When the river split (part 2)

Hi,

(continued from yesterday:)

"There was also a man who was carrying wheat for Passover. R' Pinchas ben Yair told the river, 'Split for him, to, for he is involved in a mitzvah!' The river split.

"There was also an Arab merchant escorting R' Pinchas and the wheat-carrier. R' Pinchas ben Yair told the river, 'Split for him, too, lest he say, 'This is what is done to those who escort others?' The  river split for him, too."

(Talmud, Chullin 7a)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

When the river split (part 1)

Hi,

"R' Pinchas ben Yair was en route to redeem captives, when he came to  the Ginai River. He said, 'Ginai, split your water for me and I will pass!'

"The river replied, 'You are trying to do your Creator's bidding and I am trying to do my Creator's bidding - but you are only possibly going to succeed, while I certainly am succeeding!'

"R' Pinchas ben Yair responded, 'Split, or I will decree that you will dry up entirely!'

"The river split."

(Talmud, Chullin 7a; To be continued tomorrow, Gd-willing...)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair did not want to eat out - Part III

Hi,

"Rebbe continued to push Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair [to come eat with him], until a mountain [miraculously] arose between them.

"Rebbe cried and said: In their lives they are so powerful [that Gd would perform miracles to satisfy their desire], how much more so in their death! For R' Chama bar Chanina taught, 'The righteous are greater in their death than in their lives, as it is written...'

"They said regarding Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair that he never broke bread belonging to another."

(Talmud, Chullin 7b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair did not want to eat out - Part II

Hi,

"When Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair came to Rebbe's home, he sought to enter through a passage where [he found that] a white mule stood. He exclaimed, 'The angel of death [for white mules were particularly vicious] is in this house; how could I eat with him?'

"Rebbe heard this and exited to greet him. He said, 'Should I sell it?!' To which Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair replied, 'You shall not put a stumbling block before the blind!'

"He said, 'I will abandon it!' To which Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair replied, 'You will increase the harm! '

"He said, 'I will remove its hooves!' To which Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair replied, 'This will pain a living creature!'

" He said, 'I will kill it!' To which Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair replied, 'That would violate the prohibition against waste!'

(Talmud, Chullin 7b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair did not want to eat out - Part I

Hi,

"Rebbe heard [that Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair had arrived]. He went out to greet him, and asked, 'Would you like eat with me?' Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair replied: Yes.

"Rebbe's face shone [with joy]. Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair said to him, 'Did you think I had vowed not to benefit from Israel? Israel is a holy people! I only refuse because some people want to host but lack the means, and others have the means but don't sincerely want to host, and it is written (Mishlei 23:6-7), 'Do not eat the bread of a stingy person, and do not desire his tasty food, for it is bitter in his soul; he will instruct you, 'Eat and drink,' but his heart is not with you.' You, on the other hand, sincerely want to host and have the means.'"

(Talmud, Chullin 7b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai