More than just apples...

Hi,

"Abbaye said: Since we say that signs are meaningful, one should accustom himself to see gourds and fenugreek, leek, beets and dates at the start of the year."

אמר אביי, השתא דאמרת: סימנא מילתא היא, [לעולם] יהא רגיל למיחזי בריש שתא קרא ורוביא, כרתי וסילקא ותמרי.

(Talmud, Horiyot 12a)

[Rashi explains that these grow faster than other vegetables.]

כתיבה וחתימה טובה,

Mordechai

Wisdom does not necessarily translate into wealth

Hi,

"Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Yehoshua were travelling on a boat. Rabban Gamliel had bread, Rabbi Yehoshua had flour. Rabban Gamliel’s bread was finished, and he depended on Rabbi Yehoshua’s flour. He said to Rabbi Yehoshua: Did you know we would take this long, that you brought flour?

"He replied: There is a star which ascends every seventy years, and it fools the sailors. I said, ‘Perhaps it might ascend and fool us.’

"Rabban Gamliel said: You knew all this, and still you entered the boat?!

"He replied: Before you express shock at me, express shock at your two students on land, Rabbi Elazar Chisma and Rabbi Yochanan ben Gudgida, who can estimate the drops in the sea but who lack bread to eat and clothes to wear!"

(Talmud, Horiyyot 10a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Authority?

Hi,

Preface: Rabban Gamliel decided to give Rabbi Elazar Chisma and Rabbi Yochanan ben Gudgida positions of political authority [so that they could be supported by their salaries].

"He sent for them, but they didn't come. He sent again, and they finally came.

"He said to them, 'Do you think I am offering you authority [and so you demurred in order to avoid honor]? I am offering you slavery!"

Rashi explains: Authority is actually slavery, because a person becomes responsible for others.

(Talmud, Horiyyot 10a-b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Acknowledging one's errors

Hi,

"Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai said: Fortunate is the nation whose prince brings a korban [Temple offering] to atone for his errors!"

(Talmud, Horiyyot 10b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Excellence in Torah Study

Hi,

"There was a debate between Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel and the Sages: Is it better to be a Sinai [an expert in broad areas of Torah] or a Grinder of Mountains [a master of fine distinctions and deep understanding]? One said Sinai is better, the other said Grinder of Mountains is better.

"Rav Yosef was a Sinai, and Rabbah was a Grinder of Mountains. They sent the question to the sages of Israel - 'Who has precedence [in teaching in the study hall]?'

"The Israeli sages responded that Sinai does; it is said, 'Everyone needs the person with the grain.'

"Despite this, Rav Yosef did not accept this honor."

(Talmud, Horiyyot 14a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai