Title Babylonian Bava Metzia 84a SUPPLEMENTAL READING

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The Gemara relates: One day, Rabbi Yoĥananp was bathing in the י ֹו מָ א חַ ד רֲָור ָא ָ ףחֵ י ַ ה י ִ בּ י ֹו חָ נָ ן p ,Jordan River. Reish Lakish saw him and jumped into the Jordan ְבּ ַי ְ הדְּ נָ א . חַ זְ ֵי י ּר ֵ הי שׁ ָל ִ י שׁ ּ ו שׁ ְ ַו וה pursuing him. At that time, Reish Lakish was the leader of a band לְ ַי ְ ה ְ דּ ָ נ א אַ ַבּ ְתֵהי ּר . אֲ ַמה לֵ י ּרד חֵ י לָ ךְ of marauders. Rabbi Yoĥanan said to Reish Lakish: Your strength is fit for Torah study. Reish Lakish said to him: Your beauty is fit לְ אֹו ַ ה ְ י י תָ א ! אֲ ַמה לֵ י ּרד שׁ ּו ְ׳ ָ ה ְ ך ְ ל ָ נ שׁ ֵ י ! for women. Rabbi Yoĥanan said to him: If you return to the pursuit אֲ ַמה לֵ י ּרד אִ י רְָדה ְּ ַת בָּ ךְ – ָי ֵ רי בְ נָ א לָ ךְ -of Torah, I will give you my sister in marriage, who is more beauti ח א ֲ ֹו ִ ת י , ְ ּ ד שׁ ַ ִּ׳י ָ הא מִ י ּנָאי. ַ ֵ בּ י ל עֲ לֵ י ּר. .ful than I am. Reish Lakish accepted upon himself to study Torah ָ בּ עֵ י לְ מֶ ירֱַדה לַאֲ תוּיֵי מָ אנֵי ּר – וְלָא Subsequently, Reish Lakish wanted to jump back out of the river to מָ צֵ י ָר דַ ה. bring back his clothes, but he was unable to return, as he had lost his physical strength as soon as he accepted the responsibility to study Torah upon himself.

,Rabbi Yoĥanan taught Reish Lakish Bible, and taught him Mishna ַא ְ ִ היֵי ּר ְ אַ ו תְ נ ִ ֵּי י ּר , וְ שׁ ַ וְ יֵי ּר ּג ְַבהָא ַ ה ָ בּ א . and turned him into a great man. Eventually, Reish Lakish became י ֹו מָ א חַ ד ָ רווּ ִמ ּ׳ַלְגִי בֵּי ְמִד ָ השׁ ָ אד one of the outstanding Torah scholars of his generation. One day ַר ּ ַ ףיִיס ְו ַר ַּ ף ִ ּכין ְו ַר ּ גְ ִ ׳ י ֹו ן ְו ָרה ֹו מַ ח ּ ו מַ ּגַל Personalities the Sages of the study hall were engaging in a dispute concerning -the following baraita: With regard to the sword, the knife, the dag ָ י ד ּ ו מַ ּגַל ָ צִ יה מֵ אֵ י מָ תַ י מְ ַ ְ בּ לִ י ן Rabbi Yoĥanan bar Nappaĥa l : ַ ה י ִ בּ י ֹו חָ נָ ן – Rabbi Yoĥanan ,ger [vehapigyon], the spear, a hand sickle, and a harvest sickle ט ּו מְ ָאר ? מִ ׁ ְּ שעַ ת ְּג מַ ה מְ לַ א כְ ָּ תן. was one of the greatest amora’im, whose statements are h fundamental components of both the Babylonian Talmud from when are they susceptible to ritual impurity? The baraita and the . He resided in Tiberias and lived answers: It is from the time of the completion of their manufacture, to an advanced age. Rabbi Yoĥanan was orphaned at a which is the halakha with regard to metal vessels in general. young age, and although his family apparently owned con- -These Sages inquired: And when is the completion of their manu ּ ו מֵ אֵ י מָ תַ י ְּג מַ ה מְ לַ א כְ ָּ תן? ַ ה י ִ בּ י ֹו חָ נָ ן siderable property, he spent virtually all of his resources in his devotion to the study of Torah, eventually becoming facture? Rabbi Yoĥanan says: It is from when one firesthese items ֵאֹומהד מִ ֶ ּׁ שּיְ ָצְה ֵ ׳ם ַבּ ִ ּכ ְ ב שׁ ָ ן . ֵהי שׁ ָל ִ י שׁ impoverished. In his youth he had the privilege of studying in the furnace. Reish Lakish said: It is from when one scours them אָ ַמהד מִ ֶ ּ ׁ שּיְ צַ חְ צְ חֵ ן ַבּ ּ ַ מ ִ י ם . אֲ ַמה לֵ י ּרד under Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, the redactor of the Mishna, but most of his Torah study was accomplished under Rabbi in water, after they have been fired in the furnace. Rabbi Yoĥanan n ִל ְ ףטָ ָאר ְבּ ִלףְ טִ ּי ּ ו תֵ י ּר יָדַ ע! אֲ ַמה לֵ י ּרד Yehuda HaNasi’s students: Ĥizkiyya ben Ĥiyya, Rabbi Oshaya, said to Reish Lakish: A bandit knows about his banditry, i.e., you .are an expert in weaponry because you were a bandit in your youth ּו מַ א י ַא ֲ רנַ ּ ְ ת לִ י ? ָ רתָ ם ַ ה ִ בּ י ָ ה ּ ו לִ י , Rabbi Ĥanina, and Rabbi Yannai, who lavished praise upon Reish Lakish said to Rabbi Yoĥanan: What benefit did you provide ָ רכָ א ַ ה ִ בּ י ָ הוּ לִ י. אֲ ַמה לֵ י ּרד ַא ֲ רנַ א י ,him. In time, he became the head of the yeshiva in Tiberias at which point his fame and influence increased greatly. For me by bringing me close to Torah? There, among the bandits, they לָ ךְ דְּ ַא ְ ְ הבִ י נָ ךְ ּ ַ תחַ ת ּכ ְַנ׳ֵי ר ׁ ְּ ַשכִ י ָנר. a long time Rabbi Yoĥanan was the leading rabbinic scholar called me: Leader of the bandits, and here, too, they call me: in the Jewish world, not only in Eretz Yisrael but in Babylonia Leader of the bandits. Rabbi Yoĥanan said to him: I provided ben- as well, where he was respected by the Babylonian Sages. Many of them emigrated to Eretz Yisrael in order to become efit to you, as I brought you close to God, under the wings of the his students. Divine Presence. As a result of the quarrel, Rabbi Yoĥanan was offended, which in ֲ ח ַ ל שׁ ַ ּ ד ְ ע ֵּתי ּר ְדּ ַ ה י ִ בּ י ֹו חָ נָ ן , חֲ לַ שׁ ֵ הי שׁ Rabbi , often : ֵ הי שׁ ָל ִ י שׁ – Reish Lakish referred to as Reish Lakish, was among the greatest turn affectedReish Lakish, who fell ill. Rabbi Yoĥanan’s sister, who ָל ִ י שׁ . אֲ תַ א י אַ חְ ֵּתי ּר ָ א ָ בּ כְ יָ א , -amora’im in Eretz Yisrael. He was the friend and brother was Reish Lakish’s wife, came crying to Rabbi Yoĥanan, begging אֲ ַמָהר לֵ י ּרד עֲ ֵשׂ ר בִּשְׁבִ יל בָּנַי! אֲ ַמה in-law of Rabbi Yoĥanan. Reish Lakish led an extraordinary that he pray for Reish Lakish’s recovery. She said to him: Do this for ָלרד ״ עָ זְ ָב ר יְתֹמֶיךָאֲנִי ֶאֲחַּיר״. life. He studied Torah at a young age, but subsequently sold himself to a Roman circus as a gladiator, perhaps due to ּ the sake of my children, so that they should have a father. Rabbi Yoĥanan said to her the verse: “Leave your fatherless children, I עֲ ֵשׂ ר בִּשְׁבִיל אַלְמְנוּתִי! אֲ ַמה ָל ּרד dire financial straits. Many stories in the Talmud attest to his will rear them” ( 49:11), i.e., I will take care of them. She ״וְאַ לְמְנֹותֶ יךָ עָלַ י ּ ִ תבְ טָ ח ּ ו ״ . great strength. Some time later, in the wake of an encounter with Rabbi Yoĥanan, as described here, he resumed his said to him: Do so for the sake of my widowhood. He said to her Torah study, first as a student of Rabbi Yoĥanan, then as a the rest of the verse: “And let your widows trust in Me.” colleague. He married Rabbi Yoĥanan’s sister. Many halakhic disputes are recorded between Reish Ultimately, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, Reish Lakish, died. Rabbi נָ ח ַנ׳ְשֵׁ י ּר ְדּ בּ ַ ה י ִ ִ שׁ ע מְ ֹו ן ֶבּ ן ָל ִ י שׁ , Lakish and Rabbi Yoĥanan concerning central issues in Yoĥanan was sorely pained over losing him. The Rabbis said: Who ַורֲָור ָ א מִ צְ טַ ֵעה בּ ַ ה י ִ י ֹו חָ נָ ן ַבּ ְתֵהי ּר the Talmud. His objective was not to disagree with Rabbi Yoĥanan but rather to help him sharpen his opinion will go to calm Rabbi Yoĥanan’s mind and comfort him over his p טוּבָ א. אֲ ַמהוּ ַ ה ָ בּ נַןד מַ אן לֵ יזִ יל לִ יתְ בֵ י ּר through debate. Rabbi Yoĥanan referred to Reish Lakish loss? They said:Let Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat go, as his statements are sharp, i.e., he is clever and will be able to serve as a substitute לְ דַ עְ ֵּתי ּר ? נֵ י זִ י ל ַ ה ִבּ י אֶ לְ עָ ָזה ֶבּ ן ּ ְ ׳דָ ת , .with great respect, often saying: My peer disagrees with me .for Reish Lakish דִּ מְ חַ דְּ דִ י ן שׁ ְ מַ עְ ּ ָ תתֵ י ּר. Reish Lakish was well known for his strict piety, to the extent that anyone with whom he was seen conversing in public was said to be able to borrow money without guarantors, as halakha Reish Lakish associated only with people beyond reproach. When he died he was survived by his wife and son, who The sword…from when are they susceptible to ritual impu- tible to ritual impurity only when it is scoured in water, and a Metal vessels are susceptible knife once it is sharpened. This halakha is in accordance with : ַר ַּ ףיִ יס … מֵ אֵ י מָ תַ י מְ ַבְּלִ ין טוּמְאָ ר – was a child prodigy (see Ta’anit 9a). rity to ritual impurity only when their manufacture is completed. the mishna in Kelim (14:4), and not the Gemara here (Rambam .(In the Gemara, What is considered complete in this regard? A sword is suscep- Sefer Tahara, Hilkhot Kelim 8:2 : ַ ה ִ בּ י אֶ לְ עָ ָז ה ֶ בּ ן ּ ְ ׳דָ ת – Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat citations of Rabbi Elazar without a patronymic refer to Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat, a second-generation amora from Eretz notes Yisrael. He was born in Babylonia, where he was a student considered his principal teacher and therefore he had no right : לִ ְ ףטָ אָ ר ְ בּ לִ ףְ טִ ּי ּ ו תֵ י ּר ָ י דַ ע – of both Rav and Shmuel. In his youth he immigrated to A bandit knows about his banditry Eretz Yisrael, where he married and became the primary Many commentaries ask how Rabbi Yoĥanan could say this to to berate him. Others suggest that Rabbi Yoĥanan spoke in a student of Rabbi Yoĥanan. The connection between Rabbi Reish Lakish, as the Torah explicitly prohibits verbal mistreat- jocular fashion as a way of piquing the attention of the other Elazar and Rabbi Yoĥanan was so close that at times the ment of others (see Leviticus 25:17). Some explain that a principal Sages. He wanted them to listen to the opinion of Reish Lakish, Gemara raises a contradiction between the statement of teacher is allowed to berate his pupil for a constructive purpose who was an expert in the matter at hand. Reish Lakish mis- one and the statement of the other, under the assumption (Ein Yehosef; Maharshal). According to this interpretation, Reish construed Rabbi Yoĥanan’s intent and was upset by his remark that it was unlikely that they would hold different opinions Lakish replied that he had studied Torah prior to encountering (Ein Yehosef ). in matters of halakha. Rabbi Yoĥanan. Consequently, Rabbi Yoĥanan could not be ׳ה זפ דס ׳ד. . Bava metzia . perek VII . 84a 134

THE GLOBAL DAY OF JEWISH LEARNING 96 November 17, 2019 www.theglobalday.org Title BabylonianLove — An excerpt Talmud from Bava Simple Metzia Words 84a SUPPLEMENTAL READING

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notes Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat went and sat before Rabbi Yoĥanan. With אֲ ַ ז ל ָי תֵ י ב ַּמֵי ּר. ָּכ ל מִ י ְ ּלתָ א ַ ּ ד ֲ רוָ ר אָ מַ ה Twenty-four difficulties…twenty-four answers – upon themselves. This was both due to the fact that the authori- eventually became converts. These noblewomen would often engage עֶ ְשׂ ִ הין regard to every matter that Rabbi Yoĥanan would say,Rabbi Elazar Twenty-four is a : ַ ה י ִ בּ י ֹו חָ ָ נן אֲ מַ ה לֵ י ּרד ּ ַ תנְ ָ י א דִּ מְ ַ ףּיְ י עָ א לָ ךְ . ties demanded a large payment for appointments, and because the in conversations with Jewish Sages. Out of respect, these Sages would וְ אַ ְ ה ַ בּ ע שׁ וּ ִ ָ ּי י ָ ת א … עֶ ְשׂ ִ הי ן וְ אַ ְ ה ָ בּ עָ ר ֵּ׳הוּ ֵי ben Pedat would say to him: There is a ruling which is taught in a generic number in rabbinic literature, which represents a NOTES .appointees had no choice but to become embroiled in unpleasant generally respond even to their foolish questions אֲ מַ הד א ְּ ַת ְ ּכבַ ה לָ ִ י שׁ ָ א ? ַ ּ ב ה לָ ִ י שׁ ָ א , baraita that supports your opinion. Rabbi Yoĥanan said to him: large quantity; it should not be taken literally. Other such Based court proceedings in order to fulfill their duty. Consequently, people : אֵ י בְ הֵי ּר דְּ ַ ה ִ ּ ב י ִ י שׁ ְ ָ מ ֵ ע א ל – The organ [eiverei] of Rabbi Yishmael Are you comparable to the son of Lakish? In my discussions with numbers are sixty and three hundred (Torat Ĥayyim). Some Baskets [dikurei] – : Some associate this word with the Arabic ּכִי ֲ רוָ ר אָ מִ י ָ נ א מִ י ְ ּלתָ א – ֲ רוָ ר מַ ְ שׁ ֵ י דִּ וּהֵי on the context, many commentaries understand this to be referring who were slated for such appointments would often flee temporarily commentaries suggest that this number alludes to the , rāqūd, meaning a large pitcher tarred on the inside. Others read לִ י עֶ ְשׂ הִי ן וְ אַ ְ ה ַ בּ ע ִ וּשׁ ּיָ יתָ א, וּמְ ָ׳ְה ִ י נָ א راقود .the son of Lakish, when I would state a matter, he would raise to his sexual organ. Some commentaries explain that this refers to the from their places of residence so as to avoid this unwanted honor .twenty-four difficulties against me in an attempt to disprove my idea that a Sage must be expert in all twenty-four books arm or thigh, which are indicative of one’s weight (Ritva). Alternatively, it as dikulei, a basket made of palm [dekel] leaves לֵ י ּר עֶ ְשׂ ִה י ן וְ אַ ְ ה ָ בּ עָ ר ֵּ׳הוּ ֵ י , ּו מִ ּ ֵ מי לָ א n of the Bible (Ein Ya’akov). Others note that the twenty-four Asia – : This refers to the Roman province Asia Proconsularis, Seeds [partzidaya] – : This means granule or seed. The Arabic אַ ְ ףיָ א claim, and I would answer him with twenty-four answers, and the term eiverei means his diet (Rabbeinu Peretz). Some note that the ַּ׳ ְ ה ִ צ י דַ ָי א .difficulties, twenty-four answers, and the final halakha which was in the westernmost region of Asia Minor ַ ה ְ ו ו ָ ח א שׁ ְ ַ מ ֲ ע ָ ת א . וְ אַ ּ ְ ת אָ מְ ה ְּ ַת ּ ַ תנְ יָ א Gemara relates these anecdotes so that people would not mock those , firṣid, has a similar denotation. فرصد the halakha by itself would become broadened and clarified.And mentioned here equal forty-nine, which symbolizes the who are obese (Tosafot). Yet others add that the Gemara is saying that Laodicea – : Some maintain that this refers to the province דִּ מְ ף ֵַ ּי י עַ ָ ל ְ ך. אַ ּטוּ לָא יָדַעֲנָא דְשַׁ ּ׳ִיה Dagger [pigyon] – : From the Latin pugio, or pugionis in the ל ּ ו דְ ְ יָ א -yet you say to me: There is a ruling whichis taught in a baraita that traditional forty-nine facets of Torah, as alluded to in Prov ּ גְ ִ ׳ י ֹו ן the Sages were physically fit and therefore they could have succumbed Λυδία, Lydia, which was located in Asia Minor and is apparently the ָ אָ מִ י ָ נ א ? supports your opinion. Do I not know that what I say is good? erbs 2:4 (Maharsha). to their base temptations, and yet they were able to master these genitive, meaning dagger. Being rebutted by Reish Lakish served a purpose; your bringing location of the biblical land of Lod. The word Laodicea is the Greek temptations and achieve great levels of saintliness (Pardes Rimmonim; possessive form. Others postulate that this refers to the city Laodicea proof to my statements does not. HaKotev; Maharshal). in northern Syria, which is contemporarily known as Latakia. PERSONALITIES : ְ ו ָי תֵ י ב אַ ׁ ַּ שעֲ ֵ הי טְ בִ י לָ ר – Rabbi Yoĥanan went around, rending his clothing, weeping and And sit by the entrance to the ritual bath Rabbi Yoĥanan bar Nappaĥa was one of the : ַ ה י ִ בּ י ֹו חָ נָ ן – Although this act could potentially lead to negative consequences, that Rabbi Yoĥanan ֲ רוָ ר ָ א אָ זֵ י ל וְ ָ הַע מָ א נֵ י ּר , וְ ָ א ָ ּ בכֵ י saying:VII . 84b Where 135 are you, son of Lakish? Where are you, son of is not a concern in the case of a great person such as Rabbi Yoĥanan, greatest amora’im, whose statements are fundamental components of וְ אָ מPerekַ .הד ֵ רי כָ א אַ metzia ּ ְ ת ַבּ ה Bava לָ. ִ ׳הי שׁ ָ זפ א , דס ֵ רי ׳דדכָ א Lakish? Rabbi Yoĥanan screamed until his mind was taken from both the Babylonian Talmud and the Jerusalem Talmud. He resided in who had gained mastery over his evil inclination (see Tosafot and אַ ּ ְ ת ַבּ ה לָ ִ ׁ ָ ישא . וַ ֲ רוָ ר ָ א צָוַ ח עַ ד דְּשׁ ַ ס him, i.e., he went insane. The Rabbis prayed and requested for Ritva). Tiberias and lived to an advanced age. Rabbi Yoĥanan was orphaned at God to have mercy on him and take his soul, and Rabbi Yoĥanan a young age, and although his family apparently owned considerable ַּ דעְ ּתֵי ּר מִ י ּנֵי ּר . ָ בּעוּ ַ ה ָ בּ נַ ן ַ החֲ מֵ י עֲ לֵ י ּר I come from the offspring of Joseph – : This property, he spent virtually all of his resources in his devotion to the אֲ נ א ָ מִ ּזַ ְ העָ א י דְּ ֹו ֵףס ָ אָ תִ י ָ נ א .died וְ נָ ח נַ ְ ׳שׁ ֵ י ּר. is not to be taken literally; rather, all Jewish people are considered the study of Torah, eventually becoming impoverished. In his youth he had descendants of Joseph (see Psalms 77:16). the privilege of studying under Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, the redactor of the Mishna, but most of his Torah study was accomplished under Rabbi Many : לִ ְ ףטָ אָ ר ְ בּ לִ ףְ טִ ּי ּ ו תֵ י ּר ָ י דַ ע – A bandit knows about his banditry commentaries ask how Rabbi Yoĥanan could say this to Reish Lakish, as Yehuda HaNasi’s students: Ĥizkiyya ben Ĥiyya, Rabbi Oshaya, Rabbi Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz. Talmudic Images, "Reish Lakish". Maggid Books, 2010. the Torah explicitly prohibits verbal mistreatment of others (see Leviti- Ĥanina, and Rabbi Yannai, who lavished praise upon him. In time, he cus 25:17). Some explain that a principal teacher is allowed to berate his became the head of the yeshiva in Tiberias, at which point his fame pupil for a constructive purpose (Ein Yehosef; Maharshal). According to and influence increased greatly. For a long time Rabbi Yoĥanan was the After this digression, the Gemara returns to the story of Rabbi this interpretation, Reish Lakish replied that he had studied Torah prior leading rabbinic scholar in the Jewish world, not only in Eretz Yisrael Rabbi Yoḥanan and Reish§ Lakish were a unique pair in the realm of Torah study. but in Babylonia as well, where he was respected by the Babylonian Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon. And although his flesh did not putrefy, to encountering Rabbi Yoĥanan. Consequently, Rabbi Yoĥanan could not be considered his principal teacher and therefore he had no right Sages. Many of them emigrated to Eretz Yisrael in order to become Reish Lakish was usuallyeven the so Rabbi one to Elazar, raise son objections of Rabbi Shimon,and challenges still did not and rely probe on the issues at hand. He would pile his students. his own opinion,n as he was worried that he may have erred in one to berate him. Others suggest that Rabbi Yoĥanan spoke in a jocular up questions, textual or theoretical, on almost everything Rabbi Yoḥanan said. In fact, a significant portion of the fashion as a way of piquing the attention of the other Sages. He wanted Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, often referred to as : ֵ הי שׁ ָל ִ י שׁ – of his decisions. He accepted afflictions upon himself as atone- Reish Lakish listen to the opinion of Reish Lakish, who was an expert in the Reish Lakish, was among the greatest amora’im in Eretz Yisrael. He was ׳to דthemד sugyot in both the Jerusalem and Babylonian is based on the controversies of Rabbi Yoḥanan and Reish Lakish. ment for his possible sins. At night his attendantswould spread out matter at hand. Reish Lakish misconstrued Rabbi Yoĥanan’s intent and the friend and brother-in-law of Rabbi Yoĥanan. Reish Lakish led an sixty felt bed coverings for him. In the morning, despite the bed was upset by his remark (Ein Yehosef). extraordinary life. He studied Torah at a young age, but subsequently coverings, they would remove sixty basins of blood and pus from sold himself to a Roman circus as a gladiator, perhaps due to dire עֶ ְשׂ ִ הי ן וְ אַ ְ ה ַבּ ע – Reish Lakish did not intend to dispute the very basis of Rabbi Yoḥanan's statements, but to more thoroughly Twenty-four difficulties…twenty-four answers underneath him. financial straits. Many stories in the Talmud attest to his great strength. Twenty-four is a generic number in : שׁ וּ ִ ָ ּי י ָ ת א … ֶ ע ְ ׂ ש ִ הי ן וְ אַ ְה ָ בּ עָ ר ֵּ׳הוֵּי .investigate and clarify matters, and that was how Rabbi Yoḥanan himself perceived it, too rabbinic literature, which represents a large quantity; it should not be Some time later, in the wake of an encounter with Rabbi Yoĥanan, as The following day, i.e., every morning, his wife would prepare for taken literally. Other such numbers are sixty and three hundred (Torat described here, he resumed his Torah study, first as a student of Rabbi l Indeed, after Reish Lakish'shim sixty death, types Rabbi of relish Yo [ḥlifdaanan] madewas deeplyfrom figs, grieved and he by would his absence. To comfort him, the sages Ĥayyim). Some commentaries suggest that this number alludes to the Yoĥanan, then as a colleague. He married Rabbi Yoĥanan’s sister. sent one of their most eatastute them colleagues, and become Rabbi healthy. Elazar His wife, ben concerned Pedat, to for fill his Reish health, L akish's place. idea that a Sage must be expert in all twenty-four books of the Bible Many halakhic disputes are recorded between Reish Lakish and would not allow him to go to the study hall, so that the Rabbis (Ein Ya’akov). Others note that the twenty-four difficulties, twenty-four Rabbi Yoĥanan concerning central issues in the Talmud. His objective was not to disagree with Rabbi Yoĥanan but rather to help him sharpen Rabbi Elazar would sitwould before not pushRabbi him Yo beyondḥanan, his and limits. as Rabbi Yoḥanan spoke, he would say "There is a baraita answers, and the finalhalakha mentioned here equal forty-nine, which symbolizes the traditional forty-nine facets of Torah, as alluded to in his opinion through debate. Rabbi Yoĥanan referred to Reish Lakish which supports you." Proverbs 2:4 (Maharsha). with great respect, often saying: My peer disagrees with me. Reish In the evening, he would say to his pains: My brothers and my Lakish was well known for his strict piety, to the extent that anyone Said Rabbi Yoḥanan, "Arefriends, you come! like theIn the son morning of Lakish? he would When say I statedto them: a Golaw, away, the song of Lakish would raise twenty- with whom he was seen conversing in public was said to be able to due to the dereliction of Torah study that you cause me. One day borrow money without guarantors, as Reish Lakish associated only four objections and I would give twenty-four answers, which would then lead to a fuller understanding of the law. HALAKHA his wife heard him inviting his pains. She said to him: You are with people beyond reproach. When he died he was survived by his But you say, 'A baraita has been taught which supports you.' Don't I already know that my dicta are right?" The sword…from when are they susceptible to ritual impurity – bringing the pains upon yourself. You have diminished the money wife and son, who was a child prodigy (see Ta’anit 9a). Metal vessels are susceptible to ritual Asia Minor : ַר ַּ ףיִ יס … מֵ אֵ י מָ תַ י מְ ַבְּלִ ין טוּמְאָ ר In the Gemara, citations : ַ ה ִ בּ י אֶ לְ עָ ָז ה ֶבּ ן ּ ְ ׳דָ ת – impurity only when their manufacture is completed. What is consid- Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat Kav – : A kav is a unit of volume equal to one-sixth of a se’a. Its ,of Rabbi Elazar without a patronymic refer to Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat ַ ִבּ י ן ered complete in this regard? A sword is susceptible to ritual impurity precise measurement is subject to dispute, with opinions ranging only when it is scoured in water, and a knife once it is sharpened. This a second-generation amora from Eretz Yisrael. He was born in Baby- from 1,350 to 2,500 cu cm. halakha is in accordance with the mishna in Kelim (14:4), and not the lonia, where he was a student of both Rav and Shmuel. In his youth Gemara here (Rambam Sefer Tahara, Hilkhot Kelim 8:2). he immigrated to Eretz Yisrael, where he married and became the primary student of Rabbi Yoĥanan. The connection between Rabbi LANGUAGE Elazar and Rabbi Yoĥanan was so close that at times the Gemara raises This is the Aramaic diminutive a contradiction between the statement of one and the statement of : מַ טְ הֹונִיתָ א – [BACKGROUND Noblewoman [matronita of the Latin matrona, meaning a married woman or noblewoman. the other, under the assumption that it was unlikely that they would Your father fled – : In the last centuries of the Roman .Many Roman noblewomen took an interest in Judaism, and several hold different opinions in matters of halakha אֲ ב ּ וךְ עֲ ַה Empire there was a shortage of people willing to accept public roles

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