהּ (רַב) חָמָא בַּר טוֹבִיָּה חֲבִילֵי זְמוֹרוֹת וְשַׂרְפַהּ. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: טְעָה בְּתַרְתֵּי, טְעָה בִּדְרַב מַתְנָה, וּטְעָה בִּדְתַנְיָא. ״וּבָאתָ אֶל הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם וְאֶל הַשֹּׁפֵט אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם״ – בִּזְמַן שֶׁיֵּשׁ כֹּהֵן יֵשׁ מִשְׁפָּט, בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֵין כֹּהֵן אֵין מִשְׁפָּט.
Apropos the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, an aggadic midrash on this subject is quoted: And it had already happened that Moses and Aaron were walking on their way, and Nadav and Avihu were walking behind them, and the entire Jewish people were walking behind them. Nadav said to Avihu: When will it happen that these two old men will die and you and I will lead the generation, as we are their heirs? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: We shall see who buries whom. Rav Pappa says: This explains the adage that people say: Many are the old camels that are loaded with the skins of young camels. Rabbi Eliezer says: To what is a Torah scholar compared when he is standing before an ignoramus? At first, when he does not know him, the ignoramus considers him to be like a goblet [lekiton] of gold. Once he has conversed with him concerning mundane matters, he considers him to be like a goblet of silver, i.e., the stature of the Torah scholar is downgraded in the eyes of the ignoramus. Once the scholar has received benefit from the ignoramus, he considers him to be like an earthenware goblet, which once broken cannot be fixed. The Gemara relates: Imrata bat Talei was a priest’s daughter who committed adultery. Rav Ḥama bar Toviyya surrounded her with bundles of branches and burned her. Rav Yosef says: Rav Ḥama bar Toviyya erred with regard to two halakhot. He erred with regard to the ruling of Rav Mattana, i.e., that burning is performed using a wick of lead, and he erred with regard to that which is taught in a baraita: It is derived from the verse: “And you shall come to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge that will be in those days” (Deuteronomy 17:9), that at a time when there is a priest serving in the Temple, i.e., when the Temple is built, there is judgment of capital cases. By inference, at a time when there is no priest, there is no judgment of capital cases....
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שֶׁבַע מִצְוֹת נִצְטַוּוּ בְּנֵי נֹחַ – דִּינִין, וּבִרְכַּת הַשֵּׁם, עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, גִּילּוּי עֲרָיוֹת, וּשְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים, וְגָזֵל, וְאֵבֶר מִן הַחַי. רַבִּי חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן גַּמְלָא אוֹמֵר: אַף עַל הַדָּם מִן הַחַי. רַבִּי חִידְקָא אוֹמֵר: אַף עַל הַסֵּירוּס. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: אַף עַל הַכִּישּׁוּף.
§ Since the halakhot of the descendants of Noah have been mentioned, a full discussion of the Noahide mitzvot is presented. The Sages taught in a baraita: The descendants of Noah, i.e., all of humanity, were commanded to observe seven mitzvot: The mitzva of establishing courts of judgment; and the prohibition against blessing, i.e., cursing, the name of God; and the prohibition of idol worship; and the prohibition against forbidden sexual relations; and the prohibition of bloodshed; and the prohibition of robbery; and the prohibition against eating a limb from a living animal. Rabbi Ḥananya ben Gamla says: The descendants of Noah are also commanded concerning the prohibition against consuming the blood from a living animal. Rabbi Ḥideka says: They are also commanded concerning castration, i.e., they are prohibited to castrate any living animal. Rabbi Shimon says: They are also commanded concerning the prohibition against engaging in sorcery.
רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אַף עַל הַכִּלְאַיִם. מוּתָּרִין בְּנֵי נֹחַ לִלְבּוֹשׁ כִּלְאַיִם וְלִזְרוֹעַ כִּלְאַיִם, וְאֵין אֲסוּרִין אֶלָּא בְּהַרְבָּעַת בְּהֵמָה וּבְהַרְכָּבַת הָאִילָן.
Rabbi Elazar says: The descendants of Noah were also commanded concerning the prohibition of diverse kinds. Nevertheless, it is permitted for the descendants of Noah to wear diverse kinds of wool and linen and to sow diverse kinds of seeds together, and they are prohibited only with regard to breeding diverse species of animals and grafting diverse species of trees.
גִּיפּוּף וְנִישּׁוּק דְּמַאי? אִילֵּימָא כְּדַרְכָּהּ – בַּר קְטָלָא הוּא! אֶלָּא, לְמַעוֹטֵי שֶׁלֹּא כְּדַרְכָּהּ. דִּינִין בְּנֵי נֹחַ אִיפְּקוּד? וְהָתַנְיָא: עֶשֶׂר מִצְוֹת נִצְטַוּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמָרָה, שֶׁבַע שֶׁקִּיבְּלוּ עֲלֵיהֶן בְּנֵי נֹחַ, וְהוֹסִיפוּ עֲלֵיהֶן דִּינִין וְשַׁבָּת וְכִיבּוּד אָב וָאֵם. דִּינִין, דִּכְתִיב: ״שָׁם שָׂם לוֹ חֹק וּמִשְׁפָּט״. שַׁבָּת וְכִיבּוּד אָב וָאֵם, דִּכְתִיב: ״כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ״. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: ״כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ״ – בְּמָרָה.
The Gemara asks: Embracing and kissing an idol in what manner? If we say that he did so in its standard manner of worship, i.e., that embracing and kissing is the standard method of worshipping this idol, certainly he is liable to receive the death penalty. Rather, it is stated to exclude a case where he did not do so in its standard manner of worship. § The Gemara asks with regard to the list of the Noahide mitzvot: Were the descendants of Noah commanded to establish courts of judgment? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: The Jewish people were commanded to observe ten mitzvot when they were in Marah: Seven that the descendants of Noah accepted upon themselves, and God added to them the following mitzvot: Judgment, and Shabbat, and honoring one’s father and mother. The mitzva of judgment was given at Marah, as it is written with regard to Marah: “There He made for them a statute and an ordinance” (Exodus 15:25). Shabbat and honoring one’s father and mother were given at Marah, as it is written concerning them in the Ten Commandments: “Observe the day of Shabbat to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you” (Deuteronomy 5:12), and similarly: “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you” (Deuteronomy 5:16). The phrase “as the Lord your God commanded you” indicates that they had already been commanded to observe these mitzvot previously. And Rav Yehuda says: “As the Lord your God commanded you” in Marah. Apparently, the mitzva of establishing courts is not included in the seven Noahide mitzvot.
וְלֹא יִגְרוֹם לַאֲחֵרִים שֶׁיִּדְּרוּ בִּשְׁמוֹ וְשֶׁיְּקַיְּימוּ בִּשְׁמוֹ. מְסַיְּיעָא לֵיהּ לַאֲבוּהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר אֲבוּהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל: אָסוּר לְאָדָם שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה שׁוּתָּפוּת עִם הַנׇּכְרִי, שֶׁמָּא יִתְחַיֵּיב לוֹ שְׁבוּעָה וְנִשְׁבָּע בַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלּוֹ, וְהַתּוֹרָה אָמְרָה: ״לֹא יִשָּׁמַע עַל פִּיךָ״.
The baraita teaches: And one may not cause others, i.e., gentiles, to vow in the name of an idol or affirm their statements by an oath in its name. The Gemara comments: The baraita supports the opinion of Shmuel’s father, as Shmuel’s father says: It is prohibited for a person to enter into a partnership with a gentile, lest their joint ventures lead them to quarrel, and his gentile partner will be obligated to take an oath to him, and he will take an oath in the name of his object of idol worship; and the Torah states: “Neither let it be heard out of your mouth,” which includes causing a gentile to take an oath in the name of an idol.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: כֹּל לֵיצָנוּתָא אֲסִירָא, חוּץ מִלֵּיצָנוּתָא דַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה דְּשַׁרְיָא, דִּכְתִיב: ״כָּרַע בֵּל קֹרֵס נְבוֹ ... קָרְסוּ כָרְעוּ יַחְדָּו לֹא יָכְלוּ מַלֵּט מַשָּׂא״.
§ Rav Naḥman says: All types of mockery are forbidden, except for mockery of idol worship, which is permitted, as it is written: “Bel crouches down, Nevo stoops…they stoop, they crouch down together, they could not hold back the burden” (Isaiah 46:1–2). The verse is interpreted as meaning that they crouch in order to defecate and cannot retain their excrement.
תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וְנָתַתִּי פִּגְרֵיכֶם עַל פִּגְרֵי גִּלּוּלֵיכֶם״. אָמַר: אֵלִיָּהוּ הַצַּדִּיק הָיָה מְחַזֵּר עַל תְּפוּחֵי רָעָב שֶׁבִּירוּשָׁלַיִם. פַּעַם אַחַת מָצָא תִּינוֹק שֶׁהָיָה תָּפוּחַ וּמוּטָל בָּאַשְׁפָּה. אָמַר לוֹ: מֵאֵיזֶה מִשְׁפָּחָה אַתָּה? אָמַר לוֹ: מִמִּשְׁפָּחָה פְּלוֹנִית אֲנִי. אָמַר לוֹ: כְּלוּם נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מֵאוֹתָהּ מִשְׁפָּחָה? אָמַר לוֹ: לָאו, חוּץ מִמֶּנִּי. אָמַר לוֹ: אִם אֲנִי מְלַמֶּדְךָ דָּבָר שֶׁאַתָּה חַי בּוֹ, אַתָּה לָמֵד? אָמַר לוֹ: הֵן. אָמַר לוֹ: אֱמוֹר בְּכׇל יוֹם ״שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ ה׳ אֶחָד״. אָמַר לוֹ: הַס, שֶׁלֹּא לְהַזְכִּיר בְּשֵׁם ה׳, שֶׁלֹּא לִימְּדוֹ אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ. מִיָּד הוֹצִיא יִרְאָתוֹ מֵחֵיקוֹ, וּמְחַבְּקָהּ וּמְנַשְּׁקָהּ, עַד שֶׁנִּבְקְעָה כְּרֵיסוֹ וְנָפְלָה יִרְאָתוֹ לָאָרֶץ, וְנָפַל הוּא עָלֶיהָ, לְקַיֵּים מַה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְנָתַתִּי אֶת פִּגְרֵיכֶם עַל פִּגְרֵי גִּלּוּלֵיכֶם״. בָּתַר דַּאֲבִיקוּ בֵּיהּ. תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וַיִּזְעֲקוּ בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל אֶל ה׳ אֱלֹהֵיהֶם״. מַאי אֲמוּר? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַב יוֹנָתָן: בִּיָּיא, בִּיָּיא! הַיְינוּ דְּאַחְרְבֵיהּ לְבֵיתָא, וְקַלְיֵאּ לְהֵיכְלָא, וְקַטְלִינְהוּ לְצַדִּיקֵי, וְאַגְלִינְהוּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאַרְעַיְיהוּ, וַעֲדַיִין הוּא מְרַקֵּד בֵּינַן. כְּלוּם יְהַבְתֵּיהּ לַן אֶלָּא לְקַבּוֹלֵי בֵּיהּ אַגְרָא? לָא אִיהוּ בָּעֵינַן וְלָא אַגְרֵיהּ בָּעֵינַן! בָּתַר דַּאֲבִיקוּ בֵּיהּ. יְתַבוּ תְּלָתָא יוֹמֵי בְּתַעֲנִיתָא, בָּעוּ רַחֲמֵי. נְפַל לְהוּ פִּיתְקָא מֵרְקִיעָא דַּהֲוָה כְּתִיב בַּהּ: ״אֱמֶת״. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ, חוֹתָמוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא ׳אֱמֶת׳. נְפַק כְּגוּרְיָא דְנוּרָא מִבֵּית קָדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים. אֲמַר לְהוּ נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: הַיְינוּ יִצְרָא דַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָתָפְסִי לֵיהּ, אִישְׁתְּמִיט בִּינִיתָא מִינֵּיהּ, וַאֲזַל קָלֵיהּ בְּאַרְבַּע מְאָה פַּרְסֵי. אָמְרוּ: הֵיכִי נֶיעְבֵּד? דִּילְמָא מִשְּׁמַיָּא מְרַחֲמִי עֲלֵיהּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ נָבִיא: שַׁדְיוּהּ בְּדוּדָא דַאֲבָרָא, וְכַסְּיוּהּ בַּאֲבָרָא, דְּשָׁיֵיף קָלֵיהּ. דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר זֹאת הָרִשְׁעָה וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אוֹתָהּ אֶל תּוֹךְ הָאֵיפָה וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אֶת הָאֶבֶן הָעוֹפֶרֶת אֶל פִּיהָ״. אָמְרִי: הוֹאִיל וְעֵת רָצוֹן הוּא, נִיבְעֵי רַחֲמֵי אַיִּצְרָא דַעֲבֵירָה. בְּעוֹ רַחֲמֵי, אִימְּסַר בִּידַיְיהוּ. חַבְשׁוּהּ תְּלָתָא יוֹמֵי. בְּעוֹ בֵּיעֲתָא בַּת יוֹמָא לְחוֹלֶה, וְלָא אַשְׁכַּחוּ. אֲמַרוּ: הֵיכִי נַעֲבֵיד? נִיבְעֵי פַּלְגָא? פַּלְגָא מֵרְקִיעָא לָא יָהֲבִי. כַּחְלִינְהוּ לְעֵינֵיהּ. אַהֲנִי בֵּיהּ דְּלָא מִיגָּרֵי אִינִישׁ בְּקָרִיבְתֵּיהּ.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof that the Jewish people engaged in idol worship for its own sake and not for the sake of engaging in forbidden sexual relations: In interpretation of the verse: “And I shall cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols” (Leviticus 26:30), the Sages say that Elijah the Righteous, the prophet, would search for those who were swollen with hunger in Jerusalem. He once found a child who was swollen with hunger and lying in the garbage. Elijah said to the child: From which family are you? The child said to him: I am from such and such family. Elijah said to him: Isn’t there anyone left from that family? The child said to him: No one is left besides me. Elijah said to him: If I teach you something through which you will live, will you learn it? The child said to him: Yes. Elijah said to him: Say every day “Listen Israel, the Lord is our God; the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4). The child said to him: Hush, so as not to mention the name of the Lord (see Amos 6:10). The child did not want to even hear the mention of the name of the Lord, which his father and his mother did not teach him. Immediately, the child removed his god from his bosom and began hugging it and kissing it, until his stomach burst from hunger, and his god fell to the earth and he fell upon it, in fulfillment of that which is stated: “And I shall cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols” (Leviticus 26:30). This incident demonstrates that the Jewish people engaged in idol worship for its own sake. The Gemara answers: This also occurred after the Jewish people became attached to idol worship. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear another proof, from the verse: “And they cried in a loud voice to the Lord their God” (Nehemiah 9:4). What did they say in that prayer? Rav Yehuda says, and some say it is Rav Yonatan who says: Woe, woe [baya, baya], this evil inclination for idol worship is what destroyed the Temple, and burned the Sanctuary, and murdered the righteous ones, and caused the Jewish people to be exiled from their land. And it still dances among us, i.e., it still affects us. Didn’t You give it to us solely for the purpose of our receiving reward for overcoming it? We do not want it, nor do we not want its reward. Evidently, the Jewish people were drawn to idol worship itself, and they did not worship idols only in order to engage in forbidden sexual relations. The Gemara answers: This also occurred after the Jewish people became attached to idol worship. The Gemara continues to relate the story of the prayer in the days of Nehemiah: The people fasted for three days and prayed for mercy. In response to their prayer a note fell for them from the heavens in which was written: Truth, indicating that God accepted their request. The Gemara makes a parenthetical observation. Rabbi Ḥanina says: Conclude from it that the seal of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is truth. The form of a fiery lion cub came forth from the chamber of the Holy of Holies. Zechariah, the prophet, said to the Jewish people: This is the evil inclination for idol worship. When they caught hold of it one of its hairs fell out, and it let out a shriek of pain that was heard for four hundred parasangs [parsei]. They said: What should we do to kill it? Perhaps Heaven will have mercy upon it if we attempt to kill it, as it will certainly scream even more. The prophet said to them: Throw it into a container made of lead and cover it with lead, as lead absorbs sound. As it is written: “And he said: This is the evil one. And he cast it down into the midst of the measure, and he cast a stone of lead upon its opening” (Zechariah 5:8). They followed this advice and were freed of the evil inclination for idol worship. When they saw that the evil inclination for idol worship was delivered into their hands as they requested, the Sages said: Since it is an auspicious time, let us pray for mercy concerning the evil inclination for sin concerning sexual matters. They prayed for mercy, and it was also delivered into their hands. The Sages imprisoned it for three days. At that time, people searched for a one-day-old fresh egg for the sick but could not find one. Since the inclination to reproduce was quashed, the chickens stopped laying eggs. They said: What should we do? If we pray for half, i.e., that only half its power be annulled, nothing will be achieved, because Heaven does not grant half gifts, only whole gifts. What did they do? They gouged out its eyes, and this was effective in limiting it to the extent that a person is no longer aroused to commit incest with his close relatives.
אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא, דְּתַנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: וְכִי מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאָכַל זֶה תַּרְטֵימָר בָּשָׂר וְשָׁתָה חֲצִי לוֹג יַיִן הָאִיטַלְקִי, אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ מוֹצִיאִין אוֹתוֹ לְסׇקְלוֹ? אֶלָּא לֹא הָיָה וְלֹא עָתִיד לִהְיוֹת, וְלָמָּה נִכְתַּב? דְּרוֹשׁ וְקַבֵּל שָׂכָר. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: אֲנִי רְאִיתִיו וְיָשַׁבְתִּי עַל קִבְרוֹ. כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּתַנְיָא: עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת לֹא הָיְתָה וְלֹא עֲתִידָה לִהְיוֹת, וְלָמָּה נִכְתְּבָה – דְּרוֹשׁ וְקַבֵּל שָׂכָר. כְּמַאן? כְּרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, כׇּל עִיר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ אֲפִילּוּ מְזוּזָה אַחַת אֵינָהּ נַעֲשֵׂית עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת. מַאי טַעְמָא? אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְאֶת כׇּל שְׁלָלָהּ תִּקְבֹּץ אֶל תּוֹךְ רְחֹבָהּ וְשָׂרַפְתָּ בָאֵשׁ״. וְכֵיוָן דְּאִי אִיכָּא מְזוּזָה, לָא אֶפְשָׁר, דִּכְתִיב: ״לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן כֵּן לַה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: אֲנִי רְאִיתִיהָ וְיָשַׁבְתִּי עַל תִּילָּהּ. כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּתַנְיָא: בַּיִת הַמְנוּגָּע לֹא הָיָה וְלֹא עָתִיד לִהְיוֹת, וְלָמָּה נִכְתַּב – דְּרוֹשׁ וְקַבֵּל שָׂכָר. כְּמַאן? כְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, דִּתְנַן: רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר, לְעוֹלָם אֵין הַבַּיִת טָמֵא עַד שֶׁיֵּרָאֶה כִּשְׁתֵּי גְרִיסִין עַל שְׁתֵּי אֲבָנִים בִּשְׁתֵּי כְתָלִים בְּקֶרֶן זָוִית, אׇרְכּוֹ כִּשְׁנֵי גְרִיסִין וְרׇחְבּוֹ כִּגְרִיס. מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן? כְּתִיב ״קִיר״ וּכְתִיב ״קִירֹת״. אֵיזֶהוּ קִיר שֶׁהוּא כְּקִירוֹת? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זֶה קֶרֶן זָוִית. תַּנְיָא: אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּרַבִּי צָדוֹק, מָקוֹם הָיָה בִּתְחוּם עַזָּה, וְהָיוּ קוֹרִין אוֹתוֹ חוּרְבָּתָא סְגִירְתָּא. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אִישׁ כְּפַר עַכּוֹ: פַּעַם אַחַת הָלַכְתִּי לְגָלִיל וְרָאִיתִי מָקוֹם שֶׁמְּצַיְּינִין אוֹתוֹ, וְאָמְרוּ: אֲבָנִים מְנוּגָּעוֹת פִּינוּ לְשָׁם. מַתְנִי׳ הָיָה אֶחָד מֵהֶם גִּידֵּם, אוֹ חִיגֵּר, אוֹ אִלֵּם, אוֹ סוֹמֵא, אוֹ חֵרֵשׁ – אֵינוֹ נַעֲשֶׂה בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְתָפְשׂוּ בוֹ אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ״ – וְלֹא גִּדְמִין, ״וְהוֹצִיאוּ אֹתוֹ״ – וְלֹא חִגְּרִין, ״וְאָמְרוּ״ – וְלֹא אִלְּמִין, ״בְּנֵנוּ זֶה״ – וְלֹא סוֹמִין, ״אֵינֶנּוּ שֹׁמֵעַ בְּקֹלֵנוּ״ – וְלֹא חֵרְשִׁין.
If you wish, say instead that this baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon. As it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Shimon says: And is it simply due to the fact that the boy ate a tarteimar of meat and drank a half-log of Italian wine that his father and his mother shall take him out to stone him? Rather, there has never been a stubborn and rebellious son and there will never be one in the future. And why, then, was the passage relating to a stubborn and rebellious son written in the Torah? So that you may expound upon new understandings of the Torah and receive reward for your learning. Rabbi Yonatan says: This is not so, as I saw one. I was once in a place where a stubborn and rebellious son was condemned to death, and I even sat on his grave after he was executed. The Gemara raises a similar question: In accordance with whose opinion is that which is taught in a baraita: There has never been an idolatrous city and there will never be one in the future, as it is virtually impossible to fulfill all the requirements that must be met in order to apply this halakha. And why, then, was the passage relating to an idolatrous city written in the Torah? So that you may expound upon new understandings of the Torah and receive reward for your learning. In accordance with whose opinion is this? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: Any city that has even one mezuza or any other sacred scroll cannot become an idolatrous city. It is difficult to imagine an entire city without even one mezuza. The Gemara asks: What is the reason that a city that has even one mezuza cannot become an idolatrous city? The Gemara answers: The verse states: “And you shall gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the open space of the city, and shall burn with fire both the city and the entire plunder taken in it” (Deuteronomy 13:17). And since if there is a mezuza there it is impossible to burn all the contents of the city, as it is written: “And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their asherim with fire…This you shall not do so to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 12:3–4). It is derived from this verse that it is prohibited to destroy a sacred item such as a mezuza. Therefore, in a city that has even one mezuza, it is impossible to fulfill the halakhot of an idolatrous city, as not all of its contents may be burned. Rabbi Yonatan says: This is not so, as I once saw an idolatrous city that was condemned to destruction, and I even sat on its ruins. The Gemara asks another similar question: In accordance with whose opinion is that which is taught in a baraita: There has never been a house afflicted with leprosy of the house and there will never be one in the future. And why, then, was the passage relating to leprosy of the house written in the Torah? So that you may expound upon new understandings of the Torah and receive reward for your learning. In accordance with whose opinion is this? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, as we learned in a mishna (Nega’im 12:3) that Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, says: A house never becomes impure with leprosy until a mark about the size of two split beans is seen on two stones in two walls that form a corner between them, the mark being about two split beans in length and about one split bean in width. It is difficult to imagine that such a precise situation will ever occur. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for the statement of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, that a house does not become impure unless it has a mark precisely in the corner? The verse states: “And he shall look at the leprous mark, and, behold, if the leprous mark be in the walls of the house, in greenish or reddish depressions, which in sight are lower than the wall” (Leviticus 14:37). In one part of the verse it is written “wall,” and in another part of the verse it is written “walls.” Which wall is like two walls? You must say this is a corner. It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Tzadok, says: There was a place in the area of Gaza, and it was called the leprous ruin; that is to say, it was the ruin of a house that had been afflicted with leprosy. Apparently, then, leprosy of the house has existed. Rabbi Shimon of the village of Akko said: I once went to the Galilee and I saw a place that was being marked off as an impure place, and they said that stones afflicted with leprosy were cast there. This too indicates that a house afflicted with leprosy has existed. MISHNA: If one of the parents was without hands, or lame, or mute, or blind, or deaf, their son does not become a stubborn and rebellious son, as it is stated: “Then shall his father and his mother lay hold of him, and bring him out to the elders of his city and to the gate of his place. And they shall say to the elders of his city: This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voices; he is a glutton and a drunkard” (Deuteronomy 21:19–20). The Sages derive: “Then shall his father and his mother lay hold of him,” but not people without hands, who cannot do this. “And bring him out,” but not lame people, who cannot walk. “And they shall say,” but not mutes. “This son of ours,” but not blind people, who cannot point to their son and say “this.” “He will not obey our voices,” but not deaf people, who cannot hear whether or not he declined to obey them.
מַתְנִי׳ בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה נִידּוֹן עַל שֵׁם סוֹפוֹ. יָמוּת זַכַּאי וְאַל יָמוּת חַיָּיב, שֶׁמִּיתָתָן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים – הֲנָאָה לָהֶן וַהֲנָאָה לָעוֹלָם. לַצַּדִּיקִים – רַע לָהֶן וְרַע לָעוֹלָם.
MISHNA: A stubborn and rebellious son is sentenced to death not because of the severity of the transgression that he already committed but on account of his ultimate end, because a boy of his nature will grow up to lead an immoral life, and it is better that he should die while he is still innocent, before causing excessive harm, and not die after he becomes guilty. This is because the death of the wicked is beneficial to them, because they can no longer sin, and it is also beneficial to the world, which is now rid of those who do it harm. Conversely, the death of the righteous is detrimental to them, as they can no longer engage in the performance of mitzvot, and it is also detrimental to the world, as the righteous are now absent from it.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּאָדָם אֶחָד שֶׁנָּתַן עֵינָיו בְּאִשָּׁה אַחַת, וְהֶעֱלָה לִבּוֹ טִינָא. וּבָאוּ וְשָׁאֲלוּ לָרוֹפְאִים, וְאָמְרוּ: אֵין לוֹ תַּקָּנָה עַד שֶׁתִּבָּעֵל. אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים: יָמוּת וְאַל תִּבָּעֵל לוֹ. תַּעֲמוֹד לְפָנָיו עֲרוּמָּה: יָמוּת וְאַל תַּעֲמוֹד לְפָנָיו עֲרוּמָּה. תְּסַפֵּר עִמּוֹ מֵאֲחוֹרֵי הַגָּדֵר: יָמוּת וְלֹא תְּסַפֵּר עִמּוֹ מֵאֲחוֹרֵי הַגָּדֵר. פְּלִיגִי בַּהּ רַבִּי יַעֲקֹב בַּר אִידֵּי וְרַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי: חַד אָמַר: אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ הָיְתָה, וְחַד אָמַר: פְּנוּיָה הָיְתָה. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ הָיְתָה – שַׁפִּיר, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר פְּנוּיָה הָיְתָה – מַאי כּוּלֵּי הַאי? רַב פָּפָּא אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם פְּגַם מִשְׁפָּחָה. רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב אִיקָא אָמַר: כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל פְּרוּצוֹת בַּעֲרָיוֹת. וְלִינְסְבַהּ מִינְסָב? לָא מְיַיתְּבָה דַּעְתֵּיהּ, כִּדְרַבִּי יִצְחָק. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: מִיּוֹם שֶׁחָרַב בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, נִיטְּלָה טַעַם בִּיאָה וְנִיתְּנָה לְעוֹבְרֵי עֲבֵירָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״מַיִם גְּנוּבִים יִמְתָּקוּ וְלֶחֶם סְתָרִים יִנְעָם״. הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה.
§ Apropos the discussion of the obligation to allow oneself to be killed rather than engage in forbidden sexual intercourse, the Gemara notes that Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: There was an incident involving a certain man who set his eyes upon a certain woman and passion rose in his heart, to the point that he became deathly ill. And they came and asked doctors what was to be done with him. And the doctors said: He will have no cure until she engages in sexual intercourse with him. The Sages said: Let him die, and she may not engage in sexual intercourse with him. The doctors said: She should at least stand naked before him. The Sages said: Let him die, and she may not stand naked before him. The doctors suggested: The woman should at least converse with him behind a fence in a secluded area, so that he should derive a small amount of pleasure from the encounter. The Sages insisted: Let him die, and she may not converse with him behind a fence. The Gemara comments: Rabbi Ya’akov bar Idi and Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani disagree about this issue. One of them says: The woman in question was a married woman, and the other one says: She was unmarried. The Gemara tries to clarify the issue: Granted, according to the one who says that she was a married woman, the matter is properly understood. Since the case involved a severely prohibited forbidden relationship, the Sages did not allow any activity hinting at intimacy. But according to the one who says that she was unmarried, what is the reason for all this opposition? Why did the Sages say that the man must be allowed to die, rather than have the woman do as was requested? Rav Pappa says: This is due to the potential family flaw, i.e., harm to the family name, as it is not permitted to bring disgrace to the entire family in order to save the lovesick man. Rav Aḥa, son of Rav Ika, says: This is so that the daughters of Israel should not be promiscuous with regard to forbidden sexual relations. Were they to listen to the doctors’ recommendations, Jewish women might lose moral restraint. The Gemara asks: But if the woman was unmarried, let the man marry her. The Gemara answers: His mind would not have been eased by marriage, in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Yitzḥak. As Rabbi Yitzḥak says: Since the day the Temple was destroyed, sexual pleasure was taken away from those who engage in permitted intercourse and given to transgressors, as it is stated: “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (Proverbs 9:17). Therefore, the man could have been cured only by engaging in illicit sexual interaction.
אִם כֵּן, לֵימָא קְרָא ״אַל תַּחֵל״! מַאי ״אַל תְּחַלֵּל״? שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ תַּרְתֵּי. וְאַבָּיֵי וְרָבָא, הַאי ״אַל תְּחַלֵּל אֶת בִּתְּךָ לְהַזְנוֹתָהּ״ מַאי עָבְדִי לֵיהּ? אָמַר רַבִּי מָנִי: זֶה הַמַּשִּׂיא אֶת בִּתּוֹ לְזָקֵן. כִּדְתַנְיָא: ״אַל תְּחַלֵּל אֶת בִּתְּךָ לְהַזְנוֹתָהּ״. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: זֶה הַמַּשִּׂיא אֶת בִּתּוֹ לְזָקֵן. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: זֶה הַמַּשְׁהֶא בִּתּוֹ בּוֹגֶרֶת. אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: אֵין לְךָ עָנִי בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אֶלָּא רָשָׁע עָרוּם, וְהַמַּשְׁהֶא בִּתּוֹ בּוֹגֶרֶת. אַטּוּ הַמַּשְׁהֶא בִּתּוֹ בּוֹגֶרֶת לָאו רָשָׁע עָרוּם הוּא? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי:
The Gemara answers: If so, and that is the sole derivation from the verse, let the verse say: Do not profane [taḥel]. What is the reason that the verse uses the more complex form: Do not profane [teḥalel]? Conclude two derivations from it. The Gemara asks: And according to Abaye and Rava, who derive the prohibition against engaging in intercourse with one’s daughter from a different source, what do they do with this verse: “Do not profane your daughter by causing her to act licentiously”? Rabbi Mani says: This verse is referring to one who marries his daughter to an old man. Since she will not be satisfied with him, it will ultimately lead her to engage in adultery, and her father is responsible for causing that situation. This derivation is as it is taught in a baraita: “Do not profane your daughter by causing her to act licentiously.” Rabbi Eliezer says: This is referring to one who marries his daughter to an old man. Rabbi Akiva says: This is referring to one who delays the marriage of his daughter who is a grown woman. Since she finds no permissible outlet for her sexual desire, she is apt to engage in licentiousness. Rav Kahana says in the name of Rabbi Akiva: You do not have a pauper among the Jewish people other than one who is a conniving wicked person, who seeks to conceal his true nature, and one who delays the marriage of his daughter who is a grown woman. The Gemara asks: Is that to say that one who delays the marriage of his daughter who is a grown woman is not a conniving, wicked person? He connives to delay her marriage to ensure that she will stay at home and do the housework, sparing him the cost of domestic help, and thereby causes her to sin. Abaye says:
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: הַמַּשִּׂיא אֶת בִּתּוֹ לְזָקֵן, וְהַמַּשִּׂיא אִשָּׁה לִבְנוֹ קָטָן, וְהַמַּחְזִיר אֲבֵידָה לְנׇכְרִי – עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״לְמַעַן סְפוֹת הָרָוָה אֶת הַצְּמֵאָה. לֹא יֹאבֶה ה׳ סְלֹחַ לוֹ״.
Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: One who marries his daughter to an old man, and one who takes a wife for his minor son, and one who returns a lost item to a gentile are all individuals who are the cause of sin. Marriage to an old man or a minor leaves the woman unsatisfied and is apt to lead to licentiousness. One who returns lost property to gentiles adds to the property that they stole from Jews. With regard to each of them the verse states: “Lest there should be among you a man or a woman…whose heart turns away this day from the Lord…saying: I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart, that the quenched shall be added to the thirsty. The Lord will not be willing to pardon him” (Deuteronomy 29:17-19).
מֵיתִיבִי: הָאוֹהֵב אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ כְּגוּפוֹ, וְהַמְכַבְּדָהּ יוֹתֵר מִגּוּפוֹ, וְהַמַּדְרִיךְ בָּנָיו וּבְנוֹתָיו בְּדֶרֶךְ יְשָׁרָה, וְהַמַּשִּׂיאָן סָמוּךְ לְפִירְקָן – עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״וְיָדַעְתָּ כִּי שָׁלוֹם אׇהֳלֶךָ וּפָקַדְתָּ נָוְךָ וְלֹא תֶחֱטָא״. סָמוּךְ לְפִירְקָן – שָׁאנֵי.
The Gemara raises an objection to one element of the ruling of Rav from a baraita: One who loves his wife as he loves himself, and who esteems her by giving her clothing and jewelry more than he esteems himself, and one who instructs his sons and daughters to follow an upright path, and who marries them to appropriate spouses adjacent to their reaching puberty, ensures that his home will be devoid of quarrel and sin. Concerning him the verse states: “And you shall know that your tent is in peace; and you shall visit your habitation and shall miss nothing” (Job 5:24). The baraita indicates that it is a mitzva to marry one’s children to appropriate spouses while they are young, contrary to the statement of Rav that one who takes a wife for his minor son causes sin. The Gemara replies: Adjacent to their reaching puberty is different from marrying her to a minor, as there is no concern that his daughter will sin during the brief period until her husband reaches puberty.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הָאוֹהֵב אֶת שְׁכֵינָיו, וְהַמְקָרֵב אֶת קְרוֹבָיו, וְהַנּוֹשֵׂא אֶת בַּת אֲחוֹתוֹ, וְהַמַּלְוֶה סֶלַע לְעָנִי בִּשְׁעַת דּוֹחְקוֹ – עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״אָז תִּקְרָא וַה׳ יַעֲנֶה״.
The Sages taught: One who loves his neighbors, and one who brings his relatives close, and one who marries the daughter of his sister, an example of a woman that he knows and likes before taking her as his wife, and one who lends a sela to a poor man at his time of need, when he has no alternative source of funds, with regard to each of them the verse states: “Break your bread for the hungry, and the poor that are cast out bring to your house; when you see the naked, you shall clothe him, and hide not yourself from your own flesh…then shall you call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say: Here I am” (Isaiah 58:7–9).
מַתְנִי׳ מִי שֶׁלָּקָה וְשָׁנָה, בֵּית דִּין מַכְנִיסִין אוֹתוֹ לַכִּיפָּה, וּמַאֲכִילִין אוֹתוֹ שְׂעוֹרִין עַד שֶׁכְּרֵיסוֹ מִתְבַּקַּעַת.
MISHNA: One who was flogged for violating a prohibition and then repeated the violation and was flogged again assumes the status of a forewarned transgressor. The court places him into the vaulted chamber [lakippa] and feeds him barley bread until his belly ruptures due to the low-quality food, and he dies.
אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: הַבָּא לִימָּלֵךְ, אֵין מוֹרִין לוֹ. אִיתְּמַר נָמֵי, אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הַבָּא לִימָּלֵךְ, אֵין מוֹרִין לוֹ. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁאִם פֵּירַשׁ זִמְרִי וַהֲרָגוֹ פִּנְחָס – נֶהֱרָג עָלָיו. נֶהְפַּךְ זִמְרִי וַהֲרָגוֹ לְפִנְחָס – אֵין נֶהֱרָג עָלָיו, שֶׁהֲרֵי רוֹדֵף הוּא. ״וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל שֹׁפְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגוֹ׳״. הָלַךְ שִׁבְטוֹ שֶׁל שִׁמְעוֹן אֵצֶל זִמְרִי בֶּן סָלוּא, אָמְרוּ לוֹ: הֵן דָּנִין דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת וְאַתָּה יוֹשֵׁב וְשׁוֹתֵק?! מָה עָשָׂה? עָמַד וְקִיבֵּץ עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אֶלֶף מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל וְהָלַךְ אֵצֶל כׇּזְבִּי. אֲמַר לַהּ: הִשָּׁמֵיעִי לִי. אָמְרָה לוֹ: בַּת מֶלֶךְ אֲנִי, וְכֵן צִוָּה לִי אָבִי: לֹא תִּשָּׁמְעִי אֶלָּא לַגָּדוֹל שֶׁבָּהֶם. אֲמַר לַהּ: אַף הוּא נְשִׂיא שֵׁבֶט הוּא, וְלָא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁהוּא גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ, שֶׁהוּא שֵׁנִי לַבֶּטֶן וְהוּא שְׁלִישִׁי לַבֶּטֶן. תְּפָשָׂהּ בִּבְלוֹרִיתָהּ וֶהֱבִיאָהּ אֵצֶל מֹשֶׁה. אָמַר לוֹ: בֶּן עַמְרָם, זוֹ אֲסוּרָה אוֹ מוּתֶּרֶת? וְאִם תֹּאמַר אֲסוּרָה, בַּת יִתְרוֹ מִי הִתִּירָה לָךְ? נִתְעַלְּמָה מִמֶּנּוּ הֲלָכָה. גָּעוּ כּוּלָּם בִּבְכִיָּה, וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהֵמָּה בֹכִים פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד״. וּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּרְא פִּנְחָס בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר״. מָה רָאָה? אָמַר רַב: רָאָה מַעֲשֶׂה וְנִזְכַּר הֲלָכָה. אָמַר לוֹ: אֲחִי אֲבִי אַבָּא, לֹא כָּךְ לִימַּדְתַּנִי בְּרִדְתְּךָ מֵהַר סִינַי: הַבּוֹעֵל אֲרָמִית קַנָּאִין פּוֹגְעִין בּוֹ? אָמַר לוֹ: קַרְיָינָא דְּאִיגַּרְתָּא אִיהוּ לֶיהֱוֵי פַּרְוָונְקָא. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: רָאָה שֶׁאֵין חׇכְמָה וְאֵין תְּבוּנָה וְאֵין עֵצָה לְנֶגֶד יהוה. כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁיֵּשׁ חִילּוּל הַשֵּׁם, אֵין חוֹלְקִין כָּבוֹד לָרַב. רַבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: רָאָה שֶׁבָּא מַלְאָךְ וְהִשְׁחִית בָּעָם. ״וַיָּקׇם מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה וַיִּקַּח רֹמַח בְּיָדוֹ״. מִיכָּן, שֶׁאֵין נִכְנָסִין בִּכְלֵי זַיִין לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ. שָׁלַף שְׁנָנָהּ וְהִנִּיחָהּ בְּאוּנְקָלוֹ, וְהָיָה נִשְׁעָן וְהוֹלֵךְ עַל מַקְלוֹ, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ אֵצֶל שִׁבְטוֹ שֶׁל שִׁמְעוֹן אָמַר: הֵיכָן מָצִינוּ שֶׁשִּׁבְטוֹ שֶׁל לֵוִי גָּדוֹל מִשֶּׁל שִׁמְעוֹן? אָמְרוּ: הַנִּיחוּ לוֹ, אַף הוּא לַעֲשׂוֹת צְרָכָיו נִכְנַס. הִתִּירוּ פְּרוּשִׁין אֶת הַדָּבָר. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שִׁשָּׁה נִסִּים נַעֲשׂוּ לוֹ לְפִנְחָס. אֶחָד, שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ לְזִמְרִי לִפְרוֹשׁ וְלֹא פֵּירַשׁ. וְאֶחָד, שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ לְדַבֵּר וְלֹא דִּבֵּר. וְאֶחָד, שֶׁכִּוֵּון בְּזַכְרוּתוֹ שֶׁל אִישׁ וּבְנַקְבוּתָהּ שֶׁל אִשָּׁה. וְאֶחָד, שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁמְטוּ מִן הָרוֹמַח. וְאֶחָד, שֶׁבָּא מַלְאָךְ וְהִגְבִּיהַּ אֶת הַמַּשְׁקוֹף. וְאֶחָד, שֶׁבָּא מַלְאָךְ וְהִשְׁחִית בָּעָם. בָּא וַחֲבָטָן לִפְנֵי הַמָּקוֹם, אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, עַל אֵלּוּ יִפְּלוּ עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אֶלֶף מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וַיִּהְיוּ הַמֵּתִים בַּמַּגֵּפָה אַרְבָּעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים אָלֶף״. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּעֲמֹד פִּינְחָס וַיְפַלֵּל״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: ״וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״וַיְפַלֵּל״. מְלַמֵּד כִּבְיָכוֹל, שֶׁעָשָׂה פְּלִילוּת עִם קוֹנוֹ. בִּקְּשׁוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לְדׇחֳפוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶן: הַנִּיחוּ לוֹ, קַנַּאי בֶּן קַנַּאי הוּא, מֵשִׁיב חֵימָה בֶּן מֵשִׁיב חֵימָה הוּא. הִתְחִילוּ שְׁבָטִים מְבַזִּין אוֹתוֹ: רְאִיתֶם בֶּן פּוּטִי זֶה, שֶׁפִּיטֵּם אֲבִי אִמּוֹ עֲגָלִים לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְהָרַג נְשִׂיא שֵׁבֶט מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל? בָּא הַכָּתוּב וְיִחֲסוֹ: ״פִּנְחָס בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן״. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה: הַקְדֵּם לוֹ שָׁלוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָכֵן אֱמֹר הִנְנִי נוֹתֵן לוֹ אֶת בְּרִיתִי שָׁלוֹם״. וּרְאוּיָה כַּפָּרָה זוֹ שֶׁתְּהֵא מְכַפֶּרֶת וְהוֹלֶכֶת לְעוֹלָם.
Rav Ḥisda says: Concerning one who comes to consult with the court when he sees a Jewish man engaging in intercourse with a gentile woman, the court does not instruct him that it is permitted to kill the transgressor. It was also stated that Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Concerning one who comes to consult with the court, the court does not instruct him that it is permitted to kill the Jewish man engaging in intercourse with a gentile woman. Moreover, if Zimri son of Salu (see Numbers 25:1–9) had separated himself from the woman and only then Pinehas killed him, Pinehas would have been executed for killing him, because it is permitted for zealots to kill only while the transgressor is engaged in the act of intercourse. Furthermore, if Zimri would have turned and killed Pinehas in self-defense, he would not have been executed for killing him, as Pinehas was a pursuer. One is allowed to kill a pursuer in self-defense, provided that the pursued is not liable to be executed by the court. It is stated: “And Moses said to the judges of Israel: Each of you shall slay his men who have adhered unto Ba’al-Peor” (Numbers 25:5). The tribe of Simeon went to Zimri, son of Salu, their leader, and said to him: They are judging cases of capital law and executing us and you are sitting and are silent? What did Zimri do? He arose and gathered twenty-four thousand people from the children of Israel, and went to Cozbi, daughter of Zur, princess of Midian, and said to her: Submit to me and engage in intercourse with me. She said to him: I am the daughter of a king, and this is what my father commanded me: Submit only to the greatest of them. Zimri said to her: He, too, referring to himself, is the head of a tribe; moreover, he is greater than Moses, as he is the second of the womb, as he descends from Simeon, the second son of Jacob, and Moses is the third of the womb, as he descends from Levi, the third son of Jacob. He seized her by her forelock and brought her before Moses. Zimri said to Moses: Son of Amram, is this woman forbidden or permitted? And if you say that she is forbidden, as for the daughter of Yitro to whom you are married, who permitted her to you? The halakha with regard to the proper course of action when encountering a Jewish man engaging in intercourse with a gentile woman eluded Moses. All of the members of the Sanhedrin bawled in their weeping, and that is the meaning of that which is written: “And they are crying at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting” (Numbers 25:6). And it is written thereafter: “And Pinehas, son of Elazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw and arose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand” (Numbers 25:7). The Gemara asks: What did Pinehas see that led him to arise and take action? Rav says: He saw the incident taking place before him and he remembered the halakha. He said to Moses: Brother of the father of my father, as Moses was the brother of his grandfather Aaron, did you not teach me this during your descent from Mount Sinai: One who engages in intercourse with a gentile woman, zealots strike him? Moses said to him: Let the one who reads the letter be the agent [parvanka] to fulfill its contents. And Shmuel says: Pinehas saw and considered the meaning of the verse: “There is neither wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30), which the Sages interpreted to mean: Anywhere that there is desecration of the Lord’s name, one does not show respect to the teacher. In those situations, one need not consult his teacher, but must immediately proceed to right the wrong that is transpiring. Therefore, he took the spear and took immediate action. Rabbi Yitzḥak says that Rabbi Eliezer says: He saw that an angel came and destroyed among the people in punishment for the sin of Zimri, and he realized that he must take immediate action to ameliorate the situation. It is written with regard to Pinehas: “He arose from amidst the assembly and he took a spear in his hand” (Numbers 25:7). From here, where it is written that he took the spear only after he arose from the assembly, it is derived that one does not enter the study hall with a weapon. The assembly in this context is referring to the seat of the Sanhedrin. Pinehas removed the blade of the spear and placed it in his garment [be’unkalo] and held the shaft of the spear like a walking stick, and he was walking, leaning on his walking stick, the shaft of the spear. And once he reached the tribe of Simeon he said: Where did we find that the tribe of Levi is greater than that of Simeon? If all the members of your tribe submit to the temptation of the women of Moab, I may do so as well. After hearing that statement, the members of the tribe of Simeon said: Allow him to enter; like us, he too is entering to attend to his needs and engage in intercourse with the Moabite women. They rejoiced and said: Apparently, the pious and God-fearing have permitted this matter, as Pinehas is one of them. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Six miracles were performed for Pinehas when he killed Zimri. One is that Zimri should have separated himself from Cozbi, and he did not separate himself. Had he done so, it would have been prohibited for Pinehas to kill him. And one is that Zimri should have spoken and alerted the members of his tribe to come to his assistance, and he did not speak. And one is that Pinehas directed the spear precisely to the male genitals of Zimri and to the female genitals of Cozbi so that the reason that he killed them would be evident. And one is that Zimri and Cozbi did not fall from the spear. And one is that an angel came and raised the lintel of that chamber so that Pinehas could emerge holding them aloft on the spear. And one is that an angel came and caused destruction among the people, distracting them from interfering with the actions of Pinehas. Pinehas came and slammed them on the ground before the Omnipresent and said before Him: Master of the Universe, will twenty-four thousand of the children of Israel fall due to these sinners? As it is stated: “And those that died in the plague were twenty-four thousand” (Numbers 25:9). And that is the meaning of that which is written: “And Pinehas stood and wrought judgment and the plague was stayed” (Psalms 106:30). Rabbi Elazar says: It is not stated in the verse: And prayed [vayitpallel]; rather, it is stated vayefalel. This teaches that Pinehas, as it were, wrought judgment [pelilut] with his Creator. The ministering angels sought to push him away because he spoke harshly to God. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: Leave him be; he is a zealot, son of a zealot, from the tribe of Levi, who was zealous in avenging the violation of his sister Dinah; he is an alleviator of wrath, son of an alleviator of wrath, a descendant of Aaron, who alleviated the wrath of God during the plague that followed the assembly of Korah. The tribes began to demean Pinehas: Did you see this son of Puti, so-called because his mother was one of the daughters of Putiel (see Exodus 6:25), and they interpreted homiletically: As Yitro, the father of his mother, according to one rabbinic tradition, fattened [shepittem] calves for idol worship, and he impudently killed the prince of a tribe of Israel without a trial. In response, the verse comes and provides his lineage as “Pinehas, son of Elazar, son of Aaron the priest” (Numbers 25:11). It is due to that lineage that he zealously executed Zimri. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Be the first to greet Pinehas with a blessing of peace, to honor him before the people, as it is stated: “Therefore say: I hereby give to him My covenant of peace” (Numbers 25:12), and it is stated: “And it shall be unto him and to his descendants after him a covenant of eternal priesthood, because he was zealous for his God and he atoned for the children of Israel” (Numbers 25:13), and this atonement that he facilitated is worthy of continuing to atone forever.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַב: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״זַרְזִיר מׇתְנַיִם אוֹ תָיִשׁ וּמֶלֶךְ אַלְקוּם עִמּוֹ״? אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת וְעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע בְּעִילוֹת בָּעַל אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם, וְהִמְתִּין לוֹ פִּנְחָס עַד שֶׁתָּשַׁשׁ כֹּחוֹ. וְהוּא אֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁמֶּלֶךְ אַלְקוּם עִמּוֹ. בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: שִׁשִּׁים, עַד שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה כְּבֵיצָה הַמּוּזֶרֶת, וְהִיא הָיְתָה כַּעֲרוּגָה מְלֵיאָה מַיִם. אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: וּמוֹשָׁבָהּ בֵּית סְאָה. תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: קֶבֶר שֶׁלָּהּ אַמָּה. אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: לֹא ״כׇּזְבִּי״ שְׁמָהּ, אֶלָּא ״שְׁוִילְנַאי בַּת צוּר״ שְׁמָהּ. וְלָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמָהּ ״כׇּזְבִּי״? שֶׁכִּזְּבָה בְּאָבִיהָ. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״כׇּזְבִּי״ – שֶׁאָמְרָה לְאָבִיהָ: ״כּוֹס בִּי עַם זֶה״. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: ״בֵּין קְנֵי לְאוּרְבָּנֵי, שְׁוִילְנַאי מַאי בָּעֲיָא?״ ״בַּהֲדֵי קְלִפֵּי דִקְנֵי, שְׁוִילְנַאי מַאי בָּעֲיָא?״ גַּפְתָּהּ לְאִמַּהּ. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: חֲמִשָּׁה שֵׁמוֹת יֵשׁ לוֹ: זִמְרִי, וּבֶן סָלוּא, וְשָׁאוּל, וּבֶן הַכְּנַעֲנִית, וּשְׁלוּמִיאֵל בֶּן צוּרִי שַׁדָּי. זִמְרִי – עַל שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה כְּבֵיצָה הַמּוּזֶרֶת, בֶּן סָלוּא – עַל שֶׁהִסְלִיא עֲוֹנוֹת שֶׁל מִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹ, שָׁאוּל – עַל שֶׁהִשְׁאִיל עַצְמוֹ לִדְבַר עֲבֵירָה, בֶּן הַכְּנַעֲנִית – עַל שֶׁעָשָׂה מַעֲשֵׂה כְנַעַן, וּמָה שְׁמוֹ? שְׁלוּמִיאֵל בֶּן צוּרִי שַׁדָּי שְׁמוֹ. כֹּהֵן שֶׁשִּׁימֵּשׁ בְּטוּמְאָה. בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַב אַחָא בַּר הוּנָא מֵרַב שֵׁשֶׁת: כֹּהֵן שֶׁשִּׁימֵּשׁ בְּטוּמְאָה, חַיָּיב מִיתָה בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם אוֹ אֵין חַיָּיב מִיתָה בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: תְּנֵיתוּהָ, כֹּהֵן שֶׁשִּׁימֵּשׁ בְּטוּמְאָה אֵין אֶחָיו הַכֹּהֲנִים מְבִיאִין אוֹתוֹ לְבֵית דִּין, אֶלָּא פִּירְחֵי כְהוּנָּה מוֹצִיאִין אוֹתוֹ חוּץ לָעֲזָרָה וּפוֹצְעִין אֶת מוֹחוֹ בְּגִיזְרִין. וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ מְחַיֵּיב בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם, לִישְׁבְּקֵיהּ דְּלִיקְטוֹל בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם! אֶלָּא מַאי? אֵינוֹ חַיָּיב. מִי אִיכָּא מִידֵּי דְּרַחֲמָנָא פַּטְרֵיהּ, וַאֲנַן נֵיקוּם וְנִיקְטוֹל לֵיהּ? וְלָא? וְהָתְנַן: מִי שֶׁלָּקָה וְשָׁנָה – בֵּית דִּין מַכְנִיסִין אוֹתוֹ לַכִּיפָּה. רַחֲמָנָא פַּטְרֵיהּ, וַאֲנַן קָטְלִינַן לֵיהּ? הָאָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: בְּמַלְקוֹת שֶׁל כָּרֵיתוֹת עָסְקִינַן, דְּגַבְרָא בַּר קְטָלָא הוּא. וְהָא גּוֹנֵב הַקַּסְוָה? הָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: בִּכְלִי שָׁרֵת עָסְקִינַן, וּרְמִיזָא: ״לֹא יָבֹאוּ לִרְאוֹת כְּבַלַּע אֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ וָמֵתוּ״. וְהָא הַמְקַלֵּל אֶת הַקּוֹסֵם? הָא תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: יַכֶּה קוֹסֵם אֶת קוֹסְמוֹ, דְּמִיחֲזֵי כִּמְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַשֵּׁם. וְהָא בּוֹעֵל אֲרָמִית? הָא אַקְרְיוּהּ לְרַב כָּהֲנָא בְּחֶלְמֵיהּ, וְאִדַּכְרֵיהּ רַב לִגְמָרֵיהּ.
§ With regard to the same matter, Rav Naḥman says that Rav says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The thigh-belted greyhound [zarzir], or the he-goat, and the king against whom none can rise” (Proverbs 30:31)? That wicked Zimri engaged in four hundred and twenty-four, the numerical value of the word zarzir, acts of intercourse with Cozbi that day. And Pinehas waited until his strength waned from all that activity. And Pinehas did not know that it was not necessary to wait that long because the king against whom none can rise, a reference to the Holy One, Blessed be He, was with him. It was taught in a baraita: Zimri engaged in intercourse sixty times until he became like an addled egg whose contents are a muddled and non-differentiated fluid, and Cozbi was like a garden bed full of water. Rav Kahana said to underscore her disgrace resulting from her extensive sexual activity: And her seat was as wide as the area required for sowing one se’a of seed [beit se’a]. Rav Yosef taught: The opening of her womb was a cubit. Rav Sheshet says: Cozbi was not her given name; rather, Shevilnai, daughter of Zur, was her real name. And why was she called Cozbi? Because through her actions, she distorted [shekizzeva] the instructions of her father. He told her to submit only to the greatest of the children of Israel, and she submitted to the leader of a tribe. Alternatively: She was called Cozbi because she said to her father: Slaughter [kos] this people through me [bi], as I will seduce them to engage in licentiousness. Her name was Shevilnai; and this is as people say in reference to a famous prostitute: Between reeds and willows, what does Shevilnai seek? Clearly, she seeks licentiousness. There is another adage: Among the peels of the reeds, what does Shevilnai seek? Clearly, she seeks licentiousness. She prostituted her mother. Apparently, Shevilnai became a name popularly used to connote a prostitute. Since everyone refers to her as prostitute, daughter of prostitute, she has implicated her mother with her licentiousness. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Zimri has five names: Zimri; and son of Salu; and Saul; and son of the Canaanite woman; and Shelumiel, son of Zuri Shaddai. He was called Zimri because of the fact that he became like an addled [hamuzeret] egg as a result of engaging in multiple acts of intercourse. He was called son of Salu because of the fact that he evoked [shehisli] the sins of his family. He was called Saul [Shaul] because of the fact that he lent [shehishil] himself to sinful matters. He was called son of the Canaanite woman because of the fact that he performed an act of Canaan, as the Canaanites are renowned for their licentiousness. And what is his given name? Shelumiel, son of Zuri Shaddai, is his name, the leader of the tribe of Simeon (Numbers 1:6). § The mishna teaches: In the case of a priest who performed the Temple service in a state of ritual impurity, the young of the priesthood kill him. Rav Aḥa bar Huna raised a dilemma before Rav Sheshet: In the case of a priest who performed the Temple service in a state of ritual impurity, is he liable to receive death at the hand of Heaven or is he not liable to receive death at the hand of Heaven? Rav Sheshet said to him: You learned the resolution of that dilemma from the mishna itself, as we learned: In the case of a priest who performed the Temple service in a state of ritual impurity, his priestly brethren do not bring him to court for judgment; rather, the young of the priesthood remove him from the Temple courtyard and pierce his skull with pieces of wood. And if it enters your mind to say that he is liable to receive death at the hand of Heaven, let the young of the priesthood leave him, so that he will be killed at the hand of Heaven. Rather, what must one say? He is not liable to receive death at the hand of Heaven. Rav Aḥa bar Huna rejects that proof: Is there any act for which the Torah absolves him of the death penalty and we shall arise and execute him? Rav Sheshet said to him: And are there not cases where one is executed even though the Torah absolves him? But didn’t we learn in a mishna: One who was flogged for violating a prohibition and then repeated the violation, the court places him into the vaulted chamber? There too, the Merciful One absolves him of the death penalty and we execute him. Rav Aḥa bar Huna rejects that proof: Doesn’t Rabbi Yirmeya say that Reish Lakish says: We are dealing with lashes administered for violations of prohibitions punishable by karet? As in that case, the man is essentially liable to be punished with death at the hand of Heaven. Rav Sheshet said to him: But isn’t there the case of one who steals a kasva, who is exempt from punishment by Torah law, and the mishna says that zealots strike him? Rav Aḥa bar Huna rejects that proof: But doesn’t Rav Yehuda say: We are dealing with a service vessel utilized in the Temple, and the fact that one who steals a service vessel is liable to be killed by zealots is intimated in the verse: “But they shall not come to see the sacred items as they are being covered, lest they die” (Numbers 4:20). Rav Sheshet said to him: But isn’t there the case of one who curses the sorcerer, who is exempt from punishment by Torah law, and the mishna says that zealots strike him? Rav Aḥa bar Huna rejects that proof: But didn’t Rav Yosef teach that the reference is to a case where one says: Let the sorcerer strike his sorcerer, which appears to be like one who is blessing, a euphemism for cursing, the name of God, and he is liable to be executed for desecration of the name of God. Rav Sheshet said to him: But isn’t there the case of one who engages in intercourse with an Aramean woman, who is exempt from punishment by Torah law, and the mishna says that zealots strike him? Rav Aḥa bar Huna rejects that proof: Didn’t they read a verse to Rav Kahana in his dream and when he related his dream to Rav, Rav remembered that which he learned through tradition that God will excise the soul of one who engages in intercourse with a gentile woman?
אַזְהָרָה לְגוֹנֵב נֶפֶשׁ מִנַּיִן? רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה אָמַר: מִ״לֹּא תִגְנֹב״. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: מִ״לֹּא יִמָּכְרוּ מִמְכֶּרֶת עֶבֶד״. וְלָא פְּלִיגִי, מָר קָא חָשֵׁיב לָאו דִּגְנֵיבָה, וּמָר קָא חָשֵׁיב לָאו דִּמְכִירָה. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״לֹא תִגְנֹב״ – בְּגוֹנֵב נְפָשׁוֹת הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר בְּגוֹנֵב נְפָשׁוֹת, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא בְּגוֹנֵב מָמוֹן? אָמַרְתָּ: צֵא וּלְמַד מִשְּׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת שֶׁהַתּוֹרָה נִדְרֶשֶׁת בָּהֶן, דָּבָר הַלָּמֵד מֵעִנְיָינוֹ. בְּמָה הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר? בִּנְפָשׁוֹת. אַף כָּאן בִּנְפָשׁוֹת. תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: ״לֹא תִגְנֹבוּ״ – בְּגוֹנֵב מָמוֹן הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר. אַתָּה אוֹמֵר בְּגוֹנֵב מָמוֹן, אוֹ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא בְּגוֹנֵב נְפָשׁוֹת? אָמַרְתָּ: צֵא וּלְמַד מִשְּׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת שֶׁהַתּוֹרָה נִדְרֶשֶׁת בָּהֶן, דָּבָר הַלָּמֵד מֵעִנְיָנוֹ. בְּמָה הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר? בְּמָמוֹן. אַף כָּאן בְּמָמוֹן. אִיתְּמַר: עֵידֵי גְנֵיבָה וְעֵידֵי מְכִירָה בְּנֶפֶשׁ שֶׁהוּזַּמּוּ, חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר: אֵין נֶהֱרָגִין. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: נֶהֱרָגִין.
§ The Gemara asks: From where is a prohibition against abducting a person derived? Rabbi Yoshiya says that it is derived from the verse: “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:13). Rabbi Yoḥanan says that it is derived from the verse: “They shall not be sold as slaves” (Leviticus 25:42). The Gemara comments: And they do not disagree, as each requires both verses to derive the prohibition. One Sage, Rabbi Yoshiya, enumerates the prohibition against abduction, and one Sage, Rabbi Yoḥanan, enumerates the prohibition against selling the abductee into slavery. The Sages taught in a baraita: “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:13), and it is with regard to one who abducts people that the verse is speaking. Do you say that the verse is speaking with regard to one who abducts people, or perhaps the verse is speaking only with regard to one who steals property? You say: Go out and learn from one of the thirteen hermeneutical principles: A matter derived from its context. With regard to what context are the adjacent prohibitions “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery” in the verse speaking? They are speaking with regard to capital cases. So too here, the prohibition is speaking with regard to a capital case of abduction. It is taught in another baraita: “You shall not steal” (Leviticus 19:11), and it is with regard to one who steals property that the verse is speaking. Do you say that the verse is speaking with regard to one who steals property, or perhaps the verse is speaking only with regard to one who abducts people? You say: Go out and learn from one of the thirteen hermeneutical principles: A matter derived from its context. With regard to what context is the subsequent verse: “You shall neither exploit your neighbor nor rob him” (Leviticus 19:13), speaking? It is speaking with regard to property. So too here, the verse is speaking with regard to property. It was stated: If the witnesses to the abduction and the witnesses to the sale of a person were rendered conspiring witnesses, Ḥizkiyya says: The typical sentence of conspiring witnesses is not implemented and they are not executed. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: They are executed.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: זָקֵן מַמְרֵא אֵינוֹ חַיָּיב אֶלָּא עַל דָּבָר שֶׁזְּדוֹנוֹ כָּרֵת וְשִׁגְגָתוֹ חַטָּאת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: עַל דָּבָר שֶׁעִיקָּרוֹ מִדִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה וּפֵירוּשׁוֹ מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: אֲפִילּוּ דִּקְדּוּק אֶחָד מִדִּקְִדּוּקֵי סוֹפְרִים.
The Sages taught in a baraita: A rebellious elder is liable only for instructing another to perform an action involving a matter for whose intentional violation one is liable to receive karet, and for whose unwitting violation one is liable to bring a sin-offering; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says: One is liable for a matter whose essence is known from the words of the Torah itself and whose explanation is understood from traditional rabbinic interpretations of the Torah. The elder is not liable if the essence of the matter with regard to which he issues his ruling does not appear in the Torah or if the entire matter is written in the Torah. Rabbi Shimon says: Even if he differs with regard to one of the minutiae of the scribes in interpreting the Torah, the elder is liable, irrespective of the severity of the transgression.
תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: מִתְּחִילָּה לֹא הָיוּ (מַרְבִּין) מַחְלוֹקוֹת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶלָּא בֵּית דִּין שֶׁל שִׁבְעִים וְאֶחָד יוֹשְׁבִין בְּלִשְׁכַּת הַגָּזִית, וּשְׁנֵי בָּתֵּי דִינִין שֶׁל עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה, אֶחָד יוֹשֵׁב עַל פֶּתַח הַר הַבַּיִת וְאֶחָד יוֹשֵׁב עַל פֶּתַח הָעֲזָרָה, וּשְׁאָר בָּתֵּי דִינִין שֶׁל עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה יוֹשְׁבִין בְּכׇל עַיְירוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל. הוּצְרַךְ הַדָּבָר לִשְׁאוֹל, שׁוֹאֲלִין מִבֵּית דִּין שֶׁבְּעִירָן. אִם שָׁמְעוּ, אָמְרוּ לָהֶן. וְאִם לָאו, בָּאִין לָזֶה שֶׁסָּמוּךְ לְעִירָן. אִם שָׁמְעוּ, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם. וְאִם לָאו, בָּאִין לָזֶה שֶׁעַל פֶּתַח הַר הַבַּיִת. אִם שָׁמְעוּ, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם. וְאִם לָאו, בָּאִין לָזֶה שֶׁעַל פֶּתַח הָעֲזָרָה. וְאוֹמֵר: כָּךְ דָּרַשְׁתִּי וְכָךְ דָּרְשׁוּ חֲבֵירַי, כָּךְ לִמַּדְתִּי וְכָךְ לִמְּדוּ חֲבֵירַי. אִם שָׁמְעוּ, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם. וְאִם לָאו, אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ בָּאִין לְלִשְׁכַּת הַגָּזִית, שֶׁשָּׁם יוֹשְׁבִין מִתָּמִיד שֶׁל שַׁחַר עַד תָּמִיד שֶׁל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם. וּבְשַׁבָּתוֹת וּבְיָמִים טוֹבִים, יוֹשְׁבִין בַּחֵיל. נִשְׁאֲלָה שְׁאֵלָה בִּפְנֵיהֶם, אִם שָׁמְעוּ – אָמְרוּ לָהֶם, וְאִם לָאו – עוֹמְדִין לַמִּנְיָן. רַבּוּ הַמְטַמְּאִים – טִמְּאוּ, רַבּוּ הַמְּטַהֲרִין – טִהֲרוּ. מִשֶּׁרַבּוּ תַּלְמִידֵי שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל שֶׁלֹּא שִׁמְּשׁוּ כׇּל צָרְכָּן, רַבּוּ מַחְלוֹקוֹת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וְנַעֲשֵׂית תּוֹרָה כִּשְׁתֵּי תוֹרוֹת. מִשָּׁם כּוֹתְבִין וְשׁוֹלְחִין בְּכׇל מְקוֹמוֹת: כׇּל מִי שֶׁהוּא חָכָם, וּשְׁפַל בֶּרֶךְ, וְדַעַת הַבְּרִיּוֹת נוֹחָה הֵימֶנּוּ – יְהֵא דַּיָּין בְּעִירוֹ. מִשָּׁם מַעֲלִין אוֹתוֹ לְהַר הַבַּיִת, מִשָּׁם לָעֲזָרָה, מִשָּׁם לְלִשְׁכַּת הַגָּזִית. שְׁלַחוּ מִתָּם: אֵיזֶהוּ בֶּן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא? עַנְוְותָן וּשְׁפַל בֶּרֶךְ, שָׁיֵיף עָיֵיל שָׁיֵיף וְנָפֵיק, וְגָרֵיס בְּאוֹרָיְיתָא תְּדִירָא, וְלָא מַחְזֵיק טֵיבוּתָא לְנַפְשֵׁיהּ. יְהַבוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן עֵינַיְיהוּ בְּרַב עוּלָּא בַּר אַבָּא. חָזַר לְעִירוֹ וְשָׁנָה. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֵינוֹ חַיָּיב עַד שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה כְּהוֹרָאָתוֹ, אוֹ שֶׁיּוֹרֶה לַאֲחֵרִים וְיַעֲשׂוּ כְּהוֹרָאָתוֹ.
It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yosei said: Initially, discord would not proliferate among Israel. Rather, the court of seventy-one judges would sit in the Chamber of Hewn Stone. And there were two additional courts each consisting of twenty-three judges; one would convene at the entrance to the Temple Mount, and one would convene at the entrance to the Temple courtyard. And all the other courts consisting of twenty-three judges would convene in all cities inhabited by the Jewish people. If the matter was unclear and it was necessary to ask and clarify it, those uncertain of the halakha would ask the court that is in their city. If the members of the court heard a clear halakhic ruling with regard to that matter, they said it to them, and if not, they would come to a court that is adjacent to their city. If the members of the court heard a clear halakhic ruling with regard to that matter, they said it to them, and if not, they would come to the court at the entrance to the Temple Mount. If the members of the court heard a clear halakhic ruling with regard to that matter, they said it to them, and if not, they would come to the court at the entrance to the Temple courtyard. And the elder whose ruling deviated from the ruling of his colleagues says: This is what I interpreted and that is what my colleagues interpreted; this is what I taught and that is what my colleagues taught. If the members of the court heard a clear halakhic ruling with regard to that matter, they said it to them, and if not, these judges and those judges would come to the Chamber of Hewn Stone, where the Sanhedrin would be convened from the time that the daily morning offering is sacrificed until the time that the daily afternoon offering is sacrificed. And on Shabbatot and Festivals, when court is not in session, the members of the court would sit at the rampart. When a question was asked before them, if the members of the court heard a clear halakhic ruling with regard to that matter, they would say it to them, and if not they would stand for a vote on the matter. If the judges who deemed the item in question ritually impure outnumbered those who deemed it pure, the court would deem the item impure. If the judges who deemed the item in question ritually pure outnumbered those who deemed it impure, the court would deem the item pure. From the time that the disciples of Shammai and Hillel grew in number, and they were disciples who did not attend to their masters to the requisite degree, dispute proliferated among the Jewish people and the Torah became like two Torahs. Two disparate systems of halakha developed, and there was no longer a halakhic consensus with regard to every matter. The baraita continues its discussion of the workings of the Sanhedrin: From there, the Sanhedrin writes and dispatches the following statement to all places: Anyone who is wise and humble and the minds of people are at ease with him shall be a judge in his city. If he is successful in his city, from there, they promote him to the court at the entrance to the Temple Mount if there is a vacant seat on the court, and from there they promote him to the court at the entrance to the Temple courtyard, and from there to the court in the Chamber of Hewn Stone. Apropos the appointment of judges, the Gemara relates that they sent the following statement from there, i.e., Eretz Yisrael: Who is the one destined to receive a place in the World-to-Come? It is one who is modest and humble, who bows and enters and bows and exits, and who studies Torah regularly, and who does not take credit for himself. The Sages cast their eyes on Rav Ulla bar Abba, as they perceived him as the embodiment of all these characteristics. The mishna teaches: If the rebellious elder returned to his city and he taught in the manner that he was teaching previously, he is exempt from punishment, unless he instructs others to act on the basis of his ruling. The Sages taught: He is not liable unless he acts in accordance with his ruling, or he instructs others and they act in accordance with his ruling.
״וַיְהִי אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וְהָאֱלֹהִים נִסָּה אֶת אַבְרָהָם״, אַחַר מַאי? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן זִימְרָא: אַחַר דְּבָרָיו שֶׁל שָׂטָן, דִּכְתִיב ״וַיִּגְדַּל הַיֶּלֶד וַיִּגָּמַל וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר שָׂטָן לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, זָקֵן זֶה חֲנַנְתּוֹ לְמֵאָה שָׁנָה פְּרִי בֶטֶן, מִכׇּל סְעוּדָה שֶׁעָשָׂה לֹא הָיָה לוֹ תּוֹר אֶחָד אוֹ גּוֹזָל אֶחָד לְהַקְרִיב לְפָנֶיךָ? אָמַר לוֹ: כְּלוּם עָשָׂה אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל בְּנוֹ? אִם אֲנִי אוֹמֵר לוֹ ״זְבַח אֶת בִּנְךָ לְפָנַי״ מִיָּד זוֹבְחוֹ. מִיָּד ״וְהָאֱלֹהִים נִסָּה אֶת אַבְרָהָם״. ״וַיֹּאמֶר קַח נָא אֶת בִּנְךָ״. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בַּר אַבָּא: אֵין ״נָא״ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן בַּקָּשָׁה. מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁעָמְדוּ עָלָיו מִלְחָמוֹת הַרְבֵּה, וְהָיָה לוֹ גִּבּוֹר אֶחָד וְנִצְּחָן. לְיָמִים עָמְדָה עָלָיו מִלְחָמָה חֲזָקָה. אָמַר לוֹ: בְּבַקָּשָׁה מִמְּךָ, עֲמוֹד לִי בְּמִלְחָמָה זוֹ, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ רִאשׁוֹנוֹת אֵין בָּהֶם מַמָּשׁ. אַף הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אָמַר לְאַבְרָהָם: נִיסֵּיתִיךָ בְּכַמָּה נִסְיוֹנוֹת וְעָמַדְתָּ בְּכֻלָּן. עַכְשָׁיו עֲמוֹד לִי בְּנִסָּיוֹן זֶה, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ אֵין מַמָּשׁ בָּרִאשׁוֹנִים. ״אֶת בִּנְךָ״. שְׁנֵי בָּנִים יֵשׁ לִי. ״אֶת יְחִידְךָ״. זֶה יָחִיד לְאִמּוֹ וְזֶה יָחִיד לְאִמּוֹ. ״אֲשֶׁר אָהַבְתָּ״. תַּרְוַיְיהוּ רָחֵימְנָא לְהוּ. ״אֶת יִצְחָק״. וְכׇל כָּךְ לָמָּה? כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּטָּרֵף דַּעְתּוֹ עָלָיו. קְדָמוֹ שָׂטָן לַדֶּרֶךְ. אָמַר לוֹ: ״הֲנִסָּה דָבָר אֵלֶיךָ תִּלְאֶה... הִנֵּה יִסַּרְתָּ רַבִּים וְיָדַיִם רָפוֹת תְּחַזֵּק. כּוֹשֵׁל יְקִימוּן מִלֶּיךָ... כִּי עַתָּה תָּבוֹא אֵלֶיךָ וַתֵּלֶא״. אָמַר לוֹ: ״אֲנִי בְּתֻמִּי אֵלֵךְ״. אָמַר לוֹ: ״הֲלֹא יִרְאָתְךָ כִּסְלָתֶךָ״. אָמַר לוֹ: ״זְכׇר נָא מִי הוּא נָקִי אָבָד״. כֵּיוָן דַּחֲזָא דְּלָא קָא שָׁמַיע לֵיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״וְאֵלַי דָּבָר יְגֻנָּב״. כָּךְ שָׁמַעְתִּי מֵאֲחוֹרֵי הַפַּרְגּוֹד: ״הַשֶּׂה לְעוֹלָה״ וְאֵין יִצְחָק לְעוֹלָה. אָמַר לוֹ: כָּךְ עוֹנְשׁוֹ שֶׁל בַּדַּאי, שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ אָמַר אֱמֶת אֵין שׁוֹמְעִין לוֹ. רַבִּי לֵוִי אָמַר: אַחַר דְּבָרָיו שֶׁל יִשְׁמָעֵאל לְיִצְחָק. אָמַר לוֹ יִשְׁמָעֵאל לְיִצְחָק: אֲנִי גָּדוֹל מִמְּךָ בְּמִצְוֹת, שֶׁאַתָּה מַלְתָּ בֶּן שְׁמֹנַת יָמִים, וַאֲנִי בֶּן שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה. אָמַר לוֹ: וּבְאֵבֶר אֶחָד אַתָּה מְגָרֶה בִּי? אִם אוֹמֵר לִי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא ״זְבַח עַצְמְךָ לְפָנַי״, אֲנִי זוֹבֵחַ. מִיָּד: ״וְהָאֱלֹהִים נִסָּה אֶת אַבְרָהָם״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: נָבִיא שֶׁהִדִּיחַ – בִּסְקִילָה. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: בְּחֶנֶק. מַדִּיחֵי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת – בִּסְקִילָה. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: בְּחֶנֶק.
§ Apropos the binding of Isaac, the Gemara elaborates: It is written: “And it came to pass after these matters [hadevarim] that God tried Abraham” (Genesis 22:1). The Gemara asks: After what matters? How does the binding of Isaac relate to the preceding events? Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Yosei ben Zimra: This means after the statement [devarav] of Satan, as it is written: “And the child grew, and was weaned, and Abraham prepared a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned” (Genesis 21:8). Satan said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, this old man, you favored him with a product of the womb, i.e., a child, at one hundred years of age. From the entire feast that he prepared, did he not have even one dove or one pigeon to sacrifice before You as a thanks-offering? God said to Satan: Did Abraham prepare the feast for any reason but for his son? If I say to him: Sacrifice your son before Me, he would immediately slaughter him. Immediately, after these matters, the verse states: “And God tried Abraham.” The Torah continues: “And He said: Take, please [na], your son” (Genesis 22:2). Rabbi Shimon bar Abba says: The word na is nothing other than an expression of entreaty. Why did God request rather than command that Abraham take his son? The Gemara cites a parable of a flesh-and-blood king who confronted many wars. And he had one warrior fighting for him, and he overcame his enemies. Over time, there was a fierce war confronting him. The king said to his warrior: I entreat you, stand firm for me in this war, so that others will not say: There is no substance in the first victories, and you are not a true warrior. Likewise, the Holy One, Blessed be He, also said to Abraham: I have tried you with several ordeals, and you have withstood them all. Now, stand firm in this ordeal for Me, so that others will not say: There is no substance in the first ordeals. God said to Abraham: “Please take your son, your only, whom you love, Isaac” (Genesis 22:2). When God said: “Your son,” Abraham said: I have two sons. When God said: “Your only,” Abraham said: This son is an only son to his mother, and that son is an only son to his mother. When God said: “Whom you love,” Abraham said: I love both of them. Then God said: “Isaac.” And why did God prolong His command to that extent? Why did He not say Isaac’s name from the outset? God did so, so that Abraham’s mind would not be confused by the trauma. Satan preceded Abraham to the path that he took to bind his son and said to him: “If one ventures a word to you, will you be weary…you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have upheld him that was falling…but now it comes upon you, and you are weary” (Job 4:2–5). Do you now regret what you are doing? Abraham said to him in response: “And I will walk with my integrity” (Psalms 26:11). Satan said to Abraham: “Is not your fear of God your foolishness?” (Job 4:6). In other words, your fear will culminate in the slaughter of your son. Abraham said to him: “Remember, please, whoever perished, being innocent” (Job 4:7). God is righteous and His pronouncements are just. Once Satan saw that Abraham was not heeding him, he said to him: “Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a whisper thereof” (Job 4:12). This is what I heard from behind the heavenly curtain [pargod], which demarcates between God and the ministering angels: The sheep is to be sacrificed as a burnt-offering, and Isaac is not to be sacrificed as a burnt-offering. Abraham said to him: Perhaps that is so. However, this is the punishment of the liar, that even if he speaks the truth, others do not listen to him. Therefore, I do not believe you and will fulfill that which I was commanded to perform. The Gemara cites an alternative explanation of the verse: “And it came to pass after these matters that God tried Abraham” (Genesis 22:1). Rabbi Levi says: This means after the statement of Ishmael to Isaac, during an exchange between them described in the verse: “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar…mocking” (Genesis 21:9). Ishmael said to Isaac: I am greater than you in the fulfillment of mitzvot, as you were circumcised at the age of eight days, without your knowledge and without your consent, and I was circumcised at the age of thirteen years, with both my knowledge and my consent. Isaac said to Ishmael: And do you provoke me with one organ? If the Holy One, Blessed be He, were to say to me: Sacrifice yourself before Me, I would sacrifice myself. Immediately, God tried Abraham, to confirm that Isaac was sincere in his offer to give his life. § The Sages taught: A prophet who incites others to worship idols is executed by stoning. Rabbi Shimon says: He is executed by strangulation. Those who incite residents of a city to worship idols, leading the city to be declared an idolatrous city, are executed by stoning. Rabbi Shimon says: They are executed by strangulation.
אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בַּכֹּל, אִם יֹאמַר לְךָ נָבִיא ״עֲבוֹר עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה״ – שְׁמַע לוֹ, חוּץ מֵעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ מַעֲמִיד לְךָ חַמָּה בְּאֶמְצַע הָרָקִיעַ – אַל תִּשְׁמַע לוֹ. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: הִגִּיעָה תּוֹרָה לְסוֹף דַּעְתָּהּ שֶׁל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, לְפִיכָךְ נָתְנָה תּוֹרָה מֶמְשָׁלָה בָּהּ, שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ מַעֲמִיד לְךָ חַמָּה בְּאֶמְצַע הָרָקִיעַ – אַל תִּשְׁמַע לוֹ. תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: חַס וְשָׁלוֹם שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַעֲמִיד חַמָּה לְעוֹבְרֵי רְצוֹנוֹ! אֶלָּא כְּגוֹן חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן עַזּוּר, שֶׁמִּתְּחִלָּתוֹ נְבִיא אֱמֶת, וּלְבַסּוֹף נְבִיא שֶׁקֶר.
Rabbi Abbahu says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says, in summary: With regard to all mitzvot, if a prophet will say to you: Violate matters of Torah on a provisional basis, heed him, except for idol worship, as even if he establishes that he is a bona fide prophet and stops the sun for you in the middle of the sky, do not heed him. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yosei HaGelili says: The Torah ascertained the depth of the mentality of idol worship, the danger that it presents, and the lure of its ideology. Therefore, the Torah ascribed the false prophet with dominion in its regard, recognizing that a false prophet could perform wonders on the basis of idol worship. Therefore, even if the false prophet stops the sun for you in the middle of the sky, do not heed him. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Akiva says: Heaven forfend that the Holy One, Blessed be He, would stop the sun for those who violate His will. A false prophet could never perform an actual miracle. Rather, this warning is relevant only in the case of a prophet, for example, Hananiah, son of Azzur, whose origin was as a true prophet, at which point he could perform miracles; and ultimately, he was a false prophet. Therefore, although he had already been established as a true prophet, once he espouses idol worship, it is clear that he is a false prophet.
מַתְנִי׳ כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל יֵשׁ לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעַמֵּךְ כֻּלָּם צַדִּיקִים לְעוֹלָם יִירְשׁוּ אָרֶץ נֵצֶר מַטָּעַי מַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי לְהִתְפָּאֵר״. וְאֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא: הָאוֹמֵר אֵין תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה, וְאֵין תּוֹרָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: אַף הַקּוֹרֵא בַּסְּפָרִים הַחִיצוֹנִים, וְהַלּוֹחֵשׁ עַל הַמַּכָּה וְאוֹמֵר ״כׇּל הַמַּחֲלָה אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי בְמִצְרַיִם לֹא אָשִׂים עָלֶיךָ כִּי אֲנִי יהוה רֹפְאֶךָ״. אַבָּא שָׁאוּל אוֹמֵר: אַף הַהוֹגֶה אֶת הַשֵּׁם בְּאוֹתִיּוֹתָיו. שְׁלֹשָׁה מְלָכִים וְאַרְבָּעָה הֶדְיוֹטוֹת אֵין לָהֶן חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. שְׁלֹשָׁה מְלָכִים: יָרׇבְעָם, אַחְאָב, וּמְנַשֶּׁה. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: מְנַשֶּׁה יֵשׁ לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל אֵלָיו וַיִּשְׁמַע תְּחִנָּתוֹ וַיְשִׁיבֵהוּ יְרוּשָׁלִַים לְמַלְכוּתוֹ״. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: לְמַלְכוּתוֹ הֱשִׁיבוֹ וְלֹא לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא הֱשִׁיבוֹ. אַרְבָּעָה הֶדְיוֹטוֹת: בִּלְעָם, וְדוֹאֵג, וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל, וְגֵחֲזִי. גְּמָ׳ וְכׇל כָּךְ לָמָּה? תָּנָא: הוּא כָּפַר בִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים, לְפִיכָךְ לֹא יִהְיֶה לוֹ חֵלֶק בִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים, שֶׁכׇּל מִדּוֹתָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מִנַּיִין שֶׁכׇּל מִדּוֹתָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלִישָׁע שִׁמְעוּ דְּבַר יהוה [וְגוֹ׳] כָּעֵת מָחָר סְאָה סֹלֶת בְּשֶׁקֶל וְסָאתַיִם שְׂעֹרִים בְּשֶׁקֶל בְּשַׁעַר שֹׁמְרוֹן״. וּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּעַן הַשָּׁלִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הַמֶּלֶךְ נִשְׁעָן עַל יָדוֹ אֶת אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים וַיֹּאמַר הִנֵּה יהוה עוֹשֶׂה אֲרֻבּוֹת בַּשָּׁמַיִם הֲיִהְיֶה הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר הִנְּךָ רֹאֶה בְּעֵינֶיךָ וּמִשָּׁם לֹא תֹאכֵל״. וּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי לוֹ כֵּן וַיִּרְמְסוּ אֹתוֹ הָעָם בַּשַּׁעַר וַיָּמֹת״. וְדִילְמָא קִלְלַת אֱלִישָׁע גְּרַמָה לֵיהּ? דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: קִלְלַת חָכָם, אֲפִילּוּ עַל חִנָּם הִיא בָּאָה. אִם כֵּן, לִכְתּוֹב קְרָא: ״וַיִּרְמְסוּהוּ וַיָּמֹת״. מַאי ״בַּשַּׁעַר״? עַל עִסְקֵי שַׁעַר. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִנַּיִין לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּנְתַתֶּם מִמֶּנּוּ [אֶת] תְּרוּמַת יהוה לְאַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן״. וְכִי אַהֲרֹן לְעוֹלָם קַיָּים? וַהֲלֹא לֹא נִכְנַס לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנּוֹתְנִין לוֹ תְּרוּמָה! אֶלָּא מְלַמֵּד שֶׁעָתִיד לִחְיוֹת, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל נוֹתְנִין לוֹ תְּרוּמָה. מִכָּאן לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל תָּנָא: ״לְאַהֲרֹן״ – כְּאַהֲרֹן, מָה אַהֲרֹן חָבֵר – אַף בָּנָיו חֲבֵרִים. אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מִנַּיִין שֶׁאֵין נוֹתְנִין תְּרוּמָה לְכֹהֵן עַם הָאָרֶץ? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר לָעָם לְיוֹשְׁבֵי יְרוּשָׁלִַים לָתֵת מְנָת הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְוִיִּם לְמַעַן יֶחֶזְקוּ בְּתוֹרַת ה׳״. כׇּל הַמַּחְזִיק בְּתוֹרַת יהוה – יֵשׁ לוֹ מְנָת, וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ מַחְזִיק בְּתוֹרַת יהוה – אֵין לוֹ מְנָת. אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר אַדָּא אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: כׇּל הַנּוֹתֵן תְּרוּמָה לְכֹהֵן עַם הָאָרֶץ, כְּאִילּוּ נוֹתְנָהּ לִפְנֵי אֲרִי. מָה אֲרִי - סָפֵק דּוֹרֵס וְאוֹכֵל, סָפֵק אֵינוֹ דּוֹרֵס וְאוֹכֵל, אַף כֹּהֵן עַם הָאָרֶץ - סָפֵק אוֹכְלָהּ בְּטׇהֳרָה, סָפֵק אוֹכְלָהּ בְּטוּמְאָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אַף גּוֹרֵם לוֹ מִיתָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וּמֵתוּ בוֹ כִּי יְחַלְּלֻהוּ״. דְּבֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב תָּנָא: אַף מַשִּׂיאוֹ עֲוֹן אַשְׁמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וְהִשִּׂיאוּ אוֹתָם עֲוֹן אַשְׁמָה בְּאׇכְלָם אֶת קׇדְשֵׁיהֶם״. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי סִימַאי אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִין לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְגַם הֲקִמֹתִי אֶת בְּרִיתִי אִתָּם לָתֵת לָהֶם אֶת אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן״. ״לָכֶם״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״לָהֶם״. מִכָּאן לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. (צֶדֶ״ק גַּ״ם גֶּשֶׁ״ם קָ״ם סִימָן) שָׁאֲלוּ צַדּוּקִים אֶת רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: מִנַּיִין שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְחַיֶּיה מֵתִים? אָמַר לָהֶם: מִן הַתּוֹרָה, וּמִן הַנְּבִיאִים, וּמִן הַכְּתוּבִים. וְלֹא קִיבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ. מִן הַתּוֹרָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה אֶל מֹשֶׁה הִנְּךָ שֹׁכֵב עִם אֲבֹתֶיךָ וְקָם״. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: וְדִילְמָא ״וְקָם הָעָם הַזֶּה וְזָנָה״? מִן הַנְּבִיאִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״יִחְיוּ מֵתֶיךָ נְבֵלָתִי יְקוּמוּן הָקִיצוּ וְרַנְּנוּ שֹׁכְנֵי עָפָר כִּי טַל אוֹרֹת טַלֶּךָ וָאָרֶץ רְפָאִים תַּפִּיל״. וְדִילְמָא מֵתִים שֶׁהֶחְיָה יְחֶזְקֵאל? מִן הַכְּתוּבִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְחִכֵּךְ כְּיֵין הַטּוֹב הוֹלֵךְ לְדוֹדִי לְמֵישָׁרִים דּוֹבֵב שִׂפְתֵי יְשֵׁנִים״. וְדִילְמָא רַחוֹשֵׁי מְרַחֲשָׁן שִׂפְוָותֵיהּ בְּעָלְמָא? כְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוֹצָדָק: כׇּל מִי שֶׁנֶּאֶמְרָה הֲלָכָה בִּשְׁמוֹ בְּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, שִׂפְתוֹתָיו דּוֹבְבוֹת בַּקֶּבֶר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״דּוֹבֵב שִׂפְתֵי יְשֵׁנִים״. עַד שֶׁאָמַר לָהֶם מִקְרָא זֶה: ״אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יהוה לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם לָתֵת לָהֶם״. ״לָכֶם״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״לָהֶם״. מִיכָּן לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: מִן הַמִּקְרָא הַזֶּה אָמַר לָהֶם, ״וְאַתֶּם הַדְּבֵקִים בַּיהוה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם חַיִּים כֻּלְּכֶם הַיּוֹם״. פְּשִׁיטָא דְּחַיִּים כֻּלְּכֶם הַיּוֹם! אֶלָּא, אֲפִילּוּ בְּיוֹם שֶׁכׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלָּם מֵתִים – אַתֶּם חַיִּים. מָה הַיּוֹם כּוּלְּכֶם קַיָּימִין, אַף לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא כּוּלְּכֶם קַיָּימִין. שָׁאֲלוּ רוֹמִיִּים אֶת רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן חֲנַנְיָה: מִנַּיִין שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים, וְיוֹדֵעַ מַה שֶּׁעָתִיד לִהְיוֹת? אֲמַר לְהוּ: תַּרְוַויְיהוּ מִן הַמִּקְרָא הַזֶּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה אֶל מֹשֶׁה הִנְּךָ שֹׁכֵב עִם אֲבֹתֶיךָ וְקָם הָעָם הַזֶּה וְזָנָה״. וְדִילְמָא ״וְקָם הָעָם הַזֶּה וְזָנָה״? אֲמַר לְהוּ: נְקוּטוּ מִיהָא פַּלְגָא בִּידַיְיכוּ, דְּיוֹדֵעַ מַה שֶּׁעָתִיד לִהְיוֹת. אִיתְּמַר נָמֵי, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַאי: מִנַּיִין שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים וְיוֹדֵעַ מַה שֶּׁעָתִיד לִהְיוֹת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״הִנְּךָ שֹׁכֵב עִם אֲבֹתֶיךָ וְקָם וְגוֹ׳״. תַּנְיָא: אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי: בְּדָבָר זֶה זִיַּיפְתִּי סִפְרֵי כוּתִים, שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים אֵין תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. אָמַרְתִּי לָהֶן: זִיַּיפְתֶּם תּוֹרַתְכֶם וְלֹא הֶעֱלִיתֶם בְּיֶדְכֶם כְּלוּם, שֶׁאַתֶּם אוֹמְרִים אֵין תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. הֲרֵי הוּא אוֹמֵר ״הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִיא עֲוֹנָהּ בָּהּ״. ״הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״עֲוֹנָהּ בָּהּ״ – לְאֵימַת? לָאו לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְאַבָּיֵי: וְלֵימָא לְהוּ תַּרְוַיְיהוּ מֵ״הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת״! אִינְהוּ הֲווֹ אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: דִּבְּרָה תּוֹרָה כִּלְשׁוֹן בְּנֵי אָדָם. כְּתַנָּאֵי: ״הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת״ – ״הִכָּרֵת״ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״תִּכָּרֵת״ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״אֶת יהוה הוּא מְגַדֵּף וְנִכְרְתָה״, וְכִי שְׁלֹשָׁה עוֹלָמִים יֵשׁ? אֶלָּא ״וְנִכְרְתָה״ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״הִכָּרֵת״ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, ״הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת״ – דִּבְּרָה תוֹרָה כִלְשׁוֹן בְּנֵי אָדָם. בֵּין רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל וּבֵין רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא, ״עֲוֹנָהּ בָּהּ״ מַאי עָבְדִי בֵּיהּ? לְכִדְתַנְיָא: יָכוֹל אֲפִילּוּ עָשָׂה תְּשׁוּבָה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״עֲוֹנָהּ בָּהּ״. לֹא אָמַרְתִּי אֶלָּא בִּזְמַן שֶׁעֲוֹנָהּ בָּהּ. שָׁאֲלָה קְלֵיאוֹפַּטְרָא מַלְכְּתָא אֶת רַבִּי מֵאִיר. אָמְרָה: יָדַעְנָא דְּחָיִי שָׁכְבֵי, דִּכְתִיב ״וְיָצִיצוּ מֵעִיר כְּעֵשֶׂב הָאָרֶץ״. אֶלָּא כְּשֶׁהֵן עוֹמְדִין, עוֹמְדִין עֲרוּמִין אוֹ בִּלְבוּשֵׁיהֶן עוֹמְדִין? אֲמַר לַהּ: קַל וָחוֹמֶר מֵחִיטָּה. וּמָה חִיטָּה שֶׁנִּקְבְּרָה עֲרוּמָּה יוֹצְאָה בְּכַמָּה לְבוּשִׁין, צַדִּיקִים שֶׁנִּקְבָּרִים בִּלְבוּשֵׁיהֶן – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ קֵיסָר לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אָמְרִיתוּ דְּשָׁכְבֵי חָיִי. הָא הָווּ עַפְרָא, וְעַפְרָא מִי קָא חָיֵי?! אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ בְּרַתֵּיה: שִׁבְקֵיהּ, וַאֲנָא מַהְדַּרְנָא לֵיהּ. שְׁנֵי יוֹצְרִים יֵשׁ בְּעִירֵנוּ: אֶחָד יוֹצֵר מִן הַמַּיִם, וְאֶחָד יוֹצֵר מִן הַטִּיט. אֵיזֶה מֵהֶן מְשׁוּבָּח? אָמַר לָהּ: זֶה שֶׁיּוֹצֵר מִן הַמַּיִם. אָמְרָה לוֹ: מִן הַמַּיִם צָר, מִן הַטִּיט לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן? דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל תָּנָא: קַל וָחוֹמֶר מִכְּלֵי זְכוּכִית, מָה כְּלֵי זְכוּכִית שֶׁעֲמָלָן בְּרוּחַ בָּשָׂר וָדָם - נִשְׁבְּרוּ יֵשׁ לָהֶן תַּקָּנָה, בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁבְּרוּחוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַבִּי אַמֵּי: אָמְרִיתוּ דְּשָׁכְבֵי חָיִי. וְהָא הָווּ עַפְרָא, וְעַפְרָא מִי קָא חָיֵי?! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֶמְשׁוֹל לְךָ מָשָׁל. לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁאָמַר לַעֲבָדָיו: לְכוּ וּבְנוּ לִי פַּלְטֵרִין גְּדוֹלִים בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁאֵין מַיִם וְעָפָר. הָלְכוּ וּבָנוּ אוֹתָן. לְיָמִים נָפְלוּ. אָמַר לָהֶם: חִזְרוּ וּבְנוּ אוֹתָן בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁיֵּשׁ עָפָר וָמַיִם. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֵין אָנוּ יְכוֹלִין. כָּעַס עֲלֵיהֶם, וְאָמַר לָהֶן: בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁאֵין מַיִם וְעָפָר בְּנִיתֶם, עַכְשָׁיו שֶׁיֵּשׁ מַיִם וְעָפָר – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה! וְאִם אִי אַתָּה מַאֲמִין, צֵא לַבִּקְעָה וּרְאֵה עַכְבָּר שֶׁהַיּוֹם חֶצְיוֹ בָּשָׂר וְחֶצְיוֹ אֲדָמָה, לְמָחָר הִשְׁרִיץ וְנַעֲשָׂה כֻּלּוֹ בָּשָׂר. שֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר לִזְמַן מְרוּבֶּה? עֲלֵה לָהָר וּרְאֵה שֶׁהַיּוֹם אֵין בּוֹ אֶלָּא חִלָּזוֹן אֶחָד, לְמָחָר יָרְדוּ גְּשָׁמִים וְנִתְמַלֵּא כּוּלּוֹ חֶלְזוֹנוֹת. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לִגְבִיהָא בֶּן פְּסִיסָא: וַוי לְכוֹן חַיָּיבַיָּא, דְּאָמְרִיתוּן מִיתֵי חָיִין! דְּחָיִין מָיְתִי, דְּמִיתֵי חָיִין? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וַוי לְכוֹן חַיָּיבַיָּא, דְּאָמְרִיתוּן מִיתֵי לָא חָיִין! דְּלָא הֲווֹ חָיִי, דַּהֲווֹ חַיֵּי – לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: חַיָּיבַיָּא קָרֵית לִי? אִי קָאֵימְנָא, בָּעֵיטְנָא בָּךְ וּפָשֵׁיטְנָא לְעַקְמוּתָךְ מִינָּךְ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִם אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה כֵּן, רוֹפֵא אוּמָּן תִּקָּרֵא, וְשָׂכָר הַרְבֵּה תִּטּוֹל. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה בְּנִיסָן אִיתְנְטִילוּ דֵּימוֹסְנָאֵי מִיהוּדָה וּמִירוּשָׁלַיִם. כְּשֶׁבָּאוּ בְּנֵי אַפְרִיקִיָּא לָדוּן עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס מוֹקְדוֹן, אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן שֶׁלָּנוּ הִיא, דִּכְתִיב ״אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן לִגְבֻלֹתֶיהָ״, וּכְנַעַן אֲבוּהוֹן דְּהָנְהוּ אִינָשֵׁי הֲוָה. אֲמַר לְהוּ גְּבִיהָא בֶּן פְּסִיסָא לַחֲכָמִים: תְּנוּ לִי רְשׁוּת וְאֵלֵךְ וְאָדוּן עִמָּהֶן לִפְנֵי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס מוֹקְדוֹן. אִם יְנַצְּחוּנִי, אִמְרוּ: הֶדְיוֹט שֶׁבָּנוּ נִצַּחְתֶּם, וְאִם אֲנִי אֲנַצֵּחַ אוֹתָם, אִמְרוּ לָהֶם: תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה נִצְּחַתְכֶם. נָתְנוּ לוֹ רְשׁוּת, וְהָלַךְ וְדָן עִמָּהֶם. אָמַר לָהֶם: מֵהֵיכָן אַתֶּם מְבִיאִים רְאָיָיה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מִן הַתּוֹרָה. אָמַר לָהֶן: אַף אֲנִי לֹא אָבִיא לָכֶם רְאָיָיה אֶלָּא מִן הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אָרוּר כְּנָעַן עֶבֶד עֲבָדִים יִהְיֶה לְאֶחָיו״. עֶבֶד שֶׁקָּנָה נְכָסִים – עֶבֶד לְמִי וּנְכָסִים לְמִי? וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁהֲרֵי כַּמָּה שָׁנִים שֶׁלֹּא עֲבַדְתּוּנוּ! אָמַר לָהֶם אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס מַלְכָּא: הַחְזִירוּ לוֹ תְּשׁוּבָה! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: תְּנוּ לָנוּ זְמַן שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים. נָתַן לָהֶם זְמַן. בָּדְקוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ תְּשׁוּבָה. מִיָּד בָּרְחוּ, וְהִנִּיחוּ שְׂדוֹתֵיהֶן כְּשֶׁהֵן זְרוּעוֹת, וְכַרְמֵיהֶן כְּשֶׁהֵן נְטוּעוֹת. וְאוֹתָהּ שָׁנָה שְׁבִיעִית הָיְתָה. שׁוּב פַּעַם אַחַת בָּאוּ בְּנֵי מִצְרַיִם לָדוּן עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס מוֹקְדוֹן. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: הֲרֵי הוּא אוֹמֵר ״וַה׳ נָתַן אֶת חֵן הָעָם בְּעֵינֵי מִצְרַיִם וַיַּשְׁאִלוּם״. תְּנוּ לָנוּ כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב שֶׁנְּטַלְתֶּם מִמֶּנּוּ. אָמַר גְּבִיהָא בֶּן פְּסִיסָא לַחֲכָמִים: תְּנוּ לִי רְשׁוּת וְאֵלֵךְ וְאָדוּן עִמָּהֶן לִפְנֵי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס. אִם יְנַצְּחוּנִי, אִמְרוּ לָהֶם: הֶדְיוֹט שֶׁבָּנוּ נִצַּחְתֶּם, וְאִם אֲנִי אֲנַצֵּחַ אוֹתָם, אִמְרוּ לָהֶם: תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ נִצְּחַתְכֶם. נָתְנוּ לוֹ רְשׁוּת וְהָלַךְ וְדָן עִמָּהֶן. אָמַר לָהֶן: מֵהֵיכָן אַתֶּם מְבִיאִין רְאָיָיה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מִן הַתּוֹרָה. אָמַר לָהֶן: אַף אֲנִי לֹא אָבִיא לָכֶם רְאָיָיה אֶלָּא מִן הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמוֹשַׁב בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר יָשְׁבוּ בְּמִצְרָיִם שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה״. תְּנוּ לָנוּ שְׂכַר עֲבוֹדָה שֶׁל שִׁשִּׁים רִיבּוֹא שֶׁשִּׁיעְבַּדְתֶּם בְּמִצְרַיִם שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה. אָמַר לָהֶן אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס מוֹקְדוֹן: הַחְזִירוּ לוֹ תְּשׁוּבָה! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: תְּנוּ לָנוּ זְמַן שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים. נָתַן לָהֶם זְמַן. בָּדְקוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ תְּשׁוּבָה. מִיָּד הִנִּיחוּ שְׂדוֹתֵיהֶן כְּשֶׁהֵן זְרוּעוֹת, וְכַרְמֵיהֶן כְּשֶׁהֵן נְטוּעוֹת, וּבָרְחוּ. וְאוֹתָהּ שָׁנָה שְׁבִיעִית הָיְתָה. וְשׁוּב פַּעַם אַחַת בָּאוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׁמָעֵאל וּבְנֵי קְטוּרָה לָדוּן עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס מוֹקְדוֹן. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן שֶׁלָּנוּ וְשֶׁלָּכֶם, דִּכְתִיב ״וְאֵלֶּה תֹּלְדֹת יִשְׁמָעֵאל בֶּן אַבְרָהָם״ וּכְתִיב ״אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת יִצְחָק בֶּן אַבְרָהָם״. אָמַר לָהֶן גְּבִיהָא בֶּן פְּסִיסָא לַחֲכָמִים: תְּנוּ לִי רְשׁוּת וְאֵלֵךְ וְאָדוּן עִמָּהֶם לִפְנֵי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרוֹס מוֹקְדוֹן. אִם יְנַצְּחוּנִי אִמְרוּ: הֶדְיוֹט שֶׁבָּנוּ נִצַּחְתֶּם, וְאִם אֲנִי אֲנַצֵּחַ אוֹתָם אִמְרוּ לָהֶם: תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ נִצְּחַתְכֶם. נָתְנוּ לוֹ רְשׁוּת, הָלַךְ וְדָן עִמָּהֶן. אָמַר לָהֶם: מֵהֵיכָן אַתֶּם מְבִיאִין רְאָיָיה? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מִן הַתּוֹרָה. אָמַר לָהֶן: אַף אֲנִי לֹא אָבִיא רְאָיָיה אֶלָּא מִן הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּתֵּן אַבְרָהָם אֶת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ לְיִצְחָק. וְלִבְנֵי הַפִּילַגְשִׁים אֲשֶׁר לְאַבְרָהָם נָתַן אַבְרָהָם מַתָּנֹת״. אָב שֶׁנָּתַן אֲגִטִּין לְבָנָיו בְּחַיָּיו וְשִׁיגֵּר זֶה מֵעַל זֶה, כְּלוּם יֵשׁ לָזֶה עַל זֶה כְּלוּם? מַאי מַתָּנוֹת? אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁמָּסַר לָהֶם שֵׁם טוּמְאָה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַנְטוֹנִינוּס לְרַבִּי: גּוּף וּנְשָׁמָה יְכוֹלִין לִפְטוֹר עַצְמָן מִן הַדִּין. כֵּיצַד? גּוּף אוֹמֵר: נְשָׁמָה חָטָאת, שֶׁמִּיּוֹם שֶׁפֵּירְשָׁה מִמֶּנִּי הֲרֵינִי מוּטָּל כְּאֶבֶן דּוּמָם בַּקֶּבֶר. וּנְשָׁמָה אוֹמֶרֶת: גּוּף חָטָא, שֶׁמִּיּוֹם שֶׁפֵּירַשְׁתִּי מִמֶּנּוּ הֲרֵינִי פּוֹרַחַת בָּאֲוִיר כְּצִפּוֹר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֶמְשׁוֹל לְךָ מָשָׁל. לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ פַּרְדֵּס נָאֶה, וְהָיָה בּוֹ בַּכּוּרוֹת נָאוֹת, וְהוֹשִׁיב בּוֹ שְׁנֵי שׁוֹמְרִים: אֶחָד חִיגֵּר וְאֶחָד סוֹמֵא. אָמַר לוֹ חִיגֵּר לַסּוֹמֵא: בַּכּוּרוֹת נָאוֹת אֲנִי רוֹאֶה בַּפַּרְדֵּס. בֹּא וְהַרְכִּיבֵנִי וּנְבִיאֵם לְאׇכְלָם. רָכַב חִיגֵּר עַל גַּבֵּי סוֹמֵא, וֶהֱבִיאוּם וַאֲכָלוּם. לְיָמִים בָּא בַּעַל פַּרְדֵּס. אָמַר לָהֶן: בַּכּוּרוֹת נָאוֹת הֵיכָן הֵן? אָמַר לוֹ חִיגֵּר: כְּלוּם יֵשׁ לִי רַגְלַיִם לְהַלֵּךְ בָּהֶן? אָמַר לוֹ סוֹמֵא: כְּלוּם יֵשׁ לִי עֵינַיִם לִרְאוֹת? מָה עָשָׂה? הִרְכִּיב חִיגֵּר עַל גַּבֵּי סוֹמֵא, וְדָן אוֹתָם כְּאֶחָד. אַף הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵבִיא נְשָׁמָה וְזוֹרְקָהּ בַּגּוּף, וְדָן אוֹתָם כְּאֶחָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִקְרָא אֶל הַשָּׁמַיִם מֵעָל וְאֶל הָאָרֶץ לָדִין עַמּוֹ״. ״יִקְרָא אֶל הַשָּׁמַיִם מֵעָל״ – זוֹ נְשָׁמָה, ״וְאֶל הָאָרֶץ לָדִין עַמּוֹ״ – זֶה הַגּוּף. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַנְטוֹנִינוּס לְרַבִּי: מִפְּנֵי מָה חַמָּה יוֹצְאָה בַּמִּזְרָח וְשׁוֹקַעַת בְּמַעֲרָב? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי הֲוָה אִיפְּכָא נָמֵי הָכִי הֲוָה אָמְרַתְּ לִי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ, הָכִי קָאָמֵינָא לָךְ: מִפְּנֵי מָה שׁוֹקַעַת בַּמַּעֲרָב? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כְּדֵי לִיתֵּן שָׁלוֹם לְקוֹנָהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וּצְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם לְךָ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְתֵיתֵי עַד פַּלְגָא דְרָקִיעַ, וְתִתֵּן שְׁלָמָא, וְתֵיעוֹל! מִשּׁוּם פּוֹעֲלִים וּמִשּׁוּם עוֹבְרֵי דְרָכִים. וְאָמַר לוֹ אַנְטוֹנִינוּס לְרַבִּי: נְשָׁמָה מֵאֵימָתַי נִיתְּנָה בָּאָדָם, מִשְּׁעַת פְּקִידָה אוֹ מִשְּׁעַת יְצִירָה? אָמַר לוֹ: מִשְּׁעַת יְצִירָה. אָמַר לוֹ: אֶפְשָׁר חֲתִיכָה שֶׁל בָּשָׂר עוֹמֶדֶת שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים בְּלֹא מֶלַח וְאֵינָהּ מַסְרַחַת? אֶלָּא מִשְּׁעַת פְּקִידָה. אָמַר רַבִּי: דָּבָר זֶה לִמְּדַנִי אַנְטוֹנִינוּס, וּמִקְרָא מְסַיְּיעוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וּפְקֻדָּתְךָ שָׁמְרָה רוּחִי״. וְאָמַר לוֹ אַנְטוֹנִינוּס לְרַבִּי: מֵאֵימָתַי יֵצֶר הָרָע שׁוֹלֵט בָּאָדָם, מִשְּׁעַת יְצִירָה אוֹ מִשְּׁעַת יְצִיאָה? אָמַר לוֹ: מִשְּׁעַת יְצִירָה. אָמַר לוֹ: אִם כֵּן, בּוֹעֵט בִּמְעֵי אִמּוֹ וְיוֹצֵא! אֶלָּא מִשְּׁעַת יְצִיאָה. אָמַר רַבִּי: דָּבָר זֶה לִמְּדַנִי אַנְטוֹנִינוּס, וּמִקְרָא מְסַיְּיעוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לַפֶּתַח חַטָּאת רֹבֵץ״. רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״בָּם עִוֵּר וּפִסֵּחַ הָרָה וְיֹלֶדֶת יַחְדָּיו״, וּכְתִיב ״אָז יְדַלֵּג כָּאַיָּל פִּסֵּחַ וְתָרֹן לְשׁוֹן אִלֵּם כִּי נִבְקְעוּ בַמִּדְבָּר מַיִם וּנְחָלִים בָּעֲרָבָה״. הָא כֵּיצַד? עוֹמְדִין בְּמוּמָן וּמִתְרַפְּאִין. עוּלָּא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״בִּלַּע הַמָּוֶת לָנֶצַח וּמָחָה יהוה דִּמְעָה מֵעַל כׇּל פָּנִים״, וּכְתִיב ״כִּי הַנַּעַר בֶּן מֵאָה שָׁנָה יָמוּת לֹא יִהְיֶה מִשָּׁם עוֹד עוּל יָמִים״. לָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן – בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, כָּאן – בְּאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם. וְאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מַאי בָּעוּ הָתָם? הָנָךְ דִּכְתִיב בְּהוּ ״וְעָמְדוּ זָרִים וְרָעוּ צֹאנְכֶם וּבְנֵי נֵכָר אִכָּרֵיכֶם וְכֹרְמֵיכֶם״. רַב חִסְדָּא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״וְחָפְרָה הַלְּבָנָה וּבוֹשָׁה הַחַמָּה כִּי מָלַךְ יהוה צְבָאוֹת״, וּכְתִיב ״וְהָיָה אוֹר הַלְּבָנָה כְּאוֹר הַחַמָּה וְאוֹר הַחַמָּה יִהְיֶה שִׁבְעָתַיִם כְּאוֹר שִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים״. לָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ, כָּאן לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. וְלִשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר: אֵין בֵּין הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ אֶלָּא שִׁיעְבּוּד גָּלִיּוֹת בִּלְבַד, לָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן בְּמַחֲנֵה צַדִּיקִים, כָּאן בְּמַחֲנֵה שְׁכִינָה. רָבָא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״אֲנִי אָמִית וַאֲחַיֶּה״, וּכְתִיב ״מָחַצְתִּי וַאֲנִי אֶרְפָּא״. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: מַה שֶּׁאֲנִי מֵמִית – אֲנִי מְחַיֶּה, וַהֲדַר מַה שֶּׁמָּחַצְתִּי – וַאֲנִי אֶרְפָּא. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״אֲנִי אָמִית וַאֲחַיֶּה״ – יָכוֹל שֶׁתְּהֵא מִיתָה בְּאֶחָד וְחַיִּים בְּאֶחָד, כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהָעוֹלָם נוֹהֵג? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״מָחַצְתִּי וַאֲנִי אֶרְפָּא״ – מָה מְחִיצָה וּרְפוּאָה בְּאֶחָד, אַף מִיתָה וְחַיִּים בְּאֶחָד. מִיכָּן תְּשׁוּבָה לָאוֹמְרִין אֵין תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי מֵאִיר: מִנַּיִין לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָז יָשִׁיר מֹשֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת לַה׳״. ״שָׁר״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״יָשִׁיר״ – מִכָּאן לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. כַּיּוֹצֵא בַּדָּבָר, אַתָּה אוֹמֵר: ״אָז יִבְנֶה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ מִזְבֵּחַ לַה׳״. ״בָּנָה״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״יִבְנֶה״ – מִכָּאן לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, ״אָז יִבְנֶה שְׁלֹמֹה בָּמָה לִכְמוֹשׁ שִׁקֻּץ מוֹאָב״, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּיִבְנֶה? אֶלָּא מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ בָּנָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: מִנַּיִין לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶךָ עוֹד יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה״. ״הִילְּלוּךְ״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״יְהַלְלוּךָ״ – מִכָּאן לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: כׇּל הָאוֹמֵר שִׁירָה בְּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה זוֹכֶה וְאוֹמְרָהּ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶךָ עוֹד יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה״. אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִנַּיִין לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״קוֹל צֹפַיִךְ נָשְׂאוּ קוֹל יַחְדָּו יְרַנֵּנוּ וְגוֹ״. ״רִינְּנוּ״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״יְרַנֵּנוּ״ – מִכָּאן לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. וְאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: עֲתִידִין כׇּל הַנְּבִיאִים כּוּלָּן אוֹמְרִים שִׁירָה בְּקוֹל אֶחָד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״קוֹל צֹפַיִךְ נָשְׂאוּ קוֹל יַחְדָּו יְרַנֵּנוּ״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: כׇּל הַמּוֹנֵעַ הֲלָכָה מִפִּי תַלְמִיד, כְּאִילּוּ גּוֹזְלוֹ מִנַּחֲלַת אֲבוֹתָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תּוֹרָה צִוָּה לָנוּ מֹשֶׁה מוֹרָשָׁה קְהִלַּת יַעֲקֹב״. מוֹרָשָׁה הִיא לְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית. אָמַר רַב חָנָא בַּר בִּיזְנָא אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן חֲסִידָא: כׇּל הַמּוֹנֵעַ הֲלָכָה מִפִּי תַּלְמִיד, אֲפִילּוּ עוּבָּרִין שֶׁבִּמְעֵי אִמָּן מְקַלְּלִין אוֹתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מֹנֵעַ בָּר יִקְּבֻהוּ לְאוֹם״, וְאֵין לְאוֹם אֶלָּא עוּבָּרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּלְאֹם מִלְּאֹם יֶאֱמָץ״. וְאֵין קַבֹּה אֶלָּא קְלָלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מָה אֶקֹּב לֹא קַבֹּה אֵל״. וְאֵין בַּר אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נַשְּׁקוּ בַר פֶּן יֶאֱנַף״. עוּלָּא בַּר יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר: מְנַקְּבִין אוֹתוֹ כִּכְבָרָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״יִקְּבֻהוּ לְאוֹם״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וַיִּקֹּב חֹר בְּדַלְתּוֹ״. וַאֲמַר אַבָּיֵי: כִּי אוּכְלָא דְקַצָּרֵי. וְאִם לִמְּדוֹ, מָה שְׂכָרוֹ? אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: זוֹכֶה לִבְרָכוֹת כְּיוֹסֵף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבְרָכָה לְרֹאשׁ מַשְׁבִּיר״. וְאֵין מַשְׁבִּיר אֶלָּא יוֹסֵף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְיוֹסֵף הוּא [הַשַּׁלִּיט עַל הָאָרֶץ הוּא] הַמַּשְׁבִּיר לְכׇל עַם הָאָרֶץ״. אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: כׇּל הַמְלַמֵּד תּוֹרָה בְּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, זוֹכֶה וּמְלַמְּדָהּ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמַרְוֶה גַּם הוּא יוֹרֶה״. אָמַר רָבָא: מִנַּיִין לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יְחִי רְאוּבֵן וְאַל יָמֹת״. ״יְחִי רְאוּבֵן״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וְאַל יָמֹת״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. רָבִינָא אָמַר מֵהָכָא: ״וְרַבִּים מִיְּשֵׁנֵי אַדְמַת עָפָר יָקִיצוּ אֵלֶּה לְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם וְאֵלֶּה לַחֲרָפוֹת לְדִרְאוֹן עוֹלָם״. רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר מֵהָכָא: ״וְאַתָּה לֵךְ [לַקֵּץ] וְתָנוּחַ וְתַעֲמֹד לְגֹרָלְךָ לְקֵץ הַיָּמִין״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל פַּרְנָס שֶׁמַּנְהִיג אֶת הַצִּבּוּר בְּנַחַת, זוֹכֶה וּמַנְהִיגָם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי מְרַחֲמָם יְנַהֲגֵם וְעַל מַבּוּעֵי מַיִם יְנַהֲלֵם״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: גְּדוֹלָה דֵּעָה, שֶׁנִּיתְּנָה בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כִּי אֵל דֵּעוֹת ה׳״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: גָּדוֹל מִקְדָּשׁ שֶׁנִּיתַּן בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״פָּעַלְתָּ יהוה מִקְּדָשׁ יהוה כּוֹנְנוּ יָדֶיךָ״. מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַב אַדָּא קַרְחִינָאָה: אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, גְּדוֹלָה נְקָמָה שֶׁנִּיתְּנָה בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, דִּכְתִיב: ״אֵל נְקָמוֹת יהוה אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיַע״! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לְמִילְּתֵיהּ הָכִי נָמֵי, כִּדְעוּלָּא. דְּאָמַר עוּלָּא: שְׁתֵּי הוֹפָעָיוֹת הַלָּלוּ לָמָּה? אַחַת לְמִידָּה טוֹבָה, וְאַחַת לְמִדַּת פּוּרְעָנוּת. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ דֵּעָה, כְּאִילּוּ נִבְנָה בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ בְּיָמָיו, שֶׁזֶּה נִיתַּן בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת, וְזֶה נִיתַּן בֵּין שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ דֵּעָה, לְסוֹף מִתְעַשֵּׁר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבְדַעַת חֲדָרִים יִמָּלְאוּ כׇּל הוֹן יָקָר וְנָעִים״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ דֵּעָה אָסוּר לְרַחֵם עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לֹא עַם בִּינוֹת הוּא עַל כֵּן לֹא יְרַחֲמֶנּוּ עֹשֵׂהוּ וְיֹצְרוֹ לֹא יְחֻנֶּנּוּ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל הַנּוֹתֵן פִּיתּוֹ לְמִי שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ דֵּעָה, יִסּוּרִין בָּאִין עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לַחְמְךָ יָשִׂימוּ מָזוֹר תַּחְתֶּיךָ אֵין תְּבוּנָה בּוֹ״. וְאֵין מָזוֹר אֶלָּא יִסּוּרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּרְא אֶפְרַיִם אֶת חׇלְיוֹ וִיהוּדָה אֶת מְזֹרוֹ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ דֵּעָה, לְסוֹף גּוֹלֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָכֵן גָּלָה עַמִּי מִבְּלִי דָעַת״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל בַּיִת שֶׁאֵין דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה נִשְׁמָעִים בּוֹ בַּלַּיְלָה, אֵשׁ אוֹכַלְתּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כׇּל חֹשֶׁךְ טָמוּן לִצְפּוּנָיו תְּאׇכְלֵהוּ אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּח יֵרַע שָׂרִיד בְּאׇהֳלוֹ״. אֵין שָׂרִיד אֶלָּא תַּלְמִיד חָכָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבַשְּׂרִידִים אֲשֶׁר יהוה קֹרֵא״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְהַנֶּה תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים מִנְּכָסָיו, אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֵין שָׂרִיד לְאׇכְלוֹ עַל כֵּן לֹא יָחִיל טוּבוֹ״. אֵין ״שָׂרִיד״ אֶלָּא תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבַשְּׂרִידִים אֲשֶׁר יהוה קֹרֵא״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְשַׁיֵּיר פַּת עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ, אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֵין שָׂרִיד לְאׇכְלוֹ עַל כֵּן לֹא יָחִיל טוּבוֹ״. וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל הַמְשַׁיַּיר פְּתִיתִים עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ כְּאִילּוּ עוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הָעֹרְכִים לַגַּד שֻׁלְחָן וְהַמְמַלְאִים לַמְנִי מִמְסָךְ״! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּאִיכָּא שְׁלֵימָה בַּהֲדֵיהּ, הָא דְּלֵיכָּא שְׁלֵימָה בַּהֲדֵיהּ. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל הַמַּחְלִיף בְּדִיבּוּרוֹ כְּאִילּוּ עוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וְהָיִיתִי בְעֵינָיו כִּמְתַעְתֵּעַ״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״הֶבֶל הֵמָּה מַעֲשֵׂה תַּעְתֻּעִים״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל הַמִּסְתַּכֵּל בְּעֶרְוָה, קַשְׁתּוֹ נִנְעֶרֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֶרְיָה תֵעוֹר קַשְׁתֶּךָ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: לְעוֹלָם הָוֵי קָבֵל וְקַיָּים. אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: אַף אֲנַן נָמֵי תְּנֵינָא, בַּיִת אָפֵל אֵין פּוֹתְחִין לוֹ חַלּוֹנוֹת לִרְאוֹת נִגְעוֹ. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ. אָמַר רַבִּי טָבִי אָמַר רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״שְׁאוֹל וְעֹצֶר רָחַם אֶרֶץ לֹא שָׂבְעָה מַּיִם״? וְכִי מָה עִנְיַן שְׁאוֹל אֵצֶל רֶחֶם? אֶלָּא לוֹמַר לְךָ: מָה רֶחֶם מַכְנִיס וּמוֹצִיא, אַף שְׁאוֹל מַכְנִיס וּמוֹצִיא. וַהֲלֹא דְּבָרִים קַל וְחוֹמֶר: וּמָה רֶחֶם שֶׁמַּכְנִיסִין בּוֹ בַּחֲשַׁאי, מוֹצִיאִין מִמֶּנּוּ בְּקוֹלֵי קוֹלוֹת; שְׁאוֹל שֶׁמַּכְנִיסִין בּוֹ בְּקוֹלוֹת, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁמּוֹצִיאִין מִמֶּנּוּ בְּקוֹלֵי קוֹלוֹת? מִיכָּן תְּשׁוּבָה לָאוֹמְרִין: אֵין תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. תָּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: צַדִּיקִים שֶׁעָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהַחְיוֹתָן אֵינָן חוֹזְרִין לַעֲפָרָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהָיָה הַנִּשְׁאָר בְּצִיּוֹן וְהַנּוֹתָר בִּירוּשָׁלִַים קָדוֹשׁ יֵאָמֶר לוֹ כׇּל הַכָּתוּב לַחַיִּים בִּירוּשָׁלָיִם״. מָה קָדוֹשׁ לְעוֹלָם קַיָּים – אַף הֵם לְעוֹלָם קַיָּימִין. וְאִם תֹּאמַר: אוֹתָן שָׁנִים שֶׁעָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְחַדֵּשׁ בָּהֶן אֶת עוֹלָמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְנִשְׂגַּב יהוה לְבַדּוֹ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא״, צַדִּיקִים מָה הֵן עוֹשִׂין? הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לָהֶם כְּנָפַיִם כִּנְשָׁרִים, וְשָׁטִין עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַל כֵּן לֹא נִירָא בְּהָמִיר אָרֶץ וּבְמוֹט הָרִים בְּלֵב יַמִּים״. וְשֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר: יֵשׁ לָהֶם צַעַר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וְקוֹיֵ יהוה יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ יַעֲלוּ אֵבֶר כַּנְּשָׁרִים יָרוּצוּ וְלֹא יִיגָעוּ יֵלְכוּ וְלֹא יִיעָפוּ״. וְנֵילַף מִמֵּתִים שֶׁהֶחְיָה יְחֶזְקֵאל? סָבַר לַהּ כְּמַאן דְּאָמַר: בֶּאֱמֶת מָשָׁל הָיָה. דְּתַנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: מֵתִים שֶׁהֶחְיָה יְחֶזְקֵאל עָמְדוּ עַל רַגְלֵיהֶם וְאָמְרוּ שִׁירָה וָמֵתוּ. מָה שִׁירָה אָמְרוּ? ״ה׳ מֵמִית בְּצֶדֶק וּמְחַיֶּה בְּרַחֲמִים״. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: שִׁירָה זוֹ אָמְרוּ ״ה׳ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה מוֹרִיד שְׁאוֹל וַיָּעַל״. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, אֱמֶת מָשָׁל הָיָה. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה: אִם אֱמֶת, לָמָּה מָשָׁל? וְאִם מָשָׁל, לָמָּה אֱמֶת? אֶלָּא, בֶּאֱמֶת מָשָׁל הָיָה. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּנוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: מֵתִים שֶׁהֶחְיָה יְחֶזְקֵאל עָלוּ לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְנָשְׂאוּ נָשִׁים וְהוֹלִידוּ בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת. עָמַד רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן בְּתֵירָא עַל רַגְלָיו וְאָמַר: אֲנִי מִבְּנֵי בְנֵיהֶם, וְהַלָּלוּ תְּפִילִּין שֶׁהִנִּיחַ לִי אֲבִי אַבָּא מֵהֶם. וּמַאן נִינְהוּ מֵתִים שֶׁהֶחְיָה יְחֶזְקֵאל? אָמַר רַב: אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי אֶפְרַיִם שֶׁמָּנוּ לַקֵּץ וְטָעוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבְנֵי אֶפְרַיִם שׁוּתָלַח וּבֶרֶד בְּנוֹ וְתַחַת בְּנוֹ וְאֶלְעָדָה בְנוֹ וְתַחַת בְּנוֹ וְזָבָד בְּנוֹ וְשׁוּתֶלַח בְּנוֹ וְעֵזֶר וְאֶלְעָד וַהֲרָגוּם אַנְשֵׁי גַת הַנּוֹלָדִים בָּאָרֶץ וְגוֹ׳״, וּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּתְאַבֵּל אֶפְרַיִם אֲבִיהֶם יָמִים רַבִּים וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶחָיו לְנַחֲמוֹ״. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁכָּפְרוּ בִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי בֶּן אָדָם הָעֲצָמוֹת הָאֵלֶּה כׇּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה הִנֵּה אֹמְרִים יָבְשׁוּ עַצְמוֹתֵינוּ וְאָבְדָה תִקְוָתֵנוּ נִגְזַרְנוּ לָנוּ״. רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר: אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶן לַחְלוּחִית שֶׁל מִצְוָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״הָעֲצָמוֹת הַיְבֵשׁוֹת שִׁמְעוּ דְּבַר ה׳״. רַבִּי יִצְחָק נַפָּחָא אָמַר: אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁחִיפּוּ אֶת הַהֵיכָל כּוּלּוֹ שְׁקָצִים וּרְמָשִׂים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וָאָבוֹא וָאֶרְאֶה וְהִנֵּה כׇל תַּבְנִית רֶמֶשׂ וּבְהֵמָה שֶׁקֶץ וְכׇל גִּלּוּלֵי בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל מְחֻקֶּה עַל הַקִּיר סָבִיב וְגוֹ׳״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וְהֶעֱבִירַנִי עֲלֵיהֶם סָבִיב סָבִיב״. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אֵלּוּ מֵתִים שֶׁבְּבִקְעַת דּוּרָא. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִנְּהַר אֵשֶׁל עַד רַבַּת בִּקְעַת דּוּרָא, שֶׁבְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהִגְלָה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר הָרָשָׁע אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל הָיוּ בָּהֶן בַּחוּרִים שֶׁהָיוּ מְגַנִּין אֶת הַחַמָּה בְּיוֹפְיָין, וְהָיוּ כַּשְׂדִּיּוֹת רוֹאוֹת אוֹתָן וְשׁוֹפְעוֹת זָבוּת. אָמְרוּ לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן, וּבַעֲלֵיהֶן לַמֶּלֶךְ. צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ וַהֲרָגוּם, וַעֲדַיִין הָיוּ שׁוֹפְעוֹת זָבוּת. צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ וּרְמָסוּם. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהִפִּיל נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר הָרָשָׁע אֶת חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה לְכִבְשַׁן הָאֵשׁ, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִיחֶזְקֵאל: לֵךְ וְהַחְיֵיה מֵתִים בְּבִקְעַת דּוּרָא. כֵּיוָן שֶׁהֶחְיָיה אוֹתָן, בָּאוּ עֲצָמוֹת וְטָפְחוּ לוֹ לְאוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע עַל פָּנָיו. אָמַר: מָה טִיבָן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: חַבְרֵיהֶן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ מְחַיֶּיה מֵתִים בְּבִקְעַת דּוּרָא. פָּתַח וְאָמַר: ״אָתוֹהִי כְּמָה רַבְרְבִין וְתִמְהוֹהִי כְּמָה תַקִּיפִין מַלְכוּתֵיהּ מַלְכוּת עָלַם וְשׇׁלְטָנֵהּ עִם דָּר וְדָר וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: יוּצַק זָהָב רוֹתֵחַ לְתוֹךְ פִּיו שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע, שֶׁאִילְמָלֵא (לֹא) בָּא מַלְאָךְ וּסְטָרוֹ עַל פִּיו, בִּיקֵּשׁ לְגַנּוֹת כׇּל שִׁירוֹת וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת שֶׁאָמַר דָּוִד בְּסֵפֶר תְּהִלִּים. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שִׁשָּׁה נִסִּים נַעֲשׂוּ בְּאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: צָף הַכִּבְשָׁן, וְנִפְרַץ הַכִּבְשָׁן, וְהוּמַק סוֹדוֹ, וְנֶהְפַּךְ צֶלֶם עַל פָּנָיו, וְנִשְׂרְפוּ אַרְבַּע מַלְכִיּוֹת, וְהֶחְיָה יְחֶזְקֵאל אֶת הַמֵּתִים בְּבִקְעַת דּוּרָא. וְכוּלְּהוּ גְּמָרָא, וְאַרְבַּע מַלְכִיּוֹת קְרָא. דִּכְתִיב: ״וּנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר מַלְכָּא שְׁלַח לְמִכְנַשׁ לַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא סִגְנַיָּא וּפַחֲוָתָא אֲדַרְגָּזְרַיָּא גְדָבְרַיָּא דְּתָבְרַיָּא תִּפְתָּיֵא וְכֹל שִׁלְטֹנֵי מְדִינָתָא וְגוֹ׳״, וּכְתִיב: ״אִיתַי גֻּבְרִין יְהוּדָאִין״, וּכְתִיב: ״וּמִתְכַּנְּשִׁין אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא סִגְנַיָּא וּפַחֲוָתָא וְהַדָּבְרֵי מַלְכָּא חָזַיִן לְגֻבְרַיָּא אִלֵּךְ וְגוֹ׳״. תָּנֵי דְּבֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב: אֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁעַת הַסַּכָּנָה לֹא יְשַׁנֶּה אָדָם אֶת עַצְמוֹ מִן הָרַבָּנוּת (שֶׁלּוֹ), שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בֵּאדַיִן גֻּבְרַיָּא אִלֵּךְ כְּפִתוּ בְּסַרְבָּלֵיהוֹן פַּטְּשֵׁיהוֹן וְכַרְבְּלָתְהוֹן וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: גְּדוֹלִים צַדִּיקִים יוֹתֵר מִמַּלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עָנֵה וְאָמַר הָא אֲנָא חָזֵי גֻּבְרִין אַרְבְּעָה שְׁרַיִן מַהְלְכִין בְּגוֹ נוּרָא וַחֲבָל לָא אִיתַי בְּהוֹן וְרֵוֵהּ דִּי רְבִיעָאָה דָּמֵה לְבַר אֱלָהִין״. אָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם בַּר חֲנִילַאי: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁיָּצְאוּ חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה מִכִּבְשַׁן הָאֵשׁ, בָּאוּ כׇּל אוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם וְטָפְחוּ לְשׂוֹנְאֵיהֶן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל פְּנֵיהֶם. אָמְרוּ לָהֶם: יֵשׁ לָכֶם אֱלוֹהַּ כָּזֶה, וְאַתֶּם מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים לַצֶּלֶם?! מִיָּד פָּתְחוּ וְאָמְרוּ: ״לְךָ יהוה הַצְּדָקָה וְלָנוּ בֹּשֶׁת הַפָּנִים כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה״. אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״אָמַרְתִּי אֶעֱלֶה בְתָמָר אֹחֲזָה בְּסַנְסִנָּיו״? ״אָמַרְתִּי אֶעֱלֶה בְתָמָר״ – אֵלּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעַכְשָׁיו לֹא עָלָה בְּיָדִי אֶלָּא סַנְסַן אֶחָד שֶׁל חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״רָאִיתִי הַלַּיְלָה וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ רֹכֵב עַל סוּס אָדֹם וְהוּא עֹמֵד בֵּין הַהֲדַסִּים אֲשֶׁר בַּמְּצֻלָה [וְגוֹ׳]״? מַאי ״רָאִיתִי הַלַּיְלָה״? בִּיקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַהֲפוֹךְ אֶת כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ לְלַיְלָה. ״וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ רֹכֵב״ – אֵין ״אִישׁ״ אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״ה׳ אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה יהוה שְׁמוֹ״. ״עַל סוּס אָדֹם״ – בִּיקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַהֲפוֹךְ אֶת הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ לְדָם. כֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּסְתַּכֵּל בַּחֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה, נִתְקָרְרָה דַּעְתּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהוּא עֹמֵד בֵּין הַהֲדַסִּים אֲשֶׁר בַּמְּצֻלָה״. וְאֵין ״הֲדַסִּים״ אֶלָּא צַדִּיקִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיְהִי אֹמֵן אֶת הֲדַסָּה״. וְאֵין ״מְצוּלָה״ אֶלָּא בָּבֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הָאֹמֵר לַצּוּלָה חֳרָבִי וְנַהֲרֹתַיִךְ אוֹבִישׁ״. מִיָּד, מְלֵאִים רוֹגֶז נַעֲשִׂים שְׂרוּקִּים, וַאֲדוּמִּים נַעֲשׂוּ לְבָנִים. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ סוּסְיָא חִיוָּרָא מְעַלֵּי לְחֶלְמָא. וְרַבָּנַן, לְהֵיכָא אֲזַלוּ? אָמַר רַב: בְּעַיִן [הָרָע] מֵתוּ. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: בְּרוֹק טָבְעוּ. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: עָלוּ לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְנָשְׂאוּ נָשִׁים וְהוֹלִידוּ בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת. כְּתַנָּאֵי, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: בְּעַיִן [הָרָע] מֵתוּ. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: בְּרוֹק טָבְעוּ. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: עָלוּ לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְנָשְׂאוּ נָשִׁים וְהוֹלִידוּ בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שְׁמַע נָא יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל אַתָּה וְרֵעֶיךָ הַיֹּשְׁבִים לְפָנֶיךָ כִּי אַנְשֵׁי מוֹפֵת הֵמָּה״. אֵיזוֹ הֵם אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה לָהֶן מוֹפֵת? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זֶה חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה. וְדָנִיֵּאל לְהֵיכָן אֲזַל? אֲמַר רַב: לְמִיכְרֵא נַהֲרָא רַבָּא בִּטְבֶרְיָא. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: לְאֵתוֹיֵי בִּיזְרָא דְאַסְפַּסְתָּא. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: לְאֵתוֹיֵי חֲזִירֵי דַּאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם. אִינִי? וְהָתַנְיָא: תּוֹדוֹס הָרוֹפֵא אָמַר, אֵין פָּרָה וַחֲזִירָה יוֹצֵא מֵאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם שֶׁאֵין חוֹתְכִין הָאֵם שֶׁלָּהּ בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁלֹּא תֵּלֵד! זוּטְרֵי אַיְיתִי בְּלָא דַּעְתַּיְיהוּ. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה הָיוּ בְּאוֹתָהּ עֵצָה – הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְדָנִיֵּאל, וּנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר. הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֲמַר: נֵיזִיל דָּנִיֵּאל מֵהָכָא, דְּלָא לֵימְרוּ בִּזְכוּתֵיהּ אִיתַּנְצוּל. וְדָנִיֵּאל אֲמַר: אֵיזִיל מֵהָכָא, דְּלָא לִיקַיַּים בִּי ״פְּסִילֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״. וּנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר אֲמַר: יֵזִיל דָּנִיאֵל מֵהָכָא, דְּלָא לֵימְרוּ ״קַלְיֵיהּ לֶאֱלָהֵיהּ בְּנוּרָא״. וּמִנַּיִין דִּסְגִיד לֵיהּ? דִּכְתִיב: ״בֵּאדַיִן מַלְכָּא נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר נְפַל עַל אַנְפּוֹהִי וּלְדָנִיֵּאל סְגִד וְגוֹ׳״. ״כֹּה אָמַר יהוה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל: אֶל אַחְאָב בֶּן קוֹלָיָה וְאֶל צִדְקִיָּהוּ בֶן מַעֲשֵׂיָה הַנִּבְּאִים לָכֶם בִּשְׁמִי לַשָּׁקֶר וְגוֹ׳״. וּכְתִיב: ״וְלֻקַּח מֵהֶם קְלָלָה לְכֹל גָּלוּת יְהוּדָה אֲשֶׁר בְּבָבֶל לֵאמֹר יְשִׂימְךָ יהוה כְּצִדְקִיָּהוּ וּכְאֶחָאב אֲשֶׁר קָלָם מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל בָּאֵשׁ״. ״אֲשֶׁר שְׂרָפָם״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״אֲשֶׁר קָלָם״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁעֲשָׂאָן כִּקְלָיוֹת. ״יַעַן אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ נְבָלָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וַיְנַאֲפוּ אֶת נְשֵׁי רֵעֵיהֶם״. מַאי עֲבוּד? אֲזוּל לְגַבֵּי בְּרַתֵּיה דִּנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר. אַחְאָב אֲמַר לַהּ: ״כֹּה אָמַר יהוה הִשָּׁמֵיעִי אֶל צִדְקִיָּה״. וְצִדְקִיָּה אֲמַר: ״כֹּה אָמַר יהוה הִשָּׁמֵיעִי אֶל אַחְאָב״. אֲזַלָה וַאֲמַרָה לֵיהּ לַאֲבוּהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: אֱלֹהֵיהֶם שֶׁל אֵלּוּ שׂוֹנֵא זִימָּה הוּא. כִּי אָתוּ לְגַבָּךְ, שַׁדְּרִינְהוּ לְגַבַּאי. כִּי אֲתוֹ לְגַבַּהּ, שַׁדַּרְתַּנְהוּ לְגַבֵּי אֲבוּהָ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: מַאן אֲמַר לְכוֹן? אֲמַרוּ: הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא. וְהָא חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה שְׁאֵלְתִּינְהוּ, וַאֲמַרוּ לִי: אָסוּר! אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אֲנַן נָמֵי נְבִיאֵי כְּוָותַיְיהוּ. לְדִידְהוּ לָא אֲמַר לְהוּ, לְדִידַן אֲמַר לַן. אֲמַר לְהוּ: אֲנָא בָּעֵינָא דְּאֶיבְדְּקִינְכוּ, כִּי הֵיכִי דִּבְדַקְתִּינְהוּ לַחֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אִינּוּן תְּלָתָא הֲווֹ, וַאֲנַן תְּרֵין. אֲמַר לְהוּ: בְּחַרוּ לְכוֹן מַאן דְּבָעֵיתוּ בַּהֲדַיְיכוּ. אֲמַרוּ: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל. סָבְרִי: לֵיתֵי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ דִּנְפִישׁ זְכוּתֵיהּ וּמַגְּנָא עֲלַן. אַחְתְיוּהּ, שְׁדִינְהוּ. אִינְהוּ אִיקְּלוֹ, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל אִיחֲרֻךְ אִיחֲרוֹכֵי מָאנֵיהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּרְאֵנִי אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל עֹמֵד לִפְנֵי מַלְאַךְ יהוה וְגוֹ׳״, וּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה אֶל הַשָּׂטָן יִגְעַר יהוה בְּךָ וְגוֹ׳״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יָדַעְנָא דְּצַדִּיקָא אַתְּ, אֶלָּא מַאי טַעְמָא אַהְנְיָא בָּךְ פּוּרְתָּא נוּרָא? חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה לָא אַהְנְיָא בְּהוּ כְּלָל! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִינְהוּ תְּלָתָא הֲווֹ, וַאֲנָא חַד. אָמַר לֵיהּ: וְהָא אַבְרָהָם יָחִיד הֲוָה? הָתָם לָא הֲווֹ רְשָׁעִים בַּהֲדֵיהּ, וְלָא אִתְיְהִיב רְשׁוּתָא לְנוּרָא. הָכָא הֲווֹ רְשָׁעִים בַּהֲדַי, וְאִתְיְהִיב רְשׁוּתָא לְנוּרָא. הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: תְּרֵי אוּדֵי יַבִּישֵׁי וְחַד רַטִּיבָא, אוֹקְדוּהּ יַבִּישֵׁי לְרַטִּיבָא. מַאי טַעְמָא אִיעֲנַשׁ? אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: שֶׁהָיוּ בָּנָיו נוֹשְׂאִין נָשִׁים שֶׁאֵינָן הֲגוּנוֹת לִכְהוּנָּה וְלֹא מִיחָה בָּהֶן. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ הָיָה לָבֻשׁ בְּגָדִים צוֹאִים״. וְכִי דַרְכּוֹ שֶׁל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לִלְבּוֹשׁ בְּגָדִים צוֹאִים? אֶלָּא מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ בָּנָיו נוֹשְׂאִים נָשִׁים שֶׁאֵינָן הֲגוּנוֹת לִכְהוּנָּה, וְלֹא מִיחָה בָּהֶן. אָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם: דָּרַשׁ בַּר קַפָּרָא בְּצִיפּוֹרִי, מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״שֵׁשׁ הַשְּׂעֹרִים הָאֵלֶּה נָתַן לִי״? מַאי ״שֵׁשׁ הַשְּׂעֹרִים״? אִילֵּימָא שֵׁשׁ שְׂעוֹרִים מַמָּשׁ, וְכִי דַרְכּוֹ שֶׁל בּוֹעַז לִיתֵּן מַתָּנָה שֵׁשׁ שְׂעוֹרִים? אֶלָּא שֵׁשׁ סְאִין. וְכִי דַּרְכָּהּ שֶׁל אִשָּׁה לִיטּוֹל שֵׁשׁ סְאִין? אֶלָּא רֶמֶז [רָמַז] לָהּ, שֶׁעֲתִידִין שִׁשָּׁה בָּנִים לָצֵאת מִמֶּנָּה שֶׁמִּתְבָּרְכִין בְּשֵׁשׁ [שֵׁשׁ] בְּרָכוֹת. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: דָּוִד וּמָשִׁיחַ, דָּנִיֵּאל, חֲנַנְיָה, מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה. דָּוִד, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּעַן אֶחָד מֵהַנְּעָרִים וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה רָאִיתִי בֵּן לְיִשַׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי יֹדֵעַ נַגֵּן וְגִבּוֹר חַיִל וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָה וּנְבוֹן דָּבָר וְאִישׁ תֹּאַר וַיהוה עִמּוֹ וְגוֹ׳״. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: כׇּל הַפָּסוּק הַזֶּה לֹא אֲמָרוֹ דּוֹאֵג אֶלָּא בְּלָשׁוֹן הָרָע. ״יֹדֵעַ נַגֵּן״ – שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ לִישָּׁאֵל, ״גִּבּוֹר״ – שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ לְהָשִׁיב, ״אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה״ – שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ לִישָּׂא וְלִיתֵּן בְּמִלְחַמְתָּהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה, ״אִישׁ תֹּאַר״ – שֶׁמַּרְאֶה פָּנִים בַּהֲלָכָה, ״וּנְבוֹן דָּבָר״ – שֶׁמֵּבִין דָּבָר מִתּוֹךְ דָּבָר, ״וַה׳ עִמּוֹ״ – שֶׁהֲלָכָה כְּמוֹתוֹ בְּכׇל מָקוֹם. בְּכוּלְּהוּ אֲמַר לְהוּ יְהוֹנָתָן בְּנִי כָּמוֹהוּ. כֵּיוָן דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ ״וַה׳ עִמּוֹ״, מִילְּתָא דִּבְדִידֵיהּ נָמֵי לָא הֲוָה בֵּיהּ, חֲלַשׁ דַּעְתֵּיהּ וְאִיקַּנִּי בֵּיהּ. דִּבְשָׁאוּל כְּתִיב: ״וּבְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה יַרְשִׁיעַ״, וּבְדָוִד כְּתִיב: ״וּבְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה יַצְלִיחַ״. מְנָלַן דְּדוֹאֵג הֲוָה? כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וַיַּעַן אֶחָד מֵהַנְּעָרִים״ – מְיוּחָד שֶׁבַּנְּעָרִים, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וְשָׁם אִישׁ מֵעַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא נֶעְצָר לִפְנֵי יהוה וּשְׁמוֹ דֹּאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי אַבִּיר הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל״. מָשִׁיחַ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְנָחָה עָלָיו רוּחַ יהוה רוּחַ חׇכְמָה וּבִינָה רוּחַ עֵצָה וּגְבוּרָה רוּחַ דַּעַת וְיִרְאַת יהוה וְגוֹ׳״, וּכְתִיב: ״וַהֲרִיחוֹ בְּיִרְאַת ה׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִי: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהִטְעִינוֹ מִצְוֹת וְיִסּוּרִין כְּרֵיחַיִים. רָבָא אָמַר: דְּמוֹרַח וְדָאֵין, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְלֹא לְמַרְאֵה עֵינָיו יִשְׁפּוֹט״, ״וְשָׁפַט בְּצֶדֶק דַּלִּים וְהוֹכִיחַ בְּמִישׁוֹר לְעַנְוֵי אָרֶץ״. בַּר כּוֹזֵיבָא מְלַךְ תַּרְתֵּין שְׁנִין וּפַלְגָא. אֲמַר לְהוּ לְרַבָּנַן: אֲנָא מָשִׁיחַ. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: בְּמָשִׁיחַ כְּתִיב דְּמוֹרַח וְדָאֵין, נֶחְזֵי אֲנַן אִי מוֹרַח וְדָאֵין. כֵּיוָן דְּחַזְיוּהּ דְּלָא מוֹרַח וְדָאֵין, קַטְלוּהּ. דָּנִיֵּאל חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה, דִּכְתִיב בְּהוּ: ״אֲשֶׁר אֵין בָּהֶם כׇּל מְאוּם וְטוֹבֵי מַרְאֶה וּמַשְׂכִּילִים בְּכׇל חׇכְמָה וְיֹדְעֵי דַעַת וּמְבִינֵי מַדָּע וַאֲשֶׁר כֹּחַ בָּהֶם לַעֲמֹד בְּהֵיכַל הַמֶּלֶךְ וּלְלַמְּדָם סֵפֶר וּלְשׁוֹן כַּשְׂדִּים״. מַאי ״אֲשֶׁר אֵין בָּהֶם כׇּל מוּם״? אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בַּר חֲנַנְיָא: אֲפִילּוּ כְּרִיבְדָּא דְכוּסִילְתָּא לָא הֲוָה בְּהוּ. מַאי ״וַאֲשֶׁר כֹּחַ בָּהֶם לַעֲמֹד בְּהֵיכַל הַמֶּלֶךְ״? אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹנְסִין אֶת עַצְמָן מִן הַשְּׂחוֹק, וּמִן הַשִּׂיחָה, וּמִן הַשֵּׁינָה, וּמַעֲמִידִין עַל עַצְמָן בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנִּצְרָכִין לְנִקְבֵיהֶם מִפְּנֵי אֵימַת מַלְכוּת. ״וַיְהִי בָהֶם מִבְּנֵי יְהוּדָה דָּנִיֵּאל חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: כּוּלָּן מִבְּנֵי יְהוּדָה הֵם. וְרַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר: דָּנִיאֵל מִבְּנֵי יְהוּדָה, חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה מִשְּׁאָר שְׁבָטִים. ״וּמִבָּנֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר יֵצְאוּ מִמְּךָ אֲשֶׁר תּוֹלִיד יִקָּחוּ וְהָיוּ סָרִיסִים בְּהֵיכַל מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל״. מַאי סָרִיסִים? רַב אָמַר: סָרִיסִים מַמָּשׁ, וְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר: שֶׁנִּסְתָּרְסָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בִּימֵיהֶם. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר שֶׁנִּסְתָּרְסָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בִּימֵיהֶם, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב ״וַחֲבָל לָא אִיתַי בְּהוֹן״. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר סָרִיסִים מַמָּשׁ, מַאי ״וַחֲבָל לָא אִיתַי בְּהוֹן״? חַבְלָא דְּנוּרָא. וְהָכְתִיב ״וְרֵיחַ נוּר לָא עֲדָת בְּהוֹן״? לָא חַבְלָא וְלָא רֵיחָא. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר שֶׁנִּסְתָּרְסָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בִּימֵיהֶם, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״כֹּה אָמַר יהוה לַסָּרִיסִים אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְרוּ אֶת שַׁבְּתֹתַי וְגוֹ׳״. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר סָרִיסִים מַמָּשׁ, מִשְׁתַּעֵי קְרָא בִּגְנוּתָא דְּצַדִּיקֵי? הָא וְהָא הֲוָה בְּהוּ. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר סָרִיסִים מַמָּשׁ, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב ״בְּבֵיתִי וּבְחוֹמֹתַי יָד וָשֵׁם טוֹב מִבָּנִים וּמִבָּנוֹת״. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר שֶׁנִּסְתָּרְסָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בִּימֵיהֶם, מַאי ״טוֹב מִבָּנִים וּמִבָּנוֹת״? אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: מִבָּנִים שֶׁהָיוּ לָהֶם כְּבָר וּמֵתוּ. מַאי ״שֵׁם עוֹלָם אֶתֶּן לוֹ אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִכָּרֵת״? אָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם: דָּרַשׁ בַּר קַפָּרָא בְּצִפּוֹרִי, זֶה סֵפֶר דָּנִיֵּאל שֶׁנִּקְרָא עַל שְׁמוֹ. מִכְּדֵי כֹּל מִילֵּי דְּעֶזְרָא, נְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה אַמְרִינְהוּ, וּנְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה מַאי טַעְמָא לָא אִיקְּרִי סִיפְרָא עַל שְׁמֵיהּ? אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֶחְזִיק טוֹבָה לְעַצְמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״זׇכְרָה לִּי אֱלֹהַי לְטוֹבָה״. דָּוִד נָמֵי מֵימָר אָמַר ״זׇכְרֵנִי יהוה בִּרְצוֹן עַמֶּךָ פׇּקְדֵנִי בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ״! דָּוִד רַחֲמֵי הוּא דְּקָבָעֵי. רַב יוֹסֵף אָמַר: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁסִּיפֵּר בִּגְנוּתָן שֶׁל רִאשׁוֹנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהַפַּחוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנִים אֲשֶׁר לְפָנַי הִכְבִּידוּ עַל הָעָם וַיִּקְחוּ מֵהֶם בְּלֶחֶם וָיַיִן אַחַר כֶּסֶף שְׁקָלִים אַרְבָּעִים וְגוֹ׳״. וְאַף עַל דָּנִיֵּאל, שֶׁגָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ, סִיפֵּר. וּמְנָלַן דְּגָדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ? דִּכְתִיב: ״וְרָאִיתִי אֲנִי דָנִיֵּאל לְבַדִּי אֶת הַמַּרְאָה וְהָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ עִמִּי לֹא רָאוּ אֶת הַמַּרְאָה אֲבָל חֲרָדָה גְדֹלָה נָפְלָה עֲלֵיהֶם וַיִּבְרְחוּ בְּהֵחָבֵא״. ״וְהָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ עִמִּי לֹא רָאוּ אֶת הַמַּרְאָה״ – וּמַאן נִינְהוּ אֲנָשִׁים? אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: זֶה חַגַּי, זְכַרְיָה, וּמַלְאָכִי. אִינְהוּ עֲדִיפִי מִינֵּיהּ, וְאִיהוּ עֲדִיף מִנַּיְיהוּ. אִינְהוּ עֲדִיפִי מִינֵּיהּ – דְּאִינְהוּ נְבִיאֵי, וְאִיהוּ לָאו נְבִיָּא. וְאִיהוּ עֲדִיף מִנַּיְיהוּ – דְּאִיהוּ חֲזָא, וְאִינְהוּ לָא חֲזוֹ. וְכִי מֵאַחַר דְּלָא חֲזוֹ, מַאי טַעְמָא אִיבְּעוּת? אַף עַל גַּב דְּאִינְהוּ לָא חֲזוֹ מִידֵּי, מַזָּלַיְיהוּ חָזֵי. אָמַר רָבִינָא: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ הַאי מַאן דְּמִבְּעִית, אַף עַל גַּב דְּאִיהוּ לָא חָזֵי, מַזָּלֵיהּ חָזֵי. מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ? לִינְשׁוֹף מִדּוּכְתֵּיהּ אַרְבְּעָה גַּרְמִידֵי. אִי נָמֵי, לִיקְרֵי קְרִיַּת שְׁמַע. וְאִי קָאֵי בִּמְקוֹם הַטִּנּוֹפֶת, לֵימָא הָכִי: ״עִיזָּא דְּבֵי טַבָּחָא שַׁמִּינָא מִינַּאי״. ״לְםַרְבֵּה הַמִּשְׂרָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם אֵין קֵץ וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם: דָּרַשׁ בַּר קַפָּרָא בְּצִיפּוֹרִי, מִפְּנֵי מָה כׇּל מֵם שֶׁבְּאֶמְצַע תֵּיבָה פָּתוּחַ, וְזֶה סָתוּם? בִּיקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַעֲשׂוֹת חִזְקִיָּהוּ מָשִׁיחַ, וְסַנְחֵרִיב גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג. אָמְרָה מִדַּת הַדִּין לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, וּמָה דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁאָמַר כַּמָּה שִׁירוֹת וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת לְפָנֶיךָ – לֹא עֲשִׂיתוֹ מָשִׁיחַ, חִזְקִיָּה שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לוֹ כׇּל הַנִּסִּים הַלָּלוּ וְלֹא אָמַר שִׁירָה לְפָנֶיךָ – תַּעֲשֵׂהוּ מָשִׁיחַ? לְכָךְ נִסְתַּתֵּם. מִיָּד פָּתְחָה הָאָרֶץ וְאָמְרָה לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אֲנִי אוֹמֶרֶת לְפָנֶיךָ שִׁירָה תַּחַת צַדִּיק זֶה, וַעֲשֵׂהוּ מָשִׁיחַ. פָּתְחָה וְאָמְרָה שִׁירָה לְפָנָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִכְּנַף הָאָרֶץ זְמִרֹת שָׁמַעְנוּ צְבִי לַצַּדִּיק וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר שַׂר הָעוֹלָם לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, צִבְיוֹנוֹ עֲשֵׂה לַצַּדִּיק זֶה! יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: רָזִי לִי, רָזִי לִי. אָמַר נָבִיא: אוֹי לִי, אוֹי לִי, עַד מָתַי? יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: ״בֹּגְדִים בָּגָדוּ וּבֶגֶד בּוֹגְדִים בָּגָדוּ״. וְאָמַר רָבָא, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַבִּי יִצְחָק: עַד דְּאָתוּ בָּזוֹזֵי וּבָזוֹזֵי דְּבָזוֹזֵי. ״מַשָּׂא דּוּמָה אֵלַי קֹרֵא מִשֵּׂעִיר שֹׁמֵר מַה מִּלַּיְלָה שֹׁמֵר מַה מִּלֵּיל וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אוֹתוֹ מַלְאָךְ הַמְמוּנֶּה עַל הָרוּחוֹת דּוּמָה שְׁמוֹ. נִתְקַבְּצוּ כׇּל הָרוּחוֹת אֵצֶל דּוּמָה, אָמְרוּ לוֹ: ״שֹׁמֵר, מַה מִּלַּיְלָה? שֹׁמֵר, מַה מִּלֵּיל?״ ״אָמַר שֹׁמֵר אָתָא בֹקֶר וְגַם לָיְלָה אִם תִּבְעָיוּן בְּעָיוּ שֻׁבוּ אֵתָיוּ״. תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי פַּפְּיָיס: גְּנַאי הוּא לְחִזְקִיָּה וְסִייעָתוֹ שֶׁלֹּא אָמְרוּ שִׁירָה, עַד שֶׁפָּתְחָה הָאָרֶץ וְאָמְרָה שִׁירָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִכְּנַף הָאָרֶץ זְמִרֹת שָׁמַעְנוּ צְבִי לַצַּדִּיק וְגוֹ׳״. כַּיּוֹצֵא בַּדָּבָר אַתָּה אוֹמֵר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יִתְרוֹ בָּרוּךְ יהוה אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֶתְכֶם״. תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי פַּפְּיָיס: גְּנַאי הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה וְשִׁשִּׁים רִיבּוֹא שֶׁלֹּא אָמְרוּ ״בָּרוּךְ״ עַד שֶׁבָּא יִתְרוֹ וְאָמַר ״בָּרוּךְ ה׳״. ״וַיִּחַדְּ יִתְרוֹ״ – רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל. רַב אָמַר: שֶׁהֶעֱבִיר חֶרֶב חַדָּה עַל בְּשָׂרוֹ, וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה חִדּוּדִים חִדּוּדִים כׇּל בְּשָׂרוֹ. אָמַר רַב: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי, גִּיּוֹרָא עַד עַשְׂרָה דָּרֵי לָא תִּבְזֵה אַרְמַאי קַמֵּיהּ. ״לָכֵן יְשַׁלַּח הָאָדוֹן יהוה צְבָאוֹת בְּמִשְׁמַנָּיו רָזוֹן״. מַאי ״בְּמִשְׁמַנָּיו רָזוֹן״? אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: יָבֹא חִזְקִיָּהוּ שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ שְׁמוֹנָה שֵׁמוֹת, וְיִפָּרַע מִסַּנְחֵרִיב שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ שְׁמוֹנָה שֵׁמוֹת. חִזְקִיָּה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי יֶלֶד יֻלַּד לָנוּ בֵּן נִתַּן לָנוּ וַתְּהִי הַמִּשְׂרָה עַל שִׁכְמוֹ וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ פֶּלֶא יוֹעֵץ אֵל גִּבּוֹר אֲבִי עַד שַׂר שָׁלוֹם״. וְהָאִיכָּא ״חִזְקִיָּה״? שֶׁחִזְּקוֹ יָהּ. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״חִזְקִיָּה״ – שֶׁחִיזֵּק אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲבִיהֶם שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם. סַנְחֵרִיב, דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ: תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר, פִּלְנְאֶסֶר, שַׁלְמַנְאֶסֶר, פּוֹל, סַרְגוֹן, אׇסְנַפַּר רַבָּא וְיַקִּירָא. וְהָאִיכָּא ״סַנְחֵרִיב״? שֶׁסִּיחָתוֹ רִיב. דָּבָר אַחֵר: שֶׁסָּח וְנִיחֵר דְּבָרִים כְּלַפֵּי מַעְלָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה זָכָה אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע לִקְרוֹתוֹ ״אׇסְנַפַּר רַבָּא וְיַקִּירָא״? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁלֹּא סִיפֵּר בִּגְנוּתָהּ שֶׁל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַד בֹּאִי וְלָקַחְתִּי אֶתְכֶם אֶל אֶרֶץ כְּאַרְצְכֶם״. רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל: חַד אָמַר מֶלֶךְ פִּקֵּחַ הָיָה, וְחַד אָמַר מֶלֶךְ טִיפֵּשׁ הָיָה. לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מֶלֶךְ פִּקֵּחַ הָיָה – אִי אָמֵינָא לְהוּ ״עֲדִיפָא מֵאַרְעַיְיכוּ״, אָמְרוּ ״קָא מְשַׁקְּרַתְּ״. וּמַאן דְּאָמַר מֶלֶךְ טִיפֵּשׁ הָיָה – אִם כֵּן, מַאי רְבוּתֵיהּ? לְהֵיכָא אַגְּלִי לְהוּ? מָר זוּטְרָא אָמַר: לְאַפְרִיקִי, וְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר: לְהָרֵי סְלוּג. אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל סִפְּרוּ בִּגְנוּתָהּ שֶׁל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל. כִּי מְטוֹ שׂוֹשׂ, אָמְרִי: שָׁוְיָא כִּי אַרְעִין. כִּי מְטוֹ עָלְמִין, אֲמַרוּ: כְּעָלְמִין. כִּי מְטוֹ שׂוֹשׂ תְּרֵי, אָמְרִי: עַל חַד תְּרֵין. ״וְתַחַת כְּבֹדוֹ [יֵקַד] יְקֹד כִּיקוֹד אֵשׁ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: תַּחַת כְּבוֹדוֹ, וְלֹא כְּבוֹדוֹ מַמָּשׁ. כִּי הָא דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן קָרֵי לֵיהּ לְמָאנֵיהּ ״מְכַבְּדוֹתַי״. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אָמַר: תַּחַת כְּבוֹדוֹ מַמָּשׁ, כִּשְׂרֵיפַת בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן. מָה לְהַלָּן שְׂרֵיפַת נְשָׁמָה וְגוּף קַיָּים, אַף כָּאן שְׂרֵיפַת נְשָׁמָה וְגוּף קַיָּים. תָּנָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה: פַּרְעֹה שֶׁחֵירַף בְּעַצְמוֹ, נִפְרַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִמֶּנּוּ בְּעַצְמוֹ. סַנְחֵרִיב שֶׁחֵירַף עַל יְדֵי שָׁלִיחַ, נִפְרַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִמֶּנּוּ עַל יְדֵי שָׁלִיחַ. פַּרְעֹה, דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ: ״מִי יהוה אֲשֶׁר אֶשְׁמַע בְּקֹלוֹ״, נִפְרַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִמֶּנּוּ בְּעַצְמוֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיְנַעֵר יהוה אֶת מִצְרַיִם בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּם״, וּכְתִיב: ״דָּרַכְתָּ בַּיָּם סוּסֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳״. סַנְחֵרִיב, דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּיַד מַלְאָכֶיךָ חֵרַפְתָּ ה׳״, נִפְרַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִמֶּנּוּ עַל יְדֵי שָׁלִיחַ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֵּצֵא מַלְאַךְ יהוה וַיַּךְ בְּמַחֲנֵה אַשּׁוּר מֵאָה שְׁמוֹנִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה אֶלֶף וְגוֹ׳״. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פָּפָּא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״מְרוֹם קִצּוֹ״, וּכְתִיב ״מְלוֹן קִצּוֹ״. אָמַר אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע: בַּתְּחִלָּה אַחְרִיב דִּירָה שֶׁל מַטָּה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ אַחְרִיב דִּירָה שֶׁל מַעְלָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״עַתָּה הֲמִבַּלְעֲדֵי יהוה עָלִיתִי עַל הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה לְהַשְׁחִתוֹ יהוה אָמַר אֵלַי עֲלֵה עַל הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת וְהַשְׁחִיתָהּ״. מַאי הִיא? דִּשְׁמַע לִנְבִיָּא דְּקָאָמַר: ״יַעַן כִּי מָאַס הָעָם הַזֶּה אֵת מֵי הַשִּׁלֹחַ הַהוֹלְכִים לְאַט וּמְשׂוֹשׂ אֶת רְצִין וּבֶן רְמַלְיָהוּ״. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: אִלְמָלֵא תַּרְגּוּמָא דְּהַאי קְרָא, לָא הֲוָה יָדַעְנָא מַאי קָאָמַר. ״חֲלַף דְּקָץ עַמָּא הָדֵין בְּמַלְכוּתָא דְּבֵית דָּוִד, דִּמְדַבַּר לְהוֹן בִּנְיָיח, כְּמֵי שִׁילוֹחָא דְּנָגְדִין בִּנְיָיח, וְאִיתְרְעִיאוּ בִּרְצִין וּבַר רְמַלְיָה״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״מְאֵרַת יהוה בְּבֵית רָשָׁע וּנְוֵה צַדִּיקִים יְבָרֵךְ״? ״מְאֵרַת יהוה בְּבֵית רָשָׁע״ – זֶה פֶּקַח בֶּן רְמַלְיָהוּ, שֶׁהָיָה אוֹכֵל אַרְבָּעִים סְאָה גּוֹזָלוֹת בְּקִינּוּחַ סְעוּדָה. ״וּנְוֵה צַדִּיקִים יְבָרֵךְ״ – זֶה חִזְקִיָּה מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה, שֶׁהָיָה אוֹכֵל לִיטְרָא יָרָק בִּסְעוּדָה. ״וְלָכֵן הִנֵּה יהוה מַעֲלֶה עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת מֵי הַנָּהָר הָעֲצוּמִים וְהָרַבִּים אֶת מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר״, וּכְתִיב: ״וְחָלַף בִּיהוּדָה שָׁטַף וְעָבַר עַד צַוָּאר יַגִּיעַ״. אֶלָּא מַאי טַעְמָא אִיעֲנִישׁ? נְבִיָּא אַעֲשֶׂרֶת הַשְּׁבָטִים אִיתְנַבִּי, אִיהוּ יְהַיב דַּעְתֵּיהּ עַל כּוּלַּהּ יְרוּשָׁלֶם. בָּא נָבִיא וְאָמַר לוֹ: ״כִּי לֹא מוּעָף לַאֲשֶׁר מוּצָק לָהּ״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בַּר בֶּרֶכְיָה: אֵין נִמְסָר עַם עָיֵיף בַּתּוֹרָה בְּיַד מִי הַמֵּצִיק לוֹ. מַאי ״כָּעֵת הָרִאשׁוֹן הֵקַל אַרְצָה זְבוּלֻן וְאַרְצָה נַפְתָּלִי וְהָאַחֲרוֹן הִכְבִּיד דֶּרֶךְ הַיָּם עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן גְּלִיל הַגּוֹיִם״? לֹא כָּרִאשׁוֹנִים שֶׁהֵקֵלּוּ מֵעֲלֵיהֶם עוֹל תּוֹרָה, אֲבָל אַחֲרוֹנִים שֶׁהִכְבִּידוּ עֲלֵיהֶן עוֹל תּוֹרָה. וּרְאוּיִין הַלָּלוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהֶם נֵס כְּעוֹבְרֵי הַיָּם וּכְדוֹרְכֵי הַיַּרְדֵּן. אִם חוֹזֵר בּוֹ – מוּטָב, וְאִם לָאו – אֲנִי אֶעֱשֶׂה לוֹ גָּלִיל בַּגּוֹיִם. ״אַחֲרֵי הַדְּבָרִים וְהָאֱמֶת הָאֵלֶּה בָּא סַנְחֵרִיב מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיָּבֹא בִיהוּדָה וַיִּחַן עַל הֶעָרִים הַבְּצֻרוֹת וַיֹּאמֶר לְבִקְעָם אֵלָיו״. הַאי רִישָׁנָא לְהַאי פַּרְדָּשְׁנָא? ״אַחֲרֵי הַדְּבָרִים וְהָאֱמֶת״, אַחַר מַאי? אָמַר רָבִינָא: לְאַחַר שֶׁקָּפַץ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְנִשְׁבַּע, וְאָמַר: אִי אָמֵינָא לֵיהּ לְחִזְקִיָּה מַיְיתֵינָא לֵיהּ לְסַנְחֵרִיב וּמָסַרְנָא לֵיהּ בִּידָךְ, הַשְׁתָּא אָמַר: לָא הוּא בָּעֵינָא וְלָא בִּיעֲתוּתֵיהּ בָּעֵינָא. מִיָּד קָפַץ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְנִשְׁבַּע: דְּמַיְיתֵינָא לֵיהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נִשְׁבַּע יהוה צְבָאוֹת לֵאמֹר אִם לֹא כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּמִּיתִי כֵּן הָיָתָה וְכַאֲשֶׁר יָעַצְתִּי הִיא תָקוּם. לִשְׁבֹּר אַשּׁוּר בְּאַרְצִי וְעַל הָרַי אֲבוּסֶנּוּ וְסָר מֵעֲלֵיהֶם עֻלּוֹ וְסֻבֳּלוֹ מֵעַל שִׁכְמוֹ יָסוּר״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: יָבֹא סַנְחֵרִיב וְסִיעָתוֹ וְיֵעָשֶׂה אֵבוּס לְחִזְקִיָּהוּ וּלְסִיעָתוֹ. ״וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יָסוּר סֻבֳּלוֹ מֵעַל שִׁכְמֶךָ וְעֻלּוֹ מֵעַל צַוָּארֶךָ וְחֻבַּל עֹל מִפְּנֵי שָׁמֶן״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק נַפָּחָא: חוּבַּל עוֹל שֶׁל סַנְחֵרִיב מִפְּנֵי שַׁמְנוֹ שֶׁל חִזְקִיָּהוּ, שֶׁהָיָה דּוֹלֵק בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת. מָה עָשָׂה? נָעַץ חֶרֶב עַל פֶּתַח בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ, וְאָמַר: כׇּל מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה יִדָּקֵר בְּחֶרֶב זוֹ. בָּדְקוּ מִדָּן וְעַד בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע, וְלֹא מָצְאוּ עַם הָאָרֶץ. מִגְּבָת וְעַד אַנְטִיפְרַס, וְלֹא מָצְאוּ תִּינוֹק וְתִינוֹקֶת, אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה, שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ בְּקִיאִין בְּהִלְכוֹת טוּמְאָה וְטׇהֳרָה. וְעַל אוֹתוֹ הַדּוֹר הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יְחַיֶּה אִישׁ עֶגְלַת בָּקָר וּשְׁתֵּי צֹאן וְגוֹ׳״, וְאוֹמֵר: ״וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה כׇל מָקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה שָּׁם אֶלֶף גֶּפֶן בְּאֶלֶף כָּסֶף לַשָּׁמִיר וְלַשַּׁיִת יִהְיֶה״. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֶלֶף גֶּפֶן בְּאֶלֶף כָּסֶף, לַשָּׁמִיר וְלַשַּׁיִת יִהְיֶה. ״וְאֻסַּף שְׁלַלְכֶם אֹסֶף הֶחָסִיל״. אָמַר לָהֶם נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: אִסְפוּ שְׁלַלְכֶם. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: לִבְזוֹז אוֹ לַחְלוֹק? אָמַר לָהֶם: ״כְּאֹסֶף הֶחָסִיל״. מָה אֹסֶף הֶחָסִיל – כׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד לְעַצְמוֹ. אַף שְׁלַלְכֶם – כׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד לְעַצְמוֹ. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: וַהֲלֹא מָמוֹן עֲשֶׂרֶת הַשְּׁבָטִים מְעוֹרָב בּוֹ? אָמַר לָהֶם: ״כְּמַשַּׁק גֵּבִים שׁוֹקֵק בּוֹ״. מָה גֵּבִים הַלָּלוּ מַעֲלִין אֶת הָאָדָם מִטּוּמְאָה לְטׇהֳרָה, אַף מָמוֹנָם שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל – כֵּיוָן שֶׁנָּפַל בְּיַד אוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, מִיָּד טִיהַר. כִּדְרַב פָּפָּא, דְּאָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: עַמּוֹן וּמוֹאָב טָהֲרוּ בְּסִיחוֹן. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: עֶשֶׂר מַסָּעוֹת נָסַע אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע בְּאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בָּא עַל עַיַּת, עָבַר בְּמִגְרוֹן, לְמִכְמָשׂ יַפְקִיד כֵּלָיו. עָבְרוּ מַעְבָּרָה, גֶּבַע מָלוֹן לָנוּ, חָרְדָה הָרָמָה, גִּבְעַת שָׁאוּל נָסָה. צַהֲלִי קוֹלֵךְ בַּת גַּלִּים, הַקְשִׁיבִי לַיְשָׁה, עֲנִיָּה עֲנָתוֹת. נָדְדָה מַדְמֵנָה, יֹשְׁבֵי הַגֵּבִים הֵעִיזוּ. עוֹד הַיּוֹם בְּנֹב לַעֲמֹד, יְנֹפֵף יָדוֹ הַר בַּת צִיּוֹן גִּבְעַת יְרוּשָׁלִָם״. הָנֵי טוּבָא הָוְיָין? ״צַהֲלִי קוֹלֵךְ בַּת גַּלִּים״ – נָבִיא הוּא דְּקָאָמַר לַהּ לִכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל: ״צַהֲלִי קוֹלֵךְ בַּת גַּלִּים״, בִּתּוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב שֶׁעָשׂוּ מִצְוֹת כְּגַלֵּי הַיָּם. ״הַקְשִׁיבִי לַיְשָׁה״ – מֵהַאי לָא תִּסְתְּפַי, אֶלָּא אִיסְתְּפַי מִנְּבוּכַדְנֶצַּר הָרָשָׁע דִּמְתִיל כְּאַרְיֵה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עָלָה אַרְיֵה מִסֻּבְּכוֹ וְגוֹ׳״. מַאי ״עֲנִיָּה עֲנָתוֹת״ – עָתִיד יִרְמְיָה בֶּן חִלְקִיָּה וּמִתְנַבֵּא עֲלַהּ מֵעֲנָתוֹת, דִּכְתִיב: ״דִּבְרֵי יִרְמְיָהוּ בֶּן חִלְקִיָּהוּ מִן הַכֹּהֲנִים אֲשֶׁר בַּעֲנָתוֹת בְּאֶרֶץ בִּנְיָמִין״. מִי דָּמֵי? הָתָם אֲרִי, הָכָא לַיִשׁ! אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שִׁשָּׁה שֵׁמוֹת יֵשׁ לַאֲרִי, אֵלּוּ הֵן: אֲרִי, כְּפִיר, לָבִיא, לַיִשׁ, שַׁחַל, שַׁחַץ. אִי הָכִי, בָּצְרוּ לְהוּ! עָבְרוּ מַעְבָּרָה תַּרְתֵּי נִינְהוּ. מַאי ״עוֹד הַיּוֹם בְּנֹב לַעֲמֹד״? אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מֵעֲוֹנָהּ שֶׁל נוֹב. אָמְרִי לֵיהּ כַּלְדָּאֵי: אִי אָזְלַתְּ הָאִידָּנָא – יָכְלַתְּ לַהּ, וְאִי לָא – לָא יָכְלַתְּ לַהּ. אוֹרְחָא דִּבְעָא לְסַגּוֹיֵי בְּעַשְׂרָה יוֹמֵי, סַגֵּא בְּחַד יוֹמָא. כִּי מְטוֹ לִירוּשְׁלֶם, שְׁדוֹ לֵיהּ בִּיסְתַּרְקֵי, עַד דִּסְלֵיק וִיתֵיב מֵעִילָּוֵי שׁוּרָא, עַד דְּחַזְיַוהּ לְכוּלַּהּ יְרוּשְׁלֶם. כִּי חַזְיַיהּ, אִיזּוּטַר בְּעֵינֵיהּ. אָמַר: הֲלָא דָּא הִיא קַרְתָּא דִּירוּשְׁלֶם דַּעֲלַהּ אַרְגֵּישִׁית כֹּל מַשְׁירְיָתַי, וַעֲלַהּ כַּבֵּשִׁית כֹּל מְדִינָתָא? הֲלָא הִיא זְעֵירָא וְחַלָּשָׁא מִכֹּל כַּרְכֵי עַמְמַיָּא דְּכַבֵּשִׁית בִּתְקוֹף יְדַי? עֲלַהּ וְקָם וּמָנֵיד בְּרֵישֵׁיהּ, מוֹבֵיל וּמַיְיתֵי בִּידֵיהּ עַל טוּר בֵּית מַקְדְּשָׁא דִּבְצִיּוֹן וְעַל עֲזַרְתָּא דְּבִירוּשְׁלֶם. אָמְרִי: נִישְׁדֵּי בֵּיהּ יְדָא הָאִידָּנָא. אֲמַר לְהוּ: תָּמְהִיתוּ, לִמְחַר אַיְיתוֹ לִי כֹּל חַד וְחַד מִינַּיְיכוּ גּוּלְמוֹ הֲרַג מִינֵּיהּ. מִיָּד: ״וַיְהִי בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא וַיֵּצֵא מַלְאַךְ יהוה וַיַּךְ בְּמַחֲנֵה אַשּׁוּר מֵאָה שְׁמוֹנִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה אָלֶף וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ בַבֹּקֶר וְהִנֵּה כֻלָּם פְּגָרִים מֵתִים״. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: בָּת דִּינָא – בְּטַל דִּינָא. ״וְיִשְׁבִּי בְּנֹב אֲשֶׁר בִּילִידֵי הָרָפָה וּמִשְׁקַל קֵינוֹ שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת מִשְׁקַל נְחֹשֶׁת וְהוּא חָגוּר חֲדָשָׁה וַיֹּאמֶר לְהַכּוֹת אֶת דָּוִד״. מַאי ״וְיִשְׁבִּי בְּנוֹב״? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אִישׁ שֶׁבָּא עַל עִסְקֵי נוֹב. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְדָוִד: עַד מָתַי יִהְיֶה עָוֹן זֶה טָמוּן בְּיָדְךָ? עַל יָדְךָ נֶהֶרְגָה נוֹב עִיר הַכֹּהֲנִים, וְעַל יָדְךָ נִטְרַד דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדוֹמִי, וְעַל יָדְךָ נֶהֶרְגוּ שָׁאוּל וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו. רְצוֹנְךָ יִכְלֶה זַרְעֶךָ, אוֹ תִּמָּסֵר בְּיַד אוֹיֵב? אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מוּטָב אֶמָּסֵר בְּיַד אוֹיֵב וְלֹא יִכְלֶה זַרְעִי. יוֹמָא חַד נְפַק לִשְׁכוֹר בָּזָאֵי, אֲתָא שָׂטָן וְאִידְּמִי לֵיהּ כְּטַבְיָא. פְּתַק בֵּיהּ גִּירָא וְלָא מַטְיֵיהּ. מַשְׁכֵיהּ עַד דְּאַמְטְיֵיהּ לְאֶרֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּים. כִּדְחַזְיֵיהּ יִשְׁבִּי בְּנוֹב אֲמַר: הַיְינוּ הַאי דְּקַטְלֵיהּ לְגׇלְיָת אֲחִי. כַּפְתֵיהּ, קַמְטֵיהּ, אוֹתְבֵיהּ וְשַׁדְיֵיהּ תּוּתֵי בֵּי סַדְיָיא. אִתְעֲבִיד לֵיהּ נִיסָּא, מָכָא לֵיהּ אַרְעָא מִתּוּתֵיהּ. הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״תַּרְחִיב צַעֲדִי תַחְתָּי וְלֹא מָעֲדוּ קַרְסֻלָּי״. הָהוּא יוֹמָא אַפַּנְיָא דְּמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא הֲוָה. אֲבִישַׁי בֶּן צְרוּיָה הֲוָה קָא חָיֵיף רֵישֵׁיהּ בְּאַרְבְּעָא גַּרְבֵי דְּמַיָּא. חֲזִינְהוּ כִּתְמֵי דְּמָא. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: אֲתָא יוֹנָה אִיטְּרִיף קַמֵּיהּ. אֲמַר: כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְיוֹנָה אִימְּתִילָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כַּנְפֵי יוֹנָה נֶחְפָּה בַכֶּסֶף״. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ דָּוִד מַלְכָּא דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּצַעֲרָא שְׁרֵי. אֲתָא לְבֵיתֵיהּ וְלָא אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ. אֲמַר, תְּנַן: אֵין רוֹכְבִין עַל סוּסוֹ וְאֵין יוֹשְׁבִין עַל כִּסְאוֹ וְאֵין מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בְּשַׁרְבִיטוֹ. בִּשְׁעַת הַסַּכָּנָה מַאי? אֲתָא שְׁאֵיל בֵּי מִדְרְשָׁא. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: בִּשְׁעַת הַסַּכָּנָה שַׁפִּיר דָּמֵי. רַכְבֵיהּ לְפִרְדֵּיהּ וְקָם וַאֲזַל. קְפַצָה לֵיהּ אַרְעָא. בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָא מְסַגֵּי, חַזְיַיהּ לְעׇרְפָּה אִמֵּיהּ דַּהֲוָות נָוְולָא. כִּי חֲזֵיתֵיהּ, פְּסַקְתֵּהּ לְפִילְכַּהּ, שְׁדָתֵיהּ עִילָּוֵיהּ, סְבַרָא לְמִקְטְלֵיהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: עֻלֵם, אַיְיתִי לִי פְּלַךְ! פַּתְקֵיהּ בְּרֵישׁ מוֹחַהּ, וְקַטְלַהּ. כַּד חַזְיֵיהּ יִשְׁבִּי בְּנוֹב, אֲמַר: הַשְׁתָּא הָווּ בֵּי תְרֵין וְקָטְלִין לִי. פַּתְקֵיהּ לְדָוִד לְעֵילָּא, וְדָץ לֵיהּ לְרוּמְחֵיהּ. אֲמַר: נִיפּוֹל עֲלֵהּ וְנִקְּטַל. אֲמַר אֲבִישַׁי שֵׁם, אוֹקְמֵיהּ לְדָוִד בֵּין שְׁמַיָּא לְאַרְעָא. וְנֵימָא לֵיהּ אִיהוּ? אֵין חָבוּשׁ מוֹצִיא עַצְמוֹ מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי בָּעֵית הָכָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָכִי אֲמַר לִי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְהָכִי אַהְדַּרִי לֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵפֹךְ צְלוֹתָיךְ! בַּר בְּרָךְ קִירָא לִיזְבּוֹן, וְאַתְּ לָא תִּצְטַעַר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי הָכִי, סַיַּיע בַּהֲדַן. הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּעֲזׇר לוֹ אֲבִישַׁי בֶּן צְרוּיָה״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: שֶׁעֲזָרוֹ בִּתְפִלָּה. אֲמַר אֲבִישַׁי שֵׁם וְאַחֲתֵיהּ. הֲוָה קָא רָדֵיף בָּתְרַיְיהוּ. כִּי מְטֹא קוּבֵּי, אָמְרִי: קוּם בֵּיהּ. כִּי מְטֹא בֵּי תְרֵי, אָמְרִי: בִּתְרֵי גּוּרְיָוָן קַטְלוּהּ לְאַרְיָא. אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: זִיל אִשְׁתְּכַח לְעׇרְפָּה אִימָּיךְ בְּקִיבְרָא. כִּי אַדְכַּרוּ לֵיהּ שְׁמָא דְּאִימֵּיהּ, כְּחַשׁ חֵילֵיהּ וְקַטְלוּהּ. הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״אָז נִשְׁבְּעוּ אַנְשֵׁי דָוִד לוֹ לֵאמֹר לֹא תֵצֵא עוֹד אִתָּנוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה וְלֹא תְכַבֶּה אֶת נֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה קָפְצָה לָהֶם הָאָרֶץ – אֱלִיעֶזֶר עֶבֶד אַבְרָהָם, וְיַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ, וַאֲבִישַׁי בֶּן צְרוּיָה. אֲבִישַׁי בֶּן צְרוּיָה – הָא דַּאֲמַרַן. אֱלִיעֶזֶר עֶבֶד אַבְרָהָם – דִּכְתִיב: ״וָאָבֹא הַיּוֹם אֶל הָעָיִן״, לְמֵימְרָא דְּהָהוּא יוֹמָא נְפַק. יַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ - דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֵּצֵא יַעֲקֹב מִבְּאֵר שָׁבַע וַיֵּלֶךְ חָרָנָה״, וּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּפְגַּע בַּמָּקוֹם וַיָּלֶן שָׁם כִּי בָא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ״. כִּי מְטָא לְחָרָן אֲמַר: אֶפְשָׁר עָבַרְתִּי עַל מְקוֹם שֶׁהִתְפַּלְּלוּ בּוֹ אֲבוֹתַי וַאֲנִי לֹא הִתְפַּלַּלְתִּי בּוֹ? בָּעֵי לְמֶיהְדַּר. כֵּיוָן דְּהַרְהַר בְּדַעְתֵּיהּ לְמִיהְדַּר, קְפַצָה לֵיהּ אַרְעָא. מִיָּד – ״וַיִּפְגַּע בַּמָּקוֹם״. דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֵין פְּגִיעָה אֶלָּא תְּפִלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאַתָּה אַל תִּתְפַּלֵּל בְּעַד הָעָם הַזֶּה וְאַל תִּשָּׂא בַעֲדָם רִנָּה וּתְפִלָּה וְאַל תִּפְגַּע בִּי״. ״וַיָּלֶן שָׁם כִּי בָא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ״. בָּתַר דְּצַלִּי בָּעֵי לְמִיהְדַּר, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: צַדִּיק זֶה בָּא לְבֵית מְלוֹנִי, יִפָּטֵר בְּלֹא לִינָה? מִיָּד בָּא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּזְרַח לוֹ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ״. וְכִי לוֹ בִּלְבַד זָרְחָה? וַהֲלֹא לְכׇל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ זָרְחָה! אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: שֶׁמֶשׁ שֶׁבָּאָה בַּעֲבוּרוֹ, זָרְחָה בַּעֲבוּרוֹ. וּמְנָלַן דִּכְלָה זַרְעֵיהּ דְּדָוִד? דִּכְתִיב: ״וַעֲתַלְיָה אֵם אֲחַזְיָהוּ רָאֲתָה כִּי מֵת בְּנָהּ וַתָּקׇם וַתְּאַבֵּד אֵת כׇּל זֶרַע הַמַּמְלָכָה״. וְהָא אִשְׁתְּיַיר לֵיהּ יוֹאָשׁ? הָתָם נָמֵי אִשְׁתְּיַיר אֶבְיָתָר, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּמָּלֵט בֵּן אֶחָד לַאֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן אֲחִטוּב וּשְׁמוֹ אֶבְיָתָר״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אִלְמָלֵא לֹא נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר אֶבְיָתָר לַאֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן אֲחִיטוּב, לֹא נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מִזַּרְעוֹ שֶׁל דָּוִד שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בָּא עֲלֵיהֶם סַנְחֵרִיב הָרָשָׁע בְּאַרְבָּעִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה אֶלֶף אִישׁ בְּנֵי מְלָכִים, יוֹשְׁבִים בִּקְרוֹנוֹת שֶׁל זָהָב, וְעִמָּהֶן שִׁגְלוֹנוֹת וְזוֹנוֹת, וּבִשְׁמֹנִים אֶלֶף גִּבּוֹרִים לְבוּשֵׁי שִׁרְיוֹן קְלִיפָּה, וּבְשִׁשִּׁים אֶלֶף אֲחוּזֵי חֶרֶב רָצִים לְפָנָיו, וְהַשְּׁאָר פָּרָשִׁים. וְכֵן בָּאוּ עַל אַבְרָהָם, וְכֵן עֲתִידִין לָבוֹא עִם גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג. בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: אוֹרֶךְ מַחֲנֵהוּ אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת פַּרְסָה, רֹחַב צַוַּאר סוּסָיו אַרְבָּעִים פַּרְסָה. סַךְ מַחֲנֵהוּ מָאתַיִם וְשִׁשִּׁים רִיבּוֹא אֲלָפִים חָסֵר חַד. בָּעֵי אַבָּיֵי: חָסֵר חַד רִיבּוֹיָא, אוֹ חָסַר חַד אַלְפָּא, אוֹ חָסַר מְאָה, אוֹ חָסַר חַד? תֵּיקוּ. תָּנָא: רִאשׁוֹנִים עָבְרוּ בִּשְׂחִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְחָלַף בִּיהוּדָה שָׁטַף וְעָבַר״. אֶמְצָעִיִּים עָבְרוּ בְּקוֹמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַד צַוָּאר יַגִּיעַ״. אַחֲרוֹנִים הֶעֱלוּ עָפָר בְּרַגְלֵיהֶם וְלֹא מָצְאוּ מַיִם בַּנָּהָר לִשְׁתּוֹת, עַד שֶׁהֵבִיאוּ מַיִם מִמָּקוֹם אַחֵר וְשָׁתוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲנִי קַרְתִּי וְשָׁתִיתִי מָיִם וְגוֹ׳״. וְהָכְתִיב: ״וַיֵּצֵא מַלְאַךְ יהוה וַיַּכֶּה בְּמַחֲנֵה אַשּׁוּר מֵאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה אָלֶף, וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ בַבֹּקֶר וְהִנֵּה כֻלָּם פְּגָרִים מֵתִים״? אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: הַלָּלוּ רָאשֵׁי גְיָיסוֹת הֵן. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, דִּכְתִיב ״בְּמִשְׁמַנָּיו רָזוֹן״ – בִּשְׁמֵינִים דְּאִית בְּהוּ. אָמַר רָבִינָא: דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, דִּכְתִיב ״וַיִּשְׁלַח יהוה מַלְאָךְ וַיַּכְחֵד כׇּל גִּבּוֹר חַיִל וְנָגִיד וְשָׂר בְּמַחֲנֵה וְגוֹ׳ וַיָּבֹא בֵּית אֱלֹהָיו וּמִיצִיאֵי מֵעָיו שָׁם הִפִּילֻהוּ בֶחָרֶב״. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ. בַּמֶּה הִכָּם? רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: בַּיָּד הִכָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּרְא יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַיָּד הַגְּדֹלָה״. הַיָּד שֶׁעֲתִידָה לִיפָּרַע מִסַּנְחֵרִיב. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: בְּאֶצְבַּע הִכָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמְרוּ הַחַרְטֻמִּים אֶל פַּרְעֹה אֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים הִיא״. הִיא אֶצְבַּע שֶׁעֲתִידָה לִיפָּרַע מִסַּנְחֵרִיב. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּנוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְגַבְרִיאֵל: מַגָּלְךָ נְטוּשָׁה? אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, נְטוּשָׁה וְעוֹמֶדֶת מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״[מִפְּנֵי חֶרֶב נְטוּשָׁה מִפְּנֵי קֶשֶׁת דְּרוּכָה מִפְּנֵי כּוֹבֶד מִלְחָמָה] (וְגוֹ)״. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי אוֹמֵר: אוֹתוֹ הַפֶּרֶק זְמַן בִּישּׁוּל פֵּירוֹת הָיָה. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְגַבְרִיאֵל: כְּשֶׁאַתָּה יוֹצֵא לְבַשֵּׁל פֵּירוֹת, הִזָּקֵק לָהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִדֵּי עׇבְרוֹ יִקַּח אֶתְכֶם כִּי בַבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר יַעֲבֹר בַּיּוֹם וּבַלָּיְלָה וְהָיָה רַק זְוָעָה הָבִין שְׁמוּעָה וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי, אַגַּב אוֹרְחָךְ, לִבְעֵל דְּבָבָךְ אִישְׁתְּמַע. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: בְּחוֹטְמָן נָשַׁף בָּהֶן וָמֵתוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְגַם נָשַׁף בָּהֶם וַיִּבָשׁוּ״. רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר: כַּפַּיִים סָפַק לָהֶם וָמֵתוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְגַם אֲנִי אַכֶּה כַפִּי אֶל כַּפִּי וַהֲנִחֹתִי חֲמָתִי״. רַבִּי יִצְחָק נַפָּחָא אָמַר: אׇזְנַיִם גָּלָה לָהֶם וְשָׁמְעוּ שִׁירָה מִפִּי חַיּוֹת וָמֵתוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מֵרוֹמְמֻתֶךָ נָפְצוּ גּוֹיִם״. וְכַמָּה נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מֵהֶם? רַב אָמַר: עֲשָׂרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּשְׁאָר עֵץ יַעְרוֹ מִסְפָּר יִהְיוּ וְנַעַר יִכְתְּבֵם״. כַּמָּה נַעַר יָכוֹל לִכְתּוֹב? עֲשָׂרָה. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: תִּשְׁעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְנִשְׁאַר בּוֹ עוֹלֵלֹת כְּנֹקֶף זַיִת שְׁנַיִם שְׁלֹשָׁה גַּרְגְּרִים בְּרֹאשׁ אָמִיר אַרְבָּעָה חֲמִשָּׁה בִּסְעִפֶיהָ״. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר: אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״שְׁנַיִם שְׁלֹשָׁה [וְכוּ׳] אַרְבָּעָה וַחֲמִשָּׁה״. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: חֲמִשָּׁה – סַנְחֵרִיב וּשְׁנֵי בָּנָיו, נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר וּנְבוּזַּרְאֲדָן. נְבוּזַרְאֲדָן – גְּמָרָא. נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר – דִּכְתִיב: ״וְרֵוֵהּ דִּי רְבִיעָאָה דָּמֵה לְבַר אֱלָהִין״, וְאִי לָאו דְּחַזְיֵיהּ מְנָא הֲוָה יָדַע? סַנְחֵרִיב וּשְׁנֵי בָּנָיו – דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי הוּא מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה בֵּית נִסְרֹךְ אֱלֹהָיו וְאַדְרַמֶּלֶךְ וְשַׂרְאֶצֶר בָּנָיו הִכֻּהוּ בַחֶרֶב״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: אִלְמָלֵא מִקְרָא כָּתוּב, אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְאׇמְרוֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יְגַלַּח יהוה בְּתַעַר הַשְּׂכִירָה בְּעֶבְרֵי נָהָר בְּמֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר אֶת הָרֹאשׁ וְשַׂעַר הָרַגְלָיִם וְגַם אֶת הַזָּקָן תִּסְפֶּה״. אֲתָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְאִדְּמִי לֵיהּ כְּגַבְרָא סָבָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כִּי אָזְלַתְּ לְגַבֵּי מַלְכֵי מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב דְּאַיְיתִיתִינְהוּ לִבְנַיְיהוּ וּקְטַלְתִּינְהוּ, מַאי אָמְרַתְּ לְהוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַהוּא גַּבְרָא בְּהָהוּא פַּחְדָּא נָמֵי יָתֵיב. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֵיכִי נַעֲבֵיד״ אֲמַר לֵיהּ: זִיל וְשַׁנִּי נַפְשָׁךְ. בְּמַאי אֵישַׁנֵּי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: זִיל אַיְיתִי לִי מַסְפְּרָא וְאֶיגְזְיָיךְ אֲנָא. מֵהֵיכָא אַיְיתֵי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עוּל לְהָהוּא בֵּיתָא וְאַיְיתֵי. אֲזַל, אַשְׁכְּחִינְהוּ לְמַלְאֲכֵי שָׁרֵת וְאִידְּמוֹ לֵיהּ כְּגַבְרֵי, וַהֲווֹ קָא טָחֲנִי קַשְׁיָיתָא. אֲמַר לְהוּ: הַבוּ לִי מַסְפְּרָא. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: טְחוֹן חַד גְּרִיוָא דְּקַשְׁיָיתָא וְנִיתֵּן לָךְ. טְחַן חַד גְּרִיוָא דְּקַשְׁיָיתָא וִיהַבוּ לֵיהּ מַסְפַּרְתָּא. עַד דַּאֲתָא, אִיחֲשַׁךְ. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: זִיל אַיְיתִי נוּרָא. אֲזַל וְאַיְיתִי נוּרָא. בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָא נָפַח לֵיהּ, אִתְּלִי בֵּיהּ נוּרָא בְּדִיקְנֵיהּ. אֲזַל גַּזְיֵיהּ לְרֵישֵׁיהּ וְדִיקְנֵיהּ. (אֲמַרוּ): הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב ״וְגַם אֶת הַזָּקָן תִּסְפֶּה״. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא, הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: ״גָּרֵירְתֵּיהּ לְאַרְמָאָה שְׁפַר לֵיהּ, אַיתְלֵי לֵיהּ נוּרָא בְּדִיקְנֵיהּ וְלָא שָׂבְעַתְּ חוּכָא מִינֵּיהּ״. אֲזַל, אַשְׁכַּח דַּפָּא מִתֵּיבוּתָא דְּנֹחַ. אָמַר: הַיְינוּ אֱלָהָא רַבָּא דְּשֵׁיזְבֵיהּ לְנֹחַ מִטּוֹפָנָא. אֲמַר: אִי אָזֵיל הָהוּא גַּבְרָא וּמַצְלַח, מְקָרֵב לְהוּ לִתְרֵין בְּנוֹהִי קַמָּךְ. שְׁמַעוּ בְּנוֹהִי וְקַטְלוּהּ. הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי הוּא מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה בֵּית נִסְרֹךְ אֱלֹהָיו וְאַדְרַמֶּלֶךְ וְשַׂרְאֶצֶר בָּנָיו הִכֻּהוּ בַחֶרֶב וְגוֹ׳״. ״וַיֵּחָלֵק עֲלֵיהֶם לַיְלָה הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו וַיַּכֵּם וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אוֹתוֹ מַלְאָךְ שֶׁנִּזְדַּמֵּן לוֹ לְאַבְרָהָם, ״לַיְלָה״ שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהַלַּיְלָה אָמַר הֹרָה גָבֶר״. וְרַבִּי יִצְחָק נַפָּחָא אָמַר: שֶׁעָשָׂה עִמּוֹ מַעֲשֵׂה לַיְלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִן שָׁמַיִם נִלְחָמוּ הַכּוֹכָבִים מִמְּסִלּוֹתָם נִלְחֲמוּ עִם סִיסְרָא״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: טָבָא דְּנַפָּחָא מִדְּבַר נַפָּחָא. ״וַיִּרְדֹּף עַד דָּן״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא אוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק עַד דָּן, תָּשַׁשׁ כֹּחוֹ. רָאָה בְּנֵי בָּנָיו שֶׁעֲתִידִין לַעֲבוֹד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בְּדָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת הָאֶחָד בְּבֵית אֵל וְאֶת הָאֶחָד נָתַן בְּדָן״. וְאַף אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע לֹא נִתְגַּבֵּר עַד שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְדָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִדָּן נִשְׁמַע נַחְרַת סוּסָיו״. אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא: ״אַף עַל גַּב דְּשָׁלַח רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן בְּתֵירָא מִנְּצִיבִין: הִזָּהֲרוּ בְּזָקֵן שֶׁשָּׁכַח תַּלְמוּדוֹ מֵחֲמַת אוֹנְסוֹ, וְהִזָּהֲרוּ בַּוְּורִידִין כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, וְהִזָּהֲרוּ בִּבְנֵי עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ שֶׁמֵּהֶן תֵּצֵא תּוֹרָה – כִּי הָא מִילְּתָא מוֹדְעִינַן לְהוּ. ״צַדִּיק אַתָּה יהוה כִּי אָרִיב אֵלֶיךָ אַךְ מִשְׁפָּטִים אֲדַבֵּר אוֹתָךְ מַדּוּעַ דֶּרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים צָלֵחָה שָׁלוּ כׇּל בֹּגְדֵי בָגֶד. נְטַעְתָּם גַּם שֹׁרָשׁוּ יֵלְכוּ גַּם עָשׂוּ פֶרִי״. מַאי אַהְדַּרוּ לֵיהּ? ״כִּי אֶת רַגְלִים רַצְתָּה וַיַּלְאוּךָ וְאֵיךְ תְּתַחֲרֶה אֶת הַסּוּסִים וּבְאֶרֶץ שָׁלוֹם אַתָּה בוֹטֵחַ וְאֵיךְ תַּעֲשֶׂה בִּגְאוֹן הַיַּרְדֵּן״. מָשָׁל לְאָדָם אֶחָד שֶׁאָמַר: יָכוֹל אֲנִי לָרוּץ שָׁלֹשׁ פַּרְסָאוֹת לִפְנֵי הַסּוּסִים בֵּין בִּצְעֵי הַמַּיִם. נִזְדַּמֵּן לוֹ רַגְלִי אֶחָד, רָץ לְפָנָיו שְׁלֹשָׁה מִילִין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה וְנִלְאָה. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: וּמָה לִפְנֵי רַגְלִי כָּךְ, לִפְנֵי הַסּוּסִים – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. וּמָה שְׁלֹשֶׁת מִילִין כָּךְ, שָׁלֹשׁ פַּרְסָאוֹת – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. וּמָה בַּיַּבָּשָׁה כָּךְ, בֵּין בִּצְעֵי הַמַּיִם – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. אַף אַתָּה: וּמָה בִּשְׂכַר אַרְבַּע פְּסִיעוֹת שֶׁשִּׁלַּמְתִּי לְאוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע, שֶׁרָץ אַחַר כְּבוֹדִי, אַתָּה תָּמֵיהַּ? כְּשֶׁאֲנִי מְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר לְאַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב שֶׁרָצוּ לְפָנַי כְּסוּסִים – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה! הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״לַנְּבִאִים נִשְׁבַּר לִבִּי בְקִרְבִּי רָחֲפוּ כׇּל עַצְמֹתַי הָיִיתִי כְּאִישׁ שִׁכּוֹר וּכְגֶבֶר עֲבָרוֹ יָיִן מִפְּנֵי יהוה וּמִפְּנֵי דִּבְרֵי קׇדְשׁוֹ״. הָנֵי אַרְבַּע פְּסִיעוֹת מַאי הִיא? דִּכְתִיב: ״בָּעֵת הַהִיא שָׁלַח מְרֹדַךְ בַּלְאֲדָן בֶּן בַּלְאֲדָן מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל סְפָרִים וְגוֹ׳״. מִשּׁוּם ״כִּי חָלָה חִזְקִיָּהוּ וַיֶּחֱזָק״ שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ סְפָרִים וּמִנְחָה? אִין, לִדְרֹשׁ ״(אֶת) הַמּוֹפֵת אֲשֶׁר הָיָה בָאָרֶץ״. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם שֶׁמֵּת בּוֹ אָחָז שְׁתֵּי שָׁעוֹת הָיָה. וְכִי חָלָה חִזְקִיָּהוּ וְאִיתְּפַח, אַהְדְּרִינְהוּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְהָנָךְ עֲשַׂר שָׁעֵי נִיהֲלֵיהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״הִנְנִי מֵשִׁיב אֶת צֵל הַמַּעֲלוֹת אֲשֶׁר יָרְדָה בְמַעֲלוֹת אָחָז בַּשֶּׁמֶשׁ אֲחֹרַנִּית עֶשֶׂר מַעֲלוֹת וַתָּשׇׁב הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ עֶשֶׂר מַעֲלוֹת בַּמַּעֲלוֹת אֲשֶׁר יָרָדָה״. אֲמַר לְהוּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: חִזְקִיָּהוּ חֲלַשׁ וְאִיתְּפַח. אֲמַר: אִיכָּא גַּבְרָא כִּי הַאי וְלָא בָּעֵינָא לְשַׁדּוֹרֵי לֵיהּ שְׁלָמָא? כְּתַבוּ לֵיהּ: ״שְׁלָמָא לְמַלְכָּא חִזְקִיָּה, שְׁלָם לְקַרְתָּא דִּירוּשְׁלֶם, שְׁלָם לֶאֱלָהָא רַבָּא״. נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר סָפְרֵיהּ דְּבַלְאֲדָן הֲוָה. הָהִיא שַׁעְתָּא לָא הֲוָה הָתָם. כִּי אֲתָא, אֲמַר לְהוּ: הֵיכִי כָּתְבִיתוּ? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הָכִי כָּתְבִינַן. אֲמַר לְהוּ: קְרֵיתוּ לֵיהּ ״אֱלָהָא רַבָּא״ וְכָתְבִיתוּ לֵיהּ לְבַסּוֹף? אָמַר: אֶלָּא הָכִי כְּתוּבוּ: ״שְׁלָם לֶאֱלָהָא רַבָּא, שְׁלָם לְקַרְתָּא דִּירוּשְׁלֶם, שְׁלָם לְמַלְכָּא חִזְקִיָּה״. אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: קַרְיָינָא דְּאִיגַּרְתָּא אִיהוּ לֶיהֱוֵי פַּרְוַונְקָא. רְהַט בָּתְרֵיהּ, כִּדְרָהֵיט אַרְבַּע פְּסִיעוֹת, אֲתָא גַּבְרִיאֵל וְאוֹקְמֵיהּ. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אִילְמָלֵא לֹא בָּא גַּבְרִיאֵל וְהֶעֱמִידוֹ, לֹא הָיָה תַּקָּנָה לְשׂוֹנְאֵיהֶם שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל. מַאי ״בַּלְאֲדָן בֶּן בַּלְאֲדָן״? אָמְרִי: בַּלְאֲדָן מַלְכָּא הֲוָה, וְאִישְׁתַּנִּי אַפֵּיהּ וַהֲוָה כִּי דְּכַלְבָּא. הֲוָה יָתֵיב בְּרֵיהּ עַל מַלְכוּתָא. כִּי הֲוָה כָּתֵיב, הֲוָה כָּתֵיב שְׁמֵיהּ וּשְׁמֵיהּ דַּאֲבוּהּ ״בַּלְאֲדָן מַלְכָּא״. הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״בֵּן יְכַבֵּד אָב וְעֶבֶד אֲדֹנָיו״. ״בֵּן יְכַבֵּד אָב״ – הָא דַּאֲמַרַן, ״וְעֶבֶד אֲדֹנָיו״ – דִּכְתִיב: ״וּבַחֹדֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁי בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ הִיא שְׁנַת תְּשַׁע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה לַמֶּלֶךְ נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל בָּא נְבוּזַרְאֲדָן רַב טַבָּחִים עָמַד לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל בִּירוּשָׁלִָם וַיִּשְׂרֹף אֶת בֵּית יהוה וְאֶת בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ״. וּמִי סְלֵיק נְבוּכַד נֶצַּר לִירוּשָׁלַיִם? וְהָכְתִיב: ״וַיַּעֲלוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל רִבְלָתָה״, וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: זוֹ אַנְטוֹכְיָא! רַב חִסְדָּא וְרַב יִצְחָק בַּר אֲבוּדִימִי, חַד אָמַר: דְּמוּת דְּיוֹקְנוֹ הָיְתָה חֲקוּקָה לוֹ עַל מֶרְכַּבְתּוֹ, וְחַד אָמַר: אֵימָה יְתֵירָה הָיְתָה לוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ וְדוֹמֶה כְּמִי שֶׁעוֹמֵד לְפָנָיו. אָמַר רָבָא: טְעוֹן תְּלָת מְאָה כּוּדַנְיָיתָא נַרְגָּא דְפַרְזְלָא דְּשָׁלֵיט בְּפַרְזְלָא שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר לִנְבוּזַרְאֲדָן. כּוּלְּהוּ בְּלַעְתִּינְהוּ חַד דַּשָּׁא דִּירוּשְׁלֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״פִּתּוּחֶיהָ יָּחַד בְּכַשִּׁיל וְכֵילַפֹּת יַהֲלֹמוּן״. בָּעֵי לְמִיהְדַּר, אָמַר: מִסְתְּפֵינָא דְּלָא לִיעְבְּדוּ בִּי כִּי הֵיכִי דַּעֲבַדוּ בְּסַנְחֵרִיב. נָפְקָא קָלָא וְאָמַר: ״שָׁוַור בַּר שָׁוַור, נְבוּזַרְאֲדָן, שְׁוַור דִּמְטָא זִימְנָא דְּמַקְדְּשָׁא חֲרִיב וְהֵיכְלָא מִיקְּלֵי״. פָּשׁ לֵיהּ חַד נַרְגָּא. אֲתָא מַחְיֵיהּ בְּקוֹפָא, וְאִיפְּתַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִוָּדַע כְּמֵבִיא לְמָעְלָה בִּסְבׇךְ עֵץ קַרְדֻּמּוֹת״. הֲוָה קָטֵיל וְאָזֵל, עַד דִּמְטָא לְהֵיכְלָא. אַדְלֵיק בֵּיהּ נוּרָא. גְּבַהּ הֵיכְלָא. דְּרַכוּ בֵּיהּ מִן שְׁמַיָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״גַּת דָּרַךְ יהוה לִבְתוּלַת בַּת יְהוּדָה״. קָא זִיחָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ. נְפַקָא בַּת קָלָא וַאֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: עַמָּא קְטִילָא קָטְלַתְּ, הֵיכְלָא קַלְיָא קְלֵית, קִימְחָא טְחִינָא טְחֵינְתְּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״קְחִי רֵחַיִם וְטַחֲנִי קָמַח גַּלִּי צַמָּתֵךְ חֶשְׂפִּי שֹׁבֶל גַּלִּי שׁוֹק עִבְרִי נְהָרוֹת״. ״חִטִּים״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״קֶמַח״. חֲזָא דְּמֵיהּ דִּזְכַרְיָה דַּהֲוָה קָא רָתַח. אָמַר לְהוּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: דַּם זְבָחִים הוּא דְּאִישְׁתְּפִיךְ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: אַיְיתֵי וַאֲנַסֵּי אִי מִדְּמוּ. כַּסִּי וְלָא אִידְּמוֹ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: גַּלּוֹ לִי, וְאִי לָא סָרֵיקְנָא לְכוּ לְבִשְׂרַיְיכוּ בְּמַסְרֵיקָא דְּפַרְזְלָא. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הַאי כֹּהֵן וְנָבִיא הוּא, דְּאִינַּבִּי לְהוּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּחוּרְבָּנָא דִּירוּשְׁלֶם, וְקַטְלוּהּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: אֲנָא מְפַיֵּיסְנָא לֵיהּ. אַיְיתִי רַבָּנַן, קָטֵיל עִילָּוֵיהּ, וְלָא נָח. אַיְיתִי דַּרְדַּקֵּי דְּבֵי רַב, קָטֵיל עִילָּוֵיהּ, וְלָא נָח. אַיְיתִי פִּרְחֵי כְהוּנָּה, קָטֵיל עִילָּוֵיהּ, וְלָא נָח. עַד דִּי קְטַל עִילָּוֵיהּ תִּשְׁעִין וְאַרְבְּעָה רִיבּוֹא, וְלָא נָח. קְרַב לְגַבֵּיהּ, אֲמַר: זְכַרְיָה, זְכַרְיָה, טוֹבִים שֶׁבָּהֶן אִיבַּדְתִּים. נִיחָא לָךְ דְּאֶיקְטְלִינְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ? מִיָּד נָח. הַרְהַר תְּשׁוּבָה בְּדַעְתֵּיהּ, אֲמַר: מָה הֵם שֶׁלֹּא אִיבְּדוּ אֶלָּא נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת כָּךְ, הָהוּא גַּבְרָא מָה תֶּיהְוֵי עֲלֵיהּ? עֲרַק, שַׁדַּר פּוּרְטֵיתָא לְבֵיתֵיהּ, וְאִיתְגַּיַּיר. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: נַעֲמָן - גֵּר תּוֹשָׁב הָיָה, נְבוּזַר אֲדָן - גֵּר צֶדֶק הָיָה. מִבְּנֵי בָנָיו שֶׁל סִיסְרָא לִמְּדוּ תּוֹרָה בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, מִבְּנֵי בָנָיו שֶׁל סַנְחֵרִיב לִימְּדוּ תּוֹרָה בָּרַבִּים. וּמַאן נִינְהוּ? שְׁמַעְיָה וְאַבְטַלְיוֹן. מִבְּנֵי בָּנָיו שֶׁל הָמָן לִמְּדוּ תּוֹרָה בִּבְנֵי בְּרָק. וְאַף מִבְּנֵי בָּנָיו שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע בִּיקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהִכְנִיסָן תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה. אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מִי שֶׁהֶחֱרִיב אֶת בֵּיתְךָ וְשָׂרַף אֶת הֵיכָלֶךָ תַּכְנִיס תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה? הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״רִפִּינוּ אֶת בָּבֶל וְלֹא נִרְפָּתָה״. עוּלָּא אָמַר: זֶה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר. רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר: אֵלּוּ נַהֲרוֹת בָּבֶל, וְתַרְגֻּמַהּ: צִינְיָיתָא צְרִידָתָא דְּבַבְלָאֵי. אָמַר עוּלָּא: עַמּוֹן וּמוֹאָב שִׁיבָבֵי בִּישֵׁי דִּירוּשְׁלֶם הֲווֹ. כֵּיוָן דְּשַׁמְעִינְהוּ לִנְבִיאֵי דְּקָא מִיתְנַבְּאִי לְחוּרְבָּנָא דִּירוּשְׁלֶם, שְׁלַחוּ לִנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר: פּוֹק וְתָא. אָמַר: מִסְתְּפֵינָא דְּלָא לִיעְבְּדוּ לִי כְּדַעֲבַדוּ בְּקַמָּאֵי. שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ: ״כִּי אֵין הָאִישׁ בְּבֵיתוֹ הָלַךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ מֵרָחוֹק״, וְאֵין אִישׁ אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״ה׳ אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה״. שְׁלַח לְהוּ: בְּקָרִיבָא הוּא וְאָתֵי. שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ: ״הָלַךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ מֵרָחוֹק״. שְׁלַח לְהוּ: אִית לְהוּ צַדִּיקֵי דְּבָעוּ רַחֲמֵי וּמַיְיתוּ לֵיהּ. שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ: ״צְרוֹר הַכֶּסֶף לָקַח בְּיָדוֹ״, וְאֵין כֶּסֶף אֶלָּא צַדִּיקִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וָאֶכְּרֶהָ לִּי בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר כָּסֶף וְחֹמֶר שְׂעֹרִים וְלֵתֶךְ שְׂעֹרִים״. שְׁלַח לְהוּ: הָדְרִי רַשִּׁיעֵי בִּתְשׁוּבָה, וּבָעוּ רַחֲמֵי וּמַיְיתוּ לֵיהּ. שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ: כְּבָר קָבַע לָהֶן זְמַן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״לְיוֹם הַכֶּסֶא יָבֹא בֵּיתוֹ״. אֵין כֶּסֶא אֶלָּא זְמַן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״בַּכֵּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ״. שְׁלַח לְהוּ: סִיתְוָוא הוּא, וְלָא מָצֵינָא דְּאָתֵי מִתַּלְגָא וּמִמִּיטְרָא. שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ: תָּא אַשִּׁינָּא דְּטוּרָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שִׁלְחוּ כַר מוֹשֵׁל אֶרֶץ מִסֶּלַע מִדְבָּרָה אֶל הַר בַּת צִיּוֹן״. שְׁלַח לְהוּ: אִי אָתֵינָא, לֵית לִי דּוּכְתָּא דְּיָתֵיבְנָא בֵּיהּ. שְׁלַחוּ לֵיהּ: קְבָרוֹת שֶׁלָּהֶם מְעוּלִּין מִפַּלְטֵירִין שֶׁלְּךָ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בָּעֵת הַהִיא נְאֻם יהוה יוֹצִיאוּ אֶת עַצְמוֹת מַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה וְאֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׂרָיו וְאֶת עַצְמוֹת הַכֹּהֲנִים וְאֵת עַצְמוֹת הַנְּבִיאִים וְאֵת עַצְמוֹת יוֹשְׁבֵי יְרוּשָׁלִָים מִקִּבְרֵיהֶם וּשְׁטָחוּם לַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְלַיָּרֵחַ וּלְכֹל צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם אֲשֶׁר אֲהֵבוּם וַאֲשֶׁר עֲבָדוּם וַאֲשֶׁר הָלְכוּ אַחֲרֵיהֶם״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב נַחְמָן לְרַבִּי יִצְחָק: מִי שְׁמִיעַ לָךְ אֵימַת אָתֵי בַּר נַפְלֵי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאן בַּר נַפְלֵי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מָשִׁיחַ. מָשִׁיחַ בַּר נַפְלֵי קָרֵית לֵיהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִין, דִּכְתִיב ״בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אָקִים אֶת סֻכַּת דָּוִיד הַנֹּפֶלֶת״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: דּוֹר שֶׁבֶּן דָּוִד בָּא בּוֹ, תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים מִתְמַעֲטִים, וְהַשְּׁאָר עֵינֵיהֶם כָּלוֹת בְּיָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה, וְצָרוֹת רַבּוֹת וּגְזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת מִתְחַדְּשׁוֹת, עַד שֶׁהָרִאשׁוֹנָה פְּקוּדָה, שְׁנִיָּה מְמַהֶרֶת לָבֹא. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שָׁבוּעַ שֶׁבֶּן דָּוִד בָּא בּוֹ, שָׁנָה רִאשׁוֹנָה מִתְקַיֵּים מִקְרָא זֶה ״וְהִמְטַרְתִּי עַל עִיר אֶחָת וְעַל עִיר אַחַת לֹא אַמְטִיר״. שְׁנִיָּה, חִיצֵּי רָעָב מִשְׁתַּלְּחִים. שְׁלִישִׁית, רָעָב גָּדוֹל, וּמֵתִים אֲנָשִׁים וְנָשִׁים וָטַף, חֲסִידִים וְאַנְשֵׁי מַעֲשֶׂה, וְתוֹרָה מִשְׁתַּכַּחַת מִלּוֹמְדֶיהָ. בִּרְבִיעִית, שׂוֹבַע וְאֵינוֹ שׂוֹבַע. בַּחֲמִישִׁית, שׂוֹבַע גָּדוֹל, וְאוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין וּשְׂמֵחִין, וְתוֹרָה חוֹזֶרֶת לְלוֹמְדֶיהָ. בְּשִׁשִּׁית, קוֹלוֹת. בִּשְׁבִיעִית, מִלְחָמוֹת. בְּמוֹצָאֵי שְׁבִיעִית, בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: הָא כַּמָּה שָׁבוּעֵי דַּהֲוָה כֵּן, וְלָא אֲתָא! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בְּשִׁשִּׁית קוֹלוֹת, בִּשְׁבִיעִית מִלְחָמוֹת – מִי הֲוָה? וְעוֹד, כְּסִדְרָן מִי הֲוָה? ״אֲשֶׁר חֵרְפוּ אוֹיְבֶיךָ יהוה אֲשֶׁר חֵרְפוּ עִקְּבוֹת מְשִׁיחֶךָ״. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, דּוֹר שֶׁבֶּן דָּוִד בָּא בּוֹ – בֵּית הַוַּועַד יִהְיֶה לִזְנוּת, וְהַגָּלִיל יֶחֱרַב, וְהַגַּבְלָן יֵאשַׁם, וְאַנְשֵׁי גְבוּל יְסוֹבְבוּ מֵעִיר לָעִיר וְלֹא יְחוֹנָנוּ, וְחׇכְמַת הַסּוֹפְרִים תִּסְרַח, וְיִרְאֵי חֵטְא יִמָּאֵסוּ, וּפְנֵי הַדּוֹר כִּפְנֵי כֶלֶב. ״וְהָאֱמֶת נֶעְדֶּרֶת״, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַתְּהִי הָאֱמֶת נֶעְדֶּרֶת וְסָר מֵרָע מִשְׁתּוֹלֵל״. מַאי ״וַתְּהִי הָאֱמֶת נֶעְדֶּרֶת״? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַב: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁנַּעֲשֵׂית עֲדָרִים עֲדָרִים וְהוֹלֶכֶת לָהּ. מַאי ״וְסָר מֵרָע מִשְׁתּוֹלֵל״? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי שֵׁילָא: כׇּל מִי שֶׁסָּר מֵרָע מִשְׁתּוֹלֵל עַל הַבְּרִיּוֹת. אָמַר רָבָא: מֵרֵישׁ הֲוָה אָמֵינָא, לֵיכָּא קוּשְׁטָא בְּעָלְמָא. אֲמַר לִי הָהוּא מֵרַבָּנַן, וְרַב טָבוּת שְׁמֵיהּ – וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַב טָבְיוֹמֵי שְׁמֵיהּ – דְּאִי הֲווֹ יָהֲבִי לֵיהּ כֹּל חֲלָלֵי דְּעָלְמָא לָא הֲוָה מְשַׁנֵּי בְּדִיבּוּרֵיהּ. זִימְנָא חֲדָא אִיקְּלַעִי לְהָהוּא אַתְרָא, וְקוּשְׁטָא שְׁמֵיהּ, וְלָא הֲווֹ מְשַׁנֵּי בְּדִיבּוּרַיְיהוּ, וְלָא הֲוָה מָיֵית אִינִישׁ מֵהָתָם בְּלָא זִימְנֵיהּ. נְסֵיבִי אִיתְּתָא מִינְּהוֹן, וַהֲווֹ לִי תְּרֵין בְּנִין מִינַּהּ. יוֹמָא חַד הֲוָה יָתְבָא דְּבֵיתְהוּ וְקָא חָיְיפָא רֵישָׁא. אֲתַאי שִׁיבָבְתַהּ, טְרַפָא אַדַּשָּׁא. סְבַרִי: לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא. אֲמַרִי לַהּ: לֵיתַהּ הָכָא. שְׁכִיבוּ לֵיהּ תְּרֵין בְּנֵיהּ. אֲתוֹ אִינָשֵׁי דְּאַתְרָא לְקַמֵּיהּ, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַר לְהוּ: הָכִי הֲוָה מַעֲשֶׂה. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: בְּמָטוּתָא מִינָּךְ, פּוֹק מֵאַתְרִין וְלָא תְּגָרֵי בְּהוּ מוֹתָנָא בְּהָנָךְ אִינָשֵׁי. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר, דּוֹר שֶׁבֶּן דָּוִד בָּא בּוֹ – נְעָרִים יַלְבִּינוּ פְּנֵי זְקֵנִים, וּזְקֵנִים יַעַמְדוּ לִפְנֵי נְעָרִים, וּבַת קָמָה בְּאִמָּהּ, וְכַלָּה בַּחֲמוֹתָהּ, וּפְנֵי הַדּוֹר כִּפְנֵי כֶלֶב, וְאֵין הַבֵּן מִתְבַּיֵּישׁ מֵאָבִיו. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה אוֹמֵר, דּוֹר שֶׁבֶּן דָּוִד בָּא בּוֹ, הָעַזּוּת תִּרְבֶּה, וְהַיּוֹקָר יְעַוֵּת, וְהַגֶּפֶן יִתֵּן פִּרְיוֹ וְהַיַּיִן בְּיוֹקֶר, וְנֶהֱפָכָה כׇּל הַמַּלְכוּת לְמִינוּת, וְאֵין תּוֹכֵחָה. מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי יִצְחָק, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁתִּתְהַפֵּךְ כׇּל הַמַּלְכוּת לְמִינוּת. אָמַר רָבָא: מַאי קְרָא? ״כֻּלּוֹ הָפַךְ לָבָן טָהוֹר הוּא״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״כִּי יָדִין יהוה עַמּוֹ [וְגוֹ׳] כִּי יִרְאֶה כִּי אָזְלַת יָד וְאֶפֶס עָצוּר וְעָזוּב״. אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁיִּרְבּוּ הַמָּסוֹרוֹת. דָּבָר אַחֵר: עַד שֶׁיִּתְמַעֲטוּ הַתַּלְמִידִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: עַד שֶׁתִּכְלֶה פְּרוּטָה מִן הַכִּיס. דָּבָר אַחֵר: עַד שֶׁיִּתְיָיאֲשׁוּ מִן הַגְּאוּלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֶפֶס עָצוּר וְעָזוּב״ – כִּבְיָכוֹל אֵין סוֹמֵךְ וְעוֹזֵר לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. כִּי הָא דְּרַבִּי זֵירָא, כִּי הֲוָה מַשְׁכַּח רַבָּנַן דְּמִעַסְּקִי בֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לְהוּ: בְּמָטוּתָא, בָּעֵינָא מִנַּיְיכוּ לָא תְּרַחֲקוּהּ, דִּתְנֵינָא: שְׁלֹשָׁה בָּאִין בְּהֶיסַּח הַדַּעַת, אֵלּוּ הֵן: מָשִׁיחַ, מְצִיאָה, וְעַקְרָב. אָמַר רַב קַטִּינָא: שֵׁית אַלְפֵי שְׁנֵי הָוֵי עָלְמָא, וְחַד חָרוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְנִשְׂגַּב יהוה לְבַדּוֹ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא״. אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: תְּרֵי חָרוּב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יְחַיֵּינוּ מִיֹּמָיִם בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי יְקִמֵנוּ וְנִחְיֶה לְפָנָיו״. תַּנְיָא כְּוָתֵיהּ דְּרַב קַטִּינָא: כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהַשְּׁבִיעִית מְשַׁמֶּטֶת שָׁנָה אַחַת לְשֶׁבַע שָׁנִים, כָּךְ הָעוֹלָם מְשַׁמֵּט אֶלֶף שָׁנִים לְשִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְנִשְׂגַּב יהוה לְבַדּוֹ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא״, וְאוֹמֵר: ״מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת״ – יוֹם שֶׁכּוּלּוֹ שַׁבָּת. וְאוֹמֵר: ״כִּי אֶלֶף שָׁנִים בְּעֵינֶיךָ כְּיוֹם אֶתְמוֹל כִּי יַעֲבֹר״. תָּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: שֵׁשֶׁת אֲלָפִים שָׁנָה הָוֵי עָלְמָא, שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים תּוֹהוּ, שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים תּוֹרָה, שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ. וּבַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁרַבּוּ, יָצְאוּ מֵהֶם מָה שֶׁיֵּצְאוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אֵלִיָּהוּ לְרַב יְהוּדָה אֲחוּהּ דְּרַב סַלָּא חֲסִידָא: אֵין הָעוֹלָם פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁמוֹנִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה יוֹבְלוֹת, וּבַיּוֹבֵל הָאַחֲרוֹן בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בִּתְחִילָּתוֹ אוֹ בְּסוֹפוֹ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ. כָּלֶה אוֹ אֵינוֹ כָּלֶה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ. רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: הָכִי אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עַד הָכָא לָא תִּיסְתַּכֵּי לֵיהּ, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ אִיסְתַּכֵּי לֵיהּ. שְׁלַח לֵיהּ רַב חָנָן בַּר תַּחְלִיפָא לְרַב יוֹסֵף: מָצָאתִי אָדָם אֶחָד וּבְיָדוֹ מְגִילָּה אַחַת כְּתוּבָה אַשּׁוּרִית וּלְשׁוֹן קֹדֶשׁ. אָמַרְתִּי לוֹ: זוֹ מִנַּיִין לָךְ? אָמַר לִי: לַחֲיָילוֹת שֶׁל רוֹמִי נִשְׂכַּרְתִּי וּבֵין גִּינְזֵי רוֹמִי מְצָאתִיהָ. וְכָתוּב בָּהּ: לְאַחַר אַרְבַּעַת אֲלָפִים וּמָאתַיִם וְתִשְׁעִים וְאֶחָד שָׁנָה לִבְרִיאָתוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, הָעוֹלָם יִתּוֹם. מֵהֶן מִלְחֲמוֹת תַּנִּינִים, מֵהֶן מִלְחָמוֹת גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג, וּשְׁאָר יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ. וְאֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְחַדֵּשׁ אֶת עוֹלָמוֹ אֶלָּא לְאַחַר שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים שָׁנָה. רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא אָמַר: לְאַחַר חֲמֵשֶׁת אֲלָפִים שָׁנָה אִיתְּמַר. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר, מִקְרָא זֶה נוֹקֵב וְיוֹרֵד עַד תְּהוֹם: ״כִּי עוֹד חֲזוֹן לַמּוֹעֵד וְיָפֵחַ לַקֵּץ וְלֹא יְכַזֵּב אִם יִתְמַהְמָהּ חַכֵּה לוֹ כִּי בֹא יָבֹא לֹא יְאַחֵר״. לֹא כְּרַבּוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁהָיוּ דּוֹרְשִׁין: ״עַד עִדָּן עִדָּנִין וּפְלַג עִדָּן״. וְלָא כְּרַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי, שֶׁהָיָה דּוֹרֵשׁ: ״הֶאֱכַלְתָּם לֶחֶם דִּמְעָה וַתַּשְׁקֵמוֹ בִּדְמָעוֹת שְׁלִישׁ״. וְלָא כְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא, שֶׁהָיָה דּוֹרֵשׁ: ״עוֹד אַחַת מְעַט הִיא וַאֲנִי מַרְעִישׁ אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת הָאָרֶץ״. אֶלָּא מַלְכוּת רִאשׁוֹנָה – שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, מַלְכוּת שְׁנִיָּה – חֲמִשִּׁים וּשְׁתַּיִם, וּמַלְכוּת בֶּן כּוֹזֵיבָא – שְׁתֵּי שָׁנִים וּמֶחֱצָה. מַאי ״וְיָפֵחַ לַקֵּץ וְלֹא יְכַזֵּב״? אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: תִּיפַּח עַצְמָן שֶׁל מְחַשְּׁבֵי קִיצִּין, שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ (אֶת) הַקֵּץ וְלֹא בָּא – שׁוּב אֵינוֹ בָּא. אֶלָּא חַכֵּה לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִם יִתְמַהְמָהּ חַכֵּה לוֹ״. שֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר: אָנוּ מְחַכִּין וְהוּא אֵינוֹ מְחַכֶּה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וְלָכֵן יְחַכֶּה יהוה לַחֲנַנְכֶם וְלָכֵן יָרוּם לְרַחֶמְכֶם״. וְכִי מֵאַחַר שֶׁאָנוּ מְחַכִּים, וְהוּא מְחַכֶּה, מִי מְעַכֵּב? מִדַּת הַדִּין מְעַכֶּבֶת. וְכִי מֵאַחַר שֶׁמִּדַּת הַדִּין מְעַכֶּבֶת, אָנוּ לָמָּה מְחַכִּין? לְקַבֵּל שָׂכָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַשְׁרֵי כׇּל חוֹכֵי לוֹ״. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לָא פָּחֵית עָלְמָא מִתְּלָתִין וְשִׁיתָּא צַדִּיקֵי דִּמְקַבְּלִי אַפֵּי שְׁכִינָה בְּכֹל דָּרָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״אַשְׁרֵי כׇּל חוֹכֵי לוֹ״ – ״לוֹ״ בְּגִימַטְרִיָּא תְּלָתִין וְשִׁיתָּא הָווּ. אִינִי? וְהָאָמַר רָבָא: דָּרָא דְּקַמֵּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא תַּמְנֵי סְרֵי אַלְפֵי פַּרְסָה הָוֵאי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״סָבִיב שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר אָלֶף״! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דְּמִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאִיסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה, הָא דְּמִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּאִיסְפַּקְלַרְיָא שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְאִירָה. וּמִי נְפִישִׁי כּוּלֵּי הַאי? וְהָאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: רָאִיתִי בְּנֵי עֲלִיָּיה וְהֵן מוּעָטִין. אִם אֶלֶף הֵם – אֲנִי וּבְנִי מֵהֶם, אִם מֵאָה הֵם – אֲנִי וּבְנִי מֵהֶם, אִם שְׁנַיִם הֵם – אֲנִי וּבְנִי הֵם. לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא דְּעָיְילִי בְּבַר, הָא דְּעָיְילִי בְּלָא בַּר. אָמַר רַב: כָּלוּ כׇּל הַקִּיצִּין, וְאֵין הַדָּבָר תָּלוּי אֶלָּא בִּתְשׁוּבָה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: דַּיּוֹ לָאָבֵל שֶׁיַּעֲמוֹד בְּאֶבְלוֹ. כְּתַנָּאֵי: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין תְּשׁוּבָה – נִגְאָלִין, וְאִם לָאו – אֵין נִגְאָלִין. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: אִם אֵין עוֹשִׂין תְּשׁוּבָה אֵין נִגְאָלִין? אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַעֲמִיד לָהֶן מֶלֶךְ שֶׁגְּזֵרוֹתָיו קָשׁוֹת כְּהָמָן, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין תְּשׁוּבָה וּמַחְזִירָן לְמוּטָב. תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין תְּשׁוּבָה – נִגְאָלִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שׁוּבוּ בָּנִים שׁוֹבָבִים אֶרְפָּא מְשׁוּבֹתֵיכֶם״. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר: ״חִנָּם נִמְכַּרְתֶּם וְלֹא בְכֶסֶף תִּגָּאֵלוּ״? ״חִנָּם נִמְכַּרְתֶּם״ – בַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, ״וְלֹא בְּכֶסֶף תִּגָּאֵלוּ״ – לֹא בִּתְשׁוּבָה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר לְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״שׁוּבוּ אֵלַי וְאָשׁוּבָה אֲלֵיכֶם״? אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״כִּי אָנֹכִי בָּעַלְתִּי בָכֶם וְלָקַחְתִּי אֶתְכֶם אֶחָד מֵעִיר וּשְׁנַיִם מִמִּשְׁפָּחָה וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם צִיּוֹן״? אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״בְּשׁוּבָה וָנַחַת תִּוָּשֵׁעוּן״? אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״כֹּה אָמַר יהוה גֹּאֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל קְדוֹשׁוֹ לִבְזֹה נֶפֶשׁ לִמְתָעֵב גּוֹי לְעֶבֶד מֹשְׁלִים מְלָכִים יִרְאוּ וָקָמוּ שָׂרִים וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ״? אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״אִם תָּשׁוּב יִשְׂרָאֵל נְאֻם יהוה אֵלַי תָּשׁוּב״? אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״וָאֶשְׁמַע אֶת הָאִישׁ לְבוּשׁ הַבַּדִּים אֲשֶׁר מִמַּעַל לְמֵימֵי הַיְאֹר וַיָּרֶם יְמִינוֹ וּשְׂמֹאלוֹ אֶל הַשָּׁמַיִם וַיִּשָּׁבַע בְּחֵי הָעוֹלָם כִּי לְמוֹעֵד מוֹעֲדִים וָחֵצִי וּכְכַלּוֹת נַפֵּץ יַד עַם קֹדֶשׁ תִּכְלֶינָה כׇל אֵלֶּה וְגוֹ׳״? וְשָׁתַק רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר. וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא: אֵין לְךָ קֵץ מְגוּלֶּה מִזֶּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאַתֶּם הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַנְפְּכֶם תִּתֵּנוּ וּפֶרְיְכֶם תִּשְׂאוּ לְעַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגוֹ׳״. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: אַף מִזֶּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לִפְנֵי הַיָּמִים הָהֵם שְׂכַר הָאָדָם לֹא נִהְיָה וּשְׂכַר הַבְּהֵמָה אֵינֶנָּה וְלַיּוֹצֵא וְלַבָּא אֵין שָׁלוֹם מִן הַצָּר״. מַאי ״לַיּוֹצֵא וְלַבָּא אֵין שָׁלוֹם מִן הַצָּר״? רַב אָמַר: אַף תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, שֶׁכָּתוּב בָּהֶם שָׁלוֹם, דִּכְתִיב ״שָׁלוֹם רָב לְאֹהֲבֵי תוֹרָתֶךָ״, אֵין שָׁלוֹם מִפְּנֵי צָר. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ כׇּל הַשְּׁעָרִים כּוּלָּן שְׁקוּלִין. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁיִּתְבַּקֵּשׁ דָּג [קָטָן] לְחוֹלֶה וְלֹא יִמָּצֵא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָז אַשְׁקִיעַ מֵימֵיהֶם וְנַהֲרוֹתָם כַּשֶּׁמֶן אוֹלִיךְ״, וּכְתִיב בָּתְרֵיהּ: ״בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אַצְמִיחַ קֶרֶן לְבֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל״. אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בַּר חֲנִינָא: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁתִּכְלֶה מַלְכוּת הַזָּלָה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְכָרַת הַזַּלְזַלִּים בַּמַּזְמֵרוֹת״, וּכְתִיב בָּתְרֵיהּ: ״בָּעֵת הַהִיא יוּבַל שַׁי לַיהוה צְבָאוֹת עַם מְמֻשָּׁךְ וּמוֹרָט״. אָמַר זְעֵירִי אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁיִּכְלוּ גַּסֵּי הָרוּחַ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי אָז אָסִיר מִקִּרְבֵּךְ עַלִּיזֵי גַּאֲוָתֵךְ״, וּכְתִיב: ״וְהִשְׁאַרְתִּי בְקִרְבֵּךְ עַם עָנִי וָדָל וְחָסוּ בְּשֵׁם ה׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁיִּכְלוּ כׇּל שׁוֹפְטִים וְשׁוֹטְרִים מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאָשִׁיבָה יָדִי עָלַיִךְ וְאֶצְרֹף כַּבֹּר סִיגָיִךְ וְגוֹ׳ וְאָשִׁיבָה שֹׁפְטַיִךְ״. אָמַר עוּלָּא: אֵין יְרוּשָׁלָיִם נִפְדֵּית אֶלָּא בִּצְדָקָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״צִיּוֹן בְּמִשְׁפָּט תִּפָּדֶה וְשָׁבֶיהָ בִּצְדָקָה״. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: אִי בָּטְלִי יְהִירֵי – בָּטְלִי אַמְגּוּשֵׁי, אִי בָּטְלִי דַּיָּינֵי – בָּטְלִי גְּזִירְפָּטֵי. אִי בָּטְלִי יְהִירֵי בָּטְלִי אַמְגּוּשֵׁי, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאֶצְרֹף כַּבֹּר סִיגָיִךְ וְאָסִירָה כׇּל בְּדִילָיִךְ״. וְאִי בָּטְלִי דַּיָּינֵי בָּטְלִי גְּזִירְפָּטֵי, דִּכְתִיב: ״הֵסִיר יהוה מִשְׁפָּטַיִךְ פִּנָּה אֹיְבֵךְ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אִם רָאִיתָ דּוֹר שֶׁמִּתְמַעֵט וְהוֹלֵךְ, חַכֵּה לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֶת עַם עָנִי תּוֹשִׁיעַ וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אִם רָאִיתָ דּוֹר שֶׁצָּרוֹת רַבּוֹת בָּאוֹת עָלָיו כַּנָּהָר, חַכֵּה לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי יָבֹא כַנָּהָר צָר רוּחַ יהוה נֹסְסָה בוֹ״, וּסְמִיךְ לֵיהּ: ״וּבָא לְצִיּוֹן גּוֹאֵל״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא אֶלָּא בְּדוֹר שֶׁכּוּלּוֹ זַכַּאי, אוֹ כּוּלּוֹ חַיָּיב. בְּדוֹר שֶׁכּוּלּוֹ זַכַּאי – דִּכְתִיב: ״וְעַמֵּךְ כֻּלָּם צַדִּיקִים לְעוֹלָם יִירְשׁוּ אָרֶץ״. בְּדוֹר שֶׁכּוּלּוֹ חַיָּיב – דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּרְא כִּי אֵין אִישׁ וַיִּשְׁתּוֹמֵם כִּי אֵין מַפְגִּיעַ״, וּכְתִיב: ״לְמַעֲנִי אֶעֱשֶׂה״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִי: רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי רָמֵי, כְּתִיב ״בְּעִתָּהּ״ וּכְתִיב ״אֲחִישֶׁנָּה״. זָכוּ – אֲחִישֶׁנָּה, לֹא זָכוּ – בְּעִתָּהּ. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִי: רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי רָמֵי, כְּתִיב: ״וַאֲרוּ עִם עֲנָנֵי שְׁמַיָּא כְּבַר אֱנָשׁ אָתֵה״, וּכְתִיב: ״עָנִי וְרֹכֵב עַל חֲמוֹר״. זָכוּ – עִם עֲנָנֵי שְׁמַיָּא, לֹא זָכוּ – עָנִי וְרוֹכֵב עַל חֲמוֹר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ שַׁבּוּר מַלְכָּא לִשְׁמוּאֵל: אָמְרִיתוּ מָשִׁיחַ עַל חַמְרָא אָתֵי? אֵישַׁדַּר לֵיהּ סוּסְיָא בָּרְקָא דְּאִית לִי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִי אִית לָךְ בַּר חֵיוַר גַּוְונֵי? רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אַשְׁכַּח לְאֵלִיָּהוּ דַּהֲוָה קָאֵי אַפִּיתְחָא דִּמְעָרְתָּא דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַאי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אָתֵינָא לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִם יִרְצֶה אָדוֹן הַזֶּה. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: שְׁנַיִם רָאִיתִי וְקוֹל שְׁלֹשָׁה שָׁמַעְתִּי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵימַת אָתֵי מָשִׁיחַ? אָמַר לֵיהּ: זִיל שַׁיְילֵיהּ לְדִידֵיהּ. וְהֵיכָא יָתֵיב? אַפִּיתְחָא דְּרוֹמִי. וּמַאי סִימָנֵיהּ? יָתֵיב בֵּינֵי עַנְיֵי סוֹבְלֵי חֳלָאִים, וְכוּלָּן שָׁרוּ וְאָסְירִי בְּחַד זִימְנָא, אִיהוּ שָׁרֵי חַד וְאָסַיר חַד. אָמַר: דִּילְמָא מִבְּעֵינָא דְּלָא אִיעַכַּב. אֲזַל לְגַבֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שָׁלוֹם עָלֶיךָ רַבִּי וּמוֹרִי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שָׁלוֹם עָלֶיךָ בַּר לֵיוַאי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לְאֵימַת אָתֵי מָר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַיּוֹם. אֲתָא לְגַבֵּי אֵלִיָּהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי אֲמַר לָךְ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שָׁלוֹם עָלֶיךָ בַּר לֵיוַאי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַבְטְחָךְ לָךְ וְלַאֲבוּךְ לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שַׁקּוֹרֵי קָא שַׁקַּר בִּי, דַּאֲמַר לִי ״הַיּוֹם אָתֵינָא״ וְלָא אֲתָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָכִי אָמַר לָךְ: ״הַיּוֹם אִם בְּקֹלוֹ תִשְׁמָעוּ״. שָׁאֲלוּ תַּלְמִידָיו אֶת רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן קִיסְמָא: אֵימָתַי בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא? אָמַר: מִתְיָירֵא אֲנִי שֶׁמָּא תְּבַקְּשׁוּ מִמֶּנִּי אוֹת. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֵין אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁין מִמְּךָ אוֹת. אָמַר לָהֶם: לִכְשֶׁיִּפּוֹל הַשַּׁעַר הַזֶּה, וְיִבָּנֶה, וְיִפּוֹל וְיִבָּנֶה, וְיִפּוֹל, וְאֵין מַסְפִּיקִין לִבְנוֹתוֹ עַד שֶׁבֶּן דָּוִד בָּא. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: רַבֵּינוּ, תֵּן לָנוּ אוֹת! אָמַר לָהֶם: וְלֹא כָּךְ אֲמַרְתֶּם לִי שֶׁאֵין אַתֶּם מְבַקְּשִׁין מִמֶּנִּי אוֹת? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵן. אָמַר לָהֶם: אִם כָּךְ, יֵהָפְכוּ מֵי מְעָרַת פַּמְיָיס לְדָם. וְנֶהֶפְכוּ לְדָם. בִּשְׁעַת פְּטִירָתוֹ, אָמַר לָהֶן: הַעֲמִיקוּ לִי אֲרוֹנִי, שֶׁאֵין כׇּל דֶּקֶל וָדֶקֶל שֶׁבְּבָבֶל, שֶׁאֵין סוּס שֶׁל פָּרְסִיִּים נִקְשָׁר בּוֹ, וְאֵין לָךְ כׇּל אָרוֹן וְאָרוֹן שֶׁבְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁאֵין סוּס מָדִי אוֹכֵל בּוֹ תֶּבֶן. אָמַר רַב: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁתִּתְפַּשֵּׁט מַלְכוּת הָרְשָׁעָה עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל תִּשְׁעָה חֳדָשִׁים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָכֵן יִתְּנֵם עַד עֵת יוֹלֵדָה יָלָדָה וְיֶתֶר אֶחָיו יְשׁוּבוּן עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״. אָמַר עוּלָּא: יֵיתֵי וְלָא אִיחְמִינֵיהּ. וְכֵן אָמַר [רַבָּה]: יֵיתֵי וְלָא אִיחְמִינֵיהּ. רַב יוֹסֵף אָמַר: יֵיתֵי וְאֶזְכֵּי דְּאֵיתֵיב בְּטוּלָּא דְּכוּפִיתָא דַּחֲמָרֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַבָּה: מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם חֶבְלוֹ שֶׁל מָשִׁיחַ? וְהָתַנְיָא: שָׁאֲלוּ תַּלְמִידָיו אֶת רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: מָה יַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם וְיִנָּצֵל מֵחֶבְלוֹ שֶׁל מָשִׁיחַ? יַעֲסוֹק בְּתוֹרָה וּבִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים. וּמָר – הָא תּוֹרָה וְהָא גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שֶׁמָּא יִגְרוֹם הַחֵטְא, כִּדְרַבִּי יַעֲקֹב בַּר אִידִי, דְּרַבִּי יַעֲקֹב בַּר אִידִי רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״וְהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי עִמָּךְ וּשְׁמַרְתִּיךָ בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ״, וּכְתִיב ״וַיִּירָא יַעֲקֹב מְאֹד וַיֵּצֶר לוֹ״. שֶׁהָיָה מִתְיָירֵא שֶׁמָּא יִגְרוֹם הַחֵטְא, כִּדְתַנְיָא: ״עַד יַעֲבֹר עַמְּךָ ה׳״ – זוֹ בִּיאָה רִאשׁוֹנָה, ״עַד יַעֲבֹר עַם זוּ קָנִית״ – זוֹ בִּיאָה שְׁנִיָּה. אֱמוֹר מֵעַתָּה: רְאוּיִים הָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהֶם נֵס בְּבִיאָה שְׁנִיָּה כְּבִיאָה רִאשׁוֹנָה, אֶלָּא שֶׁגָּרַם הַחֵטְא. וְכֵן אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: יֵיתֵי וְלָא אִיחְמִינֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב ״כַּאֲשֶׁר יָנוּס אִישׁ מִפְּנֵי הָאֲרִי וּפְגָעוֹ הַדֹּב [וּבָא הַבַּיִת] וְסָמַךְ יָדוֹ עַל הַקִּיר וּנְשָׁכוֹ הַנָּחָשׁ״? בֹּא וְאַרְאֶךָּ דּוּגְמָתוֹ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה: בִּזְמַן שֶׁאָדָם יוֹצֵא לַשָּׂדֶה וּפָגַע בּוֹ סַנְטָר – דּוֹמֶה כְּמִי שֶׁפָּגַע בּוֹ אֲרִי. נִכְנַס לָעִיר, פָּגַע בּוֹ גַּבַּאי – דּוֹמֶה כְּמִי שֶׁפְּגָעוֹ דֹּב. נִכְנַס לְבֵיתוֹ וּמָצָא בָּנָיו וּבְנוֹתָיו מוּטָלִין בָּרָעָב – דּוֹמֶה כְּמִי שֶׁנְּשָׁכוֹ נָחָשׁ. אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב: ״שַׁאֲלוּ נָא וּרְאוּ אִם יֹלֵד זָכָר מַדּוּעַ רָאִיתִי כׇל גֶּבֶר יָדָיו עַל חֲלָצָיו כַּיּוֹלֵדָה וְנֶהֶפְכוּ כׇל פָּנִים לְיֵרָקוֹן״. מַאי ״רָאִיתִי כָּל גֶּבֶר״? אָמַר רָבָא בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר רַב: מִי שֶׁכׇּל גְּבוּרָה שֶׁלּוֹ. וּמַאי ״וְנֶהֶפְכוּ כׇל פָּנִים לְיֵרָקוֹן״? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: פָּמַלְיָא שֶׁל מַעְלָה וּפָמַלְיָא שֶׁל מַטָּה, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הַלָּלוּ מַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי וְהַלָּלוּ מַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי, הֵיאַךְ אֲאַבֵּד אֵלּוּ מִפְּנֵי אֵלּוּ? אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי, רָהֵיט וְנָפֵל תּוֹרָא, וְאָזֵיל וְשָׁדֵי לֵיהּ סוּסְיָא בְּאוּרְיֵיהּ. אָמַר רַב גִּידֵּל אָמַר רַב: עֲתִידִין יִשְׂרָאֵל דְּאָכְלִי שְׁנֵי מָשִׁיחַ. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: פְּשִׁיטָא! וְאֶלָּא מַאן אָכֵיל לְהוּ? חִילָק וּבִילָק אָכְלִי לְהוּ? לְאַפּוֹקֵי מִדְּרַבִּי הִילֵּל, דְּאָמַר: אֵין מָשִׁיחַ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁכְּבָר אֲכָלוּהוּ בִּימֵי חִזְקִיָּה. אָמַר רַב: לָא אִבְּרִי עָלְמָא אֶלָּא לְדָוִד. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: לְמֹשֶׁה. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: לְמָשִׁיחַ. מָה שְׁמוֹ? דְּבֵי רַבִּי שֵׁילָא אָמְרִי: שִׁילֹה שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַד כִּי יָבֹא שִׁילֹה״. דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי אָמְרִי: יִנּוֹן שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יְהִי שְׁמוֹ לְעוֹלָם לִפְנֵי שֶׁמֶשׁ יִנּוֹן שְׁמוֹ״. דְּבֵי רַבִּי חֲנִינָה אָמְרִי: חֲנִינָה שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲשֶׁר לֹא אֶתֵּן לָכֶם חֲנִינָה״. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: מְנַחֵם בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי רָחַק מִמֶּנִּי מְנַחֵם מֵשִׁיב נַפְשִׁי״. וְרַבָּנַן אָמְרִי: חִיוּוֹרָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָכֵן חֳלָיֵינוּ הוּא נָשָׂא וּמַכְאֹבֵינוּ סְבָלָם וַאֲנַחְנוּ חֲשַׁבְנֻהוּ נָגוּעַ מֻכֵּה אֱלֹהִים וּמְעֻנֶּה״. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: אִי מִן חַיַּיָּא הוּא, כְּגוֹן אֲנָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהָיָה אַדִּירוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ וּמֹשְׁלוֹ מִקִּרְבּוֹ יָצָא״. אָמַר רַב: אִי מִן חַיַּיָּא הוּא, כְּגוֹן רַבֵּינוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ. אִי מִן מִתַיָּא הוּא, כְּגוֹן דָּנִיֵּאל אִישׁ חֲמוּדוֹת. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהַעֲמִיד לָהֶם דָּוִד אַחֵר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעָבְדוּ אֵת יהוה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְאֵת דָּוִד מַלְכָּם אֲשֶׁר אָקִים לָהֶם״. ״הֵקִים״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״אָקִים״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְאַבָּיֵי: וְהָכְתִיב: ״וְדָוִד עַבְדִּי נָשִׂיא לָהֶם לְעוֹלָם״? כְּגוֹן קֵיסָר וּפַלְגֵי קֵיסָר. דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״הוֹי הַמִּתְאַוִּים אֶת יוֹם יהוה לָמָּה זֶּה לָכֶם יוֹם יהוה הוּא חֹשֶׁךְ וְלֹא אוֹר״? מָשָׁל לְתַרְנְגוֹל וַעֲטַלֵּף שֶׁהָיוּ מְצַפִּין לָאוֹר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ תַּרְנְגוֹל לַעֲטַלֵּף: אֲנִי מְצַפֶּה לָאוֹרָה שֶׁאוֹרָה שֶׁלִּי הִיא, וְאַתָּה לָמָּה לְךָ אוֹרָה? וְהַיְינוּ דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: אֵימָתַי אָתֵי מָשִׁיחַ? אָמַר לֵיהּ: לְכִי חָפֵי לְהוּ חֲשׁוֹכָא לְהָנְהוּ אִינָשֵׁי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵילָט קָא לָיְיטַתְּ לִי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קְרָא כְּתִיב, ״כִּי הִנֵּה הַחֹשֶׁךְ יְכַסֶּה אֶרֶץ וַעֲרָפֶל לְאֻמִּים וְעָלַיִךְ יִזְרַח יהוה וּכְבוֹדוֹ עָלַיִךְ יֵרָאֶה״. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה אָקוּט בְּדוֹר״. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה אוֹמֵר, שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וְנִשְׁכַּחַת צֹר שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה כִּימֵי מֶלֶךְ אֶחָד״. אֵיזֶהוּ מֶלֶךְ מְיוּחָד? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זֶה מָשִׁיחַ. רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: שְׁלֹשָׁה דּוֹרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִירָאוּךָ עִם שָׁמֶשׁ וְלִפְנֵי יָרֵחַ דּוֹר דּוֹרִים״. רַבִּי הִילֵּל אוֹמֵר: אֵין לָהֶם מָשִׁיחַ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁכְּבָר אֲכָלוּהוּ בִּימֵי חִזְקִיָּה. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: שְׁרָא לֵיהּ מָרֵיהּ לְרַבִּי הִילֵּל. חִזְקִיָּה אֵימַת הֲוָה? בְּבַיִת רִאשׁוֹן! וְאִילּוּ זְכַרְיָה קָא מִתְנַבֵּי בְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי, וְאָמַר: ״גִּילִי מְאֹד בַּת צִיּוֹן הָרִיעִי בַּת יְרוּשָׁלִַים הִנֵּה מַלְכֵּךְ יָבוֹא לָךְ צַדִּיק וְנוֹשָׁע הוּא עָנִי וְרֹכֵב עַל חֲמוֹר וְעַל עַיִר בֶּן אֲתֹנוֹת״. תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וַיְעַנְּךָ וַיַּרְעִבֶךָ וַיַּאֲכִלְךָ״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״שַׂמְּחֵנוּ כִּימוֹת עִנִּיתָנוּ שְׁנוֹת רָאִינוּ רָעָה״. רַבִּי דּוֹסָא אוֹמֵר: אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וַעֲבָדוּם וְעִנּוּ אֹתָם אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״שַׂמְּחֵנוּ כִּימוֹת עִנִּיתָנוּ״. רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנָה, כְּמִנְיַן יְמוֹת הַחַמָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי יוֹם נָקָם בְּלִבִּי וּשְׁנַת גְּאוּלַי בָּאָה״. מַאי ״יוֹם נָקָם בְּלִבִּי״? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לְלִבִּי גִּלִּיתִי, לְאֵבָרַיי לֹא גִּלִּיתִי. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ אָמַר: לְלִבִּי גִּלִּיתִי, לְמַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לֹא גִּלִּיתִי. תָּנֵי אֲבִימִי בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמְשׂוֹשׂ חָתָן עַל כַּלָּה כֵּן יָשִׂישׂ עָלַיִךְ אֱלֹהֶיךָ״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ כְּמִיּוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם וְעַד עַכְשָׁיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם עַל הָאָרֶץ״. רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר: כִּימֵי נֹחַ עַד עַכְשָׁיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי מֵי נֹחַ זֹאת לִי אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי״. אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַנְּבִיאִים כּוּלָּן לֹא נִתְנַבְּאוּ אֶלָּא לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ, אֲבָל לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא – ״עַיִן לֹא רָאָתָה אֱלֹהִים זוּלָתְךָ אֱלֹהִים יַעֲשֶׂה לִמְחַכֵּה לוֹ״. וּפְלִיגָא דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵין בֵּין הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ אֶלָּא שִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכִיּוֹת בִּלְבַד. וְאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַנְּבִיאִים לֹא נִתְנַבְּאוּ אֶלָּא לְבַעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה, אֲבָל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים – ״עַיִן לֹא רָאָתָה אֱלֹהִים זוּלָתְךָ״. וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אָמַר רַב: מָקוֹם שֶׁבַּעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה עוֹמְדִין שָׁם – צַדִּיקִים אֵינָן עוֹמְדִין שָׁם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לָרָחוֹק וְלַקָּרוֹב״. בְּרֵישָׁא רָחוֹק וַהֲדַר קָרוֹב. מַאי ״רָחוֹק״ – רָחוֹק דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא. וּמַאי ״קָרוֹב״ – קָרוֹב דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא וּדְהַשְׁתָּא. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: ״לָרָחוֹק״ – שֶׁהוּא רָחוֹק מֵעֲבֵירָה, ״קָרוֹב״ – שֶׁהוּא קָרוֹב מֵעֲבֵירָה וְנִתְרַחֵק מִמֶּנָּה. וְאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַנְּבִיאִים כּוּלָּן לֹא נִתְנַבְּאוּ אֶלָּא לְמַשִּׂיא בִּתּוֹ לְתַלְמִיד חָכָם, וּלְעוֹשֶׂה פְּרַקְמַטְיָא לְתַלְמִיד חָכָם, וְלִמְהַנֶּה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם מִנְּכָסָיו. אֲבָל תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים עַצְמָן – ״עַיִן לֹא רָאָתָה אֱלֹהִים זוּלָתְךָ״. מַאי ״עַיִן לֹא רָאָתָה״? אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: זֶה יַיִן הַמְשׁוּמָּר בַּעֲנָבָיו מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית. רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר: זֶה עֵדֶן, שֶׁלֹּא רָאֲתָה עַיִן מֵעוֹלָם. וְאִם תֹּאמַר: אָדָם הֵיכָן דָּר? בַּגָּן. וְאִם תֹּאמַר: גַּן הוּא עֵדֶן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וְנָהָר יֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת הַגָּן״. וְהָאוֹמֵר: אֵין תּוֹרָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם וְכוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״כִּי דְבַר יהוה בָּזָה וּמִצְוָתוֹ הֵפַר הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת״ – זֶה הָאוֹמֵר: אֵין תּוֹרָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״כִּי דְבַר יהוה בָּזָה״ – זֶה אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״כִּי דְבַר יהוה בָּזָה״ – זֶה הַמְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה. ״וְאֶת מִצְוָתוֹ הֵפַר״ – זֶה הַמֵּפֵר בְּרִית בָּשָׂר. ״הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת״ – ״הִכָּרֵת״ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״תִּכָּרֵת״ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. מִכָּאן אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר הַמּוֹדָעִי: הַמְחַלֵּל אֶת הַקֳּדָשִׁים, וְהַמְבַזֶּה אֶת הַמּוֹעֲדוֹת, וְהַמֵּפֵר בְּרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ, וְהַמְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בְּתוֹרָה שֶׁלֹּא כַּהֲלָכָה, וְהַמַּלְבִּין פְּנֵי חֲבֵירוֹ בָּרַבִּים, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּיָדוֹ תּוֹרָה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. תַּנְיָא אִידַּךְ: ״כִּי דְבַר יהוה בָּזָה״ – זֶה הָאוֹמֵר אֵין תּוֹרָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם. וַאֲפִילּוּ אָמַר כׇּל הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, חוּץ מִפָּסוּק זֶה שֶׁלֹּא אֲמָרוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶלָּא מֹשֶׁה מִפִּי עַצְמוֹ – זֶהוּ ״כִּי דְבַר יהוה בָּזָה״. וַאֲפִילּוּ אָמַר כׇּל הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, חוּץ מִדִּקְדּוּק זֶה, מִקַּל וָחוֹמֶר זֶה, מִגְּזֵרָה שָׁוָה זוֹ – זֶה הוּא ״כִּי דְבַר יהוה בָּזָה״. תַּנְיָא, הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: הַלּוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה וְאֵינוֹ מְלַמְּדָהּ – זֶה הוּא ״דְּבַר יהוה בָּזָה״. רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: כׇּל מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַשְׁגִּיחַ עַל הַמִּשְׁנָה. רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר: כׇּל שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר לַעֲסוֹק בַּתּוֹרָה וְאֵינוֹ עוֹסֵק. רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר: זֶה הָעוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. מַאי מַשְׁמָעָה? דְּתָנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: ״כִּי דְבַר יהוה בָּזָה״ – זֶה הַמְבַזֶּה דִּבּוּר שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה מִסִּינַי: ״אָנֹכִי יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ״, ״לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים וְגוֹ׳״. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה אוֹמֵר: כׇּל הַלּוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה וְאֵינוֹ חוֹזֵר עָלֶיהָ, דּוֹמֶה לְאָדָם שֶׁזּוֹרֵעַ וְאֵינוֹ קוֹצֵר. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: כׇּל הַלּוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה וּמְשַׁכְּחָהּ, דּוֹמֶה לְאִשָּׁה שֶׁיּוֹלֶדֶת וְקוֹבֶרֶת. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: זַמֵּר בְּכׇל יוֹם, זַמֵּר בְּכׇל יוֹם. אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בַּר אֲבוּדִימִי: מַאי קְרָא? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נֶפֶשׁ עָמֵל עָמְלָה לּוֹ כִּי אָכַף עָלָיו פִּיהוּ״. הוּא עָמֵל בִּמְקוֹם זֶה, וְתוֹרָתוֹ עוֹמֶלֶת לוֹ בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל אָדָם לְעָמָל נִבְרָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כִּי אָדָם לְעָמָל יוּלָּד״. אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אִם לַעֲמַל פֶּה נִבְרָא אִם לַעֲמַל מְלָאכָה נִבְרָא. כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר ״כִּי אָכַף עָלָיו פִּיהוּ״, הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר לַעֲמַל פֶּה נִבְרָא. וַעֲדַיִין אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אִם לַעֲמַל תּוֹרָה אִם לַעֲמַל שִׂיחָה. כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר ״לֹא יָמוּשׁ סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה מִפִּיךָ״, הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר לַעֲמַל תּוֹרָה נִבְרָא. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רָבָא: כּוּלְּהוּ גּוּפֵי דְּרוּפְתְּקֵי נִינְהוּ. טוּבֵיהּ לִדְזָכֵי דְּהָוֵי דְּרוּפְתְּקֵי דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא. ״נֹאֵף אִשָּׁה חֲסַר לֵב״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: זֶה הַלּוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה לִפְרָקִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כִּי נָעִים כִּי תִשְׁמְרֵם בְּבִטְנֶךָ יִכֹּנוּ יַחְדָּו עַל שְׂפָתֶיךָ״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וְהַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּיָד רָמָה״ – זֶה מְנַשֶּׁה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה, שֶׁהָיָה יוֹשֵׁב וְדוֹרֵשׁ בְּהַגָּדוֹת שֶׁל דּוֹפִי. אָמַר: וְכִי לֹא הָיָה לוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה לִכְתּוֹב אֶלָּא ״וַאֲחוֹת לוֹטָן תִּמְנָע״, ״וְתִמְנַע הָיְתָה פִילֶגֶשׁ לֶאֱלִיפַז״, ״וַיֵּלֶךְ רְאוּבֵן בִּימֵי קְצִיר חִטִּים וַיִּמְצָא דוּדָאִים בַּשָּׂדֶה״? יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לוֹ: ״תֵּשֵׁב בְּאָחִיךָ תְדַבֵּר בְּבֶן אִמְּךָ תִּתֶּן דֹּפִי. אֵלֶּה עָשִׂיתָ וְהֶחֱרַשְׁתִּי דִּמִּיתָ הֱיוֹת אֶהְיֶה כָמוֹךָ אוֹכִיחֲךָ וְאֶעֶרְכָה לְעֵינֶיךָ״. וְעָלָיו מְפוֹרָשׁ בַּקַּבָּלָה: ״הוֹי מֹשְׁכֵי הֶעָוֹן בְּחַבְלֵי הַשָּׁוְא וְכַעֲבוֹת הָעֲגָלָה חַטָּאָה״. מַאי ״כַּעֲבוֹת הָעֲגָלָה״? אָמַר רַבִּי אַסִּי: יֵצֶר הָרָע בַּתְּחִלָּה דּוֹמֶה לְחוּט שֶׁל כּוּבְיָא, וּלְבַסּוֹף דּוֹמֶה לַעֲבוֹת הָעֲגָלָה. דַּאֲתַן עֲלַהּ, מִיהַת, ״אֲחוֹת לוֹטָן תִּמְנָע״ מַאי הִיא? תִּמְנַע בַּת מְלָכִים הֲוַאי, דִּכְתִיב: ״אַלּוּף לוֹטָן״, ״אַלּוּף תִּמְנָע״, וְכׇל אַלּוּף – מַלְכוּתָא בְּלָא תָּאגָא הִיא. בָּעֲיָא לְאִיגַּיּוֹרֵי. בָּאתָה אֵצֶל אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, וְלֹא קִבְּלוּהָ. הָלְכָה וְהָיְתָה פִילֶגֶשׁ לֶאֱלִיפַז בֶּן עֵשָׂו. אָמְרָה: מוּטָב תְּהֵא שִׁפְחָה לְאוּמָּה זוֹ וְלֹא תְּהֵא גְּבִירָה לְאוּמָּה אַחֶרֶת. נְפַק מִינַּהּ עֲמָלֵק, דְּצַעֲרִינְהוּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. מַאי טַעְמָא? דְּלָא אִיבְּעִי לְהוּ לְרַחוֹקַהּ. ״וַיֵּלֶךְ רְאוּבֵן בִּימֵי קְצִיר חִטִּים״. אָמַר רָבָא בְּרַבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר רַב: מִכָּאן לְצַדִּיקִים שֶׁאֵין פּוֹשְׁטִין יְדֵיהֶן בְּגָזֵל. ״וַיִּמְצָא דּוּדָאִים בַּשָּׂדֶה״. מַאי דּוּדָאִים? אָמַר רַב: יַבְרוּחֵי. לֵוִי אָמַר: סִיגְלֵי. רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן אָמַר: סְבִיסְקֵי. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִי: כׇּל הָעוֹסֵק בְּתוֹרָה לִשְׁמָהּ מֵשִׂים שָׁלוֹם בְּפָמַלְיָא שֶׁל מַעְלָה וּבְפָמַלְיָא שֶׁל מַטָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אוֹ יַחֲזֵק בְּמָעֻזִּי יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם לִי שָׁלוֹם יַעֲשֶׂה לִּי״. רַב אָמַר: כְּאִילּוּ בָּנָה פַּלְטֵרִין שֶׁל מַעְלָה וְשֶׁל מַטָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וָאָשִׂים דְּבָרַי בְּפִיךָ וּבְצֵל יָדִי כִּסִּיתִיךָ לִנְטֹעַ שָׁמַיִם וְלִיסֹד אָרֶץ״. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אַף מֵגֵין עַל כׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבְצֵל יָדִי כִּסִּיתִיךָ״. וְלֵוִי אָמַר: אַף מְקָרֵב אֶת הַגְּאוּלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֵאמֹר לְצִיּוֹן עַמִּי אָתָּה״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: כׇּל הַמְלַמֵּד אֶת בֶּן חֲבֵירוֹ תּוֹרָה, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ עֲשָׂאוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֵת הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן״. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: כְּאִילּוּ עֲשָׂאָן לְדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת דִּבְרֵי הַבְּרִית הַזֹּאת וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם״. רָבָא אָמַר: כְּאִילּוּ עֲשָׂאוֹ לְעַצְמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם״ – אַל תִּקְרֵי ״אֹתָם״ אֶלָּא ״אַתֶּם״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: כׇּל הַמְעַשֶּׂה אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ לִדְבַר מִצְוָה, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ עֲשָׂאָהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמַטְּךָ אֲשֶׁר הִכִּיתָ בּוֹ אֶת הַיְאֹר״. וְכִי מֹשֶׁה הִכָּהוּ? וַהֲלֹא אַהֲרֹן הִכָּהוּ! אֶלָּא לוֹמַר לָךְ: כׇּל הַמְעַשֶּׂה אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ לִדְבַר מִצְוָה, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ עֲשָׂאָהּ. אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס: רַב וְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ, זֶה הַמְבַזֶּה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמְרִי, זֶה הַמְבַזֶּה חֲבֵירוֹ בִּפְנֵי תַּלְמִיד חָכָם. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: הַמְבַזֶּה חֲבֵירוֹ בִּפְנֵי תַּלְמִיד חָכָם אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס הָוֵי, מְבַזֶּה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם עַצְמוֹ – מְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁלֹּא כַּהֲלָכָה הָוֵי. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: מְבַזֶּה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם עַצְמוֹ אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס הָוֵי, מְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה כְּגוֹן מַאי? כְּגוֹן מְנַשֶּׁה בֶּן חִזְקִיָּה. וְאִיכָּא דְּמַתְנֵי לַהּ אַסֵּיפָא: מְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה. רַב וְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמְרִי: זֶה הַמְבַזֶּה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמְרִי: זֶה הַמְבַזֶּה אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ בִּפְנֵי תַּלְמִיד חָכָם. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר הַמְבַזֶּה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם עַצְמוֹ – מְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה הָוֵי, מְבַזֶּה חֲבֵירוֹ בִּפְנֵי תַּלְמִיד חָכָם – אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס הָוֵי, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר מְבַזֶּה חֲבֵירוֹ בִּפְנֵי תַּלְמִיד חָכָם – מְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה הָוֵי, אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס כְּגוֹן מַאן? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: כְּגוֹן הָנֵי דְּאָמְרִי מַאי אַהֲנוֹ לַן רַבָּנַן? לְדִידְהוּ קָרוּ, לְדִידְהוּ תָּנוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: הַאי מְגַלֶּה פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה נָמֵי הוּא, דִּכְתִיב ״אִם לֹא בְרִיתִי יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה חֻקּוֹת שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ לֹא שָׂמְתִּי״. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: מֵהָכָא נָמֵי שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וְנָשָׂאתִי לְכׇל הַמָּקוֹם בַּעֲבוּרָם״. אֶלָּא, כְּגוֹן דְּיָתֵיב קַמֵּיהּ רַבֵּיהּ, וְנָפְלָה לֵיהּ שְׁמַעְתָּא בְּדוּכְתָּא אַחֲרִיתִי, וְאָמַר: הָכִי אָמְרִינַן הָתָם, וְלָא אָמַר: הָכִי אָמַר מָר. רָבָא אָמַר: כְּגוֹן הָנֵי דְּבֵי בִּנְיָמִין אָסְיָא, דְּאָמְרִי: מַאי אַהֲנוֹ לַן רַבָּנַן מֵעוֹלָם? לָא שְׁרוֹ לַן עוֹרְבָא, וְלָא אֲסַרוּ לַן יוֹנָה. רָבָא, כִּי הֲווֹ מַיְיתִי טְרֵיפְתָּא דְּבֵי בִנְיָמִין קַמֵּיהּ, כִּי הֲוָה חָזֵי בַּהּ טַעְמָא לְהֶיתֵּירָא, אֲמַר לְהוּ: תֶּחֱזוֹ דְּקָא שָׁרֵינָא לְכוּ עוֹרְבָא. כִּי הֲוָה חָזֵי לַהּ טַעְמָא לְאִיסּוּרָא, אֲמַר לְהוּ: תֶּחֱזוֹ דְּקָא אָסַרְנָא לְכוּ יוֹנָה. רַב פָּפָּא אָמַר: כְּגוֹן דְּאָמַר ״הָנֵי רַבָּנַן״. רַב פָּפָּא אִישְׁתְּלִי וְאָמַר: ״כְּגוֹן הָנֵי רַבָּנַן״, וְאִיתִּיב בְּתַעֲנִיתָא. לֵוִי בַּר שְׁמוּאֵל וְרַב הוּנָא בַּר חִיָּיא הֲווֹ קָא מְתַקְּנִי מִטְפְּחוֹת סִפְרֵי דְּבֵי רַב יְהוּדָה. כִּי מָטוּ מְגִילַּת אֶסְתֵּר אָמְרִי: הָא [מְגִילַּת אֶסְתֵּר] לָא בָּעֵי מִטְפַּחַת. אֲמַר לְהוּ: כִּי הַאי גַוְונָא נָמֵי מִיחְזֵי כִּי אַפְקֵירוּתָא. רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר: זֶה הַקּוֹרֵא רַבּוֹ בִּשְׁמוֹ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה נֶעֱנַשׁ גֵּיחֲזִי? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁקָּרָא לְרַבּוֹ בִּשְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר גֵּחֲזִי אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ זֹאת הָאִשָּׁה וְזֶה בְּנָהּ אֲשֶׁר הֶחֱיָה אֱלִישָׁע״. יָתֵיב רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי זֵירָא, וְיָתֵיב וְקָאָמַר: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהוֹצִיא נַחַל מִבֵּית קׇדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים, וְעָלָיו כׇּל מִינֵי מְגָדִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעַל הַנַּחַל יַעֲלֶה עַל שְׂפָתוֹ מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה כׇּל עֵץ מַאֲכָל לֹא יִבּוֹל עָלֵהוּ וְלֹא יִתֹּם פִּרְיוֹ לׇחֳדָשָׁיו יְבַכֵּר כִּי מֵימָיו מִן הַמִּקְדָּשׁ [הֵמָּה] יוֹצְאִים וְהָיָה פִרְיוֹ לְמַאֲכָל וְעָלֵהוּ לִתְרוּפָה״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא סָבָא: ״יִישַׁר״, וְכֵן אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: ״יִישַׁר״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה לְרַבִּי זֵירָא: כִּי הַאי גַּוְנָא מִיחְזֵי אַפְקֵרוּתָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָא [הַאי] סַיּוֹעֵי קָא מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ [לָךְ]! אֶלָּא אִי שְׁמִיעַ לָךְ הָא, שְׁמִיעַ לָךְ: כִּי הָא דְּיָתֵיב רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְקָא דָרֵישׁ: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהָבִיא אֲבָנִים טוֹבוֹת וּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹת שֶׁהֵן שְׁלֹשִׁים עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים אַמּוֹת, וְחוֹקֵק בָּהֶם עֶשֶׂר בְּרוּם עֶשְׂרִים, וּמַעֲמִידָן בְּשַׁעֲרֵי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וְשַׂמְתִּי כַּדְכֹד שִׁמְשֹׁתַיִךְ וּשְׁעָרַיִךְ לְאַבְנֵי אֶקְדָּח וְגוֹ׳״. לִגְלֵג עָלָיו אוֹתוֹ תַּלְמִיד, אָמַר: הַשְׁתָּא כְּבֵיעֲתָא דְצִילְצְלָא לָא מַשְׁכְּחִינַן, כּוּלֵּי הַאי מַשְׁכְּחִינַן? לְיָמִים הִפְלִיגָה סְפִינָתוֹ בַּיָּם. חֲזִינְהוּ לְמַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת דְּקָא מְנַסְּרִי אֲבָנִים טוֹבוֹת וּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹת. אֲמַר לְהוּ: הָנֵי לְמַאן? אָמְרִי: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהַעֲמִידָן בְּשַׁעֲרֵי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם. כִּי הֲדַר אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן דְּיָתֵיב וְקָא דָרֵישׁ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: רַבִּי, דְּרוֹשׁ וּלְךָ נָאֶה לִדְרוֹשׁ. כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמַרְתָּ כָּךְ רָאִיתִי. אָמַר לוֹ: רֵיקָה! אִם לֹא רָאִיתָ לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתָּ? מְלַגְלֵג עַל דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים אַתָּה! יְהַב בֵּיהּ עֵינֵיהּ וַעֲשָׂאוֹ גַּל שֶׁל עֲצָמוֹת. מֵיתִיבִי: ״וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם קוֹמְמִיּוּת״ – רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: מָאתַיִם אַמָּה, כִּשְׁתֵּי קוֹמוֹת שֶׁל אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: מֵאָה אַמָּה, כְּנֶגֶד הֵיכָל וּכְתָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲשֶׁר בָּנֵינוּ כִּנְטִעִים מְגֻדָּלִים בִּנְעוּרֵיהֶם בְּנוֹתֵינוּ כְזָוִיּוֹת מְחֻטָּבוֹת תַּבְנִית הֵיכָל וְגוֹ׳״. כִּי קָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, לְכַוֵּי דְּבֵי זִיקָא. מַאי ״וְעָלֵהוּ לִתְרוּפָה״? רַבִּי יִצְחָק בַּר אֲבוּדִימִי וְרַב חִסְדָּא: חַד אָמַר, לְהַתִּיר פֶּה שֶׁל מַעְלָה; וְחַד אָמַר, לְהַתִּיר פֶּה שֶׁל מַטָּה. אִיתְּמַר נָמֵי: חִזְקִיָּה אָמַר לְהַתִּיר פֶּה אִילְּמִין, בַּר קַפָּרָא אָמַר לְהַתִּיר פֶּה עֲקָרוֹת, רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר לִתְרוּפָה מַמָּשׁ. מַאי לִתְרוּפָה? רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר: לְתוֹאַר פָּנִים שֶׁל בַּעֲלֵי הַפֶּה. דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי סִימוֹן: כָּל הַמַּשְׁחִיר פָּנָיו עַל דִּבְרֵי תּוֹרָה בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַבְהִיק זִיוָיו לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מַרְאֵהוּ כַּלְּבָנוֹן בָּחוּר כָּאֲרָזִים״. אָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם בְּרַבִּי חֲנִילַאי: כׇּל הַמַּרְעִיב עַצְמוֹ עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַשְׂבִּיעוֹ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִרְוְיֻן מִדֶּשֶׁן בֵּיתֶךָ וְנַחַל עֲדָנֶיךָ תַשְׁקֵם״. כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִיתֵּן לְכׇל צַדִּיק וְצַדִּיק מְלֹא עוֹמְסוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בָּרוּךְ יהוה יוֹם יוֹם יַעֲמָס לָנוּ הָאֵל יְשׁוּעָתֵנוּ סֶלָה״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: וְכִי אֶפְשָׁר לוֹמַר כֵּן? וַהֲלֹא כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר: ״מִי מָדַד בְּשׇׁעֳלוֹ מַיִם וְשָׁמַיִם בַּזֶּרֶת תִּכֵּן״? אֲמַר: מַאי טַעְמָא לָא שְׁכִיחַתְּ בְּאַגַּדְתָּא? דְּאָמְרִי בְּמַעְרְבָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרָבָא בַּר מָרִי: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִיתֵּן לְכׇל צַדִּיק וְצַדִּיק שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וַעֲשָׂרָה עוֹלָמוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לְהַנְחִיל אֹהֲבַי יֵשׁ וְאֹצְרֹתֵיהֶם אֲמַלֵּא״. ״יֵשׁ״ בְּגִימַטְרִיָּא תְּלָת מְאָה וְעַשְׂרָה הָוֵי. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר, בְּמִדָּה שֶׁאָדָם מוֹדֵד – מוֹדְדִין לוֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּסַאסְּאָה בְּשַׁלְּחָהּ תְּרִיבֶנָּה״. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: וְכִי אֶפְשָׁר לוֹמַר כֵּן? אָדָם נוֹתֵן מְלֹא עוֹמְסוֹ לְעָנִי בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא נוֹתֵן לוֹ מְלֹא עוֹמְסוֹ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא? וְהָכְתִיב ״שָׁמַיִם בַּזֶּרֶת תִּכֵּן״! וְאַתָּה אִי אוֹמֵר כֵּן? אֵיזוֹ הִיא מִדָּה מְרוּבָּה: מִדָּה טוֹבָה מְרוּבָּה אוֹ מִדַּת פּוּרְעָנוּת? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: מִדָּה טוֹבָה מְרוּבָּה מִמִּדַּת פּוּרְעָנוּת. בְּמִדָּה טוֹבָה כְּתִיב: ״וַיְצַו שְׁחָקִים מִמָּעַל וְדַלְתֵי שָׁמַיִם פָּתָח וַיַּמְטֵר עֲלֵיהֶם מָן לֶאֱכֹל״, וּבְמִידַּת פּוּרְעָנוּת הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״וַאֲרֻבֹּת הַשָּׁמַיִם נִפְתָּחוּ״. בְּמִידַּת פּוּרְעָנוּת כְּתִיב: ״וְיָצְאוּ וְרָאוּ בְּפִגְרֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים הַפֹּשְׁעִים בִּי כִּי תוֹלַעְתָּם לֹא תָמוּת וְאִשָּׁם לֹא תִכְבֶּה וְהָיוּ דֵרָאוֹן לְכׇל בָּשָׂר״. וַהֲלֹא אָדָם מוֹשִׁיט אֶצְבָּעוֹ בָּאוּר בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה – מִיָּד נִכְוֶה! אֶלָּא, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁנּוֹתֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כֹּחַ בָּרְשָׁעִים לְקַבֵּל פּוּרְעָנוּתָם, כָּךְ נוֹתֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כֹּחַ בַּצַּדִּיקִים לְקַבֵּל טוֹבָתָן. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: אַף הַקּוֹרֵא בַּסְּפָרִים הַחִיצוֹנִים וְכוּ׳. תָּנָא: בְּסִפְרֵי מִינִים. רַב יוֹסֵף אָמַר: בְּסֵפֶר בֶּן סִירָא נָמֵי אָסוּר לְמִיקְרֵי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִב [בֵּיהּ]: לָא תִּינְטוֹשׁ גִּילְדָּנָא מֵאוּדְנֵיהּ, דְּלָא לֵיזִיל מַשְׁכֵיהּ לַחֲבָלָא, אֶלָּא צְלִי יָתֵיהּ בְּנוּרָא וְאֵיכוֹל בֵּיהּ תַּרְתֵּין גְּרִיצִים. אִי מִפְּשָׁטֵיהּ, בְּאוֹרָיְיתָא נָמֵי כְּתִב: ״לֹא תַשְׁחִית אֶת עֵצָהּ״. אִי מִדְּרָשָׁא, אוֹרַח אַרְעָא קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן, דְּלָא לִיבְעוֹל שֶׁלֹּא כְּדַרְכָּהּ. וְאֶלָּא, מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּת לְאָבִיהָ מַטְמוֹנֶת שָׁוְא, מִפַּחְדָּהּ לֹא יִישַׁן בַּלַּיְלָה: בְּקַטְנוּתָהּ – שֶׁמָּא תִּתְפַּתֶּה, בְּנַעֲרוּתָהּ – שֶׁמָּא תִּזְנֶה, בָּגְרָה – שֶׁמָּא לֹא תִּינָּשֵׂא, נִישֵּׂאת – שֶׁמָּא לֹא יִהְיוּ לָהּ בָּנִים, הִזְקִינָה – שֶׁמָּא תַּעֲשֶׂה כְּשָׁפִים״. הָא רַבָּנַן נָמֵי אַמְרוּהָ: אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְעוֹלָם בְּלֹא זְכָרִים וּבְלֹא נְקֵבוֹת. אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁבָּנָיו זְכָרִים, אוֹי לוֹ לְמִי שֶׁבָּנָיו נְקֵבוֹת. אֶלָּא, מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב: ״לָא תַּעֵיל דְּוָיָא בְּלִבָּךְ, דְּגַבְרֵי גִּיבָּרִין קְטַל דְּוָיָא״. הָא שְׁלֹמֹה אַמְרַהּ: ״דְּאָגָה בְלֶב אִישׁ יַשְׁחֶנָּה״. רַבִּי אַמֵּי וְרַבִּי אַסִּי – חַד אָמַר: יַשִּׂיחֶנָּה מִדַּעְתּוֹ, וְחַד אָמַר: יְשִׂיחֶנָּה לַאֲחֵרִים. וְאֶלָּא, מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב: ״מְנַע רַבִּים מִתּוֹךְ בֵּיתֶךָ, וְלֹא הַכֹּל תָּבִיא אֶל בֵּיתֶךָ״? וְהָא רַבִּי נָמֵי אַמְרַהּ, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם לֹא יַרְבֶּה אָדָם רֵעִים בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִישׁ רֵעִים לְהִתְרוֹעֵעַ״. אֶלָּא, מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב: ״זַלְדְּקַן – קוּרְטְמָן, עַבְדְּקַן – סִכְסָן, דְּנָפַח בְּכָסֵיהּ – לָא צָחֵי, אָמַר ׳בְּמַאי אֵיכוֹל לַחְמָא׳ – לַחְמָא סַב מִינֵּיהּ, מַאן דְּאִית לֵיהּ מַעְבַּרְתָּא בְּדִיקְנֵיהּ – כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא יָכְלִי לֵיהּ״. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: מִילֵּי מְעַלַּיְיתָא דְּאִית בֵּיהּ, דָּרְשִׁינַן לְהוּ. ״אִשָּׁה טוֹבָה – מַתָּנָה טוֹבָה, בְּחֵיק יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים תִּנָּתֵן. אִשָּׁה רָעָה – צָרַעַת לְבַעְלָהּ״. מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ? ״יְגָרְשֶׁנָּה מִבֵּיתוֹ וְיִתְרַפֵּא מִצָּרַעְתּוֹ. אִשָּׁה יָפָה – אַשְׁרֵי בַּעְלָהּ, מִסְפַּר יָמָיו כִּפְלַיִם״. ״הַעְלֵם עֵינֶיךָ מֵאֵשֶׁת חֵן, פֶּן תִּלָּכֵד בִּמְצוּדָתָהּ. אַל תֵּט אֵצֶל בַּעְלָהּ לִמְסוֹךְ עִמּוֹ יַיִן וְשֵׁכָר, כִּי בְּתוֹאַר אִשָּׁה יָפָה רַבִּים הוּשְׁחָתוּ, וַעֲצוּמִים כׇּל הֲרוּגֶיהָ. רַבִּים הָיוּ פִּצְעֵי רוֹכֵל הַמַּרְגִּילִים לִדְבַר עֶרְוָה. כְּנִיצוֹץ מַבְעִיר גַּחֶלֶת, כִּכְלוּב מָלֵא עוֹף, כֵּן בָּתֵּיהֶם מְלֵאִים מִרְמָה. מְנַע רַבִּים מִתּוֹךְ בֵּיתֶךָ, וְלֹא הַכֹּל תָּבִיא בֵּיתֶךָ. רַבִּים יִהְיוּ דּוֹרְשֵׁי שְׁלוֹמֶךָ, גַּלֵּה סוֹדְךָ לְאֶחָד מֵאָלֶף. מִשּׁוֹכֶבֶת חֵיקֶךָ שְׁמוֹר פִּתְחֵי פִיךָ. אַל תֵּצַר צָרַת מָחָר, כִּי לֹא תֵדַע מַה יֵּלֶד יוֹם. שֶׁמָּא לְמָחָר אֵינֶנּוּ, וְנִמְצָא מִצְטַעֵר עַל עוֹלָם שֶׁאֵינוֹ שֶׁלּוֹ״. ״כׇּל יְמֵי עָנִי רָעִים״. בֶּן סִירָא אוֹמֵר: ״אַף לֵילוֹת. בִּשְׁפַל גַּגִּים גַּגּוֹ, וּבִמְרוֹם הָרִים כַּרְמוֹ. מִמְּטַר גַּגִּים לְגַגּוֹ, וּמֵעֲפַר כַּרְמוֹ לִכְרָמִים״. [סִימָן: זֵירָא, רָבָא, מְשַׁרְשְׁיָא, חֲנִינָא טוֹבִיָּה, יַנַּאי יָפֶה, יוֹחָנָן מְרַחֵם, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ מְקַצֵּר]. אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא אָמַר רַב: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״כׇּל יְמֵי עָנִי רָעִים״ – אֵלּוּ בַּעֲלֵי תַלְמוּד, ״וְטוֹב לֵב מִשְׁתֶּה תָמִיד״ – אֵלּוּ בַּעֲלֵי מִשְׁנָה. רָבָא אָמַר אִיפְּכָא, וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַב מְשַׁרְשְׁיָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״מַסִּיעַ אֲבָנִים יֵעָצֵב בָּהֶם״? אֵלּוּ בַּעֲלֵי מִשְׁנָה. ״וּבוֹקֵעַ עֵצִים יִסָּכֶן בָּם״? אֵלּוּ בַּעֲלֵי תַלְמוּד. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא אוֹמֵר: ״כׇּל יְמֵי עָנִי רָעִים״ – זֶה מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אִשָּׁה רָעָה. ״וְטוֹב לֵב מִשְׁתֶּה תָמִיד״ – זֶה שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אִשָּׁה טוֹבָה. רַבִּי יַנַּאי אוֹמֵר: ״כׇּל יְמֵי עָנִי רָעִים״ – זֶה אִסְטְנִיס. ״וְטוֹב לֵב מִשְׁתֶּה תָמִיד״ – זֶה שֶׁדַּעְתּוֹ יָפָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: ״כׇּל יְמֵי עָנִי רָעִים״ – זֶה רַחְמָנִי. ״וְטוֹב לֵב מִשְׁתֶּה תָמִיד״ – זֶה אַכְזָרִי. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר: ״כׇּל יְמֵי עָנִי רָעִים״ – זֶה שֶׁדַּעְתּוֹ קְצָרָה. ״וְטוֹב לֵב מִשְׁתֶּה תָמִיד״ – זֶה שֶׁדַּעְתּוֹ רְחָבָה. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: ״כׇּל יְמֵי עָנִי רָעִים״. וְהָאִיכָּא שַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים? כְּדִשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שִׁינּוּי וֶסֶת תְּחִלַּת חוֹלִי מֵעַיִים. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הַקּוֹרֵא פָּסוּק שֶׁל שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים וְעוֹשֶׂה אוֹתוֹ כְּמִין זֶמֶר, וְהַקּוֹרֵא פָּסוּק בְּבֵית מִשְׁתָּאוֹת בְּלֹא זְמַנּוֹ – מֵבִיא רָעָה לָעוֹלָם, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַתּוֹרָה חוֹגֶרֶת שַׂק וְעוֹמֶדֶת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְאוֹמֶרֶת לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, עֲשָׂאוּנִי בָּנֶיךָ כְּכִנּוֹר שֶׁמְּנַגְּנִין בּוֹ לֵצִים. אָמַר לָהּ: בִּתִּי, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין בַּמֶּה יִתְעַסְּקוּ? אָמְרָה לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אִם בַּעֲלֵי מִקְרָא הֵן – יַעַסְקוּ בַּתּוֹרָה וּבַנְּבִיאִים וּבַכְּתוּבִים. אִם בַּעֲלֵי מִשְׁנָה הֵן – יַעַסְקוּ בַּמִּשְׁנָה, בַּהֲלָכוֹת וּבְהַגָּדוֹת. וְאִם בַּעֲלֵי תַלְמוּד הֵן – יַעַסְקוּ בְּהִלְכוֹת פֶּסַח בַּפֶּסַח, בְּהִלְכוֹת עֲצֶרֶת בָּעֲצֶרֶת, בְּהִלְכוֹת חַג בֶּחָג. הֵעִיד רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן חֲנַנְיָא: כׇּל הַקּוֹרֵא פָּסוּק בִּזְמַנּוֹ מֵבִיא טוֹבָה לָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְדָבָר בְּעִתּוֹ מַה טּוֹב״. וְהַלּוֹחֵשׁ עַל הַמַּכָּה וְכוּ׳. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: וּבְרוֹקֵק בָּהּ, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין מַזְכִּירִין שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם עַל הָרְקִיקָה. אִיתְּמַר: רַב אָמַר, אֲפִילּוּ ״נֶגַע צָרַעַת״. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ ״וַיִּקְרָא אֶל מֹשֶׁה״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: סָכִין וּמְמַשְׁמְשִׁין בִּבְנֵי מֵעַיִים בְּשַׁבָּת, וְלוֹחֲשִׁין לְחִישַׁת נְחָשִׁים וְעַקְרַבִּים בְּשַׁבָּת, וּמַעֲבִירִין כְּלִי עַל גַּב הָעַיִן בְּשַׁבָּת. אָמַר רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בִּכְלִי הַנִּיטָּל, אֲבָל בִּכְלִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ נִיטָּל – אָסוּר. וְאֵין שׁוֹאֲלִין בִּדְבַר שֵׁדִים בְּשַׁבָּת. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: אַף בַּחוֹל אָסוּר. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: (אֵין) הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי. וְאַף רַבִּי יוֹסֵי לֹא אֲמָרָהּ אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם סַכָּנָה, כִּי הָא דְּרַב יִצְחָק בַּר יוֹסֵף דְּאִיבְּלַע בְּאַרְזָא, וְאִתְעֲבִיד לֵיהּ נִיסָּא – פְּקַע אַרְזָא וּפַלְטֵיהּ. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: סָכִין וּמְמַשְׁמְשִׁין בִּבְנֵי מֵעַיִים בְּשַׁבָּת, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יַעֲשֶׂה כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה בַּחוֹל. הֵיכִי עָבֵיד? רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר: סָךְ וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְמַשְׁמֵשׁ. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: סָךְ וּמְמַשְׁמֵשׁ בְּבַת אַחַת. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שָׂרֵי שֶׁמֶן וְשָׂרֵי בֵיצִים מוּתָּרִין לִשְׁאוֹל בָּהֶן, אֶלָּא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמְּכַזְּבִין. לוֹחֲשִׁין עַל שֶׁמֶן שֶׁבִּכְלִי, וְאֵין לוֹחֲשִׁין עַל שֶׁמֶן שֶׁבַּיָּד. לְפִיכָךְ סָכִין מִשֶּׁמֶן שֶׁבַּיָּד, וְאֵין סָכִין מִשֶּׁמֶן שֶׁבִּכְלִי. רַב יִצְחָק בַּר שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר מָרְתָא אִיקְּלַע לְהָהוּא אוּשְׁפִּיזָא. אַיְיתִי לֵיהּ מִישְׁחָא בְּמָנָא. שָׁף, נְפַקוּ לֵיהּ צִימְחֵי בְּאַפֵּיהּ. נְפַק לְשׁוּקָא. חֲזֵיתֵיהּ הָהִיא אִיתְּתָא, אֲמַרָה: זִיקָא דְּחֵמֶת קָא חָזֵינָא הָכָא. עֲבַדָא לֵיהּ מִלְּתָא וְאִיתַּסִּי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי אַבָּא לְרַבָּה בַּר מָרִי: כְּתִיב ״כׇּל הַמַּחֲלָה אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי בְמִצְרַיִם לֹא אָשִׂים עָלֶיךָ כִּי אֲנִי יהוה רֹפְאֶךָ״, וְכִי מֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא שָׂם, רְפוּאָה לָמָּה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִקְרָא זֶה מֵעַצְמוֹ נִדְרָשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וַיֹּאמֶר אִם שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע לְקוֹל יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ״ – אִם תִּשְׁמַע לֹא אָשִׂים, וְאִם לֹא תִּשְׁמַע אָשִׂים. אַף עַל פִּי כֵן, ״כִּי אֲנִי יהוה רֹפְאֶךָ״. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה: כְּשֶׁחָלָה רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר, נִכְנְסוּ תַּלְמִידָיו לְבַקְּרוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶן: חֵמָה עַזָּה יֵשׁ בָּעוֹלָם. הִתְחִילוּ הֵן בּוֹכִין, וְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא מְשַׂחֵק. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: לָמָּה אַתָּה מְשַׂחֵק? אָמַר לָהֶן: וְכִי מִפְּנֵי מָה אַתֶּם בּוֹכִים? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֶפְשָׁר סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה שָׁרוּי בְּצַעַר וְלֹא נִבְכֶּה? אָמַר לָהֶן: לְכָךְ אֲנִי מְשַׂחֵק, כׇּל זְמַן שֶׁאֲנִי רוֹאֶה רַבִּי שֶׁאֵין יֵינוֹ מַחְמִיץ וְאֵין פִּשְׁתָּנוֹ לוֹקֶה וְאֵין שַׁמְנוֹ מַבְאִישׁ וְאֵין דּוּבְשָׁנוֹ מַדְבִּישׁ, אָמַרְתִּי שֶׁמָּא חַס וְשָׁלוֹם קִיבֵּל רַבִּי עוֹלָמוֹ. וְעַכְשָׁיו שֶׁאֲנִי רוֹאֶה רַבִּי בְּצַעַר, אֲנִי שָׂמֵחַ. אָמַר לוֹ: עֲקִיבָא, כְּלוּם חִיסַּרְתִּי מִן הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ? אָמַר לוֹ: לִימַּדְתָּנוּ רַבֵּינוּ, ״כִּי אָדָם אֵין צַדִּיק בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה טּוֹב וְלֹא יֶחֱטָא״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כְּשֶׁחָלָה רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר, נִכְנְסוּ אַרְבָּעָה זְקֵנִים לְבַקְּרוֹ: רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן, וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה, וְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. נַעֲנָה רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן וְאָמַר: טוֹב אַתָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מִטִּיפָּה שֶׁל גְּשָׁמִים, שֶׁטִּיפָּה שֶׁל גְּשָׁמִים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְרַבִּי בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. נַעֲנָה רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְאָמַר: טוֹב אַתָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹתֵר מִגַּלְגַּל חַמָּה, שֶׁגַּלְגַּל חַמָּה בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְרַבִּי בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. נַעֲנָה רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה וְאָמַר: טוֹב אַתָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹתֵר מֵאָב וָאֵם, שֶׁאָב וָאֵם בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְרַבִּי בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. נַעֲנָה רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וְאָמַר: חֲבִיבִין יִסּוּרִין. אָמַר לָהֶם: סַמְּכוּנִי וְאֶשְׁמְעָה דִּבְרֵי עֲקִיבָא תַּלְמִידִי שֶׁאָמַר חֲבִיבִין יִסּוּרִין. אָמַר לוֹ: עֲקִיבָא, זוֹ מִנַּיִן לָךְ? אָמַר: מִקְרָא אֲנִי דּוֹרֵשׁ: ״בֶּן שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה מְנַשֶּׁה בְמׇלְכוֹ וַחֲמִשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנָה מָלַךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָים [וְגוֹ׳] וַיַּעַשׂ הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי ה׳״, וּכְתִיב: ״גַּם אֵלֶּה מִשְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹה אֲשֶׁר הֶעְתִּיקוּ אַנְשֵׁי חִזְקִיָּה מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה״. וְכִי חִזְקִיָּה מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה לְכׇל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ לִימֵּד תּוֹרָה, וְלִמְנַשֶּׁה בְּנוֹ לֹא לִימֵּד תּוֹרָה? אֶלָּא, מִכׇּל טוֹרַח שֶׁטָּרַח בּוֹ וּמִכׇּל עָמָל שֶׁעָמֵל בּוֹ, לֹא הֶעֱלָהוּ לְמוּטָב אֶלָּא יִסּוּרִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיְדַבֵּר יהוה אֶל מְנַשֶּׁה וְאֶל עַמּוֹ וְלֹא הִקְשִׁיבוּ. וַיָּבֵא יהוה עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת שָׂרֵי הַצָּבָא אֲשֶׁר לְמֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיִּלְכְּדוּ אֶת מְנַשֶּׁה בַּחֹחִים וַיַּאַסְרֻהוּ בַּנְחֻשְׁתַּיִם וַיּוֹלִיכֻהוּ בָּבֶלָה״. וּכְתִיב: ״וּכְהָצֵר לוֹ חִלָּה אֶת פְּנֵי יהוה אֱלֹהָיו וַיִּכָּנַע מְאֹד מִלִּפְנֵי אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתָיו. וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל אֵלָיו וַיֵּעָתֶר לוֹ וַיִּשְׁמַע תְּחִנָּתוֹ וַיְשִׁיבֵהוּ יְרוּשָׁלִַים לְמַלְכוּתוֹ וַיֵּדַע מְנַשֶּׁה כִּי יהוה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים״. הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁחֲבִיבִין יִסּוּרִין. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה בָּאוּ בַּעֲלִילָה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: קַיִן, עֵשָׂו וּמְנַשֶּׁה. קַיִן, דִּכְתִיב: ״גָּדוֹל עֲוֹנִי מִנְּשׂוֹא״. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, כְּלוּם גָּדוֹל עֲוֹנִי מִשִּׁשִּׁים רִיבּוֹא שֶׁעֲתִידִין לַחְטוֹא לְפָנֶיךָ וְאַתָּה סוֹלֵחַ לָהֶם? עֵשָׂו, דִּכְתִיב: ״הַבְרָכָה אַחַת הִיא לָךְ אָבִי״. מְנַשֶּׁה – בַּתְּחִילָּה קָרָא לֶאֱלוֹהוֹת הַרְבֵּה, וּלְבַסּוֹף קָרָא לֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתָיו. אַבָּא שָׁאוּל אוֹמֵר: אַף הַהוֹגֶה אֶת הַשֵּׁם בְּאוֹתִיּוֹתָיו וְכוּ׳. תָּנָא: וּבַגְּבוּלִין, וּבִלְשׁוֹן עָגָה. שְׁלֹשָׁה מְלָכִים וְאַרְבָּעָה הֶדְיוֹטוֹת וְכוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: יָרׇבְעָם – שֶׁרִיבֵּעַ עָם. דָּבָר אַחֵר: יָרׇבְעָם – שֶׁעָשָׂה מְרִיבָה בָּעָם. דָּבָר אַחֵר: יָרׇבְעָם – שֶׁעָשָׂה מְרִיבָה בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲבִיהֶם שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם. בֶּן נְבָט – בֵּן שֶׁנִּיבַּט וְלֹא רָאָה. תַּנָּא: הוּא נְבָט, הוּא מִיכָה, הוּא שֶׁבַע בֶּן בִּכְרִי. נְבָט – שֶׁנִּיבַּט וְלֹא רָאָה. מִיכָה – שֶׁנִּתְמַכְמֵךְ בְּבִנְיָן. וּמָה שְׁמוֹ? שֶׁבַע בֶּן בִּכְרִי שְׁמוֹ. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה נִיבְּטוּ וְלֹא רָאוּ, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן – נְבָט, וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל, וְאִיצְטַגְנִינֵי פַּרְעֹה. נְבָט רָאָה אֵשׁ שֶׁיּוֹצֵאת מֵאַמָּתוֹ. הוּא סָבַר אִיהוּ מָלֵיךְ, וְלָא הִיא. יָרׇבְעָם הוּא דִּנְפַק מִינֵּיהּ. אֲחִיתוֹפֶל רָאָה צָרַעַת שֶׁזָּרְחָה לוֹ עַל אַמָּתוֹ. הוּא סָבַר אִיהוּ מָלֵךְ, וְלָא הִיא. בַּת שֶׁבַע בִּתּוֹ הוּא דִּנְפַק מִינַּהּ שְׁלֹמֹה. אִיצְטַגְנִינֵי פַּרְעֹה, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״הֵמָּה מֵי מְרִיבָה״? הֵמָּה שֶׁרָאוּ אִיצְטַגְנִינֵי פַּרְעֹה וְטָעוּ. רָאוּ שֶׁמּוֹשִׁיעָן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמַיִם הוּא לוֹקֶה, אָמַר: ״כׇּל הַבֵּן הַיִּלּוֹד הַיְאֹרָה תַּשְׁלִיכֻהוּ״. וְהֵן לֹא יָדְעוּ שֶׁעַל עִסְקֵי מֵי מְרִיבָה לוֹקֶה. וּמְנָא לַן דְּלָא אָתֵי לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי? דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי בַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה לְחַטַּאת בֵּית יָרׇבְעָם וּלְהַכְחִיד וּלְהַשְׁמִיד מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה״. ״לְהַכְחִיד״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וּלְהַשְׁמִיד״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה זָכָה יָרׇבְעָם לַמַּלְכוּת? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוֹכִיחַ אֶת שְׁלֹמֹה. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה נֶעֱנַשׁ? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוֹכִיחוֹ בָּרַבִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְזֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הֵרִים יָד בַּמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה בָּנָה אֶת הַמִּלּוֹא סָגַר אֶת פֶּרֶץ עִיר דָּוִד אָבִיו״. אָמַר לוֹ: דָּוִד אָבִיךָ פָּרַץ פְּרָצוֹת בַּחוֹמָה כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּעֲלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָרֶגֶל, וְאַתָּה גָּדַרְתָּ אוֹתָם כְּדֵי לַעֲשׂוֹת אַנְגַּרְיָא לְבַת פַּרְעֹה. וּמַאי ״וְזֶה אֲשֶׁר הֵרִים יָד בַּמֶּלֶךְ״? אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: שֶׁחָלַץ תְּפִילָּיו בְּפָנָיו. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: גַּסּוּת הָרוּחַ שֶׁהָיָה בּוֹ בְּיָרׇבְעָם טְרָדַתּוּ מִן הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יָרׇבְעָם בְּלִבּוֹ עַתָּה תָּשׁוּב הַמַּמְלָכָה לְבֵית דָּוִד. אִם יַעֲלֶה הָעָם הַזֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת זְבָחִים בְּבֵית יהוה בִּירוּשָׁלִַים וְשָׁב לֵב הָעָם הַזֶּה אֶל אֲדֹנֵיהֶם אֶל רְחַבְעָם מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה וַהֲרָגֻנִי וְשָׁבוּ אֶל רְחַבְעָם מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה״. אֲמַר: גְּמִירִי דְּאֵין יְשִׁיבָה בַּעֲזָרָה אֶלָּא לְמַלְכֵי בֵּית יְהוּדָה בִּלְבָד. כֵּיוָן דְּחָזוּ לֵיהּ לִרְחַבְעָם דְּיָתֵיב וַאֲנָא קָאֵימְנָא, סָבְרִי: הָא מַלְכָּא וְהָא עַבְדָּא. וְאִי יָתֵיבְנָא, מוֹרֵד בַּמַּלְכוּת הוּא, וְקָטְלִין לִי וְאָזְלוּ בָּתְרֵיהּ. מִיָּד ״וַיִּוָּעַץ הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיַּעַשׂ שְׁנֵי עֶגְלֵי זָהָב וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם רַב לָכֶם מֵעֲלוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַים הִנֵּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת הָאֶחָד בְּבֵית אֵל וְאֶת הָאֶחָד נָתַן בְּדָן״. מַאי ״וַיִּוָּעַץ״? אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה: שֶׁהוֹשִׁיב רָשָׁע אֵצֶל צַדִּיק. אֲמַר לְהוּ: חָתְמִיתוּ עַל כֹּל דְּעָבֵידְנָא? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הִין. אֲמַר לְהוּ: מַלְכָּא בָּעֵינָא לְמִיהְוֵי. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הִין. כֹּל דְּאָמֵינָא לְכוּ עָבֵידְתּוּ? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הִין. אֲפִילּוּ לְמִפְלַח לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ צַדִּיק: חַס וְחָלִילָה! אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָשָׁע לְצַדִּיק: סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ דְּגַבְרָא כְּיָרׇבְעָם פָּלַח לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה? אֶלָּא לְמֵינְסִינְהוּ הוּא דְּקָא בָּעֵי, אִי קַבְּלִיתוּ לְמֵימְרֵיהּ. וְאַף אֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי טָעָה וְחָתַם, דְּהָא יֵהוּא צַדִּיקָא רַבָּה הֲוָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה אֶל יֵהוּא יַעַן אֲשֶׁר הֱטִיבֹתָ לַעֲשׂוֹת הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינַי כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר בִּלְבָבִי עָשִׂיתָ לְבֵית אַחְאָב בְּנֵי רְבִעִים יֵשְׁבוּ לְךָ עַל כִּסֵּא יִשְׂרָאֵל״, וּכְתִיב: ״וְיֵהוּא לֹא שָׁמַר לָלֶכֶת בְּתוֹרַת יהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכׇל לְבָבוֹ לֹא סָר מֵעַל חַטֹּאות יָרׇבְעָם אֲשֶׁר הֶחֱטִיא אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל״. מַאי גְּרַמָא לֵיהּ? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בְּרִית כְּרוּתָה לַשְּׂפָתַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״אַחְאָב עָבַד אֶת הַבַּעַל מְעָט יֵהוּא יַעַבְדֶנּוּ הַרְבֵּה״. רָבָא אָמַר: חוֹתָמוֹ שֶׁל אֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי רָאָה, וְטָעָה. דִּכְתִיב: ״וְשַׁחֲטָה שֵׂטִים הֶעְמִיקוּ וַאֲנִי מוּסָר לְכֻלָּם״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, הֵם הַעֲמִיקוּ מִשֶּׁלִּי. אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי: כֹּל שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹלֶה לָרֶגֶל עוֹבֵר בַּעֲשֵׂה, וְהֵם אָמְרוּ: כׇּל הָעוֹלֶה לָרֶגֶל יִדָּקֵר בַּחֶרֶב. ״וַיְהִי בָּעֵת הַהִיא וְיָרׇבְעָם יָצָא מִירוּשָׁלִָים וַיִּמְצָא אֹתוֹ אֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי הַנָּבִיא בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְהוּא מִתְכַּסֶּה בְּשַׂלְמָה חֲדָשָׁה״. תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עֵת הִיא מְזוּמֶּנֶת לְפוּרְעָנוּת. ״בְּעֵת פְּקֻדָּתָם יֹאבֵדוּ״, תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עֵת מְזוּמֶּנֶת לְפוּרְעָנוּת. ״בְּעֵת רָצוֹן עֲנִיתִיךָ״, תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עֵת מְזוּמֶּנֶת לְטוֹבָה. ״וּבְיוֹם פׇּקְדִי וּפָקַדְתִּי עֲלֵהֶם חַטָּאתָם״, תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עֵת הִיא מְזוּמֶּנֶת לְפוּרְעָנוּת. ״וַיְהִי בָּעֵת הַהִיא וַיֵּרֶד יְהוּדָה מֵאֵת אֶחָיו״, תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: עֵת מְזוּמֶּנֶת לְפוּרְעָנוּת. ״וַיֵּלֶךְ רְחַבְעָם שְׁכֶם כִּי שְׁכֶם בָּא כׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהַמְלִיךְ אֹתוֹ״. תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: מָקוֹם מְזוּמָּן לְפוּרְעָנוּת. בִּשְׁכֶם עִינּוּ אֶת דִּינָה, בִּשְׁכֶם מָכְרוּ אֶחָיו אֶת יוֹסֵף, בִּשְׁכֶם נֶחְלְקָה מַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד. ״וְיָרׇבְעָם יָצָא מִירוּשָׁלָיִם״, אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פָּפָּא: שֶׁיָּצָא מִפִּיתְקָהּ שֶׁל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם. ״וַיִּמְצָא אֹתוֹ אֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי הַנָּבִיא בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְהוּא מִתְכַּסֶּה בְּשַׂלְמָה חֲדָשָׁה וּשְׁנֵיהֶם לְבַדָּם בַּשָּׂדֶה״. מַאי ״בְּשַׂלְמָה חֲדָשָׁה״? אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: כְּשַׂלְמָה חֲדָשָׁה. מָה שַׂלְמָה חֲדָשָׁה אֵין בָּהּ שׁוּם דּוֹפִי – אַף תּוֹרָתוֹ שֶׁל יָרׇבְעָם לֹא הָיָה בָּהּ שׁוּם דּוֹפִי. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״שַׂלְמָה חֲדָשָׁה״ – שֶׁחִידְּשׁוּ דְּבָרִים שֶׁלֹּא שָׁמְעָה אֹזֶן מֵעוֹלָם. מַאי ״וּשְׁנֵיהֶם לְבַדָּם בַּשָּׂדֶה״? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: שֶׁכׇּל תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים דּוֹמִין לִפְנֵיהֶם כְּעִשְׂבֵי הַשָּׂדֶה. וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמַר: שֶׁכׇּל טַעֲמֵי תּוֹרָה מְגוּלִּין לָהֶם כַּשָּׂדֶה. ״לָכֵן תִּתְּנִי שִׁלּוּחִים עַל מוֹרֶשֶׁת גַּת בָּתֵּי אַכְזִיב לְאַכְזָב לְמַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פָּפָּא: יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לָהֶן, מִי שֶׁהָרַג אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וְהוֹרִישׁ אֶתְכֶם גַּת, תִּתְּנוּ שִׁילּוּחִים לְבָנָיו? ״בָּתֵּי אַכְזִיב לְאַכְזָב לְמַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פָּפָּא: כׇּל הַנֶּהֱנֶה מִן הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה בְּלֹא בְּרָכָה, כְּאִילּוּ גּוֹזֵל לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״גּוֹזֵל אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ וְאֹמֵר אֵין פָּשַׁע חָבֵר הוּא לְאִישׁ מַשְׁחִית״. וְאֵין אָבִיו אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הֲלֹא הוּא אָבִיךָ קָּנֶךָ״. וְאֵין אִמּוֹ אֶלָּא כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שְׁמַע בְּנִי מוּסַר אָבִיךָ וְאַל תִּטֹּשׁ תּוֹרַת אִמֶּךָ״. מַאי ״חָבֵר הוּא לְאִישׁ מַשְׁחִית״? חָבֵר הוּא לְיָרׇבְעָם בֶּן נְבָט, שֶׁהִשְׁחִית יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲבִיהֶם שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם. ״וְיַדַּח יָרׇבְעָם (בֶּן נְבָט) אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאַחֲרֵי יהוה וְהֶחֱטִיאָם חֲטָאָה גְדוֹלָה״. אָמַר רַבִּי חָנִין: ״כִּשְׁתֵּי מַקְלוֹת הַמַּתִּיזוֹת זוֹ אֶת זוֹ״. ״וְדִי זָהָב״. אָמְרוּ דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי, אָמַר מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, בִּשְׁבִיל כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב שֶׁהִשְׁפַּעְתָּ לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַד שֶׁיֹּאמְרוּ ׳דַּיי׳, גָּרַם לָהֶם לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי זָהָב. מָשָׁל: אֵין אֲרִי דּוֹרֵס וְנוֹהֵם מִתּוֹךְ קוּפָּה שֶׁל תֶּבֶן, אֶלָּא מִתּוֹךְ קוּפָּה שֶׁל בָּשָׂר. אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: עַד יָרׇבְעָם הָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹנְקִים מֵעֵגֶל אֶחָד, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ מִשְּׁנַיִם וּשְׁלֹשָׁה עֲגָלִים. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֵין לָךְ כׇּל פּוּרְעָנוּת וּפוּרְעָנוּת שֶׁבָּאָה לְעוֹלָם שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ אֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה בְּהֶכְרֵעַ לִיטְרָא שֶׁל עֵגֶל הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבְיוֹם פׇּקְדִי וּפָקַדְתִּי עֲלֵהֶם חַטֹּאתָם״. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: לְאַחַר עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה דּוֹרוֹת נִגְבָּה פָּסוּק זֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּקְרָא בְאׇזְנַי קוֹל גָּדוֹל לֵאמֹר קָרְבוּ פְּקֻדּוֹת הָעִיר וְאִישׁ כְּלִי מַשְׁחֵתוֹ בְּיָדוֹ״. ״אַחַר הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה לֹא שָׁב יָרׇבְעָם מִדַּרְכּוֹ הָרָעָה״. מַאי ״אַחַר״? אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא: אַחַר שֶׁתְּפָשׂוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיָרׇבְעָם בְּבִגְדוֹ, וְאָמַר לוֹ: חֲזוֹר בְּךָ, וַאֲנִי וְאַתָּה וּבֶן יִשַׁי נְטַיֵּיל בְּגַן עֵדֶן. אָמַר לוֹ: מִי בָּרֹאשׁ? בֶּן יִשַׁי בָּרֹאשׁ. אִי הָכִי, לָא בָּעֵינָא. רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ הֲוָה רְגִיל דַּהֲוָה קָא דָרֵישׁ בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה מְלָכִים. חֲלַשׁ, קַבֵּיל עֲלֵיהּ דְּלָא דָּרֵישׁ. כֵּיוָן דְּאִתְּפַח, הֲדַר קָא דָרֵישׁ. אָמְרִי: לָא קַבֵּילְתְּ עֲלָךְ דְּלָא דָּרְשַׁתְּ בְּהוּ? אָמַר: אִינְהוּ מִי הֲדַרוּ בְּהוּ, דַּאֲנָא אֶהְדַּר בִּי? רַב אָשֵׁי אוֹקֵי אַשְּׁלֹשָׁה מְלָכִים. אֲמַר: לִמְחַר נִפְתַּח בְּחַבְרִין. אֲתָא מְנַשֶּׁה, אִיתְחֲזִי לֵיהּ בְּחֶלְמֵיהּ. אָמַר: חֲבֵרָךְ וַחֲבֵירֵי דַּאֲבוּךְ קָרֵית לַן? מֵהֵיכָא בָּעֵית לְמִישְׁרֵא הַמּוֹצִיא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא יָדַעְנָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵהֵיכָא דְּבָעֵית לְמִישְׁרֵא הַמּוֹצִיא לָא גְּמִירַתְּ, וַחֲבֵרָךְ קָרֵית לַן? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַגְמְרֵיהּ לִי, וְלִמְחַר דָּרֵישְׁנָא לֵיהּ מִשְּׁמָךְ בְּפִירְקָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵהֵיכָא דְּקָרֵים בִּישּׁוּלָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵאַחַר דְּחַכִּימַתְּ כּוּלֵּי הַאי, מַאי טַעְמָא קָא פָּלְחִיתוּ לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי הֲוֵת הָתָם, הֲוֵת נָקֵיטַתְּ בְּשִׁיפּוּלֵי גְּלִימָא וְרָהֲטַתְּ אַבַּתְרַאי. לִמְחַר אֲמַר לְהוּ לְרַבָּנַן: נִפְתָּח בְּרַבְּווֹתָא. אַחְאָב: אָח לַשָּׁמַיִם, אָב לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. אָח לַשָּׁמַיִם, דִּכְתִיב: ״אָח לְצָרָה יִוָּלֵד״. אָב לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כְּרַחֵם אָב עַל בָּנִים״. ״וַיְהִי הֲנָקֵל לֶכְתּוֹ בְּחַטֹּאות יָרׇבְעָם בֶּן נְבָט״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: קַלּוֹת שֶׁעָשָׂה אַחְאָב – כַּחֲמוּרוֹת שֶׁעָשָׂה יָרׇבְעָם. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה תָּלָה הַכָּתוּב בְּיָרׇבְעָם? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא הָיָה תְּחִילָּה לַקַּלְקָלָה. ״גַּם מִזְבְּחוֹתָם כְּגַלִּים עַל תַּלְמֵי שָׂדָי״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֵין לָךְ כׇּל תֶּלֶם וָתֶלֶם בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁלֹּא הֶעֱמִיד עָלָיו אַחְאָב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהּ. וּמְנָא לַן דְּלָא אָתֵי לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי? דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהִכְרַתִּי לְאַחְאָב מַשְׁתִּין בְּקִיר וְעָצוּר וְעָזוּב בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל״. ״עָצוּר״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וְעָזוּב״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה זָכָה עׇמְרִי לַמַּלְכוּת? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוֹסִיף כְּרַךְ אֶחָד בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּקֶן אֶת הָהָר שֹׁמְרוֹן מֵאֶת שֶׁמֶר בְּכִכְּרַיִם כָּסֶף וַיִּבֶן אֶת הָהָר וַיִּקְרָא [אֶת] שֵׁם הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר בָּנָה עַל שֶׁם שֶׁמֶר אדני הָהָר שֹׁמְרוֹן״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה זָכָה אַחְאָב לַמַּלְכוּת עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁתַּיִם שָׁנָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁכִּיבֵּד אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנִּיתְּנָה בְּעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁתַּיִם אוֹתִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּשְׁלַח מַלְאָכִים אֶל אַחְאָב מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל הָעִירָה. וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ כֹּה אָמַר בֶּן הֲדַד כַּסְפְּךָ וּזְהָבְךָ לִי הוּא וְנָשֶׁיךָ וּבָנֶיךָ הַטּוֹבִים לִי הֵם״. ״כִּי אִם כָּעֵת מָחָר אֶשְׁלַח אֶת עֲבָדַי אֵלֶיךָ וְחִפְּשׂוּ אֶת בֵּיתְךָ וְאֵת בָּתֵּי עֲבָדֶיךָ וְהָיָה כׇּל מַחְמַד עֵינֶיךָ יָשִׂימוּ בְיָדָם וְלָקָחוּ״. ״וַיֹּאמֶר לְמַלְאֲכֵי בֶן הֲדַד אִמְרוּ לַאדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַחְתָּ אֶל עַבְדְּךָ בָרִאשׁוֹנָה אֶעֱשֶׂה וְהַדָּבָר הַזֶּה לֹא אוּכַל לַעֲשׂוֹת״. מַאי ״מַחְמַד עֵינֶיךָ״? לָאו סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה? דִּילְמָא עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה? לָא סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו כׇּל הַזְּקֵנִים וְכׇל הָעָם לֹא תֹאבֶה וְלֹא תִשְׁמַע״. וְדִילְמָא סָבֵי דְּבַהֲתָא הֲווֹ? מִי לָא כְּתִיב: ״וַיִּישַׁר הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי אַבְשָׁלֹם וּבְעֵינֵי כׇּל זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״? וְאָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: סָבֵי דְּבַהֲתָא. הָתָם לָא כְּתִיב ״וְכׇל הָעָם״, הָכָא כְּתִיב ״וְכׇל הָעָם״, דְּאִי אֶפְשָׁר דְּלָא הֲווֹ בְּהוֹן צַדִּיקֵי. וּכְתִיב: ״וְהִשְׁאַרְתִּי בְיִשְׂרָאֵל שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים כׇּל הַבִּרְכַּיִם אֲשֶׁר לֹא כָרְעוּ לַבַּעַל וְכׇל הַפֶּה אֲשֶׁר לֹא נָשַׁק לוֹ״. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: אַחְאָב שָׁקוּל הָיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה מִי יְפַתֶּה אֶת אַחְאָב וְיַעַל וְיִפֹּל בְּרָמֹת גִּלְעָד וַיֹּאמֶר זֶה בְּכֹה וְזֶה אֹמֵר בְּכֹה״. מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רַבִּי יוֹסֵף: מַאן דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ ״רַק לֹא הָיָה כְאַחְאָב אֲשֶׁר הִתְמַכֵּר לַעֲשׂוֹת הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יהוה אֲשֶׁר הֵסַתָּה אֹתוֹ אִיזֶבֶל אִשְׁתּוֹ״, וּתְנֵינָא: בְּכׇל יוֹם הָיְתָה שׁוֹקֶלֶת שִׁקְלֵי זָהָב לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְאַתְּ אָמְרַתְּ שָׁקוּל הָיָה?! אֶלָּא, אַחְאָב וַותְּרָן בְּמָמוֹנוֹ הָיָה, וּמִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהֶהֱנָה תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים מִנְּכָסָיו כִּיפְּרוּ לוֹ מֶחֱצָה. ״וַיֵּצֵא הָרוּחַ וַיַּעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי יהוה וַיֹּאמֶר אֲנִי אֲפַתֶּנּוּ וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה אֵלָיו בַּמָּה. וַיֹּאמֶר אֵצֵא וְהָיִיתִי רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר בְּפִי כׇּל נְבִיאָיו וַיֹּאמֶר תְּפַתֶּה וְגַם תּוּכָל צֵא וַעֲשֵׂה כֵן״. מַאי רוּחַ? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: רוּחוֹ שֶׁל נָבוֹת הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִי. מַאי ״צֵא״? אָמַר רָבִינָא: ״צֵא מִמְּחִיצָתִי״, שֶׁכֵּן כְּתִיב: ״דֹּבֵר שְׁקָרִים לֹא יִכּוֹן לְנֶגֶד עֵינָי״. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: דְּפָרַע קִינֵּיהּ מַחְרֵיב בֵּיתֵיהּ. ״וַיַּעַשׂ אַחְאָב אֶת הָאֲשֵׁרָה וַיּוֹסֶף אַחְאָב לַעֲשׂוֹת לְהַכְעִיס אֶת יהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכֹּל מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ לְפָנָיו״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שֶׁכָּתַב עַל דַּלְתוֹת שֹׁמְרוֹן אַחְאָב כָּפַר בֵּאלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְפִיכָךְ אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק בֵּאלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. ״וַיְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת אֲחַזְיָהוּ וַיִּלְכְּדֻהוּ וְהוּא מִתְחַבֵּא בְשֹׁמְרוֹן״. אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי: שֶׁהָיָה קוֹדֵר אַזְכָּרוֹת, וְכוֹתֵב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה תַּחְתֵּיהֶן. מְנַשֶּׁה – שֶׁנָּשָׁה יָהּ. דָּבָר אַחֵר: מְנַשֶּׁה – שֶׁהִנְשִׁי אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲבִיהֶם שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם. וּמְנָלַן דְּלָא אָתֵי לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי? דִּכְתִיב: ״בֶּן שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה מְנַשֶּׁה בְמׇלְכוֹ וַחֲמִשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנָה מָלַךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָים וַיַּעַשׂ אֲשֵׁרָה כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אַחְאָב מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל״. מָה אַחְאָב אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, אַף מְנַשֶּׁה אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: מְנַשֶּׁה יֵשׁ לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל מְנַשֶּׁה אֶל יהוה וַיֵּעָתֶר לוֹ וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: וּשְׁנֵיהֶם מִקְרָא אֶחָד דָּרְשׁוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּנְתַתִּים לְזַעֲוָה לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָרֶץ בִּגְלַל מְנַשֶּׁה בֶן יְחִזְקִיָּהוּ״. מָר סָבַר: בִּגְלַל מְנַשֶּׁה שֶׁעָשָׂה תְּשׁוּבָה וְאִינְהוּ לָא עֲבוּד, וּמָר סָבַר: בִּגְלַל מְנַשֶּׁה, דְּלָא עֲבַד תְּשׁוּבָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הָאוֹמֵר מְנַשֶּׁה אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא מְרַפֶּה יְדֵיהֶן שֶׁל בַּעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה. דְּתָנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מְנַשֶּׁה עָשָׂה תְּשׁוּבָה (לִשְׁלֹשִׁים) [שְׁלֹשִׁים] וְשָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״בֵּן שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה מְנַשֶּׁה בְמׇלְכוֹ וַחֲמִשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנָה מָלַךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָים וַיַּעַשׂ (הָרַע) [אֲשֵׁרָה] וְכוּ׳ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אַחְאָב מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל״. כַּמָּה מָלַךְ אַחְאָב? עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין שְׁנִין. מְנַשֶּׁה כַּמָּה מָלַךְ? חֲמִשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ. דַּל מִינַּיְיהוּ עֶשְׂרִים וְתַרְתֵּין, פָּשׁוּ לְהוּ תְּלָתִין וּתְלָת. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וַיִּשְׁמַע אֵלָיו וַיֵּחָתֶר לוֹ״? ״וַיֵּעָתֶר לוֹ״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! מְלַמֵּד שֶׁעָשָׂה לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כְּמִין מַחְתֶּרֶת בָּרָקִיעַ, כְּדֵי לְקַבְּלוֹ בִּתְשׁוּבָה, מִפְּנֵי מִדַּת הַדִּין. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״בְּרֵאשִׁית מַמְלֶכֶת יְהוֹיָקִים בֶּן יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ״, וּכְתִיב ״בְּרֵאשִׁית מַמְלֶכֶת צִדְקִיָּה״? וְכִי עַד הָאִידָּנָא לָא הֲווֹ מַלְכֵי? אֶלָּא, בִּקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהַחְזִיר אֶת הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ לְתוֹהוּ וָבוֹהוּ בִּשְׁבִיל יְהוֹיָקִים. נִסְתַּכֵּל בְּדוֹרוֹ, וְנִתְקָרְרָה דַּעְתּוֹ. בִּקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהַחְזִיר אֶת הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ לְתוֹהוּ וָבוֹהוּ בִּשְׁבִיל דּוֹרוֹ שֶׁל צִדְקִיָּה. נִסְתַּכֵּל בְּצִדְקִיָּה וְנִתְקָרְרָה דַּעְתּוֹ. בְּצִדְקִיָּה נָמֵי כְּתִיב: ״וַיַּעַשׂ הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי ה׳״. שֶׁהָיָה בְּיָדוֹ לִמְחוֹת וְלֹא מִיחָה. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״אִישׁ חָכָם נִשְׁפָּט אֶת אִישׁ אֱוִיל וְרָגַז וְשָׂחַק וְאֵין נָחַת״? אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: כָּעַסְתִּי עַל אָחָז וּנְתַתִּיו בְּיַד מַלְכֵי דַמֶּשֶׂק, זִיבַּח וְקִיטֵּר [לֵאלֹהֵיהֶם], שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּזְבַּח לֵאלֹהֵי דַרְמֶשֶׂק הַמַּכִּים בּוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר [כִּי] אֱלֹהֵי מַלְכֵי אֲרָם הֵם מַעְזְרִים אוֹתָם לָהֶם אֲזַבֵּחַ וְיַעְזְרוּנִי וְהֵם הָיוּ [לוֹ] לְהַכְשִׁילוֹ וּלְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל״. שָׂחַקְתִּי עִם אֲמַצְיָה וְנָתַתִּי מַלְכֵי אֱדוֹם בְּיָדוֹ. הֵבִיא אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי בוֹא אֲמַצְיָהוּ מֵהַכּוֹת אֶת אֲדוֹמִים וַיָּבֵא אֶת אֱלֹהֵי בְּנֵי שֵׂעִיר וַיַּעֲמִידֵם [לוֹ] לֵאלֹהִים וְלִפְנֵיהֶם יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה וְלָהֶם יְקַטֵּר״. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי, בְּכַיי לֵיהּ לְמָר וְלָא יָדַע, חֲיַיכִי לְמָר וְלָא יָדַע, וַוי לֵיהּ לְמָר דְּלָא יָדַע בֵּין טָב לְבִישׁ. ״וַיָּבֹאוּ כֹּל [שָׂרֵי] מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל (וַיָּבֹאוּ) [וַיֵּשְׁבוּ] בְּשַׁעַר הַתָּוֶךְ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: מָקוֹם שֶׁמְּחַתְּכִין בּוֹ הֲלָכוֹת. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי, בְּאַתְרָא דְּמָרֵיהּ תְּלָא לֵיהּ זְיָינֵיהּ, תַּמָּן קוּלְבָּא רָעֲיָא קוּלְּתֵיהּ תְּלָא. סִימַן: עַל שְׂדֵה, (בָתִּים) [כִּתִּים], לֹא תְּאוּנֶּה. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״עַל שְׂדֵה אִישׁ עָצֵל עָבַרְתִּי וְעַל כֶּרֶם אָדָם חֲסַר לֵב וְהִנֵּה עָלָה כֻלּוֹ קִמְּשׂוֹנִים כׇּסּוּ פָנָיו חֲרֻלִּים וְגֶדֶר אֲבָנָיו נֶהֱרָסָה״? ״עַל שְׂדֵה אִישׁ עָצֵל עָבַרְתִּי״ – זֶה אָחָז, ״וְעַל כֶּרֶם אָדָם חֲסַר לֵב״ – זֶה מְנַשֶּׁה, ״וְהִנֵּה עָלָה כֻלּוֹ קִמְּשׂוֹנִים״ – זֶה אָמוֹן, ״כׇּסּוּ פָנָיו חֲרֻלִּים״ – זֶה יְהוֹיָקִים, ״וְגֶדֶר אֲבָנָיו נֶהֱרָסָה״ – זֶה צִדְקִיָּהוּ שֶׁנֶּחְרַב בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ בְּיָמָיו. וְאָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא: אַרְבַּע כִּיתּוֹת אֵין מְקַבְּלוֹת פְּנֵי שְׁכִינָה: כַּת לֵצִים, כַּת שַׁקְרָנִים, כַּת חֲנֵיפִים, כַּת מְסַפְּרֵי לָשׁוֹן הָרָע. כַּת לֵצִים – דִּכְתִיב: ״מָשַׁךְ יָדוֹ אֶת לֹצְצִים״. כַּת שַׁקְרָנִים – דִּכְתִיב: ״דֹּבֵר שְׁקָרִים לֹא יִכּוֹן לְנֶגֶד עֵינָי״. כַּת חֲנֵיפִים – דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי לֹא לְפָנָיו חָנֵף יָבוֹא״. כַּת מְסַפְּרֵי לָשׁוֹן הָרָע – דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי לֹא אֵל חָפֵץ רֶשַׁע אָתָּה לֹא יְגֻרְךָ רָע״, צַדִּיק אַתָּה וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בִּמְגוּרְךָ רָע. וְאָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״לֹא תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה וְנֶגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בְּאׇהֳלֶךָ״? ״לֹא תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה״ – שֶׁלֹּא יִשְׁלוֹט בָּהֶן יֵצֶר הָרָע, ״וְנֶגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בְּאׇהֳלֶךָ״ – שֶׁלֹּא תִּמְצָא אִשְׁתְּךָ סְפֵק נִדָּה בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁתָּבֹא מִן הַדֶּרֶךְ. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״לֹא תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה״ – שֶׁלֹּא יְבַעֲתוּךָ חֲלוֹמוֹת רָעִים וְהִרְהוּרִים רָעִים. ״וְנֶגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בְּאׇהֳלֶךָ״ – שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא לְךָ בֵּן אוֹ תַּלְמִיד שֶׁמַּקְדִּיחַ תַּבְשִׁילוֹ בָּרַבִּים, כְּגוֹן יֵשׁוּ הַנּוֹצְרִי. עַד כָּאן בֵּרְכוֹ אָבִיו, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ בֵּרְכַתּוּ אִמּוֹ. ״כִּי מַלְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה לָּךְ לִשְׁמׇרְךָ בְּכׇל דְּרָכֶיךָ. עַל כַּפַּיִם יִשָּׂאוּנְךָ וְגוֹ׳. עַל שַׁחַל וָפֶתֶן תִּדְרֹךְ וְגוֹ׳״. עַד כָּאן בֵּרְכַתּוּ אִמּוֹ, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ בֵּרְכַתּוּ שָׁמַיִם. ״כִּי בִי חָשַׁק וַאֲפַלְּטֵהוּ אֲשַׂגְּבֵהוּ כִּי יָדַע שְׁמִי. יִקְרָאֵנִי וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ עִמּוֹ אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ. אוֹרֶךְ יָמִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ וְאַרְאֵהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי״. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וְיִמָּנַע מֵרְשָׁעִים אוֹרָם וּזְרוֹעַ רָמָה תִּשָּׁבֵר״? מִפְּנֵי מָה עַיִן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים תְּלוּיָה? כֵּיוָן שֶׁנַּעֲשֶׂה אָדָם רָשׁ מִלְּמַטָּה, נַעֲשֶׂה רָשׁ מִלְּמַעְלָה. וְלָא נִכְתְּבַיהּ כְּלָל? רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: חַד אָמַר, מִפְּנֵי כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל דָּוִד; וְחַד אָמַר, מִשּׁוּם כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל נְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מְנַשֶּׁה הָיָה שׁוֹנֶה חֲמִשִּׁים וַחֲמִשָּׁה פָּנִים בְּתוֹרַת כֹּהֲנִים, כְּנֶגֶד שְׁנֵי מַלְכוּתוֹ. אַחְאָב – שְׁמֹנִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה, יָרׇבְעָם – מֵאָה וּשְׁלֹשָׁה. תַּנְיָא: הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר, אַבְשָׁלוֹם אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וַיַּכּוּ אֶת אַבְשָׁלוֹם וַיְמִיתֻהוּ״. ״וַיַּכּוּהוּ״ – בְּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וַיְמִיתֻהוּ״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר, אָחָז וַאֲחַזְיָה וְכׇל מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁכָּתוּב בָּהֶן ״וַיַּעַשׂ הָרָע בְּעֵינֵי ה׳״ – לֹא חַיִּין וְלֹא נִידּוֹנִין. ״וְגַם דָּם נָקִי שָׁפַךְ מְנַשֶּׁה הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד עַד אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּא אֶת יְרוּשָׁלִַים פֶּה לָפֶה לְבַד מֵחַטָּאתוֹ אֲשֶׁר הֶחֱטִיא אֶת יְהוּדָה לַעֲשׂוֹת הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי ה׳״. הָכָא תַּרְגִּימוּ: שֶׁהָרַג יְשַׁעְיָה. בְּמַעְרְבָא אָמְרִי: שֶׁעָשָׂה צֶלֶם מַשּׂאוֹי אֶלֶף בְּנֵי אָדָם, וּבְכׇל יוֹם וָיוֹם הוֹרֵג (אֶת) כּוּלָּם. כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּאָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה: שְׁקוּלָה נְשָׁמָה שֶׁל צַדִּיק אֶחָד כְּנֶגֶד כׇּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ? כְּמַאן דְּאָמַר יְשַׁעְיָה הָרַג. כְּתִיב ״פֶּסֶל״, וּכְתִיב ״פְּסִילִים״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בַּתְּחִלָּה עָשָׂה לוֹ פַּרְצוּף אֶחָד, וּלְבַסּוֹף עָשָׂה לוֹ אַרְבָּעָה פַּרְצוּפִים, כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּרְאֶה שְׁכִינָה וְתִכְעוֹס. אָחָז הֶעֱמִידוֹ בַּעֲלִיָּיה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֵת הַמִּזְבְּחוֹת אֲשֶׁר עַל הַגָּג עֲלִיַּת אָחָז וְגוֹ׳״. מְנַשֶּׁה הֶעֱמִידוֹ בַּהֵיכָל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת פֶּסֶל הָאֲשֵׁרָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה בַּבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יהוה אֶל דָּוִד וְאֶל שְׁלֹמֹה [בְנוֹ] בַּבַּיִת הַזֶּה וּבִירוּשָׁלִַים אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתִּי מִכֹּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָשִׂים אֶת שְׁמִי לְעוֹלָם״. אָמוֹן הִכְנִיסוֹ לְבֵית קׇדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי קָצַר הַמַּצָּע מֵהִשְׂתָּרֵעַ וְהַמַּסֵּכָה צָרָה כְּהִתְכַּנֵּס״. מַאי ״כִּי קָצַר הַמַּצָּע מֵהִשְׂתָּרֵעַ״? אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: [כִּי] קָצַר הַמַּצָּע זֶה מִלְּהִשְׂתָּרֵר עָלָיו שְׁנֵי רֵעִים כְּאֶחָד. מַאי ״וְהַמַּסֵּכָה צָרָה וְגוֹ׳״? אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי: רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן כִּי הֲוָה מָטֵי לְהַאי קְרָא הֲוָה קָא בָכֵי, מִי שֶׁכָּתַב בּוֹ ״כֹּנֵס כַּנֵּד מֵי הַיָּם״ תֵּעָשֶׂה לוֹ מַסֵּכָה צָרָה? [אָחָז בִּטֵּל אֶת הָעֲבוֹדָה], וְחָתַם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״צוֹר תְּעוּדָה חֲתוֹם תּוֹרָה בְּלִמּוּדָי״. מְנַשֶּׁה קָדַר אֶת הָאַזְכָּרוֹת, וְהָרַס אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ. אָמוֹן שָׂרַף אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, וְהֶעֱלָה שְׂמָמִית עַל גַּבֵּי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ. אָחָז הִתִּיר אֶת הָעֶרְוָה. מְנַשֶּׁה בָּא עַל אֲחוֹתוֹ. אָמוֹן בָּא עַל אִמּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי הוּא אָמוֹן הִרְבָּה אַשְׁמָה״. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, חַד אָמַר: שֶׁשָּׂרַף אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, וְחַד אָמַר: שֶׁבָּא עַל אִמּוֹ. אָמְרָה לוֹ אִמּוֹ: כְּלוּם יֵשׁ לְךָ הֲנָאָה מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁיָּצָאתָ מִמֶּנּוּ? אָמַר לָהּ: כְּלוּם אֲנִי עוֹשֶׂה אֶלָּא לְהַכְעִיס אֶת בּוֹרְאִי. כִּי אֲתָא יְהוֹיָקִים אָמַר: קַמָּאֵי לָא יָדְעִי לְאַרְגּוֹזֵי, כְּלוּם אָנוּ צְרִיכִין אֶלָּא לְאוֹרוֹ? יֵשׁ לָנוּ זְהַב פַּרְוַיִים שֶׁאָנוּ מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בּוֹ, יִטּוֹל אוֹרוֹ. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: וַהֲלֹא כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב שֶׁלּוֹ הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לִי הַכֶּסֶף וְלִי הַזָּהָב נְאֻם יהוה צְבָאוֹת״? אָמַר לָהֶם: כְּבָר נְתָנוֹ לָנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַשָּׁמַיִם שָׁמַיִם לַיהוה וְהָאָרֶץ נָתַן לִבְנֵי אָדָם״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא לְרַבָּה בַּר מָרִי: מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא מָנוּ אֶת יְהוֹיָקִים? מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ: ״וְיֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי יְהוֹיָקִים וְתֹעֲבֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וְהַנִּמְצָא עָלָיו״. מַאי ״וְהַנִּמְצָא עָלָיו״? רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר – חַד אָמַר: שֶׁחָקַק שֵׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה עַל אַמָּתוֹ, וְחַד אָמַר: שֶׁחָקַק שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם עַל אַמָּתוֹ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בִּמְלָכִים לֹא שָׁמַעְתִּי, בְּהֶדְיוֹטוֹת שָׁמַעְתִּי. מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא מָנוּ אֶת מִיכָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁפִּתּוֹ מְצוּיָה לְעוֹבְרֵי דְּרָכִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כׇּל הָעוֹבֵר וְשָׁב אֶל הַלְוִיִּם״. ״וְעָבַר בַּיָּם צָרָה וְהִכָּה בַיָּם גַּלִּים״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: זֶה פִּסְלוֹ שֶׁל מִיכָה. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: מִגָּרֵב לְשִׁילֹה שְׁלֹשָׁה מִילִין, וְהָיָה עֲשַׁן הַמַּעֲרָכָה וַעֲשַׁן פֶּסֶל מִיכָה מִתְעָרְבִין זֶה בָּזֶה. בִּקְּשׁוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לְדוֹחְפוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הַנִּיחוּ לוֹ, שֶׁפִּתּוֹ מְצוּיָה לְעוֹבְרֵי דְּרָכִים. וְעַל דָּבָר זֶה נֶעְנְשׁוּ אַנְשֵׁי פִּלֶגֶשׁ בַּגִּבְעָה. אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: בִּכְבוֹדִי לֹא מְחִיתֶם, עַל כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל בָּשָׂר וָדָם מְחִיתֶם! אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן קִסְמָא: גְּדוֹלָה לְגִימָה, שֶׁהִרְחִיקָה שְׁתֵּי מִשְׁפָּחוֹת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַל דְּבַר אֲשֶׁר לֹא קִדְּמוּ אֶתְכֶם בַּלֶּחֶם וּבַמַּיִם״. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן דִּידֵיהּ אָמַר: מְרַחֶקֶת אֶת הַקְּרוֹבִים, וּמְקָרֶבֶת אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים, וּמַעֲלֶמֶת עֵינַיִם מִן הָרְשָׁעִים, וּמַשְׁרָה שְׁכִינָה עַל נְבִיאֵי הַבַּעַל, וְשִׁגְגָתוֹ עוֹלָה זָדוֹן. מְרַחֶקֶת אֶת הַקְּרוֹבִים – מֵעַמּוֹן וּמוֹאָב. וּמְקָרֶבֶת אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים – מִיִּתְרוֹ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בִּשְׂכַר ״קִרְאֶן לוֹ וְיֹאכַל לָחֶם״, זָכוּ בְּנֵי בָנָיו וְיָשְׁבוּ בְּלִשְׁכַּת הַגָּזִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִשְׁפְּחוֹת סוֹפְרִים יֹשְׁבֵי יַעְבֵּץ תִּרְעָתִים שִׁמְעָתִים שׂוּכָתִים הֵמָּה הַקִּינִים הַבָּאִים מֵחַמַּת אֲבִי בֵית רֵכָב״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וּבְנֵי קֵינִי חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה עָלוּ מֵעִיר הַתְּמָרִים אֶת בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה מִדְבַּר יְהוּדָה אֲשֶׁר בְּנֶגֶב עֲרָד וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיֵּשֶׁב אֶת הָעָם״. וּמַעֲלֶמֶת עֵינַיִם מִן הָרְשָׁעִים – מִמִּיכָה. וּמַשְׁרָה שְׁכִינָה עַל נְבִיאֵי הַבַּעַל – מֵחֲבֵירוֹ שֶׁל עִדּוֹ הַנָּבִיא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי הֵם יֹשְׁבִים אֶל הַשֻּׁלְחָן וַיְהִי דְּבַר יהוה אֶל הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר הֱשִׁיבוֹ״. וְשִׁגְגָתָהּ עוֹלָה זָדוֹן, דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אִלְמָלֵי הִלְוָוהוּ יְהוֹנָתָן לְדָוִד שְׁתֵּי כִּכְּרוֹת לֶחֶם, לֹא נֶהֶרְגָה נוֹב עִיר הַכֹּהֲנִים, וְלֹא נִטְרַד דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי, וְלֹא נֶהֱרַג שָׁאוּל וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא מָנוּ אֶת אָחָז? אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אַבָּא: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמּוּטָל בֵּין שְׁנֵי צַדִּיקִים, בֵּין יוֹתָם לְחִזְקִיָּהוּ. רַב יוֹסֵף אָמַר: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ בּשֶׁת פָּנִים מִישַׁעְיָהוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה אֶל יְשַׁעְיָהוּ צֵא נָא לִקְרַאת אָחָז אַתָּה וּשְׁאָר יָשׁוּב בְּנֶךָ אֶל קְצֵה תְּעָלַת הַבְּרֵכָה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה אֶל מְסִלַּת שְׂדֵה כוֹבֵס״. מַאי ״כּוֹבֵס״? אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: דְּכַבְשִׁינְהוּ לְאַפֵּיהּ וַחֲלַף, וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: אוּכְלָא דְּקַצָּרֵי סְחַף אַרֵישֵׁיהּ וַחֲלַף. מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא מָנוּ אֶת אָמוֹן? מִפְּנֵי כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ. מְנַשֶּׁה נָמֵי לָא נִמְנֵי מִפְּנֵי כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל חִזְקִיָּהוּ? בְּרָא מְזַכֵּי אַבָּא, אַבָּא לָא מְזַכֵּי בְּרָא. דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאֵין מִיָּדִי מַצִּיל״. אֵין אַבְרָהָם מַצִּיל אֶת יִשְׁמָעֵאל, אֵין יִצְחָק מַצִּיל אֶת עֵשָׂו. הַשְׁתָּא דְּאָתֵית לְהָכִי, אָחָז נָמֵי לָא אִימְּנִי מִשּׁוּם כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל חִזְקִיָּהוּ. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא מָנוּ אֶת יְהוֹיָקִים? מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא בְּרַבִּי אֲבוּיָה, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בְּרַבִּי אֲבוּיָה: כְּתִיב עַל גּוּלְגׇּלְתּוֹ [שֶׁל] יְהוֹיָקִים ״זֹאת וְעוֹד אַחֶרֶת״. זְקֵינוֹ דְּרַבִּי פְּרִידָא אַשְׁכַּח גּוּלְגֻּלְתָּא דַּהֲוָה קָא שַׁדְיָא בְּשַׁעֲרֵי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, וּכְתִיב בָּהּ ״זֹאת וְעוֹד אַחֶרֶת״. קַבְרַהּ וְלָא אִיקְּבַרָא, קַבְרַהּ וְלָא אִיקְּבַרָא. אָמַר: גּוּלְגׇּלְתּוֹ שֶׁל יְהוֹיָקִים הִיא, דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ ״קְבוּרַת חֲמוֹר יִקָּבֵר סָחוֹב וְהַשְׁלֵךְ וְגוֹ׳״. אֲמַר: מַלְכָּא הוּא, וְלָא אִיפְשָׁר לְזַלְזוֹלֵי בֵּיהּ. כַּרְכַהּ בְּשִׁירָאֵי וְאוֹתְבַהּ בְּסִיפְתָּא. חֲזֵיתַהּ דְּבֵיתְהוּ, סְבַרָא: הָא דְּאִיתְּתָא קַמַּיְיתָא הֲוָה, דְּהָא לָא קָא מִנְּשֵׁי לַהּ. שְׁגַרָא תַּנּוּרָא וְקַלְתַּהּ. הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״זֹאת וְעוֹד אַחֶרֶת״. תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר: בִּשְׁבִיל ״וְהַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ עָשִׂיתִי״ – ״מָה אוֹת״. בִּשְׁבִיל ״מָה אוֹת״ – גּוֹיִם אָכְלוּ עַל שׁוּלְחָנוֹ. בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁגּוֹיִם אָכְלוּ עַל שׁוּלְחָנוֹ – גָּרַם גָּלוּת לְבָנָיו. מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ לְחִזְקִיָּה, דְּאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה: כָּל הַמְזַמֵּן גּוֹי לְתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ וּמְשַׁמֵּשׁ עָלָיו גּוֹרֵם גָּלוּת לְבָנָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִבָּנֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר יֵצְאוּ מִמְּךָ [אֲשֶׁר תּוֹלִיד] יִקָּחוּ וְהָיוּ סָרִיסִים בְּהֵיכַל מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל״. ״וַיִּשְׂמַח עֲלֵיהֶם חִזְקִיָּהוּ וַיַּרְאֵם אֶת בֵּית נְכֹתֹה אֶת הַכֶּסֶף וְאֶת הַזָּהָב וְאֶת הַבְּשָׂמִים וְאֵת הַשֶּׁמֶן הַטּוֹב וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַב: מַאי ״בֵּית נְכֹתֹה״? אִשְׁתּוֹ הִשְׁקְתָה עֲלֵיהֶם. וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: בֵּית גְּנָזָיו הֶרְאָה לָהֶם. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: זַיִן אוֹכֵל זַיִן הֶרְאָה לָהֶן. ״אֵיכָה יָשְׁבָה בָּדָד״. אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה לָקוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּאֵיכָה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁעָבְרוּ עַל שְׁלֹשִׁים וָשֵׁשׁ כָּרֵיתוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִפְּנֵי מָה לָקוּ בְּאָלֶף בֵּית? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁעָבְרוּ עַל הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁנִּיתְּנָה בְּאָלֶף בֵּית. ״יָשְׁבָה בָּדָד״. אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי ״וַיִּשְׁכֹּן יִשְׂרָאֵל בֶּטַח בָּדָד עֵין יַעֲקֹב אֶל אֶרֶץ דָּגָן וְתִירוֹשׁ אַף שָׁמָיו יַעַרְפוּ טָל״, עַכְשָׁיו יִהְיֶה בָּדָד מוֹשָׁבָם. ״הָעִיר רַבָּתִי עָם״, אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שֶׁהָיוּ מַשִּׂיאִין קְטַנָּה לְגָדוֹל וּגְדוֹלָה לְקָטָן, כְּדֵי שֶׁיְּהוּ לָהֶם בָּנִים הַרְבֵּה. ״הָיְתָה כְּאַלְמָנָה״ – אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: כְּאַלְמָנָה, וְלֹא אַלְמָנָה מַמָּשׁ, אֶלָּא כְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁהָלַךְ בַּעְלָהּ לִמְדִינַת הַיָּם וְדַעְתּוֹ לַחֲזוֹר אֵלֶיהָ. ״רַבָּתִי בַגּוֹיִם שָׂרָתִי בַּמְּדִינוֹת״ – אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁהֵן הוֹלְכִין, נַעֲשִׂין שָׂרִים לַאֲדוֹנֵיהֶן. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מַעֲשֶׂה בִּשְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁנִּשְׁבּוּ בְּהַר הַכַּרְמֶל, וְהָיָה שַׁבַּאי מְהַלֵּךְ אַחֲרֵיהֶם. אָמַר לוֹ אֶחָד מֵהֶם לַחֲבֵירוֹ: גָּמָל שֶׁמְהַלֶּכֶת לְפָנֵינוּ סוֹמָא בְּאַחַת מֵעֵינֶיהָ, וּטְעוּנָה שְׁתֵּי נוֹדוֹת, אַחַת שֶׁל יַיִן וְאַחַת שֶׁל שֶׁמֶן, וּשְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם הַמַּנְהִיגִים אוֹתָהּ, אֶחָד יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶחָד גּוֹי. אָמַר לָהֶן [שַׁבַּאי]: עַם קְשֵׁה עוֹרֶף! מֵאֵין אַתֶּם יוֹדְעִין? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: גָּמָל מֵעֲשָׂבִים שֶׁלְּפָנֶיהָ, מִצַּד שֶׁרוֹאָה אוֹכֶלֶת, מִצַּד שֶׁאֵינָהּ רוֹאָה אֵינָהּ אוֹכֶלֶת. וּטְעוּנָה שְׁתֵּי נוֹדוֹת, אַחַת שֶׁל יַיִן וְאַחַת שֶׁל שֶׁמֶן; שֶׁל יַיִן מְטַפְטֵף וְשׁוֹקֵעַ, וְשֶׁל שֶׁמֶן מְטַפְטֵף וְצָף. וּשְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם הַמַּנְהִיגִים אוֹתָהּ, אֶחָד גּוֹי וְאֶחָד יִשְׂרָאֵל; גּוֹי נִפְנֶה לַדֶּרֶךְ, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל נִפְנֶה לִצְדָדִין. רָדַף אַחֲרֵיהֶם וּמָצָא כְּדִבְרֵיהֶם. בָּא וּנְשָׁקָן עַל רֹאשָׁן, וֶהֱבִיאָן לְבֵיתוֹ וְעָשָׂה לָהֶן סְעוּדָה גְּדוֹלָה. וְהָיָה מְרַקֵּד לִפְנֵיהֶם וְאָמַר: בָּרוּךְ שֶׁבָּחַר בְּזַרְעוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם וְנָתַן לָהֶם מֵחׇכְמָתוֹ, וּבְכׇל מָקוֹם שֶׁהֵן הוֹלְכִין נַעֲשִׂין שָׂרִים לַאֲדוֹנֵיהֶם. וּפְטָרָן [וְהָלְכוּ] לְבָתֵּיהֶם לְשָׁלוֹם. ״בָּכֹה תִבְכֶּה בַּלַּיְלָה״ – שְׁתֵּי בְּכִיּוֹת הַלָּלוּ לָמָּה? אָמַר רַבָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֶחָד עַל מִקְדָּשׁ רִאשׁוֹן וְאֶחָד עַל מִקְדָּשׁ שֵׁנִי. ״בַּלַּיְלָה״ – עַל עִסְקֵי לַיְלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַתִּשָּׂא כׇּל הָעֵדָה וַיִּתְּנוּ אֶת קוֹלָם וַיִּבְכּוּ הָעָם בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא״. אָמַר רַבָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם לֵיל תִּשְׁעָה בְּאָב הָיָה. אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: אַתֶּם בְּכִיתֶם בְּכִיָּה שֶׁל חִנָּם, וַאֲנִי אֶקְבַּע לָכֶם בְּכִיָּה לְדוֹרוֹת. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״בַּלַּיְלָה״ – שֶׁכׇּל הַבּוֹכֶה בַּלַּיְלָה, קוֹלוֹ נִשְׁמָע. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״בַּלַּיְלָה״ – שֶׁכׇּל הַבּוֹכֶה בַּלַּיְלָה, כּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת בּוֹכִין עִמּוֹ. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״בַּלַּיְלָה״ – שֶׁכׇּל הַבּוֹכֶה בַּלַּיְלָה, הַשּׁוֹמֵעַ קוֹלוֹ בּוֹכֶה כְּנֶגְדּוֹ. מַעֲשֶׂה בְּאִשָּׁה אַחַת, שְׁכֶנְתּוֹ שֶׁל רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, שֶׁמֵּת בְּנָהּ וְהָיְתָה בּוֹכָה עָלָיו בַּלַּיְלָה. שָׁמַע רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל קוֹלָהּ וּבָכָה כְּנֶגְדָּהּ, עַד שֶׁנָּשְׁרוּ רִיסֵי עֵינָיו. לְמָחָר הִכִּירוּ בּוֹ תַּלְמִידָיו וְהוֹצִיאוּהָ מִשְּׁכוּנָתוֹ. ״וְדִמְעָתָהּ עַל לֶחֱיָהּ״, אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁבּוֹכָה עַל בַּעַל נְעוּרֶיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״אֱלִי כִּבְתוּלָה חֲגֻרַת שַׂק עַל בַּעַל נְעוּרֶיהָ״. ״הָיוּ צָרֶיהָ לְרֹאשׁ״, אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַמֵּיצֵר לְיִשְׂרָאֵל נַעֲשָׂה רֹאשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כִּי לֹא מוּעָף לַאֲשֶׁר מוּצָק לָהּ כָּעֵת הָרִאשׁוֹן הֵקַל אַרְצָה זְבֻלוּן וְאַרְצָה נַפְתָּלִי וְהָאַחֲרוֹן הִכְבִּיד דֶּרֶךְ הַיָּם עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן גְּלִיל הַגּוֹיִם״. אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַמֵּצִיק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֵינוֹ עָיֵף. ״לֹא אֲלֵיכֶם כׇּל עֹבְרֵי דֶרֶךְ״, אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִכָּאן לְקוּבְלָנָא מִן הַתּוֹרָה. ״כׇּל עֹבְרֵי דֶרֶךְ״, אָמַר רַב עַמְרָם אָמַר רַב: עֲשָׂאוּנִי כְּעוֹבְרֵי עַל דָּת. דְּאִילּוּ בִּסְדוֹם כְּתִיב: ״וַה׳ הִמְטִיר עַל סְדֹם״, וְאִילּוּ בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם כְּתִיב: ״מִמָּרוֹם שָׁלַח אֵשׁ בְּעַצְמֹתַי וַיִּרְדֶּנָּה וְגוֹ׳״. וּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּגְדַּל עֲוֹן בַּת עַמִּי מֵחַטַּאת סְדֹם״. וְכִי מַשּׂוֹא פָּנִים יֵשׁ בַּדָּבָר? אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִדָּה יְתֵירָה הָיְתָה בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם שֶׁלֹּא הָיְתָה בִּסְדוֹם, דְּאִילּוּ בִּסְדוֹם כְּתִיב: ״הִנֵּה זֶה הָיָה עֲוֹן סְדֹם אֲחוֹתֵךְ גָּאוֹן שִׂבְעַת לֶחֶם וְיַד עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן לֹא הֶחֱזִיקָה וְגוֹ׳״, וְאִילּוּ בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם כְּתִיב: ״יְדֵי נָשִׁים רַחֲמָנִיּוֹת בִּשְּׁלוּ יַלְדֵיהֶן״. ״סִלָּה כׇל אַבִּירַי יהוה בְּקִרְבִּי״, כְּאָדָם שֶׁאוֹמֵר לַחֲבֵרוֹ: נִפְסְלָה מַטְבֵּעַ זוֹ. ״פָּצוּ עָלַיִךְ פִּיהֶם״ – אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בִּשְׁבִיל מָה הִקְדִּים פֵּא לְעַיִן? בִּשְׁבִיל מְרַגְּלִים שֶׁאָמְרוּ בְּפִיהֶם מַה שֶּׁלֹּא רָאוּ בְּעֵינֵיהֶם. ״אֹכְלֵי עַמִּי אָכְלוּ לֶחֶם יהוה לֹא קָרָאוּ״. אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הָאוֹכֵל מִלַּחְמָן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל טוֹעֵם טַעַם לֶחֶם, וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ אוֹכֵל מִלַּחְמָן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵינוֹ טוֹעֵם טַעַם לֶחֶם. ״ה׳ לֹא קָרָאוּ״ – רַב אָמַר: אֵלּוּ הַדַּיָּינִין, וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: אֵלּוּ מְלַמְּדֵי תִינוֹקוֹת. מִי מְנָאָן? אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אַנְשֵׁי כְּנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה מְנָאוּם. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בִּקְּשׁוּ עוֹד לִמְנוֹת אֶחָד. בָּאָה דְּמוּת דְּיוֹקְנוֹ שֶׁל אָבִיו וְנִשְׁתַּטְּחָה לִפְנֵיהֶם, וְלֹא הִשְׁגִּיחוּ עָלֶיהָ. בָּאָה אֵשׁ מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם וְלִחֲכָה (אֵשׁ) בְּסַפְסְלֵיהֶם, וְלֹא הִשְׁגִּיחוּ עָלֶיהָ. יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לָהֶם: ״חָזִיתָ אִישׁ מָהִיר בִּמְלַאכְתּוֹ לִפְנֵי מְלָכִים יִתְיַצָּב בַּל יִתְיַצֵּב לִפְנֵי חֲשֻׁכִּים״. מִי שֶׁהִקְדִּים בֵּיתִי לְבֵיתוֹ, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁבֵּיתִי בָּנָה בְּשֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וּבֵיתוֹ בָּנָה בִּשְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה. ״לִפְנֵי מְלָכִים יִתְיַצָּב [בַּל יִתְיַצֵּב] לִפְנֵי חֲשֻׁכִּים״. וְלֹא הִשְׁגִּיחַ עָלֶיהָ. יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: ״הַמֵעִמְּךָ יְשַׁלְמֶנָּה כִּי מָאַסְתָּ כִּי אַתָּה תִבְחַר וְלֹא אֲנִי וְגוֹ׳״. דּוֹרְשֵׁי רְשׁוּמוֹת הָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: כּוּלָּן בָּאִין לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לִי גִלְעָד וְלִי מְנַשֶּׁה וְאֶפְרַיִם מָעוֹז רֹאשִׁי יְהוּדָה מְחֹקְקִי. מוֹאָב סִיר רַחְצִי עַל אֱדוֹם אַשְׁלִיךְ נַעֲלִי עָלַי פְּלֶשֶׁת הִתְרוֹעָעִי״. ״לִי גִלְעָד (וְלִי מְנַשֶּׁה)״ – זֶה אַחְאָב שֶׁנָּפַל בְּרָמוֹת גִּלְעָד. ״מְנַשֶּׁה״ – כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ. ״אֶפְרַיִם מָעוֹז רֹאשִׁי״ – זֶה יָרׇבְעָם דְּקָאָתֵי מֵאֶפְרַיִם. ״יְהוּדָה מְחֹקְקִי״ – זֶה אֲחִיתוֹפֶל דְּקָאָתֵי מִיהוּדָה. ״מוֹאָב סִיר רַחְצִי״ – זֶה גֵּחֲזִי, שֶׁלָּקָה עַל עִסְקֵי רְחִיצָה. ״עַל אֱדוֹם אַשְׁלִיךְ נַעֲלִי״ – זֶה דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדוֹמִי. ״עָלַי פְּלֶשֶׁת הִתְרוֹעָעִי״ – אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אִם יָבֹא דָּוִד שֶׁהָרַג אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וְהוֹרִישׁ אֶת בָּנֶיךָ גַּת, מָה אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ? אָמַר לָהֶן: עָלַי לַעֲשׂוֹתָן רֵיעִים זֶה לָזֶה. ״מַדּוּעַ שׁוֹבְבָה הָעָם הַזֶּה יְרוּשָׁלִַים מְשֻׁבָה נִצַּחַת וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַב: תְּשׁוּבָה נִצַּחַַת הֵשִׁיבָה כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לַנָּבִיא. אָמַר לָהֶן נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: חִזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה! אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם שֶׁחָטְאוּ הֵיכָן הֵם? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: וּנְבִיאֵיכֶם שֶׁלֹּא חָטְאוּ הֵיכָן הֵם? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם אַיֵּה הֵם וְהַנְּבִאִים הַלְעוֹלָם יִחְיוּ״. אָמַר לָהֶן: (אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם) חָזְרוּ וְהוֹדוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַךְ דְּבָרַי וְחֻקַּי אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִי אֶת עֲבָדַי הַנְּבִיאִים וְגוֹ׳״. שְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: ״בָּאוּ עֲשָׂרָה בְּנֵי אָדָם וְיָשְׁבוּ לְפָנָיו. אָמַר לָהֶן: חִזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: עֶבֶד שֶׁמְּכָרוֹ רַבּוֹ, וְאִשָּׁה שֶׁגֵּרְשָׁהּ בַּעְלָהּ, כְּלוּם יֵשׁ לָזֶה עַל זֶה כְּלוּם? אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַנָּבִיא: לֵךְ אֱמוֹר לָהֶן: ״אֵי זֶה סֵפֶר כְּרִיתוּת אִמְּכֶם אֲשֶׁר שִׁלַּחְתִּיהָ אוֹ מִי מִנּוֹשַׁי אֲשֶׁר מָכַרְתִּי אֶתְכֶם לוֹ הֵן בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵיכֶם נִמְכַּרְתֶּם וּבְפִשְׁעֵיכֶם שֻׁלְּחָה אִמְּכֶם״. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״דָּוִד עַבְדִּי״, ״נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר עַבְדִּי״? גָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לִפְנֵי מִי שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעֲתִידִין יִשְׂרָאֵל לוֹמַר כָּךְ, לְפִיכָךְ הִקְדִּים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּקְרָאוֹ עַבְדּוֹ. עֶבֶד שֶׁקָּנָה נְכָסִים – עֶבֶד לְמִי? נְכָסִים לְמִי? ״וְהָעֹלָה עַל רוּחֲכֶם הָיוֹ לֹא תִהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם אֹמְרִים נִהְיֶה כַגּוֹיִם כְּמִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲרָצוֹת לְשָׁרֵת עֵץ וָאָבֶן. חַי אָנִי נְאֻם יהוה אֱלֹהִים אִם לֹא בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה וּבְחֵמָה שְׁפוּכָה אֶמְלוֹךְ עֲלֵיכֶם״. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: כֹּל כִּי הַאי רִיתְחָא לִירְתַּח רַחְמָנָא עֲלַן וְלִפְרוֹקִינַן. ״וְיִסְּרוֹ לַמִּשְׁפָּט אֱלֹהָיו יוֹרֶנּוּ״ – אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה: אָמַר לָהֶן נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: חִזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֵין אָנוּ יְכוֹלִין, יֵצֶר הָרָע שׁוֹלֵט בָּנוּ. אָמַר לָהֶם: יַסְּרוּ יִצְרֵיכֶם! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: ״אֱלֹהָיו יוֹרֶנּוּ״. אַרְבָּעָה הֶדְיוֹטוֹת: בִּלְעָם, וְדוֹאֵג, וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל, וְגֵחֲזִי. בִּלְעָם – בְּלֹא עָם. דָּבָר אַחֵר: בִּלְעָם – שֶׁבִּלָּה עָם. בֶּן בְּעוֹר – שֶׁבָּא עַל בְּעִיר. תָּנָא: הוּא בְּעוֹר, הוּא כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם, הוּא לָבָן הָאֲרַמִּי. בְּעוֹר – שֶׁבָּא עַל בְּעִיר. כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם – דַּעֲבַד שְׁתֵּי רִשְׁעָיוֹת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל: אַחַת בִּימֵי יַעֲקֹב, וְאַחַת בִּימֵי שְׁפוֹט הַשּׁוֹפְטִים. וּמָה שְׁמוֹ? לָבָן הָאֲרַמִּי שְׁמוֹ. כְּתִיב: ״בֶּן בְּעוֹר״, וּכְתִיב: ״בְּנוֹ בְעֹר״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָבִיו בְּנוֹ הוּא לוֹ בִּנְבִיאוּת. בִּלְעָם הוּא דְּלָא אָתֵי לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי, הָא אַחֲרִינֵי אָתוּ. מַתְנִיתִין מַנִּי? רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הִיא, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, ״יָשׁוּבוּ רְשָׁעִים לִשְׁאוֹלָה כׇּל גּוֹיִם שְׁכֵחֵי אֱלֹהִים״. ״יָשׁוּבוּ רְשָׁעִים לִשְׁאוֹלָה״ – אֵלּוּ פּוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, ״כׇּל גּוֹיִם שְׁכֵחֵי אֱלֹהִים״ – אֵלּוּ פּוֹשְׁעֵי גּוֹיִים, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: וְכִי נֶאֱמַר ״בְּכׇל גּוֹיִם״? וַהֲלֹא לֹא נֶאֱמַר אֶלָּא ״כׇּל גּוֹיִם שְׁכֵחֵי אֱלֹהִים״! אֶלָּא ״יָשׁוּבוּ רְשָׁעִים לִשְׁאוֹלָה״ – מַאן נִינְהוּ? ״כׇּל גּוֹיִם שְׁכֵחֵי אֱלֹהִים״. וְאַף אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע נָתַן סִימָן בְּעַצְמוֹ. אָמַר: ״תָּמֹת נַפְשִׁי מוֹת יְשָׁרִים״. אִם תָּמוֹת נַפְשִׁי מוֹת יְשָׁרִים – ״תְּהֵא אַחֲרִיתִי כָּמוֹהוּ״, וְאִם לָאו – ״הִנְנִי הוֹלֵךְ לְעַמִּי״. ״וַיֵּלְכוּ זִקְנֵי מוֹאָב וְזִקְנֵי מִדְיָן״. תָּנָא: מִדְיָן וּמוֹאָב לֹא הָיָה לָהֶם שָׁלוֹם מֵעוֹלָם. מָשָׁל לִשְׁנֵי כְּלָבִים שֶׁהָיוּ בָּעֵדֶר, וְהָיוּ צְהוּבִּין זֶה לָזֶה. בָּא זְאֵב עַל הָאֶחָד. אָמַר הָאֶחָד: אִם אֵינִי עוֹזְרוֹ, הַיּוֹם הוֹרֵג אוֹתוֹ, וּלְמָחָר בָּא עָלַי. הָלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם וְהָרְגוּ הַזְּאֵב. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: כַּרְכּוּשְׁתָּא וְשׁוּנָּרָא עֲבַדוּ הִלּוּלָא מִתַּרְבָּא דְּבִישׁ גַּדָּא. ״וַיֵּשְׁבוּ שָׂרֵי מוֹאָב עִם בִּלְעָם״. וְשָׂרֵי מִדְיָן לְהֵיכָן אֲזוּל? כֵּיוָן דַּאֲמַר לְהוּ: ״לִינוּ פֹה הַלַּיְלָה וַהֲשִׁיבֹתִי אֶתְכֶם דָּבָר״, אָמְרוּ: כְּלוּם יֵשׁ אָב שֶׁשּׂוֹנֵא אֶת בְּנוֹ? אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: חוּצְפָּא אֲפִילּוּ כְּלַפֵּי שְׁמַיָּא מַהֲנֵי. מֵעִיקָּרָא כְּתִיב: ״לֹא תֵלֵךְ עִמָּהֶם״, וּלְבַסּוֹף כְּתִיב: ״קוּם לֵךְ אִתָּם״. אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת: חוּצְפָּא מַלְכוּתָא בְּלָא תָּאגָא הִיא, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאָנֹכִי הַיּוֹם רַךְ וּמָשׁוּחַ מֶלֶךְ וְהָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה בְּנֵי צְרוּיָה קָשִׁים מִמֶּנִּי וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בִּלְעָם חִיגֵּר בְּרַגְלוֹ אַחַת הָיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֵּלֶךְ שֶׁפִי״. שִׁמְשׁוֹן בִּשְׁתֵּי רַגְלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שְׁפִיפֹן עֲלֵי אֹרַח הַנּוֹשֵׁךְ עִקְּבֵי סוּס״. בִּלְעָם סוֹמֵא בְּאַחַת מֵעֵינָיו הָיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שְׁתֻם הָעָיִן״. קוֹסֵם בְּאַמָּתוֹ הָיָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״נֹפֵל וּגְלוּי עֵינָיִם״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וְהָמָן נֹפֵל עַל הַמִּטָּה וְגוֹ׳״. אִיתְּמַר, מָר זוּטְרָא אָמַר: קוֹסֵם בְּאַמָּתוֹ הָיָה. מָר בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבִינָא אָמַר: שֶׁבָּא עַל אֲתוֹנוֹ. מַאן דְּאָמַר קוֹסֵם בְּאַמָּתוֹ הָיָה – כְּדַאֲמַרַן, וּמַאן דְּאָמַר בָּא עַל אֲתוֹנוֹ הָיָה – כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״כָּרַע שָׁכַב״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״בֵּין רַגְלֶיהָ כָּרַע נָפַל שָׁכָב וְגוֹ׳״. ״וְיֹדֵעַ דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן״. הַשְׁתָּא דַּעַת בְּהֶמְתּוֹ לָא הֲוָה יָדַע, דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן הֲוָה יָדַע? מַאי דַּעַת בְּהֶמְתּוֹ? דְּאָמְרִי לֵיהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא לָא רָכְבַתְּ סוּסְיָא? אֲמַר לְהוּ: שְׁדַאי לֵהּוֹ בִּרְטִיבָא. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: ״הֲלֹא אָנֹכִי אֲתֹנְךָ״! לִטְעִינָא בְּעָלְמָא. ״אֲשֶׁר רָכַבְתָּ עָלַי״! אַקְרַאי בְּעָלְמָא. ״מֵעוֹדְךָ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה״! וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁאֲנִי עוֹשָׂה [לְךָ] מַעֲשֵׂה אִישׁוּת בַּלַּיְלָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וַתְּהִי לוֹ סֹכֶנֶת״. אֶלָּא מַאי ״וְיֹדֵעַ דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן״? שֶׁהָיָה יוֹדֵעַ לְכַוֵּון אוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כּוֹעֵס בָּהּ. וְהַיְינוּ דְּקָאָמַר לְהוּ נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: ״עַמִּי זְכָר נָא מַה יָּעַץ בָּלָק מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וּמֶה עָנָה אֹתוֹ בִּלְעָם בֶּן בְּעוֹר מִן הַשִּׁטִּים עַד הַגִּלְגָּל לְמַעַן דַּעַת צִדְקוֹת ה׳״. מַאי ״לְמַעַן דַּעַת צִדְקוֹת ה׳״? אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: דְּעוּ נָא כַּמָּה צְדָקוֹת עָשִׂיתִי עִמָּכֶם, שֶׁלֹּא כָּעַסְתִּי כׇּל אוֹתָן הַיָּמִים בִּימֵי בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע, שֶׁאִילְמָלֵא כָּעַסְתִּי כׇּל אוֹתָן הַיָּמִים לֹא נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מִשּׂוֹנְאֵיהֶן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט. הַיְינוּ דְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ בִּלְעָם לְבָלָק: ״מָה אֶקֹּב לֹא קַבֹּה אֵל וְגוֹ׳״ (אוֹתָן הַיּוֹם [הַיָּמִים] לֹא זָעַם ה׳). ״אֵל זֹעֵם בְּכׇל יוֹם״, וְכַמָּה זַעְמוֹ? רֶגַע, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי רֶגַע בְּאַפּוֹ חַיִּים בִּרְצוֹנוֹ וְגוֹ׳״. אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: ״לֵךְ עַמִּי בֹּא בַחֲדָרֶיךָ וּסְגֹר דְּלָתְךָ בַּעֲדֶךָ חֲבִי כִמְעַט רֶגַע עַד יַעֲבׇר זָעַם״. אֵימַת רָתַח? בִּתְלָת שָׁעֵי קַמָּיָיתָא, כִּי חָוְורָא כַּרְבָּלְתָּא דְּתַרְנְגוֹלָא. כֹּל שַׁעְתָּא וְשַׁעְתָּא נָמֵי חָוְורָא! כֹּל שַׁעְתָּא וְשַׁעְתָּא אִית בֵּיהּ סוּרְיָקֵי סוּמָּקֵי, הָהִיא שַׁעְתָּא לֵית בֵּיהּ סוּרְיָקֵי סוּמָּקֵי. הָהוּא מִינָא דַּהֲוָה בְּשִׁיבָבוּתֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי, דַּהֲוָה קָא מְצַעַר לֵיהּ. יוֹמָא חַד נְקַט תַּרְנוּגְלָא, וַאֲסַר לֵיהּ בְּכַרְעֵיהּ, וְאוֹתֵיב. אָמַר: כִּי מְטָא הָהוּא שַׁעְתָּא – אֶילְטְיֵיהּ. כִּי מְטָא הָהוּא שַׁעְתָּא, נַמְנֵם. אֲמַר: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא, דִּכְתִיב ״גַּם עֲנוֹשׁ לַצַּדִּיק לֹא טוֹב״. אֲפִילּוּ בְּמִינֵי לָא אִיבְּעִי לֵיהּ לְמֵימַר הָכִי. תָּנָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַחַמָּה זוֹרַחַת, וְהַמְּלָכִים מַנִּיחִין כִּתְרֵיהֶן עַל רָאשֵׁיהֶן וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים לַחַמָּה, מִיָּד כּוֹעֵס. ״וַיָּקׇם בִּלְעָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיַּחֲבֹשׁ אֶת אֲתֹנוֹ״. תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר: אַהֲבָה מְבַטֶּלֶת שׁוּרָה שֶׁל גְּדוּלָּה מֵאַבְרָהָם, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר״. שִׂנְאָה מְבַטֶּלֶת שׁוּרָה שֶׁל גְּדוּלָּה מִבִּלְעָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּקׇם בִּלְעָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיַּחֲבֹשׁ אֶת אֲתֹנוֹ״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: לְעוֹלָם יַעֲסוֹק אָדָם בְּתוֹרָה וּבְמִצְוָה, אֲפִילּוּ שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָהּ, שֶׁמִּתּוֹךְ שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָהּ בָּא לִשְׁמָהּ. שֶׁבִּשְׂכַר אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁתַּיִם קׇרְבָּנוֹת שֶׁהִקְרִיב בָּלָק, זָכָה וְיָצְאָה מִמֶּנּוּ רוּת. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר הוּנָא: רוּת בִּתּוֹ שֶׁל עֶגְלוֹן, בֶּן בְּנוֹ שֶׁל בָּלָק מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב הָיְתָה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא לְרַבָּה בַּר מָרִי: כְּתִיב ״יֵיטֵב אֱלֹהִים אֶת שֵׁם שְׁלֹמֹה מִשְּׁמֶךָ וִיגַדֵּל [אֶת] כִּסְאוֹ מִכִּסְאֶךָ״. אוֹרַח אַרְעָא לְמֵימְרָא לֵיהּ לְמַלְכָּא הָכִי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵעֵין קָאָמְרָה לֵיהּ. דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, ״תְּבֹרַךְ מִנָּשִׁים יָעֵל אֵשֶׁת חֶבֶר הַקֵּינִי מִנָּשִׁים בָּאֹהֶל תְּבֹרָךְ״. נָשִׁים בָּאֹהֶל מַאן נִינְהוּ? שָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל, וְלֵאָה. אוֹרַח אַרְעָא לְמֵימַר הָכִי? אֶלָּא מֵעֵין קָאָמַר. הָכִי נָמֵי, מֵעֵין קָאָמַר. וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַב יוֹסֵי בַּר חוֹנִי, דְּאָמַר רַב יוֹסֵי בַּר חוֹנִי: בַּכֹּל אָדָם מִתְקַנֵּא, חוּץ מִבְּנוֹ וְתַלְמִידוֹ. בְּנוֹ – מִשְּׁלֹמֹה, וְתַלְמִידוֹ – אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: ״וִיהִי נָא פִּי שְׁנַיִם בְּרוּחֲךָ אֵלָי״, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: ״וַיִּסְמֹךְ אֶת יָדָיו עָלָיו וַיְצַוֵּהוּ״. ״וַיָּשֶׂם דָּבָר בְּפִי בִּלְעָם״, רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר – מַלְאָךְ, רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן אָמַר – חַכָּה. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִבִּרְכָתוֹ שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע אַתָּה לָמֵד מָה הָיָה בְּלִבּוֹ. בִּיקֵּשׁ לוֹמַר שֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ לָהֶם בָּתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת – ״מַה טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ יַעֲקֹב״. לֹא תִּשְׁרֶה שְׁכִינָה עֲלֵיהֶם – ״וּמִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל״. לֹא תְּהֵא מַלְכוּתָן נִמְשֶׁכֶת – ״כִּנְחָלִים נִטָּיוּ״. לֹא יְהֵא לָהֶם זֵיתִים וּכְרָמִים – ״כְּגַנֹּת עֲלֵי נָהָר״. לֹא יְהֵא רֵיחָן נוֹדֵף – ״כַּאֲהָלִים נָטַע ה׳״. לֹא יִהְיוּ לָהֶם מְלָכִים בַּעֲלֵי קוֹמָה – ״כַּאֲרָזִים עֲלֵי מַיִם״. לֹא יִהְיֶה לָהֶם מֶלֶךְ בֶּן מֶלֶךְ – ״יִזַּל מַיִם מִדָּלְיָו״. לֹא תְּהֵא מַלְכוּתָן שׁוֹלֶטֶת בָּאוּמּוֹת – ״וְזַרְעוֹ בְּמַיִם רַבִּים״. לֹא תְּהֵא עַזָּה מַלְכוּתָן – ״וְיָרֹם מֵאֲגַג מַלְכּוֹ״. לֹא תְּהֵא אֵימַת מַלְכוּתָן – ״וְתִנַּשֵּׂא מַלְכֻתוֹ״. אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כָּהֲנָא: כּוּלָּם חָזְרוּ לִקְלָלָה, חוּץ מִבָּתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּמִבָּתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּהֲפֹךְ יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְּךָ אֶת הַקְּלָלָה לִבְרָכָה כִּי אֲהֵבְךָ יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ״. קְלָלָה, וְלֹא קְלָלוֹת. אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״נֶאֱמָנִים פִּצְעֵי אוֹהֵב וְנַעְתָּרוֹת נְשִׁיקוֹת שׂוֹנֵא״? טוֹבָה קְלָלָה שֶׁקִּילֵּל אֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹתֵר מִבְּרָכָה שֶׁבֵּרְכָם בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע. אֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי קִילֵּל אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּקָנֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהִכָּה יהוה אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר יָנוּד הַקָּנֶה בַּמַּיִם וְגוֹ׳״. מָה קָנֶה זֶה עוֹמֵד בִּמְקוֹם מַיִם, וְגִיזְעוֹ מַחְלִיף, וְשׇׁרָשָׁיו מְרוּבִּין. וַאֲפִילּוּ כׇּל רוּחוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בָּאוֹת וְנוֹשְׁבוֹת בּוֹ, אֵין מְזִיזוֹת אוֹתוֹ מִמְּקוֹמוֹ, אֶלָּא הוּא הוֹלֵךְ וּבָא עִמָּהֶן. כֵּיוָן שֶׁדּוֹמְמוּ הָרוּחוֹת, עָמַד קָנֶה בִּמְקוֹמוֹ. אֲבָל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע בֵּרְכָן בְּאֶרֶז. מָה אֶרֶז זֶה? אֵינוֹ עוֹמֵד בִּמְקוֹם מַיִם, וְשׇׁרָשָׁיו מוּעָטִין, וְאֵין גִּזְעוֹ מַחְלִיף. אֲפִילּוּ כׇּל הָרוּחוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בָּאוֹת וְנוֹשְׁבוֹת בּוֹ, אֵין מְזִיזוֹת אוֹתוֹ מִמְּקוֹמוֹ. כֵּיוָן שֶׁנָּשְׁבָה בּוֹ רוּחַ דְּרוֹמִית, מִיָּד עוֹקַרְתּוֹ וְהוֹפַכְתּוֹ עַל פָּנָיו. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁזָּכָה קָנֶה לִיטּוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ קוּלְמוֹס לִכְתּוֹב מִמֶּנּוּ סִפְרֵי תוֹרָה, נְבִיאִים וּכְתוּבִים. ״וַיַּרְא אֶת הַקֵּינִי וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ״. אָמַר לוֹ בִּלְעָם לְיִתְרוֹ: קֵינִי, לֹא הָיִיתָ עִמָּנוּ בְּאוֹתָהּ עֵצָה? מִי הוֹשִׁיבְךָ אֵצֶל אֵיתָנֵי עוֹלָם? וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי סִימַאי: שְׁלֹשָׁה הָיוּ בְּאוֹתָהּ עֵצָה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: בִּלְעָם, אִיּוֹב וְיִתְרוֹ. בִּלְעָם שֶׁיָּעַץ – נֶהֱרַג, אִיּוֹב שֶׁשָּׁתַק – נִידּוֹן בְּיִסּוּרִין, וְיִתְרוֹ שֶׁבָּרַח – זָכוּ בְּנֵי בָנָיו לֵישֵׁב בְּלִשְׁכַּת הַגָּזִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִשְׁפְּחוֹת סוֹפְרִים יוֹשְׁבֵי יַעְבֵּץ תִּרְעָתִים שִׁמְעָתִים שׂוּכָתִים הֵמָּה הַקִּינִים הַבָּאִים מֵחַמַּת אֲבִי בֵית רֵכָב״, וּכְתִיב: ״וּבְנֵי קֵינִי חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה עָלוּ מֵעִיר הַתְּמָרִים״. ״וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ וַיֹּאמַר אוֹי מִי יִחְיֶה מִשֻּׂמוֹ אֵל״. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: אוֹי מִי שֶׁמְּחַיֶּה עַצְמוֹ בְּשֵׁם אֵל. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אוֹי לָהּ לָאוּמָּה שֶׁתִּמָּצֵא בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה פִּדְיוֹן לְבָנָיו. מִי מֵטִיל כְּסוּתוֹ בֵּין לָבִיא לִלְבִיאָה בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנִּזְקָקִין זֶה עִם זֶה? ״וְצִים מִיַּד כִּתִּים״, אָמַר רַב: לִיבּוֹן אַסְפִּיר. ״וְעִנּוּ אַשּׁוּר וְעִנּוּ עֵבֶר״ – עַד אַשּׁוּר קָטְלִי מִיקְטָל, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ מְשַׁעְבְּדִי שַׁיעְבּוֹדֵי. ״הִנְנִי הוֹלֵךְ לְעַמִּי לְכָה אִיעָצְךָ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה הָעָם הַזֶּה לְעַמְּךָ״. ״עַמְּךָ לְעָם הַזֶּה״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כָּהֲנָא: כְּאָדָם שֶׁמְּקַלֵּל אֶת עַצְמוֹ וְתוֹלֶה קִלְלָתוֹ בַּאֲחֵרִים. אָמַר לָהֶם: אֱלֹהֵיהֶם שֶׁל אֵלּוּ שׂוֹנֵא זִימָּה הוּא, וְהֵם מִתְאַוִּים לִכְלֵי פִשְׁתָּן. בּוֹא וְאַשִּׂיאֲךָ עֵצָה: עֲשֵׂה לָהֶן קְלָעִים, וְהוֹשֵׁיב בָּהֶן זוֹנוֹת, זְקֵינָה מִבַּחוּץ וְיַלְדָּה מִבִּפְנִים, וְיִמְכְּרוּ לָהֶן כְּלֵי פִשְׁתָּן. עָשָׂה לָהֶן קְלָעִים מֵהַר שֶׁלֶג עַד בֵּית הַיְשִׁימוֹת, וְהוֹשִׁיב בָּהֶן זוֹנוֹת, זְקֵינָה מִבַּחוּץ וְיַלְדָּה מִבִּפְנִים. וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל אוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין וּשְׂמֵחִין וְיוֹצְאִין לְטַיֵּיל בְּשׁוּק, אוֹמֶרֶת לוֹ הַזְּקֵינָה: אִי אַתָּה מְבַקֵּשׁ כְּלֵי פִשְׁתָּן? זְקֵינָה אוֹמֶרֶת לוֹ בְּשָׁוֶה, וְיַלְדָּה אוֹמֶרֶת לוֹ בְּפָחוֹת, שְׁתַּיִם וְשָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים. וְאַחַר כָּךְ אוֹמֶרֶת לוֹ: הֲרֵי אַתְּ כְּבֶן בַּיִת, שֵׁב בְּרוֹר לְעַצְמְךָ. וְצַרְצוּרי שֶׁל יַיִן עַמּוֹנִי מוּנָּח אֶצְלָהּ, וַעֲדַיִין לֹא נֶאֱסַר יַיִן שֶׁל עַמּוֹנִי וְלֹא יַיִן שֶׁל גּוֹיִם. אָמְרָה לוֹ: רְצוֹנֶךָ שֶׁתִּשְׁתֶּה כּוֹס שֶׁל יַיִן? כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁתָה, בָּעַר בּוֹ. אֲמַר לָהּ: הִשָּׁמֵיעִי לִי. הוֹצִיאָה יִרְאָתָהּ מִתּוֹךְ חֵיקָהּ, אָמְרָה לוֹ: עֲבוֹד לָזֶה! אֲמַר לָהּ: הֲלֹא יְהוּדִי אֲנִי? אָמְרָה לוֹ: וּמָה אִיכְפַּת לְךָ? כְּלוּם מְבַקְּשִׁים מִמְּךָ אֶלָּא פִּיעוּר? [וְהוּא אֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁעֲבוֹדָתָהּ בְּכָךְ]. וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵינִי מַנַּחְתְּךָ עַד שֶׁתִּכְפּוֹר בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה רַבְּךָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הֵמָּה בָּאוּ בַּעַל פְּעוֹר וַיִּנָּזְרוּ לַבֹּשֶׁת וַיִּהְיוּ שִׁקּוּצִים כְּאׇהֳבָם״. ״וַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּשִּׁטִּים״. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: שִׁטִּים שְׁמָהּ. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: שֶׁנִּתְעַסְקוּ בְּדִבְרֵי שְׁטוּת. ״וַתִּקְרֶאןָ לָעָם לְזִבְחֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶן״, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: עֲרוּמּוֹת פָּגְעוּ בָּהֶן. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ כּוּלָּן בַּעֲלֵי קְרָיִין. מַאי לְשׁוֹן ״רְפִידִים״? רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: רְפִידִים שְׁמָהּ. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: שֶׁרִיפּוּ עַצְמָן מִדִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא הִפְנוּ אָבוֹת אֶל בָּנִים מֵרִפְיוֹן יָדָיִם״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וַיֵּשֶׁב״ אֵינוֹ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן צַעַר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּשִּׁטִּים וַיָּחֶל הָעָם לִזְנוֹת אֶל בְּנוֹת מוֹאָב״. ״וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן״, ״וַיָּבֵא יוֹסֵף אֶת דִּבָּתָם רָעָה אֶל אֲבִיהֶם״. וְנֶאֱמַר: ״וַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּאֶרֶץ גֹּשֶׁן״, ״וַיִּקְרְבוּ יְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לָמוּת״. ״וַיֵּשֶׁב יְהוּדָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל לָבֶטַח אִישׁ תַּחַת גַּפְנוֹ וְתַחַת תְּאֵנָתוֹ״, ״וַיָּקֶם יהוה שָׂטָן לִשְׁלֹמֹה אֵת הֲדַד הָאֲדֹמִי מִזֶּרַע הַמֶּלֶךְ הוּא בֶּאֱדוֹם״. ״וְאֶת מַלְכֵי מִדְיָן הָרְגוּ עַל חַלְלֵיהֶם וְגוֹ׳ וְאֶת בִּלְעָם בֶּן בְּעוֹר הָרְגוּ בֶּחָרֶב״. בִּלְעָם מַאי בָּעֵי הָתָם? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שֶׁהָלַךְ לִיטּוֹל שְׂכַר עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אֶלֶף [שֶׁהִפִּיל מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל]. אָמַר מָר זוּטְרָא בַּר טוֹבִיָּה אָמַר רַב, הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: גַּמְלָא אֲזַלָא לְמִיבְעֵי קַרְנֵי, אוּדְנֵי דַּהֲווֹ לֵיהּ גְּזִיזָן מִינֵּיהּ. ״וְאֶת בִּלְעָם בֶּן בְּעוֹר הַקּוֹסֵם״. קוֹסֵם? נָבִיא הוּא! אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בַּתְּחִלָּה נָבִיא, וּלְבַסּוֹף קוֹסֵם. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי: מִסְּגָנֵי וְשִׁילְטִי הֲוַאי, אִיַּיזַן לְגַבְרֵי נַגָּרֵי. ״הָרְגוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל [בַּחֶרֶב] אֶל חַלְלֵיהֶם״, אָמַר רַב: שֶׁקִּיְּימוּ בּוֹ אַרְבַּע מִיתוֹת – סְקִילָה, וּשְׂרֵיפָה, הֶרֶג, וָחֶנֶק. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: מִי שְׁמִיעַ לָךְ בִּלְעָם בַּר כַּמָּה הֲוָה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִיכְתָּב לָא כְּתִיב, אֶלָּא מִדִּכְתִיב ״אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים וּמִרְמָה לֹא יֶחֱצוּ יְמֵיהֶם״, בַּר תְּלָתִין וּתְלָת שְׁנִין אוֹ בַּר תְּלָתִין וְאַרְבַּע. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שַׁפִּיר קָאָמְרַתְּ, לְדִידִי חֲזֵי לִי פִּנְקָסֵיהּ דְּבִלְעָם, וַהֲוָה כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ: בַּר תְּלָתִין וּתְלָת שְׁנִין בִּלְעָם חֲגִירָא כַּד קָטֵיל יָתֵיהּ פִּנְחָס לִיסְטָאָה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ מָר בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבִינָא לִבְרֵיהּ: בְּכוּלְּהוּ לָא תַּפֵּישׁ לְמִדְרַשׁ, לְבַר מִבִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע, דְּכַמָּה דְּמַשְׁכַּחַתְּ בֵּיהּ דְּרוֹשׁ בֵּיהּ. כְּתִיב ״דּוֹאֵג״, וּכְתִיב ״דּוֹיֵיג״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בַּתְּחִילָּה יוֹשֵׁב הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְדוֹאֵג, שֶׁמָּא יֵצֵא זֶה לְתַרְבּוּת רָעָה. לְאַחַר שֶׁיָּצָא, אָמַר: וַוי שֶׁיָּצָא זֶה! (סִימָן: גִּבּוֹר, רָשָׁע, וְצַדִּיק, חַיִל, וְסוֹפֵר). אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״מַה תִּתְהַלֵּל בְּרָעָה הַגִּבּוֹר חֶסֶד אֵל כׇּל הַיּוֹם״? אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְדוֹאֵג: לֹא גִּבּוֹר בַּתּוֹרָה אַתָּה? מַה תִּתְהַלֵּל בְּרָעָה? לֹא חֶסֶד אֵל נָטוּי עָלֶיךָ כׇּל הַיּוֹם? וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וְלָרָשָׁע אָמַר אֱלֹהִים מַה לְּךָ לְסַפֵּר חֻקָּי״? אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְדוֹאֵג הָרָשָׁע: מַה לְּךָ לְסַפֵּר חֻקָּי? כְּשֶׁאַתָּה מַגִּיעַ לְפָרָשַׁת מְרַצְּחִים וּפָרָשַׁת מְסַפְּרֵי לָשׁוֹן הָרָע, מָה אַתָּה דּוֹרֵשׁ בָּהֶם? ״וַתִּשָּׂא בְרִיתִי עֲלֵי פִיךָ״. אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי: אֵין תּוֹרָתוֹ שֶׁל דּוֹאֵג אֶלָּא מִשָּׂפָה וְלַחוּץ. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וְיִרְאוּ צַדִּיקִים וְיִירָאוּ וְעָלָיו יִשְׂחָקוּ״? בַּתְּחִילָּה יִירָאוּ, וּלְבַסּוֹף יִשְׂחָקוּ. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״חַיִל בָּלַע וַיְקִאֶנּוּ מִבִּטְנוֹ יוֹרִישֶׁנּוּ אֵל״? אָמַר דָּוִד לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, יָמוּת דּוֹאֵג! אָמַר לוֹ: ״חַיִל בָּלַע וַיְקִיאֶנּוּ״. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: ״מִבִּטְנוֹ יוֹרִישֶׁנּוּ אֵל״! וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״גַּם אֵל יִתׇּצְךָ לָנֶצַח״? אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְדָוִד: נֵיתֵי דּוֹאֵג לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: ״גַּם אֵל יִתׇּצְךָ לָנֶצַח״. מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״יַחְתְּךָ וְיִסָּחֲךָ מֵאֹהֶל וְשֵׁרֶשְׁךָ מֵאֶרֶץ חַיִּים סֶלָה״? אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: לֵימְרוּ שְׁמַעְתָּא בֵּי מִדְרְשָׁא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: ״יַחְתְּךָ וְיִסָּחֲךָ מֵאֹהֶל״. לֶיהֱוֵי לֵיהּ בְּנִין רַבָּנַן: ״וְשֵׁרֶשְׁךָ מֵאֶרֶץ חַיִּים סֶלָה״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״אַיֵּה סֹפֵר אַיֵּה שֹׁקֵל אַיֵּה סֹפֵר אֶת הַמִּגְדָּלִים״? ״אַיֵּה סֹפֵר״ – כׇּל אוֹתִיּוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, ״אַיֵּה שֹׁקֵל״ – שֶׁשּׁוֹקֵל כָּל קַלִּים וַחֲמוּרִים שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, ״אַיֵּה סֹפֵר אֶת הַמִּגְדָּלִים״ – שֶׁהָיָה סוֹפֵר שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת הֲלָכוֹת פְּסוּקוֹת בְּמִגְדָּל הַפּוֹרֵחַ בָּאֲוִיר. אָמַר רַבִּי: אַרְבַּע מְאָה בַּעְיֵי בְּעוֹ דּוֹאֵג וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל בְּמִגְדָּל הַפּוֹרֵחַ בָּאֲוִיר, (וְלָא אִיפְּשַׁט לְהוּ חַד). אָמַר רָבָא: רְבוּתָא לְמִבְעֵי בַּעְיֵי? בִּשְׁנֵי דְּרַב יְהוּדָה כּוּלֵּי תַּנּוֹיֵי בִּנְזִיקִין, וַאֲנַן קָא מַתְנֵינַן טוּבָא בְּעוּקְצִין! וְכִי הֲוָה מָטֵי רַב יְהוּדָה ״אִשָּׁה שֶׁכּוֹבֶשֶׁת יָרָק בִּקְדֵירָה״, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ ״זֵיתִים שֶׁכְּבָשָׁן בְּטַרְפֵיהֶן טְהוֹרִים״, אָמַר: הֲוָיוֹת דְּרַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל קָא חָזֵינָא הָכָא, וַאֲנַן קָא מַתְנֵינַן בְּעוּקְצִין תְּלָת סְרֵי מְתִיבָתָא! וְרַב יְהוּדָה שָׁלֵיף מְסָאנֵי וְאָתֵי מִטְרָא, וַאֲנַן צָוְחִינַן וְלֵיכָּא דְּמַשְׁגַּח בַּן. אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִיבָּא בָּעֵי, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַה׳ יִרְאֶה לַלֵּבָב״. אָמַר רַב מְשַׁרְשְׁיָא: דּוֹאֵג וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל לָא [הֲווֹ] סָבְרִי שְׁמַעְתָּא. מַתְקֵיף לַהּ מָר זוּטְרָא: מַאן דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ ״אַיֵּה סֹפֵר אַיֵּה שֹׁקֵל אַיֵּה סֹפֵר אֶת הַמִּגְדָּלִים״, וְאַתְּ אָמְרַתְּ לָא הֲווֹ סָבְרִי שְׁמַעְתָּא?! אֶלָּא דְּלָא הֲוָה סָלְקָא לְהוּ שְׁמַעְתָּא אַלִּיבָּא דְהִלְכְתָא, דִּכְתִיב: ״סוֹד יהוה לִירֵאָיו״. אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי: לֹא מֵת דּוֹאֵג עַד שֶׁשָּׁכַח תַּלְמוּדוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הוּא יָמוּת בְּאֵין מוּסָר וּבְרֹב אִוַּלְתּוֹ יִשְׁגֶּה״. רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: נִצְטָרַע, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הִצְמַתָּה כׇּל זוֹנֶה מִמֶּךָּ״. כְּתִיב הָתָם: ״לַצְּמִתֻת״, וּמְתַרְגְּמִינַן: ״לַחֲלוּטִין״. וּתְנַן: אֵין בֵּין מוּסְגָּר וּמוּחְלָט אֶלָּא פְּרִיעָה וּפְרִימָה. (סִימָן: שְׁלֹשָׁה, רָאוּ, וְחָצוּ, וְקָרְאוּ) אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שְׁלֹשָׁה מַלְאֲכֵי חַבָּלָה נִזְדַּמְּנוּ לוֹ לְדוֹאֵג, אֶחָד שֶׁשִּׁכַּח תַּלְמוּדוֹ, וְאֶחָד שֶׁשָּׂרַף נִשְׁמָתוֹ, וְאֶחָד שֶׁפִּיזֵּר עֲפָרוֹ בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: דּוֹאֵג וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל לֹא רָאוּ זֶה אֶת זֶה. דּוֹאֵג בִּימֵי שָׁאוּל, וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל בִּימֵי דָּוִד. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: דּוֹאֵג וַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל לֹא חָצוּ יְמֵיהֶם. תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: ״אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים וּמִרְמָה לֹא יֶחֱצוּ יְמֵיהֶם״. כׇּל שְׁנוֹתָיו שֶׁל דּוֹאֵג לֹא הָיוּ אֶלָּא שְׁלֹשִׁים וְאַרְבַּע, וְשֶׁל אֲחִיתוֹפֶל אֵינָן אֶלָּא שְׁלֹשִׁים וְשָׁלֹשׁ. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בַּתְּחִלָּה קָרָא דָּוִד לַאֲחִיתוֹפֶל רַבּוֹ, וּלְבַסּוֹף קְרָאוֹ חֲבֵירוֹ, וּלְבַסּוֹף קְרָאוֹ תַּלְמִידוֹ. בַּתְּחִלָּה קְרָאוֹ רַבּוֹ – ״וְאַתָּה אֱנוֹשׁ כְּעֶרְכִּי אַלּוּפִי וּמְיֻדָּעִי״. וּלְבַסּוֹף קְרָאוֹ חֲבֵרוֹ – ״אֲשֶׁר יַחְדָּו נַמְתִּיק סוֹד בְּבֵית אֱלֹהִים נְהַלֵּךְ בְּרָגֶשׁ״. וּלְבַסּוֹף קְרָאוֹ תַּלְמִידוֹ – ״גַּם אִישׁ שְׁלוֹמִי אֲשֶׁר בָּטַחְתִּי בוֹ אוֹכֵל לַחְמִי הִגְדִּיל עָלַי עָקֵב״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: לְעוֹלָם אַל יָבִיא אָדָם עַצְמוֹ לִידֵי נִסָּיוֹן, שֶׁהֲרֵי דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵבִיא עַצְמוֹ לִידֵי נִסָּיוֹן וְנִכְשָׁל. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מִפְּנֵי מָה אוֹמְרִים ״אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב״, וְאֵין אוֹמְרִים ״אֱלֹהֵי דָוִד״? אָמַר: אִינְהוּ מִינְּסוּ לִי וְאַתְּ לָא מִינַּסֵּית לִי. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, בְּחָנֵנִי וְנַסֵּנִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּחָנֵנִי יהוה וְנַסֵּנִי וְגוֹ׳״. אֲמַר: מְינַסֵּינָא לָךְ, וְעָבֵידְנָא מִילְּתָא בַּהֲדָךְ, דִּלְדִידְהוּ לָא הוֹדַעְתִּינְהוּ, וְאִילּוּ אֲנָא קָא מוֹדַעְנָא לָךְ דִּמְנַסֵּינָא לָךְ בִּדְבַר עֶרְוָה. מִיָּד, ״וַיְהִי לְעֵת הָעֶרֶב וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד מֵעַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹ וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: שֶׁהָפַךְ מִשְׁכָּבוֹ שֶׁל לַיְלָה לְמִשְׁכָּבוֹ שֶׁל יוֹם, וְנִתְעַלְּמָה מִמֶּנּוּ הֲלָכָה. אֵבֶר קָטָן יֵשׁ בָּאָדָם, מַשְׂבִּיעוֹ – רָעֵב, וּמַרְעִיבוֹ – שָׂבֵעַ. ״וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ עַל גַּג בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיַּרְא אִשָּׁה רוֹחֶצֶת מֵעַל הַגָּג וְהָאִשָּׁה טוֹבַת מַרְאֶה מְאֹד״. בַּת שֶׁבַע הֲוָה קָא חָיְיפָא רֵישָׁא תּוּתֵי חַלְּתָא. אֲתָא שָׂטָן, אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ כְּצִיפַּרְתָּא. פְּתַק בֵּיהּ גִּירָא, פַּתְקַהּ לְחַלְּתָא, אִיגַּלַּיה וְחַזְיַיהּ. מִיָּד: ״וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד וַיִּדְרֹשׁ לָאִשָּׁה וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלוֹא זֹאת בַּת שֶׁבַע בַּת אֱלִיעָם אֵשֶׁת אוּרִיָּה הַחִתִּי. וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד מַלְאָכִים וַיִּקָּחֶהָ וַתָּבוֹא אֵלָיו וַיִּשְׁכַּב עִמָּהּ וְהִיא מִתְקַדֶּשֶׁת מִטֻּמְאָתָהּ וַתָּשׇׁב אֶל בֵּיתָהּ״. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״בָּחַנְתָּ לִבִּי פָּקַדְתָּ לַּיְלָה צְרַפְתַּנִי בַל תִּמְצָא זַמֹּתִי בַּל יַעֲבׇר פִּי״. אָמַר: אִיכּוֹ זְמָמָא נְפַל בְּפוּמֵּיהּ דְּמַאן דְּסָנֵי לִי, וְלָא אֲמַר כִּי הָא מִילְּתָא! דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״לַמְנַצֵּחַ לְדָוִד בַּיהוה חָסִיתִי אֵיךְ תֹּאמְרוּ לְנַפְשִׁי נוּדִי הַרְכֶם צִפֹּר״? אָמַר דָּוִד לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מְחוֹל לִי עַל אוֹתוֹ עָוֹן שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ ״הַר שֶׁבָּכֶם צִפּוֹר נִדְּדַתּוּ״. דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״לְךָ לְבַדְּךָ חָטָאתִי וְהָרַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ עָשִׂיתִי לְמַעַן תִּצְדַּק בְּדׇבְרֶךָ תִּזְכֶּה בְשׇׁפְטֶךָ״? אָמַר דָּוִד לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: גַּלְיָא וִידִיעָא קַמָּךְ, דְּאִי בְּעַאי לְמִכְפְּיֵיהּ לְיִצְרַי הֲוָה כָּיֵיפְינָא, אֶלָּא אָמֵינָא דְּלָא לֵימְרוּ ״עַבְדָּא זַכְיֵהּ לְמָרֵיהּ״. דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״כִּי אֲנִי לְצֶלַע נָכוֹן וּמַכְאוֹבִי נֶגְדִּי תָמִיד״? רְאוּיָה הָיְתָה בַּת שֶׁבַע בַּת אֱלִיעָם לְדָוִד מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית, אֶלָּא שֶׁבָּאת עָלָיו בְּמַכְאוֹב. וְכֵן תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: רְאוּיָה הָיְתָה לְדָוִד בַּת שֶׁבַע בַּת אֱלִיעָם, אֶלָּא שֶׁאֲכָלָהּ פַּגָּה. דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב, ״וּבְצַלְעִי שָׂמְחוּ וְנֶאֱסָפוּ נֶאֶסְפוּ עָלַי נֵכִים [וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי] קָרְעוּ וְלֹא דָמּוּ״? אָמַר דָּוִד לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, גָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לְפָנֶיךָ שֶׁאִם הָיוּ קוֹרְעִין בְּשָׂרִי לֹא הָיָה דָּמִי שׁוֹתֵת. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהֵם עוֹסְקִין בְּאַרְבַּע מִיתוֹת בֵּית דִּין, פּוֹסְקִין מִמִּשְׁנָתָן וְאוֹמְרִים לִי: דָּוִד, הַבָּא עַל אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ מִיתָתוֹ בַּמֶּה? אָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם: הַבָּא עַל אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ מִיתָתוֹ בְּחֶנֶק, וְיֵשׁ לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אֲבָל הַמַּלְבִּין פְּנֵי חֲבֵירוֹ בָּרַבִּים אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: אֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁעַת חׇלְיוֹ שֶׁל דָּוִד קִיֵּים שְׁמֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה עוֹנוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יָגַעְתִּי בְּאַנְחָתִי אַשְׂחֶה בְכׇל לַיְלָה מִטָּתִי בְּדִמְעָתִי עַרְשִׂי אַמְסֶה״. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בִּקֵּשׁ דָּוִד לַעֲבוֹד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיְהִי דָּוִד בָּא עַד הָרֹאשׁ אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה שָׁם לֵאלֹהִים״, וְאֵין ״רֹאשׁ״ אֶלָּא עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהוּא צַלְמָא רֵישֵׁיהּ דִּי דְהַב טָב״. ״וְהִנֵּה לִקְרָאתוֹ חוּשַׁי הָאַרְכִּי קָרוּעַ כֻּתׇּנְתּוֹ וַאֲדָמָה עַל רֹאשׁוֹ״. אָמַר לוֹ לְדָוִד: יֹאמְרוּ מֶלֶךְ שֶׁכְּמוֹתְךָ יַעֲבוֹד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה? אָמַר לוֹ: מֶלֶךְ שֶׁכְּמוֹתִי יַהַרְגֶנּוּ בְּנוֹ? מוּטָב יַעֲבוֹד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְאַל יִתְחַלֵּל שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא. אָמַר: מַאי טַעְמָא קָנְסִיבַתְּ יְפַת תּוֹאַר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יְפַת תּוֹאַר רַחֲמָנָא שַׁרְיַיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא דָּרְשַׁתְּ סְמוּכִין, דִּסְמִיךְ לֵיהּ ״כִּי יִהְיֶה לְאִישׁ בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה״? כׇּל הַנּוֹשֵׂא יְפַת תּוֹאַר יֵשׁ לוֹ בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה. דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי דּוֹסְתַּאי דְּמִן בֵּירֵי: לְמָה דָּוִד דּוֹמֶה? לְסוֹחֵר כּוּתִי. אָמַר דָּוִד לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, ״שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי יָבִין״! [אֲמַר לֵיהּ:] שְׁבִיקִי לָךְ. ״וּמִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי״! שְׁבִיקִי לָךְ. ״גַּם מִזֵּדִים חֲשֹׂךְ עַבְדֶּךָ״! שְׁבִיקִי לָךְ. ״אַל יִמְשְׁלוּ בִי אָז אֵיתָם״, דְּלָא לִישְׁתַּעוֹ בִּי רַבָּנַן. שְׁבִיקִי לָךְ. ״וְנִקֵּיתִי מִפֶּשַׁע רָב״, שֶׁלֹּא יִכָּתֵב סִרְחוֹנִי. אָמַר לוֹ: אִי אֶפְשָׁר. וּמָה יוֹד שֶׁנָּטַלְתִּי מִשָּׂרַי עוֹמֵד וְצוֹוֵחַ כַּמָּה שָׁנִים, עַד שֶׁבָּא יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְהוֹסַפְתִּי לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּקְרָא מֹשֶׁה לְהוֹשֵׁעַ בִּן נוּן יְהוֹשֻׁעַ״. כׇּל הַפָּרָשָׁה כּוּלָּהּ – עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה! ״וְנִקֵּיתִי מִפֶּשַׁע רָב״. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מְחוֹל לִי עַל אוֹתוֹ עָוֹן כּוּלּוֹ! אָמַר, כְּבָר עָתִיד שְׁלֹמֹה בִּנְךָ לוֹמַר בְּחׇכְמָתוֹ: ״הֲיַחְתֶּה אִישׁ אֵשׁ בְּחֵיקוֹ וּבְגָדָיו לֹא תִשָּׂרַפְנָה. אִם יְהַלֵּךְ אִישׁ עַל הַגֶּחָלִים וְרַגְלָיו לֹא תִכָּוֶינָה. כֵּן הַבָּא עַל אֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ לֹא יִנָּקֶה כׇּל הַנֹּגֵעַ בָּהּ״. אָמַר לֵיהּ: כֹּל הָכִי נִטְרַד הָהוּא גַּבְרָא? אָמַר לוֹ: קַבֵּל עָלֶיךָ יִסּוּרִין. קִבֵּל עָלָיו. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים נִצְטָרַע דָּוִד, וְנִסְתַּלְּקָה הֵימֶנּוּ שְׁכִינָה, וּפֵירְשׁוּ מִמֶּנּוּ סַנְהֶדְרִין. נִצְטָרַע – דִּכְתִיב: ״תְּחַטְּאֵנִי בְאֵזוֹב וְאֶטְהָר תְּכַבְּסֵנִי וּמִשֶּׁלֶג אַלְבִּין״. נִסְתַּלְּקָה הֵימֶנּוּ שְׁכִינָה – דִּכְתִיב: ״הָשִׁיבָה לִּי שְׂשׂוֹן יִשְׁעֶךָ וְרוּחַ נְדִיבָה תִסְמְכֵנִי״. וּפֵרְשׁוּ מִמֶּנּוּ סַנְהֶדְרִין – דִּכְתִיב: ״יָשׁוּבוּ לִי יְרֵאֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳״. שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים מְנָלַן? דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ דָּוִד עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה״. ״בְּחֶבְרוֹן מָלַךְ שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וּבִירוּשָׁלִַים מָלַךְ שְׁלֹשִׁים וְשָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים״, וּכְתִיב: ״בְּחֶבְרוֹן מָלַךְ עַל יְהוּדָה שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וְשִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים וְגוֹ׳״, וְהָנֵי שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים לָא קָחָשֵׁיב. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ נִצְטָרַע. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מְחוֹל לִי עַל אוֹתוֹ עָוֹן! מָחוּל לָךְ. ״עֲשֵׂה עִמִּי אוֹת לְטוֹבָה וְיִרְאוּ שֹׂנְאַי וְיֵבֹשׁוּ כִּי אַתָּה יהוה עֲזַרְתַּנִי וְנִחַמְתָּנִי״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בְּחַיֶּיךָ אֵינִי מוֹדִיעַ, אֲבָל אֲנִי מוֹדִיעַ בְּחַיֵּי שְׁלֹמֹה בִּנְךָ. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבָּנָה שְׁלֹמֹה אֶת בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, בִּיקֵּשׁ לְהַכְנִיס אָרוֹן לְבֵית קׇדְשֵׁי הַקֳּדָשִׁים. דָּבְקוּ שְׁעָרִים זֶה בָּזֶה. אָמַר עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה רְנָנוֹת וְלֹא נַעֲנָה. אָמַר: ״שְׂאוּ שְׁעָרִים רָאשֵׁיכֶם וְהִנָּשְׂאוּ פִּתְחֵי עוֹלָם וְיָבוֹא מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד. מִי זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד יהוה עִזּוּז וְגִבּוֹר יהוה גִּבּוֹר מִלְחָמָה״. וְנֶאֱמַר: ״שְׂאוּ שְׁעָרִים רָאשֵׁיכֶם וּשְׂאוּ פִּתְחֵי עוֹלָם וְיָבוֹא מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד וְגוֹ׳״, וְלֹא נַעֲנָה. כֵּיוָן שֶׁאָמַר: ״ה׳ אֱלֹהִים אַל תָּשֵׁב פְּנֵי מְשִׁיחֶךָ זָכְרָה לְחַסְדֵי דָּוִיד עַבְדֶּךָ״, מִיָּד נַעֲנָה. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה נֶהְפְּכוּ פְּנֵי שׂוֹנְאֵי דָּוִד כְּשׁוּלֵי קְדֵירָה, וְיָדְעוּ כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁמָּחַל לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עַל אוֹתוֹ הֶעָוֹן. גֵּחֲזִי, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֵּלֶךְ אֱלִישָׁע דַּמֶּשֶׂק״. לְהֵיכָא אֲזַל? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שֶׁהָלַךְ לְהַחֲזִיר גֵּחֲזִי בִּתְשׁוּבָה, וְלֹא חָזַר. אָמַר לוֹ: חֲזוֹר בָּךְ. אָמַר לוֹ: כָּךְ מְקוּבְּלַנִי מִמְּךָ: הַחוֹטֵא וּמַחְטִיא אֶת הָרַבִּים אֵין מַסְפִּיקִין בְּיָדוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה. מַאי עֲבַד? אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: אֶבֶן שׁוֹאֶבֶת תָּלָה לְחַטַּאת יָרׇבְעָם, וְהֶעֱמִידָהּ בֵּין שָׁמַיִם לָאָרֶץ. וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: שֵׁם חָקַק בְּפִיהָ, וְהָיְתָה מַכְרֶזֶת וְאוֹמֶרֶת ״אָנֹכִי״ וְ״לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ״. וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: רַבָּנַן דְּחָה מִקַּמֵּיהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמְרוּ בְנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים אֶל אֱלִישָׁע הִנֵּה [נָא] הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אֲנַחְנוּ יֹשְׁבִים שָׁם לְפָנֶיךָ צַר מִמֶּנּוּ״, מִכְּלָל דְּעַד הַשְׁתָּא לָא הֲווֹ פָּיְישִׁי. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: לְעוֹלָם תְּהֵא שְׂמֹאל דּוֹחָה וְיָמִין מְקָרֶבֶת, לֹא כֶּאֱלִישָׁע שֶׁדְּחָפוֹ לְגֵחֲזִי בִּשְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם, וְלֹא כִּיהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן פְּרַחְיָה שֶׁדְּחָפוֹ לְיֵשׁוּ הַנּוֹצְרִי בִּשְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם. גֵּחֲזִי, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר נַעֲמָן הוֹאֵל וְקַח כִּכָּרָיִם וַיִּפְרׇץ בּוֹ וַיָּצַר כִּכְּרַיִם כֶּסֶף וְגוֹ׳״. ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אֱלִישָׁע מֵאַיִן גֵּחֲזִי וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא הָלַךְ עַבְדְּךָ אָנֶה וָאָנָה. וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו לֹא לִבִּי הָלַךְ כַּאֲשֶׁר הָפַךְ אִישׁ מֵעַל מֶרְכַּבְתּוֹ לִקְרָאתֶךָ הַעֵת לָקַחַת אֶת הַכֶּסֶף וְלָקַחַת בְּגָדִים וְזֵיתִים וּכְרָמִים וְצֹאן וּבָקָר וַעֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת״. וּמִי שְׁקַל כּוּלֵּי הַאי? כֶּסֶף וּבְגָדִים הוּא דִּשְׁקַל! אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה הָיָה אֱלִישָׁע יוֹשֵׁב וְדוֹרֵשׁ בִּשְׁמוֹנָה שְׁרָצִים. נַעֲמָן שַׂר צְבָא מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם הָיָה מְצוֹרָע. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ הָהִיא רָבִיתָא דְּאִישְׁתְּבַאי מֵאַרְעָא יִשְׂרָאֵל: אִי אָזְלַתְּ לְגַבַּי אֱלִישָׁע מַסֵּי לָךְ. כִּי אֲתָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: זִיל טְבוֹל בְּיַרְדֵּן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַחוֹכֵי קָא מְחַיְּיכַתְּ בִּי? אָמְרִי לֵיהּ הָנְהוּ דַּהֲווֹ בַּהֲדֵיהּ: מַאי נָפְקָא לָךְ מִינַּהּ? זִיל נַסִּי. אֲזַל וּטְבַל בְּיַרְדְּנָא וְאִיתַּסִּי. אֲתָא אַיְיתִי לֵיהּ כֹּל הָנֵי דְּנָקֵיט. לָא צְבָא לְקַבּוֹלֵי מִינֵּיהּ. גֵּחֲזִי אִיפְּטַר מִקַּמֵּיהּ אֱלִישָׁע, אֲזַל שְׁקַל מַאי דִּשְׁקַל וְאַפְקֵיד. כִּי אֲתָא, חַזְיַיהּ אֱלִישָׁע לְצָרַעַת דַּהֲוָה פָּרְחָה עִלָּוֵיה רֵישֵׁיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: רָשָׁע! הִגִּיעַ עֵת לִיטּוֹל שְׂכַר שְׁמֹנָה שְׁרָצִים. ״וְצָרַעַת נַעֲמָן תִּדְבַּק בְּךָ וּבְזַרְעֲךָ לְעוֹלָם וַיֵּצֵא מִלְּפָנָיו מְצֹרָע כַּשָּׁלֶג״. ״וְאַרְבָּעָה אֲנָשִׁים הָיוּ מְצֹרָעִים פֶּתַח הַשָּׁעַר״ – אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: גֵּחֲזִי וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו. יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן פְּרַחְיָה מַאי הִיא? כִּדְקַטְלִינְהוּ יַנַּאי מַלְכָּא לְרַבָּנַן, אֲזַל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן פְּרַחְיָה וְיֵשׁוּ לַאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם. כִּי הֲוָה שְׁלָמָא, שְׁלַח לֵיהּ שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן שָׁטַח: מִינִּי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם עִיר הַקֹּדֶשׁ לִיכִי אָלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּה שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם, אֲחוֹתִי: בַּעֲלִי שָׁרוּי בְּתוֹכֵךְ וְאָנֹכִי יוֹשֶׁבֶת שׁוֹמֵמָה. קָם, אֲתָא, וְאִתְרְמִי לֵיהּ הָהוּא אוּשְׁפִּיזָא. עֲבַדוּ לֵיהּ יְקָרָא טוּבָא. אֲמַר: כַּמָּה יָפָה אַכְסַנְיָא זוֹ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: רַבִּי, עֵינֶיהָ טְרוּטוֹת. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: רָשָׁע! בְּכָךְ אַתָּה עוֹסֵק? אַפֵּיק אַרְבַּע מְאָה שִׁיפּוּרֵי וְשַׁמְּתֵיהּ. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ כַּמָּה זִימְנִין, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קַבְּלָן! לָא הָוֵי קָא מַשְׁגַּח בֵּיהּ. יוֹמָא חַד הֲוָה קָא קָרֵי קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע, אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ. סָבַר לְקַבּוֹלֵי, אַחְוִי לֵיהּ בִּידֵיהּ. הוּא סָבַר: מִידְחָא דָּחֵי לִי. אֲזַל זְקַף לְבֵינְתָּא וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֲדַר בָּךְ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כָּךְ מְקוּבְּלַנִי מִמְּךָ: כָּל הַחוֹטֵא וּמַחְטִיא אֶת הָרַבִּים אֵין מַסְפִּיקִין בְּיָדוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה. וְאָמַר מָר: יֵשׁוּ כִּישֵּׁף וְהֵסִית וְהִדִּיחַ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. תַּנְיָא: אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר, יֵצֶר, תִּינוֹק, וְאִשָּׁה – תְּהֵא שְׂמֹאל דּוֹחָה וְיָמִין מְקָרֶבֶת. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה חֳלָאִים חָלָה אֱלִישָׁע – אֶחָד שֶׁגֵּירָה דּוּבִּים בַּתִּינוֹקוֹת, וְאֶחָד שֶׁדְּחָפוֹ לְגֵחֲזִי בִּשְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם, וְאֶחָד שֶׁמֵּת בּוֹ, [שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וֶאֱלִישָׁע חָלָה אֶת חׇלְיוֹ וְגוֹ״]. עַד אַבְרָהָם לֹא הָיָה זִקְנָה. כֹּל דְּחָזֵי לְאַבְרָהָם אֲמַר: הַאי יִצְחָק. כֹּל דְּחָזֵי לְיִצְחָק אָמַר: הַאי אַבְרָהָם. בְּעָא אַבְרָהָם רַחֲמֵי דְּלֶיהְוֵי לֵיהּ זִקְנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאַבְרָהָם זָקֵן בָּא בַּיָּמִים״. עַד יַעֲקֹב לָא הֲוָה חוּלְשָׁא, בְּעָא רַחֲמֵי וַהֲוָה חוּלְשָׁא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֹּאמֶר לְיוֹסֵף הִנֵּה אָבִיךָ חֹלֶה״. עַד אֱלִישָׁע לָא הֲוָה אִינִישׁ חָלֵישׁ דְּמִיתְּפַח, וַאֲתָא אֱלִישָׁע וּבְעָא רַחֲמֵי וְאִיתְּפַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וֶאֱלִישָׁע חָלָה אֶת חׇלְיוֹ אֲשֶׁר יָמוּת בּוֹ״. מַתְנִי׳ דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וְאֵין עוֹמְדִין בַּדִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא יָדוֹן רוּחִי בָאָדָם לְעֹלָם״ – לֹא דִּין וְלֹא רוּחַ. דּוֹר הַפְּלַגָּה אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּפֶץ יהוה אֹתָם מִשָּׁם עַל פְּנֵי כׇל הָאָרֶץ״, וּכְתִיב: ״וּמִשָּׁם הֱפִיצָם״. ״וַיָּפֶץ יהוה אֹתָם״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וּמִשָּׁם הֱפִיצָם ה׳״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אַנְשֵׁי סְדוֹם אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאַנְשֵׁי סְדֹם רָעִים וְחַטָּאִים לַיהוה מְאֹד״ – רָעִים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְחַטָּאִים לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אֲבָל עוֹמְדִין בַּדִּין. רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה אוֹמֵר: אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ אֵין עוֹמְדִין בַּדִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עַל כֵּן לֹא יָקֻמוּ רְשָׁעִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּט וְחַטָּאִים בַּעֲדַת צַדִּיקִים״. ״עַל כֵּן לֹא יָקוּמוּ רְשָׁעִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּט״ – זֶה דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל. ״וְחַטָּאִים בַּעֲדַת צַדִּיקִים״ – אֵלּוּ אַנְשֵׁי סְדוֹם. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֵינָם עוֹמְדִין בַּעֲדַת צַדִּיקִים, אֲבָל עוֹמְדִין בַּעֲדַת רְשָׁעִים. מְרַגְּלִים אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּמֻתוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים מוֹצִאֵי דִבַּת הָאָרֶץ רָעָה בַּמַּגֵּפָה לִפְנֵי ה׳״. ״וַיָּמֻתוּ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״בַּמַּגֵּפָה״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. דּוֹר הַמִּדְבָּר אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וְאֵין עוֹמְדִין בַּדִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בַּמִּדְבָּר הַזֶּה יִתַּמּוּ וְשָׁם יָמֻתוּ״. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, עֲלֵיהֶם הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״אִסְפוּ לִי חֲסִידָי כֹּרְתֵי בְרִיתִי עֲלֵי זָבַח״. עֲדַת קֹרַח אֵינָהּ עֲתִידָה לַעֲלוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַתְּכַס עֲלֵיהֶם הָאָרֶץ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וַיֹּאבְדוּ מִתּוֹךְ הַקָּהָל״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, עֲלֵיהֶם הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״ה׳ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה מוֹרִיד שְׁאוֹל וַיָּעַל״. גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּמַח אֶת כׇּל הַיְקוּם אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה״. ״וַיִּמַח אֶת כׇּל הַיְּקוּם״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וַיִּמָּחוּ מִן הָאָרֶץ״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן בְּתֵירָא אוֹמֵר: לֹא חַיִּין וְלֹא נִדּוֹנִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא יָדוֹן רוּחִי בָאָדָם לְעֹלָם״ – לֹא דִּין וְלֹא רוּחַ. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״לֹא יָדוֹן רוּחִי״ – שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא נִשְׁמָתָן חוֹזֶרֶת לִנְדָנָהּ. רַבִּי מְנַחֵם בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵף אוֹמֵר: אֲפִילּוּ בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַחֲזִיר נְשָׁמוֹת לִפְגָרִים מֵתִים, נִשְׁמָתָן קָשָׁה לָהֶם בְּגֵיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תַּהֲרוּ חֲשַׁשׁ תֵּלְדוּ קַשׁ רוּחֲכֶם אֵשׁ תֹּאכַלְכֶם״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל לֹא נִתְגָּאוּ אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל טוֹבָה שֶׁהִשְׁפִּיעַ לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּמָה כְּתִיב בָּהֶם? ״בָּתֵּיהֶם שָׁלוֹם מִפָּחַד וְלֹא שֵׁבֶט אֱלוֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶם״, וּכְתִיב: ״שׁוֹרוֹ עִבַּר וְלֹא יַגְעִל תְּפַלֵּט פָּרָתוֹ וְלֹא תְשַׁכֵּל״, וּכְתִיב: ״יְשַׁלְּחוּ כַצֹּאן עֲוִילֵיהֶם וְיַלְדֵיהֶם יְרַקֵּדוּן״, וּכְתִיב: ״יִשְׂאוּ בְּתֹף וְכִנּוֹר וְיִשְׂמְחוּ לְקוֹל עוּגָב״, וּכְתִיב: ״יְכַלּוּ יְמֵיהֶם בַּטּוֹב וּשְׁנֵיהֶם בַּנְּעִימִים״, וּכְתִיב: ״וּבְרֶגַע שְׁאוֹל יֵחָתּוּ״. וְהִיא גָּרְמָה שֶׁאָמְרוּ לָאֵל: ״סוּר מִמֶּנּוּ וְדַעַת דְּרָכֶיךָ לֹא חָפָצְנוּ. מַה שַׁדַּי כִּי נַעַבְדֶנּוּ וּמַה נּוֹעִיל כִּי נִפְגַּע בּוֹ״. אָמְרוּ: כְּלוּם צְרִיכִין אָנוּ לוֹ אֶלָּא לְטִיפָּה שֶׁל גְּשָׁמִים? יֵשׁ לָנוּ נְהָרוֹת וּמַעֲיָנוֹת שֶׁאָנוּ מִסְתַּפְּקִין מֵהֶן. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: בַּטּוֹבָה שֶׁהִשְׁפַּעְתִּי לָהֶן, בָּהּ מַכְעִיסִין אוֹתִי, וּבָהּ אֲנִי דָּן אוֹתָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַאֲנִי הִנְנִי מֵבִיא אֶת הַמַּבּוּל מַיִם״. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אָמַר: דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל לֹא נִתְגָּאוּ אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל גַּלְגַּל הָעַיִן שֶׁדּוֹמֶה לְמַיִם, [שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְיִקְחוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ״]. לְפִיכָךְ דָּן אוֹתָן בְּמַיִם, שֶׁדּוֹמֶה לְגַלְגַּל הָעַיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נִבְקְעוּ כׇּל מַעְיְנוֹת תְּהוֹם רַבָּה וַאֲרֻבּוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם נִפְתָּחוּ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל בְּרַבָּה קִלְקְלוּ, וּבְרַבָּה נִידּוֹנוּ. בְּרַבָּה קִלְקְלוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּרְא יהוה כִּי רַבָּה רָעַת הָאָדָם״, וּבְרַבָּה נִידּוֹנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כׇּל מַעְיְנוֹת תְּהוֹם רַבָּה״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שְׁלֹשָׁה נִשְׁתַּיְּירוּ מֵהֶם – בְּלוּעָה דְּגָדֵר, וְחַמֵּי טְבֶרְיָא, וְעֵינָא רַבָּתִי דְּבֵירָם. ״כִּי הִשְׁחִית כׇּל בָּשָׂר אֶת דַּרְכּוֹ עַל הָאָרֶץ״, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהִרְבִּיעוּ בְּהֵמָה עַל חַיָּה, וְחַיָּה עַל בְּהֵמָה, וְהַכֹּל עַל אָדָם, וְאָדָם עַל הַכֹּל. אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כָּהֲנָא: וְכוּלָּם חָזְרוּ, חוּץ מִתּוּשְׁלְמִי. ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה לְנֹחַ קֵץ כׇּל בָּשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בֹּא וּרְאֵה כַּמָּה גָּדוֹל כֹּחַ שֶׁל חָמָס, שֶׁהֲרֵי דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל עָבְרוּ עַל הַכֹּל, וְלֹא נֶחְתַּם עֲלֵיהֶם גְּזַר דִּינָם עַד שֶׁפָּשְׁטוּ יְדֵיהֶם בְּגָזֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְּנֵיהֶם וְהִנְנִי מַשְׁחִיתָם אֶת הָאָרֶץ״. וּכְתִיב: ״הֶחָמָס קָם לְמַטֵּה רֶשַׁע, לֹא מֵהֶם וְלֹא מֵהֲמוֹנָם וְלֹא מֶהֱמֵהֶם וְלֹא נֹהַּ בָּהֶם״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁזָּקַף עַצְמוֹ כְּמַקֵּל, וְעָמַד לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְאָמַר לְפָנָיו, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם: ״לֹא מֵהֶם וְלֹא מֵהֲמוֹנָם וְלֹא מֶהֱמֵהֶם וְלֹא נֹהַּ בָּהֶם״. (וְאַף עַל נֹחַ נֶחְתַּם גְּזַר דִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא נֹחַ בָּהֶם״). תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: אַף עַל נֹחַ נֶחְתַּךְ גְּזַר דִּין, אֶלָּא שֶׁמָּצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי יהוה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נִחַמְתִּי כִּי עֲשִׂיתֶם וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי ה׳״. ״וַיִּנָּחֶם יהוה כִּי עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ״. כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר: אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, יָפֶה עָשִׂיתִי שֶׁתִּקַּנְתִּי לָהֶם קְבָרוֹת בָּאָרֶץ. מַאי מַשְׁמַע? כְּתִיב הָכָא ״וַיִּנָּחֶם ה׳״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם ״וַיְנַחֵם אוֹתָם וַיְדַבֵּר עַל לִבָּם״. וְאִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי: לֹא יָפֶה עָשִׂיתִי שֶׁתִּקַּנְתִּי לָהֶם קְבָרוֹת בָּאָרֶץ. כְּתִיב הָכָא ״וַיִּנָּחֶם״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וַיִּנָּחֶם יהוה עַל הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לַעֲשׂוֹת לְעַמּוֹ״. ״אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדוֹת נֹחַ [נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה בְּדֹרֹתָיו]״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: ״בְּדוֹרוֹתָיו״, וְלֹא בְּדוֹרוֹת אֲחֵרִים. וְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר: ״בְּדוֹרוֹתָיו״, כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן בְּדוֹרוֹת אֲחֵרִים. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: מָשָׁל דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְחָבִית שֶׁל יַיִן שֶׁהָיְתָה מוּנַּחַת בְּמַרְתֵּף שֶׁל חוֹמֶץ. בִּמְקוֹמָהּ – רֵיחָהּ נוֹדֵף, שֶׁלֹּא בִּמְקוֹמָהּ – אֵין רֵיחָהּ נוֹדֵף. אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: מָשָׁל דְּרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לִצְלוֹחִית שֶׁל פִּלְיָיטוֹן שֶׁהָיְתָה מוּנַּחַת בִּמְקוֹם הַטִּנּוֹפֶת. בִּמְקוֹמָהּ – רֵיחָהּ נוֹדֵף, וְכׇל שֶׁכֵּן בִּמְקוֹם הַבּוֹסֶם. ״וַיִּמַח אֶת כׇּל הַיְקוּם אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה״. אִם אָדָם חָטָא, בְּהֵמָה מָה חָטְאָה? תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה: מָשָׁל לְאָדָם שֶׁעָשָׂה חוּפָּה לִבְנוֹ, וְהִתְקִין מִכׇּל מִינֵי סְעוּדָה. לְיָמִים מֵת בְּנוֹ. עָמַד וּבִלְבֵּל אֶת חוּפָּתוֹ. אָמַר: כְּלוּם עָשִׂיתִי אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל בְּנִי? עַכְשָׁיו שֶׁמֵּת, חוּפָּה לָמָּה לִי? אַף הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אָמַר: כְּלוּם בָּרָאתִי בְּהֵמָה וְחַיָּה אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל אָדָם? עַכְשָׁיו שֶׁאָדָם חוֹטֵא, בְּהֵמָה וְחַיָּה לָמָּה לִי? ״מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בֶּחָרָבָה מֵתוּ״, וְלֹא דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם. דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי דְּמִן קֵסָרִי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״קַל הוּא עַל פְּנֵי מַיִם תְּקֻלַּל חֶלְקָתָם בָּאָרֶץ״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיָה נֹחַ הַצַּדִּיק מוֹכִיחַ בָּהֶם וְאוֹמֵר לָהֶם: עֲשׂוּ תְּשׁוּבָה, וְאִם לָאו הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵבִיא עֲלֵיכֶם אֶת הַמַּבּוּל וּמַקְפֶּה נִבְלַתְכֶם עַל הַמַּיִם כְּזִיקִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״קַל הוּא עַל פְּנֵי מַיִם״. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁלּוֹקְחִין מֵהֶם קְלָלָה לְכׇל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תְּקֻלַּל חֶלְקָתָם בָּאָרֶץ לֹא יִפְנֶה דֶּרֶךְ כְּרָמִים״, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ מְפַנִּים דֶּרֶךְ כְּרָמִים. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: וּמִי מְעַכֵּב? אָמַר לָהֶם: פְּרֵידָה אַחַת יֵשׁ לִי לְהוֹצִיא מִכֶּם. אִם כֵּן, לֹא נְפַנֶּה דֶּרֶךְ כְּרָמִים. דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״לַפִּיד בּוּז לְעַשְׁתּוּת שַׁאֲנָן נָכוֹן לְמוֹעֲדֵי רָגֶל״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיָה נֹחַ הַצַּדִּיק מוֹכִיחַ אוֹתָם, וְאָמַר לָהֶם דְּבָרִים שֶׁהֵם קָשִׁים כְּלַפִּידִים, וְהָיוּ בּוֹזִים אוֹתוֹ. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: זָקֵן, תֵּיבָה זוֹ לָמָּה? אָמַר לָהֶם: הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵבִיא עֲלֵיכֶם אֶת הַמַּבּוּל. אָמְרוּ: מַבּוּל שֶׁל מָה? אִם מַבּוּל שֶׁל אֵשׁ, יֵשׁ לָנוּ דָּבָר אֶחָד וַעֲלִיתָה שְׁמָהּ. וְאִם שֶׁל מַיִם הוּא מֵבִיא, אִם מִן הָאָרֶץ הוּא מֵבִיא, יֵשׁ לָנוּ עֲשָׁשִׁיּוֹת שֶׁל בַּרְזֶל שֶׁאָנוּ מְחַפִּין בָּהֶם אֶת הָאָרֶץ. וְאִם מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם הוּא מֵבִיא, יֵשׁ לָנוּ דָּבָר וְעָקֵב שְׁמוֹ – וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: עִקֵּשׁ שְׁמוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶם: הוּא מֵבִיא מִבֵּין עִקְּבֵי רַגְלֵיכֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״נָכוֹן לְמוֹעֲדֵי רָגֶל״. תַּנְיָא: מֵימֵי הַמַּבּוּל קָשִׁים כְּשִׁכְבַת זֶרַע, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״נָכוֹן לְמוֹעֲדֵי רָגֶל״. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: בְּרוֹתְחִין קִלְקְלוּ בַּעֲבֵירָה, וּבְרוֹתְחִין נִידּוֹנוּ. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וַיָּשֹׁכּוּ הַמָּיִם״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וַחֲמַת הַמֶּלֶךְ שָׁכָכָה״. ״וַיְהִי לְשִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים וּמֵי הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ עַל הָאָרֶץ״, מָה טִיבָם שֶׁל שִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים? אָמַר רַב: אֵלּוּ יְמֵי אֲבֵילוּת שֶׁל מְתוּשֶׁלַח, לְלַמֶּדְךָ שֶׁהֶסְפֵּדָן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים מְעַכְּבִין אֶת הַפּוּרְעָנוּת לָבֹא. דָּבָר אַחֵר: לְשִׁבְעַת [הַיָּמִים] שֶׁשִּׁינָּה עֲלֵיהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא סֵדֶר בְּרֵאשִׁית, שֶׁהָיְתָה חַמָּה יוֹצֵאת מִמַּעֲרָב וְשׁוֹקַעַת בַּמִּזְרָח. דָּבָר אַחֵר: שֶׁקָּבַע לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא זְמַן גָּדוֹל, וְאַחַר כָּךְ זְמַן קָטָן. דָּבָר אַחֵר: לְשִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים שֶׁהִטְעִימָם מֵעֵין הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּדְעוּ מָה טוֹבָה מָנְעוּ מֵהֶן. ״מִכֹּל הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהוֹרָה תִּקַּח לְךָ שִׁבְעָה שִׁבְעָה אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ״, אִישׁוּת לִבְהֵמָה מִי אִית לַהּ? אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מֵאוֹתָם שֶׁלֹּא נֶעֶבְדָה בָּהֶם עֲבֵירָה. מְנָא יְדַע? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: שֶׁהֶעֱבִירָן לִפְנֵי הַתֵּיבָה, כֹּל שֶׁהַתֵּיבָה קוֹלַטְתּוֹ – בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁלֹּא נֶעֶבְדָה בָּהֶם עֲבֵירָה, וְכֹל שֶׁאֵין הַתֵּיבָה קוֹלַטְתּוֹ – בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁנֶּעֶבְדָה בָּהּ עֲבֵירָה. רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אָמַר: מֵאוֹתָן הַבָּאִין מֵאֵילֵיהֶן. ״עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי גֹפֶר״, מַאי גּוֹפֶר? אָמַר רַב אַדָּא: אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי שֵׁילָא, זוֹ מַבְלִיגָה. וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: גּוּלְמֵישׁ. ״צֹהַר תַּעֲשֶׂה לַתֵּבָה״ – אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְנֹחַ, קְבַע בָּהּ אֲבָנִים טוֹבוֹת וּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹת, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מְאִירוֹת לָכֶם כַּצׇּהֳרַיִם. ״וְאֶל אַמָּה תְּכַלֶּנָּה מִלְמַעְלָה״, דִּבְהָכִי [הוּא] דְּקָיְימָא. ״תַּחְתִּיִּם שְׁנִיִּם וּשְׁלִשִׁים תַּעֲשֶׂהָ״ – תָּנָא: תַּחְתִּיִּים לְזֶבֶל, אֶמְצָעִיִּים לַבְּהֵמָה, עֶלְיוֹנִים לָאָדָם. ״וַיְשַׁלַּח אֶת הָעֹרֵב״, אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: תְּשׁוּבָה נִיצַּחַת הֱשִׁיבוֹ עוֹרֵב לְנֹחַ. אָמַר לוֹ: רַבְּךָ שׂוֹנְאֵנִי וְאַתָּה שְׂנֵאתָנִי. רַבְּךָ שׂוֹנְאֵנִי – מִן הַטְּהוֹרִין שִׁבְעָה, מִן הַטְּמֵאִים שְׁנַיִם, וְאַתָּה שְׂנֵאתָנִי – שֶׁאַתָּה מַנִּיחַ מִמִּין שִׁבְעָה וְשׁוֹלֵחַ מִמִּין שְׁנַיִם. אִם פּוֹגֵעַ בִּי שַׂר חַמָּה אוֹ שַׂר צִנָּה, לֹא נִמְצָא עוֹלָם חָסֵר בְּרִיָּה אַחַת? אוֹ שֶׁמָּא לְאִשְׁתִּי אַתָּה צָרִיךְ? אָמַר לוֹ: רָשָׁע! בַּמּוּתָּר לִי נֶאֱסַר לִי, בַּנֶּאֱסָר לִי לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן? וּמְנָלַן דְּנֶאֶסְרוּ? דִּכְתִיב: ״וּבָאתָ אֶל הַתֵּבָה אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ וְאִשְׁתְּךָ וּנְשֵׁי בָנֶיךָ אִתָּךְ״, וּכְתִיב: ״צֵא מִן הַתֵּבָה אַתָּה וְאִשְׁתְּךָ וּבָנֶיךָ וּנְשֵׁי בָנֶיךָ אִתָּךְ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִיכָּן (אָמְרוּ) שֶׁנֶּאֶסְרוּ בְּתַשְׁמִישׁ הַמִּטָּה. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה שִׁמְּשׁוּ בַּתֵּיבָה, וְכוּלָּם לָקוּ. כֶּלֶב וְעוֹרֵב וְחָם. כֶּלֶב נִקְשַׁר, עוֹרֵב רָק, חָם לָקָה בְּעוֹרוֹ. ״וַיְשַׁלַּח אֶת הַיּוֹנָה מֵאִתּוֹ לִרְאוֹת הֲקַלּוּ הַמַּיִם״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: מִכָּאן שֶׁדִּירָתָן שֶׁל עוֹפוֹת טְהוֹרִים עִם הַצַּדִּיקִים. ״וְהִנֵּה עֲלֵה זַיִת טָרָף בְּפִיהָ״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: אָמְרָה יוֹנָה לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, יִהְיוּ מְזוֹנוֹתַי מְרוֹרִים כְּזַיִת וּמְסוּרִים בְּיָדְךָ, וְאַל יִהְיוּ מְתוּקִים כִּדְבַשׁ וּמְסוּרִים בְּיַד בָּשָׂר וָדָם. מַאי מַשְׁמַע דְּהַאי ״טָרָף״ לִישָּׁנָא דִּמְזוֹנֵי הוּא? דִּכְתִיב: ״הַטְרִיפֵנִי לֶחֶם חֻקִּי״. ״לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיהֶם יָצְאוּ מִן הַתֵּבָה״, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: ״לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָם״ וְלֹא ״הֵם״. אָמַר רַב חָנָא בַּר בִּיזְנָא: אָמַר לֵיהּ אֱלִיעֶזֶר לְשֵׁם רַבָּא, כְּתִיב: ״לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיהֶם יָצְאוּ מִן הַתֵּבָה״. אַתּוּן הֵיכָן הֲוֵיתוּן? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: צַעַר גָּדוֹל הָיָה לָנוּ בַּתֵּיבָה. בְּרִיָּה שֶׁדַּרְכָּהּ לְהַאֲכִילָהּ בַּיּוֹם – הֶאֱכַלְנוּהָ בַּיּוֹם, שֶׁדַּרְכָּהּ לְהַאֲכִילָהּ בַּלַּיְלָה – הֶאֱכַלְנוּהָ בַּלַּיְלָה. הַאי זְקִיתָא לָא הֲוָה יָדַע אַבָּא מָה אָכְלָה. יוֹמָא חַד הֲוָה יָתֵיב וְקָא פָאלֵי רִמּוֹנָא, נְפַל תּוֹלַעְתָּא מִינַּהּ אֲכַלָה. מִיכָּן וְאֵילָךְ הֲוָה גָּבֵיל לַהּ חִיזְרָא, כִּי מַתְלַע אָכְלָה. אַרְיָא – אֶישָּׁתָא זַנְתֵּיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַב: לָא בְּצִיר מִשִּׁיתָּא וְלָא טְפֵי מִתְּרֵיסַר זָיְנָא אִישָּׁתָא. אוּרְשִׁינָה – אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ אַבָּא דְּגָנֵי בְּסַפְנָא דְּתֵיבוֹתָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא בָּעֵית מְזוֹנֵי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: חֲזֵיתָיךְ דַּהֲוֵת טְרִידַתְּ, אָמֵינָא לָא אֲצַעֲרָךְ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יְהֵא רַעֲוָא דְּלָא תְּמוּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וָאֹמַר עִם קִנִּי אֶגְוָע וְכַחוֹל אַרְבֶּה יָמִים״. אָמַר רַב חָנָה בַּר לֵוַאי: אֲמַר שֵׁם רַבָּא לֶאֱלִיעֶזֶר, כִּי אֲתוֹ עֲלַיְיכוּ מַלְכֵי מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב, אַתּוּן הֵיכִי עֲבְידִיתוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַיְיתִי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַבְרָהָם וְאוֹתְבֵיהּ מִיַּמִּינֵיהּ, וַהֲוָה שָׁדֵינַן עַפְרָא וְהָווּ חַרְבֵי, גִּילֵי וְהָווּ גִּירֵי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד נְאֻם יהוה לַאדֹנִי שֵׁב לִימִינִי עַד אָשִׁית אֹיְבֶיךָ הֲדֹם לְרַגְלֶיךָ״, וּכְתִיב: ״מִי הֵעִיר מִמִּזְרָח צֶדֶק יִקְרָאֵהוּ לְרַגְלוֹ יִתֵּן לְפָנָיו גּוֹיִם וּמְלָכִים יַרְדְּ יִתֵּן כֶּעָפָר חַרְבּוֹ כְּקַשׁ נִדָּף קַשְׁתּוֹ״. נַחוּם אִישׁ גַּם זוֹ הֲוָה רְגִיל, דְּכֹל דַּהֲוָה סָלְקָא לֵיהּ אֲמַר: ״גַּם זוֹ לְטוֹבָה״. יוֹמָא חַד בְּעוֹ [יִשְׂרָאֵל] לְשַׁדּוֹרֵי דּוֹרוֹן לְקֵיסָר. אָמְרִי: בַּהֲדֵי מַאן נְשַׁדַּר? נְשַׁדַּר בַּהֲדֵי נַחוּם אִישׁ גַּם זוֹ, דִּמְלוּמָּד בְּנִסִּים הוּא. כִּי מְטָא לְהָהוּא דִּיּוּרָא, בְּעָא לְמֵיבַת. אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: מַאי אִיכָּא בַּהֲדָךְ? אֲמַר לְהוּ: קָא מוֹבֵילְנָא כְּרָגָא לְקֵיסָר. קָמוּ בְּלֵילְיָא, שְׁרוֹנְהוּ לְסִיפְטֵיהּ, וּשְׁקַלוּ כֹּל דַּהֲוָה גַּבֵּיהּ וּמַלּוֹנְהוּ עַפְרָא. כִּי מְטָא לְהָתָם, אִישְׁתְּכַח עַפְרָא. אֲמַר: אַחוֹכֵי קָא מְחַיְּיכִי בִּי יְהוּדָאֵי. אַפְּקוּהּ לְמִקְטְלֵיהּ. אֲמַר: גַּם זוֹ לְטוֹבָה. אֲתָא אֵלִיָּהוּ וְאִידְּמִי לְהוּ כְּחַד מִינַּיְיהוּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: דִּילְמָא הַאי עַפְרָא מֵעַפְרָא דְּאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ הוּא, דַּהֲוָה שָׁדֵי עַפְרָא הָווּ חַרְבֵי, גִּילֵי הָווּ גִּירֵי. בְּדוּק וְאַשְׁכַּחוּ הָכִי. הֲוָה מָחוֹזָא דְּלָא הֲווֹ קָא יָכְלִי לֵיהּ לְמִיכְבְּשֵׁיהּ. שְׁדוֹ מֵהָהוּא עַפְרָא עֲלֵיהּ וְכַבְשׁוּהּ. עַיְּילוּהּ לְבֵי גִנְזָא, אָמְרִי: שְׁקוֹל דְּנִיחָא לָךְ. מַלְּיֵיהּ לְסִיפְטָא דַּהֲבָא. כִּי הֲדַר אֲתָא, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ הָנָךְ דָּיּוֹרֵי: מַאי אַמְטֵית לְבֵי מַלְכָּא? אֲמַר לְהוּ: מַאי דִּשְׁקַלִי מֵהָכָא אַמְטַאי לְהָתָם. שָׁקְלִי אִינְהוּ אַמְטוֹ לְהָתָם. קַטְלִינְהוּ לְהָנָךְ דָּיוֹרֵי. דּוֹר הַפְּלַגָּה אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וְכוּ׳. מַאי עֲבוּד? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי שֵׁילָא: נִבְנֶה מִגְדָּל וְנַעֲלֶה לָרָקִיעַ, וְנַכֶּה אוֹתוֹ בְּקַרְדּוּמּוֹת כְּדֵי שֶׁיָּזוּבוּ מֵימָיו. מַחֲכוּ עֲלַהּ בְּמַעְרְבָא: אִם כֵּן, לִיבְנוֹ אַחַד טוּרָא! (אֶלָּא) אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה בַּר אֶלְעָזָר: נֶחְלְקוּ לְשָׁלֹשׁ כִּיתּוֹת, אַחַת אוֹמֶרֶת: נַעֲלֶה וְנֵשֵׁב שָׁם, וְאַחַת אוֹמֶרֶת: נַעֲלֶה וְנַעֲבוֹד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְאַחַת אוֹמֶרֶת: נַעֲלֶה וְנַעֲשֶׂה מִלְחָמָה. זוֹ שֶׁאוֹמֶרֶת נַעֲלֶה וְנֵשֵׁב שָׁם – ״הֱפִיצָם ה׳״, וְזוֹ שֶׁאוֹמֶרֶת נַעֲלֶה וְנַעֲשֶׂה מִלְחָמָה – נַעֲשׂוּ קוֹפִים וְרוּחוֹת וְשֵׁידִים וְלִילִין, וְזוֹ שֶׁאוֹמֶרֶת נַעֲלֶה וְנַעֲבוֹד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה – ״כִּי שָׁם בָּלַל יהוה שְׂפַת כׇּל הָאָרֶץ״. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: כּוּלָּם לְשֵׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה נִתְכַּוְּונוּ. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״נַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ שֵׁם״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וְשֵׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים לֹא תַזְכִּירוּ״. מָה לְהַלָּן עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, אַף כָּאן עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִגְדָּל שְׁלִישׁ נִשְׂרַף, שְׁלִישׁ נִבְלַע, שְׁלִישׁ קַיָּים. אָמַר רַב: אֲוִיר מִגְדָּל מְשַׁכֵּחַ. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: בָּבֶל וּבוֹרְסִיף סִימָן רַע לַתּוֹרָה. מַאי בּוֹרְסִיף? אָמַר רַבִּי אַסִּי: בּוֹר שָׁאפֵי. ״אַנְשֵׁי סְדוֹם אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וְכוּ׳״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אַנְשֵׁי סְדוֹם אֵין לָהֶן חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאַנְשֵׁי סְדֹם רָעִים וְחַטָּאִים לַיהוה מְאֹד״. ״רָעִים״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וְחַטָּאִים״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: רָעִים בְּגוּפָן, וְחַטָּאִים בְּמָמוֹנָם. רָעִים בְּגוּפָן – דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאֵיךְ אֶעֱשֶׂה הָרָעָה הַגְּדֹלָה הַזֹּאת וְחָטָאתִי לֵאלֹהִים״, וְחַטָּאִים בְּמָמוֹנָם – דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהָיָה בְךָ חֵטְא״. ״לַה׳״ – זוֹ בִּרְכַּת הַשֵּׁם. ״מְאֹד״ – שֶׁמִּתְכַּוְּונִים וְחוֹטְאִים. בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: ״רָעִים״ – בְּמָמוֹנָם, ״וְחַטָּאִים״ – בְּגוּפָן. רָעִים בְּמָמוֹנָם, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְרָעָה עֵינְךָ בְּאָחִיךָ הָאֶבְיוֹן״. וְחַטָּאִים בְּגוּפָן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְחָטָאתִי לֵאלֹהִים״. ״לַה׳״ – זוֹ בִּרְכַּת הַשֵּׁם. ״מְאֹד״ – זוֹ שְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְגַם דָּם נָקִי שָׁפַךְ מְנַשֶּׁה בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד [וְגוֹ׳]״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אַנְשֵׁי סְדוֹם לֹא נִתְגָּאוּ אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל טוֹבָה שֶׁהִשְׁפִּיעַ לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּמָה כְּתִיב בָּהֶם? ״אֶרֶץ מִמֶּנָּה יֵצֵא לָחֶם וְתַחְתֶּיהָ נֶהְפַּךְ כְּמוֹ אֵשׁ. מְקוֹם סַפִּיר אֲבָנֶיהָ וְעַפְרֹת זָהָב לוֹ. נָתִיב לֹא יְדָעוֹ עָיִט וְלֹא שְׁזָפַתּוּ עֵין אַיָּה. לֹא הִדְרִיכוּהוּ בְנֵי שָׁחַץ לֹא עָדָה עָלָיו שָׁחַל״. אָמְרוּ: וְכִי מֵאַחַר שֶׁ״אֶרֶץ מִמֶּנָּה יֵצֵא לָחֶם וְעַפְרֹת זָהָב לוֹ״, לָמָּה לָנוּ עוֹבְרֵי דְרָכִים? שֶׁאֵין בָּאִים אֵלֵינוּ אֶלָּא לְחַסְּרֵינוּ [מִמָּמוֹנֵנוּ]. בּוֹאוּ וּנְשַׁכַּח תּוֹרַת רֶגֶל מֵאַרְצֵנוּ! שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״פָּרַץ נַחַל מֵעִם גָּר הַנִּשְׁכָּחִים מִנִּי רָגֶל דַּלּוּ מֵאֱנוֹשׁ נָעוּ״. דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״עַד אָנָה תְּהוֹתְתוּ עַל אִישׁ תְּרׇצְּחוּ כֻלְּכֶם כְּקִיר נָטוּי גָּדֵר הַדְּחוּיָה״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ נוֹתְנִין עֵינֵיהֶן בְּבַעֲלֵי מָמוֹן, וּמוֹשִׁיבִין אוֹתוֹ אֵצֶל קִיר נָטוּי, וְדוֹחִין אוֹתוֹ עָלָיו, וּבָאִים וְנוֹטְלִין אֶת מָמוֹנוֹ. דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״חָתַר בַּחֹשֶׁךְ בָּתִּים יוֹמָם חִתְּמוּ לָמוֹ לֹא יָדְעוּ אוֹר״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ נוֹתְנִים עֵינֵיהֶם בְּבַעֲלֵי מָמוֹן, וּמַפְקִידִים אֶצְלוֹ אֲפַרְסְמוֹן, וּמַנִּיחִים אוֹתוֹ בְּבֵית גִּנְזֵיהֶם. לָעֶרֶב בָּאִים וּמְרִיחִין אוֹתוֹ כְּכֶלֶב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יָשׁוּבוּ לָעֶרֶב יֶהֱמוּ כַכָּלֶב וִיסוֹבְבוּ עִיר״, וּבָאִים וְחוֹתְרִים שָׁם וְנוֹטְלִין אוֹתוֹ מָמוֹן. ״עָרוֹם יָלִינוּ מִבְּלִי לְבוּשׁ וְאֵין כְּסוּת בַּקָּרָה״, ״חֲמוֹר יְתוֹמִים יִנְהָגוּ יַחְבְּלוּ שׁוֹר אַלְמָנָה״, ״גְּבֻלוֹת יַשִּׂיגוּ עֵדֶר גָּזְלוּ וַיִּרְעוּ״, ״וְהוּא לִקְבָרוֹת יוּבָל וְעַל גָּדִישׁ יִשְׁקוֹד״. דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּצִיפּוֹרִי. אִחַתְרַין הָהִיא לֵילְיָא תְּלָת מְאָה מַחְתְּרָתָא בְּצִיפּוֹרִי. אֲתוֹ וְקָא מְצַעֲרִי לֵיהּ. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: יְהַבְיתְּ אוֹרְחֵיהּ לְגַנָּבֵי! אֲמַר לְהוּ: מִי הֲוָה יָדַעְנָא דְּאַתּוּ גַּנָּבֵי? כִּי קָא נָח נַפְשֵׁיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי, שָׁפְעִי מַרְזְבֵי דְצִיפּוֹרִי דְּמָא. אָמְרִי: דְּאִית לֵיהּ חַד תּוֹרָא – מַרְעֵי חַד יוֹמָא, דְּלֵית לֵיהּ – לִירְעֵי תְּרֵי יוֹמֵי. הָהוּא יַתְמָא בַּר אַרְמַלְתָּא, יְהַבוּ לֵיהּ תּוֹרֵי לְמִרְעֵיה. אֲזַל, שַׁקְלִינְהוּ וְקַטְלִינְהוּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: דְּאִית לֵיהּ תּוֹרָא – נִשְׁקוֹל חַד מַשְׁכָּא, דְּלֵית לֵיהּ תּוֹרָא – נִשְׁקוֹל תְּרֵי מַשְׁכֵּי. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַר לְהוּ: סוֹף דִּינָא כִּתְחִילַּת דִּינָא. מָה תְּחִילַּת דִּינָא? דְּאִית לֵיהּ תּוֹרָא – מַרְעֵי חַד יוֹמָא, דְּלֵית לֵיהּ תּוֹרֵי – מַרְעֵי תְּרֵי יוֹמֵי. אַף סוֹף דִּינָא: דְּאִית לֵיהּ חַד תּוֹרָא – לִשְׁקוֹל חַד, דְּלֵית לֵיהּ תּוֹרָא – לִשְׁקוֹל תְּרֵי. דְּעָבַר בְּמַבָּרָא – נִיתֵּיב חַד זוּזָא, דְּלָא עָבַר בְּמַבָּרָא – נִיתֵּיב תְּרֵי. דַּהֲוָה לֵיהּ דָּרָא דְּלִבְנֵי, אָתֵי כֹּל חַד וְחַד שָׁקֵיל חֲדָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנָא חֲדָא דִּשְׁקַלִי. דַּהֲוָה שָׁדֵי תּוּמֵי אוֹ שַׁמְכֵי, אֲתוֹ כֹּל חַד וְחַד שָׁקֵיל חֲדָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנָא חֲדָא דִּשְׁקַלִי. אַרְבַּע דַּיָּינֵי הָיוּ בִּסְדוֹם, שַׁקְרַאי וְשַׁקְרוֹרַאי זַיְיפַי וּמַצְלֵי דִּינָא. דְּמָחֵי לֵיהּ לְאִיתְּתָא דְּחַבְרֵיהּ וּמַפְּלָא (לֵיהּ), אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: יַהֲבַהּ נִיהֲלֵיהּ דְּנִיעַבְּרַהּ נִיהֲלָיךְ. דְּפָסֵיק לֵיהּ לְאוּדְנָא דַּחֲמָרָא דְּחַבְרֵיהּ, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הֲבַהּ נִיהֲלֵיהּ עַד דְּקָדְחָא. דְּפָדַע לֵיהּ לְחַבְרֵיהּ, אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: הַב לֵיהּ אַגְרָא דִּשְׁקַל לָךְ דְּמָא. דְּעָבַר בְּמַבָּרָא – יְהֵיב אַרְבְּעָה זוּזֵי, דְּעָבַר בְּמַיָּא – יָהֵיב תְּמָנְיָא זוּזֵי. זִימְנָא חֲדָא אֲתָא הָהוּא כּוֹבֵס, אִיקְּלַע לְהָתָם. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הַב אַרְבְּעָה זוּזֵי. אָמַר לְהוּ: אֲנָא בְּמַיָּא עֲבַרִי. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אִם כֵּן, הַב תְּמָנְיָא דַּעֲבַרְתְּ בְּמַיָּא. לָא יְהַב. פַּדְיוּהּ. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּדַיָּינָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַב לֵיהּ אַגְרָא דִּשְׁקַל לָךְ דְּמָא, וּתְמָנְיָא זוּזֵי דַּעֲבַרְתְּ בְּמַיָּא. אֱלִיעֶזֶר עֶבֶד אַבְרָהָם אִיתְרְמִי הָתָם, פַּדְיוּהּי. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דַּיָּינָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַב לֵיהּ אַגְרָא דִּשְׁקַל לָךְ דְּמָא. שְׁקַל גְּלָלָא, פַּדְיֵוהּ אִיהוּ לְדַיָּינָא. אֲמַר: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַגְרָא דִּנְפַק לִי מִינָּךְ, הַב נִיהֲלֵיהּ לְהַאי, וְזוּזֵי דִּידִי כִּדְקָיְימִי קָיְימִי. הָוְיָא לְהוּ פּוּרְיְיתָא דַּהֲווֹ מַגְנִי עֲלַהּ אוֹרְחִין. כִּי מַאֲרֵיךְ – גָּיְיזִי לֵיהּ, כִּי גוּץ – מָתְחִין לֵיהּ. אֱלִיעֶזֶר עֶבֶד אַבְרָהָם אִקְּלַע לְהָתָם. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: קוּם גְּנִי אַפּוּרְיָא. אֲמַר לְהוֹן: נִדְרָא נְדַרִי מִן יוֹמָא דְּמִיתַת אִמָּא לָא גָּנֵינָא אַפּוּרְיָא. כִּי הֲוָה מִתְרְמֵי לְהוּ עַנְיָא, יְהַבוּ לֵיהּ כֹּל חַד וְחַד דִּינָרָא, וּכְתִיב שְׁמֵיהּ עֲלֵיהּ. וְרִיפְתָּא לָא הֲווֹ מַמְטֵי לֵיהּ. כִּי הֲוָה מָיֵת, אָתֵי כֹּל חַד וְחַד שָׁקֵיל דִּידֵיהּ. הָכִי אַתְנוֹ בֵּינַיְיהוּ: כֹּל מַאן דְּמַזְמֵין גַּבְרָא לְבֵי הִילּוּלָא, לְשַׁלַּח גְּלִימָא. הֲוִי הַאי הִילּוּלָא, אִקְּלַע אֱלִיעֶזֶר לְהָתָם וְלָא יְהַבוּ לֵיהּ נַהֲמָא. כִּי בָּעֵי לְמִסְעַד, אֲתָא אֱלִיעֶזֶר וִיתֵיב לְסֵיפָא דְּכוּלְּהוּ. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: מַאן אַזְמְנָךְ לְהָכָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ לְהָהוּא [דְּיָתֵיב]: אַתְּ זַמֵּנְתַּן. [אֲמַר: דִילְמָא שָׁמְעִי בִּי דַּאֲנָא אַזְמֵינְתֵּיהּ וּמְשַׁלְּחִי לֵיהּ מָאנֵיהּ דְּהַאי גַּבְרָא.] שְׁקַל גְּלִימֵיהּ הָהוּא דְּיָתֵיב גַּבֵּיהּ וּרְהַט לְבָרָא. וְכֵן עֲבַד לְכוּלְּהוּ עַד דְּנָפְקִי כּוּלְּהוּ וְאַכְלַאּ אִיהוּ לִסְעוּדְתָּא. הַוְיָא הָהִיא רָבִיתָא דַּהֲוָת קָא מַפְּקָא רִיפְתָּא לְעַנְיָא בְּחַצְבָּא. אִיגַּלַּאי מִלְּתָא, שַׁפְיוּהָ דּוּבְשָׁא, וְאוֹקְמוּהָ עַל אִיגַּר שׁוּרָא. אֲתֹא זִיבּוּרֵי וְאַכְלוּהָ. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה זַעֲקַת סְדֹם וַעֲמֹרָה כִּי רָבָּה״. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: עַל עִיסְקֵי רִיבָה. מְרַגְּלִים אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּמֻתוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים מוֹצִאֵי דִבַּת הָאָרֶץ רָעָה בַּמַּגֵּפָה״. ״וַיָּמֻתוּ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״בַּמַּגֵּפָה״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. עֲדַת קֹרַח אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַתְּכַס עֲלֵיהֶם הָאָרֶץ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וַיֹּאבְדוּ מִתּוֹךְ הַקָּהָל״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: עֲלֵיהֶם אָמַר הַכָּתוּב ״ה׳ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה מוֹרִיד שְׁאוֹל וַיָּעַל״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: עֲדַת קֹרַח אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַתְּכַס עֲלֵיהֶם הָאָרֶץ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וַיֹּאבְדוּ מִתּוֹךְ הַקָּהָל״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן בְּתִירָא אוֹמֵר: הֲרֵי הֵן כַּאֲבֵידָה הַמִּתְבַּקֶּשֶׁת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תָּעִיתִי כְּשֶׂה אֹבֵד בַּקֵּשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי״. ״וַיִּקַּח [קֹרַח]״ – אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: שֶׁלָּקַח מִקָּח רַע לְעַצְמוֹ. ״קֹרַח״ – שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה קׇרְחָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. ״בֶּן יִצְהָר״ – בֵּן שֶׁהִרְתִּיחַ עָלָיו אֶת כָּל הָעוֹלָם כַּצׇּהֳרַיִם. ״בֶּן קְהָת״ – בֵּן שֶׁהִקְהָה שִׁינֵּי מוֹלִידָיו. ״בֶּן לֵוִי״ – בֵּן שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה לְוָיָה בְּגֵיהִנָּם. וְלִיחְשׁוֹב נָמֵי בֶּן יַעֲקֹב, בֵּן שֶׁעָקַב עַצְמוֹ לְגֵיהִנָּם? אָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר רַב יִצְחָק: יַעֲקֹב בִּיקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עַל עַצְמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״בְּסֹדָם אַל תָּבֹא נַפְשִׁי בִּקְהָלָם אַל תֵּחַד כְּבֹדִי״. ״בְּסֹדָם אַל תָּבֹא נַפְשִׁי״ – אֵלּוּ מְרַגְּלִים. ״בִּקְהָלָם אַל תֵּחַד כְּבֹדִי״ – זֶה עֲדַת קֹרַח. ״דָּתָן״ – שֶׁעָבַר עַל דָּת אֵל, ״אֲבִירָם״ – שֶׁאִיבֵּר עַצְמוֹ מֵעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה, ״וְאוֹן״ – שֶׁיָּשַׁב בַּאֲנִינוּת, ״פֶּלֶת״ – שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ לוֹ פְּלָאוֹת, ״בֶּן רְאוּבֵן״ – בֵּן שֶׁרָאָה וְהֵבִין. אָמַר רַב: ״אוֹן בֶּן פֶּלֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ הִצִּילַתּוּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: מַאי נָפְקָא לָךְ מִינַּהּ? אִי מָר רַבָּה – אַנְתְּ תַּלְמִידָא, וְאִי מָר רַבָּה – אַנְתְּ תַּלְמִידָא. אֲמַר לַהּ: מַאי אֶעֱבֵיד? הֲוַאי בְּעֵצָה וְאִשְׁתְּבַעִי לִי בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: יָדַעְנָא דְּכוּלַּהּ כְּנִישְׁתָּא קַדִּישְׁתָּא נִינְהוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי כׇל הָעֵדָה כֻּלָּם קְדֹשִׁים״. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: תּוּב, דַּאֲנָא מַצֵּילְנָא לָךְ. אַשְׁקִיתֵיהּ חַמְרָא וְאַרְוִיתֵיהּ וְאַגְנִיתֵיהּ גַּוַּאי. וִיתִבָא עַל בָּבָא, וּסְתַרְתֵּהּ לְמַזְּיַהּ, כֹּל דַּאֲתָא חַזְיַהּ הֲדַר. אַדְּהָכִי וְהָכִי, אִבְּלַעוּ לְהוּ. אִיתְּתֵיהּ דְּקֹרַח אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: חֲזִי מַאי קָעָבֵיד מֹשֶׁה. אִיהוּ הֲוָה מַלְכָּא, לַאֲחוּהּ שַׁוְּויֵהּ כָּהֲנָא רַבָּא, לִבְנֵי אֲחוֹהִי שַׁוִּינְהוּ סְגָנֵי דְּכָהֲנָא. אִי אָתְיָא תְּרוּמָה אָמַר ״תֶּיהְוֵי לְכָהֵן״, אִי אָתוּ מַעֲשֵׂר דְּשָׁקְלִיתוּ אַתּוּן אָמַר ״הַבוּ חַד מֵעַשְׂרָה לְכָהֵן״. וְעוֹד דְּגָיֵיז לֵיהּ לְמָזַיְיכוּ וּמִיטַּלַּל בְּכוּ כִּי כוּפְתָּא, עֵינָא יְהַב בְּמָזַיְיכוּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: הָא אִיהוּ נָמֵי קָא עָבֵיד! אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: כֵּיוָן דְּכוּלְּהוּ רְבוּתָא דִּידֵיהּ, אָמַר אִיהוּ נָמֵי ״תָּמֹת נַפְשִׁי עִם פְּלִשְׁתִּים״. וְעוֹד, דְּקָאָמַר לְכוּ עָבְדִיתוּ תְּכֵלְתָּא. אִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ תְּכֵלְתָּא חֲשִׁיבָא [מִצְוָה], אַפֵּיק גְּלִימֵי דִּתְכֵלְתָּא וְכַסִּינְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ מְתִיבְתָּךְ. הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״חׇכְמוֹת נָשִׁים בָּנְתָה בֵיתָהּ״ – זוֹ אִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁל אוֹן בֶּן פֶּלֶת, ״וְאִוֶּלֶת בְּיָדָהּ תֶּהֶרְסֶנָּה״ – זוֹ אִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁל קֹרַח. ״וַיָּקֻמוּ לִפְנֵי מֹשֶׁה וַאֲנָשִׁים מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם [נְשִׂיאֵי עֵדָה]״ – מְיוּחָדִים שֶׁבָּעֵדָה, ״קְרִיאֵי מוֹעֵד״ – שֶׁהָיוּ יוֹדְעִים לְעַבֵּר שָׁנִים וְלִקְבּוֹעַ חֳדָשִׁים, ״אַנְשֵׁי שֵׁם״ – שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶם שֵׁם בְּכׇל הָעוֹלָם. ״וַיִּשְׁמַע מֹשֶׁה וַיִּפֹּל עַל פָּנָיו״. מָה שְׁמוּעָה שְׁמַע? אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: שֶׁחֲשָׁדוּהוּ מֵאֵשֶׁת אִישׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וַיְקַנְאוּ לְמֹשֶׁה בַּמַּחֲנֶה״. אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר יִצְחָק: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד קִנֵּא אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ מִמֹּשֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וּמֹשֶׁה יִקַּח אֶת הָאֹהֶל וְנָטָה לוֹ מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה״. ״וַיָּקׇם מֹשֶׁה וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: מִכָּאן שֶׁאֵין מַחְזִיקִין בְּמַחְלוֹקֶת, דְּאָמַר רַב: כׇּל הַמַּחְזִיק בְּמַחְלוֹקֶת עוֹבֵר בְּלָאו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא יִהְיֶה כְקֹרַח וְכַעֲדָתוֹ״. רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: ״רָאוּי לִיצְטָרֵעַ״. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה לוֹ״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה לוֹ עוֹד הָבֵא נָא יָדְךָ בְּחֵיקֶךָ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: כׇּל הַחוֹלֵק עַל מַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד רָאוּי לְהַכִּישׁוֹ נָחָשׁ. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״וַיִּזְבַּח אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ צֹאן וּבָקָר וּמְרִיא עִם אֶבֶן הַזֹּחֶלֶת״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״עִם חֲמַת זֹחֲלֵי עָפָר״. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: כׇּל הַחוֹלֵק עַל רַבּוֹ כְּחוֹלֵק עַל הַשְּׁכִינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּהַצֹּתָם עַל ה׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: כָּל הָעוֹשֶׂה מְרִיבָה עִם רַבּוֹ כְּעוֹשֶׂה עִם שְׁכִינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הֵמָּה מֵי מְרִיבָה אֲשֶׁר רָבוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת ה׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פָּפָּא: כׇּל הַמִּתְרַעֵם עַל רַבּוֹ כְּאִילּוּ מִתְרַעֵם עַל הַשְּׁכִינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא עָלֵינוּ תְלֻנֹּתֵיכֶם כִּי אִם עַל ה׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: כׇּל הַמְהַרְהֵר אַחַר רַבּוֹ כְּאִילּוּ מְהַרְהֵר אַחַר שְׁכִינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיְדַבֵּר הָעָם בֵּאלֹהִים וּבְמֹשֶׁה״. ״עֹשֶׁר שָׁמוּר לִבְעָלָיו לְרָעָתוֹ״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: זֶה עוֹשְׁרוֹ שֶׁל קֹרַח. ״וְאֶת כׇּל הַיְקוּם אֲשֶׁר בְּרַגְלֵיהֶם״ – אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: זֶה מָמוֹנוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם שֶׁמַּעֲמִידוֹ עַל רַגְלָיו. וְאָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי: מַשּׂוֹי שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת פְּרָדוֹת לְבָנוֹת הָיוּ מַפְתְּחוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית גְּנָזָיו שֶׁל קֹרַח, וְכוּלְּהוּ אַקְלִידֵי וְקִילְפֵי דְּגִילְדָּא. אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא: שָׁלֹשׁ מַטְמוֹנִיּוֹת הִטְמִין יוֹסֵף בְּמִצְרַיִם. אַחַת נִתְגַּלְּתָה לְקֹרַח, וְאַחַת נִתְגַּלְּתָה לְאַנְטוֹנִינוּס בֶּן אַסְוִירוּס, וְאַחַת גְּנוּזָה לְצַדִּיקִים לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: קֹרַח לֹא מִן הַבְּלוּעִים וְלֹא מִן הַשְּׂרוּפִין. לֹא מִן הַבְּלוּעִין, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְאֶת כׇּל הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר לְקֹרַח״ – וְלֹא קֹרַח. וְלֹא מִן הַשְּׂרוּפִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּאֲכֹל הָאֵשׁ אֵת חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתַיִם אִישׁ״ – וְלֹא קֹרַח. בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: קֹרַח מִן הַשְּׂרוּפִין וּמִן הַבְּלוּעִין. מִן הַבְּלוּעִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַתִּבְלַע אֹתָם וְאֶת קֹרַח״. מִן הַשְּׂרוּפִין, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַתֵּצֵא אֵשׁ מִלִּפְנֵי יהוה [וְאֵשׁ יָצְאָה מֵאֵת ה׳] וַתֹּאכַל אֵת הַחֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתַיִם אִישׁ״, וְקֹרַח בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ. אָמַר רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״שֶׁמֶשׁ יָרֵחַ עָמַד זְבֻלָה לְאוֹר חִצֶּיךָ יְהַלֵּכוּ״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁעָלוּ שֶׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵחַ לִזְבוּל. אָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אִם אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה דִּין לְבֶן עַמְרָם נֵצֵא, וְאִם לָאו לֹא נֵצֵא. עַד שֶׁזָּרַק בָּהֶם חִצִּים. אָמַר לָהֶן: בִּכְבוֹדִי לֹא מְחִיתֶם, בִּכְבוֹד בָּשָׂר וָדָם מְחִיתֶם? וְהָאִידָּנָא לָא נָפְקִי עַד דְּמָחוּ לְהוּ. דָּרֵשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וְאִם בְּרִיאָה יִבְרָא יהוה וּפָצְתָה הָאֲדָמָה אֶת פִּיהָ״? אָמַר מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: ״אִם בְּרִיאָה״ גֵּיהִנָּם – מוּטָב, וְאִם לָאו – ״יִבְרָא ה׳״. לְמַאי? אִילֵימָא לְמִבְרְיַהּ מַמָּשׁ? וְהָא ״אֵין כׇּל חָדָשׁ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ״! אֶלָּא לְקָרוֹבֵי פִּיתְחָא. ״וּבְנֵי קֹרַח לֹא מֵתוּ״. תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבֵּינוּ אָמְרוּ: מָקוֹם נִתְבַּצֵּר לָהֶם בְּגֵיהִנָּם וְיָשְׁבוּ עָלָיו וְאָמְרוּ שִׁירָה. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה: זִימְנָא חֲדָא הֲוָה קָאָזֵילְנָא בְּאוֹרְחָא, אֲמַר לִי הַהוּא טַיָּיעָא: תָּא וְאַחְוֵי לָךְ בְּלוּעֵי דְקֹרַח. אֲזַלִי חֲזַאי תְּרֵי בִּזְעֵי דַּהֲוָה קָא נָפֵק קִיטְרָא מִנַּיְיהוּ. שְׁקַל גְּבָבָא דְעַמְרָא, אַמְשְׁיֵיהּ מַיָּא, וְאוֹתְבֵיהּ בְּרֵישׁ רוּמְחֵיהּ, וְאַחְלְפֵיהּ הָתָם. אִיחֲרַךְ. אָמַר לִי: אַצֵּית מָה שָׁמְעַתְּ. וּשְׁמַעִית דַּהֲווֹ קָאָמְרִי הָכִי: ״מֹשֶׁה וְתוֹרָתוֹ אֱמֶת, וְהֵן בַּדָּאִים״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כֹּל תְּלָתִין יוֹמִין מְהַדְּרָא לְהוּ גֵּיהִנָּם כְּבָשָׂר בְּתוֹךְ קַלַּחַת, וְאָמְרִי הָכִי: ״מֹשֶׁה וְתוֹרָתוֹ אֱמֶת, וְהֵן בַּדָּאִים״. דּוֹר הַמִּדְבָּר אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וְכוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: דּוֹר הַמִּדְבָּר אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בַּמִּדְבָּר הַזֶּה יִתַּמּוּ וְשָׁם יָמֻתוּ״. ״יִתַּמּוּ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וְשָׁם יָמֻתוּ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא. וְאָמַר: ״אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי בְאַפִּי אִם יְבֹאוּן אֶל מְנוּחָתִי״. דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: הֵן בָּאִין לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִסְפוּ לִי חֲסִידָי כֹּרְתֵי בְרִיתִי עֲלֵי זָבַח״. אֶלָּא מָה אֲנִי מְקַיֵּים ״אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי בְאַפִּי״? בְּאַפִּי נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי, וְחוֹזְרַנִי בִּי. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה אוֹמֵר: לֹא נֶאֱמַר פָּסוּק זֶה אֶלָּא כְּנֶגֶד דּוֹרוֹת הַבָּאִים. ״אִסְפוּ לִי חֲסִידָי״ – אֵלּוּ צַדִּיקִים שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר. ״כֹּרְתֵי בְרִיתִי עֲלֵי זָבַח״ – אֵלּוּ חֲנַנְיָה, מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה שֶׁמָּסְרוּ עַצְמָן לְתוֹךְ כִּבְשַׁן הָאֵשׁ. ״עֲלֵי זָבַח״ – [אֵלּוּ] רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וַחֲבֵירָיו שֶׁמָּסְרוּ עַצְמָן לִשְׁחִיטָה עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן מְנַסְיָא אוֹמֵר: בָּאִים הֵן לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּפְדוּיֵי יהוה יְשֻׁבוּן וּבָאוּ צִיּוֹן בְּרִנָּה״. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שַׁבְקַהּ רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא לַחֲסִידוּתֵיהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הָלֹךְ וְקָרָאתָ בְאׇזְנֵי יְרוּשָׁלִַים לֵאמֹר זָכַרְתִּי לָךְ חֶסֶד נְעוּרַיִךְ אַהֲבַת כְּלוּלֹתָיִךְ לֶכְתֵּךְ אַחֲרַי בַּמִּדְבָּר בְּאֶרֶץ לֹא זְרוּעָה״. וּמָה אֲחֵרִים בָּאִים בִּזְכוּתָם, הֵם עַצְמָן לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן? מַתְנִי׳ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַשְּׁבָטִים אֵינָן עֲתִידִין לַחֲזוֹר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיַּשְׁלִכֵם אֶל אֶרֶץ אַחֶרֶת כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה״. מָה הַיּוֹם הוֹלֵךְ וְאֵינוֹ חוֹזֵר – אַף הֵם הוֹלְכִים וְאֵינָן חוֹזְרִים, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: ״כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה״ – מָה יוֹם מַאֲפִיל וּמֵאִיר, אַף עֲשֶׂרֶת הַשְּׁבָטִים שֶׁאֲפֵילָה לָהֶן כָּךְ עֲתִידָה לְהָאִיר לָהֶם. גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: עֲשֶׂרֶת הַשְּׁבָטִים אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּתְּשֵׁם יהוה מֵעַל אַדְמָתָם בְּאַף וּבְחֵמָה וּבְקֶצֶף גָּדוֹל״. ״וַיִּתְּשֵׁם יהוה מֵעַל אַדְמָתָם״ – בְּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וַיַּשְׁלִכֵם אֶל אֶרֶץ אַחֶרֶת״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוּדָה אִישׁ כְּפַר עַכּוֹ אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: אִם מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה – אֵינָן חוֹזְרִין, וְאִם לָאו – חוֹזְרִין. רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: בָּאִים הֵם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִתָּקַע בְּשׁוֹפָר גָּדוֹל וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שַׁבְקַהּ רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא לַחֲסִידוּתֵיהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הָלֹךְ וְקָרָאתָ אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה צָפוֹנָה וְאָמַרְתָּ שׁוּבָה מְשֻׁבָה יִשְׂרָאֵל נְאֻם יהוה לוֹא אַפִּיל פָּנַי בָּכֶם כִּי חָסִיד אֲנִי נְאֻם יהוה לֹא אֶטּוֹר לְעוֹלָם״. מַאי חֲסִידוּתֵיהּ? דְּתַנְיָא: קְטַנֵּי בְּנֵי רִשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵין בָּאִין לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם בָּא בֹּעֵר כַּתַּנּוּר וְהָיוּ כׇל זֵדִים וְכׇל עֹשֵׂה רִשְׁעָה קַשׁ וְלִהַט אֹתָם הַיּוֹם הַבָּא אָמַר יהוה צְבָאוֹת אֲשֶׁר לֹא יַעֲזֹב לָהֶם שֹׁרֶשׁ וְעָנָף״. ״שֹׁרֶשׁ״ – בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״וְעָנָף״ – לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא; דִּבְרֵי רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: בָּאִים הֵם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שֹׁמֵר פְּתָאִים ה׳״, שֶׁכֵּן קוֹרִין בִּכְרַכֵּי הַיָּם לְיָנוֹקָא פַּתְיָא. וְאוֹמֵר: ״גֹּדּוּ אִילָנָא וְחַבְּלוּהִי בְּרַם עִקַּר שׇׁרְשׁוֹהִי בְּאַרְעָא שְׁבֻקוּ״. וְאֶלָּא מָה אֲנִי מְקַיֵּים ״לֹא יַעֲזֹב לָהֶם שֹׁרֶשׁ וְעָנָף״? שֶׁלֹּא יַנִּיחַ לָהֶם לֹא מִצְוָה וְלֹא שִׁיּוּרֵי מִצְוָה. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״שֹׁרֶשׁ״ – זוֹ נְשָׁמָה, ״וְעָנָף״ – זֶה הַגּוּף. אֲבָל קְטַנֵּי בְּנֵי רִשְׁעֵי אוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, דִּבְרֵי הַכֹּל, אֵין בָּאִין לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. וְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל נָפְקָא לֵיהּ מִ״וַּתְּאַבֵּד כׇּל זֵכֶר לָמוֹ״. אִתְּמַר: קָטָן, מֵאֵימָתַי בָּא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא? רַבִּי חִיָּיא וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בַּר רַבִּי – חַד אָמַר: מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁנּוֹלַד, וְחַד אָמַר: מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁסִּיפֵּר. מַאן דְּאָמַר מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁנּוֹלַד – שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יָבֹאוּ וְיַגִּידוּ צִדְקָתוֹ לְעַם נוֹלָד כִּי עָשָׂה״. וּמַאן דְּאָמַר מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁסִּיפֵּר – דִּכְתִיב: ״זֶרַע יַעַבְדֶנּוּ יְסֻפַּר לַיהוה לַדּוֹר״. אִתְּמַר: רָבִינָא אָמַר, מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁנִּזְרַע, דִּכְתִיב: ״זֶרַע יַעַבְדֶנּוּ״. רַבִּי נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר, מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁנִּימּוֹל, דִּכְתִיב: ״עָנִי אֲנִי וְגֹוֵעַ מִנֹּעַר נָשָׂאתִי אֵמֶיךָ אָפוּנָה״. תָּנָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁיֹּאמַר ״אָמֵן״, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״פִּתְחוּ שְׁעָרִים וְיָבֹא גוֹי צַדִּיק שֹׁמֵר אֱמֻנִים״. אַל תִּקְרֵי ״שֹׁמֵר אֱמֻנִים״, אֶלָּא ״שֶׁאוֹמֵר אָמֵן״. מַאי ״אָמֵן״? אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: ״אֵל מֶלֶךְ נֶאֱמָן״. ״לָכֵן הִרְחִיבָה שְּׁאוֹל נַפְשָׁהּ וּפָעֲרָה פִיהָ לִבְלִי חֹק״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: לְמִי שֶׁמְּשַׁיֵּיר אֲפִילּוּ חוֹק אֶחָד. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לָא נִיחָא לְמָרַיְיהוּ דְּאָמְרַתְּ לְהוּ הָכִי, אֶלָּא אֲפִילּוּ לֹא לָמַד אֶלָּא חוֹק אֶחָד. (שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר) ״וְהָיָה בְכׇל הָאָרֶץ נְאֻם יהוה פִּי שְׁנַיִם בָּהּ יִכָּרְתוּ יִגְוָעוּ וְהַשְּׁלִישִׁית יִוָּתֶר בָּהּ״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: שְׁלִישִׁי שֶׁל שֵׁם. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לָא נִיחָא לְמָרַיְיהוּ דְּאָמְרַתְּ לְהוּ הָכִי, אֶלָּא אֲפִילּוּ שְׁלִישִׁי שֶׁל נֹחַ. ״כִּי אָנֹכִי בָּעַלְתִּי בָכֶם וְלָקַחְתִּי אֶתְכֶם אֶחָד מֵעִיר וּשְׁנַיִם מִמִּשְׁפָּחָה״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: דְּבָרִים כִּכְתָבָן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לָא נִיחָא לֵיהּ לְמָרַיְיהוּ דְּאָמְרַתְּ לְהוּ הָכִי, אֶלָּא אֶחָד מֵעִיר מְזַכֶּה כָּל הָעִיר כּוּלָּהּ, וּשְׁנַיִם מִמִּשְׁפָּחָה מְזַכִּין כָּל הַמִּשְׁפָּחָה כּוּלָּהּ. יָתֵיב רַב כָּהֲנָא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב וְיָתֵיב וְקָאָמַר: דְּבָרִים כִּכְתָבָן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב: לָא נִיחָא לֵיהּ לְמָרַיְיהוּ דְּאָמְרַתְּ לְהוּ הָכִי, אֶלָּא אֶחָד מֵעִיר מְזַכֶּה כָּל הָעִיר, וּשְׁנַיִם מִמִּשְׁפָּחָה מְזַכִּין כָּל הַמִּשְׁפָּחָה. חַזְיֵיהּ דַּהֲוָה קָא חָיֵיף רֵישֵׁיהּ וְסָלֵיק וְיָתֵיב קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״וְלֹא תִמָּצֵא בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵילָט קָא לָיְיטַתְּ לִי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קְרָא קָאָמֵינָא, לֹא תִּמָּצֵא תּוֹרָה בְּמִי שֶׁמְּחַיֶּה עַצְמוֹ עָלֶיהָ. תַּנְיָא: רַב סִימַאי אוֹמֵר, נֶאֱמַר: ״וְלָקַחְתִּי אֶתְכֶם לִי לְעָם״, וְנֶאֱמַר: ״וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם״. מַקִּישׁ יְצִיאָתָן מִמִּצְרַיִם לְבִיאָתָן לָאָרֶץ. מָה בִּיאָתָן לָאָרֶץ – שְׁנַיִם מִשִּׁשִּׁים רִיבּוֹא, אַף יְצִיאָתָן מִמִּצְרַיִם – שְׁנַיִם מִשִּׁשִּׁים רִיבּוֹא. אָמַר רָבָא: וְכֵן לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעָנְתָה שָּׁמָּה כִּימֵי נְעוּרֶיהָ וּכְיוֹם עֲלוֹתָהּ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם״. תַּנְיָא: אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי, פַּעַם אַחַת נִכְנַסְתִּי לַאֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִיָּא שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם. מָצָאתִי זָקֵן אֶחָד וְאָמַר לִי: בֹּא וְאַרְאֶךָּ מָה עָשׂוּ אֲבוֹתַי לַאֲבוֹתֶיךָ. מֵהֶם טִבְּעוּ בַּיָּם, מֵהֶם הָרְגוּ בַּחֶרֶב, מֵהֶם מָעֲכוּ בְּבִנְיָן. וְעַל דָּבָר זֶה נֶעֱנַשׁ מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמֵאָז בָּאתִי אֶל פַּרְעֹה לְדַבֵּר בִּשְׁמֶךָ הֵרַע לָעָם הַזֶּה״. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: חֲבָל עַל דְּאָבְדִין וְלָא מִשְׁתַּכְחִין. הֲרֵי כַּמָּה פְּעָמִים נִגְלֵיתִי עַל אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב בְּאֵל שַׁדַּי, וְלֹא הִרְהֲרוּ עַל מִדּוֹתַי, וְלֹא אָמְרוּ לִי ״מַה שְּׁמֶךָ״. אָמַרְתִּי לְאַבְרָהָם ״קוּם הִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּאָרֶץ לְאׇרְכָּהּ וּלְרׇחְבָּהּ כִּי לְךָ אֶתְּנֶנָּה״. בִּקֵּשׁ מָקוֹם לִקְבּוֹר אֶת שָׂרָה וְלֹא מָצָא, עַד שֶׁקָּנָה בְּאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שֶׁקֶל כֶּסֶף, וְלֹא הִרְהֵר עַל מִדּוֹתַי. אָמַרְתִּי לְיִצְחָק: ״גּוּר בָּאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת וְאֶהְיֶה עִמְּךָ וַאֲבָרְכֶךָּ״. בִּקְּשׁוּ עֲבָדָיו מַיִם לִשְׁתּוֹת וְלֹא מָצְאוּ, עַד שֶׁעָשׂוּ מְרִיבָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיָּרִיבוּ רֹעֵי גְרָר עִם רֹעֵי יִצְחָק לֵאמֹר לָנוּ הַמָּיִם״. וְלֹא הִרְהֵר אַחַר מִדּוֹתַי. אָמַרְתִּי לְיַעֲקֹב: ״הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה שֹׁכֵב עָלֶיהָ לְךָ אֶתְּנֶנָּה״. בִּיקֵּשׁ מָקוֹם לִנְטוֹעַ אׇהֳלוֹ, וְלֹא מָצָא, עַד שֶׁקָּנָה בְּמֵאָה קְשִׂיטָה, וְלֹא הִרְהֵר אַחַר מִדּוֹתַי, וְלֹא אָמְרוּ לִי: ״מַה שְּׁמֶךָ״, וְאַתָּה אָמְרַתְּ לִי: ״מַה שְּׁמֶךָ״ בַּתְּחִלָּה, וְעַכְשָׁיו אַתָּה אוֹמֵר לִי: ״וְהַצֵּל לֹא הִצַּלְתָּ אֶת עַמֶּךָ״. ״עַתָּה תִרְאֶה אֵת אֲשֶׁר אֶעֱשֶׂה לְפַרְעֹה״. בְּמִלְחֶמֶת פַּרְעֹה אַתָּה רוֹאֶה, וְאִי אַתָּה רוֹאֶה בְּמִלְחֶמֶת שְׁלֹשִׁים וְאֶחָד מְלָכִים. ״וַיְמַהֵר מֹשֶׁה וַיִּקֹּד אַרְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ״. מָה רָאָה מֹשֶׁה? רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן גַּמְלָא אָמַר: ״אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם״ רָאָה, וְרַבָּנַן אָמְרִי: ״אֱמֶת״ רָאָה. תַּנְיָא כְּמַאן דְּאָמַר ״אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם״ רָאָה, דְּתַנְיָא: כְּשֶׁעָלָה מֹשֶׁה לְמָרוֹם מְצָאוֹ לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁיּוֹשֵׁב וְכוֹתֵב ״אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם״. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, ״אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם״ לַצַּדִּיקִים? אָמַר לוֹ: ״אַף לָרְשָׁעִים״. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: רְשָׁעִים יֹאבֵדוּ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַשְׁתָּא חָזֵית (מַאי) דְּמִבְּעֵי לָךְ. כְּשֶׁחָטְאוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, אָמַר לוֹ: לֹא כָּךְ אָמַרְתָּ לִי ״אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם לַצַּדִּיקִים״? אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, וְלֹא כָּךְ אָמַרְתָּ לִי: ״אַף לָרְשָׁעִים״? וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וְעַתָּה יִגְדַּל נָא כֹּחַ יהוה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ לֵאמֹר״. רַבִּי חַגָּא הֲוָה סָלֵיק וְאָזֵיל בְּדַרְגָּא דְּבֵי רַבָּה בַּר שֵׁילָא. שַׁמְעֵיהּ לְהָהוּא יָנוֹקָא דְּאָמַר: ״עֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶאֶמְנוּ מְאֹד לְבֵיתְךָ נַאֲוָה קֹדֶשׁ יהוה לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים״, וּסְמִיךְ לֵיהּ ״תְּפִלָּה לְמֹשֶׁה וְגוֹ׳״. אֲמַר: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם רָאָה. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִהְיוֹת עֲטָרָה בְּרֹאשׁ כׇּל צַדִּיק וְצַדִּיק, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יהוה צְבָאוֹת לַעֲטֶרֶת צְבִי וְלִצְפִירַת תִּפְאָרָה לִשְׁאָר עַמּוֹ וְגוֹ׳״. מַאי ״לַעֲטֶרֶת צְבִי וְלִצְפִירַת תִּפְאָרָה״? לָעוֹשִׂים רְצוֹנוֹ וּמְצַפִּים לִישׁוּעָתוֹ. יָכוֹל לַכֹּל? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״לִשְׁאָר עַמּוֹ״ – לְמִי שֶׁמֵּשִׂים עַצְמוֹ כְּשִׁירַיִם. ״וּלְרוּחַ מִשְׁפָּט לַיּוֹשֵׁב עַל הַמִּשְׁפָּט וְלִגְבוּרָה מְשִׁיבֵי מִלְחָמָה שָׁעְרָה״. ״וּלְרוּחַ מִשְׁפָּט״ – זֶה הָרוֹדֶה אֶת יִצְרוֹ, ״וְלַיּוֹשֵׁב עַל הַמִּשְׁפָּט״ – זֶה הַדָּן דִּין אֱמֶת לַאֲמִיתּוֹ, ״וְלִגְבוּרָה״ – זֶה הַמִּתְגַּבֵּר בְּיִצְרוֹ, ״מְשִׁיבֵי מִלְחָמָה״ – זֶה שֶׁנּוֹשֵׂא וְנוֹתֵן בְּמִלְחַמְתָּהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה, ״שָׁעְרָה״ – אֵלּוּ שֶׁמַּשְׁכִּימִין וּמַעֲרִיבִין בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת. אָמְרָה מִדַּת הַדִּין לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מָה נִשְׁתַּנּוּ אֵלּוּ מֵאֵלּוּ? אָמַר לָהּ: ״וְגַם אֵלֶּה בַּיַּיִן שָׁגוּ וּבַשֵּׁכָר תָּעוּ [וְגוֹ׳] פָּקוּ פְּלִילִיָּה״. וְאֵין פּוּקָה אֶלָּא גֵּיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תִהְיֶה זֹאת לְךָ לְפוּקָה״. וְאֵין פְּלִילָה אֶלָּא דַּיָּינִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְנָתַן בִּפְלִלִים״. מַתְנִי׳ אַנְשֵׁי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת אֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יָצְאוּ אֲנָשִׁים בְּנֵי בְלִיַּעַל מִקִּרְבֶּךָ וַיַּדִּיחוּ אֶת יֹשְׁבֵי עִירָם לֵאמֹר״. וְאֵינָן נֶהֱרָגִים עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מַדִּיחֶיהָ מֵאוֹתָהּ הָעִיר וּמֵאוֹתוֹ הַשֵּׁבֶט, וְעַד שֶׁיּוּדַח רוּבָּהּ, וְעַד שֶׁיַּדִּיחוּהָ אֲנָשִׁים. הִדִּיחוּהָ נָשִׁים וּקְטַנִּים, אוֹ שֶׁהוּדַּח מִיעוּטָהּ, אוֹ שֶׁהָיוּ מַדִּיחֶיהָ חוּצָה לָהּ – הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ כִּיחִידִים, וּצְרִיכִין שְׁנֵי עֵדִים וְהַתְרָאָה לְכׇל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד. זֶה חוֹמֶר בַּיְחִידִים מִבַּמְרוּבִּים, שֶׁהַיְּחִידִים בִּסְקִילָה; לְפִיכָךְ מָמוֹנָם פָּלֵט, וְהַמְרוּבִּין בְּסַיִיף; לְפִיכָךְ מָמוֹנָם אָבֵד. ״הַכֵּה תַכֶּה אֶת יֹשְׁבֵי הָעִיר הַזֹּאת לְפִי חֶרֶב״. הַחַמֶּרֶת וְהַגַּמֶּלֶת הָעוֹבֶרֶת מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מַצִּילִין אוֹתָהּ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״הַחֲרֵם אֹתָהּ וְאֶת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ וְאֶת בְּהֶמְתָּהּ לְפִי חָרֶב״, מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: נִכְסֵי צַדִּיקִים שֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּ – אוֹבְדִין, שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָהּ – פְּלֵיטִין. וְשֶׁל רְשָׁעִים, בֵּין שֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּ בֵּין שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָהּ – הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ אוֹבְדִין. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, ״וְאֶת כׇּל שְׁלָלָהּ תִּקְבֹּץ אֶל תּוֹךְ רְחֹבָהּ וְגוֹ׳״, אִם אֵין לָהּ רְחוֹב, עוֹשִׂין לָהּ רְחוֹב. הָיְתָה רְחֹבָהּ חוּצָה לָהּ, כּוֹנְסִין אוֹתָהּ לְתוֹכָהּ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וְשָׂרַפְתָּ בָאֵשׁ אֶת הָעִיר וְאֶת כׇּל שְׁלָלָהּ כָּלִיל לַיהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ״, שְׁלָלָהּ, וְלֹא שְׁלַל שָׁמַיִם. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: הַהֶקְדֵּשׁוֹת שֶׁבָּהּ יִפָּדוּ, וּתְרוּמוֹת יֵרָקְבוּ, מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְכִתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ יִגָּנְזוּ. ״כָּלִיל לַיהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ״, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אִם אַתֶּם עוֹשִׂין דִּין בְּעִיר הַנִּדַּחַת, מַעֲלֶה אֲנִי עֲלֵיכֶם כְּאִילּוּ אַתֶּם מַעֲלִים עוֹלָה כָּלִיל לְפָנַי. ״וְהָיְתָה תֵּל עוֹלָם״ – לֹא תֵּעָשֶׂה גַּנּוֹת וּפַרְדֵּסִים, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: ״לֹא תִּבָּנֶה עוֹד״ – לִכְמוֹת שֶׁהָיְתָה אֵינָהּ נִבְנֵית, אֲבָל נַעֲשֵׂית הִיא גַּנּוֹת וּפַרְדֵּסִים. ״וְלֹא יִדְבַּק בְּיָדְךָ מְאוּמָה מִן הַחֵרֶם״ – שֶׁכׇּל זְמַן שֶׁהָרְשָׁעִים בָּעוֹלָם, חֲרוֹן אַף בָּעוֹלָם; אָבְדוּ רְשָׁעִים מִן הָעוֹלָם, נִסְתַּלֵּק חֲרוֹן אַף מִן הָעוֹלָם. גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״יָצְאוּ״ – הֵן, וְלֹא שְׁלוּחִין. ״אֲנָשִׁים״ – אֵין אֲנָשִׁים פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁנַיִם. דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״אֲנָשִׁים״ – וְלֹא נָשִׁים, ״אֲנָשִׁים״ – וְלֹא קְטַנִּים. ״בְּנֵי בְּלִיַּעַל״ – בָּנִים שֶׁפָּרְקוּ עוֹל שָׁמַיִם מִצַּוְּארֵיהֶם. ״מִקִּרְבֶּךָ״ – וְלֹא מִן הַסְּפָר. ״יֹשְׁבֵי עִירָם״ – וְלֹא יוֹשְׁבֵי עִיר אַחֶרֶת. ״לֵאמֹר״ – שֶׁצְּרִיכִין עֵדִים וְהַתְרָאָה לְכׇל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד. אִיתְּמַר, רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: חוֹלְקִין עִיר אַחַת לִשְׁנֵי שְׁבָטִים; וְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר: אֵין חוֹלְקִין עִיר אַחַת לִשְׁנֵי שְׁבָטִים. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן לְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: עַד שֶׁיְּהוּ מַדִּיחֶיהָ מֵאוֹתָהּ הָעִיר וּמֵאוֹתוֹ שֵׁבֶט – מַאי לָאו, אַף עַל גַּב דְּמַדִּיחֶיהָ מֵאוֹתָהּ הָעִיר, אִי אִיכָּא מֵאוֹתוֹ שֵׁבֶט – אִין, אִי לָא – לָא? שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: חוֹלְקִין עִיר אַחַת לִשְׁנֵי שְׁבָטִים! לָא, דִּנְפַלָה לֵיהּ בִּירוּשָׁה. אִי נָמֵי, דְּיַהֲבוּהָ נִיהֲלֵיהּ בְּמַתָּנָה. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ: ״עָרִים תֵּשַׁע מֵאֵת שְׁנֵי הַשְּׁבָטִים הָאֵלֶּה״. מַאי לָאו: אַרְבַּע וּפַלְגָא מֵהַאי, וְאַרְבַּע וּפַלְגָא מֵהַאי? וּשְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: חוֹלְקִין עִיר אַחַת לִשְׁנֵי שְׁבָטִים! לָא, אַרְבַּע מֵהַאי וְחָמֵשׁ מֵהַאי. אִי הָכִי, לִפְרוֹשׁ פָּרוֹשֵׁי! קַשְׁיָא. אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: הוּדְּחוּ מֵאֲלֵיהֶן, מַהוּ? ״וַיַּדִּיחוּ״ אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא, וְלֹא שֶׁהוּדְּחוּ מֵאֲלֵיהֶן? אוֹ דִילְמָא, אֲפִילּוּ הוּדְּחוּ מֵאֲלֵיהֶן? תָּא שְׁמַע: הִדִּיחוּהָ נָשִׁים וּקְטַנִּים, אַמַּאי? לֶיהֱוֵי כְּהוּדְּחוּ מֵאֲלֵיהֶן! הָנָךְ בָּתַר נַפְשַׁיְיהוּ גְּרִידִי, הָנֵי בָּתַר נָשִׁים וּקְטַנִּים גְּרִידִי. עַד שֶׁיּוּדַח רוּבָּהּ. הֵיכִי עָבְדִינַן? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: דָּנִין וְחוֹבְשִׁין, דָּנִין וְחוֹבְשִׁין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ עוּלָּא: נִמְצָא אַתָּה מְעַנֶּה אֶת דִּינָן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ! אֶלָּא, אָמַר עוּלָּא: דָּנִין וְסוֹקְלִין, דָּנִין וְסוֹקְלִין. אִיתְּמַר, רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: דָּנִין וְסוֹקְלִין, דָּנִין וְסוֹקְלִין, וְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר: מַרְבִּין לָהֶן בָּתֵּי דִינִין. אִינִי? וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בַּר יוֹסֵי אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: ״וְהוֹצֵאתָ אֶת הָאִישׁ הַהוּא אוֹ אֶת הָאִשָּׁה הָהִיא״ – אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה אַתָּה מוֹצִיא לִשְׁעָרֶיךָ, וְאִי אַתָּה מוֹצִיא כָּל הָעִיר כּוּלָּהּ לִשְׁעָרֶיךָ! אֶלָּא, מַרְבִּין לָהֶן בָּתֵּי דִינִין וּמְעַיְּינִין בְּדִינֵיהֶן, וּמַסְּקִינַן לְהוּ לְבֵית דִּין הַגָּדוֹל, וְגָמְרִי לְהוּ לְדִינַיְיהוּ, וְקָטְלִי לְהוּ. ״הַכֵּה תַכֶּה אֶת יֹשְׁבֵי הָעִיר וְכוּ׳״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הַחַמֶּרֶת וְהַגַּמֶּלֶת הָעוֹבֶרֶת מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם, לָנוּ בְּתוֹכָהּ וְהוּדְּחוּ עִמָּהּ – אִם נִשְׁתַּהוּ שָׁם שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם, הֵן בְּסַיִיף וּמָמוֹנָן אָבֵד. פָּחוֹת מִיכָּן, הֵן בִּסְקִילָה וּמָמוֹנָן פָּלֵט. וּרְמִינְהִי: כַּמָּה יִהְיֶה בָּעִיר וְיִהְיֶה כְּאַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר? שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ! אָמַר רָבָא: לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא לְמִיהְוֵי מִבְּנֵי מָתָא, הָא לְמִיהְוֵי מִיָּתְבֵי מָתָא. וְהָתַנְיָא: הַמּוּדָּר הֲנָאָה מִבְּנֵי הָעִיר, אִם יֵשׁ אָדָם שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּהָא שָׁם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ – אָסוּר לֵיהָנוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ, פָּחוֹת מִיכָּן – מוּתָּר לֵיהָנוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ. בְּיוֹשְׁבֵי הָעִיר, אִם נִשְׁתַּהָא שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם – אָסוּר לֵיהָנוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ, פָּחוֹת מִיכָּן – מוּתָּר לֵיהָנוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ. ״הַחֲרֵם אֹתָהּ וְאֶת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ״ כּוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״הַחֲרֵם אוֹתָהּ וְאֶת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ״ – פְּרָט לְנִכְסֵי צַדִּיקִים שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָהּ. ״וְאֶת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ״ – לְרַבּוֹת נִכְסֵי צַדִּיקִים שֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּ. ״שְׁלָלָהּ״ – וְלֹא שְׁלַל שָׁמַיִם. ״וְאֶת כׇּל שְׁלָלָהּ״ – לְרַבּוֹת נִכְסֵי רְשָׁעִים שֶׁחוּצָה לָהּ. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה נִכְסֵי צַדִּיקִים שֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּ יֹאבֵדוּ? מִי גָּרַם לָהֶם שֶׁיָּדוּרוּ בְּתוֹכָהּ? מָמוֹנָם. לְפִיכָךְ מָמוֹנָם אָבֵד. אָמַר מָר: ״וְאֶת כׇּל שְׁלָלָהּ תִּקְבֹּץ״ – לְרַבּוֹת נִכְסֵי רְשָׁעִים שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָהּ. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: וּבְנִקְבָּצִים לְתוֹכָהּ. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: פִּקְדוֹנוֹת שֶׁל אַנְשֵׁי עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת מוּתָּרִין. הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִי לֵימָא דְּעִיר אַחֶרֶת וְאִיתַנְהוּ בְּגַוַּהּ – פְּשִׁיטָא דְּמוּתָּרִין, לָאו שְׁלָלָהּ הוּא! וְאֶלָּא דִּידְהוּ וְאִיתַנְהוּ בְּעִיר אַחֶרֶת. אִי דְּנִקְבָּצִין לְתוֹכָהּ – אַמַּאי מוּתָּרִין? וְאִי אֵין נִקְבָּצִין לְתוֹכָהּ – הָא אַמְרַהּ חֲדָא זִימְנָא! לָא, לְעוֹלָם דְּעִיר אַחֶרֶת דְּמַפְקְדִי בְּתוֹכָהּ. וְהָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? כְּגוֹן דְּקַבֵּיל עֲלֵיהּ אַחְרָיוּת. מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא: כֵּיוָן דְּקַבֵּיל עֲלֵיהּ אַחְרָיוּת, כְּדִידֵיהּ דָּמֵי? קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: בְּהֵמָה חֶצְיָהּ שֶׁל עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְחֶצְיָהּ שֶׁל עִיר אַחֶרֶת – אֲסוּרָה. עִיסָּה חֶצְיָהּ שֶׁל עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת וְחֶצְיָהּ שֶׁל עִיר אַחֶרֶת – מוּתֶּרֶת. מַאי טַעְמָא? בְּהֵמָה כְּמַאן דְּלָא פְּלִיגָא דָּמְיָא, עִיסָּה כְּמַאן דִּפְלִיגָא דָּמְיָא. בָּעֵי רַב חִסְדָּא: בֶּהֱמַת עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת מַהוּ דְּתִיתְהֲנֵי בַּהּ שְׁחִיטָה לְטַהֲרָהּ מִידֵי נְבֵילָה? לְפִי חֶרֶב אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא, לָא שְׁנָא שַׁחֲטַהּ מִשְׁחָט, לָא שְׁנָא קַטְלַהּ מִקְטָל. אוֹ דִלְמָא, כֵּיוָן דְּשַׁחְטַהּ מַהְנְיָא לַהּ שְׁחִיטָה? מַאי? תֵּיקוּ. בָּעֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: שְׂעַר נָשִׁים צִדְקָנִיּוֹת מַהוּ? אָמַר רָבָא: הָא דִּרְשָׁעִיּוֹת אָסוּר? ״תִּקְבֹּץ וְשָׂרַפְתָּ״ כְּתִיב. מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְחוּסָּר אֶלָּא קְבִיצָה וּשְׂרֵיפָה – יָצָא זֶה שֶׁמְחוּסָּר תְּלִישָׁה וּקְבִיצָה וּשְׂרֵיפָה. אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: בְּפֵיאָה נׇכְרִית, הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִי דִּמְחוּבָּר בְּגוּפַהּ, כְּגוּפַהּ דָּמְיָא. לָא צְרִיכָא דִּתְלֵי בְּסִיבְטָא. כְּנִכְסֵי צַדִּיקִים שֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּ דָּמֵי וְאָבַד? אוֹ דִלְמָא, כֵּיוָן דְּעָיְילָא וְנָפְקָא, כִּלְבוּשַׁהּ דָּמֵי? תֵּיקוּ. ״וְאֶת כׇּל שְׁלָלָהּ תִּקְבֹּץ אֶל תּוֹךְ רְחֹבָהּ״ וְכוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֵין לָהּ רְחוֹב – אֵינָהּ נַעֲשֵׂית עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: אֵין לָהּ רְחוֹב – עוֹשִׂין לָהּ רְחוֹב. בְּמַאי קָמִיפַּלְגִי? מָר סָבַר: ״רְחוֹבָהּ״ – מֵעִיקָּרָא מַשְׁמַע, וּמָר סָבַר: ״רְחוֹבָהּ״ – הַשְׁתָּא נָמֵי מַשְׁמַע. וְהַהֶקְדֵּשׁוֹת שֶׁבָּהּ יִפָּדוּ כּוּ׳. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הָיוּ בָּהּ קׇדְשֵׁי קֳדָשִׁים, קׇדְשֵׁי מִזְבֵּחַ – יָמוּתוּ, קׇדְשֵׁי בֶּדֶק הַבַּיִת – יִפָּדוּ, וּתְרוּמוֹת – יֵרָקְבוּ, וּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְכִתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ – יִגָּנְזוּ. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: ״בְּהֶמְתָּהּ״ – וְלֹא בֶּהֱמַת בְּכוֹר וּמַעֲשֵׂר, ״שְׁלָלָהּ״ – פְּרָט לְכֶסֶף הֶקְדֵּשׁ וְכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר. אָמַר מָר: הָיוּ בָּהּ קׇדְשֵׁי קֳדָשִׁים, קׇדְשֵׁי מִזְבֵּחַ – יָמוּתוּ. וְאַמַּאי יָמוּתוּ? יִרְעוּ עַד שֶׁיִּסְתָּאֲבוּ, וְיִמָּכְרוּ, וְיִפְּלוּ דְּמֵיהֶן לִנְדָבָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: ״זֶבַח רְשָׁעִים תּוֹעֵבָה״. רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר: מָמוֹן בְּעָלִים הוּא. וְהָכָא בְּקָדָשִׁים שֶׁחַיָּיב בְּאַחְרָיוּתָן, וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא דְּאָמַר: מָמוֹן בְּעָלִים הוּא. הָא מִדְּסֵיפָא רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן הִיא, רֵישָׁא לָאו רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן? בְּקָדָשִׁים קַלִּים, וְאַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי דְּאָמַר: קָדָשִׁים קַלִּים מָמוֹן בְּעָלִים. אֲבָל קׇדְשֵׁי קָדָשִׁים מַאי? יִפָּדוּ. אַדְּתָנֵי סֵיפָא: קׇדְשֵׁי בֶּדֶק הַבַּיִת יִפָּדוּ, לִיפְלוֹג וְלִיתְנֵי בְּדִידַהּ: בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בְּקָדָשִׁים קַלִּים, אֲבָל קׇדְשֵׁי קָדָשִׁים – יִפָּדוּ. כֵּיוָן דְּאִיכָּא חַטָּאת שֶׁמֵּתוּ בְּעָלֶיהָ, דִּלְמִיתָה אָזְלָא, לָא פְּסִיקָא לֵיהּ. בִּשְׁלָמָא רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן לָא אָמַר כְּרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, דִּכְתִיב: ״זֶבַח רְשָׁעִים תּוֹעֵבָה״. אֶלָּא רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, מַאי טַעְמָא לָא אָמַר כְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן? אָמַר לָךְ: כִּי אָמְרִינַן ״זֶבַח רְשָׁעִים תּוֹעֵבָה״, הָנֵי מִילֵּי הֵיכָא דְּאִיתַנְהוּ בְּעֵינַיְיהוּ, אֲבָל הָכָא, כֵּיוָן דְּאִישְׁתַּנִּי – אִישְׁתַּנִּי. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: ״בְּהֶמְתָּהּ״ – וְלֹא בֶּהֱמַת בְּכוֹר וּמַעֲשֵׂר. בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? אִילֵימָא בִּתְמִימִין – שְׁלַל שָׁמַיִם הוּא! אֶלָּא בְּבַעֲלֵי מוּמִין – שְׁלָלָהּ נִינְהוּ? אָמַר רָבִינָא: לְעוֹלָם בְּבַעֲלֵי מוּמִין, וּמִי שֶׁנֶּאֱכָל בְּתוֹרַת בְּהֶמְתָּהּ. יָצְאוּ אֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין נֶאֱכָלִין בְּתוֹרַת בְּהֶמְתָּהּ, אֶלָּא בְּתוֹרַת בְּכוֹר וּמַעֲשֵׂר, דִּשְׁלַל שָׁמַיִם נִינְהוּ. וּפְלִיגָא דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַכֹּל קָרֵב וְהַכֹּל נִפְדֶּה. מַאי קָאָמַר? הָכִי קָאָמַר: כׇּל שֶׁקָּרֵב כְּשֶׁהוּא תָּם, וְנִפְדֶּה כְּשֶׁהוּא בַּעַל מוּם – מִ״שְּׁלָלָהּ״ אִימְּעִיט, וְכׇל שֶׁקָּרֵב כְּשֶׁהוּא תָּם וְאֵינוֹ נִפְדָּה כְּשֶׁהוּא בַּעַל מוּם, כְּגוֹן בְּכוֹר וּמַעֲשֵׂר – מִ״בְּהֶמְתָּהּ״ נָפְקָא. תְּרוּמוֹת יֵרָקְבוּ. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא תְּרוּמָה בְּיַד יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲבָל תְּרוּמָה בְּיַד כֹּהֵן, כֵּיוָן דְּמָמוֹנֵיהּ הוּא, תִּשָּׂרֵף. מֵתִיב רַב יוֹסֵף: מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְכִתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ יִגָּנְזוּ. וְהָא מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי בְּיַד יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּתְרוּמָה בְּיַד כֹּהֵן דָּמֵי, וְקָתָנֵי יִגָּנְזוּ! אֶלָּא, אִי אִתְּמַר הָכִי אִתְּמַר: אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא, לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא תְּרוּמָה בְּיַד כֹּהֵן, אֲבָל תְּרוּמָה בְּיַד יִשְׂרָאֵל תִּנָּתֵן לְכֹהֵן שֶׁבְּעִיר אַחֶרֶת. תְּנַן הָתָם: עִיסָּה שֶׁל מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי פְּטוּרָה מִן הַחַלָּה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים מְחַיְּיבִין. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: מַחְלוֹקֶת בְּמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר סָבַר מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי מָמוֹן גָּבוֹהַּ הוּא, וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי מָמוֹן הֶדְיוֹט הוּא. אֲבָל בִּגְבוּלִין, דִּבְרֵי הַכֹּל פָּטוּר. מֵתִיב רַב יוֹסֵף: מַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי וְכִתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ יִגָּנְזוּ. בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? אִילֵימָא בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, מִי הָוְיָא עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת? וְהָתַנְיָא: עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים נֶאֶמְרוּ בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, וְזוֹ אַחַת מֵהֶן – אֵינָהּ נַעֲשֵׂית עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת! וְאֶלָּא בְּעִיר אַחֶרֶת, וְאַסְּקוּהּ לְגַוַּהּ? הָא קַלְטוּהּ מְחִיצוֹת! אֶלָּא לָאו בִּגְבוּלִין, וְקָתָנֵי: יִגָּנְזוּ? לָא, לְעוֹלָם דְּעִיר אַחֶרֶת, וְאַסְּקוּהּ לְגַוַּהּ. וְהָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? שֶׁנִּטְמָא. וְלִפְרְקֵיהּ? דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: מִנַּיִין לְמַעֲשֵׂר שֵׁנִי שֶׁנִּטְמָא שֶׁפּוֹדִין אוֹתוֹ אֲפִילּוּ בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״לֹא תוּכַל שְׂאֵתוֹ״, וְאֵין שְׂאֵת אֶלָּא אֲכִילָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּשָּׂא מַשְׂאֹת מֵאֵת פָּנָיו״. הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? בְּלָקוּחַ. וְלִיפְרְקֵיהּ, דִּתְנַן: הַלָּקוּחַ בְּכֶסֶף מַעֲשֵׂר שֶׁנִּטְמָא – יִפָּדֶה. כְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, דְּאָמַר: יִקָּבֵר. אִי הָכִי, מַאי אִירְיָא עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת? אֲפִילּוּ דְּעָלְמָא נָמֵי! אֶלָּא לְעוֹלָם בְּטָהוֹר, וּכְגוֹן דִּנְפוּל מְחִיצוֹת, וְכִדְרָבָא דְּאָמַר רָבָא: מְחִיצָה לֶאֱכוֹל – דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא, לִקְלוֹט – דְּרַבָּנַן. וְכִי גְּזוּר רַבָּנַן כִּי אִתַנְהוּ לִמְחִיצוֹת, כִּי לֵיתַנְהוּ לִמְחִיצוֹת – לָא. כִּתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ יִגָּנְזוּ. מַתְנִיתִין דְּלָא כְּרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, כׇּל עִיר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ אֲפִילּוּ מְזוּזָה אַחַת אֵינָהּ נַעֲשֵׂית עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְשָׂרַפְתָּ בָאֵשׁ אֶת הָעִיר וְאֶת כׇּל שְׁלָלָהּ כָּלִיל״. וְהֵיכָא דְּאִיכָּא מְזוּזָה לָא אֶפְשָׁר, דִּכְתִיב: ״לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן כֵּן לַיהוה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם״. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְכוּ׳. לֵימָא בִּדְרַבִּי אָבִין אָמַר רַבִּי אִילְעָא קָמִיפַּלְגִי? דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אָבִין אָמַר רַבִּי אִילְעָא: כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁאַתָּה מוֹצֵא כְּלָל בַּעֲשֵׂה וּפְרָט בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, אֵין דָּנִין אוֹתוֹ בִּכְלָל וּפְרָט. דְּמָר אִית לֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אָבִין, וּמָר לֵית לֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אָבִין. לָא, דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא אִית לְהוּ דְּרַבִּי אָבִין, וְהָכָא בְּהָא קָמִיפַּלְגִי: מָר סָבַר ״עוֹד״ לִגְמָרֵי מַשְׁמַע, וּמָר סָבַר ״עוֹד״ – לִכְמָה שֶׁהָיְתָה אֵינָהּ נִבְנֵית, אֲבָל נַעֲשֵׂית הִיא גַּנּוֹת וּפַרְדֵּסִים. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הָיוּ בָּהּ אִילָנוֹת תְּלוּשִׁין – אֲסוּרִין, מְחוּבָּרִין – מוּתָּרִין. שֶׁל עִיר אַחֶרֶת, בֵּין תְּלוּשִׁין בֵּין מְחוּבָּרִין – אֲסוּרִין. מַאי ״עִיר אַחֶרֶת״? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: יְרִיחוֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהָיְתָה הָעִיר חֵרֶם לַיהוה... וַיַּשְׁבַּע יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בָּעֵת הַהִיא לֵאמֹר אָרוּר הָאִישׁ לִפְנֵי יהוה אֲשֶׁר יָקוּם וּבָנָה אֶת הָעִיר הַזֹּאת אֶת יְרִיחוֹ בִּבְכֹרוֹ יְיַסְּדֶנָּה וּבִצְעִירוֹ יַצִּיב דְּלָתֶיהָ״. תַּנְיָא: לֹא יְרִיחוֹ עַל שֵׁם עִיר אַחֶרֶת, וְלֹא עִיר אַחֶרֶת עַל שֵׁם יְרִיחוֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בָּנָה חִיאֵל בֵּית הָאֱלִי אֶת יְרִיחֹה בַּאֲבִירָם בְּכֹרוֹ יִסְּדָהּ וּבִשְׂגוּב צְעִירוֹ הִצִּיב דְּלָתֶיהָ״. תַּנְיָא: בַּאֲבִירָם בְּכוֹרוֹ, רָשָׁע, לֹא הָיָה לוֹ לִלְמוֹד. בִּשְׂגוּב צְעִירוֹ, הָיָה לוֹ לִלְמוֹד. אֲבִירָם וּשְׂגוּב מַאי עֲבוּד? מַאי קָאָמַר? הָכִי קָאָמַר: בַּאֲבִירָם בְּכוֹרוֹ הָיָה לוֹ לִלְמוֹד לְאוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע, בִּשְׂגוּב צְעִירוֹ. מִמַּשְׁמָע שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״בַּאֲבִירָם בְּכוֹרוֹ״ אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁשְּׂגוּב צְעִירוֹ? מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״שְׂגוּב צְעִירוֹ״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיָה מְקַבֵּר וְהוֹלֵךְ מֵאֲבִירָם עַד שְׂגוּב. אַחְאָב שׁוֹשְׁבִינֵיהּ הֲוָה. אֲתָא אִיהוּ וְאֵלִיָּהוּ לְמִשְׁאַל בִּשְׁלָמָא בֵּי טַמְיָא. יָתֵיב וְקָאָמַר: דִּילְמָא כִּי לָט יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הָכִי לָט – לֹא יְרִיחוֹ עַל שֵׁם עִיר אַחֶרֶת, וְלֹא עִיר אַחֶרֶת עַל שֵׁם יְרִיחוֹ? אָמַר לֵיהּ אֵלִיָּהוּ: אִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַשְׁתָּא לְוָוטְתָא דְּמֹשֶׁה לָא קָא מִקַּיְימָא, דִּכְתִיב ״וְסַרְתֶּם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם וְגוֹ׳״ וּכְתִיב ״וְחָרָה אַף יהוה בָּכֶם וְעָצַר אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְגוֹ׳״, וְהָהוּא גַּבְרָא אוֹקֵים לֵיהּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה עַל כׇּל תֶּלֶם וְתֶלֶם וְלָא שָׁבֵיק לֵיהּ מִיטְרָא לְמֵיזַל מִיסְגָּד לֵיהּ. לְוָוטְתָא דִּיהוֹשֻׁעַ תַּלְמִידֵיהּ מִקַּיְימָא? מִיָּד: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלִיָּהוּ הַתִּשְׁבִּי מִתֹּשָׁבֵי גִלְעָד חַי יהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אִם יִהְיֶה טַל וּמָטָר וְגוֹ׳״. בָּעֵי רַחֲמֵי, וִיהַבוּ לֵיהּ אַקְלִידָא דְּמִטְרָא, וְקָם וַאֲזַל. ״וַיְהִי דְבַר יהוה אֵלָיו לֵאמֹר. לֵךְ מִזֶּה וּפָנִיתָ לְּךָ קֵדְמָה וְנִסְתַּרְתָּ בְּנַחַל כְּרִית״. ״וְהָעֹרְבִים מְבִיאִים לוֹ לֶחֶם וּבָשָׂר בַּבֹּקֶר וְגוֹ׳״. מֵהֵיכָא? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: מִבֵּי טַבָּחֵי דְאַחְאָב. ״וַיְהִי מִקֵּץ יָמִים וַיִּיבַשׁ הַנָּחַל כִּי לֹא הָיָה גֶשֶׁם בָּאָרֶץ״. כֵּיוָן דַּחֲזָא דְּאִיכָּא צַעֲרָא בְּעָלְמָא, כְּתִיב: ״וַיְהִי דְבַר יהוה אֵלָיו לֵאמֹר. קוּם לֵךְ צָרְפַתָה״. וּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה חָלָה בֶּן הָאִשָּׁה בַּעֲלַת הַבָּיִת״. בְּעָא רַחֲמֵי לְמִיתַּן לֵיהּ אַקְלִידָא דִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים. אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: שָׁלֹשׁ מַפְתְּחוֹת לֹא נִמְסְרוּ לְשָׁלִיחַ: שֶׁל חַיָּה, וְשֶׁל גְּשָׁמִים, וְשֶׁל תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים. יֹאמְרוּ: שְׁתַּיִם בְּיַד תַּלְמִיד וְאַחַת בְּיַד הָרַב! אַיְיתִי הָא וּשְׁקֵיל הַאי. דִּכְתִיב: ״לֵךְ הֵרָאֵה אֶל אַחְאָב וְאֶתְּנָה מָטָר״. דְּרַשׁ הַהוּא גָּלִילָאָה קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא: מָשָׁל דְּאֵלִיָּהוּ, לָמָּה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְגַבְרָא דְּטַרְקֵיהּ לְגַלֵּיהּ וְאַבְּדֵיהּ לְמַפְתְּחֵיהּ. דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּצִיפּוֹרִי: אַבָּא אֵלִיָּהוּ קַפְּדָן הֲוָה. רְגִיל לְמֵיתֵי גַּבֵּיהּ. אִיכַּסִּי מִינֵּיהּ תְּלָתָא יוֹמֵי, וְלָא אֲתָא. כִּי אֲתָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי לָא אֲתָא מָר? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קַפְּדָן קָרֵית לִי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָא דְּקַמַּן, דְּקָא קָפֵיד מָר! ״וְלֹא יִדְבַּק בְּיָדְךָ מְאוּמָה מִן הַחֵרֶם״ – כׇּל זְמַן שֶׁרְשָׁעִים בָּעוֹלָם, חֲרוֹן אַף בָּעוֹלָם וְכוּ׳. מַאן רְשָׁעִים? אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: גַּנָּבֵי. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: רָשָׁע בָּא לָעוֹלָם – חָרוֹן בָּא לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּבוֹא רָשָׁע בָּא גַם בּוּז וְעִם קָלוֹן חֶרְפָּה״. רָשָׁע אָבֵד מִן הָעוֹלָם – טוֹבָה בָּאָה לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבַאֲבֹד רְשָׁעִים רִנָּה״. צַדִּיק נִפְטָר מִן הָעוֹלָם – רָעָה בָּאָה לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַצַּדִּיק אָבָד וְאֵין אִישׁ שָׂם עַל לֵב וְאַנְשֵׁי חֶסֶד נֶאֱסָפִים בְּאֵין מֵבִין כִּי מִפְּנֵי הָרָעָה נֶאֱסַף הַצַּדִּיק״. צַדִּיק בָּא לָעוֹלָם – טוֹבָה בָּאָה לְעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״זֶה יְנַחֲמֵנוּ מִמַּעֲשֵׂנוּ וּמֵעִצְּבוֹן יָדֵינוּ״. הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל יֵשׁ לָהֶם חֵלֶק וּסְלִיקָא לַהּ מַסֶּכֶת סַנְהֶדְרִין
MISHNA: All of the Jewish people, even sinners and those who are liable to be executed with a court-imposed death penalty, have a share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And your people also shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the land forever; the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, for My name to be glorified” (Isaiah 60:21). And these are the exceptions, the people who have no share in the World-to-Come, even when they fulfilled many mitzvot: One who says: There is no resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah, and one who says: The Torah did not originate from Heaven, and an epikoros, who treats Torah scholars and the Torah that they teach with contempt. Rabbi Akiva says: Also included in the exceptions are one who reads external literature, and one who whispers invocations over a wound and says as an invocation for healing: “Every illness that I placed upon Egypt I will not place upon you, for I am the Lord, your Healer” (Exodus 15:26). By doing so, he shows contempt for the sanctity of the name of God and therefore has no share in the World-to-Come. Abba Shaul says: Also included in the exceptions is one who pronounces the ineffable name of God as it is written, with its letters. Three prominent kings mentioned in the Bible and four prominent commoners who are described in the Bible as men of great wisdom have no share in the World-to-Come. The three kings are: Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and Ahab, both of whom were kings of Israel, and Manasseh, king of Judea. Rabbi Yehuda says: Manasseh has a share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated concerning Manasseh: “And he prayed to Him, and He received his entreaty, and heard his supplication and brought him back to Jerusalem unto his kingdom” (II Chronicles 33:13), indicating that he repented wholeheartedly and effectively. The Rabbis said to Rabbi Yehuda: He regretted his actions, and his repentance was effective to the extent that God restored him to his kingdom, but God did not restore him to his share in life in the World-to-Come. The four commoners are: Balaam, son of Beor; Doeg the Edomite; Ahithophel; and Gehazi. GEMARA: And why is one punished to that extent for saying that there is no resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah? The Sages taught in a baraita: He denied the resurrection of the dead; therefore he will not have a share in the resurrection of the dead, as all measures dispensed by the Holy One, Blessed be He, to His people are dispensed measure for measure, i.e., the response is commensurate with the action. This is based on that which Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: From where is it derived that all measures dispensed by the Holy One, Blessed be He, are dispensed measure for measure? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated concerning the siege of Jerusalem: “And Elisha said: Hear the word of the Lord; so said the Lord: Tomorrow at this time one se’a of fine flour will be sold for one shekel and two se’a of barley for one shekel in the gate of Samaria” (II Kings 7:1). And it is written: “And the officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said: Will the Lord make windows in heaven? Might this thing be? And he said: You shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat from there” (II Kings 7:2). And it is written: “And it was for him so, and the people trampled him in the gate, and he died” (II Kings 7:20). The Gemara challenges: Perhaps it was the curse of Elisha that caused the officer to die in that manner, not the principle of punishment measure for measure for his lack of belief, as Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: The curse of a Sage, even if baseless, comes to be fulfilled? This is all the more so true concerning the curse of Elisha, which was warranted. The Gemara answers: If so, let the verse write: And they trampled him and he died. What does the term “in the gate” serve to teach? It teaches that he died over matters relating to the gate [sha’ar]. It was for the cynical dismissal of the prophecy of Elisha that the officer voiced at the city gate that he was punished measure for measure and was trampled at the city gate. § Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From where is the resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah? It is derived from this verse, as it is stated with regard to teruma of the tithe: “And you shall give the teruma of the Lord to Aaron the priest” (Numbers 18:28). And does Aaron exist forever so that one can fulfill the mitzva by giving him the teruma of the tithe? But is it not so that Aaron did not enter Eretz Yisrael, the only place where the people would give him teruma? Rather, the verse teaches that Aaron is destined to live in the future and the Jewish people will give him teruma. From here it is derived that the resurrection of the dead is from the Torah. The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught a different derivation from this verse. From the term “to Aaron” one derives that teruma must be given to a priest like Aaron; just as Aaron is one devoted to the meticulous observance of mitzvot, particularly those relating to ritual purity, teruma, and tithes [ḥaver], so too one gives teruma to his descendants who are ḥaverim. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: From where is it derived that one does not give teruma to a priest who is an am ha’aretz? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “And he commanded the people who dwelled in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and of the Levites, so that they may firmly adhere to the Torah of the Lord” (II Chronicles 31:4). Everyone who firmly adheres to the Torah of the Lord has a portion, and anyone who does not firmly adhere to the Torah of the Lord does not have a portion. Rav Aḥa bar Adda says that Rav Yehuda says: With regard to anyone who gives teruma to a priest who is an am ha’aretz, it is as though he placed the teruma before a lion. Just as with regard to a lion, there is uncertainty whether it will maul its prey and eat it, and uncertainty whether it will not maul its prey and instead eat it alive, so too, with regard to a priest who is an am ha’aretz to whom one gives teruma, there is uncertainty whether he will eat it in purity, and there is uncertainty whether he will eat it in impurity, thereby violating a prohibition by Torah law. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: One who gives teruma to a priest who is an am ha’aretz even causes the priest’s death, as it is stated with regard to teruma: “And die therefore if they profane it” (Leviticus 22:9). Priests who partake of teruma in a state of ritual impurity profane it and are liable to be punished with death at the hand of Heaven. The school of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov taught: By giving teruma to a priest who is an am ha’aretz, one also brings upon him a sin of guilt, i.e., a sin that will lead to additional sins, as it is stated: “And so bring upon them a sin of guilt when they eat their sacred items” (Leviticus 22:16). § It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Simai says: From where is resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated with regard to the Patriarchs: “I have also established My covenant with them to give to them the land of Canaan” (Exodus 6:4). The phrase: To give to you the land of Canaan, is not stated, as the meaning of the verse is not that God fulfilled the covenant with the Patriarchs when he gave the land of Canaan to the children of Israel; rather, it is stated: “To give to them the land of Canaan,” meaning to the Patriarchs themselves. From here is it derived that the resurrection of the dead is from the Torah, as in the future the Patriarchs will come to life and inherit the land. The Gemara records a mnemonic for those cited in the upcoming discussion: Tzadi, dalet, kuf; gimmel, mem; gimmel, shin, mem; kuf, mem. Heretics asked Rabban Gamliel: From where is it derived that the Holy One, Blessed be He, revives the dead? Rabban Gamliel said to them that this matter can be proven from the Torah, from the Prophets, and from Writings, but they did not accept the proofs from him. The proof from the Torah is as it is written: “And the Lord said to Moses, behold, you shall lie with your fathers and arise” (Deuteronomy 31:16). The heretics said to him: But perhaps the verse should be divided in a different manner, and it should be read: “Behold, you shall lie with your fathers, and this people will arise and stray after the foreign gods of the land.” The proof from the Prophets is as it is written: “Your dead shall live, my corpse shall arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in the dust, for your dew is as the dew of vegetation, and the land shall cast out the dead” (Isaiah 26:19). The heretics said to him: But perhaps the prophecy was fulfilled with the dead that Ezekiel revived. No proof may be cited from that verse with regard to any future resurrection. The proof from Writings is as it is written: “And your palate is like the best wine that glides down smoothly for my beloved, moving gently the lips of those that sleep” (Song of Songs 7:10), indicating that the dead will ultimately rise and speak. The heretics said to him: But perhaps merely their lips will move, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan, as Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yehotzadak: Anyone in whose name a halakha is stated in this world, his lips move in the grave as if repeating the statement cited in his name, as it is stated: “Moving gently the lips of those that sleep.” No proof may be cited from that verse, as it is unrelated to resurrection. This exchange continued until Rabban Gamliel stated to them this verse: “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, upon the land that the Lord took an oath to your forefathers to give them” (Deuteronomy 11:21). The phrase: To give you, is not stated; rather, it is stated: “To give them,” to the Patriarchs themselves, as in the future the Patriarchs will come to life and inherit the land. From here resurrection of the dead is derived from the Torah. And there are those who say that it is from this following verse that he said to them his ultimate proof: “But you who cleave to the Lord your God every one of you is alive this day” (Deuteronomy 4:4). Wasn’t it obvious with regard to the children of Israel whom God was addressing, that “every one of you is alive this day”? Rather, the meaning of the verse is: Even on the day when everyone is dead you will live; just as today every one of you is alive, so too, in the World-to-Come every one of you will be alive. The Romans asked Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya: From where is it derived that the Holy One, Blessed be He, revives the dead, and from where is it derived that He knows what is destined to be? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya said to them: Both of those matters are derived from this verse, as it is stated: “And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, you shall lie with your fathers and arise; this people will go astray” (Deuteronomy 31:16). This indicates that Moses will die and then arise from the dead and that the Holy One, Blessed be He, knows what the children of Israel are destined to do. The Romans asked: But perhaps the verse should be divided in a different manner, and it should be read: “Behold, you shall lie with your fathers and this people will arise and go astray after the foreign gods of the land.” Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya said to them: Take at least a response to half of your question in your hands from that verse, that God knows what is destined to be. The Gemara comments: It was also stated on a similar note by an amora citing a tanna, as Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: From where is it derived that the Holy One, Blessed be He, revives the dead, and from where is it derived that He knows what is destined to be? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “Behold, you shall lie with your fathers and arise.” It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Yosei, says: With this following matter, I refuted the books of the Samaritans, as they would say that there is no source for the resurrection of the dead from the Torah. I said to them: You falsified your torah and you accomplished nothing, as you say there is no source for the resurrection of the dead from the Torah, and the Torah states: “That soul shall be excised; his iniquity shall be upon him” (Numbers 15:31). You interpret the phrase “that soul shall be excised” to mean that a sinner will be punished with death in this world. If so, with regard to the phrase “his iniquity shall be upon him,” for when is that destined to be? Is it not for the World-to-Come, i.e., the world as it will exist after the resurrection of the dead? Apparently, there is a World-to-Come and there is an allusion to it in the Torah. Rav Pappa said to Abaye: And let Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Yosei, say to the Samaritans that both of those matters can be derived from the phrase “shall be excised [hikkaret tikkaret].” “Hikkaret” indicates that the sinner is excised from this world, and “tikkaret” indicates that the sinner is excised from the World-to-Come. Abaye answered: Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Yosei, preferred not to cite proof from the compound verb, because the Samaritans would say: The Torah spoke in the language of people, and the compound verb is merely a stylistic flourish. The Gemara notes: These derivations of Rabbi Eliezer and Rav Pappa are parallel to a dispute between tanna’im with regard to “hikkaret tikkaret,” as follows: “Hikkaret” indicates that the sinner is excised in this world, and “tikkaret” indicates that the sinner is excised in the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Yishmael said to him: Isn’t it already stated in the previous verse: “That person that blasphemes the Lord, that soul shall be excised [venikhreta]” (Numbers 15:30), and are there three worlds from which the sinner is excised? Rather, from the term “venikhreta” it is derived that the sinner is excised in this world, from “hikkaret” it is derived that the sinner is excised in the World-to-Come, and from the compound verb “hikkaret tikkaret” nothing is derived, as the Torah spoke in the language of people. The Gemara asks: According to both Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Akiva, what do they do with, i.e., what do they derive from, the phrase “His iniquity shall be upon him”? The Gemara answers: That phrase is necessary for that derivation which is taught in a baraita: One might have thought that the sinner is excised even after he repented. Therefore, the verse states: “His iniquity shall be upon him.” God states: I said that the sinner will be excised only when his iniquity remains upon him. § The Gemara relates: Queen Cleopatra asked Rabbi Meir a question. She said: I know that the dead will live, as it is written: “And may they blossom out of the city like grass of the earth” (Psalms 72:16). Just as grass grows, so too, the dead will come to life. But when they arise, will they arise naked or will they arise with their garments? Rabbi Meir said to her: It is derived a fortiori from wheat. If wheat, which is buried naked, meaning that the kernel is sown without the chaff, emerges with several garments of chaff, all the more so will the righteous, who are buried with their garments, arise with their garments. The Roman emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: You say that the dead will live. Aren’t they dust? And does dust come to life? The daughter of the emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: Leave him, and I will respond to him with a parable. She said: There are two craftsmen in our city; one fashions vessels from water, and one fashions vessels from mortar. Which is more noteworthy? The emperor said to her: It is that craftsman that fashions vessels from water. His daughter said to him: If he fashions a vessel from the water, all the more so is it not clear that he can fashion vessels from mortar? By the same token, if God was able to create the world from water, He is certainly able to resurrect people from dust. The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught that resurrection of the dead a fortiori from glass vessels: If concerning glass vessels, which are fashioned by the breath of those of flesh and blood, who blow and form the vessels, and yet if they break they can be repaired, as they can be melted and subsequently blown again, then with regard to those of flesh and blood, whose souls are a product of the breath of the Holy One, Blessed be He, all the more so can God restore them to life. The Gemara relates that a certain heretic said to Rabbi Ami: You say that the dead will live. Aren’t they dust? And does dust come to life? Rabbi Ami said to him: I will tell you a parable. To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a flesh-and-blood king who said to his servants: Go and construct for me a great palace [palterin] in a place where there is no water and earth available. They went and constructed it. Sometime later, the palace collapsed. The king said to them: Return to your labor and construct the palace in a place where there is earth and water available. They said to him: We are unable to do so. The king became angry at them and said to them: If in a place where there is no water and earth available you constructed a palace, now that there is water and earth available all the more so should you be able to do so. Similarly, concerning man, whom God created ex nihilo, all the more so will God be able to resurrect him from dust. And if you do not believe that a being can be created from dust, go out to the valley and see an akhbar, a creature that today is half flesh and half earth, and tomorrow the being will develop and all of it will become flesh. Lest you say that creation of living creatures is a matter that develops over an extended period, ascend a mountain and see that today there is only one snail there; then ascend tomorrow, after rain will have fallen, and see that it will be entirely filled with snails. The Gemara relates that a certain heretic said to Geviha ben Pesisa: Woe unto you, the wicked, as you say: The dead will come to life. The way of the world is that those who are alive die. How can you say that the dead will come to life? Geviha ben Pesisa said to him: Woe unto you, the wicked, as you say: The dead will not come to life. If those who were not in existence come to life, is it not reasonable all the more so that those who were once alive will come to life again? The heretic said to Geviha ben Pesisa angrily: You called me wicked? If I stand, I will kick you and flatten your hump, as Geviha ben Pesisa was a hunchback. Geviha ben Pesisa said to him jocularly: If you do so, you will be called an expert doctor and will take high wages for your services. § Apropos Geviha ben Pesisa and his cleverness in debate, the Gemara cites additional incidents where he represented the Jewish people in debates. The Sages taught in Megillat Ta’anit: On the twenty-fourth day in Nisan it is a joyous day, since the usurpers [dimusana’ei] were expelled from Judea and Jerusalem. When the people of Afrikiya came to judgment with the Jewish people before the emperor, Alexander of Macedon, they said to him: The land of Canaan is ours, as it is written: “This is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, the land of Canaan according to its borders” (Numbers 34:2). And the people of Afrikiya said, referring to themselves: Canaan is the forefather of these people. Geviha ben Pesisa said to the Sages: Give me permission and I will go and deliberate with them before Alexander of Macedon. If they will defeat me, say to them: You have defeated an ordinary person from among us, and until you overcome our Sages, it is no victory. And if I will defeat them, say to them: The Torah of Moses defeated you, and attribute no significance to me. The Sages gave him permission, and he went and deliberated with them. Geviha ben Pesisa said to them: From where are you citing proof that the land of Canaan is yours? They said to him: From the Torah. Geviha ben Pesisa said to them: I too will cite proof to you only from the Torah, as it is stated: “And he said: Cursed will be Canaan; a slave of slaves shall he be to his brethren” (Genesis 9:25). And with regard to a slave who acquired property, the slave belongs to whom and the property belongs to whom? The slave and his property belong to the master. And moreover, it is several years now that you have not served us. Therefore, not only are you not entitled to the land, there are additional debts that must be repaid, as well as a return to enslavement. Alexander the king said to the people of Afrikiya: Provide Geviha ben Pesisa with a response to his claims. They said to Alexander: Give us time; give us three days to consider the matter. The emperor gave them the requested time and they examined the matter and did not find a response to the claims. Immediately, they fled and abandoned their fields when they were sown and their vineyards when they were planted. The Gemara adds: And since that year was a Sabbatical Year, with the accompanying restrictions on agricultural activity, this benefited the Jewish people, as they were able to consume the produce of those fields and vineyards. The Gemara relates: On another occasion, the people of Egypt came to judgment with the Jewish people before Alexander of Macedon. The Egyptian people said to Alexander: It says in the Torah: “And the Lord gave the people favor in the eyes of Egypt, and they lent them” (Exodus 12:36). Give us the silver and gold that you took from us; you claimed that you were borrowing it and you never returned it. Geviha ben Pesisa said to the Sages: Give me permission and I will go and deliberate with them before Alexander of Macedon. If they will defeat me, say to them: You have defeated an ordinary person from among us, and until you overcome our Sages, it is no victory. And if I will defeat them, say to them: The Torah of Moses, our teacher, defeated you, and attribute no significance to me. The Sages gave him permission, and he went and deliberated with them. Geviha ben Pesisa said to them: From where are you citing proof that you are entitled to the silver and gold? They said to him: From the Torah. Geviha ben Pesisa said to them: I too will cite proof to you only from the Torah, as it is stated: “And the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years” (Exodus 12:40), during which they were enslaved to Egypt, engaged in hard manual labor. Give us the wages for the work performed by the 600,000 men above the age of twenty (see Exodus 12:37) whom you enslaved in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years. Alexander of Macedon said to the people of Egypt: Provide Geviha ben Pesisa with a response to his claims. They said to him: Give us time; give us three days to consider the matter. The emperor gave them the requested time and they examined the matter and did not find a response to the claims. Immediately, they abandoned their fields when they were sown and their vineyards when they were planted, and fled. The Gemara adds: And that year was a Sabbatical Year. The Gemara relates: And on another occasion, the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of Keturah came to judgment with the Jewish people before Alexander of Macedon. They said to the Jewish people before Alexander: The land of Canaan is both ours and yours, as it is written: “And these are the generations of Ishmael, son of Abraham, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore unto Abraham” (Genesis 25:12), and it is written: “And these are the generations of Isaac, son of Abraham” (Genesis 25:19). Therefore, the land should be divided between Abraham’s heirs. Geviha ben Pesisa said to the Sages: Give me permission and I will go and deliberate with them before Alexander of Macedon. If they will defeat me, say to them: You have defeated an ordinary person from among us, and until you overcome our Sages, it is no victory. And if I will defeat them, say to them: The Torah of Moses, our teacher, defeated you, and attribute no significance to me. The Sages gave him permission, and he went and deliberated with them. Geviha ben Pesisa said to the descendants of Ishmael: From where are you citing proof that the land of Canaan belongs to both you and the Jewish people? They said to him: From the Torah. Geviha ben Pesisa said to them: I too will cite proof to you only from the Torah, as it is stated: “And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. But to the sons of the concubines that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and he sent them away from his son, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country” (Genesis 25:5–6). In the case of a father who gave a document of bequest [agatin] to his sons during his lifetime and sent one of the sons away from the other, does the one who was sent away have any claim against the other? The father himself divided his property. The Gemara asks: What were these gifts that Abraham gave to the sons of the concubines? Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says: This teaches that Abraham provided them with the name of the supernatural spirit of impurity, enabling them to perform witchcraft. § Apropos exchanges with prominent gentile leaders, the Gemara cites an exchange where Antoninos, the Roman emperor, said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: The body and the soul are able to exempt themselves from judgment for their sins. How so? The body says: The soul sinned, as from the day of my death when it departed from me, I am cast like a silent stone in the grave, and do not sin. And the soul says: The body sinned, as from the day that I departed from it, I am flying in the air like a bird, incapable of sin. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: I will tell you a parable. To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a king of flesh and blood who had a fine orchard, and in it there were fine first fruits of a fig tree, and he stationed two guards in the orchard, one lame, who was unable to walk, and one blind. Neither was capable of reaching the fruit on the trees in the orchard without the assistance of the other. The lame person said to the blind person: I see fine first fruits of a fig tree in the orchard; come and place me upon your shoulders. I will guide you to the tree, and we will bring the figs to eat them. The lame person rode upon the shoulders of the blind person and they brought the figs and ate them. Sometime later the owner of the orchard came to the orchard. He said to the guards: The fine first fruits of a fig tree that were in the orchard, where are they? The lame person said: Do I have any legs with which I would be able to walk and take the figs? The blind person said: Do I have any eyes with which I would be able to see the way to the figs? What did the owner of the orchard do? He placed the lame person upon the shoulders of the blind person just as they did when they stole the figs, and he judged them as one. So too, the Holy One, Blessed be He, brings the soul on the day of judgment and casts it back into the body, as they were when they sinned, and He judges them as one, as it is stated: “He calls to the heavens above and to the earth that He may judge His people” (Psalms 50:4). “He calls to the heavens above”; this is the soul, which is heavenly. “And to the earth that He may judge His people”; this is the body, which is earthly. The Gemara relates another exchange. Antoninos said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: For what reason does the sun emerge in the east and set in the west? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: If it were the reverse, you would have also said that to me, as the sun must emerge from one direction and set in the other. Antoninos said to him: This is what I am saying to you: For what reason does the sun set in the west and not occasionally deviate and set elsewhere? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: The sun always sets in the west in order to greet its Creator, as it is stated: “And the hosts of heaven worship You” (Nehemiah 9:6). Setting is a form of worship; it is as though the sun is bowing to God. The Divine Presence rests in the west, as is evident from the fact that the Holy of Holies in the Temple, in which the Ark, the resting place of the Divine Presence, is located in the west. Antoninos said to him: If so, let the sun come until the midpoint of the sky, set slightly and greet its Creator, and return and enter its place of origin in the east and set there. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi answered him: The sun sets in the west due to workers and due to travelers, as, if the sun did not proceed from east to west with the light of day gradually waning, they would not know that it is time to return home or to find an inn. And Antoninos said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: From when is the soul placed in a person? Is it from the moment of conception or from the moment of the formation of the embryo, forty days after conception? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: It is from the moment of the formation of the embryo. Antoninos said to him: That is inconceivable. Is it possible that a piece of meat could stand for even three days without salt as a preservative and would not rot? The embryo could not exist for forty days without a soul. Rather, the soul is placed in man from the moment of conception. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: Antoninos taught me this matter, and there is a verse that supports him, as it is stated: “And Your Providence [pekudatekha] has preserved my spirit” (Job 10:12) indicating that it is from the moment of conception [pekida] that the soul is preserved within a person. And Antoninos said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: From when does the evil inclination dominate a person? Is it from the moment of the formation of the embryo or from the moment of emergence from the womb? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: It is from the moment of the formation of the embryo. Antoninos said to him: If so, the evil inclination would cause the fetus to kick his mother’s innards and emerge from the womb. Rather, the evil inclination dominates a person from the moment of emergence from the womb. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: Antoninos taught me this matter, and there is a verse that supports him, as it is stated: “Sin crouches at the entrance” (Genesis 4:7), indicating that it is from the moment of birth, when the newborn emerges from the entrance of his mother’s womb, that the evil inclination lurks. § Reish Lakish raises a contradiction between two verses written with regard to the resurrection of the dead. It is written: “I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the ends of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the woman giving birth together” (Jeremiah 31:7), indicating that at the end of days there will still be people with physical defects. And it is written: “Then shall the lame man leap as a deer and the tongue of the mute sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:6), indicating that at the end of days there will be no people with physical defects. How so? When resurrected, the dead will arise still afflicted with their defects, and they will then be healed. Ulla raises a contradiction. It is written: “He will swallow death forever; and the Lord God will wipe tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8), indicating that death will no longer exist at the end of days. And it is written: “There shall be no more an infant a few days old then…for the youngest shall die one hundred years old” (Isaiah 65:20). The Gemara answers that this contradiction is not difficult. The verse here, in Isaiah chapter 25, is written with regard to the Jewish people, who will live forever after resurrection; the verse there, in Isaiah chapter 65, is written with regard to gentiles, who will ultimately die after an extremely long life. The Gemara asks: And what do gentiles seek, i.e., why will they merit to live, in that era? The Gemara answers that the verse is referring to those gentiles about whom it is written: “And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and aliens shall be your plowmen and vinedressers” (Isaiah 61:5). Rav Ḥisda raises a contradiction. It is written: “Then the moon shall be confounded and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts will reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders shall be His glory” (Isaiah 24:23), indicating that the sun and the moon will no longer shine at the end of days. And it is written: “And the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days” (Isaiah 30:26), indicating that the sun and the moon will exist then and they will shine more brightly. The Gemara answers that this is not difficult. The verse here, in Isaiah chapter 30, is written with regard to the days of the Messiah, when the sun and moon will shine more brightly; the verse there, in Isaiah chapter 24, is written with regard to the World-to-Come, when the only light will be the light of God. The Gemara asks: And according to Shmuel, who says: The difference between this world and the messianic era is only subjugation of the exiles, as during that era the Jewish people will be freed from that subjugation, how is the contradiction resolved? The Gemara answers that even according to Shmuel this contradiction is not difficult. The verse here, in Isaiah chapter 30, is written with regard to the light in the camp of the righteous; the verse there, in Isaiah chapter 24, the verse is written with regard to the camp of the Divine Presence, when the only light will be the light of God. Rava raises a contradiction. It is written: “I will kill and I will bring to life” (Deuteronomy 32:39), indicating that God is capable of reviving the dead. And it is written immediately afterward: “I wounded and I will heal,” which indicates that God will only heal the wounded. Rather, it should be understood: The Holy One, Blessed be He, is saying: What I kill, I bring to life, indicating that God revives the dead. And then what I wounded, I will heal. § The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “I will kill and I will bring to life.” One might have thought that it means that there will be death for one person and life for one other person, in the typical manner that the world operates. Therefore, the verse states: “I wounded and I will heal.” Just as wounding and healing take place in one person, so too, death and bringing back to life take place in one person. From here there is a response to those who say that there is no resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Meir said: From where is resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “Then Moses and the children of Israel will sing this song to the Lord” (Exodus 15:1). It is not stated: Sang, in the verse; rather, the term “they will sing” is stated, indicating that Moses will come back to life and sing the song in the future. From here it is proved that resurrection of the dead is derived from the Torah. On a similar note, you can say: “Then Joshua will build an altar to the Lord God of Israel on Mount Ebal” (Joshua 8:30). It is not stated: Built, in the verse; rather, the term “will build” is stated. From here, resurrection of the dead is derived from the Torah. The Gemara challenges: If that is so, then in the verse: “Then Solomon will build an altar for Chemosh the abomination of Moab” (I Kings 11:7), does this also mean that Solomon will build in the future? Rather, the use of the future tense here should be understood differently. Solomon did not build an altar to the idol; rather, the use of the future tense teaches that the verse ascribes him blame as though he built it, since he did not prevent his wives from doing so. Therefore, no proof for the resurrection of the dead may be cited from this verse. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: From where is resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “Happy are they who dwell in Your house; they will yet praise You, Selah” (Psalms 84:5). It is not stated: They praised you, in the verse; rather, the term “they will praise you” is stated. From here, resurrection of the dead is derived from the Torah. And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Anyone who recites song to God in this world is privileged and recites it in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Happy are they who dwell in Your house; they will yet praise You, Selah.” Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From where is resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “Your watchmen, they raise the voice; together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye the Lord returning to Zion” (Isaiah 52:8). It is not stated: They sang, in the verse; rather, the term “together shall they sing” is stated. From here resurrection of the dead is derived from the Torah. And Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: All the prophets are all destined to recite song in one voice, as it is stated: “Your watchmen, they raise the voice; together shall they sing.” Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: With regard to anyone who withholds halakha from being studied by the mouth of a student who seeks to study Torah, it is as though he robs him of the inheritance of his ancestors, as it is stated: “Moses commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob” (Deuteronomy 33:4), indicating that the Torah is an inheritance for all of the Jewish people from the six days of Creation. Rav Ḥana bar Bizna says that Rabbi Shimon Ḥasida says: With regard to anyone who withholds halakha from being studied by the mouth of a student who seeks to study Torah, even fetuses in their mother’s womb curse him, as it is stated: “He who withholds bar, the people [leom] shall curse him [yikkevuhu], but blessing shall be upon the head of one who provides” (Proverbs 11:26). And the term leom is referring to nothing other than fetuses, as it is stated: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall be separated from your bowels; and the one leom shall overcome the other leom” (Genesis 25:23). And kabbo is referring to nothing other than curse, as it is stated in the statement of Balaam: “How can I curse one who is not cursed [kabbo] by God?” (Numbers 23:8). And bar is referring to nothing other than Torah, as it is stated: “Pay homage to bar lest He be angry” (Psalms 2:12), i.e., observe the Torah to avoid God’s wrath. Ulla bar Yishmael says: One perforates like a sieve a person who withholds halakha from a student. It is written here: “He who withholds bar, the people yikkevuhu” (Proverbs 11:26), and it is written there: “And he bored [vayyikkov] a hole in its lid of it” (II Kings 12:10). And Abaye says: One perforates him like a launderers’ utensil used for sprinkling water on garments. And if one teaches the student halakha rather than withholding it, what is his reward? Rava says that Rav Sheshet says: He is privileged to receive blessings like Joseph, as it is stated at the end of that verse: “But blessing shall be upon the head of one who provides [mashbir]” (Proverbs 11:26). And mashbir is referring to no one other than Joseph, as it is stated: “And Joseph was the governor of the land, and he was the provider [hamashbir] to all the people of the land” (Genesis 42:6). Rav Sheshet says: Anyone who teaches Torah in this world is privileged and teaches it in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And he who satisfies abundantly [umarveh] shall be satisfied himself [yoreh]” (Proverbs 11:25). Rav Sheshet interprets the verse homiletically: By transposing the letters of the word marveh: Mem, reish, vav, heh, one arrives at the word moreh, meaning teaches. The verse means that one who teaches [moreh] will teach [yoreh] in the future as well. The Gemara returns to the topic of the source for resurrection in the Torah. Rava says: From where is resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “Let Reuben live and not die, in that his men become few” (Deuteronomy 33:6). This is interpreted: “Let Reuben live” in this world “and not die” in the World-to-Come. Ravina says that resurrection is derived from here: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awaken, some to everlasting life, and some to reproaches and everlasting disgrace” (Daniel 12:2). Rav Ashi says proof is derived from here: “But go you your way until the end be; and you shall rest, and arise to your lot at the end of days” (Daniel 12:13). § Rabbi Elazar says: Any communal leader who leads the community calmly, without anger and honestly, is privileged and leads them in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “For he that has compassion upon them will lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them” (Isaiah 49:10). Just as he led them in this world, so too will he guide them in the World-to-Come. The Gemara proceeds to cite additional statements of Rabbi Elazar relating to recommended conduct. And Rabbi Elazar says: Great is knowledge, as it was placed between two letters, two names of God, as it is stated: “For a God of knowledge is the Lord” (I Samuel 2:3). And Rabbi Elazar says: Great is the Holy Temple, as it too was placed between two letters, two names of God, as it is stated: “The place in which to dwell that You have made, Lord, the Temple, Lord, which Your hands have prepared” (Exodus 15:17). Rav Adda Karḥina’a objects to the explanation that being placed between two names of God accords significance. If that is so, the same should hold true for vengeance. Shall one say: Great is vengeance, as it was placed between two letters, as it is written: “God of vengeance, Lord, God of vengeance shine forth” (Psalms 94:1)? Rabbi Elazar said to him: In its context, indeed, vengeance is great, in accordance with the statement of Ulla. As Ulla says with regard to these two appearances: “O Lord, God to Whom vengeance belongs; God to Whom vengeance belongs, appear” (Psalms 94:1), and: “He appeared from Mount Paran” (Deuteronomy 33:2), why are both necessary? One, the second verse, is necessary for the attribute of divine good, with which God gave the Torah at Sinai, and one, the first verse, is necessary for the attribute of divine punishment, with which God exacts vengeance against the enemies and oppressors of the Jewish people. And Rabbi Elazar says: With regard to any person in whom there is knowledge, it is as though the Temple was built in his days, as this, knowledge, was placed between two letters and that, the Temple, was placed between two letters. And Rabbi Elazar says: Any person in whom there is knowledge ultimately becomes wealthy, as it is stated: “And by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Proverbs 24:4). And Rabbi Elazar says: With regard to any person in whom there is no knowledge, it is prohibited to have mercy upon him, as it is stated: “For it is a people of no understanding; therefore its Maker will have no mercy on them, and its Creator will show them no favor” (Isaiah 27:11). If God has no mercy upon them, all the more so should people not show them mercy. And Rabbi Elazar says: With regard to anyone who gives his bread to one without knowledge, afflictions befall him, as it is stated: “They who eat your bread will place mazor under you, in whom there is no discernment” (Obadiah 1:7). And mazor means nothing other than afflictions, based on the parallel with another verse, as it is stated: “And Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound [mezoro]” (Hosea 5:13). This indicates that one who gives his bread to one without discernment will ultimately fall ill. And Rabbi Elazar says: Any person in whom there is no knowledge is ultimately exiled, as it is stated: “Therefore my people are exiled, for lack of knowledge” (Isaiah 5:13). And Rabbi Elazar says: With regard to any house in which there are no matters of Torah heard at night, the fire of Gehenna consumes it, as it is stated: “All darkness is laid up for his treasures, a fire not fanned shall consume him; it shall go ill with a sarid in his tent” (Job 20:26). Sarid is referring to no one but a Torah scholar, as it is stated: “And among the seridim, those whom the Lord shall call” (Joel 3:5). A house that is dark at night and in which no Torah is heard will be consumed by a fire that does not require fanning with a bellows, the fire of Gehenna. And Rabbi Elazar says: Anyone who does not benefit Torah scholars from his property never sees a sign of blessing, as it is stated: “None of his food shall remain [sarid]; therefore his prosperity shall not endure” (Job 20:21). Sarid is referring to no one but Torah scholars, as it is stated: “And among the seridim, those whom the Lord shall call.” No prosperity will come to one who does not share his food with a Torah scholar. And Rabbi Elazar says: Anyone who does not leave bread on his table at the end of his meal indicating his gratitude to God for providing him more than enough never sees a sign of blessing, as it is stated: “None of his food shall remain; therefore his prosperity shall not endure.” The Gemara asks: But doesn’t Rabbi Elazar say: With regard to anyone who leaves pieces of bread on his table, it is as if he worships idols, as it is stated: “Who prepare a table for Fortune [Gad] and offer blended wine for Destiny” (Isaiah 65:11). The people would leave pieces of bread on the table as an offering to the constellation Gad, which they believed influences the fortune of the home. This practice was a form of idol worship. The Gemara answers: This apparent contradiction is not difficult: This case, where leaving pieces of bread is a form of idol worship, applies when there is a whole loaf together with the pieces, as the addition of the pieces is clearly for idol worship; that case, where failure to leave bread on the table is criticized, applies when there is no whole loaf together with the pieces. And Rabbi Elazar says: With regard to anyone who amends the truth in his speech, it is as though he worships idols. As, it is written here, in the verse where Jacob sought to resist taking his father’s blessing from Esau: “And I shall seem to him a deceiver [metate’a]” (Genesis 27:12), and it is written there with regard to idol worship: “They are vanity, the work of deception [tatuim]” (Jeremiah 10:15). And Rabbi Elazar says: With regard to anyone who looks at nakedness [erva], his bow is emptied, i.e., he will be robbed of his potency, as it is stated: “Your bow is stripped bare [erya]” (Habakkuk 3:9). And Rabbi Elazar says: Forever be in the dark, i.e., anonymous, and you will continue to exist. Rabbi Zeira says: We learn a similar idea in a mishna as well (Nega’im 2:3): In a dark house, one does not open windows to illuminate it in order to see whether or not its blemish is leprosy, and the house retains the presumptive status of ritual purity. Those matters that are obscured are allowed to continue. The Gemara affirms: Conclude from that mishna that this is so. § The Gemara returns to the topic of the source for resurrection in the Torah. Rabbi Tavi says that Rabbi Yoshiya says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “There are three that are never satisfied…the grave, and the barren womb, and earth that does not receive sufficient water” (Proverbs 30:15–16)? And what does a grave have to do with a womb? Rather, they are juxtaposed to say to you: Just as a womb takes in and gives forth, so too a grave takes in and also gives forth, with the resurrection of the dead. And are these matters not inferred a fortiori: If with regard to a womb, into which one introduces the embryo in secret, one removes the baby from it accompanied by the loud sounds of the woman crying out during childbirth, then with regard to the grave, into which one introduces the corpse with sounds of wailing and mourning the dead, is it not right that one removes from it the resurrected dead accompanied by the loud sounds of the resurrected multitudes? From here there is a response to those who say: There is no resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah. The school of Eliyahu taught: The righteous whom the Holy One, Blessed be He, is destined to resurrect do not return to their dust, as it is stated: “And it shall come to pass, that he who remains in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem shall be called holy, anyone who is written unto life in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 4:3). Just as the Holy One exists forever, so too will they exist forever. And if you say: During those years when the Holy One, Blessed be He, is destined to renew His world, as it is stated: “And the Lord alone shall be exalted on that day” (Isaiah 2:11), what are the righteous to do? How will they survive? The Holy One, Blessed be He, will make wings like eagles for them and they will fly over the surface of the water, as it is stated: “Therefore, we will not fear when God changes the land, and when the mountains are moved in the midst of the sea” (Psalms 46:3). Although God will renew the land, they will not fear, because they will be in the sky over the sea at that time. And lest you say that they will endure suffering from flying uninterrupted for an extended period, the verse states: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not tire” (Isaiah 40:31). The Gemara suggests: And let us derive from the dead that Ezekiel revived (see Ezekiel, chapter 37) that the resurrected dead will not live forever, but will die at some point. The Gemara explains: The school of Eliyahu holds in accordance with the opinion of the one who says: In truth, Ezekiel’s depiction of the dry bones that came to life was a parable, from which nothing can be derived with regard to the nature of resurrection. This is as it is taught in a baraita, that Rabbi Eliezer says: The dead that Ezekiel revived stood on their feet and recited song to God and died. And what song did they recite? The Lord kills with justice and gives life with mercy. Rabbi Yehoshua says that it was this song that they recited: “The Lord kills, and gives life; He lowers to the grave and elevates” (I Samuel 2:6). Rabbi Yehuda says: Ezekiel’s depiction of the dry bones that came to life was truth and it was a parable. Rabbi Neḥemya said to Rabbi Yehuda: If it was truth, why do you refer to it as a parable, and if it was a parable, why do you refer to it as truth? Rather, it means: In truth, it was a parable. Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, says: Not only was it not a parable, the dead that Ezekiel revived ascended to Eretz Yisrael and married wives and fathered sons and daughters. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira stood on his feet and said: I am a descendant of their sons, and these are phylacteries that my father’s father left me from them. The Gemara asks: And who are the dead that Ezekiel revived? Rav says: These were the descendants of Ephraim who calculated the time of the end of the enslavement and the redemption from Egypt and erred in their calculation. They left before the appointed time and were killed, as it is stated: “And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eleadah his son, and Tahath his son. And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead whom the men of Gath that were born in the land slew, because they came down to take their cattle” (I Chronicles 7:20–21), and it is written: “And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him” (I Chronicles 7:22). And Shmuel says: These dead that Ezekiel revived were people who denied the resurrection of the dead, as it is stated: “Then He said to me: Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say: Our bones are dried and our hope is lost; we are cut off” (Ezekiel 37:11). God tells Ezekiel that these were people who had lost hope for resurrection. Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says: These were people in whom there was not even the moist residue of a mitzva, as it is stated: “The dry bones, hear the word of the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:4). Even during their lifetime they were comparable to dry bones. Rabbi Yitzḥak Nappaḥa says: These are the people who covered the Sanctuary with repugnant creatures and creeping animals, as it is stated: “So I entered and saw and behold, every form of creeping animal and repugnant animal, and all the idols of the house of Israel, etched upon the wall around” (Ezekiel 8:10), and it is written there with regard to the prophecy of the dry bones: “And he passed me over them around and around” (Ezekiel 37:2). By means of a verbal analogy between: Around, in one verse and the identical term in the other it is derived that the two verses are referring to the same people. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: These are the dead from the Dura Valley (see Daniel, chapter 3). And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: These corpses filled the area from the Eshel River to Rabat, which constitutes the Dura Valley. As, at the time that Nebuchadnezzar the wicked exiled the Jewish people to Babylonia, there were among them youths who overshadowed the sun with their beauty, and the Chaldean women would see them, and desire them, and discharge the flow of a zava. These women told their husbands, and their husbands told the king. The king ordered the youths executed, and his servants executed them. And their execution did not resolve the problem, as the women were still discharging the flow of a zava. Even after death, the youths’ beauty remained intact. The king ordered that their corpses be taken to the valley, and his servants trampled them so that their form would no longer be visible. § The Sages taught in a baraita: At the moment that Nebuchadnezzar the wicked cast Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah into the fiery furnace, the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Ezekiel: Go and revive the dead in the Dura Valley. Once Ezekiel revived them, the bones came and struck Nebuchadnezzar, that wicked man, in his face. Nebuchadnezzar said: What is the nature of these? His servants said to him: The friend of these three, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, is reviving the dead in the Dura Valley. Nebuchadnezzar began and said: “How great are His signs and how mighty are His wonders; His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and His dominion is from generation to generation” (Daniel 3:33). Rabbi Yitzḥak says: Molten gold should be poured into the mouth of that wicked person. His mouth should be sealed in the course of an extraordinary death; in deference to royalty, Rabbi Yitzḥak suggested that gold would be used to accomplish that task. The reason is that if an angel had not come and struck him on his mouth to prevent him from continuing his praise, he would have sought to overshadow all the songs and praises that David recited in the book of Psalms. The Sages taught in a baraita: Six miracles were performed on that day that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azarya were delivered from the furnace, and they are: The furnace rose from where it was sunken to ground level; and the furnace was breached; and its limestone dissipated; and the graven image that Nebuchadnezzar established, which he commanded his subjects to worship (see Daniel 3:5–6), fell on its face; and four ranks of officials from monarchies, who stood around the furnace, were burned; and Ezekiel revived the dead in the Dura Valley. And the knowledge that all of the miracles were performed is based on tradition. And the four ranks of officials from monarchies that were burned is related in a verse, as it is written: “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces” (Daniel 3:2). And it is written: “There are certain Jews…they do not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image you have erected” (Daniel 3:12). And it is written in the verse after Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah left the fiery furnace: “And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered and saw these men” (Daniel 3:27) who emerged from the fire unscathed. Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather eight ranks of officials, and only four ranks witnessed Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah emerge from the furnace. Apparently, the other four ranks were burned in the fire. The school of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov teaches: Even during a period of danger, a person should not deviate from his prominence and demean himself, as it is stated: “Then these men were bound in their mantles, their tunics, and their hats, and their other garments, and they were cast into the blazing fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:21). Even when cast into the furnace, they donned garments befitting their station. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The righteous are greater than the ministering angels, as it is stated: “He answered and said: I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25). Nebuchadnezzar saw three righteous people and an angel in the fire of the furnace and noted the presence of the righteous people before noting the presence of the angel. § Rabbi Tanḥum bar Ḥanilai says: At the moment that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah emerged from the fiery furnace, all the nations of the world came and struck the enemies of Israel, a euphemism for the Jewish people, in the face and said to them: You have a God with capabilities like that and you bow to the graven image? Immediately Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah began and said: “Lord, righteousness is Yours, but we are shamefaced, as of this day” (Daniel 9:7). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says on a similar note: What is the meaning of that which is written: “I said: I will climb into the palm tree; I will grasp its boughs” (Song of Songs 7:9)? “I said: I will climb into the palm tree”; this is a reference to the Jewish people, who are likened to a palm tree, as they are upright and have one heart directed toward their Father in Heaven. God continues: And now that I have tested them by means of the decrees of Nebuchadnezzar, I have succeeded in grasping in My hand only the one bough of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, as only they were willing to give their lives. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “I saw the night, and behold, a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle bushes that were in the depths” (Zechariah 1:8)? What is the meaning of the phrase “I saw the night”? The Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to transform the entire world into night and destroy it, as there were no righteous people. “And behold, a man riding”; the word “man” is referring to no one but the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is a man of war, The Lord is His name” (Exodus 15:3). “Upon a red horse” alludes to the fact that the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to transform the whole world into blood. Once He looked at Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah He was placated, as it is stated: “And he stood among the myrtle bushes [hadassim] that were in the depths [bametzula].” And hadassim is referring to no one but the righteous, as it is stated: “And he raised Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter” (Esther 2:7). Hadassah is an appellation for the righteous Esther. And metzula is referring to no place but Babylonia, as it is stated with regard to the downfall of Babylonia: “That says to the deep [latzula]: Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers” (Isaiah 44:27). Immediately those messengers, in the form of horses, filled with anger and became gray, and those who were red became white. Rav Pappa says: Conclude from it that seeing a white horse in a dream is a good portent for that dream, as it presages peace and quiet. The Gemara asks: And with regard to the Sages, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, where did they go after their miraculous deliverance, as there is no further mention of them? Rav says: They died as the result of the evil eye, as everyone was jealous of their deliverance. And Shmuel says: They drowned in the spittle of the nations of the world who held the Jewish people in contempt due to their failure to serve God in the appropriate manner. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: They ascended to Eretz Yisrael and married women and fathered sons and daughters. The Gemara comments: This amoraic dispute is parallel to a dispute between tanna’im. Rabbi Eliezer says: They died as the result of the evil eye. Rabbi Yehoshua says: They drowned in the spittle. And the Rabbis say: They ascended to Eretz Yisrael and married women and fathered sons and daughters, as it is stated: “Hear now, Joshua the High Priest, you and your fellows who sit before you, for they are men of wonder” (Zechariah 3:8). Who are the people who had a wonder performed for them in that generation? You must say that it is Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The Gemara asks: And where did Daniel go? He certainly did not bow to the graven image, and he was not cast into the furnace. Apparently, he was elsewhere. Rav says: He went to dig the great river in Tiberias. And Shmuel says: Daniel went to bring choice alfalfa seed from a distance, and therefore he was not in Babylonia. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: He went to bring the high-quality pigs of Alexandria of Egypt. The Gemara asks: Is that so that he went to bring the pigs? But isn’t it taught in a baraita that Theodosius the doctor says: No cow or sow emerges from Alexandria of Egypt whose womb is not severed so that it will not give birth? The Gemara answers: They were small pigs that he brought without the knowledge of the people of Alexandria. The Sages taught: Three were partners in that plan to ensure that Daniel would not be in Babylonia when the decree of persecution was in effect: The Holy One, Blessed be He; Daniel; and Nebuchadnezzar. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Let Daniel go from here, so that people would not say that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were delivered from the fiery furnace due to the virtue of Daniel, rather than due to their own righteousness. And Daniel said to himself: I will go away from here so that this verse will not be fulfilled in my regard: “The graven images of their gods shall you burn with fire” (Deuteronomy 7:25). Daniel was concerned that because Nebuchadnezzar worshipped him like a deity, his legal status was that of an idol, and he would be burned. And Nebuchadnezzar said: Daniel should go away from here so that the people will not say: Nebuchadnezzar burned his god in fire. And from where is it derived that Nebuchadnezzar worshipped Daniel? It is derived from a verse, as it is written: “Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and worshipped Daniel and commanded that they should offer an offering and pleasing aromas to him” (Daniel 2:46). § Apropos the deliverance of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the Gemara cites the verses: “So says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab, son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, who prophesy to you a lie in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylonia; and he shall slay them before your eyes” (Jeremiah 29:21). And it is written: “And of them shall be taken a curse by all the captivity of Judea, who are in Babylonia, saying: May the Lord make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylonia toasted in the fire” (Jeremiah 29:22). It is not stated: Whom the king of Babylonia burned, but “whom the king of Babylonia toasted.” Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: This teaches that he rendered them like toasted wheat, which is toasted on all sides. The verse states: “Because they have committed baseness in Israel, and have committed adultery with the wives of their neighbors” (Jeremiah 29:23). What did they do? The Gemara relates: They went to the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. Ahab said to her: So says the Lord: Submit to Zedekiah and engage in intercourse with him. And Zedekiah said to her: So says the Lord: Submit to Ahab and engage in intercourse with him. She went and said to her father what they said to her. Nebuchadnezzar said to her: The God of these people abhors lewdness, so this is likely a false prophecy. When they come to you, send them to me. When they came to her, she sent them to her father. Nebuchadnezzar said to them: Who told you to do this? They said: It was the Holy One, Blessed be He. Nebuchadnezzar said: But haven't I asked Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about this and they said to me: It is prohibited? They said to him: We too are prophets like they are. God did not say this prophecy to them; He said it to us. Nebuchadnezzar said to them: If so, I wish to put you to the test to determine if you are righteous, just as I put Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to the test. Ahab and Zedekiah said to Nebuchadnezzar: They were three and we are only two, and our merit is not great enough to save us from the fire. Nebuchadnezzar said to them: Choose for yourselves a third person, whomever you wish, to be put to the test with you. They said to him: We choose Joshua the High Priest. They chose him because they thought: Let Joshua the High Priest come with us, since his merit is great and it will protect us. They took the three of them down and cast them into the furnace. They were burned, and as for Joshua the High Priest, his garments were singed, as it is stated: “And He showed me Joshua the High Priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan was standing at his right to thwart him” (Zechariah 3:1). And it is written: “And the Lord said to Satan, the Lord shall rebuke you, Satan, the Lord Who has chosen Jerusalem shall rebuke you; is this man not a firebrand plucked from fire?” (Zechariah 3:2). This is an allusion to the fact that he was delivered from the fiery furnace, although he was slightly singed. Nebuchadnezzar said to Joshua the High Priest: I know you are righteous because you were delivered from the fire, but what is the reason that the fire was slightly effective concerning you, and for Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah the fire was not effective concerning them at all, and their garments were not singed? Joshua the High Priest said to him: They were three righteous people, and I am one. Nebuchadnezzar said to him: But wasn’t Abraham one person, and when he was cast into the furnace the fire had no effect? Joshua answered him: There, in the case of Abraham, there were no wicked people with him, and license to cause damage was not given to the fire. Here, in this case, there were wicked people with me, and license to cause damage was given to the fire. The Gemara adds that this explains the adage that people say: If there are two dry firebrands and one moist one in a fire, the dry firebrands burn the moist one. The Gemara asks: What is the reason that Joshua the High Priest was punished and was cast into the furnace? Rav Pappa says: It was due to the fact that his sons would marry women who were not fit for marriage into the priesthood, and he did not reprimand them, as it is stated: “And Joshua was clothed in filthy garments, and he stood before the angel” (Zechariah 3:3). And was it the typical manner of Joshua to wear filthy garments? Rather this verse teaches an allusion that his sons would marry women who were not fit for marriage into the priesthood, and he did not reprimand them. That is why he appeared with soiled garments in the vision of the prophet Zechariah. § Apropos Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the Gemara cites that which Rabbi Tanḥum says that bar Kappara taught in Tzippori: What is the meaning of that which is written with regard to the statement of Ruth to Naomi concerning Boaz: “These six grains of barley he gave me” (Ruth 3:17). What is the meaning of the phrase “six grains of barley”? If we say that the reference is to six actual grains of barley, is it the typical manner of Boaz to give a minimal gift of six grains of barley? Rather, he gave her six se’a. The Gemara asks: And is it the typical manner of a woman to take a heavy burden of six se’a of barley? Rather, Boaz alluded to Ruth that six descendants are destined to emerge from her who would each be blessed with six blessings, and these are they: David, and the Messiah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The Gemara elaborates: David was blessed with six virtues, as it is written: “And one of the servants answered and said: Behold, I have seen a son of Yishai of the house of Bethlehem who knows to play, and is a fine warrior, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely man, and the Lord is with him” (I Samuel 16:18). Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul’s servants, stated this entire verse only as malicious speech, in an attempt to incite Saul to be jealous of David. “Who knows how to play” means that he knows how to ask complex and germane questions about Torah matters. “A fine warrior” means that he knows how to answer questions raised with regard to matters of Torah. “A man of war,” means that he knows to negotiate his way in the battle to understand the Torah. “A comely man” is one who displays understanding in facets of halakha and explains it well. “And prudent in speech [davar]” means that he infers one matter [davar] from another matter. “And the Lord is with him” means that the halakha is ruled in accordance with his opinion in every area of halakha. The Gemara relates: In response to all of these virtues listed in praise of David, Saul said to his servants: My son Jonathan is his equal. Once Doeg said to Saul: “And the Lord is with him,” meaning that the halakha is ruled in accordance with his opinion in every area of halakha, a matter that did not apply even to Saul himself, he was offended and grew jealous of David. As with regard to Saul it is written: “And wherever he turned he put them to the worse” (I Samuel 14:47), and with regard to David it is written: And wherever he turns he does prosper. Although the verse about Saul is referring to his victories and his prominence in Torah, he was not privileged to have all of his conclusions accepted as halakha. The Gemara asks: From where do we derive that it was Doeg who listed the virtues in this verse? The Gemara answers that it is written here: “And one [eḥad] of the servants answered,” meaning the most notable [meyuḥad] of the servants. And it is written there: “And a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord, and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul” (I Samuel 21:8). The Messiah was blessed with six virtues, as it is written: “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2); and it is written: “And his delight [vahariḥo] shall be the fear of the Lord, and he shall neither judge after the sight of his eyes, nor decide after the hearing of his ears” (Isaiah 11:3). Rabbi Alexandri says that the term hariḥo teaches that God burdened the Messiah with mitzvot and afflictions like millstones [reiḥayim]. Rava says that hariḥo teaches that the Messiah will smell [demoraḥ] and then judge on that basis, sensing who is right, as it is written: “And he shall neither judge after the sight of [lemareh] his eyes, nor decide after the hearing of his ears; and with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:3–4). The Gemara relates: Bar Koziva, i.e., bar Kokheva, ruled for two and a half years. He said to the Sages: I am the Messiah. They said to him: With regard to the Messiah it is written that he is able to smell and judge, so let us see ourselves whether he, bar Kokheva, is able to smell and judge. Once they saw that he was not able to smell and judge, the gentiles killed him. Six virtues were ascribed to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, as it is written in their regard: “Youths in whom was found no blemish, and well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and discerning in knowledge, and perceptive in understanding, and who had strength in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase “in whom was found no blemish”? Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina says: Even a scratch like the wound that remains after bloodletting was not found in them. What is the meaning of the phrase “and who had strength in them to stand in the king’s place”? What strength is needed to do so? Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: This teaches that they would force themselves to refrain from laughter, and from conversation, and from sleep, and would restrain themselves when they felt the urge to relieve themselves via their orifices, due to fear of the monarchy. § The Gemara explores more of their attributes. The verse states: “Now among these were, of the descendants of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah” (Daniel 1:6). Rabbi Eliezer says: They were all of the descendants of Judah. And Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says: Daniel was of the descendants of Judah, and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were descendants of other tribes. Isaiah prophesied to Hezekiah: “And of your sons that shall issue from you, they shall be taken away; and they shall be officers [sarisim] in the palace of the king of Babylonia” (Isaiah 39:7). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of sarisim? Rav says: It means literally eunuchs, whom the Babylonians castrated to render them suitable for employment in all aspects of the king’s service. And Rabbi Ḥanina says: It means that idol worship was emasculated during their lifetime, as it became clear to all that it lacks substance. The Gemara asks: Granted, according to the one who says that idol worship was emasculated during their lifetime, that is as it is written: “And they have no hurt” (Daniel 3:25), indicating that the bodies of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were intact and they were not castrated. But according to the one who says that they were literally eunuchs, what is the meaning of the phrase “And they have no hurt”? The Gemara answers: It means they had no hurt from the fire of the furnace, not that their bodies were completely intact. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it already written: “Nor had the odor of fire passed over them” (Daniel 3:27)? There was no need to repeat that they were unaffected by the fire. The Gemara answers: This means that there was neither hurt from the fire nor harm from the odor of the fire. The Gemara asks: Granted, according to the one who says that idol worship was emasculated during their lifetime, that is as it is written: “For so says the Lord to the sarisim who observe My Shabbatot, and choose what pleases Me, and keep My covenant” (Isaiah 56:4). This verse calls them sarisim due to their miraculous deliverance from the furnace. But according to the one who says that they were literally eunuchs, would the verse speak in denigration of the righteous? Would the verse identify Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah by their blemish rather than by their names? The Gemara answers: According to the one who says that they were literally eunuchs, both this, the physical imperfection, and that, the fact that idol worship was emasculated during their lifetime, were true concerning them. The Gemara asks from another perspective: Granted, according to the one who says that they were literally eunuchs, that is as it is written in the next verse: “And to them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial better than sons and daughters: I will give him an everlasting name, that shall not be excised” (Isaiah 56:5). But according to the one who says that idol worship was emasculated during their lifetime, what is the meaning of the phrase “better than sons and daughters”? Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: It is consolation concerning children that they already had and who died, that they would also be memorialized. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase “an everlasting name that shall not be excised”? Rabbi Tanḥum says that bar Kappara taught in Tzippori: This is referring to the book of Daniel, which is called by his name. § Apropos books of the Bible named for a prominent person, the Gemara asks: Now with regard to all the matters of the book of Ezra, Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah, said them and wrote most of them; and with regard to Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah, what is the reason that a book was not called by his name? Over the course of many generations, extending many years after the talmudic period, the book that is today named for Nehemiah was not a separate book and was included in the book of Ezra. Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says: The book was not named for Nehemiah because he took credit for himself and boasted about his good deeds, as it is stated: “Remember me, God, for good” (Nehemiah 13:31). The Gemara asks: Is that a shortcoming? King David also said: “Remember me, Lord, when You show favor to Your people; visit me with Your salvation” (Psalms 106:4). The Gemara answers: David was asking for compassion and formulated his words as a prayer. Nehemiah stated them as a fact and a demand. Rav Yosef says: Nehemiah was punished because he spoke in denigration of his predecessors, as it is stated: “But the former governors who were before me placed burdens upon the people, and took from them for bread and wine beyond forty shekels of silver; even their servants ruled over the people; but I did not do so, due to the fear of God” (Nehemiah 5:15). And he related these disparaging statements even about Daniel, who was greater than he was. The Gemara asks: From where do we derive that Daniel was greater than he was? The Gemara answers: It is derived from a verse, as it is written: “And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, and the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide” (Daniel 10:7). The Gemara asks: “And the men who were with me did not see the vision”; and who were these men? Rabbi Yirmeya, and some say Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, says: That is referring to Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, who were with him and did not see. Evidently, Daniel was greater than these prophets, and all the more so was he greater than Nehemiah, who was never privileged to prophesy. Apropos Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, the Gemara notes: In certain respects, the latter three were greater than Daniel, and in certain respects, Daniel was greater than the latter three. They were greater than he, as they were prophets and he was not a prophet. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were designated to transmit their visions of God to the Jewish people, but Daniel was not designated to share his visions with others. And he was greater than they, as he saw this vision, and they did not see this vision. The Gemara asks: And since they did not see the vision, what is the reason that they were frightened? The Gemara answers: Although they did not see the vision, their guardian angels saw it, and they were overcome with fear and fled. Ravina said: Conclude from it that in the case of this person who becomes frightened with no apparent cause, although he does not see what causes his fear, his guardian angel sees it. What is his remedy? Let him leap four cubits from his current location to distance himself from the perceived danger. Alternatively, let him recite Shema, which will afford him protection. And if he is standing in a place of filth, where it is prohibited to recite verses from the Torah, let him say this formula: The goat of the slaughterhouse is fatter than I, and let the demon harm the goat instead. § Apropos Hezekiah, the Gemara cites that which is stated: “That the government may be increased [lemarbe] and of peace there be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it through justice and through righteousness, from now and forever; the zeal of the Lord of hosts does perform this” (Isaiah 9:6). Rabbi Tanḥum says that bar Kappara taught in Tzippori: Due to what reason is it that every letter mem in the middle of a word is open and this mem, of the word lemarbe, is closed? In the Masoretic text, the letter mem in the word “lemarbe” is written in the form of a mem that appears at the end of a word, closed on all four sides. This is because the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to designate King Hezekiah as the Messiah and to designate Sennacherib and Assyria, respectively, as Gog and Magog, all from the prophecy of Ezekiel with regard to the end of days (Ezekiel, chapter 38), and the confrontation between them would culminate in the final redemption. The attribute of justice said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, and if with regard to David, king of Israel, who recited several songs and praises before You, You did not designate him as the Messiah, then with regard to Hezekiah, for whom You performed all these miracles, delivering him from Sennacherib and healing his illness, and he did not recite praise before You, will You designate him as the Messiah? It is for that reason that the mem was closed, because there was an opportunity for redemption that was thwarted. Immediately, the earth began and stated before Him: Master of the Universe, I will recite song before You in place of that righteous person, i.e., Hezekiah, and designate him as the Messiah. The earth began and recited a song before Him, as it is stated: “From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs: Glory to the righteous. But I said, my secret is mine, my secret is mine, woe unto me. The treacherous deal treacherously; the treacherous deal very treacherously” (Isaiah 24:16). The angel appointed to oversee the world said before Him: Master of the Universe, perform the will of this righteous person. A Divine Voice emerged and said: “My secret is Mine, My secret is Mine”; this matter will remain secret, as I am not yet bringing the redemption. The prophet said: “Woe unto me,” woe unto me; until when will the exile continue? A Divine Voice emerged and said: “The treacherous deal treacherously; the treacherous deal very treacherously” (Isaiah 24:16). And Rava, and some say Rabbi Yitzḥak, says: Until looters and looters of looters come, the Messiah will not come. On a similar note, Isaiah said: “The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir: Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The Watchman said: The morning comes and also the night; if you will inquire, inquire; return, come” (Isaiah 21:11–12). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: That angel, who is appointed over the spirits [seirim], his name is Dumah. All the spirits assembled near Dumah and said to him: “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? Does God, Guardian of Israel, say that the time for redemption has arrived?” The angel answered: “The Watchman said: The morning comes and also the night; if you will inquire, inquire; return, come.” The Holy One, Blessed be He, said that the morning of redemption has come as well as the night of the exile. If you inquire and seek repentance, inquire and repent, and return to God and redemption will come. It was taught in the name of Rabbi Pappeyas: It is a disgrace for Hezekiah and his associates that they did not recite a song themselves and that a song was not recited until the earth began and recited a song, as it is stated: “From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs: Glory to the righteous” (Isaiah 24:16). On a similar note, you say: “And Jethro said: Blessed be the Lord, Who has delivered you out of the hand of Egypt and out of the hand of Pharaoh” (Exodus 18:10). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Pappeyas: It is a disgrace for Moses and the six hundred thousand adult men of the children of Israel whom he led out of Egypt that they did not say: Blessed, until Yitro came and said: “Blessed be the Lord.” It is written in the previous verse: “Vayyiḥad Yitro for all the goodness that the Lord had done to Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of Egypt” (Exodus 18:9). Rav and Shmuel disagreed with regard to the meaning of vayyiḥad. Rav says: He passed a sharp [ḥad] sword over his flesh, i.e., he circumcised himself and converted. And Shmuel says: He felt as though cuts [ḥiddudim] were made over his flesh, i.e., he had an unpleasant feeling due to the downfall of Egypt. Rav says with regard to this statement of Shmuel that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: With regard to a convert, for ten generations after his conversion one should not disparage a gentile before him and his descendants, as they continue to identify somewhat with gentiles and remain sensitive to their pain. § The verse states: “Therefore shall the Master, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones [mishmanav] leanness” (Isaiah 10:16). What is the meaning of the phrase “send among his fat ones leanness”? The meaning is that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Let Hezekiah, who has eight [shemona] names, come, and exact retribution from Sennacherib, who has eight names. The Gemara elaborates: The eight names of Hezekiah are as it is written: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government is upon his shoulder; and his name is called Pele Joez El Gibbor Abi Ad Sar Shalom” (Isaiah 9:5). The Gemara asks: But isn’t there an additional name, Hezekiah? The Gemara explains: That was not a given name; rather, it is an appellation based on the fact that God strengthened him [ḥizzeko]. Alternatively, he was called Hezekiah due to the fact that he strengthened the devotion of the Jewish people to their Father in Heaven. The eight names of Sennacherib are as it is written in his regard among the kings of Assyria: “Tiglath-Pileser” (II Kings 15:29), “Tiglath-Pilneser” (II Chronicles 28:20), “Shalmaneser” (II Kings 17:3), “Pul” (II Kings 15:19), “Sargon” (Isaiah 20:1), and “the great and noble Asenappar” (Ezra 4:10). And the Gemara asks: But isn’t there an additional name, Sennacherib [Sanḥeriv]? The Gemara explains: That was not a given name; rather, it is an appellation based on the fact that his speech is contentious [siḥato riv], leading to quarrel and shame. Alternatively, he was called Sanḥeriv due to the fact that he spoke [saḥ] and snorted out [niḥer] contemptuous statements vis-à-vis the Transcendent. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what reason was that wicked person privileged to be named “the great and noble Asenappar”? It was due to the fact that he did not speak [sipper] in disparagement of Eretz Yisrael, as it is stated: “Until I come and take you to a land like your own” (II Kings 18:32), and he did not say that he was taking them to a superior land. Rav and Shmuel disagreed with regard to that statement of Sennacherib: One says he was a clever king and one says he was a foolish king. According to the one who says he was a clever king, he said that he is taking them to a land like their own, as he thought: If I say to them: I am taking you to a land that is superior to your land, they will say: You are lying. And as for the one who says he was a foolish king, he explains: If so, if he said that he is not taking them to a superior land, what is his greatness and how would they be convinced to go into exile? The Gemara asks: To where did Sennacherib exile the ten tribes? Mar Zutra says: He exiled them to Afrikei, and Rabbi Ḥanina says: To the Selug Mountains. The Gemara adds: But those exiled from the kingdom of Israel spoke in disparagement of Eretz Yisrael and extolled the land of their exile. When they arrived at one place, they called it Shosh, as they said: It is equal [shaveh] to our land. When they arrived at another place, they called it Almin, as they said: It is like our world [almin], as Eretz Yisrael is also called beit olamim. When they arrived at a third place they called it Shosh the second [terei], as they said: For one measure of good in Eretz Yisrael, there are two [terein] here. The Gemara cites additional verses written with regard to Sennacherib. “And beneath his glory shall be kindled a blaze like the blaze of a fire” (Isaiah 10:16). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: A blaze was kindled beneath his glory, but it was not actually kindled on his glory. The blaze consumed the bodies of the troops of Sennacherib beneath their garments, which were referred to as glory, as in that practice of Rabbi Yoḥanan, who would call his garments: My glory. Rabbi Elazar says: It means beneath his actual glory, i.e., the blaze consumed their souls, and their flesh was not consumed, like the burning of the sons of Aaron. Just as there, the death of the sons of Aaron entailed the burning of the soul, and the body remained intact, so too here, the death of the troops of Sennacherib entailed the burning of the soul, and the body remained intact. It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa: With regard to Pharaoh, who himself blasphemed God, the Holy One, Blessed be He, Himself exacted retribution from him. With regard to Sennacherib, who blasphemed God by means of an agent, the Holy One, Blessed be He, exacted retribution from him by means of an agent. Pharaoh blasphemed God, as it is written that he said to Moses and Aaron: “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” (Exodus 5:2) The Holy One, Blessed be He, Himself exacted retribution from him, as it is written: “And the Lord overthrew Egypt in the midst of the sea” (Exodus 14:27), and it is written: “You have trodden through the sea with Your horses” (Habakkuk 3:15). Sennacherib blasphemed God by means of an agent, as it is written: “By your messengers you have taunted the Lord” (II Kings 19:23). The Holy One, Blessed be He, exacted retribution from him by means of an agent, as it is written: “Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand” (II Kings 19:35). Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa raises a contradiction. It is written that Sennacherib said: “And I will enter into its farthest height” (Isaiah 37:24), and it is written in a parallel verse that he said: “And I have entered into its farthest lodge” (II Kings 19:23). The Gemara resolves the contradiction. That wicked person said: Initially, I will destroy the earthly dwelling place below, i.e., the Temple, its farthest lodge, and thereafter, I will destroy the heavenly dwelling place above, its farthest height. § Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: What is the meaning of that which is written in the statement of Rab-shakeh, emissary of Sennacherib: “Have I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me: Go up against this land and destroy it” (II Kings 18:25). What is this command to destroy the land? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi explains: It is referring to the fact that he heard the prophet who said: “Since the people rejected the waters of Shiloah that flow slowly and rejoice with Rezin and the son of Remaliah. Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them…the king of Assyria” (Isaiah 8:6–7). Rav Yosef says: Were it not for the Aramaic translation of this verse I would not know what it is saying. It is translated: Since this people loathed the reign of the house of David that led them gently, like the waters of the Shiloah, which flow gently, and they preferred Rezin and the son of Remaliah, who were kings from the northern kingdom of Israel. And the verse continues: “Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them…the king of Assyria.” Rabbi Yoḥanan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked, but He blesses the habitation of the just” (Proverbs 3:33)? “The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked”; this is a reference to Pekah, son of Remaliah, who would eat forty se’a of fledglings for dessert and would still not be satiated, as his property was cursed. “But He blesses the habitation of the just”; this is a reference to Hezekiah, king of Judea, who would eat a litra of vegetables at his meal and was satiated, as his property was blessed. It is written in the verse: “Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up upon them the strong and abundant waters of the river, the king of Assyria” (Isaiah 8:7). And it is written: “And he shall sweep through Judea; he shall inundate and pass through, reaching even the neck” (Isaiah 8:8). Rab-shakeh alluded to that prophecy when he said in the verse in Kings that the Lord said to destroy the land. The Gemara asks: But what is the reason that Sennacherib was punished if he was merely fulfilling God’s command? The Gemara answers: The prophet prophesied about the destruction of the kingdom of Israel and the exile of the ten tribes, but he directed his attention to destroy all of Jerusalem. The prophet came and said to him: “For there is no weariness [mu’af ] that is set [mutzak] against her” (Isaiah 8:23). Rabbi Elazar bar Berekhya says that the verse is interpreted homiletically: A nation that is weary [ayef ] from its constant engagement in Torah study is not delivered into the hands of one who oppresses [metzik] it. What is the meaning of the continuation of the verse, which states: “Now the former has lightly afflicted [hakel] the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali but the latter has dealt a more grievous blow [hikhbid] by way of the sea, beyond the Jordan in the district [gelil] of the nations”? The generation in Judea in the time of Hezekiah is not like the former generation of Ahaz, who eased [hekellu] the yoke of Torah from upon the people. But the latter generation of Hezekiah, who intensified [hikhbidu] the yoke of Torah upon the people, is fit for God to perform a miracle for them like the miracles performed for those who crossed the Red Sea and those who trod through the Jordan River. God is saying: If Sennacherib reconsiders his planned conquest, good, but if he does not, I will render him wallowing [galil] in shame among the nations. The verse states: “After these matters and this truth, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came and entered Judea and encamped against the fortified cities and sought to breach them for himself” (II Chronicles 32:1). The Gemara asks: Is this gift [rishna], the invasion of Sennacherib, appropriate compensation for that gift [pardashna], Hezekiah’s restoration of the Temple and the worship of God in Judea? The Gemara explains: When the verse states: “After these matters and this truth [emet],” after what matters is the verse referring to? Ravina says: This is referring to after the Holy One, Blessed be He, preempted and took an oath, referenced with the term emet, that He will deliver the spoils of the army of the king of Assyria into the hands of Hezekiah. And this was because He had said: If I say to Hezekiah: I will bring Sennacherib and I will deliver him into your hands; he will then say: I neither want him delivered into my hands nor do I want the accompanying fear of him. Immediately, the Holy One, Blessed be He, preempted Hezekiah and took an oath: I take an oath that I will deliver him, as it is stated: “The Lord of hosts has taken an oath, saying: Is it not as I imagined it, so has it come to pass; and as I have proposed, so shall it arise, that I will break Assyria in My land, and upon My mountains subdue him [avusennu]; then shall his yoke depart from them, and his burden depart from its shoulder” (Isaiah 14:24–25). Rabbi Yoḥanan says that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Sennacherib and his entourage shall come and be transformed into a feeding trough [evus], in the sense of a source of sustenance for Hezekiah and his entourage. § It is stated with regard to the downfall of Assyria: “And it shall come to pass on that day, his burden shall be taken from on your shoulder, and his yoke from on your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed due to fatness [shamen]” (Isaiah 10:27). Rabbi Yitzḥak Nappaḥa says: The yoke of Sennacherib was destroyed due to the oil [shemen] of Hezekiah that would burn in the synagogues and study halls when the Jewish people were engaged in Torah study at night. What did Hezekiah do to ensure Torah study? He inserted a sword at the entrance of the study hall and said: Anyone who does not engage in Torah study shall be stabbed with this sword. As a result, they searched from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, and did not find an ignoramus. They searched from Gevat to Antipatris and did not find a male child, or a female child, or a man, or a woman who was not expert even in the complex halakhot of ritual purity and impurity. And it is about that generation that the prophet says: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young calf and two sheep. And it shall come to pass, from the abundance of milk that they produce, he shall eat butter, for butter and honey shall everyone eat, everyone who remains in the midst of the land” (Isaiah 7:21–22). And the prophet continues and says: “And it shall come to pass in that day that every place where there were one thousand vines for one thousand silver coins, it shall be for briars and thorns” (Isaiah 7:23). Although one thousand vines are worth one thousand silver coins and one could earn substantial profits through agricultural labor, the fields will grow briars and thorns due to neglect. The people of that generation were devoted to the study of Torah and engaged in labor only minimally to sustain themselves. It is written: “And your spoils shall be gathered like the gathering of the locusts; as the advance of the locusts shall he advance” (Isaiah 33:4). The prophet said to the Jewish people: Gather your spoils from the army of Sennacherib. They said to him: Are we to pillage the spoils, each person for himself, or are we to divide the spoils with the monarchy? He said to them: Gather the spoils like the gathering by the locusts. Just as in the gathering by the locusts, each and every one of the locusts takes food for itself, so too, in gathering your spoils, each and every one of you shall take spoils for himself. They said to him: Since the army of Sennacherib came to Jerusalem after its conquest of the kingdom of Israel, isn’t the property of the ten tribes intermingled with it, and therefore, gathering the spoils would be robbery? He said to them: “As the advance of the locusts [gevim] shall he advance” (Isaiah 33:4). Just as these pools of water elevate a person up from a state of ritual impurity to a state of purity through immersion, so too the property of the Jewish people, once it falls into the hands of gentiles, it immediately purifies the property, in the sense that it is no longer considered robbery to take it, as its owners despair of its recovery. This is in accordance with the statement of Rav Pappa, as Rav Pappa says: The property of Ammon and Moab was purified through the conquest of Sihon. Although the Torah rendered it prohibited to conquer the land of Ammon and Moab, once Sihon conquered their land, it was permitted for the Jewish people to conquer it. § Rav Huna says: That wicked Sennacherib traveled ten journeys on that day, as it is stated: “He is come to Aiath, he is passed through Migron; at Michmas he deposited his baggage. They passed [averu] Mabara; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah trembles; Gibeath Shaul has fled. Cry with a shrill voice, daughter of Gallim; hearken, Laish; poor Anathoth. Madmenah is in flight; the inhabitants of Gebim flee to cover. This very day shall he halt at Nov; he shall shake his hand against the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem” (Isaiah 10:28–32). He traveled to all these places on the same day. The Gemara asks: Aren’t these more than ten? The Gemara answers that in the verse: “Cry with a shrill voice, daughter of Gallim,” it is the prophet who is saying it to the congregation of Israel: “Cry with a shrill voice, daughter of Gallim,” daughter of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who performed mitzvot as numerous as the waves of the sea. “Hearken, Laish”; from this king, Sennacherib, fear not; but fear Nebuchadnezzar, the wicked who is likened to a lion, as it is stated: “The lion [arye] is gone up from its thicket” (Jeremiah 4:7). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: “Poor [aniyya] Anathoth” (Isaiah 10:30)? Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, is destined to prophesy about Nebuchadnezzar from Anathoth, as it is written: “The statements of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin” (Jeremiah 1:1). The Gemara asks: Are these matters comparable? There, in Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar is called ari, as the verse refers to him with the term arye, and here, in Isaiah, Nebuchadnezzar is called laish. The Gemara explains that the verses are not contradictory, as Rabbi Yoḥanan says: There are six Hebrew terms for the lion, and they are: Ari, kefir, lavi, layish, shaḥal, shaḥatz. The Gemara challenges: If it is so that this verse is unrelated to the journeys of Sennacherib, then the places listed in the verse are too few, as there are not ten. The Gemara explains: Averu and Mabara are in fact the names of two separate places. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: “This very day shall he halt at Nov” (Isaiah 10:32)? Rav Huna says: That was the final day that remained from the punishment that the Jewish people received from the sin of Nov (see I Samuel, chapter 22). The astrologers said to Sennacherib: If you go and conquer them now, you will overcome the Jewish people; and if not, you will not overcome the Jewish people. The Gemara relates: He walked and traversed in one day a road upon which one must walk for ten days in order to traverse it. When they arrived in Jerusalem they cast mats [bistarkei] for Sennacherib and piled them high until he ascended and sat above the wall, to the extent that he was able to see the entire city of Jerusalem. When he saw it, it seemed small in his eyes and he said: Is this the city of Jerusalem for which I have disrupted all my camps and for which I have conquered all these countries? Is it smaller and weaker than all the cities of the nations that I have conquered with my might? He went up and shook his head in contempt, and dismissively waved his hand at the Temple Mount that is in Zion and at the courtyard that is in Jerusalem. His officers said to him: Let us attack now and begin the conquest of Jerusalem. Sennacherib said to them: You are weary. Tomorrow, each and every one of you will bring me a piece of a stone from the wall equivalent in size to the seal [gulmo harag] of a letter, and this will suffice to breach the wall and vanquish the city. The verse recounts that immediately: “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when men arose in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses” (II Kings 19:35). Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: When quarrel lies and is delayed overnight, the quarrel is nullified. Since Jerusalem was not conquered that day, the decree was voided. § Apropos the massacre of Nov, the Gemara relates: “And Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of brass; and he was girded with new armor and planned to slay David” (II Samuel 21:16). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of Ishbibenob? Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: This is a man [ish] who came to punish David over matters of Nov. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to David: Until when will this sin be concealed in your hand without punishment? Through your actions the inhabitants of Nov, the city of priests, were massacred, and through your actions, Doeg the Edomite was banished from the World-to-Come, and through your actions Saul and his three sons were killed. God said to David: Your arrival in Nov and your misleading Ahimelech the priest generated the chain of events, and therefore you must be punished. You may choose the punishment. Is it your desire that your descendants will cease to exist or that you will be handed to the enemy? David said before Him: Master of the Universe, it is preferable that I will be handed to the enemy and my descendants will not cease to exist. One day David went to hunt with a falcon [liskor bazzai]. Satan came and appeared to him as a deer. He shot an arrow at the deer, and the arrow did not reach it. Satan led David to follow the deer until he reached the land of the Philistines. When Ishbibenob saw David he said: This is that person who killed Goliath, my brother. He bound him, doubled him over, and placed him on the ground, and then he cast him under the beam of an olive press to crush him. A miracle was performed for him, and the earth opened beneath him so he was not crushed by the beam. That is the meaning of that which is written: “You have enlarged my steps beneath me, that my feet did not slip” (Psalms 18:37). The Gemara relates: That day at dusk on Shabbat eve, Abishai ben Zeruiah shampooed his hair with four jugs of water in preparation for Shabbat. He saw four bloodstains. There are those who say: A dove came and fluttered its wings before him. Abishai said: The congregation of Israel is likened to a dove, as it is stated: “You shall shine as the wings of a dove covered with silver and her pinions with yellow gold” (Psalms 68:14); conclude from it that David, king of Israel, is in a state of distress. He came to David’s house and did not find him. Abishai said that we learned in a mishna (22a): One may not ride on the king’s horse, and one may not sit on his throne, and one may not use his scepter. In a period of danger, what is the halakha? He came and asked in the study hall what the ruling is in that situation. They said to him: In a period of danger one may well do so. He mounted the king’s mule and arose and went to the land of the Philistines. The land miraculously contracted for him and he arrived quickly. As he was progressing he saw Orpah, Ishbibenob’s mother, who was spinning thread with a spindle. When she saw him, she removed her spindle and threw it at him, intending to kill him. After failing to do so, she said to Abishai: Young man, bring me my spindle. He threw the spindle and struck her at the top of her brain and killed her. When Ishbibenob saw him, he said: Now they are two, David and Abishai, and they will kill me. He threw David up in the air, and stuck his spear into the ground. He said: Let David fall upon it and die. Abishai recited a sacred name of God and suspended David between heaven and earth so that he would not fall. The Gemara asks: And let David himself recite the name of God and save himself. Why did he need Abishai? The Gemara answers: A prisoner does not release himself from a prison but requires someone else to release him. Similarly, one in danger is incapable of rescuing himself. Abishai said to David: What do you seek here and why did you fall into Ishbibenob’s hands? David said to him: This is what the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to me, and this is what I responded to Him; the time to submit to my enemy has arrived. Abishai said to him: Reverse your prayer and pray that your descendants will cease to exist rather than that you will be handed to the enemy, in accordance with the adage that people say: Let your son’s son be a poor peddler and sell wax, and you will not suffer. Do not limit your expenses to leave an inheritance for your descendants. David said to him: If so, help me. That is the meaning of that which is written: “And Abishai, son of Zeruiah, came to his aid, and smote the Philistine and killed him” (II Samuel 21:17). Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: This means that he came to his aid in prayer. Abishai recited another sacred name of God and caused David to land safely after being suspended between heaven and earth, and they fled. Ishbibenob pursued them, intending to kill them. When they reached the place named Kuvi they said: The name of the place is an abbreviation for the phrase meaning: Stand and battle against him [kum beih]. When they reached a place called Bei Terei, David and Abishai said: With two [bitrei] cubs they killed the lion, meaning they expected to be successful. They said to Ishbibenob: Go find Orpah, your mother, in the grave. When they mentioned his mother’s name to him and told him she died, his strength diminished, and they killed him. The Gemara notes: It is after this that it is written: “Then David’s men took an oath to him saying: You shall not go with us to war anymore and you will not douse the lamp of Israel” (II Samuel 21:17). § The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to land contracting to shorten a journey: For three individuals the land contracted, and each one miraculously reached his destination quickly: Eliezer, servant of Abraham, and Jacob our forefather, and Abishai, son of Zeruiah. The Gemara elaborates: The case of Abishai, son of Zeruiah, is that which we said. The case of Eliezer, servant of Abraham, is as it is written: “And I came that day to the well” (Genesis 24:42). His intention was to say to the members of Rebecca’s family that on that day he left Canaan and on the same day he arrived, to underscore the miraculous nature of his undertaking on behalf of Abraham. The case of Jacob our forefather is as it is written: “And Jacob departed from Beersheba and went to Haran” (Genesis 28:10), and it is written thereafter, ostensibly after he arrived in Haran: “And he encountered [vayyifga] the place, and he slept there, for the sun had set” (Genesis 28:11). This means that when Jacob arrived at Haran, he said: Is it possible that I bypassed a place where my forefathers prayed and I did not pray there? He sought to return to Beit El. Once he contemplated in his mind to return, the land contracted for him, and immediately: “And he encountered the place,” indicating that he arrived there unexpectedly, sooner than he would have arrived without a miracle. Alternatively, encounter means nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “And you, do not pray on behalf of this nation, and do not raise on their behalf song and prayer, and do not encounter [tifga] Me, for I do not hear you” (Jeremiah 7:16). It is written: “And he slept there because the sun had set” (Genesis 28:11). After Jacob prayed and he sought to return to his travels, the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: This righteous man came to My inn. Will I allow him to take leave without sleeping here? Immediately the sun set, not at the proper time, and that is the meaning of that which is written with regard to Jacob: “And the sun shone for him when he passed Penuel” (Genesis 32:32). The Gemara asks: And did the sun shine only for him? But didn’t the sun shine for the entire world? Rather, Rabbi Yitzḥak says: The sun that set not at the proper time exclusively for him shone not at the proper time exclusively for him in order to rectify the disparity created by the premature sunset. Apropos David’s prayer that his descendants cease, the Gemara asks: And from where do we derive that David’s descendants ceased to exist? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “And Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, and she arose and destroyed all the royal descendants” (II Kings 11:1). The Gemara asks: But didn’t Joash remain alive, and therefore, not all of David’s descendants ceased to exist? The Gemara answers: There too, in the massacre in Nov, Abiathar, one of the priests, remained alive, as it is written: “And one of the sons of Ahimelech, son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped” (I Samuel 22:20). Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Were it not for the fact that Abiathar remained alive for Ahimelech, son of Ahitub, there would have been no remnant or refugee remaining from the descendants of David. § Apropos Sennacherib, Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Sennacherib the wicked came upon them with forty-five thousand men, sons of kings, sitting in carriages of gold, and with them were consorts and prostitutes, and with eighty thousand warriors each wearing a coat of mail, and with sixty thousand sword-bearers running before him, and the rest were cavalry. And likewise, when the four kings came upon Abraham to wage war in the land of Canaan (see Genesis, chapter 14), they brought forces of that magnitude. And likewise, forces of that magnitude are destined to come with Gog and Magog in the ultimate war. It was taught in a baraita: The length of the camp of Sennacherib was four hundred parasangs and the width of the necks of his horses side by side was forty parasangs. The total number of soldiers in his camp was 260 ten thousands, i.e., 2,600,000, minus one. Abaye asks: Is the tanna saying minus one unit of ten thousand, or minus one unit of one thousand, or minus one unit of one hundred or minus one? The Gemara concludes: The question shall stand unresolved. It was taught: The first set of soldiers in the army of Sennacherib crossed by swimming across the Jordan, as it is stated: “And he shall sweep through Judea; he shall overflow and pass” (Isaiah 8:8). Since the water level diminished with their crossing, the middle group of soldiers passed while standing upright, as it is stated: “It shall reach even the neck” (Isaiah 8:8). The last soldiers already kicked up dust with their feet, and they did not find water in the river to drink, and they had no water until they brought water from another place and drank it, as it is stated: “I dug and drank water” (Isaiah 37:25). The Gemara asks: But isn’t it written: “Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand. And when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses” (Isaiah 37:36)? Apparently, there were many fewer soldiers than the number listed in the baraita. Rabbi Abbahu says: These listed here are regiment leaders, who commanded numerous soldiers. Rav Ashi says: It is also precise in the formulation of the verse, as it is written: “Therefore shall the Master, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness” (Isaiah 10:16), indicating that it was the fat, i.e., significant, among them who were afflicted. Ravina says: The language is also precise in the formulation of another verse, as it is written: “And the Lord sent an angel, who obliterated the mighty men-at-arms and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefacedly to his own land. And when he came into the house of his God, his own offspring slew him there with a sword” (II Chronicles 32:21). The Gemara affirms: Conclude from it that the leaders of the regiment were the ones killed. The Gemara asks: With what did the angel strike them? Rabbi Eliezer says: He struck them by hand, as it is stated: “And Israel saw the great hand” (Exodus 14:31), where the term for hand, yad, is preceded by the definite article ha, indicating that this was the hand that was destined to exact retribution from Sennacherib. Rabbi Yehoshua says: He struck them with His finger, as it is stated: “And the sorcerers said to Pharaoh: This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:15), indicating that it is the finger that was destined to exact retribution from Sennacherib. Rabbi Eliezer, son of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, says that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Gabriel: Is your scythe honed? Gabriel said before Him: Master of the Universe, it is standing honed from the six days of Creation, as it is stated: “For they have fled from the swords, from the honed sword” (Isaiah 21:15). Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: That period was the season of the ripening of the fruit. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Gabriel: When you emerge to ripen the fruits, attend to the army of Assyria and destroy them, as it is stated: “As often as it passes through, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night; and the mere understanding of the report shall bring terror” (Isaiah 28:19), indicating that Gabriel was to kill them while engaged in another activity. Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: While on your path, appear before your enemy and afflict him. And there are those who say: The angel blew into the soldiers of the Assyrian army through their noses and they died, as it is stated: “When he blows upon them, and they wither” (Isaiah 40:24). Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says: The angel clapped his hands to them and they died, as it is stated: “I will also strike My hands together and I will assuage My anger” (Ezekiel 21:22). Rabbi Yitzḥak Nappaḥa says: He revealed ears for them and they were able to hear the songs of praise from the mouths of the celestial creatures drawing the chariot of God, and they died, as it is stated: “From Your exaltation the nations were scattered” (Isaiah 33:3), indicating that their death was caused by the revelation of God’s greatness. And how many of the soldiers remained alive? Rav says: Ten soldiers, as it is stated: “And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them” (Isaiah 10:19). And what number can a child easily write? It is the number ten, represented by the letter yod, which is the smallest letter. And Shmuel says: Nine remained, as it is stated: “And gleanings shall be left of him, as in the beating of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the branches of a fruitful tree” (Isaiah 17:6). Four and five total nine. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Fourteen remained, as it is stated: “Two or three…four or five,” which total fourteen. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Five remained: Sennacherib, and his two sons, and Nebuchadnezzar, and Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard. The fact that Nebuzaradan was among them is learned through tradition. Nebuchadnezzar was among them, as it is written that Nebuchadnezzar said when he saw an angel with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: “And the appearance of the fourth is like that of an angel” (Daniel 3:25). And if he had not seen the angel that smote Sennacherib’s army, from where would he have known that the fourth person looked like an angel? Sennacherib and his two sons were among them, as it is written later in their regard: “And it came to pass as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god that Adrammelech and Sarezer, his sons, smote him with the sword” (II Kings 19:37). Evidently, the three of them survived. § Rabbi Abbahu says: Were the following verse not written, it would have been impossible to say it, since it appears to be a desecration of the name of God, as it is written: “On that day shall the Lord shave with a hired razor in the parts beyond the river the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the legs, and it shall also sweep away the beard” (Isaiah 7:20). The blasphemous indication is that the Holy One, Blessed be He, will Himself shave Sennacherib. Rather, this is the incident depicted in the verse: The Holy One, Blessed be He, came and appeared to Sennacherib as an old man. God said to him: When you go to the kings of the east and the west whose children you brought and killed, what will you say to them? Sennacherib said to the Holy One, Blessed be He: That man, referring to himself, also sits overcome with the same fear, as I do not know what to say to them. Sennacherib said to the Holy One, Blessed be He: What should we do? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: Go and change your appearance so that they will not recognize you. Sennacherib asked him: With what shall I change it? God said to him: Go bring me scissors and I will shear you Myself. Sennacherib asked: From where should I bring the scissors? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: Go to that house and bring them. He went and found ministering angels, who came and appeared to Sennacherib as men; and the angels were grinding date pits. Sennacherib said to them: Give me scissors. The ministering angels said to him: Grind a se’a of pits and we will give it to you. He ground a se’a of pits and they gave him scissors. By the time he came back with the scissors it grew dark. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Sennacherib: Go and bring fire to provide light. Sennacherib went and brought fire. While he was fanning it, the fire ignited his beard and it spread and sheared his head and his beard. The Sages said: This is the meaning of that which is written: “And it shall also destroy the beard” (Isaiah 7:20). Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: If you scorch a gentile and it is pleasant for him, ignite a fire in his beard and you will never tire of ridiculing him. It means that if one does not protest when others ridicule him, they will escalate the ridicule. The adage is based upon this incident involving Sennacherib. Sennacherib went and found a beam from Noah’s ark, from which he fashioned a god. He said: This beam is the great god who delivered Noah from the flood. He said: If that man, referring to himself, goes and succeeds, he will sacrifice his two sons before you. His sons heard his commitment and killed him. This is the meaning of that which is written: “And it came to pass as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god that Adrammelech and Sarezer, his sons, smote him with the sword, and they fled to Ararat” (II Kings 19:37), where Noah’s ark had come to rest. The Gemara explains that this interpretation is based upon the etymological similarity between neser, the Hebrew term for beam, and Nisroch, the god that Sennacherib fashioned from a beam. § Apropos the war between the kings and Abraham mentioned above, the Gemara explains a verse: “And he pursued as far as Dan. And he divided himself against them by night [laila], he and his servants, and smote them” (Genesis 14:14–15). The term “by night” [laila] appears out of place in this verse. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: That angel that happened to come and assist Abraham in that war, Laila is his name, as it is stated: “And Laila said: A man-child is brought forth” (Job 3:3), indicating that there is an angel named Laila. And Rabbi Yitzḥak Nappaḥa says: God performed for him an act of night, i.e., the stars in heaven waged war on his behalf, as it is stated: “They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera” (Judges 5:20). Reish Lakish said: The statement of Rabbi Yitzḥak Nappaḥa, the smith, is preferable to the statement of the son of the smith, Rabbi Yoḥanan. With regard to the previous verse: “And he pursued as far as Dan” (Genesis 14:14), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Once that righteous person, Abraham, came to Dan, his strength weakened. He saw through the Divine Spirit that his descendants were destined to worship idols in Dan, as it is stated: “And he fashioned two calves of gold…and he set one in Bethel, and the other one he placed in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). And even that wicked person, Nebuchadnezzar, did not prevail until he reached Dan, as it is stated: “From Dan the snorting of his horses is heard” (Jeremiah 8:16). Rabbi Zeira says: Even though Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira sent a statement from Netzivin: Be vigilant with regard to treating with deference an elder who forgot his studies due to circumstances beyond his control, and be vigilant with regard to cutting the jugular veins when slaughtering an animal in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, and be vigilant with regard to treating with respect the children of ignoramuses, as from some of them Torah will emerge, we inform them of a message like this matter. The verse states: “Right would you be, Lord, were I to contend with You; yet will I reason with You: Why does the path of the wicked prosper; why are all who deal treacherously secure? You have planted them, they have also taken root; they grow, they also bring forth fruit” (Jeremiah 12:1–2). What did they respond to Jeremiah from heaven? “If you have run with the pedestrians, and they have wearied you, how can you contend with horses? And though in a land of peace you feel secure, how will you do in the wild country of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5). The Gemara interprets the verse according to its straightforward meaning. This is a parable of a person who said: I can run three parasangs before the horses in the swamplands. He encountered a pedestrian and ran before him for three mil on dry land and wearied. The people said to him: And if running before a pedestrian you grew so weary, then if you were to run before horses, all the more so would you become weary. And if after running three mil you grew so weary, then if you were to run three parasangs, four times that distance, all the more so would you become weary. And if after running on dry land you grew so weary, then if you were to run in the swamplands, all the more so would you become weary. The Gemara explains: So too, you, Jeremiah: And if with regard to the reward for four paces that I compensated that wicked person, Nebuchadnezzar, who ran in My honor, you are astonished at its magnitude, when I compensate Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who ran before Me like horses throughout their lives, all the more so will their reward be great. This teaches the potency of even a minor mitzva. That is the meaning of that which is written: “Concerning the prophets. My heart within me is broken; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man and like a man whom wine has overcome, due to the Lord and due to His sacred words” (Jeremiah 23:9). The Gemara asks: With regard to these four paces of Nebuchadnezzar, what is the incident to which the Gemara alludes? The Gemara answers that the incident is as it is written: “At that time Merodach-Baladan, son of Baladan, king of Babylonia, sent a letter and a gift to Hezekiah, as he had heard that he had been ill and was recovered” (Isaiah 39:1). The Gemara asks: Due to the fact that Hezekiah had been ill and was recovered, he sent him a letter and a gift? The Gemara answers: Yes, and he did so in order “to inquire of the wonder that was in the land” (II Chronicles 32:31). As Rabbi Yoḥanan says: On that day that Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, died, daylight lasted two hours, ten hours shorter than the standard day, so that the wicked Ahaz would be buried hurriedly, without the pomp typically accorded kings. And when Hezekiah fell ill and recovered, the Holy One, Blessed be He, restored those ten hours to Hezekiah, as it is written: “Behold, I will return the shadow of the dial, which descended on the sundial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which it had gone down” (Isaiah 38:8). Merodach said to his servants: What is this wonder that the day was extended? They said to him: Hezekiah fell ill and recovered, and the sun shone for him. Merodach said: There is a man like that and I do not need to send him greetings? The ministers of Merodach wrote to Hezekiah: Greetings to King Hezekiah, greetings to the city of Jerusalem, and greetings to the great God. Nebuchadnezzar was the scribe of Baladan, and at that time he was not there. When he came there he said to the other scribes: How did you write the king’s message? They said to him: We wrote this: Greetings to King Hezekiah, greetings to the city of Jerusalem, and greetings to the great God, as we were commanded. Nebuchadnezzar said to the scribes: You called him: The great God, and you wrote Him at the end of the list of greetings? He said: Rather, write this: Greetings to the great God, greetings to the city of Jerusalem, and greetings to King Hezekiah. The scribes said to Nebuchadnezzar: The one who reads the letter, let him be the messenger. You gave the advice; you correct the text. Nebuchadnezzar pursued the messenger to take the letter from him and revise it. When he ran four paces, the angel Gabriel came and stopped his pursuit. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If Gabriel had not come and stopped his pursuit there would have been no remedy for the enemies of the Jewish people, a euphemism for the Jewish people. Had Nebuchadnezzar succeeded in revising the letter, his reward would have been so great that he would have been able to destroy the Jewish people, as he desired. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of: Merodach-Baladan, son of Baladan? If his name was Merodach it was not Baladan. The Sages say: Baladan was a king, and his visage was transformed and became like that of a dog. His son was sitting on the throne in his stead and when he would write a letter he would write his name and the name of his father, King Baladan. That is the meaning of that which is written with regard to the honor accorded by gentiles to their fathers: “A son honors his father and a servant his master” (Malachi 1:6). The Gemara elaborates: “A son honors his father” is referring to that which we stated with regard to Baladan. “And a servant his master” is referring to a verse, as it is written: “And in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, who stood before the king of Babylonia, into Jerusalem. And he burned the House of the Lord, and the house of the king” (Jeremiah 52:12–13). The Gemara asks: And did Nebuchadnezzar ascend to Jerusalem? But isn’t it written with regard to Zedekiah: “And they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylonia, to Riblah” (II Kings 25:6), and Rabbi Abbahu says: This place called Riblah is a reference to Antioch. Apparently, Nebuchadnezzar was in Antioch, not in Jerusalem. Rav Ḥisda and Rav Yitzḥak bar Avudimi resolved this apparent contradiction. One says: An image of Nebuchadnezzar’s likeness was engraved on Nebuzaradan’s chariot, and he regarded that image as though Nebuchadnezzar were actually there. And one says: Nebuzaradan was in extreme fear of Nebuchadnezzar, and it was as though Nebuzaradan was always standing before Nebuchadnezzar. That is an example of the honor of a servant to his master mentioned in the verse. § The Gemara proceeds to discuss the role of Nebuzaradan in the destruction of the Temple. Rava says: Nebuchadnezzar sent to Nebuzaradan three hundred mules laden with iron axes that cut iron. All of them were incapacitated in the attempt to breach one gate of Jerusalem, as it is stated: “And now they pound its carved work together with hatchet and with hammers” (Psalms 74:6). Nebuzaradan sought to return to Babylonia and said: I am afraid. I want to ensure that they will not do to me just as they did to Sennacherib, whose downfall was in Jerusalem. A Divine Voice emerged and said: Leaper, son of a leaper; Nebuzaradan, take the leap, as the time has arrived for the Temple to be destroyed and the Sanctuary to burn. One ax remained for him to use. He went and struck the gate with the dull end of the ax and it opened, as it is stated: “He became known as the wielder of axes upward in a thicket of trees” (Psalms 74:5). At the appropriate time the gate was breached as though the ax were cutting trees. He was proceeding and killing until he reached the Sanctuary. When he reached the Sanctuary, he ignited a fire in it. The Sanctuary rose, seeking to enter Heaven so that it would not burn. They trod upon it from Heaven and returned it to its place, as it is stated: “The Lord has trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress” (Lamentations 1:15). Nebuzaradan became haughty, taking pride in his conquest. A Divine Voice emerged and said to him: Your haughtiness is unwarranted, as you killed a nation that was already dead, you burned a Sanctuary that was already burned, and you ground flour that was already ground, as it is stated with regard to Babylonia: “Take millstones and grind flour; uncover your locks, tuck up the train, uncover the leg, pass over rivers” (Isaiah 47:2). It was not stated: Grind wheat, but “grind flour,” indicating that all the destruction had already been wrought by God, and the role played by the enemy was insignificant. When he reached the Sanctuary, he saw the blood of Zechariah the priest boiling. It had not calmed since he was killed in the Temple (see II Chronicles 24:20–22). Nebuzaradan said to the priests there: What is this? They said to him: It is the blood of offerings that was spilled. Nebuzaradan said to them: Bring animals and I will test to determine if the blood of the animals is similar to the blood that is boiling. He slaughtered the animals and their blood was not similar to the boiling blood. Nebuzaradan said to the priests: Reveal the source of that blood to me, and if not I will comb your flesh with an iron comb. The priests said to Nebuzaradan: This blood is the blood of a priest and a prophet who prophesied for the Jewish people with regard to the destruction of Jerusalem and whom they killed. He said to the priests: I will pacify the blood so the boiling will stop. He brought the Sages and killed them over the blood and its boiling did not cease. He brought schoolchildren and killed them over the blood and its boiling did not cease. He brought young priests and killed them over the blood and its boiling did not cease. He continued killing until he killed 940,000 people over the blood, and its boiling did not cease. Nebuzaradan approached the blood and said: Zechariah, Zechariah, the worthy among them I killed on your behalf. Is it satisfactory for you that I kill them all? Immediately the boiling ceased. Nebuzaradan contemplated repentance. He said: If they, who caused only one person to perish, gained atonement only after all this killing, then with regard to that man, referring to himself, what will be required for him to gain atonement? He deserted his army and dispatched a last will to his house and converted. The Sages taught in a baraita: Naaman the Aramean (see II Kings, chapter 5) was a ger toshav, meaning that he accepted upon himself to refrain from idol worship but did not convert to Judaism. Nebuzaradan was a completely righteous convert. Among the descendants of Sisera (see Judges, chapter 4) were those who studied Torah in Jerusalem. Among the descendants of Sennacherib were those who taught Torah in public. The Gemara asks: And who are they? The Gemara answers: They were Shemaya and Avtalyon. The baraita continues: Among the descendants of Haman were those who studied Torah in Bnei Brak. And even among the descendants of that wicked person, Nebuchadnezzar, were those whom the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to bring beneath the wings of the Divine Presence and have them convert. The ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe: The one who destroyed Your House and burned Your Sanctuary, will You introduce him beneath the wings of the Divine Presence? The Gemara explains: That is the meaning of that which is written: “We have healed Babylonia, but she is not healed” (Jeremiah 51:9). Ulla says: This verse is a reference to Nebuchadnezzar, none of whose children converted. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says: This is not a reference to a person; rather, these are the rivers of Babylonia, and interpret it as referring to the bitter saltwater rivers of Babylonia. § On a related note, the Gemara describes the events that led to the destruction of the Temple. Ulla says: Ammon and Moab were bad neighbors of Jerusalem. Once they heard the prophets who prophesied about the destruction of the Jerusalem, they sent to Nebuchadnezzar: Emerge from your dwelling place and come conquer them. Nebuchadnezzar said to them: I am afraid. I want to ensure that they will not do to me just as they did to my predecessors. Ammon and Moab sent to him that it is written: “For the ish is not at home; he is gone on a long journey” (Proverbs 7:19), and ish is referring to no one but the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is an ish of war” (Exodus 15:3). Nebuchadnezzar sent to them in response: He is in a nearby location, and He will come. They sent to Nebuchadnezzar: “He has gone on a journey from afar” (Proverbs 7:19). Nebuchadnezzar said to them: They have righteous among them who will pray for mercy and bring Him to return. Ammon and Moab sent to Nebuchadnezzar: “He has taken a bundle of kesef with him” (Proverbs 7:20), and kesef is referring to nothing other than the righteous, as it is stated: “So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of kesef and for a kor of barley and a half-kor of barley” (Hosea 3:2). The inference is that God acquired the congregation of Israel due to the presence of righteous people among them, and Ammon and Moab sent a message to Nebuchadnezzar that God had already taken the righteous and they no longer offered protection. Nebuchadnezzar sent to them: Perhaps the wicked will repent and become righteous and they will pray for mercy and they will bring Him to return. Ammon and Moab sent to Nebuchadnezzar: God already designated the time of their redemption, as it is stated: “On the day of the keseh, He will come home” (Proverbs 7:20), and keseh is referring to nothing other than a designated time, as it is stated: “Sound a shofar at the New Moon, at the keseh on the day of our feast” (Psalms 81:4). Since there is a time designated for redemption, until then you can do as you please. Nebuchadnezzar sent to them: It is winter now and I cannot come and conquer Jerusalem due to the snow and the rain. Ammon and Moab sent to him: Come on the peaks of mountains, where the rain does not pool, as it is stated: “Send the lamb to the ruler of the land from the peaks of the wilderness to the mount of the daughter of Zion” (Isaiah 16:1). Nebuchadnezzar sent to them: If I come to Jerusalem, I will have no place to dwell while laying siege to the city. Ammon and Moab sent to him: Their burial caves are superior to your palaces, and you can clear the caves and dwell there, as it is written: “At that time, says the Lord, they shall remove the bones of the kings of Judea, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem from their graves; and they shall spread them before the sun and the moon and all of the hosts of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked” (Jeremiah 8:1–2). Ultimately Nebuchadnezzar came to conquer Judea and removed the corpses to make room for his army. § Rav Naḥman said to Rabbi Yitzḥak: Have you heard when the son of giants [bar niflei] will come? Rabbi Yitzḥak said to him: Who is the son of giants? Rav Naḥman said to him: He is the Messiah. Rabbi Yitzḥak asked him: Do you call the Messiah son of giants? Rav Naḥman said to him: Yes, as it is written: “On that day I will establish the Tabernacle of David that is fallen [hanofelet]” (Amos 9:11). That is why the Messiah is called bar nifli. Rabbi Yitzḥak said to him that this is what Rabbi Yoḥanan says: During the generation in which the Messiah, son of David, comes, Torah scholars decrease; and as for the rest of the people, their eyes fail with sorrow and grief, and troubles increase. And the harsh decrees will be introduced; before the first passes the second quickly comes. The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to the seven-year period, i.e., the Sabbatical cycle, during which the Messiah, son of David, comes: During the first year, this verse will be fulfilled: “And I will cause it to rain upon one city and cause it not to rain upon another city” (Amos 4:7). During the second year of that period, arrows of famine will be shot, indicating that there will be famine only in certain places. During the third year there will be a great famine, and men, women, children, the pious, and men of action will die, and the Torah is forgotten by those who study it. During the fourth year there will be plenty but not great plenty. During the fifth year there will be great plenty and they will eat, and drink, and rejoice, and the Torah will return to those who study it. During the sixth year, heavenly voices will be heard. During the Sabbatical Year, wars, e.g., the war of Gog and Magog, will be waged involving the Jewish people. During the year after the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the son of David will come. Rav Yosef said: Haven’t there been several Sabbatical cycles during which events transpired in that manner and nevertheless, the Messiah did not come? Abaye said: Have the phenomena: During the sixth year, heavenly voices, and during the Sabbatical Year, wars, transpired? And furthermore, have all these phenomena transpired in the order in which they were listed in the baraita? The verse states: “That Your enemies taunted, Lord, that they have taunted the footsteps of Your anointed” (Psalms 89:52). It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda says: During the generation that the son of David comes, the hall of the assembly of the Sages will be designated for prostitution, and the Galilee will be destroyed, and the Gavlan, i.e., Bashan, will be desolate, and the residents of the border who flee the neighboring gentiles will circulate from city to city and will receive no sympathy. The wisdom of scholars will diminish, and sin-fearing people will be despised. And the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog in its impudence and shamelessness. And the truth will be lacking, as it is stated: “And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet], and he who departs from evil is negated” (Isaiah 59:15). What is the meaning of the phrase: And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet]? The Sages of the study hall of Rav said: This teaches that truth will become like so many flocks [adarim] and walk away. What is the meaning of the phrase: “And he that departs from evil is negated”? The Sages of the study hall of Rabbi Sheila said: Anyone who deviates from evil is deemed insane by the people. § Concerning the lack of truth, Rava says: Initially I would say that there is no truth anywhere in the world. There was a certain one of the Sages, and Rav Tavut is his name, and some say Rav Tavyomei is his name, who was so honest that if they were to give him the entire world, he would not deviate from the truth in his statement. He said to me: One time I happened to come to a certain place, and Truth is its name, and its residents would not deviate from the truth in their statements, and no person from there would die prematurely. I married a woman from among them, and I had two sons from her. One day his wife was sitting and washing the hair on her head. Her neighbor came and knocked on the door. He thought: It is not proper conduct to tell the neighbor that his wife is bathing. He said to her: She is not here. Since he deviated from the truth his two sons died. The people residing in that place came before him and said to him: What is the meaning of this? He said to them: This was the nature of the incident, and told them what happened. They said to him: Please leave our place and do not provoke premature death upon these people. The Gemara resumes its discussion of the messianic period. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Nehorai says: During the generation in which the son of David comes, youths will humiliate elders and elders will stand in deference before youths, and a daughter will rebel against her mother, and a bride against her mother-in-law, and the face of the generation will be like the face of a dog, and a son will not be ashamed before his father. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Neḥemya says: During the generation that the son of David comes, arrogance will proliferate and the cost of living will corrupt people so they will engage in deceit. The vine will produce its fruit, and nevertheless, the wine will be costly. And the entire gentile monarchy will be converted to the heresy of Christianity, and there will be no inclination among the people to accept rebuke. This baraita supports the opinion of Rabbi Yitzḥak, as Rabbi Yitzḥak says: The son of David will not come until the entire kingdom will be converted to heresy. Rava says: What is the verse from which this statement is derived? It is the verse: “It is all turned white; he is ritually pure” (Leviticus 13:13). One is a leper and ritually impure only if he has a leprous mark, however small, but not if his skin is completely leprous. Similarly, the world will be redeemed only when the Jewish people reach their lowest point. The Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states: “For the Lord shall judge His people and atone for His servants, when He sees that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left” (Deuteronomy 32:36). From the phrase “their power is gone” it is derived that the son of David will not come until informers will proliferate. Alternatively, the Messiah will not come until the number of students of Torah diminishes. Alternatively, the Messiah will not come until the peruta will cease from the purse. Alternatively, the Messiah will not come until they despair from the redemption, as it is stated: “And there is none shut up or left,” as though there were no supporter or helper for the Jewish people. This is as in that practice of Rabbi Zeira, who, when he would find Sages who were engaging in discussions about the coming of the Messiah, said to them: Please, I ask of you, do not delay his coming by calculating the end of days. As we learn in a baraita: There are three matters that come only by means of diversion of attention from those matters, and these are they: The Messiah, a lost item, and a scorpion. § Rav Ketina says: Six thousand years is the duration of the world, and it is in ruins for one thousand years. The duration of the period during which the world is in ruins is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “And the Lord alone shall be exalted on that day” (Isaiah 2:11), and the day of God lasts one thousand years. Abaye says: It is in ruins for two thousand years, as it is stated: “After two days He will revive us; in the third day He will revive us, and we shall live in His presence” (Hosea 6:2). It is taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rav Ketina: Just as the Sabbatical Year abrogates debts once in seven years, so too, the world abrogates its typical existence for one thousand years in every seven thousand years, as it is stated: “And the Lord alone shall be exalted on that day,” and it states: “A psalm, a song for the Shabbat day” (Psalms 92:1), meaning a day, i.e., one thousand years, that is entirely Shabbat. And it says in explanation of the equation between one day and one thousand years: “For a thousand years in Your eyes are but like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night” (Psalms 90:4). The school of Eliyahu taught: Six thousand years is the duration of the world. Two thousand of the six thousand years are characterized by chaos; two thousand years are characterized by Torah, from the era of the Patriarchs until the end of the mishnaic period; and two thousand years are the period of the coming of the Messiah. That is the course that history was to take, but due to our many sins, the Messiah did not come after four thousand years passed, and furthermore, the years that elapsed since then, which were to have been the messianic era, have elapsed. Elijah the prophet said to Rav Yehuda, brother of Rav Sala Ḥasida: The world will exist no fewer than eighty-five Jubilee cycles, or 4,250 years. And during the final Jubilee, the son of David will come. Rav Yehuda said to Elijah: Will the Messiah come during the beginning of the Jubilee or during its end? Elijah said to Rav Yehuda: I do not know. Rav Yehuda asked: Will this last Jubilee cycle end before the Messiah comes or will it not yet end before his coming? Elijah said to him: I do not know. Rav Ashi says: This is what Elijah said to him: Until that time do not anticipate his coming; from this point forward anticipate his coming. Elijah did not inform Rav Yehuda of the date of the coming of the Messiah. Rav Ḥanan bar Taḥlifa sent a message to Rav Yosef: I found one man, and in his hand there was one scroll written in Ashurit script and in the sacred tongue, Hebrew. I said to him: From where did this scroll come into your possession? He said to me: I was hired to serve in the Roman army and I found the scroll among the Roman archives. It was clear that the scroll was written by Jews, not Romans. And it is written in the scroll: After 4,291 years have elapsed from the creation of the world, the world will end; during those years there will be the wars of the sea monsters between the leviathan and the animals, and among those years there will be the wars of Gog and Magog and the remaining years of the messianic period. Then the world will be destroyed. And the Holy One, Blessed be He, will renew His world only after the passage of seven thousand years. Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, says that it was stated: After the passage of five thousand years. § It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Natan says: This verse penetrates and descends until the depths; just as the depths are unfathomable, so too, the period depicted in the following verse is unquantifiable. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; and it declares of the end, and does not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3). The Messiah will come not in accordance with the opinion of our Rabbis, who would interpret the verse: “For a period and periods and a half period” (Daniel 7:25), to mean that the duration of the ultimate exile will be three and a half times the duration of the period of the exile in Egypt. And the Messiah will come not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Simlai, who would interpret the verse: “You have fed them with the bread of tears and have given them tears to drink in great measure [shalish]” (Psalms 80:6), to mean that the duration of the ultimate exile will be three times the duration of the period of the exile in Egypt. And the Messiah will come not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Akiva, who would interpret the verse: “Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth” (Haggai 2:6), to mean that the redemption would transpire soon after the destruction of the Temple. Rather, the first, great, Hasmonean monarchy ruled seventy years. The second kingdom, of Herod and his descendants, ruled fifty-two years, and the duration of the monarchy of bar Koziva, or bar Kokheva, was two and a half years. The duration of the exile that follows is unknown. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase “And it declares [veyafe’aḥ] of the end, and does not lie”? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: May those who calculate the end of days be cursed [tippaḥ], as they would say once the end of days that they calculated arrived and the Messiah did not come, that he will no longer come at all. Rather, the proper behavior is to continue to wait for his coming, as it is stated: “Though it tarry, wait for it.” Lest you say we are expectantly awaiting the end of days and the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not awaiting the end of days and does not want to redeem His people, the verse states: “And therefore will the Lord wait, to be gracious to you; and therefore will He be exalted, to have mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of judgment; happy are all they who wait for Him” (Isaiah 30:18). And seemingly, since we are awaiting the end of days and the Holy One, Blessed be He, is also awaiting the end of days, who is preventing the coming of the Messiah? It is the divine attribute of judgment that prevents his coming, as it is written: “For the Lord is a God of judgment,” and we are not worthy. And since the attribute of judgment prevents the coming of the Messiah and we are not worthy of redemption, why do we await his coming daily? We do so in order to receive a reward for awaiting his coming, as it is stated: “Happy are all they who wait for Him.” Apropos that verse, Abaye said: The world has no fewer than thirty-six righteous people in each generation who greet the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “Happy are all they who wait for Him [lo]” (Isaiah 30:18). The numerical value of lo, spelled lamed vav, is thirty-six. The Gemara asks: Is that so? But doesn’t Rava say: The row of the righteous before the Holy One, Blessed be He, extends eighteen thousand parasangs, as it is stated with regard to the city of God at the end of days: “It shall be eighteen thousand reeds round about, and the name of the city from that day shall be: The Lord is there” (Ezekiel 48:35)? The Gemara answers: It is not difficult; this statement of Abaye refers to the thirty-six righteous people who view the Divine Presence through a luminous crystal [be’ispaklarya], and that statement of Rava refers to the multitudes who view the Divine Presence through a crystal that is not luminous. The Gemara asks: And are those who view the Divine Presence through a crystal that is luminous so numerous? But doesn’t Ḥizkiyya say that Rabbi Yirmeya says in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yoḥai: I have seen members of the group of the spiritually prominent, who are truly righteous, and they are few. If they number one thousand, I and my son are among them. If they number one hundred, I and my son are among them; and if they number two, I and my son are they. Apparently, it is conceivable that there are no more than two who view the Divine Presence through a luminous crystal. The Gemara answers: It is not difficult. This statement of Abaye is referring to those who may enter to view the Divine Presence only by requesting and being granted permission [bar] from the angels. That statement of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai is referring to the select few who may enter to view the Divine Presence even without requesting permission, for whom the gates of Heaven are open at all times. § Rav says: All the ends of days that were calculated passed, and the matter depends only upon repentance and good deeds. When the Jewish people repent, they will be redeemed. And Shmuel says: It is sufficient for the mourner to endure in his mourning to bring about the coming of the Messiah. Even without repentance, they will be worthy of redemption due to the suffering they endured during the exile. The Gemara notes: This dispute is parallel to a dispute between tanna’im: Rabbi Eliezer says: If the Jewish people repent they are redeemed, and if not they are not redeemed. Rabbi Yehoshua said to him: If they do not repent, will they not be redeemed at all? Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will establish a king for them whose decrees are as harsh as those issued by Haman, and the Jewish people will have no choice but to repent, and this will restore them to the right path. It is taught in another baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: If the Jewish people repent they are redeemed, as it is stated: “Return, wayward children, I will heal your iniquities” (Jeremiah 3:22). Rabbi Yehoshua said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “So says the Lord: You were sold for naught, and without money you shall be redeemed” (Isaiah 52:3)? Rabbi Yehoshua explains: “You were sold for naught” means you were sold for idol worship, which is a sin with no basis. “And without money you shall be redeemed” means you will be redeemed not through repentance and good deeds, but through the will of God. Rabbi Eliezer said to Rabbi Yehoshua: But isn’t it already stated: “Return to me and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7)? Rabbi Yehoshua said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “For I have taken you to Myself; and I will take you one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion” (Jeremiah 3:14), unconditionally? Rabbi Eliezer said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “In ease [beshuva] and rest shall you be saved” (Isaiah 30:15), indicating that redemption is dependent upon repentance [teshuva]? Rabbi Yehoshua said to Rabbi Eliezer: But isn’t it already stated: “So says the Lord, Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him who is despised of man, to him who is abhorred of the nation, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, Who is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, Who has chosen you” (Isaiah 49:7), indicating that redemption will come independent of repentance? Rabbi Eliezer said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “If you will return, Israel, says the Lord, return to Me” (Jeremiah 4:1), indicating that redemption is contingent upon repentance? Rabbi Yehoshua said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by the One Who lives forever that it shall be for a period, periods, and a half; when the crushing of the power of the holy people shall have been completed, all these things shall be finished” (Daniel 12:7), indicating that the time for redemption is set and unrelated to repentance? And Rabbi Eliezer was silent, unable to refute the proof from that verse. § And Rabbi Abba says: You have no more explicit manifestation of the end of days than this following phenomenon, as it is stated: “But you, mountains of Israel, you shall give your branches, and yield your fruit to My people of Israel, for they will soon be coming” (Ezekiel 36:8). When produce will grow in abundance in Eretz Yisrael, it is an indication that the Messiah will be coming soon. Rabbi Eliezer says: You have no greater manifestation of the end of days than this following phenomenon as well, as it is stated: “For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; nor was there peace from the oppressor to him who exits and to him who enters” (Zechariah 8:10). When there are no wages for work and no rent paid for use of one’s animal, that is an indication that the coming of the Messiah is at hand. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: “Nor was there peace from the oppressor to him who exits and to him who enters”? Rav says: It means that even for Torah scholars, with regard to whom the promise of peace is written, as it is written: “Great peace have they who love Your Torah; and there is no obstacle for them” (Psalms 119:165), there will be no peace from the oppressor. And Shmuel says: It means that the Messiah will not come until all the prices are equal. Rabbi Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until a fish will be sought for an ill person and will not be found, as it is stated with regard to the downfall of Egypt: “Then I will make their waters clear and cause their rivers to run like oil” (Ezekiel 32:14), meaning that the current in the rivers will come to a virtual standstill. And it is written thereafter: “On that day I will cause the glory of the house of Israel to flourish” (Ezekiel 29:21). Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until the contemptuous [hazalla] kingdom of Rome will cease from the Jewish people, as it is stated: “And He shall sever the sprigs [hazalzallim] with pruning hooks” (Isaiah 18:5). And it is written thereafter: “At that time shall a present be brought to the Lord of hosts, by a people scattered and hairless” (Isaiah 18:7). Ze’eiri says that Rabbi Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until the arrogant will cease to exist from among the Jewish people, as it is stated: “For then I will remove from your midst your proudly exulting ones” (Zephaniah 3:11), and it is written afterward: “And I will leave in your midst a poor and lowly people, and they shall take refuge in the name of the Lord” (Zephaniah 3:12). Rabbi Simlai says in the name of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon: The son of David will not come until all the judges and officers will cease to exist from among the Jewish people, and there will be no more autonomous government in Eretz Yisrael, as it is stated: “And I will turn My hand against you and purge away your dross as with lye and take away your base alloy. And I will restore your judges as at the first” (Isaiah 1:25–26). Ulla says: Jerusalem is redeemed only by means of righteousness, as it is stated: “Zion shall be redeemed with justice and those who return to it with righteousness” (Isaiah 1:27). Rav Pappa says: If the arrogant will cease to exist, the Persian sorcerers will cease to exist as well. If the deceitful judges will cease to exist, the royal officers [gazirpatei] and taskmasters will cease to exist. Rav Pappa elaborates: If the arrogant will cease, the Persian sorcerers will cease, as it is written: “And I will purge away your dross [sigayikh] as with lye, and I will remove all your alloy [bedilayikh].” When the arrogant [sigim] are purged, the sorcerers, who are separated [muvdalim] from the fear of God, will also cease. And if the deceitful judges cease to exist, the royal officers and taskmasters will cease to exist, as it is written: “The Lord has removed your judgments; cast out your enemy” (Zephaniah 3:15). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If you saw a generation whose wisdom and Torah study is steadily diminishing, await the coming of the Messiah, as it is stated: “And the afflicted people You will redeem” (II Samuel 22:28). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If you saw a generation whose troubles inundate it like a river, await the coming of the Messiah, as it is stated: “When distress will come like a river that the breath of the Lord drives” (Isaiah 59:19). And juxtaposed to it is the verse: “And a redeemer will come to Zion” (Isaiah 59:20). And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The son of David will come only in a generation that is entirely innocent, in which case they will be deserving of redemption, or in a generation that is entirely guilty, in which case there will be no alternative to redemption. He may come in a generation that is entirely innocent, as it is written: “And your people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever” (Isaiah 60:21). He may come in a generation that is entirely guilty, as it is written: “And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no intercessor; therefore His arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness, it sustained Him” (Isaiah 59:16). And it is written: “For My own sake, for My own sake will I do it; for how should it be profaned? And My glory I will not give it to another” (Isaiah 48:11). § Rabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradiction in a verse addressing God’s commitment to redeem the Jewish people. In the verse: “I the Lord in its time I will hasten it” (Isaiah 60:22), it is written: “In its time,” indicating that there is a designated time for the redemption, and it is written: “I will hasten it,” indicating that there is no set time for the redemption. Rabbi Alexandri explains: If they merit redemption through repentance and good deeds I will hasten the coming of the Messiah. If they do not merit redemption, the coming of the Messiah will be in its designated time. Rabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradiction between two depictions of the coming of the Messiah. It is written: “There came with the clouds of heaven, one like unto a son of man…and there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom…his dominion is an everlasting dominion” (Daniel 7:13–14). And it is written: “Behold, your king will come to you; he is just and victorious; lowly and riding upon a donkey and upon a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Rabbi Alexandri explains: If the Jewish people merit redemption, the Messiah will come in a miraculous manner with the clouds of heaven. If they do not merit redemption, the Messiah will come lowly and riding upon a donkey. King Shapur of Persia said to Shmuel mockingly: You say that the Messiah will come on a donkey; I will send him the riding [barka] horse that I have. Shmuel said to him: Do you have a horse with one thousand colors [bar ḥivar gavanei] like the donkey of the Messiah? Certainly his donkey will be miraculous. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi found Elijah the prophet, who was standing at the entrance of the burial cave of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said to him: Will I be privileged to come to the World-to-Come? Elijah said to him: If this Master, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will wish it so. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Two I saw, Elijah and me, and the voice of three I heard, as the Divine Presence was also there, and it was in reference to Him that Elijah said: If this Master will wish it so. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said to Elijah: When will the Messiah come? Elijah said to him: Go ask him. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked: And where is he sitting? Elijah said to him: At the entrance of the city of Rome. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked him: And what is his identifying sign by means of which I can recognize him? Elijah answered: He sits among the poor who suffer from illnesses. And all of them untie their bandages and tie them all at once, but the Messiah unties one bandage and ties one at a time. He says: Perhaps I will be needed to serve to bring about the redemption. Therefore, I will never tie more than one bandage, so that I will not be delayed. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi went to the Messiah. He said to the Messiah: Greetings to you, my rabbi and my teacher. The Messiah said to him: Greetings to you, bar Leva’i. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said to him: When will the Master come? The Messiah said to him: Today. Sometime later, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi came to Elijah. Elijah said to him: What did the Messiah say to you? He said to Elijah that the Messiah said: Greetings [shalom] to you, bar Leva’i. Elijah said to him: He thereby guaranteed that you and your father will enter the World-to-Come, as he greeted you with shalom. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said to Elijah: The Messiah lied to me, as he said to me: I am coming today, and he did not come. Elijah said to him that this is what he said to you: He said that he will come “today, if you will listen to his voice” (Psalms 95:7). § Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma’s students asked him: When will the son of David come? Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said: I am hesitant to answer you, lest you request from me a sign to corroborate my statement. They said to him: We are not asking you for a sign. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to them: You will see when this existing gate of Rome falls and will be rebuilt, and will fall a second time and will be rebuilt, and will fall a third time. And they will not manage to rebuild it until the son of David comes. The students said to him: Our rabbi, give us a sign. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to them: But didn’t you say to me that you are not asking me for a sign? They said to him: And nevertheless, provide us with a sign. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to them: If it is as I say, the water of the Cave of Pamyas will be transformed into blood. The Gemara relates: And it was transformed into blood. At the time of his death, Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to his students: Place my coffin deep in the ground, as there is no palm tree that is in Babylonia to which a horse of the Persians will not be tethered when the Persians and Medes go to conquer other lands. And there is no coffin buried in Eretz Yisrael from which a Median horse will not eat straw. During wars, all the coffins will be removed from the ground and used as animal troughs. I do not want my coffin to be used for that purpose. Rav says: The son of David will not come until the evil Roman kingdom will disperse throughout Eretz Yisrael for nine months, as it is stated: “Therefore will He give them up, until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the remnant of his brethren shall return with the children of Israel” (Micah 5:2). Once a period equivalent to a term of pregnancy passes, the redemption will come. § Ulla says: Let the Messiah come, but after my death, so that I will not see him, as I fear the suffering that will precede his coming. Likewise, Rabba says: Let the Messiah come, but after my death, so that I will not see him. Rav Yosef says: Let the Messiah come, and I will be privileged to sit in the shadow of his donkey’s excrement. I am willing to undergo all the pain and disgrace associated with his arrival. Abaye said to Rabba: What is the reason that you are so concerned? If we say it is due to the pains preceding and accompanying the coming of the Messiah, but isn’t it taught in a baraita that Rabbi Elazar’s students asked Rabbi Elazar: What shall a person do to be spared from the pains preceding the coming of the Messiah? Rabbi Elazar said to them: They shall engage in Torah study and acts of kindness. Abaye continued: And as far as the Master is concerned, isn’t there the Torah and aren’t there the acts of kindness that you performed? Rabba said to him: I am concerned lest sin cause me to suffer the pain despite the Torah study and the good deeds in which I engage, in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Ya’akov bar Idi. As Rabbi Ya’akov bar Idi raises a contradiction. It is written that God said to Jacob: “And I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15), and it is written: “And Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed” (Genesis 32:8). If God assured Jacob that He would keep him, why was he concerned? Rabbi Ya’akov bar Idi explains: He was afraid lest sin on his part cause that assurance to be abrogated, as it is taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “Until Your people pass over, Lord, until Your people, whom You have acquired, pass over” (Exodus 15:16). “Until Your people pass over, Lord”; this is a reference to the first entry into the land, led by Joshua. “Until Your people, whom You have acquired, pass over”; this is a reference to the second entry into the land, when they returned to Zion from Babylonia. Rabbi Ya’akov bar Idi explains: Say from now, based on this statement, that the Jewish people were worthy for God to perform a miracle on their behalf in the second entry into the land that was like the miracles that were performed during the exodus from Egypt and the first entry into the land, but the sin caused the second entry to take place in an unremarkable manner, with the Jewish people being subject to the dominion of the gentiles. And so too Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Let the Messiah come, but after my death, so that I will not see him. Reish Lakish said to him: What is the reason that you are concerned? If we say it is because it is written with regard to the day of God: “As when a man did flee from a lion and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his arm on the wall and a snake bit him” (Amos 5:19), that is not a reason. Come, and I will show you a counterpart in this world to the situation described in this verse, as even today one encounters those situations. At a time when a person goes out to the field and is accosted by a guard [santar] who demands payment, his situation is similar to that of one who is accosted by a lion. He then enters the city and is accosted by a royal tax collector. His situation is similar to that of one who is accosted by a bear. He then enters his house and finds his sons and daughters afflicted with famine. His situation is similar to that of one whom a snake bit. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: Rather, the reason I am concerned is that it is written with regard to the day of God: “Ask now, and see whether a man gives birth. Why, then, do I see every man [kol gever] with his hands on his loins, as a woman in labor, and all faces turned green?” (Jeremiah 30:6). The Gemara clarifies: What is the meaning of the phrase “I see kol gever”? Rava bar Yitzḥak says that Rav says: It is a reference to He Whom all strength is His. It is as though even God will suffer like a woman in labor due to the troubles of the Jewish people. And what is the meaning of the phrase “And all faces turned green”? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The reference is to the heavenly entourage above, i.e., angels, and the earthly entourage below, i.e., the Jewish people, who will all suffer at the time when the Holy One, Blessed be He, says: These, the Jewish people, are My handiwork, and those, the gentiles, are My handiwork. How shall I destroy those on account of these? It appears that the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not distinguish between the Jewish people and the gentiles. That is why Rabbi Yoḥanan was concerned with regard to the coming of the Messiah. Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: An ox runs and falls, and its owner goes and casts a horse in its place. Although the horse is an inferior work animal relative to the ox, when there is no ox available, a horse must suffice. So too, after the Jewish people sin, it is as though the Holy One, Blessed be He, transfers their prominence to the gentiles. § Rav Giddel says that Rav says: The Jewish people are destined to eat from the bounty of, i.e., enjoy, the years of the Messiah. Rav Yosef says: Isn’t this obvious? And rather, who else will eat from them? Will Ḥillak and Billak, two shiftless characters, eat from them? The Gemara explains that Rav Giddel’s statement serves to exclude the statement of Rabbi Hillel, who says: There is no Messiah coming for the Jewish people, as they already ate from him, as all the prophecies relating to the Messiah were already fulfilled during the days of Hezekiah. Rav says: The world was created only for the sake of David, by virtue of his merit. And Shmuel says: It was created by virtue of the merit of Moses. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It was created by virtue of the merit of the Messiah. Apropos the Messiah, the Gemara asks: What is his name? The school of Rabbi Sheila says: Shiloh is his name, as it is stated: “Until when Shiloh shall come” (Genesis 49:10). The school of Rabbi Yannai says: Yinnon is his name, as it is stated: “May his name endure forever; may his name continue [yinnon] as long as the sun; and may men bless themselves by him” (Psalms 72:17). The school of Rabbi Ḥanina says: Ḥanina is his name, as it is stated: “For I will show you no favor [ḥanina]” (Jeremiah 16:13). And some say that Menaḥem ben Ḥizkiyya is his name, as it is stated: “Because the comforter [menaḥem] that should relieve my soul is far from me” (Lamentations 1:16). And the Rabbis say: The leper of the house of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi is his name, as it is stated: “Indeed our illnesses he did bear and our pains he endured; yet we did esteem him injured, stricken by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4). Rav Naḥman says: If the Messiah is among the living in this generation, he is a person such as me, who already has dominion over the Jewish people, as it is stated: “And their prince shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from their midst” (Jeremiah 30:21), indicating that the redeemer is already in power. Rav says: If the Messiah is among the living in this generation, he is a person such as our saintly Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, who was renowned for his sanctity, piety, and Torah knowledge. If the Messiah is among the dead he is a person such as Daniel, the beloved man. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, is destined to establish another David for the Jewish people as the Messiah, as it is stated: “And they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will establish for them” (Jeremiah 30:9). It is not stated: I established, but “I will establish,” indicating that the name of the future king will be David. Rav Pappa said to Abaye: But isn’t it written: “And my servant David shall be their prince forever” (Ezekiel 37:25), indicating that King David himself will rule over the Jewish people? Abaye said: They will rule in tandem like an emperor and a viceroy; the Messiah will be king and David will be second-in-command. § Rabbi Simlai taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord. Why would you have this day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light” (Amos 5:18)? It is comparable to a rooster and a bat who were looking forward to the light of day. The rooster said to the bat: I look forward to light, as light is an indication of my time to be active. But as for you, why do you need light? Nighttime for you is like daytime for me. And that is the background for the following exchange, as a certain heretic said to Rabbi Abbahu: When will the Messiah come? Rabbi Abbahu said to him: He will come when the darkness will enshroud these people, i.e., you. The heretic said to him: Are you cursing me for no reason? Rabbi Abbahu said to him, I am merely relating to you a verse that is written: “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and fog the peoples; but the Lord shall shine upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:2). § It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer says: The messianic era will be forty years long, as it is stated: “Forty years will I strive with the generation” (Psalms 95:10). The forty years of strife with the gentiles will be followed by the glory days of the Messiah. Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya says: The messianic era will last seventy years, as it is stated: “And it shall come to pass on that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king” (Isaiah 23:15). In this context, one [eḥad], means unique [meyuḥad]. Which is the unique king? You must say that this is a reference to the Messiah. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: The messianic era will last three generations, as it is stated: “May they fear You as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout the generations [dor dorim]” (Psalms 72:5). Dor is singular and dorim is plural, for a total of three generations. Rabbi Hillel says: There is no Messiah coming for the Jewish people, as they already ate from him, as all the prophecies relating to the Messiah were already fulfilled, during the days of Hezekiah. Rav Yosef says: May the Master forgive Rabbi Hillel for stating matters with no basis. With regard to Hezekiah, when was his reign? It was during the First Temple period. Whereas Zechariah ben Berechiah, the prophet, prophesied during the Second Temple period and said: “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; shout, daughter of Jerusalem; behold, your king will come to you; he is just and victorious; lowly and riding upon a donkey and upon a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). In the generations after Hezekiah, there are prophecies about both redemption and the coming of the Messiah. It is taught in another baraita: Rabbi Eliezer says: The messianic era will be forty years long. It is written here with regard to the forty-year sojourn of the children of Israel in the wilderness: “And He afflicted you, and suffered you to hunger and fed you with manna” (Deuteronomy 8:3); and it is written there: “Make us glad according to the days that You afflicted us, the years that we saw evil” (Psalms 90:15). Rabbi Dosa says: The messianic era will last four hundred years. It is written here with regard to the Covenant of the Pieces: “And they shall serve them, and they shall afflict them four hundred years” (Genesis 15:13); and it is written there: “Make us glad according to the days that You afflicted us.” Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: The messianic era will last 365 years, corresponding to the number of days of the solar year, as it is stated: “For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed is come” (Isaiah 63:4). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: “For the day of vengeance is in My heart”? Rabbi Yoḥanan says that it means that God said: I revealed the day of vengeance to My heart, but I did not reveal it to My limbs, as it were, as I never stated it explicitly. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says that it means that God said: I revealed this secret to My heart, but I did not reveal it to the ministering angels. Avimi, son of Rabbi Abbahu, taught: The messianic era for the Jewish people will last seven thousand years, as it is stated: “And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). The bridegroom rejoices over the bride for seven days, and the day of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is one thousand years. Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: The duration of the messianic era is like the duration of the period that runs from the day the world was created until now, i.e., the day when the Messiah will come, as it is stated: “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 11:21). Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: The duration of the messianic era is like the duration of the period that runs from the days of Noah until now, i.e., the day when the Messiah will come, as it is stated with regard to redemption: “For this is as the seas of [ki mei] Noah to me; as I have sworn that the seas of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you nor rebuke you” (Isaiah 54:9). The words ki mei can be understood as one word, kimei, meaning: Like the days of. § Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In their prophecies with regard to redemption and the end of days, all the prophets prophesied only about the messianic era, but with regard to the World-to-Come the reward is not quantifiable, as it states: “No eye has seen it, God, aside from You, Who will do for those who await Him” (Isaiah 64:3). The Gemara notes: And this statement disagrees with the opinion of Shmuel, as Shmuel says: The difference between this world and the messianic era is only with regard to servitude to foreign kingdoms alone, as they will leave Eretz Yisrael. And Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: All of the prophets prophesied their prophecies of consolation only with regard to penitents, but with regard to the reward of the completely righteous it is stated: “No eye has seen it, God, aside from You.” The Gemara notes: And the opinion expressed in this statement disagrees with the opinion of Rabbi Abbahu, who holds that penitents are superior to the righteous, as Rabbi Abbahu says that Rav says: In the place where penitents stand, even the completely righteous do not stand, as it is stated: “Peace, peace upon him who is far and him who is near” (Isaiah 57:19). Peace and greeting is extended first to him who is far, and only thereafter is peace extended to him who is near. What is the meaning of the term: “Upon him who is far”? It means: One who was initially far, i.e., the penitent. And what is the meaning of the term: “Him who is near”? It means: One who was initially near and continues to be near at present, i.e., the completely righteous individual. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: “Upon him who is far” is referring to one who is distant from transgression, the completely righteous individual. “Him who is near” is referring to one who is near to transgression and distanced himself from it, the penitent. And Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: All of the prophets prophesied their prophecies of consolation only with regard to one who values wisdom and therefore marries his daughter to a Torah scholar, and to one who conducts business [perakmatya] on behalf of a Torah scholar, and to one who utilizes his wealth to benefit a Torah scholar from his property in some other way. But the prophets did not describe the extent of the reward for Torah scholars themselves, whose reward is not quantifiable, as it is stated: “No eye has seen it, God, aside from You.” The Gemara asks: What reward is indicated in the phrase “no eye has seen it”? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: This is wine preserved in its grapes from the six days of Creation. No person has drunk that wine and therefore no one can appreciate its quality. Reish Lakish says: This is Eden, which no eye has ever seen. And if you say: Where did Adam the first man live, if not in Eden, the answer is that he lived in the garden. And lest you say: The garden is Eden and they are indistinguishable, the verse states: “And a river emerged from Eden to irrigate the garden” (Genesis 2:10), indicating that they are two distinct places. § The mishna teaches that those who have no share in the World-to-Come include: And one who says: The Torah did not originate from Heaven. The Sages taught in a baraita that with regard to the verse: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has breached His commandment; that soul shall be excised; his iniquity shall be upon him” (Numbers 15:31), this is a reference to one who says: The Torah did not originate from Heaven. Alternatively, one can explain: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord”; this is a reference to an epikoros, who treats the word of God with contempt. Alternatively, one can explain: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord”; this is a reference to one who interprets the Torah inappropriately. “And has breached His commandment”; this is a reference to one who breaches the covenant of flesh, who refuses to circumcise his foreskin. “Shall be excised [hikkaret tikkaret]”; “hikkaret” refers to being excised in this world, and “tikkaret” refers to being excised from the World-to-Come. From here Rabbi Elazar HaModa’i says: With regard to one who desecrates consecrated items, e.g., intentionally rendering them impure; and one who treats the intermediate days of the Festivals with contempt; and one who breaches the covenant of Abraham our forefather; and one who reveals aspects in the Torah that are not in accordance with halakha; and one who humiliates another in public, even if he has to his credit Torah study and good deeds, he has no share in the World-to-Come. It is taught in another baraita: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord”; this is a reference to one who says the Torah did not originate from Heaven. And even if one says the entire Torah originated from Heaven except for this verse, i.e., any one verse, claiming that the Holy One, Blessed be He, did not say it but Moses himself said it on his own, this is included in the category of: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord.” And even if one says the entire Torah originated from Heaven except for this inference inferred by the Sages, or except for this a fortiori inference, or except for this verbal analogy, this is included in the category of: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord.” It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Meir would say: With regard to one who studies Torah and does not teach it to others, this person is included in the category of: “He has despised the word of the Lord,” as his conduct indicates that he does not consider the word of God significant enough to teach others. Rabbi Natan says: Anyone who does not pay the requisite attention to the Mishna and does not consider it essential halakha is included in the category of: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord.” Rabbi Nehorai says: Anyone for whom it is possible to engage in Torah study and who nevertheless does not engage in its study is included in the category of: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord.” Rabbi Yishmael says: This verse: “Because he has despised the word of the Lord,” is a reference to an idol worshipper. The Gemara asks: From where in the verse is this inferred? The Gemara explains: It is derived from a verse, as the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: “Because he has despised the word [devar] of the Lord”; this is a reference to one who treats with contempt a statement [dibbur] that was stated to Moses at Sinai and heard by all of the Jewish people: “I am the Lord your God…You shall have no other gods beside me” (Exodus 20:2–3). Apropos Torah study, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa says: Anyone who studies Torah and does not review it is comparable to a person who sows and does not reap. Rabbi Yehoshua says: Anyone who studies Torah and causes himself to forget it is similar to a woman who gives birth and buries her newborn child. Rabbi Akiva says: Sing every day, sing every day, i.e., review your studies like a song that one sings over and over. Rav Yitzḥak bar Avudimi says: From what verse is this derived? It is as it is stated: “The hunger of the laborer labors for him; for his mouth presses upon him” (Proverbs 16:26), i.e., he exhausts his mouth through constant review and study. He labors in Torah in this place, this world, and his Torah labors for him in another place, the World-to-Come. Rabbi Elazar says: Every man was created for labor, as it is stated: “Man is born for toil” (Job 5:7). Based on this verse, I do not know whether he was created for toil of the mouth, speech, or whether he was created for the toil of labor. When the verse states: “For his mouth presses upon him” (Proverbs 16:26), you must say that he was created for toil of the mouth. And still I do not know with regard to the toil of the mouth whether it is for the toil of Torah or for the toil of conversation. When the verse states: “This Torah scroll shall not depart from your mouth” (Joshua 1:8), you must say that he was created for the toil of Torah. And that is the meaning of what Rava said: All bodies are like receptacles to store items until use. Happy is one who is privileged, who is a receptacle for Torah. The verse states: “He who commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding” (Proverbs 6:32). Reish Lakish says: This is a reference to one who studies Torah intermittently, who is like an adulterer, who sins with the other woman intermittently, as it is stated about words of Torah: “For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within your belly; let them be established on your lips” (Proverbs 22:18) and keep the Torah always available. § The Sages taught in a baraita that with regard to the verse: “But the person who acts high-handedly, whether he is born in the land, or a stranger, that person blasphemes the Lord” (Numbers 15:30), this is a reference to Manasseh ben Hezekiah, king of Israel, who would sit and teach flawed interpretations of Torah narratives. Manasseh said: But did Moses need to write only insignificant matters that teach nothing, for example: “And Lotan’s sister was Timna” (Genesis 36:22), or: “And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, son of Esau” (Genesis 36:12), or: “And Reuben went in the days of the wheat harvest and found duda’im in the field” (Genesis 30:14)? A Divine Voice emerged and said to him: “You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and should I have kept silence, you would imagine that I was like you, but I will reprove you, and set the matter before your eyes” (Psalms 50:20–21). The verses in the Torah are not empty matters, with regard to which you can decide their import. And about Manasseh ben Hezekiah it is stated explicitly in the texts of tradition, the Prophets: “Woe unto them who draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as with a cart rope” (Isaiah 5:18). What is the meaning of the phrase “as with a cart rope”? Rabbi Asi says: This is a reference to the evil inclination. Initially, it seems like a flimsy spinning [kuveya] thread and ultimately it seems like a sturdy cart rope. Manasseh began by mocking a few verses and ultimately violated the entire Torah. The Gemara asks: With regard to that verse that we came to discuss, in any event, what is the significance of the phrase in the verse “And Lotan’s sister was Timna”? The Gemara explains: Timna was the daughter of kings, as it is written: “The chief of Lotan” (Genesis 36:29), and: “The chief of Timna” (Genesis 36:40), and each chief is a member of a monarchy, albeit without a crown. That is why they are called chief and not king. Timna sought to convert. She came before Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they did not accept her. She went and became a concubine of Eliphaz, son of Esau, and said, referring to herself: It is preferable that she will be a maidservant for this nation, and she will not be a noblewoman for another nation. Ultimately, Amalek, son of Eliphaz, emerged from her, and that tribe afflicted the Jewish people. What is the reason that the Jewish people were punished by suffering at the hand of Amalek? It is due to the fact that they should not have rejected her when she sought to convert. Therefore, the verse is significant. “And Reuben went in the days of the wheat harvest” (Genesis 30:14). Rava, son of Rabbi Yitzḥak, says that Rav says: From here it can be seen that the righteous do not extend their hands to engage in robbery even of small items, as rather than taking wheat, Reuben took only the ownerless duda’im. The verse continues: “And he found duda’im in the field.” The Gemara asks: What are duda’im? Rav says: They are a plant called yavruḥei. Levi says: They are violets. Rabbi Yonatan says: They are seviskei. § Apropos the significance of Torah study, Rabbi Alexandri says: Anyone who engages in the study of Torah for its own sake introduces peace into the heavenly entourage above and into the earthly entourage below, as it is stated: “Or let him take hold of My stronghold [ma’uzi], that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me” (Isaiah 27:5). One who observes the Torah, which is called oz, introduces peace, even before the presence of God, as it were. Rav says: It is as though he built a palace of heaven above and of earth below, as it is stated: “And I have placed My words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of My hand, to plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, you are My people” (Isaiah 51:16). One who has the word of God placed in his mouth through Torah study has established heaven and earth. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: One who engages in Torah study also protects the entire world, as it is stated: “And I have covered you in the shadow of My hand.” And Levi says: He also advances the coming of the redemption, as it is stated: “And say to Zion, you are My people.” Reish Lakish said: With regard to anyone who teaches Torah to the son of another, the verse ascribes him credit as though he formed that student, as it is stated: “And Abram took Sarai his wife…and the souls that they formed in Haran” (Genesis 12:5). They are given credit for forming the students to whom they taught Torah. Rabbi Elazar says: It is as though he fashioned [asa’an] the words of Torah themselves, as it is stated: “Observe the words of this covenant, va’asitem otam” (Deuteronomy 29:8), indicating that studying the Torah is like fashioning it. Rava says: It is as though he fashioned himself, as it is stated: “Va’asitem otam.” Do not read “va’asitem otam” as: And you shall fashion them; rather, read it as va’asitem atem, meaning: You shall fashion yourself. Rabbi Abbahu says: With regard to anyone who causes another to engage in a matter of a mitzva, the verse ascribes him credit as though he performed it himself, as it is stated: “And the Lord said to Moses…and your rod, with which you struck the river, take in your hand and go” (Exodus 17:5). And was it Moses who struck the river? But isn’t it written explicitly (see Exodus 7:19–20) that Aaron struck the river? Rather, that verse serves to say to you: Anyone who causes another to engage in a matter of a mitzva, the verse ascribes him credit as though he performed it himself. § The mishna teaches that those who have no share in the World-to-Come include an epikoros. Rav and Rabbi Ḥanina both say: This is one who treats a Torah scholar with contempt. Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi say: This is one who treats another with contempt before a Torah scholar. The Gemara asks: Granted, according to the one who says that one who treats another with contempt before a Torah scholar is the epikoros mentioned in the mishna, one who treats a Torah scholar with contempt is characterized as one who interprets the Torah inappropriately, due to his lowering of the status of a Torah scholar. But according to the one who says that one who treats a Torah scholar himself with contempt is the epikoros mentioned in the mishna, how would he characterize one who interprets the Torah inappropriately? Like what individual does such a person conduct himself? He is like Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, who would teach flawed interpretations of Torah narratives. And there are those who teach this dispute with regard to the latter clause of the baraita: From here Rabbi Elazar HaModa’i said: One who interprets the Torah inappropriately has no share in the World-to-Come. Rav and Rabbi Ḥanina say: This is one who treats a Torah scholar with contempt. Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi say: This is one who treats another with contempt before a Torah scholar. The Gemara asks: Granted, according to the one who says that one who treats a Torah scholar himself with contempt is the one mentioned in the baraita who interprets the Torah inappropriately, one who treats another with contempt before a Torah scholar is characterized as the epikoros mentioned in the mishna. But according to the one who says that one who treats another with contempt before a Torah scholar is the one mentioned in the baraita who interprets the Torah inappropriately, how would he characterize the epikoros mentioned in the mishna? Like whom does he conduct himself? Rav Yosef says: It is referring to one who conducts himself like those who say: In what manner have the Sages benefited us with all their Torah study? They read the Bible for their own benefit and they study the Mishna for their own benefit. Abaye said to him: That person who questions the benefit provided by Sages is also in the category of one who interprets the Torah inappropriately, since with that statement he repudiates the Torah itself, as it is written: “If not for My covenant, I would not have appointed day and night, the laws of heaven and earth” (Jeremiah 33:25). The eternal covenant of the Torah is responsible for maintaining the existence of the entire world. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: From here too conclude the same concept from it, as it is stated: “If I find in Sodom fifty just men within the city, then I will spare the entire place for their sakes” (Genesis 18:26). The righteous protect the place where they reside. Rather, the epikoros mentioned in the mishna is referring to one who conducts himself like one who sits before his teacher and a halakha that he learned from another place happens to fall into his consciousness and the student says: This is what we say there, and he does not say deferentially: This is what the Master said, even if he did not learn that matter from his teacher. Rava said: The term epikoros is referring to one who conducts himself like those from the house of Binyamin the doctor, who say: In what manner have the Sages benefited us with all their Torah study? Never have they permitted a raven for us nor have they prohibited a dove for us. They merely tell us matters stated explicitly in the Torah. The Gemara relates with regard to Rava: When they would bring a possible tereifa from the house of Binyamin before him, when he would see in it a reason to permit its consumption, Rava would say to them: See that I am permitting a raven for you, as this is an animal that appeared forbidden. When he would see in it a reason to prohibit its consumption, Rava would say to them: See that I am prohibiting a dove for you. Rav Pappa says: The epikoros mentioned in the mishna is referring to one who conducts himself like one who says: Those Sages, with contemptuous overtones. The Gemara relates that Rav Pappa himself forgot in one instance and said: Like those Sages, and he observed a fast to achieve atonement for expressing himself in that manner. The Gemara relates: Levi bar Shmuel and Rav Huna bar Ḥiyya were mending mantles for the sacred scrolls of the school of Rav Yehuda. When they reached the scroll of Esther they said: This scroll of Esther does not require a mantle, as it is not as significant as the other sacred scrolls. Rav Yehuda said to them: A statement of that sort also seems to express irreverence like the irreverence typical of an epikoros, as you should not have referred to the scroll of Esther as: This scroll. Rav Naḥman says: An epikoros is one who calls his teacher by his name and does not call him Rabbi, as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: For what reason was Gehazi punished? It is due to the fact that he called his teacher by his name, as it is stated: “And Gehazi said: My lord the king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha revived” (II Kings 8:5). § The Gemara relates: Rabbi Yirmeya sat before Rabbi Zeira, and sat and said: The Holy One, Blessed be He, will cause a river to emerge from the Holy of Holies, and alongside it all sorts of delicacies will grow, as it is stated: “And the river upon its bank, on this side and on that side shall grow every tree for food, whose leaf shall not wither, neither shall its fruit fall; it shall bring forth new fruit every month, because their waters emerged from the Sanctuary; and its fruit shall be for food and its leaf for medicine” (Ezekiel 47:12). A certain elder said to Rabbi Yirmeya: Well done, and so Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Well done. Rabbi Yirmeya said to Rabbi Zeira: Does a statement of that sort, when one who is not a Torah scholar says to a Sage that his statement is correct, seem like the irreverence typical of an epikoros? Rabbi Zeira said to him: But isn’t he supporting your statement? He meant no disrespect. Rather, if you heard that at times supporting the statement of a Sage is irreverent, this is what you heard: It is like that case in which Rabbi Yoḥanan sat and taught: The Holy One, Blessed be He, is destined to bring precious stones and jewels that are thirty by thirty cubits, and He will bore in them an opening ten cubits wide by twenty cubits in height and place them to serve as the gates of Jerusalem, as it is stated: “And I will make your pinnacles of rubies and your gates of carbuncles” (Isaiah 54:12). A certain student mocked him and said: Now, at present, we do not find precious stones comparable in size to the egg of a palm dove. Will we find stones as large as those that you described? Sometime later that student’s ship set sail at sea. He saw the ministering angels cutting precious stones that size. He said to the angels: For whom are these stones? The angels said to him: The Holy One, Blessed be He, is destined to place them at the gates of Jerusalem. When the student returned, he found Rabbi Yoḥanan, who was sitting and teaching. The student said to him: My teacher, teach, and it is fitting for you to teach. Just as you said with regard to the precious stones, so I saw. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: Good-for-nothing, if you did not see it, you would not believe it? You are one who mocks the statements of the Sages. Rabbi Yoḥanan directed his eyes toward him in anger and rendered him a pile of bones. The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita to the statement of Rabbi Yoḥanan that the gates will be twenty cubits high. The Sages engaged in a dispute concerning the interpretation of the verse: “And I made you go upright [komemiyyut]” (Leviticus 26:13). Rabbi Meir says that in the end of days people will be two hundred cubits tall, the equivalent of twice the height of Adam the first man, who was one hundred cubits tall. Rabbi Yehuda says: People will be one hundred cubits tall, corresponding to the height of the Sanctuary and its walls, as it is stated: “For our sons are as plants grown up in their youth; our daughters as cornerstones, carved in the fashion of a palace” (Psalms 144:12), indicating that the sons and daughters will be one hundred cubits tall, the height of the Sanctuary. If the people are that tall, how will they enter gates twenty cubits high? The Gemara answers: When Rabbi Yoḥanan says that the openings would be twenty cubits high he is referring to the windows through which wind enters. The gates through which people enter will extend considerably higher. § Apropos the river that will emerge from the Holy of Holies, the Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: And its leaf for medicine [literufa]? Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Avudimi and Rav Ḥisda disagree. One says: This is an abbreviation for the phrase: To unlock the mouth [lehattir peh] that is above, i.e., the leaf heals the mute. And one says: That is the abbreviation, but it means to unlock the mouth that is below, a euphemism for healing the womb of a barren woman. It was also stated that other Sages engaged in a dispute concerning this matter. Ḥizkiyya says that the reference is: To unlock the mouth of mutes, and bar Kappara says that the reference is: To unlock the mouth of barren women. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The reference is to actual medicine. The Gemara asks: According to that opinion, what is the meaning of the term: For medicine [literufa]? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says: It is an abbreviation meaning to beautify the countenance [letoar panim] of the keepers of the mouth [peh], i.e., the Sages, who labored with their mouths to study Torah in this world. Rabbi Yehuda, son of Rabbi Simon, taught: For anyone who blackens his face while toiling over matters of Torah in this world, the Holy One, Blessed be He, shines his brightness in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “His locks are curly black as a raven” (Song of Songs 5:11), and thereafter it is written: “His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars” (Song of Songs 5:15), followed by: “His palate is like sweets” (Song of Songs 5:16). One who engages in sweets, i.e., Torah study, in this world, until he is blackened, black as a raven, is privileged to shining brightness in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Tanḥum, son of Rabbi Ḥanilai, says: With regard to anyone who starves himself over matters of Torah in this world, the Holy One, Blessed be He, satisfies him in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Your judgments are like the great deep” (Psalms 36:7), indicating that God is exacting with the righteous and does not reward them in this world, and it is stated thereafter: “They are abundantly satisfied with the plenty of Your house, and You feed them drink of the river of Your pleasures” (Psalms 36:9). When Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia he said: The Holy One, Blessed be He, will give each and every righteous person His handful, as it is stated: “Blessed be the Lord, Who day by day bears our burden; God is our salvation, Selah” (Psalms 68:20). Abaye said to him: And is it possible to say so, that the Holy One, Blessed be He, will give them His handful? But wasn’t it already stated: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure” (Isaiah 40:12)? And if the span of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is as great as the heavens, how can a person receive a handful from the Holy One, Blessed be He? Rav Dimi said: What is the reason that you are not familiar with matters of aggada? As they say in the West, Eretz Yisrael, in the name of Rava bar Mari: The Holy One, Blessed be He, will give every righteous person 310 worlds as it is stated: “To bequeath to those who love Me substance [yesh]; and I will fill their treasuries” (Proverbs 8:21). In terms of its numerical value, the word yesh, spelled yod, shin, is 310, indicating that God grants the righteous a full measure. In a related matter, it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Meir says: In accordance with the measure that a person metes out for others the heavenly court metes out for him, i.e., the response is commensurate with the action, as it is written: “In full measure [besasse’a] when You send her away do You contend with her” (Isaiah 27:8). The term besasse’a is interpreted as bese’a se’a, meaning that one receives a measure [se’a] commensurate with the measure [bese’a] that he meted out. Rabbi Yehoshua said to Rabbi Meir: And is it possible to say that if a person gives his handful to a pauper in this world, the Holy One, Blessed be He, gives him His handful in the World-to-Come? But isn’t it written: “And meted out heaven with the span” (Isaiah 40:12)? He asked how one can receive so bountiful a reward. Rabbi Meir answered him: And you do not say so? Which of God’s attributes is greater? Is the attribute of reward greater or is the attribute of punishment greater? You must say that the attribute of reward is greater than the attribute of punishment, as with regard to the attribute of reward it is written: “He commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, and rained upon them manna to eat” (Psalms 78:23–24). And with regard to the attribute of punishment at the time of the flood the verse says: “And the windows of the heavens were opened” (Genesis 7:11). To mete out punishment, God opened only windows, which are considerably smaller openings than doors, indicating that the attribute of reward is greater. With regard to the attribute of punishment it is written: “And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh” (Isaiah 66:24). The Gemara asks: Is it not so that when a person extends his finger into the fire in this world, he is immediately burned? How, then, can one withstand the fire of Gehenna, which is never extinguished? Rather, just as the Holy One, Blessed be He, provides strength to the wicked to receive their punishment, so too, the Holy One, Blessed be He, provides strength to the righteous to receive their reward, His handful. § The mishna teaches that Rabbi Akiva says: Also one who reads external literature has no share in the World-to-Come. The Sages taught in a baraita: This is a reference to reading books of heretics. Rav Yosef says: It is also prohibited to read the book of ben Sira, due to its problematic content. Abaye said to Rav Yosef: What is the reason that it is prohibited to read the book of ben Sira? If we say that it is prohibited due to the fact that ben Sira wrote in it: Do not flay the skin of the fish from its ear, so that its skin does not go to ruin, but roast it on the fire and eat with it two loaves of bread, and you believe it to be nonsense, that is not a sufficient reason. If your difficulty is from its literal meaning, that does not pose a difficulty, as in the Torah, God also wrote: “You shall not destroy its trees” (Deuteronomy 20:19). It is prohibited to destroy both trees and fish skin arbitrarily. If your difficulty is from its homiletic interpretation as a euphemism, ben Sira is teaching us proper conduct: A man should not engage in sexual intercourse in an atypical manner, i.e., anal intercourse, with his wife, as it causes her discomfort. Rather, perhaps the book poses a difficulty because it is written there: A daughter is for her father false treasure; due to fear for her he will not sleep at night: During her minority, lest she be seduced; during her young womanhood lest she engage in licentiousness; once she has reached her majority, lest she not marry; once she marries, lest she have no children; once she grows old, lest she engage in witchcraft (Ben Sira 42:11–14). Perhaps you believe that one should not say this to the father of daughters. Didn’t the Sages also say it with regard to women? They said: It is impossible for the world to exist without males and without females; nevertheless, happy is one whose children are males and woe unto him whose children are females. Rather, perhaps the book poses a difficulty because it is written there: Do not introduce anxiety into your heart, as anxiety has killed mighty men (Ben Sira 14:1; 30:29). Didn’t Solomon already say it in the verse: “Anxiety in a man’s heart dejects him [yashḥena]” (Proverbs 12:25)? Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi interpret the term homiletically and read it as yesiḥenna. One says that it means: He shall remove it [yesiḥenna] from his mind, and that will ease his anxiety. And one says: He shall tell it [yesiḥenna] to others, and that will ease his anxiety. Both agree with the statement of ben Sira. Rather, perhaps the book poses a difficulty because it is written there: Prevent the multitudes from inside your house, and do not bring everyone into your house (Ben Sira 11:37). But didn’t Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi also say it, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: A person should never have many friends inside his house, as it is stated: “There are friends that one has to his own detriment” (Proverbs 18:24), as through his association with them he will become weak and be ruined. Rather, perhaps the book poses a difficulty because it is written there: A sparse-bearded man is clever; a thick-bearded man is a fool. One who blows on his cup is not thirsty. One who said: With what will I eat bread, take the bread from him. One who has a passage in his beard, the entire world is unable to overcome him. Abaye suggests: Due to all this nonsense, it is not appropriate to read this book. Rav Yosef says: Even though there are passages in the book that are inappropriate, we teach the superior matters that are in it even in public. A good wife is a good gift; she will be given into the bosom of a God-fearing man (Ben Sira 26:3). A bad wife is leprosy for her husband. What is his remedy? He shall chase her from his house and will be healed from his leprosy (Ben Sira 25:30). A beautiful wife, happy is her husband; the number of his days is doubled (Ben Sira 26:1). Due to his happiness, it is as though his life is twice as long. We also teach what it states there: Avert your eyes from a woman of grace, lest you be trapped in her snare. Turn not to her husband to mix wine and strong drink with him, as many have been corrupted by the beauty of the beautiful woman, and mighty are all her fatalities (Ben Sira 9:9–11). Many are the wounds of a peddler (Ben Sira 11:36), which in this context is referring to those who accustom others to matters of forbidden sexual relations. Like a spark ignites a coal (Ben Sira 11:43), like a cage full of birds, so too, their houses are filled with deceit (Ben Sira 11:36–37). Prevent the multitudes from inside your house, and do not bring everyone into your house (Ben Sira 11:37). Let many be those who greet you; reveal your secrets to one in a thousand. From she who lies in your bosom guard the openings of your mouth, i.e., do not tell her everything. Grieve not about tomorrow’s trouble, because you know not what a day may bring; perhaps tomorrow you will no longer be, and one will have worried about a world that is not his. The verse states: “All the days of the poor are terrible” (Proverbs 15:15). The book of ben Sira says: Also the nights are terrible, as then the poor person worries. The poor person’s roof is among the lowest roofs in the city, and in the elevation of the hills is his vineyard, at the highest point, as those are of the lowest quality and consequently the least expensive places for each. From the rain on the roofs of the entire city, water will flow down to his roof and dampen it, and the soil of his vineyard is eroded by the rain and swept down to other vineyards. § The Gemara provides a mnemonic for the statements that follow, based primarily on those who authored those statements. Zeira; Rava; Mesharshiyya; Ḥanina toviyya, referring to Rabbi Ḥanina, who spoke of a good [tova] wife; Yannai yafe, referring to Rabbi Yannai, who spoke of one who is broad-minded [da’ato yafe]; Yoḥanan meraḥem, referring to Rabbi Yoḥanan, who spoke of one who is compassionate [meraḥem]; Yehoshua mekatzer, referring to Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who spoke of one who is intolerant [da’ato ketzara]. Rabbi Zeira says that Rav says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “All the days of the poor are terrible, and for the good-hearted it is always a feast” (Proverbs 15:15)? “All the days of the poor are terrible”; these are masters of the Talmud, who invest constant effort in their study and encounter endless difficulties and questions. “And for the good-hearted it is always a feast”; these are masters of the Mishna, who study only halakhic conclusions and encounter no difficulties. Rava says that the opposite is true; and this is that which Rav Mesharshiyya said in the name of Rava: What is the meaning of that which is written: “One who quarries stones shall be saddened by them and he who chops wood shall be warmed by it” (Ecclesiastes 10:9)? “One who quarries stones shall be saddened by them”; these are masters of the Mishna, as they invest effort, but are unable to benefit from that effort, as they do not reach halakhic conclusions. “And he who chops wood shall be warmed by it”; these are masters of the Talmud, who invest considerable effort and benefit from it, as they reach halakhic conclusions. Rabbi Ḥanina says: “All the days of the poor are terrible”; this is referring to one who has a bad wife. “And for the good-hearted it is always a feast”; this is referring to one who has a good wife. Rabbi Yannai says: “All the days of the poor are terrible”; this is referring to one who is delicate [istenis], i.e., one who is sensitive to repulsive items. “And for the good-hearted it is always a feast”; this is referring to one who is broad-minded [da’ato yafe], i.e., he is not particular and will eat anything. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: “All the days of the poor are terrible”; this is referring to one who is compassionate [meraḥem], as he always senses the suffering in the world and is constantly anxious. “And for the good-hearted it is always a feast”; this is referring to one who is cruel and indifferent to suffering in the world. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: “All the days of the poor are terrible”; this is referring to one who is intolerant [da’ato ketzara] of others acting against his will. “And for the good-hearted it is always a feast”; this is referring to one who is tolerant and accepts the actions of others. And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says with regard to the verse “All the days of the poor are terrible”: But aren’t there Shabbatot and Festivals, when he rests and eats festive meals? This can be explained in accordance with that statement of Shmuel, as Shmuel says: A change in routine in terms of eating and rest causes the onset of an intestinal ailment. Due to the dramatic deviation on Shabbat from the poor person’s routine he suffers. § The Sages taught: One who reads a verse from Song of Songs and renders it a form of secular song, and not a sacred text, and one who reads any biblical verse at a banquet house, not at its appropriate time, but merely as a song, introduces evil to the world, as the Torah girds itself with sackcloth and stands before the Holy One, Blessed be He, and says before Him: Master of the Universe, Your children have rendered me like a harp on which clowns play. The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to the Torah: My daughter, during the time that they are eating and drinking, in what should they be engaged? The Torah says before Him: Master of the Universe, if they are masters of the Bible, let them engage in the study of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings. If they are masters of the Mishna, let them engage in the study of the Mishna, in the study of halakha, and in the study of aggada. And if they are masters of the Talmud, let them engage in the study of the halakhot of Passover on Passover, in the study of the halakhot of Shavuot on Shavuot, and in the study of the halakhot of Sukkot on Sukkot. They should not treat the Torah with contempt by using it for their own entertainment. Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar testified in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥananya: Anyone who reads a verse at its appropriate time and in the appropriate manner introduces good into the world, as it is stated: “And a word in its season, how good is it” (Proverbs 15:23). § The mishna teaches: And among those who have no share in the World-to-Come is one who whispers invocations over a wound. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: And that is the case only where he spits into the wound while he whispers, as one does not mention the name of Heaven over spittle, and doing so is an act of contempt for God. It was stated that Rav says: Even the verse: “When a leprous mark is in a man, then he shall be brought to the priest” (Leviticus 13:9), in which there is no mention of the name of God, may not be whispered as an invocation. Rabbi Ḥanina says: Even a verse that is unrelated to the specific illness in question, for example: “And He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), may not be whispered as an invocation. The Sages taught in a baraita: One may smear oil on and rub the intestinal area on Shabbat to ease pain, and it is not prohibited as a form of healing. One may whisper incantations of snakes and scorpions on Shabbat to ease the pain of their bite. And one may pass a cool vessel upon an infected eye on Shabbat, to soothe the inflammation. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: In what case are these matters stated? They are stated in the case of a vessel that may be moved on Shabbat. But with regard to a vessel that may not be moved, it is prohibited to pass it upon the infected eye on Shabbat. And one may not consult the words of demons on Shabbat. Rabbi Yosei says: Even during the week it is prohibited to consult demons. Rav Huna said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei. The Gemara notes: And even Rabbi Yosei did not say that it is due to the Torah prohibition of witchcraft that it is prohibited during the week; rather, it is prohibited due to danger, lest the demons harm him. This could happen, as in that incident concerning Rav Yitzḥak bar Yosef, who consulted a demon and as a result was swallowed into a cedar tree, and a miracle was performed for him and the cedar split and expelled him. The Sages taught in a baraita: One may smear oil on and rub the intestinal area on Shabbat, and it is not a forbidden form of healing, provided that he does not do so in the manner in which he does during the week. The Gemara asks: How then does one do so on Shabbat? Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: One first smears oil and afterward rubs the body. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: One smears oil and rubs the body simultaneously. The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to demons of oil and demons of eggs, i.e., demons consulted by means of oil and eggs, respectively, it is permitted to consult them; but it is futile to do so, due to the fact that they deceive. One may whisper an incantation for healing over oil that is in a vessel and one may not whisper an incantation over oil that is in one’s hand. Therefore, one may smear oil on his body from oil that is brought to him in another’s hand, and there is no concern that perhaps someone whispered over it; and one may not smear oil that is brought to him in a vessel, as perhaps someone whispered over it and it will cause him harm. The Gemara relates: Rav Yitzḥak bar Shmuel bar Marta happened to come to a certain inn, and they brought him oil in a vessel. He rubbed it on his face, and boils developed on his face. He went out to the marketplace, and a certain woman saw him and said: I see here the evil spirit of Ḥamat on your face. She performed an action, i.e., whispered an incantation, for him, and he was healed. Rabbi Abba said to Rabba bar Mari that there is an apparent contradiction in a verse. It is written: “All the disease that I placed in Egypt I shall not place upon you, for I am the Lord, your Healer” (Exodus 15:26). And since God does not place the disease upon the Jewish people, why is healing necessary? Rabba bar Mari said to him that this is what Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This verse can be interpreted and the contradiction resolved from the contents of the verse itself, as it is stated: “And He said: If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord, your God” (Exodus 15:26). If you hearken to God’s voice, I will not place the disease upon you, and if you do not hearken to God’s voice, I will place the disease upon you. Nevertheless, even if you do not hearken to the voice of God, and I place the disease upon you, know that I will heal you, “for I am the Lord, your Healer.” § Rabba bar bar Ḥana says: When Rabbi Eliezer fell ill, his students entered to visit him. Rabbi Eliezer said to them: There is intense wrath in the world, and it is due to that wrath of the Holy One, Blessed be He, Who is angry at His world, that I am suffering from these afflictions. His students began to cry due to their teacher’s suffering, and Rabbi Akiva was laughing. They said to him: Why are you laughing? Rabbi Akiva said to them: And for what reason are you crying? They said to him: Is it possible that Rabbi Eliezer, who is as much an exemplar of Torah as a Torah scroll, is afflicted with pain and we will not cry? Rabbi Akiva said to them: It is for that reason that I am laughing. As long as I would see for my teacher that neither does his wine ferment and spoil, nor is his flax stricken, nor does his oil spoil, nor does his honey turn rancid, I would say to myself: Perhaps, Heaven forfend, my teacher has already received his world in reward for the mitzvot that he fulfilled, and will not receive a reward in the World-to-Come. But now that I see my teacher overcome with suffering, I am happy. He is receiving punishment in this world for the few transgressions that he might have committed, ensuring that he will receive a complete reward in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Eliezer said to him: Akiva, have I failed to fulfill any portion of the entire Torah? Rabbi Akiva said to him, you taught us, our teacher: “For there is not a righteous man upon earth who does good and sins not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). The Sages taught in a baraita: When Rabbi Eliezer fell ill, four Sages entered to visit him: Rabbi Tarfon, and Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya, and Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Tarfon responded to the situation with words of encouragement and said: You are better for the Jewish people than a drop of rain, as a drop of rain provides benefit in this world, and my teacher provides them benefit in this world and in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Yehoshua responded and said: You are better for the Jewish people than the sphere of the sun, as the sphere of the sun provides benefit in this world, and my teacher provides benefit in this world and in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya responded and said: You are better for the Jewish people than a father and mother, as a father and mother provide benefit in this world, and my teacher provides benefit in this world and in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Akiva responded and said: Afflictions are cherished. When Rabbi Eliezer heard this he said to his attendants: Support me so I can sit and hear the statement of Akiva my student, who said: Afflictions are cherished. Rabbi Eliezer said to him: Akiva, from where do you derive this? Rabbi Akiva said: I interpret a verse in order to derive it. It is written: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem…And he performed that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord” (II Kings 21:1–2). And it is written: “These too are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judea, copied” (Proverbs 25:1), indicating that Hezekiah taught Torah and disseminated it to the multitudes. And is it conceivable that Hezekiah, king of Judea, taught Torah to the entire world and to Manasseh his son he did not teach Torah? Rather, Hezekiah certainly taught Manasseh much Torah; nevertheless, from all his exertion to teach him and from all his toil to teach him, it was only afflictions that elevated him to the path of good, as it is stated: “And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people but they would not heed. And the Lord brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, and bound him with chains, and carried him to Babylonia” (II Chronicles 33:10–11). And it is written thereafter: “And when he was in distress, he sought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and he prayed to Him and He was entreated of him, and He heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom; then Manasseh knew that the Lord He was God” (II Chronicles 33:12–13). You learned from this that afflictions are cherished. Apropos Manasseh’s repentance, the Gemara cites that the Sages taught in a baraita: Three came with a demand, and these are they: Cain, Esau, and Manasseh. Cain came with a demand, as it is written: “My sin is too great to bear” (Genesis 4:13). Cain said before God: Master of the Universe, is my transgression greater than the transgression of the 600,000 who are destined to sin before You with the Golden Calf, and You will nevertheless forgive them? There should be atonement for my transgression as well. Esau came with a demand, as it is stated: “Have you but one blessing, my father?” (Genesis 27:38). With regard to Manasseh, initially he called to multiple gods, and his prayers were not answered, and ultimately he called to the God of his forefathers with the demand: If God does not answer my prayer, then apparently all the gods are equal to the God of my forefathers. § The mishna teaches: Abba Shaul says: Also among those who have no share in the World-to-Come is one who pronounces the ineffable name of God as it is written, with its letters. It is taught in a baraita: This is referring to one who pronounces the name in the outlying areas outside the Temple, and in colloquial [aga] language, for no particular purpose. In the mishna, the tanna enumerated three kings and four commoners who have no share in the World-to-Come. The Sages taught in a baraita: Jeroboam [Yorovam] is an abbreviation for one who debased the Jewish people [riba am]. Alternatively, Yorovam is an abbreviation for one who engendered strife among the people [meriva ba’am], causing the schism between the kingdoms of Judea and Israel. Alternatively, Yorovam is an abbreviation for one who engendered strife between the Jewish people [meriva bein ha’am] and their Heavenly Father, as he instituted the worship of the golden calves (I Kings 12:28–31). He is called son of Nebat because he is the son who looked [nibat] in an effort to assess the situation but did not see the situation accurately. It is taught in a baraita: Based on a homiletic interpretation of their names, these three biblical figures are deemed to be the same person. He is called Nebat, he is called Micah, and he is called Sheba, son of Bichri. Nebat, who looked [nibat] but did not see, believed that he was destined for greatness, and that was achieved only by his son. Micah, who was crushed [nitmakhmekh] in the building of the storage cities of Pithom and Raamses, was miraculously saved. And what is his actual name? His name is Sheba, son of Bichri. The Sages taught in a baraita: Three looked but did not see and as a result were mistaken in their prognostications. And these are they: Nebat, and Ahithophel, and the astrologers of Pharaoh. The Gemara elaborates: Nebat saw fire that emerges from his penis. He thought that it meant that he would rule. But that is not so. It meant that it would be Jeroboam who would emerge from him and rule. Ahithophel saw leprosy that glowed on his penis and he thought that he would rule. But it is not so. Instead from Bathsheba his daughter, i.e., his son’s daughter, came Solomon the king. The astrologers of Pharaoh saw and were mistaken, as Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “These are the waters of contention” (Numbers 20:13)? These are the waters that the astrologers of Pharaoh saw, and they erred concerning them. As they saw in the stars that the savior of Israel would be stricken by water, Pharaoh said: “Every son that is born you shall cast into the river” (Exodus 1:22), assuming that any potential savior would be drowned. And they did not know that it was over matters involving the waters of Meribah that Moses would be stricken and would not be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. The Gemara resumes its discussion of Jeroboam. And from where do we derive that Jeroboam does not enter into the World-to-Come? It is derived from a verse, as it is written: “And by this matter there was a sin to the house of Jeroboam, and to eradicate it and to destroy it from off the face of the earth” (I Kings 13:34). It can be interpreted to mean: To eradicate it in this world, and to destroy it for the World-to-Come. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what virtue was Jeroboam privileged to ascend to monarchy? It is due to the fact that he rebuked Solomon for his sins. And for what misdeed was he punished and lost everything? It is due to the fact that he rebuked Solomon and humiliated him in public, as it is stated: “And this was the cause that he lifted his hand against the king: Solomon built the Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father” (I Kings 11:27). Jeroboam said to Solomon: David, your father, created breaches in the wall so that the Jewish people could ascend for the pilgrimage Festival, and you sealed them in order to marshal forced labor [angarya] for the daughter of Pharaoh, your wife. And what is the meaning of the phrase “and this was the cause that he lifted his hand against the king”? Rav Naḥman says: He removed his phylacteries before Solomon, thereby demonstrating that he does not consider Solomon his superior. Rav Naḥman says: The arrogance that existed in Jeroboam drove him from the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And Jeroboam said in his heart: Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the House of the Lord in Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam, king of Judea, and they shall kill me and return to Rehoboam, king of Judea” (I Kings 12:26–27). Jeroboam calculated and said: It is learned as a tradition that sitting in the Temple courtyard is permitted only for kings of the house of Judah alone. Once they see Rehoboam, who is sitting, and they see me standing, they will think: This, Rehoboam, is king, and that, Jeroboam, is the servant. And if I sit there, I will be considered a traitor against the throne, and they will kill me and follow him. Immediately, the following took place: “And the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said to them: It is too much for you to ascend to Jerusalem; behold your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. And he placed the one in Bethel and the other he placed in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). What is the meaning of the phrase “and the king took counsel”? Rabbi Yehuda says: It means that he assembled the elders of the kingdom of Israel and seated a wicked person alongside a righteous person and consulted them. He said to the elders: Do you sign a writ of authorization for all that I am doing? They said to him: Yes. He said to them: I want to be the king. They said to him: Yes. Jeroboam said to them: Will you do everything I tell you to do? They said to him: Yes. He said to them: Even to worship idols? A righteous man said: Heaven forfend; idol worship is unacceptable. The wicked man seated alongside him said to the righteous man: Does it enter your mind that a man like Jeroboam would worship idols? Rather, he merely seeks to test those sitting here, to determine if they accept and will obey his pronouncements. And even Ahijah the Shilonite erred in this matter and signed that he would accept all of Jeroboam’s pronouncements. And generations later this caused Jehu to sin. The Gemara explains: As Jehu was an extremely righteous person. As it is stated: “And the Lord said to Jehu: Because you have done well, to perform what is right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, your children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel” (II Kings 10:30). And it is written: “But Jehu took no care to walk in the Torah of the Lord, God of Israel, with all his heart; he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin” (II Kings 10:31). What caused Jehu to do so? Abaye says: A covenant is made with the lips, as it is stated that Jehu said cunningly in an attempt to entrap the priests of the Baal: “Ahab worshipped Baal a little, but Jehu shall serve him much” (II Kings 10:18). Although it was not his intention, once the statement escaped his lips he began following the path to its fulfillment. Rava says: He saw the seal of Ahijah the Shilonite on the coronation document of Jeroboam and he erred and believed that it was permitted to act as Jeroboam did. The Gemara continues its discussion of Jeroboam. With regard to that which is written: “And the apostates are deep in slaughter and I am rejected by them all” (Hosea 5:2), Rabbi Yoḥanan says that the Holy One, Blessed be He, says: They issued decrees that are more profound and more extreme than my own. I said: Anyone who does not ascend to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival violates a positive mitzva, and they said: Anyone who ascends to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival will be stabbed with the sword. In that way, Jeroboam successfully prevented the residents of the kingdom of Israel from ascending to Jerusalem. The verse states: “And it came to pass at that time, and Jeroboam left Jerusalem, and the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the way, and he was clad in a new garment, and the two were alone in the field” (I Kings 11:29). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yosei: The phrase “at that time” indicates that it is a time ordained for calamity. The verse states: “At the time of their punishment, they shall perish” (Jeremiah 51:18). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yosei: The phrase “at the time” indicates that it is a time ordained for calamity. The verse states: “In an acceptable time have I answered you” (Isaiah 49:8). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yosei: The phrase “in an acceptable time” indicates that it is a time ordained for good. The verse states: “On the day when I punish, I will punish their sin upon them” (Exodus 32:34). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yosei: The phrase “on the day when I punish” indicates that it is a time ordained for calamity. The verse states: “And it came to pass at that time, and Judah descended from his brothers” (Genesis 38:1). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yosei: The phrase “at that time” indicates that it is a time ordained for calamity. The verse states: “And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel came to Shechem, to make him king” (I Kings 12:1). It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yosei: Shechem is a place ordained for calamity. In Shechem, they tormented and raped Dinah, in the outskirts of Shechem the brothers sold Joseph, in Shechem the kingdom of the house of David was divided. With regard to the verse which states: “And Jeroboam left Jerusalem” (I Kings 11:29), Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa says: It means that he left the destiny of Jerusalem, meaning he removed himself from the category of the residents of Jerusalem, never to return. The verse states: “And the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the way, and he was clad in a new [ḥadasha] garment, and the two were alone in the field.” What is taught by the phrase “in a new garment”? Rav Naḥman says: It was like a new garment; just as a new garment has no imperfection, so too, the Torah studies of Jeroboam at that time had no imperfection. Alternatively, “a new garment” teaches that they introduced [sheḥideshu] matters that no ear had ever heard. What is taught by the phrase “and the two were alone in the field”? Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: It teaches that all the Torah scholars of that generation seemed, relative to them, like grass of the field, as they were wiser than all of them. And there are those who say: It teaches that all the rationales of the Torah were revealed to them like a field that is exposed for all to see. The verse states: “Therefore shall you give parting gifts to Moresheth Gath; the houses of Achzib are a deceitful thing for the kings of Israel” (Micah 1:14). Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa says: When they crowned Jeroboam, a Divine Voice emerged and said to the subjects of the kingdom of Israel: He who killed the Philistine and bequeathed the city of Gath to you, i.e., King David, will you give parting gifts to his sons and revolt against them? Ultimately, the houses of Achzib are a deceitful thing for the kings of Israel, as the kings of Israel will also be forsaken by their subjects. Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa says: With regard to anyone who derives benefit from this world without reciting a blessing, it is as though he stole from the Holy One, Blessed be He, and the congregation of Israel, as it is stated: “Whoever robs his father and his mother and says: It is no transgression, he is the companion of a corrupter” (Proverbs 28:24). And the term “his father” is referring to none other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “Is He not your Father Who created you, Who made you and established you?” (Deuteronomy 32:6). And the term “his mother” is referring to none other than the congregation of Israel, as it is stated: “Hear, my son, the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the Torah of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8). The mention of the Torah as emanating from the mother indicates that the mother represents the congregation of Israel, and the Torah of the mother is the tradition of the Jewish people. What is the meaning of the phrase “He is the companion of a corrupter”? It means that he is a companion of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who corrupted the people of Israel before their Father in Heaven by sinning and by causing others to sin. With regard to the verse: “And Jeroboam drove Israel from following the Lord, and caused them to sin a great sin” (II Kings 17:21), Rabbi Ḥanin says: This is like two sticks that when they collide cause each other to carom, as due to the strife, Jeroboam caused the subjects of the kingdom of Israel to grow distant from God. § Apropos the calves of Jeroboam, the Gemara discusses the Golden Calf discussed in the Torah. The verse states: “And Di Zahav” (Deuteronomy 1:1). The school of Rabbi Yannai said: Moses said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, because of the gold and silver that You lavished upon the Jewish people during the exodus from Egypt until they said enough [dai], this wealth caused the Jewish people to fashion for themselves gods of gold. The combination of wealth and leisure left them open to a transgression of that sort. There is a parable for this: A lion does not maul and roar over a basket of straw from which he derives no pleasure; rather, he mauls and roars over a basket of meat, as he roars only when satiated. In other words, the guilt is not exclusively theirs. Rabbi Oshaya says: Until Jeroboam, Israel was suckling, i.e., suffering the consequences, from worshipping one calf that they fashioned in the wilderness. From that point forward, they were suckling from two and three calves, as Jeroboam added the calves in Bethel and Dan. Rabbi Yitzḥak says: You have no punishment that comes to the world in which there is not one twenty-fourth of the surplus of a litra of the first calf. When weighing a substance, there would often be a disparity of up to one twenty-fourth of its weight. The point is that a minuscule portion of the sin of the Golden Calf is added to every punishment imposed upon the Jewish people, as it is stated: “On the day when I punish, I will punish their sin upon them” (Exodus 32:34), indicating that atonement for that sin is incomplete, and the Jewish people will continue to suffer for it. Rabbi Ḥanina says: After twenty-four generations elapsed from the sin of the Golden Calf, the debt referred to in this verse was collected, as it is stated: “And he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying: Those who have charge over the city draw near, every man with his deadly weapon in his hand” (Ezekiel 9:1). This prophecy occurred twenty-four generations after the sin of the Golden Calf. The verse states: “And after this matter, Jeroboam returned not from his evil way” (I Kings 13:33). To what event is the verse alluding, when it states: “After this matter”? Rabbi Abba says: It is after the Holy One, Blessed be He, grabbed Jeroboam by his garment, i.e., he sent prophets and implored him, and said to him: Repent, and you and I and the son of Yishai will stroll together in the Garden of Eden. Jeroboam said to Him: Who will walk in the lead? God said to Jeroboam: The son of Yishai will walk in the lead. Jeroboam said: If so, I do not wish to repent. § The Gemara relates: Rabbi Abbahu was accustomed to lecture at great length about the three kings enumerated in the mishna, who have no share in the World-to-Come. He fell ill, and he undertook that he would not lecture about those kings. Once he recovered, he then lectured on that topic. His students said to him: Did you not undertake that you will not lecture about them? Rabbi Abbahu said: Did they repent, that I will reconsider and refrain from condemning them? One day Rav Ashi ended his lecture just before reaching the matter of the three kings. He said to his students: Tomorrow we will begin the lecture with our colleagues the three kings, who, although they were sinners, were Torah scholars like us. Manasseh, king of Judea, came and appeared to him in his dream. Manasseh said to him angrily: You called us your colleague and the colleagues of your father? How dare you characterize yourself as our equal? Manasseh said to him: I will ask you, from where are you required to begin cutting a loaf of bread when reciting the blessing: Who brings forth bread from the earth? Rav Ashi said to him: I do not know. Manasseh said to him: Even this, from where you are required to begin cutting a loaf of bread when reciting the blessing: Who brings forth bread from the earth, you did not learn, and yet you call us your colleague? Rav Ashi said to Manasseh: Teach me this halakha and tomorrow I will lecture and cite it in your name during my public lecture delivered on the Festival. Manasseh said to him: One cuts the loaf from where it crusts as a result of baking. Rav Ashi said to him: Since you were so wise, what is the reason you engaged in idol worship? Manasseh said to him: Had you been there at that time, you would have taken and lifted the hem of your cloak and run after me due to the fierce desire to engage in idol worship and due to the fact that it was a common faith. The next day Rav Ashi said to the Sages as a prelude to his lecture: We will begin with the treatment of our teachers, those kings who were greater than us in Torah knowledge but whose sins caused them to lose their share in the World-to-Come. § The Gemara proceeds to discuss the second king enumerated in the mishna, Ahab. Ahab [Aḥav], although he was a brother [aḥ] to Heaven, he was a father [av] for idol worship. He was a brother to Heaven, as it is written: “And a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17), and in desperate times, he turned to Heaven. He was a father for idolatry. This is the highest level of attachment, as it is written: “As a father has compassion for his children” (Psalms 103:13). With regard to Ahab, it is written: “And it came to pass, the most minor of his transgressions was his walking in the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat” (I Kings 16:31). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The minor sins that Ahab performed were on par with the major sins that Jeroboam performed, as the transgressions committed by Ahab were much more serious than those committed by Jeroboam. And for what reason did the verse attribute the sins of all the kings of Israel to Jeroboam, even though the sins of Ahab were more substantial? It is due to the fact that he was first to engage in iniquity. With regard to the verse: “Their altars shall also be like droppings in the furrows of the field” (Hosea 12:12), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: You do not have even one furrow in Eretz Yisrael upon which Ahab did not place an object of idol worship and bow to it. The Gemara asks: And from where do we derive that Ahab does not enter into the World-to-Come? The Gemara answers: It is derived as it is written: “And I will excise from Ahab every man, and him that is shut up and him that is abandoned in Israel” (I Kings 21:21). “Him that is shut up” indicates he will be excised in this world, while “and him that is abandoned” indicates he will be excised in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what virtue was Omri, king of Israel, who was Ahab’s father, privileged to ascend to the monarchy? It is due to the fact that he added one city in Eretz Yisrael, as it is stated: “And he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city that he built after Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria” (I Kings 16:24). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what virtue was Ahab privileged to ascend to the monarchy and rule for twenty-two years? It is due to the fact that he respected the Torah, which was given with twenty-two letters, as it is stated: “And he sent messengers to Ahab, king of Israel, into the city, and said to him: So says Ben-Hadad: Your silver and your gold are mine; your wives and also your good children, are mine. And the king of Israel answered and said: It is according to your saying, my lord, O king: I am yours, and all that I have. And the messengers came again, and said: So speaks Ben-Hadad, saying: I sent to you, saying: You shall deliver me your silver, and your gold, and your wives, and your children. Yet I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house, and the houses of your servants, and it shall be, that they shall put in their hand all the delight of your eyes and take it…And he said to the messengers of Ben-Hadad, tell my lord the king: All that you did send for to your servant at the first I will do; but this thing I may not do” (I Kings 20:2-6, 9). The Gemara asks: What is “the delight of your eyes” that Ahab refused to give Ben-Hadad after agreeing to give him his wives and his gold? Is it not a Torah scroll? Ahab treated the Torah with deference. The Gemara suggests: Perhaps the delight of his eyes was an object of idol worship. The Gemara answers: That could not enter your mind, as it is written that Ahab consulted the Sages with regard to this matter: “And all the elders and all the people said to him: Do not consent and heed not” (I Kings 20:8). The elders in this verse are presumably the Sages. The Gemara continues: But perhaps they were wicked elders, who worshipped idols. Isn’t it written: “And the saying pleased Absalom well and all the elders of Israel” (II Samuel 17:4), and Rav Yosef says: The elders of Israel mentioned in that verse were wicked elders. Perhaps the elders of Israel with whom Ahab consulted were also wicked. The Gemara rejects this: There, with regard to Absalom it is not written: “And all the people,” whereas here, with regard to Ahab, it is written: “And all the people.” As it is impossible that there were not among them righteous people, if the righteous people agreed, apparently, “the delight of your eyes” was sacred. And it is written: “And I will leave seven thousand in Israel; all the knees that have not bent to the Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed it” (I Kings 19:18), indicating that there were righteous people among them. Rav Naḥman says: Ahab was balanced in terms of the mitzvot and transgressions that he performed, as it is stated: “And the Lord said, who shall entice Ahab that he may ascend and fall at Ramoth Gilead? And this one said in this manner, and that one said in that manner” (I Kings 22:20), indicating that it is unclear whether or not he was a full-fledged transgressor. Rav Yosef objects to this statement: This is the person about whom the prophet wrote: “But there was none like Ahab who devoted himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife had incited” (I Kings 21:25). And we learn in a baraita: Every day she would weigh gold shekels equal to Ahab’s weight for idol worship. And you say he was balanced? Rather, Ahab was generous with his money and did not scrimp, and since he also benefited Torah scholars with his property, the heavenly court expiated half his sins for him. The result was a balance between mitzvot and transgressions. With regard to God’s search for a volunteer to entice Ahab, it is written: “And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said: I will entice him. And the Lord said to him: With what? And he said: I will go out, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said: You shall entice him, and also prevail; go out, and do so” (I Kings 22:21–22). The Gemara asks: What spirit was that? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It was the spirit of Naboth the Jezreelite, who sought to take revenge against Ahab. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the term “go out” that God instructed the spirit? Ravina says that it means: Go out from within my partition and do not return, as so it is written: “He that speaks falsehoods shall not be established before My eyes” (Psalms 101:7). The spirit that volunteered to lie may no longer be before God. Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: One who avenges due to his zealotry destroys his own house. The spirit of Naboth that sought revenge was expelled from before God. With regard to the verse: “And Ahab made the ashera; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (I Kings 16:33), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It means that he wrote on the doors of Samaria: Ahab denies the existence of the God of Israel, therefore he has no share in the God of Israel. With regard to the verse: “And he sought Ahaziah, and they apprehended him, for he was hiding in Samaria” (II Chronicles 22:9), Rabbi Levi says: What would he do in hiding? He would excise mentions of God’s name in Torah scrolls and write the name of an object of idol worship in their stead. The Gemara proceeds to discuss the third king enumerated in the mishna. He was called Manasseh [Menashe] because he forgot God [nasha yah]. Alternatively, he was called Manasseh since he caused the kingdom of Israel to forget [hinshi] their Father Who is in Heaven. And from where do we derive that Manasseh does not enter into the World-to-Come? The Gemara answers: It is derived as it is written: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem…And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord…And he made an ashera, as did Ahab king of Israel” (II Kings 21:1–3). Just as Ahab has no share in the World-to-Come, so too, Manasseh has no share in the World-to-Come. § The mishna teaches that Rabbi Yehuda says: Manasseh has a share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And he prayed to him and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication and brought him back to Jerusalem unto his kingdom” (II Chronicles 33:13). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: And both of them, Rabbi Yehuda and the Rabbis, who disagree with regard to whether Manasseh has a share in the World-to-Come, interpreted one and the same verse, as it is stated: “And I will make them into a horror for all the kingdoms of the earth, on account of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah” (Jeremiah 15:4). One Sage, Rabbi Yehuda, holds that “on account of Manasseh” means that the Jewish people will be judged harshly, as ultimately, one as wicked as Manasseh repented, and they did not do so. And one Sage, the Rabbis, holds that “on account of Manasseh” means because he did not repent, and the people followed in his footsteps. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Anyone who says that Manasseh has no share in the World-to-Come discourages penitents, as Manasseh repented and according to them is nevertheless excluded from the World-to-Come. As the tanna taught a baraita before Rabbi Yoḥanan: Manasseh repented for thirty-three years, as it is written: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem…And he did that which was evil…And he made an ashera, as did Ahab king of Israel” (II Kings 21:1–3). How many years did Ahab reign? He reigned twenty-two years. How many years did Manasseh reign? He reigned fifty-five years. Deduct from them the twenty-two years during which he performed evil like Ahab, and thirty-three years remain for him to have repented. Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And he prayed to Him; and He made an opening for him” (II Chronicles 33:13)? Instead: And He received his entreaty, should have been written. Rather, this teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, crafted for him a type of opening in Heaven in order to accept him in repentance. It was necessary for Manasseh to enter the World-to-Come in a clandestine manner, due to the attribute of justice that sought to prevent his entry by claiming that his sentence was irreversible. § And Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: What is the meaning of that which is written: “In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah” (Jeremiah 26:1), and it is written: “In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah” (Jeremiah 28:1). But is it so that until now there were no kings? Why did the prophet use the term “in the beginning” exclusively with regard to these two kings, as opposed to: During the first year of his reign, or a similar formulation? Rather, the reason for the unusual formulation is that the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to restore the entire world to chaos and void, as it was in the beginning before Creation, on account of Jehoiakim the wicked; but He observed Jehoiakim’s generation, which included the righteous who had not yet been exiled to Babylonia, and His mind was set at ease. The term “in the beginning” is used to signify that it is as though the world had been created anew. Likewise, the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to restore the entire world to chaos and void, as it was in the beginning before Creation, on account of the generation of Zedekiah, as only the wicked remained after the exile of the righteous; but He observed Zedekiah and His mind was set at ease. The Gemara asks: With regard to Zedekiah it is also written: “And he did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (II Kings 24:19); why was God’s mind set at ease? The Gemara answers: Zedekiah was not wicked; rather, he had it in his power to rebuke the people of his generation and he did not rebuke them. Therefore, their sins are attributed to him. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: What is the meaning of that which is written: “If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he is angry or laughs, there is no rest” (Proverbs 29:9)? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: I was angry with Ahaz and I delivered him into the hand of the kings of Damascus. He then sacrificed offerings and burned incense to their gods, as it is stated: “He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that smote him; and he said: Because the gods of the kings of Aram help them, I will sacrifice to them, and they will help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel” (II Chronicles 28:23). When the Holy One, Blessed be He, was angry with Israel and caused them to lose a war to prompt them to repent of their sins, their response was to worship idols. I smiled upon Amaziah and I delivered the kings of Edom into his hand. In response, he brought their gods and bowed to them, as it is stated: “And it came to pass after Amaziah came from striking the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir and set them up to be his gods and prostrated himself before them, and burned incense to them” (II Chronicles 25:14). The response to victory in war was the same, idol worship. They are incorrigible. Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: I cried for the master and he did not know, I smiled for the master and he did not know; woe unto the master who does not know the distinction between good and bad. The Jewish people also resorted to idol worship both when God rewarded them and when He afflicted them. With regard to the verse: “And all the princes of the king of Babylonia came in and sat in the middle gate [sha’ar hattavekh]” (Jeremiah 39:3), Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: Sha’ar hattavekh was the place in which they would decide [meḥattekhin] halakhot. Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: In the place that the master of the house hangs his weapons, there the despicable shepherd hangs his jug. In the place where the Sanhedrin convened, Nebuchadnezzar the wicked and his princes now assemble. § The Gemara cites a mnemonic for the following statements that Rav Ḥisda said that Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba said: By the field, houses, shall not befall. Rav Ḥisda says that Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “I passed by the field of an indolent man, and by the vineyard of a man void of understanding; and behold, it was overgrown with thistles, and its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken” (Proverbs 24:30–31)? The verse describes the spiritual and political decline of the kings of Judea. “I passed by the field of an indolent man”; this is a reference to Ahaz. “And by the vineyard of a man void of understanding”; this is a reference to Manasseh. “And behold, it was overgrown with thistles”; this is a reference to Amon. “And its surface was covered with nettles”; this is a reference to Jehoiakim. “And its stone wall was broken”; this is a reference to Zedekiah, in whose days the Temple was destroyed. Apropos the previous statement, the Gemara cites an additional statement. And Rav Ḥisda says that Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says that four groups do not receive the Divine Presence: This pertains to the group of cynics, the group of liars, the group of flatterers, and the group of slanderers. This pertains to the group of cynics, as it is written: “He withdrew His hand with cynics” (Hosea 7:5), indicating that God distanced Himself from them. This pertains to the group of liars, as it is written: “He that speaks falsehoods shall not be established before My eyes” (Psalms 101:7). This pertains to the group of flatterers, as it is written: “That a flatterer shall not come before Him” (Job 13:16). This pertains to the group of slanderers, as it is stated: “For You are not a God who desires wickedness; evil shall not dwell with You” (Psalms 5:5), which means: You are righteous, and there will be no form of evil in Your dwelling. And Rav Ḥisda says that Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your tent” (Psalms 91:10)? “No evil shall befall you” means that the evil inclination shall not dominate them. “Nor shall any plague come near your tent” means that you will never find your wife in a state of uncertainty whether she has the halakhic status of a menstruating woman when you return from a journey. After a period of separation, when a husband desires his wife, her uncertain status may prove more frustrating than a situation where the prohibition is clear-cut. Alternatively, the phrase “no evil shall befall you” means that you will be frightened neither by bad dreams nor by evil thoughts. “Nor shall any plague come near your tent” means that you will not have a child or student who overcooks his food in public, i.e., sins in public and causes others to sin, such as in the well-known case of Jesus the Nazarene. Until this point in the psalm, Solomon’s father, David, blessed him, as these are blessings appropriate for a father to bless his son. From this point forward, his mother blessed him, as these are blessings appropriate for a mother to bless her son. “For he shall order His angels to preserve you in all your ways. They shall bear you on their hands, lest they dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the crocodile shall you trample under foot” (Psalms 91:11–13). Until this point in the psalm, his mother blessed him. From this point forward, God in Heaven blessed him, as the psalm proceeds to refer to God in the first person, as though speaking in His name: “Because he has desired Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation” (Psalms 91:14–16). Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And He will withhold their light from the wicked [resha’im], and the high arm shall be broken” (Job 38:15)? For what reason is the letter ayin of the word resha’im suspended slightly above the rest of the letters? It is suspended so that the word will be read rashim, meaning poor people. It means: Once a person becomes poor on earth below and the number of his enemies grows, he becomes poor in Heaven above, as he is certainly a sinner and that is why he is hated. The Gemara challenges: If that is the meaning, let the ayin not be written at all and let the verse say: Rashim. Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Elazar both explain why the ayin was not omitted. One says: It was due to the desire to preserve the honor of David, who had numerous enemies below despite the fact that he was a righteous person and had a place in the World-to-Come. And one says: It was due to the desire to preserve the honor of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah, who also had numerous enemies below, despite his righteousness. § The Sages taught in a baraita: Manasseh, king of Judea, would study fifty-five different aspects in interpreting Torat Kohanim, the halakhic midrash on Leviticus, corresponding to the years of his reign, indicating that he possessed great knowledge. Ahab was greater and studied eighty-five aspects, and Jeroboam was greater still and studied one hundred and three aspects. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Meir would say: Absalom has no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And they smote Absalom and they killed him” (II Samuel 18:15). “And they smote Absalom” is referring to death in this world, while “and they killed him” is referring to death in the World-to-Come. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says in the name of Rabbi Meir: Ahaz and Ahaziah, kings of Judea, and all of the kings of the kingdom of Israel about whom it is written: “And he did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (see, e.g., I Kings 15:34), neither live in the World-to-Come nor are sentenced to Gehenna. It is stated: “And Manasseh shed a great deal of innocent blood, until he filled Jerusalem from one end to another [peh lafeh], beside his sin that he made Judea sin, to do evil in the eyes of the Lord” (II Kings 21:16). Here, in Babylonia, they interpret the verse to mean that he killed the prophet Isaiah (see Yevamot 49b). In the West, Eretz Yisrael, they say that Manasseh crafted an idol so large that it was a burden requiring one thousand people to carry it, and each and every day he would require them to carry it, which would kill all of them. The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion is that which Rabba bar bar Ḥana says: The soul of one righteous person is equal in value to the entire world? It is in accordance with the opinion of the one who says: He killed Isaiah. It is written that Manasseh crafted “an idol” (II Chronicles 33:7), and it is written that Manasseh crafted “idols” (II Chronicles 33:19). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Initially, he crafted one face [partzuf ] for the idol, and ultimately, he crafted four faces for it so that the Divine Presence would see it from each side and become angry. Ahaz placed that idol in the upper chamber in the Temple, as it is stated: “And the altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz” (II Kings 23:12). Manasseh placed it in the Sanctuary itself, as it is stated: “And he set the graven image of the ashera that he had crafted, in that house of which the Lord said to David, and to Solomon his son: In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, will I put My name forever” (II Kings 21:7). Amon introduced it into the Holy of Holies, as it is stated: “For the bed is too short for spreading, and the covering too narrow for when he gathers himself” (Isaiah 28:20). What is the meaning of the phrase “For the bed is too short for spreading”? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says that it means: For his bed is too narrow for two colleagues to spread upon it together, as it is impossible that service of God and idol worship will coexist there. What is the meaning of the phrase “and the covering [masekha] too narrow [tzara] for when he gathers himself [kehitkanes]”? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says: When Rabbi Yonatan would reach this verse he would cry. He about whom it is written: “He gathers [kones] the waters of the sea like a rampart” (Psalms 33:7), shall a graven image [masekha] be a rival [tzara]? Ahaz nullified the Temple service and sealed the Torah, prohibiting its study, as it is stated: “Bind up the testimony, seal the Torah among my disciples” (Isaiah 8:16). Manasseh excised the mentions of God’s names from sacred books and destroyed the altar. Amon burned the Torah and sacrificed a gecko, an impure creeping animal, upon the altar. Ahaz permitted engaging in sexual intercourse with forbidden relatives, and announced that marriage between those relatives is permitted. Manasseh exploited that pronouncement and engaged in sexual intercourse with his sister. Amon engaged in sexual intercourse with his mother, as it is stated: “But Amon increased his guilt” (II Chronicles 33:23), indicating that he performed a greater and more disgraceful transgression than anyone else. Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Elazar disagreed about his transgression; one says that he burned the Torah, and one says that he engaged in sexual intercourse with his mother. His mother said to him: Do you have any pleasure by engaging in intercourse from the place from which you emerged? He said to her: I am doing this only to express insolence to my Creator, not for my pleasure. When Jehoiakim came along and reigned, he said: My predecessors did not know how to express insolence to God. Do we need God even for his light? Since we have parvayim gold that we use that shines, let God take His light from the world. They said to him: Aren’t the silver and the gold His, as it is stated: “The silver is mine and the gold is mine says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8)? Jehoiakim said to them: He has already given it to us, as it is stated: “The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the children of men” (Psalms 115:16). § Rava said to Rabba bar Mari: For what reason did the tanna’im not enumerate Jehoiakim among the kings who have no share in the World-to-Come? One would imagine that he has no share in the World-to-Come, because it is written concerning him: “And the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and his abominations that he did, and that which was found on him” (II Chronicles 36:8). The Gemara explains: What is the meaning of the phrase “and that which was found on him”? Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Elazar disagree; one says that he etched the name of idols on his penis due to his devotion to them, and one says that he etched the name of Heaven on his penis in a display of contempt. Rabba bar Mari said to Rava: With regard to the list of kings, I did not hear why Jehoiakim was excluded; but with regard to the list of commoners, I heard why a certain sinner was excluded. For what reason did the tanna’im not enumerate Micah among those with no share in the World-to-Come? After all, he crafted idols that the Jewish people worshipped (see Judges, chapter 17). It is due to the fact that his bread was available for passersby, as it is stated: All those who pass by the Levites. He would provide sustenance to all hosted in his house. With regard to that which is written: “And He shall pass through the sea with affliction and shall strike the waves in the sea” (Zechariah 10:11), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This affliction is a reference to the idol of Micah, as Micah passed through the sea during the exodus from Egypt. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Natan says: The distance from Gerav, where Micah resided, to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was at that time, was three mil, and the smoke from the arrangement of wood on the altar in Shiloh and the smoke from the worship of the idol of Micah would intermingle with each other. The ministering angels sought to dismiss him from the world. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: Leave him, as his bread is available for travelers. And it is for this matter, the sin of Micah’s idol, that the people involved in the incident of the concubine in Gibeah were punished. The tribes of Israel waged war with the tribe of Benjamin and forty thousand of them were killed. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: You did not protest for My honor and took no action to destroy Micah’s idol, but you protested for the honor of one of flesh and blood who was killed? Therefore, the other tribes were initially unsuccessful, and many of their soldiers were killed. Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma: Great is eating, as it distanced two clans from the Jewish people, as it is stated: “An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord…because they met you not with bread and with water” (Deuteronomy 23:4–5). And Rabbi Yoḥanan himself says: Food distances the near, and draws near the distant, and averts eyes from the wicked, sparing them from punishment, and causes the Divine Presence to rest on the prophets of the Baal; and an unwitting transgression with regard to it is at times considered an intentional transgression. The Gemara elaborates: The fact that it distances the near is derived from Ammon and Moab. Although they were relatives of the Jewish people, as they descend from Lot, Abraham’s nephew, it is prohibited for a Jewish woman to marry a convert from either of those nations, because they failed to provide bread and water to the Jewish people in the wilderness. And the fact that it draws near the distant is derived from Yitro, as Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In reward for Yitro telling his daughters: “Call him, that he may eat bread” (Exodus 2:20), inviting Moses to join them for a meal, Yitro’s descendants were privileged and sat as scribes in session with the Sanhedrin in the Chamber of Hewn Stone. As it is stated: “And the families of the scribes who dwelt in Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These were the Kenites who came of Hammath, father of the house of Rechab” (I Chronicles 2:55). And it is written there with regard to the identity of the Kenites: “And the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the city of the palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt with the people” (Judges 1:16). And the fact that it averts eyes from the wicked is derived from Micah, who was not punished, because he provided bread to passersby. And the fact that it causes the Divine Presence to rest on the prophets of the Baal is derived from the colleague of Iddo the prophet, the elderly prophet who convinced Iddo to eat with him contrary to the directive of God, when Iddo went to Bethel to prophesy to Jeroboam, as it is written: “And it happened as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet that brought him back” (I Kings 13:20). Although the elderly prophet was a false prophet, he was rewarded with true prophecy as a reward for hosting Iddo. And the fact that an unwitting transgression with regard to it is at times considered an intentional transgression is derived as Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Had Jonathan lent David two loaves of bread when he was fleeing Saul, David would not have sought sustenance from the priests in Nov. The residents of Nov, city of the priests, would not have been killed, and Doeg the Edomite would not have been banished from the World-to-Come, and Saul and his three sons would not have been killed as punishment for that massacre. § The Gemara asks: And for what reason did the tanna’im not enumerate Ahaz among the kings with no share in the World-to-Come? His wickedness is extensively recounted in the Bible. Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba says: He is not enumerated because he is cast between two righteous people, between his father, Jotham, and his son, Hezekiah. Rav Yosef says: He is not enumerated because he had a sense of embarrassment from Isaiah the prophet, as it is stated: “And the Lord said to Isaiah: Go out now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shear-Jashub your son, at the end of the aqueduct of the upper pool in the highway of the launderer’s [koves] field” (Isaiah 7:3). What is the meaning of the term koves? There are those who say: It means concealed [kavash], as Ahaz concealed [dekhavshinhu] his face and passed by the prophet because he was embarrassed to be seen. And there are those who say: He placed a launderer’s vessel over his head and passed by the prophet so that Isaiah would be unable to identify him. The Gemara continues and asks: For what reason did the tanna’im not enumerate the wicked Amon among the kings with no share in the World-to-Come? The Gemara answers: He is not enumerated due to the honor of Josiah, his righteous son. The Gemara challenges: Let us also not enumerate Manasseh due to the honor of Hezekiah, his righteous father. The Gemara explains: The son confers merit upon the father, as it is to the father’s credit that he raised a righteous son; but the father does not confer merit upon the son, as it is written: “None delivers from My hand” (Deuteronomy 32:39). Abraham does not deliver his son Ishmael from the judgment of Heaven; Isaac does not deliver his son Esau from judgment. The Gemara comments: Now that you have arrived at this understanding, Ahaz too was not enumerated in the mishna due to the honor of his son Hezekiah. The Gemara asks: And for what reason did the tanna’im not enumerate Jehoiakim among the kings with no share in the World-to-Come? His extreme wickedness is described extensively in the Bible. The Gemara explains: It is due to that which was stated by Rabbi Ḥiyya, son of Rabbi Avuya, as Rabbi Ḥiyya, son of Rabbi Avuya, says: It was written on the skull of Jehoiakim: This and yet another, indicating that he will receive a double punishment. The Gemara relates that Rabbi Perida’s grandfather, apparently Rabbi Ḥiyya, son of Rabbi Avuya, found a skull that was cast near the gates of Jerusalem, and on it was written: This and yet another. He buried it, but it did not stay buried. He buried it again, and again it did not stay buried. Each time he buried the skull it emerged from the grave. He said: This is no doubt the skull of Jehoiakim, as it is written in his regard: “He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 22:19). The fulfillment of this verse is exemplified in the inability to bury him. Rabbi Perida’s grandfather said: He is a king, and it is inappropriate to display contempt for it. He wrapped the skull in silk and placed it in a box. His wife saw the box and thought: This was the skull of his first wife, as he is not forgetting her. She ignited the oven and incinerated the skull. When she informed her husband what she had done, he said: That is the meaning of that which is written on the skull: This and yet another. Not only was his corpse discarded in a demeaning manner and not buried, but his skull was incinerated. That ordeal atoned for some of his transgressions, and he received a share in the World-to-Come. § It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Because of Hezekiah’s boastful statement: “And I have done what is good in Your eyes” (II Kings 20:3), he also asked the prophet inappropriately: “What shall be the sign that the Lord shall heal me” (II Kings 20:8). Because of his question: “What shall be the sign,” gentiles ate at his table. The sign was that the sun reversed its path and appeared lower, rather than higher, on the sundial of Ahaz, leading the king of Babylonia to dispatch messengers to Hezekiah. Because gentiles ate at his table, it ultimately caused the exile of his descendants. The Gemara comments: This supports the statement of Ḥizkiyya, as Ḥizkiyya said: Anyone who invites an idol worshipper into his house and serves him causes the exile of his descendants, as it is stated: “And of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you shall beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylonia” (II Kings 20:18). With regard to the verse: “And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them his treasury [beit nekhoto], the silver and the gold, and the spices and the precious ointment” (Isaiah 39:2), Rav says: What is the meaning of beit nekhoto? It means that his wife, who typically did not appear before strangers for reasons of modesty, poured drinks for them. And Shmuel says: It means that he showed them his actual treasury. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It means that he showed them a weapon so powerful that it breaks another weapon. § Apropos the exile of the descendants of the kings of Judea to Babylonia, the Gemara cites an aggadic statement about the destruction of the Temple and the sins of the Jewish people that caused it. With regard to the verse: “How [eikha] does the city sit solitary” (Lamentations 1:1), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what reason were the Jewish people stricken and their plight bemoaned with the term eikha? It is due to the fact that they violated thirty-six prohibitions punishable with karet that are enumerated in the Torah, corresponding to the numerological value of eikha, spelled alef, yod, kaf, heh. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what reason were the Jewish people stricken, and their plight bemoaned with an acrostic based on the alef beit, as the book of Lamentations contains multiple alphabetical acrostics? It is due to the fact that they violated the Torah, which was given in the language of the alef beit. With regard to the phrase “Does the city sit solitary,” Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: I said: “And Israel dwells in safety, the fountain of Jacob in solitude, to a land of grain and wine; also His heavens shall drop down dew” (Deuteronomy 33:28), indicating that their solitude shall be one of wealth and prominence. Now that they have rejected my directive and cleaved to and learned from the gentiles, their dwelling shall be solitary in sorrow. With regard to the phrase: “The city that was full of people” (Lamentations 1:1), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: They would marry a younger female to an older male and an older female to a younger male so that they would have many children. With regard to the phrase describing Jerusalem: “She became like a widow” (Lamentations 1:1), Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Like a widow, but not an actual widow. Rather, Jerusalem is like a woman whose husband has gone to a country overseas, and yet he intends to return to her. With regard to the phrase: “Great among the nations, and princess among the provinces” (Lamentations 1:1), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Every place they go, when exiled among the nations, the Jewish people become princes to their masters due to their wisdom. The Sages taught in a baraita: There was an incident involving two Jewish people who were taken captive on Mount Carmel, and their captor was walking behind them. One of the captives said to the other: The camel that is walking ahead of us is blind in one of its eyes and laden with two wineskins, one filled with wine and one filled with oil. And two people are driving the camel, one a Jew and one a gentile. The captor said to them: Stiff-necked people, from where do you know these matters that you cannot see? They said to him: We know that the camel is blind from the grass that is before it, as from the grass on the side that it sees, it eats, and from the grass on the side that it does not see, it does not eat, i.e., it eats grass from only one side. And we know that it is laden with two wineskins, one filled with wine and one filled with oil, as wine drips and sinks into the ground and oil drips and floats on the surface, and we see the difference on the ground. And we know that two people are driving the camel, one a Jew and one a gentile, as the gentile defecates on the road and the Jew, in the interests of modesty, goes to the sides of the road to defecate. The captor pursued the camel and its drivers to determine whether the statements of the captives were accurate, and found that the reality was in accordance with their statements. He came and respectfully kissed them on their head, and brought them to their house and prepared a great feast for them. And he was dancing before them and said: Blessed is He who chose the descendants of Abraham and granted of His wisdom to them, and in every place that they go they become princes to their lords. And he released them and they went to their houses in peace. § The Gemara returns to its interpretation of verses in Lamentations: “She cries [bakho tivke] at night” (Lamentations 1:2). These two cries, indicated by the use of a compound verb, why are they written? Rabba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: One is a cry over the destruction of the First Temple, and one is a cry over the destruction of the Second Temple, which was destined to be destroyed. The term “at night” indicates that the crying is over matters of night, as it is stated with regard to the response of the Jewish people to the report of the spies after their return from the land of Canaan: “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and the people cried that night” (Numbers 14:1). Rabba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: That day that they heard the spies’ report was the evening of the Ninth of Av. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people: You cried an unwarranted cry, and so I will establish for you a reason to cry for generations. Alternatively, the term “at night” indicates that with regard to anyone who cries at night, his voice is heard due to the ambient silence. Alternatively, the term “at night” indicates that in the case of anyone who cries at night, the stars and the constellations cry with him. Alternatively, the term “at night” indicates that in the case of anyone who cries at night, one who hears his voice is touched by his suffering and cries with him. There was an incident involving one woman, the neighbor of Rabban Gamliel, whose son died, and she would cry over his death at night. Rabban Gamliel heard her voice and cried with her until his eyelashes fell out. The next day his students noticed that he had been crying, and they removed the woman from his neighborhood so that Rabban Gamliel could sleep. With regard to the verse: “And her tears are on her cheeks” (Lamentations 1:2), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This is like a woman who cries over the husband of her youth, as it is stated: “Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth” (Joel 1:8). With regard to the verse: “Her adversaries have become the head” (Lamentations 1:5), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This indicates that anyone who torments the Jewish people becomes a leader, as it is stated: “For there is no weariness to him that is set against her; at the first He lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali and afterward He afflicted her more grievously by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan and the Galilee of the nations” (Isaiah 8:23). Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From this verse one derives that anyone who harasses Israel does not grow weary. With regard to the verse: “It is nothing to you, all you who pass by” (Lamentations 1:12), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From here there is a source from the Torah for complaint, i.e., it is appropriate for one to make his suffering public so that others will have compassion for him. With regard to the phrase “all you who pass by,” Rav Amram says that Rav says that it is as though Jerusalem said: They have rendered me like a city of those who violate the most fundamental precepts of law and morality, as, with regard to Sodom, it is written: “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom brimstone and fire from the Lord out of Heaven” (Genesis 19:24), while with regard to Jerusalem, it is written: “From above He has sent fire into my bones, and it prevails against them” (Lamentations 1:13). In both cities, fire rained down from Heaven. And it is written: “For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom” (Lamentations 4:6). The Gemara asks: And is there partiality in the matter? Why was Jerusalem not overturned like Sodom? Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is because there was an additional measure of suffering in Jerusalem that was not in Sodom, as with regard to Sodom it is written: “Behold this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom; pride, surfeit of bread and careless ease was in her and in her daughters; and yet she did not strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” (Ezekiel 16:49). The people of Sodom were not subject to the afflictions of hunger and famine. Whereas, with regard to Jerusalem it is written: “The hands of compassionate women cooked their own children” (Lamentations 4:10). The residents of Jerusalem were punished with great severity. The verse: “The Lord has spurned all my mighty men in the midst of me” (Lamentations 1:15), means that this is like a person who says to another: This coin was invalidated. The prominent residents of Jerusalem were crushed and discredited, and their reputations were irreversibly tainted. With regard to the verse: “They have opened their mouths against you” (Lamentations 2:16), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what reason did the prophet precede the verse beginning with the letter peh to the verse beginning with the letter ayin in several chapters of Lamentations? Since peh means mouth and ayin means eye, it is for the spies who said with their mouths [befihem] what they did not see with their eyes [be’eineihem]. With regard to the verse: “The eaters of My people ate bread, and they call not upon the Lord” (Psalms 14:4), Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Any gentile thief who eats the bread of the Jewish people tastes the flavor of bread, and one who does not eat from the bread of the Jewish people does not taste the flavor of bread. Apparently they enjoy only what they steal from the Jewish people. With regard to the people referred to in the phrase “And they call not upon the Lord,” Rav says: These are the judges who are not God-fearing, and Shmuel says: These are schoolteachers who do not perform their job in the name of God. § The Gemara resumes its discussion of the kings and commoners enumerated in the mishna who have no share in the World-to-Come. The Gemara asks: Who enumerated them? Rav Ashi says: The members of the Great Assembly enumerated them. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: They sought to enumerate one more, King Solomon, in the list of kings with no share in the World-to-Come. The image of the face of his father, King David, came and prostrated itself before them, pleading to omit Solomon from the list, and they paid it no heed. A fire came from Heaven and the fire scorched their benches [safseleihem], and they paid it no heed. A Divine Voice emerged and said to the members of the Great Assembly: “Do you see a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall stand not before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29). See the greatness of Solomon, who preceded construction of My House, the Temple, to the construction of his house. Moreover, My House he built quickly, in just seven years, and his house he constructed in thirteen years. Therefore, “he shall stand before kings; he shall stand not before obscure men,” and it is inappropriate to enumerate him among the wicked. And they paid it no heed. A Divine Voice emerged and said: “Shall His recompense be as you will it? For you loathe it, so that you must choose, and not I? Therefore, speak what you know” (Job 34:33). Only God, and not the people, determines who has a share in the World-to-Come. The Gemara adds: Those who interpret the Torah metaphorically would say: All of those enumerated who have no share ultimately enter the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim also is the strength of My head; Judah is My scepter; Moab is My washing pot; over Edom I will cast My shoe; Philistia, cry aloud because of Me” (Psalms 60:9–10, and see 108:9–10). “Gilead is Mine and Manasseh is Mine”; this is referring to Ahab, who fell in Ramoth Gilead. “Manasseh”, in its plain meaning, is referring to King Manasseh. “Ephraim also is the strength of My head”; this is referring to Jeroboam, who comes from the tribe of Ephraim. “Judah is My scepter”; this is referring to Ahithophel, who comes from the tribe of Judah. “Moab is My washing pot”; this is referring to Gehazi, who was afflicted with leprosy over matters of washing, as he took money from Naaman, whom he instructed to immerse in the Jordan River. “Over Edom I will cast My shoe”; this is referring to Doeg the Edomite. “Philistia, cry aloud [hitroa’i] because of Me”; this is referring to the fact that the ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, if David, who killed the Philistine and bequeathed the city of Gath to your sons, will come and complain that You gave a share in the World-to-Come to his enemies Doeg and Ahithophel, what will You do concerning him? Will you accept his complaint? God said to the ministering angels: It is upon me to render David and his enemies friends [re’im] with each other, and even David will agree. § With regard to the verse: “Why is this people of Jerusalem slid back in perpetual backsliding?” (Jeremiah 8:5), Rav says: The congregation of Israel answered with a convincing response to the prophet. The prophet said to the Jewish people: Repent, as your ancestors sinned, and where are they? They said to the prophets: And your prophets who did not sin, where are they? They too died, as it is stated: “Your fathers, where are they, and the prophets; do they live forever?” (Zechariah 1:5). The prophet said to the Jewish people: Your ancestors reconsidered and conceded that the admonitions of the prophets were fulfilled, as it is stated: “By my words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? And they repented and said: As the Lord of hosts intended to do to us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so has He dealt with us” (Zechariah 1:6). Shmuel says that this was the convincing answer: Ten people came and sat before the prophet Ezekiel. He said to them: Repent. They said to Ezekiel: In the case of a slave sold by his owner to another master, or a woman divorced by her husband, does this person have any claim upon that person? Since God gave the Jewish people to other masters, the ties that existed between Him and us were severed. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the prophet: Go say to them: “Where is your mother’s scroll of severance, with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors have I sold you? For your iniquities you sold yourselves and for your transgressions was your mother sent away” (Isaiah 50:1). Learn from this that God did not sever His ties to the Jewish people. And that is what Reish Lakish says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “David, My slave” (II Samuel 3:18), and: “Nebuchadnezzar, my slave” (Jeremiah 43:10)? How can the wicked Nebuchadnezzar be depicted as a slave of God in the same manner that David was depicted? Rather, it is revealed and known before the One Who spoke and the world came into being, that the Jewish people are destined to say that God sold them to the nations and they no longer have ties to Him. Therefore, the Holy One, Blessed be He, preemptively called Nebuchadnezzar His slave. With regard to the halakha concerning a slave who acquires property, the slave belongs to whom and the property belongs to whom? They both belong to the master, in this case, the Holy One, Blessed be He. With regard to the verse: “And what comes into your mind shall never come to be, that you say: We will be like the nations, like the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone. As I live, says the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I rule over you” (Ezekiel 20:32–33), Rav Naḥman says: Let the Merciful One become wrathful at us with all that wrath, and redeem us. With regard to the verse: “And chastise in judgment; his God will instruct him” (Isaiah 28:26), Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that the prophet said to the Jewish people: Repent. They said to him: We cannot, since the evil inclination dominates us. He said to them: Chastise your inclinations. They said to him: “His God will instruct him,” i.e., God should instruct the evil inclination to allow us to overcome him, as we are incapable of doing so on our own. § The mishna teaches that four prominent commoners, Balaam, Doeg, Ahithophel, and Gehazi, have no share in the World-to-Come. The Gemara elaborates: The name Balaam is interpreted as a contraction of: Without a nation [belo am], or one who has no share in the World-to-Come with the Jewish nation. Alternatively, the name Balaam is interpreted as one who wore down the Jewish people [bila am]. He is the son of Beor, one who engaged in bestiality [be’ir]. It was taught in a baraita: He is Beor, father of Balaam, he is Cushan-Rishathaim, he is Laban the Aramean. He was called Beor because he engaged in bestiality. He was called Cushan-Rishathaim because he performed two evil deeds [rishiyyot] to the Jewish people, one during the time of Jacob, when he pursued him intending to kill him, and one during the time when the judges judged. And what was his actual name? His name was Laban the Aramean. It is written: “Son of Beor” (Numbers 22:5), and it is written elsewhere: “His son Beor” (Numbers 24:3). Rabbi Yoḥanan says in resolving the apparent contradiction: Balaam’s father was his son in terms of prophecy, as Balaam was a much greater prophet. The Gemara infers from the mishna: Balaam is the one who does not come into the World-to-Come; but other gentiles come into the World-to-Come. Whose opinion is expressed in the mishna? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: It is written: “The wicked shall be turned back to the netherworld, all the nations that forget God” (Psalms 9:18). “The wicked shall be turned back to the netherworld”; these are the sinners of the Jewish people, as only the sinners are sentenced to the netherworld. “All the gentiles that forget God”; these are the sinners of the gentiles. From the fact that it is written: “All the gentiles,” it is apparent that none of the gentiles have a share in the World-to-Come. This is the statement of Rabbi Eliezer. Rabbi Yehoshua said to him: But is it stated in the verse that the sinners of the Jewish people will be like all of the gentiles? It is stated only: “All the gentiles that forget God.” Rather, the wicked shall be turned back to the netherworld, and who are they? They are all the gentiles that forget God. Gentiles who fear God do have a share in the World-to-Come. And that wicked person, Balaam, also provided a sign with regard to himself. He said: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his” (Numbers 23:10). If I die the death of the righteous, by natural causes, my end will be like his, i.e., I will receive a share in the World-to-Come like the Jewish people. And if I do not die by natural causes: “I will go to my people” (Numbers 24:14), i.e., my fate will be that of the rest of the wicked people in my generation, who have no share in the World-to-Come. With regard to the verse: “And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian set out with their divinations in their hands, and they came to Balaam” (Numbers 22:7), it was taught in a baraita: Midian and Moab had previously never had peace between them, and they were always at war with each other. What led them to make peace at that time? There is a parable of two dogs that were with the flock, and they were hostile to one another. A wolf came and attacked one. The other one said: If I do not help him, today he kills him and tomorrow he comes to attack me. They both went and killed the wolf. Moab and Midian joined together to face the potential common threat, the Jewish people. Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: A weasel [karkushta] and a cat made a wedding from the fat of the luckless. Despite their hatred of one another, they join together for their mutual benefit at the expense of a third party. It is written: “And the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam” (Numbers 22:8). The Gemara asks: And to where did the princes of Midian who accompanied the princes of Moab go? The Gemara answers: Once Balaam said to them: “Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word when the Lord speaks to me” (Numbers 22:8), the elders of Midian said: If he seeks permission from the Lord, he will not join us, as is there any father who hates his son? Certainly the Lord will help the Jewish people. Rav Naḥman says: Impudence is effective even toward Heaven. How so? Initially, it is written that God said to Balaam: “You shall not go with them” (Numbers 22:12), and ultimately after Balaam persisted and asked, it is written: “Rise up and go with them” (Numbers 22:20). Rav Sheshet says: Impudence is monarchy without a crown, as it is an assertion of leadership and lacks only the official coronation as king, as it is written: “And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me” (II Samuel 3:39). The sons of Zeruiah, due to their impudence, were as formidable as David himself. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Balaam was disabled in one of his legs, as it is stated concerning him: “And he went limping [shefi]” (Numbers 23:3). Samson was disabled in both his legs, as it is stated with regard to Samson, who was from the tribe of Dan, in the prophetic blessing of Jacob: “Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder [shefifon] in the path that bites the horse’s heels” (Genesis 49:17). Rabbi Yoḥanan interprets shefifon as the plural of shefi, indicating disability in both legs. Balaam was blind in one of his eyes, as it is stated: “Whose eye is open” (Numbers 24:3), indicating that one eye was open and the other was blind. The Gemara relates: Balaam was a diviner by using his penis. It is written here: “Fallen, yet with opened eyes” (Numbers 24:4), and it is written there: “And Haman was fallen upon the divan whereupon Esther was” (Esther 7:8), indicating that the verb fallen has sexual connotations. It was stated that there is an amoraic dispute with regard to this matter. Mar Zutra says: Balaam was a diviner by using his penis. Mar, son of Ravina, says: He engaged in bestiality with his donkey. The one who says that he was a diviner by using his penis derives it as we stated. And the one who says that he engaged in bestiality with his donkey derives it as follows: It is written here: “He crouched, he lay down” (Numbers 24:9), and it is written there: “Between her legs he sunk, he fell, he lay” (Judges 5:27), which is interpreted as a reference to sexual intercourse between Sisera and Jael. § Balaam describes himself: “And he knows the knowledge of the Most High” (Numbers 24:16), and the Gemara asks: Now, if the knowledge of his animal he did not know, is it possible that the knowledge of the Most High he knew? The Gemara explains: What is the meaning of the knowledge of his animal? The princes accompanying him said to him: What is the reason that you did not ride horses? Balaam said to them: I brought the horses to graze in the pasture and rest there. The donkey said to him: “Am I not your donkey” (Numbers 22:30)? Balaam said to the donkey: Merely for burdens, not for riding. The donkey said to him: “Upon which you have ridden” (Numbers 22:30). Balaam said to the donkey: That was mere happenstance and is not a regular occurrence. The donkey said to him: “Your whole life until this day” (Numbers 22:30). The donkey continued: Moreover, I perform a conjugal act for you and we engage in bestiality at night. From where is this derived? It is written here: “Was I ever wont [hahasken hiskanti] to do so to you” (Numbers 22:30)? And it is written there with regard to Abishag the Shunammite: “And let her be a companion [sokhenet] to him” (I Kings 1:2). Just as the root samekh, kaf, nun indicates sexual relations in the case of Abishag, the same is true with regard to the donkey. Balaam was unable to best his donkey in a debate. The Gemara asks: Rather, what, then, is the meaning of the phrase “And he knows knowledge of the Most High”? Is it possible that he knew the knowledge of the Most High? Rather, he would know to determine the moment during which the Holy One, Blessed be He, is angry. He would curse at that moment and the curse was effective. And that is what the prophet said to Israel: “My nation, remember what Balak, king of Moab, advised, and how Balaam, son of Beor, responded; from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord” (Micah 6:5). What is the meaning of the phrase “So that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord”? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Israel: Know how many acts of kindness I performed on your behalf, that I did not become angry during all the days of Balaam the wicked, as had I become angry during all those days, no remnant or refugee would have remained among the enemies of Israel, a euphemism for Israel itself. Instead, God restrained His anger and Balaam’s curse went unfulfilled. That is what Balaam said to Balak: “How can I curse, whom God has not cursed? And how can I condemn, whom God has not condemned?” (Numbers 23:8). Since God did not become angry, Balaam was unable to curse the Jewish people. It is written: “And God is angry every day” (Psalms 7:12). And how long is the duration of His wrath? It is one moment, as it is stated: “For His anger endures but a moment; His favor is for a lifetime” (Psalms 30:6). If you wish, say instead this proof from another source, as it is stated: “Come, my people, enter you into your chambers, and shut your doors about you; hide yourself for a brief moment, until the anger passes” (Isaiah 26:20), meaning that God’s anger passes in a mere moment. And when is the Holy One, Blessed be He, angry? It is during the first three hours of the day, when the crest of the rooster is white from the sun. The Gemara challenges: Each and every hour of the day the rooster’s crest is also white, as it does not always remain red. The Gemara explains: The difference is that during each and every other hour when the rooster stands that way, there are red streaks in his crest. But at that moment when God is angry, there are no red streaks in the rooster’s crest. The Gemara relates: There was a certain heretic who was in Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi’s neighborhood who would upset him by incessantly challenging the legitimacy of biblical verses. One day, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi took a rooster and tied it by its legs and sat and waited. He said: When that moment of God’s wrath arrives, I will curse him. When that moment of God’s wrath arrived, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi dozed off. When he awakened, he said: Conclude from the fact that I dozed off that it is not proper conduct to curse even the wicked, as it is written: “Punishment, even for the righteous, is not good” (Proverbs 17:26). Even with regard to heretics, a righteous person should not state a curse in order to punish them. Explaining the cause of God’s anger, it was taught in a baraita in the name of Rabbi Meir: When the sun rises and the kings place their crowns on their heads and bow down to the sun, the Holy One, Blessed be He, immediately grows angry. Since this occurs in the early hours of every day, God becomes angry at His world at that time every day. § It is stated: “And Balaam rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey” (Numbers 22:21). It was taught in a baraita in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar: Love negates the standard conduct of those of prominence. This is derived from Abraham, as it is written: “And Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey” (Genesis 22:3). Atypically, he saddled the donkey himself and he did not wait for his servants. Likewise, hatred negates the standard conduct of those of prominence. This is derived from Balaam, as it is stated: “And Balaam rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey” (Numbers 22:21). Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: A person should always engage in Torah study and performance of a mitzva even if he does not do so for their own sake, as through engaging in them not for their own sake, he will ultimately come to engage in them for their own sake. Proof for this can be cited from the example of Balak, as in reward for the forty-two offerings that Balak sacrificed, even though he sacrificed them to facilitate the destruction of the Jewish people, he was privileged and Ruth descended from him. Rabbi Yosei bar Huna says: Ruth was the daughter of Eglon, son of the son of Balak, king of Moab. Apropos Ruth, matriarch of the Davidic line, the Gemara cites that which Rava said to Rabba bar Mari: It is written that the servants of David said to David: “May God make the name of Solomon better than your name and make his throne greater than your throne [mikisekha]” (I Kings 1:47). Rava asks: Is it proper conduct to speak to a king in that manner and say that his son will be greater than he is? Rabba bar Mari said to Rava: She said to him: May the throne of Solomon be of the nature of your throne. He explains: As if you do not say so and do not explain it in this manner, then the verse: “Blessed above women Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed is she more than the women [minashim] in the tent” (Judges 5:24), is difficult. “The women in the tent,” who are they? They are Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah. Is it proper conduct to speak in that manner about the Matriarchs? Rather, of the nature of the Matriarchs is what the verse says, not greater. So too in the case of David’s servants: Of the nature of his throne, is what the verse says. The Gemara notes: This explanation disagrees with the opinion of Rav Yosei bar Ḥoni, as Rav Yosei bar Ḥoni says: A person is jealous of everyone except for his son and his student. Since their success reflects well upon him, he celebrates their success. The fact that one is not jealous of his son is derived from King David’s servants telling him: May Solomon be greater than he is. And the fact that one is not jealous of his student; if you wish, say that it is derived from that which Elisha said to Elijah: “I pray you that a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (II Kings 2:9). He asked of his mentor to be greater than him, indicating that it is not an objectionable matter. And if you wish, say instead that it is derived from Moses: “And he laid his hands upon him and commanded him” (Numbers 27:23). God commanded Moses to lay only one hand upon Joshua, and instead he laid both hands upon him with all his strength. § With regard to the verse: “And the Lord placed a matter in Balaam’s mouth” (Numbers 23:5), Rabbi Elazar says: It was an angel that spoke from his mouth. Rabbi Yonatan says: It was a hook placed in his mouth to prevent him from saying anything else. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From the blessing of that wicked person, Balaam, you can ascertain what was in his heart. God transformed the curses that he planned into blessings. He sought to say that they should not have synagogues and study halls, and he said instead: “How goodly are your tents, Jacob” (Numbers 24:5), a blessing on their synagogues. He sought to say that the Divine Presence [shekhina] will not rest upon them, and he said instead: “And your dwellings [mishkenot] Israel.” He sought to say that the kingdom of Israel would not continue, and he said instead that it would continue: “Like the winding brooks” (Numbers 24:6), which flow continuously. He sought to say that they would have no olive trees and vineyards, and he said instead: “Like gardens by the river’s side” (Numbers 24:6). He sought to say that their fragrance would not diffuse from their fulfillment of mitzvot, and he said instead: “Like aloes that the Lord has planted” (Numbers 24:6). He sought to say that they would not have kings of stature, and he said instead: “Like cedar trees beside the waters” (Numbers 24:6). He sought to say that they will not have a king the son of a king, and he said instead: “Water shall flow from his branches” (Numbers 24:7). He sought to say that their kingdom would not rule over the nations, and he said instead: “And his seed shall be in many waters” (Numbers 24:7). He sought to say that their kingdom would not be fierce, and he said instead: “And his king shall be higher than Agag.” He sought to say that there will be no fear of their kingdom, and he said instead: “And his kingdom shall be exalted” (Numbers 24:7). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana says: All of the blessings ultimately reverted to be fulfilled as the curse that he originally intended, as all of those circumstances befell the Jewish people, except for the destruction of synagogues and study halls, as it is stated: “And the Lord your God transformed the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loved you” (Deuteronomy 23:6). A curse in the singular, not curses in the plural, was transformed permanently. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are importunate” (Proverbs 27:6)? Better is the curse that Ahijah the Shilonite cursed the Jewish people than the blessing that Balaam the wicked blessed them. Ahijah the Shilonite cursed Israel with a reed, as it is stated: “For the Lord shall smite Israel as a reed is shaken in water” (I Kings 14:15). There is an aspect of blessing in that curse, as he was saying they will be just like a reed that stands in a place near water, as the water sustains it, and its stalk replenishes itself, as if it is cut another grows, and its roots are numerous. And even if all the winds that are in the world come and gust against it, they do not move it from its place and uproot it. Rather, it goes and comes with the winds. And once the winds subside the reed remains in its place. But Balaam the wicked blessed them with a cedar. There is an aspect of curse in that blessing, as he was saying they will be just like a cedar that does not stand in a place near water, and its roots are few relative to its height, and its trunk does not replenish itself, as if it is cut it does not grow back. And even if all the winds that are in the world come and gust against it, they do not move it from its place and uproot it; but once a southern wind gusts it immediately uproots the cedar and overturns it on its face. Moreover, it is the reed that was privileged to have a quill [kulmos] taken from it to write scrolls of Torah, Prophets, and Writings. Therefore, the curse of Ahijah is better than the blessing of Balaam. § It is stated with regard to Balaam: “And he looked at the Kenite and he took up his parable and said: Though firm is your dwelling place, and though your nest be set in rock” (Numbers 24:21). Balaam said to Yitro: Kenite, were you not in Egypt with us in that counsel to drown the newborn males of Israel? Who placed you alongside the mighty of the world? The Gemara comments: And that is what Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Simai says: Three were associates in that counsel, and they are: Balaam, Job, and Yitro. Balaam, who advised to drown the newborn males, was killed. Job, who was silent and was reluctant to express his opinion, was sentenced to suffer afflictions. And Yitro, who fled after he disagreed with that counsel and Pharaoh sought to kill him, his descendants were privileged to sit as scribes in session with the Sanhedrin in the Chamber of Hewn Stone, as it is stated: “And the families of the scribes who dwelt in Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These were the Kenites who came of Hammath the father of the house of Rechab” (I Chronicles 2:55). And it is written there with regard to the identity of the Kenites: “And the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the city of the palm trees” (Judges 1:16). With regard to the verse: “And he took up his parable, and said: Alas, he who lives from what God has appointed him” (Numbers 24:23), Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: Woe unto one who sustains himself in an indulgent manner in the name of God, i.e., Balaam, whose livelihood was from speaking in the name of God. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Woe unto the nation that will be found hindering the Jewish people at the time when the Holy One, Blessed be He, redeems His children. Who places his garment between a male lion and a female lion when they are mating? One who does so will certainly die. With regard to the verse: “And ships come from the coast of Kittim” (Numbers 24:24), Rav says: This is the Roman legion [libbun aspir] that will attack Assyria. “And they shall afflict Assyria, and they shall afflict Eber” (Numbers 24:24). Before they reach Assyria they will kill the Jewish people; from that point forward they will enslave them and not kill them. § Balaam said to Balak: “Behold, I go to my people; come therefore, and I shall advise you what this people shall do to your people” (Numbers 24:14). Ostensibly, he should have said: What your people shall do to this people. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana says: Balaam spoke like a person who curses himself but does not wish to utter so awful a matter and instead ascribes his curse to take effect on others. Balaam said to them: The God of these Jewish people despises lewdness, and they desire linen garments, as they have no new garments; come, and I will give you advice. Make for them enclosures using wall hangings and seat prostitutes in them, with an old woman outside the enclosure and a young woman inside, and have the women sell them linen garments. Balak made for them enclosures using wall hangings from the snow mountain, the Ḥermon, until Beit HaYeshimot, and he sat prostitutes in them, with an old woman outside and a young woman on the inside. And at the time when Jewish people were eating and drinking and were glad and going out to stroll in the marketplace, the old woman would say to a Jew: Aren’t you seeking linen garments? He would enter the enclosure and ask the price, the old woman would quote him a price equal to its value, and the young woman would quote him a price less than its value. That scenario would repeat itself two or three times. And thereafter she would say to him: You are like a member of our household, sit and choose for yourself the merchandise that you want. And a jug of Ammonite wine was placed near her, and neither Ammonite wine nor gentile wine had been prohibited yet for Jews. She said to him: Is it your wish to drink a cup of wine? Once he drank the wine, his evil inclination burned within him. He then said to her: Submit to me and engage in intercourse with me. She then removed the idol that she worshipped from her lap and said to him: Worship this. He said to her: Am I not Jewish? I am therefore forbidden from engaging in idol worship. She said to him: And what is your concern? We are asking you to do nothing more than defecate in its presence. But he does not know that its worship is conducted in that manner. Once he did so, she said to him: Moreover, I will not leave you until you deny the Torah of Moses your teacher, as it is stated: “But when they came to Ba’al-Peor they separated themselves to the shameful item; and they became detestable like that which they loved” (Hosea 9:10). They devoted themselves to the disgrace of defecation, and detested the name of God. With regard to the verse: “And Israel dwelt in Shittim” (Numbers 25:1), Rabbi Eliezer says: Shittim is the name of the place. Rabbi Yehoshua says: It is an allusion to the fact that they were engaged in matters of nonsense [shetut], i.e., prostitution and idol worship. With regard to the verse: “And they called [vatikrena] the people to the offerings of their gods” (Numbers 25:2), Rabbi Eliezer says: Naked women encountered them. Rabbi Yehoshua says: They all became those who experienced a seminal emission [kerayin] resulting from the lust that they experienced. Apropos the homiletic interpretation of the names of places, the Gemara asks: What is the connotation of the term Rephidim (see Exodus 19:2)? Rabbi Eliezer says: Rephidim is the name of the place. Rabbi Yehoshua says: It is an allusion to the fact that they enfeebled [rippu] themselves with regard to engaging in matters of Torah, as it is stated: “The fathers do not look back to their children from feebleness [rifyon] of hands” (Jeremiah 47:3). There too, the connotation of the name is dereliction in the study of Torah. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Everywhere that it is stated: And he dwelt, it is nothing other than an expression of pain, of an impending calamity, as it is stated: “And Israel dwelt in Shittim, and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab” (Numbers 25:1). It is stated: “And Jacob dwelt in the land where his father had sojourned in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 37:1), and it is stated thereafter: “And Joseph brought evil report of them to his father” (Genesis 37:2), which led to the sale of Joseph. And it is stated: “And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt in the land of Goshen” (Genesis 47:27), and it is stated thereafter: “And the time drew near that Israel was to die” (Genesis 47:29). It is stated: “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree” (I Kings 5:5), and it is stated thereafter: “And the Lord raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of the king’s seed in Edom” (I Kings 11:14). § With regard to Balaam, it is stated: “And they slew the kings of Midian, with the rest of their slain…And Balaam, son of Beor, they slew with the sword” (Numbers 31:8). The Gemara asks: Balaam, what did he seek there; what was his role in that war? He lived in Aram. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: He went to collect payment for twenty-four thousand members of the Jewish people, whom he felled with his advice. Mar Zutra bar Toviya says that Rav says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: A camel goes to seek horns and the ears that it had are severed from it. Not only was Balaam unsuccessful in collecting his fee, he also lost his life. It is stated: “And Balaam, son of Beor, the diviner, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among the rest of their slain” (Joshua 13:22). The Gemara asks: Was he a diviner? He is a prophet. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Initially he was a prophet, but ultimately, he lost his capacity for prophecy and remained merely a diviner. Rav Pappa says that this is in accordance with the adage that people say: This woman was descended from princes and rulers, and was licentious with carpenters. With regard to the latter part of the verse: “And Balaam, son of Beor, the diviner, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among the rest of their slain” (Joshua 13:22), Rav says: It means that they accomplished in him all four means of court-imposed executions: Stoning, and burning, beheading, and strangulation. A certain heretic said to Rabbi Ḥanina: Have you heard how old Balaam was when he died? Rabbi Ḥanina said to him: It is not written explicitly in the Torah. But from the fact that it is written: “Bloody and deceitful men shall not live half their days” (Psalms 55:24), this indicates that he was thirty-three or thirty-four years old, less than half the standard seventy-year lifespan. The heretic said to him: You have spoken well, I myself saw the notebook of Balaam and it was written therein: Balaam the lame was thirty-three years old when Pinehas the highwayman killed him. Mar, son of Ravina, said to his son: With regard to all of those enumerated as not having a share in the World-to-Come, do not extensively interpret verses homiletically in order to denigrate them, except with regard to Balaam the wicked, as any negative element that you discover in his regard, continue to interpret homiletically concerning him, as it is appropriate to attribute wickedness to one so wicked. § It is written in one verse: “Doeg the Edomite” (I Samuel 22:9), and it is written in another verse: “And the king said to Doyeig” (I Samuel 22:18). Rabbi Yoḥanan says in explaining the discrepancy: Initially, the Holy One, Blessed be He, sat and was concerned [doeg] that perhaps this person would emerge to undertake an evil path. After he emerged on that path, God said: Alas [vai], that person has emerged to undertake an evil path. The Gemara cites a mnemonic for the statements of Rabbi Yitzḥak that follow: Mighty, wicked, and righteous, riches, and counter. Rabbi Yitzḥak says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Why boast of your evil mighty one? The mercy of God endures continually” (Psalms 52:3)? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Doeg: Aren’t you mighty in Torah? Why do you boast of evil? Isn’t God’s mercy extended over you continually when you engage in His Torah? And Rabbi Yitzḥak says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “But to the wicked, God says: What have you to do to declare My statutes, and that you have taken My covenant in your mouth” (Psalms 50:16)? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Doeg the wicked: Why do you speak of My statutes and My Torah? When you reach the Torah portion of murderers and the Torah portion of slanderers, how do you teach them? You have violated both. With regard to the end of that verse: “And that you have taken My covenant in your mouth” (Psalms 50:16), Rabbi Ami says: Doeg’s Torah is only insincere lip service, as it is in his mouth but not in his heart. He does not have a profound understanding of the Torah and does not commit himself to the performance of its mitzvot. And Rabbi Yitzḥak says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And the righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him” (Psalms 52:8)? Initially, they will fear Doeg due to his success, and ultimately they will laugh when they witness his downfall. And Rabbi Yitzḥak says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “He has swallowed riches and he shall vomit them again; God shall cast them out of his belly” (Job 20:15)? David said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, Doeg shall die. God said to him: “He has swallowed riches and he shall vomit them again.” He is filled with Torah and wisdom; wait until he forgets what he has learned. David said before Him: “God shall cast them out of his belly.” God can remove his Torah knowledge from him before he will forget it on his own. And Rabbi Yitzḥak says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “God shall likewise destroy you forever” (Psalms 52:7)? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to David: Let Doeg enter the World-to-Come. David said before Him: “God shall likewise destroy you forever,” i.e., let Doeg not have eternal life. What is the meaning of that which is written: “He shall pluck you away, and pluck you from your tent, and root you out from the land of the living. Selah” (Psalms 52:7)? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to David: At least let them state a halakha in the study hall in his name. David said before Him: “He shall pluck you away, and pluck you from your tent,” i.e., let him be completely removed from the tents of Torah. God said to him: Let him have sons who are Sages. David said: “And root you out from the land of the living. Selah,” i.e., let Doeg be entirely uprooted. And Rabbi Yitzḥak says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Where is he that counts; where is he that weighs; where is he that counts the towers [migdalim]” (Isaiah 33:18)? Where is he that counts all the letters of the Torah? Where is he that weighs, who considers all the elements of a fortiori inferences in the Torah? Where is he who counts the towers? This is Doeg, who would count three hundred halakhic conclusions with regard to the purity of a cupboard [migdal] that floats in the air [avir]. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: Doeg and Ahithophel raised four hundred dilemmas with regard to the purity of a cupboard that floats in the air, and they did not resolve even one, an indication of their great knowledge. Rava says: Is it greatness to raise dilemmas? That is not a barometer of greatness, as in the years of Rav Yehuda all of their Torah study was confined to the order of Nezikin, and we study much more than that, and are expert even in tractate Okatzin, the final tractate in the difficult order of Teharot. Moreover, when Rav Yehuda would encounter the mishna in tractate Okatzin that discusses the extent to which the stems of various fruits and vegetables are considered an integral part of the produce in terms of contracting ritual impurity, where the mishna discusses the halakha concerning a woman who pickles a vegetable in a pot, and some say when he would reach the mishna (Okatzin 2:1): Olives pickled with their leaves are pure, because after pickling, it is no longer possible to lift the fruit by its leaves, so they are no longer considered part of the fruit; he would find it difficult to understand. He would say: Those are the discussions between Rav and Shmuel that we see here. And we, by contrast, teach tractate Okatzin in thirteen academies. But nevertheless, when Rav Yehuda would remove one of his shoes the rain would immediately fall, whereas we cry out and no one notices us. Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, seeks the heart, and the barometer of greatness is devotion of the heart and not the amount of Torah that one studies, as it is written: “But the Lord looks on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). Rav Mesharshiyya says: Doeg and Ahithophel did not comprehend halakhic discussions. Mar Zutra objects to this statement: These are people with regard to whom it is written: “Where is he that counts; where is he that weighs; where is he that counts the towers” (Isaiah 33:18), and you say that they did not comprehend halakhic discussions? Rather, Doeg and Ahithophel would not conclude halakhic discussions in accordance with halakhic rulings, as it is written: “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him” (Psalms 25:14). Since they did not fear God, they did not arrive at halakhic conclusions despite their keen intellect. Rabbi Ami says: Doeg died only when he forgot what he learned, as it is stated: “He shall die for want of instruction, and in his folly he shall go astray” (Proverbs 5:23). Rav Ashi says: He was afflicted with leprosy before his death, as it is stated: “Those that go far from You shall perish; You destroy [hitzmatta] all those who go astray from You” (Psalms 73:27). Where is the allusion to leprosy in this verse? It is written there: “And the land shall not be sold in perpetuity [litzmitut]” (Leviticus 25:23), and we translate it into Aramaic as: Laḥalutin. And we learned in a mishna with regard to lepers (Megilla 8b): The difference between a quarantined leper, i.e., one examined by a priest who found his symptoms to be inconclusive, and who must therefore remain in isolation for a period of up to two weeks to see if conclusive symptoms develop; and a confirmed [muḥlat] leper, i.e., one whose symptoms were conclusive and the priest declared him a confirmed leper, is only with regard to letting the hair on one’s head grow and rending one’s garments. The derivation is based on the etymological similarity between hitzmatta and litzmitut; the translation of litzmitut as laḥalutin, and the etymological similarity between laḥalutin and muḥlat. The Gemara cites a mnemonic for the halakhot that follow: Three, saw, and half, and called him. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Three angels of destruction encountered Doeg: One who caused him to forget his Torah knowledge, one who burned his soul, and one who dispersed the ashes of his soul in synagogues and in study halls to be trampled beneath the feet of the righteous. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Doeg and Ahithophel did not see one another, as both died at a young age. Doeg lived in the days of Saul, and Ahithophel lived in the days of David, toward the end of David’s life. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Doeg and Ahithophel did not reach half of their allotted days, as they died before the age of thirty-five, half of the standard lifetime mentioned in the verse: “The days of our years are seventy years” (Psalms 90:10). This is also taught in a baraita: “Bloody and deceitful men shall not live half their days” (Psalms 55:24); all the years of Doeg were only thirty-four, and the years of Ahithophel were only thirty-three. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Initially, David called Ahithophel his teacher, and eventually, he called him his colleague, and ultimately, he called him his student. Initially, David called Ahithophel his teacher, as it is stated: “But it was you, a man my equal, my master [alufi], and my familiar friend” (Psalms 55:14); a teacher is known as aluf as he trains [me’alef ] his students. And eventually, he called him his colleague, as it is stated: “We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God with the throng” (Psalms 55:15); the term together indicates that they were equals. And ultimately, he called him his student, as it is stated: “Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalms 41:10). Bread is a metaphor for Torah knowledge. § Apropos Ahithophel, the Gemara relates the events that led to his death. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: A person should never bring himself to undergo an ordeal, as David, king of Israel, brought himself to undergo an ordeal and failed. David said before God: Master of the Universe, for what reason does one say in prayer: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, and one does not say: God of David? God said to David: They have undergone ordeals before Me, and you have not undergone an ordeal before Me. David said before Him: Examine me and subject me to an ordeal, as it is stated: “Examine me, Lord, and subject me to an ordeal; try my kidneys and my heart” (Psalms 26:2). God said to him: I will subject you to an ordeal, and I will perform a matter for you that I did not perform for the Patriarchs, as for them, I did not inform them of the nature of the ordeal, while I am informing you that I will subject you to an ordeal involving a matter of a married woman, with whom relations are forbidden. Immediately, it is written: “And it came to pass one evening that David rose from his bed” (II Samuel 11:2). Rav Yehuda says: Once David heard the nature of his ordeal, he sought to prevent himself from experiencing lust. He transformed his nighttime bed into his daytime bed, i.e., he engaged in intercourse with his wives during the day, in an attempt to quell his lust. But a halakha, i.e., a Torah statement, escaped him: There is a small limb in man that he employs in sexual intercourse. If he starves the limb, and does not overindulge, it is satiated; but if he satiates the limb and overindulges in sexual intercourse, it is starving, and desires more. Therefore, his plan had the opposite effect. The verse states: “And he walked upon the roof of the king’s house; from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very fair to look upon” (II Samuel 11:2). Bathsheba was shampooing her head behind a beehive, which concealed her from sight. Satan came and appeared to David as a bird. David shot an arrow at the bird, the arrow severed the beehive, Bathsheba was exposed, and David saw her. Immediately, it is written: “And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said: Is not this Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was purified from her impurity, and then she returned to her house” (II Samuel 11:3–4). And that is the meaning of that which is written: “You have proved my heart; You have visited me in the night: You have tried me, but You find nothing; let no presumptuous thought pass my lips” (Psalms 17:3). David said: Oh, that a muzzle would have fallen upon the mouth of the one who hates me, a euphemism for his own mouth, and I would not have said anything like that and I would have withstood the ordeal. Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “To the leader, of David. In the Lord I put my trust; how can you say to my soul: Flee like a bird to your mountain” (Psalms 11:1)? David said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, pardon me for that sin with Bathsheba so that the wicked people will not say: The mountain that is among you, i.e., the luminary of the generation, David, was driven from the world due to a bird that led to his transgression. Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Against You, only You, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your eyes; that You are justified when You speak, and right when You judge” (Psalms 51:6)? David said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: It is revealed and known before You that if I sought to suppress my evil inclination, I would have suppressed it; but I said: I will sin, so that they will not say a servant overcame his master and withstood the ordeal even though God said that he would not. Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “For I am ready to stumble [letzela] and my pain is always before me” (Psalms 38:18)? Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, was designated as fit for David from the six days of Creation. Rava interprets that the term letzela is referring to Eve, who was taken from the side [tzela] of Adam, the first man, and explains that she was destined for him, just as Eve was destined for Adam. But she came to him through pain. And likewise, the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, was designated as fit for David, but he partook of her unripe, before the appointed time. David would have ultimately married her in a permitted manner after the death of Uriah. Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And when I limped they rejoiced and gathered, the wretched gather themselves together against me, and those whom I know not; they tore and did not cease [dammu]” (Psalms 35:15)? David said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe. It is revealed and known before you that if my enemies were to tear my flesh, my blood [dami] would not flow to the ground, due to excessive fasting (see II Samuel 12:16–17). David continued: Moreover, my enemies torment me to the extent that at the time when they are engaged in the public study of the halakhot of the four court-imposed death penalties they interrupt their study and say to me: David, concerning one who engages in intercourse with a married woman, his death is effected with what form of execution? And I said to them: Concerning one who engages in intercourse with a married woman before witnesses and with forewarning, his death is by strangulation, and he has a share in the World-to-Come. But one who humiliates another before the multitudes has no share in the World-to-Come. The transgression of those who humiliated David is clearly more severe than the transgression of David himself. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Even during the time of his illness he fulfilled the mitzva of conjugal rights for eighteen wives, as it is stated: “I am weary with my groaning; every night I speak in my bed; I melt away my couch with tears” (Psalms 6:7). Even when he was weary and groaning he still spoke in his bed, a euphemism for sexual intercourse. And Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: David sought to engage in idol worship during Absalom’s coup, as it is stated: “And it came to pass when David was at the top [rosh] of the ascent, where he would bow to God” (II Samuel 15:32), and rosh means nothing other than idol worship, as it is stated: “As for that image, its head [reishei] was of fine gold” (Daniel 2:32). It is written: “Behold Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent and earth upon his head” (II Samuel 15:32). Hushai said to David: Shall they say a king like you will engage in idol worship? David said to him: Is it preferable that they say with regard to a king like me, known to be righteous, that his son will kill him? David continued, referring to himself in third person: It is preferable that he shall engage in idol worship and the name of Heaven shall not be desecrated in public through the murder of a righteous king in this manner. Hushai said to him: What is the reason that you married a beautiful woman, the mother of Absalom? David said to him: With regard to a beautiful woman, the Merciful One permitted marrying her. Hushai said to him: But you did not interpret the juxtaposed verses, as juxtaposed to the portion of the beautiful woman is the portion beginning: “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son” (Deuteronomy 21:18). From that juxtaposition it is derived: Anyone who marries a beautiful woman has a stubborn and rebellious son. Therefore, even if Absalom kills you, there will be no desecration of God’s name, as the people will attribute his actions to his mother. Rabbi Dostai from Biri taught: To what is David comparable? He is comparable to a Samaritan merchant, who incrementally lowers the price until the buyer agrees to purchase the merchandise. David said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe: “Who can discern his errors” (Psalms 19:13), i.e., forgive me for the unwitting sins that I committed. God said to him: They are forgiven for you. David asked more: “Cleanse me from hidden faults” (Psalms 19:13), i.e., pardon me for transgressions that I committed in private, even if I performed them intentionally. God said to him: They are forgiven for you. David requested: “Keep back your servant also from intentional sins” (Psalms 19:14). God said to him: They are forgiven for you. David requested: “Let them not have dominion over me, then I shall be faultless” (Psalms 19:14), and I further request that the Sages will not speak of me and condemn me. God said to him: They are forgiven for you. David requested: “And I shall be clear from great transgression” (Psalms 19:14), meaning that my transgression with Bathsheba and Uriah will not be written in the Bible. God said to him: That is impossible. And just as the letter yod that I removed from the name of Sarai, wife of Abraham, when I changed her name to Sarah, was standing and screaming several years over its omission from the Bible until Joshua came and I added the yod to his name, as it is stated: “And Moses called Hosea, son of Nun, Joshua [Yehoshua]” (Numbers 13:16); the entire portion of your transgression, which is fit to be included in the Bible, all the more so it cannot be omitted. The verse states: “And I shall be clear from great transgression” (Psalms 19:14). David said before God: Master of the Universe, pardon me for that entire sin. God said to him: Your son Solomon is already destined to say with his wisdom: “Can a man take fire in his lap and his garments not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So too one who lies with his neighbor’s wife; anyone who touches her shall not go unpunished” (Proverbs 6:27–29). David said to Him: Will that man, David, be expelled for that entire transgression, with no remedy? God said to David: Accept upon yourself afflictions, and that will atone for your sins. He accepted afflictions upon himself. Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: For six months David was afflicted with leprosy and the Divine Presence abandoned him and the members of the Sanhedrin dissociated themselves from him. He was afflicted with leprosy, as it is stated: “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalms 51:9), indicating that he required purification like a leper. The Divine Presence abandoned him, as it is stated: “Restore me to joy of Your salvation; and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Psalms 51:14). And the members of the Sanhedrin dissociated themselves from him, as it is stated: “Let those who fear You turn to me, and those who have known Your testimonies” (Psalms 119:79). From where do we derive that this lasted for six months? It is derived as it is written: “And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; in Hebron he reigned seven years, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years” (I Kings 2:11). And it is written: “In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah” (II Samuel 5:5). And those six months, the prophet did not tally them as part of the forty years of King David’s reign. Conclude from it that there were six months that he was not considered king because he was afflicted with leprosy. David said before Him after this: Master of the Universe, pardon me for this sin. God said to him: It is forgiven for you. David requested: “Perform on my behalf a sign for good, that they that hate me may see it and be put to shame” (Psalms 86:17); show me a sign in my lifetime so that everyone will know that You have forgiven me. God said to him: In your lifetime I will not make it known that you were forgiven, but I will make it known in the lifetime of your son, Solomon. The Gemara explains: When Solomon built the Temple and sought to bring the Ark into the Holy of Holies, the gates clung together and could not be opened. Solomon uttered twenty-four songs of praise, and his prayer was not answered. He said: “Lift up your heads, you gates, and be you lifted up, you everlasting doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle” (Psalms 24:7-8). And it is stated: “Lift up your heads, you gates, yea, lift them up, you everlasting doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who then is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts; He is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalms 24:9-10), and he was not answered. Once he said: “O Lord God, turn not away the face of Your anointed; remember the good deeds of David Your servant” (II Chronicles 6:42), he was immediately answered, and the gates opened (II Chronicles 7:1). At that moment, the faces of all of David’s enemies turned dark like the charred bottom of a pot. And all of the Jewish people knew that the Holy One, Blessed be He, had forgiven him for that sin, as it was only by David’s merit that Solomon’s prayer was answered. § The mishna states that Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha, has no share in the World-to-Come. The Gemara explains that this is as it is written: And Elisha went to Damascus (see II Kings 8:7). Where did he go, and for what purpose? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: He went to cause Gehazi to repent, but he did not repent. Elisha said to him: Repent. Gehazi said to him: This is the tradition that I received from you: Whoever sins and causes the masses to sin is not given the opportunity to repent. What did he do that caused the masses to sin? There are those who say that he hung a magnetic rock on Jeroboam’s sin, i.e., on the golden calf that Jeroboam established as an idol, so that he suspended it between heaven and earth, i.e., he caused it to hover above the ground. This seemingly miraculous occurrence caused the people to worship it even more devoutly than before. And there are those who say: He engraved the sacred name of God on its mouth, and it would declare and say: “I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:2), and: “You shall not have other gods” (Exodus 20:3). The idol would quote the two prohibitions from the Ten Commandments that prohibit idol worship, causing the people to worship it even more devoutly than before. And there are those who say: Gehazi pushed the Sages away from coming before him, i.e., he prevented them from learning from Elisha, as it is stated: “And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, behold this place where we are staying before you is too cramped for us” (II Kings 6:1). It may be derived by inference that until now they were not numerous and the place was not cramped for them, as Gehazi would turn people away. The Sages taught: Always have the left hand drive sinners away and the right draw them near, so that the sinner will not totally despair of atonement. This is unlike Elisha, who pushed away Gehazi with his two hands and caused him to lose his share in the World-to-Come, and unlike Yehoshua ben Peraḥya, who pushed away Jesus the Nazarene with his two hands. Elisha drove Gehazi away, as it is written: “And Naaman said: Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments” (II Kings 5:23). Naaman offered Gehazi payment for the help Elisha had given him. The verse states: “And Elisha said to him: Where from, Gehazi? And he said: Your servant went nowhere at all. And he said to him: Went not my heart with you, when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it the time to receive silver and to receive garments, and olive groves, and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and menservants and maidservants?” (II Kings 5:25-26). The Gemara asks: And did Gehazi take all that? It is merely silver and garments that he took. Rabbi Yitzḥak says: This was the incident involving Gehazi: At that moment, Elisha was sitting and teaching the halakhot of the eight impure creeping animals. Now Naaman, the general of the army of Aram, was a leper. A certain young Jewish woman who had been taken captive from Eretz Yisrael said to him: If you go to Elisha, he will heal you. When Naaman came to him, Elisha said to him: Go immerse in the Jordan. Naaman said to him: Are you mocking me by suggesting that this will cure me? Those companions who were with Naaman said to him: What is the difference to you? Go, try it. Naaman went and immersed in the Jordan and was healed. Naaman came and brought to Elisha all those items that he had taken with him from Aram, and Elisha did not agree to receive them from him. Gehazi took leave from before Elisha and went and took from Naaman what he took, and he deposited them. When Gehazi came, Elisha saw the leprosy that had grown on Gehazi’s head. Elisha said to him: Wicked one! The time has arrived to take your reward for studying the matter of the eight creeping animals. Since the silver Gehazi received was his reward for studying the matter of the eight creeping animals, Elisha enumerated eight items that Gehazi sought to purchase with the silver that he took. Then Elisha said to Gehazi: “The leprosy of Naaman shall cleave to you and to your seed forever. And he went out of his presence a leper as white as snow” (II Kings 5:27). With regard to the verse: “And there were four men afflicted with leprosy at the entrance of the gate” (II Kings 7:3), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: These were Gehazi and his three sons, as he and his descendants were cursed. § What is the incident involving Yehoshua ben Peraḥya? The Gemara relates: When King Yannai was killing the Sages, Yehoshua ben Peraḥya and Jesus, his student, went to Alexandria of Egypt. When there was peace between King Yannai and the Sages, Shimon ben Shataḥ sent a message to Yehoshua ben Peraḥya: From me, Jerusalem, the holy city, to you, Alexandria of Egypt: My sister, my husband is located among you and I sit desolate. The head of the Sages of Israel is out of the country and Jerusalem requires his return. Yehoshua ben Peraḥya understood the message, arose, came, and happened to arrive at a certain inn on the way to Jerusalem. They treated him with great honor. Yehoshua ben Peraḥya said: How beautiful is this inn. Jesus, his student, said to him: But my teacher, the eyes of the innkeeper’s wife are narrow [terutot]. Yehoshua ben Peraḥya said to him: Wicked one! Do you involve yourself with regard to that matter, the appearance of a married woman? He produced four hundred shofarot and ostracized him. Jesus came before Yehoshua ben Peraḥya several times and said to him: Accept our, i.e., my, repentance. Yehoshua ben Peraḥya took no notice of him. One day Yehoshua ben Peraḥya was reciting Shema and Jesus came before him with the same request. Yehoshua ben Peraḥya intended to accept his request, and signaled him with his hand to wait until he completed his prayer. Jesus did not understand the signal and thought: He is driving me away. He went and stood a brick upright to serve as an idol and he bowed to it. Yehoshua ben Peraḥya then said to Jesus: Repent. Jesus said to him: This is the tradition that I received from you: Whoever sins and causes the masses to sin is not given the opportunity to repent. And the Master says: Jesus performed sorcery, incited Jews to engage in idolatry, and led Israel astray. Had Yehoshua ben Peraḥya not caused him to despair of atonement, he would not have taken the path of evil. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: With regard to the evil inclination, to a child, and to a woman, have the left hand drive them away and the right draw them near. Total rejection of the evil inclination will lead to inaction, unlike channeling its power in a positive direction. One should not draw them too near, lest they lead him to sin, but one should not drive his wife or his child away completely, lest he cause them to abandon the path of righteousness. The Sages taught: Elisha fell ill with three illnesses: One illness was due to the fact that he incited bears to attack and eat children (see II Kings 2:24-25); and one was due to the fact that he pushed Gehazi away with two hands and caused him to despair of atonement; and one was the illness from which he died, as it is stated: “And Elisha was fallen ill of his illness from which he was to die” (II Kings 13:14), indicating that he had previously suffered other illnesses. Apropos the death of Elisha, the Gemara says: Until the time of Abraham there was no aging, and the old and the young looked the same. Anyone who saw Abraham said: That is Isaac, and anyone who saw Isaac said: That is Abraham. Abraham prayed for mercy, that he would undergo aging, as it is stated: “And Abraham was old, well stricken in age” (Genesis 24:1). There is no mention of aging before that verse. Until the time of Jacob there was no weakness, i.e., illness. Jacob prayed for mercy and there was weakness, as it is stated: “And one said to Joseph: Behold, your father is ill” (Genesis 48:1). Until the time of Elisha, there was no ill person who recovered, and Elisha came and prayed for mercy and recovered, as it is stated: “And Elisha was fallen ill of his illness from which he was to die” (II Kings 13:14). That is the first mention of a person who was ill and who did not die from that illness. MISHNA: The members of the generation of the flood have no share in the World-to-Come and will not stand in judgment at the end of days, as it is stated: “My soul shall not abide [yadon] in man forever” (Genesis 6:3); neither will they stand in judgment [din] nor shall their souls be restored to them. The members of the generation of the dispersion have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the Lord scattered them from there upon the face of all the earth” (Genesis 11:8), and it is written: “And from there did the Lord scatter them upon the face of all the earth” (Genesis 11:9). “And the Lord scattered them” indicates in this world; “and from there did the Lord scatter them” indicates for the World-to-Come. The people of Sodom have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly” (Genesis 13:13). “Wicked” indicates in this world; “and sinners” indicates for the World-to-Come. But they will stand in judgment and they will be sentenced to eternal contempt. Rabbi Neḥemya says: Both these, the people of Sodom, and those, the members of the generation of the flood, will not stand in judgment, as it is stated: “Therefore the wicked shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalms 1:5). “Therefore the wicked shall not stand in judgment”; this is referring to the generation of the flood, about whom it is written: “The wickedness of man was great upon the earth” (Genesis 6:5). “Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous”; these are the people of Sodom, about whom it is written: “And the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners” (Genesis 13:13). The Sages said to Rabbi Neḥemya: They will not stand in judgment for resurrection in the congregation of the righteous, but they will stand in judgment in the congregation of the wicked. The spies who spread an evil report of their visit to Canaan have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And those men who spread the evil report about the land died by plague before the Lord” (Numbers 14:37). “And…died” indicates in this world; “by plague” indicates for the World-to-Come. The members of the generation of the wilderness have no share in the World-to-Come and will not stand in judgment, as it is stated: “In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die” (Numbers 14:35). “They shall be consumed” indicates in this world; “and there they shall die” indicates for the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: The members of the generation of the wilderness were essentially righteous, and about them the verse says: “Gather My pious together to Me, those that have entered into My covenant by offering” (Psalms 50:5). It is they who entered into the covenant with God and they will certainly be rewarded in the future. The assembly of Korah is not destined to arise for resurrection, as it is stated: “And the earth closed upon them” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in this world, and also: “And they perished from among the assembly” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: About them the verse says: “The Lord kills and makes alive; He lowers to the grave, and raises” (I Samuel 2:6), indicating that the assembly of Korah has a share in the World-to-Come. GEMARA: The Sages taught in a baraita: The members of the generation of the flood have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And He obliterated every living thing that was upon the face of the ground, from man to cattle to creeping animal to the birds of the heaven; and they were obliterated from the earth” (Genesis 7:23). “And He obliterated every living thing” indicates in this world, whereas “and they were obliterated from the earth” indicates for the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says: The members of the generation of the flood will neither live nor be judged, as it is stated: “My soul shall not abide [yadon] in man forever” (Genesis 6:3), meaning neither will they stand in judgment [din], nor shall their souls be restored to them. Alternatively, “My soul shall not abide” means their souls will not return to their sheaths [nadan], i.e., to their bodies. Rabbi Menaḥem, son of Rabbi Yosef, says: Even at a time when the Holy One, Blessed be He, restores souls to lifeless corpses, the souls of the generation of the flood will afflict them harshly as if they were in Gehenna, as it is stated: “You shall conceive chaff; you shall bring forth straw; your soul is a fire that shall devour you” (Isaiah 33:11). The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta, Sota 3:10): The generation of the flood became haughty and sinned due only to the excessive goodness that the Holy One, Blessed be He, bestowed upon them. And what is written concerning them, indicating that goodness? “Their houses are safe without fear, nor is the rod of God upon them” (Job 21:9). And it is written: “Their bull sires, and will not fall; their cow calves, and does not cast her calf” (Job 21:10). And it is written: “They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance” (Job 21:11). And it is written: “They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe” (Job 21:12). And it is written: “They shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures” (Job 36:11). And it is written: “And peacefully they go down to the grave” (Job 21:13). And that success caused them to say to God: “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Your ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what profit should we have if we pray unto Him” (Job 21:14-15). The members of the generation of the flood said: Do we need Him for anything, even for the drop of rain that He causes to fall? We have rivers and springs from which we take our supply of water; we do not fear Him. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: With the goodness that I bestowed upon them, with that they infuriate Me and with it I will sentence them, as it is stated: “And behold I will bring the flood of water” (Genesis 6:17). Rabbi Yosei says: The generation of the flood became haughty due only to the covetousness of the eyeball, which is similar to water, as it is stated: “And the sons of the prominent men saw that the daughters of men were fair; and they took for themselves wives from anyone they chose” (Genesis 6:2). Consequently, God punished them with water, which is similar to an eyeball [legalgal ha’ayin], as it is stated: “All the fountains [mayenot] of the great deep were breached, and the flues of heaven were opened” (Genesis 7:11). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The members of the generation of the flood sinned with “great” and were punished with “great.” They sinned with “great,” as it is stated: “And the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great” (Genesis 6:5). And they were punished with great, as it is stated: “All the fountains of the great deep were breached” (Genesis 7:11). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Three fountains of the great deep that were breached in the flood remained, and boiling water continues to flow in them as it did during the flood. They are: Beloa of Gader, and the hot springs of Tiberias, and the great spring of Beiram. With regard to the verse: “For all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:12), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This teaches that the people of the generation of the flood mated male domesticated animals with female undomesticated animals, and male undomesticated animals with female domesticated animals, and all male animals with human females, and human males with all female animals. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana says: And after the flood all of the creatures returned to mate with their own species, except for the bird called tushlami, which continued to mate with other species. With regard to the verse: “And God said to Noah: The end of all flesh is come before Me, for the earth is filled with robbery through them, and behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:13), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Come and see how great is the power of robbery, as the generation of the flood violated every precept, but their sentence to be destroyed was not sealed until they extended their hands and engaged in robbery, as it is stated: “For the earth is filled with robbery through them, and behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:13). And it is written: “Robbery is risen up into a rod of wickedness; nothing comes from them, nor from their multitude, nor from any of them, nor shall there be wailing [no’ah] for them” (Ezekiel 7:11). Rabbi Elazar says: This teaches that robbery straightened itself like a rod and stood before the Holy One, Blessed be He, and said before Him: Master of the Universe: “Nothing comes from them, nor from their multitude, nor from any of them, nor shall there be wailing for them,” i.e., none of the robbers are fit to exist. And the sentence of Noah was also sealed; he was going to die with the rest of the generation of the flood, as it is stated: Nor shall there be No’aḥ for them. The Gemara interprets the term spelled nun, heh, in the aforementioned verse, as if it were spelled nun, ḥet. The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: The sentence of Noah was also decided; but he was spared through the kindness of God due to the fact that he found favor in the eyes of God, as it is stated: “For I regret that I have made them. And Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:7-8). The juxtaposition of the term “and Noah” to the phrase “for I regret that I have made them” indicates that Noah should have been killed as well. It is written: “Vayyinaḥem the Lord that He made man on the earth [ba’aretz]” (Genesis 6:6). The meaning of the term “vayyinaḥem” is subject to a dispute. When Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said in explanation: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: I did well that I prepared graves for people in the earth [ba’aretz]. The Gemara asks: From where is it inferred that the term “vayyinaḥem” has a positive connotation? The Gemara answers: It is written here: “Vayyinaḥem,” and it is written there: “And he comforted them [vayenaḥem otam] and spoke to their heart” (Genesis 50:21). And there are those who say that the term “vayyinaḥem” has a different meaning: I did not do well that I prepared graves for people in the earth, as I should not have created them in order to destroy them. From where is it inferred that the term “vayyinaḥem” has a negative connotation? It is written here: “Vayyinaḥem,” and it is written there: “And the Lord regretted [vayyinaḥem] the evil that He thought to do to His people” (Exodus 32:14). § With regard to the verse: “These are the generations of Noah; Noah was a righteous man, and wholehearted in his generations” (Genesis 6:9), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Relative to the other people of his generation he was righteous and wholehearted, but not relative to those of other generations. And Reish Lakish says: In his generation he was righteous and wholehearted despite being surrounded by bad influences; all the more so would he have been considered righteous and wholehearted in other generations. Rabbi Ḥanina says: There is a parable for the statement of Rabbi Yoḥanan; to what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a barrel of wine that was placed in a cellar where vinegar is stored; in its place, its fragrance diffuses, i.e., is noticeable, relative to the odor of the vinegar. When it is not in its place surrounded by vinegar, its fragrance does not diffuse, and its pleasant odor is not sensed. Rabbi Oshaya says: There is a parable for the statement of Reish Lakish; to what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a flask of perfume [palyaton] that was placed in a location of filth. In its place its fragrance diffuses despite the ambient odor, and all the more so is its fragrance noticeable if it is placed in a location where there is perfume. With regard to the verse: “And He obliterated every living thing that was upon the face of the ground, from man to cattle to creeping animal to the birds of the heaven” (Genesis 7:23), the Gemara asks: If man sinned, in what way did the animal kingdom sin that it, too, warranted destruction? The Gemara answers: It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa: There is a parable for this matter, to a man who fashioned a wedding canopy for his son and prepared all sorts of food for the wedding feast. Sometime later, before the wedding, his son died. What did the man do? He arose and dismantled his son’s wedding canopy. He said: Did I do this for any reason other than for my son? Now that my son has died, why do I need a wedding canopy? So too, the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Did I create domesticated animals and non-domesticated animals for any reason other than for man? Now that man sins and is sentenced to destruction, why do I need domesticated animals and non-domesticated animals? It is written: “Of all that was on dry land died” (Genesis 7:22), from which it is inferred: But not the fish that are in the sea, which are not on dry land. Rabbi Yosei from Caesarea taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “He is swift upon the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth; he turns not by way of the vineyards” (Job 24:18)? This teaches that Noah the righteous would rebuke the people of his generation and say to them: Repent. And if you do not, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will bring a flood upon you and float your corpses on the water like wineskins filled with air that float on water, as it is stated: “He is swift upon the face of the waters.” Moreover, a curse is taken from them to all who enter the world, as people will curse others, saying: They shall be like the generation of the flood. As it is stated: “Their portion is cursed in the earth.” The conclusion of that verse: “He turns not by way of the vineyards,” teaches that they would clear a path through vineyards. They said to Noah: And who is preventing the flood from coming? Noah said to them: I have one pigeon, Methuselah, who will die at his appointed time, which I must remove from among you before the flood. They said to him: If so we will not clear a path through vineyards, i.e., we will continue to sin. Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “A contemptible torch [lapid] in the thought of him that is at ease, a thing ready for them whose foot slips” (Job 12:5)? This teaches that Noah the righteous would rebuke the people of his generation, and he said to them statements that are harsh as torches [kelapidim], and they would treat him with contempt. They said to him: Old man, why are you building this ark? Noah said to them: The Holy One, Blessed be He, is bringing a flood upon you. They said to him: A flood of what? If it is a flood of fire, we have another item and it is called alita, and it is fireproof. And if it is a flood of water that He brings, if He brings the water from the earth, we have iron plates with which we can plate the earth to prevent the water from rising. And if He brings the water from the heavens, we have an item and it is called ekev, and some say it is called ikkesh, which will absorb the water. Noah said to them: If He wishes He will bring the water from between your feet and you can do nothing to prevent it, as it is stated: “For them whose foot slips.” It is taught in a baraita: The waters of the flood were as hard and thick as semen, as it is stated: “For them whose foot slips”; foot is a euphemism. Rav Ḥisda says: With hot semen they sinned, and with hot water they were punished. As it is written here, at the conclusion of the flood: “And the waters assuaged” (Genesis 8:1), and it is written there: “Then the king’s wrath was assuaged” (Esther 7:10). Just as the term “assuaged” there is referring to the heat of Ahasuerus’s wrath, so too, “assuaged” with regard to the flood is referring to the heat of the waters. With regard to the verse: “And it came to pass that after seven days the waters of the flood were upon the earth” (Genesis 7:10), the Gemara asks: What is the nature of these seven additional days? Rav says: These were the days of mourning for the death of Methuselah; and this is to teach you that eulogies for the righteous prevent calamities from ensuing. Alternatively, “after seven days” means that the Holy One, Blessed be He, altered the order of Creation for that generation, i.e., in seven days He reversed the process of Creation, so that the sun would emerge in the west and set in the east. Alternatively, it means that the Holy One, Blessed be He, designated a substantial period for them, one hundred and twenty years, to repent, and thereafter designated a brief period for them, an additional seven days, as a final opportunity for them to repent. Alternatively, “after seven days” means that during those seven days, God gave them a foretaste of the delights of the World-to-Come, which will be actualized during the seventh millennium, so that they would know what munificence their sins prevented them from receiving. § With regard to the verse: “Of every kosher animal you shall take to you by sevens, husband and wife” (Genesis 7:2), the Gemara asks: Is there marriage for animals? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: The reference is to those animals with which the transgression of relations with another species was not performed. Therefore, the Torah underscores that the animals that entered the ark were husband and wife. The Gemara asks: From where did Noah know which animals were not involved in that transgression? Rav Ḥisda says: He passed them before the ark. All animals that the ark accepted, it was known that a transgression had not been performed with them. And any animal that the ark did not accept, it was known that a transgression had been performed with it. Rabbi Abbahu says: Noah took onto the ark only from those animals that came on their own, as it appeared that they were sent from Heaven, and they were certainly fit for this purpose. With regard to the verse: “Make you an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14), the Gemara asks: What is gopher wood? Rav Adda says that they say in the school of Rabbi Sheila: This is wood from the mavliga tree; and some say that it is wood from the willow [gulamish] tree. With regard to the verse: “A tzohar you shall make for the ark” (Genesis 6:16), Rabbi Yoḥanan says that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Noah: Set precious stones and jewels in the ark so that they will shine for you as the afternoon [tzohorayim] sun. With regard to the verse: “And to a cubit you shall finish it above” (Genesis 6:16), the Gemara explains that in that manner, having been built wide at its base and narrow at its top, the ark would stand upright and would not capsize. With regard to the verse: “With lower, second and third stories shall you make it” (Genesis 6:16), it was taught in a baraita: The bottom story was for manure, the middle story was for animals, and the top story was for people. With regard to the verse: “And he sent forth the raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from the earth” (Genesis 8:7), Reish Lakish says: The raven provided a convincing response to Noah; when it did not wish to leave the ark the raven said to him: Your Master, God, hates me, and you hate me. Your Master hates me, as He commanded to take from the kosher species seven and from the non-kosher species two. And you hate me, as you disregard those from the species of seven, i.e., the kosher birds, and instead dispatch one from the species of two, i.e., the non-kosher birds. If the angel of heat or the angel of cold harms me and kills me, will the world not be lacking one species of creature, as there was only one pair of ravens? Or perhaps you are sending me because it is my wife that you need, in order to engage in intercourse with her. Noah said to the raven: Wicked one! If with the woman who is generally permitted to me, my wife, intercourse is forbidden to me, then with regard to domesticated and undomesticated animals, which are generally forbidden to me, is it not all the more so the case that they are forbidden to me? The Gemara asks: And from where do we derive that it was prohibited for them to engage in intercourse while in the ark? The Gemara answers: It is derived from that which is written: “And you shall come into the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you” (Genesis 6:18); and it is written: “Emerge from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you” (Genesis 8:16). And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From here, the Sages derived and said that it was prohibited to engage in intercourse while in the ark, as when Noah and his family entered, the husbands and wives were listed separately, and when they emerged, the husbands were listed with their wives. The Sages taught: Three violated that directive and engaged in intercourse while in the ark, and all of them were punished for doing so. They are: The dog, and the raven, and Ham, son of Noah. The dog was punished in that it is bound; the raven was punished in that it spits, and Ham was afflicted in that his skin turned black. With regard to the verse: “And he sent forth the dove from him, to see if the waters abated” (Genesis 8:8), Rabbi Yirmeya says: From here it is derived that the dwelling place of kosher birds in the ark was with the righteous people, as the verse emphasizes that Noah dispatched the dove from his place. With regard to the verse: “And in her mouth was an olive branch plucked off [taraf ]” (Genesis 8:11), Rabbi Elazar says: The dove said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, may my sustenance be bitter as the olive and dependent on Your hands, and not sweet as honey and dependent on the hands of flesh and blood. The Gemara asks: From where may it be inferred that taraf is a term that indicates sustenance? The Gemara answers: It is inferred from that which is written: “Feed me [hatrifeni] with my allotted portion” (Proverbs 30:8). With regard to the verse: “After their kinds [lemishpeḥoteihem], they emerged from the ark” (Genesis 8:19), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: After their kinds [lemishpeḥotam] the animals emerged, but not them [hem] themselves, as some of the animals that entered the ark died during that year and it was their descendants who emerged. Rav Ḥana bar Bizna says: Eliezer, servant of Abraham, said to Shem the Great, son of Noah: It is written: “After their kinds, they emerged from the ark,” indicating that the different types of animals were not intermingled while in the ark. Where were you and what did you do to care for them while they were in the ark? Shem said to him: We experienced great suffering in the ark caring for the animals. Where there was a creature that one typically feeds during the day, we fed it during the day, and where there was a creature that one typically feeds at night, we fed it at night. With regard to that chameleon, my father did not know what it eats. One day, my father was sitting and peeling a pomegranate. A worm fell from it and the chameleon ate it. From that point forward my father would knead bran with water, and when it became overrun with worms, the chameleon would eat it. With regard to the lion, a fever sustained it, since when it suffered from a fever, it did not need to eat; as Rav said: For no fewer than six days and no more than twelve days, fever sustains a person; he need not eat and is sustained from his own fats. Shem continued: With regard to the phoenix [avarshina], my father found it lying in its compartment on the side of the ark. He said to the bird: Do you not want food? The bird said to him: I saw that you were busy, and I said I would not trouble you by requesting food. Noah said to the bird: May it be God’s will that you shall not die, and through that bird the verse was fulfilled, as it is stated: “And I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the phoenix” (Job 29:18). § Rav Ḥana bar Leva’ei says that Shem the Great said to Eliezer, servant of Abraham: When the four great kings of the east and the west came upon you to wage war with Abraham, what did you do? Eliezer said to him: The Holy One, Blessed be He, brought Abraham and placed him to His right, and we would throw dust and it became swords, and we threw straw and it became arrows, as it is stated: “A Psalm of David. The Lord says to my master: Sit to My right, until I make your enemies your footstool” (Psalms 110:1), and it is written: “Who has raised up one from the east at whose steps victory attends? He gives nations before him, and makes him rule over kings; his sword makes them as the dust, his bow as driven straw” (Isaiah 41:2). Apropos Abraham’s miraculous weapons, the Gemara relates: Naḥum of Gam Zo was accustomed that in response to any circumstance that arose in his regard, he would say: This too [gam zo] is for the best. One day the Jewish people sought to send a gift [doron] to the emperor. They said: With whom shall we send the gift? They decided: We will send it with Naḥum of Gam Zo, as he is experienced in miracles. When he reached a certain lodging, he sought to sleep there. The residents of that lodging said to him: What do you have with you? Naḥum said to them: I am taking the head tax to the emperor. They rose in the night, opened his chest and took everything that was in it, and then filled the chest with dirt. When he arrived there, in Rome, earth was discovered in the chest. The emperor said: The Jews are mocking me by giving me this gift. They took Naḥum out to kill him. Naḥum said: This too is for the best. Elijah the prophet came and appeared to them as one of Naḥum’s traveling party. Elijah said to them: Perhaps this earth is from the earth of Abraham our forefather, who would throw dust and it became swords, and who would throw straw and it became arrows. They examined the dust and discovered that it was indeed the dust of Abraham. There was a province that the Romans were unable to conquer. They threw some of this earth upon that province and they conquered it. In appreciation for the gift that Naḥum of Gam Zo had brought on behalf of the Jewish people, they brought him into the treasury and said: Take that which is preferable to you. He filled his chest with gold. When he returned to that lodging, those residents said to him: What did you bring to the king’s palace? Naḥum said to them: What I took from here, I brought to there. The residents concluded that the earth with which they had filled the chest had miraculous properties. They took earth and brought it to the emperor. Once the Romans discovered that the earth was ineffective in battle, they executed those residents. § The mishna teaches that the members of the generation of the dispersion have no share in the World-to-Come. The Gemara asks: What sin did they perform? Their sin is not explicitly delineated in the Torah. The school of Rabbi Sheila say that the builders of the Tower of Babel said: We will build a tower and ascend to heaven, and we will strike it with axes so that its waters will flow. They laughed at this explanation in the West, Eretz Yisrael, and asked: If that was their objective, let them build a tower on a mountain; why did they build it specifically in a valley (see Genesis 11:2)? Rather, Rabbi Yirmeya bar Elazar says: They divided into three factions; one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and dwell there. And one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and engage in idol worship. And one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and wage war. With regard to that faction that said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and dwell there, God dispersed them. And that faction that said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and wage war, became apes, and spirits, and demons, and female demons. And with regard to that faction that said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and engage in idol worship, it is written: “Because there the Lord confounded the language of all the earth” (Genesis 11:9). It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Natan says: All of those factions intended to build the tower for the sake of idol worship. It is written here: “And let us make a name for us” (Genesis 11:4), and it is written there: “And make no mention of the name of the other gods” (Exodus 23:13). Just as there, the connotation of “name” is idol worship, so too here, the connotation of “name” is idol worship. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The uppermost third of the tower was burned, the lowermost third of the tower was swallowed into the earth, and the middle third remained intact. Rav says: The atmosphere of the tower causes forgetfulness; anyone who goes there forgets what he has learned. As a result of the building of the tower, forgetting was introduced into the world. Rav Yosef says: Babylonia and the adjacent place, Bursif, are each a bad omen for Torah, i.e., they cause one to forget his knowledge. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of Bursif? Rabbi Asi says: It is an abbreviation of empty pit [bor shafi]. § The mishna teaches: The people of Sodom have no share in the World-to-Come. The Sages taught: The people of Sodom have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly” (Genesis 13:13). “Wicked” indicates in this world; “and sinners” indicates for the World-to-Come. Rav Yehuda says: “Wicked” is referring to sins they committed with their bodies; “and sinners” is referring to sins they committed with their money. “Wicked” is referring to sins they committed with their bodies, as it is written with regard to Joseph and the wife of Potiphar: “And how can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). “And sinners” is referring to sins they committed with their money, as it is written: “And your eye is wicked against your poor brother, and you give him nothing…for it shall be reckoned to you as a sin” (Deuteronomy 15:9). “Before the Lord”; this is referring to blessing, a euphemism for cursing, God. “Exceedingly” means that they had intent and sinned and did not sin unwittingly or driven by lust. It was taught in a baraita: “Wicked” is referring to sins they committed with their money; “and sinners” is referring to sins they committed with their bodies. “Wicked” is referring to sins they committed with their money, as it is written: “And your eye is wicked against your poor brother and you give him nothing” (Deuteronomy 15:9). “And sinners” is referring to sins they committed with their bodies, as it is written with regard to Joseph and the wife of Potiphar: “And sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). “Before the Lord”; this is referring to blessing, a euphemism for cursing, God. “Exceedingly [meod ]” is referring to bloodshed, as it is stated: “Moreover Manasseh shed very [meod ] much blood” (II Kings 21:16). The Sages taught: The people of Sodom became haughty and sinned due only to the excessive goodness that the Holy One, Blessed be He, bestowed upon them. And what is written concerning them, indicating that goodness? “As for the earth, out of it comes bread, and underneath it is turned up as it were by fire. Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold. That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it. The proud beasts have not trodden it, nor has the lion passed thereby” (Job 28:5–8). The reference is to the city of Sodom, which was later overturned, as it is stated thereafter: “He puts forth His hand upon the flinty rock; He overturns the mountains by the roots” (Job 28:9). The people of Sodom said: Since we live in a land from which bread comes and has the dust of gold, we have everything that we need. Why do we need travelers, as they come only to divest us of our property? Come, let us cause the proper treatment of travelers to be forgotten from our land, as it is stated: “He breaks open a watercourse in a place far from inhabitants, forgotten by pedestrians, they are dried up, they have moved away from men” (Job 28:4). Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “How long will you seek to overwhelm a man? You will all be murdered like a leaning wall or a tottering fence” (Psalms 62:4)? This teaches that the people of Sodom set their sights on property owners. They would take one and place him alongside an inclined, flimsy wall that was about to fall, and push it upon him to kill him, and then they would come and take his property. Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they know not the light” (Job 24:16)? This teaches that they would set their sights on property owners. They would take one and they would give him balsam, whose smell diffuses, and the property owner would place it in his treasury. In the evening, the people of Sodom would come and sniff it out like a dog and discover the location of the property owner’s treasury, as it is stated: “They return at evening; they howl like a dog, and go round about the city” (Psalms 59:7). And after discovering the location they would come and dig there, and they would take that property. The Gemara cites verses that allude to the practices of the people of Sodom: “They lie at night naked without clothing, and they have no covering in the cold” (Job 24:7). And likewise: “They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow’s ox as a pledge” (Job 24:3). And likewise: “They trespass; they violently steal flocks and graze them” (Job 24:2). And likewise: “For he is brought to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb” (Job 21:32). Rabbi Yosei taught in Tzippori the methods of theft employed in Sodom. That night three hundred tunnels were excavated in Tzippori in order to employ those methods. Homeowners came and harassed him; they said to him: You have given a way for thieves to steal. Rabbi Yosei said to them: Did I know that thieves would come as a result of my lecture? The Gemara relates: When Rabbi Yosei died, the gutters of Tzippori miraculously overflowed with blood as a sign of his death. The people of Sodom would say: Anyone who has one ox shall herd the city’s oxen for one day. Anyone who does not have any oxen shall herd the city’s oxen for two days. The Gemara relates: They gave oxen to a certain orphan, son of a widow, to herd. He went and took them and killed them. The orphan said to the people of Sodom: Let anyone who has one ox take one hide and let anyone who does not have an ox take two hides. The people of Sodom said to the orphan: What is the reason for this? The orphan said to them: The ultimate rule is parallel to the initial rule; just as the initial rule is that anyone who has one ox shall herd the city’s animals for one day and anyone who does not have any oxen shall herd the city’s animals for two days, so too, the ultimate rule is: Let anyone who has one ox take one hide and let anyone who does not have an ox take two hides. Furthermore, they declared in Sodom: Let one who crosses on a ferry give one dinar as payment; let one who does not cross on a ferry, but walks in the river, give two dinars. In addition, when there was anyone who had a row of bricks, each and every one of the people of Sodom would come and take one brick and say to him: I am taking only one, and you are certainly not particular about so inconsequential an item, and they would do this until none remained. And when there was anyone who would cast garlic or onions to dry, each and every one of the people of Sodom would come and take one and say to him: I took only one garlic or onion, and they would do this until none remained. There were four judges in Sodom and they were named for their actions: Shakrai, meaning liar, and Shakrurai, habitual liar, Zayfai, forger, and Matzlei Dina, perverter of justice. These were the judgments that they rendered: In a case of one who strikes the wife of another and causes her to miscarry, they would say to the woman’s husband: Give the woman to the one who struck her, so that she will be impregnated for you again. In a case of one who severed the ear of another’s donkey, they would say to the owner of the donkey: Give the donkey to the one who caused the damage, until the ear grows back. In a case of one who wounds another, they would say to the injured party: Give the one who wounded you a fee, as he let your blood. And they instituted an ordinance: One who crossed the river on a ferry gives four dinars, and one who crossed the river in the water gives eight dinars. One time a certain launderer came and arrived there. The people of Sodom said to him: Give four dinars as payment for the ferry. He said to them: I crossed in the water. They said to him: If so, give eight dinars, as you crossed in the water. He did not give the payment, and they struck him and wounded him. He came before the judge to seek compensation. The judge said to him: Give your assailant a fee, as he let your blood, and eight dinars, as you crossed the river in the water. Eliezer, servant of Abraham, happened to come there, and they wounded him. He came before the judge to seek compensation. The judge said to him: Give your assailant a fee, as he let your blood. He took a stone and he wounded the judge. The judge said: What is this? Eliezer said to him: The fee that is to be paid to me by you, give it to that person who wounded me, and my money will remain where it remains. The Gemara continues to discuss the sins of the people of Sodom: They had beds on which they would lay their guests; when a guest was longer than the bed they would cut him, and when a guest was shorter than the bed they would stretch him. Eliezer, servant of Abraham, happened to come there. They said to him: Come lie on the bed. He said to them: I took a vow that since the day my mother died I do not lie on a bed. When a poor person would happen to come to Sodom, each and every person would give him a dinar, and the name of the giver was written on each dinar. And they would not give or sell him bread, so that he could not spend the money and would die of hunger. When he would die, each and every person would come and take his dinar. This is what the people of Sodom stipulated among themselves: Whoever invites a man to a wedding, his cloak will be removed. There was this wedding, and Eliezer, servant of Abraham, arrived there and they did not give him bread. When he sought to dine, Eliezer came and sat at the end, behind everyone. They said to him: Who invited you to here? He said to the one sitting next to him: You invited me. That man said to himself: Perhaps they will hear that I invited him and they will remove the garment of that man, referring to himself. The one who sat next to him took his cloak and ran outside. And likewise, Eliezer did the same for all of them until they all left, and he ate the meal. There was a young woman who would take bread out to the poor people in a pitcher so the people of Sodom would not see it. The matter was revealed, and they smeared her with honey and positioned her on the wall of the city, and the hornets came and consumed her. And that is the meaning of that which is written: “And the Lord said: Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great [rabba]” (Genesis 18:20). And Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Rabba is an allusion to the matter of the young woman [riva] who was killed for her act of kindness. It is due to that sin that the fate of the people of Sodom was sealed. § The mishna teaches: The spies who spread an evil report of their visit to Canaan have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And those men who spread the evil report about the land died by plague before the Lord” (Numbers 14:37). “And…died” indicates in this world, and “by plague” indicates for the World-to-Come. The members of the assembly of Korah have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the earth closed upon them” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in this world, and also: “And they perished from among the assembly” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: About the assembly of Korah, the verse states: “The Lord kills and makes alive; He lowers to the grave, and raises” (I Samuel 2:6), indicating that the assembly of Korah has a share in the World-to-Come. The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta 13:9): The members of the assembly of Korah have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the earth closed upon them” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in this world, and also: “And they perished from among the assembly” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says: Although it says that they perished, they are like a lost item that is sought, ultimately found, and rehabilitated, as it is stated: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your mitzvot” (Psalms 119:176). Apropos Korah, the Gemara proceeds to interpret the verses written concerning him. “And Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, took [vayikkaḥ]” (Numbers 16:1), Reish Lakish says: He purchased [lakaḥ] a bad acquisition for himself, as through his actions he drove himself from the world. “Korah” alludes to the fact that because of him a void [korḥa] was created in the children of Israel. “Son of Izhar,” is referring to a son who incited the wrath of the entire world upon him like the heat of the afternoon [tzohorayim]. “Son of Kohath,” is referring to a son who blunted [hik’ha] the teeth of his parents, i.e., he shamed them with his conduct. “Son of Levi,” is referring to a son who became an escort [levaya] in Gehenna. The Gemara asks: But if Korah’s lineage is being interpreted disparagingly, why not let the Torah also include: Son of Jacob [Ya’akov], and interpret it: A son who contorted [she’akav] himself until he reached Gehenna? Rav Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak says: Jacob prayed for mercy for himself that his name would not be included in the lineage of Korah, as it is stated: “Let my soul not come into their council; to their assembly let my honor not be united” (Genesis 49:6). “Let my soul not come into their council”; these are the spies. Jacob prayed that his name would not be mentioned in their regard. “To their assembly let my honor not be united”; this is referring to the assembly of Korah. The Gemara proceeds to interpret the names of Korah’s cohorts: “Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben” (Numbers 16:1). “Dathan” is one who violated the precepts [dat] of God. “Abiram” is one who braced [iber] himself from repenting. “And On” indicates one who sat in acute mourning [aninut] over the sin that he committed, and he repented and was spared. “Peleth” is one for whom wonders [pelaot] were performed. Son of Reuben [Reuven], is a son who saw and understood [ra’a vehevin] the nature of what was transpiring and repented. Rav says: On, son of Peleth, did not repent on his own; rather, his wife saved him. She said to him: What is the difference to you? If this Master, Moses, is the great one, you are the student. And if this Master, Korah, is the great one, you are the student. Why are you involving yourself in this matter? On said to her: What shall I do? I was one of those who took counsel and I took an oath with them that I would be with them. She said to him: I know that the entire assembly is holy, as it is written: “For all the assembly is holy” (Numbers 16:3), and they observe the restrictions of modesty. She said to him: Sit, for I will save you. She gave him wine to drink and caused him to become drunk and laid him on a bed inside their tent. She sat at the entrance of the tent and exposed her hair as though she were bathing. Anyone who came and saw her stepped back. In the meantime the assembly of Korah was swallowed into the ground, and On, son of Peleth, was spared. Korah’s wife said to him: See what Moses is doing. He is the king, he appointed his brother High Priest, and he appointed his brother’s sons deputy priests. If teruma comes, he says: Let it be for the priest; if the first tithe comes, which you as Levites take, he says: Give one tenth to the priest. And furthermore, he shears your hair and waves you as if you are as insignificant as excrement (see Numbers 8:5–11), as though he set his sights on your hair and wishes you to be shaven and unsightly. Korah said to her: But didn’t he also do so; he shaved his hair like the rest of the Levites? She said to him: Since it is all done for his own prominence, he also said metaphorically: “Let me die with the Philistines” (Judges 16:30); he was willing to humiliate himself in order to humiliate you. She said to him: And furthermore, with regard to that which he said to you, to prepare sky-blue dye for your ritual fringes, one could respond to him: If it enters your mind, Moses, that using sky-blue dye is considered a mitzva, take out robes that are made entirely of material colored with sky-blue dye, and dress all the students of your academy in sky-blue robes without ritual fringes; why could one not fulfill the mitzva in that manner? Clearly, Moses is fabricating all this. This is the meaning of that which is written: “The wisdom of women builds her house” (Proverbs 14:1); this is referring to the wife of On, son of Peleth. And: “Folly plucks it down with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1); this is referring to the wife of Korah. It is written: “And they arose before Moses, with men from the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation, the elect men of the assembly, men of renown” (Numbers 16:2). These men were the distinctive people of the assembly. “The elect men of the assembly [keri’ei moed]” is referring to those who knew how to intercalate the years and establish the months in order to determine the time for each Festival [moed]. “Men of renown [shem],” is referring to those who had a reputation [shem] throughout the world. With regard to the verse: “And Moses heard and he fell on his face” (Numbers 16:4), the Gemara asks: What report did he hear that elicited that reaction? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: He heard that they suspected him of adultery with a married woman, as it is stated: “And they were jealous of Moses in the camp” (Psalms 106:16). Rabbi Shmuel bar Yitzḥak says: This teaches that each and every man warned his wife to distance herself from Moses and not enter into seclusion with him, as it is stated: “And Moses would take the tent and pitch it outside the camp” (Exodus 33:7). It was due to this slander that he withdrew from the camp. § With regard to the verse: “And Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram” (Numbers 16:25), Reish Lakish says: From here we derive that one may not perpetuate a dispute, as Rav says: Anyone who perpetuates a dispute violates a prohibition, as it is stated: “And he will not be like Korah and his assembly, as the Lord spoke by the hand of Moses to him” (Numbers 17:5). Even the aggrieved party must seek to end the dispute. Dathan and Abiram accused Moses and by right should have initiated the reconciliation. Nevertheless, Moses was not insistent on this; he went to them. Rav Ashi says: One who perpetuates a dispute is fit to be afflicted with leprosy. It is written here: “By the hand of Moses to him,” and it is written there: “And the Lord said furthermore to him: Put now your hand into your bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom; and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow” (Exodus 4:6). Based on the verbal analogy based on the term “to him” written in both verses, it is derived that the punishment for perpetuating a dispute is leprosy. Apropos the prohibition of perpetuating a dispute, Rabbi Yosei says: With regard to anyone who disputes the reign of the house of David, it is fitting for a snake to bite him. As it is written here: “And Adonijah slaughtered sheep and cattle and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth” (I Kings 1:9); and it is written there: “With the poison of crawling things [zoḥalei] of the dust” (Deuteronomy 32:24). Adonijah, who rebelled against his father, King David, was fit to be bitten by a snake. Rav Ḥisda says: Anyone who disagrees with his teacher is like one who disagrees with the Divine Presence, as it is stated with regard to Dathan and Abiram: “When they strove against the Lord” (Numbers 26:9), although their dispute was with Moses. Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: Anyone who initiates a quarrel [meriva] with his teacher is like one who initiates a quarrel with the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “These are the waters of Meribah, where the children of Israel quarreled with the Lord” (Numbers 20:13), although their quarrel was with Moses. Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa says: Anyone who expresses resentment against his teacher for wronging him, it is as though he is expressing resentment against the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord” (Exodus 16:8). Rabbi Abbahu says: Anyone who suspects his teacher of wrongdoing, it is as though he suspects the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “And the people spoke against God, and against Moses” (Numbers 21:5). The verse likens God and Moses with regard to this matter. § With regard to the verse: “Wealth is kept for the owner to his detriment” (Ecclesiastes 5:12), Reish Lakish says: This is referring to the wealth of Korah, which was of no use to him. The fact that Korah was wealthy is derived from the verse: “And all the substance that was at their feet” (Deuteronomy 11:6), as Rabbi Elazar says: This is referring to a person’s property, which stands him on his feet. And Rabbi Levi says: The keys alone to Korah’s treasury were a burden requiring three hundred white mules to transport them, and moreover, all the keys [aklidei] and locks were of leather. This conveys the vastness of his wealth. Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: Joseph concealed three buried treasures in Egypt that he accumulated from the sale of grain during the years of famine. The location of one was revealed to Korah, and the location of one was revealed to Antoninus, son of Asveirus, emperor of Rome, and one remains hidden for the righteous in the future, i.e., in the messianic era. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Korah was neither among the swallowed nor among the burned; he died in a plague. He was neither among the swallowed, as it is written: “And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their houses and all the men who were with Korah” (Numbers 16:32), from which it is inferred: But not Korah himself. Nor was he among the burned, as it is written: “When the fire consumed two hundred and fifty men” (Numbers 26:10), but not Korah. It was taught in a baraita: Korah was both among the burned and among the swallowed. He was among the swallowed, as it is written: “And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them with Korah” (Numbers 26:10). He was among the burned, as it is written: “And fire came forth from the Lord, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that burned the incense” (Numbers 16:35), and Korah was with them. Rava says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The sun and moon stand still in their habitation [zevula], at the light of Your arrows as they go” (Habakkuk 3:11)? This teaches that the sun and moon ascended to zevul, one of the seven firmaments, in which the upper Temple stands. They said before God: Master of the Universe, if You perform justice for Moses, the son of Amram, and prove his righteousness, we will emerge and illuminate the world. And if not, we will not emerge. They did not emerge until God fired arrows at them and said to them: You did not protest with regard to My honor, as people would see the sun and the moon each day and worship them, but you protested for the honor of flesh and blood? And today, the sun and the moon do not emerge until they are struck, as in deference to God they hesitate to emerge. Rava taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “But if the Lord creates a new creation and the earth opens its mouth” (Numbers 16:30)? Moses said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: If Gehenna is already created, good, but if not, God should create it now. The Gemara asks: For what was Moses asking? If we say that his request was for God to actually create Gehenna, but isn’t it written: “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)? There are no new creations after the six days of Creation. Rather, Moses asked God to bring the opening of Gehenna close to there, so that the assembly of Korah would be buried alive. With regard to the verse: “And the sons of Korah did not die” (Numbers 26:11), it is taught in a baraita that in the name of our teacher, the Sages said: A place was fortified for them in Gehenna and they sat upon it and recited songs of praise. Rabba bar bar Ḥana said: One time I was walking on the path, and a certain Arab said to me: Come and I will show you those from the assembly of Korah who were swallowed. I went and I saw two fissures in the ground from which smoke was emerging. That Arab took a woolen fleece and dampened it with water and placed it on the tip of his spear and passed it over the fissures there. The fleece was singed, indicating the level of heat there. He said to me: Listen; what do you hear? And I heard that this is what they were saying: Moses and his Torah are truth, and they, referring to themselves, are liars. The Arab said to him: Every thirty days Gehenna returns them to this place like meat cooking in a cauldron, and they say this: Moses and his Torah are truth, and they are liars. § The mishna teaches: The members of the generation of the wilderness have no share in the World-to-Come. The Sages taught: The members of the generation of the wilderness have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die” (Numbers 14:35). “They shall be consumed” indicates in this world; “and there they shall die” indicates for the World-to-Come. And the verse states with regard to the generation of the wilderness: “Wherefore I took an oath in My anger that they should not enter into My rest” (Psalms 95:11), indicating that they will not be privileged to gain eternal rest; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: They come to the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Gather My pious together to Me, those that have entered into My covenant by offering” (Psalms 50:5). Those who left Egypt entered into an eternal covenant with God at Mount Sinai. But how do I realize the meaning of the phrase “Wherefore I took an oath in My anger”? It must be understood: In My anger I took an oath, and I reconsidered and dissolved the oath when My anger subsided. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa says: This verse was stated to the generation of the wilderness only with regard to future generations, and should be understood in this manner: “Gather My pious together to Me”; these are the righteous that are in each and every generation. “Those that have entered into My covenant by offering”; these are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who submitted themselves to the fiery furnace to sanctify God’s name. “By offering”; this is a reference to Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues, who gave themselves up to slaughter over matters of Torah. Rabbi Shimon ben Menasya says: The generation of the wilderness comes to the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come singing into Zion” (Isaiah 35:10), meaning that those whom God redeemed will yet come to Zion. Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Rabbi Akiva abandoned his piety and uncharacteristically interpreted the verses harshly, as it is stated with regard to the generation of the wilderness: “Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying, so says the Lord: I remember for you the affection of your youth, the love of your espousals, how you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown” (Jeremiah 2:2). Now, if others come into the World-to-Come in the merit of the generation that left Egypt and followed God in the wilderness, is it not all the more so that the generation of the wilderness themselves have a share in the World-to-Come? MISHNA: The ten tribes are not destined to return to Eretz Yisrael, even during the messianic era, as it is stated: “And He cast them into another land, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 29:27). Just as the day passes never to return, so too, the ten tribes go into exile and do not return; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: “As it is this day,” meaning just as the day darkens and then the sky brightens the next day, with regard to the ten tribes as well, although it is dark for them now, so it is destined to brighten for them. GEMARA: The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta 13:12): The ten tribes have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation; and He cast them into another land, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 29:27). “And the Lord rooted them out of their land” indicates in this world; “and cast them into another land” indicates for the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda of the village of Akko says in the name of Rabbi Shimon: If their actions continue to be “as it is this day” and they continue to sin, they do not return to Eretz Yisrael. And if not, and they repent, they return to Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: The members of the ten tribes come to the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And it shall come to pass on that day, that a great shofar will be sounded, and they shall come who were lost in the land of Assyria and who were dispersed in the land of Egypt, and they shall worship the Lord at the holy mountain in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 27:13). Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Here too, Rabbi Akiva abandoned his piety and uncharacteristically interpreted the verses harshly, as it is stated with regard to the ten tribes: “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: Return you faithless Israel, says the Lord; I will not frown upon you; for I am merciful, says the Lord, and I will not bear a grudge forever” (Jeremiah 3:12). The prophet prophesies about the return of the ten tribes to Eretz Yisrael. § The Gemara asks: What is the characteristic piety of Rabbi Akiva mentioned above? The Gemara answers: It is as it is taught in a baraita: The minor children of the wicked of the Jewish people, who died with neither their own virtue nor the virtue of their parents, do not come into the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “For behold the day is coming; it burns like a furnace, and all the arrogant and all who do wickedly shall be straw; and the day that is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 3:19). “Root” and “branch” are referring to descendants; they will have neither a root in this world nor a branch in the World-to-Come; this is the statement of Rabban Gamliel. Rabbi Akiva says: They come into the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “The Lord preserves the simple [peta’im]” (Psalms 116:6), as in the cities overseas the residents call a child patya. And the verse states with regard to Nebuchadnezzar: “Hew down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump of its roots in the earth” (Daniel 4:20). If that is the case with regard to Nebuchadnezzar, all the more so it is the case with regard to the wicked people of Israel. But how do I realize the meaning of the phrase: “So that it will leave them neither root nor branch”? It means that God will not leave for the wicked a mitzva nor the remnants of a mitzva for which they will be rewarded. Rabbi Akiva dug deep to find a way into the World-to-Come for these children. Alternatively, “root”; this is referring to the soul. “Nor branch”; this is referring to the body. But everyone agrees that the minor children of the wicked of the nations of the world will not come into the World-to-Come, as they have no virtue at all. And Rabban Gamliel derives this matter concerning those children from the verse: “And you have caused all their memory to perish” (Isaiah 26:14). It was stated: With regard to a minor who dies, from when, i.e., from what stage, does he come into the World-to-Come? There is a dispute between Rabbi Ḥiyya and Rabbi Shimon bar Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. One of them says: From the moment that he is born, and the other one says: From the moment that he begins to talk. The Gemara elaborates: The one who says: From the moment that he is born, derives it from that which is stated: “They shall come and shall declare His righteousness to a people that shall be born, that He has done this” (Psalms 22:32). And the one who says: From the moment that he begins to talk, derives it from that which is written: “Their seed shall serve Him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation” (Psalms 22:31), as from the moment he talks, he belongs to God. It was stated that additional amora’im expressed opinions about the same matter. Ravina says: From the moment that the child is conceived, even before his birth, he can enter the World-to-Come, as it is written: “Their seed shall serve Him” (Psalms 22:31); even as seed the child merits to enter the World-to-Come. Rabbi Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: From the moment that he is circumcised, as it is written: “I am poor and close to death from youth; I suffered your terrors [emekha], I am numb” (Psalms 88:16). From the moment that one bears the mark that the Jewish people have due to fear of God [eima], he turns to God and he belongs to Him. It is taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: From the moment that the child will say amen, as it is stated: “Open the gates, so that the righteous nation that keeps faithfulness may enter” (Isaiah 26:2). Do not read the verse as “that keeps faithfulness [shomer emunim]”; rather, read it as: That says amen [she’omer amen]. From the moment he says amen, the gates to the World-to-Come open. What is the meaning of the term amen? Rabbi Ḥanina says: It is an acronym of the words: God, faithful King [El Melekh ne’eman]. § With regard to the verse: “Therefore, the netherworld has enlarged itself and opened its mouth without measure [livli ḥok]” (Isaiah 5:14), Reish Lakish says: It is referring to one who leaves even one statute [ḥok] unfulfilled; the netherworld expands for him. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is not satisfactory to God, their Master, that you said this about them, as according to Reish Lakish’s opinion most of the Jewish people would be doomed to Gehenna. Rather, even if one learned only one statute, he has a share in the World-to-Come, and “livli ḥok” means one who has learned no statutes at all. With regard to that which is stated: “And it shall come to pass that in all the land, says the Lord, two parts shall be excised and die, but the third shall remain in it” (Zechariah 13:8), Reish Lakish says: “The third” means that only one-third of the descendants of Shem, son of Noah, will remain, and everyone else will die. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to Reish Lakish: It is not satisfactory to God, their Master, that you said this about them, that the overwhelming majority of the world will be destroyed. Rather, even as many as one-third of the descendants of Noah, one-third of the population of the world, will remain. With regard to the verse: “For I have taken you to Myself: And I will take out one of a city, and two of a family” (Jeremiah 3:14), Reish Lakish says: The meaning of this statement is as it is written, that only individuals will be spared and the rest will be destroyed. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: It is not satisfactory to God, their Master, that you said this about them. Rather, the merit of one from the city causes the entire city to benefit, and the merit of two from a family causes the entire family to benefit and be redeemed. Likewise, the Gemara relates that Rav Kahana sat before Rav, and sat and said: The meaning of this statement is as it is written. Rav said to him: It is not satisfactory to God, their Master, that you said this about them. Rather, the merit of one from the city causes the entire city to benefit, and the merit of two from a family causes the entire family to benefit and be redeemed. The Gemara relates that Rav saw that Rav Kahana was washing the hair on his head and then arose and sat before Rav. Rav said to Rav Kahana: “Nor shall it be found in the land of the living [haḥayyim]” (Job 28:13). Rav Kahana thought that Rav addressed that verse to him and he said to Rav: Are you cursing me? Rav said to him: It is a verse that I am saying to remind you that Torah will not be found in one who sustains [meḥayye] himself in an indulgent manner in its study; rather, Torah is acquired through suffering and difficulty. It is taught in a baraita with regard to the few that are destined to be redeemed: Rav Simai says that it is stated: “And I will take you to Me as a people” (Exodus 6:7), and juxtaposed to that verse it is stated: “And I will bring you into the land” (Exodus 6:8). The Torah compares their exodus from Egypt to their entry into the land; just as during their entry into the land only two of six hundred thousand entered the land, as they all died in the wilderness except for Caleb and Joshua, so too, during their exodus from Egypt, in terms of the ratio, only two of six hundred thousand left Egypt and the rest died there. Rava says: And likewise, that will be the situation in the messianic era, as it is stated: “And she shall respond there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt” (Hosea 2:17). The ultimate redemption and the exodus from Egypt are juxtaposed, indicating that in the messianic era too, only few will survive. § It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Yosei, says: One time I entered Alexandria of Egypt. I found one old man and he said to me: Come and I will show you what my ancestors, the Egyptians, did to your ancestors, the Jewish people. Some of them they drowned in the sea, some of them they killed with the sword, and some of them they crushed in the buildings. And it is over this matter, Moses’ protest of the afflictions suffered by the Jewish people, that Moses, our teacher, was punished, as it is stated: “For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people, neither have You delivered Your people at all” (Exodus 5:23). The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Woe over those who are gone and are no longer found; as several times I revealed Myself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty [El Shaddai] and they did not question My attributes, and did not say to Me: What is Your name? I said to Abraham: “Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto you I will give it” (Genesis 13:17). Ultimately, he sought a place to bury Sarah and did not find one until he purchased it for four hundred silver shekels, and he did not question My attributes and did not protest that I failed to fulfill My promise to give him the land. I said to Isaac: “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you” (Genesis 26:3). His servants sought water to drink and they did not find it until they started a quarrel, as it is stated: “And the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen saying: The water is ours” (Genesis 26:20), and he did not question My attributes. I said to Jacob: “The land upon which you lie, to you I will give it” (Genesis 28:13). He sought a place to pitch his tent and he did not find one until he purchased it for one hundred coins, and he did not question My attributes, and did not say to Me: What is Your name? And you, Moses, ask Me: What is Your name, initially, after witnessing My greatness more than they ever did. And now you say to Me: “Neither have You delivered Your people” (Exodus 5:23). The verse then states: “Now shall you see what I will do to Pharaoh” (Exodus 6:1). One can infer: The war with Pharaoh and his downfall you shall see, but you will not see the war with the thirty-one kings in Eretz Yisrael, as you will not be privileged to conquer Eretz Yisrael for the Jewish people. § With regard to the verse: “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed: The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving-kindness and truth, extending loving-kindness to thousands of generations…and Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth and prostrated himself” (Exodus 34:6–8), the Gemara asks: What did Moses see in these attributes that caused him to hastily prostrate himself? Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamla says: He saw the attribute of slow to anger; and the Rabbis say: He saw the attribute of truth. It is taught in a baraita in accordance with the opinion of the one who said: He saw the attribute of slow to anger, as it is taught in a baraita: When Moses ascended on high, he discovered the Holy One, Blessed be He, sitting and writing: Slow to anger. Moses said before Him: Master of the Universe, is Your attribute of slow to anger only to be used for the righteous? God said to him: It is an attribute even for the wicked. Moses said to Him: Let the wicked be doomed. God said to him: Now, you will see that you will need this, as ultimately you will reconsider that statement. When the Jewish people sinned in the sin of the spies and Moses asked God to forgive them, the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Didn’t you say to Me that the attribute of slow to anger is for the righteous alone? They are not worthy of atonement. Moses said before Him: Master of the Universe, and isn’t this what You said to me: It is an attribute even for the wicked? And that is the meaning of that which is written: “And now, I pray You, let the power of my Lord be great, as You have spoken, saying” (Numbers 14:17). Moses was repeating God’s promise with regard to His employment of the attribute of slow to anger. The Gemara relates: Rabbi Ḥagga was walking up the stairs in the school of Rabba bar Sheila. He heard a certain child who said: “Your testimonies are very sure; sanctity becomes Your house, Lord, for the length of days” (Psalms 93:5). The phrase “length of days” is a reference to the attribute of slow to anger. And juxtaposed to it is the phrase: “A prayer of Moses” (Psalms 90:1), indicating that this chapter was also stated by Moses our teacher. Upon hearing those verses, Rabbi Ḥagga said: Conclude from it that it was the attribute of slow to anger that Moses saw. § Rabbi Elazar says that Rabbi Ḥanina says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, is destined to be a crown on the head of each and every righteous person, as it is stated: “In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the remnant of His people” (Isaiah 28:5). What is the meaning of the phrase: “For a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty”? It means: A crown for those who perform His will and a diadem for those who await His salvation. One might have thought that this extends to everyone in those categories. Therefore, the verse states: “Unto the remnant of His people,” meaning that God will be a crown and a diadem to one who humbly establishes himself like a remnant, and does not conduct himself with self-importance. The Gemara interprets a verse in Isaiah. “And for a spirit of justice to him that sits in judgment and for strength to them who retaliate in battle to the gate” (Isaiah 28:6). “And for a spirit of justice”; this is referring to one who subdues his evil inclination and prevents himself from sinning. “To him that sits in judgment”; this is referring to one who judges a true judgment truthfully. “And for strength”; this is referring to one who overcomes his evil inclination. “Them who retaliate in battle”; this is referring to one who gives and takes and engages in the battle, i.e., in the discourse of Torah. “To the gate” is referring to those Torah scholars who arrive early and remain late within the gates of synagogues and study halls. The attribute of justice said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, how do these people, who possess these qualities, differ from those who engage in Torah study but lack these qualities? God said to the attribute of justice that those others do not receive the crown and diadem because: “These also reel through wine, and stagger through strong drink…they stumble [paku] in judgment [peliliyya]” (Isaiah 28:7). And puka in this context is referring to nothing other than Gehenna, as it is stated: “That this shall not be a cause of stumbling [puka] for you” (I Samuel 25:31). And the term of pelila in the verse in Isaiah is referring to nothing other than judges, as it is stated: “And he shall pay as the judges [biflilim] determine” (Exodus 21:22). Those who lack the qualities listed in the previous verses are not worthy of the aforementioned reward. MISHNA: The residents of an idolatrous city have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Certain men, wicked persons, are gone out from your midst, and have subverted the inhabitants of their city, saying: Let us go and let us worship other gods” (Deuteronomy 13:14). And idol worshippers are not executed as residents of an idolatrous city unless its subverters are from that city and from that tribe, and unless most of the inhabitants of the city are subverted, and unless men subvert the inhabitants of the city. If it occurs that women or children subvert the inhabitants of the city, or that a minority of the inhabitants of the city were subverted, or that its subverters were from outside the city and were neither residents of that city nor members of that tribe, these idol worshippers are judged as individuals. And to judge the inhabitants of a city one requires two witnesses and forewarning for each and every one who engaged in idol worship. This is a stringency with regard to individuals who worship idols that is more stringent than the halakha with regard to multitudes who worship idols: As the individuals who worship idols are executed by stoning; therefore, since there is a stringency with regard to their mode of execution, their property is spared and is inherited by their heirs. And the multitudes are executed by the sword; therefore, since there is a leniency with regard to their mode of execution, their property is eliminated. From the verse: “You shall smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword” (Deuteronomy 13:16), it is derived that the caravan of donkeys and the caravan of camels that move from place to place, these donkey or camel drivers save the city. If they were residing in the city for a period, they could join the minority of permanent residents who were not subverted to idol worship in order to create a majority and prevent the destruction of the city and its contents. It is stated: “Destroy it utterly, and all that is in it and its animals, with the edge of the sword” (Deuteronomy 13:16). From here, the Sages stated: The property of the righteous, who did not engage in idol worship, that is inside the city is destroyed with the rest of the city and its contents; but the property of the righteous that is outside the city is spared. And the property of the wicked, whether it is inside the city or whether it is outside the city, these items are destroyed. It is stated: “And you shall gather all of its spoils into the midst of its square” (Deuteronomy 13:17). If the city has no square, one creates a square for the city in order to fulfill the mitzva as it is written. If there was a square outside of the city, they bring it inside the city by expanding the city wall to include the square. It is stated in the continuation of the verse: “And you shall burn it with fire, both the city and all its spoils, entirely for the Lord your God.” The mishna infers: “Its spoils,” but not the spoils of Heaven. From here the Sages stated: The consecrated property in it, which was no longer the property of its inhabitants, must be redeemed, and terumot are neither eaten nor burned; rather they must be left to decay. And second tithe and sacred scrolls that were in the city must be interred. With regard to the phrase: “Entirely [kalil] for the Lord your God,” Rabbi Shimon says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, says: If you implement judgment on an idolatrous city, I ascribe you credit as though you have sacrificed an entirely [kalil] burnt offering before Me. It is written: “And it shall be a heap forever” (Deuteronomy 13:17), meaning: The idolatrous city shall not be converted even into gardens and orchards; this is the statement of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili. Rabbi Akiva says: From the end of that verse: “It shall not be built again,” it is derived: To restore it to the way it was before destruction, it may not be built; but it may be converted into gardens and orchards. The next verse states: “And there shall cleave nothing of that which was devoted to your hand” (Deuteronomy 13:18). This teaches that as long as the wicked exist in the world, there is wrath in the world; once the wicked are eliminated from the world, wrath leaves the world. GEMARA: The Sages taught an interpretation of the verse: “Certain men, wicked persons, are gone out from your midst, and have subverted the inhabitants of their city saying: Let us go and let us worship other gods that you have not known” (Deuteronomy 13:14). From the term “are gone out” it is derived that these halakhot apply only if they, the subverters themselves, subverted the residents, but not agents whom they designated to subvert. From the term “men” it is derived that men in the plural means no less than two. Alternatively, it is derived: Men, but not women; men, but not children. The phrase “wicked persons [benei veliyya’al]” is an abbreviation of banim beli ol, meaning: Sons who have cast off the yoke of Heaven from their necks. From the term “from your midst” it is derived that these halakhot apply only to a city located in the center of the country, but not to a city located on the border. From the phrase “inhabitants of their city” it is inferred: But not inhabitants of another city. The term “saying” alludes to the halakha that in order to convict them one requires witnesses and forewarning for each and every one who worshipped idols. It was stated that there is an amoraic dispute. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: One divides one city into the tribal territory of two tribes; and Reish Lakish says: One does not divide one city into the tribal territory of two tribes. Rabbi Yoḥanan raised an objection to the opinion of Reish Lakish from the mishna, which states: Unless its subverters are from that city and from that tribe; what, is it not that although its subverters are from that city, if they are from that tribe, yes, they render the city an idolatrous city, and if not, no, they do not render the city an idolatrous city? Conclude from it: One divides one city into the tribal territory of two tribes, as otherwise, by definition, a resident of that city is a member of that tribe. The Gemara rejects that proof: No, even if a city is not divided between two tribes, the scenario in the mishna is possible in a case where the property in the city fell to him as an inheritance from the family of his mother, who was from a different tribe. Alternatively, it is possible in a case where they gave him that property as a gift. Rabbi Yoḥanan raised an objection to the opinion of Reish Lakish from a verse written with regard to the cities designated for the Levites: “Nine cities from those two tribes” (Joshua 21:16). What, is it not that those nine cities were equally divided; four-and-a-half from this tribe, and four-and-a-half from that tribe, and conclude from it that one divides one city into the tribal territory of two tribes? The Gemara rejects that proof: No, those nine cities were divided in this manner: Four cities from this tribe and five cities from that tribe. The Gemara asks: If so, let the verse state explicitly from which tribe the additional city was taken. The Gemara comments: The matter presents a difficulty with the opinion of Reish Lakish. A dilemma was raised before the Sages: If the inhabitants of an idolatrous city subverted themselves to idol worship and were not subverted by others, what is the halakha? Since the Merciful One states: “And have subverted,” perhaps it may be inferred: But not if they subvert themselves; or perhaps even if they subverted themselves to idol worship, the city can be deemed an idolatrous city. The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a resolution of the dilemma from the mishna: If women or children subvert the inhabitants of the city, these idol worshippers are judged as individuals. Why is that so? Let their status be considered as though they subverted themselves. Apparently, if the inhabitants subverted themselves the city is not deemed an idolatrous city. The Gemara rejects this proof: These cases are not comparable, as these, who subverted themselves, are drawn after their own initiative and worship idols wholeheartedly, and therefore perhaps the city is rendered an idolatrous city. Those, who are subverted by women and children, are drawn after women and children and are not committed to idol worship, and therefore, perhaps the city is not rendered an idolatrous city. § The mishna teaches that a city is not deemed an idolatrous city unless most of the inhabitants of the city are subverted. The Gemara asks: How do we act in order to determine if most of the inhabitants have been subverted? Rav Yehuda says: The court judges each inhabitant suspected of idol worship, and if he is found liable imprisons him in a jail, and it judges and imprisons each succeeding idolater until a majority of the city has been convicted. Ulla said to him: That will result in you delaying justice for those already sentenced and awaiting execution, and it is prohibited to delay justice. Rather, Ulla says: The court judges each inhabitant and stones him if he is found liable, then judges and stones each succeeding idolater until half of the city is found guilty, and all future convicted idolaters are executed by the sword. It was stated that there is a parallel amoraic dispute. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The court judges and stones the idolater, then judges and stones each succeeding idolater. And Reish Lakish says: One increases the number of courts for them so that all the inhabitants of the city can stand trial at the same time and the means of their execution will be determined with no delay of justice. The Gemara asks: Is that so? But doesn’t Rabbi Ḥama bar Yosei say that Rabbi Oshaya says that it is written: “And you shall take that man or that woman out…to your gates” (Deuteronomy 17:5), from which it is derived: You take a man and a woman out to your gates and they are judged by the local court, but you do not take the entire city out to your gates; instead, they stand trial before the Great Sanhedrin. Rather, the procedure is that one increases the number of courts for them and those courts analyze their cases, and when they conclude that a majority of the inhabitants are guilty of idolatry they are not sentenced; instead, we take them to the High Court [Sanhedrin] and the court issues the verdict of the idolaters and executes them. § It is written: “You shall smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroy it utterly, and all that is in it and its animals, with the edge of the sword” (Deuteronomy 13:16). The Sages taught in a baraita: The caravan of donkeys and the caravan of camels that move from place to place, that lodged in the city and were subverted with it, if they had stayed there thirty days they are executed by the sword and their property is destroyed. If they had stayed there less than that, they are executed by stoning, as individual idolaters, and their property is spared. And the Gemara raises a contradiction from a baraita: How long shall one be in the city and as a result, his status will be like that of the residents of the city with regard to giving charity and paying taxes? He is obligated if he remained there twelve months, and not thirty days. Rava says: This contradiction is not difficult, and it may be resolved: This period of twelve months is the period required to become one of the citizens of the city; this period of thirty days is the period required to become one of the inhabitants of the city. And so it is taught in a baraita: With regard to one prohibited by a vow from deriving benefit from the citizens of the city, if there is a person who had stayed there twelve months, it is prohibited for the one for whom deriving benefit is forbidden to derive benefit from him. If a person had stayed there less than that, it is permitted for the one for whom deriving benefit is forbidden to derive benefit from him. With regard to one prohibited by a vow from deriving benefit from the inhabitants of the city, if there is a person who had stayed there thirty days, it is prohibited for the one for whom deriving benefit is forbidden to derive benefit from him. If a person had stayed there less than that, it is permitted for the one for whom deriving benefit is forbidden to derive benefit from him. In the context of an idolatrous city, the reference is to the inhabitants of the city, which includes anyone who had stayed there for thirty days. It is written: “Destroy it utterly, and all that is in it” (Deuteronomy 13:16). The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to that which is written: “Destroy it utterly, and all that is in it”; this serves to exclude the property of the righteous that is located outside the city, which is not destroyed. “And all that is in it”; this serves to include the property of the righteous that is located inside the city; it is also destroyed. It is stated: “And you shall gather all of its spoils into the midst of its square” (Deuteronomy 13:17). From the term “its spoils” it is derived: But not the spoils of Heaven; all consecrated property is excluded. The phrase “and you shall gather all of its spoils” serves to include the property of the wicked that is located outside the city; it is also destroyed. Rabbi Shimon said: For what reason does the Torah say that the property of the righteous that is in it shall be destroyed? Why must they suffer for the sins of others? The reason is: Who caused the righteous to live in this city inhabited by wicked people? It is their property that tied them to this city; therefore, their property is destroyed. The Master said that the phrase “and you shall gather all of its spoils” serves to include the property of the wicked that is located outside the city; it is also destroyed. Rav Ḥisda says: And this is the halakha only with regard to property that can be gathered into the city. Rav Ḥisda says: Deposits of the inhabitants of an idolatrous city are permitted, i.e., they are not destroyed. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances? If we say that Rav Ḥisda is referring to property belonging to inhabitants of another city and that property is deposited within the idolatrous city, it is obvious that the deposits are permitted, as the deposits are not “its spoils”; they are the property of others. But rather, say that Rav Ḥisda is referring to property belonging to the inhabitants of the idolatrous city, and it is deposited within another city. If so, the status of that property should be like any other property belonging to the inhabitants of the idolatrous city; if it is property that can be gathered into the city, why are the deposits permitted? It was already established that the property of the wicked is destroyed. And if it is property that cannot be gathered into the city, didn’t Rav Ḥisda already say once that this property is not burned? The Gemara answers: No, Rav Ḥisda is actually referring to property belonging to inhabitants of another city that is deposited within the idolatrous city; and what are we dealing with here? It is a case where an inhabitant of the idolatrous city assumes financial responsibility for the deposit in his possession. Lest you say: Once he assumes financial responsibility for the deposit in his possession, the status of the deposit is like that of his own property and it should be destroyed, therefore Rav Ḥisda teaches us that deposits are permitted and not destroyed. Rav Ḥisda says: An animal that is half the property of an idolatrous city and half the property of another city is forbidden. By contrast, with regard to dough that is half the property of an idolatrous city and half the property of another city, the half that belongs to the other city is permitted. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for the difference between them? The Gemara explains: An animal is like an entity that is not divided, as it is possible to eat part of an animal only through the slaughter of the entire animal. Therefore, if any portion of the animal is forbidden, the entire animal is forbidden. Dough is like an entity that is divided. Therefore, the fact that one portion of the dough is forbidden does not render the entire dough forbidden. Rav Ḥisda raises a dilemma: With regard to the animal of an idolatrous city, what is the halakha; is ritual slaughter effective at least in purifying it from the ritual impurity of an unslaughtered animal carcass? If the animals of the city are killed but not ritually slaughtered, they are impure with the impurity of a carcass and transmit impurity by means of contact as well as if they are lifted. Will the ritual slaughter of those animals prevent the transmission of that impurity? Is it so that since the Merciful One states: “And its animals, with the edge of the sword,” indicating that it is no different if one ritually slaughtered the animal, and it is no different if one killed the animal in another way, its status is that of a carcass and it transmits impurity? Or perhaps, since one ritually slaughtered the animal, ritual slaughter is effective. What is the halakha? The dilemma shall stand unresolved. Rav Yosef raises a dilemma: What is the status of the hair of pious women in the idolatrous city; must it be destroyed? Rava says: Is that to say that the hair of wicked women is forbidden and must be destroyed? “And you shall gather…and you shall burn” (Deuteronomy 13:17), is written, and it is derived: An item that is lacking, i.e., that requires, only gathering and burning must be destroyed, excluding this hair, which is lacking detaching, gathering, and burning. Therefore, even the hair of a wicked woman is not forbidden. Rather, Rava says: This dilemma is raised with regard to a wig. The Gemara asks: What are the circumstances? If the wig is attached to her body, its status is like that of her body. The Gemara answers: No, this dilemma is necessary only in a case where the wig is hanging on a peg. Is its status like that of the property of the righteous inside the city and therefore it is destroyed, or perhaps, since she enters and exits with the wig, its status is like that of a garment, and it is not destroyed? This dilemma shall stand unresolved. With regard to the verse: “And you shall gather all of its spoils into the midst of its square” (Deuteronomy 13:17), the Sages taught: If the city has no square, it does not become an idolatrous city, as it does not fulfill the criterion mandated by the verse; this is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Akiva says: If the city has no square, one creates a square for the city. The Gemara asks: With regard to what principle do they disagree? The Gemara explains: One Sage, Rabbi Yishmael, holds “its square” indicates a square that existed from the outset. And one Sage, Rabbi Akiva, holds that “its square” can also indicate a square that was created now. § The mishna teaches: And the consecrated property in it must be redeemed. The Sages taught in a baraita (Tosefta 14:5): If there were offerings of the most sacred order in it, if they were animals consecrated for sacrifice on the altar, they shall die; one causes their death. Items consecrated for Temple maintenance must be redeemed, and terumot must be left to decay, and second tithe and sacred scrolls must be interred. Rabbi Shimon says: That is not so; rather, the term: “Its animals” (Deuteronomy 13:16), serves to exclude a firstborn animal and animal tithe, as they never belonged to the idolatrous city. The term: “Its spoils” (Deuteronomy 13:17), serves to exclude consecrated money and tithe money. The Gemara proceeds to analyze the baraita. The Master said: If there were offerings of the most sacred order in it, if they were animals consecrated for sacrifice on the altar, they shall die. The Gemara asks: But why shall they die? They should graze until they become unfit, and then they should be sold and their value should be allocated for communal gift offerings. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: They shall die, as it is written: “The offering of the wicked is an abomination” (Proverbs 21:27), and it is unacceptable for sacrifice on the altar. Reish Lakish says: They shall die because the animal is the property of its owner and is not exclusively consecrated property. And the reason it is considered the property of the owner is that here, the tanna is referring to offerings with regard to which one bears financial responsibility for their replacement. That responsibility renders the status of these consecrated animals like that of his property. And this is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, who says: An offering with regard to which one bears financial responsibility for its replacement is the property of its owner. The Gemara challenges: From the fact that the latter clause of the baraita is the opinion of Rabbi Shimon, one may infer that the first clause is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon. The Gemara suggests a new explanation: Rather, the animals that shall die are offerings of lesser sanctity, and the ruling of the baraita is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, who says: Offerings of lesser sanctity are the property of their owner. The Gemara infers: But offerings of the most sacred order, what shall be done with them? They shall be redeemed. The Gemara asks: If so, rather than teaching in the latter clause of the baraita: Items consecrated for Temple maintenance must be redeemed, let the tanna distinguish and teach a distinction within the category of animals consecrated for sacrifice on the altar itself, as follows: In what case is this statement, that animals shall die, said? It is stated with regard to offerings of lesser sanctity; but with regard to offerings of the most sacred order, they shall be redeemed. The Gemara answers: Since there is among offerings of the most sacred order the case of the sin-offering whose owners were killed in the idolatrous city, rendering the animal a sin-offering whose owners have died, which is left to die, that distinction is not clear-cut for the tanna, as offerings of the most sacred order are not always redeemed. Therefore, the tanna preferred to cite a distinction without exceptions. The Gemara comments: Granted, Rabbi Yoḥanan does not say his explanation of the baraita in accordance with the opinion of Reish Lakish, due to the fact that it is written: “The offering of the wicked is an abomination,” and he bases his explanation on that verse. But Reish Lakish, what is the reason he does not say his explanation of the baraita in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan? The Gemara answers: He could have said to you that when we say: “The offering of the wicked is an abomination,” this statement applies in a case where the offering is in its unadulterated form. But here, since if they were to redeem it, it would have changed and would no longer be the animal of the wicked itself, but rather an animal purchased with the proceeds of the redemption of the original, it would have changed, and it would no longer be an abomination. § The baraita continues. Rabbi Shimon says that the term “its animals” serves to exclude a firstborn animal and animal tithe. The Gemara asks: What animals are we dealing with? If we say that Rabbi Shimon is speaking with regard to unblemished animals, like all other offerings they are the spoils of Heaven and not the spoils of the inhabitants of the city. Rather, Rabbi Shimon is speaking with regard to blemished animals, which belong to their owners. If so, they are the spoils of the city, and what is the reason that Rabbi Shimon says that there is no obligation to destroy these animals? Ravina says: Actually, Rabbi Shimon is speaking with regard to blemished animals, and his statement should be understood as follows: The mitzva is to destroy that which is eaten as its animals, i.e., as the property of an inhabitant of an idolatrous city. Excluded are those firstborn and tithe animals, which, even when blemished, are not eaten as its animals; rather, they are eaten as firstborn and tithe animals. They are given as gifts to priests, and are considered the spoils of Heaven. And this halakha disputes the statement of Shmuel, as Shmuel says: Everything is sacrificed and everything is redeemed. The Gemara asks: What is he saying? The Gemara explains that this is what he is saying: Any offering that is sacrificed on the altar when it is unblemished and is redeemed when it is blemished is excluded from the term “its spoils,” since it is considered the spoils of Heaven. And the halakha concerning any offering that is sacrificed on the altar when it is unblemished and is not redeemed when it is blemished, e.g., a firstborn animal and animal tithe, is derived from the term “its animals,” as they are not the city’s animals and they are not included in the city’s property. § The baraita continues: Terumot must be left to decay. Rav Ḥisda says: The Sages taught this only with regard to teruma that is still in the possession of an Israelite, who has not yet given it to a priest. But concerning teruma that is already in the possession of a priest who lives in the idolatrous city, since it is his property, it shall be burned. Rav Yosef raises an objection from the mishna: Second tithe and sacred scrolls must be interred. But isn’t the status of second tithe in the possession of an Israelite like that of teruma in the possession of a priest, as he may partake of it and benefit from it in Jerusalem; and nevertheless, it is taught: They must be interred? Rather, if the statement of Rav Ḥisda was stated, this is what was stated: Rav Ḥisda says: The Sages taught this only with regard to teruma that is already in the possession of a priest who lives in the idolatrous city, as even though it is his property, it maintains the sanctity of teruma. But teruma that is still in the possession of an Israelite, which is not his property at all, shall be given to a priest who is in another city, and should not be left to decay. We learned in a baraita there: Second-tithe dough is exempt from having ḥalla separated since it is property belonging to the Most High; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis deem one liable to separate ḥalla from second-tithe dough. Rav Ḥisda says: This dispute is with regard to second tithe in Jerusalem; as Rabbi Meir holds: Second-tithe produce is property belonging to the Most High, but the Torah permitted its owners to partake of it in Jerusalem. Since it is the property of Heaven, one is exempt from separating priestly gifts. And the Rabbis hold: It is non-sacred property from which one is liable to separate ḥalla. But with regard to second-tithe dough in the outlying areas, everyone agrees that one is exempt from separating ḥalla, as outside of Jerusalem it is prohibited to partake of it. Rav Yosef raises an objection from the mishna: Second tithe and sacred scrolls must be interred. What are we dealing with? If we say that the reference is to second tithe in Jerusalem, can Jerusalem be an idolatrous city? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: Ten matters were stated with regard to Jerusalem, and this is one of them: It does not become an idolatrous city. Rather, apparently the reference is to second tithe in a different city that was rendered an idolatrous city, and before it was so rendered one took the second-tithe produce up into Jerusalem. The Gemara asks: In that case, wasn’t the produce admitted by the walls of Jerusalem, making it no longer associated with the idolatrous city, and it should therefore be permitted to partake of it? Rather, is the reference in the mishna not to second-tithe produce in an outlying area? And it is taught: They must be interred. Apparently, second-tithe produce is not the property of Heaven; it belongs to an inhabitant of the idolatrous city. The Gemara rejects this: No, actually, the reference in the mishna is to second-tithe produce in a different city, and before it was rendered an idolatrous city one took the second-tithe produce up into Jerusalem. And what are we dealing with here? We are dealing with a case where that second-tithe produce became ritually impure. Since it is prohibited to partake of it, there is no alternative to interment. The Gemara challenges: And let him redeem it in Jerusalem, as Rabbi Elazar says: From where is it derived with regard to second-tithe produce that became impure, that one may redeem it even in Jerusalem? As the verse states: “And if the way is too long for you so that you are unable to carry it [se’eto]…and you shall turn it into money” (Deuteronomy 14:24–25). And se’et means nothing other than eating, as it is stated: “And he took portions [masot] from before him” (Genesis 43:34), indicating that second-tithe produce that cannot be eaten, whether due to the distance from Jerusalem or due to its impurity, may be redeemed. The Gemara answers: What are we dealing with here? It is not a case where the second-tithe produce became impure; rather, it is a case where an item purchased with second-tithe money became impure. The Gemara challenges: And let him redeem that which was purchased with second-tithe money and became ritually impure, as we learned in a mishna (Ma’aser Sheni 3:10): An item that is purchased with second-tithe money and that became ritually impure shall be redeemed. The Gemara answers: The mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who says: An item that is purchased with second-tithe money and that became ritually impure shall be buried, and it may no longer be redeemed. The Gemara asks: If so, and the mishna is referring to an item purchased with second-tithe money that became ritually impure, why did the mishna cite this halakha specifically in the case of an idolatrous city? The same would hold true even in cities in general as well, as in Rabbi Yehuda’s opinion, the halakha there too is that the item is buried. Rather, actually, the case in the mishna is with regard to pure second-tithe produce of an idolatrous city that was taken into Jerusalem, and it is a case where the walls of Jerusalem then fell. And this halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rava, as Rava says: The capacity of the wall of Jerusalem to enable one to partake of second-tithe produce is by Torah law. By contrast, the capacity of the wall of Jerusalem to admit second-tithe produce, in the sense that once it enters Jerusalem the produce assumes the status of the property of the Most High and may no longer be redeemed, is by rabbinic law. And the case where the Sages issue the decree that entry into Jerusalem admits the produce is where the wall is intact; however, in a case where the wall is not intact, no, the Sages did not issue a decree, and the second tithe remains the spoils of the idolatrous city. § The mishna teaches: Sacred scrolls must be interred. The Gemara comments: The halakha cited in the mishna is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: Any city in which there is even one mezuza is not rendered an idolatrous city, as it is stated: “And you shall burn it with fire, both the city and all its spoils, entirely for the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 13:17). And in a city where there is a mezuza it is not possible to burn all its spoils, as it is written: “You shall not do so to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 12:4), from which it is derived that it is prohibited to destroy any item upon which the name of God appears. The mishna teaches that Rabbi Shimon says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, says: If you implement judgment on an idolatrous city, I ascribe you credit as though you have sacrificed an entirely burnt offering before Me, and Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yosei HaGelili disagree as to whether one may convert the ruins of the idolatrous city into gardens and orchards. The Gemara posits: Let us say that it is with regard to the statement that Rabbi Avin says that Rabbi Ile’a says that these tanna’im disagree, as Rabbi Avin says that Rabbi Ile’a says: Anywhere that you find a generalization formulated as a positive mitzva followed by a detail formulated as a prohibition, one does not deduce from it that the generalization includes only the detail based on the hermeneutical principle of a generalization and a detail; rather, one interprets them as two independent halakhot. On that basis, say that the dispute is that one Sage, Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, is of the opinion that the ruling is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Avin, and one Sage, Rabbi Akiva, is of the opinion that the ruling is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Avin. Rabbi Yosei HaGelili holds that the positive mitzva: “And it shall be a heap forever,” and the succeeding prohibition: “It shall not be built again” (Deuteronomy 13:17), are independent mitzvot. The result is that the city must remain a heap and may not be converted into gardens and orchards. Rabbi Akiva employs the hermeneutical principle and deduces that the generalization “and it shall be a heap forever” means only that “it shall not be built again,” but converting the ruins of the idolatrous city into gardens and orchards is permitted. The Gemara rejects this: No, everyone is of the opinion that the ruling is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Avin, and here, they disagree about this: One Sage, Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, holds that the term “again” indicates that it is entirely prohibited to rebuild it at all. And one Sage, Rabbi Akiva, holds that the term “again” indicates that it is not built to be as it was, but it may be converted into gardens and orchards. § The Sages taught in a baraita: In a case where there were trees in the city, if they are detached from the ground, they are forbidden and must be burned as the spoils of an idolatrous city; if they are attached to the ground they are permitted, i.e., they are not destroyed. By contrast, trees of another city, whether detached or attached, are forbidden. The Gemara asks: To what is the baraita referring with the phrase: Another city? Rav Ḥisda says: The reference is to Jericho, as it is written: “And the city shall be devoted, it and all that is in it, to the Lord…And Joshua charged them at that time by oath, saying: Cursed be the man before the Lord, that rises up to build this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it” (Joshua 6:17, 26). It is taught in a baraita that this includes a prohibition not to build Jericho even after changing its name to the name of another city, and not to build another city after giving it the name of Jericho, as it is written: “Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; with Abiram, his firstborn, he laid its foundation, and with his young son Segub set up its gates” (I Kings 16:34). It is taught in a baraita: From the death of Abiram, his firstborn, the wicked, it was not incumbent upon him to learn not to build Jericho, as Abiram’s death could be attributed to chance. But with the death of Segub his young son, it was incumbent upon him to learn that it was due to Joshua’s curse that they died. The Gemara asks: What did Abiram and Segub do that they are characterized as wicked, and what is the baraita saying? The Gemara answers that this is what the baraita is saying: From the death of Abiram, his firstborn, that wicked man Hiel should have learned about the cause of the death of Segub his young son. By inference from that which is stated: “With Abiram, his firstborn,” do I not know that Segub was his young son? Rather, what is the meaning when the verse states: “His young son Segub”? It teaches that he gradually buried all his sons from Abiram through Segub, and he should have suspected that Joshua’s curse caused the deaths. Ahab was Hiel’s close friend and groomsman. He and Elijah came to inquire about Hiel’s welfare in the house of mourning [bei tamya]. Hiel sat and said: Perhaps when Joshua cursed, this is what he cursed: Not to build Jericho even after changing its name to the name of another city, and not to build another city after giving it the name of Jericho. Elijah said to him: Yes, that is the curse. Ahab said to Elijah: Now the curse of Moses is not fulfilled, as it is written: “And you go astray and worship other gods,” and it is written: “Then the Lord’s anger will flare against you, and He will close the heavens, and there will be no rain” (Deuteronomy 11:16–17). And that man, referring to himself, established an object of idol worship on each and every furrow in the kingdom of Israel, and the rain is so plentiful that it does not allow him to go and worship it; will the curse of his student, Joshua, be fulfilled? The verse relates Elijah’s reaction: Immediately: “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab: As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years, but according to my word” (I Kings 17:1). Elijah prayed for mercy and they gave him the key to rainfall enabling him to dictate when it would rain, and he arose and went. It is written about Elijah: “And the word of the Lord came to him, saying: Go from here, and turn eastward, and hide yourself by Wadi Cherith…And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning” (I Kings 17:2–3, 6). The Gemara asks: From where did they bring him bread and meat? Rabbi Yehuda says that Rav says: They brought it from the slaughterhouse of Ahab. And it is written: “And it came to pass after some days, that the wadi dried up, because there was no rain in the land” (I Kings 17:7). Since God saw that there is suffering in the world and Elijah was insensitive to it, it is written: “And the word of the Lord came to him, saying: Arise, go to Zarephath” (I Kings 17:8–9), to initiate a chain of events that would lead Elijah to return the key to rainfall to God. And it is written: “And it came to pass after these matters, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became sick” (I Kings 17:17). Elijah prayed for mercy, for God to give him the key to the resurrection of the dead. They said to him from Heaven: Three keys were not typically passed to an agent: The key to a woman in childbirth, the key to rainfall, and the key to the resurrection of the dead. You already have the key to rainfall; do you also request the key to the resurrection of the dead? People will say: Two keys are in the possession of the student and one key is in the possession of the Master. Bring Me this key to rainfall, and take this key to the resurrection of the dead. Due to Elijah’s request, he was forced to revoke his oath, as it is written: “Go, appear before Ahab; and I will give rain” (I Kings 18:1). A certain Galilean taught before Rav Ḥisda: There is a parable for the actions of Elijah; to what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a man who slammed his door and lost his key. Elijah first prevented the rain from falling, and then no longer had possession of the key to enable it to fall again. Rabbi Yosei of Tzippori taught: Father Elijah, a deferential and affectionate characterization for Elijah the prophet, was difficult. Elijah was accustomed to coming and revealing himself before Rabbi Yosei each day. He was obscured from him for three days and did not come. When he came again, Rabbi Yosei said to him: Why did the Master not come? Elijah said to him: You denigrated me when you called me difficult. Rabbi Yosei said to Elijah: This example that is before us illustrates the point, as my Master was being difficult by not coming during those days. § The mishna teaches with regard to the verse: “And there shall cleave nothing of that which was devoted to your hand” (Deuteronomy 13:18), as long as the wicked exist in the world, there is wrath in the world. The Gemara asks: Who are these wicked people mentioned in the mishna? Rav Yosef said: They are thieves. The Sages taught in a baraita: When a wicked person comes into the world, wrath comes into the world, as it is stated: “When the wicked comes into the world, contempt also comes, and with ignominy, reproach” (Proverbs 18:3). When a wicked person is eliminated from the world, good comes into the world, as it is stated: “And when the wicked perish there is jubilation” (Proverbs 11:10). When a righteous person passes from the world, evil comes into the world, as it is stated: “The righteous perishes and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken, none understand that due to the evil the righteous is taken” (Isaiah 57:1) When a righteous person comes into the world, good comes into the world with him, as it is stated with regard to Noah: “This is one who shall comfort us for our work and the toil of our hands” (Genesis 5:29).