וְהַאי ״יִתְּנוּ עֵדֵיהֶם וְיִצְדָּקוּ״ בְּאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם כְּתִיב? הָא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כְּתִיב, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: כׇּל מִצְוֹת שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה בָּאוֹת וּמְעִידוֹת לָהֶם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִתְּנוּ עֵדֵיהֶם וְיִצְדָּקוּ״ — אֵלּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, ״יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיֹאמְרוּ אֱמֶת״ — אֵלּוּ אוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם.
The Gemara asks: But is this verse: “Let them bring their witnesses that they may be justified,” written with regard to the nations of the world? Isn’t it written with regard to the Jewish people? As Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: All the mitzvot that the Jews perform in this world will come and bear witness for them in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Let them bring their witnesses that they may be justified.” These are the Jews, as their good deeds bear witness for them and demonstrate their righteousness. When the verse states: “And let them hear, and say: It is truth” (Isaiah 43:9), these are the nations of the world, who will admit to the righteousness of the Jews.
דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר פָּפָּא, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי: לְעָתִיד לָבֹא מֵבִיא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה וּמַנִּיחוֹ בְּחֵיקוֹ, וְאוֹמֵר: לְמִי שֶׁעָסַק בָּהּ יָבֹא וְיִטּוֹל שְׂכָרוֹ. מִיָּד מִתְקַבְּצִין וּבָאִין אוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם בְּעִרְבּוּבְיָא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כׇּל הַגּוֹיִם נִקְבְּצוּ יַחְדָּו וְגוֹ׳״, אֹמֵר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: אַל תִּכָּנְסוּ לְפָנַי בְּעִרְבּוּבְיָא, אֶלָּא תִּכָּנֵס כׇּל אוּמָּה וְאוּמָּהּ וְסוֹפְרֶיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְיֵאָסְפוּ לְאֻמִּים״, וְאֵין ״לְאוֹם״ אֶלָּא מַלְכוּת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּלְאֹם מִלְּאֹם יֶאֱמָץ״. וּמִי אִיכָּא עִרְבּוּבְיָא קַמֵּי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא? אֶלָּא כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלָא לִיעַרְבְּבוּ אִינְהוּ [בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי], דְּלִישְׁמְעוּ מַאי דְּאָמַר לְהוּ. [מִיָּד] נִכְנְסָה לְפָנָיו מַלְכוּת רוֹמִי תְּחִלָּה. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דַּחֲשִׁיבָא. וּמְנָלַן דַּחֲשִׁיבָא? דִּכְתִיב: ״וְתֵאכֻל כׇּל אַרְעָא וּתְדוּשִׁנַּהּ וְתַדְּקִינַּהּ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: זוֹ רוֹמִי חַיֶּיבֶת שֶׁטִּבְעָהּ יָצָא בְּכׇל הָעוֹלָם. וּמְנָא לַן דְּמַאן דַּחֲשִׁיב עָיֵיל בְּרֵישָׁא? כִּדְרַב חִסְדָּא, דְּאָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: מֶלֶךְ וְצִבּוּר — מֶלֶךְ נִכְנָס תְּחִלָּה לְדִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לַעֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפַּט עַבְדּוֹ וּמִשְׁפַּט עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגוֹ׳״. וְטַעְמָא מַאי? אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא לְמֵיתַב מַלְכָּא מֵאַבָּרַאי, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: מִקַּמֵּי דְּלִיפּוֹשׁ חֲרוֹן אַף. אָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: בְּמַאי עֲסַקְתֶּם? אוֹמְרִים לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, הַרְבֵּה שְׁוָוקִים תִּקַנְּינוּ, הַרְבֵּה מֶרְחֲצָאוֹת עָשִׂינוּ, הַרְבֵּה כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב הִרְבֵּינוּ, וְכוּלָּם לֹא עָשִׂינוּ אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְעַסְּקוּ בְּתוֹרָה. אָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: שׁוֹטִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, כׇּל מַה שֶּׁעֲשִׂיתֶם לְצוֹרֶךְ עַצְמְכֶם עֲשִׂיתֶם, תִּקַּנְתֶּם שְׁוָוקִים לְהוֹשִׁיב בָּהֶן זוֹנוֹת, מֶרְחֲצָאוֹת לְעַדֵּן בָּהֶן עַצְמְכֶם, כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב שֶׁלִּי הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לִי הַכֶּסֶף וְלִי הַזָּהָב נְאֻם יהוה צְבָאוֹת״. כְּלוּם יֵשׁ בָּכֶם מַגִּיד זֹאת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִי בָכֶם יַגִּיד זֹאת״, וְאֵין ״זֹאת״ אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְזֹאת הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר שָׂם מֹשֶׁה״. מִיָּד יָצְאוּ בְּפַחֵי נֶפֶשׁ. יָצָאת מַלְכוּת רוֹמִי, וְנִכְנְסָה מַלְכוּת פָּרַס אַחֲרֶיהָ. מַאי טַעְמָא? דְּהָא חֲשִׁיבָא בָּתְרַהּ. וּמְנָלַן? דִּכְתִיב: ״וַאֲרוּ חֵיוָא אָחֳרִי תִּנְיָנָא דָּמְיָא לְדֹב״, וְתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: אֵלּוּ פַּרְסִיִּים, שֶׁאוֹכְלִין וְשׁוֹתִין כְּדוֹב, וּמְסוּרְבָּלִין [בָּשָׂר] כְּדוֹב, וּמְגַדְּלִין שֵׂעָר כְּדוֹב, וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנוּחָה כְּדוֹב. אֹמֵר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: בְּמַאי עֲסַקְתֶּם? אוֹמְרִים לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, הַרְבֵּה גְּשָׁרִים גָּשַׁרְנוּ, הַרְבֵּה כְּרַכִּים כָּבַשְׁנוּ, הַרְבֵּה מִלְחָמוֹת עָשִׂינוּ, וְכוּלָּם לֹא עָשִׂינוּ אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְעַסְּקוּ בַּתּוֹרָה. אָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: כׇּל מַה שֶּׁעֲשִׂיתֶם לְצוֹרֶךְ עַצְמְכֶם עֲשִׂיתֶם, תִּקַּנְתֶּם גְּשָׁרִים לִיטּוֹל מֵהֶם מֶכֶס, כְּרַכִּים לַעֲשׂוֹת בָּהֶם אַנְגַּרְיָא, מִלְחָמוֹת אֲנִי עָשִׂיתִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״ה׳ אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה״, כְּלוּם יֵשׁ בָּכֶם מַגִּיד זֹאת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִי בָכֶם יַגִּיד זֹאת״, וְאֵין ״זֹאת״ אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְזֹאת הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר שָׂם מֹשֶׁה״, מִיָּד יָצְאוּ מִלְּפָנָיו בְּפַחֵי נֶפֶשׁ. וְכִי מֵאַחַר דַּחֲזָית מַלְכוּת פָּרַס לְמַלְכוּת רוֹמִי דְּלָא מַהְנְיָא וְלָא מִידֵּי, מַאי טַעְמָא עָיְילָא? אָמְרִי: אִינְהוּ סָתְרִי בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וַאֲנַן בָּנִינַן, וְכֵן לְכׇל אוּמָּה וְאוּמַהּ. וְכִי מֵאַחַר דַּחֲזוֹ לְקַמָּאֵי דְּלָא מַהֲנֵי וְלָא מִידֵּי, מַאי טַעְמָא עָיְילִי? סָבְרִי: הָנָךְ אִישְׁתַּעְבַּדוּ בְּהוּ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, וַאֲנַן לָא שַׁעְבַּדְנוּ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. מַאי שְׁנָא הָנֵי דַּחֲשִׁיבִי, וּמַאי שְׁנָא הָנֵי דְּלָא חֲשִׁיבִי לְהוּ? מִשּׁוּם דְּהָנָךְ מָשְׁכִי בְּמַלְכוּתַיְיהוּ עַד דְּאָתֵי מְשִׁיחָא. אוֹמְרִים לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, כְּלוּם נָתַתָּ לָנוּ וְלֹא קִיבַּלְנוּהָ? וּמִי מָצֵי לְמֵימַר הָכִי? וְהָכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמַר יהוה מִסִּינַי בָּא וְזָרַח מִשֵּׂעִיר לָמוֹ״, וּכְתִיב: ״אֱלוֹהַּ מִתֵּימָן יָבוֹא וְגוֹ׳״. מַאי בָּעֵי בְּשֵׂעִיר, וּמַאי בָּעֵי בְּפָארָן? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֶחְזִירָהּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עַל כׇּל אוּמָּה וְלָשׁוֹן, וְלֹא קִבְּלוּהָ, עַד שֶׁבָּא אֵצֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְקִבְּלוּהָ! אֶלָּא הָכִי אָמְרִי: כְּלוּם קִיבַּלְנוּהָ וְלֹא קִיַּימְנוּהָ? וְעַל דָּא תְּבָרְתְּהוֹן, אַמַּאי לָא קַבֵּלְתּוּהָ? אֶלָּא כָּךְ אוֹמְרִים לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, כְּלוּם כָּפִיתָ עָלֵינוּ הַר כְּגִיגִית וְלֹא קִבַּלְנוּהָ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל? דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּתְיַצְּבוּ בְּתַחְתִּית הָהָר״, וְאָמַר רַב דִּימִי בַּר חָמָא: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכָּפָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא הַר כְּגִיגִית עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאָמַר לָהֶם: אִם אַתֶּם מְקַבְּלִין אֶת הַתּוֹרָה — מוּטָב, וְאִם לָאו — שָׁם תְּהֵא קְבוּרַתְכֶם! מִיָּד אוֹמֵר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת יַשְׁמִיעוּנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְרִאשׁוֹנוֹת יַשְׁמִיעֻנוּ״, שֶׁבַע מִצְוֹת שֶׁקִּיבַּלְתֶּם הֵיכָן קִיַּימְתֶּם? וּמְנָלַן דְּלֹא קִיְּימוּם? דְּתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: ״עָמַד וַיְמֹדֶד אֶרֶץ רָאָה וַיַּתֵּר גּוֹיִם״, מַאי רָאָה? רָאָה שֶׁבַע מִצְוֹת שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ עֲלֵיהֶן בְּנֵי נֹחַ וְלֹא קִיְּימוּם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁלֹּא קִיְּימוּם עָמַד וְהִתִּירָן לָהֶן. אִיתְּגוֹרֵי אִיתְּגוּר? אִם כֵּן מָצִינוּ חוֹטֵא נִשְׂכָּר! אָמַר מָר בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבִינָא: לוֹמַר, שֶׁאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁמְּקַיְּימִין אוֹתָן אֵין מְקַבְּלִין עֲלֵיהֶם שָׂכָר. וְלָא? וְהָתַנְיָא: הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ גּוֹי וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה שֶׁהוּא כְּכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה אֹתָם הָאָדָם וָחַי בָּהֶם״, כֹּהֲנִים לְוִיִּם וְיִשְׂרְאֵלִים לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״הָאָדָם״, הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ גּוֹי וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה הֲרֵי הוּא כְּכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל. אֶלָּא לוֹמַר לָךְ, שֶׁאֵין מְקַבְּלִין עֲלֵיהֶם שָׂכָר כִּמְצוֶּּוה וְעוֹשֶׂה, אֶלָּא כְּמִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְצוֶּּוה וְעוֹשֶׂה, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: גָּדוֹל הַמְצוֶּּוה וְעוֹשֶׂה יוֹתֵר מִשֶּׁאֵינוֹ מְצוֶּּוה וְעוֹשֶׂה. אֶלָּא כָּךְ אוֹמְרִים הַגּוֹיִם לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁקִּיבְּלוּהָ הֵיכָן קִיְּימוּהָ? אָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: אֲנִי מֵעִיד בָּהֶם שֶׁקִּיְּימוּ אֶת הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ. אוֹמְרִים לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, כְּלוּם יֵשׁ אָב שֶׁמֵּעִיד עַל בְּנוֹ? דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּנִי בְּכוֹרִי יִשְׂרָאֵל״. אָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ יָעִידוּ בָּהֶם שֶׁקִּיְּימוּ אֶת הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ. אוֹמְרִים לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ נוֹגְעִין בְּעֵדוּתָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִם לֹא בְרִיתִי יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה חֻקּוֹת שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ לֹא שָׂמְתִּי״, (דְּאָמַר) [וְאָמַר] רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהִתְנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִם מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית, וְאָמַר: אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל מְקַבְּלִין אֶת תּוֹרָתִי מוּטָב, וְאִם לָאו — אֲנִי אַחֲזִיר אֶתְכֶם לְתוֹהוּ וָבוֹהוּ. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר חִזְקִיָּה, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״מִשָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמַעְתָּ דִּין אֶרֶץ יָרְאָה וְשָׁקָטָה״? אִם יָרְאָה לָמָּה שָׁקְטָה, וְאִם שָׁקְטָה לָמָּה יָרְאָה? אֶלָּא בַּתְּחִלָּה יָרְאָה, וּלְבַסּוֹף שָׁקְטָה. אָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: מִכֶּם יָבֹאוּ וְיָעִידוּ בָּהֶן בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁקִּיְּימוּ אֶת הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ, יָבֹא נִמְרוֹד וְיָעִיד בְּאַבְרָהָם שֶׁלֹּא עָבַד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, יָבֹא לָבָן וְיָעִיד בְּיַעֲקֹב שֶׁלֹּא נֶחְשַׁד עַל הַגָּזֵל, תָּבֹא אֵשֶׁת פּוֹטִיפֶרַע וְתָעִיד בְּיוֹסֵף שֶׁלֹּא נֶחְשַׁד עַל הָעֲבֵירָה. יָבֹא נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר וְיָעִיד בַּחֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה שֶׁלֹּא הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַצֶּלֶם, יָבֹא דָּרְיָוֶשׁ וְיָעִיד בְּדָנִיֵּאל שֶׁלֹּא בִּיטֵּל אֶת הַתְּפִלָּה, יָבֹא בִּלְדַּד הַשּׁוּחִי וְצוֹפַר הַנַּעֲמָתִי וֶאֱלִיפַז הַתֵּימָנִי וֶאֱלִיהוּ בֶּן בַּרַכְאֵל הַבּוּזִי וְיָעִידוּ בָּהֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁקִּיְּימוּ אֶת כָּל הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִתְּנוּ עֵדֵיהֶם וְיִצְדָּקוּ״. אָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, תְּנֶהָ לָנוּ מֵרֹאשׁ וְנַעֲשֶׂנָּה. אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: שׁוֹטִים שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם! מִי שֶׁטָּרַח בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת יֹאכַל בְּשַׁבָּת, מִי שֶׁלֹּא טָרַח בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת מֵהֵיכָן יֹאכַל בְּשַׁבָּת? אֶלָּא אַף עַל פִּי כֵן, מִצְוָה קַלָּה יֵשׁ לִי וְסוּכָּה שְׁמָהּ, לְכוּ וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָהּ. וּמִי מָצֵית אָמְרַתְּ הָכִי? וְהָא אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם״, הַיּוֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָם וְלֹא לְמָחָר לַעֲשׂוֹתָם, הַיּוֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָם וְלֹא הַיּוֹם לִיטּוֹל שָׂכָר. אֶלָּא, שֶׁאֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בָּא בִּטְרוּנְיָא עִם בְּרִיּוֹתָיו. וְאַמַּאי קָרֵי לֵיהּ ״מִצְוָה קַלָּה״? מִשּׁוּם דְּלֵית בַּיהּ חֶסְרוֹן כִּיס. מִיָּד כׇּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד נוֹטֵל וְהוֹלֵךְ וְעוֹשֶׂה סוּכָּה בְּרֹאשׁ גַּגּוֹ, וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַקְדִּיר עֲלֵיהֶם חַמָּה בִּתְקוּפַת תַּמּוּז, וְכׇל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מְבַעֵט בְּסוּכָּתוֹ וְיוֹצֵא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נְנַתְּקָה אֶת מוֹסְרוֹתֵימוֹ וְנַשְׁלִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבֹתֵימוֹ״. מַקְדִּיר? וְהָא אָמְרַתְּ: אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בָּא בִּטְרוּנְיָא עִם בְּרִיּוֹתָיו! מִשּׁוּם דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל נָמֵי זִימְנֵי דְּמָשְׁכָא לְהוּ תְּקוּפַת תַּמּוּז עַד חַגָּא, וְהָוֵי לְהוּ צַעֲרָא. וְהָאָמַר רָבָא: מִצְטַעֵר פָּטוּר מִן הַסּוּכָּה! נְהִי דְּפָטוּר, בַּעוֹטֵי מִי מְבַעֲטִי? מִיָּד, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹשֵׁב וּמְשַׂחֵק עֲלֵיהֶן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יוֹשֵׁב בַּשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׂחָק וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֵין שְׂחוֹק לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶלָּא אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם בִּלְבַד. אִיכָּא דְּמַתְנֵי לְהָא דְּרַבִּי יִצְחָק אַהָא, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: לְעָתִיד לָבֹא בָּאִין אוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם וּמִתְגַּיְּירִין. וּמִי מְקַבְּלִינַן מִינַּיְיהוּ? וְהָתַנְיָא: אֵין מְקַבְּלִין גֵּרִים לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ, כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ לֹא קִבְּלוּ גֵּרִים לֹא בִּימֵי דָוִד וְלֹא בִּימֵי שְׁלֹמֹה! אֶלָּא שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ גֵּרִים גְּרוּרִים, וּמַנִּיחִין תְּפִילִּין בְּרָאשֵׁיהֶן, תְּפִילִּין בִּזְרוֹעוֹתֵיהֶם, צִיצִית בְּבִגְדֵיהֶם, מְזוּזָה בְּפִתְחֵיהֶם. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרוֹאִין מִלְחֶמֶת גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג, אוֹמֵר לָהֶן: עַל מָה בָּאתֶם? אוֹמְרִים לוֹ: עַל יהוה וְעַל מְשִׁיחוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָמָּה רָגְשׁוּ גוֹיִם וּלְאֻמִּים יֶהְגּוּ רִיק וְגוֹ׳״, וְכׇל אֶחָד מְנַתֵּק מִצְוָתוֹ וְהוֹלֵךְ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נְנַתְּקָה אֶת מוֹסְרוֹתֵימוֹ וְגוֹ׳״, וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹשֵׁב וּמְשַׂחֵק, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יוֹשֵׁב בַּשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׁחָק וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֵין לוֹ לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שְׂחוֹק אֶלָּא אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם בִּלְבַד. אִינִי? וְהָא אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁעוֹת הָוֵי הַיּוֹם, שָׁלֹשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת — הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹשֵׁב וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה, שְׁנִיּוֹת — יוֹשֵׁב וְדָן אֶת כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ, כֵּיוָן שֶׁרוֹאֶה שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּיב עוֹלָם כְּלָיָיה — עוֹמֵד מִכִּסֵּא הַדִּין וְיוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רַחֲמִים, שְׁלִישִׁיּוֹת — יוֹשֵׁב וְזָן אֶת כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ מִקַּרְנֵי רֵאמִים עַד בֵּיצֵי כִנִּים, רְבִיעִיּוֹת — יוֹשֵׁב וּמְשַׂחֵק עִם לִוְיָתָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לִוְיָתָן זֶה יָצַרְתָּ לְשַׂחֶק בּוֹ״, אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: עִם בְּרִיּוֹתָיו מְשַׂחֵק, וְעַל בְּרִיּוֹתָיו אֵינוֹ מְשַׂחֵק אֶלָּא אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם בִּלְבַד. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא לְרַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: מִיּוֹם שֶׁחָרַב בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ אֵין שְׂחוֹק לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא. וּמְנָלַן דְּלֵיכָּא שְׂחוֹק? אִילֵּימָא מִדִּכְתִיב: ״וַיִּקְרָא יהוה אֱלֹהִים צְבָאוֹת בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לִבְכִי וּלְמִסְפֵּד וּלְקׇרְחָה וְגוֹ׳״, דִּלְמָא הָהוּא יוֹמָא וְתוּ לָא! אֶלָּא דִּכְתִיב: ״אִם אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָם תִּשְׁכַּח יְמִינִי תִּדְבַּק לְשׁוֹנִי לְחִכִּי אִם לֹא אֶזְכְּרֵכִי״, דִּלְמָא שִׁכְחָה הוּא דְּלֵיכָּא, אֲבָל שְׂחוֹק מִיהָא אִיכָּא! אֶלָּא מֵהָא: ״הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי מֵעוֹלָם אַחֲרִישׁ אֶתְאַפָּק וְגוֹ׳״. בִּרְבִיעִיּוֹת מַאי עָבֵיד? יוֹשֵׁב וּמְלַמֵּד תִּינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֶת מִי יוֹרֶה דֵעָה וְאֶת מִי יָבִין שְׁמוּעָה גְּמוּלֵי מֵחָלָב עַתִּיקֵי מִשָּׁדָיִם״. לְמִי יוֹרֶה דֵּעָה וּלְמִי יָבִין שְׁמוּעָה? לִגְמוּלֵי מֵחָלָב וּלְעַתִּיקֵי מִשָּׁדַיִם. וּמֵעִיקָּרָא מַאן הֲוָה מַיגְמַר לְהוּ? אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: מֶיטַטְרוֹן, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: הָא וְהָא עָבֵיד. וּבְלֵילְיָא מַאי עָבֵיד? אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: מֵעֵין יְמָמָא, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: רוֹכֵב עַל כְּרוּב קַל שֶׁלּוֹ וְשָׁט בִּשְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף עוֹלָמוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״רֶכֶב אֱלֹהִים רִבֹּתַיִם אַלְפֵי שִׁנְאָן״, אַל תִּקְרֵי ״שִׁנְאָן״ אֶלָּא ״שֶׁאֵינָן״, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: יוֹשֵׁב וְשׁוֹמֵעַ שִׁירָה מִפִּי חַיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יוֹמָם יְצַוֶּה יהוה חַסְדּוֹ וּבַלַּיְלָה שִׁירֹה עִמִּי״.
§ The Gemara cites homiletic interpretations of the verse that was discussed earlier: “All the nations are gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled; who among them can declare this, and announce to us former matters? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; and let them hear, and say: It is truth” (Isaiah 43:9). Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa taught, and some say that it was Rabbi Simlai who taught: In the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will bring a Torah scroll and place it in His lap and say: Anyone who engaged in its study should come and take his reward.Immediately, the nations of the world will gather together and come intermingled with each other, as it is stated: “All the nations are gathered together and let the peoples be assembled.” The Holy One, Blessed be He, will say to them: Do not enter before Me intermingled; rather, let each and every nation enterwith their scholars, as it is stated: “And let the peoples [le’umim] be assembled” (Isaiah 43:9); and the term le’om means nothing other than kingdom, as it is stated: “And the one kingdom [ule’om] shall be stronger than the other kingdom [mile’om]” (Genesis 25:23). The Gemara asks: But is it possible for there to be intermingling before the Holy One, Blessed be He, that it should be necessary for each nation to stand and be addressed separately? Rather, the nations are instructed to stand separately so that they will not become intermingled with each other in order that they will each hear what He says to them.Immediately, the Roman Empire enters first before Him. The Gemara asks: What is the reason that the Roman Empire enters first? It is because the Roman Empire is the most important of all of the nations. And from where do we derive that it is the most important? As it is written in the book of Daniel with regard to the fourth empire that will rule over the world: “And it shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces” (Daniel 7:23), and Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This empire that will devour the earth is the wicked Roman Empire, whose name spread throughout the world. The Gemara asks: And from where do we derive that whoever is more important enters first? This is in accordance with a statement of Rav Ḥisda, as Rav Ḥisda says: When a king and a community are brought before God for judgment, the king enters for judgment first, as it is stated: “That He make the judgment of His servant and the judgment of His people Israel, as every day shall require” (I Kings 8:59). And what is the reason that it is important for the king to enter first? If you wish, say that it is not proper conduct for the king to stand outside and wait for the trial of his subjects to end. And if you wish, say instead that the king is brought in first so that he may be judged before God’s anger intensifies due to the sins of the community. The Gemara returns to its narration of the future judgment. First, the members of the Roman Empire enter. The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to them: With what did you occupy yourselves? They say before Him in response: Master of the Universe, we have established many marketplaces, we have built many bathhouses, and we have increased much silver and gold. And we did all of this only for the sake of the Jewish people, so that they would be free to engage in Torah study. The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to them: Fools of the world! Are you attempting to deceive Me? Everything that you did, you did for your own needs. You established marketplaces to place prostitutes in them; you built bathhouses for your own enjoyment; and as for the silver and gold that you claim to have increased, it is Mine, as it is stated: “Mine is the silver, and Mine the gold, said the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8). Is there no one among you who can declare that they have studied this Torah? This is the meaning of the continuation of the verse from Isaiah, as it is stated: “Who among them can declare this?” (Isaiah 43:9). And “this” is referring to nothing other than the Torah, as it is stated: “And this is the Torah that Moses set before the children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 4:44), and whoever did not engage in its study does not receive reward. Immediately, the members of the Roman Empire leave disappointed.The Roman Empire leaves, and the Persian Empire enters after it. What is the reason that the Persian Empire enters second? The reason is that after the Roman Empire it is the next most important. And from where do we derive this? As it is written in Daniel’s vision: “And behold another beast, a second, like a bear” (Daniel 7:5). And Rav Yosef teaches: These are the Persians, who are compared to a bear, as they eat and drink copious amounts as does a bear, and they are fleshy like a bear, and they grow their hair long as does a bear, and they never rest, like a bear, which is constantly on the move from one place to another. The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to them: With what did you occupy yourselves? They say before Him in response: Master of the Universe, we have built many bridges, we have conquered many cities, and we have fought many wars. And we did all of this only for the sake of the Jewish people, so that they would engage in Torah study. The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to them: Everything that you did, you did for your own needs. You established bridges to collect taxes from all who pass over them. You conquered cities to use their residents for forced labor [angareya]; and with regard to fighting the wars, I wage wars, and your success is from Me, as it is stated: “The Lord is a man of war” (Exodus 15:3). Is there no one among you who can declare that they have studied this Torah? As it is stated: “Who among them can declare this” (Isaiah 43:9), and “this” is referring to nothing other than the Torah, as it is stated: “And this is the Torah that Moses set” (Deuteronomy 4:44). Immediately, the members of the Persian Empire leave from before Him disappointed. The Gemara asks: But once the Persian Empire sees that everything said by the Roman Empire is completely ineffective, what is the reason that they come forward? The Gemara answers: They believe that their claims will be more effective, as they say: The Romans destroyed the Second Temple, and we had built it, as the Second Temple was constructed under the auspices and with the encouragement of Cyrus, the king of Persia. The Gemara adds: And likewise, a similar exchange occurred with each and every nation. The Gemara asks: But once the other nations see that every-thing said by the first ones, Rome and Persia, is completely ineffective, what is the reason that they come forward? The Gemara answers that they think: Those Empires subjugated the Jewish people, but we did not subjugate the Jewish people. The Gemara further asks: What is different about these, Rome and Persia, which were singled out explicitly, and what is different about those other empires that come afterward, which were not singled out and mentioned by name? It is because with regard to these, Rome and Persia, their kingship extends until the coming of the Messiah. The nations will say before God: Master of the Universe, did You give us the Torah and we did not accept it? Since we never received the Torah, why are we being judged for not fulfilling its mitzvot? The Gemara asks: And can one say that they were never offered the Torah? But isn’t it written in the description of the giving of the Torah: “And he said: The Lord came from Sinai, and rose from Seir unto them” (Deuteronomy 33:2), and it is written: “God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran” (Habakkuk 3:3). And the Sages asked: What did God require in Seir and what did He require in Paran? The Torah was not given in those locations. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, took the Torah around to every nation and those who speak every language, such as the Edomites in Seir and the Ishmaelites in Paran, but they did not accept it, until He came to the Jewish people and they accepted it. If the other nations all rejected the Torah, how can they excuse themselves by claiming that it was never offered to them? Rather, this is what they say: Did we accept the Torah and then not fulfill its mitzvot? The Gemara asks: But this itself serves as the refutation of their own claim, as one can respond: Why didn’t you accept it? Rather, this is what the nations of the world say before Him: Master of the Universe, did You overturn the mountain above us like a basin, and we still did not accept the Torah, as You did for the Jewish people? The Gemara provides the background for this claim: As it is written: “And they stood at the nether part of the mount” (Exodus 19:17), and Rav Dimi bar Ḥama says: The verse teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, overturned the mountain, i.e., Mount Sinai, above the Jews like a basin, and He said to them: If you accept the Torah, excellent, and if not, there, under the mountain, will be your burial. The nations of the world will claim that they too could have been coerced to accept the Torah. Immediately, the Holy One, Blessed be He, says to them: The first mitzvot will let us hear the truth, as it is stated in the continuation of the same verse under discussion: “And announce to us the first things” (Isaiah 43:9). With regard to the seven Noahide mitzvot that preceded the giving of the Torah that even you accepted, where is the proof that you fulfilled them? The Gemara asks: And from where do we derive that they did not fulfill them? As Rav Yosef teaches in explanation of the verse: “He stands, and shakes the earth, He sees, and makes the nations tremble [vayater]” (Habakkuk 3:6): What did God see? He saw the seven mitzvot that the descendants of Noah accepted upon themselves, and He saw that they did not fulfill them. Since they did not fulfill them, He arose and nullified for them [vehitiran] the command to heed these mitzvot. The Gemara asks: Do they gain from not obeying, as they are now released from the obligation to fulfill these mitzvot? If so, we find that a sinner profits from his transgression. Mar, son of Ravina, said: This serves to say that even if they fulfill the seven Noahide mitzvot they do not receive a reward for their fulfilment. The Gemara asks: And are they not rewarded for fulfilling those mitzvot? But isn’t it taught in a baraita that Rabbi Meir would say: From where is it derived that even a gentile who engages in Torah study is considered like a High Priest? The verse states: “You shall therefore keep My statutes and My ordinances, which if a person do, and shall live by them” (Leviticus 18:5). It is not stated: Priests, Levites, and Israelites, but rather the general term “person.” From here you learn that even a gentile who engages in the study of Torah is like a High Priest. This demonstrates that gentiles are rewarded for fulfilling mitzvot, despite the fact that they are not commanded to do so. Rather, the verse serves to tell you that they do not receive as great a reward for their fulfillment as one who is commanded and performs a mitzva. Rather, they receive a lesser reward, like that of one who is not commanded and still performs a mitzva. As Rabbi Ḥanina says: Greater is one who is commanded to do a mitzva and performs it than one who is not commanded and performs it. The Gemara returns to the discussion between God and the nations of the world, whose claims are rejected with the rebuttal that they did not receive the Torah because they did not fulfill the seven Noahide mitzvot that were incumbent upon them. Rather, this is what the gentiles say before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, as for the Jewish people who accepted the Torah, where is the evidence that they fulfilled its mitzvot? The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to them in response: I will testify about the Jewish people that they fulfilled the Torah in its entirety. The nations say before Him: Master of the Universe, is there a father who can testify about his son? As it is written: “Israel is My son, My firstborn” (Exodus 4:22). Since God is considered the Father of the Jewish people, He is disqualified from testifying on their behalf. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: Heaven and earth will testify about them that they fulfilled the Torah in its entirety. The nations say before Him: Master of the Universe, in this matter the testimony of heaven and earth is tainted by a conflict of interest, as it is stated: “If My covenant be not with day and night, I would not have appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth” (Jeremiah 33:25). And concerning this verse, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31)? This teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, established a condition with the acts of Creation, and said: If the Jewish people accept My Torah at the revelation at Sinai, all is well, but if they do not accept it, I will return you to the primordial state of chaos and disorder.And this is similar to that which Ḥizkiyya says with regard to a different matter: What is the meaning of that which is written: “You caused sentence to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was silent” (Psalms 76:9)? If the earth feared, why was it silent, and if it was silent, why did it fear? One who is afraid does not stay silent, and one who remains silent thereby demonstrates that he is not afraid. Rather, this is the meaning of the verse: At first, when God came to give the Torah to the Jewish people, the earth feared that they might not accept it, and it would be destroyed. This is alluded to by the phrase “You caused sentence to be heard.” But ultimately, when the Jews accepted the Torah, the earth was silent. Consequently, heaven and earth are interested parties and cannot testify about the Jewish people’s commitment to the Torah. Instead, the Holy One, Blessed be He, says to the nations: Let the witnesses come from among you and testify that the Jewish people fulfilled the Torah in its entirety. Let Nimrod come and testify about Abraham that he did not engage in idol worship. Let Laban come and testify about Jacob that he is not suspect with regard to robbery (see Genesis 31:36–42). Let the wife of Potiphar come and testify about Joseph that he is not suspect with regard to the sin of adultery (see Genesis 39:7–12). Let Nebuchadnezzar come and testify about Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah that they did not prostrate themselves before a graven image. Let Darius come and testify about Daniel that he did not neglect his prayer (see Daniel 6). Let Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, and Eliphaz the Temanite, and Elihu, son of Barachel, the Buzite, friends of Job (see Job 2:11 and 32:2) come and testify about the Jewish people that they fulfilled the Torah in its entirety. As it is stated: “All the nations are gathered together…let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified” (Isaiah 43:9), i.e., the gathered gentiles will submit testimony on behalf of the Jewish people and demonstrate the Jews’ righteousness. The gentiles say before Him: Master of the Universe, give us the Torah afresh and we will perform its mitzvot. The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to them in response: Fools of the world! Do you think you can request this? One who takes pains on Shabbat eve will eat on Shabbat, but one who did not take pains on Shabbat eve, from where will he eat on Shabbat? The opportunity for performing mitzvot has already passed, and it is now too late to ask to perform them. But even so, I have an easy mitzva to fulfill, and its name is sukka; go and perform it. The Gemara asks: And how can you say so, that it is possible to perform a mitzva after the end of this world? But doesn’t Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi say: What is the meaning of that which is written: “You shall therefore keep the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you this day, to do them” (Deuteronomy 7:11)? This verse teaches that today, in this world, is the time to do them, but tomorrow, in the World-to-Come, is not the time to do them. Furthermore, today is the time to do them, but today is not the time to receive one’s reward, which is granted in the World-to-Come. The Gemara explains: But even so, God gave the nations an opportunity to perform a mitzva, as The Holy One, Blessed be He, does not deal tyrannically [beteruneya] with His creations, but wants them to feel that they have been judged fairly. The Gemara asks: And why does God call the mitzva of sukkaan easy mitzva to fulfill? Because performing the mitzva involves no monetary loss.Immediately, each and every gentile will take materials and go and construct a sukka on top of his roof. And the Holy One, Blessed be He, will set upon them the heat [makdir] of the sun in the season of Tammuz, i.e., the summer, and each and every one who is sitting in his sukka will be unable to stand the heat, and he will kick his sukka and leave, as it is stated: “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalms 2:3). The Gemara asks: Why does God heat the sun over them? But didn’t you say that the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not deal tyrannically with His creations? The Gemara answers: This is not considered dealing tyrannically with the gentiles, because for the Jewish people as well, there are timeswhen the season of Tammuz extends until the festival of Sukkot, and in such years sitting in the sukkacauses them suffering. The Gemara asks: But doesn’t Rava say that one who suffers in the sukkais exempt from performing the mitzva of sukka, and under these circumstances even a Jew is permitted to leave the sukka? If so, why are the gentiles criticized for leaving? The Gemara answers: Granted that one is exempt from performing the mitzva and is permitted to leave his sukka, but should one kick it? The Gemara resumes its narration: Immediately, the Holy One, Blessed be He, sits and makes sport of those gentiles, i.e., He laughs at them, as it is stated: “He that sits in heaven makes sport, the Lord has them in derision” (Psalms 2:4). With regard to this verse, Rabbi Yitzḥak says: There is no making sport for the Holy One, Blessed be He, but on that day alone.There are those who teach that which Rabbi Yitzḥak subsequently said with regard to this matter, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yosei says: In the future, the nations of the world will come and convert. The Gemara asks: And do we accept them as converts at that time? But isn’t it taught in another baraita: The court does not accept converts in the days of the Messiah; similarly, they did not accept converts either in the days of David or in the days of Solomon, due to a concern that these people wanted to convert for ulterior motives, because the Jewish people were mighty and respected? Rather, Rabbi Yosei means that they become converts who have attached themselves to the Jewish people, and they don phylacteries on their heads, phylacteries on their arms, place ritual fringes on their garments, and a mezuza in their doorways.When these converts see the war of Gog and Magog, every convert of this sort will say to Gog and Magog: For what purpose did you come? They will say to him: We came to fight against the Lord and against His Messiah, as it is stated: “Why are the nations in an uproar? And why do the peoples mutter in vain. The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Messiah” (Psalms 2:1–2). And then every one of these converts will tear loose his sign of performance of a mitzva and leave, as it is stated: “Let us tear their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalms 2:3). And the Holy One, Blessed be He, sits and makes sport, i.e., laughs or rejoices, as it is stated: “He that sits in heaven makes sport, the Lord has them in derision” (Psalms 2:4). Rabbi Yitzḥak says: There is no making sport for the Holy One, Blessed be He, but on that day alone. The Gemara asks: Is that so? Is there no making sport for the Holy One, Blessed be He? But doesn’t Rav Yehuda say that Rav says: There are twelve hours in the day. During the first three, the Holy One, Blessed be He, sits and engages in Torah study. During the second three hours, He sits and judges the entire world. Once He sees that the world has rendered itself liable to destruction, He arises from the throne of judgment and sits on the throne of mercy, and the world is not destroyed. During the third set of three hours, the Holy One, Blessed be He, sits and sustains the entire world, from the horns of wild oxen to the eggs of lice. During the fourth three hours, He sits and makes sport with the leviathan, as it is stated: “There is leviathan, whom You have formed to sport with” (Psalms 104:26). Evidently, God makes sport every day, not only on that one day. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says in explanation: He makes sport with His creations, just as He sports with the leviathan; He does not make sport of His creations but on that day alone.Rav Aḥa said to Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak: From the day the Temple was destroyed, there is no longer any making sport for the Holy One, Blessed be He. And from where do we derive that there is no making sport? If we say that it is from that which is written: “And in that day did the Lord, the God of hosts, call to weeping, and to lamentation, and to baldness and to girding with sackcloth” (Isaiah 22:12), that is inconclusive: Perhaps that day alone was called for weeping and lamentation, and no additional days. Rather, you might suggest that the source is that it is written: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you” (Psalms 137:5–6). This is also inconclusive, as perhaps there is no forgetting of Jerusalem for God, but in any event there is still making sport. Rather, it is derived from this verse: “I have long time held My peace, I have been still, and refrained Myself; now will I cry like a travailing woman, gasping and panting at once” (Isaiah 42:14). The Gemara asks: If God no longer makes sport, what does He now do during the fourth three-hour period of the day? The Gemara answers: He sits and teaches Torah to schoolchildren, as it is stated: “Whom shall one teach knowledge? And whom shall one make to understand the message? Them that are weaned from the milk, them that are drawn from the breasts” (Isaiah 28:9). The verse is interpreted in the following manner: To whom does God teach knowledge, and to whom does He make to understand the message? To those who are just weaned from the milk and to those who are drawn from the breasts, i.e., children only recently weaned from nursing. The Gemara asks: And initially, before the destruction of the Temple, who would teach the schoolchildren? The Gemara answers: If you wish, say that the angel Metatron would teach them, and if you wish, say instead that He would do both this, sport with the leviathan, and that, teach the schoolchildren; whereas after the destruction of the Temple in the fourth period of the day He only teaches the schoolchildren. The Gemara asks: And during the twelve hours of the night, what does God do? The Gemara answers: If you wish, say that the night is similar to the day, i.e., God performs the same activities as in the day. And if you wish, say instead that He rides on his light cherub and flies in eighteen thousand worlds, as it is stated: “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even [shinan] thousands” (Psalms 68:18). Do not read it as even [shinan], rather read it as: That which are not [she’einan]. Since the minimum of thousands is two thousand, the phrase: That which are not thousands, indicates that two thousand are not present, i.e., the chariots of God are twenty thousand minus two thousand, which means that God rides in eighteen thousand worlds. And if you wish, say instead that God sits and listens to the songs from the mouths of the angelic creatures, as it is stated: “By day the Lord will command His loving-kindness, and in the night His song shall be with me” (Psalms 42:9).
אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי: כׇּל הַפּוֹסֵק מִדִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה וְעוֹסֵק בְּדִבְרֵי שִׂיחָה מַאֲכִילִין לוֹ גַּחֲלֵי רְתָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַקֹּטְפִים מַלּוּחַ עֲלֵי שִׂיחַ וְשֹׁרֶשׁ רְתָמִים לַחְמָם״. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: כׇּל הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה בַּלַּיְלָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹשֵׁךְ עָלָיו חוּט שֶׁל חֶסֶד בַּיּוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יוֹמָם יְצַוֶּה יהוה חַסְדּוֹ וּבַלַּיְלָה שִׁירֹה עִמִּי״. מָה טַעַם ״יוֹמָם יְצַוֶּה יהוה חַסְדּוֹ״? מִשּׁוּם דְּבַלַּיְלָה שִׁירוֹ עִמִּי. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי, אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: כׇּל הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה הַדּוֹמֶה לְלַיְלָה — הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹשֵׁךְ עָלָיו חוּט שֶׁל חֶסֶד בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא הַדּוֹמֶה לְיוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יוֹמָם יְצַוֶּה יהוה חַסְדּוֹ וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וַתַּעֲשֶׂה אָדָם כִּדְגֵי הַיָּם כְּרֶמֶשׂ לֹא מֹשֵׁל בּוֹ״, לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם כִּדְגֵי הַיָּם? לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁעוֹלִין לַיַּבָּשָׁה מִיָּד מֵתִים, אַף בְּנֵי אָדָם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁפּוֹרְשִׁין מִדִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה וּמִן הַמִּצְוֹת מִיָּד מֵתִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: מָה דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁקָּדְרָה עֲלֵיהֶם חַמָּה מִיָּד מֵתִים, כָּךְ בְּנֵי אָדָם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁקָּדְרָה עֲלֵיהֶם חַמָּה מִיָּד מֵתִים. אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה — כִּדְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: הַכֹּל בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם חוּץ מִצִּנִּים פַּחִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״צִנִּים פַּחִים בְּדֶרֶךְ עִקֵּשׁ שׁוֹמֵר נַפְשׁוֹ יִרְחַק מֵהֶם״. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא — כִּדְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: אֵין גֵּיהִנָּם לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא, אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹצִיא חַמָּה מִנַּרְתִּיקָהּ, וּמַקְדִּיר, רְשָׁעִים נִידּוֹנִין בָּהּ, וְצַדִּיקִים מִתְרַפְּאִין בָּהּ, רְשָׁעִים נִידּוֹנִין בָּהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״[כִּי] הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם בָּא בֹּעֵר כַּתַּנּוּר וְהָיוּ כׇל זֵדִים וְכׇל עֹשֵׂה רִשְׁעָה קַשׁ וְלִהַט אֹתָם הַיּוֹם הַבָא אָמַר יהוה צְבָאוֹת אֲשֶׁר לֹא יַעֲזֹב לָהֶם שֹׁרֶשׁ וְעָנָף״, לֹא שׁוֹרֶשׁ — בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְלֹא עָנָף — לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. צַדִּיקִים מִתְרַפְּאִין בָּהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְזָרְחָה לָכֶם יִרְאֵי שְׁמִי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה וּמַרְפֵּא בִּכְנָפֶיהָ וְגוֹ׳״, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁמִּתְעַדְּנִין בָּהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וִיצָאתֶם וּפִשְׁתֶּם כְּעֶגְלֵי מַרְבֵּק״. דָּבָר אַחֵר: מָה דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם — כׇּל הַגָּדוֹל מֵחֲבֵירוֹ בּוֹלֵעַ אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ, אַף בְּנֵי אָדָם — אִלְמָלֵא מוֹרָאָה שֶׁל מַלְכוּת, כָּל הַגָּדוֹל מֵחֲבֵירוֹ בּוֹלֵעַ אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ. וְהַיְינוּ דִּתְנַן: רַבִּי חֲנִינָא סְגַן הַכֹּהֲנִים אוֹמֵר: הֱוֵי מִתְפַּלֵּל בִּשְׁלוֹמָהּ שֶׁל מַלְכוּת, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא מוֹרָאָהּ שֶׁל מַלְכוּת ״אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ חַיִּים בָּלָעוּ״.
§ Rabbi Levi says: Anyone who interrupts his study of words of Torah to occupy himself with mundane matters will be fed with the coals of the broom tree, as it is stated: “They pluck salt-wort from wormwood, and the roots of the broom are their food” (Job 30:4). Reish Lakish says: With regard to any-one who occupies himself with Torah at night, the Holy One, Blessed be He, extends a thread of kindness over him by day, as it is stated: “By day, the Lord will command His kindness, and in the night His song shall be with me” (Psalms 42:9). The verse is understood as follows: What is the reason that by day, the Lord will command His kindness to extend over him? It is due to the fact that in the night His song is with me, i.e., he occupies himself at night with Torah, which is referred to as a song. There are those who say that this is what Reish Lakish says: With regard to anyone who occupies himself with Torah in this world, which is comparable to night, the Holy One, Blessed be He, extends a thread of kindness over him in the World-to-Come, which is comparable to day, as it is stated: “By day, the Lord will command His kindness, and in the night His song shall be with me.” The Gemara continues discussing the importance of Torah study. Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And makes people as the fish of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them” (Habakkuk 1:14)? Why are people compared to the fish of the sea? This serves to say to you: Just as with regard to the fish of the sea, once they arise onto dry land they die immediately; so too, with regard to people, once they separate themselves from studying words of Torah and performing the mitzvot, they die immediately. Alternatively, just as with regard to the fish of the sea, once the sun is heated over them they die immediately, so too with regard to people, once the sun is heated over them they die immediately. The Gemara clarifies: If you wish, say that this applies in this world, and if you wish, say instead that it applies to the World-to-Come. If you wish, say that it applies in this world, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina. As Rabbi Ḥanina says: All occurrences that befall man are in the hands of Heaven except for colds and obstacles [paḥim], from which one is able to protect himself, as it is stated: “Colds and snares are on the path of the crooked; he who guards his soul shall keep far from them” (Proverbs 22:5). This indicates that cold and, conversely, heat, are forms of harm from which one must protect himself, which teaches that being exposed to excessive heat can cause death. And if you wish, say instead that this is referring to the World-to-Come, in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish. As Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: There is no Gehenna in the World-to-Come. Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will remove the sun from its sheath [minnarteikah], where it is situated during these times, and heats [umakdir] that world with it. The wicked will be punished by it and consumed by the heat, but the righteous will be healed by it. The wicked will be punishedby it, as it is written: “For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that comes shall set them ablaze, said the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 3:19). This verse is interpreted as follows: Neither a root shall remain for them in this world, nor will a branch grow for them in the World-to-Come. This teaches that the sun itself will burn and consume the wicked in the future. And the righteous will be healed by it, as it is written in the next verse: “But to you that fear My Name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 3:20). And moreover, not only will they be healed by it, but they will even be rejuvenated by it, as it is stated in the continuation of that verse: “And you shall go forth and leap as calves of the stall.”Alternatively, just as in the case of fish of the sea, any fish that is bigger than another swallows the other, so too in the case of people, were it not for the fear of the ruling government, anyone who is bigger than another would swallow the other. And this is as we learned in a mishna (Avot 3:2) that Rabbi Ḥanina, the deputy High Priest, says: One should pray for the continued welfare of the government, as were it not for the fear of the government, every man would swallow his neighbor alive.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וַתַּעֲשֶׂה אָדָם כִּדְגֵי הַיָּם כְּרֶמֶשׂ לֹא מֹשֵׁל בּוֹ״, לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם כִּדְגֵי הַיָּם? לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁעוֹלִין לַיַּבָּשָׁה מִיָּד מֵתִים, אַף בְּנֵי אָדָם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁפּוֹרְשִׁין מִדִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה וּמִן הַמִּצְוֹת מִיָּד מֵתִים. דָּבָר אַחֵר: מָה דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁקָּדְרָה עֲלֵיהֶם חַמָּה מִיָּד מֵתִים, כָּךְ בְּנֵי אָדָם — כֵּיוָן שֶׁקָּדְרָה עֲלֵיהֶם חַמָּה מִיָּד מֵתִים. אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה — כִּדְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: הַכֹּל בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם חוּץ מִצִּנִּים פַּחִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״צִנִּים פַּחִים בְּדֶרֶךְ עִקֵּשׁ שׁוֹמֵר נַפְשׁוֹ יִרְחַק מֵהֶם״. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא — כִּדְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: אֵין גֵּיהִנָּם לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא, אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹצִיא חַמָּה מִנַּרְתִּיקָהּ, וּמַקְדִּיר, רְשָׁעִים נִידּוֹנִין בָּהּ, וְצַדִּיקִים מִתְרַפְּאִין בָּהּ, רְשָׁעִים נִידּוֹנִין בָּהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״[כִּי] הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם בָּא בֹּעֵר כַּתַּנּוּר וְהָיוּ כׇל זֵדִים וְכׇל עֹשֵׂה רִשְׁעָה קַשׁ וְלִהַט אֹתָם הַיּוֹם הַבָא אָמַר יהוה צְבָאוֹת אֲשֶׁר לֹא יַעֲזֹב לָהֶם שֹׁרֶשׁ וְעָנָף״, לֹא שׁוֹרֶשׁ — בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְלֹא עָנָף — לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. צַדִּיקִים מִתְרַפְּאִין בָּהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְזָרְחָה לָכֶם יִרְאֵי שְׁמִי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה וּמַרְפֵּא בִּכְנָפֶיהָ וְגוֹ׳״, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁמִּתְעַדְּנִין בָּהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וִיצָאתֶם וּפִשְׁתֶּם כְּעֶגְלֵי מַרְבֵּק״. דָּבָר אַחֵר: מָה דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם — כׇּל הַגָּדוֹל מֵחֲבֵירוֹ בּוֹלֵעַ אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ, אַף בְּנֵי אָדָם — אִלְמָלֵא מוֹרָאָה שֶׁל מַלְכוּת, כָּל הַגָּדוֹל מֵחֲבֵירוֹ בּוֹלֵעַ אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ. וְהַיְינוּ דִּתְנַן: רַבִּי חֲנִינָא סְגַן הַכֹּהֲנִים אוֹמֵר: הֱוֵי מִתְפַּלֵּל בִּשְׁלוֹמָהּ שֶׁל מַלְכוּת, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא מוֹרָאָהּ שֶׁל מַלְכוּת ״אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ חַיִּים בָּלָעוּ״.
The Gemara continues discussing the importance of Torah study. Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And makes people as the fish of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them” (Habakkuk 1:14)? Why are people compared to the fish of the sea? This serves to say to you: Just as with regard to the fish of the sea, once they arise onto dry land they die immediately; so too, with regard to people, once they separate themselves from studying words of Torah and performing the mitzvot, they die immediately. Alternatively, just as with regard to the fish of the sea, once the sun is heated over them they die immediately, so too with regard to people, once the sun is heated over them they die immediately. The Gemara clarifies: If you wish, say that this applies in this world, and if you wish, say instead that it applies to the World-to-Come. If you wish, say that it applies in this world, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina. As Rabbi Ḥanina says: All occurrences that befall man are in the hands of Heaven except for colds and obstacles [paḥim], from which one is able to protect himself, as it is stated: “Colds and snares are on the path of the crooked; he who guards his soul shall keep far from them” (Proverbs 22:5). This indicates that cold and, conversely, heat, are forms of harm from which one must protect himself, which teaches that being exposed to excessive heat can cause death. And if you wish, say instead that this is referring to the World-to-Come, in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish. As Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: There is no Gehenna in the World-to-Come. Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will remove the sun from its sheath [minnarteikah], where it is situated during these times, and heats [umakdir] that world with it. The wicked will be punished by it and consumed by the heat, but the righteous will be healed by it. The wicked will be punishedby it, as it is written: “For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that comes shall set them ablaze, said the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 3:19). This verse is interpreted as follows: Neither a root shall remain for them in this world, nor will a branch grow for them in the World-to-Come. This teaches that the sun itself will burn and consume the wicked in the future. And the righteous will be healed by it, as it is written in the next verse: “But to you that fear My Name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 3:20). And moreover, not only will they be healed by it, but they will even be rejuvenated by it, as it is stated in the continuation of that verse: “And you shall go forth and leap as calves of the stall.”Alternatively, just as in the case of fish of the sea, any fish that is bigger than another swallows the other, so too in the case of people, were it not for the fear of the ruling government, anyone who is bigger than another would swallow the other. And this is as we learned in a mishna (Avot 3:2) that Rabbi Ḥanina, the deputy High Priest, says: One should pray for the continued welfare of the government, as were it not for the fear of the government, every man would swallow his neighbor alive.
רַב חִינָּנָא בַּר פָּפָּא רָמֵי, כְּתִיב: ״שַׁדַּי לֹא מְצָאנֻהוּ שַׂגִּיא כֹחַ״, וּכְתִיב: ״גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵינוּ וְרַב כֹּחַ״, וּכְתִיב: ״יְמִינְךָ יהוה נֶאְדָּרִי בַּכֹּחַ״! לָא קַשְׁיָא, כָּאן בִּשְׁעַת הַדִּין, כָּאן בִּשְׁעַת מִלְחָמָה.
§ Rav Ḥinnana bar Pappa raises a contradiction between the following verses. It is written: “The Almighty, Whom we have not found out His excellent power” (Job 37:23), which indicates that His power has not been seen. And it is written elsewhere: “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power” (Psalms 147:5), and it is also written: “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6), from which it may be inferred that His power is discernable. The Gemara answers: This is not difficult; here, in the first verse, God’s strength is not seen at a time of judgment, where He acts mercifully, whereas there, in the other verses, they are referring to a time of war, when He wages war against His enemies and His power is seen.
רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״חֵמָה אֵין לִי״, וּכְתִיב ״נֹקֵם יהוה וּבַעַל חֵמָה״! לָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן — בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, כָּאן — בְּאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם. רַב חִינָּנָא בַּר פָּפָּא אָמַר: ״חֵמָה אֵין לִי״ — שֶׁכְּבָר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי, ״מִי יִתְּנֵנִי״ — שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי, ״אֶהְיֶה שָׁמִיר וָשַׁיִת וְגוֹ׳״.
Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, raises a contradiction between the following verses. It is written: “Fury is not in Me” (Isaiah 27:4), and it is written: “The Lord is a jealous and furious God” (Nahum 1:2). The Gemara answers: This is not difficult; here, where it states that God has no fury, it is speaking with regard to the Jewish people, whereas there, where it says that God has fury, it is speaking with regard to the nations of the world. Rav Ḥinnana bar Pappa says in explanation of the verse: “Fury is not in Me; would that I were as the briers and thorns in flame! I would with one step burn it altogether” (Isaiah 27:4). “Fury is not in Me,” as I have already taken an oath that I will not destroy the Jewish people; “would that I” had not taken this oath, since then I would be active “as the briers and thorns in flame! I would with one step burn it altogether.”
וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אֲבַקֵּשׁ לְהַשְׁמִיד אֶת כׇּל הַגּוֹיִם״, אֲבַקֵּשׁ מִמִּי? אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: אֲבַקֵּשׁ בְּנִיגְנֵי שֶׁלָּהֶם, אִם יֵשׁ לָהֶם זְכוּת — אֶפְדֵּם, וְאִם לָאו — אַשְׁמִידֵם.
And this is the same as that which Rabbi Alexandri says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations” (Zechariah 12:9)? “I will seek” from whom? Does God need to seek permission? Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, says: I will seek and search in their records [benigeni]; if they have merit, I will redeem them, and if not, I will destroy them.
וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״אַךְ לֹא בְעִי יִשְׁלַח יָד אִם בְּפִידוֹ לָהֶן שׁוּעַ״? אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: כְּשֶׁאֲנִי דָּן אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֵין אֲנִי דָּן אוֹתָם כְּאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, דִּכְתִיב: ״עַוָּה עַוָּה עַוָּה אֲשִׂימֶנָּה וְגוֹ׳״, אֶלָּא אֲנִי נִפְרָע מֵהֶן כְּפִיד שֶׁל תַּרְנְגוֹלֶת.
And this is the same as that which Rava says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Surely none shall put forth his hand to a ruinous heap, neither because of these things shall help come in one’s calamity [befido]” (Job 30:24)? The Holy One, Blessed be He, says to the Jewish people: When I judge the Jewish people, I do not judge them as I judge the nations of the world. When judging the nations of the world, I punish them for all of their transgressions together, as it is written: “A ruin, a ruin, a ruin, will I make it, this also shall be no more” (Ezekiel 21:32). Rather, I punish the Jewish people like the pecking [kefid] of a hen, which picks up only a tiny amount each time it pecks.
דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֲפִילּוּ אֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין מִצְוָה לְפָנַי כִּי אִם מְעַט, כְּפִיד שֶׁל תַּרְנְגוֹלִין שֶׁמְּנַקְּרִין בָּאַשְׁפָּה, אֲנִי מְצָרְפָן לְחֶשְׁבּוֹן גָּדוֹל, [שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִם בְּפִידוֹ] לָהֶן שׁוּעַ״, [דָּבָר אַחֵר]: בַּשָּׂכָר שֶׁמְּשַׁוְּועִין לְפָנַי, אֲנִי מוֹשִׁיעַ אוֹתָם.
Alternatively, even if the Jewish people perform but a few mitzvot before Me, like the pecking of hens that peck in a dunghill, I will combine them to a large reckoning, as it is stated: “Though they peck [befido],” i.e., perform mitzvot a little at a time, “they will be saved [lahen shua]” (Job 30:24). Alternatively, in reward for the manner in which they cry out [shua] and pray before Me, I will save [moshia] them. In other words, God punishes the Jewish people for each individual infraction, but He does not destroy them entirely in a moment of fury.
וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וְאָנֹכִי אֶפְדֵּם וְהֵמָּה דִּבְּרוּ עָלַי כְּזָבִים״? אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי אֶפְדֵּם בְּמָמוֹנָם בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּזְכּוּ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וְהֵמָּה דִּבְּרוּ עָלַי כְּזָבִים. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַב פַּפִּי מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וַאֲנִי יִסַּרְתִּי חִזַּקְתִּי זְרוֹעֹתָם וְאֵלַי יְחַשְּׁבוּ רָע״? אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי אֲיַסְּרֵם בְּיִסּוּרִין בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה כְּדֵי שֶׁיֶּחְזְקוּ זְרוֹעוֹתָם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וְאֵלַי יְחַשְּׁבוּ רָע.
And this is the same as that which Rabbi Abba says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And though I will redeem them, they have spoken lies against Me” (Hosea 7:13)? I said that I would redeem them through taking away their money in this world so that they should merit the World-to-Come, but they have spoken lies against Me, by saying that I am angry and uninterested in them. And this is the same as that which Rav Pappi says in the name of Rava: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Though I have trained [yissarti] and strengthened their arms, yet they consider evil against Me” (Hosea 7:15)? The Holy One, Blessed be He, says: I said that I would visit them [ayasserem] with afflictions in this world for their benefit, so that their arms would be strengthened in the World-to-Come, but they consider that which I have done as evil.
מִשְׁתַּבַּח לְהוּ רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ לְמִינֵי בְּרַב סָפְרָא, דְּאָדָם גָּדוֹל הוּא, שְׁבַקוּ לֵיהּ מִיכְסָא דִּתְלֵיסַר שְׁנִין. יוֹמָא חַד אַשְׁכְּחוּהוּ, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: כְּתִיב ״רַק אֶתְכֶם יָדַעְתִּי מִכֹּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲדָמָה עַל כֵּן אֶפְקֹד עֲלֵיכֶם אֶת כׇּל עֲוֹנֹתֵיכֶם״, מַאן דְּאִית לֵיהּ סִיסְיָא בְּרָחֲמֵיהּ מַסֵּיק לֵיהּ? אִישְׁתִּיק וְלָא אֲמַר לְהוּ וְלָא מִידֵּי, רְמוֹ לֵיהּ סוּדָרָא בְּצַוְּארֵיהּ וְקָא מְצַעֲרוּ לֵיהּ. אֲתָא רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אַשְׁכְּחִינְהוּ, אֲמַר לְהוּ: אַמַּאי מְצַעֲרִיתוּ לֵיהּ? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: וְלָאו אָמְרַתְּ לַן דְּאָדָם גָּדוֹל הוּא? וְלָא יָדַע לְמֵימַר לַן פֵּירוּשָׁא דְּהַאי פְּסוּקָא! אֲמַר לְהוּ: אֵימַר דַּאֲמַרִי לְכוּ בְּתַנָּאֵי, בִּקְרָאֵי מִי אֲמַרִי לְכוּ? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: מַאי שְׁנָא אַתּוּן דְּיָדְעִיתוּן? אֲמַר לְהוּ: אֲנַן דִּשְׁכִיחִינַן גַּבֵּיכוֹן — רָמִינַן אַנַּפְשִׁין וּמְעַיְּינַן, אִינְהוּ לָא מְעַיְּינִי. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: לֵימָא לַן אַתְּ! אֲמַר לְהוּ: אֶמְשׁוֹל לָכֶם מָשָׁל, לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְאָדָם שֶׁנּוֹשֶׁה מִשְּׁנֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם, אֶחָד אוֹהֲבוֹ וְאֶחָד שׂוֹנְאוֹ. אוֹהֲבוֹ — נִפְרָע מִמֶּנּוּ מְעַט מְעַט, שׂוֹנְאוֹ — נִפְרָע מִמֶּנּוּ בְּבַת אַחַת.
With regard to the afflictions of the Jewish people, the Gemara relates: Rabbi Abbahu would praise Rav Safra to the heretics by saying that he is a great man. Therefore, they remitted Rav Safra’s obligation to pay taxes for thirteen years, as they relied upon Rabbi Abbahu’s word and wanted to reward a great man. One day they found Rav Safra and said to him: It is written: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will visit upon you all your iniquities” (Amos 3:2). The meaning of this verse is unclear, as why would God punish specifically the Jewish people because He loves them? One who has wrath [siseya], does he raise it against his beloved? Rav Safra was silent and did not say anything in response to them. They threw a scarf around his neck and tormented him, by pulling and denigrating him. Rabbi Abbahu came and found them doing this to Rav Safra. Rabbi Abbahu said to them: Why are you tormenting him? They said to him: And didn’t you say to us that he is a great man? But he did not even know how to tell us the explanation of this verse. Rabbi Abbahu said to them: You can say that I said this praise of Rav Safra to you only with regard to the Oral Law and the statements of tanna’im, but did I say to you that he is knowledgeable with regard to the Bible?They said to Rabbi Abbahu: What is different about you Sages of Eretz Yisrael, that you know the Bible as well? Rabbi Abbahu said to them: We, who are situated among you heretics and are forced to debate the meaning of verses, we impose upon ourselves this obligation and analyze verses in depth. By contrast, those Sages of Babylonia, who are not forced to debate you, do not analyze the Bible in such depth. The heretics said to Rabbi Abbahu: In that case, you should tell us the meaning of this verse. Rabbi Abbahu said to them: I will relate a parable to you. To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a person who lends money to two people, one of whom is his beloved, and the other one is his enemy. In the case of his beloved, he collects the debt from him little by little, whereas in the case of his enemy he collects the debt from him all at once. So too, with regard to the Jewish people, God punishes them for each transgression as it occurs, so that they should not receive one severe punishment on a single occasion.
אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כָּהֲנָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״חָלִילָה לְּךָ מֵעֲשֹׂת כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה לְהָמִית צַדִּיק עִם רָשָׁע״? אָמַר אַבְרָהָם לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, חוּלִּין הוּא מֵעֲשׂוֹת כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה לְהָמִית צַדִּיק עִם רָשָׁע. וְלָא? וְהָכְתִיב: ״וְהִכְרַתִּי מִמֵּךְ צַדִּיק וְרָשָׁע״! בְּצַדִּיק שֶׁאֵינוֹ גָּמוּר. אֲבָל בְּצַדִּיק גָּמוּר לָא? וְהָכְתִיב ״וּמִמִּקְדָּשִׁי תָּחֵלּוּ״, וְתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: אַל תִּקְרֵי ״מִמִּקְדָּשִׁי״ אֶלָּא ״מִמְּקוּדָּשַׁי״, אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁקִּיְּימוּ אֶת הַתּוֹרָה מֵאָלֶף וְעַד תָּיו. הָתָם נָמֵי, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהָיָה בְּיָדָם לִמְחוֹת וְלֹא מִיחוּ, הָווּ לְהוּ כְּצַדִּיקִים שֶׁאֵינָן גְּמוּרִים.
§ The Gemara continues discussing the manner in which God metes out punishment. Rabbi Abba Bar Kahana says: What is the meaning of that which is written as part of Abraham’s prayer to God, when God informed him that He was going to destroy Sodom: “That be far [ḥalila] from You to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked” (Genesis 18:25)? This is what Abraham said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, it is a sacrilege [ḥullin] for You to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked. The Gemara asks: And does God not act in this manner? But isn’t it written: “And I will cut off from You the righteous and the wicked” (Ezekiel 21:8)? The Gemara answers: There the verse is referring to a righteous person who is not completely righteous, and he will therefore be destroyed along with the wicked. The Gemara raises a difficulty: But is it true that one who is completely righteous cannot be destroyed along with the wicked? But isn’t it written in a prophecy about the destruction of the Temple that God says to the destroyers: “And begin at My Sanctuary [mimmikdashi]” (Ezekiel 9:6); and Rav Yosef teaches: Do not read the word as “mimmikdashi,” but rather read it as mimmekudashai, those sanctified to Me. He explains: These are people who observed the Torah in its entirety, from the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet alef through its final letter tav. These people observed every mitzva in the Torah, and yet they were destroyed along with the wicked. The Gemara answers the difficulty: There too, since they had the power to protest against the wicked and prevent them from sinning and they did not protest, they are considered as righteous people who are not completely righteous.
רַב פָּפָּא רָמֵי, כְּתִיב: ״אֵל זֹעֵם בְּכׇל יוֹם״, וּכְתִיב: ״לִפְנֵי זַעְמוֹ מִי יַעֲמוֹד״! לָא קַשְׁיָא, כָּאן בְּיָחִיד, כָּאן בְּצִבּוּר. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״אֵל זֹעֵם בְּכׇל יוֹם״, וְכַמָּה זַעְמוֹ? רֶגַע. וְכַמָּה רֶגַע? אַחַת מֵחֲמֵשׁ רִיבּוֹא וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה מֵאוֹת וְאַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמֹנֶה בְּשָׁעָה, זוֹ הִיא רֶגַע, וְאֵין כָּל בְּרִיָּה יְכוֹלָה לְכַוֵּין אוֹתָהּ רֶגַע חוּץ מִבִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע, דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ: ״וְיֹדֵעַ דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן״ — אֶפְשָׁר דַּעַת בְּהֶמְתּוֹ לָא הֲוָה יָדַע, דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן מִי הֲוָה יָדַע? מַאי ״דַּעַת בְּהֶמְתּוֹ לָא הֲוָה יָדַע״? בְּעִידָּנָא דַּחֲזוֹ לֵיהּ דַּהֲוָה רְכִיב אַחֲמָרֵיהּ, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: מַאי טַעְמָא לָא רְכַבְתָּא אַסּוּסְיָא? אֲמַר לְהוּ: בִּרְטִיבָא שְׁדַאי לֵיהּ. מִיָּד: ״וַתֹּאמֶר הָאָתוֹן הֲלֹא אָנֹכִי אֲתֹנְךָ״, אֲמַר לַהּ: לִטְעִינָא בְּעָלְמָא. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: ״אֲשֶׁר רָכַבְתָּ עָלַי״! אֲמַר לַהּ: אַקְרַאי בְּעָלְמָא. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: ״מֵעוֹדְךָ וְעַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה״, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁאֲנִי עוֹשָׂה לָךְ רְכִיבוּת בַּיּוֹם וְאִישׁוּת בַּלַּיְלָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא: ״הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם: ״וַתְּהִי לוֹ סֹכֶנֶת״. אֶלָּא מַאי ״וְיוֹדֵעַ דַּעַת עֶלְיוֹן״? שֶׁהָיָה יוֹדֵעַ לְכַוֵּין אוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כּוֹעֵס בָּהּ, וְהַיְינוּ דְּקָאָמַר לְהוּ נָבִיא: ״עַמִּי זְכׇר נָא מַה יָּעַץ בָּלָק מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וּמֶה עָנָה אוֹתוֹ בִּלְעָם בֶּן בְּעוֹר מִן הַשִּׁטִּים וְעַד הַגִּלְגָּל לְמַעַן דַּעַת צִדְקוֹת ה׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: עַמִּי, רְאוּ כַּמָּה צְדָקוֹת עָשִׂיתִי עִמָּכֶם שֶׁלֹּא כָּעַסְתִּי עֲלֵיכֶם כָּל אוֹתָן הַיָּמִים, שֶׁאִם כָּעַסְתִּי עֲלֵיכֶם לֹא נִשְׁתַּיֵּיר מִשּׂוֹנְאֵיהֶם שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט, וְהַיְינוּ דְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ בִּלְעָם לְבָלָק: ״מָה אֶקֹּב לֹא קַבֹּה אֵל וּמָה אֶזְעֹם לֹא זֹעֵם ה׳״. וְכַמָּה זַעְמוֹ? רֶגַע. וְכַמָּה רֶגַע? אָמַר אַמֵּימָר, וְאִיתֵּימָא רָבִינָא: רֶגַע כְּמֵימְרֵיהּ. וּמְנָלַן דְּרֶגַע הֲוָה רִיתְחֵיהּ? דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי רֶגַע בְּאַפּוֹ חַיִּים בִּרְצוֹנוֹ״. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא מֵהָכָא: ״חֲבִי כִּמְעַט רֶגַע עַד יַעֲבׇר זַעַם״. אֵימַת רָתַח? אָמַר אַבַּיֵי: בִּתְלָת שָׁעֵי קַמָּיָיתָא, כִּי חִיוָּרָא כַּרְבָּלְתָּא דְתַרְנְגוֹלָא. כֹּל שַׁעְתָּא וְשַׁעְתָּא מִחְוָור חָיוְרָא? כָּל שַׁעְתָּא אִית בֵּיהּ סוּרְיָיקֵי סוּמָּקֵי, הָהִיא שַׁעְתָּא לֵית בֵּיהּ סוּרְיָיקֵי סוּמָּקֵי.
Rav Pappa raises a contradiction between the following verses. It is written: “A God that has indignation every day” (Psalms 7:12), and yet the world still exists, and it is written: “Who can stand before His indignation?” (Nahum 1:6). The Gemara answers: This is not difficult; here, where the verse states that no one can stand before His indignation, it is referring to an individual, whereas there, when it is written that God is indignant every day, it is referring to the community, which can withstand the indignation of God, due to its cumulative merits. The Sages taught with regard to the verse: A God that has indignation every day. And how long does His indignation last? It lasts a moment. And how long is a moment? One in 53,848 parts of an hour, a very small amount of time, that is a moment. The Gemara adds: And no entity can precisely determine that moment when God is indignant, except for Balaam the wicked, that it is written concerning him:“And knows the knowledge of the Most High” (Numbers 24:16). Now, this should not be understood to mean that Balaam knew the thoughts of God, as is it possible that Balaam did not know the mind of his animal, and yet he did know the mind of the Most High? The Gemara clarifies: What is meant by the claim that Balaam did not know the mind of his animal? When the princes of Moab saw that Balaam was riding on his donkey, they said to him: What is the reason that you do not ride upon a horse, which is more fitting for you? Balaam said to them: I am riding on a donkey because I left my horse in a meadow to graze. Immediately: “And the donkey said to Balaam: Am not I your donkey?” (Numbers 22:30), i.e., the donkey you always use. Balaam said to it: For carrying burdens only, not for riding. The donkey further said to Balaam: “Upon which you have ridden.” Balaam said to it: Merely at irregular occurrences. The donkey said to him: “All your life long unto this day” (Numbers 22:30). The donkey added: And moreover, I perform for you riding during the day, and marriage, i.e., intercourse, during the night. The Gemara explains: This is derived from the following comparison: It is written here that Balaam’s donkey said: “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 King David: “And be a companion [sokhenet] unto him; and let her lie in your bosom” (I Kings 1:2). This teaches that the term hiskanti alludes to sexual intercourse. The Gemara returns to its previous question: Rather, what is the meaning of: “And knows the knowledge of the Most High” (Numbers 24:16)? It means that he was able to determine precisely the hour at which the Holy One, Blessed be He, is angry. At that moment Balaam would utter his curse and, through God’s anger, it would be fulfilled. And this is what the prophet said to the Jewish people: “O My people, remember now what Balak, king of Moab, devised, and what Balaam, son of Beor, answered him; from Shittim unto Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord” (Micah 6:5). Rabbi Elazar says, in explanation of that verse: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people: My nation, see how many acts of kindness I performed for you, that I did not become angry at you during all of those days when Balaam attempted to curse the Jewish people, and he was not able to find a moment of divine anger. As, had I become angry at you, there would not have remained a remnant or a refugee among the enemies of the Jewish people, a euphemism for the Jewish people themselves. Instead, God restrained His anger and Balaam’s curse went unfulfilled. And this is what Balaam said to Balak: Since God is not becoming angry, I can do nothing, as: “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I execrate whom the Lord has not execrated”? (Numbers 23:8). The Gemara further discusses this matter: And how long does His indignation last? It lasts a moment. And how long is a moment? Ameimar, and some say Ravina, said: It lasts as long as it takes to say the word moment [rega]. The Gemara asks: And from where do we derive that God’s anger lasts for only a moment? As it is written: “His anger is but for a moment; His favor, for a lifetime” (Psalms 30:6). And if you wish, say instead that it is derived from here: “Hide yourself for a brief moment, until the anger passes” (Isaiah 26:20), meaning that God’s anger passes in a mere moment. The Gemara asks: When is God angry? Abaye said: During the first three hours of the day, when the crest of the rooster whitens in the sun, as though life has left the rooster and it suddenly turns white, that is when God is angry. The Gemara asks: Doesn’t its crest whiten each and every hour? How can this serve as a sign? The Gemara answers: The difference is that every other hour there remain red streaks [surayekei] in the rooster’s crest, whereas at that hour of His anger there are no red streaks in its crest.
רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי הֲוָה מְצַעֵר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מִינָא [בִּקְרָאֵי], יוֹמָא חַד נְקַט תַּרְנְגוֹלָא [וְאוֹקְמֵיהּ בֵּין כַּרְעֵיהּ דְּעַרְסָא], וְעַיֵּין בֵּיהּ, סְבַר: כִּי מָטָא הָהִיא שַׁעְתָּא אֶלְטֵיהּ, כִּי מְטָא הָהִיא שַׁעְתָּא נַימְנֵם. אֲמַר: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא לְמִיעְבַּד הָכִי, [״וְרַחֲמָיו עַל כׇּל מַעֲשָׂיו״] כְּתִיב, וּכְתִיב: ״גַּם עֲנוֹשׁ לַצַּדִּיק לֹא טוֹב״. תָּנָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַמְּלָכִים מַנִּיחִין כִּתְרֵיהֶן בְּרָאשֵׁיהֶן וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִין לַחַמָּה, מִיָּד כּוֹעֵס [הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא]. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: לָא לִיצַלֵּי אִינִישׁ צְלוֹתָא דְּמוּסָפֵי בִּתְלָת שָׁעֵי קַמָּיָיתָא דְּיוֹמָא בְּיוֹמָא קַמָּא דְּרֵישׁ שַׁתָּא בְּיָחִיד, דִּלְמָא כֵּיוָן דְּמִפְּקִיד דִּינָא, דִּלְמָא מְעַיְּינִי בְּעוֹבָדֵיהּ וְדָחֲפוּ לֵיהּ מִידְּחֵי. אִי הָכִי, דְּצִבּוּר נָמֵי! דְּצִבּוּר נְפִישָׁא זְכוּתֵיהּ. אִי הָכִי, דְּיָחִיד דְּצַפְרָא נָמֵי לָא! כֵּיוָן דְּאִיכָּא צִבּוּרָא דְּקָא מְצַלּוּ, לָא קָא מִדְּחֵי. וְהָא אָמְרַתְּ: שָׁלֹשׁ רִאשׁוֹנוֹת הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹשֵׁב וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה! אֵיפוֹךְ. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: לְעוֹלָם לָא תֵּיפוֹךְ, תּוֹרָה דִּכְתִיב בַּהּ ״אֱמֶת״, דִּכְתִיב: ״אֱמֶת קְנֵה וְאַל תִּמְכֹּר״ — אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לִפְנִים מִשּׁוּרַת הַדִּין, דִּין דְּלָא כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ ״אֱמֶת״ — הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לִפְנִים מִשּׁוּרַת הַדִּין.
The Gemara relates: A certain heretic would distress Rabi Yehoshua ben Levi by incessantly challenging him as to the meaning of verses. One day, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi took a rooster and placed it between the legs of the bed upon which he sat, and looked at it. He thought: When that moment of God’s anger arrives, I will curse the heretic and be rid of him. When that moment of God’s anger arrived, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi fell asleep and missed the opportunity to curse the heretic. Upon awakening, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: I can conclude from the fact that I fell asleep that it is not proper conduct to do this, to curse people, even if they are wicked, as the verse: “And His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalms 145:9) is written even with regard to sinners. And moreover, it is inappropriate to cause the punishment of another, as it is written: “Punishment, even for the righteous, is not good” (Proverbs 17:26). Even for a righteous person, it is improper to punish another. In explanation of the cause of God’s anger, it is taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: When the kings wake up and place their crowns on their heads and bow down to the sun, the Holy One, Blessed be He, immediately grows angry. This is why God’s anger occurs during the first three hours of the day. Rav Yosef says: A person should not recite the additional prayers during the first three hours of the day on the first day of Rosh HaShana if he is praying individually, as, since the judgment of the entire world is reckoned then, perhaps the Heavenly court will scrutinize his actions and reject him. The Gemara raises a difficulty: If that is so, the prayer of the community should not be recited at that time as well. The Gemara explains: The prayer of the community is not rejected even at this time, due to its many merits. The Gemara asks: If that is so, then shouldn’t the morning prayer of one who is praying individually also not be recited at this time? The Gemara answers: Since there is in all places a community that prays the morning prayer at that same time, his prayer is not rejected. By contrast, the additional prayer is recited at different times by different communities, as unlike the morning prayer it does not have a fixed time but can be recited at any point during the day. The Gemara raises another difficulty: But didn’t you say that during the first three hours of the day The Holy One, Blessed be He, sits and engages in Torah study, and He engages in judgment only during the second set of three hours? The Gemara answers: Reverse the order so that it is stated that He sits in judgment during the first three hours of the day. And if you wish, say instead: Actually, do not reverse the order. Rather, this is the reason that an individual should not recite the additional prayer during the first three hours of the day when God is engaged in Torah study: In the case of the Torah, with regard to which it is written: Truth, as it is written: “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23), the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not act in a manner that is beyond the letter of the law. But with regard to judgment, with regard to which it is not written: Truth, but it is a process that involves mercy and compromise, the Holy One, Blessed be He, can act in a manner that is beyond the letter of the law.
(יוֹם, מֵעִיד, טָרַף, בָּעֵגֶל — סִימָן.) גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָם״? ״הַיּוֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָם״ — וְלֹא לְמָחָר לַעֲשׂוֹתָם, ״הַיּוֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָם״ — וְלֹא הַיּוֹם לִיטּוֹל שְׂכָרָן. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: כׇּל מִצְוֹת שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, בָּאוֹת וּמְעִידוֹת אוֹתָם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִתְּנוּ עֵדֵיהֶם וְיִצְדָּקוּ יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיֹאמְרוּ אֱמֶת״. ״יִתְּנוּ עֵדֵיהֶם וְיִצְדָּקוּ״ — אֵלּוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, ״יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיֹאמְרוּ אֱמֶת״ — אֵלּוּ אוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: כׇּל מִצְוֹת שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, בָּאוֹת וְטוֹרְפוֹת אוֹתָם לְאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא עַל פְּנֵיהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם כִּי הִוא חׇכְמַתְכֶם וּבִינַתְכֶם לְעֵינֵי הָעַמִּים״, ״נֶגֶד הָעַמִּים״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא ״לְעֵינֵי הָעַמִּים״, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבָּאוֹת וְטוֹרְפוֹת לְאוּמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם עַל פְּנֵיהֶם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: לֹא עָשׂוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הָעֵגֶל אֶלָּא לִיתֵּן פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה לְבַעֲלֵי תְּשׁוּבָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם לְיִרְאָה אֹתִי כׇּל הַיָּמִים וְגוֹ׳״. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַאי: לֹא דָּוִד רָאוּי לְאוֹתוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה, וְלֹא יִשְׂרָאֵל רְאוּיִן לְאוֹתוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה, לֹא דָּוִד רָאוּי לְאוֹתוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְלִבִּי חָלַל בְּקִרְבִּי״, וְלֹא יִשְׂרָאֵל רְאוּיִן לְאוֹתוֹ מַעֲשֶׂה, דִּכְתִיב: ״מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם לְיִרְאָה אוֹתִי כָּל הַיָּמִים״, אֶלָּא לָמָה עָשׂוּ? לוֹמַר לָךְ, שֶׁאִם חָטָא יָחִיד — אוֹמְרִים לוֹ: כְּלָךְ אֵצֶל יָחִיד, וְאִם חָטְאוּ צִבּוּר — אוֹמְרִים לוֹ: כְּלָךְ אֵצֶל צִבּוּר. וּצְרִיכָא, דְּאִי אַשְׁמוֹעִינַן יָחִיד — מִשּׁוּם דְּלָא מְפַרְסַם חִטְאֵיהּ, אֲבָל צִבּוּר דִּמְפַרְסַם חִטְאַיְהוּ — אֵימָא לָא. וְאִי אַשְׁמוֹעִינַן צִבּוּר — מִשּׁוּם דִּנְפִישִׁי רַחֲמַיְיהוּ, אֲבָל יָחִיד דְּלָא אַלִּימָא זְכוּתֵיהּ — אֵימָא לָא, צְרִיכָא. וְהַיְינוּ דְּרַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן, מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״נְאֻם דָּוִד בֶּן יִשַׁי וּנְאֻם הַגֶּבֶר הֻקַם עָל״? נְאֻם דָּוִד בֶּן יִשַׁי שֶׁהֵקִים עוּלָּהּ שֶׁל תְּשׁוּבָה. וְאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: כׇּל הָעוֹשֶׂה מִצְוָה אַחַת בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, מְקַדַּמְתּוֹ וְהוֹלֶכֶת לְפָנָיו לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהָלַךְ לְפָנֶיךָ צִדְקֶךָ וּכְבוֹד יהוה יַאַסְפֶךָ״, וְכׇל הָעוֹבֵר עֲבֵירָה אַחַת, מְלַפַּפְתּוֹ וּמוֹלִיכָתוֹ לְיוֹם הַדִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִלָּפְתוּ אׇרְחוֹת דַּרְכָּם וְגוֹ׳״. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: קְשׁוּרָה בּוֹ כְּכֶלֶב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא שָׁמַע אֵלֶיהָ לִשְׁכַּב אֶצְלָהּ לִהְיוֹת עִמָּהּ״, ״לִשְׁכַּב אֶצְלָהּ״ — בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״לִהְיוֹת עִמָּהּ״ — בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא.
§ The Gemara presents a mnemonic for the ensuing statements of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: Today, bear witness, shake, the golden calf. The Gemara returns to an earlier discussion (3a), first by citing the matter itself. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Which I command you this day, to do them” (Deuteronomy 7:11)? This verse teaches that today is the time to do them, i.e., to perform the mitzvot, in this world, but tomorrow, in the World-to-Come, is not the time to do them. Furthermore, today is the time to do them, but today is not the time to receive one’s reward, which is given in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: All of the mitzvot that the Jews perform in this word will come and bear witness for them in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Let them bring their witnesses that they may be justified, and let them hear, and say: It is truth” (Isaiah 43:9). He explains: “Let them bring their witnesses that they may be justified”; these are referring to the Jews. “And let them hear, and say: It is truth”; these are referring to the nations of the world.And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: All of the mitzvot that the Jewish people perform in this world will come and strike the faces of the nations of the world in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Observe therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the nations” (Deuteronomy 4:6). It is not stated: Before the nations; rather, the verse states: “In the eyes of the nations,” which taken literally teaches that they will come and strike the faces of the nations of the world in the World-to-Come.And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: The Jewish people fashioned the Golden Calf (see Exodus, chapter 32) only to give a claim to penitents, as it is stated after the revelation at Sinai: “Who would give that they had such a heart as this always, to fear Me, and keep all My commandments, that it might be good for them, and with their children forever” (Deuteronomy 5:26). If the nation was truly at such a lofty spiritual state, how could they worship the Golden Calf? Rather, their sin occurred so that it would be made clear that one can repent for any sin, as even a sin as severe as the Golden Calf was forgiven. And this is similar to that which Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: David was not fit to act as he did in that incident involving Bathsheba, and the Jewish people were not fit to act as they did in that incident of the Golden Calf. David was not fit to act as he did in that incident involving Bathsheba (see II Samuel, chapter 11), as it is written: “And my heart is wounded within me” (Psalms 109:22), i.e., he had vanquished his evil inclination, and therefore it should not have been able to rule over him to that extent. And likewise the Jewish people were not fit to act as they did in that incident of the Golden Calf, as it is written with regard to the Jewish people of that time: “Who would give that they had such a heart as this always, to fear Me and keep all My commandments, that it might be good for them, and with their children forever” (Deuteronomy 5:25). Rather, why did they perform these sins? This serves to say to you that if an individual has sinned, one says to him: Go to that famous individual who sinned, King David, and learn from him that one can repent. And if the community sinned, one says to them: Go to the community that sinned, i.e., the Jewish people at the time of the Golden Calf. The Gemara notes: And it is necessary to learn about repentance both in the case of an individual and in the case of a community. The reason is that if we had learned this idea only with regard to an individual, one might have thought that he has the option to repent only because his sin is not publicized. But in the case of a community, whose sin is publicized, one might say that the community cannot repent. And likewise, if we had learned this idea only with regard to a community, one might have said that their repentance is accepted because their prayers are more numerous than those of an individual, and they are heard before God. But in the case of an individual, whose merit is not as strong, one might say that he is not able to repent. Therefore, it is necessary to teach both cases. And this is similar to that which Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The saying of David, son of Yishai, and the saying of the man raised on high [al]” (II Samuel 23:1)? This is the meaning of the verse: The saying of David, son of Yishai, who raised and lightened the yoke [ullah] of repentance, as he taught the power of repentance through his own example. And Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani further says that Rabbi Yonatan says: With regard to anyone who performs one mitzva in this world, the mitzva will precede him and walk before him in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your reward” (Isaiah 58:8). And with regard to anyone who commits one transgression, that transgression will shroud him and lead him on the Day of Judgment, as it is stated: “The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost” (Job 6:18). Rabbi Elazar says: The transgression is tied to him like a dog and does not leave him, as it is stated with regard to Joseph and Potiphar’s wife: “And he did not listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her” (Genesis 39:10). This teaches that Joseph refused “to lie by her” in this world, which would have meant that he would have had “to be with her” in the World-to-Come.
רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: קְשׁוּרָה בּוֹ כְּכֶלֶב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא שָׁמַע אֵלֶיהָ לִשְׁכַּב אֶצְלָהּ לִהְיוֹת עִמָּהּ״, ״לִשְׁכַּב אֶצְלָהּ״ — בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, ״לִהְיוֹת עִמָּהּ״ — בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: בּוֹאוּ וְנַחֲזִיק טוֹבָה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא הֵן לֹא חָטְאוּ — אָנוּ לֹא בָּאנוּ לָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי אֱלֹהִים אַתֶּם וּבְנֵי עֶלְיוֹן כֻּלְּכֶם״, חִבַּלְתֶּם מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם — ״אָכֵן כְּאָדָם תְּמוּתוּן וְגוֹ׳״. לְמֵימְרָא דְּאִי לָא חָטְאוּ לָא הֲווֹ מוֹלְדוּ? וְהָכְתִיב ״וְאַתֶּם פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ״! עַד סִינַי. בְּסִינַי נָמֵי כְּתִיב ״לֵךְ אֱמֹר לָהֶם שׁוּבוּ לָכֶם לְאׇהֳלֵיכֶם״! לְשִׂמְחַת עוֹנָה. וְהָכְתִיב: ״לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָהֶם וְלִבְנֵיהֶם וְגוֹ׳״! לְאוֹתָן הָעוֹמְדִים עַל הַר סִינַי. וְהָאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״זֶה סֵפֶר תּוֹלְדֹת אָדָם וְגוֹ׳״? וְכִי סֵפֶר הָיָה לוֹ לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֶרְאָה לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן דּוֹר דּוֹר וְדוֹרְשָׁיו, דּוֹר דּוֹר וַחֲכָמָיו, דּוֹר דּוֹר וּפַרְנָסָיו. כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְדוֹרוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא שָׂמַח בְּתוֹרָתוֹ וְנִתְעַצֵּב בְּמִיתָתוֹ, אָמַר: ״וְלִי מַה יָּקְרוּ רֵעֶיךָ אֵל [וְגוֹ׳]״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: אֵין בֶּן דָּוִד בָּא עַד שֶׁיִּכְלוּ נְשָׁמוֹת שֶׁבַּגּוּף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״[כִּי לֹא לְעוֹלָם אָרִיב וְלֹא לָנֶצַח אֶקְּצוֹף] כִּי רוּחַ מִלְּפָנַי יַעֲטוֹף וּנְשָׁמוֹת אֲנִי עָשִׂיתִי״! לָא תֵּימָא אָנוּ לֹא בָּאנוּ לָעוֹלָם, אֶלָּא כְּמִי שֶׁלֹּא בָּאנוּ לָעוֹלָם. לְמֵימְרָא דְּאִי לָא חָטְאוּ לָא הֲווֹ מָיְיתִי? וְהָכְתִיב פָּרָשַׁת יְבָמוֹת וּפָרָשַׁת נַחֲלוֹת! עַל תְּנַאי. וּמִי כְּתִיבִי קְרָאֵי עַל תְּנַאי? אִין, דְּהָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי״? מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהִתְנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִם מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית, וְאָמַר: אִם מְקַבְּלִין יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה — מוּטָב, וְאִם לָאו — אַחְזִיר אֶתְכֶם לְתוֹהוּ וָבוֹהוּ. מֵיתִיבִי: ״מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם״, לְבַטֵּל מֵהֶם מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת אִי אֶפְשָׁר, שֶׁכְּבָר נִגְזְרָה גְּזֵרָה. הָא לֹא קִיבְּלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה אֶלָּא כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא אוּמָּה וְלָשׁוֹן שׁוֹלֶטֶת בָּהֶן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָהֶם וְלִבְנֵיהֶם עַד עוֹלָם״. הוּא דְּאָמַר כִּי הַאי תַּנָּא, דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: לֹא קִיבְּלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה אֶלָּא כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת שׁוֹלֵט בָּהֶן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲנִי אָמַרְתִּי אֱלֹהִים אַתֶּם וּבְנֵי עֶלְיוֹן כֻּלְּכֶם״, חִבַּלְתֶּם מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם, ״אָכֵן כְּאָדָם תְּמוּתוּן״. וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי נָמֵי, הָכְתִיב ״לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָהֶם וְלִבְנֵיהֶם עַד עוֹלָם״, טוֹבָה הוּא דְּהָוְיָא, הָא מִיתָה אִיכָּא! (רַבִּי יוֹסֵי) אָמַר לָךְ: כֵּיוָן דְּלֵיכָּא מִיתָה, אֵין לְךָ טוֹבָה גְּדוֹלָה מִזּוֹ. וְתַנָּא קַמָּא נָמֵי, הָכְתִיב: ״אָכֵן כְּאָדָם תְּמוּתוּן״, מַאי מִיתָה? עֲנִיּוּת, דְּאָמַר מָר: אַרְבָּעָה חֲשׁוּבִים כְּמֵתִים, אֵלּוּ הֵן: עָנִי, סוּמָא, וּמְצוֹרָע, וּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בָּנִים. עָנִי, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי מֵתוּ כׇּל הָאֲנָשִׁים״, וּמַאן נִינְהוּ? דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם. וּמִי מֵתוּ? מִיהְוֵי הֲווֹ! אֶלָּא שֶׁיָּרְדוּ מִנִּכְסֵיהֶם. סוּמָא, דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּים הוֹשִׁיבַנִי כְּמֵתֵי עוֹלָם״. מְצוֹרָע, דִּכְתִיב: ״אַל נָא תְהִי כַּמֵּת״. וּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בָּנִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״הָבָה לִּי בָנִים וְאִם אַיִן מֵתָה אָנֹכִי״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״אִם בְּחֻקֹּתַי תֵּלֵכוּ״, אֵין ״אִם״ אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן תַּחֲנוּנִים, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״לוּ עַמִּי שׁוֹמֵעַ לִי [וְגוֹ׳] כִּמְעַט אוֹיְבֵיהֶם אַכְנִיעַ״, וְאוֹמֵר: ״לוּ הִקְשַׁבְתָּ לְמִצְוֹתָי וַיְהִי כַנָּהָר שְׁלוֹמֶךָ וְגוֹ׳ וַיְהִי כַחוֹל זַרְעֶךָ וְצֶאֱצָאֵי מֵעֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳״. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם״, אָמַר לָהֶן מֹשֶׁה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: כְּפוּיֵי טוֹבָה בְּנֵי כְּפוּיֵי טוֹבָה, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: ״מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם״, הָיָה לָהֶם לוֹמַר: תֵּן אַתָּה.
Rabbi Elazar says: The transgression is tied to him like a dog and does not leave him, as it is stated with regard to Joseph and Potiphar’s wife: “And he did not listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her” (Genesis 39:10). This teaches that Joseph refused “to lie by her” in this world, which would have meant that he would have had “to be with her” in the World-to-Come. § The Gemara further discusses the sin of the Golden Calf. Reish Lakish says: Come and let us be grateful to our ancestors who sinned with the Golden Calf, as had they not sinned we would not have come into the world. Reish Lakish explains: As it is stated about the Jewish people after the revelation at Sinai: “I said: You are godlike beings, and all of you sons of the Most High” (Psalms 82:6), which indicates that they had become like angels and would not have propagated offspring. Then, God states: After you ruined your deeds: “Yet you shall die like a man, and fall like one of the princes” (Psalms 82:7). The Gemara asks: Is this to say that if they had not sinned with the Golden Calf they would not have sired children? But isn’t it written that Noah and his children were instructed: “And you, be fruitful, and multiply” (Genesis 9:7)? The Gemara answers: This instruction was issued only until the revelation at Sinai, but the Jewish people would have become like angels there, had they not sinned. The Gemara asks: Isn’t it also written about the Jewish people who were at the revelation at Sinai: “Go say to them: Return to your tents” (Deuteronomy 5:27), which means that they were instructed to resume marital relations? The Gemara answers: That verse is referring to the enjoyment of conjugal rights, not to procreation. The Gemara further asks: But isn’t it written: “That it might be good for them, and with their children forever” (Deuteronomy 5:26), which indicates that they would continue to bear children? The Gemara answers: This verse is referring to those children who stood with them at Mount Sinai, not to future generations. The Gemara raises a further difficulty: But doesn’t Reish Lakish say: What is the meaning of that which is written: “This is the book of the generations of Adam, in the day that God created man” (Genesis 5:1)? Did Adam the first man have a book? Rather, the verse teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, showed Adam, the first man, every generation and its expositors, every generation and its Sages, and every generation and its leaders. When Adam arrived at the generation of Rabbi Akiva, he rejoiced in his Torah and was saddened by his death, as Rabbi Akiva was tortured and murdered. Adam said: “How weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them” (Psalms 139:17). It is evident from here that the Jews were destined to bear future generations from the beginning of time. And similarly, Rabbi Yosei says: The Messiah, son of David, will not come until all the souls of the body have been finished, i.e., until all souls that are destined to inhabit physical bodies will do so. As it is stated: “For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit that enwraps itself is from Me, and the souls that I have made” (Isaiah 57:16). According to Rabbi Yosei, in order for the Messiah to come in the end of days, it is necessary for the future generations to be born. The Gemara answers: Do not say that if our ancestors had not sinned we would not have come into the world, as we still would have been born; rather, it would have been as though we had not come into the world. We would have been of no importance, due to the previous generations that would have still been alive. The Gemara asks: Is this to say that if the Jewish people had not sinned with the Golden Calf then they would not have died? But isn’t the chapter that addresses widows whose husbands die childless (Deuteronomy 25:5–10) written in the Torah, and the chapter that addresses the inheritance a deceased father bequeaths to his sons (Numbers 27:8–11) is also written? The Gemara answers: These passages were written conditionally, i.e., if the Jewish people were to sin and not become like angels, those halakhot would take effect. The Gemara asks: And are verses written conditionally in this manner? The Gemara answers: Yes, as this is what Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31)? This teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, established a condition with the acts of Creation, and He said: If the Jewish people accept the Torah at the revelation at Sinai, all is well and the world will continue to exist. But if they do not accept it, I will return you to the primordial state of chaos and disorder. The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita to the new formulation of Reish Lakish’s statement, according to which the Jewish people would have become immortal had they not sinned with the Golden Calf. The verse states about the Jewish people after the revelation at Sinai: “Who would give that they had such a heart as this always, to fear Me, and keep all My commandments, that it might be good for them, and with their children forever” (Deuteronomy 5:26). The baraita states that although they had reached such an elevated state, it was not possible to nullify the power of the Angel of Death over them, as the decree of death was already issued from the time of creation. Rather, the baraita explains that the Jewish people accepted the Torah only in order that no nation or tongue would rule over them, as it is stated in the same verse: “That it might be good for them, and with their children forever.” This indicates that had the Jewish people not sinned they would not have achieved immortality, which contradicts Reish Lakish’s statement. The Gemara answers: Reish Lakish said his statement in accordance with the opinion of that tanna. As it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yosei says: The Jewish people accepted the Torah only in order that the Angel of Death would not rule over them, as it is stated: “I said: You are godlike beings, and all of you sons of the Most High” (Psalms 82:6), i.e., they had become immortal like angels. Then, God states: After you ruined your deeds, “yet you shall die like a man, and fall like one of the princes” (Psalms 82:7). The Gemara asks: And also, according to Rabbi Yosei, isn’t it written: “That it might be good for them, and with their children forever,” from which it may be inferred that although it will be good for them if they remain in this elevated state, there will still be death? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yosei could have said to you: Since there is no death, there is no greater good than this, i.e., the promise of the verse is immortality. The Gemara inquires: And according to the first tanna as well, isn’t it written: “Yet you shall die like a man,” which indicates that their mortality was decreed only due to the sin of the Golden Calf? The Gemara answers: What is meant by death? It means poverty. As the Master said: Four are considered as though they were dead: These are a pauper, a blind person, a leper, and one who has no children.A pauper is considered as though dead, as it is written that God said to Moses: “Go, return to Egypt; for all the men that sought your life are dead” (Exodus 4:19). And who were these men? They were Dathan and Abiram. But did they really die? They were still alive, as they participated in the rebellion of Korah, which took place years later. Rather, the verse does not mean that they had died, but that they had lost their property and become impoverished. This demonstrates that a pauper is considered as though he were dead. A blind person is considered as though he were dead, as it is written: “He has made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead” (Lamentations 3:6). A leper is considered as though he were dead, as it is written that Aaron said to Moses when Miriam was struck with leprosy: “Let her not, I pray, be as one dead” (Numbers 12:12). And one who has no children is considered as though he were dead, as it is written that Rachel said to Jacob: “Give me children, or else I am dead” (Genesis 30:1). The Sages taught with regard to the verse: “If you walk in My statutes” (Leviticus 26:3): In this context, “if” is a term that means nothing other than supplication, i.e., God is hoping that the Jewish people will observe the Torah. And similarly, it is stated: “Oh that My people would hearken to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways, I would soon subdue their enemies” (Psalms 81:14–15). And it states: “Oh that you would hearken to My commandments! Then your peace would be as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea. Your seed also would be as the sand, and the offspring of your body like its grains” (Isaiah 48:18–19). § The Gemara returns to a verse cited above. The Sages taught with regard to the verse: “Who would give that they had such a heart as this always, to fear Me, and keep all My commandments, that it might be good for them, and with their children forever” (Deuteronomy 5:26). At a later stage, Moses said to the Jewish people: Ingrates, children of ingrates! When the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people: “Who would give that they had such a heart as this always,” they should have said: You should give us a heart to fear You.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם״, אָמַר לָהֶן מֹשֶׁה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: כְּפוּיֵי טוֹבָה בְּנֵי כְּפוּיֵי טוֹבָה, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: ״מִי יִתֵּן וְהָיָה לְבָבָם זֶה לָהֶם״, הָיָה לָהֶם לוֹמַר: תֵּן אַתָּה. כְּפוּיֵי טוֹבָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְנַפְשֵׁנוּ קָצָה בַּלֶּחֶם הַקְּלֹקֵל״. בְּנֵי כְּפוּיֵי טוֹבָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״הָאִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּה עִמָּדִי הִיא נָתְנָה לִּי מִן הָעֵץ וָאֹכֵל״. אַף מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ לֹא רְמָזָהּ לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֶלָּא לְאַחַר אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם בַּמִּדְבָּר אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה״, וּכְתִיב: ״וְלֹא נָתַן יהוה לָכֶם לֵב וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבָּה: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ לָא קָאֵי אִינִישׁ אַדַּעְתֵּיהּ דְּרַבֵּיהּ עַד אַרְבְּעִין שְׁנִין. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי בְּנָאָה, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״אַשְׁרֵיכֶם זֹרְעֵי עַל כׇּל מָיִם מְשַׁלְּחֵי רֶגֶל הַשּׁוֹר וְהַחֲמוֹר״? אַשְׁרֵיהֶם יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּזְמַן שֶׁעוֹסְקִין בְּתוֹרָה וּבִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, יִצְרָם מָסוּר בְּיָדָם וְאֵין הֵם מְסוּרִים בְּיַד יִצְרָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אַשְׁרֵיכֶם זֹרְעֵי עַל כׇּל מָיִם״, וְאֵין זְרִיעָה אֶלָּא צְדָקָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״זִרְעוּ לָכֶם לִצְדָקָה וְקִצְרוּ לְפִי חֶסֶד״, וְאֵין מַיִם אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הוֹי כׇּל צָמֵא לְכוּ לַמַּיִם״. ״מְשַׁלְּחֵי רֶגֶל הַשּׁוֹר וְהַחֲמוֹר״, תָּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: לָעוֹלָם יָשִׂים אָדָם עַצְמוֹ עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה כְּשׁוֹר לְעוֹל וְכַחֲמוֹר לְמַשּׂאוֹי.
§ The Gemara returns to a verse cited above. The Sages taught with regard to the verse: “Who would give that they had such a heart as this always, to fear Me, and keep all My commandments, that it might be good for them, and with their children forever” (Deuteronomy 5:26). At a later stage, Moses said to the Jewish people: Ingrates, children of ingrates! When the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the Jewish people: “Who would give that they had such a heart as this always,” they should have said: You should give us a heart to fear You.The Gemara explains that Moses calls the Jewish people ingrates, as it is written that the Jewish people spoke disparagingly of the manna: “And our soul loathesthis light bread” (Numbers 21:5), despite the fact it was the highest-quality food. Moses further called them children of ingrates, as it is written that after sinning and eating from the tree of knowledge, Adam said: “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12). Adam complained that the woman had been given to him in order to cause him to sin, whereas in fact she had been given to him to serve as a helpmate.Yet even Moses our teacher, who said this to the Jewish people, did not allude to the Jewish people until after forty years that they should have stated this request, as it is stated: “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness” (Deuteronomy 29:4), which shows that Moses was speaking forty years after the revelation at Sinai. And at that point it is written: “But the Lord has not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, until this day” (Deuteronomy 29:3). Rabba said: Conclude from here that a person does not understand the opinion of his teacher until after forty years, as Moses said this to the Jewish people only after forty years of learning Torah.Rabbi Yoḥanan says in the name of Rabbi Bana’a: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Happy are you that sow beside all waters, that send forth freely the feet of the ox and the donkey” (Isaiah 32:20)? Happy are you Israel; when they, i.e., the Jewish people, engage in Torah study and in acts of kindness, their evil inclination is given over to them, and they are not given over to their evil inclination, as it is stated: “Happy are you that sow beside all waters.” And the term sowing is referring to nothing other than performing charitable deeds, as it is stated: “Sow to yourselves according to charitableness, reap according to mercy” (Hosea 10:12). And the term waters is referring to nothing other than the Torah, as it is stated: “Ho, every one that thirsts, come for water” (Isaiah 55:1).With regard to the continuation of the verse: “That send forth freely the feet of the ox and the donkey,” one of the Sages of the school of Eliyahu taught: A person should always make himself subjugated to matters of Torah like an ox to a yoke and like a donkey to a burden....
תָּא שְׁמַע, דְּאָמַר רַב תַּחְלִיפָא בַּר אַבְדִּימִי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: נוֹצְרִים לְדִבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל לְעוֹלָם אָסוּר, וְאִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ ״הֵן וְאֵידֵיהֶן״, הָאִיכָּא אַרְבָּעָה וַחֲמִשָּׁה דְּשָׁרֵי!
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from that which Rav Taḥlifa bar Avdimi says that Shmuel says: According to the statement of Rabbi Yishmael, it is always prohibited to engage in business with Christians, as their festival takes place every Sunday. Since the three days preceding and following their festival are included in the prohibition, one cannot engage in business with them any day of the week. And if it enters your mind that the three days of the mishna include them and their festival, i.e., only the two days preceding and following the festival are included in the prohibition, then according to Rabbi Yishmael there are still Wednesday and Thursday, on which it is permitted to engage in business with Christians.
אָמַר רָבִינָא: תָּא שְׁמַע, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן אֵידֵיהֶן שֶׁל גּוֹיִם: קָלֶנְדָּא, סְטָרוּנְיָיא, וּקְרָטֵסִים. וְאָמַר רַב חָנִין בַּר רָבָא: קָלֶנְדָּא — שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים אַחֵר תְּקוּפָה, סְטָרוּנְיָיא — שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים לִפְנֵי תְּקוּפָה, וְסִימָנָךְ: ״אָחוֹר וָקֶדֶם צַרְתָּנִי״.
Ravina says: Come and hear a proof from the continuation of the mishna (8a). And these are the festivals of gentiles: Kalenda, Saturnalia, and Kratesis. And Rav Ḥanin bar Rava says in explanation of that mishna: When do these festivals occur? Kalenda is held during the eight days after the winter solstice, and Saturnalia is held during the eight days before the winter solstice. And your mnemonic to remember which festival is which is that the festival that occurs after the solstice is mentioned first and the festival that takes place before it is mentioned later, as in the verse: “You have hemmed me in behind and before” (Psalms 139:5), where the word “before” appears after the term “behind.”
גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַב תַּחְלִיפָא בַּר אַבְדִּימִי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: נוֹצְרִי, לְדִבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל לְעוֹלָם אָסוּר.
GEMARA:Rav Taḥlifa bar Avdimi says that Shmuel says: With regard to a Christian, according to the statement of Rabbi Yishmael it is always prohibited for a Jew to engage in business with him. Since his festival takes place every Sunday and the three days before and after Sunday constitute the entire week, one cannot engage in business with a Christian on any day of the week.
וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: דִּשְׁמוּאֵל אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: בַּגּוֹלָה אֵין אָסוּר אֶלָּא יוֹם אֵידָם, תַּנָּא קַמָּא אִית לֵיהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, רַבָּנַן בָּתְרָאֵי לֵית לְהוּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל.
And if you wish, say that the difference between the Rabbis and the first tanna is with regard to the statement of Shmuel. As Shmuel says: In the Diaspora it is prohibited to engage in business with gentiles only on their festival day itself. The first tanna is of the opinion that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Shmuel, and the later Rabbis are not of the opinion that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Shmuel.
כִּדְדָרֵישׁ רַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי [דְּדָרֵישׁ רַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי]: לְעוֹלָם יְסַדֵּר אָדָם שִׁבְחוֹ שֶׁל מָקוֹם וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִתְפַּלֵּל, מְנָלַן? מִמֹּשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״ה׳ אֱלֹהִים אַתָּה הַחִלּוֹתָ לְהַרְאוֹת אֶת עַבְדְּךָ וְגוֹ׳״, וּכְתִיב בָּתְרֵיהּ: ״אֶעְבְּרָה נָּא וְאֶרְאֶה אֶת הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה״.
They disagree with regard to that which Rabbi Simlai taught. As Rabbi Simlai taught: A person should always set forth praise of God and only then pray for his own needs. From where do we derive this? We derive it from Moses our teacher, as it is written: “O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness, and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth, that can do according to Your works, and according to Your mighty acts?” (Deuteronomy 3:24). Here Moses praises God, and it is written afterward, in the following verse, that then Moses requested from God: “Let me go over, I pray You, and see the good land” (Deuteronomy 3:25).
רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ סָבַר: יָלְפִינַן מִמֹּשֶׁה, וְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר סָבַר: לָא יָלְפִינַן מִמֹּשֶׁה, שָׁאנֵי מֹשֶׁה דְּרַב גּוּבְרֵיהּ. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: לֹא כְּדִבְרֵי זֶה וְלֹא כְּדִבְרֵי זֶה, אֶלָּא שׁוֹאֵל אָדָם צְרָכָיו בְּ״שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה״.
Rabbi Yehoshua holds that we derive from the case of Moses that one should first praise God in prayer and only afterward issue personal requests. And Rabbi Eliezer holds that we do not derive from Moses how to act, since Moses is different, as his might is great, i.e., he knew how to pray to God in this order. And the Rabbis say: The halakhais not in accordance with the statement of this Sage, who says that one should issue personal requests before praying, nor is it in accordance with the statement of that Sage, who says that personal requests should follow prayer. Rather, a person requests his own needs in the blessing ending: Who listens to prayer. Therefore, when Naḥum the Mede stated that this is the halakha, he was merely concurring with the opinion of the Rabbis.
מַתְנִי׳ וְאֵלּוּ אֵידֵיהֶן שֶׁל גּוֹיִם — קָלֶנְדָּא, וּסְטַרְנוּרָא, וְקַרְטֵיסִים, וְיוֹם גְּנוּסְיָא שֶׁל מַלְכֵיהֶם, וְיוֹם הַלֵּידָה, וְיוֹם הַמִּיתָה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: כׇּל מִיתָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ שְׂרֵיפָה — יֵשׁ בָּהּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְשֶׁאֵין בָּהּ שְׂרֵיפָה — אֵין בָּהּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. אֲבָל יוֹם תִּגְלַחַת זְקָנוֹ וּבְלוֹרִיתוֹ, וְיוֹם שֶׁעָלָה בּוֹ מִן הַיָּם, וְיוֹם שֶׁיָּצָא מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִין, וְגוֹי שֶׁעָשָׂה מִשְׁתֶּה לִבְנוֹ — אֵינוֹ אָסוּר אֶלָּא אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם וְאוֹתוֹ הָאִישׁ בִּלְבַד.
MISHNA:And these are the festivals of gentiles: Kalenda, Saturnalia, and Kratesis, and the day of the festival of their kings, and the birthday of the king, and the anniversary of the day of the death of the king. This is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say: Every death that includes public burning is a festival that includes idol worship, and any death that does not include public burning is not a festival that includes idol worship. But in the case of the day of shaving his, i.e., a gentile’s, beard and his locks, and the day of his ascent from the sea, and the day that he left prison, and also in the case of a gentile who prepared a wedding feast for his son and celebrates on that day, engaging in business is prohibited only on that day and with that man.
גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַב חָנָן בַּר רָבָא: קָלֶנְדָּא — שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים אַחַר תְּקוּפָה, סְטַרְנוּרָא — שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים לִפְנֵי תְּקוּפָה, וְסִימָנָךְ — ״אָחוֹר וָקֶדֶם צַרְתָּנִי וְגוֹ׳״.
GEMARA:Rav Ḥanan bar Rava says: When are these festivals celebrated? Kalenda is celebrated during the eight days after the winter solstice, and Saturnalia is celebrated during the eight days before the winter solstice. And your mnemonic to remember which festival is that the one that occurs after the solstice is mentioned first in the mishna, and the festival that takes place before the solstice is mentioned after, as in the verse: “You have hemmed me in behind and before, and laid Your Hand upon me” (Psalms 139:5), where the word “before” appears after the term “behind.”
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: לְפִי שֶׁרָאָה אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן יוֹם שֶׁמִּתְמַעֵט וְהוֹלֵךְ, אָמַר: אוֹי לִי! שֶׁמָּא בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁסָּרַחְתִּי עוֹלָם חָשׁוּךְ בַּעֲדִי וְחוֹזֵר לְתוֹהוּ וָבוֹהוּ, וְזוֹ הִיא מִיתָה שֶׁנִּקְנְסָה עָלַי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם. עָמַד וְיָשַׁב שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים בְּתַעֲנִית [וּבִתְפִלָּה]. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה תְּקוּפַת טֵבֵת, וְרָאָה יוֹם שֶׁמַּאֲרִיךְ וְהוֹלֵךְ, אָמַר: מִנְהָגוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם הוּא. הָלַךְ וְעָשָׂה שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים טוֹבִים. לְשָׁנָה הָאַחֶרֶת עֲשָׂאָן לְאֵלּוּ וּלְאֵלּוּ יָמִים טוֹבִים. הוּא קְבָעָם לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, וְהֵם קְבָעוּם לְשֵׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: ״בְּתִשְׁרִי נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם״, יוֹמֵי זוּטֵי חֲזָא, יוֹמֵי אֲרִיכֵי אַכַּתִּי לָא חֲזָא. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: ״בְּנִיסָן נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם״, הָא חֲזָא לֵיהּ יוֹמֵי זוּטֵי וְיוֹמֵי אֲרִיכֵי! (דְּהָוֵי) זוּטֵי כּוּלֵּי הַאי לָא חֲזָא. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: יוֹם שֶׁנִּבְרָא בּוֹ אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁקְעָה עָלָיו חַמָּה, אָמַר: אוֹי לִי, שֶׁבִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁסָּרַחְתִּי עוֹלָם חָשׁוּךְ בַּעֲדִי, וְיַחְזוֹר עוֹלָם לְתוֹהוּ וָבוֹהוּ, וְזוֹ הִיא מִיתָה שֶׁנִּקְנְסָה עָלַי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם. הָיָה יוֹשֵׁב בְּתַעֲנִית וּבוֹכֶה כׇּל הַלַּיְלָה, וְחַוָּה בּוֹכָה כְּנֶגְדּוֹ. כֵּיוָן שֶׁעָלָה עַמּוּד הַשַּׁחַר, אָמַר: מִנְהָגוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם הוּא. עָמַד וְהִקְרִיב שׁוֹר שֶׁקַּרְנָיו קוֹדְמִין לְפַרְסוֹתָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְתִיטַב לַיהוה מִשּׁוֹר פָּר מַקְרִן מַפְרִיס״. וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שׁוֹר שֶׁהִקְרִיב אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, קֶרֶן אַחַת הָיְתָה לוֹ בְּמִצְחוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְתִיטַב לַיהוה מִשּׁוֹר פָּר מַקְרִן מַפְרִיס״. ״מַקְרִין״ תַּרְתֵּי מַשְׁמַע! אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: ״מַקְרָן״ כְּתִיב. אָמַר רַב מַתְנָה: רוֹמִי שֶׁעָשְׂתָה קָלֶנְדָּא, וְכׇל הָעֲיָירוֹת הַסְּמוּכוֹת לָהּ מִשְׁתַּעְבְּדוֹת לָהּ, אוֹתָן עֲיָירוֹת אֲסוּרוֹת אוֹ מוּתָּרוֹת? רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר: קָלֶנְדָּא אֲסוּרָה לַכֹּל הִיא, רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אֵין אֲסוּרָה אֶלָּא לְעוֹבְדֶיהָ בִּלְבָד.
With regard to the dates of these festivals, the Sages taught: When Adam the first man saw that the day was progressively diminishing, as the days become shorter from the autumnal equinox until the winter solstice, he did not yet know that this is a normal phenomenon, and therefore he said: Woe is me; perhaps because I sinned the world is becoming dark around me and will ultimately return to the primordial state of chaos and disorder. And this is the death that was sentenced upon me from Heaven, as it is written: “And to dust shall you return” (Genesis 3:19). He arose and spent eight days in fasting and in prayer.Once he saw that the season of Tevet, i.e., the winter solstice, had arrived, and saw that the day was progressively lengthening after the solstice, he said: Clearly, the days become shorter and then longer, and this is the order of the world. He went and observed a festival for eight days. Upon the next year, he observed both these eight days on which he had fasted on the previous year, and these eight days of his celebration, as days of festivities. He, Adam, established these festivals for the sake of Heaven, but they, the gentiles of later generations, established them for the sake of idol worship. The Gemara raises a difficulty: Granted, according to the one who says that the world was created in the month of Tishrei, one can understand why Adam believed that the days were becoming shorter as part of his punishment, as he saw the short days of the winter and had not yet seen the long days of summer. But according to the one who says that the world was created in the month of Nisan, he had already seen the difference between the short days and the long days, as the days in the month of Nisan become progressively longer with the passage of time. The Gemara answers: Although Adam had experienced short days, he had not seen days that were this short, as in the days before the winter solstice. The Sages taught: On the day that Adam the first man was created, when the sun set upon him he said: Woe is me, as because I sinned, the world is becoming dark around me, and the world will return to the primordial state of chaos and disorder. And this is the death that was sentenced upon me from Heaven. He spent all night fasting and crying, and Eve was crying opposite him. Once dawn broke, he said: Evidently, the sun sets and night arrives, and this is the order of the world. He arose and sacrificed a bull whose horns preceded its hoofs in the order that they were created, as it is stated: “And it shall please the Lord better than a bullock that has horns and hoofs” (Psalms 69:32). This verse is referring to the one particular bull whose horns preceded its hoofs. And Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: The bull that Adam the first man sacrificed had one horn in its forehead, as it is stated: “And it shall please the Lord better than a bullock that has horns [makrin] and hooves.” The Gemara raises a difficulty: Isn’t makrin plural, which indicates two horns? Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: Mikkeren is written, i.e., the letter yod is missing from the word, indicating that there was only one horn. § Rav Mattana says: Since Rome established the festival of Kalenda on a specific date, and all of the nearby towns are ruled by Rome, i.e., they pay their tax to Rome and provide its needs but do not themselves celebrate the festival, is it prohibited or permitted to engage in business transactions with the gentile residents of those towns? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: It is prohibited to engage in business during the time of the Kalenda with everyone. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is prohibited to engage in business only with its worshippers, whereas it is permitted to engage in business transactions with gentiles who do not celebrate the festival.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר: יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ עוֹבְדֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בְּטָהֳרָה הֵן, כֵּיצַד? גּוֹי שֶׁעָשָׂה מִשְׁתֶּה לִבְנוֹ וְזִימֵּן כׇּל הַיְּהוּדִים שֶׁבְּעִירוֹ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאוֹכְלִין מִשֶּׁלָּהֶן וְשׁוֹתִין מִשֶּׁלָּהֶן, וְשַׁמָּשׁ שֶׁלָּהֶן עוֹמֵד לִפְנֵיהֶם, מַעֲלֶה עֲלֵיהֶם הַכָּתוּב כְּאִילּוּ אָכְלוּ מִזִּבְחֵי מֵתִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְקָרָא לְךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ מִזִּבְחוֹ״.
It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yishmael says: Jews who are outside of Eretz Yisrael are considered to engage in idol worship in purity, i.e., unwittingly. How does this occur? In the case of a gentile who prepared a feast for the marriage of his son, and invited all of the Jews in his town, even though they eat of their own kosher food and drink of their own kosher beverages, and their own attendant stands before them, the verse ascribes guilt to them as though they ate of the offerings to the dead, i.e., idols, as it is stated: “And sacrifice to their gods, and they call you, and you eat of their sacrifice” (Exodus 34:15). Since Jews participate in a feast in which the gentile sacrifices offerings to his idol, it is as though they partook of the offering themselves.
וּקְרָטֵסִים וְכוּ׳. מַאי קְרָטֵסִים? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: יוֹם שֶׁתָּפְסָה בּוֹ רוֹמִי מַלְכוּת. וְהָתַנְיָא: קְרָטֵסִים וְיוֹם שֶׁתָּפְסָה בּוֹ רוֹמִי מַלְכוּת! אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: שְׁתֵּי תְּפִיסוֹת תָּפְסָה רוֹמִי, אַחַת בִּימֵי קְלֵפַּטְרָא מַלְכְּתָא, וְאַחַת שֶׁתָּפְסָה בִּימֵי יְוָנִים.
§ The mishna teaches: And Kratesis, and the day of the festival of their kings. The Gemara asks: What is the festival of Kratesis? Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: It commemorates the day when Rome seized control of an empire. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it taught in a baraita: Two festivals are Kratesis and the day when Rome seized control of an empire? This indicates that Kratesis and the day when Rome seized control of an empire are two separate festivals. Rav Yosef said: On two separate occasions Rome seized control of an empire. One occurred in the days of Queen Cleopatra, when they conquered Egypt, and one happened much earlier, when Rome seized control in the days of the Greeks.
דְּכִי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר: תְּלָתִין וּתְרֵין קְרָבֵי עֲבַדוּ רוֹמָאֵי בַּהֲדֵי יַוְנָאֵי, וְלָא יְכַלוּ לְהוּ, עַד דְּשַׁתְּפִינְהוּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ, וְהָכִי אַתְנוֹ בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ: אִי מִינַּן מַלְכֵי — מִנַּיְיכוּ הִפַּרְכֵי, אִי מִנַּיְיכוּ מַלְכֵי — מִינַּן הִפַּרְכֵי.
The Gemara elaborates: As when Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael he said: The Romans waged thirty-two battles with the Greeks but were unable to defeat them, until they formed a partnership with the Jewish people and finally vanquished the Greeks. And this is the condition that they stipulated with the Jewish people: If the kings come from among us, the governors [hiparkhei] will come from among you; and if the kings come from among you, the governors will come from among us.
וּשְׁלַחוּ לְהוּ רוֹמָאֵי לְיַוְנָאֵי: עַד הָאִידָּנָא עָבֵידְנָא בִּקְרָבָא, הַשְׁתָּא נַעֲבֵיד בְּדִינָא. מַרְגָּלִית וְאֶבֶן טוֹבָה, אֵיזוֹ מֵהֶן יֵעָשֶׂה בָּסִיס לַחֲבֵירוֹ? שְׁלַחוּ לְהוּ: מַרְגָּלִית לְאֶבֶן טוֹבָה.
And the Romans sent the following message to the Greeks: Until now, we attempted to resolve our conflict through fighting battles; now, let us settle the matter by means of judgment. In the case of a pearl and a precious stone, which one of them should serve as a base for the other? The Greeks sent them in response: The pearl should serve as the base for the precious stone, which has a greater value.
אֶבֶן טוֹבָה וְאִינָךְ, אֵיזוֹ מֵהֶן יֵעָשֶׂה בָּסִיס לַחֲבֵירוֹ? אֶבֶן טוֹבָה לְאִינָךְ. אִינָךְ וְסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, אֵיזוֹ מֵהֶן יֵעָשֶׂה בָּסִיס לַחֲבֵירוֹ? אִינָךְ לְסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה.
The Romans further inquired: If there was a precious stone and an onyx [innakh], a particularly valuable precious stone, which one of them should serve as a base for the other? The Greeks answered: The precious stone should serve as the base for the onyx. Once again, the Romans asked: In the case of an onyx and a Torah scroll, which one of them should be serve as a base for the other? The Greeks responded: The onyx should serve as the base for the Torah scroll.
שְׁלַחוּ לְהוּ: [אִם כֵּן] אֲנַן סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה גַּבַּן וְיִשְׂרָאֵל בַּהֲדַן. כְּפוֹ לְהוּ עֶשְׂרִין וְשֵׁית שְׁנִין, קָמוּ לְהוּ בְּהֵימָנוּתַיְיהוּ בַּהֲדֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ אִישְׁתַּעְבַּדוּ בְּהוּ.
The Romans sent this response to them: If that is so, then you should submit to us, as we have the Torah scroll with us, and the Jewish people are with us. The Romans are akin to the precious stone, and they are allied with the Jewish people who are akin to the onyx, and they possess the Torah scroll. The Romans therefore forced the Greeks to surrender and took over their world dominance. For twenty-six years the Romans stood faithfully with the Jewish people; from that point forward, they subjugated them.
מֵעִיקָּרָא מַאי דְּרוּשׁ, וּלְבַסּוֹף מַאי דְּרוּשׁ? מֵעִיקָּרָא דְּרוּשׁ ״נִסְעָה וְנֵלֵכָה וְאֵלְכָה לְנֶגְדֶּךָ״, וּלְבַסּוֹף דְּרוּשׁ ״יַעֲבׇר נָא אֲדֹנִי לִפְנֵי עַבְדּוֹ״.
The Gemara asks: Initially, when the Romans acted faithfully, what verse did they interpret, and ultimately, when they subjugated the Jews, what verse did they interpret? Initially, they interpreted the verse where Esau said to Jacob upon their meeting: “Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before you” (Genesis 33:12). In this verse, Esau equates himself to Jacob, prefiguring the initial Roman treatment of the Jews. And ultimately, they interpreted the verse that recites Jacob’s response to Esau: “Let my lord, I pray you, pass over before his servant” (Genesis 33:14), demonstrating Jacob’s subjugation to Esau, and by extension that of the Jews to Rome.
לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא? אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק בַּר אַבְדִּימִי: לוֹמַר, שֶׁלֹּא דָּנוּ דִּינֵי קְנָסוֹת. דִּינֵי קְנָסוֹת סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ? וְהָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בְּרַם זָכוּר אוֹתוֹ הָאִישׁ לַטּוֹב, וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן בָּבָא שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא הוּא נִשְׁתַּכְּחוּ דִּינֵי קְנָסוֹת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל! ״נִשְׁתַּכְּחוּ״? לִגְרְסִינְהוּ! אֶלָּא בָּטְלוּ דִּינֵי קְנָסוֹת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁגָּזְרָה מַלְכוּת הַרְשָׁעָה שְׁמָד עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל: כָּל הַסּוֹמֵךְ יֵהָרֵג, וְכׇל הַנִּסְמָךְ יֵהָרֵג, וְעִיר שֶׁסּוֹמְכִין בָּהּ תֵּחָרֵב, וּתְחוּם שֶׁסּוֹמְכִין בּוֹ יֵעָקֵר. מָה עָשָׂה רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בֶּן בָּבָא? הָלַךְ וְיָשַׁב בֵּין שְׁנֵי הָרִים גְּדוֹלִים, וּבֵין שְׁתֵּי עֲיָירוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת, בֵּין שְׁנֵי תְּחוּמֵי שַׁבָּת, בֵּין אוּשָׁא לִשְׁפַרְעָם, וְסָמַךְ שָׁם חֲמִשָּׁה זְקֵנִים: רַבִּי מֵאִיר וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שַׁמּוּעַ, וְרַב אַוְיָא מוֹסִיף: אַף רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה. כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִכִּירוּ בָּהֶם אוֹיְבִים, אָמַר לָהֶם: בָּנַי, רוּצוּ! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: רַבִּי, וְאַתָּה מָה תְּהֵא עָלֶיךָ? אָמַר לָהֶם: הֲרֵינִי מוּטָל לִפְנֵיהֶם כְּאֶבֶן שֶׁאֵין לָהּ הוֹפְכִין. אָמְרוּ: לֹא זָזוּ מִשָּׁם עַד שֶׁנָּעֲצוּ לְגוּפוֹ שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת לוּלְנִיאוֹת שֶׁל בַּרְזֶל, וַעֲשָׂאוּהוּ לְגוּפוֹ כִּכְבָרָה. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: לָא תֵּימָא דִּינֵי קְנָסוֹת, אֶלָּא שֶׁלֹּא דָּנוּ דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת.
The Gemara asks: With regard to what halakha is it necessary to know where the Sanhedrin would convene? Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Avdimi said: It is necessary in order to say that they no longer judged cases of fines. The Gemara asks: Does it enter your mind that at this point the Sanhedrin no longer judged cases of fines? But doesn’t Rav Yehuda say that Rav says: Indeed [beram], that man will be remembered favorably, and Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava is his name, as had it not been for him the laws of fines would have been forgotten from among the Jewish people. The Gemara challenges that assertion: Would the laws of fines actually have been forgotten? Let the scholars study them, so they will not be forgotten. Rather, his intention was to say that the laws of fines would have ceased to be implemented from among the Jewish people, as they would not have been able to adjudicate cases involving these halakhot due to a lack of ordained judges. This is because at one time the wicked kingdom of Rome issued decrees of religious persecution against the Jewish people with the aim of abolishing the chain of ordination and the authority of the Sages. They said that anyone who ordains judges will be killed, and anyone who is ordained will be killed, and the city in which they ordain the judges will be destroyed, and the areas around the boundary of the city in which they ordain judges will be uprooted. These measures were intended to discourage the Sages from performing or receiving ordination due to fear for the welfare of the local population. What did Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava do? He went and sat between two large mountains, and between two large cities, and between two Shabbat boundaries: Between Usha and Shefaram, i.e., in a desolate place that was not associated with any particular city so that he would not endanger anyone not directly involved, and there he ordained five Elders, namely: Rabbi Meir, and Rabbi Yehuda, and Rabbi Shimon, and Rabbi Yosei, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shammua. And Rav Avya adds that Rabbi Neḥemya was also among those ordained. When their enemies discovered them, Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava said to the newly ordained rabbis: My sons, run for your lives. They said to him: Our teacher, and what will be with you? Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava was elderly and unable to run. He said to them: In any case, I am cast before them like a stone that cannot be overturned; even if you attempt to assist me I will not be able to escape due to my frailty, but if you do not escape without me you will also be killed. People said about this incident: The Roman soldiers did not move from there until they had inserted three hundred iron spears [lulniot] into his body, making his body appear like a sieve pierced with many holes. It can be inferred from this episode that there were ordained judges who could hear cases of fines for many years after the destruction of the Temple, in contrast to Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Avdimi’s statement. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says in explanation: Do not say that after the Sanhedrin was exiled from the Chamber of Hewn Stone they no longer judged cases of fines; rather, emend the statement to say that they no longer judged cases of capital law, as a court does not have the authority to hear capital cases when the Sanhedrin is not sitting in the Chamber of Hewn Stone.
מַאי טַעְמָא? כֵּיוָן דַּחֲזוֹ דִּנְפִישִׁי לְהוּ רוֹצְחִין וְלָא יָכְלִי לְמֵידַן, אֲמַרוּ: מוּטָב נִגְלֵי מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלָא לִיחַיְּיבוּ.
The Gemara explains: What is the reason that the members of the Sanhedrin ceased to meet in their proper place and thereby ended the adjudication of capital cases? Once they saw that the murderers were so numerous and they were not able to judge them and punish them with death, they said: It is better that we should be exiled from the Chamber of Hewn Stone and move from place to place, so that offenders will not be deemed liable to receive the death penalty in a time period when the court does not carry out their sentences.
תָּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: שֵׁשֶׁת אֲלָפִים שָׁנָה הָוֵי הָעוֹלָם, שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים תּוֹהוּ, שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים תּוֹרָה, שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ, בַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁרַבּוּ יָצְאוּ מֵהֶן מַה שֶּׁיָּצְאוּ מֵהֶן. שְׁנֵי אֲלָפִים תּוֹרָה מֵאֵימַת? אִי נֵימָא מִמַּתַּן תּוֹרָה עַד הַשְׁתָּא, לֵיכָּא כּוּלֵּי הַאי, דְּכִי מְעַיְּינַתְּ בְּהוּ תְּרֵי אַלְפֵי פְּרָטֵי דְּהַאי אַלְפָּא הוּא דַּהֲוַאי. אֶלָּא, מִ״וְּאֶת הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן״, וּגְמִירִי דְּאַבְרָהָם בְּהָהִיא שַׁעְתָּא בַּר חַמְשִׁין וְתַרְתֵּי הֲוָה. כַּמָּה בָּצְרָן מִדְּתָנֵי תַּנָּא? אַרְבַּע מֵאָה וְאַרְבָּעִים וּתְמָנְיָא שְׁנִין הָוְיָין, כִּי מְעַיְּינַתְּ בֵּיהּ מֵ״הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן״ עַד מַתַּן תּוֹרָה — אַרְבַּע מְאָה וְאַרְבָּעִים וּתְמָנְיָא שְׁנִין הָוְיָין.
In relation to the discussion on the calculation of years, the Gemara states that one of the Sages of the school of Eliyahu taught: The world is destined to exist for six thousand years. For two thousand years the world was waste, as the Torah had not yet been given. The next set of two thousand years are the time period of the Torah. The last set of two thousand years are the period designated for the days of the Messiah, but due to our many sins there are those years that have been taken from them, i.e., such and such years have already passed and have been taken from the two thousand years that are designated for the Messiah, and the Messiah has not yet arrived. Whenever a tanna taught this baraita, he would insert the number of years that was correct for his time. The Gemara asks: With regard to the two thousand years of the time period of the Torah, from when are they counted? If we say that they started from the giving of the Torah until now, then there is not enough time for all of these years. As, when you examine the calculations, it is evident that from the creation of the world until the giving of the Torah there were two thousand years plus a part of this third thousand, as the Torah was given 2,448 years after the creation of the world. This would mean that the time period of the Torah encroaches upon the days of the Messiah. Rather, the two-thousand-year time period of the Torah is counted from the time when it is stated about Abraham and Sarah: “And the souls that they had gotten in Haran” (Genesis 12:5), which is interpreted by the Sages as referring to the men and women who were brought closer to the Torah by Abraham and Sarah. Therefore, it was at this point that the Torah began to spread throughout the world. And it is learned as a tradition that at that time Abraham was fifty-two years old. How many years are missing from the two thousand year period of the Messiah, if the period of the Torah that is taught by the tanna is counted from the giving of the Torah? There are 448 missing years. When you examine the calculation from the time when it is stated about Abraham and Sarah: “The souls that they had gotten in Haran,” until the time of the giving of the Torah, there are 448 years.
וְיוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא שֶׁל מַלְכֵיהֶם וְכוּ׳. מַאי ״וְיוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא שֶׁל מַלְכֵיהֶם״? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: יוֹם שֶׁמַּעֲמִידִין בּוֹ גּוֹיִם אֶת מַלְכָּם. וְהָתַנְיָא: יוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא וְיוֹם שֶׁמַּעֲמִידִין בּוֹ אֶת מַלְכָּם! לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא דִידֵיהּ, הָא דִּבְרֵיהּ. וּמִי מוֹקְמִי מַלְכָּא בַּר מַלְכָּא? וְהָתָנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף: ״הִנֵּה קָטֹן נְתַתִּיךָ בַּגּוֹיִם״ — שֶׁאֵין מוֹשִׁיבִין מֶלֶךְ בֶּן מֶלֶךְ, ״בָּזוּי אַתָּה מְאֹד״ — שֶׁאֵין לָהֶן לֹא כְּתָב וְלֹא לָשׁוֹן. אֶלָּא מַאי יוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא? יוֹם הַלֵּידָה. וְהָתַנְיָא: יוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא וְיוֹם הַלֵּידָה! לָא קַשְׁיָא: הָא דִידֵיהּ, הָא דִּבְרֵיהּ. וְהָתַנְיָא: יוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא שֶׁלּוֹ, יוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא שֶׁל בְּנוֹ, וְיוֹם הַלֵּידָה שֶׁלּוֹ, וְיוֹם הַלֵּידָה שֶׁל בְּנוֹ! אֶלָּא מַאי ״יוֹם גִּינּוּסְיָא״? יוֹם שֶׁמַּעֲמִידִין בּוֹ מַלְכָּם, וְלָא קַשְׁיָא — הָא דִידֵיהּ, הָא דִּבְרֵיהּ. וְאִי קַשְׁיָא לָךְ דְּלָא מוֹקְמִי מַלְכָּא בַּר מַלְכָּא, עַל יְדֵי שְׁאֵלָה מוֹקְמִי, כְּגוֹן אַסְוִירוּס בַּר אַנְטוֹנִינוּס דִּמְלַךְ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַנְטוֹנִינוּס לְרַבִּי: בָּעֵינָא דְּיִמְלוֹךְ אַסְוִירוּס בְּרִי תְּחוֹתַי, וְתִתְעֲבֵיד טְבֶרְיָא קָלָנְיָא, וְאִי אֵימָא לְהוּ חֲדָא — עָבְדִי, תְּרֵי — לָא עָבְדִי. אַיְיתִי גַּבְרָא, אַרְכְּבֵיהּ אַחַבְרֵיהּ, וִיהַב לֵיהּ יוֹנָה לְעִילַּאי (בִּידֵיהּ), וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ לְתַתַּאי: אֵימַר (לעילא דלמפרח) [לְעִילַּאי דְּנַפְרַח] יוֹנָה מִן יְדֵיהּ. אֲמַר: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ הָכִי קָאָמַר לִי: אַתְּ בְּעִי מִינַּיְיהוּ דְּ״אַסְוִירוּס בְּרִי יִמְלוֹךְ תְּחוֹתַי״, וְאֵימָא לֵיהּ לְאַסְוִירוּס דְּתִעֲבֵיד טְבֶרְיָא קָלָנְיָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מְצַעֲרִין לִי חֲשִׁיבִי רוֹמָאֵי. [הֲוָה] מְעַיֵּיל לֵיהּ (לגינא) [לְגִינְּתָא], כֹּל יוֹמָא עֲקַר לֵיהּ פּוּגְלָא מִמֵּשָׁרָא קַמֵּיהּ. אֲמַר: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ הָכִי קָאָמַר לִי — אַתְּ קְטוֹל חַד חַד מִינַּיְיהוּ, וְלָא תִּתְגָּרֵה בְּהוּ בְּכוּלְּהוּ. וְלֵימָא לֵיהּ מֵימָר [בְּהֶדְיָא]! אָמַר: שָׁמְעִי בִּי חֲשִׁיבִי דְּרוֹמָאֵי וּמְצַעֲרוּ לִי. וְלֵימָא לֵיהּ בְּלַחַשׁ! מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם יוֹלִיךְ אֶת הַקּוֹל״. הֲוָה לֵיהּ הָהוּא בְּרַתָּא דִּשְׁמַהּ ״גִּירָא״, קָעָבְדָה אִיסּוּרָא. שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ ״גַּרְגִּירָא״, שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ ״כּוּסְבַּרְתָּא״, שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ ״כַּרָּתֵי״, שְׁלַח לֵיהּ ״חַסָּא״. כֹּל יוֹמָא הֲוָה (שדר) [מְשַׁדַּר] לֵיהּ דַּהֲבָא פְּרִיכָא בְּמַטְרָאתָא, וְחִיטֵּי אַפּוּמַּיְיהוּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: אַמְטִיוּ חִיטֵּי לְרַבִּי. אֲמַר [לֵיהּ רַבִּי]: לָא צְרִיכְנָא, אִית לִי טוּבָא. אֲמַר: לִיהְווֹ לְמַאן דְּבָתְרָךְ, דְּיָהֲבִי לְבָתְרַאי דְּאָתוּ בָּתְרָךְ, וּדְאָתֵי מִינַּיְיהוּ נִיפּוֹק עֲלַיְיהוּ. הֲוָה לֵיהּ הָהִיא נְקִרְתָּא דַּהֲוָה עָיְילָא מִבֵּיתֵיהּ לְבֵית רַבִּי, כֹּל יוֹמָא הֲוָה מַיְיתֵי תְּרֵי עַבְדֵי, חַד קַטְלֵיהּ אַבָּבָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי, וְחַד קַטְלֵיהּ אַבָּבָא דְּבֵיתֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בְּעִידָּנָא דְּאָתֵינָא לָא נַשְׁכַּח גְּבַר קַמָּךְ. יוֹמָא חַד אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר חָמָא דַּהֲוָה יָתֵיב. אָמַר: לָא אָמֵינָא לָךְ בְּעִידָּנָא דְּאָתֵינָא לָא נַשְׁכַּח גְּבַר קַמָּךְ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לֵית דֵּין בַּר אִינִישׁ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵימָא לֵיהּ לְהָהוּא עַבְדָּא דְּגָנֵי אַבָּבָא דְּקָאֵים וְלֵיתֵי. אֲזַל רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר חָמָא, אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ דַּהֲוָה קְטִיל, אֲמַר: הֵיכִי אַעֲבֵיד? אִי אֵיזִיל וְאֵימָא לֵיהּ דִּקְטִיל — אֵין מְשִׁיבִין עַל הַקַּלְקָלָה, אֶשְׁבְּקֵיהּ וְאֵיזִיל — קָא מְזַלְזֵילְנָא בְּמַלְכוּתָא. בְּעָא רַחֲמֵי עֲלֵיהּ וְאַחְיֵיהּ וְשַׁדְּרֵיהּ. אָמַר: יָדַעְנָא זוּטֵי דְּאִית בְּכוּ (מחייה) [מְחַיֵּי] מֵתִים, מִיהוּ בְּעִידָּנָא דְּאָתֵינָא לָא נַשְׁכַּח אִינִישׁ קַמָּךְ. כֹּל יוֹמָא הֲוָה מְשַׁמֵּשׁ לְרַבִּי, מַאֲכֵיל לֵיהּ, מַשְׁקֵי לֵיהּ. כִּי הֲוָה בָּעֵי רַבִּי לְמִיסַּק לְפוּרְיָא, הֲוָה גָּחֵין קַמֵּי פּוּרְיָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: סַק עִילָּוַאי לְפוּרְיָיךְ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא לְזַלְזוֹלֵי בְּמַלְכוּתָא כּוּלֵּי הַאי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִי יְשִׂמֵנִי מַצָּע תַּחְתֶּיךָ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אָתֵינָא לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְהָכְתִיב ״לֹא יִהְיֶה שָׂרִיד לְבֵית עֵשָׂו״! בְּעוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֵׂה עֵשָׂו. תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: ״לֹא יִהְיֶה שָׂרִיד לְבֵית עֵשָׂו״ — יָכוֹל לַכֹּל? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״לְבֵית עֵשָׂו״, בְּעוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֵׂה עֵשָׂו. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְהָכְתִיב ״שָׁמָּה אֱדוֹם מְלָכֶיהָ וְכׇל נְשִׂיאֶיהָ״! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״מְלָכֶיהָ״ — וְלֹא כׇּל מְלָכֶיהָ, ״כָּל נְשִׂיאֶיהָ״ — וְלֹא כׇּל שָׂרֶיהָ. תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: ״מְלָכֶיהָ״ וְלֹא כׇּל מְלָכֶיהָ, ״כָּל נְשִׂיאֶיהָ״ וְלֹא כׇּל שָׂרֶיהָ. ״מְלָכֶיהָ״ וְלֹא כׇּל מְלָכֶיהָ — פְּרָט לְאַנְטוֹנִינוּס בֶּן אַסְוִירוּס, ״כָּל נְשִׂיאֶיהָ״ וְלֹא כׇּל שָׂרֶיהָ — פְּרָט לִקְטִיעָה בַּר שָׁלוֹם. קְטִיעָה בַּר שָׁלוֹם מַאי הָוֵי? דְּהָהוּא קֵיסָרָא דַּהֲוָה סָנֵי לִיהוּדָאֵי, אֲמַר לְהוּ לַחֲשִׁיבֵי דְּמַלְכוּתָא: מִי שֶׁעָלָה לוֹ נִימָא בְּרַגְלוֹ, יִקְטָעֶנָּה וְיִחְיֶה אוֹ יַנִּיחֶנָּה וְיִצְטַעֵר? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: יִקְטָעֶנָּה וְיִחְיֶה. אֲמַר לְהוּ קְטִיעָה בַּר שָׁלוֹם: חֲדָא, דְּלָא יָכְלַתְּ לְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי כְּאַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם פֵּרַשְׂתִּי אֶתְכֶם״. מַאי קָאָמַר? אִלֵּימָא (דְּבַדַּרְתְּהוֹן) [דְּבַדַּרִית יָתְכוֹן] בְּאַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת, הַאי ״כְּאַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת״ — ״לְאַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת״ מִבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! אֶלָּא, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לָעוֹלָם בְּלֹא רוּחוֹת, כָּךְ אִי אֶפְשָׁר לָעוֹלָם בְּלֹא יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְעוֹד, קָרוּ לָךְ מַלְכוּתָא קְטִיעָה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מֵימָר שַׁפִּיר קָאָמְרַתְּ, מִיהוּ כֹּל דְּזָכֵי מַלְכָּא שָׁדוּ לֵיהּ לְקָמוֹנְיָא חֲלִילָא. כַּד הֲוָה נָקְטִין לֵיהּ וְאָזְלִין, אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ הָהִיא מַטְרוֹנִיתָא: וַוי לֵיהּ לְאִילְפָא דְּאָזְלָא בְּלָא מִכְסָא. נְפַל עַל רֵישָׁא דְּעוּרְלְתֵיהּ קַטְּעַהּ, אֲמַר: יְהַבִית מִכְסַי חֲלֵפִית וַעֲבַרִית. כִּי קָא שָׁדוּ לֵיהּ, אֲמַר: כֹּל נִכְסַאי לְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וַחֲבֵירָיו. יָצָא רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וְדָרַשׁ: ״וְהָיָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו״ — מֶחֱצָה לְאַהֲרֹן וּמֶחֱצָה לְבָנָיו. יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: קְטִיעָה בַּר שָׁלוֹם מְזֻומָּן לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. בָּכָה רַבִּי וְאָמַר: יֵשׁ קוֹנֶה עוֹלָמוֹ בְּשָׁעָה אַחַת, וְיֵשׁ קוֹנֶה עוֹלָמוֹ בְּכַמָּה שָׁנִים. אַנְטוֹנִינוּס שַׁמְּשֵׁיהּ לְרַבִּי, אַדַּרְכָּן שַׁמְּשֵׁיהּ לְרַב. כִּי שְׁכֵיב אַנְטוֹנִינוּס, אָמַר רַבִּי: נִתְפָּרְדָה חֲבִילָה. כִּי שָׁכֵיב אַדַּרְכָּן, אָמַר רַב: נִתְפָּרְדָה חֲבִילָה.
§ One of the gentile festivals listed in the mishna is the day of the festival [geinuseya] of their kings. The Gemara asks: What is meant by: The day of geinuseya of their kings? Rav Yehuda says: This is referring to the day on which the gentiles appoint and crown their king. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it taught in a baraita: Two gentile festivals are the day of geinuseya and the day on which the gentiles appoint their king? This indicates that these are two separate occasions. The Gemara answers that it is not difficult: This, the day of geinuseya, is referring to the coronation of the king himself, whereas that, the day on which the gentiles appoint and crown their king, is referring to the coronation of his son, when a son is crowned during his father’s lifetime. The Gemara asks: And do the Romans actually appoint as king the son of the king? But didn’t Rav Yosef teach: The verse relating a prophesy about Edom, associated with the Roman Empire: “Behold, I made you small among the nations” (Obadiah 1:2), is a reference to the fact that the Romans do not place on the throne as king the son of the king. The continuation of the verse: “You are greatly despised,” is a reference to the fact that the Romans have neither their own script nor their own language, but use those of other nations. The Gemara therefore rejects the explanation of the baraita that distinguishes between coronation of a king and coronation of the king’s son: Rather, what is the day of geinuseya? It is the king’s birthday. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it taught in a baraita: Two gentile festivals are the day of geinuseya and the birthday. Once again, these two events cannot be the same. The Gemara answers: It is not difficult: This, the day of geinuseya, is referring to the birthday of the king himself, whereas that, the birthday mentioned in the baraita, is referring to the birthday of his son. The Gemara further asks: But isn’t it taught in a baraita: The day of geinuseya of the king, the day of geinuseya of his son, and the king’s birthday and the birthday of his son? If so, the geinuseya cannot be either his or his son’s birthday. Rather, what is meant by the day of geinuseya? In fact it is referring to the day on which the gentiles appoint and crown their king. And the fact that a baraita mentions both the day of geinuseya and the day on which the gentiles appoint and crown their king is not difficult, as this, the day of geinuseya, is referring to his own coronation, whereas that, the day on which the gentiles appoint and crown their king, is referring to the coronation of his son.And if it is difficult for you that which was stated earlier, that the Romans do not appoint as king the son of the king, in fact they do appoint a son of the king as king through the request of the king. For example, there was Asveirus, son of Antoninus, who ruled at the request of Antoninus. The Gemara provides the background for this assertion. It is related that Antoninus said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: I wish for Asveirus my son to rule instead of me, and that the city Tiberias be released [kelaneya] from paying taxes. And if I tell the Roman senate one of my wishes, they will do as I wish, but if I ask for two of them they will not do as I wish. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi conveyed his answer in the following manner: He brought a man, placed him on the shoulders of another man, and put a dove in the hands of the one on top. And he said to the one on the bottom: Tell the one on top that he should cause the dove to fly from his hands. Antoninus said to himself: Learn from it that this is what Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi is saying to me: You should ask the Senate: Let Asveirus my son rule instead of me, and say to Asveirus that he should release Tiberias from paying taxes. Antoninus also said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: Important Romans are upsetting me; what can I do about them? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi brought him to his garden, and every day he uprooted a radish from the garden bed before him. Antoninus said to himself: Learn from it that this is what Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi is saying to me: You should kill them one by one, and do not incite all of them at once. The Gemara asks: But why not let him say his advice explicitly? Why did Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi answer in such a circumspect way, which could have been interpreted incorrectly? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to himself: If I answer openly, the important Romans might hear me and will cause me anguish. The Gemara asks: But why not let him say his advice quietly? The Gemara explains: Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi was still worried that they might hear what he had said, because it is written: “Curse not the king, no, not in your thought, and curse not the rich in your bedchamber, for a bird of the air shall carry the voice” (Ecclesiastes 10:20). The Gemara relates: Antoninus had a certain daughter whose name was Gira, who performed a prohibited action, i.e., she engaged in promiscuous intercourse. Antoninus sent a rocket plant [gargira] to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, to allude to the fact that Gira had acted promiscuously [gar]. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi sent him coriander [kusbarta], which Antoninus understood as a message to kill [kos] his daughter [barta], as she was liable to receive the death penalty for her actions. Antoninus sent him leeks [karti] to say: I will be cut off [karet] if I do so. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi then sent him lettuce [ḥasa], i.e., Antoninus should have mercy [ḥas] on her. The Gemara relates: Every day Antoninus would send to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi crushed gold in large sacks, with wheat in the opening of the sacks. He would say to his servants: Bring this wheat to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, and they did not realize that the bags actually contained gold. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to Antoninus: I do not need gold, as I have plenty. Antoninus said: The gold should be for those who will come after you, who will give it to the last ones who come after you. And those who descend from them will bring forth the gold that I now give you, and will be able to pay taxes to the Romans from this money. The Gemara relates anther anecdote involving Antoninus. Antoninus had a certain underground cave from which there was a tunnel that went from his house to the house of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. Every day he would bring two servants to serve him. He would kill one at the entrance of the house of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, and would kill the other one at the entrance of his house, so that no living person would know that he had visited Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. He said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: When I come to visit, let no man be found before you.One day, Antoninus found that Rabbi Ḥanina bar Ḥama was sitting there. He said: Did I not tell you that when I come to visit, let no man be found before you? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: This is not a human being; he is like an angel, and you have nothing to fear from him. Antoninus said to Rabbi Ḥanina bar Ḥama: Tell that servant who is sleeping at the entrance that he should rise and come.Rabbi Ḥanina bar Ḥama went and found that the servant Antoninus referred to had been killed. He said to himself: How shall I act? If I go and tell Antoninus that he was killed, this is problematic, as one should not report distressing news. If I leave him and go, then I would be treating the king with disrespect. He prayed for God to have mercy and revived the servant, and he sent him to Antoninus. Antoninus said: I know that even the least among you can revive the dead; but when I come to visit let no man be found before you, even one as great as Rabbi Ḥanina bar Ḥama. The Gemara relates: Every day Antoninus would minister to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi; he would feed him and give him to drink. When Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi wanted to ascend to his bed, Antoninus would bend down in front of the bed and say to him: Ascend upon me to your bed. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said in response: It is not proper conduct to treat the king with this much disrespect. Antoninus said: Oh, that I were set as a mattress under you in the World-to-Come! On another occasion, Antoninus said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: Will I enter the World-to-Come? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: Yes. Antoninus said to him: But isn’t it written: “And there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau” (Obadiah 1:18)? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi answered: The verse is stated with regard to those who perform actions similar to those of the wicked Esau, not to people like you. This is also taught in a baraita: From the verse: “And there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau,” one might have thought that this applies to everyone descended from Esau, irrespective of an individual’s actions. Therefore, the verse states: “Of the house of Esau,” to indicate that the verse is stated only with regard to those who continue in the way of Esau, and perform actions similar to those of Esau. Antoninus said to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: But isn’t it written in the description of the netherworld: “There is Edom, her kings and all her leaders” (Ezekiel 32:29)? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: The verse states: “Her kings,” but not: All of her kings, and likewise it states: “All her leaders,” but not: All of her officers. Some of them will merit the World-to-Come. This is also taught in a baraita: The verse states: “Her kings,” but not: All of her kings, and: “All her leaders,” but not: All of her officers. The inference learned from the wording of the verse: “Her kings,” but not: All of her kings, serves to exclude Antoninus the son of Asveirus; and the inference from the wording: “All her leaders,” but not: All of her officers, serves to exclude the Roman officer Ketia, son of Shalom. The Gemara asks: What is it that occurred involving Ketia, son of Shalom? As there was a certain Roman emperor who hated the Jews. He said to the important members of the kingdom: If one had an ulcerous sore [nima] rise on his foot, should he cut it off and live, or leave it and suffer? They said to him: He should cut it off and live. The ulcerous sore was a metaphor for the Jewish people, whom the emperor sought to eliminate as the cause of harm for the Roman Empire. Ketia, son of Shalom, said to them: It is unwise to do so, for two reasons. One is that you cannot destroy all of them, as it is written: “For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, says the Lord” (Zechariah 2:10). He clarified: What is it saying? Shall we say that the verse means that God has scattered them to the four winds of the world? If so, this phrase: “As the four winds,” is inaccurate, since it should have said: To the four winds. Rather, this is what the verse is saying: Just as the world cannot exist without winds, so too, the world cannot exist without the Jewish people, and they will never be destroyed. And furthermore, if you attempt to carry out the destruction of the Jews, they will call you the severed kingdom, as the Roman Empire would be devoid of Jews, but Jews would exist in other locations. The emperor said to Ketia: You have spoken well and your statement is correct; but they throw anyone who defeats the king in argument into a house full of ashes [lekamonya ḥalila], where he would die. When they were seizing Ketia and going to take him to his death, a certain matron [matronita] said to him: Woe to the ship that goes without paying the tax. Ketia bent down over his foreskin, severed it, and said: I gave my tax; I will pass and enter. When they threw him into the house of ashes, he said: All of my property is given to Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues. How was this inheritance to be divided? The Gemara relates: Rabbi Akiva went out and taught that the verse: “And it shall be for Aaron and his sons” (Exodus 29:28), means half to Aaron and half to his sons. Here too, as Rabbi Akiva is mentioned separately, he should receive half, while his colleagues receive the other half. The Gemara returns to the story of Ketia. A Divine Voice emerged and said: Ketia, son of Shalom, is destined for life in the World-to-Come. When Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi heard this, he wept, saying: There is one who acquires his share in the World-to-Come in one moment, and there is one who acquires his share in the World-to-Come only after many years of toil. The Gemara relates: Antoninus would attend to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, and similarly the Persian king Adrakan would attend to Rav. When Antoninus died, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: The bundle is separated. When Adrakan died, Rav likewise said:The bundle is separated.
אוּנְקְלוֹס בַּר קְלוֹנִימוּס אִיגַּיַּיר, שַׁדַּר קֵיסָר גּוּנְדָּא דְּרוֹמָאֵי אַבָּתְרֵיהּ, מַשְׁכִינְהוּ בִּקְרָאֵי, אִיגַּיּוּר. הֲדַר שַׁדַּר גּוּנְדָּא דְּרוֹמָאֵי [אַחֲרִינָא] אַבָּתְרֵיהּ, אֲמַר לְהוּ: לָא תֵּימְרוּ לֵיהּ וְלָא מִידֵּי. כִּי הֲווֹ שָׁקְלִי וְאָזְלִי, אֲמַר לְהוּ אֵימָא לְכוּ מִילְּתָא בְּעָלְמָא: נִיפְיוֹרָא נָקֵט נוּרָא קַמֵּי אַפִּיפְיוֹרָא, אַפִּיפְיוֹרָא לְדוּכָּסָא, דּוּכָּסָא לְהֶגְמוֹנָא, הַגְמוֹנָא לְקוֹמָא, קוֹמָא מִי נָקֵט נוּרָא מִקַּמֵּי אִינָשֵׁי? אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: לָא. אֲמַר לְהוּ: הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא נְקַט נוּרָא קַמֵּי יִשְׂרָאֵל, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַה׳ הֹלֵךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם יוֹמָם וְגוֹ׳״. אִיגַּיּוּר כּוּלְּהוּ. הֲדַר שַׁדַּר גּוּנְדָּא אַחֲרִינָא אַבָּתְרֵיהּ, אֲמַר לְהוּ: לָא תִּשְׁתַּעוּ מִידֵּי בַּהֲדֵיהּ. כִּי נָקְטִי לֵיהּ וְאָזְלִי, חֲזָא מְזוּזְתָּא דְּמַנְּחָא אַפִּתְחָא, אוֹתֵיב יְדֵיהּ עֲלַהּ, וַאֲמַר לְהוּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אֵימָא לַן אַתְּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: מִנְהָגוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, מֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם יוֹשֵׁב מִבִּפְנִים, וַעֲבָדָיו מְשַׁמְּרִים אוֹתוֹ מִבַּחוּץ, וְאִילּוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, עֲבָדָיו מִבִּפְנִים וְהוּא מְשַׁמְּרָן מִבַּחוּץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״ה׳ יִשְׁמׇר צֵאתְךָ וּבוֹאֶךָ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם״. אִיגַּיּוּר תּוּ לָא שַׁדַּר בָּתְרֵיהּ.
§ The Gemara mentions other Romans who converted to Judaism. It relates: Onkelos bar Kelonimos converted to Judaism. The Roman emperor sent a troop [gunda] of Roman soldiers after him to seize Onkelos and bring him to the emperor. Onkelos drew them toward him with verses that he cited and learned with them, and they converted. The emperor then sent another troop of Roman soldiers after him, and said to them: Do not say anything to him, so that he cannot convince you with his arguments. The troops followed this instruction, and took Onkelos with them. When they were walking, Onkelos said to the troop of soldiers: I will say a mere statement to you: A minor official [nifyora] holds a torch before a high official [apifyora], the high official holds a torch for a duke [dukasa], a duke for the governor, and the governor for the ruler [koma]. Does the ruler hold a torch before the common people? The soldiers said to Onkelos: No. Onkelos said to them: Yet the Holy One, Blessed be He, holds a torch before the Jewish people, as it is written: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light” (Exodus 13:21). They all converted. The emperor then sent another troop of soldiers after him, to bring Onkelos, and said to them: Do not converse with him at all. The troops followed this instruction, and took Onkelos with them. While they grabbed him and were walking, Onkelos saw a mezuza that was placed on the doorway. He placed his hand upon it and said to the soldiers: What is this? They said to him: You tell us. Onkelos said to them: The standard practice throughout the world is that a king of flesh and blood sits inside his palace, and his servants stand guard, protecting him outside; but with regard to the Holy One, Blessed be He, His servants, the Jewish people, sit inside their homes and He guards over them outside. As it is stated: “The Lord shall guard your going out and your coming in, from now and forever” (Psalms 121:8). Upon hearing this, those soldiers also converted to Judaism. After that, the emperor sent no more soldiers after him.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: עוֹד אַחֶרֶת יֵשׁ [לָהֶם] בְּרוֹמִי, אַחַת לְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה מְבִיאִין אָדָם שָׁלֵם, וּמַרְכִּיבִין אוֹתוֹ עַל אָדָם חִיגֵּר, וּמַלְבִּישִׁין אוֹתוֹ בִּגְדֵי אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, וּמַנִּיחִין לוֹ בְּרֹאשׁוֹ קַרְקִיפְלוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל,
The Gemara continues to discuss Roman festivals. Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: They have another festival in Rome: Once every seventy years they bring a man who is whole and free from any defect and have him ride on a lame man, to symbolize the healthy Esau ruling over Jacob, who walked with a limp after his fight with the angel. And they dress him in the garments of Adam the first man and place on his head the scalp [karkifelo] of Rabbi Yishmael, which the Romans flayed when they executed him.
וְתָלוּ לֵיהּ [בְּצַוְּארֵיהּ] מַתְקַל [מָאתַן] זוּזָא דְּפִיזָּא, וּמְחַפִּין אֶת הַשְּׁוָוקִים בְּאִינָךְ, וּמַכְרִיזִין לְפָנָיו: סַךְ קִירִי פְּלַסְתֵּר, אֲחוּהּ דְּמָרַנָא זַיְיפָנָא. דְּחָמֵי חָמֵי, וּדְלָא חָמֵי לָא חָמֵי, מַאי אַהֲנִי לְרַמָּאָה בְּרַמָּאוּתֵיהּ וּלְזַיְיפָנָא בְּזַיְיפָנוּתֵיהּ? וּמְסַיְּימִין בַּהּ הָכִי: וַוי לְדֵין כַּד יְקוּם דֵּין.
And they hang gold on his neck weighing two hundred dinars, and cover the markets with onyx, and announce before him: The calculation [sakh] of the master [kiri] Jacob with regard to the time of the redemption is fraudulent [plaster]; the brother of our master, i.e., Esau, a forger. They further announce: One who witnesses this festival witnesses it, and whoever does not witness it will not witness it ever, as it was celebrated only once every seventy years. What purpose does deceit serve for the deceiver, and forgery for the forger? And they conclude in this fashion: Woe unto this one, Esau, when that one, Jacob, will arise, as this will cause Esau’s downfall.
אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: הִכְשִׁילָן פִּיהֶם לָרְשָׁעִים, אִי אָמְרוּ ״זַיְיפָנָא אֲחוּהּ דְּמָרַנָא״ — כִּדְקָאָמְרִי, הַשְׁתָּא דְּאָמְרִי ״דְּמָרַנָא זַיְיפָנָא״ — מָרַנָא גּוּפֵיהּ זַיְיפָנָא הוּא.
Rav Ashi says: The mouths of these wicked people have caused their downfall. Had they said: A forger is the brother of our master, their claim would be interpreted as they say and wish to be understood. Now that they say: The brother of our master, a forger; they can be understood as saying: It is our master himself who is the forger.
אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: בַּגּוֹלָה אֵינוֹ אָסוּר אֶלָּא יוֹם אֵידָם בִּלְבַד, וְיוֹם אֵידָם נָמֵי מִי אֲסִיר? וְהָא רַב יְהוּדָה שְׁרָא לֵיהּ לְרַב בְּרוֹנָא לְזַבּוֹנֵי חַמְרָא, וּלְרַב גִּידֵּל לְזַבּוֹנֵי חִיטִּין בְּחַגְּתָא דְּטַיָּיעֵי! שָׁאנֵי חַגְּתָא דְּטַיָּיעֵי, דְּלָא קְבִיעָא.
§ Shmuel says: The halakha is that in the Diaspora, engaging in business with gentiles is prohibited only on the day of their festival itself, not during the days preceding and following the festival. Since Jews live among the gentiles, they are unable to refrain from engaging in business with them for such an extended period. The Gemara asks: And is it prohibited even on their festival day itself? But didn’t Rav Yehuda permit Rav Beruna to sell wine to gentiles, and permitted Rav Giddel to sell wheat, on the festival of the Arab merchants? The Gemara answers: The festival of the Arab merchants is different, as it does not have a fixed time, and therefore the Sages did not include it in the prohibition.
פַּרְצוּפוֹת לְמָה לִי? מִשּׁוּם דְּקָבָעֵי לְמִיתְנֵי: כַּיּוֹצֵא בוֹ לֹא יַנִּיחַ פִּיו עַל גַּבֵּי הַסִּילוֹן וְיִשְׁתֶּה, מִפְּנֵי הַסַּכָּנָה. מַאי סַכָּנָה? עֲלוּקָה. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: לֹא יִשְׁתֶּה אָדָם מַיִם לֹא מִן הַנְּהָרוֹת וְלֹא מִן הָאֲגַמִּים, לֹא בְּפִיו וְלֹא בְּיָדוֹ אַחַת, וְאִם שָׁתָה — דָּמוֹ בְּרֹאשׁוֹ, מִפְּנֵי הַסַּכָּנָה. מַאי סַכָּנָה? סַכָּנַת עֲלוּקָה. מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: הַבּוֹלֵעַ נִימָא שֶׁל מַיִם — מוּתָּר לְהָחֵם לוֹ חַמִּין בְּשַׁבָּת. וּמַעֲשֶׂה בְּאֶחָד שֶׁבָּלַע נִימָא שֶׁל מַיִם, וְהִתִּיר רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה לְהָחֵם לוֹ חַמִּין בְּשַׁבָּת. אַדְּהָכִי וְהָכִי? אָמַר רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: לִיגַמַּע חַלָּא. אָמַר רַב אִידִי בַּר אָבִין: הַאי מַאן דִּבְלַע זִיבּוּרָא — מִחְיָיא לָא חָיֵי, מִיהוּ לַשְׁקְיֵיהּ רְבִיעֲתָא דְחַלָּא שַׁמְגַּז, אֶפְשָׁר דְּחָיֵי פּוּרְתָּא עַד דְּמַפְקֵיד אַבֵּיתֵיהּ. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: לֹא יִשְׁתֶּה אָדָם מַיִם בַּלַּיְלָה, וְאִם שָׁתָה — דָּמוֹ בְּרֹאשׁוֹ, מִפְּנֵי הַסַּכָּנָה. מַאי סַכָּנָה? סַכָּנַת שַׁבְרִירֵי. וְאִם צָחֵי, מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ? אִי אִיכָּא אַחֲרִינָא בַּהֲדֵיהּ — לִיתְרְיֵיהּ וְלֵימָא לֵיהּ: ״צָחֵינָא מַיָּא״, וְאִי לָא — נְקַרְקֵשׁ בְּנִכְתְּמָא אַחַצְבָּא, וְנֵימָא אִיהוּ לְנַפְשֵׁיהּ: ״פְּלָנְיָא בַּר פְּלָנִיתָא, אָמְרָה לָךְ אִימָּךְ אִזְדְּהַר מִשַּׁבְרִירֵי בְּרִירֵי רִירֵי יְרֵי רֵי בְּכָסֵי חִיוָּרֵי״.
The Gemara asks: Why do I need the baraita to teach that it is prohibited to drink from fountains formed in the figure of human faces? If the reason is to teach the halakha in a life-threatening situation, the baraita already addressed this issue in the case of the spring. The Gemara answers: It was included because the baraitawanted to teach the continuation of that halakha: Similarly, one may not place his mouth on a pipe and drink, due to the danger that this poses. The Gemara inquires: What danger is the baraita referring to here? It is referring to the danger of swallowing a leech in the water. As the Sages taught: A person should not drink water from rivers or from ponds either by drinking from the water directly with his mouth, or by collecting the water with one hand alone. And if he drank in this manner, his blood is upon his own head, due to the danger. The Gemara explains: What is this danger? It is the danger of swallowing a leech. This supports the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina, as Rabbi Ḥanina says: In the case of one who swallows a water leech [nima], it is permitted to perform labor on Shabbat and heat water for him to drink on Shabbat, as his life is in danger. And in fact there was an incident involving one who swallowed a water leech, and Rabbi Neḥemya permitted them to heat water for him on Shabbat. The Gemara asks: In the meantime, until the water is ready, what should he do? Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, said: He should swallow vinegar.Rav Idi bar Avin said: One who swallowed a hornet will not live, as the hornet will sting him to death. Nevertheless, they should give him a quarter-logof sharp [shamgaz] vinegar to drink. In this manner it is possible that he will live for a bit longer until he can instruct his household with regard to his final wishes before dying. The Sages taught: A person should not drink water at night. And if he drank, his blood is upon his own head, due to the danger. The Gemara asks: What is this danger? The Gemara answers: The danger of the shavrirei, an evil spirit that rules over water. And if he is thirsty, what is his remedy? If there is another person with him, he should wake him and say to him: I thirst for water, and then he may drink. And if there is no other person with him, he should knock with the lid on the jug and say to himself: So-and-so, son of so-and-so, your mother said to you to beware of the shavrirei verirei rirei yirei rei, found in white cups. This is an incantation against the evil spirit.
אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹנָה לְרַבִּי עִילַּאי דְּקָאֵי אַפִּיתְחָא דְּצוֹר, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קָתָנֵי ״בְּהֵמָה תֵּיעָקֵר״, עֶבֶד מַאי? עֶבֶד יִשְׂרָאֵל לָא קָא מִיבַּעְיָא לִי. כִּי קָא מִיבַּעְיָא לִי עֶבֶד גּוֹי, מַאי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי קָא מִיבַּעְיָא לְךָ? תַּנְיָא: הַגּוֹיִם (והרועי) [וְהָרוֹעִים] בְּהֵמָה דַּקָּה לֹא מַעֲלִין וְלֹא מוֹרִידִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה לְרַבִּי זֵירָא: קָתָנֵי לוֹקְחִין מֵהֶן בְּהֵמָה עֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת, עֶבֶד יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹ דִלְמָא אֲפִילּוּ עֶבֶד גּוֹי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִסְתַּבְּרָא עֶבֶד יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּאִי עֶבֶד גּוֹי לְמַאי מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ? כִּי אֲתָא רָבִין אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: אֲפִילּוּ עֶבֶד גּוֹי, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמַּכְנִיסוֹ תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אַטּוּ בְּהֵמָה מַאי ״מַכְנִיס תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה״ אִיכָּא? אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם מִעוּטַיְיהוּ, וְהָכָא נָמֵי דִּמְמַעֲטִי — שְׁרֵי. רַבִּי יַעֲקֹב זְבַן סַנְדָּלָא, רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה זְבַן פִּיתָּא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ חַד לְחַבְרֵיהּ: יַתְמָא, עֲבַד רַבָּךְ הָכִי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ אִידַּךְ: יַתְמָא, עֲבַד רַבָּךְ הָכִי? וְתַרְוַיְיהוּ מִבַּעַל הַבַּיִת זְבוּן, וְכׇל חַד וְחַד סָבַר: חַבְרַאי מִתַּגָּר זְבַן. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בְּלוֹקֵחַ מִן הַתַּגָּר, דְּשָׁקְלִי מִיכְסָא מִינֵּיהּ, אֲבָל בְּלוֹקֵחַ מִבַּעַל הַבַּיִת, דְּלָא שָׁקְלִי מִינֵּיהּ מִיכְסָא — מוּתָּר.
§ Rabbi Yona found Rabbi Elai, who was standing at the entrance to the city of Tyre. Rabbi Yona said to him: The baraita cited above teaches that if one bought an animal at a pagan fair it should be destroyed. What should be done with a slave purchased at the fair? Rabbi Yona elaborated: I do not raise the dilemma about a Jewish slave, as it is obvious that the master cannot cause him harm. Where it is a dilemma for me is the case of a gentile slave; what is the halakha? Rabbi Elai said to him in response: What is the reason that this is a dilemma for you? It is taught in a baraita: With regard to the gentiles and shepherds of small domesticated animals, we do not raise them from a pit but we do not actively lower them into a pit either. It may be inferred from here that one may not cause the death of a gentile slave. Rabbi Yirmeya said to Rabbi Zeira: The second baraita cited above teaches that one may go to a pagan fair and buy from the gentiles animals, slaves, and maidservants. Does the baraita mean that one may buy a Jewish slave, or perhaps, is it teaching that one may buy even a gentile slave? Rabbi Zeira said to him: It stands to reason that the baraita means specifically a Jewish slave; as, if it is referring to a gentile slave, what is the reason that it is necessary for the Sages to permit this purchase? When Ravin came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said that Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: It is permitted to purchase even a gentile slave, because he brings him under the wings of the Divine Presence by having him undergo the process of conversion when he becomes the slave of a Jew. Rav Ashi said: But with regard to the permission to buy an animal, what is there about this purchase that one can be said to bring the animal under the wings of the Divine Presence? Rather, the reason it is permitted is because through this purchase the Jew reduces the possessions of the gentile. And here too, as he reduces the gentile’s property by purchasing the slave, it is permitted. The Gemara relates: Rabbi Ya’akov bought sandals and Rabbi Yirmeya bought bread at a pagan fair. One said to the other: Orphan, i.e., one with no guide, would your teacher act in this manner? The other likewise said to him: Orphan, would your teacher act in this manner? The Gemara explains: Actually, both purchased these items from a homeowner, i.e., a private individual, and each one thought that the other had purchased his item from a merchant. As Rabbi Abba, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, says: The Sages taught that it is prohibited to buy from a gentile at a pagan fair only in the case of one who buys from a merchant, as a tax is taken from him and used for the benefit of idol worship. But with regard to one who buys from a homeowner, when a tax is not taken from him, it is permitted to make the purchase.
מַתְנִי׳ אֵלּוּ דְּבָרִים אֲסוּרִים לִמְכּוֹר לְגוֹי: אִצְטְרוֹבְלִין, וּבְנוֹת שׁוּחַ, וּפְטוֹטָרוֹת, וּלְבוֹנָה, וְתַרְנְגוֹל הַלָּבָן. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: מוּתָּר לִמְכּוֹר לוֹ תַּרְנְגוֹל לָבָן בֵּין הַתַּרְנְגוֹלִין, וּבִזְמַן שֶׁהוּא בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ — קוֹטֵעַ אֶת אֶצְבָּעוֹ וּמוֹכְרוֹ לוֹ, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין מַקְרִיבִים חָסֵר לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.
MISHNA:These are the items that it is prohibited to sell to a gentile at any time of year, as they are used specifically for idol worship: Itzterubalin, benot shuaḥ, petotarot, frankincense, and a white rooster. Rabbi Yehuda says: It is permitted to sell a white rooster to a gentile provided that it is sold along with other types of roosters. But when it is sold by itself, one should cut off its toe and sell it to the gentile, because they do not sacrifice a defective animal to their object of idol worship.
וּשְׁאָר כׇּל הַדְּבָרִים, סְתָמָן מוּתָּר, וּפֵירוּשָׁן אָסוּר. רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אַף דֶּקֶל טָב וְחָצָב (ונקלב) [וְנִקְלָבֵס] אָסוּר לִמְכּוֹר לַגּוֹיִם.
And with regard to all remaining items, without specification it is permitted to sell them, but with specification it is prohibited to sell them. Rabbi Meir says: Even in the case of a good palm tree, ḥatzav, and naklav, it is prohibited to sell them to gentiles.
רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אַף דֶּקֶל וְכוּ׳. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב חִסְדָּא לַאֲבִימִי: גְּמִירִי דַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה דְּאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה פִּירְקֵי הָוְיָין, וַאֲנַן חַמְשָׁה תְּנַן, וְלָא יָדְעִינַן מַאי קָאָמְרִינַן.
§ The mishna teaches that Rabbi Meir says: It is prohibited to sell even a good palm tree and ḥatzav to gentiles. Rav Ḥisda said to Avimei: It is learned as a tradition that the tractate Avoda Zara of our forefather Abraham contained four hundred chapters, and we have learned only five chapters in our tractate Avoda Zara, and we do not even know the meaning of what we are saying.
מַתְנִי׳ מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ לִמְכּוֹר בְּהֵמָה דַּקָּה לַגּוֹיִם — מוֹכְרִין, מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ שֶׁלֹּא לִמְכּוֹר — אֵין מוֹכְרִין. וּבְכׇל מָקוֹם אֵין מוֹכְרִין לָהֶם בְּהֵמָה גַּסָּה, עֲגָלִים וּסְיָיחִים, שְׁלֵמִין ושְׁבוּרִין. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה מַתִּיר בַּשְּׁבוּרָה, וּבֶן בְּתִירָא מַתִּיר בַּסּוּס. גְּמָ׳ לְמֵימְרָא דְּאִיסּוּרָא לֵיכָּא, מִנְהֲגָא הוּא דְּאִיכָּא, הֵיכָא דִּנְהִיג אִיסּוּר — נְהוּג, הֵיכָא דִּנְהִיג הֶיתֵּר — נְהוּג. וּרְמִינְהִי: אֵין מַעֲמִידִין בְּהֵמָה בְּפוּנְדְּקָאוֹת שֶׁל גּוֹיִם, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחֲשׁוּדִין עַל הָרְבִיעָה. אָמַר רַב: מָקוֹם שֶׁהִתִּירוּ לִמְכּוֹר — הִתִּירוּ לְיַיחֵד, מָקוֹם שֶׁאָסְרוּ לְיַיחֵד — אָסְרוּ לִמְכּוֹר. וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אַף בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁאָסְרוּ לְיַיחֵד, מוּתָּר לִמְכּוֹר. מַאי טַעְמָא? גּוֹי חָס עַל בְּהֶמְתּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא תֵּעָקֵר. וְאַף רַב הֲדַר בֵּיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַב תַּחְלִיפָא אָמַר רַב שֵׁילָא בַּר אֲבִימִי מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: גּוֹי חָס עַל בְּהֶמְתּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא תֵּעָקֵר. וּבְכׇל מָקוֹם אֵין מוֹכְרִין בְּהֵמָה גַּסָּה כּוּ׳. מַאי טַעְמָא? נְהִי דְּלִרְבִיעָה לָא חָיְישִׁינַן, מֶעְבַּיד בַּיהּ מְלָאכָה חָיְישִׁינַן.
MISHNA: In a place where the residents were accustomed to sell small domesticated animals to gentiles, one may sell them. In a place where they were not accustomed to sell them, one may not sell them. But in every place, one may not sell them large livestock, calves, or foals, whether these animals are whole or damaged. The Sages prohibited these sales lest a Jew’s animal perform labor for the gentile on Shabbat in violation of an explicit Torah prohibition, as explained in the Gemara. Rabbi Yehuda permits the sale of a damaged animal because it is incapable of performing labor, and ben Beteira permits the sale of a horse for riding, because riding a horse on Shabbat is not prohibited by Torah law. GEMARA: The mishna teaches that one may not sell small domesticated animals to gentiles if it is not the accepted practice. The Gemara infers: That is to say that there is no prohibition involved; rather, there is a custom not to sell small domesticated animals. Therefore, where the practice is to prohibit the sale, that is what is practiced, and where the practice is to permit the sale, that is what is practiced.And the Gemara raises a contradiction from the mishna on 22a: One may not keep an animal in the inns of gentiles, because they are suspected of engaging in bestiality. If so, it should be prohibited in all places to sell animals to gentiles, as one is thereby placing a stumbling block before the blind. Rav says: The halakha of the mishna there, with regard to keeping an animal in a gentile inn, is contingent on the halakha of the mishna here. If it is a place where the Sages permitted one to sell animals to gentiles, it must be that the gentiles of that location are not suspected of engaging in bestiality. Therefore, the Sages permitted one to leave the animal in seclusion with the gentile at the inn. Conversely, in a place where the Sages prohibited one from leaving the animal in seclusion with the gentile at the inn, because the gentiles there are suspected of engaging in bestiality, they also prohibited one from selling animals to gentiles there. And Rabbi Elazar says: Even in a place where they prohibited leaving an animal in seclusion with a gentile, it is permitted to sell it to a gentile. What is the reason? Once the animal is sold to the gentile, there is no concern that he will engage in bestiality. This is because a gentile spares his own animal from bestiality, as he does not want it to become sterile through this practice. By contrast, it is prohibited to leave one’s animal in seclusion with a gentile, as he would have no such compunction with regard to an animal belonging to others. The Gemara notes: And even Rav retracted his opinion; as Rav Taḥlifa says that Rav Sheila bar Avimi says in the name of Rav: A gentile spares his animal, as he does not want it to become sterile. § The mishna teaches: But in every place one may not sell to gentiles large livestock, calves, or foals, whether these animals are whole or damaged. The Gemara explains: What is the reason? The Gemara explains: Granted, we are not concerned about the gentile engaging in bestiality with the animal, but we are concerned about him putting the animal to work on Shabbat.
וְכִי תֵּימָא: כּוּתִי לָא עָבֵיד תְּשׁוּבָה, יִשְׂרָאֵל עָבֵיד תְּשׁוּבָה, וְהָאָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ: כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁאָמְרוּ אָסוּר לִמְכּוֹר לְגוֹי, כָּךְ אָסוּר לִמְכּוֹר לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הֶחָשׁוּד לִמְכּוֹר לְגוֹי! רְהַיט בָּתְרֵיהּ תְּלָתָא פַּרְסֵי, וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: פַּרְסָא בְּחָלָא, וְלָא אַדְרְכֵיהּ.
And if you would say that there is a difference between a Jew and a Samaritan, as a Samaritan will likely not repent and will sell to a gentile, whereas a Jew will likely repent and not sell these items, this reasoning is incorrect. But doesn’t Rav Naḥman say explicitly that Rabba bar Avuh says: Just as the Sages said that it is prohibited to sell to a gentile, so too it is prohibited to sell to a Jew who is suspected of selling to a gentile? When Rabba heard this and realized that Abaye was correct, he ran three parasangs after the buyer who purchased his donkey to revoke the sale, as the Jew was suspected of selling to gentiles; and some say that he ran one parasang through sand. But he did not succeed in overtaking him.
אָמַר רַב דִּימִי בַּר אַבָּא: כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁאָסוּר לִמְכּוֹר לְגוֹי, אָסוּר לִמְכּוֹר לְלִסְטִים יִשְׂרָאֵל. הֵיכִי דָמֵי? אִי דַּחֲשִׁיד דְּקָטֵיל — פְּשִׁיטָא, הַיְינוּ גּוֹי.
Apropos the baraita that discusses the prohibition against selling weapons, the Gemara relates that Rav Dimi bar Abba says: Just as it is prohibited to sell to a gentile, it is prohibited to sell to an armed bandit who is a Jew. The Gemara clarifies: What are the circumstances of this prohibition? If the thief is suspected of killing, isn’t it obvious that it is prohibited? After all, he is the same as a gentile. Providing a Jew who might kill with weapons is no different from giving a weapon to a gentile, as in both cases one violates the prohibition: Do not place a stumbling block before the blind.
וְאִי דְּלָא קָטֵיל, אַמַּאי לָא? לְעוֹלָם דְּלָא קָטֵיל, וְהָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? בְּמַשְׁמוֹטָא, דְּזִימְנִין דְּעָבֵיד לְאַצּוֹלֵי נַפְשֵׁיהּ.
And if he is a bandit who does not kill, why not sell to him? The Gemara answers: Actually, Rav Dimi bar Abba is referring to a bandit who does not kill, and here we are dealing with a bandit who steals, as sometimes he makes use of his weapon to save himself when he is caught. Consequently, it is prohibited to sell him weapons in case he kills with them in self-defense.
אָמַר רַב אַדָּא בַּר אַהֲבָה: אֵין מוֹכְרִין לָהֶן עֲשָׁשִׁיּוֹת שֶׁל בַּרְזֶל, מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּחָלְשִׁי מִינַּיְיהוּ כְּלֵי זַיִין. אִי הָכִי, אֲפִילּוּ מָרֵי וַחֲצִינֵי נָמֵי! אָמַר רַב זְבִיד: בְּפַרְזְלָא הִינְדּוּאָה. וְהָאִידָּנָא דְּקָא מְזַבְּנִינַן, אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: לְפָרְסָאֵי דְּמַגְּנוּ עִילָּוַון.
Rav Adda bar Ahava says: One may not sell blocks [ashashiot] of iron to gentiles. What is the reason? It is because they forge weapons from them. The Gemara asks: If so, then even hoes and axes should not be sold to them, as they too can be used to forge weapons. Rav Zevid said in response: The ruling of Rav Adda bar Ahava was stated with regard to Indian iron, which is of a superior quality and used only for crafting weapons. The Gemara clarifies: And as for the fact that nowadays we do sell all weapons, Rav Ashi said: We sell the weapons to the Persians, who protect us.
מַתְנִי׳ אֵין מוֹכְרִין לָהֶם דּוּבִּין וַאֲרָיוֹת וְכׇל דָּבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ נֶזֶק לָרַבִּים. אֵין בּוֹנִין עִמָּהֶם בָּסִילְקֵי, גַּרְדּוֹם, אִיצְטַדְיָיא, וּבִימָה, אֲבָל בּוֹנִין עִמָּהֶם בִּימוֹסְיָאוֹת וּבֵית מֶרְחֲצָאוֹת. הִגִּיעַ לְכִיפָּה שֶׁמַּעֲמִידִין בָּהּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה — אָסוּר לִבְנוֹת.
MISHNA:One may not sell bears, or lions, or any item that can cause injury to the public, to gentiles. One may not build with them a basilica [basileki], a tribunal [gardom], a stadium [itztadeyya], or a platform. But one may build with them small platforms [bimmusiot] and bathhouses. Even in this case, once he reaches the arched chamber in the bath where the gentiles put up objects of idol worship, it is prohibited to build it.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כְּשֶׁנִּתְפַּס רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר לְמִינוּת, הֶעֱלֻהוּ לַגַּרְדּוֹם לִידּוֹן. אָמַר לוֹ אוֹתוֹ הֶגְמוֹן: זָקֵן שֶׁכְּמוֹתְךָ יַעֲסוֹק בִּדְבָרִים בְּטֵלִים הַלָּלוּ? אָמַר לוֹ: נֶאֱמָן עָלַי הַדַּיָּין. כְּסָבוּר אוֹתוֹ הֶגְמוֹן: עָלָיו הוּא אוֹמֵר, וְהוּא לֹא אָמַר אֶלָּא כְּנֶגֶד אָבִיו שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם. אָמַר לוֹ: הוֹאִיל וְהֶאֱמַנְתִּי עָלֶיךָ, דִּימוֹס — פָּטוּר אַתָּה. כְּשֶׁבָּא לְבֵיתוֹ, נִכְנְסוּ תַּלְמִידָיו אֶצְלוֹ לְנַחֲמוֹ, וְלֹא קִיבֵּל עָלָיו תַּנְחוּמִין. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: רַבִּי, תַּרְשֵׁינִי לוֹמַר דָּבָר אֶחָד מִמַּה שֶּׁלִּימַּדְתַּנִי? אָמַר לוֹ: אֱמוֹר. אָמַר לוֹ: רַבִּי, שֶׁמָּא מִינוּת בָּא לְיָדְךָ וְהִנְאֲךָ, וְעָלָיו נִתְפַּסְתָּ? אָמַר לוֹ: עֲקִיבָא, הִזְכַּרְתַּנִי, פַּעַם אַחַת הָיִיתִי מְהַלֵּךְ בַּשּׁוּק הָעֶלְיוֹן שֶׁל צִיפּוֹרִי, וּמָצָאתִי אָדָם אֶחָד מִתַּלְמִידֵי יֵשׁוּ הַנּוֹצְרִי, וְיַעֲקֹב אִישׁ כְּפַר סְכַנְיָא שְׁמוֹ. אָמַר לִי: כָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַתְכֶם: ״לֹא תָבִיא אֶתְנַן זוֹנָה וְגוֹ׳״, מַהוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת הֵימֶנּוּ בֵּית הַכִּסֵּא לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל? וְלֹא אָמַרְתִּי לוֹ כְּלוּם. אָמַר לִי: כָּךְ לִימְּדַנִי יֵשׁוּ הַנּוֹצְרִי, כִּי ״מֵאֶתְנַן זוֹנָה קֻבָּצָה וְעַד אֶתְנַן זוֹנָה יָשׁוּבוּ״, מִמְּקוֹם הַטִּנּוֹפֶת בָּאוּ, לִמְקוֹם הַטִּנּוֹפֶת יֵלֵכוּ. וְהִנְאַנִי הַדָּבָר, עַל יְדֵי זֶה נִתְפַּסְתִּי לְמִינוּת, וְעָבַרְתִּי עַל מַה שֶּׁכָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה: ״הַרְחֵק מֵעָלֶיהָ דַּרְכֶּךָ״ — זוֹ מִינוּת, ״וְאַל תִּקְרַב אֶל פֶּתַח בֵּיתָהּ״ — זוֹ הָרָשׁוּת. וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: ״הַרְחֵק מֵעָלֶיהָ דַּרְכֶּךָ״ — זוֹ מִינוּת וְהָרָשׁוּת, ״וְאַל תִּקְרַב אֶל פֶּתַח בֵּיתָהּ״ — זוֹ זוֹנָה. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת. וְרַבָּנַן [הַאי] ״מֵאֶתְנַן זוֹנָה״ מַאי דָּרְשִׁי בֵּיהּ? כִּדְרַב חִסְדָּא, דְּאָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: כׇּל זוֹנָה שֶׁנִּשְׂכֶּרֶת, לְבַסּוֹף הִיא שׂוֹכֶרֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבְתִתֵּךְ אֶתְנָן וְאֶתְנַן לֹא נִתַּן לָךְ [וַתְּהִי לְהֶפֶךְ]״. וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַבִּי פְּדָת, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי פְּדָת: לֹא אָסְרָה תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא קְרִיבָה שֶׁל גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת בִּלְבַד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אִישׁ אִישׁ אֶל כׇּל שְׁאֵר בְּשָׂרוֹ לֹא תִקְרְבוּ לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוָה״. עוּלָּא כִּי הֲוָה אָתֵי מִבֵּי רַב, הֲוָה מְנַשֵּׁק לְהוּ לַאֲחָתֵיהּ אַבֵּי יְדַיְיהוּ, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ: אַבֵּי חָדַיְיהוּ. וּפְלִיגָא דִּידֵיהּ אַדִּידֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר עוּלָּא: קְרִיבָה בְּעָלְמָא אָסוּר, מִשּׁוּם ״לָךְ לָךְ, אָמְרִין נְזִירָא; סְחוֹר סְחוֹר, לְכַרְמָא לָא תִּקְרַב״. ״לַעֲלוּקָה שְׁתֵּי בָנוֹת הַב הַב״. מַאי ״הַב הַב״? אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: [קוֹל] שְׁתֵּי בָּנוֹת שֶׁצּוֹעֲקוֹת מִגֵּיהִנָּם, וְאוֹמְרוֹת בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה ״הָבֵא הָבֵא״. וּמַאן נִינְהוּ? מִינוּת וְהָרָשׁוּת. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא, קוֹל גֵּיהִנָּם צוֹעֶקֶת וְאוֹמֶרֶת: הָבִיאוּ לִי שְׁתֵּי בָּנוֹת שֶׁצּוֹעֲקוֹת וְאוֹמְרוֹת בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה ״הָבֵא הָבֵא״.
§ Apropos the above discussion, the Gemara relates incidents involving Sages who were sentenced by the ruling authorities. The Sages taught: When Rabbi Eliezer was arrested and charged with heresy by the authorities, they brought him up to a tribunal to be judged. A certain judicial officer [hegemon] said to him: Why should an elder like you engage in these frivolous matters of heresy? Rabbi Eliezer said to him: The Judge is trusted by me to rule correctly. That officer thought that Rabbi Eliezer was speaking about him; but in fact he said this only in reference to his Father in Heaven. Rabbi Eliezer meant that he accepted God’s judgment, i.e., if he was charged he must have sinned to God in some manner. The officer said to him: Since you put your trust in me, you are acquitted [dimos]; you are exempt.When Rabbi Eliezer came home, his students entered to console him for being accused of heresy, which he took as a sign of sin, and he did not accept their words of consolation. Rabbi Akiva said to him: My teacher, allow me to say one matter from all of that which you taught me. Rabbi Eliezer said to him: Speak. Rabbi Akiva said to him: My teacher, perhaps some statement of heresy came before youand you derived pleasure from it, and because of this you were held responsible by Heaven. Rabbi Eliezer said to him: Akiva, you are right, as you have reminded me that once I was walking in the upper marketplace of Tzippori, and I found a man who was one of the students of Jesus the Nazarene, and his name was Ya’akov of Kefar Sekhanya. He said to me: It is written in your Torah: “You shall not bring the payment to a prostitute, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 23:19). What is the halakha: Is it permitted to make from the payment to a prostitute for services rendered a bathroom for a High Priest in the Temple? And I said nothing to him in response. He said to me: Jesus the Nazarene taught me the following: It is permitted, as derived from the verse: “For of the payment to a prostitute she has gathered them, and to the payment to a prostitute they shall return” (Micah 1:7). Since the coins came from a place of filth, let them go to a place of filth and be used to build a bathroom. And I derived pleasure from the statement, and due to this, I was arrested for heresy by the authorities, because I transgressed that which is written in the Torah: “Remove your way far from her, and do not come near the entrance of her house” (Proverbs 5:8). “Remove your way far from her,” this is a reference to heresy; “and do not come near the entrance of her house,” this is a reference to the ruling authority. The Gemara notes: And there are those who say a different interpretation: “Remove your way far from her,” this is a reference to heresy and the ruling authority; “and do not come near the entrance of her house,” this is a reference to a prostitute. And how much distance must one maintain from a prostitute? Rav Ḥisda said: Four cubits. With regard to the derivation of the verse by Jesus the Nazarene, the Gemara asks: And what do the Sages derive from this phrase: “Payment to a prostitute”? The Gemara answers: They explain it in accordance with the opinion of Rav Ḥisda, as Rav Ḥisda says: Any prostitute who hires herself out to others for money will become so attached to this practice that ultimately, when others no longer wish to hire her, she will hire others to engage in intercourse with her. As it is stated: “And in that you gave payment, and no payment is given to you, therefore you are contrary” (Ezekiel 16:34). The Gemara comments: And Rav Ḥisda, who stated above that the Torah requires one to maintain a distance of four cubits from a prostitute, disagrees with the opinion of Rabbi Pedat. As Rabbi Pedat says: The Torah prohibited only intimacy that involves engaging in prohibited sexual relations, as it is stated: “None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness” (Leviticus 18:6). The prohibition against intimacy in the Torah applies exclusively to sexual intercourse, and all other kinds of intimacy that do not include actual intercourse are not included in the prohibition. The Gemara relates: When Ulla would come from the study hall, he would kiss his sisters on their hands. And some say: On their chests. And the Gemara points out that this action of his disagrees with another ruling that Ulla himself issued, as Ulla says: Mere intimacy with a woman with whom one is prohibited from engaging in sexual intercourse is prohibited, due to the maxim: Go, go, we say to a nazirite, go around, go around but do not come near to the vineyard. Just as a nazirite is warned not even to come into close proximity of a vineyard lest he consume a product of the vine, so too one is obligated to distance himself from anyone with whom intercourse is forbidden. § In connection to the earlier mention of heresy and the ruling authorities, the Gemara cites a verse: “The horseleech has two daughters: Give, give” (Proverbs 30:15). What is meant by “give, give”? Mar Ukva says: This is the voice of the two daughters who cry out from Gehenna due to their suffering; and they are the ones who say in this world: Give, give, demanding dues and complete allegiance. And who are they? They are heresy and the ruling authority. There are those who say that Rav Ḥisda says that Mar Ukva says: The voice of Gehenna cries out and says: Bring me two daughters who cry and say in this world: Give, give.
״לַעֲלוּקָה שְׁתֵּי בָנוֹת הַב הַב״. מַאי ״הַב הַב״? אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: [קוֹל] שְׁתֵּי בָּנוֹת שֶׁצּוֹעֲקוֹת מִגֵּיהִנָּם, וְאוֹמְרוֹת בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה ״הָבֵא הָבֵא״. וּמַאן נִינְהוּ? מִינוּת וְהָרָשׁוּת. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא, קוֹל גֵּיהִנָּם צוֹעֶקֶת וְאוֹמֶרֶת: הָבִיאוּ לִי שְׁתֵּי בָּנוֹת שֶׁצּוֹעֲקוֹת וְאוֹמְרוֹת בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה ״הָבֵא הָבֵא״. ״כׇּל בָּאֶיהָ לֹא יְשׁוּבוּן וְלֹא יַשִּׂיגוּ אׇרְחוֹת חַיִּים״, וְכִי מֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא שָׁבוּ, הֵיכָן יַשִּׂיגוּ? הָכִי קָאָמַר: וְאִם יָשׁוּבוּ — לֹא יַשִּׂיגוּ אוֹרְחוֹת חַיִּים. לְמֵימְרָא, דְּכׇל הַפּוֹרֵשׁ מִמִּינוּת מָיֵית? וְהָא הָהִיא דַּאֲתַאי לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא, וְאָמְרָה לֵיהּ: קַלָּה שֶׁבַּקַּלּוֹת עָשְׂתָה בְּנָהּ הַקָּטָן מִבְּנָהּ הַגָּדוֹל, וַאֲמַר לַהּ רַב חִסְדָּא: טְרַחוּ לַהּ בִּזְוָודְתָּא, וְלָא מִתָה. מִדְּקָאָמְרָה קַלָּה שֶׁבַּקַּלּוֹת עָשְׂתָה, מִכְּלָל דְּמִינוּת [נָמֵי] הָוְיָא בַּהּ! הָהוּא דְּלָא הָדְרָא בַּהּ שַׁפִּיר, וּמִשּׁוּם הָכִי לֹא מֵתָה. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: מִמִּינוּת — אִין, מֵעֲבֵירָה — לָא? וְהָא הָהִיא דַּאֲתַאי קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא, וַאֲמַר לְהוּ [רַב חִסְדָּא: זַוִּידוּ לַהּ זְוַודְתָּא], וּמִתָה! מִדְּקָאָמְרָה ״קַלָּה שֶׁבַּקַּלּוֹת״, מִכְּלָל דְּמִינוּת נָמֵי הַוְיָא בַּהּ.
§ In connection to the earlier mention of heresy and the ruling authorities, the Gemara cites a verse: “The horseleech has two daughters: Give, give” (Proverbs 30:15). What is meant by “give, give”? Mar Ukva says: This is the voice of the two daughters who cry out from Gehenna due to their suffering; and they are the ones who say in this world: Give, give, demanding dues and complete allegiance. And who are they? They are heresy and the ruling authority. There are those who say that Rav Ḥisda says that Mar Ukva says: The voice of Gehenna cries out and says: Bring me two daughters who cry and say in this world: Give, give. The following verse in Proverbs makes reference to a foreign woman, which according to the Sages is a euphemism for heresy: “None that go to her return, neither do they attain the paths of life” (Proverbs 2:19). The Gemara asks: Since those that are drawn to heresy do not return, from where would they attain the path of life? Why is it necessary for the verse to add that they do not attain the paths of life? The Gemara explains that this is what the verse is saying: In general, those who go to her do not return, and even if they return, they do not attain the paths of life, i.e., the pain of their regret will shorten their lives. The Gemara asks: Is this to say that anyone who separates himself from heresy and returns from his mistaken ways must die? But what about that woman who came before Rav Ḥisda to confess to him, and she said to him: The lightest of the light, i.e., the least of the sins that she committed, is that she conceived her younger son from engaging in intercourse with her older son. And Rav Ḥisda said to her: Prepare funeral shrouds for her, i.e., yourself, as you will certainly die soon, but she did not die. The above incident refutes the claim that anyone who repents for the sin of heresy must die, as from the fact that she said that the lightest of the light of her sins was that she conceived one son from engaging in intercourse with another son, by inference one can learn that she was also involved in heresy, and yet she did not die. The Gemara answers: That is a case where the woman did not repent properly, and due to that reason she did not die.There are those who say there is a different version of the objection to the Gemara’s statement that those who repent for the sin of heresy must die: Is that to say that if one repents for the sin of heresy, yes, the result is death, whereas if one repents for the sin of forbidden sexual intercourse he does not die? But what about that woman who came before Rav Ḥisda to confess to him and Rav Ḥisda said to those present: Prepare funeral shrouds for her, and she died? The Gemara answers: From the fact that she said: The lightest of the light, by inference one can learn that she was also involved in heresy.
וּמֵעֲבֵירָה לָא? וְהָתַנְיָא: אָמְרוּ עָלָיו עַל רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן דּוּרְדְּיָא, שֶׁלֹּא הִנִּיחַ זוֹנָה אַחַת בָּעוֹלָם שֶׁלֹּא בָּא עָלֶיהָ. פַּעַם אַחַת שָׁמַע שֶׁיֵּשׁ זוֹנָה אַחַת בִּכְרַכֵּי הַיָּם, וְהָיְתָה נוֹטֶלֶת כִּיס דִּינָרִין בִּשְׂכָרָהּ. נָטַל כִּיס דִּינָרִין וְהָלַךְ וְעָבַר עָלֶיהָ שִׁבְעָה נְהָרוֹת. בִּשְׁעַת הֶרְגֵּל דָּבָר הֵפִיחָה, אָמְרָה: כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהֲפָיחָה זוֹ אֵינָהּ חוֹזֶרֶת לִמְקוֹמָהּ, כָּךְ אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן דּוּרְדְּיָא אֵין מְקַבְּלִין אוֹתוֹ בִּתְשׁוּבָה. הָלַךְ וְיָשַׁב בֵּין שְׁנֵי הָרִים וּגְבָעוֹת, אָמַר: הָרִים וּגְבָעוֹת בַּקְּשׁוּ עָלַי רַחֲמִים! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: עַד שֶׁאָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁים עָלֶיךָ נְבַקֵּשׁ עַל עַצְמֵנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי הֶהָרִים יָמוּשׁוּ וְהַגְּבָעוֹת תְּמוּטֶינָה״. אָמַר: שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ בַּקְּשׁוּ עָלַי רַחֲמִים! אָמְרוּ: עַד שֶׁאָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁים עָלֶיךָ נְבַקֵּשׁ עַל עַצְמֵנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי שָׁמַיִם כֶּעָשָׁן נִמְלָחוּ וְהָאָרֶץ כַּבֶּגֶד תִּבְלֶה״. אָמַר: חַמָּה וּלְבָנָה בַּקְּשׁוּ עָלַי רַחֲמִים! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: עַד שֶׁאָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁים עָלֶיךָ, נְבַקֵּשׁ עַל עַצְמֵנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְחָפְרָה הַלְּבָנָה וּבוֹשָׁה הַחַמָּה״. אָמַר: כּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת בַּקְּשׁוּ עָלַי רַחֲמִים! אָמְרוּ לוֹ: עַד שֶׁאָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁים עָלֶיךָ, נְבַקֵּשׁ עַל עַצְמֵנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְנָמַקּוּ כׇּל צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם״. אָמַר: אֵין הַדָּבָר תָּלוּי אֶלָּא בִּי. הִנִּיחַ רֹאשׁוֹ בֵּין בִּרְכָּיו וְגָעָה בִּבְכִיָּה עַד שֶׁיָּצְתָה נִשְׁמָתוֹ. יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן דּוּרְדְּיָא מְזֻומָּן לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא! [וְהָא הָכָא בַּעֲבֵירָה הֲוָה וּמִית], הָתָם נָמֵי, כֵּיוָן דַּאֲבִיק בַּהּ טוּבָא, כְּמִינוּת דָּמְיָא. בָּכָה רַבִּי וְאָמַר: יֵשׁ קוֹנֶה עוֹלָמוֹ בְּכַמָּה שָׁנִים, וְיֵשׁ קוֹנֶה עוֹלָמוֹ בְּשָׁעָה אַחַת. וְאָמַר רַבִּי: לֹא דַּיָּין לְבַעֲלֵי תְשׁוּבָה שֶׁמְּקַבְּלִין אוֹתָן, אֶלָּא שֶׁקּוֹרִין אוֹתָן ״רַבִּי״. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא וְרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן הֲווֹ קָאָזְלִי בְּאוֹרְחָא, מְטוֹ לְהָנְהוּ תְּרֵי שְׁבִילֵי, חַד פָּצֵי אַפִּיתְחָא דַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְחַד פָּצֵי אַפִּיתְחָא דְּבֵי זוֹנוֹת. אֲמַר לֵיהּ חַד לְחַבְרֵיהּ: נֵיזִיל אַפִּיתְחָא דַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
The Gemara asks: And is it correct that one who repents of the sin of forbidden sexual intercourse does not die? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: They said about Rabbi Elazar ben Durdayya that he was so promiscuous that he did not leave one prostitute in the world with whom he did not engage in sexual intercourse. Once, he heard that there was one prostitute in one of the cities overseas who would take a purse full of dinars as her payment. He took a purse full of dinars and went and crossed seven rivers to reach her. When they were engaged in the matters to which they were accustomed, a euphemism for intercourse, she passed wind and said: Just as this passed wind will not return to its place, so too Elazar ben Durdayya will not be accepted in repentance, even if he were to try to repent. This statement deeply shocked Elazar ben Durdayya, and he went and sat between two mountains and hills and said: Mountains and hills, pray for mercy on my behalf, so that my repentance will be accepted. They said to him: Before we pray for mercy on your behalf, we must pray for mercy on our own behalf, as it is stated: “For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed” (Isaiah 54:10). He said: Heaven and earth, pray for mercy on my behalf. They said to him: Before we pray for mercy on your behalf, we must pray for mercy on our own behalf, as it is stated: “For the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment” (Isaiah 51:6). He said: Sun and moon, pray for mercy on my behalf. They said to him: Before we pray for mercy on your behalf, we must pray for mercy on our own behalf, as it is stated: “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed” (Isaiah 24:23). He said: Stars and constellations, pray for mercy on my behalf. They said to him: Before we pray for mercy on your behalf, we must pray for mercy on our own behalf, as it is stated: “And all the hosts of heaven shall molder away” (Isaiah 34:4). Elazar ben Durdayya said: Clearly the matter depends on nothing other than myself. He placed his head between his knees and cried loudly until his soul left his body. A Divine Voice emerged and said: Rabbi Elazar ben Durdayya is destined for life in the World-to-Come. The Gemara explains the difficulty presented by this story: And here Elazar ben Durdayya was guilty of the sin of forbidden sexual intercourse, and yet he died once he repented. The Gemara answers: There too, since he was attached so strongly to the sin, to an extent that transcended the physical temptation he felt, it is similar to heresy, as it had become like a form of idol worship for him. When Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi heard this story of Elazar ben Durdayya, he wept and said: There is one who acquires his share in the World-to-Come only after many years of toil, and there is one who acquires his share in the World-to-Come in one moment. And Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi further says: Not only are penitents accepted, but they are even called: Rabbi, as the Divine Voice referred to Elazar ben Durdayya as Rabbi Elazar ben Durdayya. § In relation to the issue of distancing oneself from idol worship and prostitution, the Gemara relates: Rabbi Ḥanina and Rabbi Yonatan were once walking along the road when they came to a certain two paths, one of which branched off toward the entrance of a place of idol worship, and the other one branched off toward the entrance of a brothel. One said to the other: Let us go by the path that leads to the entrance of the place of idol worship,
רַבִּי חֲנִינָא וְרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן הֲווֹ קָאָזְלִי בְּאוֹרְחָא, מְטוֹ לְהָנְהוּ תְּרֵי שְׁבִילֵי, חַד פָּצֵי אַפִּיתְחָא דַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְחַד פָּצֵי אַפִּיתְחָא דְּבֵי זוֹנוֹת. אֲמַר לֵיהּ חַד לְחַבְרֵיהּ: נֵיזִיל אַפִּיתְחָא דַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה דִּנְכִיס יִצְרֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אִידַּךְ: נֵיזִיל אַפִּיתְחָא דְּבֵי זוֹנוֹת וְנִכְפְּיֵיהּ לְיִצְרִין וּנְקַבֵּל אַגְרָא. כִּי מָטוּ הָתָם, חֲזוֹנְהוּ [לְזוֹנוֹת], אִיתְכְּנַעוּ מִקַּמַּיְיהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מְנָא לָךְ הָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: ״מְזִמָּה תִּשְׁמֹר עָלֶיךָ תְּבוּנָה תִנְצְרֶכָּה״. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ רַבָּנַן לְרָבָא: מַאי ״מְזִמָּה״? אִילֵימָא תּוֹרָה, דִּכְתִיב בַּהּ ״זִמָּה״ וּמְתַרְגְּמִינַן: עֵצַת חִטְאִין, וּכְתִיב: ״הִפְלִיא עֵצָה הִגְדִּיל תּוּשִׁיָּה״. אִי הָכִי, ״זִמָּה״ מִבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! הָכִי קָאָמַר: מִדְּבַר זִימָּה תִּשְׁמוֹר עָלֶיךָ, תּוֹרָה תִנְצְרֶכָּה.
§ In relation to the issue of distancing oneself from idol worship and prostitution, the Gemara relates: Rabbi Ḥanina and Rabbi Yonatan were once walking along the road when they came to a certain two paths, one of which branched off toward the entrance of a place of idol worship, and the other one branched off toward the entrance of a brothel. One said to the other: Let us go by the path that leads to the entrance of the place of idol worship,as the inclination to engage in idol worship has been slaughtered and the temptation to sin in this manner no longer exists. The other said to him: Let us go by the path that leads to the entrance of the brothel and overpower our inclination, and thereby receive a reward. When they arrived there, they saw that the prostitutes yielded before their presence, i.e., they entered the building out of respect for the Sages. One said to the other: From where did you know this, that the prostitutes would retreat from us in embarrassment? He said to him: It is written: “From lewdness [mezimma] it shall watch over you; discernment shall guard you” (Proverbs 2:11), i.e., the Torah will serve as a safeguard against lewdness. The Sages said to Rava: What is the meaning of mezimma? If we say that it is referring to the Torah that will guard you, as it is written in it: “Zimma” (Leviticus 18:17), and we translate this term as: The counsel of [atzat] the sinners, demonstrating that zimma is referring to counsel or wisdom, and the term etzais also written with regard to the Torah: “This also comes forth from the Lord of hosts: Wonderful is His counsel [etza], and great is His wisdom” (Isaiah 28:29), this is difficult. The Gemara explains the difficulty: If so, the verse should have said: Zimma, and not mezimma. Rather, this is what the verse is saying: From lewd matters [midevar zimma], it shall watch over you, the Torah shall guard you, i.e., the term discernment is a reference to the Torah.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כְּשֶׁנִּתְפְּסוּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן פַּרְטָא וְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן, אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן פַּרְטָא לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן: אַשְׁרֶיךָ שֶׁנִּתְפַּסְתָּ עַל דָּבָר אֶחָד, אוֹי לִי שֶׁנִּתְפַּסְתִּי עַל חֲמִשָּׁה דְּבָרִים. אָמַר לוֹ רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: אַשְׁרֶיךָ שֶׁנִּתְפַּסְתָּ עַל חֲמִשָּׁה דְּבָרִים וְאַתָּה נִיצּוֹל, אוֹי לִי שֶׁנִּתְפַּסְתִּי עַל דָּבָר אֶחָד וְאֵינִי נִיצּוֹל, שֶׁאַתָּה עָסַקְתָּ בַּתּוֹרָה וּבִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, וַאֲנִי לֹא עָסַקְתִּי אֶלָּא בַּתּוֹרָה [בִּלְבָד]. וְכִדְרַב הוּנָא, דְּאָמַר רַב הוּנָא: כׇּל הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה בִּלְבַד דּוֹמֶה כְּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אֱלוֹהַּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְיָמִים רַבִּים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְלֹא אֱלֹהֵי אֱמֶת וְגוֹ׳״. מַאי ״לְלֹא אֱלֹהֵי אֱמֶת״? שֶׁכׇּל הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה בִּלְבַד דּוֹמֶה כְּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אֱלוֹהַּ. וּבִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים לֹא עָסַק? וְהָתַנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: לֹא יִתֵּן אָדָם מְעוֹתָיו לְאַרְנָקִי שֶׁל צְדָקָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן מְמוּנֶּה עָלָיו תַּלְמִיד חָכָם כְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן! (הֵימְנוּהּ) [הֵימוֹנֵי] הוּא דַּהֲוָה מְהֵימַן, מֶיעְבַּד לָא עֲבַד. וְהָתַנְיָא, אָמַר לוֹ: מָעוֹת שֶׁל פּוּרִים נִתְחַלְּפוּ לִי בְּמָעוֹת שֶׁל צְדָקָה וְחִלַּקְתִּים לַעֲנִיִּים! מֶיעְבַּד עֲבַד, כִּדְבָעֵי לֵיהּ לָא עֲבַד. אַתְיוּהּ לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן פַּרְטָא, אֲמַרוּ: מַאי טַעְמָא תָּנֵית, וּמַאי טַעְמָא גָּנְבַתְּ? אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִי סַיָּיפָא לָא סָפְרָא, וְאִי סָפְרָא לָא סַיָּיפָא, וּמִדְּהָא לֵיתַהּ הָא נָמֵי לֵיתַהּ. וּמַאי טַעְמָא קָרוּ לָךְ ״רַבִּי״? רַבָּן שֶׁל תַּרְסִיִּים אֲנִי. אַיְיתוֹ לֵיהּ תְּרֵי קִיבּוּרֵי, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: הֵי דְּשִׁתְיָא וְהֵי דְּעִרְבָּא? אִיתְרְחִישׁ לֵיהּ נִיסָּא, (אָתְיָא) [אֲתַאי] זִיבּוּרִיתָא אִיתִּיב עַל דְּשִׁתְיָא, וַאֲתָאי זִיבּוּרָא וִיתֵיב עַל דְּעִרְבָּא. אֲמַר לְהוּ: הַאי דְּשִׁתְיָא וְהַאי דְּעִרְבָּא. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: וּמַאי טַעְמָא לָא אָתֵית לְבֵי אֲבִידָן? אֲמַר לְהוּ: זָקֵן הָיִיתִי וּמִתְיָירֵא אֲנִי שֶׁמָּא תִּרְמְסוּנִי בְּרַגְלֵיכֶם. [אֲמַרוּ]: וְעַד הָאִידָּנָא כַּמָּה סָבֵי אִיתְרְמוּס? אִתְרְחִישׁ נִיסָּא, הַהוּא יוֹמָא אִירְמַס חַד סָבָא. וּמַאי טַעְמָא קָא שָׁבְקַתְּ עַבְדָּךְ לְחֵירוּת? אֲמַר לְהוּ: לֹא הָיוּ דְבָרִים מֵעוֹלָם. קָם חַד [מִינַּיְיהוּ] לְאַסְהוֹדֵי בֵּיהּ, אֲתָא אֵלִיָּהוּ אִידְּמִי לֵיהּ כְּחַד מֵחַשִּׁובֵי דְּמַלְכוּתָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִדְּאִתְרְחִישׁ לֵיהּ נִיסָּא בְּכוּלְּהוּ, בְּהָא נָמֵי אִתְרְחִישׁ לֵיהּ נִיסָּא, וְהָהוּא גַּבְרָא בִּישׁוּתֵיהּ הוּא דְּקָא (אַחְוִי) [מַחְוֵי]. וְלָא אַשְׁגַּח בֵּיהּ, קָם לְמֵימַר לְהוּ. הֲוָה כְּתִיבָא אִיגַּרְתָּא, דַּהֲוָה כְּתִיב מֵחַשִּׁיבֵי דְּמַלְכוּת לְשַׁדּוֹרֵי לְבֵי קֵיסָר, וְשַׁדְּרוּהָ עַל יְדֵיהּ דְּהָהוּא גַּבְרָא. אֲתָא אֵלִיָּהוּ פַּתְקֵיהּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה פַּרְסֵי, אֲזַל וְלָא אֲתָא. אַתְיוּהּ לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי קָא עָסְקַתְּ בְּאוֹרָיְיתָא? אֲמַר לְהוּ: ״כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוַּנִי יהוה אֱלֹהָי״. מִיָּד גָּזְרוּ עָלָיו לִשְׂרֵיפָה, וְעַל אִשְׁתּוֹ לַהֲרִיגָה, וְעַל בִּתּוֹ לֵישֵׁב בְּקוּבָּה שֶׁל זוֹנוֹת. עָלָיו לִשְׂרֵיפָה — שֶׁהָיָה הוֹגֶה אֶת הַשֵּׁם בְּאוֹתִיּוֹתָיו. וְהֵיכִי עָבֵיד הָכִי? וְהָתְנַן: אֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא — הָאוֹמֵר אֵין תּוֹרָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵין תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים מִן הַתּוֹרָה. אַבָּא שָׁאוּל אוֹמֵר: אַף הַהוֹגֶה אֶת הַשֵּׁם בְּאוֹתִיּוֹתָיו! לְהִתְלַמֵּד עֲבַד, כִּדְתַנְיָא: ״לֹא תִלְמַד לַעֲשׂוֹת״, אֲבָל אַתָּה לָמֵד לְהָבִין וּלְהוֹרוֹת. אֶלָּא מַאי טַעְמָא אִעֲנַשׁ? מִשּׁוּם (הוגה) [דְּהוֹגֶה] אֶת הַשֵּׁם בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא [הֲוָה], וְעַל אִשְׁתּוֹ לַהֲרִיגָה דְּלָא (מַיחָה) [מַחַתָה] בֵּיהּ. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: כָּל מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּיָדוֹ לִמְחוֹת וְאֵינוֹ מוֹחֶה נֶעֱנָשׁ עָלָיו. וְעַל בִּתּוֹ לֵישֵׁב בְּקוּבָּה שֶׁל זוֹנוֹת, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: פַּעַם אַחַת הָיְתָה בִּתּוֹ מְהַלֶּכֶת לִפְנֵי גְּדוֹלֵי רוֹמִי, אָמְרוּ: כַּמָּה נָאוֹת פְּסִיעוֹתֶיהָ שֶׁל רִיבָה זוֹ, מִיָּד דִּקְדְּקָה בִּפְסִיעוֹתֶיהָ. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״עֲוֹן עֲקֵבַי יְסוּבֵּנִי״? עֲוֹנוֹת שֶׁאָדָם דָּשׁ בַּעֲקֵבָיו בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה מְסוּבִּין לוֹ לְיוֹם הַדִּין. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁיָּצְאוּ שְׁלָשְׁתָּן, צִדְּקוּ עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת הַדִּין, הוּא אָמַר: ״הַצּוּר תָּמִים פׇּעֳלוֹ [וְגוֹ׳]״, וְאִשְׁתּוֹ אָמְרָה: ״אֵל אֱמוּנָה וְאֵין עָוֶל״, בִּתּוֹ אָמְרָה: ״גְּדֹל הָעֵצָה וְרַב הָעֲלִילִיָּה אֲשֶׁר עֵינֶיךָ פְקֻחוֹת עַל כׇּל דַּרְכֵי וְגוֹ׳״, אָמַר רַבִּי: [כַּמָּה] גְּדוֹלִים צַדִּיקִים הַלָּלוּ, שֶׁנִּזְדַּמְּנוּ לָהֶן שָׁלֹשׁ מִקְרָאוֹת שֶׁל צִדּוּק הַדִּין בִּשְׁעַת צִדּוּק הַדִּין.
§ The Gemara returns to its discussion of the judgments of the Sages by the Roman rulers. The Sages taught: When Rabbi Elazar ben Perata and Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon were arrested by the Romans during the time of the religious persecution of the Jewish people, Rabbi Elazar ben Perata said to Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon: Fortunate are you, as you were arrested on one charge only, of teaching Torah publicly; woe is me, as I have been arrested on five charges. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to him: Fortunate are you, as you were arrested on five charges but you will be saved; woe is me, as I have been arrested on one charge, but I will not be saved. You will be saved because you engaged in Torah study and in acts of charity, and I engaged in Torah study alone. The Gemara comments: And this is in accordance with a statement of Rav Huna, as Rav Huna says: Anyone who occupies himself with Torah study alone is considered like one who does not have a God. As it is stated: “Now for long seasons Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without the Torah” (II Chronicles 15:3). What is meant by “without the true God”? This teaches that anyone who engages in Torah study alone is considered like one who does not have a true God. The Gemara asks: And is it true that Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon did not engage in acts of charity? But isn’t it taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says: A person should not donate his money to the charity purse [le’arnakei] unless a Torah scholar like Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon is appointed as supervisor over it? The Gemara answers: He was trusted to distribute the charity with honesty and integrity, but he himself did not perform charitable acts. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it taught in a baraita that Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma: I confused my own coins that I needed for the festivities of Purim with coins of charity, and I distributed them all to the poor at my own expense. How then can it be said that he never engaged in charitable acts? The Gemara responds: He did perform acts of charity, but he did not perform as many acts as he should have, in light of his wealth. The Gemara returns to the description of the trial of the Sages. The Romans brought Rabbi Elazar ben Perata for his trial and said: What is the reason that you taught Torah, and what is the reason that you stole, as these were the crimes of which he was accused. Rabbi Elazar ben Perata said to them: If one is an armed robber [sayafa], he is not a scholar [safra], and if one is a scholar he is not an armed robber, i.e., I am accused of two mutually exclusive crimes; and from the fact that this characterization is not true, one may also conclude that that characterization is also not true. They asked him: But if you do not teach Torah, then what is the reason that they call you rabbi? He answered: I am the master [rabban] of weavers [tarsiyyim]. In order to ascertain whether Rabbi Elazar ben Perata was in fact an expert weaver, they brought him two coils of wool and said to him: Which is the warp, and which is the woof? The threads used for each differ in their thickness and strength and would be immediately recognizable to an expert. A miracle occurred, as a female hornet came and sat on the coil of warp, and a male hornet came and sat on the coil of woof. Rabbi Elazar ben Perata said to them: This is a coil of warp, and that is a coil of woof. He realized that the male hornet was a sign that the coil was the woof, as the woof is threaded through the warp, while the warp, which is fixed in the loom and receives the woof, was the one on which the female hornet sat, as the female of a species receives the male. The Romans said to him: And what is the reason that you did not come to the house of Abidan? This was a gathering place where debates on wisdom and faith were conducted. Rabbi Elazar ben Perata said to them: I was old and feared that perhaps I would be trampled under your feet, due to the huge crowds. The Romans said: And until now, how many elders have been trampled there, that you would be worried about such a possibility? The Gemara comments: A miracle occurred, and on that day, one old man was trampled. The Romans asked Rabbi Elazar ben Perata: And what is the reason that you emancipated your slave? Rabbi Elazar ben Perata said to them: This matter never happened. One of them stood to testify against him, and Elijah came disguised as one of the of the Roman noblemen, and he said to that individual: From the fact that miracles occurred for Rabbi Elazar ben Perata in every other case, in this instance as well a miracle will occur for him, and that man, i.e., you, is only demonstrating his wickedness, since you cannot succeed in your aim and are merely showing yourself to be desperate to cause harm. But the man paid him no heed, and he stood to say his testimony to them. At that time there was a written letter that was composed by some of the most important people of the Roman Empire in order to send it to the Emperor’s court, and they had sent it in the possession of that man, i.e., the potential witness. Elijah came and threw it a distance of four hundred parasangs. The man went and did not come back, and therefore all the charges against Rabbi Elazar ben Perata were dropped. The Romans brought Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon for judgment, and they said to him: Why did you occupy yourself with the Torah? Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to them, citing a verse: “As the Lord my God commanded me” (Deuteronomy 4:5). They immediately sentenced him to death by means of burning, and they sentenced his wife to execution by decapitation, and his daughter was condemned to sit in a brothel [kubba shel zonot]. The Gemara explains the Divine decree that he should receive this punishment: He was sentenced to death by burning, as he would pronounce the ineffable name of God with all of its letters, i.e., as it is spelled. The Gemara asks: And how could he do that? But didn’t we learn in the mishna (Sanhedrin 90a): These are the people who have no share in the World-to-Come: One who says that the Torah is not from Heaven or that there is no source from the Torah for the resurrection of the dead. Abba Shaul says: Also one who pronounces the ineffable name as it is written, with all of its letters, has no share in the World-to-Come. The Gemara answers: Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon did it to teach himself, as it is taught in a baraita with regard to the prohibition against sorcery: “You shall not learn to do” (Deuteronomy 18:9); this indicates: But you may learn to understand and to teach. In other words, certain prohibitions do not apply when one is acting only in order to acquire knowledge of the subject. The Gemara asks: Rather, what is the reason that he was punished? The Gemara answers: He was punished because he would pronounce the ineffable name of God in public, instead of privately. And his wife was condemned to execution by decapitation because she did not protest his doing so. From here the Sages stated: Anyone who has the capability to protest effectively the sinful conduct of another and does not protest is punished for that person’s sin. The Gemara asks: And why was his daughter condemned to sit in a brothel? As Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Once, the daughter of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon was walking before the nobles of Rome, and they said to each other: How pleasant are the steps of this young woman. Upon hearing this, she immediately took care to keep walking in such a fashion that her steps would continue to be pleasing to them. And this is the same as that which Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The iniquity of my heel encircles me” (Psalms 49:6)? It means that the sins that a person tramples with one’s heel in this world, i.e., dismisses and pays no attention to them as they seem to lack importance, e.g., the way that one walks, come and encircle him on the Day of Judgment. The Gemara relates: When the three of them went out after being sentenced, they accepted the justice of God’s judgment. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said: “The Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice” (Deuteronomy 32:4). And his wife said the continuation of the verse: “A God of faithfulness and without iniquity.” His daughter said: “Great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give every one according to his ways” (Jeremiah 32:19). Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: How great are these righteous people, that these three verses, which speak of the acceptance of God’s judgment, occurred to them at the time of accepting the righteousness of His judgment....
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כְּשֶׁחָלָה רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן קִיסְמָא, הָלַךְ רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן לְבַקְּרוֹ. אָמַר לוֹ: חֲנִינָא אָחִי, (אָחִי), אִי אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁאוּמָּה זוֹ מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם הִמְלִיכוּהָ? שֶׁהֶחְרִיבָה אֶת בֵּיתוֹ וְשָׂרְפָה אֶת הֵיכָלוֹ, וְהָרְגָה אֶת חֲסִידָיו וְאִבְּדָה אֶת טוֹבָיו, וַעֲדַיִין הִיא קַיֶּימֶת. וַאֲנִי שָׁמַעְתִּי עָלֶיךָ שֶׁאַתָּה יוֹשֵׁב וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה [וּמַקְהִיל קְהִלּוֹת בָּרַבִּים], וְסֵפֶר מוּנָּח לְךָ בְּחֵיקֶךָ! אָמַר לוֹ: מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם יְרַחֲמוּ. אָמַר לוֹ: אֲנִי אוֹמֵר לְךָ דְּבָרִים שֶׁל טַעַם, וְאַתָּה אוֹמֵר לִי ״מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם יְרַחֲמוּ״? תָּמֵהַּ אֲנִי אִם לֹא יִשְׂרְפוּ אוֹתְךָ וְאֶת סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה בָּאֵשׁ! אָמַר לוֹ: רַבִּי, מָה אֲנִי לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא? אָמַר לוֹ: כְּלוּם מַעֲשֶׂה בָּא לְיָדֶךָ? אָמַר לוֹ: מָעוֹת שֶׁל פּוּרִים נִתְחַלְּפוּ לִי בְּמָעוֹת שֶׁל צְדָקָה וְחִלַּקְתִּים לַעֲנִיִּים. אָמַר לוֹ: אִם כֵּן, מֵחֶלְקְךָ יְהִי חֶלְקִי וּמִגּוֹרָלְךָ יְהִי גּוֹרָלִי. אָמְרוּ: לֹא הָיוּ יָמִים מוּעָטִים עַד שֶׁנִּפְטַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן קִיסְמָא, וְהָלְכוּ כׇּל גְּדוֹלֵי רוֹמִי לְקׇבְרוֹ וְהִסְפִּידוּהוּ הֶסְפֵּד גָּדוֹל, וּבַחֲזָרָתָן מְצָאוּהוּ לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן שֶׁהָיָה יוֹשֵׁב וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה וּמַקְהִיל קְהִלּוֹת בָּרַבִּים וְסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה מוּנָּח לוֹ בְּחֵיקוֹ. הֱבִיאוּהוּ וּכְרָכוּהוּ בְּסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, וְהִקִּיפוּהוּ בַּחֲבִילֵי זְמוֹרוֹת וְהִצִּיתוּ בָּהֶן אֶת הָאוּר, וְהֵבִיאוּ סְפוֹגִין שֶׁל צֶמֶר וּשְׁרָאוּם בְּמַיִם וְהִנִּיחוּם עַל לִבּוֹ, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תֵּצֵא נִשְׁמָתוֹ מְהֵרָה. אָמְרָה לוֹ בִּתּוֹ: אַבָּא, אֶרְאֲךָ בְּכָךְ? אֲמַר לַהּ: אִילְמָלֵי אֲנִי נִשְׂרַפְתִּי לְבַדִּי הָיָה הַדָּבָר קָשֶׁה לִי, עַכְשָׁיו שֶׁאֲנִי נִשְׂרָף וְסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה עִמִּי, מִי שֶׁמְבַקֵּשׁ עֶלְבּוֹנָהּ שֶׁל סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה הוּא יְבַקֵּשׁ עֶלְבּוֹנִי. אָמְרוּ לוֹ תַּלְמִידָיו: רַבִּי, מָה אַתָּה רוֹאֶה? אָמַר לָהֶן: (גִּלְיוֹן) [גְּוִילִין] נִשְׂרָפִין וְאוֹתִיּוֹת פּוֹרְחוֹת. אַף אַתָּה פְּתַח פִּיךָ וְתִכָּנֵס בְּךָ הָאֵשׁ. אָמַר לָהֶן: מוּטָב שֶׁיִּטְּלֶנָּה מִי שֶׁנְּתָנָהּ, וְאַל יְחַבֵּל הוּא בְּעַצְמוֹ. אָמַר לוֹ קְלַצְטוֹנֵירִי: רַבִּי, אִם אֲנִי מַרְבֶּה בַּשַּׁלְהֶבֶת וְנוֹטֵל סְפוֹגִין שֶׁל צֶמֶר מֵעַל לִבְּךָ, אַתָּה מְבִיאֵנִי לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא? אָמַר לוֹ: הֵן. הִשָּׁבַע לִי, נִשְׁבַּע לוֹ. מִיָּד הִרְבָּה בַּשַּׁלְהֶבֶת וְנָטַל סְפוֹגִין שֶׁל צֶמֶר מֵעַל לִבּוֹ, יָצְאָה נִשְׁמָתוֹ בִּמְהֵרָה. אַף הוּא קָפַץ וְנָפַל לְתוֹךְ הָאוּר. יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן וּקְלַצְטוֹנֵירִי מְזוּמָּנִין הֵן לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. בָּכָה רַבִּי וְאָמַר: יֵשׁ קוֹנֶה עוֹלָמוֹ בְּשָׁעָה אַחַת, וְיֵשׁ קוֹנֶה עוֹלָמוֹ בְּכַמָּה שָׁנִים.
§ The Sages taught: When Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma fell ill, Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon went to visit him. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to him: Ḥanina my brother, do you not know that this nation has been given reign by a decree from Heaven? The proof is that Rome has destroyed God’s Temple, and burned His Sanctuary, and killed His pious ones, and destroyed His best ones, and it still exists. Evidently, all of this is by Divine decree. And yet I heard about you that you sit and engage in Torah study, and convene assemblies in public, and have a Torah scroll placed in your lap, thereby demonstrating complete disregard for the decrees issued by the Romans. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to him: Heaven will have mercy and protect me. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to him: I am saying reasonable matters to you, and you say to me: Heaven will have mercy? I wonder if the Romans will not burn both you and your Torah scroll by fire. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to him: My teacher, what will become of me? Am I destined for life in the World-to-Come? Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to him: Did any special incident occur to you which might serve as an indication? Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to him: I confused my own coins that I needed for the festivities of Purim with coins of charity, and I distributed them all to the poor at my own expense. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to him: If that is so, may my portion be of your portion, and may my lot be of your lot. The Sages said: Not even a few days passed before Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma died of his illness, and all of the Roman notables went to bury him, and they eulogized him with a great eulogy. And upon their return, they found Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon, who was sitting and engaging in Torah study and convening assemblies in public, with a Torah scroll placed in his lap. They brought him to be sentenced, and wrapped him in the Torah scroll, and encircled him with bundles of branches, and they set fire to it. And they brought tufts of wool and soaked them in water, and placed them on his heart, so that his soul should not leave his body quickly, but he would die slowly and painfully. His daughter said to him: Father, must I see you like this? Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to her: If I alone were being burned, it would be difficult for me, but now that I am burning along with a Torah scroll, He who will seek retribution for the insult accorded to the Torah scroll will also seek retribution for the insult accorded to me. His students said to him: Our teacher, what do you see? Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to them: I see the parchment burning, but its letters are flying to the heavens. They said to him: You too should open your mouth and the fire will enter you, and you will die quickly. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to them: It is preferable that He who gave me my soul should take it away, and one should not harm oneself to speed his death. The executioner [kaltzatoniri] said to him: My teacher, if I increase the flame and take off the tufts of wool from your heart, so that you will die sooner and suffer less, will you bring me to the life of the World-to-Come? Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon said to the executioner: Yes. The executioner said: Take an oath for me, that what you say is true. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon took the oath for him, and the executioner immediately increased the flame and took off the tufts of wool from his heart, causing his soul to leave his body quickly. The executioner too leaped and fell into the fire and died. A Divine Voice emerged and said: Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon and the executioner are destined for the life of the World-to-Come. Upon hearing this, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi wept and said: There is one who acquires his share in the World-to-Come in one moment, such as the executioner, and there is one who acquires his share in the World-to-Come only after many years of toil, such as Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon....
בְּרוּרְיָא דְּבֵיתְהוּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר, בְּרַתֵּיה דְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן הֲוַאי, אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: זִילָא בִּי מִלְּתָא דְּיָתְבָא אֲחָתַאי בְּקוּבָּה שֶׁל זוֹנוֹת. שְׁקַל תַּרְקַבָּא דְּדִינָרֵי וַאֲזַל, אֲמַר: אִי לָא אִיתְעֲבִיד בַּהּ אִיסּוּרָא — (מִיתְעֲבִיד) [מִתְרְחִישׁ] נִיסָּא, אִי עֲבַדָה אִיסּוּרָא — לָא (אִיתְעֲבִיד) [מִתְרְחִישׁ] לַהּ נִיסָּא. אֲזַל נְקַט נַפְשֵׁיהּ כְּחַד פָּרָשָׁא, אֲמַר לַהּ: (הַשְׁמִיעִנִי) [הִשָּׁמְעִי] לִי. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: דַּשְׁתָּנָא אֲנָא. אֲמַר לַהּ: מִתָּרַחְנָא (מִרְתָח). אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: נְפִישָׁן טוּבָא (וְאִיכָּא טוּבָא הָכָא) דְּשַׁפִּירָן מִינַּאי. אָמַר: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ לָא עֲבַדָה אִיסּוּרָא, כֹּל דְּאָתֵי אָמְרָה לֵיהּ הָכִי. אֲזַל לְגַבֵּי שׁוֹמֵר דִּידַהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הֲבַהּ נִיהֲלַי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִיסְתְּפֵינָא מִמַּלְכוּתָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שְׁקוֹל תַּרְקַבָּא דְּדִינָרֵי, פַּלְגָא פְּלַח וּפַלְגָא לֶהֱוֵי לָךְ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְכִי שָׁלְמִי מַאי אֶיעְבֵּיד? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵימָא ״אֱלָהָא דְּמֵאִיר עֲנֵנִי״ וּמִתַּצְּלַתְּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וּמִי יֵימַר דְּהָכִי אִיכָּא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַשְׁתָּא חָזֵית. הֲווֹ הָנְהוּ כַּלְבֵי דַּהֲווֹ קָא אָכְלִי אִינָשֵׁי, שְׁקַל קָלָא שְׁדָא בְּהוּ. הֲווֹ קָאָתוּ לְמֵיכְלֵיהּ, אֲמַר: ״אֱלָהָא דְּמֵאִיר עֲנֵנִי!״, שַׁבְקוּהּ, וְיַהֲבַהּ לֵיהּ. לְסוֹף אִשְׁתְּמַע מִילְּתָא בֵּי מַלְכָּא, אַתְיוּהּ אַסְּקוּהּ לִזְקִיפָה. אֲמַר: ״אֱלָהָא דְּמֵאִיר עֲנֵנִי!״ אַחֲתוּהּ. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: מַאי הַאי? אֲמַר לְהוּ: הָכִי הֲוָה מַעֲשֶׂה. אֲתוֹ חֲקַקוּ לִדְמוּתֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר אַפִּיתְחָא דְרוֹמִי, אָמְרִי: כֹּל דְּחָזֵי לְפַרְצוּפָא הָדֵין לַיְיתֵיהּ. יוֹמָא חֲדָא חַזְיוּהִי, רְהוּט אַבָּתְרֵיהּ, רְהַט מִקַּמַּיְיהוּ, עָל לְבֵי זוֹנוֹת. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: בִּשּׁוּלֵי גוֹיִם חֲזָא, טְמַשׁ בְּהָא וּמְתַק בְּהָא. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: אֲתָא אֵלִיָּהוּ אִדְּמִי לְהוּ כְּזוֹנָה, כְּרַכְתֵּיהּ. אָמְרִי: חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, אִי רַבִּי מֵאִיר הֲוָה לָא הֲוָה עָבֵיד הָכִי. קָם עֲרַק, אֲתָא לְבָבֶל. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: מֵהַאי מַעֲשֶׂה, וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: מִמַּעֲשֶׂה דִּבְרוּרְיָא.
§ The Gemara relates: Berurya, the wife of Rabbi Meir, was a daughter of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon. She said to Rabbi Meir: It is a disrespectful matter for me that my sister is sitting in a brothel; you must do something to save her. Rabbi Meir took a vessel [tarkeva] full of dinars and went. He said to himself: If no transgression was committed with her, a miracle will be performed for her; if she committed a transgression, no miracle will be performed for her. Rabbi Meir went and dressed as a Roman knight, and said to her: Accede to my wishes, i.e., engage in intercourse with me. She said to him: I am menstruating [dashtana] and cannot. He said to her: I will wait. She said to him: There are many women in the brothel, and there are many women here who are more beautiful than I. He said to himself: I can conclude from her responses that she did not commit a transgression, as she presumably said this to all who come. Rabbi Meir went over to her guard, and said to him: Give her to me. The guard said to him: I fear that if I do so, I will be punished by the government. Rabbi Meir said to him: Take this vessel full of dinars; give half to the government as a bribe, and half will be for you. The guard said to him: But when the money is finished, what shall I do? Rabbi Meir said to him: Say: God of Meir answer me! And you will be saved. The guard said to him: And who can say that this is the case, that I will be saved by this utterance? Rabbi Meir said to him: You will now see. There were these carnivorous dogs that would devour people; Rabbi Meir took a clod of earth, threw it at them, and when they came to devour him, he said: God of Meir answer me! The dogs then left him alone, and after seeing this the guard gave the daughter of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Teradyon to Rabbi Meir. Ultimately the matter was heard in the king’s court, and the guard, who was brought and taken to be hanged, said: God of Meir answer me! They then lowered him down, as they were unable to hang him. They said to him: What is this? He said to them: This was the incident that occurred, and he proceeded to relate the entire story to them. They then went and engraved the image of Rabbi Meir at the entrance of Rome where it would be seen by everyone, and they said: Anyone who sees a man with this face should bring him here. One day, Romans saw Rabbi Meir and ran after him, and he ran away from them and entered a brothel to hide. Some say he then escaped capture because he saw food cooked by gentiles and dipped [temash] this finger in the food and tasted it with that other finger, and thereby fooled them into thinking that he was eating their food, which they knew Rabbi Meir would not do. And some say that he escaped detection because Elijah came, appeared to them as a prostitute and embraced Rabbi Meir. The Romans who were chasing him said: Heaven forbid, if this were Rabbi Meir, he would not act in that manner. Rabbi Meir arose, fled, and arrived in Babylonia. The Gemara notes: There are those who say that he fled because of this incident, and there are those who say that he fled due to embarrassment from the incident involving his wife Berurya....
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הַהוֹלֵךְ לְאִיצְטָדִינִין וּלְכַרְקוֹם, וְרָאָה שָׁם אֶת הַנְּחָשִׁים וְאֶת הַחַבָּרִין, בּוּקְיוֹן וּמוּקְיוֹן וּמוּלְיוֹן וְלוּלְיוֹן, בְּלוּרִין סַלְגּוּרִין — הֲרֵי זֶה מוֹשַׁב לֵצִים, וַעֲלֵיהֶם הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״אַשְׁרֵי הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ וְגוֹ׳ כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ״, הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁדְּבָרִים הַלָּלוּ מְבִיאִין אֶת הָאָדָם לִידֵי בִּיטּוּל תּוֹרָה. וּרְמִינְהִי: לְאִיצְטָדִינִין מוּתָּר, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁצּוֹוֵחַ וּמַצִּיל, וּלְכַרְקוֹם מוּתָּר, מִפְּנֵי יִשּׁוּב מְדִינָה, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִתְחַשֵּׁב עִמָּהֶם, וְאִם נִתְחַשֵּׁב עִמָּהֶם — אָסוּר. קַשְׁיָא אִיצְטְדִינִין אַאִיצְטָדִינִין, קַשְׁיָא כַּרְקוֹם אַכַּרְקוֹם! בִּשְׁלָמָא כַּרְקוֹם אַכַּרְקוֹם לָא קַשְׁיָא, כָּאן — בְּמִתְחַשֵּׁב עִמָּהֶן, כָּאן — בְּשֶׁאֵין מִתְחַשֵּׁב עִמָּהֶן, אֶלָּא אִיצְטָדִינִין אַאִיצְטָדִינִין קַשְׁיָא! תַּנָּאֵי הִיא, דְּתַנְיָא: אֵין הוֹלְכִין לְאִיצְטָדִינִין מִפְּנֵי ״מוֹשַׁב לֵצִים״, וְרַבִּי נָתָן מַתִּיר מִפְּנֵי שְׁנֵי דְבָרִים: אֶחָד, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁצּוֹוֵחַ וּמַצִּיל, וְאֶחָד, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמֵּעִיד עֵדוּת אִשָּׁה לְהַשִּׂיאָהּ. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֵין הוֹלְכִין לְטֵרַטְיָאוֹת וּלְקִרְקְסִיאוֹת, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמְּזַבְּלִין שָׁם זִיבּוּל לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: מָקוֹם שֶׁמְּזַבְּלִין — אָסוּר מִפְּנֵי חֲשַׁד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וּמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין מְזַבְּלִין שָׁם — אָסוּר מִפְּנֵי ״מוֹשַׁב לֵצִים״. מַאי בֵּינַיְיהוּ? אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא מִסּוּרָא: נָשָׂא וְנָתַן אִיכָּא בֵּינַיְיהוּ. דְּרָשׁ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן פַּזִּי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״אַשְׁרֵי הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים וּבְדֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים לֹא עָמָד וּבְמוֹשַׁב לֵצִים לֹא יָשָׁב״? וְכִי מֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא הָלַךְ, הֵיכָן עָמַד? וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא עָמַד, הֵיכָן יָשַׁב? וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא יֵשֵׁב, הֵיכָן לָץ?
§ The Sages taught: With regard to one who goes to stadiums [le’itztadinin] where people are killed in contests with gladiators or beasts, or to a camp of besiegers [ulkharkom] where different forms of entertainment are provided for the besieging army, and he sees there the acts of the diviners and those who cast spells, or the acts of the clowns known as bukiyon, or mukiyon, or muliyon, or luliyon, or belurin, or salgurin, this is categorized as “the seat of the scornful”; and with regard to such places the verse states: “Happy is the man that has not walked in the council of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the Torah of the Lord” (Psalms 1:1–2). You learn from here that these matters bring a person to dereliction of the study of Torah, since had he not sat in “the seat of the scornful,” he would delight in the study of Torah. And the Gemara raises a contradiction from another baraita: One is permitted to go to stadiums, because he can scream and save the life of a Jew who would otherwise be killed there; and it is permitted to go to a camp of besiegers, because at times one can provide for the public welfare by petitioning the besiegers and saving the residents of the town, provided that he is not counted as one of them; but if he is counted as one of them, it is prohibited. This is difficult, as there is a contradiction between the statement about attending stadiums in the first baraita and the statement about attending stadiums in the second baraita, and is similarly difficult as there is a contradiction between the statement about a camp of besiegers in the first baraita and the statement about a camp of besiegers in the second baraita. The Gemara continues: Granted, the apparent contradiction between one statement about a camp of besiegers and the other statement about a camp of besiegers is not difficult, as here, the first baraita is referring to a case where he is counted as one of them, and there, the second baraita is referring to a case where he is not counted as one of them. But with regard to the contradiction between the ruling about attending stadiums in the first baraita and the ruling about attending stadiums in the second baraita, it is difficult. The Gemara answers: This issue is a dispute between tanna’im, as it is taught in a baraita: One may not go to stadiums, because they are considered “the seat of the scornful.” And Rabbi Natan permits attending stadiums due to two reasons; one is because he can scream and save the life of someone who would otherwise be killed, and the other one is because even if he cannot save the man’s life, he can provide testimony that a woman’s husband died, which will enable her to marry again. The Sages taught: One may not go to theaters [letarteiot] or circuses [ulkirkaseiot] because they sacrifice offerings there to objects of idol worship; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say: It is prohibited to go to a place where they sacrifice offerings, due to a suspicion of idol worship, and it is also prohibited to go to a place where they do not sacrifice offerings, due to it being considered “the seat of the scornful.” The Gemara asks: What is the practical difference between the opinion of the Rabbis and that of Rabbi Meir? After all, according to both opinions it is prohibited to attend theaters or circuses. Rabbi Ḥanina of Sura said: The difference between them arises in the case of one who engaged in business there. According to Rabbi Meir, the profits are forbidden as the proceeds of idol worship, as Rabbi Meir maintains that the gentiles certainly worship idols at theaters or circuses. Conversely, according to the Rabbis, the profits are forbidden only if it is established that they worshipped idols there. ...
דְּרָשׁ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן פַּזִּי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״אַשְׁרֵי הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים וּבְדֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים לֹא עָמָד וּבְמוֹשַׁב לֵצִים לֹא יָשָׁב״? וְכִי מֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא הָלַךְ, הֵיכָן עָמַד? וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא עָמַד, הֵיכָן יָשַׁב? וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁלֹּא יֵשֵׁב, הֵיכָן לָץ? אֶלָּא לוֹמַר לָךְ, שֶׁאִם הָלַךְ — סוֹפוֹ לַעֲמוֹד, וְאִם עָמַד — סוֹפוֹ לֵישֵׁב, וְאִם יָשַׁב — סוֹפוֹ לָלוּץ, וְאִם לָץ — עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״אִם חָכַמְתָּ חָכַמְתָּ לָּךְ וְאִם לַצְתָּ לְבַדְּךָ תִשָּׂא״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: כׇּל הַמִּתְלוֹצֵץ יִסּוּרִין בָּאִין עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעַתָּה אַל תִּתְלוֹצָצוּ פֶּן יֶחְזְקוּ מוֹסְרֵיכֶם״. אֲמַר לְהוּ רָבָא לְרַבָּנַן: בְּמָטוּתָא בָּעֵינָא מִינַּיְיכוּ דְּלָא תִּתְלוֹצְצוּ, דְּלָא לֵיתוֹ עֲלַיְיכוּ יִסּוּרִין. אָמַר רַב קַטִּינָא: כָּל הַמִּתְלוֹצֵץ מְזוֹנוֹתָיו מִתְמַעֲטִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מָשַׁךְ יָדוֹ אֶת לֹצְצִים״. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: כׇּל הַמִּתְלוֹצֵץ נוֹפֵל בְּגֵיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״זֵד יָהִיר לֵץ שְׁמוֹ עוֹשֶׂה בְּעֶבְרַת זָדוֹן״, וְאֵין עֶבְרָה אֶלָּא גֵּיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יוֹם עֶבְרָה הַיּוֹם הַהוּא״. אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: כׇּל הַמִּתְיַיהֵר נוֹפֵל בְּגֵיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״זֵד יָהִיר לֵץ שְׁמוֹ עוֹשֶׂה בְּעֶבְרַת זָדוֹן״, וְאֵין עֶבְרָה אֶלָּא גֵּיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יוֹם עֶבְרָה הַיּוֹם הַהוּא״. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִילַאי בַּר חֲנִילַאי: כׇּל הַמִּתְלוֹצֵץ גּוֹרֵם כְּלָיָיה לָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעַתָּה אַל תִּתְלוֹצָצוּ פֶּן יֶחְזְקוּ מוֹסְרֵיכֶם כִּי כָלָה וְנֶחֱרָצָה שָׁמַעְתִּי״. אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: קָשָׁה הִיא שֶׁתְּחִילָּתוֹ יִסּוּרִין וְסוֹפוֹ כְּלָיָיה. דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן פַּזִּי: ״אַשְׁרֵי הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ״ לְטֵרַטְיָאוֹת וּלְקִרְקְסִיאוֹת שֶׁל גּוֹיִם, ״וּבְדֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים לֹא עָמָד״ — זֶה שֶׁלֹּא עָמַד בְּקִנִגְיוֹן, ״וּבְמוֹשַׁב לֵצִים לֹא יָשָׁב״ — שֶׁלֹּא יָשַׁב בְּתַחְבּוּלוֹת. שֶׁמָּא יֹאמַר אָדָם: הוֹאִיל וְלֹא הָלַכְתִּי לְטֵרַטְיָאוֹת וּלְקִרְקְסִיאוֹת וְלֹא עָמַדְתִּי בְּקִנִגְיוֹן, אֵלֵךְ וְאֶתְגָּרֶה בְּשֵׁינָה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וּבְתוֹרָתוֹ יֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה״.
§ Apropos the earlier discussion of the evils of scornfulness, the Gemara cites several statements that criticize such behavior. Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful” (Psalms 1:1)? Since he did not walk in the counsel of the wicked, how could he stand with them? And since he did not stand, how could he sit with them? And since he did not sit with them, how could he have scorned? Since he never joined the company of the wicked, he would have no reason to be involved with them in any manner. Rather, the verse serves to say to you that if he walked with the wicked, he will ultimately stand with them. And if he stood with them, he will ultimately sit in their company, and if he sat, he will ultimately scorn along with them. And if he scorned, the verse says about him: “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; and if you scorn, you alone shall bear it” (Proverbs 9:12). Rabbi Eliezer says: Concerning anyone who scoffs, suffering will befall him, as it is stated: “Now therefore do not be scoffers, lest your suffering be made strong” (Isaiah 28:22). Similarly, Rava said to the Sages who were sitting before him: Please, I ask of you that you not scoff, so that suffering will not befall you. Rav Ketina says: Concerning anyone who scoffs, his sustenance is lessened, as it is stated: “He stretches out his hand with scorners” (Hosea 7:5), meaning that God withdraws His providence from scoffers and does not provide for them. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: Anyone who scoffs falls into Gehenna, as it is stated: “A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he acts in arrogant wrath” (Proverbs 21:24). And wrath means nothing other than Gehenna, as it is stated with regard to the Day of Judgment: “That day is a day of wrath” (Zephaniah 1:15). Rabbi Oshaya says, based on the same verse: Anyone who is haughty falls into Gehenna, as it is stated: “A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he acts in arrogant wrath” (Proverbs 21:24). And wrath means nothing other than Gehenna, as it is stated: “That day is a day of wrath” (Zephaniah 1:15). Rabbi Ḥanilai bar Ḥanilai says: Anyone who scoffs causes extermination to be wrought upon the world, as it is stated: “Now therefore do not be scoffers, lest your suffering be made strong; for an extermination wholly determined have I heard from the Lord, the God of hosts, upon the whole land” (Isaiah 28:22). Rabbi Eliezer says: Scoffing is a severe sin, as at first one is punished with suffering, and ultimately one is punished with extermination. Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi taught: “Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked,” this is referring to the theaters and circuses of gentiles; “nor stood in the way of sinners,” this is referring to one who has not stood as an observer at bestial contests [bekinigiyyon]; “nor sat in the seat of the scornful,” this is referring to one who has not sat in the bad company of people who engage in scoffing and jeering. Lest a person say: Since I did not go to theaters and circuses, and did not stand in bestial contests, I will go and indulge in sleep, the verse states: “And he meditates in His law day and night” (Psalms 1:2). This demonstrates that it is not sufficient simply to avoid transgressions; rather, it is necessary to engage actively in Torah study....
אָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: ״אַשְׁרֵי הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים״ — זֶה אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ, שֶׁלֹּא הָלַךְ בַּעֲצַת אַנְשֵׁי דּוֹר הַפְּלַגָּה, שֶׁרְשָׁעִים הָיוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הָבָה נִבְנֶה לָּנוּ עִיר״, ״וּבְדֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים לֹא עָמָד״ — שֶׁלֹּא עָמַד בַּעֲמִידַת סְדוֹם, שֶׁחֲטָאִים הָיוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאַנְשֵׁי סְדֹם רָעִים וְחַטָּאִים לַיהוה מְאֹד״. ״וּבְמוֹשַׁב לֵצִים לֹא יָשָׁב״ — שֶׁלֹּא יָשַׁב בְּמוֹשַׁב אַנְשֵׁי פְּלִשְׁתִּים, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁלֵּצָנִים הָיוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיְהִי כְּטוֹב לִבָּם וַיֹּאמְרוּ קִרְאוּ לְשִׁמְשׁוֹן וִישַׂחֶק לָנוּ״. ״אַשְׁרֵי אִישׁ יָרֵא אֶת ה׳״, אַשְׁרֵי אִישׁ וְלֹא אַשְׁרֵי אִשָּׁה? אָמַר רַב עַמְרָם אָמַר רַב: אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁעוֹשֶׂה תְּשׁוּבָה כְּשֶׁהוּא ״אִישׁ״. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר: אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁמִּתְגַּבֵּר עַל יִצְרוֹ ״כְּאִישׁ״. ״בְּמִצְוֹתָיו חָפֵץ מְאֹד״, אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: ״בְּמִצְוֹתָיו״ וְלֹא בִּשְׂכַר מִצְוֹתָיו, וְהַיְינוּ דִּתְנַן: הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר: אַל תִּהְיוּ כַּעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁין אֶת הָרַב עַל מְנָת לְקַבֵּל פְּרָס, אֶלָּא הֱיוּ כַּעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁין אֶת הָרַב שֶׁלֹּא עַל מְנָת לְקַבֵּל פְּרָס.
§ The Gemara relates an alternative homiletic interpretation of the verse discussed above. Rav Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: “Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked” (Psalms 1:1); this is referring to our forefather Abraham, who did not walk in the counsel of the members of the generation of the dispersion, who were wicked, as it is stated that they said to each other: “Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, with its top in heaven” (Genesis 11:4), a project with a wicked aim. “Nor stood in the way of sinners” (Psalms 1:1); this too is referring to Abraham, who did not join in the stand of the residents of Sodom, who were sinners, as it is stated: “Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against the Lord exceedingly” (Genesis 13:13). “Nor sat in the seat of the scornful” (Psalms 1:1); this means that Abraham did not sit in the seat of the Philistines, because they were scorners who engaged in jest and buffoonery. As it is stated with regard to the Philistines in a later period: “And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said: Call for Samson, that he may make us sport” (Judges 16:25). The Gemara cites an interpretation of a similar verse: “Happy is the man that fears the Lord, that delights greatly in His mitzvot” (Psalms 112:1). The Gemara asks: Is that to say happy is the man, but not happy is the woman? Why is it necessary for the verse to emphasize that it is speaking of a man? Rav Amram says that Rav says: The verse applies to both men and women and is teaching: Happy is one who repents when he is still a man, i.e., before he becomes elderly and his strength dwindles. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Happy is one who triumphs over his evil inclination like a man, i.e., with strength and vigor. The verse continues: “He delights greatly in His mitzvot.” Rabbi Elazar says: The person delights in His mitzvot themselves and not in the reward for performing His mitzvot. And this is the same as we learned in a mishna (Avot 1:3): Antigonus of Sokho would say: Do not be like the servants who serve the master on the condition of receiving a reward; rather, be like the servants who serve the master not on the condition that they receive a reward....
״כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ״, אָמַר רַבִּי: אֵין אָדָם לוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁלִּבּוֹ חָפֵץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ״. לֵוִי וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בְּרַבִּי יָתְבִי קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי, וְקָא פָּסְקִי סִידְרָא. סְלֵיק סִפְרָא, לֵוִי אָמַר: לַיְיתוֹ [לַן] מִשְׁלֵי, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בְּרַבִּי אָמַר: לַיְיתוֹ [לַן] תִּילִּים. כַּפְיֵיהּ לְלֵוִי וְאַיְיתוֹ תִּילִּים, כִּי מְטוֹ הָכָא ״כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ״, פָּרֵישׁ רַבִּי וַאֲמַר: אֵין אָדָם לוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁלִּבּוֹ חָפֵץ. אָמַר לֵוִי: רַבִּי, נָתַתָּ לָנוּ רְשׁוּת לַעֲמוֹד. אָמַר רַבִּי אַבְדִּימִי בַּר חָמָא: כׇּל הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ חֲפָצָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ״. אָמַר רָבָא: לְעוֹלָם יִלְמוֹד אָדָם תּוֹרָה בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁלִּבּוֹ חָפֵץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ״. וְאָמַר רָבָא: בַּתְּחִילָּה נִקְרֵאת עַל שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּלְבַסּוֹף נִקְרֵאת עַל שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ״, ״וּבְתוֹרָתוֹ יֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה״. וְאָמַר רָבָא: לְעוֹלָם יִלְמַד אָדָם תּוֹרָה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ יֶהֱגֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּתוֹרַת ה׳״, וַהֲדַר ״וּבְתוֹרָתוֹ יֶהְגֶּה״. וְאָמַר רָבָא: לְעוֹלָם לִיגְרֵיס אִינִישׁ, וְאַף עַל גַּב דִּמְשַׁכַּח, וְאַף עַל גַּב דְּלָא יָדַע מַאי קָאָמַר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״גָּרְסָה נַפְשִׁי לְתַאֲבָה״, ״גָּרְסָה״ כְּתִיב וְלָא כְּתִיב ״טָחֲנָה״. רָבָא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״עַל גַּפֵּי״, וּכְתִיב ״עַל כִּסֵּא״! בַּתְּחִלָּה ״עַל גַּפֵּי״, וּלְבַסּוֹף ״עַל כִּסֵּא״. כְּתִיב ״בְּרֹאשׁ מְרֹמִים״, וּכְתִיב ״עֲלֵי דָרֶךְ״. בַּתְּחִלָּה ״בְּרֹאשׁ מְרוֹמִים״, וּלְבַסּוֹף ״עֲלֵי דָרֶךְ״. עוּלָּא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״שְׁתֵה מַיִם מִבּוֹרֶךָ״, וּכְתִיב ״וְנוֹזְלִים מִתּוֹךְ בְּאֵרֶךָ״ — בַּתְּחִלָּה ״שְׁתֵה מִבּוֹרֶךָ״, וּלְבַסּוֹף ״וְנוֹזְלִים מִתּוֹךְ בְּאֵרֶךָ״. אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר רַב סְחוֹרָה אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״הוֹן מֵהֶבֶל יִמְעָט וְקֹבֵץ עַל יָד יַרְבֶּה״? אִם עוֹשֶׂה אָדָם תּוֹרָתוֹ חֲבִילוֹת חֲבִילוֹת — מִתְמַעֵט, וְאִם קוֹבֵץ עַל יָד — יַרְבֶּה. אָמַר רָבָא: יָדְעִי רַבָּנַן לְהָא מִילְּתָא וְעָבְרִי עֲלַהּ. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: אֲנָא עֲבִידְתַּהּ, וְאִקַּיַּים בִּידִי. אָמַר רַב שֵׁיזְבִי מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״לֹא יַחֲרֹךְ רְמִיָּה צֵידוֹ״? לֹא יִחְיֶה וְלֹא יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים צַיָּיד הָרַמַּאי. וְרַב שֵׁשֶׁת אָמַר: ״צַיָּיד הָרַמַּאי יַחֲרוֹךְ״. כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר: מָשָׁל לְאָדָם שֶׁצָּד צִפֳּרִין, אִם מְשַׁבֵּר כְּנָפֶיהָ שֶׁל רִאשׁוֹנָה — כּוּלָּם מִתְקַיְּימוֹת בְּיָדוֹ, וְאִם לָאו — אֵין מִתְקַיְּימוֹת בְּיָדוֹ.
...The Gemara returns to its interpretation of the verse that was discussed previously: “But his delight is in the Torah of the Lord” (Psalms 1:2). Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: A person can learn Torah only from a place in the Torah that his heart desires, as it is stated: But his delight is in the Torah of the Lord, i.e., his delight is in the part of the Torah that he wishes to study. The Gemara relates: Levi and Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, were sitting before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, and they were learning the Torah portion. When they finished the book that they were learning and were ready to begin a new subject, Levi said: Let them bring us the book of Proverbs; and Rabbi Shimon, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, said: Let them bring us the book of Psalms. He compelled Levi to acquiesce, and they brought a book of Psalms. When they arrived here, at the verse: “But his delight is in the Torah of the Lord,” Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi explained the verse and said: A person can learn Torah only from a place in the Torah that his heart desires. Levi said: My teacher, you have given us, i.e., me, permission to rise and leave, as I wish to study Proverbs, not Psalms. The Gemara cites other interpretations of this verse. Rabbi Avdimi bar Ḥama says: With regard to anyone who engages in the study of Torah, the Holy One, Blessed be He, fulfills his desires, as it is stated: “But in the Torah of the Lord is his delight,” i.e., if one engages in the study of the Torah of the Lord, he will have his desires met by the Lord. Rava says, in accordance with the statement of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: A person should always learn Torah from a place in the Torah that his heart desires, as it is stated: “But his delight is in the Torah of the Lord.” And Rava also says, with regard to this verse: Initially the Torah is called by the name of the Holy One, Blessed be He, but ultimately it is called by the name of the one who studies it. As it is first stated: “His delight is in the Torah of the Lord,” and in the continuation of the verse it states: “And in his Torah he meditates day and night.” This teaches that through study one acquires ownership, as it were, of the Torah. And Rava says in reference to this verse: A person must always study Torah and gain a broad knowledge of it, and only then may he analyze and delve into it. As it is stated: “His delight is in the Torah of the Lord,” meaning that he studies the Torah on a basic level, and only afterward does the verse state: “And in his Torah he meditates,” i.e., he analyzes it. And Rava says with regard to Torah study: A person should always study [ligeris] and review even though he may afterward forget, and even though he does not understand what it is saying. As it is stated with regard to the study of Torah: “My soul breaks [garesa] for the longing that it has for Your ordinances at all times” (Psalms 119:20). It is written: “Breaks,” and it is not written: Grinds, demonstrating that the soul is satisfied with breaking apart material, on a basic level, even if it does not have the opportunity to grind and analyze it in greater depth. Rava raises a contradiction between two verses: It is written that the Torah calls to people: “Upon the highest places of the city” (Proverbs 9:3), and it is written far more specifically: “On a seat in the high places of the city” (Proverbs 9:14). He explains: Initially, one who studies Torah does not have a secure place to sit, and therefore he is located merely upon the highest places, but ultimately, as he advances in his learning, he is placed on a seat of honor. The Gemara mentions a similar contradiction. It is written with regard to the Torah: “In the top of high places” (Proverbs 8:2), and it is written in the continuation of the verse that the Torah is “by the path.” This contradiction is resolved as follows: Initially, a person studies Torah in a private location, in the top of high places, but ultimately he will spread his knowledge, by the path, in the public realm. Ulla raises a contradiction with regard to the following verse. It is written: “Drink waters out of your own cistern” (Proverbs 5:15), and it is written in the continuation of the verse: “And running waters out of your own well.” He explains: Initially one should “drink waters out of your own cistern,” i.e., like the cistern that draws water into one location, learning all existing knowledge; and ultimately one can produce “running waters out of your own well,” i.e., original thought and innovative insights in Torah. The Gemara cites other statements relating to Torah study. Rava says that Rav Seḥora says that Rav Huna says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Wealth gotten through vanity [mehevel] shall be diminished; but he that gathers little by little shall increase” (Proverbs 13:11)? If a person turns his Torah into many bundles [ḥavilot], by studying large amounts in a short period of time without reviewing, his Torah will diminish. But if he gathers his knowledge little by little, by studying slowly and reviewing, his knowledge shall increase. Rava said: The Sages know this, but nevertheless they transgress it, i.e., they fail to heed this advice. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: I did this, as I studied little by little and regularly reviewed what I had learned, and my learning has in fact endured. Rav Sheizvi said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The slothful man [remiyya] will not roast [yaḥarokh] his prey” (Proverbs 12:27)? The deceitful [harammai] hunter, i.e., one who tricks people into believing that he has acquired vast stores of knowledge by studying new material without reviewing that which he has already learned, will not live [yiḥye] a long [ya’arikh] life. According to this interpretation, yaḥarokh is a combination of the words yiḥye and ya’arikh. And Rav Sheshet says that the verse means the opposite: The cunning [harammai] hunter will roast his prey to prevent it from escaping, i.e., he reads the verse as a rhetorical question: Will not the hunter roast? When Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: This is comparable to a person who is hunting birds; if he breaks the wings of the first bird so that it will be unable to fly off, and he proceeds in this manner, all of his prey will remain in his possession; but if not, they will not remain in his possession, as each bird will fly off when the next is captured. In a similar fashion, a clever student reviews that which he learns, to ensure that he retains his knowledge....
״וְהָיָה כְּעֵץ שָׁתוּל עַל פַּלְגֵי מָיִם״, אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי: ״כְּעֵץ שָׁתוּל״ וְלֹא ״כְּעֵץ נָטוּעַ״, כׇּל הַלּוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה מֵרַב אֶחָד אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם. אֲמַר לְהוּ רַב חִסְדָּא לְרַבָּנַן: בָּעֵינָא דְּאֵימָא לְכוּ מִלְּתָא, וּמִסְתְּפֵינָא דְּשָׁבְקִיתוּ לִי וְאָזְלִיתוּ. כׇּל הַלּוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה מֵרַב אֶחָד — אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם. שַׁבְקוּהּ וַאֲזוּל קַמֵּיהּ דְּרָבָא. אֲמַר לְהוּ: הָנֵי מִילֵּי סְבָרָא, אֲבָל גְּמָרָא מֵרַב אֶחָד עֲדִיף, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלָא לִיפַּלּוּג לִישָּׁנֵי. ״עַל פַּלְגֵי מַיִם״. אָמַר רַבִּי תַּנְחוּם בַּר חֲנִילַאי: לְעוֹלָם יְשַׁלֵּשׁ אָדָם שְׁנוֹתָיו — שְׁלִישׁ בַּמִּקְרָא, שְׁלִישׁ בַּמִּשְׁנָה, שְׁלִישׁ בַּתַּלְמוּד. מִי יָדַע אִינִישׁ כַּמָּה חָיֵי? כִּי קָאָמְרִינַן — בְּיוֹמֵי. ״אֲשֶׁר פִּרְיוֹ יִתֵּן בְּעִתּוֹ״, אָמַר רָבָא: אִם ״פִּרְיוֹ יִתֵּן בְּעִתּוֹ״ — ״וְעָלֵהוּ לֹא יִבּוֹל״, וְאִם לָאו — עַל הַלּוֹמֵד וְעַל הַמְלַמֵּד עֲלֵיהֶם הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״לֹא כֵן הָרְשָׁעִים כִּי אִם וְגוֹ׳״. אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא אָמַר רַב הוּנָא אָמַר רַב, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי רַבִּים חֲלָלִים הִפִּילָה״ — זֶה תַּלְמִיד שֶׁלֹּא הִגִּיעַ לְהוֹרָאָה וּמוֹרֶה, ״וַעֲצֻמִים כׇּל הֲרוּגֶיהָ״ — זֶה תַּלְמִיד שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְהוֹרָאָה וְאֵינוֹ מוֹרֶה. וְעַד כַּמָּה? עַד אַרְבְּעִין שְׁנִין. וְהָא רָבָא אוֹרִי! הָתָם בְּשָׁוִין. ״וְעָלֵהוּ לֹא יִבּוֹל״, אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר אַדָּא אָמַר רַב, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ אָמַר רַב אַחָא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַב הַמְנוּנָא אָמַר רַב: שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ שִׂיחַת חוּלִּין שֶׁל תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים צְרִיכָה תַּלְמוּד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְעָלֵהוּ לֹא יִבּוֹל״. ״וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה יַצְלִיחַ״, אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: דָּבָר זֶה כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה, וְשָׁנוּי בַּנְּבִיאִים, וּמְשׁוּלָּשׁ בַּכְּתוּבִים — כׇּל הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה נְכָסָיו מַצְלִיחִין לוֹ. כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה — דִּכְתִיב: ״וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת דִּבְרֵי הַבְּרִית הַזֹּאת וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם לְמַעַן תַּשְׂכִּילוּ אֵת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּן״. שָׁנוּי בַּנְּבִיאִים — דִּכְתִיב: ״לֹא יָמוּשׁ סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה [הַזֶּה] מִפִּיךָ וְהָגִיתָ בּוֹ יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה לְמַעַן תִּשְׁמֹר לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּכׇל הַכָּתוּב בּוֹ כִּי אָז תַּצְלִיחַ אֶת דְּרָכֶיךָ וְאָז תַּשְׂכִּיל״. מְשׁוּלָּשׁ בַּכְּתוּבִים — דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יהוה חֶפְצוֹ וּבְתוֹרָתוֹ יֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה וְהָיָה כְּעֵץ שָׁתוּל עַל פַּלְגֵי מָיִם אֲשֶׁר פִּרְיוֹ יִתֵּן בְּעִתּוֹ וְעָלֵהוּ לֹא יִבּוֹל וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה יַצְלִיחַ״. מַכְרִיז רַבִּי אֲלֶכְּסַנְדְּרִי: מַאן בָּעֵי חַיֵּי? מַאן בָּעֵי חַיֵּי? (כנוף) [אִיכְּנוּף] וַאֲתוֹ כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לְגַבֵּיהּ, אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: הַב לַן חַיֵּי! אֲמַר לְהוּ: ״מִי הָאִישׁ הֶחָפֵץ חַיִּים וְגוֹ׳ נְצֹר לְשׁוֹנְךָ מֵרָע וְגוֹ׳״. ״סוּר מֵרָע וַעֲשֵׂה טוֹב וְגוֹ׳״, שֶׁמָּא יֹאמַר: נָצַרְתִּי לְשׁוֹנִי מֵרָע וּשְׂפָתַי מִדַּבֵּר מִרְמָה, אֵלֵךְ וְאֶתְגָּרֶה בְּשֵׁינָה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״סוּר מֵרָע וַעֲשֵׂה טוֹב״, ואין ״טוֹב״ אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לֶקַח טוֹב נָתַתִּי לָכֶם תּוֹרָתִי אַל תַּעֲזֹבוּ״.
§ The Gemara returns to its interpretation of the first verses of Psalms. “And he shall be like a tree planted [shatul] by streams of water” (Psalms 1:3). The students of the school of Rabbi Yannai say: The verse states that a Torah scholar is comparable to a tree that has been uprooted from its original location and replanted [shatul] somewhere else. It does not say that he is comparable to a tree that is planted [natu’a] and remains in one place. This is teaching that anyone who learns Torah from one teacher alone never sees a sign of blessing, as it is necessary to acquire knowledge from many teachers. Rav Ḥisda said to the Sages who were studying with him: I wish to say something to you, but I am afraid that then you will leave me and go. What did he wish to tell them? He wanted to say that anyone who learns Torah from one teacher alone never sees a sign of blessing. When the students heard this, they did in fact leave him and went to learn from Rava. Rav Ḥisda said to them: That matter applies only with regard to reasoning, i.e., in order to come up with sophisticated reasoning it is necessary to hear many different opinions. But with regard to the oral tradition itself, it is preferable to learn from one teacher so that he will not become confused by the different versions of the same statements he hears from each teacher, as he will have no clear authoritative version from one source. The Gemara continues discussing the verse cited above: “By streams [palgei] of water” (Psalms 1:3). Rabbi Tanḥum bar Ḥanilai says: Since the root peh, lamed, gimmel can also refer to dividing, the verse is interpreted as follows: A person should always divide his years into thirds, as follows: One third for Bible, one third for Mishna and one third for Talmud. The Gemara asks: How can one divide his life this way? Does a person know the length of his life, that he can calculate how much a third will be? The Gemara answers: When we said that a one should divide his time into thirds, the intention was with regard to his days, i.e., he should devote one third of each day to Bible, Mishna, and Talmud, respectively. The Gemara discusses the continuation of the verse cited above: “That brings forth its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither” (Psalms 1:3). Rava says: If one brings forth fruit in its season, i.e., if he acts in accordance with the precepts of Torah that he learns, then his leaf will not wither, as the Torah will sustain him. But if one does not learn with the intention that his studies should lead to action, then with regard to both the one who is taught and with regard to the one who teaches, the verse states about them: “Not so the wicked; but they are like the chaff that the wind drives away” (Psalms 1:4). Rabbi Abba says that Rav Huna says that Rav says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “For she has cast down [hippila] many wounded and a mighty host are all her slain” (Proverbs 7:26)? This is referring to a student who has not yet reached the level where he can render legal decisions, but nevertheless he already issues decisions. He is like a fetus that emerged from the womb before its time, as the word hippila also means to miscarry. “And a mighty host are all her slain”; this is referring to a student who has reached the level where he can render legal decisions, referred to here as “a mighty host,” but he does not issue decisions, and by refraining from teaching what he knows prevents the masses from learning Torah properly. And until when is a scholar considered too immature to render legal decisions? He is considered immature until the age of forty years. The Gemara asks: But didn’t Rava issue legal decisions before that age? The Gemara answers: There it is permitted, as in Rava’s case they are equal, i.e., if one has achieved a level of knowledge that is equivalent to that of the foremost scholar in his city, he is permitted to render decisions even before reaching the age of forty. The Gemara cites another discussion with regard to the aforementioned verse: “And whose leaf does not wither” (Psalms 1:3). Rav Aḥa bar Adda says that Rav says, and some say that it was Rav Aḥa bar Abba who says that Rav Hamnuna says that Rav says: One should know that even the ordinary conversation of Torah scholars require analysis, as it is stated: “And whose leaf does not wither.” This teaches that even the ordinary conversation of a Torah scholar, which is comparable to the leaves of a tree, has great significance like the actual fruit of the tree. The verse continues: “And in whatsoever he does he shall prosper.” Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: This matter is written in the Torah, and repeated in the Prophets, and stated a third time in the Writings: Concerning anyone who engages in Torah study, his property dealings will be successful. It is written in the Torah, as it is written: “Observe therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may make all that you do to prosper” (Deuteronomy 29:8). It is repeated in the Prophets, as it is written: “This book of the Torah shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your ways prosperous, and then you shall have good success” (Joshua 1:8). It is stated a third time in the Writings, as it is written: “But his delight is in the Torah of the Lord; and in His Torah he meditates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither; and in whatsoever he does he shall prosper” (Psalms 1:2–3). The Gemara relates that Rabbi Alexandri would proclaim in public, in the manner of a merchant selling wares: Who desires life? Who desires life? Everyone gathered around him to buy from him, saying to him: Give us life! He stated the following verse to them: “Who is the man that desires life, and loves days, that he may see good in them? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile” (Psalms 34:13–14). The psalm continues: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15). The Gemara explains: Lest one say: I have kept my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking guile, I will therefore go and indulge in sleep. To counter this possibility, the verse states: “Depart from evil, and do good,” i.e., it is not enough to avoid evil, but one must actively do good. And the word good means nothing other than Torah, as it is stated: “For I have given you a good portion; My Torah, do not abandon it” (Proverbs 4:2)....
דָּבָר אַחֵר: ״לֹא תְחׇנֵּם״ — לֹא תִּתֵּן לָהֶם חֵן. מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ לְרַב, דְּאָמַר רַב: אָסוּר לָאָדָם שֶׁיֹּאמַר ״כַּמָּה נָאָה גּוֹיָה זוֹ״. מֵיתִיבִי: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל שֶׁהָיָה עַל גַּבֵּי מַעֲלָה בְּהַר הַבַּיִת, וְרָאָה גּוֹיָה אַחַת נָאָה בְּיוֹתֵר, אָמַר: ״מַה רַבּוּ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ ה׳״. וְאַף רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא רָאָה אֵשֶׁת טוֹרָנוּסְרוּפוּס הָרָשָׁע, רָק, שָׂחַק וּבָכָה. רָק — שֶׁהָיְתָה בָּאָה מִטִּיפָּה סְרוּחָה, שָׂחַק — דַּעֲתִידָה דְּמִגַּיְירָא וְנָסֵיב לַהּ, בָּכָה — דְּהַאי שׁוּפְרָא בָּלֵי עַפְרָא. וְרַב, אוֹדוֹיֵי הוּא דְּקָא מוֹדֵה, דְּאָמַר מָר: הָרוֹאֶה בְּרִיּוֹת טוֹבוֹת אוֹמֵר ״בָּרוּךְ שֶׁכָּכָה בָּרָא בְּעוֹלָמוֹ״. וּלְאִסְתַּכּוֹלֵי מִי שְׁרֵי? מֵיתִיבִי: ״וְנִשְׁמַרְתָּ מִכֹּל דָּבָר רָע״ — שֶׁלֹּא יִסְתַּכֵּל אָדָם בְּאִשָּׁה נָאָה וַאֲפִילּוּ פְּנוּיָה, בְּאֵשֶׁת אִישׁ וַאֲפִילּוּ מְכוֹעֶרֶת, וְלֹא בְּבִגְדֵי צֶבַע [שֶׁל] אִשָּׁה, וְלֹא בַּחֲמוֹר וְלֹא בַּחֲמוֹרָה, וְלֹא בַּחֲזִיר וְלֹא בַּחֲזִירָה, וְלֹא בְּעוֹפוֹת בִּזְמַן שֶׁנִּזְקָקִין זֶה לָזֶה, וַאֲפִילּוּ מָלֵא עֵינַיִם כְּמַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת. אָמְרוּ עָלָיו עַל מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת, שֶׁכּוּלּוֹ מָלֵא עֵינַיִם, בִּשְׁעַת פְּטִירָתוֹ שֶׁל חוֹלֶה עוֹמֵד מֵעַל מְרַאֲשׁוֹתָיו, וְחַרְבּוֹ שְׁלוּפָה בְּיָדוֹ, וְטִיפָּה שֶׁל מָרָה תְּלוּיָה בּוֹ, כֵּיוָן שֶׁחוֹלֶה רוֹאֶה אוֹתוֹ מִזְדַּעְזֵעַ וּפוֹתֵחַ פִּיו, וְזוֹרְקָהּ לְתוֹךְ פִּיו, מִמֶּנָּה מֵת, מִמֶּנָּה מַסְרִיחַ, מִמֶּנָּה פָּנָיו מוֹרִיקוֹת! קֶרֶן זָוִית הֲוַאי. וְלֹא בְּבִגְדֵי צֶבַע [שֶׁל] אִשָּׁה. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֲפִילּוּ שְׁטוּחִין עַל גַּבֵּי כּוֹתֶל. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: וּבְמַכִּיר בַּעֲלֵיהֶן. אָמַר רָבָא: דַּיְקָא נָמֵי, דְּקָתָנֵי ״וְלֹא בְּבִגְדֵי צֶבַע אִשָּׁה״, וְלָא קָתָנֵי ״וְלֹא בְּבִגְדֵי צִבְעוֹנִין״, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי בְּעַתִּיקֵי, אֲבָל בְּחַדְתֵי לֵית לַן בַּהּ, דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, אֲנַן מָנָא לְאַשְׁפּוֹרֵי הֵיכִי יָהֲבִינַן? הָא קָא מִסְתַּכֵּל! וּלְטַעְמָיךְ, הָא דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: מִין בְּמִינוֹ מוּתָּר לְהַכְנִיס כְּמִכְחוֹל בִּשְׁפוֹפֶרֶת, הָא קָא מִסְתַּכַּל! אֶלָּא בַּעֲבִידְתֵּיהּ טְרִיד, הָכִי נָמֵי בַּעֲבִידְתֵּיהּ טְרִיד.
§ It is taught in the baraita cited earlier: Another matter: “You should not show them favor”; this teaches that you should not give them favor by praising them. The Gemara notes that this supports the opinion of Rav. As Rav says: It is prohibited for a person to say: How beautiful is this gentile woman! The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: There was an incident involving Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, who was on a step on the Temple mount, and he saw a certain gentile woman who was exceptionally beautiful and said: “How great are Your works, O Lord!” (Psalms 104:24). And Rabbi Akiva too, when he saw the wife of the wicked Turnus Rufus he spat, laughed, and cried. He spat, as she was created from a putrid drop; he laughed, as he foresaw that she was destined to convert and he would marry her; he cried, as this beauty would ultimately be consumed by dirt. And how would Rav explain the incident involving Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, who praised the beauty of a gentile? The Gemara answers: Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel was giving thanks to God for creating such beautiful people rather than praising the gentile herself. As the Master said: One who sees beautiful or otherwise outstanding creatures recites: Blessed be He, Who has created such in His world. But is it permitted to gaze upon a woman? The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita. The verse states: “And you shall keep yourself from every evil thing” (Deuteronomy 23:10); this teaches that a person should not gaze upon a beautiful woman, even if she is unmarried; and a person should not gaze upon a married woman, even if she is ugly; and a person should not gaze upon the colored garments of a woman; and a person should not gaze at a male donkey, at a female donkey, at a pig, at a sow, or at fowl, when they are mating; and even if one were full of eyes like the Angel of Death and saw from every direction, it is not permitted to look. They said about the Angel of Death that he is entirely full of eyes. When a sick person is about to die, the Angel of Death stands above his head, with his sword drawn in his hand, and a drop of poison hanging on the edge of the sword. Once the sick person sees him, he trembles and thereby opens his mouth; and the Angel of Death throws the drop of poison into his mouth. From this drop of poison the sick person dies, from it he putrefies, from it his face becomes green. The Gemara answers: Rabban Gamliel did not intentionally look at the woman; rather, he was walking around a corner and he saw her unexpectedly as they each turned. With regard to the statement in the baraita: Nor may one gaze at the colored garments of a woman, Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: This is the halakha even if they are spread on a wall, not only when they are being worn. Rav Pappa says: And the prohibition applies only when one knows their owner. Rava said: The language of the baraita is also precise, as it teaches: Nor may one gaze at the colored garments of a woman, and it does not teach: Nor may one gaze at colored garments. Learn from it that the prohibition applies only to the garments of one he knows. Rav Ḥisda said: That statement applies only in the case of old garments, i.e., garments that have been worn; but in the case of new garments, we have no problem with it. The reason is that if you do not say so, how can we give a woman’s garment before it is worn to a launderer, i.e., one who prepares new garments for use, knowing that the launderer must look at the garments? The Gemara refutes this proof: But according to your reasoning, i.e., your assumption that a launderer is no different from all other men, there is a similar difficulty with that which Rav Yehuda says: If one wishes to mate an animal of one species with an animal of its own species, it is permitted to insert the male organ into the female like a brush into a tube. One could ask here as well: But isn’t he looking at the animals as they mate? Rather, he is occupied with his work, and therefore his mind will not entertain sinful thoughts. So too with regard to a launderer, he is occupied with his work, and therefore a launderer differs from other men....
אָמַר מָר: מִמֶּנָּה מֵת. נֵימָא פְּלִיגָא דַּאֲבוּהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר אֲבוּהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל: אָמַר לִי מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת ״אִי לָא דְּחָיֵישְׁנָא לִיקָרָא דִּבְרִיָּיתָא, הֲוָה פָּרַעְנָא בֵּית הַשְּׁחִיטָה כִּבְהֵמָה״. דִּלְמָא הָהִיא טִיפָּה מְחַתְּכָה לְהוּ לְסִימָנִין. מִמֶּנָּה מַסְרִיחַ. מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר כָּהֲנָא, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בַּר כָּהֲנָא: אָמְרִי בֵּי רַב: הָרוֹצֶה שֶׁלֹּא יַסְרִיחַ מֵתוֹ, יְהַפְּכֶנּוּ עַל פָּנָיו.
§ The Master said above in the baraita: From this drop of poison on the Angel of Death’s sword, the sick person dies. The Gemara asks: Shall we say that this opinion disagrees with a statement of Shmuel’s father? As Shmuel’s father says: The Angel of Death said to me: Were I not concerned for human dignity, I would uncover the place of the incision of the slaughter, as one does to an animal that is slaughtered. This indicates that the Angel of Death kills by slaughtering his victims with his sword, not by poisoning them. The Gemara answers: Perhaps that drop of poison cuts the two organs that must be severed in ritual slaughter, i.e., the trachea and the esophagus, and thereby slaughters people. The Gemara notes that the continuation of the baraita, which states that from this drop of poison a corpse putrefies, supports the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina bar Kahana. As Rabbi Ḥanina bar Kahana says that they say in the school of Rav: One who wishes that his dead relative will not putrefy should turn it on its face immediately, as the drop of poison enters through the mouth, and this causes the putrefaction of the corpse.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״וְנִשְׁמַרְתָּ מִכֹּל דָּבָר רָע״, שֶׁלֹּא יְהַרְהֵר אָדָם בַּיּוֹם וְיָבוֹא לִידֵי טוּמְאָה בַּלַּיְלָה. מִכָּאן אָמַר רַבִּי פִּנְחָס בֶּן יָאִיר: תּוֹרָה מְבִיאָה לִידֵי זְהִירוּת, זְהִירוּת מְבִיאָה לִידֵי זְרִיזוּת, זְרִיזוּת מְבִיאָה לִידֵי נְקִיּוּת, נְקִיּוּת מְבִיאָה לִידֵי פְּרִישׁוּת, פְּרִישׁוּת מְבִיאָה לִידֵי טׇהֳרָה, טׇהֳרָה מְבִיאָה לִידֵי חֲסִידוּת, חֲסִידוּת מְבִיאָה לִידֵי עֲנָוָה, עֲנָוָה מְבִיאָה לִידֵי יִרְאַת חֵטְא, יִרְאַת חֵטְא מְבִיאָה לִידֵי קְדוּשָּׁה, קְדוּשָּׁה מְבִיאָה לִידֵי רוּחַ הַקּוֹדֶשׁ, רוּחַ הַקּוֹדֶשׁ מְבִיאָה לִידֵי תְּחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים, וַחֲסִידוּת גְּדוֹלָה מִכּוּלָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָז דִּבַּרְתָּ בְחָזוֹן לַחֲסִידֶיךָ״. וּפְלִיגָא דְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: עֲנָוָה גְּדוֹלָה מִכּוּלָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״רוּחַ יהוה אֱלֹהִים עָלָי יַעַן מָשַׁח יהוה אֹתִי לְבַשֵּׂר עֲנָוִים״, ״חֲסִידִים״ לֹא נֶאֱמַר אֶלָּא ״עֲנָוִים״, הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁעֲנָוָה גְּדוֹלָה מִכּוּלָּן.
§ The Gemara cites another source that interprets the verse cited above. The Sages taught a baraita explaining the verse: “And you shall keep yourself from every evil thing” (Deuteronomy 23:10), which is immediately followed by the verse: “If there be among you any man who is not ritually pure by reason of that which happened to him by night” (Deuteronomy 23:11). This teaches that a person should not think impure thoughts by day and thereby come to the impurity of an emission by night.From here Rabbi Pineḥas ben Ya’ir would say: Torah study leads to care in the performance of mitzvot. Care in the performance of mitzvot leads to diligence in their observance. Diligence leads to cleanliness of the soul. Cleanliness of the soul leads to abstention from all evil. Abstention from evil leads to purity and the elimination of all base desires. Purity leads to piety. Piety leads to humility. Humility leads to fear of sin. Fear of sin leads to holiness. Holiness leads to the Divine Spirit. The Divine Spirit leads to the resurrection of the dead. And piety is greater than all of them, as it is stated: “Then You did speak in a vision to Your pious ones” (Psalms 89:20). And this statement disagrees with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, as Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Humility is greater than all of them, as it is stated: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the humble” (Isaiah 61:1). Since the pious is not stated, but rather “the humble,” you learn that humility is greater than all of them.
מַתְנִי׳ אֵין מַשְׂכִּירִין לָהֶם בָּתִּים בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר שָׂדוֹת, וּבְסוּרְיָא מַשְׂכִּירִין לָהֶם בָּתִּים אֲבָל לֹא שָׂדוֹת, וּבְחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ מוֹכְרִין לָהֶם בָּתִּים וּמַשְׂכִּירִין שָׂדוֹת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל מַשְׂכִּירִין לָהֶם בָּתִּים אֲבָל לֹא שָׂדוֹת, וּבְסוּרְיָא מוֹכְרִין בָּתִּים וּמַשְׂכִּירִין שָׂדוֹת, וּבְחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ מוֹכְרִין אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ. אַף בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁאָמְרוּ לְהַשְׂכִּיר, לֹא לְבֵית דִּירָה אָמְרוּ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מַכְנִיס לְתוֹכוֹ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תָבִיא תוֹעֵבָה אֶל בֵּיתֶךָ״, וּבְכׇל מָקוֹם לֹא יַשְׂכִּיר לוֹ אֶת הַמֶּרְחָץ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא נִקְרָא עַל שְׁמוֹ.
MISHNA:One may not rent a house to a gentile in Eretz Yisrael, and needless to say one may not rent fields to them, as explained in the Gemara. And in Syriaone may rent houses to gentiles, but one may not rent fields. And outside of Eretz Yisrael one may sell houses and rent fields to gentiles; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yosei says: In Eretz Yisrael one may rent houses to gentiles but one may not rent fields. And in Syria one may sell houses to them and rent fields, and outside of Eretz Yisrael one may sell both these, houses, and those, fields. Even in a place with regard to which the Sages said that it is permitted for a Jew to rent a house to a gentile, they did not say that one may rent it for use as a residence, because the gentile will bring objects of idol worship into it, as it is stated: “You shall not bring an abomination into your house” (Deuteronomy 7:26), and this is still considered the house of a Jew. And for the same reason, in every place, one may not rent a bathhouse to a gentile, since it is called by the name of the owner, and onlookers will think that the Jew is operating it on Shabbat.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: לֹא יַשְׂכִּיר אָדָם שָׂדֵהוּ לְכוּתִי, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּקְרֵאת עַל שְׁמוֹ, וְכוּתִי זֶה עוֹשֶׂה בּוֹ מְלָאכָה בְּחוּלּוֹ שֶׁל מוֹעֵד. אֲבָל גּוֹי מַאי? שְׁרֵי, דְּאָמְרִי: אֲרִיסָא אֲרִיסוּתֵיהּ עָבֵיד. אִי הָכִי, כּוּתִי נָמֵי אָמְרִי: אֲרִיסָא אֲרִיסוּתֵיהּ עָבֵיד!
The Gemara cites a similar discussion. It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: A person may not rent his field to a Samaritan, since it is called by the name of the owner and this Samaritan will perform work in it during the intermediate days of a Festival. The Gemara infers: It is prohibited to rent one’s field to a Samaritan, but with regard to a gentile, what is the halakha? Evidently, it is permitted, as we say that the gentile sharecropper works for his tenancy and not for the Jewish owner. The Gemara asks: If that is so, in the case of a Samaritan as well, why not say that the sharecropper works for his tenancy?
אֲרִיסוּתָא לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר לֵית לֵיהּ, אֶלָּא גּוֹי מַאי טַעְמָא מוּתָּר? דְּאָמְרִינַן לֵיהּ וְצָיֵית. כּוּתִי נָמֵי אָמְרִינַן לֵיהּ וְצָיֵית! כּוּתִי לָא צָיֵית, דְּאָמַר: אֲנָא גְּמִירְנָא טְפֵי מִינָּךְ.
The Gemara answers: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar does not accept the principle that a sharecropper works for his tenancy, rather than as the Jew’s employee. The Gemara asks: But if so, with regard to a gentile, what is the reason that it is permitted to rent to him? The Gemara answers that we say to him that he may not perform labor on certain days, and he complies. The Gemara asks: If that is so, then in the case of a Samaritan as well, we can say to him that he may not perform labor on certain days, and he will comply. The Gemara answers: A Samaritan will not comply, as he says: I am more learned than you, and I know that it is permitted to work on these days.
מַתְנִי׳ אֵין מַעֲמִידִין בְּהֵמָה בְּפוּנְדְּקָאוֹת שֶׁל גּוֹיִם, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחֲשׁוּדִין עַל הָרְבִיעָה, וְלֹא תִּתְיַיחֵד אִשָּׁה עִמָּהֶן, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחֲשׁוּדִין עַל הָעֲרָיוֹת, וְלֹא יִתְיַיחֵד אָדָם עִמָּהֶן, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחֲשׁוּדִין עַל שְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים.
MISHNA:One may not keep an animal in the inns [befundekaot] of gentiles because they are suspected of bestiality. Since even gentiles are prohibited from engaging in bestiality, a Jew who places his animal there is guilty of violating the prohibition: “You shall not put a stumbling block before the blind” (Leviticus 19:14). And a woman may not seclude herself with gentiles because they are suspected of engaging in forbidden sexual relations. And any person may not seclude himself with gentiles because they are suspected of bloodshed.
נְקֵבוֹת אֵצֶל נְקֵבוֹת, מַאי טַעְמָא לָא מְיַיחֲדִינַן? אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא בַּר חָמָא: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַגּוֹיִם מְצוּיִין אֵצֶל נְשֵׁי חַבְרֵיהֶן, וּפְעָמִים שֶׁאֵינוֹ מוֹצְאָהּ וּמוֹצֵא אֶת הַבְּהֵמָה וְרוֹבְעָהּ.
The Gemara asks: With regard to female animals with females, what is the reason that we do not permit them to be secluded with each other? Mar Ukva bar Ḥama says: It is because gentiles frequent the wives of others, and on occasion the gentile does not find her, and he finds the animal and engages in bestiality with it instead.
וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: אֲפִילּוּ מוֹצְאָהּ נָמֵי רוֹבְעָהּ, דְּאָמַר מָר: חֲבִיבָה עֲלֵיהֶן בְּהֶמְתָּן שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹתֵר מִנְּשׁוֹתֵיהֶן, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבָּא נָחָשׁ עַל חַוָּה הֵטִיל בָּהּ זוּהֲמָא. אִי הָכִי, יִשְׂרָאֵל נָמֵי? יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁעָמְדוּ עַל הַר סִינַי — פָּסְקָה זוּהֲמָתָן, גּוֹיִם שֶׁלֹּא עָמְדוּ עַל הַר סִינַי — לֹא פָּסְקָה זוּהֲמָתָן.
And if you wish, say instead: Even when he finds the wife, he also engages in bestiality with the animal, as the Master said: The animal of a Jew is more appealing to gentiles than their own wives, as Rabbi Yoḥanan says: At the time when the snake came upon Eve, at the time of the sin of her eating from the Tree of Knowledge, it infected her with moral contamination, and this contamination lingers in all human beings. The Gemara asks: If that is so, a Jew should also be suspected of engaging in bestiality. The Gemara answers: With regard to the Jewish people, who stood at Mount Sinai and received the Torah, their contamination ended, whereas in the case of gentiles, who did not stand at Mount Sinai and receive the Torah, their contamination has not ended.
אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: עוֹפוֹת מַאי? תָּא שְׁמַע, דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: אֲנִי רָאִיתִי גּוֹי שֶׁלָּקַח אַוָּוז מִן הַשּׁוּק, רְבָעָהּ, חֲנָקָהּ, צְלָאָהּ, וַאֲכָלָהּ. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִדִּיפְתִּי: אֲנִי רָאִיתִי עַרְבִי אֶחָד שֶׁלָּקַח יָרֵךְ מִן הַשּׁוּק, וְחָקַק בָּהּ כְּדֵי רְבִיעָה, רְבָעָהּ, צְלָאָהּ, וַאֲכָלָהּ.
§ The Gemara inquires with regard to the halakha in the case of a bird. A dilemma was raised before the Sages: With regard to birds, what is the halakha? Are gentiles suspected of engaging in bestiality with birds? The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof that they are suspected of doing so, as Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina: I once saw a gentile who bought a goose in the market, engaged in bestiality with it, strangled it, roasted it, and then ate it. And similarly, Rabbi Yirmeya of Difti says: I saw a certain Arab who bought a thigh of meat from the market and carved a space in it that was the size necessary to allow for penetration. Subsequently, he penetrated it, roasted it, and ate it. These incidents demonstrate that gentiles are suspected of immoral conduct with fowl.
דְּבַר עֶרְוָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי הִשְׁחִית כׇּל בָּשָׂר אֶת דַּרְכּוֹ עַל הָאָרֶץ״, וַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״פֶּן תַּשְׁחִתוּן וַעֲשִׂיתֶם לָכֶם פֶּסֶל״; וְהָא פָּרָה נָמֵי, הוֹאִיל וּמוּם פּוֹסֵל בָּהּ, דְּבַר עֶרְוָה וַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה פָּסְלִי בַּהּ. גּוּפָא, תָּנֵי שֵׁילָא: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר? דִּכְתִיב: ״דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיִקְחוּ״, בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יִקְחוּ, וְאֵין הַגּוֹיִם יִקְחוּ. אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה: ״דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה״, הָכִי נָמֵי דִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יִקְחוּ, וְאֵין הַגּוֹיִם יִקְחוּ? וְכִי תֵּימָא: הָכִי נָמֵי, וְהָאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שָׁאֲלוּ אֶת רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: עַד הֵיכָן כִּיבּוּד אָב וָאֵם? אָמַר לָהֶם: צְאוּ וּרְאוּ מָה עָשָׂה גּוֹי אֶחָד לְאָבִיו בְּאַשְׁקְלוֹן, וְדָמָא בֶּן נְתִינָה שְׁמוֹ. פַּעַם אַחַת בִּקְּשׁוּ מִמֶּנּוּ אֲבָנִים לָאֵפוֹד בְּשִׁשִּׁים רִבּוֹא שָׂכָר, רַב כָּהֲנָא מַתְנֵי בִּשְׁמוֹנִים רִבּוֹא, וְהָיוּ מַפְתְּחוֹת מוּנָּחוֹת תַּחַת מְרַאֲשׁוֹתָיו שֶׁל אָבִיו, וְלֹא צַּעֲרוֹ. ״אַבְנֵי שֹׁהַם״ הִפְסִיק הָעִנְיָן, וְהָא ״וְאַבְנֵי מִלּוּאִים״ כְּתִיב, דַּהֲדַר עָרְבֵיהּ! וְעוֹד, קָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: לְשָׁנָה אַחֶרֶת נוֹלְדָה לוֹ פָּרָה אֲדוּמָּה בְּעֶדְרוֹ, נִכְנְסוּ חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶצְלוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶם: יוֹדֵעַ אֲנִי בָּכֶם שֶׁאִם אֲנִי מְבַקֵּשׁ מִכֶּם כׇּל מָמוֹן שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אַתֶּם נוֹתְנִין לִי, עַכְשָׁיו אֵינִי מְבַקֵּשׁ מִכֶּם אֶלָּא אוֹתוֹ מָמוֹן שֶׁהִפְסַדְתִּי בִּשְׁבִיל אַבָּא. הָתָם, עַל יְדֵי תַּגָּרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל זְבוּן. וְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר לָא חָיֵישׁ לִרְבִיעָה? וְהָתַנְיָא, אָמְרוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: מַעֲשֶׂה וּלְקָחוּהָ מִן הַגּוֹי, וְדָמָא שְׁמוֹ, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רֶמֶץ שְׁמוֹ. אָמַר לָהֶן רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: מִשָּׁם רְאָיָה? יִשְׂרָאֵל הָיוּ מְשַׁמְּרִין אוֹתָהּ מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁנּוֹלְדָה! רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר תַּרְתֵּי אִית לֵיהּ: קִיחָה, וְחָיֵישׁ נָמֵי לִרְבִיעָה.
The Gemara supports this claim: Corruption is a reference to a matter of licentiousness, as it is written with regard to the generation of the flood: “And God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:12). And corruption also is a reference to idol worship, as it is written: “Lest you deal corruptly, and make you a graven image” (Deuteronomy 4:16). And consequently, with regard to the red heifer also, since a blemish disqualifies it, a matter of licentiousness and idol worship likewise disqualify it. § Earlier, Sheila provided a rationale for Rabbi Eliezer’s ruling that a red heifer may not be purchased from gentiles. The Gemara examines the matter itself. Sheila teaches in a baraita: What is the reasoning of Rabbi Eliezer? It is as it is written: “Speak unto the children of Israel that they take to you a red heifer” (Numbers 19:2). This indicates that the children of Israel take the red heifer, but gentiles do not take the red heifer. The Gemara asks: If that is so, then when the verse states with regard to the donations for the Tabernacle: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they take for Me an offering” (Exodus 25:2), so too one can claim that only the children of Israel take an offering for God, but gentiles do not take an offering, and that no items for the Temple service may be purchased from gentiles. And if you would say that indeed, that is so, this cannot be correct. But doesn’t Rav Yehuda say that Shmuel says: The Sages asked Rabbi Eliezer: To what extent must one exert himself to fulfill the mitzva of honoring one’s father and mother? Rabbi Eliezer said to them: Go and see what a certain gentile did for his father in Ashkelon, and his name is Dama ben Netina. Once, the Sages sought to purchase precious stones from him for the ephod of the High Priest for six hundred thousand gold dinars’ profit, and Rav Kahana teaches that it was eight hundred thousand dinars’ profit. But the keys to the chest holding the jewels were placed under his father’s head, and he would not disturb him. It is evident from this story that the stones of the ephod may be purchased from gentiles. If so, Rabbi Eliezer’s reasoning cannot be based on Numbers 19:2, as an identical phrase appears in Exodus 25:2, and yet contributions to the Tabernacle may be accepted from gentiles. The Gemara answers that the phrase “onyx stones” (Exodus 25:7) concluded discussion of that matter. In other words, almost all the items listed in Exodus, chapter 25, for the contributions to the Tabernacle, are joined by the conjunction “and.” Before the verse mentions the stones for the ephod, it states “onyx stones,” without the conjunction “and.” This omission serves to disconnect these stones from the earlier phrase: “That they take” (Exodus 25:2), which means that the disqualification of items purchased from gentiles for use in the Temple derived from this phrase does not apply to the items listed after that point, including the stones of the ephod. The Gemara asks: But isn’t it subsequently written: “And stones to be set,” by which the verse goes back and combines the list, so that the earlier verse applies once more? Accordingly, it should be prohibited to purchase any of the items listed in the verse from gentiles. The Gemara adds: And furthermore, the latter clause teaches: In a subsequent year, a red heifer was born in Dama’s herd and the Sages of Israel approached him, seeking to purchase the heifer. Dama said to them: I know concerning you that if I were to ask from you all the money in the world, you would give it to me. Now I am requesting from you only that amount of money which I lost by refraining from waking my father. This latter clause explicitly states that the Sages intended to purchase a red heifer from a gentile, which contradicts the ruling of Rabbi Eliezer. The Gemara answers: There, it was through the agency of Jewish merchants that they purchased the heifer. In other words, Jewish merchants purchased the heifer from Dama ben Netina, after which the Sages acquired the animal from the merchants to be used as a red heifer of purification. In this manner, the animal was purchased for the purpose of an offering from Jews. According to Sheila, Rabbi Eliezer’s reason for not allowing a red heifer to be purchased from gentiles is based on a derivation from a verse rather than a concern that a person may have engaged in bestiality with it. The Gemara therefore asks: And is Rabbi Eliezer not concerned about the possibility that a person has engaged in bestiality with the animal? The Gemara elaborates: But isn’t it taught in a baraita that the Rabbis who hold that the heifer may be purchased from a gentile said to Rabbi Eliezer: There was an incident in which Jews purchased the red heifer from a gentile, and Dama was his name. And some say Remetz was his name. In response to this claim, Rabbi Eliezer said to them: Can one bring a proof from there? Certainly not, as Jews were safeguarding it from the time that it was born, to ensure that a person did not engage in bestiality with it. Contrary to the opinion of Sheila, it is evident from here that Rabbi Eliezer was concerned about this possibility. The Gemara explains that Rabbi Eliezer has two requirements: The purchase of the red heifer must be from a Jew, and he is also concerned about the possibility that a person had engaged in bestiality with the animal.
תָּא שְׁמַע: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֲרַוְנָה אֶל דָּוִד יִקַּח וְיַעַל אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ (אֶת) הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינוֹ (וְאֶת) [רְאֵה] הַבָּקָר לָעֹלָה וְהַמֹּרִגִּים וּכְלֵי הַבָּקָר לָעֵצִים״! אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: אֲרַוְנָה גֵּר תּוֹשָׁב הָיָה.
Come and hear another objection from a verse: “And Araunah said unto David: Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good unto him; behold the cattle for the burnt-offering, and the threshing instruments [morigim] and the accoutrements of the cattle for the wood” (II Samuel 24:22). Apparently, David was willing to accept oxen as offerings from a gentile. Rav Naḥman says: Araunah was a gentile who resided in Eretz Yisrael and observed the seven Noahide mitzvot [ger toshav]. The seven Noahide mitzvot include the prohibition against engaging in bestiality, and therefore Araunah was not suspected of this practice.
״וַיִּדֹּם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵחַ עָמָד עַד יִקֹּם גּוֹי אֹיְבָיו הֲלֹא הִיא כְתוּבָה עַל סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר״, מַאי סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר? אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: זֶה סֵפֶר אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ יְשָׁרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תָּמֹת נַפְשִׁי מוֹת יְשָׁרִים״. וְהֵיכָא רְמִיזָא? ״וְזַרְעוֹ יִהְיֶה מְלֹא הַגּוֹיִם״, [אֵימָתַי יִהְיֶה מְלֹא הַגּוֹיִם?] בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעָמְדָה לוֹ חַמָּה לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ, ״וַיַּעֲמֹד הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בַּחֲצִי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְלֹא אָץ לָבוֹא כְּיוֹם תָּמִים״. וְכַמָּה? אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע [שָׁעֵי], אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם שֵׁית, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם שֵׁית, כּוּלַּהּ מִלְּתָא כְּיוֹם תָּמִים. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אָמַר: שְׁלֹשִׁים וְשֵׁית, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם תְּרֵיסַר, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם תְּרֵיסַר, עֲמִידָתוֹ כְּיוֹם תָּמִים. רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר: אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמוֹנָה, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם תְּרֵיסַר, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבְּעָה, [שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר]: ״וְלֹא אָץ לָבוֹא כְּיוֹם תָּמִים״, מִכְּלָל דְּמֵעִיקָּרָא לָאו כְּיוֹם תָּמִים [הֲוָה]. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, בְּתוֹסֶפְתָּא פְּלִיגִי: רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר: עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבְּעָה — אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם תְּרֵיסַר, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם תְּרֵיסַר, עֲמִידָתוֹ כְּיוֹם תָּמִים. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אָמַר: שְׁלֹשִׁים וָשֵׁשׁ — אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם תְּרֵיסַר, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבְּעָה, ״וְלֹא אָץ לָבוֹא כְּיוֹם תָּמִים״. רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר: אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמוֹנָה, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבְּעָה, אֲזַל שֵׁית וְקָם עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבְּעָה, מַקִּישׁ עֲמִידָתוֹ לְבִיאָתוֹ — מָה בִּיאָתוֹ כְּיוֹם תָּמִים, אַף עֲמִידָתוֹ כְּיוֹם תָּמִים. תָּנָא: כְּשֵׁם שֶׁעָמְדָה לוֹ חַמָּה לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ, כָּךְ עָמְדָה לוֹ חַמָּה לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְנַקְדִּימוֹן בֶּן גּוּרְיוֹן. יְהוֹשֻׁעַ — קְרָאֵי, נַקְדִּימוֹן בֶּן גּוּרְיוֹן — גְּמָרָא. לְמֹשֶׁה מְנָלַן? אָתְיָא ״אָחֵל״ ״אָחֵל״: כְּתִיב הָכָא ״אָחֵל תֵּת פַּחְדְּךָ״, וּכְתִיב הָתָם בִּיהוֹשֻׁעַ ״אָחֵל גַּדֶּלְךָ״. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר, אָתְיָא ״תֵּת״ ״תֵּת״: כְּתִיב הָכָא ״אָחֵל תֵּת פַּחְדְּךָ״, וּכְתִיב בִּיהוֹשֻׁעַ ״בְּיוֹם תֵּת יהוה אֶת הָאֱמֹרִי״. רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר, מִגּוּפֵיהּ דִּקְרָא שָׁמְעַתְּ לֵיהּ: ״אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְעוּן שִׁמְעֲךָ וְרָגְזוּ וְחָלוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ״, אֵימָתַי ״רָגְזוּ וְחָלוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ״? בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעָמְדָה לוֹ חַמָּה לְמֹשֶׁה. מֵיתִיבִי: ״וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו״! אִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: שָׁעוֹת הוּא דְּלָא הֲווֹ (נפיש) [נְפִישָׁן] כּוּלֵּי הַאי, וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: אַבְנֵי בָרָד לָא הֲווֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיְהִי בְּנֻסָם מִפְּנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵם בְּמוֹרַד בֵּית חוֹרֹן וַיהוה הִשְׁלִיךְ עֲלֵיהֶם אֲבָנִים גְּדֹלוֹת מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם עַד עֲזֵקָה וַיָּמֻתוּ״. כְּתִיב ״וַיֹּאמֶר לְלַמֵּד בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה קָשֶׁת הִנֵּה כְתוּבָה עַל סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר״, מַאי ״סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר״? אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: זֶה סֵפֶר אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ ״יְשָׁרִים״, דִּכְתִיב בְּהוּ ״תָּמֹת נַפְשִׁי מוֹת יְשָׁרִים וּתְהִי אַחֲרִיתִי כָּמוֹהוּ״. וְהֵיכָא רְמִיזָא? ״יְהוּדָה אַתָּה יוֹדוּךָ אַחֶיךָ יָדְךָ בְּעֹרֶף אֹיְבֶיךָ״, וְאֵיזוֹ הִיא מִלְחָמָה שֶׁצְּרִיכָה יָד כְּנֶגֶד עוֹרֶף? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זוֹ קֶשֶׁת. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: זֶה סֵפֶר מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָה, וְאַמַּאי קָרוּ לֵיהּ ״סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר״? דִּכְתִיב: ״וְעָשִׂיתָ הַיָּשָׁר וְהַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֵי ה׳״. וְהֵיכָא רְמִיזָא? ״יָדָיו רַב לוֹ״, וְאֵיזוֹ הִיא מִלְחָמָה שֶׁצְּרִיכָה שְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זוֹ קֶשֶׁת. רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר: זֶה סֵפֶר שׁוֹפְטִים, וְאַמַּאי קָרוּ לֵיהּ ״סֵפֶר הַיָּשָׁר״? דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם אֵין מֶלֶךְ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אִישׁ הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו יַעֲשֶׂה״, וְהֵיכָא רְמִיזָא? ״לְמַעַן דַּעַת דֹּרוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְלַמְּדָם מִלְחָמָה״, וְאֵיזוֹ הִיא מִלְחָמָה שֶׁצְּרִיכָה לִימּוּד? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זוֹ קֶשֶׁת. וּמְנָלַן דְּבִיהוּדָה כְּתִיב? דִּכְתִיב: ״מִי יַעֲלֶה לָּנוּ בַתְּחִלָּה אֶל הַכְּנַעֲנִי לְהִלָּחֵם בּוֹ, וַיֹּאמֶר יהוה יְהוּדָה יַעֲלֶה״.
§ The Gemara cites a series of expositions with regard to what is called the book of Yashar. The verse states: “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Yashar”? (Joshua 10:13). The Gemara asks: What is the book of Yashar? Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This is Genesis, which is the book of Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob, who were called righteous [yesharim], as it is stated: “Let me die the death of the righteous [yesharim]” (Numbers 23:10). The Gemara asks: And where is it alluded to in Genesis that the sun would stand still for Joshua? The verse states in reference to Ephraim, who was Joshua’s ancestor: “And his seed shall become a multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19). The Gemara asks: When will he become a multitude of nations? He became a multitude of nations at the time when the sun stood in place for Joshua, as it is written: “And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hastened not to go down for an entire day” (Joshua 10:13). The Gemara inquires: And how much time elapsed before the sun finally set? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said that it took twenty-four hours: It traveled across the sky for six hours and stood still for six hours, and again traveled six hours and stood still for six hours, so that the entire matter lasted the duration of an entire day.Rabbi Elazar said that it lasted thirty-six hours: The sun traveled for six hours and stood for twelve hours, and again traveled six hours and stood for twelve hours, so that the accumulated time of its suspension was that of an entire day. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: Forty-eight hours elapsed before it set. It traveled six hours and stood for twelve hours, and then traveled six hours and stood for twenty-four hours, as it is stated: “And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven,” and then: “And hastened not to go down for an entire day.” By inference, it can be understood that initially it was not suspended for an entire day. Rather, at first it stood still for twelve hours, and was later suspended for an entire day. There are those who say that these Sages do not disagree over how much time had elapsed before the sun set. Rather, they disagree with regard to the additional time by which the day was extended. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Twenty-four hours were added to that day, because the sun traveled six hours and stood twelve hours, and again traveled six hours and stood for another twelve hours, which meant that its standing time lasted for an entire day. Rabbi Elazar said that thirty-six hours were added: It traveled six hours and stood for twelve hours, and then traveled six hours and stood for twenty-four more hours. It is with regard to the second suspension that the verse states: “And hastened not to go down for an entire day.”Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: The time the sun stood in place was forty-eight hours in total. The sun traveled six hours and stood twenty-four hours, and then traveled another six hours and stood for another twenty-four hours. His reasoning is that the verse juxtaposes the sun’s suspension to its motion: Just as the sun is in motion for an entire day, so too, its suspension was for an entire day.It is taught: Just as the sun stood still for Joshua, so too the sun stood still for Moses and for Nakdimon ben Guryon. It is known that it stood still for Joshua from a verse, and it is known that it stood still for Nakdimon ben Guryon by tradition. From where do we derive that it stood still for Moses as well? The Gemara answers: It is derived by means of a verbal analogy between the terms “I will begin” and “I will begin.” The Gemara elaborates: It is written here, with regard to Moses: “I will begin to deliver the dread of you and the fear of you upon the peoples” (Deuteronomy 2:25), and it is written there, with regard to Joshua: “I will begin to magnify you” (Joshua 3:7). And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is derived from a verbal analogy between the words “delivered” and “delivered.” It is written here, with regard to Moses: “I will begin to deliver the dread of you,” and it is written there, with regard to Joshua: “In the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel” (Joshua 10:12). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that there is no need for a verbal analogy, as you can learn this idea from the verse itself: “This day will I begin to deliver the dread of you and the fear of you upon the peoples that are under the whole heaven, who, when they hear the report of you, shall tremble and be in anguish because of you” (Deuteronomy 2:25). When was the fulfillment of the prophecy that all the nations “shall tremble and be in anguish because of you”? It was at the time when the sun stood still for Moses.The Gemara raises an objection: After the sun stood still, the verse states: “And there was no day like that before it or after it” (Joshua 10:14). If there was no day comparable to it, how can it be asserted that the sun stood still for Moses as well? The Gemara answers: If you wish, say that the number of hours the sun stood still for Moseswere not as many as in the case of Joshua. And if you wish, say instead: When the sun stood still for Mosesthere were no hailstones, whereas in the case of Joshua there were hailstones, as it is written: “And it came to pass, as they fled from before the children of Israel, while they were in the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them into Azeka and they died” (Joshua 10:11). The Gemara cites another exposition with regard to the book of Yashar. It is written: “And said: To teach the sons of Judah the bow. Behold, it is written in the book of Yashar” (II Samuel 1:18). The Gemara again asks: What is the book of Yashar? Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: This is the book of Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob, who were called righteous [yesharim], as it is written with regard to them: “Let me die the death of the righteous [yesharim] and let my end be like his” (Numbers 23:10). The Gemara further analyzes the verse in Samuel: And where is it alluded to in Genesis that Judah must be taught to use the bow? The verse states: “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the nape of your enemies” (Genesis 49:8). The Gemara explains: What is the form of warfare that requires one’s hand to be held opposite the nape? You must say that this is referring to the use of a bow. This is the referent of the verse in Samuel. The Gemara cites a different interpretation: Rabbi Elazar says that the book of Yashar is the book of Deuteronomy. And why did they call it the book of Yashar? As it is written: “And you shall do that which is right [yashar] and good in the sight of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:18). And where is it alluded to in Deuteronomy that Judah must be taught to use the bow? The verse states: “And this for Judah, and he said: Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him in unto his people; his hands shall contend for him” (Deuteronomy 33:7). What is the form of warfare that requires the use of two hands? You must say that this is referring to the use of a bow. This is the referent of the verse in Samuel. The Gemara provides yet another explanation: Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that the book of Yashar is the book of Judges. And why did they call it the book of Yashar? As it is written: “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right [yashar] in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). And where is it alluded to in Judges that Judah must be taught to use the bow? The verse states: “Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war” (Judges 3:2). What is the form of warfare that requires teaching? You must say that this is referring to the use of a bow. This is the referent of the verse in Samuel. The Gemara asks: And from where do we derive thatJudges 3:2 is written in reference to Judah? We derive it as it is written: “The children of Israel asked the Lord, saying: Who shall go up for us first against the Canaanites, to fight against them? And Lord said: Judah shall go up” (Judges 1:1–2).
תָּנֵי רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: הַגּוֹיִם וְרוֹעֵי בְּהֵמָה דַּקָּה — לֹא מַעֲלִין וְלֹא מוֹרִידִין, אֲבָל הַמִּינִין וְהַמָּסוֹרוֹת וְהַמְשׁוּמָּדִים — מוֹרִידִין וְלֹא מַעֲלִין. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנִי שׁוֹנֶה ״לְכׇל אֲבֵדַת אָחִיךָ״ לְרַבּוֹת אֶת הַמְשׁוּמָּד, וְאַתְּ אָמְרַתְּ מוֹרִידִין? סְמִי מִכָּאן מְשׁוּמָּד!
Apropos the notion of raising someone from or lowering him into a pit, the Gemara notes that Rabbi Abbahu taught the following while standing before Rabbi Yoḥanan: With regard to gentiles and shepherds of domesticated animals, one may not raise them from a pit, and one may not lower them into a pit. But the heretics, and the informers, and the apostates [vehameshummadim] are lowered into a pit, but not raised out of it. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to Rabbi Abbahu: I teach that the verse: “And so you shall do with every lost item of your brother” (Deuteronomy 22:3), serves to include the apostate in one’s obligation to return a lost item to another Jew; and you say that one may lower him into a pit? Remove the term apostate from here.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנִי שׁוֹנֶה ״לְכׇל אֲבֵדַת אָחִיךָ״ לְרַבּוֹת אֶת הַמְשׁוּמָּד, וְאַתְּ אָמְרַתְּ מוֹרִידִין? סְמִי מִכָּאן מְשׁוּמָּד!
Rabbi Yoḥanan said to Rabbi Abbahu: I teach that the verse: “And so you shall do with every lost item of your brother” (Deuteronomy 22:3), serves to include the apostate in one’s obligation to return a lost item to another Jew; and you say that one may lower him into a pit? Remove the term apostate from here.
וְלִישַׁנֵּי לֵיהּ: כָּאן בִּמְשׁוּמָּד אוֹכֵל נְבֵילוֹת לְתֵיאָבוֹן, כָּאן בִּמְשׁוּמָּד אוֹכֵל נְבֵילוֹת לְהַכְעִיס! קָסָבַר: אוֹכֵל נְבֵילוֹת לְהַכְעִיס — מִין הוּא.
The Gemara asks: And let Rabbi Abbahu answer Rabbi Yoḥanan as follows: Here, with regard to a lost item, the verse includes an apostate because it is referring to an apostate who eats non-kosher meat due to his appetite, i.e., he succumbs to the temptation. Conversely, there, with regard to raising an apostate from a pit, I am referring to an apostate who eats non-kosher meat to express insolence. The Gemara answers: Rabbi Abbahu holds that one who eats non-kosher meat to express insolence is a heretic, rather than an apostate.
וְסָבַר רַבִּי מֵאִיר גּוֹי לָא? וּרְמִינְהוּ: עִיר שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ רוֹפֵא יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיֵשׁ בָּהּ רוֹפֵא כּוּתִי וְרוֹפֵא אַרְמַאי — יָמוּל אַרְמַאי וְאַל יָמוּל כּוּתִי, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: יָמוּל כּוּתִי וְאַל יָמוּל אַרְמַאי!
The Gemara asks: But does Rabbi Meir hold that one may not allow a gentile to circumcise a Jew? And the Gemara raises a contradiction against this claim from the following baraita: In a city in which there is no Jewish physician, and in which there is a Samaritan physician and an Aramean, i.e., a gentile, physician, it is preferable that the Aramean circumcise the Jewish boys of the city and the Samaritan not circumcise them. This is the statement of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says: It is preferable that the Samaritan circumcise the boys and the Aramean not circumcise them. Rabbi Meir holds that it is preferable for an Aramean gentile to perform circumcision despite the fact that Samaritans are considered Jewish to a certain extent.
בְּרוֹפֵא מוּמְחֶה, דְּכִי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אִם הָיָה מוּמְחֶה לְרַבִּים — מוּתָּר.
We are dealing with an expert physician, who will not risk his reputation by harming a child. This is similar to that which Rabbi Yoḥanan said, as when Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If the physician was considered a recognized expert, it is permitted for one to be healed by him. When Rabbi Meir said that an Aramean may circumcise a Jewish boy, he was referring specifically to a doctor who is known for his expertise.
מַתְנִי׳ מִתְרַפְּאִין מֵהֶן רִיפּוּי מָמוֹן, אֲבָל לֹא רִיפּוּי נְפָשׁוֹת. וְאֵין מִסְתַּפְּרִין מֵהֶן בְּכׇל מָקוֹם, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים מוּתָּר, אֲבָל לֹא בֵּינוֹ לְבֵינוֹ.
MISHNA: The mishna discusses the issue of accepting certain professional services from a gentile. One may be treated by gentiles, provided that it is monetary treatment, but not personal treatment. And one may not have his hair cut by them anywhere, due to the danger that the gentile will kill him with the razor; this is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say: In the public thoroughfare, it is permitted to have one’s hair cut by a gentile, but not when the Jew and gentile are alone together.
מַעֲשֶׂה בְּבֶן דָּמָא בֶּן אֲחוֹתוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל שֶׁהִכִּישׁוֹ נָחָשׁ, וּבָא יַעֲקֹב אִישׁ כְּפַר סְכַנְיָא לְרַפּאוֹתוֹ, וְלֹא הִנִּיחוֹ רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל, וְאָמַר לוֹ: רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אָחִי! הַנַּח לוֹ וְאֵרָפֵא מִמֶּנּוּ, וַאֲנִי אָבִיא מִקְרָא מִן הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁהוּא מוּתָּר, וְלֹא הִסְפִּיק לִגְמוֹר אֶת הַדָּבָר עַד שֶׁיָּצְתָה נִשְׁמָתוֹ וָמֵת.
The baraita relates an incident illustrating this point. There was an incident involving ben Dama, son of Rabbi Yishmael’s sister, in which a snake bit him. And following the attack, Ya’akov of the village of Sekhanya, who was a heretic, a disciple of Jesus the Nazarene, came to treat him, but Rabbi Yishmael did not let him do so. And ben Dama said to him: Rabbi Yishmael, my brother, let him treat me, and I will be healed by him. And I will cite a verse from the Torah to prove that accepting medical treatment from a heretic is permitted in this situation. But ben Dama did not manage to complete the statement before his soul departed from his body and he died.
קָרָא עָלָיו רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: אַשְׁרֶיךָ בֶּן דָּמָא, שֶׁגּוּפְךָ טָהוֹר וְיָצְתָה נִשְׁמָתְךָ בְּטׇהֳרָה, וְלֹא עָבַרְתָּ עַל דִּבְרֵי חֲבֵירֶיךָ, שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: ״וּפוֹרֵץ גָּדֵר יִשְּׁכֶנּוּ נָחָשׁ״.
Rabbi Yishmael recited with regard to him: Fortunate are you, ben Dama, as your body is pure and your soul departed in purity, and you did not transgress the statement of your colleagues, who would state the verse: “And who breaks through a fence, a snake shall bite him” (Ecclesiastes 10:8), i.e., one is punished for ignoring an ordinance of the Sages. This incident indicates that it is not permitted for one to accept medical treatment from a heretic even if it is clear that without it he will live only a short while.
שָׁאנֵי מִינוּת דְּמָשְׁכָא, דְּאָתֵי לְמִימְּשַׁךְ בָּתְרַיְיהוּ.
The Gemara explains: Heresy is different, as it is enticing. In other words, it is prohibited to accept medical treatment from a heretic, as one might come to be drawn after his heresy. By contrast, receiving medical attention from a gentile is permitted if it is certain that one will die if he is not treated.
בְּפִיקְעָא, אוֹרִי לֵיהּ רַבִּי אַמֵּי, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַבִּי אַסִּי אוֹרִי לֵיהּ: לַיְתֵי שַׁב בִּינֵי אַהֲלָא תּוֹלָנָא, וְצָיַיר לֵיהּ בַּחֲלָלָא דְבֵי צַוְּארָא, וְלִיכְרִיךְ עִילָּוֵיהּ נִירָא בַּרְקָא, וְטָמֵישׁ לֵיהּ בְּנִטְפָא חִיוָּרָא, וְלִיקְלְיֵהּ וּבָדַר לֵיהּ עִילָּוֵיהּ. אַדְּהָכִי וְהָכִי, לַיְתֵי קַשְׁיָתָא דַּאֲסַנָּא, לַינַּח פִּיקְעָא לַהֲדֵי פִּיקְעָא.
from hemorrhoids. Rabbi Ami instructed him, and some say that Rabbi Asi instructed him that he should bring seven seeds of ice plant that are red like a worm and bind them in the collar of a shirt, and then he should wrap a strip of hair around it, and dip the bundle in white naphtha and he should burn it and spread the ashes upon the sores. In the meantime, he should bring the kernel of a bramble [asna] fruit and place its crevice against his own crevice, i.e., the anus.
הִשִּׂיאוֹ לְדָבָר אַחֵר וְכוּ׳. מַאי ״כִּי טוֹבִים דֹּדֶיךָ מִיָּיִן״? כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר: אָמְרָה כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, עֲרֵיבִים עָלַי דִּבְרֵי דוֹדֶיךָ יוֹתֵר מִיֵּינָהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה.
§ The mishna teaches that Rabbi Yehoshua diverted Rabbi Yishmael’s attention to another matter, and began discussing the verse: “For your love is better than wine” (Song of Songs 1:2). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the verse: “For your love [dodekha] is better than wine”? When Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: The congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, the statements of Your beloved ones [dodekha], i.e., the Sages, are more pleasant to me than the wine of the written Torah itself.
דָּרַשׁ רַב נַחְמָן בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״לְרֵיחַ שְׁמָנֶיךָ טוֹבִים״, לְמָה תַּלְמִיד חָכָם דּוֹמֶה? לִצְלוֹחִית שֶׁל פִּלְיָיטֹין: מְגוּלָּה — רֵיחָהּ נוֹדֵף, מְכוּסָּה — אֵין רֵיחָהּ נוֹדֵף. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא דְּבָרִים שֶׁמְּכוּסִּין מִמֶּנּוּ מִתְגַּלִּין לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֲלָמוֹת אֲהֵבוּךָ״, קְרִי בֵּיהּ ״עֲלוּמוֹת״; וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁמַּלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת אוֹהֲבוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֲלָמוֹת אֲהֵבוּךָ״, קְרִי בֵּיהּ ״עַל מָוֶת״; וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא שֶׁנּוֹחֵל שְׁנֵי עוֹלָמוֹת, אֶחָד הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וְאֶחָד הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֲלָמוֹת״, קְרִי בֵּיהּ ״עוֹלָמוֹת״.
§ Rav Naḥman, son of Rav Ḥisda, interpreted a verse homiletically: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Your ointments have a goodly fragrance” (Song of Songs 1:3)? This is a metaphor for a Torah scholar: To what is a Torah scholar comparable? To a flask of pelaitin: When it is exposed, its scent diffuses; when it is covered, its scent does not diffuse. The Gemara remarks: And moreover, when a Torah scholar spreads his knowledge, matters that are generally hidden from him are revealed to him, as it is stated: “Maidens [alamot] love You” (Song of Songs 1:3), and one may read into the verse: The hidden [alumot]. And moreover, the Angel of Death loves him, as it is stated: “Maidens [alamot] love You,” and one may read into the verse: The one appointed over death [al mot] loves you. And moreover, a Torah scholar inherits two worlds: One is this world, and the other one is the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “Maidens [alamot] love You,” and one may read into the verse: Worlds [olamot].
אֶלָּא לְדִידָךְ דְּאָמְרַתְּ דָּנִיאֵל גָּזַר עָלָיו, דָּנִיאֵל גְּזַר וַאֲתָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הַנָּשִׂיא וּמְבַטֵּל לֵיהּ? וְהָתְנַן: אֵין בֵּית דִּין יָכוֹל לְבַטֵּל דִּבְרֵי בֵּית דִּין חֲבֵירוֹ, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן גָּדוֹל הֵימֶנּוּ בְּחָכְמָה וּבְמִנְיָן!
But according to you, Rav, who said that Daniel decreed a prohibition upon the oil of gentiles, how can this be understood? Can it be said that Daniel decreed it, and Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi came and voided the decree? But didn’t we learn in a mishna (Eduyyot 1:5): A court cannot void the statements of another court, unless it is greater than it in wisdom and in number? According to Rav, how could Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi void a decree issued by Daniel?
אֲמַר לֵיהּ שִׂמְלַאי לוּדָּאָה קָא אָמְרַתְּ? שָׁאנֵי לוּדָּאֵי דִּמְזַלְזְלוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֶשְׁלַח לֵיהּ? אִיכְּסִיף.
Rather than answering Shmuel’s question directly, Rav first rejects his proof: Rav said to him: Was it Rabbi Simlai of Lod of whom you spoke? Residents of Lod are different, as they disparage the Sages’ decrees, and therefore Rabbi Simlai’s testimony is unreliable. Shmuel said to him: Shall I send for him? As a result, Rav became embarrassed.
אָמַר רַב: אִם הֵם לֹא דָּרְשׁוּ, אֲנַן לָא דָּרְשִׁינַן? וְהָכְתִיב: ״וַיָּשֶׂם דָּנִיֵּאל עַל לִבּוֹ אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִתְגָּאַל בְּפַת בַּג הַמֶּלֶךְ וּבְיֵין מִשְׁתָּיו״ — בִּשְׁתֵּי מִשְׁתָּאוֹת הַכָּתוּב מְדַבֵּר, אֶחָד מִשְׁתֵּה יַיִן וְאֶחָד מִשְׁתֵּה שֶׁמֶן.
Rav claimed that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and his court erred in permitting the oil of gentiles, which Daniel had prohibited. Rav said: If they, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and his court, did not expound the following verse, will we not expound it? We must certainly do so. Isn’t it written: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, nor with the wine which he drank [mishtav]” (Daniel 1:8)? The word mishtav is in the plural, indicating that the verse speaks of two types of drinking: One is the drinking of wine, and one is the drinking of oil. Accordingly, Daniel himself refrained from consuming oil of gentiles, as he instituted this prohibition. Why does Shmuel reject this inference, which indicates that Daniel issued this decree?
רַב סָבַר: עַל לִבּוֹ שָׂם, וּלְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל הוֹרָה; וּשְׁמוּאֵל סָבַר: עַל לִבּוֹ שָׂם, וּלְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא הוֹרָה.
The Gemara explains that Rav maintained: Daniel placed the prohibition against consuming the oil of gentiles upon his heart, i.e., for himself, and he instructed all Jews to adhere to it as well. And Shmuel held: Daniel placed the prohibition upon his heart, but he did not instruct all Jews to accept it.
וְשֶׁמֶן, דָּנִיאֵל גְּזַר? וְהָאָמַר בָּאלִי אֲבִימִי נִוְתָאָה מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: פִּיתָּן וְשַׁמְנָן, יֵינָן וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶן, כּוּלָּן מִשְּׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר הֵן.
The Gemara asks: And is it correct that Daniel decreed that oil is prohibited? But doesn’t Balei say that Avimi of Nota [Nota’a] says in the name of Rav: The prohibitions of gentiles’ bread and their oil, their wine and their daughters, are all from the eighteen matters decreed in a single day in the days of the students of Shammai and Hillel. Apparently, Rav himself maintains that the prohibition was not instituted by Daniel.
וְכִי תֵּימָא: אֲתָא דָּנִיאֵל גְּזַר וְלָא קַיבֻּל, וַאֲתוֹ תַּלְמִידֵי דְּהִלֵּל וְשַׁמַּאי וּגְזוּר וְקַיבֻּל, אִם כֵּן מַאי אַסְהָדוּתֵיהּ דְּרַב? אֶלָּא, דָּנִיאֵל גָּזַר עָלָיו בָּעִיר, וַאֲתוֹ אִינְהוּ וּגְזוּר אֲפִילּוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה.
The Gemara adds: And if you would say that Daniel came and decreed but the people did not accept it, and later the students of Hillel and Shammai came and decreed with regard to gentiles’ oil and the people accepted it, if that is so, what is the significance of Rav’s testimony that Daniel initially instituted the prohibition? The Gemara explains: Rather, Daniel decreed upon the oil of gentiles in the city, and the students of Shammai and Hillel came and decreed that it is prohibited even in the field.
וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה הַנָּשִׂיא הֵיכִי מָצֵי לְמִישְׁרֵא תַּקַּנְתָּא דְּתַלְמִידֵי שַׁמַּאי וְהִלֵּל? וְהָתְנַן: אֵין בֵּית דִּין יָכוֹל לְבַטֵּל דִּבְרֵי בֵּית דִּין חֲבֵירוֹ, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן גָּדוֹל הֵימֶנּוּ בְּחָכְמָה וּבְמִנְיָן! וְעוֹד, הָא אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בַּכֹּל יָכוֹל לְבַטֵּל בֵּית דִּין דִּבְרֵי בֵּית דִּין חֲבֵירוֹ, חוּץ מִשְּׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר, שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ יָבֹא אֵלִיָּהוּ וּבֵית דִּינוֹ אֵין שׁוֹמְעִין לוֹ!
The Gemara asks: And how could Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi permit an ordinance issued by the students of Shammai and Hillel? But didn’t we learn in a mishna that a court cannot void the statements of another court, unless it is greater than it in wisdom and in number? And furthermore, doesn’t Rabba bar bar Ḥana say that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: With regard to all issues, a court can void the statements of another court, except the eighteen matters decreed by the students of Beit Shammai, as, even if Elijah and his court were to come and rescind them, one would not listen to him.
אָמַר רַב מְשַׁרְשְׁיָא: מַה טַּעַם? הוֹאִיל וּפָשַׁט אִיסּוּרוֹ בְּרוֹב יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁמֶן לֹא פָּשַׁט אִיסּוּרוֹ בְּרוֹב יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: יָשְׁבוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ וּבָדְקוּ עַל שֶׁמֶן שֶׁלֹּא פָּשַׁט אִיסּוּרוֹ בְּרוֹב יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְסָמְכוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ עַל דִּבְרֵי רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל וְעַל דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בַּר צָדוֹק, שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: אֵין גּוֹזְרִין גְּזֵירָה עַל הַצִּבּוּר אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן רוֹב צִבּוּר יְכוֹלִין לַעֲמוֹד בָּהּ, דְּאָמַר רַב אַדָּא בַּר אַהֲבָה: מַאי קְרָא?
Rav Mesharshiyya said: What is the reason that none of the eighteen decrees can be voided? Since the prohibition spread among the majority of the Jewish people, it cannot be voided. But with regard to oil, its prohibition did not spread among the majority of the Jewish people, and therefore it can be voided. As Rabbi Shmuel bar Abba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Our Sages sat and inspected the matter of gentiles’ oil and determined that its prohibition had not spread among the majority of the Jewish people, and our Sages relied upon the statement of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and upon the statement of Rabbi Elazar bar Tzadok, who would say: The Sages issue a decree upon the community only if most of the community is able to abide by it. As Rav Adda bar Ahava said: What is the verse from which it is derived?
״בַּמְּאֵרָה אַתֶּם נֵאָרִים וְאֹתִי אַתֶּם קֹבְעִים הַגּוֹי כֻּלּוֹ״, אִי אִיכָּא גּוֹי כּוּלּוֹ — אִין, אִי לָא — לָא.
It is the verse: “You are cursed with the curse, yet you rob Me, even this whole nation” (Malachi 3:9). This teaches that if there is the acceptance of the whole nation, yes, an ordinance may be instituted, but if not, no, the ordinance may not be instituted.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר בָּאלִי אָמַר אֲבִימִי נִוְתָאָה מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: פִּיתָּן וְשַׁמְנָן, יֵינָן וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶן — כּוּלָּן מִשְּׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר דָּבָר הֵן. בְּנוֹתֵיהֶן מַאי הִיא? אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: גָּזְרוּ עַל בְּנוֹתֵיהֶן נִידּוֹת מֵעֲרִיסוֹתָן.
§ The Gemara discusses the matter itself: Balei says that Avimi of Nota says in the name of Rav: The prohibitions with regard to gentiles’ bread and their oil, their wine and their daughters, are all from the eighteen matters issued in a single day in the time of the students of Shammai and Hillel. The Gemara asks: With regard to their daughters, what is the decree? Rabbi Naḥman bar Yitzḥak says: They decreed upon their daughters that they should be classified as menstruating women from the time they are in their cradle, i.e., they decreed that from when they are young, gentile women are always considered to be menstruating.
מִיסְתְּמִיךְ וְאָזֵיל רַבִּי יְהוּדָה נְשִׂיאָה אַכַּתְפֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי שַׁמָּעֵיהּ, אָמַר לוֹ: שִׂמְלַאי, לֹא הָיִיתָ אֶמֶשׁ בְּבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ כְּשֶׁהִתַּרְנוּ אֶת הַשֶּׁמֶן. אָמַר לוֹ: בְּיָמֵינוּ תַּתִּיר אַף אֶת הַפַּת! אָמַר לוֹ: אִם כֵּן קָרוּ לַן ״בֵּית דִּינָא שָׁרְיָא״! דִּתְנַן: הֵעִיד רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן יוֹעֶזֶר אִישׁ צְרֵידָה עַל אַיַּיל קַמְצָא דְּכַן, וְעַל מַשְׁקֵה בֵּית מַטְבְּחַיָּא דְּכַן, וְעַל דְּיִקְרַב לְמִיתָא מְסָאַב, וְקָרוּ לֵיהּ ״יוֹסֵף שָׁרְיָא״.
The Gemara relates a relevant incident: Rabbi Yehuda Nesia was traveling while leaning upon the shoulder of Rabbi Simlai, his attendant. Rabbi Yehuda Nesia said to him: Simlai, you were not in the study hall last night when we permitted the oil of gentiles. Rabbi Simlai said to him: In our days, you will permit bread of gentiles as well. Rabbi Yehuda Nesia said to him: If so, people will call us a permissive court. As we learned in a mishna (Eduyyot 8:4): Rabbi Yosei ben Yo’ezer of Tzereida testified with regard to the eil kamtza, a type of locust, that it is kosher, and with regard to the liquids of the slaughterhouse in the Temple that they are ritually pure, and with regard to one who touches a corpse that he is impure, as soon explained by the Gemara. And as a result, they called him: Yosef the Permissive.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָתָם שְׁרָא תְּלָת, וּמַר שְׁרָא חֲדָא, וְאִי שָׁרֵי מָר חֲדָא אַחֲרִיתִי, אַכַּתִּי תַּרְתֵּין הוּא דְּהָוְיָין! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנָא [נָמֵי] שְׁרַאי אַחֲרִיתִי. מַאי הִיא?
Rabbi Simlai said to him: There, Yosei ben Yo’ezer permitted three matters, but the Master has permitted only one, and even if the Master permits one other matter, these will still constitute only two permissive rulings. Rabbi Yehuda Nesia said to him: I have already permitted another matter. The Gemara asks: What is the other matter that he permitted?
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: פַּעַם אַחַת חָשׁ רַבִּי בְּמֵעָיו, אָמַר: כְּלוּם יֵשׁ אָדָם שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ יֵין תַּפּוּחִים שֶׁל גּוֹיִם אָסוּר אוֹ מוּתָּר? אָמַר לְפָנָיו רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בֶּן רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: פַּעַם אַחַת חָשׁ אַבָּא בְּמֵעָיו, וְהֵבִיאוּ לוֹ יֵין תַּפּוּחִים שֶׁל גּוֹיִם שֶׁל שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, וְשָׁתָה וְנִתְרַפֵּא. אָמַר לוֹ: כׇּל כָּךְ הָיָה בְּיָדְךָ וְאַתָּה מְצַעֲרֵנִי! בָּדְקוּ וּמָצְאוּ גּוֹי אֶחָד שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת גַּרְבֵי יַיִן שֶׁל תַּפּוּחִים שֶׁל שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, וְשָׁתָה וְנִתְרַפֵּא, אָמַר: בָּרוּךְ הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁמָּסַר עוֹלָמוֹ לְשׁוֹמְרִים!
The Gemara cites a relevant incident: The Sages taught: Once Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi felt discomfort in his stomach and knew that apple wine would alleviate it. He said: Isn’t there any person who knows whether apple wine of gentiles is prohibited or permitted? Rabbi Yishmael ben Rabbi Yosei said before him: Once my father felt discomfort in his stomach and they brought him apple wine of gentiles that was seventy years old, and he drank it and was cured. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said to him: You had so much knowledge in your hand that could have relieved me, and yet you caused me to suffer by withholding it until now. They checked and found one gentile who had three hundred large jugs of apple wine that was seventy years old, and Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi drank from it and was cured. He said: Blessed is the Omnipresent who delivered His universe to keepers. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi thanked God for causing the gentile to keep the wine for seventy years so that it could be used to heal him.
מַתְנִי׳ הַמּוֹצֵא כֵּלִים וַעֲלֵיהֶם צוּרַת חַמָּה, צוּרַת לְבָנָה, צוּרַת דְּרָקוֹן — יוֹלִיכֵם לְיָם הַמֶּלַח. רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: שֶׁעַל הַמְכוּבָּדִין — אֲסוּרִין, שֶׁעַל הַמְבוּזִּין — מוּתָּרִין. גְּמָ׳ לְמֵימְרָא דִּלְהָנֵי הוּא דְּפָלְחִי לְהוּ, לְמִידֵּי אַחֲרִינָא לָא? וּרְמִינְהִי: הַשּׁוֹחֵט לְשׁוּם יַמִּים, לְשׁוּם נְהָרוֹת, לְשׁוּם מִדְבָּר, לְשׁוּם חַמָּה, לְשׁוּם לְבָנָה, לְשׁוּם כּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת, לְשׁוּם מִיכָאֵל שַׂר הַגָּדוֹל, לְשׁוּם שִׁילְשׁוּל קָטָן — הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ זִבְחֵי מֵתִים! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מִיפְלָח לְכֹל דְּמַשְׁכְּחִי פָּלְחִי, מֵיצָר וּמִפְלָחי — הָנֵי תְּלָתָא דַּחֲשִׁיבִי צָיְירִי לְהוּ וּפָלְחִי לְהוּ, לְמִידֵּי אַחֲרִינָא — לְנוֹי בְּעָלְמָא עָבְדִי לְהוּ. מְנַקֵּיט רַב שֵׁשֶׁת חוּמְרֵי מַתְנְיָיתָא וְתָנֵי: כׇּל הַמַּזָּלוֹת מוּתָּרִין — חוּץ מִמַּזַּל חַמָּה וּלְבָנָה, וְכׇל הַפַּרְצוּפִין מוּתָּרִין — חוּץ מִפַּרְצוּף אָדָם, וְכׇל הַצּוּרוֹת מוּתָּרוֹת — חוּץ מִצּוּרַת דְּרָקוֹן. אָמַר מָר: כׇּל הַמַּזָּלוֹת מוּתָּרִין, חוּץ מִמַּזַּל חַמָּה וּלְבָנָה. הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? אִילֵימָא בְּעוֹשֶׂה — אִי בְּעוֹשֶׂה, כׇּל הַמַּזָּלוֹת מִי שְׁרֵי? וְהָכְתִיב: ״לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן אִתִּי״ — לֹא תַּעֲשׂוּן כִּדְמוּת שַׁמָּשַׁי הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁין לְפָנַי בַּמָּרוֹם. אֶלָּא פְּשִׁיטָא בְּמוֹצֵא, וּכְדִתְנַן: הַמּוֹצֵא כֵּלִים וַעֲלֵיהֶם צוּרַת חַמָּה, צוּרַת לְבָנָה, צוּרַת דְּרָקוֹן — יוֹלִיכֵם לְיָם הַמֶּלַח.
MISHNA: In the case of one who finds vessels, and upon them is a figure of the sun, a figure of the moon, or a figure of a dragon, he must take them and cast them into the Dead Sea and not derive any benefit from them, as they are assumed to be objects of idol worship. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: Those figures that are upon respectable vessels are forbidden. Those that are upon disgraceful vessels are permitted. GEMARA: The Gemara asks with regard to the specific figures listed in the mishna: Is this to say that people worship only these figures, but not any other item? And the Gemara raises a contradiction between this list and that which is taught in another mishna (Ḥullin 39b): With regard to one who slaughters an animal for the sake of, i.e., to worship, seas, for the sake of rivers, for the sake of the wilderness, for the sake of the sun, for the sake of the moon, for the sake of the stars and constellations, for the sake of Michael the great ministering angel, or even for the sake of a small worm, in all of these cases, the animal is forbidden, as these animals have the status of offerings to the dead, i.e., idols. Abaye said in response to the contradiction: With regard to worship, people might worship any item that they find. With regard to fashioning figures and then worshipping them, only with regard to these three items listed in the mishna, which are important, do people fashion figures of them and worship them. With regard to figures of any other entity, people make them merely for ornamental purposes. Rav Sheshet would consolidate the principles of the baraitot pertaining to this matter and teach: Figures of all constellations are permitted, except for the following celestial objects: The sun and the moon. And figures of all faces are permitted, except for the human face. And all figures of other items are permitted except for the figure of a dragon. The Master said: Figures of all constellations are permitted, except for the following celestial objects: The sun and the moon. The Gemara asks: What are we dealing with here? If we say that the reference is to one who forms these figures, i.e., if Rav Sheshet is discussing the issue of which figures it is permitted to form, is forming figures of all the other constellations permitted? But isn’t it written: “You shall not make with Me gods of silver, or gods of gold, you shall not make for you” (Exodus 20:20)? This verse is interpreted to mean: You shall not make figures of My attendants who serve before Me on high, i.e., those celestial bodies, including the constellations, that were created to serve God. Rather, it is obvious that this halakha is referring to a case where one finds vessels with these figures on them, and this is as we learned in the mishna: In the case of one who finds vessels, and upon them is a figure of the sun, a figure of the moon, or a figure of a dragon, he must take them and cast them into the Dead Sea. This indicates that it is permitted to derive benefit from any other vessels that were found and that had figures on them.
אִי בְּמוֹצֵא, אֵימָא מְצִיעֲתָא: כׇּל הַפַּרְצוּפוֹת מוּתָּרִין חוּץ מִפַּרְצוּף אָדָם; אִי בְּמוֹצֵא, פַּרְצוּף אָדָם מִי אָסוּר? וְהָתְנַן: הַמּוֹצֵא כֵּלִים וַעֲלֵיהֶם צוּרַת חַמָּה, צוּרַת לְבָנָה, צוּרַת דְּרָקוֹן — יוֹלִיכֵם לְיָם הַמֶּלַח. צוּרַת דְּרָקוֹן — אִין, פַּרְצוּף אָדָם — לָא!
The Gemara asks: If it is a case where one finds vessels with these figures on them, say the middle clause of Rav Sheshet’s statement: Figures of all faces are permitted, except for the human face. Now, if it is a case where one finds vessels with figures on them, is a vessel with the figure of the human face forbidden? But didn’t we learn in the mishna: In the case of one who finds vessels, and upon them is a figure of the sun, a figure of the moon, or a figure of a dragon, he must take them and cast them into the Dead Sea? This indicates that a vessel with the figure of a dragon is forbidden, but a vessel with the figure of a human face is not.
אֶלָּא פְּשִׁיטָא בְּעוֹשֶׂה, וְכִדְרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ.
Rather, the Gemara concludes, it is obvious that the statement that the figure of a human face is forbidden is referring to a case where one forms a figure, and this is prohibited, in accordance with the statement of Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, who states (43b) that the interpretation of the verse: “You shall not make with Me gods of silver, or gods of gold, you shall not make for you” (Exodus 20:20), is: Do not make of Me, i.e., do not form the figure of a person, who was created in the image of God.
רָבָא אָמַר: כּוּלָּהּ בְּמוֹצֵא, וּמְצִיעֲתָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה מוֹסִיף אַף דְּמוּת מְנִיקָה וְסַר אֲפֵיס. מְנִיקָה — עַל שֵׁם חַוָּה שֶׁמְּנִיקָה כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ, סַר אֲפֵיס — עַל שֵׁם יוֹסֵף שֶׁסָּר וּמֵפִיס אֶת כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ. וְהוּא דְּנָקֵיט גְּרִיוָא וְקָא כָיֵיל, וְהִיא דְּנָקְטָא בֵּן וְקָא מְנִיקָה.
Rava said: The entire statement of Rav Sheshet is referring to a case where one finds vessels with these figures, and the middle clause is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. As it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda adds to the list of forbidden figures even a figure of a nursing woman and Sar Apis. The figure of a nursing woman is worshipped as it symbolizes Eve, who nurses the entire world. The figure of Sar Apis is worshipped as it symbolizes Joseph, who ruled over [sar] and appeased [mefis] the entire world by distributing food during the seven years of famine (see Genesis, chapter 41). But the figure of Sar Apis is forbidden only when it is holding a dry measure and measuring with it; and the figure of a nursing woman is forbidden only when she is holding a child and nursing it.
אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: פַּעַם אַחַת הָיִיתִי מְהַלֵּךְ אַחַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר הַקַּפָּר בְּרִיבִּי בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וּמָצָא שָׁם טַבַּעַת וְעָלֶיהָ צוּרַת דְּרָקוֹן, וּמָצָא גּוֹי קָטָן וְלָא אָמַר לוֹ כְּלוּם, מָצָא גּוֹי גָּדוֹל וְאָמַר לוֹ: בַּטְּלָהּ, וְלֹא בִּטְּלָהּ, סְטָרוֹ וּבִטְּלָהּ. שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ תְּלָת: שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ גּוֹי מְבַטֵּל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלּוֹ וְשֶׁל חֲבֵירוֹ, וּשְׁמַע מִינַּהּ יוֹדֵעַ בְּטִיב שֶׁל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ מְבַטֵּל, וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ בְּטִיב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ אֵינוֹ מְבַטֵּל, וּשְׁמַע מִינַּהּ גּוֹי מְבַטֵּל בְּעַל כׇּרְחוֹ.
Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Once, I was following Rabbi Elazar HaKappar the Distinguished on the road, and he found a ring there, and there was a figure of a dragon on it. And he then encountered a minor gentile boy, but did not say anything to him. He then encountered an adult gentile, and said to him: Revoke the ring’s idolatrous status. But the gentile did not revoke it. Rabbi Elazar HaKappar then slapped him across his face, whereupon the gentile succumbed and revoked its idolatrous status. The Gemara comments: Learn from this incident the following three halakhot: Learn from it that a gentile can revoke the idolatrous status of both his object of idol worship and that of another gentile. And learn from the fact that Rabbi Elazar HaKappar waited to find an adult gentile, that only one who is aware of the nature of idol worship and its accessories can revoke the idol’s status, but one who is not aware of the nature of idol worship and its accessories, such as a minor, cannot revoke the idol’s status. And finally, learn from it that a gentile can revoke the status of an idol even against his will.
מַתְנִי׳ שָׁאֲלוּ אֶת הַזְּקֵנִים בְּרוֹמִי: אִם אֵין רְצוֹנוֹ בַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, לָמָה אֵינוֹ מְבַטְּלָהּ? אָמְרוּ לָהֶן: אִילּוּ לְדָבָר שֶׁאֵין צוֹרֶךְ לָעוֹלָם בּוֹ הָיוּ עוֹבְדִין — הָיָה מְבַטְּלוֹ, הֲרֵי הֵן עוֹבְדִין לַחַמָּה וְלַלְּבָנָה וְלַכּוֹכָבִים וְלַמַּזָּלוֹת, יְאַבֵּד עוֹלָמוֹ מִפְּנֵי הַשּׁוֹטִים?! אָמְרוּ לָהֶן: אִם כֵּן, יְאַבֵּד דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין צוֹרֶךְ לָעוֹלָם בּוֹ, וְיַנִּיחַ דָּבָר שֶׁצּוֹרֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹ! אָמְרוּ לָהֶן: אַף אָנוּ מַחֲזִיקִין יְדֵי עוֹבְדֵיהֶן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ, שֶׁאוֹמְרִים: תֵּדְעוּ שֶׁהֵן אֱלוֹהוֹת, שֶׁהֲרֵי הֵן לֹא בָּטְלוּ. גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שָׁאֲלוּ פִלוֹסוֹפִין אֶת הַזְּקֵנִים בְּרוֹמִי: אִם אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֵין רְצוֹנוֹ בַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, מִפְּנֵי מָה אֵינוֹ מְבַטְּלָהּ? אָמְרוּ לָהֶם: אִילּוּ לְדָבָר שֶׁאֵין הָעוֹלָם צוֹרֶךְ לוֹ הָיוּ עוֹבְדִין, הֲרֵי הוּא מְבַטְּלָהּ. הֲרֵי הֵן עוֹבְדִין לַחַמָּה וְלַלְּבָנָה וְלַכּוֹכָבִים וְלַמַּזָּלוֹת, יְאַבֵּד עוֹלָם מִפְּנֵי הַשּׁוֹטִים? אֶלָּא עוֹלָם כְּמִנְהָגוֹ נוֹהֵג, וְשׁוֹטִים שֶׁקִּלְקְלוּ עֲתִידִין לִיתֵּן אֶת הַדִּין. דָּבָר אַחֵר: הֲרֵי שֶׁגָּזַל סְאָה שֶׁל חִטִּים [וְהָלַךְ] וּזְרָעָהּ בַּקַּרְקַע — דִּין הוּא שֶׁלֹּא תִּצְמַח, אֶלָּא עוֹלָם כְּמִנְהָגוֹ נוֹהֵג וְהוֹלֵךְ, וְשׁוֹטִים שֶׁקִּלְקְלוּ עֲתִידִין לִיתֵּן אֶת הַדִּין.
MISHNA: The gentiles asked the Jewish Sages who were in Rome: If it is not God’s will that people should engage in idol worship, why does He not eliminate it? The Sages said to them: Were people worshipping only objects for which the world has no need, He would eliminate it. But they worship the sun and the moon and the stars and the constellations. Should He destroy His world because of the fools? The gentiles said to the Sages: If so, let Him destroy those objects of idol worship for which the world has no need and leave those objects for which the world has a need. The Sages said to them: If that were to happen, we would thereby be supporting the worshippers of those objects for which the world has need, as they would say: You should know that these are truly gods, as they were not eliminated from the world, whereas the others were eliminated. GEMARA: The Sages taught: Certain philosophers [filosofin] asked the Jewish Sages who were in Rome: If it is not your God’s will that people should engage in idol worship, for what reason does He not eliminate it? The Sages said to them: Were people worshipping only objects for which the world has no need, He would eliminate it. But they worship the sun and the moon and the stars and the constellations. Should He destroy the world because of the fools? Rather, the world follows its course, and the fools who sinned will be held to judgment in the future for their transgressions. The baraita presents another matter that illustrates the same concept: Consider the case of one who stole a se’a of wheat and went and planted it in the ground. By right it should not grow. But the world goes along and follows its course and the fools who sinned will be held to judgment in the future for their transgressions.
דָּבָר אַחֵר: הֲרֵי שֶׁגָּזַל סְאָה שֶׁל חִטִּים [וְהָלַךְ] וּזְרָעָהּ בַּקַּרְקַע — דִּין הוּא שֶׁלֹּא תִּצְמַח, אֶלָּא עוֹלָם כְּמִנְהָגוֹ נוֹהֵג וְהוֹלֵךְ, וְשׁוֹטִים שֶׁקִּלְקְלוּ עֲתִידִין לִיתֵּן אֶת הַדִּין. דָּבָר אַחֵר: הֲרֵי שֶׁבָּא עַל אֵשֶׁת חֲבֵירוֹ — דִּין הוּא שֶׁלֹּא תִּתְעַבֵּר, אֶלָּא עוֹלָם כְּמִנְהָגוֹ נוֹהֵג וְהוֹלֵךְ, וְשׁוֹטִים שֶׁקִּלְקְלוּ עֲתִידִין לִיתֵּן אֶת הַדִּין. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: לֹא דַּיָּין לָרְשָׁעִים שֶׁעוֹשִׂין סֶלַע שֶׁלִּי פּוּמְבֵּי, אֶלָּא שֶׁמַּטְרִיחִין אוֹתִי וּמַחְתִּימִין אוֹתִי בְּעַל כׇּרְחִי.
The baraita presents another matter that illustrates the same concept: Consider the case of one who stole a se’a of wheat and went and planted it in the ground. By right it should not grow. But the world goes along and follows its course and the fools who sinned will be held to judgment in the future for their transgressions. The baraita presents another matter that illustrates the same concept: Consider the case of one who engaged in intercourse with the wife of another. By right she should not become pregnant. But the world goes along and follows its course and the fools who sinned will be held to judgment in the future for their transgressions. The Gemara comments: And this is as Reish Lakish says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Is it not enough for the wicked that they treat My die for a sela coin as if it were ownerless [pumbi], using it without My permission and against My will, as they impregnate women adulterously? But moreover, they also trouble Me and cause Me to sign the result of their actions against My will, as I form the fetus and give it life, even when its creation is the result of prohibited sexual intercourse.
שָׁאַל פִלוֹסֹפוּס אֶחָד אֶת רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: כָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַתְכֶם ״כִּי ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֵשׁ אֹכְלָה הוּא אֵל קַנָּא״, מִפְּנֵי מָה מִתְקַנֵּא בְּעוֹבְדֶיהָ וְאֵין מִתְקַנֵּא בָּהּ? אָמַר לוֹ: אֶמְשׁוֹל לְךָ מָשָׁל, לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ בֵּן אֶחָד, וְאוֹתוֹ הַבֵּן הָיָה מְגַדֵּל לוֹ אֶת הַכֶּלֶב וְהֶעֱלָה לוֹ שֵׁם עַל שֵׁם אָבִיו, וּכְשֶׁהוּא נִשְׁבָּע אוֹמֵר: ״בְּחַיֵּי כֶּלֶב אַבָּא״, כְּשֶׁשָּׁמַע הַמֶּלֶךְ, עַל מִי הוּא כּוֹעֵס, עַל הַבֵּן הוּא כּוֹעֵס אוֹ עַל הַכֶּלֶב הוּא כּוֹעֵס? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: עַל הַבֵּן הוּא כּוֹעֵס. אָמַר לוֹ: כֶּלֶב אַתָּה קוֹרֵא אוֹתָהּ? וַהֲלֹא יֵשׁ בָּהּ מַמָּשׁ! אָמַר לוֹ: וּמָה רָאִיתָ? אָמַר לוֹ: פַּעַם אַחַת נָפְלָה דְּלֵיקָה בְּעִירֵנוּ, וְנִשְׂרְפָה כׇּל הָעִיר כּוּלָּהּ, וְאוֹתוֹ בֵּית עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה לֹא נִשְׂרַף! אָמַר לוֹ: אֶמְשׁוֹל לְךָ מָשָׁל, לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה? לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁסָּרְחָה עָלָיו מְדִינָה, כְּשֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה מִלְחָמָה, עִם הַחַיִּים הוּא עוֹשֶׂה אוֹ עִם הַמֵּתִים הוּא עוֹשֶׂה? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: עִם הַחַיִּים הוּא עוֹשֶׂה. אָמַר לוֹ: כֶּלֶב אַתָּה קוֹרֵא אוֹתָהּ, מֵת אַתָּה קוֹרֵא אוֹתָהּ, אִם כֵּן יְאַבְּדֶנָּה מִן הָעוֹלָם! אָמַר לוֹ: אִילּוּ לְדָבָר שֶׁאֵין הָעוֹלָם צָרִיךְ לוֹ הָיוּ עוֹבְדִין, הֲרֵי הוּא מְבַטְּלָהּ, הֲרֵי הֵן עוֹבְדִין לַחַמָּה וְלַלְּבָנָה, לַכּוֹכָבִים וְלַמַּזָּלוֹת, לָאֲפִיקִים וְלַגֵּאָיוֹת, יְאַבֵּד עוֹלָמוֹ מִפְּנֵי שׁוֹטִים? וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר: ״אָסֹף אָסֵף כֹּל מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה נְאֻם ה׳, אָסֵף אָדָם וּבְהֵמָה אָסֵף עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּדְגֵי הַיָּם וְהַמַּכְשֵׁלוֹת אֶת הָרְשָׁעִים [וְגוֹ׳]״, וְכִי מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהָרְשָׁעִים נִכְשָׁלִים בָּהֶן יְאַבְּדֵם מִן הָעוֹלָם? וַהֲלֹא לְאָדָם הֵן עוֹבְדִין, ״וְהִכְרַתִּי אֶת הָאָדָם מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה [וְגוֹ׳]״.
A certain philosopher asked Rabban Gamliel: It is written in your Torah with regard to the prohibition against idol worship: “For the Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24). For what reason is He jealous and does He exact vengeance from the idol’s worshippers, but He is not jealous of the idol itself and does not destroy it? Rabban Gamliel said to the philosopher: I will relate a parable to you. To what is this matter comparable? It may be compared to a king of flesh and blood who had one son, and that son was raising a dog. And the son gave the dog a name, naming him after his father. When the son would take an oath, he would say: I swear by the life of the dog, my father. When the king heard about this, with whom was the king angry? Is he angry with the son or is he angry with the dog? You must say that he is angry with the son. So too, God is angry with the worshippers who attribute divinity to objects of idol worship and not with the objects of idol worship themselves. The philosopher said to Rabban Gamliel: Do you call the idol a dog? But the idol truly exists, i.e., has power. Rabban Gamliel said to the philosopher: And what did you see that caused you to believe that the idols have power? The philosopher said to Rabban Gamliel: A fire once broke out in our city, and the entire city was burned down, but that temple of idol worship was not burned down. Rabban Gamliel said to the philosopher: I will relate a parable to you. To what is this matter comparable? It may be compared to a king of flesh and blood whose province sinned against him. When he wages war, does he wage war against the living or does he wage war against the dead? You must say that he wages war against the living. God punishes the living worshippers and not the idol, which is not alive. The philosopher said to Rabban Gamliel: You call the idol a dog; you call the idol dead. If it is so, let God remove it from the world. Rabban Gamliel said to the philosopher: Were people worshipping only objects for which the world has no need, He would eliminate it. But they worship the sun and the moon, the stars and the constellations, and the streams and the valleys. Should He destroy His world because of fools? And so the verse states: “Shall I utterly consume all things from off the face of the earth? says the Lord. Shall I consume man and beast? Shall I consume the fowls of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the stumbling blocks of the wicked, and shall I cut off man from off the face of the earth? says the Lord” (Zephaniah 1:2–3). Should God remove objects of idol worship from the world due to the fact that the wicked stumble because of them? If so, He would have to destroy all of humanity as well, as do not idol worshippers also worship people? This is expressed in the continuation of the verse: “And shall I cut off man from off the face of the earth? says the Lord.”
רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אִיקְּלַע לְגַבְלָא, חֲזָא בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל דְּמִיעַבְּרָן מִגּוֹיִם שֶׁמָּלוּ וְלֹא טָבְלוּ, חֲזָא חַמְרָא דִּמְזַגוּ גּוֹיִם וְשָׁתוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, חֲזָא תּוֹרְמוֹסָא דְּשָׁלְקִי לְהוּ גּוֹיִם וְאָכְלִי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְלָא אֲמַר לְהוּ וְלָא מִידֵּי. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: צֵא וְהַכְרֵז עַל בְּנֵיהֶם שֶׁהֵן מַמְזֵרִים, וְעַל יֵינָן מִשּׁוּם יֵין נֶסֶךְ, וְעַל תּוֹרְמוֹסָן מִשּׁוּם בִּישּׁוּלֵי גוֹיִם, מִשּׁוּם שֶׁאֵינָן בְּנֵי תוֹרָה. עַל בְּנֵיהֶם שֶׁהֵם מַמְזֵרִים — רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן לְטַעְמֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לְעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ גֵּר עַד שֶׁיָּמוּל וְיִטְבּוֹל, וְכֵיוָן דְּלָא טְבֵיל — גּוֹי הוּא. וְאָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: גּוֹי וְעֶבֶד הַבָּא עַל בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל — הַוָּלָד מַמְזֵר. וּגְזוּר עַל יֵינָם מִשּׁוּם יֵין נֶסֶךְ — מִשּׁוּם ״לָךְ לָךְ, אָמְרִין נְזִירָא; סְחוֹר סְחוֹר, לְכַרְמָא לָא תִּקְרַב״. וְעַל תּוֹרְמוֹסָן מִשּׁוּם בִּישּׁוּלֵי גוֹיִם — לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָן בְּנֵי תוֹרָה. טַעְמָא דְּאֵינָן בְּנֵי תוֹרָה, הָא בְּנֵי תוֹרָה שְׁרֵי? וְהָאָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר רַב יִצְחָק אָמַר רַב: כֹּל שֶׁנֶּאֱכָל כְּמוֹת שֶׁהוּא חַי אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם בִּישּׁוּלֵי גוֹיִם! רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן כִּי הָךְ לִישָּׁנָא סְבִירָא לֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר רַב יִצְחָק אָמַר רַב: כֹּל שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹלֶה לְשׁוּלְחָן שֶׁל מְלָכִים לְלֶפֶת בּוֹ אֶת הַפַּת — אֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם בִּישּׁוּלֵי גוֹיִם. טַעְמָא דְּאֵינָן בְּנֵי תוֹרָה, הָא בְּנֵי תוֹרָה שְׁרֵי. בְּעוֹ מִינֵּיהּ מֵרַב כָּהֲנָא: גּוֹי מַהוּ שֶׁיּוֹלִיךְ עֲנָבִים לַגַּת? אֲמַר לְהוּ: אָסוּר, מִשּׁוּם ״לָךְ לָךְ, אָמְרִין נְזִירָא; סְחוֹר סְחוֹר, לְכַרְמָא לָא תִּקְרַב״. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רַב יֵימַר לְרַב כָּהֲנָא: גּוֹי שֶׁהֵבִיא עֲנָבִים לַגַּת בְּסַלִּין.
§ Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba happened to come to Gavla. He saw Jewish women there who were impregnated by gentiles who were in the process of converting and were circumcised but had not yet immersed in a ritual bath. He also saw wine that gentiles diluted with water and Jews then drank the wine. He also saw lupines that gentiles were cooking and Jews were eating. And despite seeing all this, he did not say anything to them to correct their actions. Later, he came before Rabbi Yoḥanan and told him what he had seen. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: Go and declare about their children that they have the status of children born from an incestuous or adulterous relationship [mamzerim]. And decree with regard to their wine that it is prohibited as an extension of the prohibition of wine used for a libation. And with regard to their lupines you should declare that they are forbidden due to the prohibition of food cooked by gentiles, as they are not people well-versed in Torah, and any leniency would be misunderstood and applied too extensively. The Gemara explains that with regard to declaring about their children that they have the status of mamzerim, Rabbi Yoḥanan conforms to his standard line of reasoning concerning two halakhot. The first is as Rabbi Yoḥanan says: One is never deemed to be a convert until he has been circumcised and has immersed. And since the father has not immersed, he is still considered a gentile. And the second halakha is as Rabba bar bar Ḥana says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In the case of a gentile or a Canaanite slave who engaged in intercourse with a Jewish woman, the offspring is a mamzer. The Gemara continues to explain Rabbi Yoḥanan’s second instruction to Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba: And decree with regard to their wine that it is prohibited as an extension of the prohibition of wine used for a libation. Although the gentile did not touch the wine when he diluted it, it is prohibited due to the maxim: Go, go, we say to a nazirite; go around and go around, but do not come near to the vineyard. Lastly, Rabbi Yoḥanan instructed Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba to decree with regard to their lupines that they are forbidden due to the prohibition of food cooked by gentiles, as they are not people well-versed in Torah. The Gemara asks: The reason that the lupines are deemed prohibited is because they are not people well-versed in Torah; but in the case of people who are well-versed in Torah, one can infer that the lupines are permitted. But doesn’t Rav Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak say that Rav says: Anything that is eaten raw is not subject to the prohibition of food cooked by gentiles, even when cooked by them? Lupines are not eaten raw due to their bitterness, and therefore they are subject to the prohibition of food cooked by gentiles. The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yoḥanan holds in accordance with that other version of Rav Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak’s statement, as Rav Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak says that Rav says: Anything that lacks importance and therefore does not appear on the table of kings in order to be eaten together with bread is not subject to the prohibition of food cooked by gentiles. Lupines are not sufficiently important to be served on the table of kings, and therefore they are permitted even if cooked by gentiles. Consequently, the reason for prohibiting the residents of Gavla from eating them is because they are not people well-versed in Torah. But in the case of people well-versed in Torah, the lupines are permitted. § The Sages asked Rav Kahana: With regard to a gentile, what is the halakha concerning the following question: May he bring grapes to the winepress without doing anything else to them? Rav Kahana said to them: It is prohibited by rabbinic decree due to the maxim: Go, go, we say to a nazirite; go around and go around, but do not come near to the vineyard. Rav Yeimar raised an objection to Rav Kahana from a baraita: With regard to a gentile who brought grapes to the winepress in baskets
אָמַר רָבָא: זוֹנָה גּוֹיָה, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל מְסוּבִּין אֶצְלָהּ — חַמְרָא שְׁרֵי, נְהִי דְּתָקֵיף לְהוּ יִצְרָא דַעֲבֵירָה, יִצְרָא דְּיֵין נֶסֶךְ לָא תָּקֵיף לְהוּ. זוֹנָה יִשְׂרְאֵלִית וְגוֹיִם מְסוּבִּין — חַמְרָא אָסוּר, מַאי טַעְמָא? הוֹאִיל וְזִילָה עֲלַיְיהוּ, בָּתְרַיְיהוּ גְּרִירָא.
§ Rava says: In the case of a gentile prostitute, where Jews are dining at her table, the wine at the table is permitted. Granted, their passion for the sin of harlotry overwhelms their judgment, but the passion for wine used for a libation does not overwhelm their judgment, and they will not allow her to use it for a libation. In the case of a Jewish prostitute and gentiles dining with her, the wine is forbidden. What is the reason? It is that since she is contemptible in their eyes, she is subjugated to them, and they use the wine for a libation without consideration for her....
וְאִי מִשּׁוּם שַׁבְּתָא, הָאָמַר רָבָא: אֲמַר לִי אִיסּוּר גִּיּוֹרָא, כִּי הֲוֵינַן בְּאַרְמָיוּתַן אָמְרִינַן: יְהוּדָאֵי לָא מְנַטְּרִי שַׁבְּתָא, דְּאִי מְנַטְּרִי שַׁבְּתָא כַּמָּה כִּיסֵי קָא מִשְׁתַּכְחִי בְּשׁוּקָא. וְלָא יָדַעְנָא דִּסְבִירָא לַן כְּרַבִּי יִצְחָק, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: הַמּוֹצֵא כִּיס בְּשַׁבָּת מוֹלִיכוֹ פָּחוֹת פָּחוֹת מֵאַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת.
The Gemara comments: And if one might object that the gentile is presumably not concerned because he knows that the Jew will not return until the end of Shabbat, didn’t Rava say: Issur the Convert told me: When we were still gentiles, before converting, we used to say: Jews do not actually observe Shabbat, as, if they observe Shabbat, how many wallets would be found in the marketplace that the Jews could not take on Shabbat? And I did not know that we maintain that the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yitzḥak, as Rabbi Yitzḥak says: One who finds a wallet on Shabbat may carry it in increments of less than four cubits. Evidently, gentiles assume that a Jew would violate Shabbat for monetary gain.
הָנְהוּ גַּנָּבֵי דְּסָלְקִי לְפוּמְבְּדִיתָא, וּפְתַחוּ חָבְיָתָא טוּבָא. אֲמַר רָבָא: חַמְרָא שְׁרֵי. מַאי טַעְמָא? רוּבָּא גַּנָּבֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נִינְהוּ. הֲוָה עוֹבָדָא בִּנְהַרְדְּעָא, וְאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: חַמְרָא שְׁרֵי.
The Gemara relates: There was an incident involving certain thieves who came to Pumbedita and opened many barrels of wine. Rava said: The wine is permitted. What is the reason? Most of the thieves in Pumbedita are Jews, and the halakha follows the majority, and therefore the wine is not rendered forbidden. There was a similar incident in Neharde’a, and Shmuel said: The wine is permitted.
גְּמָ׳ וּרְמִינְהִי: עִיר שֶׁכְּבָשׁוּהָ כַּרְקוֹם — כׇּל כֹּהֲנוֹת שֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּ פְּסוּלוֹת! אָמַר רַב מָרִי: לְנַסֵּךְ אֵין פְּנַאי, לִבְעוֹל יֵשׁ פְּנַאי.
GEMARA: And the Gemara raises a contradiction to the assumption that soldiers during wartime do not have time to commit transgressions from that which is taught in another mishna (Ketubot 27a): With regard to a city that was conquered by an army laying siege, all the women married to priests located in the city are unfit and forbidden to their husbands, due to the concern that they were raped. Rav Mari resolved the contradiction and said: They do not have time to pour wine for libations, as their passion for idolatry is not pressing at that time, but they have time to engage in intercourse, because their lust is great even during wartime.
הַסַּכִּין — שָׁפָהּ וְהִיא טְהוֹרָה. אָמַר רַב עוּקְבָא בַּר חָמָא: וְנוֹעֲצָהּ עֲשָׂרָה פְּעָמִים בַּקַּרְקַע. אֲמַר רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: וּבְקַרְקַע שֶׁאֵינָהּ עֲבוּדָה. אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: וּבְסַכִּין יָפָה שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ גּוּמּוֹת. תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: סַכִּין יָפָה שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ גּוּמּוֹת נוֹעֲצָהּ עֲשָׂרָה פְּעָמִים בְּקַרְקַע. אָמַר רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ: לֶאֱכוֹל בָּהּ צוֹנֵן. כִּי הָא דְּמָר יְהוּדָה וּבָאטִי בַּר טוֹבִי הֲווֹ יָתְבִי קַמֵּיהּ דְּשַׁבּוּר מַלְכָּא, אַיְיתוֹ לְקַמַּיְיהוּ אֶתְרוֹגָא. פְּסַק אֲכַל, פְּסַק וְהַב לֵיהּ לְבָאטִי בַּר טוֹבִי, הֲדַר דָּצַהּ עַשְׂרָה זִימְנֵי בְּאַרְעָא, פְּסַק הַב לֵיהּ לְמָר יְהוּדָה. אֲמַר לֵיהּ בָּאטִי בַּר טוֹבִי: וְהָהוּא גַּבְרָא לָאו בַּר יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מָר קִים לִי בְּגַוֵּיהּ, וּמָר לָא קִים לִי בְּגַוֵּיהּ. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִידְּכַר מַאי עֲבַדְתְּ בְּאוּרְתָּא.
§ The mishna teaches: With regard to the knife, one must polish it and it is rendered pure. Rav Ukva bar Ḥama says: And one must thrust it ten times into the ground. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, says: And this must be done in untilled earth, i.e., hard earth. Rav Kahana says: And this applies to a good knife that does not have notches, so that the entire surface of the knife is scraped against the ground. This is also taught in a baraita: With regard to a good knife that does not have notches, one can thrust it ten times into the ground. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, says: This is sufficient for the purpose of eating cold food with it. This is like that incident involving Mar Yehuda, an important personage of the house of the Exilarch, and Bati bar Tuvi, a wealthy man, who were sitting before King Shapur, the king of Persia. The king’s servants brought an etrog before them. The king cut a slice and ate it, and then he cut a slice and gave it to Bati bar Tuvi. He then stuck the knife ten times in the ground, cut a slice, and gave it to Mar Yehuda. Bati bar Tuvi said to him: And is that man, referring to himself, not Jewish? King Shapur said to him: I am certain of that master, Mar Yehuda, that he is meticulous about halakha; but I am not certain of that master, referring to Bati bar Tuvi, that he is meticulous in this regard. There are those who say that King Shapur said to him: Remember what you did last night. The Persian practice was to present a woman to each guest, with whom he would engage in intercourse. Mar Yehuda did not accept the woman who was sent to him, but Bati bar Tuvi did, and therefore he was not assumed to be meticulous with regard to eating kosher food....