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Pesachim 50

01.10.2021 | כ״ו בטבת תשפ״א

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01.09.2021 | כ״ה בטבת תשפ״א

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01.09.2021 | כ״ה בטבת תשפ״א

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Today’s daf is sponsored by Oliver Mitchell in honor of his wife, Rabia Mitchell. “You are an inspiration! From Oliver, Ellin & Jeremy, Rachel, Ari, Aaron, and Joshua.”

The gemara explains two verses in Zecharia Chapter 14, each in three different ways. The connection to our mishna is one of the ways of explaining one of the verses is that the boundaries of Jerusalem will be expanded in the future, relating to the case of one who removed sanctified meat from the boundaries of Jerusalem. The gemara also explains the word “Caananite” in several different ways. Also the word “one” is explained in the verse describing that in the future God will be one and his name will be one. The fourth chapter begins with a discussion of customs that may differ from place to place – what does one do if one travels to a place with a different custom? The first case brought in the mishna is the custom not to work on the morning of Pesach. The second is if one’s crops (of a particular type) are no longer in the fields on the Sabbatical year – what if they are for you but you travel to a place where they are not, do you need to get rid of all of your produce of that type? The mishna rules that one must keep the more strict custom. This is to prevent machloket, dispute. The gemara asks why the gemara mentions only erev Pesach is on all other holidays and Shabbat, one must also refrain from work in the afternoon before? The gemara quotes a braita where it says that one who works in the afternoon before Shabbat and holidays will not see any benefit from that work. The gemara then quotes a list of several types of jobs that if one does them, one is unlikely to get rewarded from that work. The gemara explains why it is for each one that the sages discouraged people from making money through these jobs.

Pesachim 50

כְּאִיסּוּרוֹ: מָה אִיסּוּרוֹ בִּכְזַיִת, אַף חֲזָרָתוֹ בִּכְזַיִת.

is analogous to its prohibition. Just as its prohibition is only when it is the size of an olive-bulk, so too, the requirement to return it is only when it is the size of an olive-bulk.

תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: זֶה וְזֶה כִּשְׁתֵּי בֵיצִים, וְלֹא הוֹדוּ לוֹ חֲכָמִים.

Another opinion on this issue was taught in a baraita. Rabbi Natan says: The minimum measure for both this and that, leaven and sacrificial meat, is two egg-bulks of prohibited material, but the Rabbis did not agree with him.

״וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֹא יִהְיֶה אוֹר יְקָרוֹת וְקִפָּאוֹן״. מַאי ״יְקָרוֹת וְקִפָּאוֹן״?

Incidental to the discussion of leaving Jerusalem and its surrounding area, the Gemara cites expositions of a prophetic passage, including a statement that God will eventually expand the boundaries of Jerusalem. The verse states: “And it shall come to pass on that day that there shall not be light, but heavy clouds [yekarot] and thickness [vekippaon]” (Zechariah 14:6). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the expression “yekarot vekippaon”?

אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: זֶה אוֹר שֶׁיָּקָר בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וְקָפוּי לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

Rabbi Elazar said: This is the light currently provided by the sun, which is significant [yakar] in this world and insignificant [kafuy] in the World-to-Come, when the moon will shine as brightly as the sun does now and the sun will be seven times brighter than it is currently.

רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אֵלּוּ נְגָעִים וְאֹהָלוֹת, שֶׁיְּקָרִין הֵן בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וּקְפוּיִין הֵן לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: This expression refers to the tractates of Nega’im and Oholot, which are weighty [yekarim] owing to their difficulty in this world, as they are among the most complex subjects, but will be easy [kefuyin] in the World-to-Come, when people will be much wiser.

וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אָמַר: אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁיְּקָרִין הֵן בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, וּקְפוּיִין הֵן לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. כִּי הָא דְּרַב יוֹסֵף בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי חֲלַשׁ וְאִיתְנְגִיד, כִּי הֲדַר, אֲמַר לֵיהּ אֲבוּהּ: מַאי חֲזֵית? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עוֹלָם הָפוּךְ רָאִיתִי, עֶלְיוֹנִים לְמַטָּה, וְתַחְתּוֹנִים לְמַעְלָה. אָמַר לוֹ: בְּנִי, עוֹלָם בָּרוּר רָאִיתָ. וַאֲנַן הֵיכִי הָתָם? כִּי הֵיכִי דְּאִיתוּ אֲנַן הָכָא, הָכִי אִיתִינַן הָתָם.

And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: These are people who are considered important [yekarim] in this world and unimportant [kefuyim] in the World-to-Come. This is like the incident involving Rav Yosef, son of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who became ill and was about to expire. When he returned to good health, his father said to him: What did you see when you were about to die? He said to him: I saw an inverted world. Those above, i.e., those who are considered important in this world, were below, insignificant, while those below, i.e., those who are insignificant in this world, were above. He said to him: My son, you have seen a clear world. The world you have seen is the true world, as in that world people’s standings befit them. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked: And where are we, the Torah scholars, there? Rav Yosef responded: Just as we are regarded here, so are we regarded there.

וְשָׁמַעְתִּי שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: אַשְׁרֵי מִי שֶׁבָּא לְכָאן וְתַלְמוּדוֹ בְּיָדוֹ. וְשָׁמַעְתִּי שֶׁהָיוּ אוֹמְרִים: הֲרוּגֵי מַלְכוּת אֵין אָדָם יָכוֹל לַעֲמוֹד בִּמְחִיצָתָן.

Rav Yosef added: And I heard that they were saying in that world: Praiseworthy is the one who arrives here with his studies in hand. And I also heard that they were saying: Those executed by the government enjoy such an exalted status that no one can stand in their enclosure.

(וּמַאן) נִינְהוּ? אִילֵימָא רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וַחֲבֵירָיו — מִשּׁוּם הֲרוּגֵי מַלְכוּת וְתוּ לָא?! אֶלָּא: הֲרוּגֵי לוֹד.

The Gemara asks: And who are these martyrs that Rav Yosef was referring to? If you say that he was referring to Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues, who were martyred, this cannot be: Is their elevated status due only to the fact that they were martyred by the Roman government and nothing more? These men were exceptional in their piety and sanctity during their lives as well. Rather, it is referring to the martyrs of Lod, Pappos and Luliyanos, who gave themselves up to be martyred for the sake of the Jewish people. They falsely admitted to killing the king’s daughter in order to prevent a harsh decree from being issued against the entire community. Although they were not known for exceptional piety before that event, they are considered to be extremely holy due to their martyrdom.

״בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה עַל מְצִלּוֹת הַסּוּס קֹדֶשׁ לַה׳״. מַאי ״מְצִלּוֹת הַסּוּס״?

The Gemara continues to expound the section of the book of Zechariah cited above. The verse states: “On that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses [metzillot hasus]: Holy unto the Lord” (Zechariah 14:20). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the expression metzillot hasus?

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְהוֹסִיף עַל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם עַד שֶׁהַסּוּס רָץ וּמֵצֵיל.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: In the future the Holy One, Blessed be He, will extend Jerusalem by as much as the distance that a horse can run the entire time it casts a shadow [metzeil]. Jerusalem will be so large that a horse running from one side of the city in the morning will not arrive at the other end of the city until midday, when its shadow will have disappeared.

רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אָמַר: כׇּל מְצִילּוֹת שֶׁתּוֹלִין לַסּוּס בֵּין עֵינָיו — יִהְיֶה קֹדֶשׁ לַה׳.

Rabbi Elazar said: All decorative bells [metzillot] that one hangs between the eyes of a horse will be sanctified to God, i.e., they will be consecrated for the Temple treasury.

וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: כׇּל בִּיזָּה שֶׁבּוֹזְזִין יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד שָׁעָה שֶׁהַסּוּס רָץ וּמֵצֵיל — יִהְיֶה קֹדֶשׁ לַה׳.

And Rabbi Yoḥanan said: All spoils that the Jewish people will take from gentiles who wage war against them, up to the time a horse runs and casts a shadow [metzeil], i.e., half a day, will be sanctified for God.

בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר כׇּל בִּיזָּה שֶׁבָּזְזוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהָיָה הַסִּירוֹת בְּבֵית ה׳ כַּמִּזְרָקִים לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ״. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר בְּהָנָךְ תַּרְתֵּי, מַאי ״וְהָיָה הַסִּירוֹת בְּבֵית ה׳״? מִילְּתָא אַחֲרִיתִי קָאָמַר, דְּמִתְעַתְּרִי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִתְנַדְּבִי וּמַיְיתִי.

The Gemara asks: Granted, according to the one who said that this expression refers to all spoils that the Jewish people will take, this is as it is written in the continuation of the verse, which mentions additional treasure donated to the Temple: “And the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the basins before the altar.” However, according to the ones who said these other two explanations, what is the meaning of: “And the pots in the Lord’s house”? The Gemara explains that according to these opinions the verse is saying something else: It is prophesying that in the future the Jewish people will become wealthy and bring donations to the Temple.

בִּשְׁלָמָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר בִּיזָּה, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״וְלֹא יִהְיֶה כְנַעֲנִי עוֹד בְּבֵית ה׳ צְבָאוֹת״. אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר הָנָךְ תַּרְתֵּי, מַאי ״וְלֹא יִהְיֶה כְנַעֲנִי״? אָמַר רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה: אֵין כָּאן עָנִי.

The Gemara goes on to ask: Granted, according to the one who said that this expression refers to spoils, this is as it is written in the next verse: “And on that day there shall no longer be a merchant [kena’ani] in the house of the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 14:21), as he will no longer be needed. However, according to the ones who said these other two explanations, what is the meaning of the expression: “There shall no longer be a merchant”? Rabbi Yirmeya said: The word kena’ani is in fact a contraction of the phrase: There is no poor person here [ein kan ani]. In other words, there will no longer be poor people, and therefore the Jews themselves will be able to donate whatever is needed in the Temple (Maharsha).

וּכְנַעֲנִי מְנָלַן דְּאִיקְּרִי תַּגָּר? דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיַּרְא שָׁם יְהוּדָה בַּת אִישׁ כְּנַעֲנִי״. מַאי ״כְּנַעֲנִי״? אִילֵּימָא כְּנַעֲנִי מַמָּשׁ, אֶפְשָׁר בָּא אַבְרָהָם וְהִזְהִיר אֶת יִצְחָק, בָּא יִצְחָק וְהִזְהִיר אֶת יַעֲקֹב, וִיהוּדָה אָזֵיל וְנָסֵיב?! אֶלָּא אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ: בַּת גַּבְרָא תַּגָּרָא, דִּכְתִיב: ״כְּנַעַן בְּיָדוֹ מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה״. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא מֵהָכָא: ״אֲשֶׁר סוֹחֲרֶיהָ שָׂרִים כִּנְעָנֶיהָ נִכְבַּדֵּי אָרֶץ״.

And from where do we derive that a merchant can be called a kena’ani? As it is written: “And Judah saw there the daughter of a certain kena’ani…and he took her, and went in unto her” (Genesis 38:2). What is the meaning of the word kena’ani in this context? If you say it refers to an actual Canaanite, is it possible that Abraham warned Isaac not to marry a Canaanite woman, and Isaac warned Jacob to the same effect, and nonetheless Judah went and married a Canaanite woman? Rather, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: She was the daughter of a merchant, as it is written: “As for the merchant [kena’an], the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loves to oppress” (Hosea 12:8). And if you wish, say instead that this meaning of the word can be understood from the following verse, which describes Tyre: “Whose traders are princes, whose merchants [kinaneha] are the honorable of the earth” (Isaiah 23:8).

״וְהָיָה ה׳ לְמֶלֶךְ עַל כׇּל הָאָרֶץ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה ה׳ אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד״. אַטּוּ הָאִידָּנָא לָאו אֶחָד הוּא?

The Gemara cites another verse from the prophecy at the end of the book of Zechariah: “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth, on that day shall the Lord be one and His name one” (Zechariah 14:9). The Gemara asks: Is that to say that now He is not one?

אָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא: לֹא כָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, עַל בְּשׂוֹרוֹת טוֹבוֹת אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב״, וְעַל בְּשׂוֹרוֹת רָעוֹת אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ דַּיַּין הָאֱמֶת״. לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, כּוּלּוֹ ״הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב״.

Rabbi Aḥa bar Ḥanina said: The World-to-Come is not like this world. In this world, upon good tidings one recites: Blessed…Who is good and does good, and over bad tidings one recites: Blessed…the true Judge. In the World-to-Come one will always recite: Blessed…Who is good and does good. There will be only one mode of blessing God for tidings.

״וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד״. מַאי ״אֶחָד״? אַטּוּ הָאִידָּנָא לָאו שְׁמוֹ אֶחָד הוּא?

The verse states: “On that day shall the Lord be one and His name one.” The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the word one in this context? Is that to say that now His name is not one?

אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: לֹא כָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, נִכְתַּב בְּיוֹד הֵי וְנִקְרָא בְּאָלֶף דָּלֶת. אֲבָל לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא כּוּלּוֹ אֶחָד, נִקְרָא בְּיוֹד הֵי וְנִכְתַּב בְּיוֹד הֵי.

Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: The World-to-Come is not like this world. In this world, God’s name that is written with the letters yod and heh is read as Adonai, which begins with the letters alef and dalet. God’s name is not pronounced in the same way as it is written. However, in the World-to-Come it will all be one, as God’s name will be both read with the letters yod and heh and written with the letters yod and heh.

סְבַר רָבָא לְמִדְרְשַׁהּ בְּפִירְקָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא סָבָא: ״לְעַלֵּם״ כְּתִיב.

Rava thought to expound upon the correct punctuation and enunciation of the name of God during his public lecture before one of the Festivals. A certain old man said to him: The word forever is written in the verse: “This is My name forever [le’olam]” (Exodus 3:15) without the letter vav, such that it can be read le’alem, to conceal, meaning that the name should be concealed.

רַבִּי אֲבִינָא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״זֶה שְּׁמִי לְעֹלָם״ — ״וְזֶה זִכְרִי לְדוֹר דּוֹר״. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: לֹא כְּשֶׁאֲנִי נִכְתָּב, אֲנִי נִקְרָא. נִכְתָּב אֲנִי בְּיוֹד הֵא, וְנִקְרָא אֲנִי בְּאָלֶף דָּלֶת.

Rabbi Avina raised a contradiction: It is written in the verse: “This is My name forever,” implying a requirement to conceal the name of God, and in the very next phrase it states: “And this is My memorial unto all generations” (Exodus 3:15), which indicates that the name of God is to be publicized and remembered by all. Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: I, i.e., My name, is not read as I am written. I am written with the letters yod and heh, and I am read with the letters alef and dalet.

הַדְרָן עֲלָךְ אֵלּוּ עוֹבְרִין

מַתְנִי׳ מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת מְלָאכָה בְּעַרְבֵי פְסָחִים עַד חֲצוֹת — עוֹשִׂין. מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ שֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת — אֵין עוֹשִׂין. הַהוֹלֵךְ מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁעוֹשִׂין לְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין עוֹשִׂין, אוֹ מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁאֵין עוֹשִׂין לְמָקוֹם שֶׁעוֹשִׂין — נוֹתְנִין עָלָיו חוּמְרֵי מָקוֹם שֶׁיָּצָא מִשָּׁם וְחוּמְרֵי מָקוֹם שֶׁהָלַךְ לְשָׁם.

MISHNA: In a place where the people were accustomed to perform labor on Passover eve until midday, one may do so on that day. In a place where the people were accustomed not to perform labor, one may not do so. The performance of labor on the eve of Passover is not prohibited by Torah law, but is dependent on local custom. If one travels from a place where people perform labor on Passover eve to a place where people do not perform labor, or from a place where people do not perform labor on Passover eve to a place where people perform labor, the Sages impose upon him the stringencies of both the place from which he left and the stringencies of the place to which he went. In both cases, he may not perform labor.

וְאַל יְשַׁנֶּה אָדָם מִפְּנֵי הַמַּחֲלוֹקֶת. כַּיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ: הַמּוֹלִיךְ פֵּירוֹת שְׁבִיעִית מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁכָּלוּ לִמְקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא כָּלוּ, אוֹ מִמָּקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא כָּלוּ לְמָקוֹם שֶׁכָּלוּ — חַיָּיב לְבַעֵר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: צֵא וְהָבֵא לְךָ אַף אַתָּה.

The Sages stated a principle: And a person may not deviate from the local custom, due to potential dispute. Similarly, one who transports Sabbatical Year produce from a place where a crop has ceased in the fields to a place where it has not yet ceased or from a place where it has not yet ceased to a place where it has already ceased is obligated to remove the produce from his possession, in accordance with the stringencies of both locations. It is permitted for homeowners to eat Sabbatical Year produce in their houses only as long as that species of fruit remains in the field as ownerless property. However, once that particular fruit is no longer available for animals in the fields, one is required to remove what remains of that species from his home. The statement in the mishna is referring to one who transported fruit from a location where it ceased in the fields to one where it did not, and vice versa. Rabbi Yehuda says that he need not remove the produce, as he can say to a local resident: You, too, go out and bring this produce from a place where it remains in the field.

גְּמָ׳ מַאי אִירְיָא עַרְבֵי פְסָחִים? אֲפִילּוּ עַרְבֵי שַׁבָּתוֹת וְעַרְבֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים נָמֵי! דְּתַנְיָא: הָעוֹשֶׂה מְלָאכָה בְּעַרְבֵי שַׁבָּתוֹת וְיָמִים טוֹבִים מִן הַמִּנְחָה וּלְמַעְלָה אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם! הָתָם, מִן הַמִּנְחָה וּלְמַעְלָה הוּא דְּאָסוּר, סָמוּךְ לַמִּנְחָה — לָא. הָכָא — מֵחֲצוֹת. אִי נָמֵי: הָתָם, סִימָן בְּרָכָה הוּא דְּלָא חָזֵי, אֲבָל שַׁמּוֹתֵי לָא מְשַׁמְּתִינַן לֵיהּ. הָכָא — שַׁמּוֹתֵי נָמֵי מְשַׁמְּתִינַן לֵיהּ.

GEMARA: The Gemara asks: Why discuss this prohibition particularly with regard to Passover eves? It is prohibited to perform labor even on Shabbat eves and Festival eves as well, as it was taught in a baraita: One who performs labor on Shabbat eves and Festival eves from minḥa time onward never sees a sign of blessing from this work. The Gemara answers that there is a difference between the two situations: There, in the case of Shabbat and Festivals, performing labor is prohibited from minḥa time onward; it is not prohibited adjacent to minḥa time, i.e., just before it. Here, in the case of Passover eve, it is prohibited from midday. Alternatively, there, on Shabbat eve and Festival eve, it is a sign of blessing that he does not see; however, the Sages do not excommunicate him for performing labor. Here, in the case of Passover eve, the Sages also excommunicate him for performing labor, as it is explicitly prohibited.

גּוּפָא: הָעוֹשֶׂה מְלָאכָה בְּעַרְבֵי שַׁבָּתוֹת וּבְעַרְבֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים מִן הַמִּנְחָה וּלְמַעְלָה, וּבְמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּת וּבְמוֹצָאֵי יוֹם טוֹב וּבְמוֹצָאֵי יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים, וּבְכׇל מָקוֹם שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם נִידְנוּד עֲבֵירָה, לְאֵתוֹיֵי תַּעֲנִית צִיבּוּר — אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם.

The Gemara cites the source of the matter itself in its entirety: One who performs labor on Shabbat eves or on Festival eves from minḥa time onward, and similarly one who works immediately upon the conclusion of Shabbat, or the conclusion of a Festival, or the conclusion of Yom Kippur, or on any occasion where there is a trace of sin, which comes to include a communal fast, e.g., the Ninth of Av or a fast for rain, when it is prohibited to perform labor, never sees a sign of blessing from this work. If one performs labor just before Shabbat or immediately after Shabbat, the concern is that even a slight miscalculation could lead to performance of labor on Shabbat itself, when it is prohibited.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: יֵשׁ זָרִיז וְנִשְׂכָּר, וְיֵשׁ זָרִיז וְנִפְסָד. יֵשׁ שָׁפָל וְנִשְׂכָּר, וְיֵשׁ שָׁפָל וְנִפְסָד. זָרִיז וְנִשְׂכָּר — דְּעָבֵיד כּוּלֵּי שַׁבְּתָא, וְלָא עָבֵיד בְּמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא. זָרִיז וְנִפְסָד — דְּעָבֵיד כּוּלֵּי שַׁבְּתָא, וְעָבֵיד בְּמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא. שָׁפָל וְנִשְׂכָּר — דְּלָא עָבֵיד כּוּלֵּי שַׁבְּתָא, וְלָא עָבֵיד בְּמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא. שָׁפָל וְנִפְסָד — דְּלָא עָבֵיד כּוּלֵּי שַׁבְּתָא, וְעָבֵיד בְּמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא. אָמַר רָבָא: הָנֵי נְשֵׁי דְמָחוֹזָא, אַף עַל גַּב דְּלָא עָבְדָן עֲבִידְתָּא בְּמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא — מִשּׁוּם מְפַנְּקוּתָא הוּא, דְּהָא כׇּל יוֹמָא נָמֵי לָא קָא עָבְדָן. אֲפִילּוּ הָכִי — שָׁפָל וְנִשְׂכָּר קָרֵינַן לְהוּ.

Apropos reward or lack thereof, the Gemara cites the Tosefta in which the Sages taught: There is one who is diligent and rewarded for his diligence; and there is one who is diligent and penalized due to his diligence; there is one who is lazy and rewarded; and there is one who is lazy and penalized. How so? Diligent and rewarded is referring to one who works the entire week and does not work on Shabbat eve. Diligent and penalized is one who works all week and works on Shabbat eve. Lazy and rewarded is one who does not work the entire week and does not work on Shabbat eve. Lazy and penalized is one who does not work the entire week and works on Shabbat eve to complete the work he neglected to perform during the week. Rava said: With regard to those women of Meḥoza, even though they do not perform labor on Shabbat eve, it is due to excessive pampering, as neither do they work on any other day. Even so, we call them lazy and rewarded. Despite the fact that their laziness is not motivated by piety, their inactivity has a positive aspect to it.

רָבָא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״כִּי גָדֹל עַד שָׁמַיִם חַסְדֶּךָ״, וּכְתִיב ״כִּי גָדֹל מֵעַל שָׁמַיִם חַסְדֶּךָ״. הָא כֵּיצַד? כָּאן בְּעוֹשִׂין לִשְׁמָהּ, וְכָאן בְּעוֹשִׂין שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָהּ. וְכִדְרַב יְהוּדָה. דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: לְעוֹלָם יַעֲסוֹק אָדָם בְּתוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָהּ, שֶׁמִּתּוֹךְ שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָהּ בָּא לִשְׁמָהּ.

On the topic of reward for a mitzva fulfilled without intent, Rava raised a contradiction: It is written: “For Your mercy is great unto the heavens, and Your truth reaches the skies” (Psalms 57:11); and it is written elsewhere: “For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches the skies” (Psalms 108:5). How so? How can these verses be reconciled? The Gemara explains: Here, where the verse says that God’s mercy is above the heavens, it is referring to a case where one performs a mitzva for its own sake; and here, where the verse says that God’s mercy reaches the heavens, it is referring to a case where one performs a mitzva not for its own sake. Even a mitzva performed with ulterior motives garners reward, as Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: A person should always engage in Torah study and performance of mitzvot, even if he does so not for their own sake, as through the performance of mitzvot not for their own sake, one gains understanding and comes to perform them for their own sake.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הַמְצַפֶּה לִשְׂכַר אִשְׁתּוֹ וְרֵיחַיִם — אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם. שְׂכַר אִשְׁתּוֹ — מַתְקוּלְתָּא. רִיחְיָיא — אַגְרָתָא. אֲבָל עָבְדָה וּמְזַבְּנָה — אִישְׁתַּבּוֹחֵי מִשְׁתַּבַּח בָּהּ קְרָא דִּכְתִיב: ״סָדִין עָשְׂתָה וַתִּמְכֹּר״.

The Sages taught: One who anticipates receiving the earnings of his wife or of a mill never sees a sign of blessing from them. The Gemara explains: Earnings of his wife is referring to a case where she spins thread for others and charges by weight on a scale (Rabbeinu Ḥananel). The profit is small and it is demeaning to walk in public to solicit customers. Earnings of the mill is referring to a hand mill for which people pay rent and grind their grain. In that case too, the profits are meager. However, if a woman works and sells the product of her labor, the verse praises her, as it is written about a woman of valor: “She made a cloak and sold it, and delivered a belt to the peddler” (Proverbs 31:24).

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הַמִּשְׂתַּכֵּר בְּקָנִים וּבְקַנְקַנִּים — אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם. מַאי טַעְמָא? כֵּיוָן דִּנְפִישׁ אַפְחָזַיְיהוּ — שָׁלְטָא בְּהוּ עֵינָא. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: תַּגָּרֵי סִימְטָא, וּמְגַדְּלֵי בְּהֵמָה דַּקָּה, וְקוֹצְצֵי אִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת, וְנוֹתְנִין עֵינֵיהֶן בְּחֵלֶק יָפֶה — אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימַן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם, מַאי טַעְמָא? דְּתָהוּ בֵּיהּ אִינָשֵׁי.

The Sages taught with regard to a sign of blessing: One who earns a living from selling rods or jugs will never see a sign of blessing from them. What is the reason for this? Since their volume is great, the evil eye dominates them. People believe that one is selling more than he is actually selling. Similarly, the Sages taught: Merchants who sell their wares in an alleyway [simta] adjacent to a thoroughfare, where they are seen by all; and those who raise small livestock, which tend to damage other people’s fields; and those who chop down good fruit trees, even if they were permitted to do so; and those who direct their eyes to the fine portion with the intention of taking that portion for himself when dividing an item with others, will never see a sign of blessing from them. What is the reason for this? It is that due to these actions people wonder about him and pay special attention to his conduct. Due to that attention, his actions will not be blessed.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, אַרְבַּע פְּרוּטוֹת אֵין בָּהֶן סִימָן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם: שְׂכַר כּוֹתְבִין, וּשְׂכַר מְתוּרְגְּמָנִין, וּשְׂכַר יְתוֹמִים, וּמָעוֹת הַבָּאוֹת מִמְּדִינַת הַיָּם.

Similarly the Sages taught: In four perutot, payments, there is never a sign of blessing: Wages of scribes of sacred books; wages of disseminators, who repeat and explain the lectures delivered by the Sages on Shabbat; payment of orphans, which one receives when engaging in a partnership with the executor of an orphan’s estate; and money that comes from a country overseas.

בִּשְׁלָמָא שְׂכַר מְתוּרְגְּמָנִין — מִשּׁוּם דְּמִיחֲזֵי כִּשְׂכַר שַׁבָּת. וּמָעוֹת יְתוֹמִים נָמֵי — לָאו בְּנֵי מְחִילָה נִינְהוּ. מָעוֹת הַבָּאוֹת מִמְּדִינַת הַיָּם — מִשּׁוּם דְּלָאו כׇּל יוֹמָא מִתְרְחִישׁ נִיסָּא.

The Gemara asks: Granted, one will be unsuccessful when receiving wages of disseminators, as it appears as if he is receiving wages for work performed on Shabbat, even though what he is doing is not actually prohibited. And it is also understandable that one will see no blessing from orphans’ money, as minors are not capable of relinquishing property. Minors do not have the legal right to forgive even negligible losses, which partners typically overlook. Therefore, one who in the course of business takes even the smallest amount of money from them beyond the sum to which he is entitled is considered a thief. One sees no blessing from money that comes from a country overseas, because a miracle does not transpire every day. Since the risks involved in shipping cargo on long sea voyages are great, one’s merit is diminished each time his merchandise miraculously arrives intact.

אֶלָּא שְׂכַר כּוֹתְבִין מַאי טַעְמָא? אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע תַּעֲנִיּוֹת יָשְׁבוּ אַנְשֵׁי כְּנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה עַל כּוֹתְבֵי סְפָרִים תְּפִילִּין וּמְזוּזוֹת שֶׁלֹּא יִתְעַשְּׁרוּ, שֶׁאִילְמָלֵי מִתְעַשְּׁרִין — אֵין כּוֹתְבִין. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כּוֹתְבֵי סְפָרִים תְּפִילִּין וּמְזוּזוֹת, הֵן, וְתַגָּרֵיהֶן, וְתַגָּרֵי תַגָּרֵיהֶן, וְכׇל הָעוֹסְקִין בִּמְלֶאכֶת שָׁמַיִם, לְאֵיתוֹיֵי מוֹכְרֵי תְכֵלֶת — אֵינָן רוֹאִין סִימָן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם. וְאִם עוֹסְקִין לִשְׁמָהּ — רוֹאִין.

However, what is the reason that one sees no blessing from wages of scribes? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: The members of the Great Assembly observed twenty-four fasts, corresponding to the twenty-four priestly watches (Maharsha), for scribes who write Torah scrolls, phylacteries, and mezuzot, so that they will not become wealthy from their craft, as were they to become wealthy, they would no longer write these sacred items. Similarly, the Sages taught: Scribes who write scrolls, phylacteries, and mezuzot; and their merchants, who buy the sacred scrolls from the scribes to sell them; and their merchants’ merchants; and all those engaged in the work of Heaven and earn their living from it, a phrase that comes to include those who sell the sky-blue dye for ritual fringes, never see a sign of blessing from their labor. And if they engage in these activities for their own sake, to ensure that there will be more sacred items available to the public, then they do see blessing from their labor.

בְּנֵי בַיְישָׁן נְהוּג דְּלָא הֲווֹ אָזְלִין מִצּוֹר לְצִידוֹן בְּמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא. אֲתוֹ בְּנַיְיהוּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֲבָהָתִין אֶפְשָׁר לְהוּ, אֲנַן לָא אֶפְשָׁר לַן. אֲמַר לְהוּ: כְּבָר קִיבְּלוּ אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם עֲלֵיהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שְׁמַע בְּנִי מוּסַר אָבִיךָ וְאַל תִּטּוֹשׁ תּוֹרַת אִמֶּךָ״.

As the mishna discusses the requirement to observe local customs, the Gemara relates: The residents of Beit She’an were accustomed not to travel from Tyre to market day in Sidon on Shabbat eve. In deference to Shabbat, they adopted a stringency and would not interrupt their Shabbat preparations even for a short sea voyage. Their children came before Rabbi Yoḥanan to request that he repeal this custom. They said to him: Due to their wealth, it was possible for our fathers to earn a living without traveling to the market on Friday; however, it is not possible for us to do so. He said to them: Your fathers already accepted this virtuous custom upon themselves, and it remains in effect for you, as it is stated: “My son, hear your father’s rebuke and do not abandon your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8). In addition to adhering to one’s father’s rebuke, i.e., halakha, one is also required to preserve his mother’s teaching, i.e., ancestral customs.

בְּנֵי חוֹזָאֵי נָהֲגִי דְּמַפְרְשִׁי חַלָּה מֵאָרוֹזָא, אֲתוֹ וַאֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ לְרַב יוֹסֵף. אֲמַר לְהוּ: נֵיכְלַהּ זָר בְּאַפַּיְיהוּ. אֵיתִיבֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: דְּבָרִים הַמּוּתָּרִים וַאֲחֵרִים נָהֲגוּ בָּהֶן אִיסּוּר —

The Gemara relates additional customs: The residents of the city of Ḥozai were accustomed to separate ḥalla from rice dough. They came and told Rav Yosef about this custom. He said to them: Let a non-priest eat this dough in their presence to show them unequivocally that this custom has no legal basis. Abaye raised an objection to him: With regard to matters that are permitted, but others were accustomed to treat them as a prohibition,

01.09.2021 | כ״ה בטבת תשפ״א

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I LOVE learning the Daf. I started with Shabbat. I join the morning Zoom with Reb Michelle and it totally grounds my day. When Corona hit us in Israel, I decided that I would use the Daf to keep myself sane, especially during the days when we could not venture out more than 300 m from our home. Now my husband and I have so much new material to talk about! It really is the best part of my day!

Batsheva Pava

Hashmonaim, Israel

I went to day school in Toronto but really began to learn when I attended Brovenders back in the early 1980’s. Last year after talking to my sister who was learning Daf Yomi, inspired, I looked on the computer and the Hadran site came up. I have been listening to each days shiur in the morning as I work. I emphasis listening since I am not sitting with a Gamara. I listen while I work in my studio.

Rachel Rotenberg

Tekoa, Israel

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

Lexington, MA, United States

“I got my job through the NY Times” was an ad campaign when I was growing up. I can headline “I got my daily Daf shiur and Hadran through the NY Times”. I read the January 4, 2020 feature on Reb. Michelle Farber and Hadran and I have been participating ever since. Thanks NY Times & Hadran!

Deborah Aschheim

New York, 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

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

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

I started learning at the start of this cycle, and quickly fell in love. It has become such an important part of my day, enriching every part of my life.

Naomi Niederhoffer

Toronto, Canada

I had dreamed of doing daf yomi since I had my first serious Talmud class 18 years ago at Pardes with Rahel Berkovitz, and then a couple of summers with Leah Rosenthal. There is no way I would be able to do it without another wonderful teacher, Michelle, and the Hadran organization. I wake up and am excited to start each day with the next daf.

Beth Elster

Irvine, United States

My curiosity was peaked after seeing posts about the end of the last cycle. I am always looking for opportunities to increase my Jewish literacy & I am someone that is drawn to habit and consistency. Dinnertime includes a “Guess what I learned on the daf” segment for my husband and 18 year old twins. I also love the feelings of connection with my colleagues who are also learning.

Diana Bloom

Tampa, 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

Jerusalem, Israel

I started my journey on the day I realized that the Siyum was happening in Yerushalayim and I was missing out. What? I told myself. How could I have not known about this? How can I have missed out on this opportunity? I decided that moment, I would start Daf Yomi and Nach Yomi the very next day. I am so grateful to Hadran. I am changed forever because I learn Gemara with women. Thank you.

Linda Brownstein

Mitspe, Israel

I began daf yomi in January 2020 with Brachot. I had made aliya 6 months before, and one of my post-aliya goals was to complete a full cycle. As a life-long Tanach teacher, I wanted to swim from one side of the Yam shel Torah to the other. Daf yomi was also my sanity through COVID. It was the way to marking the progression of time, and feel that I could grow and accomplish while time stopped.

Leah Herzog

Givat Zev, Israel

It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.

Janice Block

Beit Shemesh, Israel

I heard about the syium in January 2020 & I was excited to start learning then the pandemic started. Learning Daf became something to focus on but also something stressful. As the world changed around me & my family I had to adjust my expectations for myself & the world. Daf Yomi & the Hadran podcast has been something I look forward to every day. It gives me a moment of centering & Judaism daily.

Talia Haykin

Denver, 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

California, United States

A friend mentioned that she was starting Daf Yomi in January 2020. I had heard of it and thought, why not? I decided to try it – go day by day and not think about the seven plus year commitment. Fast forward today, over two years in and I can’t imagine my life without Daf Yomi. It’s part of my morning ritual. If I have a busy day ahead of me I set my alarm to get up early to finish the day’s daf

Debbie Fitzerman

Ontario, Canada

I was moved to tears by the Hadran Siyyum HaShas. I have learned Torah all my life, but never connected to learning Gemara on a regular basis until then. Seeing the sheer joy Talmud Torah at the siyyum, I felt compelled to be part of it, and I haven’t missed a day!
It’s not always easy, but it is so worthwhile, and it has strengthened my love of learning. It is part of my life now.

Michelle Lewis

Beit Shemesh, Israel

Ive been learning Gmara since 5th grade and always loved it. Have always wanted to do Daf Yomi and now with Michelle Farber’s online classes it made it much easier to do! Really enjoying the experience thank you!!

Lisa Lawrence

Neve Daniel, Israel

The start of my journey is not so exceptional. I was between jobs and wanted to be sure to get out every day (this was before corona). Well, I was hooked after about a month and from then on only looked for work-from-home jobs so I could continue learning the Daf. Daf has been a constant in my life, though hurricanes, death, illness/injury, weddings. My new friends are Rav, Shmuel, Ruth, Joanna.

Judi Felber

Raanana, Israel