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Pesachim 113

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Summary

This month of learning is sponsored by Bill Futornick in memory of Rabbi David Teitelbaum z”l, “who led Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City, CA for 38 years. Rabbi Teitelbaum was a man who led by example. He worked tirelessly for civil rights, marching in Selma with Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel, and he was an outspoken advocate for Soviet Jewry. Rabbi Teitelbaum deeply embraced ahavat tzion and inspired that ahava in his community. Most important, he was a kind and loving man, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a man who embodied the values of Micah 6:8: asot mishpat, v’ahavat chesed v’hatzna’ah leket im elokecha.”

Today’s daf is sponsored by Sarah Waiman in honor of her father, Bernard Waiman, making aliyah on Sunday at long last. “I’m so jealous of you going on this journey to join your children and grandchildren and I hope to join you there sometime very soon. I’m sure you’re going to make yourself right at home in a Daf Yomi shiur somewhere in the Ra’anana/Herzliya region!”

Different rabbis offer advice about all sorts of issues – health, marriage, financial, business, behavior, political, etc. First Rav to his students and his sons and then rAbbi Yochanan and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi and others. Many are passed down with numbers – 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The gemara expands on some of the topics.

Pesachim 113

גָּזְיָיתָא נִינְהוּ, דְּשָׁמְטִי סוּסַיָּא וְאָתוּ דָּבְרִי לְהוּ.

are found on the paths [gazyata] near the city, as horses belonging to the demons flee along those paths, and the demons come to lead them away. Generally, however, demons do not enter inhabited places.

(וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ) רַב לְרַב אַסִּי: לָא תְּדוּר בְּמָתָא דְּלָא צָנֵיף בַּהּ סוּסְיָא וְלָא נָבַח בַּהּ כַּלְבָּא. וְאַל תָּדוּר בְּעִיר דְּרֵישׁ מָתָא אָסְיָא, וְלָא תִּנְסֵיב תַּרְתֵּי. אִי נָסְבַתְּ תַּרְתֵּי — נְסֵיב תְּלָת.

And Rav said to Rav Asi: Do not live in a city where horses do not neigh and where dogs do not bark, as these animals provide security and protection. And do not live in a city where the mayor is a doctor, as he will be too busy working to govern properly. And do not marry two women, as they will likely join forces against you. And if you do marry two, marry a third as well. If two of your wives plot against you, the third will inform you of their plans.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְרַב כָּהֲנָא: הֲפוֹךְ בִּנְבֵילְתָּא וְלָא תֵּיפוֹךְ בְּמִילֵּי. פְּשׁוֹט נְבֵילְתָּא בְּשׁוּקָא וּשְׁקֵיל אַגְרָא, וְלָא תֵּימָא ״כָּהֲנָא אֲנָא, וְגַבְרָא רַבָּא אֲנָא, וְסַנְיָא בִּי מִלְּתָא״. סָלְקַתְּ לְאִיגָּרָא — שֵׁירוּתָךְ בַּהֲדָךְ. מְאָה קָרֵי בְּמָתָא בְּזוּזָא — תּוּתֵי כַּנְפָיךְ נִיהְווֹ.

Rav said to Rav Kahana: It is better for one to turn over a carcass than to turn over his word, i.e., to break his promise. Rav further said: Skin a carcass in the market and take payment, but do not say: I am a priest, or: I am a great man, and this matter disgusts me. It is preferable for one to work, even in menial labor, than to be dependent on others. Rav also advised Rav Kahana: If you ascend to the roof, carry your food with you. One should always carry his sustenance with him, even if he goes only on a short trip. If one hundred pumpkins in the city cost a zuz, place them carefully under the corners of your clothes. Treat food respectfully even if it is inexpensive.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְחִיָּיא בְּרֵיהּ: לָא תִּשְׁתֵּי סַמָּא, וְלָא תְּשַׁוַּור נִיגְרָא, וְלָא תִּעְקַר כַּכָּא, וְלָא תְּקַנֵּא בְּחִיוְיָא, וְלָא תְּקַנֵּא בְּאַרְמָאָה.

Rav said to Ḥiyya, his son: Do not get into the habit of drinking medications, lest you develop an addiction. And do not leap over a ditch, as you might hurt yourself in the process. And do not pull out a tooth, but try to heal it if possible. And do not provoke a snake in your house to try to kill it or chase it away. And do not provoke a gentile, as this too is dangerous.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה אֵין מִתְקַנְּאִין בָּהֶן, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: גּוֹי קָטָן, וְנָחָשׁ קָטָן, וְתַלְמִיד קָטָן. מַאי טַעְמָא — דְּמַלְכוּתַיְיהוּ אֲחוֹרֵי אוּדְנַיְיהוּ קָאֵי.

Similarly, the Sages taught: There are three beings one should not provoke: A small gentile, and a small snake, and a small Torah scholar. What is the reason? Because their authority stands behind their ears. They will eventually grow up, assume power, each in his own way, and avenge those who have harassed them.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְאַיְבוּ בְּרֵיהּ: טְרַחִי בָּךְ בִּשְׁמַעְתָּא וְלָא מִסְתַּיַּיע מִילְּתָא. תָּא אַגְמְרָךְ מִילֵּי דְעָלְמָא. אַדְּחָלָא אַכַּרְעָיךָ — זְבִינָךְ זַבֵּין. כֹּל מִילֵּי זַבֵּין וְתִחָרַט — בַּר מֵחַמְרָא, דְּזַבֵּין וְלָא תִּחָרַט.

Rav said to Ayvu, his son: I struggled to teach you halakha but my efforts did not succeed, as you did not become a great scholar. Come and I will teach you about mundane matters: Sell your merchandise while the dust from the road is still on your feet. As soon you return from your travels, sell your wares, lest the prices fall in the meantime. Furthermore, it is possible that anything you sell might later cause you to regret the sale, except for wine, which you can sell without regret. Since wine might go bad and be entirely lost, its sale is always advisable.

שְׁרֵי כִּיסָיךְ, פְּתַח שַׂקָּיךָ. קַבָּא מֵאַרְעָא, וְלָא כּוֹרָא מֵאִיגָּרָא.

Rav further advised his son: Open your purse to accept payment, and only then open your sack to deliver the goods, to ensure you will receive payment for your merchandise. It is better to earn a kav from the ground than a kor from the roof. A kor is one hundred and eighty times larger than a kav. This proverb means that it is preferable to earn a small amount from a local, safe transaction than to attempt to earn more through a distant, risky venture.

תַּמְרֵי בַּחֲלוּזָךְ — לְבֵית סוּדָנָא רְהוֹט. וְעַד כַּמָּה? אָמַר רָבָא: עַד תְּלָת סְאָה. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: אִי לָא דִּרְמַאי שִׁכְרָא לָא אִיעַתַּרִי. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אִי לָא דִּרְמַאי שִׁכְרָא לָא אִיעַתַּרִי: מַאי ״סוּדָנָא״? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: סוֹד נָאֶה, וּגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים.

Rav continued: If there are dates in your storeroom, run to the brewery to sell them. If you wait, there is a good chance the dates will go bad. The Gemara asks: And how many dates should one keep for himself? Rava said: Up to three se’a. Rav Pappa said: If I were not a beer manufacturer I would not have become wealthy. Some say that it was Rav Ḥisda who said: If I were not a beer manufacturer I would not have become wealthy. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the word sudana, the Aramaic term for a brewer? Rav Ḥisda said: A pleasant secret [sod na’e] and acts of loving kindness, as brewing is a good way to make money and also enables one to perform good deeds.

אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: כׇּל אַגַּב — גְּבִיָּא בָּעֵי. כֹּל אַשְׁרַאי — סָפֵק אָתֵי סָפֵק לָא אָתֵי. וּדְאָתֵי — מָעוֹת רָעוֹת נִינְהוּ.

The Gemara continues to offer advice about mundane matters. Rav Pappa said: Anything you acquire with a document by means of which ownership is transferred, i.e., a bill of acquisition or obligation, requires collection, despite the fact that you are the legal owner. Any sale on credit is uncertain whether or not it will come to fruition. And even if it does come to fruition, the money is bad. These funds are difficult to collect, and they are generally not paid on time.

שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם אַנְשֵׁי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם: כְּשֶׁאַתָּה יוֹצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה — אַל תֵּצֵא בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה, אֶלָּא תֵּצֵא בָּאַחֲרוֹנָה, כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּכָּנֵס בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה. וַעֲשֵׂה שַׁבַּתְּךָ חוֹל, וְאַל תִּצְטָרֵךְ לַבְּרִיּוֹת. וֶהֱוֵי מִשְׁתַּדֵּל עִם מִי שֶׁהַשָּׁעָה מְשַׂחֶקֶת לוֹ.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said three matters, citing the people of Jerusalem: When you go to war do not go out first, but go out last. The reason is so that if your side is defeated and you need to flee for your life, you will enter the refuge of the city first. And it is better to make your Shabbat like an ordinary weekday and do not be beholden to other beings. And exert yourself to join together with one upon whom the hour smiles.

שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי מִשּׁוּם אַנְשֵׁי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם: אַל תַּרְבֶּה בִּגְנוּת, מִשּׁוּם מַעֲשֶׂה שֶׁהָיָה. בִּתְּךָ בָּגְרָה — שַׁחְרֵר עַבְדְּךָ וְתֵן לָהּ. וֶהֱוֵי זָהִיר בְּאִשְׁתְּךָ מֵחֲתָנָהּ הָרִאשׁוֹן. מַאי טַעְמָא? רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם עֶרְוָה, רַב כָּהֲנָא אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם מָמוֹן. הָא וְהָא אִיתַנְהוּ.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said three matters, citing the people of Jerusalem: Do not indulge in a shameful act in public, because of the incident that occurred involving David and Bathsheba (see II Samuel 11–12). If your daughter has grown up, it is better to free your Canaanite slave and give him to her than to leave her to find a husband on her own. And be careful with your wife with regard to her first son-in-law, as she is especially fond of him. What is the reason for this warning? Rav Ḥisda said: Due to the possibility of licentiousness. Rav Kahana said: Due to the fact that she might give him all your money and leave you impoverished. The Gemara comments: Since either of these could happen, it is best to be prudent.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שְׁלֹשָׁה מִנּוֹחֲלֵי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אֵלּוּ הֵן: הַדָּר בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְהַמְגַדֵּל בָּנָיו לְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, וְהַמַּבְדִּיל עַל הַיַּיִן בְּמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּתוֹת. מַאי הִיא? דִּמְשַׁיַּיר מִקִּידּוּשָׁא לְאַבְדָּלְתָּא.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Three people are among those who inherit the World-to-Come: One who lives in Eretz Yisrael; one who raises his sons to engage in Torah study; and one who recites havdala over wine at the conclusion of Shabbat. The Gemara asks: What is the special importance of that mitzva, to recite havdala over wine? The Gemara answers: This is referring to an individual with only a small amount of wine, who nevertheless leaves some of his kiddush wine for havdala.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, שְׁלֹשָׁה מַכְרִיז עֲלֵיהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּכׇל יוֹם: עַל רַוּוֹק הַדָּר בִּכְרַךְ וְאֵינוֹ חוֹטֵא, וְעַל עָנִי הַמַּחֲזִיר אֲבֵידָה לִבְעָלֶיהָ, וְעַל עָשִׁיר הַמְעַשֵּׂר פֵּירוֹתָיו בְּצִינְעָה. רַב סָפְרָא רַוּוֹק הַדָּר בִּכְרַךְ הֲוָה,

Rabbi Yoḥanan further said: The Holy One, Blessed be He, proclaims about the goodness of three kinds of people every day, as exceptional and noteworthy individuals: About a bachelor who lives in a city and does not sin with women; about a poor person who returns a lost object to its owners despite his poverty; and about a wealthy person who tithes his produce in private, without publicizing his behavior. The Gemara reports: Rav Safra was a bachelor living in a city.

תָּנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרָבָא וְרַב סָפְרָא, צָהֲבוּ פָּנָיו דְּרַב סָפְרָא. אָמַר לוֹ רָבָא: לָאו כְּגוֹן מָר, אֶלָּא כְּגוֹן רַב חֲנִינָא וְרַב אוֹשַׁעְיָא דַּהֲווֹ אוּשְׁכָּפֵי בְּאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וַהֲווֹ יָתְבִי בְּשׁוּקָא דְזוֹנוֹת, וְעָבְדִי לְהוּ מְסָאנֵי לְזוֹנוֹת, וְעָיְילִי לְהוּ. אִינְהוּ מִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּהוּ, וְאִינְהוּ לָא מַדְלָן עֵינַיְיהוּ לְאִיסְתַּכּוֹלֵי בְּהוּ. וּמוֹמָתַיְיהוּ הָכִי: בְּחַיֵּיהֶן רַבָּנַן קַדִּישֵׁי דִּבְאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל.

When the tanna taught this baraita before Rava and Rav Safra, Rav Safra’s face lit up with joy, as he was listed among those praised by God. Rava said to him: This does not refer to someone like the Master. Rather, the statement applies to people like Rav Ḥanina and Rav Oshaya, who were cobblers in Eretz Yisrael, and they would sit in the marketplace of prostitutes and fashion shoes for prostitutes. And the prostitutes would enter their shops and look at them. However, due to their piety, these Sages did not raise their eyes to look at the women. And those prostitutes were so impressed with this behavior that when they swore, they would say as follows: By the lives of the holy Sages of Eretz Yisrael. It is this type of bachelor who is praised by Heaven.

שְׁלֹשָׁה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אוֹהֲבָן: מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ כּוֹעֵס, וּמִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מִשְׁתַּכֵּר, וּמִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַעֲמִיד עַל מִדּוֹתָיו. שְׁלֹשָׁה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שׂוֹנְאָן: הַמְדַבֵּר אֶחָד בַּפֶּה וְאֶחָד בַּלֵּב, וְהַיּוֹדֵעַ עֵדוּת בַּחֲבֵירוֹ וְאֵינוֹ מֵעִיד לוֹ, וְהָרוֹאֶה דְּבַר עֶרְוָה בַּחֲבֵירוֹ וּמֵעִיד בּוֹ יְחִידִי.

The Gemara cites a similar statement. The Holy One, Blessed be He, loves three people: One who does not get angry; one who does not get drunk; and one who is forgiving. The Holy One, Blessed be He, hates three people: One who says one statement with his mouth and means another in his heart, i.e., a hypocrite; one who knows testimony about another person and does not testify on his behalf; and one who observes a licentious matter performed by another person and testifies against him alone. His testimony is meaningless, as he is the only witness; consequently, he merely gives the individual a bad reputation.

כִּי הָא דְּטוֹבִיָּה חָטָא, וַאֲתָא זִיגּוּד לְחוּדֵיהּ וְאַסְהֵיד בֵּיהּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא. נַגְּדֵיהּ לְזִיגּוּד. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: טוֹבִיָּה חֲטָא וְזִיגּוּד מִינַּגַּד?! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִין, דִּכְתִיב: ״לֹא יָקוּם עֵד אֶחָד בְּאִישׁ״, וְאַתְּ לְחוֹדָךְ אַסְהֵדְתְּ בֵּיהּ, שֵׁם רַע בְּעָלְמָא קָא מַפְּקַתְּ בֵּיהּ.

The Gemara comments: This is like that incident where Tuveya sinned with immorality, and Zigud came alone to testify about him before Rav Pappa. Rav Pappa instructed that Zigud be lashed. Zigud said to him: Tuveya sinned and Zigud is lashed, an objection that became a popular saying. He said to him: Yes, as it is written: “One witness shall not rise up against a man” (Deuteronomy 19:15), and you testified against him alone. You have merely given him a bad reputation.

אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר רַב יִצְחָק אָמַר רַב: מוּתָּר לִשְׂנֹאתוֹ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי תִרְאֶה חֲמוֹר שֹׂנַאֲךָ רוֹבֵץ תַּחַת מַשָּׂאוֹ״. מַאי ״שׂוֹנֵא״? אִילֵּימָא שׂוֹנֵא גּוֹי, וְהָא תַּנְיָא: שׂוֹנֵא שֶׁאָמְרוּ — שׂוֹנֵא יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא שׂוֹנֵא גּוֹי.

Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak said that Rav said: Although one who sees another committing a sin should not testify against him by himself, he is nonetheless permitted to hate him, as it is stated: “If you see the donkey of he who hates you lying under its load” (Exodus 23:5). The Gemara clarifies this verse: What is the meaning of he who hates you mentioned in the verse? If you say it is referring to a gentile who hates you, but wasn’t it taught in a baraita that the phrase: He who hates, of which the Torah spoke, is a Jew who hates you, not a gentile who hates you?

אֶלָּא פְּשִׁיטָא, שׂוֹנֵא יִשְׂרָאֵל. וּמִי שְׁרֵיא לְמִסְנְיֵהּ? וְהָכְתִיב: ״לֹא תִשְׂנָא אֶת אָחִיךָ בִּלְבָבֶךָ״. אֶלָּא דְּאִיכָּא סָהֲדִי דְּעָבֵיד אִיסּוּרָא — כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא נָמֵי מִיסְנֵי סָנֵי לֵיהּ, מַאי שְׁנָא הַאי? אֶלָּא לָאו כִּי הַאי גַוְונָא, דַּחֲזָיא בֵּיהּ אִיהוּ דְּבַר עֶרְוָה.

Rather, it is obvious that the verse is referring to a Jew who hates you. But is one permitted to hate a fellow Jew? But isn’t it written: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Leviticus 19:17), which clearly prohibits the hatred of another Jew? Rather, perhaps you will say that the verse is referring to a situation where there are witnesses that he performed a sin. However, in that case, everyone else should also hate him. What is different about this particular person who hates him? Rather, is it not referring to a case like this, when he saw him perform a licentious matter? He is therefore permitted to hate him for his evil behavior, whereas others who are unaware of his actions may not hate him.

רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר: מִצְוָה לִשְׂנֹאתוֹ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִרְאַת ה׳ (שׂוֹנְאֵי) רָע״. אָמַר רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מַהוּ לְמֵימְרָא לֵיהּ לְרַבֵּיהּ לְמִשְׂנְיֵיהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי יָדַע דִּמְהֵימַן לְרַבֵּיהּ כְּבֵי תְרֵי — לֵימָא לֵיהּ, וְאִי לָא — לָא לֵימָא לֵיהּ.

Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Not only is this permitted, it is even a mitzva to hate him, as it is stated: “The fear of God is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Rav Ashi: What is the halakha with regard to whether one who saw someone sin may tell his teacher so that he too will hate him? Rav Ashi said to him: If the student knows that he is trusted by his teacher as two witnesses, and therefore his statement will be accepted, he should tell him, and if he is not trusted by his teacher as two witnesses, he should not tell him.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, שְׁלֹשָׁה חַיֵּיהֶן אֵינָם חַיִּים: הָרַחְמָנִין, וְהָרַתְחָנִין, וַאֲנִינֵי הַדַּעַת. וְאָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: כּוּלְּהוּ אִיתַנְהוּ בִּי.

The Sages taught: There are three types of people whose lives are not lives, due to their constant suffering: The compassionate, the hot tempered, and the delicate. Rav Yosef said: All of these attributes are found in me.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה שׂוֹנְאִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: הַכְּלָבִים, וְהַתַּרְנְגוֹלִין, וְהַחַבָּרִין. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף הַזּוֹנוֹת. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁבְּבָבֶל.

Furthermore, the Sages taught: Members of three groups hate other members of the same group: Dogs, roosters, and the Persian priests. And some say: Also prostitutes. And some say: Also Torah scholars in Babylonia.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה אוֹהֲבִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: הַגֵּרִים, וַעֲבָדִים, וְעוֹרְבִין.

Likewise, the Sages taught: Members of three groups love one another: Converts, slaves, and ravens.

אַרְבָּעָה אֵין הַדַּעַת סוֹבַלְתָּן, אֵלּוּ הֵן: דַּל גֵּאֶה, וְעָשִׁיר מְכַחֵשׁ, וְזָקֵן מְנָאֵף, וּפַרְנָס מִתְגָּאֶה עַל הַצִּיבּוּר בְּחִנָּם. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף הַמְגָרֵשׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ פַּעַם רִאשׁוֹנָה וּשְׁנִיָּה וּמַחְזִירָהּ.

Four types of people cannot be endured by anyone: An arrogant pauper; a wealthy person who denies monetary claims against him; a lecherous old man; and a leader who lords over the community for no cause. And some say: Also one who divorces his wife once and twice and takes her back a third time. He should decide definitively whether or not he wants her.

וְתַנָּא קַמָּא? זִימְנָא דִּכְתוּבָּתָהּ מְרוּבָּה. אִי נָמֵי: יֵשׁ לוֹ בָּנִים הֵימֶנָּה וְלָא מָצֵי מְגָרֵשׁ לַהּ.

The Gemara asks: And why didn’t the first tanna mention this case of a man who remarries his wife after two divorces? The Gemara answers: Sometimes the husband’s payment to her in the event of divorce, as stipulated in her marriage contract, is large, and since he is unable to pay he is forced to take her back. Alternatively, he has children with her and cannot divorce her, as he wants someone to care for them.

חֲמִשָּׁה דְּבָרִים צִוָּה כְּנַעַן אֶת בָּנָיו: אֶהֱבוּ זֶה אֶת זֶה, וְאֶהֱבוּ אֶת הַגָּזֵל, וְאֶהֱבוּ אֶת הַזִּמָּה, וְשִׂנְאוּ אֶת אֲדוֹנֵיכֶם, וְאַל תְּדַבְּרוּ אֱמֶת.

The Gemara continues: Canaan commanded his sons with regard to five matters that are apparently normal behavior for slaves: Love one another, love robbery, love promiscuity, hate your masters, and do not speak the truth.

שִׁשָּׁה דְּבָרִים נֶאֱמָרִים בַּסּוּס: אוֹהֵב אֶת הַזְּנוּת, וְאוֹהֵב אֶת הַמִּלְחָמָה, וְרוּחוֹ גַּסָּה, וּמוֹאֵס אֶת הַשֵּׁינָה, וְאוֹכֵל הַרְבֵּה וּמוֹצִיא קִמְעָה. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף מְבַקֵּשׁ לַהֲרוֹג בְּעָלָיו בַּמִּלְחָמָה.

Six matters are said with regard to a horse: It loves promiscuity, it loves war, its demeanor is arrogant, it despises sleep, it eats much, and it excretes little. And some say: Just as a horse always rushes straight into the heat of a battle, it also attempts to kill its master in war.

שִׁבְעָה מְנוּדִּין לַשָּׁמַיִם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: (יְהוּדִי) [מִי] שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה, וְשֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אִשָּׁה וְאֵין לוֹ בָּנִים, וּמִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ בָּנִים וְאֵין מְגַדְּלָן לְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, וּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ תְּפִילִּין בְּרֹאשׁוֹ וּתְפִילִּין בִּזְרוֹעוֹ וְצִיצִית בְּבִגְדוֹ וּמְזוּזָה בְּפִתְחוֹ, וְהַמּוֹנֵעַ מִנְעָלִים מֵרַגְלָיו. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף מִי שֶׁאֵין מֵיסֵב בַּחֲבוּרָה שֶׁל מִצְוָה.

Seven are ostracized by Heaven, despite the fact that they have not been ostracized in any court: A Jew who does not have a wife; and one who has a wife but has no sons; and one who has sons whom he does not raise to engage in Torah study; and one who does not have phylacteries on his head, and phylacteries on his arm, and ritual fringes on his garment, and a mezuza in his doorway; and one who withholds shoes from his feet. And some say: Also one who does not sit with a group that is partaking of a feast in celebration of a mitzva.

אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר מָרְתָא אָמַר רַב מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אִישׁ הוּצָל: מִנַּיִין שֶׁאֵין שׁוֹאֲלִין בַּכַּלְדִּיִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תָּמִים תִּהְיֶה עִם ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ״.

Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Shmuel bar Marta said that Rav said, citing Rabbi Yosei of Hutzal: From where is it derived that one may not consult astrologers? As it is stated: “You shall be wholehearted with the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 18:13). The Torah demands absolute faith in God and acceptance of His justice, without attempting to predict the future.

וּמִנַּיִין הַיּוֹדֵעַ בַּחֲבֵירוֹ שֶׁהוּא גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ אֲפִילּוּ בְּדָבָר אֶחָד, שֶׁחַיָּיב לִנְהוֹג בּוֹ כָּבוֹד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כׇּל קֳבֵל דִּי רוּחַ יַתִּירָא בֵּיהּ [וּמַלְכָּא עֲשִׁית לַהֲקָמוּתֵיהּ עַל כׇּל מַלְכוּתָא]״.

And from where is it derived concerning one who knows about another that he is greater than him, even in one matter, that he must treat him with respect? As it is stated: “Because a surpassing spirit was in him, the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:4). This verse teaches that one who is in any way greater than another person is worthy of his respect.

וְהַיּוֹשֶׁבֶת עַל דָּם טָהוֹר — אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ. עַד כַּמָּה? אָמַר רַב: עוֹנָה.

And it was also stated by Rabba bar bar Ḥana: With regard to a woman who was observing her days of ritually pure blood, and those days have ended, she is prohibited to engage in intimacy immediately, lest she see ritually impure blood. Any blood emitted by a woman within forty days after giving birth to a male child or eighty days after giving birth to a female child is ritually pure. After this period of time has passed, a woman should not have relations with her husband immediately. The Gemara asks: Until when is she prohibited to her husband? Rav said: She must wait a set interval of time for the ritual impurity of a nidda, i.e., either one day or one night.

תַּנָּא, הוּא יוֹסֵף אִישׁ הוּצָל, הוּא יוֹסֵף הַבַּבְלִי, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן גּוּר אַרְיֵה, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן יְהוּדָה, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן מַהֲלַלְאֵל. וּמָה שְׁמוֹ? — אִיסִי בֶּן עֲקַבְיָה שְׁמוֹ. הוּא רַבִּי יִצְחָק בֶּן טַבְלָא, הוּא רַבִּי יִצְחָק בֶּן חַקְלָא, הוּא רַבִּי יִצְחָק בֶּן אִלְעָא, הוּא

With regard to Rabbi Yosei of Hutzal, it was taught: The Yosef of Hutzal mentioned in other places in the Gemara is the same person as Yosef the Babylonian. Yosef is the full name of Yosei. Furthermore, he is also known as Isi ben Gur Arye, he is Isi ben Yehuda, he is Isi ben Gamliel, and he is Isi ben Mahalalel. And what is his real name? His real name is Isi ben Akavya. Similarly, the Sage Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Tavla is also known as Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Ḥakla, who is Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Ela. These are two cases of one Sage with several names.

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Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories. 

My first Talmud class experience was a weekly group in 1971 studying Taanit. In 2007 I resumed Talmud study with a weekly group I continue learning with. January 2020, I was inspired to try learning Daf Yomi. A friend introduced me to Daf Yomi for Women and Rabbanit Michelle Farber, I have kept with this program and look forward, G- willing, to complete the entire Shas with Hadran.
Lorri Lewis
Lorri Lewis

Palo Alto, CA, United States

I learned daf more off than on 40 years ago. At the beginning of the current cycle, I decided to commit to learning daf regularly. Having Rabanit Michelle available as a learning partner has been amazing. Sometimes I learn with Hadran, sometimes with my husband, and sometimes on my own. It’s been fun to be part of an extended learning community.

Miriam Pollack
Miriam Pollack

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

I am a Reform rabbi and took Talmud courses in rabbinical school, but I knew there was so much more to learn. It felt inauthentic to serve as a rabbi without having read the entire Talmud, so when the opportunity arose to start Daf Yomi in 2020, I dove in! Thanks to Hadran, Daf Yomi has enriched my understanding of rabbinic Judaism and deepened my love of Jewish text & tradition. Todah rabbah!

Rabbi Nicki Greninger
Rabbi Nicki Greninger

California, United States

As Jewish educator and as a woman, I’m mindful that Talmud has been kept from women for many centuries. Now that we are privileged to learn, and learning is so accessible, it’s my intent to complete Daf Yomi. I am so excited to keep learning with my Hadran community.

Sue Parker Gerson
Sue Parker Gerson

Denver, United States

I learned Talmud as a student in Yeshivat Ramaz and felt at the time that Talmud wasn’t for me. After reading Ilana Kurshan’s book I was intrigued and after watching the great siyum in Yerushalayim it ignited the spark to begin this journey. It has been a transformative life experience for me as a wife, mother, Savta and member of Klal Yisrael.
Elana Storch
Elana Storch

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

When I began learning Daf Yomi at the beginning of the current cycle, I was preparing for an upcoming surgery and thought that learning the Daf would be something positive I could do each day during my recovery, even if I accomplished nothing else. I had no idea what a lifeline learning the Daf would turn out to be in so many ways.

Laura Shechter
Laura Shechter

Lexington, MA, United States

In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!

Beth Kissileff
Beth Kissileff

Pittsburgh, United States

I’ve been learning since January 2020, and in June I started drawing a phrase from each daf. Sometimes it’s easy (e.g. plants), sometimes it’s very hard (e.g. korbanot), and sometimes it’s loads of fun (e.g. bird racing) to find something to draw. I upload my pictures from each masechet to #DafYomiArt. I am enjoying every step of the journey.

Gila Loike
Gila Loike

Ashdod, Israel

I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!

Khaya Eisenberg
Khaya Eisenberg

Jerusalem, Israel

My Daf journey began in August 2012 after participating in the Siyum Hashas where I was blessed as an “enabler” of others.  Galvanized into my own learning I recited the Hadran on Shas in January 2020 with Rabbanit Michelle. That Siyum was a highlight in my life.  Now, on round two, Daf has become my spiritual anchor to which I attribute manifold blessings.

Rina Goldberg
Rina Goldberg

Englewood NJ, United States

I started learning at the beginning of the cycle after a friend persuaded me that it would be right up my alley. I was lucky enough to learn at Rabbanit Michelle’s house before it started on zoom and it was quickly part of my daily routine. I find it so important to see for myself where halachot were derived, where stories were told and to get more insight into how the Rabbis interacted.

Deborah Dickson
Deborah Dickson

Ra’anana, Israel

I started last year after completing the Pesach Sugiyot class. Masechet Yoma might seem like a difficult set of topics, but for me made Yom Kippur and the Beit HaMikdash come alive. Liturgy I’d always had trouble connecting with took on new meaning as I gained a sense of real people moving through specific spaces in particular ways. It was the perfect introduction; I am so grateful for Hadran!

Debbie Engelen-Eigles
Debbie Engelen-Eigles

Minnesota, United States

A Gemara shiur previous to the Hadran Siyum, was the impetus to attend it.It was highly inspirational and I was smitten. The message for me was התלמוד בידינו. I had decided along with my Chahsmonaim group to to do the daf and take it one daf at time- without any expectations at all. There has been a wealth of information, insights and halachik ideas. It is truly exercise of the mind, heart & Soul

Phyllis Hecht.jpeg
Phyllis Hecht

Hashmonaim, Israel

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
Sharon Mink

Haifa, Israel

I started learning Daf Yomi because my sister, Ruth Leah Kahan, attended Michelle’s class in person and suggested I listen remotely. She always sat near Michelle and spoke up during class so that I could hear her voice. Our mom had just died unexpectedly and it made me feel connected to hear Ruth Leah’s voice, and now to know we are both listening to the same thing daily, continents apart.
Jessica Shklar
Jessica Shklar

Philadelphia, United States

Geri Goldstein got me started learning daf yomi when I was in Israel 2 years ago. It’s been a challenge and I’ve learned a lot though I’m sure I miss a lot. I quilt as I listen and I want to share what I’ve been working on.

Rebecca Stulberg
Rebecca Stulberg

Ottawa, Canada

What a great experience to learn with Rabbanit Michelle Farber. I began with this cycle in January 2020 and have been comforted by the consistency and energy of this process throughout the isolation period of Covid. Week by week, I feel like I am exploring a treasure chest with sparkling gems and puzzling antiquities. The hunt is exhilarating.

Marian Frankston
Marian Frankston

Pennsylvania, United States

I read Ilana Kurshan’s “If All the Seas Were Ink” which inspired me. Then the Women’s Siyum in Jerusalem in 2020 convinced me, I knew I had to join! I have loved it- it’s been a constant in my life daily, many of the sugiyot connect to our lives. My family and friends all are so supportive. It’s incredible being part of this community and love how diverse it is! I am so excited to learn more!

Shira Jacobowitz
Shira Jacobowitz

Jerusalem, Israel

I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!

Caroline Levison
Caroline Levison

Borehamwood, United Kingdom

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
Sharona Guggenheim Plumb

Givat Shmuel, Israel

Pesachim 113

גָּזְיָיתָא נִינְהוּ, דְּשָׁמְטִי סוּסַיָּא וְאָתוּ דָּבְרִי לְהוּ.

are found on the paths [gazyata] near the city, as horses belonging to the demons flee along those paths, and the demons come to lead them away. Generally, however, demons do not enter inhabited places.

(וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ) רַב לְרַב אַסִּי: לָא תְּדוּר בְּמָתָא דְּלָא צָנֵיף בַּהּ סוּסְיָא וְלָא נָבַח בַּהּ כַּלְבָּא. וְאַל תָּדוּר בְּעִיר דְּרֵישׁ מָתָא אָסְיָא, וְלָא תִּנְסֵיב תַּרְתֵּי. אִי נָסְבַתְּ תַּרְתֵּי — נְסֵיב תְּלָת.

And Rav said to Rav Asi: Do not live in a city where horses do not neigh and where dogs do not bark, as these animals provide security and protection. And do not live in a city where the mayor is a doctor, as he will be too busy working to govern properly. And do not marry two women, as they will likely join forces against you. And if you do marry two, marry a third as well. If two of your wives plot against you, the third will inform you of their plans.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְרַב כָּהֲנָא: הֲפוֹךְ בִּנְבֵילְתָּא וְלָא תֵּיפוֹךְ בְּמִילֵּי. פְּשׁוֹט נְבֵילְתָּא בְּשׁוּקָא וּשְׁקֵיל אַגְרָא, וְלָא תֵּימָא ״כָּהֲנָא אֲנָא, וְגַבְרָא רַבָּא אֲנָא, וְסַנְיָא בִּי מִלְּתָא״. סָלְקַתְּ לְאִיגָּרָא — שֵׁירוּתָךְ בַּהֲדָךְ. מְאָה קָרֵי בְּמָתָא בְּזוּזָא — תּוּתֵי כַּנְפָיךְ נִיהְווֹ.

Rav said to Rav Kahana: It is better for one to turn over a carcass than to turn over his word, i.e., to break his promise. Rav further said: Skin a carcass in the market and take payment, but do not say: I am a priest, or: I am a great man, and this matter disgusts me. It is preferable for one to work, even in menial labor, than to be dependent on others. Rav also advised Rav Kahana: If you ascend to the roof, carry your food with you. One should always carry his sustenance with him, even if he goes only on a short trip. If one hundred pumpkins in the city cost a zuz, place them carefully under the corners of your clothes. Treat food respectfully even if it is inexpensive.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְחִיָּיא בְּרֵיהּ: לָא תִּשְׁתֵּי סַמָּא, וְלָא תְּשַׁוַּור נִיגְרָא, וְלָא תִּעְקַר כַּכָּא, וְלָא תְּקַנֵּא בְּחִיוְיָא, וְלָא תְּקַנֵּא בְּאַרְמָאָה.

Rav said to Ḥiyya, his son: Do not get into the habit of drinking medications, lest you develop an addiction. And do not leap over a ditch, as you might hurt yourself in the process. And do not pull out a tooth, but try to heal it if possible. And do not provoke a snake in your house to try to kill it or chase it away. And do not provoke a gentile, as this too is dangerous.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה אֵין מִתְקַנְּאִין בָּהֶן, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: גּוֹי קָטָן, וְנָחָשׁ קָטָן, וְתַלְמִיד קָטָן. מַאי טַעְמָא — דְּמַלְכוּתַיְיהוּ אֲחוֹרֵי אוּדְנַיְיהוּ קָאֵי.

Similarly, the Sages taught: There are three beings one should not provoke: A small gentile, and a small snake, and a small Torah scholar. What is the reason? Because their authority stands behind their ears. They will eventually grow up, assume power, each in his own way, and avenge those who have harassed them.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְאַיְבוּ בְּרֵיהּ: טְרַחִי בָּךְ בִּשְׁמַעְתָּא וְלָא מִסְתַּיַּיע מִילְּתָא. תָּא אַגְמְרָךְ מִילֵּי דְעָלְמָא. אַדְּחָלָא אַכַּרְעָיךָ — זְבִינָךְ זַבֵּין. כֹּל מִילֵּי זַבֵּין וְתִחָרַט — בַּר מֵחַמְרָא, דְּזַבֵּין וְלָא תִּחָרַט.

Rav said to Ayvu, his son: I struggled to teach you halakha but my efforts did not succeed, as you did not become a great scholar. Come and I will teach you about mundane matters: Sell your merchandise while the dust from the road is still on your feet. As soon you return from your travels, sell your wares, lest the prices fall in the meantime. Furthermore, it is possible that anything you sell might later cause you to regret the sale, except for wine, which you can sell without regret. Since wine might go bad and be entirely lost, its sale is always advisable.

שְׁרֵי כִּיסָיךְ, פְּתַח שַׂקָּיךָ. קַבָּא מֵאַרְעָא, וְלָא כּוֹרָא מֵאִיגָּרָא.

Rav further advised his son: Open your purse to accept payment, and only then open your sack to deliver the goods, to ensure you will receive payment for your merchandise. It is better to earn a kav from the ground than a kor from the roof. A kor is one hundred and eighty times larger than a kav. This proverb means that it is preferable to earn a small amount from a local, safe transaction than to attempt to earn more through a distant, risky venture.

תַּמְרֵי בַּחֲלוּזָךְ — לְבֵית סוּדָנָא רְהוֹט. וְעַד כַּמָּה? אָמַר רָבָא: עַד תְּלָת סְאָה. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: אִי לָא דִּרְמַאי שִׁכְרָא לָא אִיעַתַּרִי. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אִי לָא דִּרְמַאי שִׁכְרָא לָא אִיעַתַּרִי: מַאי ״סוּדָנָא״? אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: סוֹד נָאֶה, וּגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים.

Rav continued: If there are dates in your storeroom, run to the brewery to sell them. If you wait, there is a good chance the dates will go bad. The Gemara asks: And how many dates should one keep for himself? Rava said: Up to three se’a. Rav Pappa said: If I were not a beer manufacturer I would not have become wealthy. Some say that it was Rav Ḥisda who said: If I were not a beer manufacturer I would not have become wealthy. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the word sudana, the Aramaic term for a brewer? Rav Ḥisda said: A pleasant secret [sod na’e] and acts of loving kindness, as brewing is a good way to make money and also enables one to perform good deeds.

אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: כׇּל אַגַּב — גְּבִיָּא בָּעֵי. כֹּל אַשְׁרַאי — סָפֵק אָתֵי סָפֵק לָא אָתֵי. וּדְאָתֵי — מָעוֹת רָעוֹת נִינְהוּ.

The Gemara continues to offer advice about mundane matters. Rav Pappa said: Anything you acquire with a document by means of which ownership is transferred, i.e., a bill of acquisition or obligation, requires collection, despite the fact that you are the legal owner. Any sale on credit is uncertain whether or not it will come to fruition. And even if it does come to fruition, the money is bad. These funds are difficult to collect, and they are generally not paid on time.

שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם אַנְשֵׁי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם: כְּשֶׁאַתָּה יוֹצֵא לַמִּלְחָמָה — אַל תֵּצֵא בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה, אֶלָּא תֵּצֵא בָּאַחֲרוֹנָה, כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּכָּנֵס בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה. וַעֲשֵׂה שַׁבַּתְּךָ חוֹל, וְאַל תִּצְטָרֵךְ לַבְּרִיּוֹת. וֶהֱוֵי מִשְׁתַּדֵּל עִם מִי שֶׁהַשָּׁעָה מְשַׂחֶקֶת לוֹ.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said three matters, citing the people of Jerusalem: When you go to war do not go out first, but go out last. The reason is so that if your side is defeated and you need to flee for your life, you will enter the refuge of the city first. And it is better to make your Shabbat like an ordinary weekday and do not be beholden to other beings. And exert yourself to join together with one upon whom the hour smiles.

שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי מִשּׁוּם אַנְשֵׁי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם: אַל תַּרְבֶּה בִּגְנוּת, מִשּׁוּם מַעֲשֶׂה שֶׁהָיָה. בִּתְּךָ בָּגְרָה — שַׁחְרֵר עַבְדְּךָ וְתֵן לָהּ. וֶהֱוֵי זָהִיר בְּאִשְׁתְּךָ מֵחֲתָנָהּ הָרִאשׁוֹן. מַאי טַעְמָא? רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם עֶרְוָה, רַב כָּהֲנָא אָמַר: מִשּׁוּם מָמוֹן. הָא וְהָא אִיתַנְהוּ.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said three matters, citing the people of Jerusalem: Do not indulge in a shameful act in public, because of the incident that occurred involving David and Bathsheba (see II Samuel 11–12). If your daughter has grown up, it is better to free your Canaanite slave and give him to her than to leave her to find a husband on her own. And be careful with your wife with regard to her first son-in-law, as she is especially fond of him. What is the reason for this warning? Rav Ḥisda said: Due to the possibility of licentiousness. Rav Kahana said: Due to the fact that she might give him all your money and leave you impoverished. The Gemara comments: Since either of these could happen, it is best to be prudent.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שְׁלֹשָׁה מִנּוֹחֲלֵי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אֵלּוּ הֵן: הַדָּר בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְהַמְגַדֵּל בָּנָיו לְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, וְהַמַּבְדִּיל עַל הַיַּיִן בְּמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּתוֹת. מַאי הִיא? דִּמְשַׁיַּיר מִקִּידּוּשָׁא לְאַבְדָּלְתָּא.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Three people are among those who inherit the World-to-Come: One who lives in Eretz Yisrael; one who raises his sons to engage in Torah study; and one who recites havdala over wine at the conclusion of Shabbat. The Gemara asks: What is the special importance of that mitzva, to recite havdala over wine? The Gemara answers: This is referring to an individual with only a small amount of wine, who nevertheless leaves some of his kiddush wine for havdala.

אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, שְׁלֹשָׁה מַכְרִיז עֲלֵיהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּכׇל יוֹם: עַל רַוּוֹק הַדָּר בִּכְרַךְ וְאֵינוֹ חוֹטֵא, וְעַל עָנִי הַמַּחֲזִיר אֲבֵידָה לִבְעָלֶיהָ, וְעַל עָשִׁיר הַמְעַשֵּׂר פֵּירוֹתָיו בְּצִינְעָה. רַב סָפְרָא רַוּוֹק הַדָּר בִּכְרַךְ הֲוָה,

Rabbi Yoḥanan further said: The Holy One, Blessed be He, proclaims about the goodness of three kinds of people every day, as exceptional and noteworthy individuals: About a bachelor who lives in a city and does not sin with women; about a poor person who returns a lost object to its owners despite his poverty; and about a wealthy person who tithes his produce in private, without publicizing his behavior. The Gemara reports: Rav Safra was a bachelor living in a city.

תָּנֵי תַּנָּא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרָבָא וְרַב סָפְרָא, צָהֲבוּ פָּנָיו דְּרַב סָפְרָא. אָמַר לוֹ רָבָא: לָאו כְּגוֹן מָר, אֶלָּא כְּגוֹן רַב חֲנִינָא וְרַב אוֹשַׁעְיָא דַּהֲווֹ אוּשְׁכָּפֵי בְּאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וַהֲווֹ יָתְבִי בְּשׁוּקָא דְזוֹנוֹת, וְעָבְדִי לְהוּ מְסָאנֵי לְזוֹנוֹת, וְעָיְילִי לְהוּ. אִינְהוּ מִסְתַּכְּלִי בְּהוּ, וְאִינְהוּ לָא מַדְלָן עֵינַיְיהוּ לְאִיסְתַּכּוֹלֵי בְּהוּ. וּמוֹמָתַיְיהוּ הָכִי: בְּחַיֵּיהֶן רַבָּנַן קַדִּישֵׁי דִּבְאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל.

When the tanna taught this baraita before Rava and Rav Safra, Rav Safra’s face lit up with joy, as he was listed among those praised by God. Rava said to him: This does not refer to someone like the Master. Rather, the statement applies to people like Rav Ḥanina and Rav Oshaya, who were cobblers in Eretz Yisrael, and they would sit in the marketplace of prostitutes and fashion shoes for prostitutes. And the prostitutes would enter their shops and look at them. However, due to their piety, these Sages did not raise their eyes to look at the women. And those prostitutes were so impressed with this behavior that when they swore, they would say as follows: By the lives of the holy Sages of Eretz Yisrael. It is this type of bachelor who is praised by Heaven.

שְׁלֹשָׁה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אוֹהֲבָן: מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ כּוֹעֵס, וּמִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מִשְׁתַּכֵּר, וּמִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַעֲמִיד עַל מִדּוֹתָיו. שְׁלֹשָׁה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שׂוֹנְאָן: הַמְדַבֵּר אֶחָד בַּפֶּה וְאֶחָד בַּלֵּב, וְהַיּוֹדֵעַ עֵדוּת בַּחֲבֵירוֹ וְאֵינוֹ מֵעִיד לוֹ, וְהָרוֹאֶה דְּבַר עֶרְוָה בַּחֲבֵירוֹ וּמֵעִיד בּוֹ יְחִידִי.

The Gemara cites a similar statement. The Holy One, Blessed be He, loves three people: One who does not get angry; one who does not get drunk; and one who is forgiving. The Holy One, Blessed be He, hates three people: One who says one statement with his mouth and means another in his heart, i.e., a hypocrite; one who knows testimony about another person and does not testify on his behalf; and one who observes a licentious matter performed by another person and testifies against him alone. His testimony is meaningless, as he is the only witness; consequently, he merely gives the individual a bad reputation.

כִּי הָא דְּטוֹבִיָּה חָטָא, וַאֲתָא זִיגּוּד לְחוּדֵיהּ וְאַסְהֵיד בֵּיהּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא. נַגְּדֵיהּ לְזִיגּוּד. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: טוֹבִיָּה חֲטָא וְזִיגּוּד מִינַּגַּד?! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִין, דִּכְתִיב: ״לֹא יָקוּם עֵד אֶחָד בְּאִישׁ״, וְאַתְּ לְחוֹדָךְ אַסְהֵדְתְּ בֵּיהּ, שֵׁם רַע בְּעָלְמָא קָא מַפְּקַתְּ בֵּיהּ.

The Gemara comments: This is like that incident where Tuveya sinned with immorality, and Zigud came alone to testify about him before Rav Pappa. Rav Pappa instructed that Zigud be lashed. Zigud said to him: Tuveya sinned and Zigud is lashed, an objection that became a popular saying. He said to him: Yes, as it is written: “One witness shall not rise up against a man” (Deuteronomy 19:15), and you testified against him alone. You have merely given him a bad reputation.

אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר רַב יִצְחָק אָמַר רַב: מוּתָּר לִשְׂנֹאתוֹ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי תִרְאֶה חֲמוֹר שֹׂנַאֲךָ רוֹבֵץ תַּחַת מַשָּׂאוֹ״. מַאי ״שׂוֹנֵא״? אִילֵּימָא שׂוֹנֵא גּוֹי, וְהָא תַּנְיָא: שׂוֹנֵא שֶׁאָמְרוּ — שׂוֹנֵא יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא שׂוֹנֵא גּוֹי.

Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak said that Rav said: Although one who sees another committing a sin should not testify against him by himself, he is nonetheless permitted to hate him, as it is stated: “If you see the donkey of he who hates you lying under its load” (Exodus 23:5). The Gemara clarifies this verse: What is the meaning of he who hates you mentioned in the verse? If you say it is referring to a gentile who hates you, but wasn’t it taught in a baraita that the phrase: He who hates, of which the Torah spoke, is a Jew who hates you, not a gentile who hates you?

אֶלָּא פְּשִׁיטָא, שׂוֹנֵא יִשְׂרָאֵל. וּמִי שְׁרֵיא לְמִסְנְיֵהּ? וְהָכְתִיב: ״לֹא תִשְׂנָא אֶת אָחִיךָ בִּלְבָבֶךָ״. אֶלָּא דְּאִיכָּא סָהֲדִי דְּעָבֵיד אִיסּוּרָא — כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא נָמֵי מִיסְנֵי סָנֵי לֵיהּ, מַאי שְׁנָא הַאי? אֶלָּא לָאו כִּי הַאי גַוְונָא, דַּחֲזָיא בֵּיהּ אִיהוּ דְּבַר עֶרְוָה.

Rather, it is obvious that the verse is referring to a Jew who hates you. But is one permitted to hate a fellow Jew? But isn’t it written: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Leviticus 19:17), which clearly prohibits the hatred of another Jew? Rather, perhaps you will say that the verse is referring to a situation where there are witnesses that he performed a sin. However, in that case, everyone else should also hate him. What is different about this particular person who hates him? Rather, is it not referring to a case like this, when he saw him perform a licentious matter? He is therefore permitted to hate him for his evil behavior, whereas others who are unaware of his actions may not hate him.

רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר: מִצְוָה לִשְׂנֹאתוֹ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יִרְאַת ה׳ (שׂוֹנְאֵי) רָע״. אָמַר רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: מַהוּ לְמֵימְרָא לֵיהּ לְרַבֵּיהּ לְמִשְׂנְיֵיהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי יָדַע דִּמְהֵימַן לְרַבֵּיהּ כְּבֵי תְרֵי — לֵימָא לֵיהּ, וְאִי לָא — לָא לֵימָא לֵיהּ.

Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Not only is this permitted, it is even a mitzva to hate him, as it is stated: “The fear of God is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Rav Ashi: What is the halakha with regard to whether one who saw someone sin may tell his teacher so that he too will hate him? Rav Ashi said to him: If the student knows that he is trusted by his teacher as two witnesses, and therefore his statement will be accepted, he should tell him, and if he is not trusted by his teacher as two witnesses, he should not tell him.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, שְׁלֹשָׁה חַיֵּיהֶן אֵינָם חַיִּים: הָרַחְמָנִין, וְהָרַתְחָנִין, וַאֲנִינֵי הַדַּעַת. וְאָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: כּוּלְּהוּ אִיתַנְהוּ בִּי.

The Sages taught: There are three types of people whose lives are not lives, due to their constant suffering: The compassionate, the hot tempered, and the delicate. Rav Yosef said: All of these attributes are found in me.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה שׂוֹנְאִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: הַכְּלָבִים, וְהַתַּרְנְגוֹלִין, וְהַחַבָּרִין. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף הַזּוֹנוֹת. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁבְּבָבֶל.

Furthermore, the Sages taught: Members of three groups hate other members of the same group: Dogs, roosters, and the Persian priests. And some say: Also prostitutes. And some say: Also Torah scholars in Babylonia.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: שְׁלֹשָׁה אוֹהֲבִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, אֵלּוּ הֵן: הַגֵּרִים, וַעֲבָדִים, וְעוֹרְבִין.

Likewise, the Sages taught: Members of three groups love one another: Converts, slaves, and ravens.

אַרְבָּעָה אֵין הַדַּעַת סוֹבַלְתָּן, אֵלּוּ הֵן: דַּל גֵּאֶה, וְעָשִׁיר מְכַחֵשׁ, וְזָקֵן מְנָאֵף, וּפַרְנָס מִתְגָּאֶה עַל הַצִּיבּוּר בְּחִנָּם. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף הַמְגָרֵשׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ פַּעַם רִאשׁוֹנָה וּשְׁנִיָּה וּמַחְזִירָהּ.

Four types of people cannot be endured by anyone: An arrogant pauper; a wealthy person who denies monetary claims against him; a lecherous old man; and a leader who lords over the community for no cause. And some say: Also one who divorces his wife once and twice and takes her back a third time. He should decide definitively whether or not he wants her.

וְתַנָּא קַמָּא? זִימְנָא דִּכְתוּבָּתָהּ מְרוּבָּה. אִי נָמֵי: יֵשׁ לוֹ בָּנִים הֵימֶנָּה וְלָא מָצֵי מְגָרֵשׁ לַהּ.

The Gemara asks: And why didn’t the first tanna mention this case of a man who remarries his wife after two divorces? The Gemara answers: Sometimes the husband’s payment to her in the event of divorce, as stipulated in her marriage contract, is large, and since he is unable to pay he is forced to take her back. Alternatively, he has children with her and cannot divorce her, as he wants someone to care for them.

חֲמִשָּׁה דְּבָרִים צִוָּה כְּנַעַן אֶת בָּנָיו: אֶהֱבוּ זֶה אֶת זֶה, וְאֶהֱבוּ אֶת הַגָּזֵל, וְאֶהֱבוּ אֶת הַזִּמָּה, וְשִׂנְאוּ אֶת אֲדוֹנֵיכֶם, וְאַל תְּדַבְּרוּ אֱמֶת.

The Gemara continues: Canaan commanded his sons with regard to five matters that are apparently normal behavior for slaves: Love one another, love robbery, love promiscuity, hate your masters, and do not speak the truth.

שִׁשָּׁה דְּבָרִים נֶאֱמָרִים בַּסּוּס: אוֹהֵב אֶת הַזְּנוּת, וְאוֹהֵב אֶת הַמִּלְחָמָה, וְרוּחוֹ גַּסָּה, וּמוֹאֵס אֶת הַשֵּׁינָה, וְאוֹכֵל הַרְבֵּה וּמוֹצִיא קִמְעָה. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף מְבַקֵּשׁ לַהֲרוֹג בְּעָלָיו בַּמִּלְחָמָה.

Six matters are said with regard to a horse: It loves promiscuity, it loves war, its demeanor is arrogant, it despises sleep, it eats much, and it excretes little. And some say: Just as a horse always rushes straight into the heat of a battle, it also attempts to kill its master in war.

שִׁבְעָה מְנוּדִּין לַשָּׁמַיִם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: (יְהוּדִי) [מִי] שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה, וְשֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אִשָּׁה וְאֵין לוֹ בָּנִים, וּמִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ בָּנִים וְאֵין מְגַדְּלָן לְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, וּמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ תְּפִילִּין בְּרֹאשׁוֹ וּתְפִילִּין בִּזְרוֹעוֹ וְצִיצִית בְּבִגְדוֹ וּמְזוּזָה בְּפִתְחוֹ, וְהַמּוֹנֵעַ מִנְעָלִים מֵרַגְלָיו. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף מִי שֶׁאֵין מֵיסֵב בַּחֲבוּרָה שֶׁל מִצְוָה.

Seven are ostracized by Heaven, despite the fact that they have not been ostracized in any court: A Jew who does not have a wife; and one who has a wife but has no sons; and one who has sons whom he does not raise to engage in Torah study; and one who does not have phylacteries on his head, and phylacteries on his arm, and ritual fringes on his garment, and a mezuza in his doorway; and one who withholds shoes from his feet. And some say: Also one who does not sit with a group that is partaking of a feast in celebration of a mitzva.

אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר מָרְתָא אָמַר רַב מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אִישׁ הוּצָל: מִנַּיִין שֶׁאֵין שׁוֹאֲלִין בַּכַּלְדִּיִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תָּמִים תִּהְיֶה עִם ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ״.

Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Shmuel bar Marta said that Rav said, citing Rabbi Yosei of Hutzal: From where is it derived that one may not consult astrologers? As it is stated: “You shall be wholehearted with the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 18:13). The Torah demands absolute faith in God and acceptance of His justice, without attempting to predict the future.

וּמִנַּיִין הַיּוֹדֵעַ בַּחֲבֵירוֹ שֶׁהוּא גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ אֲפִילּוּ בְּדָבָר אֶחָד, שֶׁחַיָּיב לִנְהוֹג בּוֹ כָּבוֹד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כׇּל קֳבֵל דִּי רוּחַ יַתִּירָא בֵּיהּ [וּמַלְכָּא עֲשִׁית לַהֲקָמוּתֵיהּ עַל כׇּל מַלְכוּתָא]״.

And from where is it derived concerning one who knows about another that he is greater than him, even in one matter, that he must treat him with respect? As it is stated: “Because a surpassing spirit was in him, the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:4). This verse teaches that one who is in any way greater than another person is worthy of his respect.

וְהַיּוֹשֶׁבֶת עַל דָּם טָהוֹר — אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ. עַד כַּמָּה? אָמַר רַב: עוֹנָה.

And it was also stated by Rabba bar bar Ḥana: With regard to a woman who was observing her days of ritually pure blood, and those days have ended, she is prohibited to engage in intimacy immediately, lest she see ritually impure blood. Any blood emitted by a woman within forty days after giving birth to a male child or eighty days after giving birth to a female child is ritually pure. After this period of time has passed, a woman should not have relations with her husband immediately. The Gemara asks: Until when is she prohibited to her husband? Rav said: She must wait a set interval of time for the ritual impurity of a nidda, i.e., either one day or one night.

תַּנָּא, הוּא יוֹסֵף אִישׁ הוּצָל, הוּא יוֹסֵף הַבַּבְלִי, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן גּוּר אַרְיֵה, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן יְהוּדָה, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, הוּא אִיסִי בֶּן מַהֲלַלְאֵל. וּמָה שְׁמוֹ? — אִיסִי בֶּן עֲקַבְיָה שְׁמוֹ. הוּא רַבִּי יִצְחָק בֶּן טַבְלָא, הוּא רַבִּי יִצְחָק בֶּן חַקְלָא, הוּא רַבִּי יִצְחָק בֶּן אִלְעָא, הוּא

With regard to Rabbi Yosei of Hutzal, it was taught: The Yosef of Hutzal mentioned in other places in the Gemara is the same person as Yosef the Babylonian. Yosef is the full name of Yosei. Furthermore, he is also known as Isi ben Gur Arye, he is Isi ben Yehuda, he is Isi ben Gamliel, and he is Isi ben Mahalalel. And what is his real name? His real name is Isi ben Akavya. Similarly, the Sage Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Tavla is also known as Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Ḥakla, who is Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Ela. These are two cases of one Sage with several names.

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