BM 83B

Untitled Lesson

By Rabbi Lieberman

​דָּרֵשׁ רַבִּי זֵירָא וְאָמְרִי לַהּ תָּנֵי רַב יוֹסֵף ,מַאי דִּכְתִיב {תהלים ק״ד:כ׳} תָּשֶׁת חֹשֶׁךְ וִיהִי לָיְלָה בּוֹ תִרְמוֹשׂ כׇּל חַיְתוֹ יָעַר? תָּשֶׁת חֹשֶׁךְ וִיהִי לָיְלָה, זֶה הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה שֶׁדּוֹמֶה לְלַיְלָה, בּוֹ תִרְמוֹשׂ כׇּל חַיְתוֹ יָעַר, אֵלּוּ רְשָׁעִים שֶׁבּוֹ שֶׁדּוֹמִין לְחַיָּה שֶׁבַּיַּעַר.תִּזְרַח הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ יֵאָסֵפוּן וְאֶל מְעוֹנֹתָם יִרְבָּצוּן, תִּזְרַח הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לַצַּדִּיקִים, יֵאָסֵפוּן רְשָׁעִים לְגֵיהִנָּם, וְאֶל מְעוֹנֹתָם יִרְבָּצוּן. אֵין לָךְ כׇּל צַדִּיק וְצַדִּיק שֶׁאֵין לוֹ מָדוֹר לְפִי כְבוֹדוֹ, יֵצֵא אָדָם לְפׇעֳלוֹ, יֵצְאוּ צַדִּיקִים לְקַבֵּל שְׂכָרָן, וְלַעֲבוֹדָתוֹ עֲדֵי עָרֶב, בְּמִי שֶׁהִשְׁלִים עֲבוֹדָתוֹ עֲדֵי עָרֶב.

(Rav Yosef): "Tashes Choshech vi'Yehi Lailah" refers to this world, which resembles night. "Kol Chayso Ya'ar" refers to the wicked, who are like beasts of the forest. "Tizrach ha'Shemesh" - the sun will shine for the Tzadikim. "Ye'asefun" - the wicked will be gathered to Gehinom. "V'El Me'onosam Yirbatzun" - every Tzadik will have a place according to his honor;

"Yetzei Adam l'Fa'alo" - the Tzadikim go to receive their reward. "Vela'Avodaso Adei Arev" refers to one completed his work (was a Tzadik) until the day of death.

​רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אַשְׁכַּח לְהָהוּא פַּרְהַגְוָנָא דְּקָא תָפֵיס גַּנָּבֵי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ, הֵיכִי יָכְלַתְּ לְהוּ? לָאו כְּחֵיוָתָא מְתִילִי דִּכְתִיב בּוֹ תִרְמוֹשׂ כׇּל חַיְתוֹ יָעַר? אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, מֵהַאי קְרָא קָאָמַר לֵיהּ {תהלים י׳:ט׳} יֶאֱרֹב בַּמִּסְתָּר כְּאַרְיֵה בסוכו .דִּלְמָא שָׁקְלַתְּ צַדִּיקֵי וְשָׁבְקַתְּ רַשִּׁיעֵי? אֲמַר לֵיהּ וּמַאי אֶעֱבֵיד? הַרְמָנָא דְמַלְכָּא הוּא אֲמַר תָּא אַגְמְרָךְ. הֵיכִי תַּעֲבֵיד? עוּל בְּאַרְבַּע שָׁעֵי לְחָנוּתָא, כִּי חָזֵית אִינִישׁ דְּקָא שָׁתֵי חַמְרָא וְקָא נָקֵיט כָּסָא בִּידֵיהּ וְקָא מְנַמְנֵם, שְׁאוֹל עִילָּוֵיהּ.אִי צוּרְבָּא מֵרַבָּנַן הוּא וְנָיֵים, אקַדּוֹמֵי קַדֵּים לְגִרְסֵיהּ, אִי פּוֹעֵל הוּא, קָדֵים קָא עָבֵיד עֲבִידְתֵּיהּ, וְאִי עֲבִידְתֵּיהּ בְּלֵילְיָא, רַדּוֹדֵי רַדֵּיד, וְאִי לָא, גַּנָּבָא הוּא וְתִפְסֵיהּ.

R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon found a king's official who used to seize thieves.

R. Elazar: How do you catch them? The verse compares them to beasts! Perhaps you get Tzadikim instead!

The official: I must do what the king decrees!

R. Elazar: Do the following. At the fourth hour of the day, see who is drinking wine in the store and dozing, and ask about him.

If he is a Chacham, he is tired because he rose early to learn;    If he is a worker, he rose early to work;

If he works at night, he is tired from working at night;                   If none of these apply, he is a thief. Seize him!

Open Ended

How did R' Elazar prove that someone was a thief?

אִישְׁתְּמַע מִילְּתָא בֵּי מַלְכָּא אֲמַרוּ קַרְיָינָא דְאִיגַּרְתָּא אִיהוּ לֶיהֱוֵי פַּרְוַנְקָא, אַתְיוּהּ לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן וְקָא תָפֵיס גַּנָּבֵי וְאָזֵיל, שְׁלַח לֵיהּ רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה, חוֹמֶץ בֶּן יַיִן, עַד מָתַי אַתָּה מוֹסֵר עַמּוֹ שֶׁל אֱלֹהֵינוּ לַהֲרִיגָה?.שְׁלַח לֵיהּ, קוֹצִים אֲנִי מְכַלֶּה מִן הַכֶּרֶם. שְׁלַח לֵיהּ, יָבֹא בַּעַל הַכֶּרֶם וִיכַלֶּה אֶת קוֹצָיו. יוֹמָא חַד פְּגַע בֵּיהּ הָהוּא כּוֹבֵס, קַרְיֵיהּ חוֹמֶץ בֶּן יַיִן. אָמַר, .מִדַּחֲצִיף כּוּלֵּי הַאי, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ רַשִּׁיעָא הוּא. אֲמַר לְהוּ,תפסוהו! תפסוהו.

The king heard about this. He appointed R. Elazar to seize thieves.

R. Yehoshua ben Korchah (to R. Elazar): Vinegar, son of wine (your father was a Tzadik, but you are not)! How can you deliver Hash-m's people to be killed?!

R. Elazar: I am only eliminating the thorns from the vineyard!

R. Yehoshua: Let Hash-m remove them Himself!

One day a launderer called R. Elazar 'vinegar, son of wine'. R. Elazar reasoned that anyone so brazen must be evil. He had him seized.

Open Ended

What was R' Yehoshua's complaint to R' Elazar?

​לְבָתַר דְּנָח דַּעְתֵּיהּ, אֲזַל בָּתְרֵיהּ לְפָרוֹקֵיהּ וְלָא מָצֵי. קָרֵי עֲלֵיהּ, {משלי כ״א:כ״ג} שׁוֹמֵר פִּיו וּלְשׁוֹנוֹ שׁוֹמֵר מִצָּרוֹת נַפְשׁוֹ. זקפוהו, קָם תּוּתֵי זְקִיפָא, וְקָא בָכֵי, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ ,רַבִּי אַל יֵרַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ שֶׁהוּא וּבְנוֹ בָּעֲלוּ נַעֲרָה מְאוֹרָסָה בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. הִנִּיחַ יָדוֹ עַל בְּנֵי מֵעָיו ,אָמַר שִׂישׂוּ בְּנֵי מֵעַי שִׂישׂוּ, וּמָה סְפֵיקוֹת שֶׁלָּכֶם כָּךְ, ודאית שֶׁלָּכֶם עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, מוּבְטָח אֲנִי בָּכֶם שֶׁאֵין רִמָּה וְתוֹלֵעָה שׁוֹלֶטֶת בָּכֶם. וַאֲפִילּוּ הָכִי לָא מְיַיתְּבָא דַּעְתֵּיהּ, אשקיוהו סַמָּא דְשִׁינְתָּא ועיילוהו לְבֵיתָא דְשֵׁישָׁא, וּקְרַעוּ לִכְרֵיסֵיהּ ,הֲווֹ מפקו מִינֵּיהּ דִּיקּוּלֵי דִּיקּוּלֵי דְּתַרְבָּא ,וּמוֹתְבִי בְּשִׁמְשָׁא בְּתַמּוּז וְאָב וְלָא מַסְרְחִי.

Later, R. Elazar decided that the launderer was not worthy to die. He went to redeem him, but was unable to. He applied to him "Shomer Piv u'Lshono Shomer mi'Tzaros Nafsho". The launderer was hung; R. Elazar cried.

Onlookers: Don't feel bad. He and his son had relations with a betrothed Na'arah on Yom Kipur!

R. Elazar was comforted. 'Even people I am unsure about deserve to die. All the more so, people I am sure about deserve to die! Worms will not consume my innards after death.'

He tested this. They removed fat from his stomach and put it in the hot sun; it did not rot.

Question: Fat normally does not rot in the sun!

Answer: If there is redness (of flesh) with it, it does. R. Elazar's did not rot, even though there was flesh with it - "Af Besari Yishkon la'Vetach."

Open Ended

Why was R' Elazar comforted about the launderer being hung?

Open Ended

What test did they do to R' Elazar's stomach to show that worms will not consume him when he dies?

​וְאַף רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי מְטָא כִּי הַאי מַעֲשֶׂה לִידֵיהּ, פְּגַע בֵּיהּ אֵלִיָּהוּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ, עַד מָתַי אַתָּה מוֹסֵר עַמּוֹ שֶׁל אֱלֹהֵינוּ לַהֲרִיגָה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ, מַאי אֶעֱבֵיד הַרְמָנָא דְמַלְכָּא הוּא! אֲמַר לֵיהּ אֲבוּךְ עֲרַק לְאַסְיָא ,אַתְּ עֲרוֹק לְלוּדְקִיָּא.

A similar case occurred with R. Yishmael b'Rebbi Yosi.

Eliyahu: How can you deliver Hash-m's people to be killed?!

R. Yishmael: The king commanded. What can I do?

Eliyahu: Your father fled to Asya. You can flee to Ludkiya!

​כִּי הֲווֹ מִקַּלְעִי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי, הֲוָה עָיֵיל בַּקְרָא דְתוֹרֵי בֵּינַיְיהוּ, וְלָא הֲוָה נָגְעָה בְּהוּ.  אֲמַרָה לְהוּ הָהִיא מַטְרוֹנִיתָא, בְּנֵיכֶם אֵינָם שֶׁלָּכֶם, אֲמַרוּ לַהּ שֶׁלָּהֶן גָּדוֹל מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ, כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן ,אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי, הָכִי אֲמַרוּ לַהּ {שופטים ח׳:כ״א} כִּי כָאִישׁ גְּבוּרָתוֹ, אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי הָכִי אֲמַרוּ לַהּ ,אַהֲבָה דּוֹחֶקֶת אֶת הַבָּשָׂר. וּלְמָה לְהוּ לְאַהְדּוֹרֵי לַהּ? וְהָא כְּתִיב {משלי כ״ו:ד׳} אַל תַּעַן כְּסִיל כְּאִוַּלְתּוֹ ! שֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹצִיא לַעַז עַל בְּנֵיהֶם.  אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אֵיבְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל [בְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי] כְּחֵמֶת בַּת תֵּשַׁע קַבִּין, אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא אִיבְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן כְּחֵמֶת בַּת חֲמֵשֶׁת קַבִּין, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ בַּת שְׁלֹשֶׁת קַבִּין , דְּרַב פָּפָּא גּוּפֵיהּ כִּי דְקוּרֵי דְּהַרְפְּנָאֵי. 

R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon and R. Yishmael b'Rebbi Yosi were very fat. A Nochris taunted them 'surely, you (cannot have relations, and) did not father your wives' children.' They refuted her claim.

Question: Why did they answer her? "Al Ta'an Kesil k'Ivalto (do not answer foolish words of a fool)!"

Answer: They needed to avert any suspicion about their children.

R. Yochanan: R. Yishmael b'Rebbi Yosi's bicep (or thigh - Ritva; Rabeinu Peretz - daily food intake) was like a pouch of nine Kavim.

R. Yochanan's and Rav Papa's  (biceps or thighs) were also big (but not as big).

Open Ended

What claim did the Nochris have on R' Elazar and R' Yishmael?

Open Ended

Why did R' Elazar and R' Yishmael answer her claim if you're not supposed to answer a foolish person?

​אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, אֲנָא אִישְׁתַּיַּירִי מִשַּׁפִּירֵי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, הַאי מַאן דְּבָעֵי מִחְזֵי שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, נַיְיתֵי כָּסָא דְכַסְפָּא מִבֵּי סִלְקֵי, וּנְמַלְּיֵיהּ פַּרְצִידַיָּא דְּרוּמָּנָא סוּמָּקָא, וְנַהְדַּר לֵיהּ כְּלִילָא דְּוַורְדָּא סוּמָּקָא לְפוּמֵּיהּ, וְנוֹתְבֵיהּ בֵּין שִׁמְשָׁא לְטוּלָּא, הָהוּא זַהֲרוּרֵי מֵעֵין שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן. אִינִי? וְהָאָמַר מָר שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּרַב כָּהֲנָא מֵעֵין שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ, שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ מֵעֵין שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּיַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ, שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּיַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ מֵעֵין שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, וְאִילּוּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן לָא קָא חָשֵׁיב לֵיהּ! שָׁאנֵי רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן דְּהַדְרַת פָּנִים לָא הַוְיָא לֵיהּ. 

R. Yochanan was a remnant of the beautiful people of Yerushalayim. One may get a taste of his beauty by seeing light reflecting off a new silver Kli.

Question: We learned that the beauty of Rav Kahana was a taste of the beauty of R. Avahu, whose beauty was a taste of the beauty of Yakov Avinu, whose beauty was a taste of the beauty of Adam ha'Rishon;

R. Yochanan was not listed!

Answer: That is only because he lacked a beard 

Open Ended

What question did we ask on the Gemara that says that R' Yochanan was very beautiful?

Open Ended

Why didn't the Gemara list R' Yochanan amongst the most beautiful people when it was listing people?

​רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן הֲוָה אָזֵיל וְיָתֵיב אַשַּׁעֲרֵי טְבִילָה, אֲמַר כִּי סָלְקָן בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִטְּבִילַת מִצְוָה לִפְגְּעוּ בִּי כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלֶהֱווֹ לְהוּ בְּנֵי שַׁפִּירֵי כְּוָותִי , גְּמִירִי אוֹרָיְיתָא כְּוָותִי. אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ רַבָּנַן, לָא מִסְתְּפֵי מָר מֵעֵינָא בִּישָׁא? אֲמַר לְהוּ אֲנָא מִזַּרְעָא דְּיוֹסֵף קָאָתֵינָא, דְּלָא שָׁלְטָא בֵּיהּ עֵינָא בִּישָׁא, דִּכְתִיב {בראשית מ״ט:כ״ב} בֵּן פּוֹרָת יוֹסֵף בֵּן פּוֹרָת עֲלֵי עָיִן, וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ, אַל תִּקְרֵי עֲלֵי עָיִן אֶלָּא עוֹלֵי עָיִן. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר חֲנִינָא אֲמַר מֵהָכָא {בראשית מ״ח:ט״ז} וְיִדְגּוּ לָרוֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ, מָה דָּגִים שֶׁבַּיָּם מַיִם מְכַסִּים אוֹתָם וְאֵין הָעַיִן שׁוֹלֶטֶת בָּהֶן, אַף זַרְעוֹ שֶׁל יוֹסֵף אֵין הָעַיִן שׁוֹלֶטֶת בָּהֶן. 

R. Yochanan used to sit by the Mikvah when women would return from immersing. They would see him, and this caused their children to be beautiful and learn Torah like him.

Rabanan: Aren't you afraid of Ayin ha'Ra'ah (harsh judgment due to envy)?

R. Yochanan: I descend from Yosef. Ayin ha'Ra'ah does not rule over his seed - "Alei Ayin";

(R. Avahu): We read this 'Olei Ayin' (they rise above the (evil) eye).

(R. Yosi bar Chanina): We learn from "v'Yidgu la'Rov" - just like Dagim (fish) are covered by water, they are not in eye's scope, similarly, the seed of Yosef are not in scope of Ayin ha'Ra.

Open Ended

What would happen as a result of women seeing R' Yochanan after the immersed in the Mikvah?

Open Ended

Why wasn't R' Yochanan afraid of having an Ayin Hara on himself?

​יוֹמָא חַד הֲוָה קָא סָחֵי רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בְּיַרְדְּנָא חַזְיֵיהּ רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ וּשְׁוַור לְיַרְדְּנָא אַבָּתְרֵיהּ אֲמַר לֵיהּ חֵילָךְ לְאוֹרָיְיתָא אֲמַר לֵיהּ שׁוּפְרָךְ לְנָשֵׁי אֲמַר לֵיהּ אִי הָדְרַתְּ בָּךְ יָהֵיבְנָא לָךְ אֲחוֹתִי דְּשַׁפִּירָא מִינַּאי קַבֵּיל עֲלֵיהּ בָּעֵי לְמִיהְדַּר לְאֵתוֹיֵי מָאנֵיהּ וְלָא מָצֵי הָדַר. אַקְרְיֵיהּ וְאַתְנְיֵיהּ וְשַׁוְּיֵיהּ גַּבְרָא רַבָּא יוֹמָא חַד הֲווֹ מִפַּלְגִי בֵּי מִדְרְשָׁא הַסַּיִיף וְהַסַּכִּין וְהַפִּגְיוֹן וְהָרוֹמַח וּמַגַּל יָד וּמַגַּל קָצִיר מֵאֵימָתַי מְקַבְּלִין טוּמְאָה מִשְּׁעַת גְּמַר מְלַאכְתָּן. וּמֵאֵימָתַי גְּמַר מְלַאכְתָּן רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אֹמֵר מִשֶּׁיְּצָרְפֵם בַּכִּבְשָׁן רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר מִשֶּׁיְּצַחְצְחֵן בְּמַיִם אֲמַר לֵיהּ לִסְטָאָה בְּלִסְטְיוּתֵיהּ יָדַע אֲמַר לֵיהּ וּמַאי אַהֲנֵת לִי הָתָם רַבִּי קָרוּ לִי הָכָא רַבִּי קָרוּ לִי אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַהֲנַאי לָךְ דַּאֲקָרְבִינָּךְ תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה. 

One day R. Yochanan was bathing in the Yarden river. Reish Lakish (who was then a robber), struck by R. Yochanan's beauty, jumped across the river. R. Yochanan hoped to channel Reish Lakish's strength to Torah. He offered 'if you return to Torah, you may marry my sister, who is more beautiful than I.'

Reish Lakish agreed. He was unable to leap across the river to get his Kelim (the acceptance to learn sapped his strength). R. Yochanan taught him, and he became great in Torah. One day they were learning about Tum'ah of Kelim.

Question: When are a sword, knife, dagger, spear, and sickle considered finished, so that they receive Tum'ah?

Answer #1 (R. Yochanan): It is when they are reheated in the furnace.

Answer #2 (Reish Lakish): It is when they are burnished in water.

R. Yochanan: A robber knows about robbers' tools!

Reish Lakish: You did not help me. I am called Rebbi now, and also before (I learned from you) I was called Rebbi (of thieves! )

R. Yochanan: I brought you under the wings of the Shechinah!

Open Ended

How did Rav Yochanan convince Reish Lakish to start learning Torah?

Open Ended

What did Rav Yochanan say about Reish Lakish, when Reish Lakish argued with him about when a sword becomes Tamei?

​חֲלַשׁ דַּעְתֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן חֲלַשׁ רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אֲתַאי אֲחָתֵיהּ קָא בָכְיָא אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ עֲשֵׂה בִּשְׁבִיל בָּנַי אֲמַר לַהּ {ירמיהו מ״ט:י״א} עׇזְבָה יְתוֹמֶיךָ אֲנִי אֲחַיֶּה עֲשֵׂה בִּשְׁבִיל אַלְמְנוּתִי אֲמַר לַהּ {ירמיהו מ״ט:י״א} וְאַלְמְנוֹתֶיךָ עָלַי תִּבְטָחוּ. נָח נַפְשֵׁיהּ דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ וַהֲוָה קָא מִצְטַעַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בָּתְרֵיהּ טוּבָא אֲמַרוּ רַבָּנַן מַאן לֵיזִיל לְיַתֹּבֵיהּ לְדַעְתֵּיהּ נֵיזִיל רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן פְּדָת דִּמְחַדְּדָין שְׁמַעְתָּתֵיהּ.  אֲזַל יְתֵיב קַמֵּיהּ כֹּל מִילְּתָא דַּהֲוָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אֲמַר לֵיהּ תַּנְיָא דִּמְסַיְּיעָא לָךְ אֲמַר אַתְּ כְּבַר לְקִישָׁא בַּר לְקִישָׁא כִּי הֲוָה אָמֵינָא מִילְּתָא הֲוָה מַקְשֵׁי לִי עֶשְׂרִין וְאַרְבַּע קוּשְׁיָיתָא ומפריקנא לֵיהּ עֶשְׂרִין וְאַרְבְּעָה פֵּרוּקֵי וּמִמֵּילָא רָוְוחָא שְׁמַעְתָּא וְאַתְּ אָמְרַתְּ תַּנְיָא דִּמְסַיַּיע לָךְ אַטּוּ לָא יָדַעְנָא דְּשַׁפִּיר קָאָמֵינָא. הֲוָה קָא אָזֵיל וְקָרַע מָאנֵיהּ וְקָא בָכֵי וְאָמַר הֵיכָא אַתְּ בַּר לָקִישָׁא הֵיכָא אַתְּ בַּר לָקִישָׁא וַהֲוָה קָא צָוַח עַד דְּשָׁף דַּעְתֵּיהּ [מִינֵּיהּ] בְּעוֹ רַבָּנַן רַחֲמֵי עֲלֵיהּ וְנָח נַפְשֵׁיהּ

R. Yochanan felt bad, and Reish Lakish fell sick. His wife asked R. Yochanan (her brother) to pray for Reish Lakish, if not for his sake, for her son or herself (that they not become an orphan or widow).

R. Yochanan refused - "Azvah Yesomecha... v'Almenosecha Alai Tivtachu" (I will care for you).

Reish Lakish died; R. Yochanan missed him sorely. Rabanan sent R. Elazar to replace him, for he was very sharp. Whatever R. Yochanan said, he found a support for it.

R. Yochanan: You are no replacement! Reish Lakish would ask 24 questions against whatever I said. I would give 24 answers, and learning increased;

You only support me. I already know that I teach according to the Halachah!

R. Yochanan tore his clothing, cried and went crazy. Rabanan requested mercy for him, and he died.

Open Ended

Who replaced Reish Lakish as a chavrusa for Rav Yochanan? How was he different as a chavrusa from Reish Lakish?

Open Ended

Why was Rav Yochanan so upset with his new chavrusa?

​וַאֲפִילּוּ הָכִי, לָא סְמַךְ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אַדַּעְתֵּיהּ, קַבֵּיל עֲלֵיהּ יִסּוּרֵי בְּאוּרְתָּא, הֲווֹ מָיְיכִי לֵיהּ שִׁיתִּין נַמְטֵי לְצַפְרָא, נָגְדִי מִתּוּתֵיהּ שִׁיתִּין מְשִׁיכְלֵי דְּמָא וְכִיבָא.לִמְחַר עֲבַדָה לֵיהּ דְּבֵיתְהוּ שִׁיתִּין מִינֵי לַפְדָּא, וְאָכֵיל לְהוּ וּבָרֵי, וְלָא הֲוָת שָׁבְקָא לֵיהּ דְּבֵיתְהוּ לְמִיפַּק לְבֵי מִדְרְשָׁא כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלָא לִדְחֲקוּהוּ רַבָּנַן. בְּאוּרְתָּא אֲמַר לְהוּ אַחַיי ורעיי בּוֹאוּ בְּצַפְרָא, אֲמַר לְהוּ זִילוּ מִפְּנֵי בִּיטּוּל תּוֹרָה. יוֹמָא חַד שְׁמַעָה דְּבֵיתְהוּ, אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ אַתְּ קָא מַיְיתֵית לְהוּ עִילָּוָיךְ כִּלִּיתָ מָמוֹן שֶׁל בֵּית אַבָּא, אִימְּרַדָה אֲזַלָה לְבֵית נָשָׁא. סְלִיקוּ וַאֲתוֹ הָנָךְ [שִׁיתִּין] סָפוֹנָאֵ,י עֲיַילוּ לֵיהּ שִׁיתִּין עַבְדֵי, כִּי נְקִיטִי שִׁיתִּין אַרְנָקֵי, וַעֲבַדוּ לֵיהּ שִׁיתִּין מִינֵי לַפְדָּא, וְאָכֵיל לְהוּ.

In spite of the supports that R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon handed over only Resha'im (83b), he was concerned lest he handed over a Tzadik. He requested afflictions. At night they would put 60 felt blankets under him. During the day they would pour over him 60 basins of water. Blood from his boils would fill 60 basins. His wife would make for him 60 types of food from figs; he would recover. She would not let him go to the Beis Medrash, lest he be pressed (which could aggravate his condition).

At night he would invite the afflictions; in the morning he would expel them, lest they detract from his Torah. Once his wife heard this. She was outraged that he caused his own afflictions, which depleted her father's wealth. She rebelled against him and went to her father's house. Sailors (who were saved from mortal danger in his merit) gave him a gift of 60 slaves bearing 60 wallets of money, who prepared his special remedy.

Open Ended

Why did R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon afflict himself so much?

Open Ended

Why was R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon's wife upset at him?

​יוֹמָא חַד, אֲמַרָה לַהּ לְבַרְתַּהּ, זִילִי בְּקַי בַּאֲבוּךְ מַאי קָא עָבֵיד הָאִידָּנָא, אָתְיָא, אֲמַר לַהּ, זִילִי אֱמַרִי לאמך, שֶׁלָּנוּ גָּדוֹל מִשֶּׁלָּהֶם, קָרֵי אַנַּפְשֵׁיהּ, {משלי ל״א:י״ד}" הָיְתָה כׇּאֳנִיּוֹת סוֹחֵר מִמֶּרְחָק תָּבִיא לַחְמָהּ" אֲכַל וּשְׁתִי וּבְרִי, נְפַק לְבֵי מִדְרְשָׁא. אַיְיתוֹ לְקַמֵּיהּ שִׁתִּין מִינֵי דְּמָא, טַהֲרִינְהוּ. הֲוָה קָא מְרַנְּנִי רַבָּנַן וְאָמְרִי סָלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ לֵית בְּהוּ חַד סָפֵק? אָמַר לְהוּ, אִם כְּמוֹתִי הוּא יִהְיוּ כּוּלָּם זְכָרִים, וְאִם לָאו, תְּהֵא נְקֵבָה אַחַת בֵּינֵיהֶם. הָיוּ כּוּלָּם זְכָרִים, וְאַסִּיקוּ לְהוּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר עַל שְׁמֵיהּ. תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי, כַּמָּה פְּרִיָּה וּרְבִיָּה בִּיטְּלָה רְשָׁעָה זוֹ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל.

His wife asked her daughter to check on him. He told her 'we (Chachamim) have more wealth than my wife's family - "mi'Merchak Tavi Lachmah"'. He ate, drank and recovered and went to the Beis Medrash. Women came asking about blood stains of 60 different hues. He declared that all of them are Tahor.

Rabanan were skeptical. He said 'if I am correct, all 60 women should have male children.' It was fulfilled, and they called the children Elazar.

(Beraisa - Rebbi): The evil kingdom (Romi) withheld the birth of many children by making R. Elazar seize thieves (and be absent from the Beis Medrash).

Open Ended

Why were the Rabanan skeptical about R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon's psak about the blood?

Open Ended

What condition did R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon make to prove that his psak about the blood was correct?

​כִּי הֲוָה קָא נָיְחָא נַפְשֵׁיהּ, אֲמַר לַהּ לִדְבֵיתְהוּ, יָדַעְנָא בִּדְרַבָּנַן דִּרְתִיחִי עֲלַי וְלָא מִיעַסְקִי בִּי שַׁפִּיר אַוגְנְיַן בְּעִילִּיתַאי וְלָא תִּידְחֲלִין מִינַּאי אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אִישְׁתַּעְיָא לִי אִימֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן דְּאִישְׁתַּעְיָא לַהּ דְּבֵיתְהוּ דְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן לָא פָּחוֹת מִתַּמְנֵי סְרֵי וְלָא טְפֵי מֵעֶשְׂרִין וּתְרֵין שְׁנִין אַוגְנֵיתֵיהּ בְּעִילִּיתָא. כִּי הֲוָה סָלְיקָנָא מְעַיְּנָנָא לֵיהּ בְּמַזְיֵיהּ כִּי הֲוָה מִשְׁתַּמְטָא בִּינִיתָא מִינֵּיהּ הֲוָה אָתֵי דְּמָא יוֹמָא חַד חֲזַאי רִיחְשָׁא דְּקָא נָפֵיק מֵאוּנֵּיהּ חֲלַשׁ דַּעְתַּאי אִיתְחֲזִי לִי בְּחֶלְמָא אֲמַר לִי לָא מִידֵּי הוּא יוֹמָא חַד שָׁמְעִי בְּזִילוּתָא דְּצוּרְבָּא מֵרַבָּנַן וְלָא מַחַאי כִּדְבָעֵי לִי.

Before he died, he told his wife 'I know that many Rabanan are angry at me (for handing over their relatives). They would not eulogize me properly. Leave me in the attic and do not worry.'

Rav Shmuel bar Nachmani: I heard second-hand from his wife that he was there between 18 and 22 years. She would check his hair. When a hair was taken from him, he would bleed. One day she saw a worm coming from his ear. That night, he explained to her in a dream that this was because once he heard a Chacham shamed and did not protest enough.

Open Ended

Why did R' Eliezer ask to have his body left in the attic after he dies?

Open Ended

What would happen when a hair was pulled from R' ELiezer'd dead body?

Open Ended

Why did a worm come out of R' Eliezer's ear?

​כִּי הֲווֹ אָתוּ בֵּי תְרֵי לְדִינָא, הֲווֹ קָיְימִי אַבָּבָא, אָמַר מָר מִילְּתֵיהּ וּמַר מִילְּתֵיהּ, נָפֵיק קָלָא מֵעִילִּיתֵיהּ וְאָמַר, "אִישׁ פְּלוֹנִי אַתָּה חַיָּיב אִישׁ פְּלוֹנִי אַתָּה זַכַּאי" יוֹמָא חַד, הֲוָה קָא מִינַּצְיָא דְּבֵיתְהוּ בַּהֲדֵי שִׁבָבְתָּא, אֲמַרָה לַהּ. תְּהֵא כְּבַעֲלַהּ שֶׁלֹּא נִיתַּן לִקְבוּרָה, אָמְרִי רַבָּנַן, כּוּלֵּי הַאי וַדַּאי לָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַאי אִיתְחֲזַאי לְהוּ בְּחֶלְמָא, אֲמַר לְהוּ פְּרֵידָה אַחַת יֵשׁ לִי בֵּינֵיכֶם, וְאִי אַתֶּם רוֹצִים לַהֲבִיאָהּ אֶצְלִי 

People would come for judgment. They would state their claims, and a voice from the attic would give the verdict

Version #1: One day his wife quarreled with a neighbor. She was cursed 'you should be like your husband, unburied.' Rabanan heard, and decided that it is time to bury him.

Version #2: R. Shimon (his father) came to Rabanan in a dream, telling them that it is time to bury his son.

Open Ended

What miracle would happen when people came to R' Eliezer's house for a court case?

Open Ended

What 2 reasons does the Gemara give for why they decided to bury R' Eliezer?

​אֲזוּל רַבָּנַן לְאִעֲסוֹקֵי בֵּיהּ, לָא שְׁבַקוּ בְּנֵי עַכְבְּרַיָּא, דְּכֹל שְׁנֵי דַּהֲוָה נָיֵים, רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בְּעִילִּיתֵיהּ לָא סְלִיק חַיָּה רָעָה לְמָתַיְיהוּ. יוֹמָא חַד ,מַעֲלֵי יוֹמָא דְכִיפּוּרֵי הֲוָה, הֲווֹ טְרִידִי שַׁדַּרוּ רַבָּנַן לִבְנֵי בֵירֵי וְאַסְּקוּהוּ לְעַרְסֵיהּ וְאַמְטְיוּהּ לִמְעָרְתָּא דַאֲבוּהּ, אַשְׁכְּחוּהָ לְעַכְנָא דְּהָדְרָא לַהּ לִמְעָרְתָּא, אֲמַרוּ לַהּ עַכְנָא עַכְנָא פִּתְחִי פִּיךְ וְיִכָּנֵס בֵּן אֵצֶל אָבִיו, פתח לְהוּ.

The people of his city would not allow the burial, since they were protected from beasts all the years he was in the attic. On Erev Yom Kipur they were busy, and people from a nearby village took the body. They brought him to the cave where his father was buried; a snake guarded it from outside. They asked permission to let the son come to his father; the snake allowed them.

Open Ended

What did the people do to get the snake to allow them to stop blocking the cave so they could bury R' Eliezer?

Open Ended

Why didn't the people of the city want R' Eliezer to be buried?

​שָׁלַח רַבִּי לְדַבֵּר בְּאִשְׁתּוֹ שְׁלַחָה לֵיהּ כְּלִי שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ קוֹדֶשׁ יִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ חוֹל תַּמָּן אָמְרִין בַּאֲתַר דְּמָרֵי בֵיתָא תְּלָא זְיָינֵיהּ כּוּלְבָּא רָעֲיָא קוּלְּתֵיהּ תְּלָא שְׁלַח לַהּ נְהִי דִּבְתוֹרָה גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנִּי אֲבָל בְּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים מִי גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנִּי שְׁלַחָה לֵיהּ בְּתוֹרָה מִיהָא גָּדוֹל מִמְּךָ לָא יָדְעָנָא בְּמַעֲשִׂים יָדְעָנָא דְּהָא קַבֵּיל עֲלֵיהּ יִסּוּרֵי. בְּתוֹרָה מַאי הִיא? דְּכִי הֲווֹ יָתְבִי רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה אַסַּפְסַלֵּי יָתְבִי קַמַּיְיהוּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן וְרַבִּי אַאַרְעָא. מַקְשׁוּ וּמְפָרְקוּ אָמְרִי מִימֵיהֶן אָנוּ שׁוֹתִים וְהֵם יוֹשְׁבִים עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע עֲבַדוּ לְהוּ סַפְסַלֵּי אַסְּקִינְהוּ.

Rebbi inquired to marry his widow. She refused, because 'you (Rebbi) are like Chulin compared to R. Elazar.'

Rebbi: Granted, he was greater in Torah. Was he greater in deeds than me?!

His widow: I did not know if he was greater in Torah, but I know that he was greater in deeds than you. He accepted on himself afflictions!

Question: Why did Rebbi say that R. Elazar was greater than him in Torah?

Answer: Rebbi and R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon used to sit on the ground in front of R. Shimon ben Gamliel and R. Yehoshua ben Korchah, who were on benches. Rabanan learned much from Rebbi and R. Elazar, they felt that they should also be on benches

Open Ended

Why didn't R' Eliezer's widow want to marry Rebbe?

​

אָמַר לָהֶן רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, פְּרֵידָה אַחַת יֵשׁ לִי בֵּינֵיכֶם, וְאַתֶּם מְבַקְּשִׁים לְאַבְּדָהּ הֵימֶנִי! אחתוהו לְרַבִּי, אָמַר לָהֶן רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן קׇרְחָה, מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אָב, יִחְיֶה. וּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אָב, יָמוּת. אחתוהו נָמֵי לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, חֲלַשׁ דַּעְתֵּיהּ, אָמַר קָא חָשְׁבִיתוּ לֵיהּ כְּוָותִי. עַד הָהוּא יוֹמָא, כִּי הֲוָה אָמַר רַבִּי מִילְּתָא, הֲוָה מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן. מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ, כִּי הֲוָה אָמַר רַבִּי יֵשׁ לִי לְהָשִׁיב, אָמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן כָּךְ וְכָךְ יֵשׁ לְךָ לְהָשִׁיב? זוֹ הִיא תְּשׁוּבָתְךָ! הַשְׁתָּא הִיקַּפְתָּנוּ תְּשׁוּבוֹת חֲבִילוֹת שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶן מַמָּשׁ. חֲלַשׁ דַּעְתֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי, אֲתָא אֲמַר לֵיהּ לַאֲבוּהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ, בְּנֵי, אַל יֵרַע לָךְ, שֶׁהוּא אֲרִי בֶּן אֲרִי, וְאַתָּה אֲרִי בֶּן שׁוּעָל.

R. Shimon ben Gamliel: Perhaps Ayin ha'Ra'ah will rule over my son (Rebbi)!

R. Yehoshua ben Korchah: We must also be concerned for R. Elazar!

R. Elazar was insulted by the idea that Rebbi was (equally important and therefore) prone to Ayin ha'Ra. Previously, R. Elazar used to support Rebbi's teachings;

Now, when Rebbi said that he had a question, R. Elazar would say 'this is what you want to ask; this refutes you. You have asked enough questions without substance!'

Rebbi was dejected. His father consoled him: do not expect to be as great as him. His father was a lion. Your father is a fox!

Open Ended

Why was R' Eliezer insulted?

Open Ended

What did R' Eliezer do as a result of being insulted?

Open Ended

How did Rebbe's father comfort him?

​והיינו דְּאָמַר רַבִּי, שְׁלֹשָׁה עִנְוְותָנִין הֵן, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן, אַבָּא, וּבְנֵי בְתִירָה, וְיוֹנָתָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל. רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, הָא דַּאֲמַרַן, בְּנֵי בְתִירָה, דְּאָמַר מָר, הוֹשִׁיבוּהוּ בָּרֹאשׁ וּמִינּוּהוּ לְנָשִׂיא עֲלֵיהֶן, יוֹנָתָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל, דְּקָאָמַר לֵיהּ לְדָוִד {שמואל א כ״ג:י״ז} "וְאַתָּה תִּמְלוֹךְ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַאֲנִי אֶהְיֶה לְּךָ לְמִשְׁנֶה". מִמַּאי? דִּלְמָא יוֹנָתָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל דַּחֲזָא דִּגְרִיר עָלְמָא בָּתַר דָּוִד, בְּנֵי בְתִירָה נָמֵי דַּחֲזוֹ לְהִלֵּל דַּעֲדִיף מִינַּיְיהוּ, אֶלָּא רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל וַדַּאי עִנְוְותָן הֲוָה. 

Rebbi: There were three humble people: my father (like we find in the above episode), Bnei Beseira, and Yonasan ben Sha'ul.

Bnei Beseira were the Nesi'im (leaders of Yisrael), and they appointed Hillel to be Nasi in their place.

Yonasan (was the king's son, yet he) told David "Atah Timloch... Ehyeh Lecha l'Mishneh (I will be secondary to you)."

Question: Perhaps that was not from humility, rather, because he saw that Yisrael supported David!

Question: Also, perhaps Bnei Beseira did not appoint Hillel from humility, rather because they saw that he was greater (and they were embarrassed because they had to ask him questions)!

We have no challenge to the proof of R. Shimon ben Gamliel's humility.

Open Ended

Who are the 3 humble people that the Gemara m

Open Ended

What question does the Gemara ask about 2 of them (2 separate questions)?

​אָמַר רַבִּי, חֲבִיבִין יִסּוּרִין, קַבֵּל עֲלֵיהּ תְּלֵיסַר שְׁנֵי, שֵׁית בִּצְמִירְתָּא וּשְׁבַע בְּצַפְרִנָא, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ שִׁבְעָה בִּצְמִירְתָּא וְשֵׁית בְּצַפְרִנָא. אַהוּרְיָירֵיהּ דְּבֵי רַבִּי הֲוָה עַתִּיר מִשַּׁבּוּר מַלְכָּא, כַּד הֲוָה רָמֵי כִּיסְתָּא לְחֵיוָתָא, הֲוָה אָזֵיל קָלָא בִּתְלָתָא מִילֵּי, הֲוָה מְכַוֵּין דְּרָמֵי בְּהַהִיא שַׁעְתָּא דְּעָיֵיל רַבִּי לְבֵית הַכִּסֵּא, וַאֲפִילּוּ הָכִי מעבר לֵיהּ קָלֵיהּ לְקָלַיְיהוּ, וְשָׁמְעוּ לֵיהּ נָחוֹתֵי יַמָּא. 

Rebbi saw the greatness of afflictions (they protected R. Elazar from decaying). He accepted six years of a kidney stone, and seven years of thrush (a mouth disease). Some say that it was vice-versa.

The stable-boy who cared for Rebbi's horses became richer (from the manure) than Shevor Malka (a Persian king). When he would give fodder to the animals, their voices would be heard for three Mil. He would give when Rebbi went to relieve himself (to try to cover up Rebbi's pain). It did not help. Rebbi's voice was louder, and people going to sea would hear it.

Open Ended

What afflictions (pains) did Rebbe have?

Open Ended

What did the stable boy try to do to hide Rebbe's afflictions from the public?

​וַאֲפִילּוּ הָכִי יִסּוּרֵי דְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן עֲדִיפִי מִדְּרַבִּי, דְּאִילּוּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן מֵאַהֲבָה בָּאוּ וּמֵאַהֲבָה הָלְכוּ, דְּרַבִּי עַל יְדֵי מַעֲשֶׂה בָּאוּ וְעַל יְדֵי מַעֲשֶׂה הָלְכוּ. עַל יְדֵי מַעֲשֶׂה בָּאוּ מַאי הִיא? דְּהָהוּא עִגְלָא דַּהֲווֹ קָא מַמְטוּ לֵיהּ לִשְׁחִיטָה, אֲזַל תַּלְיֵאּ לְרֵישֵׁיהּ בְּכַנְפֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי, וְקָא בָכֵי, אֲמַר לֵיהּ זִיל, לְכָךְ נוֹצַרְתָּ. אָמְרִי, הוֹאִיל וְלָא קָא מְרַחֵם, לֵיתוֹ עֲלֵיהּ יִסּוּרִין. וְעַל יְדֵי מַעֲשֶׂה הָלְכוּ, יוֹמָא חַד הֲוָה קָא כָנְשָׁא אַמְּתֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי בֵּיתָא, הֲוָה שָׁדְיָא בְּנֵי כַּרְכּוּשְׁתָּא וְקָא כָנְשָׁא לְהוּ, אֲמַר לַהּ, שִׁבְקִינְהוּ, כְּתִיב {תהלים קמ״ה:ט׳} וְרַחֲמָיו עַל כׇּל מַעֲשָׂיו, אמרי הוֹאִיל וּמְרַחֵם נְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהּ. 

Still, R. Elazar's afflictions were greater than Rebbi's, for R. Elazar's came and left through love, and Rebbi's came and left through incidents.

A calf was being taken to slaughter. It put its head under Rebbi's garment and cried.    

Rebbi: Go! You were created to be slaughtered!

It was decreed in Heaven that since he was not merciful, he will be afflicted. 

Rebbi's slave was cleaning the house; she was about to clear out some baby rats. Rebbi stopped her, for "v'Rachamav Al Kol Ma'asav."

It was decreed in Heaven that since he was merciful, his afflictions will cease.

Open Ended

What was the story that caused Rebbe to have afflictions?

Open Ended

What was the story that caused Rebbe's afflictions to stop?

​כּוּלְּהוּ שְׁנֵי יִסּוּרֵי דְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר לָא שָׁכֵיב אִינִישׁ בְּלָא זִמְנֵיהּ כּוּלְּהוּ שְׁנֵי יִסּוּרֵי דְּרַבִּי לָא אִיצְטְרִיךְ עָלְמָא לְמִיטְרָא דְּאָמַר רַבָּה בַּר רַב שֵׁילָא קְשֵׁי יוֹמָא דְמִיטְרָא כְּיוֹמָא דְּדִינָא וְאָמַר אַמֵּימָר אִי לָאו צְרִיךְ לְעָלְמָא בָּעוּ רַבָּנַן רַחֲמֵי עֲלֵיהּ וּמְבַטְּלִי לֵיהּ אֲפִילּוּ הָכִי כִּי הֲווֹ עָקְרִי פּוּגְלָא מִמֵּשָׁרָא הֲוָה קָיְימָא בֵּירָא מַלְיָא מַיָּא. 

All the years of R. Elazar's afflictions, no one died before his allotted years. All the years of Rebbi's afflictions, the world did not need rain.

(Rabah bar Rav Shila): A rainy day is as harsh as a day of judgment.

(Ameimar): If the world did not need rain so much, Chachamim would pray that it cease.

In spite of the lack of rain, when a radish was uprooted, its cavity was full of water.

Open Ended

What blessings came to the world during R' Elazar's afflictions?

Open Ended

What blessings came to the world during Rebbe's afflictions?

​אִיקְּלַע רַבִּי לְאַתְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אָמַר לָהֶם, יֵשׁ לוֹ בֵּן לְאוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק? אָמְרוּ לוֹ, יֵשׁ לוֹ בֵּן, וְכׇל זוֹנָה שֶׁנִּשְׂכֶּרֶת בִּשְׁנַיִם, שׂוֹכַרְתּוֹ בִּשְׁמֹנָה. אַתְיֵיהּ אַסְמְכֵיהּ בְּרַבִּי, וְאַשְׁלְמֵיהּ לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אִיסִי בֶּן לָקוֹנְיָא אחות דְּאִמֵּיהּ. כֹּל יוֹמָא הֲוָה אָמַר לְקִרְיָיתִי אֲנָא איזיל, אֲמַר לֵיהּ חַכִּים עָבְדוּ יָתָךְ וְגוּלְּתָא דְּדַהֲבָא פָּרְסוּ עֲלָךְ, וְרַבִּי קָרוּ לָךְ, וְאַתְּ אָמְרַתְּ לְקִרְיָיתִי אֲנָא איזיל, אֲמַר לֵיהּ מוֹמֵי עֲזוּבָה דָּא כִּי גְדַל, אֲתָא יְתֵיב בִּמְתִיבְתָּא דְרַבִּי, שַׁמְעֵיהּ לְקָלֵיהּ, אָמַר הָא קָלָא דָּמֵי לְקָלֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ בְּרֵיהּ הוּא.  קָרֵי עֲלֵיהּ {משלי י״א:ל׳} פְּרִי צַדִּיק עֵץ חַיִּים וְלוֹקֵחַ נְפָשׁוֹת חָכָם פְּרִי צַדִּיק עֵץ חַיִּים זֶה רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן וְלוֹקֵחַ נְפָשׁוֹת חָכָם זֶה רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אִיסִי בֶּן לָקוֹנְיָא. 

Rebbi went to the city of R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon, and asked if he had left a son. He was told that he did, and the harlots would pay his son (more than they would charge)! Rebbi gave him the title of 'Rebbi', and asked R. Shimon ben Isi teach him.

Every day the son wanted to return home. R. Shimon ben Isi told him 'they put a gold garment on you and call you Rebbi. How can you discuss going home?!' The son swore not to ask to go home again.

When he grew up, he sat in Rebbi's academy. Rebbi heard a voice similar to R. Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon's. They told him that it was his son.

Rebbi: "Pri Tzadik Etz Chayim" refers to R. Yosi b'Rebbi Elazar b'Rebbi Shimon. "V'Loke'ach Nefashos Chacham" refers to R. Shimon ben Isi.

Open Ended

What did Rebbe do to put R' Shimon Ben Elazar on the right path?

Open Ended

What similarity did R' Elazar's son have to his father?

​כִּי נָח נַפְשֵׁיהּ אמטוהו לִמְעָרְתָּא דַאֲבוּהּ הֲוָה הָדְרָא לַהּ עַכְנָא לִמְעָרְתָּא אֲמַר לֵיהּ עַכְנָא עַכְנָא פְּתַח פִּיךָ וְיִכָּנֵס בֵּן אֵצֶל אָבִיו לָא פְּתַחָא לְהוּ כִּסְבוּרִים הָעָם לוֹמַר שֶׁזֶּה גָּדוֹל מִזֶּה. יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לֹא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁזֶּה גָּדוֹל מִזֶּה אֶלָּא זֶה הָיָה בְּצַעַר מְעָרָה וְזֶה לֹא הָיָה בְּצַעַר מְעָרָה.

When the son died, they brought him to his father's cave; the snake was guarding it. They asked permission to let the son come to his father; the snake did not allow them in.

People thought that this was because his father was greater. A voice from Heaven refuted this. Rather, it was because the father suffered being in a cave for 13 years (when the Romans sought to kill R. Shimon), but the son did not.

Open Ended

What happened at first wen they tried burying R' Elazar's son in the cave?

Open Ended

Whay was R' Elazar allowed to be buried in the cave but not his son?

​וּלְמָה לֵיהּ כּוּלֵּי הַאי דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב וְאָמְרִי לַהּ אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְאָמְרִי לַהּ אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן כׇּל הַמְלַמֵּד אֶת בֶּן חֲבֵירוֹ תּוֹרָה זוֹכֶה וְיוֹשֵׁב בִּישִׁיבָה שֶׁל מַעְלָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר {ירמיהו ט״ו:י״ט} אִם תָּשׁוּב וַאֲשִׁיבְךָ לְפָנַי תַּעֲמוֹד. וְכׇל הַמְלַמֵּד אֶת בֶּן עַם הָאָרֶץ תּוֹרָה אֲפִילּוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא גּוֹזֵר גְּזֵירָה מְבַטְּלָהּ בִּשְׁבִילוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר {ירמיהו ט״ו:י״ט} וְאִם תּוֹצִיא יָקָר מִזּוֹלֵל כְּפִי תִהְיֶה. 

Question: Why did Rebbi take such pains for other people's children?

Answer (Rav Yehudah): Anyone who teaches Torah to another's child merits to sit in the Heavenly academy - "Lefanai Ta'amod";

Anyone who teaches Torah to an ignoramus' child, harsh decrees against him are torn up - "Totzi Yakar mi'Zolel k'Fi Tihyeh" (if you take dearness from disgrace, you will be (able to nullify My decrees) like My mouth).

​אִיקְּלַע רַבִּי לְאַתְרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אֲמַר לְהוּ יֵשׁ לוֹ בֵּן לְאוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק שֶׁהָיָה מְקַפֵּחַ אֶת בָּנָיו אָמְרוּ לוֹ בֵּן אֵין לוֹ בֵּן בַּת יֵשׁ לוֹ וְכׇל זוֹנָה שֶׁנִּשְׂכֶּרֶת בִּשְׁנַיִם שׂוֹכַרְתּוֹ בִּשְׁמֹנָה. 

אתיוהו לְקַמֵּיהּ אֲמַר לֵיהּ אִי הָדְרַתְּ בָּךְ יָהֵיבְנָא לָךְ בַּרְתַּאי הֲדַר בֵּיהּ אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי נַסְבַהּ וְגָירְשַׁהּ אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי לָא נַסְבַהּ כְּלָל כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ בִּשְׁבִיל זוֹ חָזַר זֶה.

Rebbi went to the city of R. Tarfon, and asked if he had left a son (R. Tarfon used to swear 'I will kill my son if this is false'). He was told that he left no sons, but his daughter has a son, and the harlots would pay his son more than they would charge.
Rebbi offered to marry his daughter to him if he would repent; he did.

Some say that he married Rebbi's daughter, then divorced her. Others say that he never married her, lest people say that he repented just to marry her.

Open Ended

What offer did Rebbe make to Reb Tarfon's grandson?

Open Ended

Did R' Tarfon's grandson take rebbe up on the offer? Explain.

​אָמַר רַבִּי פַּרְנָךְ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן כׇּל שֶׁהוּא תַּלְמִיד חָכָם וּבְנוֹ תַּלְמִיד חָכָם וּבֶן בְּנוֹ תַּלְמִיד חָכָם שׁוּב אֵין תּוֹרָה פּוֹסֶקֶת מִזַּרְעוֹ לְעוֹלָם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר {ישעיהו נ״ט:כ״א} וַאֲנִי זֹאת בְּרִיתִי וְגוֹ׳ לֹא יָמוּשׁוּ מִפִּיךָ וּמִפִּי זַרְעֲךָ וּמִפִּי זֶרַע זַרְעֲךָ אָמַר ה׳ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.  מַאי אָמַר ה׳ אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֲנִי עָרֵב לְךָ בְּדָבָר זֶה מַאי מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ תּוֹרָה מְחַזֶּרֶת עַל אַכְסַנְיָא שֶׁלָּהּ. 

R. Parnach): If a Chacham's son and grandson are Chachamim, Torah will never cease from his seed - "mi'Picha umi'Pi Zar'acha umi'Pi Zera Zar'acha Omar Hash-m me'Atah v'Ad Olam."

Question: Why does it say "Omar Hash-m"?

Answer: Hash-m made himself a guarantor for this.

Question: Why does it say "me'Atah v'Ad Olam"?

Answer (R. Yirmiyah): From this point (when a man, his son and grandson are all Chachamim), Torah returns to its host.

Open Ended

What type of person do we say that the Torah will never leave his family?

​רַב יוֹסֵף יְתֵיב אַרְבְּעִין תַּעֲנִיָּתָא ואקריוהו לֹא יָמוּשׁוּ מִפִּיךָ יְתֵיב אַרְבָּעִים תַּעֲנִיָּתָא אַחֲרִינֵי וְאַקְרְיוּהוּ לֹא יָמוּשׁוּ מִפִּיךָ וּמִפִּי זַרְעֲךָ יְתֵיב מְאָה תַּעֲנִיָּתָא אַחֲרִינֵי אתא וְאַקְרְיוּהוּ לֹא יָמוּשׁוּ מִפִּיךָ וּמִפִּי זַרְעֲךָ וּמִפִּי זֶרַע זַרְעֲךָ אָמַר מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ לָא צְרִיכְנָא תּוֹרָה מְחַזֶּרֶת עַל אַכְסַנְיָא שֶׁלָּהּ. 

Rav Yosef fasted 40 fasts in order that Torah should never cease from his seed. He was shown (in a dream) "Lo Yamush mi'Picha";

He fasted another 40 fasts, and he was shown "Lo Yamush mi'Picha umi'Pi Zaracha";

He fasted another 100 (Maharshal - 40) fasts, and he was shown "Lo Yamush mi'Picha umi'Pi Zar'acha umi'Pi Zera Zar'acha ".

Rav Yosef: I need not fast any more. From now on, Torah returns to its host.

​רַבִּי זֵירָא כִּי סְלֵיק לְאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל יָתֵיב מְאָה תַּעֲנִיָּתָא דְּלִשְׁתַּכַּח גמרא בַּבְלָאָה מִינֵּיהּ כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלָא נִטְרְדֵיהּ יְתֵיב מְאָה אַחְרָנְיָתָא דְּלָא לִשְׁכּוֹב רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בִּשְׁנֵיהּ וְנָפְלִין עִילָּוֵיהּ מִילֵּי דְצִבּוּרָא וִיתֵיב מְאָה אַחֲרִינֵי דְּלָא נִשְׁלוֹט בֵּיהּ נוּרָא דְגֵיהִנָּם. כֹּל תְּלָתִין יוֹמֵי הֲוָה בָּדֵיק נַפְשֵׁיהּ שְׁגַר תַּנּוּרָא סְלֵיק וִיתֵיב בְּגַוֵּיהּ וְלָא הֲוָה שָׁלְטָא בֵּיהּ נוּרָא יוֹמָא חַד יְהַבוּ בֵּיהּ רַבָּנַן עֵינָא וְאִיחֲרַכוּ שָׁקֵיהּ וּקְרוֹ לֵיהּ קָטִין חֲרִיךְ שָׁקֵיהּ. 

When R. Zeira came to Eretz Yisrael, he fasted 100 (or 40) fasts in order that he should forget the (argumentative) Gemara he learned in Bavel, in order that it not distract him (from the more straightforward approach of Eretz Yisrael);

He fasted another 100 (40) in order that R. Elazar (ben Pedas) not die in R. Zeira's lifetime, lest communal concerns fall upon himself;

He fasted another 100 (40) in order that he not be subjected to the fire of Gehinom.

Every 30 days he would check if he is worthy of this. He would ignite a furnace and sit inside, and it did not harm him.

Once, Rabanan were envious, and this caused his garment to be burned.