With whom is yichud allowed and with whom is it not? What professions are ideal? Which ones are frowned upon? As the masechet ends, we discussed similarities between the beginning and end of the masechet and discussed the significance of that.
Kiddushin 82
06.01.2016 | כ״ד באייר תשע״ו
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Kiddushin
Masechet Kiddushin is sponsored by Julie and Martin Mendelsohn in honor of their two children who were recently married
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Kiddushin
Masechet Kiddushin is sponsored by Julie and Martin Mendelsohn in honor of their two children who were recently married
Kiddushin 82
הַכֹּל לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם.
All such actions are permitted for the sake of Heaven. In other words, if one is acting out of familial affection, without any element of licentiousness, they are permitted.
מַתְנִי׳ לֹא יְלַמֵּד אָדָם רַוּוֹק סוֹפְרִים. וְלֹא תְּלַמֵּד אִשָּׁה סוֹפְרִים. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אַף מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה לֹא יְלַמֵּד סוֹפְרִים. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: לֹא יִרְעֶה רַוּוֹק בְּהֵמָה, וְלֹא יִישְׁנוּ שְׁנֵי רַוּוֹקִין בְּטַלִּית אַחַת, וַחֲכָמִים מַתִּירִים.
MISHNA: A bachelor may not act as a teacher of children, nor may a woman act as a teacher of children. Rabbi Elazar says: Even one who does not have a wife may not act as a teacher of children. Rabbi Yehuda says: A bachelor may not herd cattle, nor may two bachelors sleep with one covering, lest they transgress the prohibition against homosexual intercourse, but the Rabbis permit it.
גְּמָ׳ מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם יָנוֹקֵי, וְהָתַנְיָא: אָמְרוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה: לֹא נֶחְשְׁדוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל מִשְׁכַּב זְכוּר וְלֹא עַל הַבְּהֵמָה! אֶלָּא: רַוּוֹק – מִשּׁוּם אִמָּהָתָא דְיָנוֹקֵי. אִשָּׁה – מִשּׁוּם אֲבָהָתָא דְיָנוֹקֵי.
GEMARA: What is the reason that a bachelor may not teach children? If we say it is due to the children themselves, that it is suspected that he may engage in homosexual intercourse with them, but isn’t it taught in a baraita (Tosefta 5:10): They said to Rabbi Yehuda: Jews are not suspected of engaging in homosexual intercourse nor of engaging in intercourse with an animal. Rather, the reason is as follows: A bachelor may not be a teacher of children due to the mothers of the children, who come to the school from time to time, with whom he might sin. Similarly, a woman may not serve as a teacher to children because she may come to be secluded with the fathers of the children.
רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר אַף מִי שֶׁאֵין כּוּ׳. אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה כְּלָל, אוֹ דִלְמָא בְּשֶׁאֵינָהּ שְׁרוּיָה אֶצְלוֹ? תָּא שְׁמַע: אַף מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ וְאֵינָהּ שְׁרוּיָה אֶצְלוֹ לֹא יְלַמֵּד סוֹפְרִים.
The mishna teaches that Rabbi Elazar says: Even one who does not have a wife may not act as a teacher of children. A dilemma was raised before the students in the study hall: Does Rabbi Elazar mean one who does not have a wife at all, or perhaps he is referring even to one who has a wife, in a circumstance where she is not residing with him? Come and hear: Even one who has a wife but she is not residing with him may not act as a teacher of children. This statement is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar and indicates that his restriction applies even if the man is married.
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר לֹא יִרְעֶה כּוּ׳. תַּנְיָא: אָמְרוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה: לֹא נֶחְשְׁדוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל מִשְׁכַּב זְכוּר וְלֹא עַל הַבְּהֵמָה.
The mishna teaches that Rabbi Yehuda says: A bachelor may not herd cattle, nor may two bachelors sleep with one covering. It is taught in the Tosefta (5:10): They said to Rabbi Yehuda: Jews are not suspected of engaging in homosexual intercourse nor of engaging in intercourse with an animal.
מַתְנִי׳ כֹּל שֶׁעֲסָקָיו עִם הַנָּשִׁים לֹא יִתְיַחֵד עִם הַנָּשִׁים, וְלֹא יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת הַנָּשִׁים. רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת נְקִיָּה וְקַלָּה, וְיִתְפַּלֵּל לְמִי שֶׁהָעוֹשֶׁר וְהַנְּכָסִים שֶׁלּוֹ. שֶׁאֵין אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ עֲנִיּוּת וַעֲשִׁירוּת, שֶׁלֹּא עֲנִיּוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת, וְלֹא עֲשִׁירוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת, אֶלָּא הַכֹּל לְפִי זְכוּתוֹ.
MISHNA: Anyone who has professional dealings primarily with women may not be secluded with women. There is more of a concern that such a man might sin due to his familiarity with the women. And a person may not teach his son a trade that necessitates frequent interaction with women, for the same reason. With regard to teaching one’s son a trade, Rabbi Meir says: A person should always teach his son a clean and easy trade and pray for success to the One to Whom wealth and property belong, as ultimately there is no trade that does not include both poverty and wealth, since a person can become rich from any profession. Poverty does not come from a particular trade, nor does wealth come from a particular trade, but rather, all is in accordance with a person’s merit. Therefore, one should choose a clean and easy trade, and pray to God for success.
רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: רָאִיתָ מִיָּמֶיךָ חַיָּה וָעוֹף שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם אוּמָּנוּת? וְהֵן מִתְפַּרְנְסִין שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר! וַהֲלֹא לֹא נִבְרְאוּ אֶלָּא לְשַׁמְּשֵׁנִי, וַאֲנִי נִבְרֵאתִי לְשַׁמֵּשׁ אֶת קוֹנִי, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁאֶתְפַּרְנֵס שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר? אֶלָּא שֶׁהוֹרַעְתִּי מַעֲשַׂי, וְקִפַּחְתִּי אֶת פַּרְנָסָתִי.
Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Have you ever seen a beast or a bird that has a trade? And yet they earn their livelihood without anguish. But all these were created only to serve me, and I, a human being, was created to serve the One Who formed me. Is it not right that I should earn my livelihood without anguish? But I, i.e., humanity, have committed evil actions and have lost my livelihood. This is why people must work to earn a living.
אַבָּא גּוּרְיָין אִישׁ צַיְידָן אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם אַבָּא גּוּרְיָא: לֹא יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ חַמָּר, גַּמָּל, קַדָּר, סַפָּן, רוֹעֶה, וְחֶנְוָנִי – שֶׁאוּמָּנוּתָן אוּמָּנוּת לִיסְטִים. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר מִשְּׁמוֹ: הַחַמָּרִין רוּבָּן רְשָׁעִים, וְהַגַּמָּלִין רוּבָּן כְּשֵׁרִין, הַסַּפָּנִין רוּבָּן חֲסִידִים. טוֹב שֶׁבָּרוֹפְאִים – לְגֵיהִנָּם, וְהַכָּשֵׁר שֶׁבַּטַּבָּחִים – שׁוּתָּפוֹ שֶׁל עֲמָלֵק.
Abba Guryan of Tzadyan says in the name of Abba Gurya: A person may not teach his son the trades of a donkey driver, a camel driver, a pot maker, a sailor, a shepherd, or a storekeeper. The reason for all these is the same, as their trades are the trades of robbers; all of these professions involve a measure of dishonesty and are likely to lead to robbery. Rabbi Yehuda says in Abba Gurya’s name: Most donkey drivers are wicked, since they engage in deceit, and most camel drivers, who traverse dangerous places such as deserts, are of fit character, as they pray to God to protect them on their journeys. Most sailors are pious, since the great danger of the seas instills in them the fear of Heaven. The best of doctors is to Gehenna, and even the fittest of butchers is a partner of Amalek.
רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר: מַנִּיחַ אֲנִי כׇּל אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם וְאֵינִי מְלַמֵּד אֶת בְּנִי אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁאָדָם אוֹכֵל מִשְּׂכָרָהּ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְהַקֶּרֶן קַיֶּימֶת לוֹ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וּשְׁאָר כׇּל אוּמָּנִיּוֹת אֵינָן כֵּן. כְּשֶׁאָדָם בָּא לִידֵי חוֹלִי אוֹ לִידֵי זִקְנָה אוֹ לִידֵי יִסּוּרִין, וְאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לַעֲסוֹק בִּמְלַאכְתּוֹ – הֲרֵי הוּא מֵת בָּרָעָב. אֲבָל הַתּוֹרָה אֵינָהּ כֵּן, אֶלָּא מְשַׁמַּרְתּוֹ מִכׇּל רַע בְּנַעֲרוּתוֹ, וְנוֹתֶנֶת לוֹ אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָה בְּזִקְנוּתוֹ.
Rabbi Nehorai says: I set aside all the trades in the world, and I teach my son only Torah, as a person partakes of its reward in this world and the principal reward remains for him in the World-to-Come, which is not true of other professions, whose rewards are only in this world. Furthermore, if a person comes to be ill, or old, or undergoes suffering, and is unable to be involved in his trade, behold, he dies in hunger. But with regard to the Torah it is not so, since one can study it under all circumstances. Rather, it preserves him from all evil and sin in his youth, and provides him with a future and hope in his old age.
בְּנַעֲרוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״וְקוֹיֵ ה׳ יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ״. בְּזִקְנוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״עוֹד יְנוּבוּן בְּשֵׂיבָה״, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר בְּאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ: ״וְאַבְרָהָם זָקֵן… וַה׳ בֵּרַךְ אֶת אַבְרָהָם בַּכֹּל״ – מָצִינוּ שֶׁעָשָׂה אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ אֶת כָּל הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִיתְּנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַע אַבְרָהָם בְּקֹלִי וַיִּשְׁמֹר מִשְׁמַרְתִּי מִצְוֹתַי חֻקּוֹתַי וְתוֹרֹתָי״
The mishna explains: With regard to his youth, what does it say about a Torah scholar? “But they that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). With regard to his old age, what does it say? “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age” (Psalms 92:15), and it likewise states with regard to Abraham our forefather: “And Abraham was old, well stricken in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” (Genesis 24:1). We found that Abraham our forefather fulfilled the entire Torah before it was given, as it is stated: “Because that Abraham listened to My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5), which indicates that Abraham observed all the mitzvot of his own accord and was rewarded in his old age as a result.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כׇּל שֶׁעֲסָקָיו עִם הַנָּשִׁים – סוֹרוֹ רַע, כְּגוֹן הַצּוֹרְפִים, וְהַסָּרֵיקִים, וְהַנָּקוֹרוֹת, וְהָרוֹכְלִין, וְהַגַּרְדִּיִּים, וְהַסַּפָּרִים וְהַכּוֹבְסִים, וְהַגָּרָע, וְהַבַּלָּן, וְהַבּוּרְסְקִי – אֵין מַעֲמִידִים מֵהֶם לֹא מֶלֶךְ וְלֹא כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל. מַאי טַעְמָא? לָא מִשּׁוּם דִּפְסִילִי, אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם דְּזִיל אוּמָּנוּתַיְהוּ.
GEMARA: The Sages taught: With regard to anyone who has professional dealings primarily with women, his practice and company are bad, and it is best to keep away from him. This category includes, for example, the smiths, and the carders, and the fixers of hand mills of women, and the peddlers of jewelry and perfume to women, and the weavers [gardiyyim], and the barbers, and the launderers, and the bloodletter, and the bathhouse attendant [ballan], and the tanner [burseki]. One may not appoint from among those who have these professions neither a king nor a High Priest. What is the reason for this? It is not because they are disqualified, since there is nothing wrong with these jobs, but because their trades are demeaning, and they would not be respected when appointed to a position of authority.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים נֶאֶמְרוּ בְּגָרָע: מְהַלֵּךְ עַל צִידּוֹ, וְרוּחוֹ גַּסָּה, וְנִתְלֶה וְיוֹשֵׁב, וְעֵינוֹ צָרָה, וְעֵינוֹ רָעָה, אוֹכֵל הַרְבֵּה וּמוֹצִיא קִימְעָא, וְחָשׁוּד עַל הָעֲרָיוֹת וְעַל הַגָּזֵל וְעַל שְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים.
The Sages taught: Ten things were stated with regard to a bloodletter: He walks on his side, i.e., in a haughty manner; and his spirit is arrogant; and he leans and sits, i.e., he does not sit down like others do but leans on an object in a conceited fashion; and he is stingy; and he is envious; and he eats much and discharges only a little; and he is suspected of engaging in intercourse with those with whom relations are forbidden, and of stealing, and of bloodshed in the course of his work.
דָּרַשׁ בַּר קַפָּרָא: לְעוֹלָם יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת נְקִיָּה וְקַלָּה. מַאי הִיא? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה:
Bar Kappara taught: A person should always teach his son a clean and easy trade. The Gemara asks: What is such a profession? Rav Yehuda said:
מַחְטָא דְתַלְמִיּוּתָא.
Needlework for embroidery is a clean and easy trade.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: אֵין לְךָ אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁעוֹבֶרֶת מִן הָעוֹלָם. אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁרוֹאֶה אֶת הוֹרָיו בְּאוּמָּנוּת מְעוּלָּה, אוֹי לוֹ לְמִי שֶׁרוֹאֶה אֶת הוֹרָיו בְּאוּמָּנוּת פְּגוּמָה. אִי אֶפְשָׁר לָעוֹלָם בְּלֹא בַּסָּם וּבְלֹא בּוּרְסְקִי. אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁאוּמָּנוּתוֹ בַּסָּם, וְאוֹי לוֹ [לְ]מִי שֶׁאוּמָּנוּתוֹ בּוּרְסְקִי. אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְעוֹלָם בְּלֹא זְכָרִים וּבְלֹא נְקֵבוֹת, אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁבָּנָיו זְכָרִים וְאוֹי לוֹ לְמִי שֶׁבָּנָיו נְקֵיבוֹת.
It is taught in the Tosefta (5:12): Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: There is no trade that disappears from the world, since all occupations are needed, but fortunate is he who sees his parents in an elevated trade; woe is he who sees his parents in a lowly trade and follows them into their trade. Similarly, it is impossible for the world to continue without a perfumer and without a tanner. Fortunate is he whose trade is as a perfumer, and woe is he whose trade is as a tanner, who works with materials that have a foul smell. Likewise, it is impossible for the world to exist without males and without females, yet fortunate is he whose children are males, and woe is he whose children are females.
רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם יְלַמֵּד אָדָם לִבְנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת נְקִיָּה וְקַלָּה, וִיבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים לְמִי שֶׁהָעוֹשֶׁר וְהַנְּכָסִים שֶׁלּוֹ, שֶׁאֵין עֲנִיּוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת וְאֵין עֲשִׁירוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת, אֶלָּא – לְמִי שֶׁהָעוֹשֶׁר שֶׁלּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לִי הַכֶּסֶף וְלִי הַזָּהָב נְאֻם ה׳ צְבָאוֹת״.
Rabbi Meir says: A person should always teach his son a clean and easy trade, and he should request compassion from the One to Whom wealth and property belong, as poverty does not come from a trade, nor does wealth come from a trade; rather, they come from the One to Whom wealth belongs, as it is stated: “Mine is the silver, and Mine the gold, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).
רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אִם רָאִיתָ מִיָּמֶיךָ. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: מִיָּמַי לֹא רָאִיתִי צְבִי קַיָּיץ, וַאֲרִי סַבָּל, וְשׁוּעָל חֶנְוָנִי, וְהֵם מִתְפַּרְנְסִים שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר. וְהֵם לֹא נִבְרְאוּ אֶלָּא לְשַׁמְּשֵׁנִי, וַאֲנִי נִבְרֵאתִי לְשַׁמֵּשׁ אֶת קוֹנִי. מָה אֵלּוּ שֶׁלֹּא נִבְרְאוּ אֶלָּא לְשַׁמְּשֵׁנִי מִתְפַּרְנְסִים שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר, וַאֲנִי שֶׁנִּבְרֵאתִי לְשַׁמֵּשׁ אֶת קוֹנִי – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁאֶתְפַּרְנֵס שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר? אֶלָּא שֶׁהֲרֵעוֹתִי אֶת מַעֲשַׂי וְקִיפַּחְתִּי אֶת פַּרְנָסָתִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֲוֹנוֹתֵיכֶם הִטּוּ״.
The mishna taught that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Have you ever seen a beast or a bird that has a trade? It is taught in the Tosefta (5:13): Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: I never saw a deer work as one who dries figs, nor a lion work as a porter, nor a fox work as a storekeeper. And yet they earn their livelihood without anguish. But all these were created only to serve me, and I, a human being, was created to serve the One Who formed me. If these, who were created only to serve me, earn their livelihood without anguish, then is it not right that I, who was created to serve the One Who formed me, should earn my livelihood without anguish? But I, i.e., humanity, have committed evil actions and have lost my livelihood, as it is stated: “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have held back good from you” (Jeremiah 5:25).
רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר: מַנִּיחַ אֲנִי כׇּל אוּמָּנוּת וְכוּ׳. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר: מַנִּיחַ אֲנִי כׇּל אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם וְאֵינִי מְלַמֵּד אֶת בְּנִי אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁכׇּל אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אֵין עוֹמֶדֶת לוֹ אֶלָּא בִּימֵי יַלְדוּתוֹ, אֲבָל בִּימֵי זִקְנוּתוֹ הֲרֵי הוּא מוּטָּל בָּרָעָב. אֲבָל תּוֹרָה אֵינָהּ כֵּן – עוֹמֶדֶת לוֹ לָאָדָם בְּעֵת יַלְדוּתוֹ, וְנוֹתֶנֶת לוֹ אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָה בְּעֵת זִקְנוּתוֹ. בְּעֵת יַלְדוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״וְקוֹיֵ ה׳ יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ יַעֲלוּ אֵבֶר כַּנְּשָׁרִים״ בְּזִקְנוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״עוֹד יְנוּבוּן בְּשֵׂיבָה דְּשֵׁנִים וְרַעֲנַנִּים יִהְיוּ״.
The mishna taught that Rabbi Nehorai says: I set aside all the trades and I teach my son only Torah. It is taught in the Tosefta (5:14): Rabbi Nehorai says: I set aside all the trades in the world, and I teach my son only Torah, as all other trades serve one only in the days of his youth, when he has enough strength to work, but in the days of his old age, behold, he is left to lie in hunger. But Torah is not like this: It serves a person in the time of his youth and provides him with a future and hope in the time of his old age. With regard to the time of his youth, what does it say about a Torah scholar? “But they that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). With regard to the time of his old age, what does it say? “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be full of sap and richness” (Psalms 92:15).
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ עֲשָׂרָה יוּחֲסִין וּסְלִיקָא לַהּ מַסֶּכֶת קִידּוּשִׁין
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Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.
Rhondda May
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!
Sharon Mink
Haifa, Israel
In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.
Reena Slovin
Worcester, United States
I heard the new Daf Yomi cycle was starting and I was curious, so I searched online for a women’s class and was pleasently surprised to find Rabanit Michelle’s great class reviews in many online articles. It has been a splendid journey. It is a way to fill my days with Torah, learning so many amazing things I have never heard before during my Tanach learning at High School. Thanks so much .
Martha Tarazi
Panama, Panama
When we heard that R. Michelle was starting daf yomi, my 11-year-old suggested that I go. Little did she know that she would lose me every morning from then on. I remember standing at the Farbers’ door, almost too shy to enter. After that first class, I said that I would come the next day but couldn’t commit to more. A decade later, I still look forward to learning from R. Michelle every morning.
Ruth Leah Kahan
Ra’anana, Israel
In January 2020, my teaching partner at IDC suggested we do daf yomi. Thanks to her challenge, I started learning daily from Rabbanit Michelle. It’s a joy to be part of the Hadran community. (It’s also a tikkun: in 7th grade, my best friend and I tied for first place in a citywide gemara exam, but we weren’t invited to the celebration because girls weren’t supposed to be learning gemara).
Sara Averick
Jerusalem, Israel
In early January of 2020, I learned about Siyyum HaShas and Daf Yomi via Tablet Magazine’s brief daily podcast about the Daf. I found it compelling and fascinating. Soon I discovered Hadran; since then I have learned the Daf daily with Rabbanit Michelle Cohen Farber. The Daf has permeated my every hour, and has transformed and magnified my place within the Jewish Universe.
Lisa Berkelhammer
San Francisco, CA , United States
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Shira Eliaser
Skokie, IL, United States
תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.
Vitti Kones
מיתר, ישראל
I’ve been studying Talmud since the ’90s, and decided to take on Daf Yomi two years ago. I wanted to attempt the challenge of a day-to-day, very Jewish activity. Some days are so interesting and some days are so boring. But I’m still here.
Sarene Shanus
Mamaroneck, NY, United States
I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!
Pamela Elisheva
Bakersfield, United States
I was exposed to Talmud in high school, but I was truly inspired after my daughter and I decided to attend the Women’s Siyum Shas in 2020. We knew that this was a historic moment. We were blown away, overcome with emotion at the euphoria of the revolution. Right then, I knew I would continue. My commitment deepened with the every-morning Virtual Beit Midrash on Zoom with R. Michelle.
Adina Hagege
Zichron Yaakov, Israel
I started learning after the siyum hashas for women and my daily learning has been a constant over the last two years. It grounded me during the chaos of Corona while providing me with a community of fellow learners. The Daf can be challenging but it’s filled with life’s lessons, struggles and hope for a better world. It’s not about the destination but rather about the journey. Thank you Hadran!
Dena Lehrman
אפרת, Israel
In my Shana bet at Migdal Oz I attended the Hadran siyum hash”as. Witnessing so many women so passionate about their Torah learning and connection to God, I knew I had to begin with the coming cycle. My wedding (June 24) was two weeks before the siyum of mesechet yoma so I went a little ahead and was able to make a speech and siyum at my kiseh kallah on my wedding day!
Sharona Guggenheim Plumb
Givat Shmuel, Israel
Inspired by Hadran’s first Siyum ha Shas L’Nashim two years ago, I began daf yomi right after for the next cycle. As to this extraordinary journey together with Hadran..as TS Eliot wrote “We must not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.
Susan Handelman
Jerusalem, Israel
After reading the book, “ If All The Seas Were Ink “ by Ileana Kurshan I started studying Talmud. I searched and studied with several teachers until I found Michelle Farber. I have been studying with her for two years. I look forward every day to learn from her.
Janine Rubens
Virginia, United States
I graduated college in December 2019 and received a set of shas as a present from my husband. With my long time dream of learning daf yomi, I had no idea that a new cycle was beginning just one month later, in January 2020. I have been learning the daf ever since with Michelle Farber… Through grad school, my first job, my first baby, and all the other incredible journeys over the past few years!
Sigal Spitzer Flamholz
Bronx, United States
Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
Shira Eliaser
Skokie, IL, United States
Jill Shames
Jerusalem, Israel
I started learning Daf Yomi in January 2020 after watching my grandfather, Mayer Penstein z”l, finish shas with the previous cycle. My grandfather made learning so much fun was so proud that his grandchildren wanted to join him. I was also inspired by Ilana Kurshan’s book, If All the Seas Were Ink. Two years in, I can say that it has enriched my life in so many ways.
Leeza Hirt Wilner
New York, United States
Kiddushin 82
הַכֹּל לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם.
All such actions are permitted for the sake of Heaven. In other words, if one is acting out of familial affection, without any element of licentiousness, they are permitted.
מַתְנִי׳ לֹא יְלַמֵּד אָדָם רַוּוֹק סוֹפְרִים. וְלֹא תְּלַמֵּד אִשָּׁה סוֹפְרִים. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אַף מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה לֹא יְלַמֵּד סוֹפְרִים. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: לֹא יִרְעֶה רַוּוֹק בְּהֵמָה, וְלֹא יִישְׁנוּ שְׁנֵי רַוּוֹקִין בְּטַלִּית אַחַת, וַחֲכָמִים מַתִּירִים.
MISHNA: A bachelor may not act as a teacher of children, nor may a woman act as a teacher of children. Rabbi Elazar says: Even one who does not have a wife may not act as a teacher of children. Rabbi Yehuda says: A bachelor may not herd cattle, nor may two bachelors sleep with one covering, lest they transgress the prohibition against homosexual intercourse, but the Rabbis permit it.
גְּמָ׳ מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם יָנוֹקֵי, וְהָתַנְיָא: אָמְרוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה: לֹא נֶחְשְׁדוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל מִשְׁכַּב זְכוּר וְלֹא עַל הַבְּהֵמָה! אֶלָּא: רַוּוֹק – מִשּׁוּם אִמָּהָתָא דְיָנוֹקֵי. אִשָּׁה – מִשּׁוּם אֲבָהָתָא דְיָנוֹקֵי.
GEMARA: What is the reason that a bachelor may not teach children? If we say it is due to the children themselves, that it is suspected that he may engage in homosexual intercourse with them, but isn’t it taught in a baraita (Tosefta 5:10): They said to Rabbi Yehuda: Jews are not suspected of engaging in homosexual intercourse nor of engaging in intercourse with an animal. Rather, the reason is as follows: A bachelor may not be a teacher of children due to the mothers of the children, who come to the school from time to time, with whom he might sin. Similarly, a woman may not serve as a teacher to children because she may come to be secluded with the fathers of the children.
רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר אַף מִי שֶׁאֵין כּוּ׳. אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה כְּלָל, אוֹ דִלְמָא בְּשֶׁאֵינָהּ שְׁרוּיָה אֶצְלוֹ? תָּא שְׁמַע: אַף מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ וְאֵינָהּ שְׁרוּיָה אֶצְלוֹ לֹא יְלַמֵּד סוֹפְרִים.
The mishna teaches that Rabbi Elazar says: Even one who does not have a wife may not act as a teacher of children. A dilemma was raised before the students in the study hall: Does Rabbi Elazar mean one who does not have a wife at all, or perhaps he is referring even to one who has a wife, in a circumstance where she is not residing with him? Come and hear: Even one who has a wife but she is not residing with him may not act as a teacher of children. This statement is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar and indicates that his restriction applies even if the man is married.
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר לֹא יִרְעֶה כּוּ׳. תַּנְיָא: אָמְרוּ לוֹ לְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה: לֹא נֶחְשְׁדוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל מִשְׁכַּב זְכוּר וְלֹא עַל הַבְּהֵמָה.
The mishna teaches that Rabbi Yehuda says: A bachelor may not herd cattle, nor may two bachelors sleep with one covering. It is taught in the Tosefta (5:10): They said to Rabbi Yehuda: Jews are not suspected of engaging in homosexual intercourse nor of engaging in intercourse with an animal.
מַתְנִי׳ כֹּל שֶׁעֲסָקָיו עִם הַנָּשִׁים לֹא יִתְיַחֵד עִם הַנָּשִׁים, וְלֹא יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת הַנָּשִׁים. רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת נְקִיָּה וְקַלָּה, וְיִתְפַּלֵּל לְמִי שֶׁהָעוֹשֶׁר וְהַנְּכָסִים שֶׁלּוֹ. שֶׁאֵין אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ עֲנִיּוּת וַעֲשִׁירוּת, שֶׁלֹּא עֲנִיּוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת, וְלֹא עֲשִׁירוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת, אֶלָּא הַכֹּל לְפִי זְכוּתוֹ.
MISHNA: Anyone who has professional dealings primarily with women may not be secluded with women. There is more of a concern that such a man might sin due to his familiarity with the women. And a person may not teach his son a trade that necessitates frequent interaction with women, for the same reason. With regard to teaching one’s son a trade, Rabbi Meir says: A person should always teach his son a clean and easy trade and pray for success to the One to Whom wealth and property belong, as ultimately there is no trade that does not include both poverty and wealth, since a person can become rich from any profession. Poverty does not come from a particular trade, nor does wealth come from a particular trade, but rather, all is in accordance with a person’s merit. Therefore, one should choose a clean and easy trade, and pray to God for success.
רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: רָאִיתָ מִיָּמֶיךָ חַיָּה וָעוֹף שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם אוּמָּנוּת? וְהֵן מִתְפַּרְנְסִין שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר! וַהֲלֹא לֹא נִבְרְאוּ אֶלָּא לְשַׁמְּשֵׁנִי, וַאֲנִי נִבְרֵאתִי לְשַׁמֵּשׁ אֶת קוֹנִי, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁאֶתְפַּרְנֵס שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר? אֶלָּא שֶׁהוֹרַעְתִּי מַעֲשַׂי, וְקִפַּחְתִּי אֶת פַּרְנָסָתִי.
Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Have you ever seen a beast or a bird that has a trade? And yet they earn their livelihood without anguish. But all these were created only to serve me, and I, a human being, was created to serve the One Who formed me. Is it not right that I should earn my livelihood without anguish? But I, i.e., humanity, have committed evil actions and have lost my livelihood. This is why people must work to earn a living.
אַבָּא גּוּרְיָין אִישׁ צַיְידָן אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם אַבָּא גּוּרְיָא: לֹא יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ חַמָּר, גַּמָּל, קַדָּר, סַפָּן, רוֹעֶה, וְחֶנְוָנִי – שֶׁאוּמָּנוּתָן אוּמָּנוּת לִיסְטִים. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר מִשְּׁמוֹ: הַחַמָּרִין רוּבָּן רְשָׁעִים, וְהַגַּמָּלִין רוּבָּן כְּשֵׁרִין, הַסַּפָּנִין רוּבָּן חֲסִידִים. טוֹב שֶׁבָּרוֹפְאִים – לְגֵיהִנָּם, וְהַכָּשֵׁר שֶׁבַּטַּבָּחִים – שׁוּתָּפוֹ שֶׁל עֲמָלֵק.
Abba Guryan of Tzadyan says in the name of Abba Gurya: A person may not teach his son the trades of a donkey driver, a camel driver, a pot maker, a sailor, a shepherd, or a storekeeper. The reason for all these is the same, as their trades are the trades of robbers; all of these professions involve a measure of dishonesty and are likely to lead to robbery. Rabbi Yehuda says in Abba Gurya’s name: Most donkey drivers are wicked, since they engage in deceit, and most camel drivers, who traverse dangerous places such as deserts, are of fit character, as they pray to God to protect them on their journeys. Most sailors are pious, since the great danger of the seas instills in them the fear of Heaven. The best of doctors is to Gehenna, and even the fittest of butchers is a partner of Amalek.
רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר: מַנִּיחַ אֲנִי כׇּל אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם וְאֵינִי מְלַמֵּד אֶת בְּנִי אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁאָדָם אוֹכֵל מִשְּׂכָרָהּ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְהַקֶּרֶן קַיֶּימֶת לוֹ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וּשְׁאָר כׇּל אוּמָּנִיּוֹת אֵינָן כֵּן. כְּשֶׁאָדָם בָּא לִידֵי חוֹלִי אוֹ לִידֵי זִקְנָה אוֹ לִידֵי יִסּוּרִין, וְאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לַעֲסוֹק בִּמְלַאכְתּוֹ – הֲרֵי הוּא מֵת בָּרָעָב. אֲבָל הַתּוֹרָה אֵינָהּ כֵּן, אֶלָּא מְשַׁמַּרְתּוֹ מִכׇּל רַע בְּנַעֲרוּתוֹ, וְנוֹתֶנֶת לוֹ אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָה בְּזִקְנוּתוֹ.
Rabbi Nehorai says: I set aside all the trades in the world, and I teach my son only Torah, as a person partakes of its reward in this world and the principal reward remains for him in the World-to-Come, which is not true of other professions, whose rewards are only in this world. Furthermore, if a person comes to be ill, or old, or undergoes suffering, and is unable to be involved in his trade, behold, he dies in hunger. But with regard to the Torah it is not so, since one can study it under all circumstances. Rather, it preserves him from all evil and sin in his youth, and provides him with a future and hope in his old age.
בְּנַעֲרוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״וְקוֹיֵ ה׳ יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ״. בְּזִקְנוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״עוֹד יְנוּבוּן בְּשֵׂיבָה״, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר בְּאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ: ״וְאַבְרָהָם זָקֵן… וַה׳ בֵּרַךְ אֶת אַבְרָהָם בַּכֹּל״ – מָצִינוּ שֶׁעָשָׂה אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ אֶת כָּל הַתּוֹרָה כּוּלָּהּ עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִיתְּנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַע אַבְרָהָם בְּקֹלִי וַיִּשְׁמֹר מִשְׁמַרְתִּי מִצְוֹתַי חֻקּוֹתַי וְתוֹרֹתָי״
The mishna explains: With regard to his youth, what does it say about a Torah scholar? “But they that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). With regard to his old age, what does it say? “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age” (Psalms 92:15), and it likewise states with regard to Abraham our forefather: “And Abraham was old, well stricken in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” (Genesis 24:1). We found that Abraham our forefather fulfilled the entire Torah before it was given, as it is stated: “Because that Abraham listened to My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5), which indicates that Abraham observed all the mitzvot of his own accord and was rewarded in his old age as a result.
גְּמָ׳ תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כׇּל שֶׁעֲסָקָיו עִם הַנָּשִׁים – סוֹרוֹ רַע, כְּגוֹן הַצּוֹרְפִים, וְהַסָּרֵיקִים, וְהַנָּקוֹרוֹת, וְהָרוֹכְלִין, וְהַגַּרְדִּיִּים, וְהַסַּפָּרִים וְהַכּוֹבְסִים, וְהַגָּרָע, וְהַבַּלָּן, וְהַבּוּרְסְקִי – אֵין מַעֲמִידִים מֵהֶם לֹא מֶלֶךְ וְלֹא כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל. מַאי טַעְמָא? לָא מִשּׁוּם דִּפְסִילִי, אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם דְּזִיל אוּמָּנוּתַיְהוּ.
GEMARA: The Sages taught: With regard to anyone who has professional dealings primarily with women, his practice and company are bad, and it is best to keep away from him. This category includes, for example, the smiths, and the carders, and the fixers of hand mills of women, and the peddlers of jewelry and perfume to women, and the weavers [gardiyyim], and the barbers, and the launderers, and the bloodletter, and the bathhouse attendant [ballan], and the tanner [burseki]. One may not appoint from among those who have these professions neither a king nor a High Priest. What is the reason for this? It is not because they are disqualified, since there is nothing wrong with these jobs, but because their trades are demeaning, and they would not be respected when appointed to a position of authority.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים נֶאֶמְרוּ בְּגָרָע: מְהַלֵּךְ עַל צִידּוֹ, וְרוּחוֹ גַּסָּה, וְנִתְלֶה וְיוֹשֵׁב, וְעֵינוֹ צָרָה, וְעֵינוֹ רָעָה, אוֹכֵל הַרְבֵּה וּמוֹצִיא קִימְעָא, וְחָשׁוּד עַל הָעֲרָיוֹת וְעַל הַגָּזֵל וְעַל שְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים.
The Sages taught: Ten things were stated with regard to a bloodletter: He walks on his side, i.e., in a haughty manner; and his spirit is arrogant; and he leans and sits, i.e., he does not sit down like others do but leans on an object in a conceited fashion; and he is stingy; and he is envious; and he eats much and discharges only a little; and he is suspected of engaging in intercourse with those with whom relations are forbidden, and of stealing, and of bloodshed in the course of his work.
דָּרַשׁ בַּר קַפָּרָא: לְעוֹלָם יְלַמֵּד אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת נְקִיָּה וְקַלָּה. מַאי הִיא? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה:
Bar Kappara taught: A person should always teach his son a clean and easy trade. The Gemara asks: What is such a profession? Rav Yehuda said:
מַחְטָא דְתַלְמִיּוּתָא.
Needlework for embroidery is a clean and easy trade.
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: אֵין לְךָ אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁעוֹבֶרֶת מִן הָעוֹלָם. אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁרוֹאֶה אֶת הוֹרָיו בְּאוּמָּנוּת מְעוּלָּה, אוֹי לוֹ לְמִי שֶׁרוֹאֶה אֶת הוֹרָיו בְּאוּמָּנוּת פְּגוּמָה. אִי אֶפְשָׁר לָעוֹלָם בְּלֹא בַּסָּם וּבְלֹא בּוּרְסְקִי. אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁאוּמָּנוּתוֹ בַּסָּם, וְאוֹי לוֹ [לְ]מִי שֶׁאוּמָּנוּתוֹ בּוּרְסְקִי. אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְעוֹלָם בְּלֹא זְכָרִים וּבְלֹא נְקֵבוֹת, אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁבָּנָיו זְכָרִים וְאוֹי לוֹ לְמִי שֶׁבָּנָיו נְקֵיבוֹת.
It is taught in the Tosefta (5:12): Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: There is no trade that disappears from the world, since all occupations are needed, but fortunate is he who sees his parents in an elevated trade; woe is he who sees his parents in a lowly trade and follows them into their trade. Similarly, it is impossible for the world to continue without a perfumer and without a tanner. Fortunate is he whose trade is as a perfumer, and woe is he whose trade is as a tanner, who works with materials that have a foul smell. Likewise, it is impossible for the world to exist without males and without females, yet fortunate is he whose children are males, and woe is he whose children are females.
רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם יְלַמֵּד אָדָם לִבְנוֹ אוּמָּנוּת נְקִיָּה וְקַלָּה, וִיבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים לְמִי שֶׁהָעוֹשֶׁר וְהַנְּכָסִים שֶׁלּוֹ, שֶׁאֵין עֲנִיּוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת וְאֵין עֲשִׁירוּת מִן הָאוּמָּנוּת, אֶלָּא – לְמִי שֶׁהָעוֹשֶׁר שֶׁלּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לִי הַכֶּסֶף וְלִי הַזָּהָב נְאֻם ה׳ צְבָאוֹת״.
Rabbi Meir says: A person should always teach his son a clean and easy trade, and he should request compassion from the One to Whom wealth and property belong, as poverty does not come from a trade, nor does wealth come from a trade; rather, they come from the One to Whom wealth belongs, as it is stated: “Mine is the silver, and Mine the gold, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).
רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אִם רָאִיתָ מִיָּמֶיךָ. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: מִיָּמַי לֹא רָאִיתִי צְבִי קַיָּיץ, וַאֲרִי סַבָּל, וְשׁוּעָל חֶנְוָנִי, וְהֵם מִתְפַּרְנְסִים שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר. וְהֵם לֹא נִבְרְאוּ אֶלָּא לְשַׁמְּשֵׁנִי, וַאֲנִי נִבְרֵאתִי לְשַׁמֵּשׁ אֶת קוֹנִי. מָה אֵלּוּ שֶׁלֹּא נִבְרְאוּ אֶלָּא לְשַׁמְּשֵׁנִי מִתְפַּרְנְסִים שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר, וַאֲנִי שֶׁנִּבְרֵאתִי לְשַׁמֵּשׁ אֶת קוֹנִי – אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁאֶתְפַּרְנֵס שֶׁלֹּא בְּצַעַר? אֶלָּא שֶׁהֲרֵעוֹתִי אֶת מַעֲשַׂי וְקִיפַּחְתִּי אֶת פַּרְנָסָתִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״עֲוֹנוֹתֵיכֶם הִטּוּ״.
The mishna taught that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Have you ever seen a beast or a bird that has a trade? It is taught in the Tosefta (5:13): Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: I never saw a deer work as one who dries figs, nor a lion work as a porter, nor a fox work as a storekeeper. And yet they earn their livelihood without anguish. But all these were created only to serve me, and I, a human being, was created to serve the One Who formed me. If these, who were created only to serve me, earn their livelihood without anguish, then is it not right that I, who was created to serve the One Who formed me, should earn my livelihood without anguish? But I, i.e., humanity, have committed evil actions and have lost my livelihood, as it is stated: “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have held back good from you” (Jeremiah 5:25).
רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר: מַנִּיחַ אֲנִי כׇּל אוּמָּנוּת וְכוּ׳. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר: מַנִּיחַ אֲנִי כׇּל אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם וְאֵינִי מְלַמֵּד אֶת בְּנִי אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, שֶׁכׇּל אוּמָּנוּת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אֵין עוֹמֶדֶת לוֹ אֶלָּא בִּימֵי יַלְדוּתוֹ, אֲבָל בִּימֵי זִקְנוּתוֹ הֲרֵי הוּא מוּטָּל בָּרָעָב. אֲבָל תּוֹרָה אֵינָהּ כֵּן – עוֹמֶדֶת לוֹ לָאָדָם בְּעֵת יַלְדוּתוֹ, וְנוֹתֶנֶת לוֹ אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָה בְּעֵת זִקְנוּתוֹ. בְּעֵת יַלְדוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״וְקוֹיֵ ה׳ יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ יַעֲלוּ אֵבֶר כַּנְּשָׁרִים״ בְּזִקְנוּתוֹ מַהוּ אוֹמֵר? ״עוֹד יְנוּבוּן בְּשֵׂיבָה דְּשֵׁנִים וְרַעֲנַנִּים יִהְיוּ״.
The mishna taught that Rabbi Nehorai says: I set aside all the trades and I teach my son only Torah. It is taught in the Tosefta (5:14): Rabbi Nehorai says: I set aside all the trades in the world, and I teach my son only Torah, as all other trades serve one only in the days of his youth, when he has enough strength to work, but in the days of his old age, behold, he is left to lie in hunger. But Torah is not like this: It serves a person in the time of his youth and provides him with a future and hope in the time of his old age. With regard to the time of his youth, what does it say about a Torah scholar? “But they that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). With regard to the time of his old age, what does it say? “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be full of sap and richness” (Psalms 92:15).
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ עֲשָׂרָה יוּחֲסִין וּסְלִיקָא לַהּ מַסֶּכֶת קִידּוּשִׁין
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