Hi,
"When [Reish Lakish] died, he left behind a kav measure of
saffron. He applied to himself [apparently negatively] Psalms 49:11, "'And they left their strength
to others.'"
[Note: The kav is fairly small, but saffron was a valuable spice. I am not sure how to take this.]
(Talmud, Gittin 47a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Showing posts with label Sources: Talmud Bavli: Gittin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sources: Talmud Bavli: Gittin. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
When Gd is hard to find
Hi,
Responses to the Roman destruction of the second Beit haMikdash, and the massacre of Jews:
"Abba Chanan said: Psalm 89 says, "Who is like You, mighty Gd?" Who is like You, mighty and tough, such that You hear the mockery and blasphemy of wicked Titus and You are silent?
"In the yeshiva of R' Yishmael they taught: Exodus 15 says, "Who is like You among the mighty [אלים]" – "Who is like You among the mute [אלמים]".
(Talmud, Gittin 56b)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Responses to the Roman destruction of the second Beit haMikdash, and the massacre of Jews:
"Abba Chanan said: Psalm 89 says, "Who is like You, mighty Gd?" Who is like You, mighty and tough, such that You hear the mockery and blasphemy of wicked Titus and You are silent?
"In the yeshiva of R' Yishmael they taught: Exodus 15 says, "Who is like You among the mighty [אלים]" – "Who is like You among the mute [אלמים]".
(Talmud, Gittin 56b)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Avoid becoming a target of suspicion
Hi,
Preface: The term "eruv chatzeirot", as used here, refers to a meal owned by the residents of adjacent properties. Designating such a joint meal permits them to carry from one private yard into an adjacent private yard, or within an enclosed yard to which all of them have access.
"We are taught that the eruv chatzeirot should be kept in the same house in which it was kept in the past, to create peace. What is the issue? If it's because moving it would detract from the honour of the house's residents, what about the Shofar (literally, or a reference to a tzedakah box) which was first kept in Rav Yehudah's house, then in Rabbah's, then in Rav Yosef's, then in Abbaye's, and then in Rava's?
"Rather, it's because of this: Were people to enter the house and not see the eruv chatzeirot, they would suspect that people had become lax in this law, and were no longer observing it."
(Talmud, Gittin 60b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Preface: The term "eruv chatzeirot", as used here, refers to a meal owned by the residents of adjacent properties. Designating such a joint meal permits them to carry from one private yard into an adjacent private yard, or within an enclosed yard to which all of them have access.
"We are taught that the eruv chatzeirot should be kept in the same house in which it was kept in the past, to create peace. What is the issue? If it's because moving it would detract from the honour of the house's residents, what about the Shofar (literally, or a reference to a tzedakah box) which was first kept in Rav Yehudah's house, then in Rabbah's, then in Rav Yosef's, then in Abbaye's, and then in Rava's?
"Rather, it's because of this: Were people to enter the house and not see the eruv chatzeirot, they would suspect that people had become lax in this law, and were no longer observing it."
(Talmud, Gittin 60b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Punishment for failure to mourn
Hi,
"Three sages sitting together said: If anyone knows anything about Kfar Sakhnia in Egypt, let him speak.
[One told of a betrothed couple, taken captive, who refused to touch each other without a halachic marriage. The two others told of their commitment to justice.]
"Abbaye asked Rav Yosef: If they were so righteous, why were they punished?
"Rav Yosef explained: They did not mourn for Jerusalem, as it is written, 'Be glad with Jerusalem and rejoice in her, all who love her; rejoice with her, all who mourn for her.'"
(Talmud, Gittin 57a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
"Three sages sitting together said: If anyone knows anything about Kfar Sakhnia in Egypt, let him speak.
[One told of a betrothed couple, taken captive, who refused to touch each other without a halachic marriage. The two others told of their commitment to justice.]
"Abbaye asked Rav Yosef: If they were so righteous, why were they punished?
"Rav Yosef explained: They did not mourn for Jerusalem, as it is written, 'Be glad with Jerusalem and rejoice in her, all who love her; rejoice with her, all who mourn for her.'"
(Talmud, Gittin 57a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, Part III
Hi,
"Bar Kamtza told the governor (the Aramaic is "Caesar"; it is unclear what level of authority this was, though): The Jews are rebelling against you!
"The governor said: Who says?
"Bar Kamtza said: Send them a korban, and see whether they offer it up.
"The governor sent a 1/3-grown calf [or third-born, according to some commentators; this was supposed to be especially fine] with Bar Kamtza. En route, he blemished its lips, or some say its ears, in a spot which would be a blemish under our rules but not under Roman rules. [Commentators explain that this hinted to the stingy eye or harmful speech of the Jews of the time. Presumably it could also refer to the Sages who had angered Bar Kamtza by watching with their eyes and failing to speak up.]
"The sages thought to bring it [despite its blemish] to keep peace with the government, but Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus said: People will say that blemished animals may be brought as offerings!
"The sages thought to kill Bar Kamtza to prevent him from informing the governor that they had not brought the offering, but Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus said: People will say that one who blemishes an offering is killed!
"Rabbi Yochanan said: The patience [or, according to some, humility] of Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus destroyed our house, burned our sanctum and exiled us from our land! [In the version of this story in Eichah Rabbah, Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus was the head of the Sages at the party, and he did not prevent Bar Kamtza's ejection. He was humble/patient at the party, but when it came to this legal decision he spoke up.]
"The governor sent Neron Caesar against Jerusalem."
(Talmud, Gittin 56a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
"Bar Kamtza told the governor (the Aramaic is "Caesar"; it is unclear what level of authority this was, though): The Jews are rebelling against you!
"The governor said: Who says?
"Bar Kamtza said: Send them a korban, and see whether they offer it up.
"The governor sent a 1/3-grown calf [or third-born, according to some commentators; this was supposed to be especially fine] with Bar Kamtza. En route, he blemished its lips, or some say its ears, in a spot which would be a blemish under our rules but not under Roman rules. [Commentators explain that this hinted to the stingy eye or harmful speech of the Jews of the time. Presumably it could also refer to the Sages who had angered Bar Kamtza by watching with their eyes and failing to speak up.]
"The sages thought to bring it [despite its blemish] to keep peace with the government, but Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus said: People will say that blemished animals may be brought as offerings!
"The sages thought to kill Bar Kamtza to prevent him from informing the governor that they had not brought the offering, but Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus said: People will say that one who blemishes an offering is killed!
"Rabbi Yochanan said: The patience [or, according to some, humility] of Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus destroyed our house, burned our sanctum and exiled us from our land! [In the version of this story in Eichah Rabbah, Rabbi Zecharyah ben Avkulus was the head of the Sages at the party, and he did not prevent Bar Kamtza's ejection. He was humble/patient at the party, but when it came to this legal decision he spoke up.]
"The governor sent Neron Caesar against Jerusalem."
(Talmud, Gittin 56a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, Part II
Hi,
Continuing the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza from yesterday:
"Bar Kamtza said: I will pay for half of your feast!
"The host said: No.
"Bar Kamtza said: I will pay for your entire feast!
"The host said: No. He grabbed Bar Kamtza by the hand, picked him up and removed him. [Worth noting - He delegated invitations of friends to a servant, but handled the eviction of his enemy himself.]
"Bar Kamtza said: Since the Sages were sitting there and they did not protest, I see that this treatment is appropriate in their eyes! I will spread a harmful rumor about them to the palace."
(to be continued)
(Talmud, Gittin 56a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Continuing the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza from yesterday:
"Bar Kamtza said: I will pay for half of your feast!
"The host said: No.
"Bar Kamtza said: I will pay for your entire feast!
"The host said: No. He grabbed Bar Kamtza by the hand, picked him up and removed him. [Worth noting - He delegated invitations of friends to a servant, but handled the eviction of his enemy himself.]
"Bar Kamtza said: Since the Sages were sitting there and they did not protest, I see that this treatment is appropriate in their eyes! I will spread a harmful rumor about them to the palace."
(to be continued)
(Talmud, Gittin 56a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, Part I
Hi,
"Because of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, Jerusalem was destroyed.
"There was a man whose friend was Kamtza, and whose enemy was Bar Kamtza. [Some suggest these were father and son.] The man made a feast, and told his servant, 'Go bring me Kamtza.' The servant went and brought Bar Kamtza.
"The man came and saw Bar Kamtza sitting at the feast, and said to him, 'You are my enemy – what do you want here? Get up and leave!'
"Bar Kamtza said: Since I have come, leave me, and I will pay you for whatever I eat and drink.
"The man said: No."
To be continued…
(Talmud, Gittin 55b-56a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
"Because of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, Jerusalem was destroyed.
"There was a man whose friend was Kamtza, and whose enemy was Bar Kamtza. [Some suggest these were father and son.] The man made a feast, and told his servant, 'Go bring me Kamtza.' The servant went and brought Bar Kamtza.
"The man came and saw Bar Kamtza sitting at the feast, and said to him, 'You are my enemy – what do you want here? Get up and leave!'
"Bar Kamtza said: Since I have come, leave me, and I will pay you for whatever I eat and drink.
"The man said: No."
To be continued…
(Talmud, Gittin 55b-56a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The importance of establishing Jewish life in Israel
Hi,
"The sages taught: One may even write up a deed to purchase land in Israel on Shabbat.
"Do you really believe one could do this on Shabbat?! Rather, it is as Rava taught in another circumstance, that one may ask a non-Jew to do certain things on Shabbat, so in this case one may ask a non-Jew to do it. Although the sages prohibited asking a non-Jew to perform melachah on Shabbat, they did not create their decree in a case where that would prevent settlement of the land of Israel."
(Talmud, Gittin 8b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"The sages taught: One may even write up a deed to purchase land in Israel on Shabbat.
"Do you really believe one could do this on Shabbat?! Rather, it is as Rava taught in another circumstance, that one may ask a non-Jew to do certain things on Shabbat, so in this case one may ask a non-Jew to do it. Although the sages prohibited asking a non-Jew to perform melachah on Shabbat, they did not create their decree in a case where that would prevent settlement of the land of Israel."
(Talmud, Gittin 8b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Intimidation in the household
Hi,
"One who creates excess fear in his home will, in the end, come to immorality, murder and desecration of Shabbat."
(Talmud, Gittin 6b; Rashi there explains how intimidation leads to each of these)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
"One who creates excess fear in his home will, in the end, come to immorality, murder and desecration of Shabbat."
(Talmud, Gittin 6b; Rashi there explains how intimidation leads to each of these)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Theories
Hi,
The Talmud records a novel legal theory proposed by R' Yochanan, and then notes that R' Yochanan himself, when presented with a case in which his theory would have resulted in a unique ruling, declined to apply his own, novel theory, and instead went with the norm.
As R' Yochanan asked rhetorically, "Because we imagine something to be so, shall we therefore act on it?"
The lesson: We would do well to be skeptical of our own theories...
(Talmud, Gittin 37a)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
The Talmud records a novel legal theory proposed by R' Yochanan, and then notes that R' Yochanan himself, when presented with a case in which his theory would have resulted in a unique ruling, declined to apply his own, novel theory, and instead went with the norm.
As R' Yochanan asked rhetorically, "Because we imagine something to be so, shall we therefore act on it?"
The lesson: We would do well to be skeptical of our own theories...
(Talmud, Gittin 37a)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
A response to pain
Hi,
We generally don't teach 'turn the other cheek' philosophy, but note this passage:
"Rav Gviha of Argiza explained a biblical passage (from Yehoshua 15): If one is pained because another has harmed him, but remains silent, then the Eternal One will perform justice for him."
(Talmud, Gittin 7a)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
We generally don't teach 'turn the other cheek' philosophy, but note this passage:
"Rav Gviha of Argiza explained a biblical passage (from Yehoshua 15): If one is pained because another has harmed him, but remains silent, then the Eternal One will perform justice for him."
(Talmud, Gittin 7a)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Sunday, March 23, 2008
True strength?
Hi,
[I'm not sure whether my insertion of 'even' below is correct, or not. It depends on your philosophical approach to suffering.]
"Regarding those who embarrassed by others but do not embarrass others, who hear their shame and do not reply, perform [mitzvot] out of love and are joyous [even] in suffering, it is written [Judges 5], 'Those who love Him are like the emerging Sun in its strength.'"
(Talmud, Gittin 36b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
[I'm not sure whether my insertion of 'even' below is correct, or not. It depends on your philosophical approach to suffering.]
"Regarding those who embarrassed by others but do not embarrass others, who hear their shame and do not reply, perform [mitzvot] out of love and are joyous [even] in suffering, it is written [Judges 5], 'Those who love Him are like the emerging Sun in its strength.'"
(Talmud, Gittin 36b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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